Not to lament that rival flame br Wherewith the heartless Glycera scorns you, br Nor waste your time in maudlin rhyme, br How many a modern instance warns you! br br Fair-browed Lycoris pines away br Because her Cyrus loves another; br The ruthless churl informs the girl br He loves her only as a brother! br br For he, in turn, courts Pholoe,-- br A maid unscotched of love's fierce virus; br Why, goats will mate with wolves they hate br Ere Pholoe will mate with Cyrus! br br Ah, weak and hapless human hearts, br By cruel Mother Venus fated br To spend this life in hopeless strife, br Because incongruously mated! br br Such torture, Albius, is my lot; br For, though a better mistress wooed me, br My Myrtale has captured me, br And with her cruelties subdued me!br br Eugene Fieldbr br