But beware of delaying too long! See, the year
Passes swiftly—" etc. etc.[1]
In two others of the Elegies of Tibullus, the Eighth and Ninth of the same Book, mingled into the addresses to the unworthy Delia, are the verses of Tibullus to yet another boy, Marathus. The poet's comments on his really grande passion for that youth, who seems to have given Tibullus a great deal of unhappiness. In the Eighth Elegy we find the poet in somewhat the same situation as was Shakespeare. The inconstant Marathus has fallen in love with a mercenary girl, Pholoe, who is cold to Marathus; making the boy wretched with desire. The jealous Tibullus is altruistic enough to reproach Pholoe, and to wish the ungrateful lad success; reminding Pholoe of what a treasure of sexual delight she is scorning:
"A boy more precious is than gold! On his soft lips
No rough beard wounds thee, as he clasps thee close.
It should be more to thee to press thy arm,
Around a neck so white, than to possess
The wealth of kings".[1]
But soon Tibullus is not so philosophical as to being neglected by Marathus. A storm of passion breaks out. The poet appeals to the justice of heaven since
—"Marathus has scorned my ill-starred love,
Not thinking on the vengeance of the Gods!"[1]
Worse follows; for, in the long Ninth Elegy we learn that young Marathus has sold his favours to a rich man—a married homosexual—casting aside Tibullus, forgetting him. This extraordinary Elegy pours out a volcano of love, grief, of dolorous retrospect, of bitter reproach to Marathus; and even warns the rival whose gold has won the lad, that the dionysian Marathus easily may debauch the young wife in the family. The apostrophe to Marathus ends angrily:
"Kisses once mine thou givest to others, fool!
Weep when some other lad shall be my love!"[1]
— 286 —
