Ars Amatoria

1. Book 1
2. Book 2
3. Book 3

Book 1

1In Cupid's school, whoe'er would take degree Must learn his rudiments by reading me, Seamen with sailing art their vessels move; Art guides the chariot: art instructs to love. Of ships and chariots others know the rule;

6But I am master in Love's mighty school. Cupid indeed is obstinate and wild, A stubborn god; but yet the god's a child: Easy to govern in his tender age, Like fierce Achilles in his pupilage:

11That hero, born for conquest, trembling stood Before the centaur, and receiv'd the rod. As Chiron mollified his cruel mind With art; and taught his warlike hands to wind The silver strings of his melodious lyre;

16So love's fair goddess does my soul inspire To teach her softer arts; to sooth the mind, And smooth the rugged breasts of human kind. Yet Cupid and Achilles, each with scorn And rage were fill'd; and both were goddess-born.

21The bull reclaim'd and yolk'd, the burden draws: The horse receives the bit within his jaws. And stubborn love shall bend beneath my sway, Tho' struggling oft he tries to disobey. He shakes his torch, he wounds me with his darts;

26But vain his force, and vainer are his arts. The more he burns my soul, or wounds my sight, The more he teaches to revenge the spite. I boast no aid the Delphian god affords, Nor auspice from the flight of chattering birds,

31Nor Clio, nor her sisters, have I seen, As Hesiod saw them on the shady green: Experience makes my work a truth so tried, You may believe; and Venus be my guide. Far hence ye vestals be, who bind your hair;

36And wives, who gowns below your ancles wear. I sing the brothels loose and unconfin'd, Th' unpunishable pleasures of the kind; Which all alike for love or money find. You, who in Cupid's roll inscribe your name,

41First seek an object worthy of your flame; Then strive, with art, your lady's mind to gain; And last, provide your love may long remain. On these three precepts all my work shall move: These are the rules and principles of love.

46Before your youth with marriage is oppress't, Make choice of one who suits your humour best And such a damsel drops not from the sky; She must be sought for with a curious eye. The wary angler, in the winding brook,

51Knows what the fish, and where to bait his hook. The fowler and the huntsman know by name The certain haunts and harbour of their game. So must the lover beat the likeliest grounds; Th' Assemblies where his quarries most abound:

56Nor shall my novice wander far astray; These rules shall put him in the ready way. Thou shalt not fail around the continent, As far as Perseus or as Paris went: For Rome alone affords thee such a store,

61As all the world can hardly shew thee more. The face of heav'n with fewer stars is crown'd, Than beauties in the Roman sphere are found. Whether thy love is bent on blooming youth, On dawning sweetness, in unartful truth;

66Or courts the juicy joys of riper growth; Here may'st thou find thy full desires in both: Or if autumnal beauties please thy sight (An age that knows to give and take delight;) Millions of matrons, of the graver sort,

71In common prudence, will not balk the sport. In summer's heats thou need'st but only go To Pompey's cool and shady portico; Or Concord's fane; or that proud edifice Whose turrets near the bawdy suburbs rise;

76Or to that other portico, where stands The cruel father urging his commands. And fifty daughters wait the time of rest, To plunge their poniards in the bridegroom's breast. Or Venus' temple; where, on annual nights,

81They mourn Adonis with Assyrian rites. Nor shun the Jewish walk, where the foul drove On sabbaths rest from everything but love. Nor Isis' temple; for that sacred whore Makes others, what to Jove she was before;

86And if the hall itself be not belied, E'en there the cause of love is often tried; Near it at least, or in the palace yard, From whence the noisy combatants are heard. The crafty counsellors, in formal gown,

91There gain another's cause, but lose their own. Their eloquence is nonpluss'd in the suit; And lawyers, who had words at will, are mute. Venus from her adjoining temple smiles To see them caught in their litigious wiles;

96Grave senators lead home the youthful dame, Returning clients when they patrons came. But above all, the Playhouse is the place; There's choice of quarry in that narrow chace: There take thy stand, and sharply looking out,

101Soon may'st thou find a mistress in the rout, For length of time or for a single bout. The Theatres are berries for the fair; Like ants or mole-hills thither they repair; Like bees to hives so numerously they throng,

106It may be said they to that place belong: Thither they swarm who have the public voice; There choose, if plenty not distracts thy choice. To see, and to be seen, in heaps they run; Some to undo, and some to be undone.

111From Romulus the rise of plays began, To his new subjects a commodious man; Who, his unmarried soldiers to supply, Took care the commonwealth should multiply; Providing Sabine women for his braves,

116Like a true king, to get a race of slaves. His playhouse, not of Parian marble made, Nor was it spread with purple sails for shade; The stage with rushes or with leaves they strew'd; No scenes in prospect, no machining god.

121On rows of homely turf they sat to see, Crown'd with the wreaths of ev'ry common tree. There, while they sit in rustic majesty, Each lover had his mistress in his eye; And whom he saw most suiting to his mind,

126For joys of matrimonial rape design'd. Scarce could they wait the plaudit in their haste; But ere the dances and the song were past, The monarch gave the signal from his throne, And rising, bade his merry men fall on.

131The martial crew, like soldiers, ready press'd, Just at the word (the word too was the best), With joyful cries each other animate; Some choose, and some at hazard seize their mate. As doves from eagles, or from wolves the lambs,

136So from their lawless lovers fly the dames. Their fear was one, but not one face of fear: Some rend the lovely tresses of the hair: Some shriek, and some are struck with dumb despair. Her absent mother one invokes in vain;

141One stands amaz'd, not daring to complain; The nimbler trust their feet, the slow remain. But nought availing, all are captives led, Trembling and blushing, to the genial bed. She who too long resisted or denied,

146The lusty lover made by force a bride, And with superior strength compell'd her to his side, Then sooth'd her thus! "My soul's far better part, Cease weeping, nor afflict thy tender heart; For what thy father to thy mother was,

151That faith to thee, that solemn vow I pass ! Thus Romulus became so popular; This was the way to thrive in peace and war; To pay his army, and fresh whores to bring: Who wouldn't fight for such a gracious king!

156Thus love in theatres did first improve, And theatres are still the scene of love. Nor shun the chariots and the courser's race; The circus is no inconvenient place. No need is there of talking on the hands;

161Nor nods, nor signs, which lovers understand. But boldly next the fair your seat provide, Close as ye can to hers-and side by side. Pleas'd or unpleas'd, no matter, crowding sit; For so the laws of public shows permit.

166Then find occasion to begin discourse; Enquire whose chariot this, and whose that horse? To whatsoever side she is inclin'd, Suit all her inclinations to her mind; Like what she likes, from thence your court begin.

171And whom she favours, wish that he may win. But when the statues of the deities In chariots roll'd, appear before the prize; When Venus comes, with deep devotion rise. If dust be on her lap, or grains of sand,

176Brush both away with your officious hand. If none there be, yet brush that nothing thence, And still to touch her lap make some pretence. Touch any thing of hers, and if her train Sweep on the ground, let it not sweep in vain;

181But gently take it up and wipe it clean; And while you wipe it, with observing eyes, Who knows but you may see her naked thighs! Observe who sits behind her, and beware, Lest his encroaching knees should press the fair

186Light service takes light minds, for some can tell Of favours won by laying cushions well; By fanning faces some their fortunes meet, And some by laying footstools for their feet. These overtures of love the circus gives,

191Nor at the sword play less the lover thrives; For there the son of Venus fights his prize, And deepest wounds are oft receiv'd from eyes. One, while the crowd their acclamations make, Or while he bets and puts his ring to stake,

196Is struck from far and feels the flying dart, And of the spectacle is made a part. Caesar would represent a naval fight, For his own honour and for Rome's delight. From either sea the youths and maidens come,

201And all the world was then contain'd in Rome! In this vast concourse, in this choice of game, What Roman heart but felt a foreign flame! Once more our prince prepares to make us glad, And the remaining east to Rome will add.

206Rejoice, ye Roman soldiers, in your urns, Your ensigns from the Parthians shall return, And the slain Crassi shall no longer mourn. A youth is sent those trophies to demand, Ard bears his father's thunders in his hand;

211Doubt not th' imperial boy in wars unseen, In childhood all of Caesar's race are men. Celestial seeds shoot out before their day, Prevent their years, and brook no dull delay. Thus infant Hercules the snakes did press,

216And in his cradle did his sire confess. Bacchus a boy, yet like a hero fought, And early spoils from conquer'd India brought. Thus you your father's troops shall lead to fight, And thus shall vanquish in your father's right.

221These rudiments you to your lineage owe; Born to increase your titles as you grow. Brethren you had, revenge your brethren slain; You have a father, and his rights maintain. Arm'd by your country's parent and your own,

226Redeem your country and restore his throne. Your enemies assert an impious cause; You fight both for divine and human laws. Already in their cause they are o'ercome; Subject them too, by force of arms, to Rome.

231Great father Mars with greater Caesar join, To give a prosperous omen to your line; One of you is, and one shall be divine. I prophesy you shall, you shall o'ercome; My verse shall bring you back in triumph home:

236Speak in my verse, exhort to loud alarms; 0, were my numbers equal to your arms, Then would I sing the Parthians' overthrow; Their shot averse sent from a flying bow The Parthians, who already flying fight,

241Already give an omen of their flight. 0, when will come the day, by heaven designed, When thou, the best and fairest of mankind, Drawn by white horses, shalt in triumph ride, With conquer'd slaves attending on thy side;

246Slaves that no longer can be safe in flight: O glorious object, O surprising sight, O day of public joy, too good to end in night! On such a day, if thou, and next to thee, Some beauty sits the spectacle to see;

251If she enquires the names of conquer'd kings, Of mountains, rivers, and of hidden springs, Answer to all thou know'st; and if need be, Of things unknown seem to speak knowingly: This is Euphrates, crown'd with reeds; and there

256Flows the swift Tigris, with his sea-green hair. Invent new names of things unknown before: Call this Armenia, that the Caspian shore; Call this a Mede, and that a Parthian youth; Talk probably,-no matter for the truth.

261In feasts, as at our shows, new means abound; More pleasure there, than that of wine, is found. The Paphian goddess there her ambush lays; And love, betwixt the horns of Bacchus plays: Desires increase at ev'ry swilling draught;

266Brisk vapour add new vigour to the thought. There Cupid's purple wings no flight afford, But wet with wine, he flutters on the board. He shakes his pinions, but he cannot move; Fix'd he remains, and turns a maudlin love.

271Wine warms the blood, and makes the spirits flow; Care flies, and wrinkles from the forehead go; Exalts the poor, invigorates the weak, Gives mirth and laughter, and a rosy cheek. Bold truth it speaks; and spoken, dare maintain;

276And brings our old simplicity again. Love sparkles in the cup and fills it higher; Wine feeds the flames, and fuel adds to fire. But choose no mistress in thy drunken fit; Wine gilds too much their beauties and their wit.

281Nor trust thy judgment when the tapers dance; But sober, and by day thy suit advance. By daylight Paris judg'd the beauteous three; And for the fairest did the prize decree. Night is a cheat, and all deformities

286Are hid, or lessen'd, in her dark disguise. The sun's fair light each error will confess, In face, in shape, in jewels, and in dress. Why name I ev'ry place where youths abound? 'Tis loss of time; and a true fruitful ground.

291The Baian baths, where ships at anchor ride, And wholesome streams from sulphur fountains glide; Where wounded youths are by experience taught, The waters are less healthful than they thought, Or Dian's fane, which near the suburb lies;

296Where priests, for their promotion, fight a prize. That maiden goddess is love's mortal foe, And much from her his subjects undergo. Thus far the sportful muse, with myrtle bound, Has sung where lovely lasses may be found,

301Now let me sing, how she who wounds your mind, With art, may be to cure your wounds inclined. Young nobles, to my laws attention lend, And all you vulgar of my school attend. First then believe, all women may be won;

306Attempt with confidence, the work is done. The grasshopper shall first forbear to sing In summer season, or the birds in spring; Than women can resist your flatt'ring skill; E'en she will yield who swears she never will.

311To secret pleasures both the sexes move; But women most, who most dissemble, love; 'Twere best for us, if they would first declare; Avow their passion, and submit to prayer. The cow by looing tells the bull her flame;

316The neighing mare invites her stallion to the game. Man is more temp'rate in his lust than they; And more than woman can his passion sway. Biblis, we know, did first her love declare, And had recourse to death in her despair.

321Her brother she, her father Myrrha sought; And lov'd; but lov'd not as a daughter ought. Now from a tree she stills her od'rous tears; Which yet the name of her who shed 'em bear. In Ida's shady vale a bull appeared,

326White as the snow, the fairest of the herd; A beauty spot of black there only rose, Betwixt his equal horns and ample brows; The love and wish of all the Cretan cows. The queen beheld him as his head he rear'd;

331And envied ev'ry leap he gave the herd. A secret fire she nourished in her breast; And hated ev'ry heifer he caress'd. A story known, and known for true, I tell; Nor Crete, though lying, can the truth conceal.

336She cut him grass (so much can love command) She strok'd, she fed him with her royal hand; Was pleas'd in pastures with the herd to roam, And Minos by the bull was overcome. Cease, Queen, with gems t'adorn thy beauteous brows,

341The monarch of thy heart no jewel knows. Nor in thy glass compose thy looks and eyes; Secure from all thy charms thy lover lies: Yet trust thy mirror, when it tells thee true, Thou art no heifer to allure his view.

346Soon wouldst thou quit thy royal diadem To thy fair rivals; to be horned like them. If Minos please, no lover seek to find; If not, at least seek one of human kind. The wretched queen the Cretan court forsakes;

351In woods and wilds her habitation makes; She curses ev'ry beauteous cow she sees; "Ah, why dost thou my lord and master please! And think'st, ungrateful creature as thou art, With frisking awkardly to gain his heart."

