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The Beefing of S. Propertius, Esq.

AD TULLUM

Book I, Elegy 1.

Cynthia prima suis miserum me cepitocellis—”

Cynthia first and the wonderful eyes of her
Taught me the meaning of Love and Romance;
Now I have sung to the stars and the skies of her—
Love has diluted the pride of my glance.

Ah! ’tis a year, yet the madness diminishes
Never a fraction, a tittle, or jot,
Though I anticipate well what the finish is,
Though I bewail my unfortunate lot.

Tullus, Milanion traveled the universe
Till Atalanta was thrall to his heart,
Futile my pleading and vain is my tuny verse,
Zero’s the sum of my amorous art.

Witches that lure by some sorcery-ritual
Luna right down from the regular sky,
I shall concede that your power is habitual
An ye make Cynthia paler than I!

41