Ars Amatoria by Ovid

Sing, "Io Pean" [901] and "Io Pean" twice sing; the prey that was sought has fallen into our toils. Let the joyous lover present my lines with the verdant palm; to _Hesiod_ the Ascrean and to _Homer_ the Meonian old man shall I be preferred. Such did the stranger son of Priam set his whitening sails from the armed Amycle, [902] together with the ravished wife. Such was he who bore thee, Hippodamia, in his victorious chariot, carried by the wheels of the stranger. Why hasten then, young man? Thy ship is sailing in the midst of the waves; and far distant is the harbour for which I make. It is not enough, me your Poet, for the fair to be gained by you. Through my skill has she been acquired; through my skill must she be retained. 'Tis no less merit to keep what is acquired, than to gain it. In the former there is some chance; in the latter will be a work of art.

Now, if ever, Boy _Cupid_ and Cytherea, be propitious _to me_: now, Erato; [903] for thou hast a name from Love. Great attempts do I contemplate; to tell by what means Love can be arrested, the Boy that wanders over the world so wide. He is both inconstant, and he has two wings with which to fly. 'Tis an arduous task to impose laws on these.