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. Nor jealous husband, nor a guardian's care,
  2. Nor door defended with a double bar,
  3. Could fence against a lover's artifice,
  4. For in my arms the fair Corinna lies.
  5. With reason of my victory I boast,
  6. The conquest gain'd, and yet no blood is lost;
  7. I scal'd no walls, I pass'd no ditch profound,
  8. Safe were my wars, and all without a wound.
  9. My only work a charming girl to gain;
  10. The pleasure well rewards the little pain.
  11. Ten years the Greeks did in one siege employ,
  12. But levell'd were, at length, the walls of Troy;
  13. What glory was there by th' Atrides won,
  14. So many chiefs before a single town!
  15. Not thus did I my pleasant toils pursue,
  16. And the whole glory to myself is due;
  17. Myself was horse and foot, myself alone
  18. The captain and the soldier was in one,
  19. And fought beneath no banner but my own.
  20. Whether by strength I combated, or wile,