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. My time in toils of war, in beauty's tent:
  2. And for so sweet a pay all dangers underwent.
  3. You see, my Atticus, by what I prove,
  4. Who would not live in idleness-must love.

Poem 10, in which the poet complains that his mistress has asked him for money, is not here translated.

  1. Nape, who know'st so well to set the hair,
  2. And all the fashions of the modish fair,
  3. Like thee no lady's woman in the town
  4. Can forward an intrigue, or pin a gown;
  5. No maid than thee can boast a quicker eye,
  6. Nor sooner the sour husband's coming spy.
  7. Here, Nape, take this billet-doux, and bear
  8. My soul's soft wishes to the absent fair.
  9. If I can guess, thy heart is not of flint,
  10. Nor is there the least vein of iron in't;
  11. I something in thy looks and manners see
  12. Above the rudeness of thy low degree;
  13. A softer turn, to pity more inclined,
  14. Than vulgar souls, a more complacent mind;
  15. Thou feel'st, if I can guess, an equal flame,
  16. And thine and my distemper is the same.