 | Ouids elegies |  |
Liber Secundus.
ELEGIA. 1. Quod pro gigantomachia amores scribere sit coactus.
I Ouid Poet of thy wantonnesse,Borne at Peligny to write more addresse.
So Cupid wills, farre hence be the seuere,
You are vnapt my looser lines to heare.
Let Maydes whom hot desire to husbands leade,
And rude boyes toucht with vnknowne loue me reade.
That some youth hurt as I am with loues bow,
His owne flames best acquainted signes may know.
And long admiring say by what meanes learn'd,
Hath this same Poet my sad chaunce discern'd?
I durst the great celestiall battels tell,
Hundred-hand Gyges, and had done it well.
With earths reuenge and how Olimpus toppe,
High Ossa bore mount Peli[illeg.] vp to proppe,
Ioue and Ioues thunder-bolts I had in hand,
Which for his heauen fell on the Gyants band.
My wench her dore shut, loues affares I left,
Euen Ioue himselfe out off my wit was reft.
Pardon me Ioue, thy weapons ayde me nought,
Her shut gates greater lightning then thine brought.
Toyes, and light Elegies my darts I tooke,
Quickly soft words hard dores wide open strooke,
Verses reduce the horned bloudy moone,
And call the sunnes white horses black at noone.
And turned streames run backe-ward to their fountaines,
Verses ope doores, and lockes put in the poast
Although of Oke, to yeeld ro verses boast;
What helpes it me of fierce Achill to sing?
VVhat good to me wil eyther Aiax bring?
Or he who war'd and wandred twenty yeare?
Or woful Hector whom wild iades did teare?
But when I prayse a pretty wenches face
She in requital doth me oft imbrace.
A great reward: Heroes oh famous names
Farewel, your fauour nought my minde inflames.
VVenches apply your faire lookes to my verse,
VVhich golden loue doth vnto me rehearse.
ELEGIA. 2. Ad Bagoum, vt custodiam puellæ sibi commissa Laxiorem habeat.
Bagous whose care doth thy Mistresse bridle,VVhile I speake some few, yet fit words be idle.
I saw the Damsell walking yesterday
There where the porch doth Danaus fact display:
Shee pleas'd me soone, I sent, and did her woo,
Her trembling hand writ backe she might not doo.
And asking why, this answere she redoubled
Because they care too much thy mistresse troubled.
Keeper if thou be wise cease hate to cherish,
Beleeue me, whom we feare, we wish to perish
Nor is her husband wise, that needes defence
VVhen vn-protested there is no expence
But furiously he follow his loues fire,
Stolne liberty she may by thee obtaine
Which giuing her, she may giue thee againe:
Wilt thou her fault learne, she may make thee tremble
Feare to be guilty, then thou maiest dissemble.
Thinke when she reades, her mother letters sent her
Let him goe forth knowne, that vnknowne did enter.
Let him goe see her though she doe not languish
And then report her sicke and full of anguish.
If long she stayes to thinke the time more short
Lay downe thy forehead in thy lap to snort,
Enquire not what with Isis may be done
Nor feare least she to th' theater's runne.
Knowing her scapes thine honour shall encrease,
And what lesse labour then to hold thy peace?
Let him please, haunt thy house, be kindly vs'd
Enioy the wench, let all else be refus'd.
Vaine causes faine of him, the true to hide
And what she likes, let both hold ratifide.
When most her husband bends the browes and frownes,
His fawning wench with her desire he crownes.
But yet sometimes to chide thee let her fall
Counterfet teares: and thee lewd hangman call.
Obiect thou then what she may well excuse.
To staine all faith in truth, by false crimes vse.
Of wealth and honour so shall grow thy heape,
Do this and soone thou shalt thy freedome reape.
On tell-tales neckes thou seest the linke-knit chaines,
The filthy prison faithlesse breasts restraynes.
Water[illeg.] waters, and fruit-flying touch
Tantalus seekes, his long tongues gaine is such.
While Iunoes watch-man Io too much eyde,
I saw ones legges with fetters black and blew,
By whom the husband his wiues incest knew,
More he deseru'd, to both great harme he fram'd
The man did grieue, the woman was defam'd.
Trust me all husbands for such faults are sad
Nor make they any man that heare them glad.
If he loues not, deafe eares thou doest importune,
Or if he loues; thy tale breedes his misfortune.
Nor is it easily prou'd though manifest,
She safe by fauour of her iudge doth rest.
Though himselfe see; heele credit her denyall
Condemne his eyes, and say there is no tryall.
Spying his mistrisse teares, he will lament
And say this blabbe shall suffer punishment.