356She said; and straight commands with frowning look, To put her, undeserving, to the yoke. Or feigns some holy rites of sacrifice, And sees her rival's death with joyful eyes; Then when the bloody priest has done his part,

361Pleas'd, in her hand she holds the beating heart; Nor from a scornful taunt can scarce refrain, Go, fool, and strive to please my love again" Now she would be Europa.—Io now; (One bare a bull. and one was made a cow.)

366Yet she at last her brutal bliss obtain'd, And in a wooden cow the bull sustained; Fill'd with his seed, accomplish'd her desire, Till, by his form, the son betray'd the sire. If Atreus' wife to incest had not run,

371(But ah, how hard it is to love but one!) His coursers Phoebus had not driv'n away, To shun that sight, and interrupt the day. Thy daughter, Nissus, pull'd thy purple hair; And barking sea-dogs yet her bowels tear.

376At sea and land Atrides sav'd his life; Yet fell a prey to his adult'rous wife. Who knows not what revenge Medea sought, When the slain offspring bore the father's fault! Thus Phoenix did a woman's love bewail;

381And thus Hippolytus by Phaedra fell. These crimes revengeful matrons did commit! Hotter their lust, and sharper is their wit. Doubt not from them an easy victory; Scarce of a thousand dames will one deny.

386All women are content that men should woo; She who complains, and she who will not do. Rest then secure, whate'er thy luck may prove, Not to be hated for declaring love: And yet how canst thou miss, since womankind

391Is frail and vain; and still to change inclin'd? Old husbands, and stale gallants, they despise; And more another's than their own they prize. A larger crop adorns our neighbour's field, More milk his kine from swelling udders yield.

396First gain the maid; by her thou shalt be sure A free access, and easy to procure; Who knows what to her office does belong, Is in the secret, and can hold her tongue, Bribe her with gifts, with promises, and pray'rs;

401For her good word goes far in love affairs. The time and fit occasion leave to her, When she most amply can thy suit prefer. The time for maids to fire their lady's blood Is when they find her in a merry mood.

406When all things at her wish and pleasure move; Her heart is open then, and free to love. Then mirth and wantonness to lust betray, And smooth the passage to the lover's way. Troy stood the siege, when fill'd with anxious care

411One merry fit concluded all the war. If some fair rival vex her jealous mind, Offer thy service to revenge in kind. Instruct the damsel, while she combs her hair, To raise the choler of that injur'd fair;

416And sighing, make her mistress understand She has the means of vengeance in her hand. Then, naming thee, thy humble suit prefer; And swear thou languishest and diest for her. Then let her lose no time, but push at all;

421For women soon are rais'd, and soon they fall. Give their first fury leisure to relent, They melt like ice, and suddenly repent. T' enjoy the maid, will that thy suit advance? 'Tis a hard question, and a doubtful chance.

426One maid corrupted, bawds the better for't; Another for herself would keep the sport. Thy bus'ness may be furthered or delay'd, But by my counsel, let alone the maid E'en tho' she should consent to do the feat;

431The profit's little, and the danger great. I will not lead thee through a rugged road, But where the way lies open, safe and broad, Yet if thou find'st her very much thy friend, And her good face her diligence commend,

436Let the fair mistress have the first embrace, And let the maid come after in her place. But this I will advise, and mark my words, For 'tis the best advice my skill affords; If needs thou with the damsel wilt begin,

441Before th' attempt is made, make sure to win; For then the secret better will be kept, And she can tell no tales when once she's dipt. 'Tis for the fowler's int'rest to beware, The bird intangled, should not 'scape the snare.

446The fish once prick'd avoids the bearded hook, And spoils the sport of all the neighb'ring brook. But if the wench be thine, she makes thy way, And for thy sake, her mistress will betray; Tell all she knows, and all she hears her say

451Keep well the counsel of thy faithful spy; So shalt thou learn whene'er she treads awry. All things the stations of their seasons keep; And certain times there are to sow and reap. Ploughmen and sailors for the season stay,

456One to plough land, and one to plough the sea; So should the lover wait the lucky day. Then stop thy suit, it hurts not thy design; But think another hour she may be thine. And when she celebrates her birth at home,

461Or when she views the public shows of Rome; Know all thy visits then are troublesome. Defer thy work, and put not then to sea, For that's a boding and a stormy day. Else take thy time, and when thou canst, begin;

466To break a Jewish sabbath, think no sin; Nor e'en on superstitious days abstain; Nor when the Romans were at Allia slain. Ill omens in her frowns are understood; When she's in humour, ev'ry day is good.

471But than her birthday seldom comes a worse, When bribes and presents must be sent of course; And that's a bloody day that costs thy purse. Be stanch; yet parsimony will be vain: The craving sex will still the lover drain.

476No skill can shift them off, nor art remove; They will be begging when they know we love. The merchant comes upon th' appointed day, Who shall before thy face his wares display. To choose for her she craves thy kind advice,

481Then begs again to bargain for the price; But when she has her purchase in her eye, She hugs thee close, and kisses thee to buy; "'Tis what I want, and 'tis a pen'orth too; In many years I will not trouble you."

486If you complain you have no ready coin,- No matter, 'tis but writing of a line; A little bill, not to be paid at sight: (Now curse the time when thou wert taught to write.) She keeps her birthday; you must send the cheer:

491And she'll be born a hundred times a year. With daily lies she dribs thee into cost; That ear-ring dropt a stone, that ring is lost. They often borrow what they never pay; What e'er you lend her, think it thrown away.

496Had I ten mouths and tongues to tell each art, All would be wearied ere I told a part. By letters, not by words, thy love begin; And ford the dangerous passage with thy pen; If to her heart thou aim'st to find the way,

501Extremely flatter and extremely pray. Priam by pray'rs did Hector's body gain; Nor is an angry god invok'd in vain. With promis'd gifts her early mind bewitch, For e'en the poor in promise may be rich.

506Vain hopes awhile her appetite will stay; 'Tis a deceitful, but commodious way. Who gives is mad ; but make her still believe 'Twill come, and that's the cheapest way to give. E'en barren lands fair promises afford,

511But the lean harvest cheats the starving lord. Buy not thy first employment, lest it prove Of bad example to thy future love ; But get it gratis, and she'll give thee more, For fear of losing what she gave before.

516The losing gamester shakes the box in vain, And bleeds, and loses on, in hopes to gain. Write then, and in thy letter, as I said, Let her with mighty promises be fed. Cydyppe by a letter was betray'd,

521Writ on an apple to th' unwary maid; She read herself into a marriage vow, (And every cheat in love the gods allow.) Learn eloquence, ye noble youth of Rome,- It will not only at the bar o'ercome:

526Sweet words the people and the senate move; But the chief end of eloquence is love. But in thy letter hide thy moving arts, Affect not to be thought a man of parts; None but vain fools to simple women preach:

531A learned letter oft has made a breach. In a familiar style your thoughts convey, And write such things as, present, you would say; Such words as from the heart may seem to move; 'Tis wit enough to make her think you love.

536If seal'd she sends it back, and will not read, Yet hope, in time, the business may succeed. In time the steer will to the yoke submit, In time the restive horse will bear the bit. E'en the hard ploughshare use will wear away,

541And stubborn steel in length of time decay. Water is soft and marble hard, and yet We see soft water through hard marble eat. Though late, yet Troy at length in flames expir'd; And ten years more, Penelope had tir'd.

546Perhaps she writes, and answers with disdain, And sharply bids you not to write again: What she requires, she fears you would accord; The jilt would not be taken at her word. Meantime, if she be carried in her chair,

551Approach, but do not seem to know she's there: Speak softly, to delude the standers by; Or, if aloud, then speak ambiguously. If sauntering in the portico she walk, Move slowly too, for that's a time for talk;

556And sometimes follow, sometimes be her guide, But when the crowds permit, go side by side. Nor in the playhouse let her sit alone, For she's the playhouse and the play in one; There thou may'st ogle, or by signs advance

561Thy hand, and seem to touch her hand by chance. Admire the dancer who her liking gains, And pity in the play the lover's pails ; For her sweet sake the loss of time despise, Sit while she sits, and when she rises rise.

566But dress not like a fop, nor curl your hair, Nor with a pumice make your body bare; Leave those effeminate and useless toys To eunuchs, who can give no solid joys. Neglect becomes a man-this Theseus found;

571Uncurl'd, uncomb'd, the nymphs his wishes crowned. The rough Hippolytus was Phaedra's care, And Venus thought the rude Adonis fair. Be not too finical, but yet be clean, And wear well fashioned clothes, like other men;

576Let not your teeth be yellow or be foul, Nor in wide shoes your feet too loosely roll. Of a black muzzle and long beard beware, And let a skilful barber cut your hair; Your nails be pick'd from dirt, and even par'd;

581Nor let your nasty nostrils bud with beard. Cure your unsav'ry breath; gargle your throat; And free your armpits from the ram and goat. Dress not, in short, too little or too much; And be not wholly French nor wholly Dutch.

586Now Bacchus calls me to his jolly rites: Who would not follow when a god invites? He helps the poet, and his pen inspires; Kind and indulgent to his former fires. Fair Ariadne wander'd on the shore

591Forsaken now; and Theseus loves no more; Loose was her gown, dishevel'd was her hair, Her bosom naked, and her feet were bare; Exclaiming, on the water's brink she stood, Her briny tears augment the briny flood;

596She shriek'd and wept, and both became her face, No posture could that heav'nly form disgrace. She beat her breast: - "The traitor's gone," said she; "What shall become of poor forsaken me? What shall become-" She had not time for more,

601The sounding cymbals rattled on the shore. She swoons for fear, she falls upon the ground; No vital heat was in her body found. The Mimallonian dames about her stood, And scudding satyrs ran before their god.

606Silenus on his ass did next appear, And held upon the mane (the god was clear). The drunken sire pursues, the dames retire; Sometimes the drunken dames pursue the drunken sire. At last he topples over on the plain;

611The satyrs laugh, and bid him rise again. And now the god of wine came driving on, High on his chariot by swift tigers drawn. Her colour, voice, and sense forsook the fair; Thrice did her trembling limbs for flight prepare,

616And thrice affrighted did her flight forbear. She shook like leaves of corn when tempests blow, Or slender reeds that in the marshes grow. To whom the god-" Compose thy fearful mind; In me a truer husband thou shalt find.

621With heav'n I will endow thee, and thy star Shall with propitious light be seen afar, And guide on seas the doubtful mariner." He said; and from his chariot leaping light, Lest the grim tigers should the nymph affright,

626His brawny arms around her waist he threw, (For gods whate'er they please with ease can do,) And swiftly bore her thence; th' attending throng Shout at the sight, and sing the nuptial song. Now in full bowls her sorrow she may steep;

631The bridegroom's liquor lays the bride asleep. But thou, when flowing cups in triumph ride, And the lov'd nymph is seated by thy side, Invoke the god and all the mighty powers, That wine may not defraud thy genial hours.

636Then in ambiguous words thy suit prefer, Which she may know were all address'd to her. In liquid purple letters write her name, Which she may read, and reading find the flame. Then may your eyes confess your mutual fires,

641(For eyes have tongues, and glances tell desires ;) Whene'er she drinks, be first to take the cup; And where she laid her lips, the blessing sup. When she to carving does her hand advance, Put out thy own, and touch it as by chance.

646Thy service e'en the husband must attend; (A husband is a most convenient friend.) Seat the fool cuckold in the highest place, And with thy garland his dull temples grace' Whether below or equal in degree,

651Let him be lord of all the company, And what he says be seconded by thee. Tis common to deceive thro' friendship's name, But common though it be, 'tis still to blame; Thus factors frequently their trust betray,

656And to themselves their masters' gains convey. Drink to a certain pitch, and then give o'er; Thy tongue and feet may stumble, drinking more. Of drunken quarrels in her sight beware; Pot valour only serves to fright the fair.

661Eurytion justly fell, by wine oppress't, For his rude riot at a wedding-feast. Sing, if you have a voice; and shew your parts In dancing, if endu'd with dancing arts. Do anything within your power to please;

666Nay, e'en affect a seeming drunkenness; Clip every word; and if by chance you speak Too home, or if too broad a jest you break, In your excuse the company will join, And lay the fault upon the force of wine.

671True drunkenness is subject to offend, But when 'tis feign'd 'tis oft a lover's friend: Then safely you may praise her beauteous face, And call him happy who is in her grace; Her husband thinks himself the man design'd,

676But curse the cuckold in your secret mind. When all are risen and prepar'd to go, Mix with the crowd and tread upon her toe; This is the proper time to make thy court, For now she's in the vein, and fit for sport.

681Lay bashfulness, that rustic virtue, by; To manly confidence thy thoughts apply. On fortune's foretop timely fix thy hold; Now speak and speed. for Venus loves the bold. No rules of rhetoric here I need afford;

686Only begin, and trust the following word: It will be witty of its own accord. Act well the lover; let thy speech abound In dying words, that represent thy wound; Distrust not her belief; she will be mov'd:

691All women think they merit to be lov'd. Sometimes a man begins to love in jest, And after feels the torment he possess't. For your own sakes be pitiful, ye fair, For a feign'd passion may a true prepare.

696By flatteries we prevail on womankind, As hollow banks by streams are undermin'd: Tell her her face is fair, her eyes are sweet; Her taper fingers praise, and little feet. Such praises e'en the chaste are pleas'd to hear;

701Both maids and matrons hold their beauty dear. Once naked Pallas with Jove's queen appear'd, And still they grieve that Venus was preferr'd. Praise the proud peacock, and lie spreads his train: Be silent, and lie pulls it in again.

706Pleas'd is the courser in his rapid race; Applaud his running, and he mends his pace. But largely promise and devoutly swear, And, if need be, call ev'ry god to hear. Jove sits above, forgiving with a smile

711The perjuries that easy maids beguile. He swore to Juno by the Stygian lake; Forsworn, lie dares not an example make, Or punish falsehood, for his own dear sake. 'Tis for our interest the gods should be;

716Let us believe them; I believe they see, And both reward and punish equally. Not that they live above like lazy drones, Or kings below, supine upon their thrones; Lead then your lives as present in their sight;

721Be just in dealings, and defend the right; By fraud betray not, nor oppress by might. But 'tis a venial sin to cheat the fair; All men have liberty of conscience there. On cheating nymphs a cheat is well design'd,

726'Tis a profane and a deceitful kind. 'Tis said that Egypt for nine years was dry, Nor Nile did floods, nor heav'n did rain supply. That slaughter'd guests would kindly moisture bring. The king replied, "On thee the lot shall fall;

731Be thou, my guest, the sacrifice for all." Thus Phalaris Perillus taught to low, And made him season first the brazen cow. A rightful doom, the laws of nature cry, 'Tis, the artificers of death should die.

736Thus justly women suffer by deceit, Their practice authorises us to cheat. Beg her, with tears, thy warm desires to grant; For tears will pierce a heart of adamant. If tears will not be squeezed, then rub your eye,

741Or 'noint the lids, and seem at least to cry. Kiss, if you can; resistance if she make, And will not give you kisses, let her take. " Fy, fy, you naughty man," are words of course; She struggles but to be subdu'd by force.

746Kiss only soft, I charge you, and beware With your hard bristles not to brush the fair. He who has gain'd a kiss, and gains no more, Deserves to lose the bliss he got before. If once she kiss, her meaning is exprest;

751There wants but little pushing for the rest; Which if thou dost not gain, by strength or art, The name of clown then suits with thy desert; 'Tis downright dulness, and a shameful part. Perhaps she calls it force, but if she 'scape,

756She will not thank you for th' omitted rape. The sex is cunning to conceal their fires; They would be forc'd e'en to their own desires. They seem t' accuse you with a down-cast sight, But in their souls confess you did them right.

761Who might be forc'd, and yet untouch'd depart, Thank with their tongues, but curse you with their heart. Fair Phoebe and her sister did prefer, To their dull mates, the noble ravisher. What Deidamia did in days of yore,

766The tale is old but worth the telling o'er. When Venus had the golden apple gain'd, And the just judge fair Helen had obtained; When she with triumph was at Troy receiv'd, The Trojans joyful, while the Grecians griev'd:

771They vow'd revenge of violated laws, And Greece was arming in the cuckold's cause; Achilles, by his mother warn'd from war, Disguis'd his sex, and lurk'd among the fair. What means Aeacides to spin and sew ?

776With spear and sword in field thy valour show! And leaving this, the noble Pallas know. Why dost thou in that hand the distaff wield, Which is more worthy to sustain the shield? Or with that other draw the woolly twine,

781The same the fates for lector's thread assign? Banish thy falchion in thy powerful hand, Which can alone the pond'rous lance command. In the same room by chance the royal maid Was lodg'd, and, by his seeming sex, betrayed,

786Close to her side the youthful hero laid. I know not how his courtship he began; But, to her cost, she found it was a man. 'Tis thought she struggled, but withal 'tis thought Her wish was to be conquer'd, when she fought.

791For when disclos'd, and hast'ning to the field, He laid his distaff down and took the shield, With tears her humble suit she did prefer, And thought to stay the grateful ravisher. She sighs, she sobs, she begs him not to part;

796And now 'tis nature what before was art. She strives by force her lover to detain, And wishes to be ravish'd once again. This is the sex; they will not first begin, But when compelled, are pleas'd to suffer sin.

801Is there, who thinks that woman first should woo? Lay by thy self-conceit, thou foolish beau. Begin, and save their modesty the shame; 'Tis well for thee, if they receive thy flame. 'Tis decent for a man to speak his mind;

806They but expect th' occasion to be kind. Ask, that thou may'st enjoy; she waits for this: And on thy first advance depends thy bliss. E'en Jove himself was forc'd to sue for love; None of the nymphs did first solicit Jove.

811But if you find your pray'rs increase her pride, Strike sail awhile, and wait another tide. They fly when we pursue; but make delay. And when they see you shaken, they will stay. Sometimes it profits to conceal your end;

816Name not yourself her lover, but her friend. How many skittish girls have thus been caught? He prov'd a lover, who a friend was thought. Sailors by sun and wind are swarthy made; A tann'd complexion best becomes their trade.

821'Tis a disgrace to ploughmen to be fair; Bluff cheeks they have, and weather-beaten hair. Th' ambitious youth who seeks an olive crown, Is sun-burnt with his daily toil, and brown; But if the lover hopes to be in grace,

826Wall be his looks, and meagre be his face. That colour from the fair compassion draws; She thinks you sick, and thinks herself the cause. Orion wander'd in the woods for love. His paleness did the nymphs to pity move;

831His gastly visage argu'd hidden love. Nor fail a night-cap in full health to wear; Neglect thy dress, and discompose thy hair. All things are decent, that in love avail. Read long by night, and study to be pale.

836Forsake your food, refuse your needful rest; Be miserable that you may be blest. Shall I complain, or shall I warn you most? Faith, truth, and friendship, in the world are lost; A little and an empty name they boast.

841Trust not thy friend, much less thy mistress praise; If he believe, thou man'st a rival raise. 'Tis true, Patroclus, by no lust misled, Sought not to stain his dear companion's bed. Nor Pylades Hermione embrac'd;

846Ev'n Phaedra to Pirithous still was chaste. But hope not thou, in this vile age to find Those rare examples of a faithful mind. The sea shall sooner with sweet honey flow; Or from the furze pears and apples grow.

851We sin with gust, we love by fraud to gain, And find a pleasure in our fellow's pain. From rival foes you may the fair defend; But would you ward the blow, beware your friend. Beware your brother, and your next of kin;

856But from your bosom friend your care begin. Here had I ended, but experience finds, That sundry women are of sundry minds; With various crotchets fill'd, and hard to please, They therefore must be caught by various ways.

861All things are not produced in any soil; This ground for wine is proper, that for oil. So 'tis in men, but more in woman-kind; Diff'rent in face, in manners, and in mind. But wise men shift their sails with ev'ry wind;

866As changeful Proteus varied oft his shape, And did in sundry forms and figures 'scape. A running stream, a standing tree became, A roaring lion, or a bleating lamb. Some fish with harpoons, some with darts, are struck,

871Some drawn with nets, some hang upon the hook; So turn thyself; and imitating them, Try several tricks, and change thy stratagem. One rule will not for diff'rent ages hold; The jades grow cunning, as they grow more old.

876Then talk not bawdy to the bashful maid; Broad words will make her innocence afraid. Nor to an ign'rant girl of learning speak; She thinks you conjure when you talk in Greek. And hence 'tis often seen, the simple shun

881The learn'd, and into vile embraces run. Part of my task is done, and part to do: But here 'tis time to rest myself and you.

Book 2

1Now Io Paean sing! now wreaths prepare! And with repeated Ios fill the air: The prey is fall'n in my successful toils, My artful nets inclose the lovely spoils. My numbers now, ye smiling lovers, crown,

6And make your poet deathless in renown: With lasting fame my verse shall be enroll'd, And I preferr'd to all the bards of old. Thus Paris from the warlike Spartans bore Their ravish'd bride to Ida's distant shore.

11Victorious Pelops thus in triumph drove The vanquish'd maid, and thus enjoy'd his love. Stay, eager youth! your bark's but under sail; The distant port requires a prosp'rous gale. 'Tis not enough the yielding beauty's found,

16And with my aid your artful passion crown'd; The conquests our successful conduct gain'd, With art must be secur'd, by arts maintain'd. The glory's more to guard than win the prize, There all the toil and threatening danger lies.

21If ever, Cupid, now indulgent prove; O Venus! aid, thou charming queen of love! Kind Erato, let thy auspicious name Inspire the work, and raise my gen'rous flame. The labour's great! a method I design

26For love, and will the fetter'd god confine; The god that roves the spacious world around, In ev'ry clime, and distant region found; Active and light, his wings elude our guard, And to confine a deity is hard.

31His guest from flight Minos inclos'd around, Yet he with wings a daring passage found. Thus Daedalus her offspring first confin'd; Who, with a bull, in lewd embraces join'd: Her teeming womb the horrid crime confess'd;

36Big with a human bull, half man half beast. Said he, " Just Minos, best of human kind, Thy mercy let a prostrate exile find: By fates compell'd my native shores to fly, Permit me, where I durst not live, to die,

41Enlarge my son, if you neglect my tears, And show compassion to his blooming years: Let not the youth a long confinement mourn, Oh, free the son, or let his sire return!" Thus he implor'd, but still implor'd in vain,

46Nor could the freedom that he sought, obtain. Convinc'd at length; " Now, Daedalus," he cried, "Here's subject for thy art that's yet untried. Minos the earth commands, and guards the sea, No pass the land affords, the deep no way:

51Heav'n's only free, we'll heav'n's auspicious height Attempt to pass, where kinder fates invite; Favor, ye powers above, my daring flight!" Misfortunes oft prove to inventions kind, Instruct our wit, and aid the lab'ring mind:

56For who can credit men, in wild despair, Should force a passage thro' the yielding air? Feathers for wings design'd the artists chose, And bound with thread his forming pinions close; With temper'd wax the pointed end he wrought,

61And to perfection his new labors brought. The finish'd wings his smiling offspring views, Admires the work, not conscious of their use: To whom the father said, "Observe aright, Observe, my son, these instruments of flight.

66In vain the tyrant our escape retards, The heavens he cannot, all but heav'n he guards: Tho' earth and seas elude a father's care, These wings shall waft us through the spacious air. Nor shall my son celestial signs survey,

71Far from the radient virgin take your way; Or where Bootes the chill'd north commands, And with his fau chion dread Orion stands: I'll go before, me still retain in sight, Where'er I lead securely make your flight.

76For should we upward soar too near the sun, Dissolv'd with heat the liquid wax will run; Or near the seas an humbler flight maintain, Our plumes will suffer by the streaming main. A medium keep, the winds observe aright;

81The winds will aid your advantageous flight." He caution'd thus, and thus inform'd him long, As careful birds instruct their tender young; The spreading wings then to his shoulders bound, His body pois'd, and rais'd him from the ground.

86Prepar'd for flight, his aged arms embrace The tender youth, whilst tears o'erflow his face. A hill there was, from whence the anxious pair Essay'd their wings, and forth they launch'd air; Now his expanded plumes the artist plies,

91Regards his son, and leads along the skies; Pleas'd with the novelty of flight, the boy Bounds in the air, and upward springs with joy. The angler views them from the distant strand, And quits the labors of his trembling hand;

96Samos they past, and Naxos in their flight, And Delos, with Apollo's presence bright. Now on their right Lebintho's shores they found, For fruitful lakes and shady groves renown'd. When the aspiring boy forgot his fears,

101Rash with hot youth and unexperienc'd years; Upwards he soar'd, maintain'd a lofty stroke, And his directing father's way forsook. The wax, of heat impatient, melted run, Nor could his wings sustain the blaze of sun.

106From heaven he views the fatal depths below, Whilst killing fears prevent the distant blow. His struggling arms now no resistance find, Nor poise the body nor receive the wind. Falling, his father he implores in vain,

111To aid his flight, and sinking limbs sustain; His name invokes, till the expiring sound Far in the floods with Icarus was drown'd. The parent mourns, a parent now no more, And seeks the absent youth on ev'ry shore;

116"Where's my lov'd son, my Icarus?" he cries, "Say in what distant region of the skies, Or faithless clime the youthful wand'rer flies;" Then view'd his pinions scatter'd o'er the stream. The shore his bones received, the waves his name.

121Minos with walls attempted to detain His flying guests, but did attempt in vain; Yet the wing'd god shall to our rules submit, And Cupid yield to more prevailing wit. Thessalian arts in vain rash lovers use,

126In vain with drugs the scornful maid abuse; The skilfull'st potions ineffectual prove. Useless are magic remedies in love; Could charms prevail, Circe had prov'd her art, And fond Medea fix'd her Jason's heart;

131Nor tempt with philters the disdainful dame; They rage inspire, create a frantic flame: Abstain from guilt, all vicious arts remove, And make your passion worthy of her love. Distrust your empty form and boasted face,

136The nymph engage a thousand nobler ways; To fix her vanquish'd heart entirely thine, Accomplish'd graces to your native join. Beauty's but frail, a charm that soon decays, Its lustre fades as rolling years increase,

141And age still triumphs o'er the ruin'd face. This truth the fair but short liv'd-lily shows, And prickles that survive the faded rose. Learn, lovely boy, be with instruction wise! Beauty and youth misspent are past advice.

146Then cultivate thy mind with wit and fame, Those lasting charms survive the funeral flame. With arts and sciences your breast improve, Of high import are languages in love: The fam'd Ulysses was not fair nor young,

151But eloquent and charming with his tongue: And yet with him contented beauties strove, And ev'ry sea-nymph sought the hero's love. Calypso mourn'd when he forsook her shores, And with fond waves detain'd his hasty oars,

156Oft she enquir'd of ruin'd Ilium's fate, Making him oft the wondrous tale relate; Which with such grace his florid tongue could frame, The story still was new, tho' still the same. Now standing on the shores, " Again declare,"

161Calypso cried, "your fam'd exploits in war." lie with a wand, a slender wand he bore, Delineates ev'ry action on the shore. "Here's Troy," says he, then draws the walls in sand. "There Simois flows, here my battalions stand.

166A field there was," and then describes the field, "Where Dolon, with rewards deceiv'd, we kill'd. Just thus entrench'd imagine Rhesus lies, And here we make his warlike steeds our prize." Much he describ'd, when a destructive wave

171Wash'd off the slender Troy, and rolling gave To Rhesus and his tents one common grave. Long with delight his charming tongue she heard, The well-rais'd passion in her looks appear'd: The goddess weeps to view his spreading sails,

176So much a soldier with the sex prevails. Distrust thy form, fond youth, and learn to know, There's more requir'd in love than empty show. With just disdain she treats the haughty mind, 'Tis complaisance that makes a beauty kind.

