LXIX

Don’t be bewildered, Rufus, as to why no woman

Is willing to lay her delicate thighs beneath you

Even if you ply her with gifts of fine clothes

Or splendid gleaming gemstones.

There is a cruel rumour that does you discredit, according

To which you house a wild goat in your armpits.

Everyone is afraid of it, and no wonder: for it really is

A bad beast, not one a beautiful girl should bed down with.

So either kill the harsh assault on our noses

Or stop wondering why they flee.