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. Defil'd with horrid war the nuptial feast;
  2. Inflam'd by wine and woman's magic charms,
  3. They turn'd the jolly face of joy to arms.
  4. 'Twas woman urg'd the strife; a second fair
  5. Involv'd the Trojans in a second war.
  6. What wreck, what ruin, did a Woman bring
  7. On peaceful Latium, and its pious king!
  8. When Rome was young and in her infant state
  9. What woes did woman to our sires create!
  10. Into what peril was that city brought,
  11. When Sabine fathers for their daughters fought !
  12. Two lusty bulls I in the meads have view'd
  13. In combat join'd, and by their side there stood
  14. A milk-white heifer, who provok'd the fight,
  15. By each contended, but the conqueror's right;
  16. She gives them courage, her they both regard,
  17. As one that caus'd the war, and must reward.
  18. Compell'd by Cupid in his host to list
  19. (And who that has a heart can love resist ?)
  20. His soldier I have been, without the guilt