To Albius Tibullus I
By Eugene Field
Not to lament that rival flame Wherewith the heartless Glycera scorns you, Nor waste your time in maudlin rhyme, How many a modern instance warns you! Fair-browed Lycoris pines away Because her Cyrus loves another; The ruthless churl informs the girl He loves her only as a brother! For he, in turn, courts Pholoe,-- A maid unscotched of love's fierce virus; Why, goats will mate with wolves they hate Ere Pholoe will mate with Cyrus! Ah, weak and hapless human hearts, By cruel Mother Venus fated To spend this life in hopeless strife, Because incongruously mated! Such torture, Albius, is my lot; For, though a better mistress wooed me, My Myrtale has captured me, And with her cruelties subdued me!
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"Not to lament that rival flame..."
Eugene Field's contribution to classic is further solidified by the brilliance found in "To Albius Tibullus I"... ### Why We Love This Line At Linespedia, we believe that poetry is the ultimate sanctuary for the soul...