Erotica Romana

<p><SPAN name="link2H_4_0016" id="link2H_4_0016"></SPAN></p> <h2> XVII </h2> <p>Poets of old in chorus cried out against those two serpents,<br/> <br/> Making them horrible names, hated in all of the world:<br/> <br/> Python the one, the other the Hydra of Lerna. These monsters<br/> <br/> Both have now been destroyed, thanks to the deeds of the gods.<br/> <br/> Fire-breathing, venomous once, they no longer now depredate our<br/> <br/> Flocks and meadows and woods, fields of golden grain.<br/> <br/> How is it then that some spiteful god in his wrath has<br/> <br/> Raised from the poisonous slime offspring so monstrous again?<br/> <br/> There's an insidious viper creeps into the loveliest gardens,<br/> <br/> Lying in wait to attack all who seek pleasure therein.<br/> <br/> Noble Hesperian dragon, I call you courageous and forthright.<br/> <br/> Boldly defending your own beautiful apples of gold.<br/> <br/> As for this worm, why he is not guarding at all, for his presence<br/> <br/> Sullies both garden and fruit, till they deserve no defense.<br/> <br/> Secretly coiled beneath bushes, where he befouls the sweet wellsprings,<br/> <br/> Turning to poisonous drool Cupid's lifegiving dew.<br/> <br/> Happy Lucretius knew how in his day to forego love completely,<br/> <br/> Fearing not to enjoy pleasure in anyone's arms.<br/> <br/> Fortunate Ancient, Propertius, for you a slave fetched the girls down<br/> <br/> From the Aventine Hill, from Tarpeia's grove.<br/> <br/> Cynthia then, when driving you out of such unchaste embraces,<br/> <br/> Found you unfaithful, it's true, but she did find you whole.<br/> <br/> Who would today dare attempt to escape from fidelity's ennui?<br/> <br/> Love does not hold one back&mdash;only concern for one's health.<br/> <br/> Even the woman we love may afford us uncertain enjoyment;<br/> <br/> Nowhere can feminine lap safely encouch a man's head.<br/> <br/> Matrimonial bed's insecure and so's fornication;<br/> <br/> Husband, lover and wife pass to each other the hurt.<br/> <br/> Think of those ages of gold when Jupiter followed his urges,<br/> <br/> Chose Callisto one day, turned to Semel the next.<br/> <br/> It was important to him to find thresholds of temples so sacred<br/> <br/> Pure when, enamoured, he sought powerful entry to them.<br/> <br/> Can you imagine the ragings of Juno if in love's skirmish<br/> <br/> Poisonous weapons on her by her own spouse had been turned?<br/> <br/> But we neo-pagans may not after all be abandoned entirely:<br/> <br/> Yet there is speeding a god mercifully over the earth,<br/> <br/> Quick and assiduous. Everyone knows him and ought to adore him,<br/> <br/> Herald of Zeus: Hermes, the healing god.<br/> <br/> Although his father's temple be fallen, and though of its pillars<br/> <br/> Scarcely a pair yet records ancient glory adored,<br/> <br/> Nevertheless the son's place of worship still stands, and forever<br/> <br/> Will there the ardent requests alternate with the thanks.<br/> <br/> Only one favor I beg of you, Graces (I ask it in secret&mdash;<br/> <br/> Fervent my prayer and deep, out of a passionate breast):<br/> <br/> My little garden, my sweet one, protect it and do not let any<br/> <br/> Evil come near it nor me. Cupid will hold out his hand:<br/> <br/> O, and entrusting myself to the rascal, I beg you please may I<br/> <br/> Do so in pleasure with no danger or worry or fear.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />