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. The fair that sings, enchants me with her voice;
  2. Oh, what a gust it gives a lover's joys!
  3. When her shrill shakes afresh his bosom wound,
  4. And from her lips he kisses off the sound;
  5. When her soft fingers touch the silver strings,
  6. And sweetly to the sounding lute she sings;
  7. Who can resist such strong redoubled charms?
  8. Her music melts me, as her beauty warms
  9. If in the dance the nimble nymph I find,
  10. And view how she her pliant limbs does wind,
  11. How artfully she to the music moves,
  12. I cry, "How happy is the man she loves!"
  13. My humour, in a word, is plainly this,
  14. All objects please, and nothing comes amiss.
  15. To love, and be belov'd my sole employ:
  16. Dispos'd to be enjoy'd, and to enjoy.
  17. This lady for her length I like, her spread
  18. Will swell my arms, and fill the joyous bed;
  19. She's like the lusty heroines of old,
  20. And with a strong embrace her lover will enfold.
  21. This lass, because she's little, I approve;
  22. The least are lightest in the sports of love.
  23. With every size my passion does agree,
  24. And tall and short are both alike to me.
  25. I fancy, when undress'd I find the fair,
  26. 'Tis less her want of charms, than want of care.
  27. If with her dishabille, I cry, " I'm pleas'd,"
  28. How beauteous would she be if she were dress'd
  29. And when she does her best apparel wear,
  30. I think her riches in her pride appear.