Why figthst gainst odds? to thee being cast do happe
Sharp stripes, she sitteth in the iudges lappe.
To meete for poyson or vilde facts we craue not
My hands an vnsheath'd shining weapon haue not.
We seeke that through thee safely loue we may,
What can be easier then the thing we pray.
ELEGIA. 3. Ad Eunuchum seruantem dominum.
Aye me an Eunuch keepes my mistresse chaste,That cannot Venus mutuall pleasure taste.
Who first depriu'd young boyes of their best part,
With selfe same wounds he gaue, he ought to smart.
To kinde requests thou wouldst more gentle proue,
If euer wench had made luke-warme thy loue:
Thou wert not borne to ride, or armes to beare,
Men handle those, all manly hopes refigne,
Thy mistrisse enseignes must be likewise thine.
Please her, her hate makes others thee abhorre,
If she discardes thee, what vse seru'st thou for?
Good forme there is, yeares apt to play togither,
Vnmeet is beauty without vse to wither.
Shee may deceiue thee, though thou her protect,
What two determine neuer wants effect.
Our prayers moue thee to assist our drift,
While thou hast time yet to bestow that gift.
ELEGIA. 4. Quod amet mulieres, cuiuscunque forma sint.
I meane not to defend the scapes of any,Or iustifie my vices being many.
For I confesse, if that might merite fauour,
Heere I display my lewd and loose behauiour.
I loathe, yet after that I loathe, I runne,
Oh how the burthen irkes, that we should shunne.
I cannot rule my selfe, but where loue please,
Am driuen like a ship vpon rough seas.
No one face likes me best, all faces moue,
A hundred reasons make me euer loue.
If any eye [illeg.] with a modest looke,
I blush, and by that blushfull glance am tooke.
And she thats coy I like for being no clowne,
Me thinkes she would be nimble when shee's down,
Though her sowre lookes a Sabines brow resemble,
I thinke sheele do, but deepely can dissemble.
If she be learn'd, then for her skill I craue her.
Before Callimachus one preferrs me farre,
Seeing she likes my bookes why should we iarre?
Another railes at me and that I write
Yet would I lie with her if that I might.
Trips she, it likes me well, plods she, what than?
She will be nimbler, lying with a man.
And when one sweetly sings, then strait I long
To quauer on her lips euen in her song.
Or if one touch the Lute with art and cunning
Who would not loue those hands for their swift running?
And her I like that with a maiesty
Folds vp her armes and makes low curtesy.
To leaue my selfe, that am in loue with all
Some one of these might make the chastest fall.
If she be tall, shees like an Amazon,
And therefore fills the bed she lyes vpon.
If short, she lyes the rounder to say troth;
Both short and long please me, for I loue both.
I thinke what one vndeckt would be, being drest
Is she attired, then shew her graces best.
A white wench thralls me, so doth golden yellow
And nut-browne girles in doing haue no fellowe.
If her white necke be shadowed with browne haire,
Why so was Lædas, yet was Læda faire.
Amber trest is she, then on the morne thinke I
My loue alludes to euery history:
A young wench pleaseth, and an old is good
This for her lookes and that for her woman-hood.
Nay what is she that any Roman loues
But my ambitious ranging minde approues.
ELEGIA. 5. Ad amicam corruptam.
No loue is so deere (quiuer'd Cupid flie)That my chiefe wish should be so oft to die.
Minding my fault, with death I wish to reuill,
Alas a wench is a perpetuall euill.
No intercepted lines thy deedes display,
No giftes giuen secretly thy crime bewray.
O would my proofes as vaine might be withstood,
Aye me poore soule why is my cause so good.
He's happy, that his loue dares boldly credit,
To whom his wench can say, I neuer did it.
He's cruell, and too much his griefe doth fauour,
That seekes the conquest by her loose behauiour.
Poore wench I sawe when thou didst thinke I slumbred.
Not drunke, your faults on the spilt wine I numbred.
I saw your nodding eye-browes much to speake,
Euen from your cheekes, part of a voyce did breake,
Not silent were thine eyes, the boord with wine,
Was scribled, and thy fingers writ a line.
I knew your speech (what doe not louers see?)
And words that seem'd for certaine markes to be.
Now many guests were gone, the feast being done,
The youthfull sort to diuers pastimes runne.
I saw you then vnlawfull kisses ioyne,
(Such with my tounge it likes me to purloyne)
None such the sister giues her brother graue,
But such kinde wenches let their louers haue.
Phæbus gaue not Diana such, t'is thought,
But Venus often to her Mars such brought.
My lordly hands ile throw vpon my right.
Such blisse is onely common to vs two,
In this sweet good, why hath a third to do?
