Your glossy clothes are superfine,
You mock my old ones and abhor them;
At least, if threadbare, they're mine own,
I didn't cheat the tailor for them.

Just watch the fellow yonder stroll along!
The costliest of clothes he loves to wear,
And after him there comes a motley throng
Of clients spruce and slaves with curly hair.
His chair is gay and decked with curtains fair;
Say you the smartest dandy in the town?
Just now to buy a meal of plainest fare
He pawned his only ring for half-a-crown.

Those Libyan rogues accuse your wife of greed,
And call her avaricious; yes, indeed!
But such a charge of rankest falsehood savours;
She rather is too generous with her favours.

I OFFERED love — you ask for awe;
Then I'll obey you and revere;
But don't forget the ancient saw
That love will never dwell with fear.

Your wife is not lacking in prudence or spite,
And that she has shown very plain;
She has bidden an eunuch to watch you at night,
And thinks then you chaste will remain.

You would be free, but cannot? that's a lie;
'Tis easy, there's a simple plan to try.
Cease hunting for choice dinners everywhere,
And be content to drink vin ordinaire;
Let gold inlay on Cinna's table shine,
Nor envy him; and wear a coat like mine,
Waste not your substance on a courtesan;
Lodge simply — 'tis enough for any man.
Rule thus your mind to love but simple things
And you'll be freer than the Parthian Kings.

O BATHING man, I like your plan
Of counting, for I heard
Stout Spatale was charged as three,
And paid without a word.

" I WON'T marry Betty: she's too fond of men,"
" Well, boys find her charming." " I'll marry her then."

R UFUS , my simple tastes demand
But modest things to smooth my path,
Good wine and food, a barber and
A bath,
Chessmen, a board on which to play,
A friend whose tastes and mine agree,
Some books but leaving the choosing pray
To me.

A young and well-grown serving lad,
One maid if comely would not hurt,
'Twould keep him busy if he had
A flirt.
Ah, friend, if you would give me these,
Though in a small provincial home,
I'd leave you all the luxuries

S UBDOLA famosae moneo fuge retia moechae,
Leuior o conchis, Galle, Cytheriacis.
Confidis natibus? Non est pedico maritus:
Quae faciat duo sunt: irrumat aut futuit.