You may say to me that I am not keeping my word wanting to steer you towards poetry, for<hr>
in depictions that are made of poets, it seems that beauty cannot coexist with their grimaces. Erinna, know that this is a false notion spread by men wanting to make believe that poetry, being divine, haunts those who practice it, just as divinations disturb those who deliver them. In reality, poetry is not a source of disturbance for those who practice it, but rather a form of inspired and enriching artistic expression. But even if this were so, your gaze would be no less clear, for when divination is pronounced, the priest regains his tranquility. And as soon as you have put down your pen, you will regain your initial allure.<hr>
     Moreover, I do not think that you fill your mind with such dark images, for I do not see anything dark in your eyes. You will be the absolute mistress of the themes that you will want to handle, and among so many beauties present in nature, you will be able to choose that which will touch your desire most. The description of a wood or a fountain, the laments of a lover and a mistress, or the compliments of a merit will provide you with enough subjects to highlight the talents that heaven has given you. You were born with such great advantages that you would be selfish if you did not know how to make good use of them.  You will ask me if it is not enough merit for a beautiful woman that all the fine minds of her time compose verses for her without her needing to make her own praise. You will ask me if her glory is not better in this way than in the other. But I will answer you that, whatever the praise that people can give you, it would be more glorious to have written texts for all the famous characters of your century, for if you do it well, it will be as if they all wrote them for you.<hr>
     Believe me, Erinna, it is better to create the immortality of others rather than to receive it, and to find one's own glory in oneself rather than to expect it from others. The descriptions that would be made of you in this way would only pass for a time into posterity, like simple paintings made for pleasure. But if you write, people will admire the poetess's imagination more than your beauty, and in the end, your poems will reflect the world so well that they will be confused with reality. By leaving a few marks of what you are with your own hand, you will live forever with honor in the memory of all men. Those of our time who have supported you will be considered as wise, and those who have not as foolish or envious. Yet, I do not advise you to describe yourself, to recount your beauty, your merits, and all the rare qualities that are in you. No, I do not wish to impose such a thing on your modesty. Poetry has many other privileges. You will not need to speak of yourself to make yourself known to posterity. It is enough for you to speak with elegance, and people will know you widely. Yes, Erinna, even if you use your pen only to criticize the wrong of our time, people will not fail to encourage you. So consider once again how weak and short-lived is the reputation based on beauty.<hr>
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