Classic Poem

Our friend Gellianus had sent him for sale
A certain young damsel — whereby hangs a tale.
She was one of the sort who Suburra frequent
And bore some plain signs of the life she had spent;
So wishing to show there was not any risk —
For the bidding ran low and was not at all brisk —
He plucked up his courage and kissed the coy dear,
Twice, thrice, and again, just to make matters clear.
And what do you think by his courage he got?
The one bid — five pounds — was withdrawn on the spot.