Book I, Elegy 10

O sweet repose, when I was witness of your first hour of love, and stood by you as you wept together. Ah! what sweet joy to recall that night to memory! Ah! night so oft to be invoked by my prayers, whereon I saw thee, Gallus, languish in thy mistress' arms, and speak love's words amid long-drawn silences! Though sleep weighed down my wearied eyes and the glowing moon drove her team in mid-heaven, yet could I not leave the sight of your tender dalliance, such passion rang in the words ye interchanged.

But since thou hast not feared to yield the secret of thy love to me, take thy reward for the joys thou didst confide. Not only have I learnt to say naught of your sorrows; there is in me something yet better than loyal secrecy. I can join parted lovers, and unbar a mistress' reluctant doors; I too can heal another's fresh-smarting griefs; not slight is the remedy my words can bring. Cynthia has ever taught me what things each lover should seek, and what should shun. Love has done something for me.

See that thou seek not to resist thy mistress when she frowns, nor to speak proudly nor be silent long; nor, should she ask thee aught, do thou refuse it with stern countenance, nor let words of kindness fall on thy ears in vain. Spurn her and she comes in wrath to thee; offend her, and she ne'er remembers to lay aside her just threats. But the more thou humblest thyself and yieldest to her love, the more oft thou shalt enjoy the crown of thy desires. He will be able to abide in the enjoyment of one mistress' love who never claims his freedom nor lets her image vanish from his heart.