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. Was it for fame ? I say it was for love.
  2. What makes the noble Ouse up from the main
  3. With hideous roar come bristling back again ?
  4. He thinks his dearest Dervent left behind,
  5. Or fears her false, in new embraces joined.
  6. Thee also some small girl has warm'd, we guess,
  7. Tho' woods and forests now hide thy soft place.
  8. Whilst this I speak, it swells and broader grows,
  9. And o'er the highest banks impetuous flows.
  10. Dog-flood, what art to me ? or why dost check
  11. Our mutual joys ? and, churl, my journey break ?
  12. What wouldst, if thee indeed some noble race,
  13. Or high descent, and glorious name did grace ?
  14. When of no ancient house or certain seat,
  15. (Nor, known before this time, untimely, great)
  16. Rais'd by some sudden thaw thus high and proud,
  17. No holding thee, ill-manner'd upstart flood ;
  18. Not my love-tales can make thee stay thy course,
  19. Thou—zounds, thou art a—river for a horse.
  20. Thou hadst no fountain, but from bears wert pist,