Sacrilegious hands have also mangled thy poems, [1237] thou, under whose guidance Troy brought hither her conquered Divinities. Envy takes a lofty flight; on high the breezes sweep along; the lightnings hurled by the right hand of Jove take a lofty range. But you, whoever you are, whom my freedom offends, require, if you are wise, each subject for its proper numbers. [1238] Bold warfare delights to be related in the Mæonian measure. What place can there be there for _gentle_ dalliance? The Tragedians speak in lofty tones; anger befits the buskin of Tragedy; the sock _of Comedy_ [1239] must be furnished from the manners of every-day life. The free Iambic measure may be launched against the hostile foe; whether it be rapid, or whether it drag on its foot [1240] at its close. Soft Elegy should sing of the Loves with their quivers, and the sprightly mistress ought to sport according to her own inclination. Achilles is not to be celebrated in the numbers of Callimachus; Cydippe [1241] belongs not, Homer, to thy song. Who could endure Thais performing the part of Andromache? [1242] If any one were to act Thais in the tones of Andromache, he would be making a mistake. Thais belongs to my purse; licence unrestrained belongs to me. Nought have I to do with the fillet _of chastity_; Thais belongs to my pursuit. If my Muse is befitting a sportive subject, I have conquered, and on a false charge she has been accused. Burst thyself, gnawing Envy; now have I gained great fame;'twill be still greater, let it only proceed with the steps with which it has commenced. But you are making too great haste; let me only live, you shall have more to complain of; my intentions, too, embrace full many a poem. For it gives me delight, and my zeal increases with my eagerness for fame; at the beginning of the ascent only is my steed now panting. Elegy acknowledges that to me she is as much indebted as is the noble Epic [1243] to Virgil. Thus far do I give an answer to Envy; tighten the reins with more vigour, and speed onward, Poet, in thy circle.= ```Ergo ubi concubitus, et opus juvenile petetur; ````Et prope promissæ tempora noctis erunt; ```Gaudia ne dominæ, pleno si pectore sûmes, ````Te capiant: ineas quamlibet ante velim. ```Quamlibet invenias, in qua tibi prima voluptas ````Desinat: a primâ proxima segnis erit. ```Sustentata Venus gratissima: frigore soles, ````Sole juvant umbræ: grata fit unda siti. ```Et pu`det, et dicam, Venerem quoque junge figurâ, ````Quâ minime jungi quamque decere putes.=