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. A story know to all the court above.
  2. Once did I pass my hours in sloth and ease,
  3. Cool shades and beds of down could only please;
  4. When a commanding beauty rais'd my mind,
  5. I left all little trifling thoughts behind,
  6. And to her service all my heart resign'd:
  7. Since, like an active soldier, have I spent
  8. My time in toils of war, in beauty's tent:
  9. And for so sweet a pay all dangers underwent.
  10. You see, my Atticus, by what I prove,
  11. 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,