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Liber secundus

Dicite 'io Paean!' et 'io' bis dicite 'Paean!'

Decidit in casses praeda petita meos;

Laetus amans donat viridi mea carmina palma,

Praelata Ascraeo Maeonioque seni.

Talis ab armiferis Priameïus hospes Amyclis

Candida cum rapta coniuge vela dedit;

Talis erat qui te curru victore ferebat,

Vecta peregrinis Hippodamia rotis.

Quid properas, iuvenis? mediis tua pinus in undis

Navigat, et longe quem peto portus abest.

Non satis est venisse tibi me vate puellam:

Arte mea capta est, arte tenenda mea est.

Nec minor est virtus, quam quaerere, parta tueri:

Casus inest illic; hoc erit artis opus.

Nunc mihi, siquando, puer et Cytherea, favete,

Nunc Erato, nam tu nomen amoris habes.

Magna paro, quas possit Amor remanere per artes,

Dicere, tam vasto pervagus orbe puer.

Et levis est, et habet geminas, quibus avolet, alas:

Difficile est illis inposuisse modum. 21

Hospitis effugio praestruxerat omnia Minos:

Audacem pinnis repperit ille viam.

Daedalus ut clausit conceptum crimine matris

Semibovemque virum semivirumque bovem,

'Sit modus exilio,' dixit 'iustissime Minos:

Accipiat cineres terra paterna meos.

Et quoniam in patria, fatis agitatus iniquis,

Vivere non potui, da mihi posse mori.

Da reditum puero, senis est si gratia vilis:

Si non vis puero parcere, parce seni.'

Dixerat haec; sed et haec et multo plura licebat

Dicere: regressus non dabat ille viro.

Quod simul ut sensit, 'nunc, nunc, o Daedale,' dixit:

'Materiam, qua sis ingeniosus, habes.

Possidet et terras et possidet aequora Minos:

Nec tellus nostrae nec patet unda fugae.

Restat iter caeli: caelo temptabimus ire.

Da veniam coepto, Iupiter alte, meo:

Non ego sidereas adfecto tangere sedes:

Qua fugiam dominum, nulla, nisi ista, via est.

Per Styga detur iter, Stygias transnabimus undas;

Sunt mihi naturae iura novanda meae.'

Ingenium mala saepe movent: quis crederet umquam

Aërias hominem carpere posse vias?

Remigium volucrum disponit in ordine pinnas,

Et leve per lini vincula nectit opus,

Imaque pars ceris adstringitur igne solutis,

Finitusque novae iam labor artis erat.

Tractabat ceramque puer pinnasque renidens,

Nescius haec umeris arma parata suis.

Cui pater 'his' inquit 'patria est adeunda carinis,

Hac nobis Minos effugiendus ope.

Aëra non potuit Minos, alia omnia clausit;

Quem licet, inventis aëra rumpe meis.

Sed tibi non virgo Tegeaea comesque Bootae

Ensiger Orion aspiciendus erit:

Me pinnis sectare datis; ego praevius ibo:

Sit tua cura sequi; me duce tutus eris.

Nam sive aetherias vicino sole per auras

Ibimus, impatiens cera caloris erit:

Sive humiles propiore freto iactabimus alas,

Mobilis aequoreis pinna madescet aquis.

Inter utrumque vola; ventos quoque, nate, timeto,

Quaque ferent aurae, vela secunda dato.'

Dum monet, aptat opus puero, monstratque moveri,

Erudit infirmas ut sua mater aves.

Inde sibi factas umeris accommodat alas,

Perque novum timide corpora librat iter.

Iamque volaturus parvo dedit oscula nato,

Nec patriae lacrimas continuere genae.

Monte minor collis, campis erat altior aequis:

Hinc data sunt miserae corpora bina fugae.

Et movet ipse suas, et nati respicit alas

Daedalus, et cursus sustinet usque suos.

Iamque novum delectat iter, positoque timore

Icarus audaci fortius arte volat.

Hos aliquis, tremula dum captat arundine pisces,

Vidit, et inceptum dextra reliquit opus.

Iam Samos a laeva (fuerant Naxosque relictae

Et Paros et Clario Delos amata deo)

Dextra Lebinthos erat silvisque umbrosa Calymne

Cinctaque piscosis Astypalaea vadis,

Cum puer, incautis nimium temerarius annis,

Altius egit iter, deseruitque patrem.

Vincla labant, et cera deo propiore liquescit,

Nec tenues ventos brachia mota tenent.

Territus a summo despexit in aequora caelo:

Nox oculis pavido venit oborta metu.

Tabuerant cerae: nudos quatit ille lacertos,

Et trepidat nec, quo sustineatur, habet.

Decidit, atque cadens 'pater, o pater, auferor!' inquit,

Clauserunt virides ora loquentis aquae.

At pater infelix, nec iam pater, 'Icare!' clamat,

'Icare,' clamat 'ubi es, quoque sub axe volas?'

'Icare' clamabat, pinnas aspexit in undis.

Ossa tegit tellus: aequora nomen habent.

Non potuit Minos hominis conpescere pinnas;

Ipse deum volucrem detinuisse paro. 99

Fallitur, Haemonias siquis decurrit ad artes,

Datque quod a teneri fronte revellit equi.

100

Non facient, ut vivat amor, Medeïdes herbae

Mixtaque cum magicis nenia Marsa sonis.

Phasias Aesoniden, Circe tenuisset Ulixem,

Si modo servari carmine posset amor.

Nec data profuerint pallentia philtra puellis:

105

Philtra nocent animis, vimque furoris habent.

Sit procul omne nefas; ut ameris, amabilis esto:

Quod tibi non facies solave forma dabit:

Sis licet antiquo Nireus adamatus Homero,

Naïadumque tener crimine raptus Hylas,

110

Ut dominam teneas, nec te mirere relictum,

Ingenii dotes corporis adde bonis.

Forma bonum fragile est, quantumque accedit ad annos

Fit minor, et spatio carpitur ipsa suo.

Nec violae semper nec hiantia lilia florent,

115

Et riget amissa spina relicta rosa.

Et tibi iam venient cani, formose, capilli,

Iam venient rugae, quae tibi corpus arent.

Iam molire animum, qui duret, et adstrue formae:

Solus ad extremos permanet ille rogos.

120

Nec levis ingenuas pectus coluisse per artes

Cura sit et linguas edidicisse duas.

Non formosus erat, sed erat facundus Ulixes,

Et tamen aequoreas torsit amore deas.

A quotiens illum doluit properare Calypso,

125

Remigioque aptas esse negavit aquas!

Haec Troiae casus iterumque iterumque rogabat:

Ille referre aliter saepe solebat idem.

Litore constiterant: illic quoque pulchra Calypso

Exigit Odrysii fata cruenta ducis.

130

Ille levi virga (virgam nam forte tenebat)

Quod rogat, in spisso litore pingit opus.

'Haec' inquit 'Troia est' (muros in litore fecit):

'Hic tibi sit Simois; haec mea castra puta.

Campus erat' (campumque facit), 'quem caede Dolonis

135

Sparsimus, Haemonios dum vigil optat equos.

Illic Sithonii fuerant tentoria Rhesi:

Hac ego sum captis nocte revectus equis.'

Pluraque pingebat, subitus cum Pergama fluctus

Abstulit et Rhesi cum duce castra suo.

140

Tum dea 'quas' inquit 'fidas tibi credis ituro,

Perdiderint undae nomina quanta, vides?'

Ergo age, fallaci timide confide figurae,

Quisquis es, aut aliquid corpore pluris habe.

Dextera praecipue capit indulgentia mentes;

145

Asperitas odium saevaque bella movet.

Odimus accipitrem, quia vivit semper in armis,

Et pavidum solitos in pecus ire lupos.

At caret insidiis hominum, quia mitis, hirundo,

Quasque colat turres, Chaonis ales habet.

150

Este procul, lites et amarae proelia linguae:

Dulcibus est verbis mollis alendus amor.

Lite fugent nuptaeque viros nuptasque mariti,

Inque vicem credant res sibi semper agi;

Hoc decet uxores; dos est uxoria lites:

155

Audiat optatos semper amica sonos.

Non legis iussu lectum venistis in unum:

Fungitur in vobis munere legis amor.

Blanditias molles auremque iuvantia verba

Adfer, ut adventu laeta sit illa tuo. 161

160

Non ego divitibus venio praeceptor amandi:

Nil opus est illi, qui dabit, arte mea;

Secum habet ingenium, qui, cum libet, 'accipe' dicit;

Cedimus: inventis plus placet ille meis.

Pauperibus vates ego sum, quia pauper amavi;

165

Cum dare non possem munera, verba dabam.

Pauper amet caute: timeat maledicere pauper,

Multaque divitibus non patienda ferat.

Me memini iratum dominae turbasse capillos:

Haec mihi quam multos abstulit ira dies!

170

Nec puto, nec sensi tunicam laniasse; sed ipsa

Dixerat, et pretio est illa redempta meo.

At vos, si sapitis, vestri peccata magistri

Effugite, et culpae damna timete meae.

Proelia cum Parthis, cum culta pax sit amica,

175

Et iocus, et causas quicquid amoris habet.

Si nec blanda satis, nec erit tibi comis amanti,

Perfer et obdura: postmodo mitis erit.

