Remedia amoris

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. Tate, Nahum, translator. New York: Calvin Blanchard, 1855.

  1. The benefits of travel I have told,
  2. Which, for sick minds, the best relief I hold.
  3. But if through business you must still remain
  4. In town, and near the author of your pain;
  5. Though 'tis a dangrous neighbourhood, I'll show
  6. What methods there the lover must pursue.
  7. He takes the wisest course, who from his heart
  8. Does by mere force, wrest out the offensive dart:
  9. Resolv'd severely once for all to smart.
  10. A master of such courage I'll admire;
  11. Such patients will no more advice require.
  12. Who wants this resolution to be freed
  13. At once, by slower methods must proceed.
  14. To milder remedies I'll him direct,
  15. Which yet in time, will have the wish'd effect.
  16. Think, till the thought your indignation move,
  17. What damage you've receiv'd by her you love:
  18. How she has drain'd your purse; nor yet content,
  19. 'Till your estate's in costly presents spent,
  20. And you have mortgaged your last tenement.
  21. How she did swear, and how she was forsworn;
  22. Not only false, but treated you with scorn:
  23. And, since her avarice has made you poor,
  24. Forc'd you to take your lodgings at her door:
  25. Reserv'd to you, but others she'll caress:
  26. The foreman of a shop shall have access.
  27. Let these reflections on your reason win;
  28. From seeds of anger hatred will begin;
  29. Your rhet'ric on these topics should be spent.
  30. Oh, that your wrongs could make you eloquent!
  31. But grieve, and grief will teach you to enlarge,
  32. And, like an orator, draw up the charge.