The Works of Tibullus Containing his Love-Elegies. Translated by Mr Dart. To which is added, The Life of the Author; with Observations on the Original Design of Elegiack Verse; and the Characters of the most Celebrated Greek, Latin and English Elegiack Poets |
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| I. |
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| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. | ELEGY VI. |
| VII. |
| VIII. |
| IX. |
| X. |
 | II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
 | The Works of Tibullus |  |
ELEGY VI.
O Love! When e'er you meditate your Wiles
To draw me in, you show attractive Smiles;
But when intangl'd in the dang'rous Snare,
Frowns cloud your Brow, and I'm no more your Care.
Why all this Rage to me! What Glory can
Arise to Gods who frame Deceits for Man?
For me the Traps and artful Snares are laid,
I know not who, ev'n now, in blissful Bed
Enjoys my treach'rous Delia with Delight,
And fills with stolen Joys the silent Night;
'Tis true, she Ign'rance pleads in those Affairs,
But who can credit her ev'n when she swears?
By the same Rule, she all my Plots denies,
And bears her cred'lous Husband down with Lyes.
To draw me in, you show attractive Smiles;
But when intangl'd in the dang'rous Snare,
Frowns cloud your Brow, and I'm no more your Care.
35
Arise to Gods who frame Deceits for Man?
For me the Traps and artful Snares are laid,
I know not who, ev'n now, in blissful Bed
Enjoys my treach'rous Delia with Delight,
And fills with stolen Joys the silent Night;
'Tis true, she Ign'rance pleads in those Affairs,
But who can credit her ev'n when she swears?
By the same Rule, she all my Plots denies,
And bears her cred'lous Husband down with Lyes.
Wretch that I was! I taught her to betray
Her Guardian's Trust, and first propos'd the Way.
Experienc'd now, she tries those subtle Wiles,
And me (by my own Art oppos'd) beguiles.
By me a thousand Reasons feign'd were shown,
To shun her watchful Spies, and lie alone.
Then taught to clear the Way to silent Joys,
And turn the Hinge without a iarring Noise.
Next, Preparations I of Herbs convey'd,
To heal the livid Marks the eager Tooth had made.
Her Guardian's Trust, and first propos'd the Way.
Experienc'd now, she tries those subtle Wiles,
And me (by my own Art oppos'd) beguiles.
By me a thousand Reasons feign'd were shown,
To shun her watchful Spies, and lie alone.
Then taught to clear the Way to silent Joys,
And turn the Hinge without a iarring Noise.
36
To heal the livid Marks the eager Tooth had made.
But you poor cred'lous Husband of the Fair,
Me too confine, and she shall be my Care;
Lest she in praising Sparks be too profuse,
Or lie with Bosom bare, or Garments loose:
Or with her Finger-talk her Plots disguise,
Or cheat thee with the silent Speech of Eyes;
Or on the Table with the scatter'd Wine,
In liquid Notes convey the close Design:
Suspect her ev'ry time she Visits pays,
Take no Excuses whatsoe'er she says;
Although she goes to the Good-Goddess' Fane,
And Myst'ries sacred unreveal'd to Men.
But if you'll credit me, through ev'ry Street,
Nay to the very Shrine I'll track her Feet:
Fearless I'll watch her at the Mysteries,
Nor fear a Curse on my forbidden Eyes.
Me too confine, and she shall be my Care;
Lest she in praising Sparks be too profuse,
Or lie with Bosom bare, or Garments loose:
Or with her Finger-talk her Plots disguise,
Or cheat thee with the silent Speech of Eyes;
Or on the Table with the scatter'd Wine,
In liquid Notes convey the close Design:
Suspect her ev'ry time she Visits pays,
Take no Excuses whatsoe'er she says;
Although she goes to the Good-Goddess' Fane,
And Myst'ries sacred unreveal'd to Men.
But if you'll credit me, through ev'ry Street,
Nay to the very Shrine I'll track her Feet:
Fearless I'll watch her at the Mysteries,
Nor fear a Curse on my forbidden Eyes.
