Apuleius Metamorphoses 9.16
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Latin
English
Denique die quadam timidae illius amiculae sermo talis meas adfertur auris :
" De isto quidem , mi erilis tecum ipsa videris , quem sine meo consilio pigrum et formidolosum familiarem istum sortita es , qui insuavis et odiosi mariti tui caperratum supercilium ignaviter perhorrescit ac per hoc amoris languidi desidia tuos volentes amplexus discruciat . Quanto melior Philesitherus adulescens et formosus et liberalis et strenuus et contra maritorum inefficaces diligentias constantissimus ! Dignus hercules solus omnium matronarum deliciis perfrui , dignus solus coronam nuper in quendam zelotypum maritum eximio studio commento est . Audi denique amatorum diversus ingenium compara .
" De isto quidem , mi erilis tecum ipsa videris , quem sine meo consilio pigrum et formidolosum familiarem istum sortita es , qui insuavis et odiosi mariti tui caperratum supercilium ignaviter perhorrescit ac per hoc amoris languidi desidia tuos volentes amplexus discruciat . Quanto melior Philesitherus adulescens et formosus et liberalis et strenuus et contra maritorum inefficaces diligentias constantissimus ! Dignus hercules solus omnium matronarum deliciis perfrui , dignus solus coronam nuper in quendam zelotypum maritum eximio studio commento est . Audi denique amatorum diversus ingenium compara .
So
one
morning
the
following
words
from
her
cautious
old
confidante
drifted
to
those
same
ears
:
‘Mistress , you must do something about that weak and timid lover of yours , the one you chose without asking me , who trembles at the blink of an eyebrow from your odious and disagreeable husband , and frustrates your willing arms so with the uselessness of his turgid loving . How superior young Philesitherus , he’s handsome , generous , strong and fearlessly loyal in opposing a husband’s ineffectual wiles . He alone , by Hercules , is worthy to enjoy a wife’s favours , his head alone deserves to wear the golden crown , if for no other reason than the clever way he tricked a certain jealous husband recently . Listen and compare the differing talents of these two lovers .
‘Mistress , you must do something about that weak and timid lover of yours , the one you chose without asking me , who trembles at the blink of an eyebrow from your odious and disagreeable husband , and frustrates your willing arms so with the uselessness of his turgid loving . How superior young Philesitherus , he’s handsome , generous , strong and fearlessly loyal in opposing a husband’s ineffectual wiles . He alone , by Hercules , is worthy to enjoy a wife’s favours , his head alone deserves to wear the golden crown , if for no other reason than the clever way he tricked a certain jealous husband recently . Listen and compare the differing talents of these two lovers .