Amores III.4

Hard husband, by setting a keeper over your tender wife you nothing gain; 'tis her own nature must be each woman's guard. If she is pure when freed from even fear, then first is she pure; she who sins not because she may not — she sins! Grant you have guarded well the body, the mind is untrue; and no watch can be set o'er a woman's will. Nor can you guard her body, though you shut every door; with all shut out, a traitor will be within. She to whom erring is free, errs less; very power makes less quick the seeds of sin. Ah, trust to me, and cease to spur on to fault by forbidding : indulgence will be the apter way to win.

But recently I saw a horse rebellious against the curb take bit in his obstinate mouth and career like thunderbolt; he Stopped the very moment he felt the rein was given, and the lines were lying loose on his flying mane! We ever strive for what is forbid, and ever covet what is denied; so the sick man longingly hangs over forbidden water. A hundred eyes before, a hundred behind, had Argus — and these Love alone did oft deceive; the chamber of Danae was eternally strong with iron and rock, yet she who had been given a maid to its keeping became a mother. Penelope, although without a guard, remained inviolate among SO many youthful wooers.

Whatever is guarded we desire the more, and care itself invites the thief; few love what another concedes. And that fair one of yours wins not because of her beauty, but because of her husband's love 'y. something there is, they think, for you to be smitten with. She whom her husband guards is not made honest thereby, but a mistress much desired; fear itself gives her greater price than her charms. Re wrathful if you will, 'tis forbidden joys delight; she only charms whoe'er can say : " I fear!" And yet 'tis not right to watch a free-born wife — let this fear vex women of other blood than ours! Is your wife, forsooth, to be chaste merely that her keeper may say : " I am the cause " — merely for the glory of your slave?

He is too countrified who is hurt when his wife plays false, and is but slightly acquaint with the manners of the city in which the sons of Mars were born not without reproach — Romulus, child of Ilia, and Ilia's child Remus. Why did you marry a beauty if none but a chaste would suit? Those two things can never in any wise combine.

If you are wise, indulge your lady; put off stern looks and do not insist on the rights of a rigid husband, and cherish the friends your wife will bring — and she will bring many! You will be in great favour thus, and with very little effort; thus will you find yourself ever going to dine with the young, and at home see many presents not of your giving.