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. Dearly to me she did her favours sell;
  2. And when the wares were to the public known,
  3. Why should I think she'd sell to me alone ?
  4. 'Twas I proclaim'd to all the town her charms,
  5. And tempted cullies to her venal arms;
  6. I made their way, I show'd them where to come,
  7. And there is hardly now a rake in Rome
  8. But knows her rates, and thanks my babbling muse:
  9. Her house is now as common as the stews;
  10. For this I'm to the muse oblig'd, and more
  11. For all the mischiefs envy has in store.
  12. This comes of gallantry, while some employ
  13. Their talents on the fate of Thebes and Troy,
  14. While others Caesar's godlike acts rehearse,
  15. Corinna is the subject of my verse.
  16. Oh, that I ne'er had known the art to please,
  17. But written without genius and success.
  18. Why did the town so readily believe
  19. My verse, and why to songs such credit give ?
  20. Sure poetry s the same it ever was,