Classic Poem

I NSTANTIUS , than whom no man more true
Lives on this earth, no friend more sure than you;
If you would have my Muse true vigour prove,
Give me, O give me something I can love.
'Twas Cynthia made Propertius a poet;
Lycoris showed young Gallus how to do it;
From Nemesis Tibullus gained his name;
Through Lesbia Catullus rose to fame.
And so with me: if some Corinna kind
Or beautiful Alexis I could find,
Even in Mantua my verse were known,
And Ovid's folk would hail me as their own.