Flectitur obsequio curvatus ab arbore ramus:

Frangis, si vires experiere tuas.

180

Obsequio tranantur aquae: nec vincere possis

Flumina, si contra, quam rapit unda, nates.

Obsequium tigresque domat Numidasque leones;

Rustica paulatim taurus aratra subit.

Quid fuit asperius Nonacrina Atalanta?

185

Succubuit meritis trux tamen illa viri.

Saepe suos casus nec mitia facta puellae

Flesse sub arboribus Milaniona ferunt;

Saepe tulit iusso fallacia retia collo,

Saepe fera torvos cuspide fixit apros:

190

Sensit et Hylaei contentum saucius arcum:

Sed tamen hoc arcu notior alter erat.

Non te Maenalias armatum scandere silvas,

Nec iubeo collo retia ferre tuo:

Pectora nec missis iubeo praebere sagittis;

195

Artis erunt cauto mollia iussa meae.

Cede repugnanti: cedendo victor abibis:

Fac modo, quas partes illa iubebit, agas.

Arguet, arguito; quicquid probat illa, probato;

Quod dicet, dicas; quod negat illa, neges.

200

Riserit, adride; si flebit, flere memento;

Imponat leges vultibus illa tuis.

Seu ludet, numerosque manu iactabit eburnos,

Tu male iactato, tu male iacta dato:

Seu iacies talos, victam ne poena sequatur,

205

Damnosi facito stent tibi saepe canes:

Sive latrocinii sub imagine calculus ibit,

Fac pereat vitreo miles ab hoste tuus.

Ipse tene distenta suis umbracula virgis,

Ipse fac in turba, qua venit illa, locum.

210

Nec dubita tereti scamnum producere lecto,

Et tenero soleam deme vel adde pedi.

Saepe etiam dominae, quamvis horrebis et ipse,

Algenti manus est calfacienda sinu.

Nec tibi turpe puta (quamvis sit turpe, placebit),

215

Ingenua speculum sustinuisse manu.

Ille, fatigata praebendo monstra noverca

Qui meruit caelum, quod prior ipse tulit,

Inter Ioniacas calathum tenuisse puellas

Creditur, et lanas excoluisse rudes.

220

Paruit imperio dominae Tirynthius heros:

I nunc et dubita ferre, quod ille tulit.

Iussus adesse foro, iussa maturius hora

Fac semper venias, nec nisi serus abi.

Occurras aliquo, tibi dixerit: omnia differ,

225

Curre, nec inceptum turba moretur iter.

Nocte domum repetens epulis perfuncta redibit:

Tum quoque pro servo, si vocat illa, veni.

Rure erit, et dicet 'venias': Amor odit inertes:

Si rota defuerit, tu pede carpe viam.

230

Nec grave te tempus sitiensque Canicula tardet,

Nec via per iactas candida facta nives.

Militiae species amor est; discedite, segnes:

Non sunt haec timidis signa tuenda viris.

Nox et hiems longaeque viae saevique dolores

235

Mollibus his castris et labor omnis inest.

Saepe feres imbrem caelesti nube solutum,

Frigidus et nuda saepe iacebis humo.

Cynthius Admeti vaccas pavisse Pheraei

Fertur, et in parva delituisse casa.

240

Quod Phoebum decuit, quem non decet? exue fastus,

Curam mansuri quisquis amoris habes. 243

Si tibi per tutum planumque negabitur ire,

Atque erit opposita ianua fulta sera,

At tu per praeceps tecto delabere aperto:

245

Det quoque furtivas alta fenestra vias.

Laeta erit, et causam tibi se sciet esse pericli;

Hoc dominae certi pignus amoris erit.

Saepe tua poteras, Leandre, carere puella:

Transnabas, animum nosset ut illa tuum.

250

Nec pudor ancillas, ut quaeque erit ordine prima,

Nec tibi sit servos demeruisse pudor.

Nomine quemque suo (nulla est iactura) saluta,

Iunge tuis humiles, ambitiose, manus.

Sed tamen et servo (levis est inpensa) roganti

255

Porrige Fortunae munera parva die:

Porrige et ancillae, qua poenas luce pependit

Lusa maritali Gallica veste manus.

Fac plebem, mihi crede, tuam; sit semper in illa

Ianitor et thalami qui iacet ante fores.

260

Nec dominam iubeo pretioso munere dones:

Parva, sed e parvis callidus apta dato.

Dum bene dives ager, cum rami pondere nutant,

Adferat in calatho rustica dona puer.

Rure suburbano poteris tibi dicere missa,

265

Illa vel in Sacra sint licet empta via.

Adferat aut uvas, aut quas Amaryllis amabat —

At nunc castaneas non amat illa nuces.

Quin etiam turdoque licet missaque columba

Te memorem dominae testificere tuae.

270

Turpiter his emitur spes mortis et orba senectus.

A, pereant, per quos munera crimen habent!

Quid tibi praecipiam teneros quoque mittere versus?

Ei mihi, non multum carmen honoris habet.

Carmina laudantur, sed munera magna petuntur:

275

Dummodo sit dives, barbarus ipse placet.

Aurea sunt vere nunc saecula: plurimus auro

Venit honos: auro conciliatur amor.

Ipse licet venias Musis comitatus, Homere,

Si nihil attuleris, ibis, Homere, foras.

280

Sunt tamen et doctae, rarissima turba, puellae;

Altera non doctae turba, sed esse volunt.

Utraque laudetur per carmina: carmina lector

Commendet dulci qualiacumque sono;

His ergo aut illis vigilatum carmen in ipsas

285

Forsitan exigui muneris instar erit. 287

At quod eris per te facturus, et utile credis,

Id tua te facito semper amica roget.

Libertas alicui fuerit promissa tuorum:

Hanc tamen a domina fac petat ille tua:

290

Si poenam servo, si vincula saeva remittis,

Quod facturus eras, debeat illa tibi:

Utilitas tua sit, titulus donetur amicae:

Perde nihil, partes illa potentis agat.

Sed te, cuicumque est retinendae cura puellae,

295

Attonitum forma fac putet esse sua.

Sive erit in Tyriis, Tyrios laudabis amictus:

Sive erit in Cois, Coa decere puta.

Aurata est? ipso tibi sit pretiosior auro;

Gausapa si sumpsit, gausapa sumpta proba.

300

Astiterit tunicata, 'moves incendia' clama,

Sed timida, caveat frigora, voce roga.

Conpositum discrimen erit, discrimina lauda:

Torserit igne comam, torte capille, place.

Brachia saltantis, vocem mirare canentis,

305

Et, quod desierit, verba querentis habe.

Ipsos concubitus, ipsum venerere licebit

Quod iuvat, et quae dat gaudia voce notes.

Ut fuerit torva violentior illa Medusa,

Fiet amatori lenis et aequa suo.

310

Tantum, ne pateas verbis simulator in illis,

Effice, nec vultu destrue dicta tuo.

Si latet, ars prodest: adfert deprensa pudorem,

Atque adimit merito tempus in omne fidem.

Saepe sub autumnum, cum formosissimus annus,

315

Plenaque purpureo subrubet uva mero,

Cum modo frigoribus premimur, modo solvimur aestu,

Aëre non certo, corpora languor habet.

Illa quidem valeat; sed si male firma cubarit,

Et vitium caeli senserit aegra sui,

320

Tunc amor et pietas tua sit manifesta puellae,

Tum sere, quod plena postmodo falce metas.

Nec tibi morosi veniant fastidia morbi,

Perque tuas fiant, quae sinet ipsa, manus.

Et videat flentem, nec taedeat oscula ferre,

325

Et sicco lacrimas conbibat ore tuas.

Multa vove, sed cuncta palam; quotiesque libebit,

Quae referas illi, somnia laeta vide.

Et veniat, quae lustret anus lectumque locumque,

Praeferat et tremula sulpur et ova manu.

330

Omnibus his inerunt gratae vestigia curae:

In tabulas multis haec via fecit iter.

Nec tamen officiis odium quaeratur ab aegra:

Sit suus in blanda sedulitate modus:

Neve cibo prohibe, nec amari pocula suci

335

Porrige: rivalis misceat illa tuus. 337

Sed non cui dederas a litore carbasa vento,

Utendum, medio cum potiere freto.

Dum novus errat amor, vires sibi colligat usu:

Si bene nutrieris, tempore firmus erit.

340

Quem taurum metuis, vitulum mulcere solebas:

Sub qua nunc recubas arbore, virga fuit:

Nascitur exiguus, sed opes adquirit eundo,

Quaque venit, multas accipit amnis aquas.

Fac tibi consuescat: nil adsuetudine maius:

345

Quam tu dum capias, taedia nulla fuge.

Te semper videat, tibi semper praebeat aures;

Exhibeat vultus noxque diesque tuos.

Cum tibi maior erit fiducia, posse requiri,

Cum procul absenti cura futurus eris,

350

Da requiem: requietus ager bene credita reddit,

Terraque caelestes arida sorbet aquas.

Phyllida Demophoon praesens moderatius ussit:

Exarsit velis acrius illa datis.

Penelopen absens sollers torquebat Ulixes;

355

Phylacides aberat, Laodamia, tuus.

Sed mora tuta brevis: lentescunt tempore curae,

Vanescitque absens et novus intrat amor.

