University of Virginia Library

Translation,

Eleg. 4. Lib, 2. Ovid: Amorum.

There's no one certain beauty, can me move,
There are a hundred causes why I love.
If one behold me, with a modest Eye,
I'me fir'd: ensnar'd ev'n by that modesty well-bred,
Is she no Clown? I'me pleas'd with one
And gives me hope, she's Active in a Bed:
If like the Sabine dames, she Coy, doth fit,
I think she would, but she dissembles it.
If Learn'd; I'me pleas'd with Ingenuity;
If Rude, she's pleasing by simplicity:
There's one, who sayes Callimachus to me,
Writs ill, whom I please, she'l soon pleasing
Another, does me, and my Verses blame,
With her, I'de have a little of that same:
Doth she step stately, motion takes me and
Hard-hearted Girles, prove kinder, when well man'd.
This cause she sings, and can command her Voice,
To Kiss her, as she sings, should be my choice.
This o're the murmuring chords runs swiftly and
Who can refrain, to Love so queint a hand?
This, to a measure, can herself advance
And bend her tender Body in a Dance:
To say nought of my self, whom, all sakes move
Hippolytus would there Priapus prove.
Thou cause th'art tall, equall'st the Heroes dead,
And lyest a mighty Body in a bed,
This short one's sweet, All comes to Net, is Fish
Both long and short, are even as I'de wish.
Is she not bred; I ghess what if she were;
Is she well dress'd, she shews her good gifts there.
I'me taken with a fair maid, or a yellow,.
Nay lust, even in a Black thing has no fellow.
If Black locks dangle on her snowy Neck
Leda with such, was seen her self to Deck:
If yellow, such Aurora flow from thee:
My Love, fits me, for every History.
Youth me provokes, old Age provokes me too
For manners; that, this better to the view
Nay all the City Girles, one can approve
For all of these, I've an Ambitious Love.