Suppose that nature too has done her part, Infused into his soul a sober grace, And blushed a modest blood into his face, (For nature is a better guardian far Than saucy pedants, or dull tutors are;) Yet still the youth must ne'er arrive at man, (So much almighty bribes and presents can;) Even with a parent, where persuasions fail, Money is impudent, and will prevail. We never read of such a tyrant king, Who gelt a boy deformed, to hear him sing; Nor Nero, in his more luxurious rage, E'er made a mistress of an ugly page: Sporus, his spouse, nor crooked was, nor lame, } With mountain back, and belly, from the game } Cross-barred; but both his sexes well became. } Go, boast your Springal, by his beauty curst To ills, nor think I have declared the worst; His form procures him journey-work; a strife Betwixt town-madams, and the merchant's wife: Guess, when he undertakes this public war, What furious beasts offended cuckolds are. Adulterers are with dangers round beset; Born under Mars, they cannot 'scape the net; And, from revengeful husbands, oft have tried Worse handling than severest laws provide: One stabs, one slashes, one, with cruel art, Makes colon suffer for the peccant part. But your Endymion, your smooth smock-faced boy, Unrivalled, shall a beauteous dame enjoy. Not so: one more salacious, rich, and old, Outbids, and buys her pleasure for her gold: Now, he must moil, and drudge, for one he lothes; She keeps him high in equipage and clothes; She pawns her jewels, and her rich attire, And thinks the workman worthy of his hire. In all things else immoral, stingy, mean, But, in her lusts, a conscionable quean. She may be handsome, yet be chaste, you say;-- Good observator, not so fast away; Did it not cost the modest youth his life, Who shunned the embraces of his father's wife?[164] And was not t'other stripling forced to fly, } Who coldly did his patron's queen deny, } And pleaded laws of hospitality?[165] } The ladies charged them home, and turned the tale; With shame they reddened, and with spite grew pale. 'Tis dangerous to deny the longing dame; She loses pity, who has lost her shame. Now Silius wants thy counsel, give advice; Wed Cæsar's wife, or die--the choice is nice.[166] Her comet-eyes she darts on every grace, And takes a fatal liking to his face. Adorned with bridal pomp, she sits in state; The public notaries and Aruspex wait; The genial bed is in the garden dressed, } The portion paid, and every rite expressed, } Which in a Roman marriage is professed. }