Dum Menelaus abest, Helene, ne sola iaceret,

Hospitis est tepido nocte recepta sinu.

360

Quis stupor hic, Menelaë, fuit? tu solus abibas,

Isdem sub tectis hospes et uxor erant.

Accipitri timidas credis, furiose, columbas?

Plenum montano credis ovile lupo?

Nil Helene peccat, nihil hic committit adulter:

365

Quod tu, quod faceret quilibet, ille facit.

Cogis adulterium dando tempusque locumque;

Quid nisi consilio est usa puella tuo?

Quid faciat? vir abest, et adest non rusticus hospes,

Et timet in vacuo sola cubare toro.

370

Viderit Atrides: Helenen ego crimine solvo:

Usa est humani commoditate viri. 373

Sed neque fulvus aper media tam saevus in ira est,

Fulmineo rabidos cum rotat ore canes,

Nec lea, cum catulis lactentibus ubera praebet,

375

Nec brevis ignaro vipera laesa pede,

Femina quam socii deprensa paelice lecti:

Ardet et in vultu pignora mentis habet.

In ferrum flammasque ruit, positoque decore

Fertur, ut Aonii cornibus icta dei.

380

Coniugis admissum violataque iura marita est

Barbara per natos Phasias ulta suos.

Altera dira parens haec est, quam cernis, hirundo:

Aspice, signatum sanguine pectus habet.

Hoc bene compositos, hoc firmos solvit amores;

385

Crimina sunt cautis ista timenda viris.

Nec mea vos uni damnat censura puellae:

Di melius! vix hoc nupta tenere potest.

Ludite, sed furto celetur culpa modesto:

Gloria peccati nulla petenda sui est.

390

Nec dederis munus, cognosse quod altera possit,

Nec sint nequitiae tempora certa tuae.

Et, ne te capiat latebris sibi femina notis,

Non uno est omnis convenienda loco;

Et quotiens scribes, totas prius ipse tabellas

395

Inspice: plus multae, quam sibi missa, legunt.

Laesa Venus iusta arma movet, telumque remittit,

Et, modo quod questa est, ipse querare, facit.

Dum fuit Atrides una contentus, et illa

Casta fuit: vitio est improba facta viri.

400

Audierat laurumque manu vittasque ferentem

Pro nata Chrysen non valuisse sua:

Audierat, Lyrnesi, tuos, abducta, dolores,

Bellaque per turpis longius isse moras.

Haec tamen audierat: Priameïda viderat ipsa:

405

Victor erat praedae praeda pudenda suae.

Inde Thyestiaden animo thalamoque recepit,

Et male peccantem Tyndaris ulta virum. 409

Quae bene celaris, siqua tamen acta patebunt,

Illa, licet pateant, tu tamen usque nega.

410

Tum neque subiectus, solito nec blandior esto:

Haec animi multum signa nocentis habent:

Sed lateri ne parce tuo: pax omnis in uno est;

Concubitu prior est infitianda venus.

Sunt, qui praecipiant herbas, satureia, nocentes

415

Sumere; iudiciis ista venena meis;

Aut piper urticae mordacis semine miscent,

Tritaque in annoso flava pyrethra mero;

Sed dea non patitur sic ad sua gaudia cogi,

Colle sub umbroso quam tenet altus Eryx.

420

Candidus, Alcathoi qui mittitur urbe Pelasga,

Bulbus et, ex horto quae venit, herba salax

Ovaque sumantur, sumantur Hymettia mella,

Quasque tulit folio pinus acuta nuces.

Docta, quid ad magicas, Erato, deverteris artes?

425

Interior curru meta terenda meo est.

Qui modo celabas monitu tua crimina nostro,

Flecte iter, et monitu detege furta meo.

Nec levitas culpanda mea est: non semper eodem

Impositos vento panda carina vehit.

430

Nam modo Threïcio Borea, modo currimus Euro,

Saepe tument Zephyro lintea, saepe Noto.

Aspice, ut in curru modo det fluitantia rector

Lora, modo admissos arte retentet equos.

Sunt quibus ingrate timida indulgentia servit,

435

Et, si nulla subest aemula, languet amor.

Luxuriant animi rebus plerumque secundis,

Nec facile est aequa commoda mente pati.

Ut levis absumptis paulatim viribus ignis

Ipse latet, summo canet in igne cinis,

440

Sed tamen extinctas admoto sulpure flammas

Invenit, et lumen, quod fuit ante, redit:

Sic, ubi pigra situ securaque pectora torpent,

Acribus est stimulis eliciendus amor.

Fac timeat de te, tepidamque recalface mentem:

445

Palleat indicio criminis illa tui;

O quater et quotiens numero conprendere non est

Felicem, de quo laesa puella dolet:

Quae, simul invitas crimen pervenit ad aures,

Excidit, et miserae voxque colorque fugit.

450

Ille ego sim, cuius laniet furiosa capillos:

Ille ego sim, teneras cui petat ungue genas,

Quem videat lacrimans, quem torvis spectet ocellis,

Quo sine non possit vivere, posse velit.

Si spatium quaeras, breve sit, quo laesa queratur,

455

Ne lenta vires colligat ira mora;

Candida iamdudum cingantur colla lacertis,

Inque tuos flens est accipienda sinus.

Oscula da flenti, Veneris da gaudia flenti,

Pax erit: hoc uno solvitur ira modo.

460

Cum bene saevierit, cum certa videbitur hostis,

Tum pete concubitus foedera, mitis erit.

Illic depositis habitat Concordia telis:

Illo, crede mihi, Gratia nata loco est.

Quae modo pugnarunt, iungunt sua rostra columbae,

465

Quarum blanditias verbaque murmur habet. 467

Prima fuit rerum confusa sine ordine moles,

Unaque erat facies sidera, terra, fretum;

Mox caelum impositum terris, humus aequore cincta est

Inque suas partes cessit inane chaos;

470

Silva feras, volucres aer accepit habendas,

In liquida, pisces, delituistis aqua.

Tum genus humanum solis errabat in agris,

Idque merae vires et rude corpus erat;

Silva domus fuerat, cibus herba, cubilia frondes:

475

Iamque diu nulli cognitus alter erat.

Blanda truces animos fertur mollisse voluptas:

Constiterant uno femina virque loco;

Quid facerent, ipsi nullo didicere magistro:

Arte Venus nulla dulce peregit opus.

480

Ales habet, quod amet; cum quo sua gaudia iungat,

Invenit in media femina piscis aqua;

Cerva parem sequitur, serpens serpente tenetur,

Haeret adulterio cum cane nexa canis;

Laeta salitur ovis: tauro quoque laeta iuvenca est:

485

Sustinet inmundum sima capella marem;

In furias agitantur equae, spatioque remota

Per loca dividuos amne sequuntur equos.

Ergo age et iratae medicamina fortia praebe:

Illa feri requiem sola doloris habent:

490

Illa Machaonios superant medicamina sucos:

His, ubi peccaris, restituendus eris. 493

Haec ego cum canerem, subito manifestus Apollo

Movit inauratae pollice fila lyrae.

In manibus laurus, sacris inducta capillis

495

Laurus erat; vates ille videndus adit.

Is mihi 'Lascivi' dixit 'praeceptor Amoris,

Duc, age, discipulos ad mea templa tuos,

Est ubi diversum fama celebrata per orbem

Littera, cognosci quae sibi quemque iubet.

500

Qui sibi notus erit, solus sapienter amabit,

Atque opus ad vires exiget omne suas.

Cui faciem natura dedit, spectetur ab illa:

Cui color est, umero saepe patente cubet:

Qui sermone placet, taciturna silentia vitet:

505

Qui canit arte, canat; qui bibit arte, bibat.

Sed neque declament medio sermone diserti,

Nec sua non sanus scripta poeta legat!'

Sic monuit Phoebus: Phoebo parete monenti;

Certa dei sacro est huius in ore fides.

510

Ad propiora vocor. Quisquis sapienter amabit

Vincet, et e nostra, quod petet, arte feret.

Credita non semper sulci cum faenore reddunt,

Nec semper dubias adiuvat aura rates;

Quod iuvat, exiguum, plus est, quod laedat amantes;

515

Proponant animo multa ferenda suo.

Quot lepores in Atho, quot apes pascuntur in Hybla,

Caerula quot bacas Palladis arbor habet,

Litore quot conchae, tot sunt in amore dolores;

Quae patimur, multo spicula felle madent.

520

Dicta erit isse foras: intus fortasse videre est:

Isse foras, et te falsa videre puta.

Clausa tibi fuerit promissa ianua nocte:

Perfer et inmunda ponere corpus humo.

Forsitan et vultu mendax ancilla superbo

525

Dicet 'quid nostras obsidet iste fores?'

Postibus et durae supplex blandire puellae,

Et capiti demptas in fore pone rosas.

Cum volet, accedes: cum te vitabit, abibis;

Dedecet ingenuos taedia ferre sui.

530

'Effugere hunc non est' quare tibi possit amica

Dicere? non omni tempore sensus obest.

Nec maledicta puta, nec verbera ferre puellae

Turpe, nec ad teneros oscula ferre pedes. 535

Quid moror in parvis? Animus maioribus instat;

535

Magna canam: toto pectore, vulgus, ades.

Ardua molimur, sed nulla, nisi ardua, virtus:

Difficilis nostra poscitur arte labor.

