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. But not the strength of man to her was known.
  2. Untouched by brothers, sisters thus retire,
  3. Or vestals rise to watch th' eternal fire;
  4. Yet many a nymph whom I forbear to name,
  5. Rave kindly yielded, and indulg'd my flame
  6. Nor could the vigour of their 0vid blame.
  7. Corinna knows when numb'ring the delight,
  8. Not less than nine full transports crown'd the night.
  9. Is verse or herbs the source of present harms ?
  10. Am I a captive to Thessalian charms ?
  11. Has some enchantress this confusion brought,
  12. And in soft wax my tortur'd image wrought
  13. Deep in the liver is the needle fix'd ?
  14. Plagues she by numbers, or by juices mix'd?
  15. By numbers sudden the ripe harvest die,
  16. And fruitful urns no more their streams supply;
  17. Oaks shed, unshook, their acorns at the call,
  18. And the vine wonders why her clusters fall.
  19. Why may not magic act on me the same,
  20. Unstring the nerves, and quite untune the frame!