Book II, Elegy 21

Ah, deep as the falsehoods Panthus has told thee of me be Venus' displeasure against Panthus. Yet, today thou deemst me a prophet truer than Dodona's shrine. That goodly lover of thine hath taken him a wife! Have so many nights been spent in vain? Hast thou no shame? See, he is free and sings for joy; thou once too credulous now liest lonely; and now the twain speak amongst themselves of thee; he scornfully says that thou oft didst visit his house against his will. May I perish if he aims at aught else than to triumph for his conquest of thee: such is the praise that he the husband wins.

So of old the stranger Jason deceived the maid of Colchis: she was cast forth from her home, for Creusa held her room. So was Calypso tricked by the Dulichian youth: she saw her lover spread his sails for flight. Ye maids, o'erprone to lend an ear to lovers, learn, left forlorn, not rashly to be kind.

Yet for days thou hast been seeking another, who shall be faithful! Fool, the lesson thou hadst from the first should have taught thee caution! My heart, where'er I be, whate'er the hour, in sickness and in health, is with thee still.