This, and what griefe inforc'd me say I say'd,
A scarlet blush her guilty face arayed.
Euen such as by Aurora hath the skie,
Or maides that their betrothed husbands spie.
Such as a rose mixt with a lilly breedes,
Or when the Moone trauailes with charmed steedes.
Or such, as least long yeares should turne the die,
Arachne staynes Assyrian iuory.
To these, or some of these like was her colour,
By chaunce her beauty neuer shined fuller.
She viewed the earth: the earth to view, beseem'd her.
She looked sad; sad, comely I esteem'd her.
Euen kembed as they were, her lockes to rend,
And scratch her faire soft cheekes I did intend.
Seeing her face, mine vpreard armes descended,
With her owne armour was my wench defended,
I that ere-while was fierce, now humbly sue,
Least with worse kisses she should me indue.
She laught, and kiss'd so sweetely as might make
Wrath-kindled Ioue away his thunder shake.
I grieue least others should such good perceiue,
And wish hereby them all vnknowne to leaue.
Also much better were they then I tell,
And euer seem'd as some new sweet befell.
Tis ill they pleas'd so much, for in my lips,
Lay her whole tongue hid, mine in hers she dips,
This grieues me not, no ioyned kisses spent,
Bewaile I onely, though I them lament.
I know no maister of so great hire sped.
ELEGIA. 6. In mortem psittaci.
The parrat from East-India to me sent,Is dead, al-fowles her exequies frequent.
Go goodly birdes, striking your breasts bewaile,
And with rough clawes your tender cheekes assaile.
For wofull haires let piece-torne plumes abound,
For long shrild trumpets let your notes resound.
Why Phylomele doest Tereus leudnesse mourn?
All wasting yeares haue that complaint not worne?
Thy tunes let this rare birdes sad funerall borrow,
It is as great, but auncient cause of sorrow.
All you whose pineons in the cleare aire sore,
But most thou friendly turtle-doue deplore.
Full concord all your liues was you betwixt,
And to the end your constant faith stood fixt.
What Pylades did to Orestes proue,
Such to the parrat was the turtle-doue.
But what auailde this faith? her rarest hew?
Or voyce that how to change the wilde notes knew?
What helpes it thou wert giuen to please my wench,
Birdes haples glory, death thy life doth quench.
Thou with thy quilles mightst make greene Emeralds darke,
And passe our scarlet of red saffrons marke.
No such voyce-feigning bird was on the ground,
Thou spokest thy words so well with stammering sound.
Enuy hath rapt thee, no fierce warres thou mouedst,
Vaine babling speach, and pleasant peace thou louedst.
Which do perchance old age vnto them giue.
A little fild thee, and for loue of talke,
Thy mouth to tast of many meats did balke.
Nuts were thy foode, and Poppie caus'd thee sleepe,
Pure waters moysture thirst away did keepe.
The rauenous vulture liues, the Puttock houers
Around the aire, the Cadesse raine discouers.
And Crowes suruiues armes-bearing Pallas hate,
Whose life nine ages scarce bring out of date.
Dead is that speaking image of mans voice,
The Parrat giuen me, the farre wordes best choice.
The greedy spirits take the best things first,
Supplying their voyd places with the worst.
Thersites did Protesilaus suruiue;
And Hector dyed his brothers yet aliue.
My wenches vowes for thee what should I show,
Which stormy South-windes into sea did blow?
The seuenth day came, none following mightst thou see,
And the fates distaffe empty stood to thee:
Yet words in thy benummed pallat rung,
Farewell Corinna cryed thy dying tongue.
Elisium hath a wood of holme trees black,
Whose earth doth not perpetuall greene-grasse lacke,
There good birds rest (if we beleeue things hidden)
Whence vncleane foules are sayd to be forbidden.
There harmelesse Swans feed all abroad the riuer,
There liues the Phænix one alone bird euer.
There Iunoes bird displayes his gorgious feather:
And louing Doues kisse egerly together.
The Parrat into wood receiu'd with these,
Turnes all the goodly birdes to what she please.
The little stones these little verses haue.
This tombe approues, I pleasd my mistresse well,
My mouth in speaking did all birds excell.
ELEGIA. 7. Amicæ se purgat, quod ancillam non amet.
Doost me of new crimes alwayes guilty frame?To ouer-come, so oft to fight I shame,
If on the Marble Theater I looke,
One among many is to grieue thee tooke.
If some faire wench me secretly behold,
Thou arguest she doth secret markes vnfold.
If I prayse any, thy poore haires thou tearest,
If blame, dissembling of my fault thou fearest.
If I looke well, thou thinkest thou doest not moue,
If ill, thou saist I dye for others loue.