Rivalem patienter habe, victoria tecum

Stabit: eris magni victor in arce Iovis.

540

Haec tibi non hominem, sed quercus crede Pelasgas

Dicere: nil istis ars mea maius habet.

Innuet illa, feras; scribet, ne tange tabellas:

Unde volet, veniat; quoque libebit, eat.

Hoc in legitima praestant uxore mariti,

545

Cum, tener, ad partes tu quoque, somne, venis.

Hac ego, confiteor, non sum perfectus in arte;

Quid faciam? monitis sum minor ipse meis.

Mene palam nostrae det quisquam signa puellae,

Et patiar, nec me quo libet ira ferat?

550

Oscula vir dederat, memini, suus: oscula questus

Sum data; barbaria noster abundat amor.

Non semel hoc vitium nocuit mihi: doctior ille,

Quo veniunt alii conciliante viri.

Sed melius nescisse fuit: sine furta tegantur,

555

Ne fugiat ficto fassus ab ore pudor.

Quo magis, o iuvenes, deprendere parcite vestras:

Peccent, peccantes verba dedisse putent.

Crescit amor prensis; ubi par fortuna duorum est,

In causa damni perstat uterque sui. 561

560

Fabula narratur toto notissima caelo,

Mulciberis capti Marsque Venusque dolis.

Mars pater, insano Veneris turbatus amore,

De duce terribili factus amator erat.

Nec Venus oranti (neque enim dea mollior ulla est)

565

Rustica Gradivo difficilisque fuit.

A, quotiens lasciva pedes risisse mariti

Dicitur, et duras igne vel arte manus.

Marte palam simul est Vulcanum imitata, decebat,

Multaque cum forma gratia mixta fuit.

570

Sed bene concubitus primos celare solebant.

Plena verecundi culpa pudoris erat.

Indicio Solis (quis Solem fallere possit?)

Cognita Vulcano coniugis acta suae.

Quam mala, Sol, exempla moves! Pete munus ab ipsa

575

Et tibi, si taceas, quod dare possit, habet.

Mulciber obscuros lectum circaque superque

Disponit laqueos: lumina fallit opus.

Fingit iter Lemnon; veniunt ad foedus amantes:

Impliciti laqueis nudus uterque iacent.

580

Convocat ille deos; praebent spectacula capti:

Vix lacrimas Venerem continuisse putant.

Non vultus texisse suos, non denique possunt

Partibus obscenis opposuisse manus.

Hic aliquis ridens 'in me, fortissime Mavors,

585

Si tibi sunt oneri, vincula transfer!' ait.

Vix precibus, Neptune, tuis captiva resolvit

Corpora: Mars Thracen occupat, illa Paphon.

Hoc tibi pro facto, Vulcane: quod ante tegebant,

Liberius faciunt, ut pudor omnis abest:

590

Saepe tamen demens stulte fecisse fateris,

Teque ferunt artis paenituisse tuae.

Hoc vetiti vos este; vetat deprensa Dione

Insidias illas, quas tulit ipsa, dare.

Nec vos rivali laqueos disponite, nec vos

595

Excipite arcana verba notata manu.

Ista viri captent, si iam captanda putabunt,

Quos faciet iustos ignis et unda viros.

En, iterum testor: nihil hic, nisi lege remissum

Luditur: in nostris instita nulla iocis. 601

600

Quis Cereris ritus ausit vulgare profanis,

Magnaque Threïcia sacra reperta Samo?

Exigua est virtus praestare silentia rebus:

At contra gravis est culpa tacenda loqui.

O bene, quod frustra captatis arbore pomis

605

Garrulus in media Tantalus aret aqua!

Praecipue Cytherea iubet sua sacra taceri:

Admoneo, veniat nequis ad illa loquax.

Condita si non sunt Veneris mysteria cistis,

Nec cava vesanis ictibus aera sonant,

610

At sic inter nos medio versantur in usu,

Se tamen inter nos ut latuisse velint.

Ipsa Venus pubem, quotiens velamina ponit,

Protegitur laeva semireducta manu.

In medio passimque coit pecus: hoc quoque viso

615

Avertit vultus nempe puella suos.

Conveniunt thalami furtis et ianua nostris,

Parsque sub iniecta veste pudenda latet:

Et si non tenebras, ad quiddam nubis opacae

Quaerimus, atque aliquid luce patente minus.

620

Tum quoque, cum solem nondum prohibebat et imbrem

Tegula, sed quercus tecta cibumque dabat,

In nemore atque antris, non sub Iove, iuncta voluptas;

Tanta rudi populo cura pudoris erat.

At nunc nocturnis titulos inponimus actis,

625

Atque emitur magno nil, nisi posse loqui!

Scilicet excuties omnes, ubi quaeque, puellas,

Cuilibet ut dicas 'haec quoque nostra fuit,'

Nec desint, quas tu digitis ostendere possis?

Ut quamque adtigeris, fabula turpis erit?

630

Parva queror: fingunt quidam, quae vera negarent,

Et nulli non se concubuisse ferunt.

Corpora si nequeunt, quae possunt, nomina tangunt,

Famaque non tacto corpore crimen habet.

I nunc, claude fores, custos odiose puellae,

635

Et centum duris postibus obde seras!

Quid tuti superest, cum nominis extat adulter,

Et credi quod non contigit esse, cupit?

Nos etiam veros parce profitemur amores,

Tectaque sunt solida mystica furta fide. 641

640

Parcite praecipue vitia exprobrare puellis,

Utile quae multis dissimulasse fuit.

Nec suus Andromedae color est obiectus ab illo,

Mobilis in gemino cui pede pinna fuit.

Omnibus Andromache visa est spatiosior aequo:

645

Unus, qui modicam diceret, Hector erat.

Quod male fers, adsuesce, feres bene; multa vetustus

Leniet, incipiens omnia sentit amor.

Dum novus in viridi coalescit cortice ramus,

Concutiat tenerum quaelibet aura, cadet:

650

Mox eadem ventis, spatio durata, resistet,

Firmaque adoptivas arbor habebit opes.

Eximit ipsa dies omnes e corpore mendas,

Quodque fuit vitium, desinit esse mora.

Ferre novae nares taurorum terga recusant:

655

Adsiduo domitas tempore fallit odor.

Nominibus mollire licet mala: fusca vocetur,

Nigrior Illyrica cui pice sanguis erit:

Si straba, sit Veneri similis: si rava, Minervae:

Sit gracilis, macie quae male viva sua est;

660

Dic habilem, quaecumque brevis, quae turgida, plenam,

Et lateat vitium proximitate boni.

Nec quotus annus eat, nec quo sit nata, require,

Consule, quae rigidus munera Censor habet:

Praecipue si flore caret, meliusque peractum

665

Tempus, et albentes iam legit illa comas.

Utilis, o iuvenes, aut haec, aut serior aetas:

Iste feret segetes, iste serendus ager.

Dum vires annique sinunt, tolerate labores:

Iam veniet tacito curva senecta pede.

670

Aut mare remigiis, aut vomere findite terras,

Aut fera belligeras addite in arma manus,

Aut latus et vires operamque adferte puellis:

Hoc quoque militia est, hoc quoque quaerit opes.

Adde, quod est illis operum prudentia maior,

675

Solus et artifices qui facit, usus adest:

Illae munditiis annorum damna rependunt,

Et faciunt cura, ne videantur anus.

Utque velis, venerem iungunt per mille figuras:

Invenit plures nulla tabella modos.

680

Illis sentitur non inritata voluptas:

Quod iuvet, ex aequo femina virque ferant.

Odi concubitus, qui non utrumque resolvunt;

Hoc est, cur pueri tangar amore minus.

Odi quae praebet, quia sit praebere necesse,

685

Siccaque de lana cogitat ipsa sua.

Quae datur officio, non est mihi grata voluptas:

Officium faciat nulla puella mihi.

Me voces audire iuvat sua gaudia fassas,

Quaeque morer meme sustineamque rogent.

690

Aspiciam dominae victos amentis ocellos:

Langueat, et tangi se vetet illa diu.

Haec bona non primae tribuit natura iuventae,

Quae cito post septem lustra venire solent.

Qui properant, nova musta bibant: mihi fundat avitum

695

Consulibus priscis condita testa merum.

Nec platanus, nisi sera, potest obsistere Phoebo,

Et laedunt nudos prata novella pedes.

Scilicet Hermionen Helenae praeponere posses,

Et melior Gorge, quam sua mater, erat?

700

At venerem quicumque voles adtingere seram,

Si modo duraris, praemia digna feres. 703

Conscius, ecce, duos accepit lectus amantes:

Ad thalami clausas, Musa, resiste fores.

Sponte sua sine te celeberrima verba loquentur,

705

Nec manus in lecto laeva iacebit iners.

Invenient digiti, quod agant in partibus illis,

In quibus occulte spicula tingit Amor.

Fecit in Andromache prius hoc fortissimus Hector,

Nec solum bellis utilis ille fuit.

710

Fecit et in capta Lyrneside magnus Achilles,

Cum premeret mollem lassus ab hoste torum.

Illis te manibus tangi, Briseï, sinebas,

Imbutae Phrygia quae nece semper erant.

An fuit hoc ipsum, quod te, lasciva, iuvaret,

715

Ad tua victrices membra venire manus?

