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 not have suffer'd me to pierce my heart
  2. So deeply, in the best and tend'rest part;
  3. To make a lady that subjection own,
  4. Which is not to the meanest Roman known.
  5. 'Twas Diomede, who first a goddess struck,
  6. I from his hand that curs'd example took;
  7. But he was far less criminal than I,
  8. I was a lover, he an enemy.
  9. March like a conqueror in triumph now,
  10. With laurel wreaths encompassing your brow,
  11. And render to the mighty gods your vow:
  12. So, as you pass, th' attending gazing crowd,
  13. By their applause shall speak your courage loud:
  14. Let your sad captive in the front appear,
  15. With streaming cheeks, and with dishevell'd hair.
  16. Such lips were form'd for kinder words than these,
  17. Wounds made by lovers' furious ecstasies.
  18. Though like a torrent I was hurried on,
  19. A slave to passion which I could not shun,
  20. I might have only pierc'd her tender ear