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. Thy course, thy noble course a while forbear,
  2. I am in haste now going to my dear!
  3. Thy banks how rich, thy stream how worthy praise
  4. Alas, my haste ! sweet river, let me pass.
  5. No bridges here, no ferry, not an oar,
  6. Or rope to haul me to the farther shore !
  7. I have remember'd thee a little one,
  8. Who now with all this flood com'st blund'ring down.
  9. Did I refuse my sleep, my wine, my friend,
  10. To spur along, and must I here attend ?
  11. No art to help me to my journey's end!
  12. Ye Lapland powers, make me so far a witch,
  13. I may astride get over on a switch.
  14. Or, for some griffin, or that flying horse,
  15. Or any monster to assist my course;
  16. I wish his art that mounted to the moon,
  17. In shorter journey would my job be done.
  18. Why rave I for what crack-brain'd bards devise,
  19. Or name their lewd unconscionable lies ?
  20. Good river, let me find thy courtesy,