181The hawk we hate that always lives in arms, The raging wolf that ev'ry flock alarms: But the mild swallow none with toils infest, And none the soft Chaonian birds molest. Debates avoid, and rude contention shun;

186A woman's with submissive language won. Let the wife rail, and injur'd husband swear, Such freedoms are allow'd the married pair; Discord and strife to nuptial beds belong, The portion justifies a clam'rous tongue.

191With tender vows the yielding maid endear, And let her only sighs and wishes hear; Contrive with words and actions to delight, Still charm her ear, and still oblige her sight. I no instructions to the rich impart,

196He needs not, that presents, my useless art: The giving lover's handsome, valiant, wise, His happy fortune is above advice. And, wanting wealth, with melting language move, His honour storms a stubborn damsel's door;

201I'm cautious to affront, because I'm poor. With pleasing arts I court, with arts possess; Or if I'm bounteous, 'tis in promises. Enrag'd, I ruffl'd once Corinna's hair, Long was I banish'd by the injur'd fair;

206Long mournful nights for this consum'd alone, Nor could my tears the furious maid atone. Weeping, she vow'd, a suit of point I tore; Falsely she vow'd, but I must purchase more. Make not your guilty master's crime your own,

211But by my punishment my error shun. Indecent fury from her sight remove, No passion let your mistress know, but love. Yet if the haughty nymph's unkind, and coy, Or shuns your sight; have patience, and enjoy.

216By slow degrees we bend the stubborn bough; What force resists, with art will pliant grow. In vain we stem a torrent's rapid force, But swim with ease, complying with its course. By gentler arts we savage beasts reclaim,

221And lions, bulls, and furious tigers tame. Fiercely Atlanta o er the forest rov'd, Cruel and wild, and yet at last she lov'd. Melanion long deplor'd his hopeless flame, And weeping, in the woods pursu'd the scornful dame.

226On his submissive neck her toils he wore, And with his mistress chased the dreadful boar. Arm'd to the woods I bid you not repair, Nor follow over hills the savage fair: My soft injunctions less severe you'll find,

231Easy to learn, and fram'd to ev'ry mind. Her wishes never, nor her will withstand; Submit, you conquer; serve, and you'll command. Her words approve, deny what she denies, Like where she likes, and where she scorns, despise.

236Laugh when she smiles; when sad, dissolve in tears; Let ev'ry gesture sympathize with hers. If she delights, as women will, in play, Her stakes return, your ready losings pay. When she's at cards, or rattling dice she throws,

241Connive at cheats, and generously lose. A smiling winner let the nymph remain, Let your pleas'd mistress every conquest gain. In heat, with an umbrella ready stand; When walking, offer your officious hand.

246Her trembling hands, tho' you sustain the cold. Cherish, and to your warmer bosom hold. Think no inferior office a disgrace, No action that a mistress gains is base. The hero that eluded Juno's spite,

251And every monster overcame in fight; That pass'd so many bloody labours o'er, And well deserv'd that heav'n whose weight he bore; Amidst Ionian damsels carding stands, And grasps the distaff in obedient hands;

256In all commands the haughty dame obeys: And who disdains to act like Hercules? If she's at law, be sure commend the laws; Solicit with the judge, or plead her cause. With patience at the assignation wait;

261Early appear, attend her coming late. Whene'er she wants a messenger, away, And her commands with flying feet obey. When late from supper she's returning home, And calls her servant, as a servant come.

266She for the country's air retires from towns; You want a coach or horse, why foot it down: Let not the sultry season of the year, The falling snows, or constant rains deter. Love is a warfare, and ignoble sloth

271Seems equally contemptible in both: In both are watchings, duels, anxious cares, The soldier thus, and thus the lover fares; With rain he's drench'd, with piercing tempests shakes, And on the colder earth his lodging takes.

276Fame says that Phoebus kept Admetus' herd, And coarsely in an humble cottage far'd; No servile offices the god denied: Learn this ye lovers, and renounce your pride. When all access is to your mistress hard,

281When ev'ry door's secur'd, and window barr'd, The roof untile, some desp'rate passage find; You cannot be too bold to make her kind: Oh, how she'll clasp you when the dangers o'er, And value your deserving passion more.

286Thus thro' the boisterous seas Leander mov'd, Not to possess, but show how much he lov'd. Nor blushing think how low you condescend To court her maids, and make each slave your friend; Each by their names familiarly salute,

291And beg them to promote your am'rous suit. Perhaps a bribe's requir'd; your bounty show, And from your slender fortunes part below. A double bribe the chambermaid secures, And when the fav'rite's gain'd, the fair is yours.

296She'll add, to everything you do, a grace, And watch the wanton hours, and time her praise. When servants merry make, and feast, and play, Then give her something to keep holiday. Retain them ev'ry one, the porter most,

301And her who nightly guards the happy coast I no profuse nor costly gifts commend, But choose and time it well, whate'er you send. Provide the product of the early year, And let your boy the rural present bear;

306Tell her 'twas fresh, and from your manor brought, Tho' stale, and in the suburb market bought: The first ripe cluster let your mistress eat, With chesnut, melons, or fair peaches, treat; Some larger fish, or choicer fowl, present;

311They recommend your passion where they're sent. 'Tis with these arts the childless miser's caught, Thus future legacies are basely bought; But may his name with infamy be curst, That practis'd them on love, and women first.

316In tender sonnets most your flame rehearse, But who, alas! of late are mov'd by verse? Women a wealthy treating fool admire, Applaud your wit,-but costly gifts require. This is the golden age, all worship gold;

321Honours are purchas'd, love and beauty sold. Should Homer come with his harmonious train, And not present, Homer's turn'd out again. Some of the sex have sense, their number's small, Most ignorant, yet vain pretenders all:

326Flatter alike, smooth empty stanzas send, They seldom sense, but sound and rhyme commend. Should you with art compose each polish'd line, And make her, like your numbers, all divine, Yet she'll a treat or worthless toy prefer

331To all the immortal poet's boasted care. But he that covets to retain her heart, Let him apply his flattery with art; With lasting raptures on her beauty gaze, And make her form the subject of his praise.

336Purple commend, when she's in purple dress'd; In scarlet, swear she looks in scarlet best; Array'd in gold, her graceful mien adore, Vowing those eyes transcend the sparkling ore. With prudence place each compliment aright;

341Tho' clad in crape, let homely crape delight. In sorted colours, praise a varied dress; In night-clothes or commode let either please. Or when she combs or when she curls her hair, Commend her curious art and gallant air.

346Singing, her voice, dancing, her steps, admire; Applaud when she desists, and still desire. Let all her words and actions wonder raise; View her with raptures, and with raptures praise Fierce as Medusa though your mistress prove,

351These arts will teach the stubborn beauty love. Be cautious lest you overact your part, And temper your hypocrisy with art; Let no false action give your words the lie, For once deceiv'd, she's ever after shy.

356In Autumn oft, when the luxurious year Purples the grape, and shows the vintage near; When sultry heats, when colder blasts arise, And bodies languish with inconstant skies; If vitious heav'n infects her tender veins,

361And in her tainted blood some fever reigns; Then your kind vows, your pious care bestow, The blessings you expect to reap then sow; Think nothing nauseous in her loath'd disease, But with your ready hand contrive to please;

366Weep in her sight, then fonder kisses give, And let her burning lips your tears receive; Much for her safety vow, but louder speak, Let the nymph hear the lavish vows you make. As health returns, so let your joys appear;

371Oft smile with hope, and oft confess your fear. This in her breast remains, these pleasing charms Secure a passage to her grateful arms. Reach nothing nauseous to her taste or sight, Officious only when you most delight.

376Nor bitter draughts nor hated med'cines give, Let her from rivals what she loaths receive. Those prosperous winds that launch'd our boat from shore, When out at sea assists its course no more: Time will your knowledge in our art improve,

381Give strength and vigour to your forming love. The dreadful bull was but a calf when young; The lofty oak but from an acorn sprung; From narrow springs the noblest currents flow, But swell their floods, and spread 'em as they go.

386Be conversant with love, no toils refuse, And conquer all fatigues with frequent use: Still let her hear your sighs, your passion view And night and day the flying maid pursue. Then pause awhile; by fallow fields we gain;

391A thirsty soil receives the welcome rain. Phyllis was calm while with Demophoon bless'd, His absence wounded most her raging breast: Thus his chaste consort for Ulysses burn'd, And Laodamia thus her absent husband mourn'd,

396With speed return, you're ruined by delays, Some happy youth may soon supply your place. When Sparta's prince was from his Helen gone, Could Helen be content to lie alone? She in his bed receiv'd her am'rous guest,

401And nightly clasp'd him to her panting breast. Unthinking cuckold, to a proverb blind! What, trust a beau and a fair wife behind! Let furious hawks thy trembling turtles keep, And to the mountain wolves commit thy sheep:

406Helen is guiltless, and the lover's crime But what yourself would act another time. The youth was pressing, the dull husband gone; Let ev'ry woman make the case her own. Who could a prince, by Venus sent, refuse?

411The cuckold's negligence is her excuse. But not the foaming boar whom spears surround, Revenging on the dogs his mortal wound; Nor lioness, whose young receives the breast; Nor viper by unwary footsteps press'd;

416Nor drunkard by th' Aonian god possess'd, Transcend the woman's rage, by fury led, To find a rival in her injur'd bed. With fire and sword she flies; the frantic dame Disdains the thought of tenderness or shame.

421Her offspring's blood enrag'd Medea spilt; A cruel mother, for the father's guilt: And Progne's unrelenting fury proves That dire revenge pursues neglected loves. Where sacred ties of honour are destroy'd,

426Such errors cautious lovers must avoid. Think not my precepts constancy enjoin; Venus avert! far nobler's my design. At large enjoy, conceal your passion well; Nor use the modish vanity to tell:

431Avoid presenting of suspected toys, Nor to an hour confine your varied joys; Desert the shades you did frequent before, Nor make them conscious to a new amour The nymph, when she betrays, disdains your guilt,

436And by such falsehood taught, she learns to jilt. While with a wife Atrides liv'd content, Their loves were mutual, and she innocent; But when inflam'd with every charming face, Her lewdness still maintain'd an equal pace.

441Chryses, as fame had told her, pray'd in vain, Nor could by gifts his captive girl obtain; Mournful Briseis, thy complaints she heard, And how his lust the tedious war deferr'd. This tamely heard, but with resentment view'd

446The victor by his beauteous slave subdu'd; With rage she saw her own neglected charms, And took Aegisthus to her injur'd arms. To lust and shame by his example led, Who durst so openly profane her bed.

451What you conceal, her more observing eye Perhaps betrays: with oaths the fact deny, And boldly give her jealousy the lie. Not too submissive seem, nor over kind; These are the symptoms of a guilty mind:

456But no caresses, no endearments spare; Enjoyment pacifies the angry fair. There are, that strong provoking potions praise, And nature with pernicious med'cines raise; Nor drugs, nor herbs, will what you fancy prove,

461And I pronounce 'em pois'nous all in love. Some pepper bruis'd with seeds of nettle join, And clary steep in bowls of mellow wine: Venus is most averse to forced delights, Extorted flames pollute her genial rites.

466With fishes' spawn thy feeble nerves recruit, And with eringo's hot salacious root; The goddess worshipp'd by th' Erycian swains, Megara's white shallot, so faint, disdains. New eggs they take, and honey's liquid juice,

471And leaves and apples of the pine infuse. Prescribe no more, my muse, nor med'cine give, Beauty and youth need no provocative. You that conceal'd your secret crimes before, Proclaim them now, now publish each amour.

476Nor tax me with inconstancy; we find The driving bark requires a veering wind: Now northern blasts we court, now southern gales, And ev'ry point befriends our shifted sails. Thus chariot drivers with a flowing rein

481Direct their steeds, then curb them in again. Indulgence oft corrupts the faithless dame, Secure from rivals she neglects your flame; The mind without variety is cloy'd, And nauseates pleasures it has long enjoy'd.

486But as a fire whose wasted strength declines, Converts to ashes and but faintly shines, When sulphur's brought the spreading flames return, And glowing embers with fresh fury burn: A rival thus th' ungrateful maid reclaims,

491Revives desire, and feeds her dying flames. Oft make her jealous, give your fondness o'er, And teaze her often with some new amour. Happy, thrice happy youth, with pleasure bless'd, Too great, too exquisite to be express'd,

496That view'st the anguish of her jealous breast Whene'er thy guilt the slighted beauty knows, She swoons; her voice, and then her colour goes. Oft would my furious nymph, in burning rage, Assault my locks, and with her nails engage;

501Then now she'd weep, what piercing glances east, And vow to hate the perjur'd wretch at last. Let not your mistress long your falsehood mourn; Neglected fondness sill to fury turn. But kindly clasp her in your arms again,

506And on your breast her drooping head sustain; Whilst weeping kiss, amidst her tears enjoy, And with excess of bliss her rage destroy. Let her a while lament, a while complain, Then die with pleasure, as she died with pain.

511Enjoyment cures her with its powerful charms, She'll sign a pardon in your active arms. First nature lay an undigested mass, Heaven, earth, and ocean, wore one common face; Then vaulted heav'n was fram'd, waves, earth, inclos'd;

516And chaos was in beauteous forms dispos'd; The beasts inhabit woods, the birds the air, And to their floods the scaly fry repair. Mankind alone enjoyed no certain place, On rapine lived, a rude unpolish'd race;

521Caves were their houses, herbs their food and bed, Whilst each a savage from the other fled. Love first disarm'd the fierceness of their mind, And in one bed the men and women join'd. The youth was eager, but unskill'd in joy,

526Nor was the unexperienc'd virgin coy; They knew no courtship, no instructor found, Yet they enjoy'd, and bless'd the pleasing wound. The birds with consorts propagate their kind, And sporting fish their finny beauties find;

531In am'rous fold the wanton serpents twine, And dogs with their salacious females join. The lusty bull delights his frisking dames, And more lascivious goat her male inflames. Mares furious grow with love, their boundaries force,

536Plunging thro' waves to meet the neighing horse. Go on, brave youth, thy gen'rous vigor try, To the resenting maid this charm apply; Love's soft'ning pleasures ev'ry grief remove, There's nothing that can make your peace like love.

541From drugs and philters no redress you'll find, But nature with your mistress will be kind. The love that's unconstrain'd will long endure, Machaon's art was false, but mine is sure. Whilst thus I sung, inflam'd with nobler fire,

546I heard the great Apollo's tuneful lyre; His hand a branch of spreading laurel bore, And on his head a laurel wreath he wore; Around he cast diffusive rays of light, Confessing all the god to human sight,

551" Thou master of lascivious arts," he said, "To my frequented fane thy pupils lead; And there inscrib'd in characters of gold, This celebrated sentence you'll behold. 'First know yourself ;' who to himself is known,

556Shall love with conduct, and his wishes crown. Where nature has a handsome face bestow'd, Or graceful shape, let both be often show'd: Let men of wit and humor silence shun, The artist sing, and soldier bluster on;

561Of long harangues ye eloquent take heed, Nor thy damn'd works thou teazing poet read." Thus Phoebus spake: ajust obedience give, And these injunctions from a god receive. I mysteries unfold; to my advice

566Attend, ye vulgar lovers, and grow wise. The thriving grain in harvest often fails, Oft prosp'rous winds turn adverse to our sails; Few are the pleasures, tho' the toils are great; With patience must submissive lovers wait.

571What hares on Athos, bees on Hybla feed, Or berries on the circling ivy breed? As shells on sandy shores, as stars above, So num'rous are the sure fatigues of love. The lady's gone abroad, you're told; tho' seen,

576Distrust your eyes, believe her not within. Her lodgings on the promis'd night are close, Resent it not, but on the earth repose. Her maid will cry with an insulting tone, "'What makes you saunter here? you sot, begone."

581With moving words the cruel nymph entreat, And place your garland on the bolted gate. Why do I light and vulgar precepts use? A nobler subject now inspires my muse; Approaching joys I sing; ye youths, draw near;

586Listen ye happy lovers and give ear; The labor's great, and daring is my song. Labors and great attempts to love belong. As from the sacred oracles of Jove Receive these grand mysterious truths in love.

591Look down when she the ogling spark invites, Nor touch the conscious tablets when she writes. Appear not jealous tho' she's much from home, Let her at pleasure go, unquestion'd come. This crafty husbands to their wives permit,

596And learn, when she's engag'd, to wink at it. I own my frailties modestly confess; And blushing, give those precepts I transgress; Shall I, with patience, the known signal hear, Retire, and leave a happy rival there!

601What, tamely suffer the provoking wrong, And be afraid to use my hands or tongue! Corinna's husband kiss'd her in my sight; I beat the saucy fool, and seiz'd my right. I, like a fury, for my nymph engage,

606And like a madman, when I miss her, rage. My passion still prevails, convinc'd I yield! He that submits to this is better skill'd. Expose not, tho' you find her guilty flame, Lest she abandon modesty and shame;

611Conceal her faults, no secret crimes upbraid; Nothing's so fond as a suspected maid. Discover'd love increases with despair, When both alike the guilt and scandal share: All sense of modesty they lose in time,

616Whilst each encourages the other's crime. In heav'n this story's fam'd above the rest, Amongst th' immortal drolls a standing jest. How, Vulcan two transgressing lovers caught And ev'ry god a pleas'd spectator brought.

621Great Mars for Venus felt a guilty flame, Neglected war, and own'd a lover's name, To his desires the queen of love inclin'd; No nymph in heav'n's so willing, none so kind. Oft the lascivious fair, with scornful pride,

626Would Vulcan's foot and sooty hands deride; Yet both with decency their passion bore, And modestly conceal'd the close amour, But by the sun betray'd in their embrace, (For what escapes the sun's observing rays?)

631He told th' affronted god of his disgrace. Ah foolish sun! and much unskill'd in love, Thou hast an ill example set above! Never a fair offending nymph betray, She'll gratefully oblige you ev'ry way:

636The crafty spouse around his bed prepares Nets that deceive the eye, and secret snares: A journey feigns, the impatient lovers met, And naked were expos'd in Vulcan's net. The gods deride the criminals in chains,

641And scarce from tears the queen of love refrains; Nor could her hands conceal her guilty face, She wants that cover for another place. To burly Mars a gay spectator said, " Why so uneasy in that envied bed?

646On me transfer your chains; I'll freely come For your release, and suffer in your room." At length, kind Neptune, freed by thy desires, Mars goes for Crete, to Paphos she retires, Their loves augmented with revengeful fires;

651Now conversant with infamy and shame, They set no bounds to their licentious flame. But honest Vulcan, what was thy pretence, To act so much unlike a god of sense? They sin in public, you the shame repent,

656Convinc'd that love increase with punishment. Tho' in your pow'r, a rival ne'er expose, Never his intercepted joys disclose: This I command, Venus commands the same, Who hates the snares she once sustain'd with shame.

661What impious wretch will Ceres' rites expose, Or Juno's solemn mysteries disclose! His witty torments Tantalus deserves, That thirsts in waves and viewing banquets starves. But Venus most in secresy delights:

666Away, ye babblers, from her silent rites! No pomp her mysteries attend, no noise! No sounding brass proclaims the latent joys! With folded arms the happy pair possess, Nor should the fond betraying tongue confess

671Those raptures, which no language can express. When naked Venus casts her robes aside, The parts obscene her hands extended hide; No girl on propagating beasts will gaze, But hangs her head, and turns away her face.

676We darken'd beds and doors for love provide; What nature cannot, decent habit hide. Love darkens courts, at most a glimm'ring light, To raise our joys, and just oblige the sight. Ere happy men beneath the roof were laid,

681When oaks provided them with food and shade, Some gloomy cave receiv'd the wanton pair; For light too modest, and unshaded air! From public view they decently retir'd, And secretly perform'd what love inspir'd.

686Now scarce a modish fop about the town, But boasts with whom, how oft, and where 'twas done; They taste no pleasure, relish no delight, Till they recount what pass'd the happy night. But men of honour always thought is base,

691To prostitute each kinder nymph's embrace: To blast her fame, and vainly hurt his own, And furnish scandal for a lewd lampoon. And here I must some guilty arts excuse, And disingenuous shifts that lovers use,

696To wrong the chaste and innocent abuse. When long repuls'd they find their courtship vain, Her character with infamy they stain; Denied her person they debauch her fame, And brand her innocence with public shame.

701Go, jealous fool, the injur'd beauty guard, Let ev'ry door be lock'd, and window barr'd! The suff'ring nymph remains expos'd to wrong, Her name's a prostitute to ev'ry tongue; For malice with joy the lie receive,

706Report, and what it wishes true, believe. With care conceal whatever defects you find, To all her faults seem like a lover blind. Naked Andromeda when Perseus view'd, He saw her faults, but yet pronounc'd them good.

711Andromache was tall, yet some report Her Hector was so blind he thought her short. At first what's nauseous lessens by degrees; Young loves are nice, and difficult to please. The infant plant that bears a tender rind,

716Reels to and fro with ev'ry breath of wind; But shooting upward to a tree at last, It stems the storm, and braves the strongest blast Time will defects and blemishes endear, And make them lovely to your eyes appear:

721Unusual scents at first may give offence; Time reconciles them to the vanquish'd sense. Her vices soften with some kinder phrase; If she is swarthy as the negro's face, Call it a graceful brown, and that complexion praise.

726The ruddy lass must be like Venus fair, Or like Minerva that has yellow hair. If pale and meagre, praise her shape and youth, Active when small, when gross she's plump and smooth. Ev'ry excess by soft'ning terms disguise,

731And in some neighb'ring virtue hide each vibe. Nor ask her age, consult no register, Under whose reign she's born, or what's the year! If fading youth chequers her hair with white, Experience makes her perfect in delight;

736In her embrace sublimer joys are found, A fruitful soil, and cultivated ground! The hours enjoy whilst youth and pleasures last, Age hurries on, and death pursues too fast. Or plough the seas, or cultivate the land,

741Or wield the sword in thy advent'rous hand; Or much in love thy nervous strength employ, Embrace the fair, the grateful maid enjoy; Pleasure and wealth reward thy pleasing pains, The labour's great, but greater far the gains.

746Add their experience in affairs of love, For years and practice do alike improve, Their arts repair the injuries of time, And still preserve them in their charming prime; In varied ways they act the pleasure o'er,

751Not pictur'd postures can instruct you more. They want no courtship to provoke delight, But meet your warmth with eager appetite; Give me enjoyment, when the willing dame Glows with desires, and burns with equal flame.

756I love to hear the soft transporting joys, The frequent sighs, the tender murm'ring voice; To see her eyes with varied pleasures move, And all the nymph confess the pow'r of love. Nature's not thus indulgent to the young,

761These joys alone to riper years belong; Who youth enjoys, drinks crude unready wine, Let age your girl and sprightly juice refine, Mellow their sweets, and make the taste divide. To Helen who'd Hermione prefer,

766Or Gorge think beyond her mother fair; But he that covets the experienc'd dame, Shall crown his joys and triumph in his flame. One conscious bed receives the happy pair; Retire, my muse; the door demands thy care.

771What charming words, what tender things are said, What language flows without the useless aid! There shall the roving hand employment find, Inspire new flames, and make e'en virgins kind. Thus Hector did Andromache delight,

776Hector in love victorious, as in fight. When weary from the field Achilles came, Thus with delays he rais'd Briseis' flame; Ah, could those arms, those fatal hands, delight! Inspire kind thoughts, and raise thy appetite!

781Coulds't thou, fond maid, be charm'd with his embrace, Stain'd with the blood of half thy royal race. Nor yet with speed the fleeting pleasures waste, Still moderate your love's impetuous haste; The bashful virgin, tho' appearing coy,

786Detains your hand, and hugs the proffer'd joy. Then view her eyes, with humid lustre bright, Sparkling with rage, and trembling with delight; Her kind complaints, her melting accents hear, The eye she charms, and wounds the list'ning ear.

791Defer not then the clasping nymphs embrace, But with her love maintain an equal pace; Raise to her heights the transports of your soul, And fly united to the happy goal. Observe these precepts when with leisure bless'd

796No threatening fears your private hours molest. When danger's near, your active force employ, And urge with eager speed the hasty joy. Then ply your oars, then practise this advice, And strain with whip and spur to gain the prize.

801The work's complete, triumphant palms prepare With flow'ry deaths adorn my flowing hair. As to the Greeks was Poldalirius' art, To heal with med'cines the afflicted part; Nestor's advice, Achilles' arms in field,

806Automedon for chariot-driving skill'd; As Calchas could explain the mystic bird, And Telemon could wield the brandish'd sword; Such to the town my fam'd instructions prove, So much am I renown'd for arts of love.

811Me ev'ry youth shall praise, extol my name, And o'er the globe diffuse my lasting fame. I arms provide against the scornful fair; Thus Vulcan arm'd Achilles for the war. Whatever youth shall with my aid o'ercome,

816And lead his Amazon in triumph home; Let him that conquers and enjoys the dame, In gratitude for his instructed flame, Inscribe the spoils with my auspicious name. The tender girls my precepts next demand,

821Them I commit to a more skilful hand.

Book 3

1The men are arm'd, and for the fight prepare, And now we must instruct and arm the fair. Both sexes, well appointed, take the field, And mighty love determine which shall yield. Man were ignoble when thus arm'd to show

6Unequal force against a naked foe; No glory from such conquest can be gain'd, And odds are always by the brave disdain'd. "But," some exclaim, " what phrensy rules your mind? Would you increase the craft of womankind ?

11Teach them new wiles and arts? As well you may Instruct a snake to bite, or wolf to prey." But sure too hard a censure they pursue Who charge on all the failings of a few; Examine first impartially each fair,

16Then, as she merits, or condemn or spare. If Menelaus, and the king of men, With justice of their sister-wives complain; If false Eriphyle forsook her faith, And for reward procur'd her husband's death;

21Penelope was loyal still, and chaste, Tho' twenty years her lord in absence pass'd. Reflect how Laodamia's truth was tried, Who, tho' in bloom of youth and beauty's pride, To share her husband's fate untimely died.

26Think how Alceste's piety was prov'd, Who lost her life to save the man she lov'd. Receive me, Capaneus," Evadne cried; "Nor death itself our nuptials shall divide! To join thy ashes pleas'd I shall expire;"

31She said, and leap'd amidst the fun'ral fire. Virtue herself a goddess we confess, Both female in her name and in her dress; No wonder then, if to her sex inclin'd, She cultivates with care a female mind.

36But these exalted souls exceed the reach Of that soft art which I pretend to teach. My tender bark requires a gentle gale, A little wind will fill a little sail. Of sportful loves I sing, and shew what ways

41The willing nymph must use her bliss to raise, And how to captivate the man she'd please. Woman is soft, and of a tender heart, Apt to receive, and to retain love's dart; Man has a breast robust, and more secure,

46It wounds him not so deep, nor hits so sure. Men oft are false, and, if you search with care, You'll find less fraud imputed to the fair. The faithless Jason from Medea fled And made Creusa partner of his bed.

51Bright Ariadne, on an unknown shore, Thy absence, perjur'd Theseus, did deplore. If then the wild inhabitants of air Forbore her tender lovely limbs to tear, It was not owing, Theseus, to thy care.

56Enquire the cause, and let Demophoon tell Why Phyllis by a fate untimely fell. Nine times, in vain, upon the promis'd day, She sought th' appointed shore, and view'd the sea; Her fall the fading trees consent to mourn,

61And shed their leaves round her lamented urn. The prince so far for piety renown'd, To thee, Eliza, was unfaithful found; To thee forlorn, and languishing with grief, His sword alone he left, thy last relief.

