Horace: Book I, Ode 19
Reading edition
"Mater sæva Cupidinum"
Venus, the cruel mother of The Cupids (symbolising Love), Bids me to muse upon and sigh For things to which I've said "Good-bye!" Believe me or believe me not, I give this Glycera girl a lot: Pure Parian marble are her arms— And she has eighty other charms. Venus has left her Cyprus home And will not let me pull a pome About the Parthians, fierce and rough, The Scythian war, and all that stuff. Set up, O slaves, a verdant shrine! Uncork a quart of last year's wine! Place incense here, and here verbenas, And watch me while I jolly Venus!