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. What pleasure in thy light should mortals take?
  2. Thou dost the weary traveller awake;
  3. Though to the down his heavy head reclines,
  4. Up he must lift it for the morning shines.
  5. The soldier braces on his brazen shield,
  6. Quits his warm tent, and fits him for the field:
  7. The lab'ring hind his harrow takes, and now
  8. The peasant yokes his oxen to the plough:
  9. The boy half wak'd, and rubbing still his eyes,
  10. Is loth alike to go to school, or rise;
  11. While o'er his task he does imperfect nod,
  12. He fears the ferula, he dreads the rod.
  13. The bridegroom, starting from his bride's embrace,
  14. Runs to his lawyer to consult his case;
  15. A word is wanting in the dower deed,
  16. And what to save the portion must he plead?
  17. Now hungry serjeants quit their tempting ease,
  18. To haunt the crowded courts and pick up fees.
  19. Thy rise brings labour to the female band,
  20. And puts the spindle in the spinster's hand: