II LAUS VENERIS ASCLEPIADES Sweet is snow in summer for the thirsty to drink, and sweet for sailors after winter to see the garland of spring; but most sweet when one cloak shelters two lovers, and the tale of love is told by both. III LOVE'S SWEETNESS NOSSIS Nothing is sweeter than love, and all delicious things are second to it; yes, even honey I spit out of my mouth. Thus saith Nossis; but he whom the Cyprian loves not, knows not what roses her flowers are. IV LOVE AND THE SCHOLAR MARCUS ARGENTARIUS Once when turning over the Book of Hesiod in my hands, suddenly I saw Pyrrha coming in; and casting the book to the ground from my hand, I cried out, Why bring your works to me, old Hesiod? V LOVERS' LIPS PLATO Kissing Agathon, I had my soul upon my lips; for it rose, poor wretch, as though to cross over. VI THE FIRST KISS STRATO At evening, at the hour when we say good-night, Moeris kissed me, I know not whether really or in a dream; for very clearly I now have the rest in mind, all she said to me, and all that she asked me of; but whether she kissed me too, I doubt and guess; for if it is true, how, after being set in heaven, do I go to and fro upon earth? VII THE REVELLER MELEAGER Let the die be thrown; light up! I will on my way; see, courage!-- Heavy with wine, what is thy purpose?--I will revel.--I will revel? whither wanderest, O heart?--And what is Reason to Love? light up, quick!--And where is thy old study of philosophy?--Away with the long toil of wisdom; this one thing only I know, that Love took captive even the mind of Zeus. VIII LOVE AND WINE RUFINUS I am armed against Love with a breastplate of Reason, neither shall he conquer me, one against one; yes, I a mortal will contend with him the immortal: but if he have Bacchus to second him, what can I do alone against the two? IX LOVE IN THE STORM ASCLEPIADES Snow, hail, darken, blaze, thunder, shake forth all thy glooming clouds upon the earth; for if thou slay me, then will I cease, but while thou lettest me live, though thou handle me worse than this, I will revel. For the god draws me who is thy master too, at whose persuasion, Zeus, thou didst once pierce in gold to that brazen bridal-chamber.