What women say to lovers, you'll agree, One writes on running water or on air.

So a maiden, whilst she remains untouched, so long is she dear to her own; when she has lost her chaste flower with sullied body, she remains neither lovely to boys nor dear to girls.

It is difficult to suddenly give up a long love. Difficile est longum subito deponere amorem

Better a sparrow, living or dead, than no birdsong at all.

What women say to lovers, you'll agree, One writes on running water or on air.

For the godly poet must be chaste himself, but there is no need for his verses to be so.

The vows that woman makes to her fond lover are only fit to be written on air or on the swiftly passing stream.