Crede mihi, non est veneris properanda voluptas,

Sed sensim tarda prolicienda mora.

Cum loca reppereris, quae tangi femina gaudet,

Non obstet, tangas quo minus illa, pudor.

720

Aspicies oculos tremulo fulgore micantes,

Ut sol a liquida saepe refulget aqua.

Accedent questus, accedet amabile murmur,

Et dulces gemitus aptaque verba ioco.

Sed neque tu dominam velis maioribus usus

725

Desere, nec cursus anteat illa tuos;

Ad metam properate simul: tum plena voluptas,

Cum pariter victi femina virque iacent.

Hic tibi versandus tenor est, cum libera dantur

Otia, furtivum nec timor urget opus.

730

Cum mora non tuta est, totis incumbere remis

Utile, et admisso subdere calcar equo. 733

Finis adest operi: palmam date, grata iuventus,

Sertaque odoratae myrtea ferte comae.

Quantus apud Danaos Podalirius arte medendi,

735

Aeacides dextra, pectore Nestor erat,

Quantus erat Calchas extis, Telamonius armis,

Automedon curru, tantus amator ego.

Me vatem celebrate, viri, mihi dicite laudes,

Cantetur toto nomen in orbe meum.

740

Arma dedi vobis: dederat Vulcanus Achilli;

Vincite muneribus, vicit ut ille, datis.

Sed quicumque meo superarit Amazona ferro,

Inscribat spoliis 'Naso magister erat.'

Ecce, rogant tenerae, sibi dem praecepta, puellae:

745

Vos eritis chartae proxima cura meae!

Ars Amatoria. P. Ovidius Naso. Leipzig. 1907.

Sponsored by Perseus Project, Tufts University.

Funding provided by Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education.

Current edition Perseus

Ars Amatoria (Latin) (Ovid. P. Ovidius Naso, Volume 1: Amores, Epistulae, Medicamina faciei femineae, Ars amatoria, Remedia amoris. Ehwald, Rudolf; Merkel, Rudolph; editors. Leipzig: B. G. Teubner, 1907.)

Translations (1)

The Art of Love Perseus (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; Congreve, William; translators. New York: Calvin Blanchard, 1855.) — 2 focus

Book II

Now Io Paean sing! now wreaths prepare!

And with repeated Ios fill the air:

The prey is fall'n in my successful toils,

My artful nets inclose the lovely spoils.

My numbers now, ye smiling lovers, crown,

And make your poet deathless in renown:

With lasting fame my verse shall be enroll'd,

And I preferr'd to all the bards of old.

Thus Paris from the warlike Spartans bore

Their ravish'd bride to Ida's distant shore.

Victorious Pelops thus in triumph drove

The vanquish'd maid, and thus enjoy'd his love.

Stay, eager youth! your bark's but under sail;

The distant port requires a prosp'rous gale.

'Tis not enough the yielding beauty's found,

And with my aid your artful passion crown'd;

The conquests our successful conduct gain'd,

With art must be secur'd, by arts maintain'd.

The glory's more to guard than win the prize,

There all the toil and threatening danger lies.

If ever, Cupid, now indulgent prove;

O Venus ! aid, thou charming queen of love!

Kind Erato, let thy auspicious name

Inspire the work, and raise my gen'rous flame.

The labour's great! a method I design

For love, and will the fetter'd god confine;

The god that roves the spacious world around,

In ev'ry clime, and distant region found;

Active and light, his wings elude our guard,

And to confine a deity is hard.

His guest from flight Minos inclos'd around,

Yet he with wings a daring passage found.

Thus Daedalus her offspring first confin'd;

Who, with a bull, in lewd embraces join'd:

Her teeming womb the horrid crime confess'd;

Big with a human bull, half man half beast.

Said he, " Just Minos, best of human kind,

Thy mercy let a prostrate exile find:

By fates compell'd my native shores to fly,

Permit me, where I durst not live, to die,

Enlarge my son, if you neglect my tears,

And show compassion to his blooming years:

Let not the youth a long confinement mourn,

Oh, free the son, or let his sire return!"

Thus he implor'd, but still implor'd in vain,

Nor could the freedom that he sought, obtain.

Convinc'd at length; " Now, Daedalus," he cried,

"Here's subject for thy art that's yet untried.

Minos the earth commands, and guards the sea,

No pass the land affords, the deep no way:

Heav'n's only free, we'll heav'n's auspicious height

Attempt to pass, where kinder fates invite;

Favor, ye powers above, my daring flight!"

Misfortunes oft prove to inventions kind,

Instruct our wit, and aid the lab'ring mind:

For who can credit men, in wild despair,

Should force a passage thro' the yielding air?

Feathers for wings design'd the artists chose,

And bound with thread his forming pinions close;

With temper'd wax the pointed end he wrought,

And to perfection his new labors brought.

The finish'd wings his smiling offspring views,

Admires the work, not conscious of their use:

To whom the father said, "Observe aright,

Observe, my son, these instruments of flight.

In vain the tyrant our escape retards,

The heavens he cannot, all but heav'n he guards:

Tho' earth and seas elude a father's care,

These wings shall waft us through the spacious air.

Nor shall my son celestial signs survey,

Far from the radient virgin take your way;

Or where Bootes the chill'd north commands,

And with his fau chion dread Orion stands:

I'll go before, me still retain in sight,

Where'er I lead securely make your flight.

For should we upward soar too near the sun,

Dissolv'd with heat the liquid wax will run;

Or near the seas an humbler flight maintain,

Our plumes will suffer by the streaming main.

A medium keep, the winds observe aright;

The winds will aid your advantageous flight."

He caution'd thus, and thus inform'd him long,

As careful birds instruct their tender young;

The spreading wings then to his shoulders bound,

His body pois'd, and rais'd him from the ground.

Prepar'd for flight, his aged arms embrace

The tender youth, whilst tears o'erflow his face.

A hill there was, from whence the anxious pair

Essay'd their wings, and forth they launch'd air;

Now his expanded plumes the artist plies,

Regards his son, and leads along the skies;

Pleas'd with the novelty of flight, the boy

Bounds in the air, and upward springs with joy.

The angler views them from the distant strand,

And quits the labors of his trembling hand;

Samos they past, and Naxos in their flight,

And Delos , with Apollo's presence bright.

Now on their right Lebintho's shores they found,

For fruitful lakes and shady groves renown'd.

When the aspiring boy forgot his fears,

100

Rash with hot youth and unexperienc'd years;

Upwards he soar'd, maintain'd a lofty stroke,

And his directing father's way forsook.

The wax, of heat impatient, melted run,

Nor could his wings sustain the blaze of sun.

105

From heaven he views the fatal depths below,

Whilst killing fears prevent the distant blow.

His struggling arms now no resistance find,

Nor poise the body nor receive the wind.

Falling, his father he implores in vain,

110

To aid his flight, and sinking limbs sustain;

His name invokes, till the expiring sound

Far in the floods with Icarus was drown'd.

The parent mourns, a parent now no more,

And seeks the absent youth on ev'ry shore;

115

"Where's my lov'd son, my Icarus?" he cries,

"Say in what distant region of the skies,

Or faithless clime the youthful wand'rer flies;"

Then view'd his pinions scatter'd o'er the stream.

The shore his bones received, the waves his name.

120

Minos with walls attempted to detain

His flying guests, but did attempt in vain;

Yet the wing'd god shall to our rules submit,

And Cupid yield to more prevailing wit.

Thessalian arts in vain rash lovers use,

125

In vain with drugs the scornful maid abuse;

The skilfull'st potions ineffectual prove.

Useless are magic remedies in love;

Could charms prevail, Circe had prov'd her art,

And fond Medea fix'd her Jason's heart;

130

Nor tempt with philters the disdainful dame;

They rage inspire, create a frantic flame:

Abstain from guilt, all vicious arts remove,

And make your passion worthy of her love.

Distrust your empty form and boasted face,

135

The nymph engage a thousand nobler ways;

To fix her vanquish'd heart entirely thine,

Accomplish'd graces to your native join.

Beauty's but frail, a charm that soon decays,

Its lustre fades as rolling years increase,

140

And age still triumphs o'er the ruin'd face.

This truth the fair but short liv'd-lily shows,

And prickles that survive the faded rose.

Learn, lovely boy, be with instruction wise!

Beauty and youth misspent are past advice.

145

Then cultivate thy mind with wit and fame,

Those lasting charms survive the funeral flame.

With arts and sciences your breast improve,

Of high import are languages in love:

The fam'd Ulysses was not fair nor young,

150

But eloquent and charming with his tongue:

And yet with him contented beauties strove,

And ev'ry sea-nymph sought the hero's love.

Calypso mourn'd when he forsook her shores,

And with fond waves detain'd his hasty oars,

155

Oft she enquir'd of ruin'd Ilium 's fate,

Making him oft the wondrous tale relate;

Which with such grace his florid tongue could frame,

The story still was new, tho' still the same.

Now standing on the shores, " Again declare,"

160

Calypso cried, "your fam'd exploits in war."

lie with a wand, a slender wand he bore,

Delineates ev'ry action on the shore.

"Here's Troy ," says he, then draws the walls in sand.

"There Simois flows, here my battalions stand.

165

A field there was," and then describes the field,

"Where Dolon, with rewards deceiv'd, we kill'd.

