Amores

Ovid

Ovid. Ovid's Art of Love (in three Books), the Remedy of Love, the Art of Beauty, the Court of Love, the History of Love, and Amours. Dryden, John, et al., translator. New York: Calvin Blanchard, 1855.

  1. Quits his warm tent, and fits him for the field:
  2. The lab'ring hind his harrow takes, and now
  3. The peasant yokes his oxen to the plough:
  4. The boy half wak'd, and rubbing still his eyes,
  5. Is loth alike to go to school, or rise;
  6. While o'er his task he does imperfect nod,
  7. He fears the ferula, he dreads the rod.
  8. The bridegroom, starting from his bride's embrace,
  9. Runs to his lawyer to consult his case;
  10. A word is wanting in the dower deed,
  11. And what to save the portion must he plead?
  12. Now hungry serjeants quit their tempting ease,
  13. To haunt the crowded courts and pick up fees.
  14. Thy rise brings labour to the female band,
  15. And puts the spindle in the spinster's hand:
  16. Light are these toils, and little is the pain
  17. To rise to work, and rest at night again;
  18. But who that e'er knew love's transporting joys,
  19. Could from the arms of youth and beauty rise?
  20. Oft have I wish'd that night would keep her ground,