Sylvæ, or, The second part of Poetical miscellanies

To LESBIA. A Petition to be freed from LOVE.

IF Pleasure follows when we think upon The good and pious Deeds that we have done: That we ne'er broke our Oaths, ne'er strove to cheat, Nor Heav'n abus'd to credit a Deceit; Catullus, thou art safe, and sure to prove Long happy years from this uneasy Love: What could be done, or what devoutly said▪ You said and did, the utmost Duty paid, But all was lost on the ungrateful Maid. Then why wilt thou continu'd Pains endure? And when thou may'st enjoy, defer the Cure? Assert thy Freedom, and thy self restore, Though Heaven denys, yet be a Wretch no more:

Tis hard a rooted Love to dispossess; 'Tis hard, but you may do it if you please. In this thy Safety doth consist alone, Or possible, or not, it must be done. Great Gods, if Pity doth belong to you, If you can save the man whom Fates pursue; Look down, if he a Pious Life hath liv'd From Love let good Catullus be repriev'd: Which like cold numness hath my thoughts confin'd, And banish'd Mirth and Humour from my Mind: I do not beg She should be Kind at last, Or, what Her Nature will not bear, be Chast. But grant me Freedom, and my Health restore, Gods, thus reward my Goodness, and I ask no more.