Addressed to Gallus
1 What a great calm, when I first was witnessto your love, shared your tears.
It's such a pleasure to recall that night,
(I do it all the time with my prayers),
when I saw you, Gallus, dying, wrapped
in her arms, enagaged in a long, languorous dialogue!
Although sleep was pressing my closing eyes
and the moon reddened midway in the sky,
I couldn't pull away from your sport:
so great was the ardor in your alternating voices!
But since you have the courage to trust me,
accept the rewards of our shared pleasure:
not only have I learned to keep quiet your pains,
there is an even greater promise, friend, in me.
I can rejoin separated lovers,
I know how to open a woman's slow doors.
I can cure any recent pain,
not light is the medicine in my words.
Cynthia always taught me which things to pursue
and which to avoid: Love has a certain effect.
Beware of fighting and making her unhappy,
don't boast too much nor be too long silent.
If she has asked for something, don't make a face.
Never let kind words leave her unanswered.
She gets irritated when disrespected,
makes unjust threats in her rage.
The more you are humble, love's subject,
the more you will reap a good harvest.
He will remain happy with one girl
who will be never free, never thoughtless.