Sol 6.1

  1. And poetry is only what stirs the man it praises,

    and delights one who yearns and appeases one who is angry.

  2. It yields, so its rhymes are never found skittish,

    nor do words come to it exhausted and weary.

  3. And among people are pursuers of rhymes—you see them

    sending cavalry bands along their tracks.

  4. When they glimpse the rhyme-letter, they rush ahead,

    having left meaning and wording aside.

  5. And if denied noble speech, they make their way to

    its fringes, plundering weak, mediocre speech.

  6. But I let fly with every wondrous verse;

    they spend the night toying with men's minds.

  7. They journey without departing, and draw near though far away,

    and win rank for the men who memorize them.

  8. You see people either lovestruck at their mention,

    ardently devoted—or else borrowing and stealing them.

  9. I drive the base among men away from them, and fear

    disgrace upon my honor if I fail to protect them.

  10. And I withhold them from marriage until their worthy match comes;

    then I freely bestow them—expectantly poised maidens with budding breasts.

  11. And what jealous guardian would not consent, having seen

    your noble qualities, which have come courting?

Sol 6.1