Cressida: They say all lovers swear more performance than they are able, and yet reserve an ability that they never perform: vowing more than the performance of ten, and discharging less than the tenth part of one. They that have the voice of lions and the act of hares, are they not monsters? Act 3.2 Again: Troilus: This is the monstrosity of love, lady—that the will is infinite and the execution confined; that the desire is boundless and the act a slave to limit. Act 3.2 Troilus: What will it be When that the watery palate tastes indeed Love’s thrice repured nectar?—death, I fear me, Swooning distraction, or some joy too fine, Too-subtle potent, tuned too sharp in sweetness, For the capacity of my ruder powers: Act 3.2 There are similar references in _The Merry Wives of Windsor_, _Twelfth Night_, and _A Midsummer Night’s Dream_. In _Pericles_ Priapus is mentioned as a symbol of virility: Pericles: Fie, fie upon her! She’s able to freeze the god Priapus. * * * * * François Villon, the fifteenth century French lyric poet, was not too happy in his loves. In his _Double Ballade_ he makes his personal confession on amatory exercises, and gives due admonitions as to the possible effects of erotic practices: Then love until you have your fill, Follow the ball and midnight feast, The end will bring you naught until You break your head, to say the least; For foolish loves make man a beast: Idolatrous was Solomon, And thereby Samson’s vision ceased. Happier those who all this shun! And Orpheus, sweet troubadour, Who piped his flute among the dead, Risked mortal peril on its spoor From Cerberus of the triple head; And beautiful Narcissus fled, Because of love too lightly won, To seek his peace in a watery bed. Happier those who all this shun! Sardana, once a valiant knight, Who conquered all the realm of Crete, Aped woman’s form and took delight In girlish chores and things effete; And David, quitting wisdom’s seat, Forgot his fear of God for one Whose perfumed thighs aroused his heat. Happier those who all this shun!