Would I were culpable of some offence,
They that deserue paine, bear't with patience.
Now rash accusing, and thy vaine beliefe,
Forbid thine anger to procure my griefe.
Loe how the miserable great eared Asse,
Duld with much beating slowly forth doth passe.
Behold Cypassis wont to dresse thy head,
Is charg'd to violate her mistresse bed.
The Gods from this sinne rid me of suspition,
To like a base wench of despisd condition.
With Venus game who will a seruant grace?
Or any back made rough with stripes imbrace?
Adde she was diligent thy locks to braide,
And for her skill to thee a gratefull maide.
To take repulse, and cause her shew my lust?
I sweare by Venus, and the wingd boyes bow,
My selfe vnguilty of this crime I know.
ELEGIA. 8. Ad Cypassim ancillam Corinna.
Cypassis that a thousand wayes trimst haire,Worthy to keembe none but a Goddesse faire.
Our pleasant scapes shew thee no clowne to be,
Apt to thy mistrisse, but more apt to me.
Who that our bodies were comprest bewrayde?
Whence knowes Corinna that with thee I playde?
Yet blusht I not, nor vsde I any saying,
That might be vrg'd to witnesse our false playing.
What if a man with bond-women offend,
To proue him foolish did I ere contend?
Achilles burnt with face of captiue Briseis,
Great Agamemnon lou'd his seruant Chriseis.
Greater then these my selfe I not esteeme:
What graced Kings, in me no shame I deeme.
But when on thee her angry eyes did rush,
In both my cheekes she did perceiue thee blush.
But being present, might that worke the best,
By Venus Deity how did I protest.
Thou Goddesse doest command a warme South-blast,
My selfe oathes in Carpathian seas to cast.
For which good turne my sweet reward repay,
Let me lye with thee browne Cypasse to day.
Vngrate why feign'st new feares? and doest refuse;
Well mayest thou one thing for thy Mistrisse vse.
And as a traytour mine owne fault confesse.
Telling thy mistresse, where I was with thee,
How oft, and by what meanes we did agree.
ELEGIA. 9. Ad Cupidinem.
O Cupid that doest neuer cease my smart,O boy that lyest so slothfull in my heart.
Why me that alwayes was thy souldiour found,
Doest harme, and in thy tents why doest me wound?
Why burnes thy brand, why strikes thy bow thy friends?
More glory by thy vanquisht foes ascends.
Did not Pelides whom his Speare did grieue,
Being requirde, with speedy help relieue?
Hunters leaue taken beasts, pursue the chase,
And then things found do euer further pace.
We people wholy giuen thee, feele thine armes,
Thy dull hand staies thy striuing enemies harmes.
Doest ioy to haue thy hooked Arrowes shaked,
In naked bones? loue hath my bones left naked.
So many men and maidens without loue,
Hence with great laude thou maiest a triumph moue.
Rome if her strength the huge world had not fild,
With strawie cabins now her courts should build.
The weary souldiour hath the conquerd fields,
His sword layed by, safe, though rude places yeelds.
The Dock in harbours ships drawne, from the floods,
Horse freed from seruice range abroad the woods.
And time it was for me to liue in quiet,
That haue so oft seru'd pretty wenches dyet.
Yet should I curse a God, if he but said,
For when my loathing it of heate depriues me,
I know not whether my mindes whirle-wind driues me.
Euen as a head-strong courser beares away,
His rider vainely striuing him to stay.
Or as a suddaine gaile thrusts into sea,
The heauen-touching barke now neere the lea.
So wauering Cupid brings me backe amaine,
And purple loue resumes his dartes againe.
Strike boy, I offer thee my naked brest,
Heere thou hast strength, here thy right hand doth rest.
Heere of themselues thy shafts come, as if shot;
Better then I their quiuer knowes them not:
Haplesse is he that all the night lyes quiet
And slumbring, thinkes himselfe much blessed by it.
Foole, what is sleepe but image of cold death,
Long shalt thou rest when Fates expire thy breath.
But me let crafty damsells words deceiue,
Great ioyes by hope I inly shall conceiue,
Now let her flatter me, now chide me hard,
Let her inioy me oft, oft be debard.
Cupid by thee, Mars in great doubt doth trample,
And thy step-father fights by thy example.
Light art thou, and more windy then thy winges,
Ioyes with vncertaine faith thou takest and bringes:
Yet loue, if thou with thy fayre mother heare,
Within my brest no desert empire beare;
Subdue the wandring wenches to thy raigne,
So of both people shalt thou homage gaine.
ELEGIA. 10. Ad Græcinum quod endem tempore duas amet.
