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. She first; "Must love for ever tune thy voice,
  2. Fond idle bard, and trifling in thy choice
  3. Thy wanton songs employ the drunkard's tongue,
  4. In ev'ry street thy ribald lays are sung;
  5. The finger marks thee in thy passing by,
  6. 'Behold, where goes the slave of love,' they cry.
  7. Thy lewd exploits, thou profligate, are grown
  8. The public theme, and talk of all the town;
  9. Whilst unconcern'd, and lost to sense of shame,
  10. Thou still runn'st on nor mind'st thy ruin'd fame.
  11. Enough thou'st told the plaints of fond desire,
  12. Now let a nobler inspiration fire;
  13. Thy matter cramps thy genius, learn to find
  14. A manly subject, and exert thy mind.
  15. In songs for girls, fond toys, and idle play,
  16. Thy muse has wanton'd all her hours away.
  17. But youth at length has fill'd its measure up;
  18. My friend, 'tis time to taste of t'other cup.
  19. Now in my service let thy force be shown,
  20. Assert my honour, and retrieve thy own;
  21. Thy sprightly fancy, and inventive wit,
  22. The lofty style of tragic scenes will fit."
  23. She said; and proudly rising in her gait,
  24. Thrice shook her tresses, and display'd her state.
  25. With open look (nor was my sight beguil'd)
  26. And joyous eyes her rival sweetly smil'd;
  27. Sustain'd her hand a myrtle branch upright?
  28. Or did my fancy form the charming sight?
  29. "Still so severe, 0, tragedy ! (she cried);
  30. And canst thou ne'er forego thy sullen pride?
  31. I not compare my lowly lays to thine;
  32. Too weak materials for the vast design.
  33. The style unlabour'd, negligent the dress,
  34. My verse is humbler, and my matter less.
  35. Gay, wanton, soft, my business is to move,
  36. With melting strains, the playful god of love.
  37. Bereft of me, fair Venus wants her charms,
  38. I help the goddess, and prepare her arms.
  39. My luring art, and soothing lays prevail,
  40. Where lofty port, and tragic buskins fail.
  41. I more deserve, by making that my care,
  42. Thy rigid pride allows not thee to bear:
  43. By me, Corinna first was taught to try
  44. Tobreak from prison, and deceive the spy;
  45. I first induc'd the fearful fair to slide
  46. With tremb'ling caution from her husband's side;
  47. When to thy arms, all loose, and disarray'd,
  48. Prepar'd for pleasure, flew the melting maid.
  49. Fix'd on her door, how oft I've hung on high,
  50. Expos'd, and patient of each gazing eye !
  51. How oft, in secret, while the keeper stay'd,
  52. Within her woman's panting bosom laid !
  53. Once sent a birthday gift, the cruel dame
  54. In pieces tore, and gave me to the flame.
  55. I taught thee first to cultivate thy mind;
  56. Thy fancy brightened, and thy wit refin'd;
  57. Thou to my care those merits must allow,
  58. For which my rival would seduce thee now;"
  59. They spoke. I answer'd, "Let me both conjure
  60. To spare a mind with terrors unsecure;
  61. Nor to my charge, when once pronounc'd, be laid
  62. As crimes, the words my trembling tongue has said.
  63. To gain me glory, thy decrees ordain
  64. The regal sceptre and the tragic strain;
  65. With painful labour need I toil for fame,
  66. When easier tasks already raise my name?
  67. Thou mak'st my love immortal; thee I choose:
  68. Be thou my queen, and still command my muse.
  69. Majestic pow'r, forgive my simple choice,
  70. Thy gentle rival has obtain'd my voice.
  71. Short is the time in which her palm is won;
  72. Ere thine is gain'd, the poet's life is done."
  73. I lowly said: she gracious gave assent,
  74. And diff'rent ways the parting rivals went.
  75. Ye gentle loves, complete the work assign'd,
  76. A greater labour seems to press behind.
  1. Not in the Circus do I sit to view
  2. The running horses, but to gaze on you;
  3. Near you I choose an advantageous place,
  4. And whilst your eyes are fix'd upon the race,
  5. Mine are on you—Thus do we feast our sight,
  6. Each alike pleas'd with objects of delight;
  7. In softer whispers I my passion move,
  8. You of the rider talk, but I of love.
  9. When, to please you, I straight my subject quit
  10. And change my wishes to your favourite;
  11. Oh. might I ride, and be so much your care,
  12. I'd start with courage from the barrier,
  13. And with a swift short compass brush the goal—
  14. Unless the sight of you my course restrains,
  15. And makes my hands forego the loosen'd reins;
  16. As Pelops gaz'd on Hippodamia's face,
  17. Till he had almost lost th' important race;
  18. Yet he his mistress by her favour won;
  19. So may our prize assist us when we run.
  20. "What mean these starts? you must not, can't remove:
  21. This kind auspicious place was fram d for love.
  22. I fear you're crowded,- Gentlemen, forbear,
  23. Pray let your arms and knees the lady spare;
  24. Madam, your gown hangs down-nay, pray let me—