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. Let him who loves an easy whetstone whore,
  2. Pluck leaves from trees, and drink the common shore.
  3. The jilting harlot strikes the surest blow,
  4. A truth which I by sad experience know;
  5. The kind, poor, constant creature we despise,
  6. Man but pursues the quarry while it flies.
  7. But thou dull husband of a wife too fair,
  8. Stand on thy guard, and watch the precious ware;
  9. If creaking doors, or barking dogs, thou hear,
  10. Or windows scratch'd, suspect a rival there.
  11. An orange wench would tempt thy wife abroad;
  12. Kick her, for she's a letter-bearing bawd.
  13. In short, be jealous as the devil in hell,
  14. And set my wit on work to cheat thee well.
  15. The sneaking city-cuckold is my foe;
  16. I scorn to strike but when he wards the blow.