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. Only to see, while he may touch the fair?
  2. To see you kiss, and hug your nauseous lord,
  3. While his lewd hand descends below the board?
  4. No wonder that Hippodamia's charms,
  5. At such a sight, the Centaurs urg'd to arms:
  6. That in a rage, they threw their cups aside,
  7. Assail'd the bridegroom, and would force the bride.
  8. I am not half a horse, (I would I were :)
  9. Yet hardly can from you my hands forbear.
  10. Take, then, my counsel; which observ'd, may be,
  11. Of some importance both to you and me.
  12. Be sure to come before your man be there,
  13. There's nothing can be done, but come howe'er.
  14. Sit next him, (that belongs to decency;)
  15. But tread upon my foot in passing by.
  16. Read in my looks what silently they speak,
  17. And slily, with your eyes, your answer make.
  18. My lifted eye-brow shall declare my pain,
  19. My right hand to his fellow shall complain;
  20. And on the back a letter shall design,
  21. Beside a note that shall be writ in wine.
  22. Whene'er you think upon our last embrace,
  23. With your fore-finger gently touch your face.
  24. If any word of mine offend my dear,
  25. Pull with your hand the velvet of your ear;
  26. If you are pleas'd with what I do or say,
  27. Handle your rings, or vith your fingers play.
  28. As suppliants use at altars, hold the board,
  29. Whene'er you wish the devil may take your lord.
  30. When he fills for you, never touch the cup,
  31. But bid th' officious cuckold drink it up:
  32. The waiter on those services employ;
  33. Drink you, and I will snatch it from the boy,
  34. Watching the part where your sweet mouth hath been,
  35. And thence, with eager lips, will suck it in.
  36. If he, with clownish manners, thinks it fit
  37. To taste, and offer you the nasty bit,
  38. Reject his greasy kindness, and restore
  39. Th' unsav'ry morsel he had chew'd before.
  40. Nor let his arms embrace your neck, nor rest