66Ye ruin'd nymphs, shall I the cause impart Of all your woes? 'Twas want of needful art; Love, of itself, too quickly will expire, But powerful art perpetuates desire. Women had yet their ignorance bewail'd,

71Had not this art by Venus been reveal'd. Before my sight the Cyprian goddess shone And thus she said, "What have poor woman done! Why is that weak, defenceless sex expos'd; On ev'ry side, by men well arm'd, inclos'd?

76Twice are the men instructed by thy muse, Nor must she now to teach the sex refuse. The bard who injur'd Helen in his song, Recanted after, and redress'd the wrong. And you, if on my favour you depend,

81The cause of woman, while you live, defend." This said, a myrtle sprig, which berries bore, She gave me (for a myrtle wreath she wore.) The gift receiv'd, my sense enlighten'd grew, And from her presence inspiration drew.

86Attend, ye nymphs, by wedlock unconfin'd, And hear my precepts, while she prompts my mind. E'en now, in bloom of youth, and beauty's prime, Beware of coming age, nor waste your time; Now, while you may, and rip'ning years invite,

91Enjoy the seasonable, sweet delight; For rolling years, like stealing waters, glide, For hope to stop their ever ebbing tide; Think not hereafter will the loss repay; For ev'ry morrow will the taste decay,

96And leave less relish than the former day I've seen the time, when, on that wither'd thorn, The blooming rose vied with the blushing morn. With fragrant wreaths I thence have decked my head, And see how leafless now, and how decay'd!

101And you, who now the love-sick youth reject, Will prove in age, what pains attend neglect. None, then will press upon your midnight hours, Nor wake to strew your street with morning flow'rs. Then nightly knockings at your doors will cease,

106Whose noiseless hammer, then, may rest in peace. Alas, how soon a clear complexion fades! How soon a wrinkled skin plump flesh invades! And what avails it, tho' the fair one swears She from her infancy had some grey hairs ?

111She grows all hoary in a few more years, And then the venerable truth appears. The snake his skin, the deer his horns may cast, And both renew their youth and vigor past; But no receipt can human-kind relieve,

116Doom'd to decrepit age, without reprieve. Then crop the flow'r which yet invites your eye, And which, ungather'd, on its stalk must die. Besides, the tender sex is form'd to bear, And frequent births too soon will youth impair;

121Continual harvest wears the fruitful field, And earth itself decays, too often till'd. Thou didst not, Cynthia, scorn the Latmian swain; Nor thou, Aurora, Cephalus disdain; The Paphian Queen, who, for Adonis' fate

126So deeply mourn'd, and who laments him yet, Has not been found inexorable since; Witness Harmonia, and the Dardan prince. Then take example, mortals, from above, And like immortals live, and like 'em love.

131Refuse not those delights, which men require, Nor let your lovers languish with desire. False tho' they prove, what loss can you sustain? Thence let a thousand take, 'twill all remain. Tho' constant use, e'en flint and steel impairs,

136What you employ no diminution fears, Who would, to light a torch, their torch deny? Or who can dread drinking an ocean dry? Still women lose, you cry, if men obtain; What do they lose, that's worthy to retain?

141Think not this said to prostrate the sex, But undeceive whom needless fears perplex. Thus far the gentle breeze supplies our sail, Now launch'd to sea we ask a brisker gale. And, first, we treat of dress. The well-dress'd vine

146Produces plumpest grapes, and richest wine; And plenteous crops of golden grain are found, Alone, to grace uncultivated ground. Beauty's the gift of gods, the sex's pride! Yet to how many is that gift deny'd?

151Art helps a face; a face, tho' heav'nly fair, May quickly fade for want of needful care. In ancient days, if women slighted dress, Then men were ruder too, and lik'd it less. If Hector's spouse was clad in stubborn stuff,

156A soldier's wife became it well enough. Ajax, to shield his ample breast, provides Seven lusty bulls, and tans their sturdy hides; And might not he, d'ye think, be well caress'd, And yet his wife not elegantly dress'd?

161With rude simplicity Rome first was built, Which now we see adorned, and gilt. This capitol with that of old compare; Some other Jove you'd think was worship'd there. That lofty pile where senates dictate law,

166When Tatius reign'd, was poorly thatch'd with straw; And where Apollo's fane refulgent stands, Was heretofore a tract of pasture lands. Let ancient manners other men delight; But me the modern please, as more polite.

171Not that materials now in gold are wrought, And distant shores for orient pearls are sought; Not for, that hills exhaust their marble veins, And structures rise whose bulks the sea retains; But that the world is civilis'd of late,

176And polish'd from the rust of former date. Let not the nymph with pendants load her ear, Nor in embroid'ry, or brocade, appear; Too rich a dress may sometimes check desire, And cleanliness more animate love's fire,

181The hair dispos'd, may gain or lose a grace, And much become or misbecome the face. What suits your features of your glass enquire; For no one rule is fixed for head attire, A face too long should part and flat the hair.

186Lest upward comb'd, the length too much appear: So Laodamia dress'd. A face too round Should show the ears, and with a tour be crown'd. On either shoulder, one, her locks displays; Adorn'd like Phoebus, when he sings his lays;

191Another, all her tresses tie behind; So dressed, Diana hunts the fearful hind. Dishevelled locks most graceful are to some; Others, the binding fillets more become: Some plait, like spiral shells, their braided hair,

196Others, the loose and waving curl prefer. But to recount the several dresses worn, Which artfully each several face adorn, Were endless as to tell the leaves on trees, The beasts on Alpine hills, or Hybla bees.

201Many there are who seem to slight all care, And with a pleasing negligence ensnare: Whole mornings, oft in such a dress are spent, And all is art, that looks like accident. With such disorder Iole was grac'd,

206When great Alcides first the nymph embrac'd. So Ariadne came to Bacchus' bed, When with the conqueror from Crete she fled. Nature indulgent to the sex, repays The losses they sustain by various ways.

211Men ill supply those hairs they shed in age, Lost like autumnal leaves when north winds rage. Women with juice of herbs gray locks disguise, And art gives colour which with nature vies; The well-wove tours they wear, their own art thought,

216But only are their own, as what they've bought. Nor need they blush to buy heads ready dress'd, And choose at public shops what suits 'em best. Costly apparel let the fair one fly, Enrich'd with gold, or with the Tyrian dye,

221What folly must in such expense appear, When more becoming colors are less dear! One with a die is ting'd of lovely blue, Such as through air serene the sky we view, With yellow lustre see another spread,

226As if the golden fleece compos'd the thread. Some of the sea green wave the cast display; With this the nymphs their beauteous forms array; And some the saffron hue will well adorn; Such is the mantle of the blushing morn.

231Of myrtle-berries, one, the tincture shows, In this, of amethysts, the purple glows, And that more imitates the paler rose. Nor Thracian cranes forget, whose silv'ry plumes Give patterns which employ the mimic looms.

236Nor almond nor the chesnut dye disclaim, Nor others which from wax derive their name. As fields you find, with various flowers o'erspread, When vineyards bud, and winter's frost is fled; So various are the colours you may try,

241Of which the thirsty wool imbibes the dye. Try ev'ry one; what best becomes you wear, For no complexion all alike can bear. If fair the skin, black may become it best, In black the lovely fair Briseis dress'd;

246If brown the nymph, let her be cloth'd in white, Andromeda so charm'd the wond'ring sight. I need not warn you of too powerful smells, Which sometimes health or kindly heat expels; Nor from your tender legs to pluck with care

251The casual growth of all unseemly hair. Tho' not to nymphs of Caucasus I sing, Nor such who taste remote the Mysian spring, Yet let me warn you that thro' no neglect You let your teeth disclose the least defect.

256You know the use of white to make you fair, And how with red lost colour to repair; Imperfect eyebrows you by art can mend, And skin, when wanting, o'er a scar extend; Nor need the fair one be asham'd, who tries

261By art to add new lustre to her eyes. A little book I've made, but with great care, How to preserve the face, and how repair. In that, the nymphs by time or chance annoy'd, May see what pains to please 'em I've employ'd,

266But still beware that from your lover's eye You keep conceal'd the med'cines you apply: Tho' art assists, yet must that art be hid, Lest whom it would invite it should forbid. Who would not take offence to see a face

271All daub'd and dripping with the melted grease? And tho' your unguents bear th' Athenian name, The wool's unsav'ry scent is still the same. Marrow of stags, nor your pomatums try, Nor clean your furry teeth when men are by;

276For many things, when done, afford delight, Which yet, while doing, may offend the sight. E'en Myro's statues, which for art surpass All others, once were but a shapeless mass; Rude was that gold which now in rings is worn,

281As once the robe you wear was wool unshorn; Think, how that stone rough in the quarry grew, Which now a perfect Venus shews to view. While we suppose you sleep, repair your face, Lock'd from observers, in some secret place;

286Add the last hand before yourselves you show, Your need of art why should your lover know? For many things when most conceal'd are best, And few of strict enquiry bear the test. Those figures which in theatres are seen,

291Gilded without, are common wood within. But no spectators are allow'd to pry Till all is finished which allures the eye. Yet, I must own, it oft affords delight To have the fair one comb her hair in sight;

296To view the flowing honours of her head Fall on her neck, and o'er her shoulders spread. But let her look that she with care avoid All fretful humours while she's so employ'd; Let her not still undo, with peevish haste,

301All that her woman does, who does her best. I hate a vixen that her maid assails, And scratches with her bodkin or her nails; While the poor girl in blood and tears must mourn, And her heart curses what her hands adorn,

306Let her who has no hair, or has but some, Plant sentinels before her dressing-room; Or in the fane of the good goddess dress, Where all the male kind are debarr'd access. 'Tis said that I (but 'tis a tale devis'd)

311A lady at her toilet once surpris'd, Who starting, snatch'd in haste the tour she wore, And in her hurry placed the hinder part before. But on our foes fall ev'ry such disgrace, Or barb'rous beauties of the Parthian race.

316Ungraceful 'tis to see without a horn The lofty hart whom branches best adorn, A leafless tree, or an unverdant mead, And as ungraceful is a hairless head. But think not these instructions are design'd

321For first-rate beauties of the finish'd kind; Not to a Semele, or a Leda bright, Nor an Europa, these my rules I write; Nor the fair Helen do I teach, whose charms Stirr'd up Atrides and all Greece to arms;

326Thee to regain well was that war begun, And Paris well defended what he won: What lover or what husband would not fight In such a cause, where both are in the right? The crowd I teach, some homely and some fair,

331But of the former sort the larger share. The handsome least require the help of art, Rich in themselves, and pleas'd with nature's part. When calm the sea, at ease the pilot lies, But all his skill exerts when storms arise.

336Faults in your person or your face correct; And few are seen that have not some defect. The nymph too short her seat should seldom quit, Lest when she stands she may be thought to sit; And when extended on her couch she lies,

341Let length of petticoats conceal her size. The lean of thick wrought stuff her clothes should choose, And fuller made than what the plumper use. If pale, let her the crimson juice apply; If swarthy, to the Pharian varnish fly.

346A leg too lank tight garters still must wear, Nor should an ill-shap'd foot be ever bare. Round shoulders, bolster'd, will appear the least; And lacing straight confines too full a breast. Whose fingers are too fat, and nails too coarse,

351Should always shun much gesture in discourse; And you whose breath is touch'd, this caution take, Nor fasting, nor too near another, speak. Let not the nymph with laughter much abound, Whose teeth are black, uneven, or unsound.

356You'd hardly think how much on this depends, And how a laugh or spoils a face or mends. Gape not too wide, lest you disclose your gums, And lose the dimple which the cheek becomes. Nor let your sides too long concussions shake,

361Lest you the softness of the sex forsake: In some, distortions quite the face disguise; Another laughs, that you would think she cries. In one, too hoarse a voice we hear betray'd; Another's is as harsh as if she bray'd.

366What cannot art attain! Many, with ease, Have learn'd to weep, both when and how they please. Others thro' affectation lisp; and find In imperfection charms to catch mankind. Neglect no means which may promote your end;

371Now learn what way of walking recommends. Too masculine a motion shocks the sight; But female grace allures with strange delight. One has an artful swing and jut behind, Which helps her coats to catch the swelling wind;

376Swell'd with the wanton wind, they loosely flow, And ev'ry step and graceful motion show. Another, like an Umbrian's sturdy spouse, Strides all the space her petticoats allows. Between extremes, in this, a mean adjust,

381Nor show too nice a gait, nor too robust. If snowy white your neck, you still should wear That, and the shoulder of the left arm bare; Such sights ne'er fail to fire my am'rous heart, And make me pant to kiss the naked part.

386Sirens, tho' monsters of the stormy main, Can ships, when under sail, with songs detain: Scarce could Ulysses by his friends be bound, When first he listen'd to the charming sound, Singing insinuates, learn all ye maids;

391Oft when a face forbids, a voice persuades. Whether on theatres loud strains we hear, Or in Ruelles some soft Egyptian air. Well shall she sing, of whom I make my choice, And with her lute accompany her voice.

396The rocks were stirr'd, the beasts to listen staid When on his lyre melodious Orpheus play'd, Even Cerberus and hell that sound obey'd, And stones officious were thy walls to raise. 0, Thebes, attracted by Amphion's lays.

401The dolphin, dumb itself, thy voice admir'd, And was, Arion, by thy songs inspir'd. Of sweet Callimachus the works rehearse, And real Philetas and Anacreon's verse, Terentian plays may much the mind improve;

406But softest Sappho best instructs to love. Propertius, Gallus, and Tibullus read, And let Varronian verse to these succeed. Then mighty Maro's work with care peruse; Of all the Latians boards the noblest muse,

411Even I, 'tis possible, in after-days, May 'scape oblivion, and be nam'd with these. My labour'd lines, some readers may approve, Since I've instructed either sex in love. Whatever book you read of this soft art,

416Read with a lover's voice and lover's heart. Tender epistles too, by me are fram'd, A work before unthought of, and unnam'd. Such was your sacred will, 0, tuneful nine! Such thine Apollo, and Lycreus, thine!

