What a woman says to an eager lover, write it on running water, write it on air.
For the godly poet must be chaste himself, but there is no need for his verses to be so.
It is difficult to lay aside a confirmed passion.
Let us live, my Lesbia, and let us love. Vivamus, mea Lesbia, atque amemus
Better a sparrow, living or dead, than no birdsong at all.
I write of youth, of love, and have access by these to sing of cleanly wantonness.