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 with my manhood the whole life was fled.
  2. If none should lend an ear, why is the song,
  3. Or painted nymphs shown to a blinded throng !
  4. Ye gods ! what joys did not my fancy raise !
  5. I curl'd in folds of love a thousand ways.
  6. Strong were my thoughts, but ah ! my body lay
  7. Languid as roses pluck'd off yesterday.
  8. Now all the blood the circling spirits fire,
  9. And the lost field impertinent require;
  10. Begone untimely nerves! I trust no more,
  11. Such was the promise of your strength before.
  12. Could you the fair one balk of her delight,
  13. Disgrace your master by so base a fright,
  14. And want the courage for so sweet a fight?
  15. Did she not kindly too your stay demand,
  16. And tempt it softly with a soothing hand ?
  17. But when solicitings no life could gain,
  18. And inspirations, tho' from her, were vain;
  19. "Who bade thee thus thyself to me to bring !
  20. Go for a silly unperforming thing: