BOOK TWO
BOOK 2, ELEGY 1
Quod pro gigantomachia amores scribere sit coactus (That he is compelled to write of love-affairs, rather than the battle of the Giants)
I, Ovid, poet of my wantonness, Born at Peligny, to write more address. So Cupid wills, far hence be the severe, You are unapt my looser lines to hear. Let maids whom hot desire to husbands lead, And rude boys touch'd with unknown love me read, That some youth hurt as I am with Love's bow His own flame's best acquainted signs may know, And, long admiring, say by what means learn'd Hath this same poet my sad chance discern'd? I durst the great celestial battles tell, Hundred-hand Gyges, and had done it well, With earth's revenge and how Olympus' top High Ossa bore, mount Pelion up to prop. Jove and Jove's thunderbolts I had in hand Which for his heav'n fell on the Giants' band. My wench her door shut, Jove's affairs I left, Even Jove himself out off my wit was reft. Pardon me Jove, thy weapons aid me nought, Her shut gates greater lightning than thine brought. Toys, and light elegies my darts I took, Quickly soft words hard doors wide open strook. Verses deduce the horned bloody moon And call the sun's white horses back at noon. Snakes leap by verse from caves of broken mountains And turned streams run backward to their fountains. Verses ope doors, and locks put in the post Although of oak, to yield to verses boast. What helps it me of fierce Achill to sing? What good to me will either Ajax bring? Or he who war'd and wand'red twenty year? Or woful Hector whom wild jades did tear ? But when I praise a pretty wench's face She in requital doth me oft embrace. A great reward. Heroes of famous names Farewell, your favour nought my mind inflames. Wenches, apply your fair looks to my verse Which golden love doth unto me rehearse.
BOOK 2, ELEGY 2
Ad Bagoum, ut custodiam puellae sibi commissae laxiorem habeat (To Bagous, that he should keep watch with greater laxity over the girl committed to his charge)
Bagous, whose care doth thy mistress bridle, While I speak some few, yet fit, words be idle. I saw the damsel walking yesterday There where the porch doth Danaus' fact display. She pleas'd me, soon I sent, and did her woo, Her trembling hand writ back she might not do. And asking why, this answer she redoubled, Because thy care too much thy mistress troubled. Keeper, if thou be wise, cease hate to cherish, Believe me, whom we fear, we wish to perish. Nor is her husband wise, what needs defence When unprotected there is no expense? But furiously he follow his love's fire And think her chaste whom many do desire. Stol'n liberty she may by thee obtain, Which, giving her, she may give thee again. Wilt thou her fault learn, she may make thee tremble, Fear to be guilty, then thou mayst dissemble. Think when she reads, her mother letters sent her, Let him go forth known, that unknown did enter, Let him go see her though she do not languish And then report her sick and full of anguish. If long she stays, to think the time more short Lay down thy forehead in thy lap to snort. Enquire not what with Isis may be done Nor fear lest she to the theatre's run. Knowing her scapes thine honour shall increase, And what less labour then to hold thy peace? Let him please, haunt the house, be kindly us'd, Enjoy the wench, let all else be refus'd. Vain causes fame of him the true to hide, And what she likes, let both hold ratified. When most her husband bends the brows and frowns, His fawning wench with her desire he crowns. But yet sometimes to chide thee let her fall Counterfeit tears: and thee lewd hangman call. Object thou then what she may well excuse, To stain all faith in truth, by false crimes use. Of wealth and honour so shall grow thy heap, Do this and soon thou shalt thy freedom reap. On tell-tales necks thou seest the link-knit chains, The filthy prison faithless breasts restrains. Water in waters, and fruit flying touch Tantalus seeks, his long tongue's game is such. While Juno's watchman, Io, too much eyed, Him timeless death took, she was deified. I saw one's legs with fetters black and blue, By whom the husband his wife's incest knew. More he deserv'd, to both great harm he fram'd, The man did grieve, the woman was defam'd. Trust me, all husbands for such faults are sad Nor make they any man that hear them glad. If he loves not, deaf ears thou dost importune, Or if he loves, thy tale breeds his misfortune. Nor is it easily prov'd though manifest, She safe by favour of her judge doth rest. Though himself see; he'll credit her denial, Condemn his eyes, and say there is no trial. Spying his mistress' tears, he will lament And say this blab shall suffer punishment. Why fight'st 'gainst odds? To thee, being cast, do hap Sharp stripes, she sitteth in the judge's lap. To meet for poison or vilde facts we crave not, My hands an unsheath'd shining weapon have not. We seek that through thee safely love we may, What can be easier then the thing we pray?
BOOK 2, ELEGY 3
Ad Eunuchum servantem dominam (To the eunuch house-servant)
Ay me, an Eunuch keeps my mistress chaste, That cannot Venus' mutual pleasure taste. Who first depriv'd young boys of their best part, With selfsame wounds he gave, he ought to smart. To kind requests thou would'st more gentle prove, If ever wench had made luke-warm thy love: Thou wert not born to ride, or arms to bear , Thy hands agree not with the warlike spear . Men handle those, all manly hopes resign, Thy mistress' ensigns must be likewise thine. Please her, her hate makes others thee abhor, If she discards thee, what use serv'st thou for? Good form there is, years apt to play together, Unmeet is beauty without use to wither. She may deceive thee, though thou her protect, What two determine never wants effect. Our prayers move thee to assist our drift, While thou hast time yet to bestowe that gift.