Three things keep my heart the prisoner of love, the fair Inés, smoked ham and aubergines in (melted) cheese.
It is this Inés, lovers, who had such power over me as to make me hate all that was not Inés.
She kept me out of my senses for a year, until on one occasion she gave me for lunch smoked ham and aubergines in cheese.
Inés had the first triumph, but now it is difficult to judge which of all the three has the greatest share in my soul.
In taste, measure, and weight, I can see no distinction between them: now I love Inés, now smoked ham, and now aubergines in cheese.
Inés boasts her beauty, the ham that it is from Aracena, and the cheese and the aubergine their ancient Spanish extraction.
And the weight is so equally balanced that, judged dispassionately, all are alike: Inés, smoked ham, and aubergines in cheese.
At least this matter of these new loves of mine will make Inés sell me her favours more cheaply,
for, if reason does not move her, she will have as counterweight, a slice of ham and aubergines in cheese.

—

Tr. J.M. Cohen