421Still unaccomplish'd may the maid be thought, Who gracefully to dance was never taught: That active dancing may to love engage, Witness the well-kept dancers of the stage. Of some odd trifles I'm asham'd to tell,

426Tho' it becomes the sex to trifle well; To raffle prettily, or slur a die, Implies both cunning and dexterity; Nor is't amiss at chess to be expert, For games most thoughtful, sometimes most divert.

431Learn ev'ry game, you'll find it prove of use; Parties begun at play may love produce: But easier 'tis to learn how bets to lay, Than how to keep your temper while you play. Unguarded then, each breast is open laid,

436And while the head's intent, the heart's betray'd. Then base desire of gain, then rage appears, Quarrels and brawls arise, and anxious fears; Then clamours and revilings reach the sky, While losing gamsters all the gods defy.

441They grieve, and curse, and storm, nay weep at last. Good Jove avert such shameful faults as these, From ev'ry nymph whose heart's inclin'd to please Soft recreations fit the female kind; Nature, for men, has rougher sports design'd:

446To wield the sword and hurl the pointed spear; To stop or turn the steed in full career. Tho' martial fields ill suit your tender frames, Nor may you swim in Tiber's rapid streams; Yet when Sol's burning wheels from Leo drive,

451And at the glowing Virgin's sign arrive, 'Tis both allow'd and fit you should repair, To pleasant walks, and breathe refreshing air. To Pompey's gardens, or the shady groves Which Caesar honours, and which Phoebus loves:

456Phoebus, who sunk the proud Egyptian fleet, And made Augustus' victory complete. Or seek those shades, where monuments of fame Are raised to Livia's or Octavia's name; Or where Agrippa first adorn'd the ground,

461When he with naval victory was crown'd. To Isis' fine, to theatres resort; And in the circus see the noble sport. In ev'ry public place, by turns be shown; In vain you're fair while you remain unknown.

466Should you in singing, Thamyras transcend; Your voice unheard, who will your skill commend! Had not Appelles drawn the sea-born queen, Her beauties still beneath the waves had been. Poets inspir'd write only for a name,

471And think their labours well repay'd with fame. In former days, I own, the poets were Of gods and king the most peculiar care: Majestic awe was in the name allow'd, And they with rich possessions were endowed

476Ennius with honours was by Scipio grac'd, And next his own the poets statue plac'd. But now their ivy crowns bear no esteem, And all their learning's thought an idle dream. Still there's a pleasure that proceeds from praise:

481What could the high renown of Homer raise, But that he sung his Iliad's deathless lays? Who could have been of Danae's charms assur'd, Had she grown old, within her tow'r immur'd? This, as a rule, let ev'ry nymph pursue,

486That 'tis her int'rest oft' to come in view. A hungry wolf at all the herd will run, In hopes, through many, to make sure of one. So, let the fair the gazing crowd assail, That over one, at least, she may prevail.

491In ev'ry place to please, be all her thought; Where, sometimes, least we think, the fish is caught. Sometimes, all day, we hunt the tedious foil, Anon, the stag himself shall seek the toil. How could Andromeda once doubt relief,

496Whose charms were heighten'd and adorn'd by grief? The widow'd fair, who sees her lord expire, While yet she weeps, may kindle new desire, And Hymen's torch relight the fun'ral fire. Beware of men who are too sprucely dress'd;

501And look, you fly with speed a fop profess'd. Such tools to you, and to a thousand more, Will tell the same dull story o'er and o'er. This way add that, unsteadily they rove, And never fixed, are fugitives in love.

506Such flutt'ring things all women sure should hate, Light as themselves, and more effeminate. Believe me, all I say is for your good; Had Priam been believ'd, Troy still had stood. Many, with base designs, will passions feign,

511Who know no love, but sordid love of gain. But let not powder'd heads, nor essenc'd hair, Your well-believing, easy hearts ensnare. Rich clothes are oft by common sharpers worn, And diamond rings felonious hands adorn.

516So may your lover burn with fierce desire Your jewels to enjoy, and best attire. Poor Chloe robb'd, runs crying thro' the streets; And as she runs," Give me my own," repeats. How often, Venus, hast thou heard such cries,

521And laugh'd amidst thy Appian votaries? Some, so notorious are their very name, Must ev'ry nymph whom they frequent defame. Be warn'd by ills which others have destroy'd, And faithless men with constant care avoid.

526Trust not a Theseus, fair Athenian maid, Who has so oft th' attesting gods betray'd. And thou, Demophoon, heir to Theseus' crimes, Hast lost thy credit to all future times. Promise for promise equally afford,

531But once a contract made, keep well your word. For she for any act of hell is fit, And undismayed may sacrilege commit; With impious hands could quench the vestal fire Poison her husband in her arms for hire,

536Who first to take a lover's gift complies, And then defrauds him, and his claim denies. But hold, my muse, check thy unruly horse, And more in sight pursue th' intended course. If love epistles tender lines impart,

541And billet-doux are sent to sound your heart, Let all such letters by a faithful maid, Or confident, be secretly convey'd. Soon from the words you'll judge, if read with care, When feign'd a passion is, and when sincere.

546Ere in return you write some time require; Delays, if not too long, increase desire; Nor let the pressing youth with ease obtain, Nor yet refuse him with too rude disdain. Now let his hopes, now let his fears increase,

551But by degrees, let fear to hope give place. Be sure avoid set phrases when you write, The usual way of speech is more polite. How have I seen the puzzl'd lover vex'd, To read a letter with hard words perplex'd;

556A style too coarse takes from a handsome face, And makes us wish an uglier in its place. But since (tho' chastity be not your care) You from your husband still would hide th' affair, Write to no stranger till his truth be tried;

561Nor in a foolish messenger confide. What agonies that woman undergoes, Whose hand the traitor threatens to expose; Who rashly trusting, dreads to be deceiv'd, And lives for ever to that dread enslav'd!

566Such treachery can never be surpass'd, For those discoveries, sure as light'ning, blast. Might I advise, fraud shou'd with fraud be paid; Let arms repel all who with arms invade. But since your letters may be brought to light,

571What if in sev'ral hands you learn to write? My curse on him who first the sex betray'd, And this advice so necessary made. Nor let your pocket-book two hands contain, First rub your lover's out, then write again.

576Still one contrivance more remains behind, Which you may use as a convenient blind; As if to women writ, your letters frame, And let your friend, to you subscribe a female name. Now, greater things to tell, my muse prepare,

581And clap on all the sail the bark can bear. Let no rude passions in your looks find place; For fury will deform the finest face; It swells the lips, and blackens all the veins, While in the eye a Gorgon horror reigns.

586While on her flute divine Minerva play'd, And in a fountain saw the change it made, Swelling her cheek: she flung it quick aside, "Nor is thy music so much worth," she cried. Look in your glass when you with anger glow,

591And you'll confess, you scarce yourself can know. Nor with excessive pride insult the sight, For gentle looks alone to love invite. Believe it as a truth that's daily tried, There's nothing more detestable than pride.

596How have I seen some airs disgust create, "Like things which by antipathy we hate!" Let looks with looks, and smiles with smiles be paid, And when your lover bows incline your head. So love preluding plays at first with hearts,

601And after wounds with deeper-piercing darts. Nor me a melancholy mistress charms; Let sad Tecmessa weep in Ajax' arms. Let mournful beauties sullen heroes move; We cheerful men like gaiety in love.

606Let Hector in Andromache delight, Who, in bewailing Troy, wastes all the night. Had they not both born children (to be plain) I ne'er could think they'd with their husbands lain. I no idea in my mind can frame,

611That either one or t'other doleful dame, Could toy, could fondle, or could call their lords "My life, my soul ;" or speak endearing words. Why from comparisons should I refrain Or fear small things by greater to explain?

616Observe what conduct prudent generals use, And how their several officers they choose; To one a charge of infantry commit, Another for the horse is thought more fit. So you your sev'ral lovers should select,

621And as you find 'em qualified, direct. The wealthy lover store of gold should send; The lawyer should, in courts, your case defend. We, who write verse, with verse alone shouldbribe; Most apt to love is all the tuneful tribe.

626By us, your fame shall thro' the world be blaz'd; So Nemesis, so Cynthia's name was rais'd. From east to west Lycoris' praises ring; Nor are Corinna's silent, whom we sing. No fraud the poet's sacred breast can bear;

631Mild are his manners, and his heart sincere, Nor wealth he seeks, nor feels ambition's fires, But shuns the bar; and books and shades requires. Too faithfully, alas ! we know to love, With ease we fix, but we with pain remove;

636Our softer studies with our souls combine, And both to tenderness our hearts incline. Be gentle, virgins, to the poets pray'r, The god that fills him, and the muse revere; Something divine is in us, and from heav'n

641Th' inspiring spirit can alone be given. 'Tis sin a price from poets to exact, But 'tis a sin no woman fears to act; Yet hide, howe'er, your avarice from sight, Lest you too soon your new admirer fright.

646As skilful riders rein, with diff'rent force, A new-back'd courser and a well-train'd horse, Do you by diffrent management engage The man in years, and youth of greener age. This, while the wiles of love are yet unknown,

651Will gladly cleave to you, and you alone; With kind caresses oft indulge the boy, And all the harvest of his heart enjoy. Alone, thus bless'd, of rivals most beware; Nor love nor empire can a partner bear.

656Men more discreetly love, when more mature, And many things, which youth disdains, endure; No windows break, nor houses set on fire, Nor tear their own, or mistress's attire. In youth, the boiling blood gives fury vent,

661But men in years more calmly wrong resent; As wood when green, or as a torch when wet, They slowly burn, but long retain their heat. More bright is youthful flame, but sooner dies; Then swiftly seize the joy that swiftly flies.

666Thus, all betraying to the beauteous foe, How surely to enslave ourselves we show. To trust a traitor you'll no scruple make, Who is a traitor only for your sake. Who yields too soon will soon her lover lose;

671Would you retain him long ? then long refuse. Oft at your door make him for entrance wait; There let him lie, and threaten and entreat. When cloy'd with sweets, bitters the taste restore; Ships by fair winds are sometimes run ashore;

676Hence springs the coldness in a married life; The husband when he pleases has his wife. Bar but your gate, and let your porter cry, "Here's no admittance, sir; I must deny;" The very husband, — so repuls'd, will find

681A growing inclination to be kind. Thus far with foils you've sought those laid aside; I now sharp weapons for the sex provide, Nor doubt not 'gainst myself to see 'em tried. When first a lover you design to charm,

686Beware lest jealousies his soul alarm; Make him believe with all the skill you can, That he and only he's the happy man. Anon, by due degrees, small doubts create, And let him fear some rival's better fate.

691Such little arts make love its vigour hold, Which else would languish, and too soon grow old. Then strains the courser to outstrip the wind, When one before him runs, and one he hears behind. Love, when extinct, suspicions may revive;

696I own when mine's secure 'tis scarce alive. Yet no precaution to this rule belongs; Let us at most suspect, not prove our wrongs. Sometimes your lover, to incite the more, Pretends your husband's spies beset the door;

701Tho' free as Thais, still affect a fright, For seeming danger heightens the delight. Oft let the youth in thro' your windows steal, Tho' he might enter at the door as well; And sometimes let your maid surprise pretend,

706And beg you in some hole to hide your friend: Yet ever and anon dispel his fear, And let him taste of happiness sincere; Lest, quite dishearten'd with too much fatigue, He should grow weary of the dull intrigue.

711But I forgot to tell how you may try Both to evade the husband and the spy. That wives should of their husbands stand in awe, Agrees with justice, modesty, and law; But that a mistress may be lawful prize,

716None but her keeper I am sure denies. For such fair nymphs these precepts are design'd, Which ne'er can fail, join'd with a willing mind. Tho' stuck with Argus' eyes your keeper were, Advis'd by me you shall elude his care.

721When you to wash or bathe retire from eight, Can he observe what letters then you write? Or can his caution against such provide, Which in her breast your confidant may hide! Can he that note beneath her garter view,

726Or that which more conceal'd is in her shoe ? Yet, these perceived, you may her back undress, And writing on her skin your mind express. New milk, or pointed spires of flax when green, Will ink supply, and letters mark unseen.

731Fair will the paper, show, nor can be read, Till all the writing 's with warm ashes spread. Acresius was with all his care betray'd, And in his tow'r of brass a grandsire made. Can spies avail when you to plays resort,

736Or in the circus view the noble sport? Or can you be to Isis' fane pursu'd, Or Cybele's, whose rights all men exclude? Tho' watchful servants to the Bagnio come, They're ne'er admitted to the bathing-room.

741Or when some sudden sickness you pretend, May you not take to your sick bed a friend? False keys a private passage may procure, If not, there are more ways besides the door. Sometimes with wine your watchful follower treat;

746When drunk, you may with ease his care defeat: Or, to prevent too sudden a surprise, Prepare a sleeping draught to seal his eyes; Or let your maid, still longer time to gain, An inclination for his person feign;

751With faint resistance let her drill him on, And, after competent delays, be won. But what need all these various doubtful wiles, Since gold the greatest vigilance beguiles? Believe me, men and gods with gifts are pleas'd,

756E'en angry Jove with offerings is appeas'd; With presents fools and wise alike are caught; Give but enough, the husband may be bought, But let we warn you, when you bribe a spy, That you for ever his connivance buy;

761Pay him his price at once, for with such men You'll know no end of giving now and then. Once, I remember, I with cause complain'd Of jealousy occasion'd by a friend. Believe me, apprehensions of that kind

766Are not alone to our false sex confin'd. Trust not too far your she-companion's truth, Lest she sometimes should intercept the youth; The very confidant that lends the bed, May entertain your lover in your stead.

771Nor keep a servant with too fair a face, For such I've known supply her lady's place. But whither do I run with heedless rage, Teaching the foe unequal war to wage? Did ever bird the fowler's net prepare?

776Was ever hound instructed by the hare? But all self-ends and int'rests set apart, I'll faithfully proceed to teach my art; Defenceless and unarm'd expose my life, And for the Lemnian ladies whet the knife.

