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. Io Triumphe! I have won the prize,
  2. For in my arms the fair Corinna lies.
  3. Nor jealous husband, nor a guardian's care,
  4. Nor door defended with a double bar,
  5. Could fence against a lover's artifice,
  6. For in my arms the fair Corinna lies.
  7. With reason of my victory I boast,
  8. The conquest gain'd, and yet no blood is lost;
  9. I scal'd no walls, I pass'd no ditch profound,
  10. Safe were my wars, and all without a wound.
  11. My only work a charming girl to gain;
  12. The pleasure well rewards the little pain.
  13. Ten years the Greeks did in one siege employ,
  14. But levell'd were, at length, the walls of Troy;
  15. What glory was there by th' Atrides won,
  16. So many chiefs before a single town!
  17. Not thus did I my pleasant toils pursue,
  18. And the whole glory to myself is due;
  19. Myself was horse and foot, myself alone
  20. The captain and the soldier was in one,
  21. And fought beneath no banner but my own.
  22. Whether by strength I combated, or wile,
  23. Fortune did ever on my actions smile;
  24. I only owe my triumph to my care,
  25. And by my patience only won the fair.
  26. Nor was my cause of quarrel new; the same
  27. Set Europe and proud Asia in a flame.
  28. For Helen, ravish'd by the Dardan boy,
  29. Was the war wag'd that sunk the pride of Troy;
  30. The Centaurs double form'd, half man, half beast,
  31. Defil'd with horrid war the nuptial feast;
  32. Inflam'd by wine and woman's magic charms,
  33. They turn'd the jolly face of joy to arms.
  34. 'Twas woman urg'd the strife; a second fair
  35. Involv'd the Trojans in a second war.
  36. What wreck, what ruin, did a Woman bring
  37. On peaceful Latium, and its pious king!
  38. When Rome was young and in her infant state
  39. What woes did woman to our sires create!
  40. Into what peril was that city brought,