37
How oft would I desire her Rings to view,
And prais'd the Diamond's Cast, and Ruby's Hue;
And gaily trifling with her Fingers stand,
Intent on nothing but to squeeze her Hand.
Oft under Friendship veiling my Design,
I've dos'd you with repeated Cups of Wine;
Shifted my Glass, and watch'd your sleepy Hour,
Made wakeful by the sober Water's Pow'r.
And prais'd the Diamond's Cast, and Ruby's Hue;
And gaily trifling with her Fingers stand,
Intent on nothing but to squeeze her Hand.
Oft under Friendship veiling my Design,
I've dos'd you with repeated Cups of Wine;
Shifted my Glass, and watch'd your sleepy Hour,
Made wakeful by the sober Water's Pow'r.
I would not vex you, pardon what is said,
'Twas Love, and Love you know will be obey'd.
I'm he at whom the Dog before your Gate
Has bark'd all Night, 'tis true what I relate.
What serves it you to have a Wife so fair,
If ign'rant to secure your precious Ware:
For while she has those Tricks her Ends to gain,
Your Locks and Keys, and all your Bars are vain,
When she embraces you with circling Charms,
Her Thoughts are rambling on some others Arms;
For him she sighs, then studies some Disease,
Her Head's disorder'd, and she's ill at Ease.
'Twas Love, and Love you know will be obey'd.
I'm he at whom the Dog before your Gate
Has bark'd all Night, 'tis true what I relate.
What serves it you to have a Wife so fair,
If ign'rant to secure your precious Ware:
For while she has those Tricks her Ends to gain,
Your Locks and Keys, and all your Bars are vain,
When she embraces you with circling Charms,
Her Thoughts are rambling on some others Arms;
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Her Head's disorder'd, and she's ill at Ease.
But trust your Charge with me, I'll not disdain
The servile Whip, but wear the willing Chain.
Stand clear then all ye Fops that court the Fair
By means of artful Dress, and powder'd Hair;
Or the loose airy Spark, whose Plaights let down,
The dusty Pavement sweeps with flowing Gown:
Nay should we meet a Stranger as we go,
Who does, nor Plots, nor Assignations know:
I'd call aloud, and by Prevention say,
Stand further off, or go some other Way:
'Tis fierce Bellona's Will her furious Priest,
With Voice Divine, the firm Command confest;
She by the Goddess mov'd with Madness glows,
Nor flaming Firebrands fears, nor tort'ring Blows:
Launcing her Arms, inspir'd with Heat divine,
Unhurt she stains with Blood the Goddess' Shrine:
Dreadful with Knives infixt she stands confest,
And bares her gory Side and bloody Breast;
And by the Goddess fir'd with holy Rage,
Thus speaks the fix'd Event and sure Persage:
“Fear to offend the Fair whom Love defends,
“Lest Vengeance due such rash Designs attends.
“If any one attempts to urge his Way,
“Thus, thus, She cries, may all his Wealth decay:
“As from this Wound you see the flowing Gore,
“And as these thrown-up Ashes are no more.
The servile Whip, but wear the willing Chain.
Stand clear then all ye Fops that court the Fair
By means of artful Dress, and powder'd Hair;
Or the loose airy Spark, whose Plaights let down,
The dusty Pavement sweeps with flowing Gown:
Nay should we meet a Stranger as we go,
Who does, nor Plots, nor Assignations know:
I'd call aloud, and by Prevention say,
Stand further off, or go some other Way:
'Tis fierce Bellona's Will her furious Priest,
With Voice Divine, the firm Command confest;
She by the Goddess mov'd with Madness glows,
Nor flaming Firebrands fears, nor tort'ring Blows:
Launcing her Arms, inspir'd with Heat divine,
Unhurt she stains with Blood the Goddess' Shrine:
39
And bares her gory Side and bloody Breast;
And by the Goddess fir'd with holy Rage,
Thus speaks the fix'd Event and sure Persage:
“Fear to offend the Fair whom Love defends,
“Lest Vengeance due such rash Designs attends.
“If any one attempts to urge his Way,
“Thus, thus, She cries, may all his Wealth decay:
“As from this Wound you see the flowing Gore,
“And as these thrown-up Ashes are no more.
