Ovid, Amores 2.1.29-38
What good to me will swift Achilles be when he is sung about? What will one and the other of the sons of Atreus do for me, or the one who wasted as many years wandering around as he did in war, or lamentable Hector taken away by Haemonian horses? But if the face of the delicate girl has often been praised, she herself will come (the price of the poem) to the poet. A great fee is thus paid! Farewell, renowned names of heroes! Your favor is not suited to me. Girls, direct your beautiful faces to my songs, which purple Love dictates to me!
Quid mihi profuerit velox cantatus Achilles?
quid pro me Atrides alter et alter agent,
quique tot errando, quot bello, perdidit annos,
raptus et Haemoniis flebilis Hector equis?
at facie tenerae laudata saepe puellae,
ad vatem, pretium carminis, ipsa venit.
magna datur merces! heroum clara valete
nomina; non apta est gratia vestra mihi!
ad mea formosos vultus adhibete, puellae,
carmina, purpureus quae mihi dictat Amor!
