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. Know, that it is the exercise of wit.
  2. In flames of love the fierce Achilles burns,
  3. And, quitting arms, absent Briseis mourns:
  4. From the embraces of Andromache
  5. Went Hector arm'd for war, and victory.
  6. As Agamemnon saw Cassandra pass
  7. With hair dishevell'd, and disorder'd dress,
  8. H' admir'd the beauties of the prophetess:
  9. The god of war was caught in th' act of love;
  10. A story know to all the court above.
  11. Once did I pass my hours in sloth and ease,
  12. Cool shades and beds of down could only please;
  13. When a commanding beauty rais'd my mind,
  14. I left all little trifling thoughts behind,
  15. And to her service all my heart resign'd:
  16. Since, like an active soldier, have I spent
  17. My time in toils of war, in beauty's tent:
  18. And for so sweet a pay all dangers underwent.
  19. You see, my Atticus, by what I prove,
  20. Who would not live in idleness-must love.