Classic Poem

Book II. Ode IV

A servant-maid thy love has caught,
No shame the girl to thee has brought;
Achilles to a handsome slave
The homage of his passion gave.

A captive , by the victor claim'd,
The son of Telamon inflam'd;
Nor could the King of Men escape
From Love, his tyrant, in the rape .

Who knows but Phyllis may to thee
Be a fair match in pedigree —
Though now a servant, may have sprung
From Kings that reign'd when Time was young?

Could such a girl, by chance preferr'd,
Be of Love's children from the herd?
Could she of spurious birth complain,
So loving, so averse to gain?

Suspect not me of amorous art,
Because I take the fair-one's part;
At forty — Beauty's harmless friend
May with impunity commend.