An Excerpt of Ovid’s Remedia Amoris

Come, deceived young men, and learn from me,

Whom love has tricked and cheated endlessly.

Learn now to heal through him who taught you love:

          One hand will hold the wound and also salve.

The earth brings forth both herbs that heal and harm,

          And nettles oft grow near the rose’s charm.

The wound once dealt to Telephus by his foe,

          The spear of great Achilles cured also.

What  is said to men, girls believe it too,

          For both are armed with equal lessons new.

And if some counsel seems not made for you,

          Still by example it may teach you true.

It is a noble task to quench love’s flame,

          And not let hearts be bound in vice and shame.

Had Scylla read these little books of mine,

          Nisus, the purple lock would still be thine.

With me, so come, restrain your ruinous cares;

          With me, young men, set straight the ship that bears.

Ovid, Remedia Amoris, 41-54, 67-70