University of Virginia Library

THE FIFTH ELEGY OF THE First Book of OVID.

'Twas Noon, when I, scorch'd with the double Fire,
Of the hot Sun, and my more hot Desire,
Stretcht on my downey Couch at Ease was laid,
Big with Expectance of the lovely Maid.
The Curtains but half drawn, a Light let in,
Such as in Shades of thickest Groves is seen;
Such as remains, when the Sun flies away,
Or when Night's gone, and yet it is not Day.
This Light to modest Maids must be allow'd,
Where Shame may hope its guilty Head to shrowd.
And now my Love, Corinna, did appear,
Loose on her Neck fell her divided Hair;
Loose as her flowing Gown, that wanton'd in the Air.
In such a Garb, with such a Grace and Mein,
To her rich Bed came the Assyrian Queen.
So Lais look'd, when all the Youth of Greece
With Adoration did her Charms confess.
Her envious Gown to pull away I try'd,
But she resisted still, and still deny'd;
But so resisted, that she seem'd to be
Unwilling to obtain the Victory.
So I at last, an easie Conquest had,
Whilst my fair Combatant her self betray'd:
But when she naked stood before my Eyes,
Gods! with what Charms did she my Soul surprise?
What snowy Arms did I both see and feel?
With what rich Globes did her soft Bosom swell?
Plump, as ripe Clusters, rose each glowing Breast,
Courting the Hand, and suing to be prest!
What a smooth Plain was on her Belly spread?
Where thousand little Loves and Graces play'd
What Thighs! what Legs! But why strive I in vain,
Each Limb, each Grace, each Feature to explain?
One Beauty did through her whole Body shine.
I saw, admir'd, and prest it close to mine.
The rest, who knows not? Thus intranc'd we lay,
'Till in each other's Arms we dy'd away;
O give me such a Noon (ye Gods) to every Day.