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. If I look well, I then neglect your charms,
  2. Lie dull and lazy in your active arms;
  3. If weak my voice, if pale my looks appear,
  4. 0 then I languish for another fair.
  5. Would I did sin, and you with cause complain,
  6. For when we strive to shun, yet strive in vain,
  7. 'Tis comfort sure to have deserv'd the pain.
  8. But sure fond fancies now such heats engage,
  9. Your cred'lous peevish humour spoils your rage.
  10. In frequent chidings I no force can see,
  11. You frown too often to prevail with me;
  12. The ass grows dull by stripes; the constant blow
  13. Beats off his briskness, and he moves but slow.
  14. But now I'm lavish of my kind embrace,
  15. And Moll, forsooth, supplies her lady's place!
  16. Kind love, forbid that I should stoop so low;
  17. What! unto mean, ignoble beauties bow ?
  18. A chambermaid ! no faith, my love flies high;
  19. My quarry is a miss of quality.
  20. Fye, who would clasp a slave ? who joy to feel
  21. Her hands of iron and her sides of steel ?
  22. 'Twill damp an eager thought, 'twill check my mind,
  23. To feel those knobs the lash hath left behind.
  24. Besides, she dresses well, with lovely grace
  25. She sets thy tow'r, and does adorn thy face;
  26. Thy nat'ral beauty all her hearts improve,
  27. And make me more enamour'd of my love.
  28. Then why should I tempt her, and why betray
  29. Thy useful slave, and have her turn'd away?
  30. I swear by Venus, by love's darts and bow,
  31. (A desp'rate oath, you must believe me now,)
  32. I am not guilty, I've not broke my vow!
  1. Dear, skilful Betty, who dost far excel
  2. My lady's other maids in dressing well;
  3. Dear Betty, fit to be preferred above
  4. To Juno's chamber, or the queen of love;
  5. Genteel, well-bred, not rustically coy,
  6. Not easy to deny desired joy;
  7. Thro' whose soft eyes still secret wishes shine,
  8. Fit for thy mistress' use, but more for mine;
  9. Who, Betty, did the fatal secret see?
  10. Who told Corinna you were kind to me!
  11. Yet when she chid me for my kind embrace,
  12. Did any guilty blush spread o'er my face!
  13. Did I betray thee, maid, or could she spy
  14. The least confession in my conscious eye !
  15. Not that I think it a disgrace to prove
  16. Stol'n sweets, or make a chambermaid my love;
  17. Achilles wanton'd in Briseis' arms,
  18. Atrides bow'd to fair Cassandra's charms: