Art of Love
- 1.171.201
And all the world was then contain'd in Rome!
- 1.171.202
In this vast concourse, in this choice of game,
- 1.171.203
What Roman heart but felt a foreign flame!
- 1.171.204
Once more our prince prepares to make us glad,
- 1.171.205
And the remaining east to Rome will add.
- 1.171.206
Rejoice, ye Roman soldiers, in your urns,
- 1.171.207
Your ensigns from the Parthians shall return,
- 1.171.208
And the slain Crassi shall no longer mourn.
- 1.171.209
A youth is sent those trophies to demand,
- 1.171.210
Ard bears his father's thunders in his hand;
- 1.171.211
Doubt not th' imperial boy in wars unseen,
- 1.171.212
In childhood all of Caesar's race are men.
- 1.171.213
Celestial seeds shoot out before their day,
- 1.171.214
Prevent their years, and brook no dull delay.
- 1.171.215
Thus infant Hercules the snakes did press,
- 1.171.216
And in his cradle did his sire confess.
- 1.171.217
Bacchus a boy, yet like a hero fought,
- 1.171.218
And early spoils from conquer'd India brought.
- 1.171.219
Thus you your father's troops shall lead to fight,
- 1.171.220
And thus shall vanquish in your father's right.
- 1.171.221
These rudiments you to your lineage owe;
- 1.171.222
Born to increase your titles as you grow.
- 1.171.223
Brethren you had, revenge your brethren slain;
- 1.171.224
You have a father, and his rights maintain.
- 1.171.225
Arm'd by your country's parent and your own,
- 1.171.226
Redeem your country and restore his throne.
- 1.171.227
Your enemies assert an impious cause;
- 1.171.228
You fight both for divine and human laws.
- 1.171.229
Already in their cause they are o'ercome;
- 1.171.230
Subject them too, by force of arms, to Rome.
- 1.171.231
Great father Mars with greater Caesar join,
- 1.171.232
To give a prosperous omen to your line;
- 1.171.233
One of you is, and one shall be divine.
- 1.171.234
I prophesy you shall, you shall o'ercome;
- 1.171.235
My verse shall bring you back in triumph home:
- 1.171.236
Speak in my verse, exhort to loud alarms;
- 1.171.237
0, were my numbers equal to your arms,
- 1.171.238
Then would I sing the Parthians' overthrow;
- 1.171.239
Their shot averse sent from a flying bow
- 1.171.240
The Parthians, who already flying fight,
- 1.171.241
Already give an omen of their flight.
- 1.171.242
0, when will come the day, by heaven designed,
- 1.171.243
When thou, the best and fairest of mankind,
- 1.171.244
Drawn by white horses, shalt in triumph ride,
- 1.171.245
With conquer'd slaves attending on thy side;
- 1.171.246
Slaves that no longer can be safe in flight:
- 1.171.247
O glorious object, O surprising sight,
- 1.171.248
O day of public joy, too good to end in night!
- 1.171.249
On such a day, if thou, and next to thee,
- 1.171.250
Some beauty sits the spectacle to see;
- 1.171.251
If she enquires the names of conquer'd kings,
- 1.171.252
Of mountains, rivers, and of hidden springs,
- 1.171.253
Answer to all thou know'st; and if need be,
- 1.171.254
Of things unknown seem to speak knowingly:
- 1.171.255
This is Euphrates, crown'd with reeds; and there
- 1.171.256
Flows the swift Tigris, with his sea-green hair.
- 1.171.257
Invent new names of things unknown before:
- 1.171.258
Call this Armenia, that the Caspian shore;
- 1.171.259
Call this a Mede, and that a Parthian youth;
- 1.171.260
Talk probably,-no matter for the truth.
- 1.229.261
In feasts, as at our shows, new means abound;
- 1.229.262
More pleasure there, than that of wine, is found.
- 1.229.263
The Paphian goddess there her ambush lays;
- 1.229.264
And love, betwixt the horns of Bacchus plays:
- 1.229.265
Desires increase at ev'ry swilling draught;
- 1.229.266
Brisk vapour add new vigour to the thought.
- 1.229.267
There Cupid's purple wings no flight afford,
- 1.229.268
But wet with wine, he flutters on the board.
- 1.229.269
He shakes his pinions, but he cannot move;
- 1.229.270
Fix'd he remains, and turns a maudlin love.
- 1.229.271
Wine warms the blood, and makes the spirits flow;
- 1.229.272
Care flies, and wrinkles from the forehead go;
- 1.229.273
Exalts the poor, invigorates the weak,
- 1.229.274
Gives mirth and laughter, and a rosy cheek.
- 1.229.275
Bold truth it speaks; and spoken, dare maintain;
- 1.229.276
And brings our old simplicity again.
- 1.229.277
Love sparkles in the cup and fills it higher;
- 1.229.278
Wine feeds the flames, and fuel adds to fire.
- 1.229.279
But choose no mistress in thy drunken fit;
- 1.229.280
Wine gilds too much their beauties and their wit.
- 1.229.281
Nor trust thy judgment when the tapers dance;
- 1.229.282
But sober, and by day thy suit advance.
- 1.229.283
By daylight Paris judg'd the beauteous three;
- 1.229.284
And for the fairest did the prize decree.
- 1.229.285
Night is a cheat, and all deformities
- 1.229.286
Are hid, or lessen'd, in her dark disguise.
- 1.229.287
The sun's fair light each error will confess,
- 1.229.288
In face, in shape, in jewels, and in dress.
- 1.229.289
Why name I ev'ry place where youths abound?
- 1.229.290
'Tis loss of time; and a true fruitful ground.
- 1.229.291
The Baian baths, where ships at anchor ride,
- 1.229.292
And wholesome streams from sulphur fountains glide;
- 1.229.293
Where wounded youths are by experience taught,
- 1.229.294
The waters are less healthful than they thought,
- 1.229.295
Or Dian's fane, which near the suburb lies;
- 1.229.296
Where priests, for their promotion, fight a prize.
- 1.229.297
That maiden goddess is love's mortal foe,
- 1.229.298
And much from her his subjects undergo.
- 1.263.299
Thus far the sportful muse, with myrtle bound,
- 1.263.300
Has sung where lovely lasses may be found,
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