“And now I have finished the work, which neither the wrath of Jove, nor fire, nor the sword, nor devouring age shall be able to destroy.”

“Neither can the wave that has passed by be recalled, nor the hour which has passed return again.”

“Dignity and love do not blend well, nor do they continue long together. ”

“The god of Delos, proud in victory,Saw Cupid draw his bow's taut arc, and said:'Mischievous boy, what are a brave man's armsTo you? That gear becomes my shoulders best.My aim is sure; I wound my enemies,I wound wild beasts; my countless arrows slewBut now the bloated Python, whose vast coilsAcross so many acres spread their blight.You and your loves! You have your torch to light them!Let that content you; never claim my fame!'And Venus' son replied: 'Your bow, Apollo,May vanquish all, but mine shall vanquish you.As every creature yields to power divine,So likewise shall your glory yield to mine.”

“Thus I am not able to exist either with you or without you; and I seem not to know my own wishes.”

“War must be, while we defend our lives against a destroyer who would devour all; but I do not love the bright sword for its sharpness, nor the arrow for its swiftness, nor the warrior for his glory. I love only that which they defend.”

“Venus of Eryx, from her mountain throne,Saw Hades and clasped her swift-winged son, and said:'Cupid, my child, my warrior, my power,Take those sure shafts with which you conquer all,And shoot your speedy arrows to the heartOf the great god to whom the last lot fellWhen the three realms were drawn. Your masterySubdues the gods of heaven and even Jove,Subdues the ocean's deities and him,Even him, who rules the ocean's deities.Why should Hell lag behind? Why not there tooExtend your mother's empire and your own....?Then Cupid, guided by his mother, openedHis quiver of all his thousand arrowsSelected one, the sharpest and the surest,The arrow most obedient to the bow,And bent the pliant horn against his kneeAnd shot the barbed shaft deep in Pluto's heart.”