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. And must I still be guilty, still untrue,
  2. And when old crimes are purg'd, still charg'd with new?
  3. What tho' at last my cause I clearly gain?
  4. Yet I'm asham'd so oft to strive in vain,
  5. And when the prize will scarce reward the pain.
  6. If at the play I in fop-corner sit,
  7. And with a squinting eye gloat o'er the pit,
  8. Or view the boxes, you begin to fear,
  9. And fancy straight some rival beauty there.
  10. If any looks on me, you think you spy
  11. A private assignation in her eye;
  12. A silent soft discourse in ev'ry grace,
  13. And tongues in all the features of her face.
  14. If I praise any one, you tear your hair,
  15. Show frantic tricks, and rage with wild despair;
  16. If discommend, 0 then 'tis all deceit,
  17. I strive to cloak my passion by the cheat.
  18. If I look well, I then neglect your charms,
  19. Lie dull and lazy in your active arms;
  20. If weak my voice, if pale my looks appear,