Græcinus (well I wot) thou toldst me once,I could not be in loue with two at once,
By thee deceiued, by thee surpriz'd am I
For now I loue two women equally.
Both are welfauor'd, both in rich aray,
Which is the louelyest it is hard to say.
This seemes the fayrest, so doth that to me,
And this doth please me most, and so doth shee.
Euen as a Boate, tost by contrary winde,
So with this loue, and that, wauers my minde.
Venus, why doublest thou my endlesse smart?
Was not one wench enough to grieue my heart?
Why addst thou stars to heauen, leaues to greene woods,
And to the vast deepe sea fresh water floods?
Yet this is better farre then lye alone,
Let such as be mine enemies haue none.
Yea let my foes sleepe in an empty bed,
And in the midst their bodyes largely spread.
But may soft loue rouse vp my drowsie eyes,
And from my mistris bosome let me rise.
Let one wench cloy me with sweet loues delight
If one can doote, if not, two euery night.
Though I am slender, I haue store of pith,
Nor want I strength, but weight to presse her with.
Pleasure addes fuell to my lust-full fire,
I pay them home with that they most desire.
Oft haue I spent the night in wantonnesse,
And in the morne beene liuely nere the lesse.
And to the Gods for that death Ouid prayes.
Let souldiers chase their enemies amaine,
And with their blood eternall honour gaine.
Let Merchants seeke wealth with periured lips;
And being wrackt carouse the sea tir'd by their ships.
But when I dye, would I might droupe with doing,
And in the midst thereof set my soule going:
That at my funeralls some may weeping crye,
Euen as he led his life, so did he dye.
ELEGIA. 11. Ad amicam nauigantem.
The lofty Pine from high mount Pelion raughtIll wayes by rough seas wōdring waues first taught
Which rashly t'wixt the sharpe rockes in the deepe,
Caried the famous golden-fleeced sheepe.
O would that no Oares might in seas haue suncke
The Argos wrackt had deadly waters drunke.
Loe country Gods, and know bed to forsake
Corinna meanes, and dangerous wayes to take.
For thee the East and West winds make me pale,
With Icy Boreas, and the Southerne gale.
Thou shalt admire no woods or Citties there,
The vniust seas all blewish do appeare.
The Ocean hath no painted stones or shelles,
The sucking shore with their aboundance swels.
Maides on the shore, with marble white feet tread,
So farre 'tis safe, but to go farther, dread.
Let others tell how winds fierce battailes wage,
How Scyllaes and Caribdis waters rage.
In what gulfe either Syrtes haue their seate.
Let others tell this, and what each one speakes
Beleeue, no tempest the beleeuer wreakes.
Too late you looke back, when with anchor weighd,
The crooked Barque hath her swift sayles displayd.
The carefull ship-man now feares angry gusts,
And with the waters sees death neere him thrusts,
But if that Triton tosse the troubled floud,
In all thy face will be no crimson bloud.
Then wilt thou Lædas noble twinne-starrs pray,
And he is happy whom the earth holds, say,
It is more safe to sleepe, to read a booke,
The Thracian Harpe with cunning to haue strooke,
But if my words with winged stormes hence slip,
Yet Galatea fauour thou her ship.
The losse of such a wench much blame will gather,
Both to the Sea-nimphs and the Sea-nimphs father.
Go minding to returne with prosperous winde,
Whose blast may hether strongly be inclinde,
Let [illeg.] bend the waues vnto this shore,
Hether the windes blowe, here the spring-tide rore,
Request mild Zephires helpe for thy auaile,
And with thy hand assist thy swelling saile,
I from the shore thy knowne ship first will see,
And say it brings her that preserueth me;
Ile clip and kisse thee with all contentation,
For thy returne shall fall the vowd oblation
And in the forme of beds weele strow soft sand,
Each little hill shall for a table stand:
There wine being fild, thou many things shalt tell,
How almost wrackt thy ship in maine seas fell.
Nor violent South-windes did thee ought affright.
Ile thinke all true, though it be feigned matter,
Mine owne desires why should my selfe not flatter?
Let the bright day-starre cause in heauen this day be,
To bring that happy time so soone as may be.
ELEGIA. 12. Exultat, quod amica potitus sit.
About my temples go triumphant bayes,Conquer'd Corinna in my bosome layes.
She whom her husband, guard, and gate, as foes,
Least Arte should winne her, firmely did inclose:
That victory doth chiefely triumph merit,
Which without bloud-shed doth the pray inherit.
No little ditched townes, no lowely walls,
But to my share a captiue damsell falls.
When Troy by ten yeares battaile tumbled downe,
With the Atrides many gainde renowne:
But I no partner of my glory brooke,
Nor can another say his helpe I tooke.
