Horace: Book I, Ode 19 "Mater sæva Cupidinum" Venus, the cruel mother of The Cupids (symbolising Love), Bids me to muse upon and sigh For things to which I've said "Good-bye!" Believe me or believe me not, I give this Glycera girl a lot: Pure Parian marble are her arms-- And she has eighty other charms. Venus has left her Cyprus home And will not let me pull a pome About the Parthians, fierce and rough, The Scythian war, and all that stuff. Set up, O slaves, a verdant shrine! Uncork a quart of last year's wine! Place incense here, and here verbenas, And watch me while I jolly Venus!