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. | ELEGY I. |
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 | The Works of Tibullus |  |
ELEGY I.
The Feast of Roman Mars is drawing near,
Which to our Ancestors began the Year;
And Presents now are carry'd up and down,
From House to House, throughout the joyful Town.
Say ye, Pierian Nine, what to my Fair
Neæra shall I send? What Gift prefer?
That She, who I am fond of calling Mine,
If false, yet fair, and to my Thoughts divine.
Which to our Ancestors began the Year;
And Presents now are carry'd up and down,
From House to House, throughout the joyful Town.
Say ye, Pierian Nine, what to my Fair
Neæra shall I send? What Gift prefer?
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If false, yet fair, and to my Thoughts divine.
The mercenary Maid delights in Gold,
The Fair in Verse, to have her Praises told;
And my Neæra Prides her in my Lays,
And Joys to find her Beauties merit Praise.
Then let the Book be bound with curious Art,
And neatly beautify'd in every Part;
And in the Front with painted Pride declare
The Name in curious Letters of my Fair.
The Fair in Verse, to have her Praises told;
And my Neæra Prides her in my Lays,
And Joys to find her Beauties merit Praise.
Then let the Book be bound with curious Art,
And neatly beautify'd in every Part;
And in the Front with painted Pride declare
The Name in curious Letters of my Fair.
And, O! ye Nine, by whom inspir'd I sing,
By your Castalian Shades and sacred Spring;
Hence I conjure you to my much-lov'd Fair,
The polish'd Piece, and curious Volume bear,
E're soiling Hands the shining Lids invade,
Or the gay Leaves, and gilded Edges fade.
And let her then resolve me if her Flame
Of Love, and mine, are equal, and the same:
Or whether she retains the smallest Part,
Or if 'tis quite extinguish'd in her Heart:
And after due Respect obsequious paid,
Thus with submissive Voice address the Maid.
By your Castalian Shades and sacred Spring;
Hence I conjure you to my much-lov'd Fair,
The polish'd Piece, and curious Volume bear,
E're soiling Hands the shining Lids invade,
Or the gay Leaves, and gilded Edges fade.
And let her then resolve me if her Flame
Of Love, and mine, are equal, and the same:
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Or if 'tis quite extinguish'd in her Heart:
And after due Respect obsequious paid,
Thus with submissive Voice address the Maid.
Neæra chast! he who a Husband's Name
Once hop'd, now claims a Brother's chaster Flame,
This trifling Present with Submission sends
To her, on whom his Hope and Fear attends;
He swears he loves you dearer than his Life,
Whether his future Sister, or his Wife:
But rather as his Wife, which earnest Vow
Will last 'till he shall view the Shades below.
Once hop'd, now claims a Brother's chaster Flame,
This trifling Present with Submission sends
To her, on whom his Hope and Fear attends;
He swears he loves you dearer than his Life,
Whether his future Sister, or his Wife:
But rather as his Wife, which earnest Vow
Will last 'till he shall view the Shades below.
| The Works of Tibullus | |