I guide and souldier, wonne the field and weare her,
I was both horse-man, foot-man, standard-bearer.
Nor in my act hath fortune mingled chance:
O care-got triumph hitherwards aduance.
Nor is my warres cause new; but for a Queene
Europe, and Asia in firme peace had beene.
The Lapithes, and the Centaures for a woman,
To cruell armes their drunken selues did summon.
A woman forc'd the Troyanes new to enter
Warres, iust Latinus, in thy kingdomes center:
The Sabine Fathers, who sharp warres intend,
I saw how Bulls for a white Heifer striue,
Shee looking on them did more courage giue.
And me with many, but yet me without murther,
Cupid commands to moue his ensignes further.
ELEGIA. 13. Ad Isidem, vt parientem Corinnam iunet.
VVhile rashly her wombes burthen she casts out,Weary Corinna hath her life in doubt.
She secretly with me such harme attempted,
Angry I was, but feare my wrath exempted.
But she conceiu'd of me, or I am sure
I oft haue done, what might as much procure.
Thou that frequents Canopus pleasant fields,
Memphis, and Pharos that sweet date trees yeelds.
And where swift Nile in his large channell slipping,
By seauen huge mouthes into the sea is slipping.
By fear'd Anubis visage I thee pray,
So in thy Temples shall Osiris stay.
And the dull-snake about thy offrings creepe,
And in thy pomp horn'd Apis with thee keepe.
Turne thy lookes hether, and in one spare twaine,
Thou giuest my mistresse life, she mine againe.
Shee oft hath seru'd thee vpon certaine daies,
Where the French rout engirt themselues with Baies.
On labouring women thou doest pitty take,
Whose bodies with their heauy burthens ake,
Ny wench Lucina, I intreat thee fauour,
Worthy she is, thou should'st in mercy saue her.
My selfe will bring vowed gifts before thy feete.
Subscribing Naso with Corinna sau'd,
Doe but deserue gifts with this title grau'd.
But if in so great feare I may aduize thee,
To haue this skirmish fought let it suffice thee.
ELEGIA. 14. In amicam, quod abortivum ipsa fecerit.
VVhat helpes it Woman to be free from warre?Nor being arm'd fierce troups to follow farre?
If without battle selfe-wrought wounds annoy them,
And their owne priuie weapon'd hands destroy them.
Who vnborne infants first to slay inuented,
Deseru'd thereby with death to be tormented.
Because thy belly should rough wrinckles lack,
Wilt thou thy wombe-inclosed off-spring wrack?
Had ancient Mothers this vile custome cherisht,
All humane kinde by their default had perisht.
On stones, our stocks originall should be hurld,
Againe by some in this vnpeopled world.
Who should haue Priams wealthy substance wonne,
If watry Thetis had her childe fordone?
In swelling wombe her twinnes had [illeg.] kilde?
He had not beene that conquering Rome did build.
Had Venus spoilde her bellies Troyane fruite,
The earth of Cæsars had beene destitute.
Thou also that wert borne faire, had'st decayed,
If such a worke thy mother had assayed.
My selfe that better dye with louing may,
Why takest increasing grapes from Vine-trees full?
With cruell hand why doest greene Apples pull?
Fruites ripe will fall, let springing things increase,
Life is no light price of a small surcease.
Why with hid irons are your bowels torne?
And why dire poyson giue you babes vnborne?
At Cholcis stain'd with childrens blood men raile,
And mother-murtherd Itis thee bewaile.
Both vnkinde parents, but for causes sad,
Their wedlock pledges veng'd their husbands bad.
What Tereus, what Iason you prouokes,
To plague your bodies with such harmefull strokes?
Armenian Tygers neuer did so ill,
Nor dares the Lyonesse her young whelpes kill.
But tender Damsels doe it, though with paine,
Oft dyes she that her paunch-wrapt child hath slaine.
Shee dyes, and with loose haires to graue is sent,
And who ere see her, worthily lament.
But in the ayre let these words come to nought,
And my presages of no weight be thought.
Forgiue her gratious Gods this one delict,
And one the next fault punishment inflict.
ELEGIA. 15. Ad annulum, quem dono amisæ dedit.
Thou ring that shalt my faire girles finger binde,Wherein is seene the giuers louing minde:
Be welcome to her, gladly let her take thee,
And her small ioynts incircling round [illeg.]e make thee.
And of iust compasse for her knuckles be.
Bestring in my mistresse armes shall lie,
My selfe poore wretch mine owne gifts now enuie.
O would that sodainely into my gift,
I could my selfe by secret Magick shift.
