Seeking often in mind with spirit eager of study
How I could send thee songs chaunted of Battiadés,
So thou be softened to us, nor any attempting thou venture
Shot of thy hostile shaft piercing me high as its head,--
Now do I ken this toil with vainest purpose was taken, 5
(Gellius!) nor herein aught have our prayers availèd.
Therefore we'll parry with cloak what shafts thou shootest against us;
And by our bolts transfixt, penalty due thou shalt pay.
Oft with studious mind brought close, enquiring how I might send thee the
poems of Battiades for use, that I might soften thee towards us, nor thou
continually attempt to sting my head with troublesome barbs--this I see now
to have been trouble and labour in vain, O Gellius, nor were our prayers to
this end of any avail. Thy weapons against us we will ward off with our
cloak; but, transfixed with ours, thou shalt suffer punishment.
* * * * *