„Tell me, gentle youth, I pray thee,
What in purchase shall I pay thee
For this little waxen toy,
Image of the Paphian boy?”
Thus I said, the other day,
To a youth who pass’d my way:
„Sir,” (he answer’d, and the while
Answer’d all in Doric style,)
„Take it, for a trifle take it;
’Twas not I who dared to make it;
No, believe me, ’twas not I;
Oh, it has cost me many a sigh,
And I can no longer keep
Little gods who murder sleep!”
„Here, then, here,” (I said with joy,)
„Here is silver for the boy:
He shall be my bosom guest,
Idol of my pious breast!”
Now, young Love, I have thee mine,
Warm me with that torch of thine;
Make me feel as I have felt,
Or thy waxen frame shall melt:
I must burn with warm desire,
Or thou, my boy — in yonder fire.