Then would I wish thee touch my mistresse pappe,
And hide thy left hand vnderneath her lappe.
I would get off though straight, and sticking fast,
And in her bosome strangely fall at last.
Then I, that I may seale her priuie leaues,
Least to the waxe the hold-fast drye gemme cleaues.
Would first my beautious wenches moist lips touch,
Onely Ile signe nought, that may grieue me much.
I would not out, might I in one place hit,
But in lesse compasse her small fingers knit,
My life, that I will shame thee neuer feare,
Or by a loade thou should'st refuse to beare.
Weare me, when warmest showers thy members wash,
And through the gemme let thy lost waters pash.
But seeing thee, I thinke my thing will swell,
And euen the ring performe a mans part well.
Vaine things why wish I? goe small gift from hand,
Let her my faith with thee giuen, vnderstand.
ELEGIA. 16. Ad amicam, vt adrura suaveniat.
Svlmo , Pelignies third part me containes,A small, but wholesome soyle with watrie veynes.
Although the Sunne to riue the earth incline,
And the Icarian froward Dog-starre shine.
And on the soft ground fertile greene grasse grow.
With corne the earth abounds, with vines much more,
And some few pastures Pallas Oliues bore.
And by the rising herbes, where cleare springs slide,
A grassie turffe the moistened earth doth hide.
But absent is my sire, lyes ile tell none,
My heate is heere, what moues my heate is gone.
Pollux and Castor, might I stand betwixt,
In heauen without thee would I not be fixt.
Vpon the cold earth pensiue let them lay,
That meane to trauaile some long irkesome way.
Or else will maidens yong-menns mates, to go
If they determine to perseuere so.
Then on the rough Alpes should I tread aloft,
My hard way with my mistresse would seeme soft,
With her I durst the Lybian Sirtes break through,
And raging Seas in boistrous South-winds plough.
No barking Dogs, that Syllaes intrailes beare,
Nor thy gulfes crooked Malea, would I feare.
No flowing waues with drowned ships forth powred,
By cloyed Charibdis, and againe deuoured.
But if sterne Neptunes windie powre preuaile.
And waters force, force helping Gods to faile,
With thy white armes vpon my shoulders seaze,
So sweet a burthen I will beare with eaze.
The youth oft swimming to his Hero kinde,
Had then swum ouer, but the way was blinde,
But without thee, although vine-planted ground
Conteines me, though the streames in fields surround.
Though Hindes in brookes the running waters bring,
And coole gales shake the tall trees leauy spring.
Nor doe I like the countrie of my birth.
Sythia, Cilicia, Brittaine are as good,
And rockes dyed crimson with Prometheus blood.
Elmes loue the Vines, the Vines with Elmes abide,
Why doth my mistresse from me oft deuide?
Thou swearest, deuision should not twixt vs rise,
By me, and by my starres, thy radiant eyes.
Maides words more vaine and light then falling leaues,
Which as it seemes, hence winde and sea bereaues,
If any godly care of me thou hast,
Adde deeds vnto thy promises at last.
And with swift Naggs drawing thy little Coach,
(Their reines let loose) right soone my house approach.
But when she comes, your swelling mounts sinck downe
And falling vallies be the smooth-wayes crowne.
ELEGIA. 17. Quod Corinnæ soli sit seruaturus.
To serue a wench if any thinke it shame,He being iudge, I am conuinc'd of blame.
Let me be slandered, while my fire she hides,
That Paphos, and the floud-beate Cithera guides,
Would I had beene my mistresse gentle prey,
Since some faire one I should of force obey,
Beauty giues heart, Corinnas lookes excell,
Aye me why is it knowne to her so well?
But by her glasse disdainefull pride she learnes,
Nor she her selfe but first trim'd vp discernes.
Not though thy face in all things make thee raigne,
(O face most cunning mine eyes to detayne)
Small things with greater may be copulate,
Loue-snarde Calypso is supposde to pray,
A mortall nimphes refusing Lord to stay.
Who doubts, with Pelius, Thetis did consort,
Egeria with iust Numa had good sport,
Venus with Vulcan, though smiths tooles laide by,
With his stumpe-foote he halts ill-fauouredly.
This kinde of verse is not alike, yet fit,
With shorter numbers the heroick sit.
And thou my light accept me how so euer,
Lay in the mid bed, there be my law giuer.
My stay no crime, my flight no ioy shall breed,
Nor of our loue, to be asham'd we need.
For great reuenews I good verses haue,
And many by me to get glory craue.
I know a wench reports her selfe Corinne,
What would not she giue that faire name to winne?
But sundry flouds in one banke neuer go,
Eurotas cold, and poplar-bearing Po.