Just thus entrench'd imagine Rhesus lies,

And here we make his warlike steeds our prize."

Much he describ'd, when a destructive wave

170

Wash'd off the slender Troy, and rolling gave

To Rhesus and his tents one common grave.

Long with delight his charming tongue she heard,

The well-rais'd passion in her looks appear'd:

The goddess weeps to view his spreading sails,

175

So much a soldier with the sex prevails.

Distrust thy form, fond youth, and learn to know,

There's more requir'd in love than empty show.

With just disdain she treats the haughty mind,

'Tis complaisance that makes a beauty kind.

180

The hawk we hate that always lives in arms,

The raging wolf that ev'ry flock alarms:

But the mild swallow none with toils infest,

And none the soft Chaonian birds molest.¹

Debates avoid, and rude contention shun;

185

A woman's with submissive language won.

Let the wife rail, and injur'd husband swear,

Such freedoms are allow'd the married pair;

Discord and strife to nuptial beds belong,

The portion justifies a clam'rous tongue.

190

With tender vows the yielding maid endear,

And let her only sighs and wishes hear;

Contrive with words and actions to delight,

Still charm her ear, and still oblige her sight.

I no instructions to the rich impart,

195

He needs not, that presents, my useless art:²

The giving lover's handsome, valiant, wise,

His happy fortune is above advice.

And, wanting wealth, with melting language move,

His honour storms a stubborn damsel's door;

200

I'm cautious to affront, because I'm poor.

With pleasing arts I court, with arts possess;

Or if I'm bounteous, 'tis in promises.

Enrag'd, I ruffl'd once Corinna's hair,

Long was I banish'd by the injur'd fair;

205

Long mournful nights for this consum'd alone,

Nor could my tears the furious maid atone.

Weeping, she vow'd, a suit of point I tore;

Falsely she vow'd, but I must purchase more.

Make not your guilty master's crime your own,

210

But by my punishment my error shun.

Indecent fury from her sight remove,

No passion let your mistress know, but love.

Yet if the haughty nymph's unkind, and coy,

Or shuns your sight; have patience, and enjoy.

215

By slow degrees we bend the stubborn bough;

What force resists, with art will pliant grow.

In vain we stem a torrent's rapid force,

But swim with ease, complying with its course.

By gentler arts we savage beasts reclaim,

220

And lions,³ bulls, and furious tigers tame.

Fiercely Atlanta o er the forest rov'd,

Cruel and wild, and yet at last she lov'd.

Melanion long deplor'd his hopeless flame,

And weeping, in the woods pursu'd the scornful dame.

225

On his submissive neck her toils he wore,

And with his mistress chased the dreadful boar.

Arm'd to the woods I bid you not repair,

Nor follow over hills the savage fair:

My soft injunctions less severe you'll find,

230

Easy to learn, and fram'd to ev'ry mind.

Her wishes never, nor her will withstand;

Submit, you conquer; serve, and you'll command.

Her words approve, deny what she denies,

Like where she likes, and where she scorns, despise.

235

Laugh when she smiles; when sad, dissolve in tears;

Let ev'ry gesture sympathize with hers.

If she delights, as women will, in play,

Her stakes return, your ready losings pay.

When she's at cards, or rattling dice she throws,

240

Connive at cheats, and generously lose.

A smiling winner let the nymph remain,

Let your pleas'd mistress every conquest gain.

In heat, with an umbrella ready stand;

When walking, offer your officious hand.

245

Her trembling hands, tho' you sustain the cold.

Cherish, and to your warmer bosom hold.

Think no inferior office a disgrace,

No action that a mistress gains is base.

The hero that eluded Juno's spite,

250

And every monster overcame in fight;

That pass'd so many bloody labours o'er,

And well deserv'd that heav'n whose weight he bore;

Amidst Ionian damsels carding stands,

And grasps the distaff in obedient hands;⁴

255

In all commands the haughty dame obeys:

And who disdains to act like Hercules?

If she's at law, be sure commend the laws;

Solicit with the judge, or plead her cause.

With patience at the assignation wait;

260

Early appear, attend her coming late.

Whene'er she wants a messenger, away,

And her commands with flying feet obey.

When late from supper she's returning home,

And calls her servant, as a servant come.

265

She for the country's air retires from towns;

You want a coach or horse, why foot it down:

Let not the sultry season of the year,

The falling snows, or constant rains deter.

Love is a warfare, and ignoble sloth

270

Seems equally contemptible in both:

In both are watchings, duels, anxious cares,

The soldier thus, and thus the lover fares;

With rain he's drench'd, with piercing tempests shakes,

And on the colder earth his lodging takes.

275

Fame says that Phoebus kept Admetus' herd,

And coarsely in an humble cottage far'd;

No servile offices the god denied:

Learn this ye lovers, and renounce your pride.

When all access is to your mistress hard,

280

When ev'ry door's secur'd, and window barr'd,

The roof untile, some desp'rate passage find;

You cannot be too bold to make her kind:

Oh, how she'll clasp you when the dangers o'er,

And value your deserving passion more.

285

Thus thro' the boisterous seas Leander mov'd,⁵

Not to possess, but show how much he lov'd.

Nor blushing think how low you condescend

To court her maids, and make each slave your friend;

Each by their names familiarly salute,

290

And beg them to promote your am'rous suit.

Perhaps a bribe's requir'd; your bounty show,

And from your slender fortunes part below.

A double bribe the chambermaid secures,

And when the fav'rite's gain'd, the fair is yours.

295

She'll add, to everything you do, a grace,

And watch the wanton hours, and time her praise.

When servants merry make, and feast, and play,⁶

Then give her something to keep holiday.

Retain them ev'ry one, the porter most,

300

And her who nightly guards the happy coast

I no profuse nor costly gifts commend,

But choose and time it well, whate'er you send.

Provide the product of the early year,

And let your boy the rural present bear;

305

Tell her 'twas fresh, and from your manor brought,

Tho' stale, and in the suburb market bought:

The first ripe cluster let your mistress eat,

With chesnut, melons, or fair peaches, treat;

Some larger fish, or choicer fowl, present;

310

They recommend your passion where they're sent.

'Tis with these arts the childless miser's caught,

Thus future legacies are basely bought;

But may his name with infamy be curst,

That practis'd them on love, and women first.

315

In tender sonnets most your flame rehearse,

But who, alas! of late are mov'd by verse?

Women a wealthy treating fool admire,

Applaud your wit,-but costly gifts require.

This is the golden age, all worship gold;

320

Honours are purchas'd, love and beauty sold.

Should Homer come with his harmonious train,

And not present, Homer's turn'd out again.

Some of the sex have sense, their number's small,

Most ignorant, yet vain pretenders all:

325

Flatter alike, smooth empty stanzas send,

They seldom sense, but sound and rhyme commend.

Should you with art compose each polish'd line,

And make her, like your numbers, all divine,

Yet she'll a treat or worthless toy prefer

330

To all the immortal poet's boasted care.

But he that covets to retain her heart,

Let him apply his flattery with art;

With lasting raptures on her beauty gaze,

And make her form the subject of his praise.

335

Purple commend, when she's in purple dress'd;

In scarlet, swear she looks in scarlet best;

Array'd in gold, her graceful mien adore,

Vowing those eyes transcend the sparkling ore.

With prudence place each compliment aright;

340

Tho' clad in crape, let homely crape delight.

In sorted colours, praise a varied dress;

In night-clothes or commode let either please.

Or when she combs or when she curls her hair,⁷

Commend her curious art and gallant air.

345

Singing, her voice, dancing, her steps, admire;

Applaud when she desists, and still desire.

Let all her words and actions wonder raise;

View her with raptures, and with raptures praise

Fierce as Medusa though your mistress prove,

350

These arts will teach the stubborn beauty love.

Be cautious lest you overact your part,

And temper your hypocrisy with art;

Let no false action give your words the lie,

For once deceiv'd, she's ever after shy.

355

In Autumn oft, when the luxurious year

Purples the grape, and shows the vintage near;

When sultry heats, when colder blasts arise,

And bodies languish with inconstant skies;

If vitious heav'n infects her tender veins,

360

And in her tainted blood some fever reigns;

Then your kind vows, your pious care bestow,

The blessings you expect to reap then sow;

Think nothing nauseous in her loath'd disease,

But with your ready hand contrive to please;

365

Weep in her sight, then fonder kisses give,

And let her burning lips your tears receive;

Much for her safety vow, but louder speak,

Let the nymph hear the lavish vows you make.

As health returns, so let your joys appear;

370

Oft smile with hope, and oft confess your fear.

This in her breast remains, these pleasing charms

Secure a passage to her grateful arms.

Reach nothing nauseous to her taste or sight,

Officious only when you most delight.

375

Nor bitter draughts nor hated med'cines give,

Let her from rivals what she loaths receive.

Those prosperous winds that launch'd our boat from shore,

When out at sea assists its course no more:

Time will your knowledge in our art improve,

380

Give strength and vigour to your forming love.

The dreadful bull was but a calf when young;⁸

The lofty oak but from an acorn sprung;

From narrow springs the noblest currents flow,

But swell their floods, and spread 'em as they go.

385

Be conversant with love, no toils refuse,

And conquer all fatigues with frequent use:

Still let her hear your sighs, your passion view

And night and day the flying maid pursue.

