Book XI, Epigram 91 (Ker)

Aeolis' child, Canace, lies buried in this tomb, little Canace, whose seventh winter came her last Ah! for the guilt, the crime! Thou, wayfarer, who art quick to weep, here mayst thou not lament the shortness of life: sadder than death is death's guise; a dire canker wasted her face, and settled on her tender mouth, and her very kisses the cruel scourge consumed; not whole were her lips surrendered to the smoky pyre. If it had to come with so mistimed a flight, fate should have come by other path. But death hasted to close the channel ot her winsome speech, lest her tongue might have power to bend the hard goddesses.