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y or can do for anyone, such have been thy sayings and thy doings, and all thy confidences have been squandered on an ingrate mind. Wherefore now dost torture thyself further? Why not make firm thy heart and withdraw thyself from that [wretchedness], and cease to be unhappy despite the gods' will? 'Tis difficult quickly to depose a love of long growth; 'tis difficult, yet it behoves thee to do this. This is thine only salvation, this is thy great victory; this thou must do, whether it be possible or impossible. O gods, if 'tis in you to have mercy, or if ever ye held forth help to men in death's very extremity, look ye on pitiful me, and if I have acted my life with purity, snatch hence from me this canker and pest, which as a lethargy creeping through my veins and vitals, has cast out every gladness from my breast. Now I no longer pray that she may love me in return, or (what is not possible) that she should become chaste: I wish but for health and to cast aside this shameful complaint. O ye gods, vouchsafe me this in return for my probity. LXXXVIII. Quid facit is, Gelli, qui cum matre atque sorore Prurit et abiectis pervigilat tunicis? Quid facit is, patruom qui non sinit esse maritum? Ecqui scis quantum suscipiat sceleris? Suscipit, o Gelli, quantum non ultima Tethys 5 Nec genitor lympharum abluit Oceanus: Nam nihil est quicquam sceleris, quo prodeat ultra, Non si demisso se ipse voret capite. LXXXVIII. TO GELLIUS. What may he (Gellius!) do that ever for mother and sister Itches and wakes thro' the nights, working wi' tunic bedoffed? What may he do who nills his uncle ever be husband? Wottest thou how much he ventures of sacrilege-sin? Ventures he (O Gellius!) what ne'er can ultimate Tethys 5 Wash from his soul, nor yet Ocean, watery sire. For that of sin there's naught wherewith this sin can exceed he ---- his head on himself. What does he, Gellius, who with mother and sister itches and keeps vigils with tunics cast aside? What does he, who suffers not his uncle to be a husband? Dost thou know the weight of crime he takes upon himself? He takes, O Gellius, such store as not furthest Tethys nor Oceanus, progenitor of waters, can cleanse: for there is nothing of any crime which can go further, not though with lowered head he swallow himself. LXXXVIIII. Gellius est tenuis: quid ni? cui tam bona mater Tamque valens vivat
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