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 does thy poet but new verses give?
  2. A poet, the last thing that earth does breed,
  3. Whose wit, for sixpence, any one may read.
  4. Hang the poor lover, and his pedigree;
  5. The thriving merchant, or fat judge, give me.
  6. Love truly none, but seem in love with all,
  7. And at old friends to thy new lovers rail.
  8. Sometimes deny, 'twill appetite procure;
  9. The sharp-set hawks will stoop to any lure.
  10. Then grant again, lest he a habit get
  11. Of living from thee; but be sure thou let
  12. No empty lover in; murmur sometimes,
  13. And at first hurt, reproach him with thy crimes.
  14. Seem jealous, when thou'st been thyself to blame;
  15. 'Twill stop his mouth, if thou the first complain.
  16. All thou hast done be ready to forswear:
  17. For lovers' oaths fair Venus has no ear.
  18. Whilst lie is with thee, let some woman bring
  19. Some Indian stuff or foreign precious thing;
  20. Which thou must say thou want'st, and he must buy,