May the Deities grant that you may be able to pass the threshold of the mistress that you have forsaken; and that your feet may aid your determination. And you will be able; do you only wish to adhere to your purpose. Now it is necessary to go with boldness, now to put spur to the swift steed. Believe that in that cave are the Lotophagi, [1283] in that the Syrens; add sail to your oars. The man, too, who being your rival, you formerly took it amiss; I would have you cease to hold him in the place of an enemy. But, at least, though the hatred should still exist, salute him. When now you shall be able to embrace him, you will be cured. That I may perform all the duties of a physician, behold! I will tell you what food to avoid, or what to adopt. The Bauman [1284] onions, or those sent you from the Libyan shores, or whether those that come from Megara, [1285] will all prove injurious. And 'tis no less proper to avoid the lustful rocket, and whatever else provokes our bodies to lust. To more advantage may you use rue that sharpens the sight, [1286] and whatever guards our bodies against lust. Do you enquire what I would advise you about the gifts of Bacchus? You will be satisfied thereon by my precepts sooner than you expect. Wine incites the feelings to lust, unless you take it in great quantities, and, drenched with much liquor, your senses become stupefied. By wind is fire kindled, by wind is it extinguished. A gentle breeze nourishes flame, a stronger one puts it out. Either let there be no drunkenness, or to so great an extent as to remove your anxieties; if there is any medium between the two, it is injurious. This work have I completed; present the garlands to my wearied bark. I have reached the harbour, whither my course was directed. Both females and males, healed by my lays, to the Poet ere long will you be fulfilling your duteous vows. FOOTNOTES [Footnote 1201: Wounded by whom.--Ver. 5. He alludes to the wound received by Venus from Diomedes, the son of Tydeus.] [Footnote 1202: Tying up his neck.--Ver. 17. He probably alludes to the unfortunate end of the passion of Iphis for Anaxarete, which is related at the close of the Fourteenth Book of the Metamorphoses.] [Footnote 1203: A remedy.--Ver. 47. Telephus, the son of Hercules and Autre, having been wounded by the spear of Achilles, was cured by the application of the rust of the same weapon.] [Footnote 1204: Nine times she went.--Ver. 56. See the Epistle of Phyllis to Demophoa.] [Footnote 1205: Become a bird.--Ver. 62. See the Metamorphoses, Book vi.] [Footnote 1206: Assertor.--Ver. 73. This word was properly applied to one who laid his hands on a slave, and asserted his freedom. By the Laws of the 'Twelve Tables,' he was required to give security for his appearance in an action by the master of the slave, to the amount of fifty 'asses,' and no more.] [Footnote 1207: Liberating wand.--Ver. 74. See the Last Book, 1. 615 and the Note.]