In some extremities the lover has recourse, not indeed to anathemas, but to irony. "I am not a reed," he protests, "that where you bend me I should go; nor am I a leaf, that you should move me with a breath." Then, after observing that poison has been poured on his fevered vitals, he exclaims, "Give your love to others, and just see if they will love you as I do!" One poet has arrived at the conclusion that all the women of a particular street in Bova are hopelessly false: "Did you ever see a shepherd wolf, or a fox minding chickens, or a pig planting lettuces, or an ox, as sacristan, snuffing out tapers with his horns? As soon will you find a woman of Cuveddi who keeps her faith." Another begins his song with sympathy, but ends by uttering a somewhat severe warning: Alas, alas! my heart it bleeds to see How now thou goest along disconsolate; And in thy sorrow I no help can be-- My own poor heart is in a piteous state. Come with sweet words--ah! come and doctor me, And lift from off my heart this dolorous weight. If thou come not, then none can pardon thee: Go not to Rome for shrift; it is too late. The Calabrian Greek has more than his share of the pangs of unrequited love; that it is so he assures us with an iteration that must prove convincing. Still, some balm is left in Gilead. Even at Bova there are maidens who do not think it essential to their dignity to act the _role_ of Eunica. The poorest herdsman, the humblest shepherd, has a chance of getting listened to; a poor, bare chance perhaps, but one which unlocks the door to as much of happiness as there is in the world. At least the accepted lover in the mountains of Calabria would be unwilling to admit that there exists a greater felicity than his. If he goes without shoes, still "love is enough:" Little I murmur against my load of woe-- Our love will never fail, nor yet decline; For to behold thy form contents me so, To see thee laugh with those red lips of thine. Dost thou say not a word when past I go? This of thy love for me is most sure sign; Our love will no decline or failing know Till in the sky the sun shall cease to shine.