University of Virginia Library

The Third ELEGY of the Third Book of Tibullus.

Why to the Gods do I my Vows repeat?
With Incense bribe them, and with Pray'r intreat?
Is it, Neæra, that thou may'st behold
Me tread on Marble under Roofs of Gold?
That Bacchus would a joyful Vintage yield?
Or Ceres crown the Labours of the Field?
No, (Only Blessing!) 'tis for thy Return,
The sacred Fires on ev'ry Altar burn.
In thy Embraces let me happy live,
'Tis all that I would ask, or Heav'n can give:
There to resign my latest Gasp of Breath,
Clasp'd in thy Arms, when seiz'd by those of Death.
Not Heaps of treasur'd Gold allure my Eye;
The Phrygian Column, or the Tyrian Dye;
Not awful Bow'rs, like sacred Groves design'd,
That strike Religious Rev'rence on the Mind;
Not all the Pomp that gazing Crowds admire,
The gawdy Equipage and rich Attire:
These Envy raise. Nor can the lab'ring Mind
Assur'd Repose in their Possession find.
Fortune, who governs with Despotick Sway,
Resumes to Morrow, what she gave to Day.
Poor be my Lot, Inglorious be my State,
Bless'd with thy Presence, I'll absolve my Fate.
But if thy Absence I must still bemoan,
What Gift of Life can for the Loss attone?
The Wealth of Kings wou'd be too mean a Price,
On Crowns less Splendor waits than on thy Eyes.
Pride and Ambition vulgar Souls may fire,
But Love's the Empire to which I aspire.
Saturnian Juno! hear thy Suppliant's Pray'r,
And thou, O Venus! aid a Lover's Care.
Hasten the happy and the welcome Day,
That shall Neæra to my Arms convey.
Or, if the Fates averse with sullen Pride,
Mock my fond Passion, and my Hopes deride;
Deep let me drink of the Lethæan Wave,
And dark Oblivion hide me in the Grave.