"Of figure very graceful, with an amorous look, correct, Sweet, lovely, full of frolic, mild, with mirth by prudence checked, Caressing, courteous, lady-like, in wreathed smiles bedecked, Whom every body looks upon with love and with respect. Lady Venus, wife of Love, at thy footstool low I kneel, Thou art the paramount desire of all, thy force all feel. O Love! thou art the master of all creatures; all with zeal Worship thee for their creator, or for sorrow or for weal. Kings, dukes, and noble princes, every living thing that is, Fear and serve thee for their being; oh, take not my vows amiss! Fulfil my fair desires, give good fortune, give me bliss, And be not niggard, shy, nor harsh; sweet Venus, grant me this! I am so lost, so ruined, and so wounded by thy dart, Which I carry close concealed and buried deep in my sad heart, As not to dare reveal the wound; I dare not e'en impart Her name; ere I forget her, may I perish with the smart! I have lost my lively colour, and my mind is in decay; I have neither strength nor spirits, I fall off both night and day; My eyes are dim, they serve alone to lead my steps astray, If thou do not give me comfort, I shall swoon and pass away." Venus, amongst other counsels, says to him:-- "Tell all thy feelings without fear or being swayed by shame, To every amorous-looking miss, to every gadding dame; Amongst a thousand, thou wilt scarce find one that e'er will blame Thine unembarrassed suit, nor laugh to scorn thy tender flame. If the first wave of the rough sea, when it comes roaring near, Should frighten the rude mariner, he ne'er would plough the clear With his brass-beaked ship; then ne'er let the first word severe, The first frown, or the first repulse, affright thee from thy dear. By cunning hardest hearts grow soft, walled cities fall; with care High trees are felled, grave weights are raised; by cunning many swear: By cunning many perjured are, and fishes by the snare Are taken under the green wave; then why shouldst thou despair?" Other passages much more striking might be quoted; and amongst them the description of the power of money, which has a severity and freedom, of which it would be difficult to find examples in other writers of that time, either in or out of Spain, though the independent Dante were to enter into the comparison; or the facetious apology and praise of little women, which begins: I wish to make my speeches suit the season, Short; for I always liked, the more I read, Short sermons, little ladies, a brief reason; We fructify on little and well said, &c.[1]