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. And all my leisure give to love and joy.
  2. When to high acts, my voice I strive to raise,
  3. Love laughs at my attempt, and mocks my lays;
  4. "Begone!" I often to my mistress cry,
  5. But have not courage, yet, myself to fly.
  6. Whene'er she sees me in this sullen fit,
  7. She fondles me, and, on my knee will sit:
  8. "Enough of this (say I), for shame give o'er,
  9. Enough of love, we'll play the fool no more."
  10. " Ah, is it then a shame to love?" she cries,
  11. And chides, and melts me with her weeping eyes.
  12. Around my neck her snowy arms she throws,
  13. And to my lips with stifling kisses grows.
  14. How can I all this tenderness refuse ?
  15. At once my wisdom, and my will I lose;
  16. I'm conquer'd, and renounce the glorious train
  17. Of arms, and war, to sing of love again:
  18. My themes are acts, which I myself have done,
  19. And my muse sings no battles but my own.
  20. Once I confess I did the drama try,