Hitherto, I have shunned fame and avoided ambition.

Life has seemed to me so short, and all that even glory wins so poor, that I have thought no labour worth the price of a single hour of pleasure and enjoyment.

For you, how joyfully will I renounce my code! For myself I could ask no honour: for you, I will labour for all.

No toil shall be dry to me--no pleasure shall decoy.

I will renounce my idle and desultory pursuits.