Her filmy web of Coan weave with golden broidery gleams;
Her swarthy slaves the Indian sun touched with its burning beams.

In rival hues to make her fair all conquered regions vie,
Afric its azure must bestow, and Tyre its purple dye.

O look--I tell what all men know--on that most favored lover!
Once in the market-place he sat, with both his soles chalked over.






BOOK III






ELEGY THE FIRST

THE NEW-YEAR'S GIFT


Now the month of Mars beginning brings the merry season near,
By our fathers named and numbered as the threshold of the year.
Faithfully their custom keeping, through the wide streets to and fro,