Time itself removes all blemishes from the person; and what was a fault, in lapse of time ceases so to be. The nostrils that are unaccustomed to it, are not able to endure the hides of bulls; the odour is not perceived by those that have been rendered used to it in length of time. We may palliate faults by names; let her be called swarthy, whose blood is blacker than the pitch of Illyria. If she has a cast in the eyes, she is like Venus: if yellow haired, like Minerva. She that is only half alive through her leanness, let her be grace ful. Whatever woman is small, say that she is active; her that is gross, call plump; and let each fault lie concealed in its proximity to some good quality. And don't you enquire what year she is now passing, nor under what Consulship [982] she was born; a privilege which the rigid Censor [983] possesses. And this, especially, if she has passed the bloom of youth, and her best years [984] are fled, and she now pulls out the whitening hairs. This age, O youths, or even one more advanced, has its advantages; this soil will produce its crops, this is worth the sowing. While strength and years permit, endure labour; soon will bending old age come with silent foot. Either cleave the ocean with the oars, or the earth with the plough; or turn your warlike hands to cruel arms; or devote your strength and your attention to the fair. This, too, is a kind of warfare; [985] this, too, seeks its advantages. Besides, in these [986] there is a greater acquaintance with their subject; and there is long practice, which alone renders skilful. By attention to dress they repair the ravages of years; and by carefulness they cause themselves not to appear aged.= ```Utque velis, Venerem jungunt per mille figuras. ````Inveniat plures nulla tabella modos. ```Illis sentitur non irritata voluptas: ````Quod juvet, ex æquo fcemina virque ferant. ```Odi concubitus, qui non utrumque resolvunt; ````Hoc est, cur pueri tangar amore minus. ```Odi quæ præbet, quia sit præbere necesse; ````Siccaque de lanâ cogitât ipsa suâ.= ```Quæ datur officio, non est mihi grata voluptas, ````Officium faciat nulla puella mihi. ```Me voces audire juvat sua gaudia fassas: ````Utque morer memet, sustineamque roget. ```Aspiciam dominse victos amends ocellos. ````Langueat; et tangi se vetet ilia diu.= Those advantages has nature given not to early youth, which are wont to spring up soon after seven times five years [987] have passed. Those who are in a hurry, let them drink of new wine; for me let the cask, stored up in the times [988] of ancient Consuls, pour forth the wine of my ancestors. No plane-tree but a mature one is able to withstand Phoebus; the shooting grass, [989] too, hurts the tender feet. And could you, forsooth, have preferred Hermione [990] to Helen? And was Gorge [991] more attractive than her mother? Whoever you are that wish to enjoy matured passion, if you only persevere, you will obtain a fitting reward.=