Book I, Elegy 14

Though reclining idly by Tiber's wave thou quaffest Lesbian wine from cups chased by the hand of Mentor, and marvellest now how swiftly the boats run by and now how slowly the towed barges go: though all the woodland round thee spreads its growth of trees along the hill-crest, huge as the forest that weighs upon slopes of Caucasus, yet all these things could not vie with my love; Love will not yield to all the might of wealth.

For if Cynthia lies with me by night in long-desired rest, or spends the day in kindly love, then the waters of Pactolus bring their wealth beneath my roof and the Red Sea's gems are gathered for my delight; then does my joy assure me that kings must yield to me. And may these joys abide with me till Fate decrees my death. For who may have joy of wealth if Love be not kind? Ne'er be the prize of riches mine if Venus frown! She can bow down the puissant might of heroes, she can bring sorrow to the hardest heart. She fears not to o'erpass the threshold of Arabian onyx, she shrinks not, Tullus, to climb into the purple couch, and toss the hapless youth in unrest o'er all his bed. What avail the silken hangings with their weft of varied hue? Ah! while she is kind and aids me in my love I will not fear to scorn the realms of any monarch, nor gifts such as Alcinous might give.