d they could charm thy soul. Not Helen e'er
"Such crowds of wooers sought; not her who mov'd
"The Lapithaean war; nor the bright queen
"Of Ithacus, still 'gainst the coward brave,
"As would pursue thee. Now, though all thou fly'st,
"Thy suitors scorning, thousands seek thy hand,
"Both demi-gods and gods, whoever dwell
"Of deities on Alba's lofty hills.
"Yet wisely would'st thou act, and happy wed,
"Attend my aged counsel (thee I love
"More than all these, and more than thou'dst believe)
"Reject such vulgar offers, and select
"Vertumnus for the consort of thy bed:
"And for his worth accept of me as pledge.
"For to himself not better is he known
"Than me. No truant through the earth he roves;
"These spots he dwells in, and in these alone,
"Nor loves he, like thy wooer's greatest share,
"Instant whate'er he sees. Thou his first flame
"Shalt be, and be his last. He will devote
"His every year to thee, and thee alone.
"Add too his youth, and nature's bounteous gifts
"Which decorate him; and that changed with ease,
"He every form can take, and those the best
"That thou may'st like, for all thou may'st command.
"Are not your pleasures both the same? the fruits
"Thou gatherest first, are they not given to him?
"Who takes thy offerings with a grateful hand.
"But now he seeks not fruits pluck'd from thy trees,
"Nor herbs thy garden feeds with mellow juice,
"Nor aught, save thee. Have pity on his flame:
"Think 'tis himself that sues; think that he prays
"Through me. O fear the vengeance of the gods!
"Affronted Venus' unrelenting rage;
"And fear Rhamnusia's still vindictive mind.
"That these you more may dread, I will relate
"(For age has much to me made known) a fact
"Notorious through all Cyprus which may urge
"Your soul more quickly to relent and love.

"Iphis of humble origin beheld
"The noble Anaxarete--the blood
"Of ancient Teucer: he beheld, and felt
"Love burn through all his frame; he struggled long
"By reason to o'ercome the flame, in vain.
"He came a humble suppliant to her gate.
"To her old nurse, he now his hapless love
"Confess'd, and pray'd her by her nurseling's hopes,
"She would not be severe. Now he assails
"All her attendants with his flattering speech,
"And anxious begs of each to intercede.
"Oft, grav'n on tablets, were his amorous words
"Borne to her. Oft against her door he hung
"Garlands,