Nor in my bookes shall one but thou be writ,
Thou doest alone giue matter to my wit.
ELEGIA. 18. Ad Macrum, quod de amoribus scribat.
To tragick verse while thou Achilles train'st,And new sworne souldiours maiden armes retain'st,
We Macer sit in Venus slothfull shade,
And tender loue hath great things hatefull made.
Often at length, my wench depart, I bid,
Shee in my lap sits still as earst she did.
Aye me she cries, to loue, why art ashamed?
Then wrethes about my neck her winding armes,
And thousand kisses giues, that worke my harmes:
I-yeeld, and back my wit from battels bring,
Domestick acts, and mine owne warres to sing.
Yet tragedies, and scepters fild my lines,
But though I apt were for such high deseignes.
Loue laughed at my cloak, and buskines painted,
And rule so soone with priuate hands acquainted.
My mistresse deity also drew me from it,
And loue triumpheth o're his busking Poet.
What lawfull is, or we professe loues art.
(Alas my precepts turne my selfe to smart)
We write, or what Penelope sends Vlysses,
Or Phillis teares that her Demophoon misses.
What thanklesse Iason, Macareus, and Paris,
Phedra, and Hipolite may read, my care is,
And what poore Dido, with her drawne sword sharp,
Doth say, with her that lou'd the Aonian harp.
As soone as from strange landes Sabinus came,
And writings did from diuerse places frame.
White-cheekt Penelope knew Vlysses signe,
The step-dame read Hyppolitus lustlesse line.
Æneas to Elisa aunswer giues,
And Phillis hath to reade; if now she liues.
Iasons sad letter doth Hipsipile greete,
Sappho her vowed harp laies at Phœbus feete.
Nor of thee Macer that resound'st forth armes,
Is golden loue hid in Mars mid alarmes.
There Paris is, and Helens crymes record,
With Laodemeia mate to her dead Lord.
Then warres, and from thy tents wilt come to mine.
ELEGIA. 19. Ad riualem, cui vxor curæ non erat.
Foole if to keepe thy wife thou hast no neede,Keepe her from me, my more desire to breede,
We skorne things lawfull, stolne sweetes we affect,
Cruell is he that loues whom none protect.
Let vs both louers hope, and feare a like,
And may repulse place for our wishes strike.
What should I do with fortune that n'ere failes me?
Nothing I loue, that at all times auailes me.
Wily Corinna, saw this blemish in me,
And craftily knowes by what meanes to winne me.
Ah often, that her haole head aked, she lying,
Wild me, whose slow feete sought delay by flying,
Ah oft, how much she might she feign'd offence;
And doing wrong made shew of innocence.
So hauing vext she nourisht my warme fire,
And was againe most apt to my desire.
To please me, what faire tearmes and sweete words has she
Great Gods what kisses, and how many gaue she?
Thou also that late tookest mine eyes away,
Oft couzen me, oft being wooed say nay.
And on thy thre-shold let me lie dispred,
Suffring much cold by hoary nights frost bred.
So shall my loue continue many yeares,
This doth delight me, this my courage cheares.
Fat loue, and too much fulsome me annoyes,
Euen as sweet meate a glutted stomack cloyes.
In brazen tower had not Danae dwelt,
A mothers ioy by Ioue she had not felt.
Ioue liked her better then he did before.
Who couets lawfull things takes leaues from woods,
And drinkes stolne waters in surrownding floodes.
Her louer let her mock, that long will raigne,
Aye me, let not my warnings cause my paine.
What euer haps, by suffrance harme is done,
What flies, I follow, what followes me I shunne.
But thou of thy faire damsell too secure,
Begin to shut thy house at euening sure.
Search at the dore who knocks oft in the darke,
In nights deep silence why the ban-dogges barke.
Whether the subtile maide lines bringes and carries,
Why she alone in empty bed oft tarries.
Let this care some-times bite thee to the quick,
That to deceits it may me forward prick.
To steale sands from the shore he loues alife,
That can effect a foolish wittals wife.
Now I forewarne, vnlesse to keep her stronger,
Thou doest begin, she shall be mine no longer.
Long haue I borne much, hoping time would beate thee,
To guard her well, that well I might intreate thee.
Thou suffrest what no husband can endure,
But of my loue it will an end procure.
Shall I poore soule be neuer interdicted?
Nor neuer with nights sharp reuenge afflicted?
In sleeping shall I fearelesse draw my breath?
Wilt nothing do, why I should wish thy death?
Can I but loath a husband growne a bawde,
By thy default thou doest our ioyes defaude.
Some other seeke that may in patience striue with thee,
To pleasure me, for-bid me to coriue with thee.
| Ouids elegies | |