Then pause awhile; by fallow fields we gain;

390

A thirsty soil receives the welcome rain.

Phyllis was calm while with Demophoon bless'd,

His absence wounded most her raging breast:

Thus his chaste consort for Ulysses burn'd,

And Laodamia thus her absent husband mourn'd,

395

With speed return, you're ruined by delays,

Some happy youth may soon supply your place.

When Sparta 's prince was from his Helen gone,

Could Helen be content to lie alone?

She in his bed receiv'd her am'rous guest,

400

And nightly clasp'd him to her panting breast.

Unthinking cuckold, to a proverb blind!

What, trust a beau and a fair wife behind!

Let furious hawks thy trembling turtles keep,

And to the mountain wolves commit thy sheep:

405

Helen is guiltless, and the lover's crime

But what yourself would act another time.

The youth was pressing, the dull husband gone;

Let ev'ry woman make the case her own.

Who could a prince, by Venus sent, refuse?

410

The cuckold's negligence is her excuse.

But not the foaming boar whom spears surround,

Revenging on the dogs his mortal wound;

Nor lioness, whose young receives the breast;

Nor viper by unwary footsteps press'd;

415

Nor drunkard by th' Aonian god possess'd,⁹

Transcend the woman's rage, by fury led,

To find a rival in her injur'd bed.

With fire and sword she flies; the frantic dame

Disdains the thought of tenderness or shame.

420

Her offspring's blood enrag'd Medea spilt;

A cruel mother, for the father's guilt:

And Progne's unrelenting fury proves¹⁰

That dire revenge pursues neglected loves.

Where sacred ties of honour are destroy'd,

425

Such errors cautious lovers must avoid.

Think not my precepts constancy enjoin;

Venus avert! far nobler's my design.

At large enjoy, conceal your passion well;

Nor use the modish vanity to tell:

430

Avoid presenting of suspected toys,

Nor to an hour confine your varied joys;

Desert the shades you did frequent before,

Nor make them conscious to a new amour

The nymph, when she betrays, disdains your guilt,

435

And by such falsehood taught, she learns to jilt.

While with a wife Atrides liv'd content,

Their loves were mutual, and she innocent;

But when inflam'd with every charming face,

Her lewdness still maintain'd an equal pace.

440

Chryses, as fame had told her, pray'd in vain,

Nor could by gifts his captive girl obtain;

Mournful Briseis, thy complaints she heard,

And how his lust the tedious war deferr'd.

This tamely heard, but with resentment view'd

445

The victor by his beauteous slave subdu'd;

With rage she saw her own neglected charms,

And took Aegisthus to her injur'd arms.

To lust and shame by his example led,

Who durst so openly profane her bed.

450

What you conceal, her more observing eye

Perhaps betrays: with oaths the fact deny,

And boldly give her jealousy the lie.

Not too submissive seem, nor over kind;

These are the symptoms of a guilty mind:

455

But no caresses, no endearments spare;

Enjoyment pacifies the angry fair.

There are, that strong provoking potions praise,

And nature with pernicious med'cines raise;

Nor drugs, nor herbs, will what you fancy prove,

460

And I pronounce 'em pois'nous all in love.

Some pepper bruis'd with seeds of nettle join,

And clary steep in bowls of mellow wine:

Venus is most averse to forced delights,

Extorted flames pollute her genial rites.

465

With fishes' spawn thy feeble nerves recruit,

And with eringo's hot salacious root;

The goddess worshipp'd by th' Erycian swains,

Megara 's white shallot, so faint, disdains.

New eggs they take,¹¹ and honey's liquid juice,

470

And leaves and apples of the pine infuse.

Prescribe no more, my muse, nor med'cine give,

Beauty and youth need no provocative.

You that conceal'd your secret crimes before,

Proclaim them now, now publish each amour.

475

Nor tax me with inconstancy; we find

The driving bark requires a veering wind:

Now northern blasts we court, now southern gales,

And ev'ry point befriends our shifted sails.

Thus chariot drivers with a flowing rein

480

Direct their steeds, then curb them in again.

Indulgence oft corrupts the faithless dame,

Secure from rivals she neglects your flame;

The mind without variety is cloy'd,

And nauseates pleasures it has long enjoy'd.

485

But as a fire whose wasted strength declines,

Converts to ashes and but faintly shines,

When sulphur's brought the spreading flames return,

And glowing embers with fresh fury burn:

A rival thus th' ungrateful maid reclaims,

490

Revives desire, and feeds her dying flames.

Oft make her jealous, give your fondness o'er,

And teaze her often with some new amour.

Happy, thrice happy youth, with pleasure bless'd,

Too great, too exquisite to be express'd,

495

That view'st the anguish of her jealous breast

Whene'er thy guilt the slighted beauty knows,

She swoons; her voice, and then her colour goes.

Oft would my furious nymph, in burning rage,

Assault my locks, and with her nails engage;

500

Then now she'd weep, what piercing glances east,

And vow to hate the perjur'd wretch at last.

Let not your mistress long your falsehood mourn;

Neglected fondness sill to fury turn.

But kindly clasp her in your arms again,

505

And on your breast her drooping head sustain;

Whilst weeping kiss, amidst her tears enjoy,

And with excess of bliss her rage destroy.

Let her a while lament, a while complain,

Then die with pleasure, as she died with pain.

510

Enjoyment cures her with its powerful charms,

She'll sign a pardon in your active arms.

First nature lay an undigested mass,

Heaven, earth, and ocean, wore one common face;

Then vaulted heav'n was fram'd, waves, earth, inclos'd;

515

And chaos was in beauteous forms dispos'd;

The beasts inhabit woods, the birds the air,

And to their floods the scaly fry repair.

Mankind alone enjoyed no certain place,

On rapine lived, a rude unpolish'd race;

520

Caves were their houses, herbs their food and bed,

Whilst each a savage from the other fled.

Love first disarm'd the fierceness of their mind,

And in one bed the men and women join'd.

The youth was eager, but unskill'd in joy,

525

Nor was the unexperienc'd virgin coy;

They knew no courtship, no instructor found,

Yet they enjoy'd, and bless'd the pleasing wound.

The birds with consorts propagate their kind,

And sporting fish their finny beauties find;

530

In am'rous fold the wanton serpents twine,

And dogs with their salacious females join.

The lusty bull delights his frisking dames,

And more lascivious goat her male inflames.

Mares furious grow with love, their boundaries force,

535

Plunging thro' waves to meet the neighing horse.

Go on, brave youth, thy gen'rous vigor try,

To the resenting maid this charm apply;

Love's soft'ning pleasures ev'ry grief remove,

There's nothing that can make your peace like love.

540

From drugs and philters no redress you'll find,

But nature with your mistress will be kind.

The love that's unconstrain'd will long endure,

Machaon's art was false, but mine is sure.

Whilst thus I sung, inflam'd with nobler fire,

545

I heard the great Apollo's tuneful lyre;

His hand a branch of spreading laurel bore,

And on his head a laurel wreath he wore;

Around he cast diffusive rays of light,

Confessing all the god to human sight,

550

" Thou master of lascivious arts," he said,

"To my frequented fane thy pupils lead;

And there inscrib'd in characters of gold,

This celebrated sentence you'll behold.

'First know yourself ;' who to himself is known,

555

Shall love with conduct, and his wishes crown.

Where nature has a handsome face bestow'd,

Or graceful shape, let both be often show'd:

Let men of wit and humor silence shun,

The artist sing, and soldier bluster on;

560

Of long harangues ye eloquent take heed,

Nor thy damn'd works thou teazing poet read."

Thus Phoebus spake: ajust obedience give,

And these injunctions from a god receive.

I mysteries unfold; to my advice

565

Attend, ye vulgar lovers, and grow wise.

The thriving grain in harvest often fails,

Oft prosp'rous winds turn adverse to our sails;

Few are the pleasures, tho' the toils are great;

With patience must submissive lovers wait.

570

What hares on Athos , bees on Hybla feed,

Or berries on the circling ivy breed?

As shells on sandy shores, as stars above,

So num'rous are the sure fatigues of love.

The lady's gone abroad, you're told; tho' seen,

575

Distrust your eyes, believe her not within.

Her lodgings on the promis'd night are close,

Resent it not, but on the earth repose.

Her maid will cry with an insulting tone,

"'What makes you saunter here? you sot, begone."

580

With moving words the cruel nymph entreat,

And place your garland on the bolted gate.

Why do I light and vulgar precepts use?

A nobler subject now inspires my muse;

Approaching joys I sing; ye youths, draw near;

585

Listen ye happy lovers and give ear;

The labor's great, and daring is my song.

Labors and great attempts to love belong.

As from the sacred oracles of Jove

Receive these grand mysterious truths in love.

590

Look down when she the ogling spark invites,

Nor touch the conscious tablets when she writes.

Appear not jealous tho' she's much from home,

Let her at pleasure go, unquestion'd come.

This crafty husbands to their wives permit,

595

And learn, when she's engag'd, to wink at it.

I own my frailties modestly confess;

And blushing, give those precepts I transgress;

Shall I, with patience, the known signal hear,

Retire, and leave a happy rival there!

600

What, tamely suffer the provoking wrong,

And be afraid to use my hands or tongue!

Corinna's husband kiss'd her in my sight;

I beat the saucy fool, and seiz'd my right.

