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. The harass'd whore, who liv'd a wretch to please,
  2. Has leave to be a bawd, and take her ease.
  3. For me then, who have truly spent my blood,
  4. Love, in thy service, and so boldly stood
  5. In Celia's trenches, were't not wisely done,
  6. E'en to retire, and live at peace at home ?
  7. No-might I gain a godhead to disclaim
  8. My glorious title to my endless flame,
  9. Divinity with scorn I would forswear,
  10. Such sweet, dear, tempting devils women are.
  11. Whene'er those flames grow faint, I quickly find
  12. A fierce black storm pour down upon my mind;
  13. Headlong I'm hurl'd like horsemen who in vain
  14. Their fury-flaming coursers would restrain.
  15. As ships, just when the harbour they attain,
  16. Are snatch'd by sudden blasts to sea again,
  17. So Love's fantastic storms reduce my heart,
  18. Half rescu'd, and the god resumes his dart.
  19. Strike here, this undefended bosom wound,
  20. And for so brave a conquest be renown'd.