But beware thou yield not to unlawful pity.
"When thou shalt be come over, and art upon the causeway, certain aged women, spinning, will cry to thee to lend thy hand to their work; and beware again that thou take no part therein; for this also is the snare of Venus, whereby she would cause thee to cast away one at least of those cakes thou bearest in thy hands.

And think not that a slight matter; for the loss of either one of them will be to thee the losing of the light of day.

For a watch-dog exceeding fierce lies ever before the threshold of that lonely house of Proserpine.

Close his mouth with one of thy cakes; so shalt thou pass by him, and enter straightway into the presence of Proserpine herself.

Then do thou deliver thy message, and taking what she shall give thee, return back again; offering to the watch-dog the other cake, and to the ferryman that other piece of money thou hast in thy mouth.