Ad Eunuchum servantem dominam.
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y 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. 10Please 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. FOOTNOTES: [248] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.
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