Art of Love
- 1.35.101
Soon may'st thou find a mistress in the rout,
- 1.35.102
For length of time or for a single bout.
- 1.35.103
The Theatres are berries for the fair;
- 1.35.104
Like ants or mole-hills thither they repair;
- 1.35.105
Like bees to hives so numerously they throng,
- 1.35.106
It may be said they to that place belong:
- 1.35.107
Thither they swarm who have the public voice;
- 1.35.108
There choose, if plenty not distracts thy choice.
- 1.35.109
To see, and to be seen, in heaps they run;
- 1.35.110
Some to undo, and some to be undone.
- 1.101.111
From Romulus the rise of plays began,
- 1.101.112
To his new subjects a commodious man;
- 1.101.113
Who, his unmarried soldiers to supply,
- 1.101.114
Took care the commonwealth should multiply;
- 1.101.115
Providing Sabine women for his braves,
- 1.101.116
Like a true king, to get a race of slaves.
- 1.101.117
His playhouse, not of Parian marble made,
- 1.101.118
Nor was it spread with purple sails for shade;
- 1.101.119
The stage with rushes or with leaves they strew'd;
- 1.101.120
No scenes in prospect, no machining god.
- 1.101.121
On rows of homely turf they sat to see,
- 1.101.122
Crown'd with the wreaths of ev'ry common tree.
- 1.101.123
There, while they sit in rustic majesty,
- 1.101.124
Each lover had his mistress in his eye;
- 1.101.125
And whom he saw most suiting to his mind,
- 1.101.126
For joys of matrimonial rape design'd.
- 1.101.127
Scarce could they wait the plaudit in their haste;
- 1.101.128
But ere the dances and the song were past,
- 1.101.129
The monarch gave the signal from his throne,
- 1.101.130
And rising, bade his merry men fall on.
- 1.101.131
The martial crew, like soldiers, ready press'd,
- 1.101.132
Just at the word (the word too was the best),
- 1.101.133
With joyful cries each other animate;
- 1.101.134
Some choose, and some at hazard seize their mate.
- 1.101.135
As doves from eagles, or from wolves the lambs,
- 1.101.136
So from their lawless lovers fly the dames.
- 1.101.137
Their fear was one, but not one face of fear:
- 1.101.138
Some rend the lovely tresses of the hair:
- 1.101.139
Some shriek, and some are struck with dumb despair.
- 1.101.140
Her absent mother one invokes in vain;
- 1.101.141
One stands amaz'd, not daring to complain;
- 1.101.142
The nimbler trust their feet, the slow remain.
- 1.101.143
But nought availing, all are captives led,
- 1.101.144
Trembling and blushing, to the genial bed.
- 1.101.145
She who too long resisted or denied,
- 1.101.146
The lusty lover made by force a bride,
- 1.101.147
And with superior strength compell'd her to his side,
- 1.101.148
Then sooth'd her thus! "My soul's far better part,
- 1.101.149
Cease weeping, nor afflict thy tender heart;
- 1.101.150
For what thy father to thy mother was,
- 1.101.151
That faith to thee, that solemn vow I pass !
- 1.101.152
Thus Romulus became so popular;
- 1.101.153
This was the way to thrive in peace and war;
- 1.101.154
To pay his army, and fresh whores to bring:
- 1.101.155
Who wouldn't fight for such a gracious king!
- 1.101.156
Thus love in theatres did first improve,
- 1.101.157
And theatres are still the scene of love.
- 1.135.158
Nor shun the chariots and the courser's race;
- 1.135.159
The circus is no inconvenient place.
- 1.135.160
No need is there of talking on the hands;
- 1.135.161
Nor nods, nor signs, which lovers understand.
- 1.135.162
But boldly next the fair your seat provide,
- 1.135.163
Close as ye can to hers-and side by side.
- 1.135.164
Pleas'd or unpleas'd, no matter, crowding sit;
- 1.135.165
For so the laws of public shows permit.
- 1.135.166
Then find occasion to begin discourse;
- 1.135.167
Enquire whose chariot this, and whose that horse?
- 1.135.168
To whatsoever side she is inclin'd,
- 1.135.169
Suit all her inclinations to her mind;
- 1.135.170
Like what she likes, from thence your court begin.
- 1.135.171
And whom she favours, wish that he may win.
- 1.135.172
But when the statues of the deities
- 1.135.173
In chariots roll'd, appear before the prize;
- 1.135.174
When Venus comes, with deep devotion rise.
- 1.135.175
If dust be on her lap, or grains of sand,
- 1.135.176
Brush both away with your officious hand.
- 1.135.177
If none there be, yet brush that nothing thence,
- 1.135.178
And still to touch her lap make some pretence.
- 1.135.179
Touch any thing of hers, and if her train
- 1.135.180
Sweep on the ground, let it not sweep in vain;
- 1.135.181
But gently take it up and wipe it clean;
- 1.135.182
And while you wipe it, with observing eyes,
- 1.135.183
Who knows but you may see her naked thighs!
- 1.135.184
Observe who sits behind her, and beware,
- 1.135.185
Lest his encroaching knees should press the fair
- 1.135.186
Light service takes light minds, for some can tell
- 1.135.187
Of favours won by laying cushions well;
- 1.135.188
By fanning faces some their fortunes meet,
- 1.135.189
And some by laying footstools for their feet.
- 1.135.190
These overtures of love the circus gives,
- 1.135.191
Nor at the sword play less the lover thrives;
- 1.135.192
For there the son of Venus fights his prize,
- 1.135.193
And deepest wounds are oft receiv'd from eyes.
- 1.135.194
One, while the crowd their acclamations make,
- 1.135.195
Or while he bets and puts his ring to stake,
- 1.135.196
Is struck from far and feels the flying dart,
- 1.135.197
And of the spectacle is made a part.
- 1.171.198
Caesar would represent a naval fight,
- 1.171.199
For his own honour and for Rome's delight.
- 1.171.200
From either sea the youths and maidens come,
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