I, like a fury, for my nymph engage,

605

And like a madman, when I miss her, rage.

My passion still prevails, convinc'd I yield!

He that submits to this is better skill'd.

Expose not, tho' you find her guilty flame,

Lest she abandon modesty and shame;

610

Conceal her faults, no secret crimes upbraid;

Nothing's so fond as a suspected maid.

Discover'd love increases with despair,

When both alike the guilt and scandal share:

All sense of modesty they lose in time,

615

Whilst each encourages the other's crime.

In heav'n this story's fam'd above the rest,

Amongst th' immortal drolls a standing jest.

How, Vulcan two transgressing lovers caught

And ev'ry god a pleas'd spectator brought.

620

Great Mars for Venus felt a guilty flame,

Neglected war, and own'd a lover's name,

To his desires the queen of love inclin'd;

No nymph in heav'n's so willing, none so kind.

Oft the lascivious fair, with scornful pride,

625

Would Vulcan 's foot and sooty hands deride;

Yet both with decency their passion bore,

And modestly conceal'd the close amour,

But by the sun betray'd in their embrace,

(For what escapes the sun's observing rays?¹²)

630

He told th' affronted god of his disgrace.

Ah foolish sun! and much unskill'd in love,

Thou hast an ill example set above!

Never a fair offending nymph betray,

She'll gratefully oblige you ev'ry way:

635

The crafty spouse around his bed prepares

Nets that deceive the eye, and secret snares:

A journey feigns, the impatient lovers met,

And naked were expos'd in Vulcan 's net.

The gods deride the criminals in chains,

640

And scarce from tears the queen of love refrains;

Nor could her hands conceal her guilty face,

She wants that cover for another place.

To burly Mars a gay spectator said,

" Why so uneasy in that envied bed?

645

On me transfer your chains; I'll freely come

For your release, and suffer in your room."

At length, kind Neptune, freed by thy desires,

Mars goes for Crete , to Paphos she retires,

Their loves augmented with revengeful fires;

650

Now conversant with infamy and shame,

They set no bounds to their licentious flame.

But honest Vulcan , what was thy pretence,

To act so much unlike a god of sense?

They sin in public, you the shame repent,

655

Convinc'd that love increase with punishment.

Tho' in your pow'r, a rival ne'er expose,

Never his intercepted joys disclose:¹³

This I command, Venus commands the same,

Who hates the snares she once sustain'd with shame.

660

What impious wretch will Ceres ' rites expose,¹⁴

Or Juno's solemn mysteries disclose!

His witty torments Tantalus deserves,¹⁵

That thirsts in waves and viewing banquets starves.

But Venus most in secresy delights:

665

Away, ye babblers, from her silent rites!

No pomp her mysteries attend, no noise!

No sounding brass proclaims the latent joys!

With folded arms the happy pair possess,

Nor should the fond betraying tongue confess

670

Those raptures, which no language can express.

When naked Venus casts her robes aside,

The parts obscene her hands extended hide;

No girl on propagating beasts will gaze,

But hangs her head, and turns away her face.

675

We darken'd beds and doors for love provide;

What nature cannot, decent habit hide.

Love darkens courts, at most a glimm'ring light,

To raise our joys, and just oblige the sight.

Ere happy men beneath the roof were laid,

680

When oaks provided them with food and shade,

Some gloomy cave receiv'd the wanton pair;

For light too modest, and unshaded air!

From public view they decently retir'd,

And secretly perform'd what love inspir'd.

685

Now scarce a modish fop about the town,

But boasts with whom, how oft, and where 'twas done;¹⁶

They taste no pleasure, relish no delight,

Till they recount what pass'd the happy night.

But men of honour always thought is base,

690

To prostitute each kinder nymph's embrace:

To blast her fame, and vainly hurt his own,

And furnish scandal for a lewd lampoon.

And here I must some guilty arts excuse,

And disingenuous shifts that lovers use,

695

To wrong the chaste and innocent abuse.

When long repuls'd they find their courtship vain,

Her character with infamy they stain;

Denied her person they debauch her fame,

And brand her innocence with public shame.

700

Go, jealous fool, the injur'd beauty guard,

Let ev'ry door be lock'd, and window barr'd!

The suff'ring nymph remains expos'd to wrong,

Her name's a prostitute to ev'ry tongue;

For malice with joy the lie receive,

705

Report, and what it wishes true, believe.

With care conceal whatever defects you find,

To all her faults seem like a lover blind.

Naked Andromeda when Perseus view'd,

He saw her faults, but yet pronounc'd them good.¹⁷

710

Andromache was tall,¹⁸ yet some report

Her Hector was so blind he thought her short.

At first what's nauseous lessens by degrees;

Young loves are nice, and difficult to please.

The infant plant that bears a tender rind,

715

Reels to and fro with ev'ry breath of wind;

But shooting upward to a tree at last,

It stems the storm, and braves the strongest blast

Time will defects and blemishes endear,

And make them lovely to your eyes appear:

720

Unusual scents at first may give offence;

Time reconciles them to the vanquish'd sense.

Her vices soften with some kinder phrase;

If she is swarthy as the negro's face,¹⁹

Call it a graceful brown, and that complexion praise.

725

The ruddy lass must be like Venus fair,

Or like Minerva that has yellow hair.

If pale and meagre, praise her shape and youth,

Active when small, when gross she's plump and smooth.

Ev'ry excess by soft'ning terms disguise,

730

And in some neighb'ring virtue hide each vibe.

Nor ask her age, consult no register,

Under whose reign she's born, or what's the year!

If fading youth chequers her hair with white,

Experience makes her perfect in delight;

735

In her embrace sublimer joys are found,

A fruitful soil, and cultivated ground!

The hours enjoy whilst youth and pleasures last,

Age hurries on, and death pursues too fast.

Or plough the seas, or cultivate the land,

740

Or wield the sword in thy advent'rous hand;

Or much in love thy nervous strength employ,

Embrace the fair, the grateful maid enjoy;

Pleasure and wealth reward thy pleasing pains,

The labour's great, but greater far the gains.

745

Add their experience in affairs of love,

For years and practice do alike improve,

Their arts repair the injuries of time,

And still preserve them in their charming prime;

In varied ways they act the pleasure o'er,

750

Not pictur'd postures can instruct you more.²⁰

They want no courtship to provoke delight,

But meet your warmth with eager appetite;

Give me enjoyment, when the willing dame

Glows with desires, and burns with equal flame.²¹

755

I love to hear the soft transporting joys,

The frequent sighs, the tender murm'ring voice;

To see her eyes with varied pleasures move,

And all the nymph confess the pow'r of love.

Nature's not thus indulgent to the young,

760

These joys alone to riper years belong;

Who youth enjoys, drinks crude unready wine,

Let age your girl and sprightly juice refine,

Mellow their sweets, and make the taste divide.

To Helen who'd Hermione prefer,

765

Or Gorge think beyond her mother fair;

But he that covets the experienc'd dame,

Shall crown his joys and triumph in his flame.

One conscious bed receives the happy pair;

Retire, my muse; the door demands thy care.²²

770

What charming words, what tender things are said,

What language flows without the useless aid!

There shall the roving hand employment find,

Inspire new flames, and make e'en virgins kind.

Thus Hector did Andromache delight,

775

Hector in love victorious, as in fight.

When weary from the field Achilles came,

Thus with delays he rais'd Briseis' flame;

Ah, could those arms, those fatal hands, delight!

Inspire kind thoughts, and raise thy appetite!

780

Coulds't thou, fond maid, be charm'd with his embrace,

Stain'd with the blood of half thy royal race.

Nor yet with speed the fleeting pleasures waste,

Still moderate your love's impetuous haste;

The bashful virgin, tho' appearing coy,

785

Detains your hand, and hugs the proffer'd joy.

Then view her eyes, with humid lustre bright,

Sparkling with rage, and trembling with delight;

Her kind complaints, her melting accents hear,

The eye she charms, and wounds the list'ning ear.

790

Defer not then the clasping nymphs embrace,

But with her love maintain an equal pace;

Raise to her heights the transports of your soul,

And fly united to the happy goal.

Observe these precepts when with leisure bless'd

795

No threatening fears your private hours molest.

When danger's near, your active force employ,

And urge with eager speed the hasty joy.

Then ply your oars, then practise this advice,

And strain with whip and spur to gain the prize.

800

The work's complete, triumphant palms prepare

With flow'ry deaths adorn my flowing hair.

As to the Greeks was Poldalirius' art,

To heal with med'cines the afflicted part;

Nestor's advice, Achilles' arms in field,

805

Automedon for chariot-driving skill'd;

As Calchas could explain the mystic bird,²³

And Telemon could wield the brandish'd sword;

Such to the town my fam'd instructions prove,

So much am I renown'd for arts of love.

810

Me ev'ry youth shall praise, extol my name,

And o'er the globe diffuse my lasting fame.

I arms provide against the scornful fair;

Thus Vulcan arm'd Achilles for the war.

Whatever youth shall with my aid o'ercome,

815

And lead his Amazon in triumph home;²⁴

Let him that conquers and enjoys the dame,

In gratitude for his instructed flame,

Inscribe the spoils with my auspicious name.

The tender girls my precepts next demand,

820

Them I commit to a more skilful hand.

P. Ovidius Naso Ars Amatoria 2

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Liber secundus

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Book II

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