Book IX, Epigram 77: De effigie Camoni

This which you see is my Camonus face,
Such his young looks, such his first beauty was
Thy countenance grew stronger twice ten years
Till a beard cream'd his cheeks with downy haires.
The offer'd Purple once his shoulders spread,
But one of the three Sisters wish'd him dead,
And thence his hast'ned thred of life did cut,
Which to his Father in a sad Urne put
Came from his absent pile: but least alone
This Picture should present his beauty gone,
His Image yet more sweetly drawn shall be
In never dying papers writ by mee.