Carmen LXXII (Cornish)

You used once to say that Catullus was your only friend, Lesbia, and that you would not prefer Jupiter himself to me. I loved you then, not only as the common sort love a mistress, but as a father loves his sons and sons-in-law. Now I know you; and therefor e, though I burn more ardently, yet you are in my sight much less worthy and lighter. How ean that be? you say. Because such an injury as this drives a lover to be more of a lover, but less of a friend.