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. Instead of inspirations, get commands;
  2. To murder, and to rapine use your hands,
  3. And you with ease reduce the female bands.
  4. Had Homer in the Grecian army serv'd,
  5. We ne'er had heard that he had begg'd, or starv'd.
  6. Of gold the thund'rer show'd the mighty pow'r,
  7. Descending softly thro' the brazen tow'r,
  8. And clasping Danae in a golden show'r.
  9. A thousand bars the virgin fair did hold,
  10. But what are iron bars to bribes of gold?
  11. Against this foe her father could not guard;
  12. Watchmen, and women kept a fruitless ward.
  13. The damsel, who herself before was coy,
  14. Melts at the sight, and meets the dazzling joy.
  15. When peaceful Saturn did heav'n's sceptre sway,
  16. Deep in earth's womb the fatal metal lay;
  17. None then their teeming mother's bowels tore,
  18. In quest of hidden wealth, in various ore;
  19. Fed with the fruits which bounteous nature yields,
  20. In painted gardens, and in golden fields,