Kitap 3
Or when some sudden sickness you pretend,
May you not take to your sick bed a friend?
False keys a private passage may procure,
If not, there are more ways besides the door.
Sometimes with wine your watchful follower treat;
745
When drunk, you may with ease his care defeat:
Or, to prevent too sudden a surprise,
Prepare a sleeping draught to seal his eyes;
Or let your maid, still longer time to gain,
An inclination for his person feign;
750
With faint resistance let her drill him on,
And, after competent delays, be won.
But what need all these various doubtful wiles,
Since gold the greatest vigilance beguiles?
Believe me, men and gods with gifts are pleas'd,
755
E'en angry Jove with offerings is appeas'd;
With presents fools and wise alike are caught;
Give but enough, the husband may be bought,
But let we warn you, when you bribe a spy,
That you for ever his connivance buy;
760
