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. Some theme unsung, to please the busy muse;
  2. Fair elegy came on with gentle pace,
  3. Unforc'd her air and easy was her grace.
  4. Her flaxen hair, in curious tresses wreath'd,
  5. Ambrosial sweets and heav'nly odours breath'd;
  6. A simple dress the careless charmer bore,
  7. And loving looks, and smiles unartful wore.
  8. Next came the goddess of the tragic scene,
  9. With stately tread, and proud majestic mien
  10. Her front severe, with hanging curls was drown'd,
  11. Her length of robe was full, and swept the ground:
  12. Her hand held out, a regal sceptre grac'd,
  13. And Lydian buskins half her legs embrac'd.
  14. She first; "Must love for ever tune thy voice,
  15. Fond idle bard, and trifling in thy choice
  16. Thy wanton songs employ the drunkard's tongue,
  17. In ev'ry street thy ribald lays are sung;
  18. The finger marks thee in thy passing by,
  19. 'Behold, where goes the slave of love,' they cry.
  20. Thy lewd exploits, thou profligate, are grown