Catalepton 4

Whithersoever the chances of our changing lives lead us to go, what lands soever to visit and what people to see, may I perish if any other shall be dearer to me than thou! For what other can be sweeter than thou, upon whom in thy youth, O Musa, beyond others — and not unworthily — the gods and sisters of the gods have bestowed all blessings, all wherein the choir of Phoebus and Phoebus himself rejoice? O who can have been more skilled than thou, O Musa? O who in all the world speaks with more charm than thou — thou alone? Clio surely speaks not so clearly. Therefore 'tis enough if thou permittest thyself to be loved; for otherwise how may I cause that love to be returned?