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For should he knowledge gain that she
Comes there, there also will he be.

No man a woman can protect
Who for herself hath no respect.15080
Yea, e’en was Argus overmatched
Though with his hundred eyes he watched,
Whereof one moiety he kept
Wide open while the other slept,
For therefore Mercury was sped
By Jove to shear off Argus’ head,
Fair Io to revenge I trow,
Whom he transformed had to a cow.
Futile his watch—a heavy yoke
Bears he who meddles with such folk.15090

Love-potions useless But let a woman note this well:
Whatever clerks or laymen tell
Let her no idle tales believe
(Which none but fools as truth receive)
Of sorcerers and enchanters dire,
Or witches dancing round the fire,
E’en though they might surpass the fancy
Of Helenus in necromancy
And second-sight, nor let her think
That she by potions and charmed drink15100
Can draw some lover to her side
Who from his faith hath wandered wide.

Ne’er could Medea win again
False Jason, he of Glauce fain;
Nor could wise Circe’s magic art
Control Ulysses’ wandering heart.