Elegia Iii.[248]

Ad Eunuchum servantem dominam.

Ay me, an eunuch keeps my mistress chaste, That cannot Venus' mutual pleasure taste. Who first deprived young boys of their best part, With self-same wounds he gave, he ought to smart. To kind requests thou would'st more gentle prove, If ever wench had made lukewarm thy love: Thou wert not born to ride, or arms to bear, Thy hands agree not with the warlike spear. Men handle those; all manly hopes resign, Thy mistress' ensigns must be likewise thine. Please her--her hate makes others thee abhor; If she discards thee, what use serv'st thou for? Good form there is, years apt to play together: Unmeet is beauty without use to wither. She may deceive thee, though thou her protect; What two determine never wants effect. Our prayers move thee to assist our drift, While thou hast time yet to bestow that gift.