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. To walk the streets, while they are in her arms.
  2. For whom does she my passion disregard ?
  3. And who has intercepted my reward ?
  4. Why is the beau with so much joy embrac'd ?
  5. His pockets full, it seems, his coat is lac'd:
  6. He won her with his military air
  7. Which cheats as often as it charms the fair.
  8. Could she her longing eyes forbear to fix
  9. On his fine feather, and his coach and six!
  10. Enrich'd by plunder, he could never miss
  11. The favour, who would buy the venal bliss.
  12. No matter how he got his wealth, by war,
  13. And blood: she cares not, if she has her share.
  14. The upstart forward was, 'tis said, in fight,
  15. And in the field of battle made a knight:
  16. But had his honour come without his gold,
  17. His, sure, had been like my reception, cold.
  18. To men of merit how could she be coy,
  19. Yet to a murd'rer prostitute the joy?
  20. That head which lolls upon your panting breast,