Amours
- 1.ep.1
The epigram is not here translated.
- 1.1.1
For mighty wars I thought to tune my lute,
- 1.1.2
And make my measures to my subject suit.
- 1.1.3
Six feet for ev'ry verse the muse design'd,
- 1.1.4
But Cupid laughing, when he saw my mind,
- 1.1.5
From ev'ry second verse a foot purloin'd.
- 1.1.6
"Who gave thee, boy, this arbitrary sway,
- 1.1.7
On subjects, not thy own, commands to lay,
- 1.1.8
Who Phoebus only, and his laws obey ?
- 1.1.9
'Tis more absurd, than if the queen of love
- 1.1.10
Should in Minerva's arms to battle move;
- 1.1.11
Or manly Pallas from that queen should take
- 1.1.12
Her torch, and o'er the dying lover shake.
- 1.1.13
In fields as well may Cynthia sow the corn,
- 1.1.14
Or Ceres wind in woods the bugle-horn;
- 1.1.15
As well may Phoebus quit the trembling string,
- 1.1.16
For sword and shield; and Mars may learn to sing.
- 1.1.17
Already thy dominions are too large;
- 1.1.18
Be not ambitious of a foreign charge.
- 1.1.19
If thou wilt reign o'er all, and ev'ry where,
- 1.1.20
The god of music for his harp may fear.
- 1.1.21
Thus when with soaring wings I seek renown,
- 1.1.22
Thou pluck'st my pinions, and I flutter down.
- 1.1.23
Could I on such mean thoughts my muse employ,
- 1.1.24
I want a mistress, or a blooming boy."
- 1.1.25
Thus I complain'd; his bow the stripling bent,
- 1.1.26
And chose an arrow fit for his intent.
- 1.1.27
The shaft his purpose fatally pursues;
- 1.1.28
" Now, poet, there's a subject for thy muse,"
- 1.1.29
He said: (too well, alas, he knows his trade,)
- 1.1.30
For in my breast a mortal wound he made.
- 1.1.31
Far hence ye proud Hexameters remove,
- 1.1.32
My verse is pac'd, and tramell'd into love.
- 1.1.33
With myrtle wreaths my thoughtful brows enclose,
- 1.1.34
While in unequal verse I sing my woes.
- 1.2.1
Ah me! why am I so uneasy grown?
- 1.2.2
Ah! why so restless on my bed of down?
- 1.2.3
Why do I wish to sleep, but wish in vain?
- 1.2.4
Why am I all the tedious night in pain?
- 1.2.5
What cause is this, that ease, that rest denies?
- 1.2.6
And why my words break forth in gentle sighs?
- 1.2.7
Sure I should know if love had fix'd his dart;
- 1.2.8
Or creeps he softly in with treacherous art,
- 1.2.9
And then grows tyrant, there and wounds the heart?
- 1.2.10
'Tis so, the shaft sticks deep, and galls my breast;
- 1.2.11
'Tis tyrant love, that robs my thoughts of rest!
- 1.2.12
Well, shall I tamely yield, or must I fight?
- 1.2.13
I'll yield; 'tis patience makes a burden light:
- 1.2.14
A shaken torch grows fierce, and sparks arise;
- 1.2.15
But, if unmov'd, the fire looks pale and dies.
- 1.2.16
The hard-mouth'd horse smarts for his fierce disdain
- 1.2.17
The gentle's ridden with a looser rein.
- 1.2.18
Love smooths the gentle, but the fierce reclaims;
- 1.2.19
He fires their breasts, and fills their souls with flames.
- 1.2.20
I yield; great Love, my former crimes forgive,
- 1.2.21
Forget my rebel thoughts, and let me live;
- 1.2.22
No need of force: I willingly obey,
- 1.2.23
And now unarm'd, shall prove no glorious prey.
- 1.2.24
Go take thy mother's doves, thy myrtle crown,
- 1.2.25
And for thy chariot, Mars shall lend his own;
- 1.2.26
There thou shalt sit in thy triumphant pride,
- 1.2.27
And, whilst glad shouts resound on ev'ry side,
- 1.2.28
Thy gentle hands thy mother's doves shall guide.
- 1.2.29
And there to make thy glorious pomp and state,
- 1.2.30
A train of sighing youths, and maids shall wait,
- 1.2.31
Yet none complain of an unhappy fate.
- 1.2.32
There newly conquer'd I, still fresh my wound,
- 1.2.33
Will march along, my hands with myrtle bound;
- 1.2.34
There modesty, with veils thrown o'er her face,
- 1.2.35
Now doubly blushing at her own disgrace;
- 1.2.36
There sober thoughts, and whatso'er disdains
- 1.2.37
Love's rules, shall feel his power, and bear his chains:
- 1.2.38
Then all shall fear, all bow, yet all rejoice;
- 1.2.39
"Io triumphe" be the public voice.
- 1.2.40
Thy constant guards, soft fancy, hope and fear,
- 1.2.41
Anger, and soft caresses shall be there:
- 1.2.42
By these strong guards are men and gods o'erthrown;
- 1.2.43
These conquer for thee, Love, and these alone,
- 1.2.44
Thy mother, from the sky thy pomp shall grace,
- 1.2.45
And scatter sweetest roses in thy face:
- 1.2.46
There glorious Love shall ride, profusely dress'd
- 1.2.47
With all the richest jewels of the east:
- 1.2.48
Rich gems thy quiver, and thy wheels infold,
- 1.2.49
And hide the poorness of the baser gold.
- 1.2.50
Then thou shalt conquer many, then.thy darts
- 1.2.51
Shall scatter thousand wounds on tender hearts:
- 1.2.52
Thy shafts themselves will fly, thy neighb'ring fire
- 1.2.53
Will catch mens' breasts, and kindle warm desire.
- 1.2.54
Thus conqu'ring Bacchus looks in Indian groves,
- 1.2.55
He drawn by tigers, thou by murm'ring doves.
- 1.2.56
Well then, since I too can increase thy train,
- 1.2.57
Spend not thy force on me, and rage in vain;
- 1.2.58
Look on thy kinsman Caesar's happy slaves,
- 1.2.59
The same victorious arm that conquers, saves.
- 1.3.1
Be just, dear maid, an equal passion prove,
- 1.3.2
Or show me cause why I should ever love.
- 1.3.3
I do not at your cold disdain repine,
- 1.3.4
Nor ask your love, do you but suffer mine.
- 1.3.5
I dare not aim at more exalted bliss,
- 1.3.6
And Venus will bestow her vot'ry this.
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