Amores II.8

Perfect in setting hair aright in a thousand ways, but worthy to dress only that of goddesses, Cypassis, you whom I have found in our stolen delight not wholly simple, apt for your mistress' service, but more apt for mine — who is the tattler has told of our coming together? Where did Corinna get wind of your affair with me? Can I have blushed? Can I have let slip a single word that gave a tell-tale sign of our stolen love?

Well, suppose I did contend that he who could lose his heart to a slave was out of his senses? The Thessalian took fire at the charms of the slave Briseis; a slave, Phoebas, was loved by the Mycenaean chief' I am neither greater than Tantalus' son. nor greater than Achilles; why should I judge base for me what was fit for kings?

Yet. when she fixed her angered eyes on you, I saw the blushes completely overspread your cheeks; but how much more contained was I, if you happen to remember, when I swore to my faithfulness in mighty Venus' name! Thou, goddess, mayst thou bid the warm South-wind sweep o'er the Carpathian deep the false oaths of a harmless heart!

In return for these offices to you, dusky Cypassis, pay me to-day the sweet price of your caress! Why do you shake your head and refuse, ungrateful girl, and feign fresh fears? 'Twill suffice to have earned the favour of only one of your masters. But if you stupidly say no, I shall turn informer and confess all we have done before; I shall stand forth the betrayer of my own guilt, and tell your mistress where I have met you, and how many times, Cypassis, and how many ways, and what they were!