And her prophetick Rage has threaten'd you
With speedy Ill, if you this Course pursue;
But should you, rather than I wish the Pain
She threatens, may her Oracles be vain:
Not for your sake, but Nurses rev'rend Age,
The good old Woman charms my hasty Rage.
When I reflect how often by her Aid
You've been to me at Mid-night Hours convey'd:
She join'd our Hands, trembling with Age and Fright,
Assisted by the Silence of the Night:
Oft when the Ev'ning came, before the Gate,
Fix'd to expect my coming, us'd to wait;
Turning to every Noise with list'ning Ear,
And knew me by my Footsteps from afar.
Long may'st thou live old Woman, and to thine,
If I had Pow'r, I'd add some Years of mine.
Thou, whilst I breath, shalt be esteem'd by me,
As shall my Delia for the sake of thee;
Although she oft attempts a base Design,
I still forgive, and love, because she's thine.
Only instill chast Rules with constant Care,
Chast, tho' no Fillets bind her lovely Hair,
Nor Virgin Stola decorates the Fair.
With speedy Ill, if you this Course pursue;
But should you, rather than I wish the Pain
She threatens, may her Oracles be vain:
Not for your sake, but Nurses rev'rend Age,
The good old Woman charms my hasty Rage.
When I reflect how often by her Aid
You've been to me at Mid-night Hours convey'd:
40
Assisted by the Silence of the Night:
Oft when the Ev'ning came, before the Gate,
Fix'd to expect my coming, us'd to wait;
Turning to every Noise with list'ning Ear,
And knew me by my Footsteps from afar.
Long may'st thou live old Woman, and to thine,
If I had Pow'r, I'd add some Years of mine.
Thou, whilst I breath, shalt be esteem'd by me,
As shall my Delia for the sake of thee;
Although she oft attempts a base Design,
I still forgive, and love, because she's thine.
Only instill chast Rules with constant Care,
Chast, tho' no Fillets bind her lovely Hair,
Nor Virgin Stola decorates the Fair.
And me confine to Laws and Rules severe,
And may my Eyes be fix'd on none but Her:
And if suspected to offend the Fair,
May I be dragg'd o'er Mountains by my Hair.
I would not strike you, but if Rage commands,
I may, some time or other, curse my Hands:
Rather continue chast through Love than Fear,
And in your Faith, though absent, persevere.
And may my Eyes be fix'd on none but Her:
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May I be dragg'd o'er Mountains by my Hair.
I would not strike you, but if Rage commands,
I may, some time or other, curse my Hands:
Rather continue chast through Love than Fear,
And in your Faith, though absent, persevere.
For the designing faithless Jilt shall be
Reduc'd to wrinkled Age and Poverty;
Constrain'd by mean Employ to gain her Bread,
To spin and draw with Palsy Hand the Thread:
Hir'd to attend the Labours of the Loom,
Or else to Card the Wooll shall be her Doom.
The gay insulting Youth shall come to view
The Wretch, and cry, she meets a Vengeance due.
Venus shall see the Object from the Skies,
While Flouds of Tears o'erflow her fading Eyes;
Raise the Remembrance of her former Ill,
And show the Plagues perfidious Lovers feel.
These Things let others suffer who deserve,
Let us a mutual changeless Faith preserve;
While we, my Delia, both grown Gray shall prove
A noted Pattern of un-alter'd Love.
Reduc'd to wrinkled Age and Poverty;
Constrain'd by mean Employ to gain her Bread,
To spin and draw with Palsy Hand the Thread:
Hir'd to attend the Labours of the Loom,
Or else to Card the Wooll shall be her Doom.
The gay insulting Youth shall come to view
The Wretch, and cry, she meets a Vengeance due.
Venus shall see the Object from the Skies,
While Flouds of Tears o'erflow her fading Eyes;
Raise the Remembrance of her former Ill,
And show the Plagues perfidious Lovers feel.
42
Let us a mutual changeless Faith preserve;
While we, my Delia, both grown Gray shall prove
A noted Pattern of un-alter'd Love.
| The Works of Tibullus | |