Page:Catullus, Tibullus and Propertius.djvu/122

110 But lest such encouragements should not suffice to influence his coy inamorata, or her fears of offending the so-called "husband," who withholds her from him, should become confirmed, Tibullus adduces the assurances of a witch whom he has lately consulted to show that a way may be smoothed for their interviews as heretofore. Of this witch Tibullus gives a highly poetic description:—

The services of this functionary Tibullus professes to have secured to throw dust in his rival's eyes, though for the matter of that he lets fall a hint that, had he preferred it, she could have given him a spell that would enable him to forget her. But that was not his wish, the earnest desire rather of a lasting and mutual love. It would seem to be with a covert reference to his rival, a soldier probably, enriched with spoils and loot, and divided as occasion suited betwixt the fields of Venus and of Mars, that Tibullus drew the counterpart pictures of peace and war that follow,