Ars Amatoria

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; Congreve, William; translators. New York: Calvin Blanchard, 1855.

  1. But he that covets to retain her heart,
  2. Let him apply his flattery with art;
  3. With lasting raptures on her beauty gaze,
  4. And make her form the subject of his praise.
  5. Purple commend, when she's in purple dress'd;
  6. In scarlet, swear she looks in scarlet best;
  7. Array'd in gold, her graceful mien adore,
  8. Vowing those eyes transcend the sparkling ore.
  9. With prudence place each compliment aright;
  10. Tho' clad in crape, let homely crape delight.
  11. In sorted colours, praise a varied dress;
  12. In night-clothes or commode let either please.
  13. Or when she combs or when she curls her hair,[*](We may perceive that either ladies were not so nice in managing their hair before their lovers in Ovid's time, or that the ladies he speaks of were not the nicest. They curled their hair with a bodkin, and sometimes with a hot iron, as in our lays; but they showed more of it than is the fashion with the modern ladies.)
  14. Commend her curious art and gallant air.
  15. Singing, her voice, dancing, her steps, admire;
  16. Applaud when she desists, and still desire.
  17. Let all her words and actions wonder raise;
  18. View her with raptures, and with raptures praise
  19. Fierce as Medusa though your mistress prove,
  20. These arts will teach the stubborn beauty love.
  21. Be cautious lest you overact your part,
  22. And temper your hypocrisy with art;
  23. Let no false action give your words the lie,
  24. For once deceiv'd, she's ever after shy.
  25. In Autumn oft, when the luxurious year
  26. Purples the grape, and shows the vintage near;
  27. When sultry heats, when colder blasts arise,
  28. And bodies languish with inconstant skies;
  29. If vitious heav'n infects her tender veins,
  30. And in her tainted blood some fever reigns;
  31. Then your kind vows, your pious care bestow,
  32. The blessings you expect to reap then sow;
  33. Think nothing nauseous in her loath'd disease,
  34. But with your ready hand contrive to please;
  35. Weep in her sight, then fonder kisses give,
  36. And let her burning lips your tears receive;
  37. Much for her safety vow, but louder speak,
  38. Let the nymph hear the lavish vows you make.
  39. As health returns, so let your joys appear;
  40. Oft smile with hope, and oft confess your fear.
  41. This in her breast remains, these pleasing charms
  42. Secure a passage to her grateful arms.
  43. Reach nothing nauseous to her taste or sight,
  44. Officious only when you most delight.
  45. Nor bitter draughts nor hated med'cines give,
  46. Let her from rivals what she loaths receive.
  1. Those prosperous winds that launch'd our boat from shore,
  2. When out at sea assists its course no more:
  3. Time will your knowledge in our art improve,
  4. Give strength and vigour to your forming love.
  5. The dreadful bull was but a calf when young;[*](This and the following similes are taken from country affairs, which have an agreeable effect on this occasion, when the poet speaks of the tendency of every living thing to love.)
  6. The lofty oak but from an acorn sprung;
  7. From narrow springs the noblest currents flow,
  8. But swell their floods, and spread 'em as they go.
  9. Be conversant with love, no toils refuse,
  10. And conquer all fatigues with frequent use:
  11. Still let her hear your sighs, your passion view
  12. And night and day the flying maid pursue.
  13. Then pause awhile; by fallow fields we gain;
  14. A thirsty soil receives the welcome rain.
  15. Phyllis was calm while with Demophoon bless'd,
  16. His absence wounded most her raging breast:
  17. Thus his chaste consort for Ulysses burn'd,
  18. And Laodamia thus her absent husband mourn'd,
  19. With speed return, you're ruined by delays,
  20. Some happy youth may soon supply your place.
  21. When Sparta's prince was from his Helen gone,
  22. Could Helen be content to lie alone?
  23. She in his bed receiv'd her am'rous guest,
  24. And nightly clasp'd him to her panting breast.
  25. Unthinking cuckold, to a proverb blind!
  26. What, trust a beau and a fair wife behind!
  27. Let furious hawks thy trembling turtles keep,
  28. And to the mountain wolves commit thy sheep:
  29. Helen is guiltless, and the lover's crime
  30. But what yourself would act another time.
  31. The youth was pressing, the dull husband gone;
  32. Let ev'ry woman make the case her own.
  33. Who could a prince, by Venus sent, refuse?
  34. The cuckold's negligence is her excuse.