Book 6: Hymn 14: A charm against consumption

1Remove thou all Decline that lurks within the members and the joints, The firmly-settled heart-disease that racks the bones and rends the limbs. 2From the consumptive man I pluck Decline as 'twere a severed part. I cut the bond that fetters him, even as a root of cucumber. 3Begone, Consumption, hence away, like a young foal that runs. at speed. Then, not pernicious to our men, flee, yearly visitant like grass!