781Perpetual fondness of your lover feign, Nor will you find it hard belief to gain; Full of himself, he your design will aid! To what we wish 'tis easy to persuade. With dying eyes his face and form survey,

786Then sigh, and wonder he so long could stay; Now, drop a tear your sorrows to assuage, Anon, reproach him, and pretend to rage. Such proofs as these will all distrust remove, And make him pity your excessive love.

791Scarce to himself will he forbear to cry, "How can I let this poor fond creature die?" But chiefly one such fond behaviour fires, Who courts his glass, and his own charms admires. Proud of the homage to his merit done,

796He'll think a goddess might with ease be won. Light wrongs be sure you still with mildness bear, Nor straight fly out when you a rival fear. Let not your passions o'er your sense prevail, Nor credit lightly ev'ry idle tale.

801Let Procris' fate a sad example be Of what effects attend credulity. Near where his purple head Hymettus shows, And flow'ring hills, a sacred fountain flows; With soft and verdant turf the soil is spread,

806And sweetly smelling shrubs the ground o'ershade. There rosemary and bays their odours join, And with the fragrant myrtle's scent combine. There tamarisks with thick-leav'd box are found, And cytisus and garden pines abound.

811While through the boughs soft winds of Zephyr pass, Tremble the leaves and tender tops of grass. Hither would Cephalus retreat to rest, When tir'd with hunting, or with heat oppress'd; And, thus, to air the panting youth would pray;

816Come, gentle Aura, come, this heat allay." But some tale-bearing too officious friend, By chance o'erheard him as he thus complain'd; Who with the news to Procris quick repair'd, Repeating word for word what she had heard.

821Soon as the news of Aura reach'd her ears, With jealousy surpris'd. and fainting fears, Her rosy colour fled her lovely face, And agonies like death supplied the place; Pale she appear'd as are the falling leaves

826When first the vine the winter's blast receives. Of ripen'd quinces, such the yellow hue, Or, when unripe, we cornel-berries view. Reviving from her swoon, her robes she tore, Nor her own faultless face to wound forbore;

831Now all dishevell'd to the woods she flies, With Bacchanalian fury in her eyes. Thither arriv'd, she leaves below her friends, And all alone the shady hill ascends. What fully, Procris, o'er thy mind prevail'd?

836What rage, thus fatally to lie conceal'd? "Who'er this Aura be," such was thy thought, "She now shall in the very fact be caught " Anon thy heart repents its rash designs, And now to go, and now to stay, inclines;

841Thus love with doubts perplexes still thy mind, And makes thee seek what thou must dread to find. But still the rival's name rings in thy ears, And more suspicious still the place appears; But more than all, excessive love deceives,

846Which all it fears too easily believes. And now a chillness runs thro' ev'ry vein, Soon as she saw where Cephalus had lain. 'Twas noon when he again retir'd, to shun The scorching ardour of the mid-day's sun;

851With water first he sprinkled o'er his face Which glow'd with heat; then sought his usual place. Procris, with anxious but with silent care, View'd him extended, with his bosom bare; And heard him soon th' accustom'd words repeat,

856" Come Zephyr, Aura come, allay this heat." Soon as she found her error, from the word, Her colour and her temper were restor'd; With joy she rose to clasp him in her arms, But Cephalus the rustling noise alarms;

861Some beast he thinks he in the bushes hears, And straight his arrows and his bow prepares. Hold, hold, unhappy youth!-I call in vain; With thy own hand thou hast thy Procris slain " Me, me," she cries, " thou'st wounded with thy dart;

866But Cephalus was wont to wound this heart. Yet lighter on my ashes earth will lie, Since, tho' untimely, I unrivall'd die! Come, close with thy dear hand my eyes in death; Jealous of air, to air I yield my breath."

871Close to his heavy heart her cheek he laid, And wash'd with streaming tears the wound he made; At length the springs of life their currents leave, And her last gasp her husband's lips receive. Now to pursue our voyage we must provide,

876Till safe to port our weary bark we guide. You may expect, perhaps, I now should teach What rules to treats and entertainments reach. Come not the first, invited to a feast; Rather come last, as a more grateful guest,

881For that of which we fear to be depriv'd, Meets with the surest welcome when arriv'd. Besides, complexions of a coarser kind, From candle-light no small advantage find. During the time you eat, observe some grace,

886Nor let your unwip'd hands besmear your face; Nor yet too squeamishly your meat avoid, Lest we suspect you were in private cloy'd. Of all extremes in either kind forbear And still, before your belly's full, beware.

891No glutton nymph, however fair, can wound, Tho' more than Helen she in charms abound. I own I think of wire the moderate use More suits the sex, and sooner finds excuse; It warms the blood, adds lustre to the eyes,

896And wine and love have always been allies. But carefully from all intemperance keep, Nor drink till you see double, lisp, or sleep; For in such sleeps brutalities are done, Which, tho' you loath, you have no pow'r to shun.

901And now th' instructed nymph from table led, Should next be taught how to behave in bed;— But modesty forbids: nor more my muse With weary wings the labour'd flight pursues; Her purple swans unyok'd, the chariot leave,

906And needful rest (their journey done) receive. Thus, with impartial care, my art I show, And equal arms on either sex bestow; White men and maids, who by my rules improve, Ovid, must own, their master is in love.

1. Book 1
2. Book 2
3. Book 3

Book 1

1Siquis in hoc artem populo non novit amandi, Hoc legat et lecto carmine doctus amet. Arte citae veloque rates remoque moventur, Arte leves currus: arte regendus amor. Curribus Automedon lentisque erat aptus habenis,

6Tiphys in Haemonia puppe magister erat: Me Venus artificem tenero praefecit Amori; Tiphys et Automedon dicar Amoris ego. Ille quidem ferus est et qui mihi saepe repugnet: Sed puer est, aetas mollis et apta regi.

11Phillyrides puerum cithara perfecit Achillem, Atque animos placida contudit arte feros. Qui totiens socios, totiens exterruit hostes, Creditur annosum pertimuisse senem. Quas Hector sensurus erat, poscente magistro

16Verberibus iussas praebuit ille manus. Aeacidae Chiron, ego sum praeceptor Amoris: Saevus uterque puer, natus uterque dea. Sed tamen et tauri cervix oneratur aratro, Frenaque magnanimi dente teruntur equi;

21Et mihi cedet Amor, quamvis mea vulneret arcu Pectora, iactatas excutiatque faces. Quo me fixit Amor, quo me violentius ussit, Hoc melior facti vulneris ultor ero: Non ego, Phoebe, datas a te mihi mentiar artes,

26Nec nos aëriae voce monemur avis, Nec mihi sunt visae Clio Cliusque sorores Servanti pecudes vallibus, Ascra, tuis: Usus opus movet hoc: vati parete perito; Vera canam: coeptis, mater Amoris, ades!

31Este procul, vittae tenues, insigne pudoris, Quaeque tegis medios, instita longa, pedes. Nos venerem tutam concessaque furta canemus, Inque meo nullum carmine crimen erit. Principio, quod amare velis, reperire labora,

36Qui nova nunc primum miles in arma venis. Proximus huic labor est placitam exorare puellam: Tertius, ut longo tempore duret amor. Hic modus, haec nostro signabitur area curru: Haec erit admissa meta terenda rota.

41Dum licet, et loris passim potes ire solutis, Elige cui dicas 'tu mihi sola places.' Haec tibi non tenues veniet delapsa per auras: Quaerenda est oculis apta puella tuis. Scit bene venator, cervis ubi retia tendat,

46Scit bene, qua frendens valle moretur aper; Aucupibus noti frutices; qui sustinet hamos, Novit quae multo pisce natentur aquae: Tu quoque, materiam longo qui quaeris amori, Ante frequens quo sit disce puella loco.

51Non ego quaerentem vento dare vela iubebo, Nec tibi, ut invenias, longa terenda via est. Andromedan Perseus nigris portarit ab Indis, Raptaque sit Phrygio Graia puella viro, Tot tibi tamque dabit formosas Roma puellas,

56'Haec habet' ut dicas 'quicquid in orbe fuit.' Gargara quot segetes, quot habet Methymna racemos, Aequore quot pisces, fronde teguntur aves, Quot caelum stellas, tot habet tua Roma puellas: Mater in Aeneae constitit urbe sui.

61Seu caperis primis et adhuc crescentibus annis, Ante oculos veniet vera puella tuos: Sive cupis iuvenem, iuvenes tibi mille placebunt. Cogeris voti nescius esse tui: Seu te forte iuvat sera et sapientior aetas,

66Hoc quoque, crede mihi, plenius agmen erit. Tu modo Pompeia lentus spatiare sub umbra, Cum sol Herculei terga leonis adit: Aut ubi muneribus nati sua munera mater Addidit, externo marmore dives opus.

71Nec tibi vitetur quae, priscis sparsa tabellis, Porticus auctoris Livia nomen habet: Quaque parare necem miseris patruelibus ausae Belides et stricto stat ferus ense pater. Nec te praetereat Veneri ploratus Adonis,

76Cultaque Iudaeo septima sacra Syro. Nec fuge linigerae Memphitica templa iuvencae: Multas illa facit, quod fuit ipsa Iovi. Et fora conveniunt (quis credere possit?) amori: Flammaque in arguto saepe reperta foro:

81Subdita qua Veneris facto de marmore templo Appias expressis aëra pulsat aquis, Illo saepe loco capitur consultus Amori, Quique aliis cavit, non cavet ipse sibi: Illo saepe loco desunt sua verba diserto,

86Resque novae veniunt, causaque agenda sua est. Hunc Venus e templis, quae sunt confinia, ridet: Qui modo patronus, nunc cupit esse cliens. Sed tu praecipue curvis venare theatris: Haec loca sunt voto fertiliora tuo.

91Illic invenies quod ames, quod ludere possis, Quodque semel tangas, quodque tenere velis. Ut redit itque frequens longum formica per agmen, Granifero solitum cum vehit ore cibum, Aut ut apes saltusque suos et olentia nactae

96Pascua per flores et thyma summa volant, Sic ruit ad celebres cultissima femina ludos: Copia iudicium saepe morata meum est. Spectatum veniunt, veniunt spectentur ut ipsae: Ille locus casti damna pudoris habet.

101Primus sollicitos fecisti, Romule, ludos, Cum iuvit viduos rapta Sabina viros. Tunc neque marmoreo pendebant vela theatro, Nec fuerant liquido pulpita rubra croco; Illic quas tulerant nemorosa Palatia, frondes

106Simpliciter positae, scena sine arte fuit; In gradibus sedit populus de caespite factis, Qualibet hirsutas fronde tegente comas. Respiciunt, oculisque notant sibi quisque puellam Quam velit, et tacito pectore multa movent.

111Dumque, rudem praebente modum tibicine Tusco, Ludius aequatam ter pede pulsat humum, In medio plausu (plausus tunc arte carebant) Rex populo praedae signa petita dedit. Protinus exiliunt, animum clamore fatentes,

116Virginibus cupidas iniciuntque manus. Ut fugiunt aquilas, timidissima turba, columbae, Ut fugit invisos agna novella lupos: Sic illae timuere viros sine more ruentes; Constitit in nulla qui fuit ante color.

121Nam timor unus erat, facies non una timoris: Pars laniat crines, pars sine mente sedet; Altera maesta silet, frustra vocat altera matrem: Haec queritur, stupet haec; haec manet, illa fugit; Ducuntur raptae, genialis praeda, puellae,

126Et potuit multas ipse decere timor. Siqua repugnarat nimium comitemque negabat, Sublatam cupido vir tulit ipse sinu, Atque ita 'quid teneros lacrimis corrumpis ocellos? Quod matri pater est, hoc tibi' dixit 'ero.'

131Romule, militibus scisti dare commoda solus: Haec mihi si dederis commoda, miles ero. Scilicet ex illo sollemnia more theatra Nunc quoque formosis insidiosa manent. Nec te nobilium fugiat certamen equorum;

136Multa capax populi commoda Circus habet. Nil opus est digitis, per quos arcana loquaris, Nec tibi per nutus accipienda nota est: Proximus a domina, nullo prohibente, sedeto, Iunge tuum lateri qua potes usque latus;

141Et bene, quod cogit, si nolis, linea iungi, Quod tibi tangenda est lege puella loci. Hic tibi quaeratur socii sermonis origo, Et moveant primos publica verba sonos. Cuius equi veniant, facito, studiose, requiras:

146Nec mora, quisquis erit, cui favet illa, fave. At cum pompa frequens caelestibus ibit eburnis, Tu Veneri dominae plaude favente manu; Utque fit, in gremium pulvis si forte puellae Deciderit, digitis excutiendus erit:

151Etsi nullus erit pulvis, tamen excute nullum: Quaelibet officio causa sit apta tuo. Pallia si terra nimium demissa iacebunt, Collige, et inmunda sedulus effer humo; Protinus, officii pretium, patiente puella

156Contingent oculis crura videnda tuis. Respice praeterea, post vos quicumque sedebit, Ne premat opposito mollia terga genu. Parva leves capiunt animos: fuit utile multis Pulvinum facili composuisse manu.

161Profuit et tenui ventos movisse tabella, Et cava sub tenerum scamna dedisse pedem. Hos aditus Circusque novo praebebit amori, Sparsaque sollicito tristis harena foro. Illa saepe puer Veneris pugnavit harena,

166Et qui spectavit vulnera, vulnus habet. Dum loquitur tangitque manum poscitque libellum Et quaerit posito pignore, vincat uter, Saucius ingemuit telumque volatile sensit, Et pars spectati muneris ipse fuit.

171Quid, modo cum belli navalis imagine Caesar Persidas induxit Cecropiasque rates? Nempe ab utroque mari iuvenes, ab utroque puellae Venere, atque ingens orbis in Urbe fuit. Quis non invenit turba, quod amaret, in illa?

176Eheu, quam multos advena torsit amor! Ecce, parat Caesar domito quod defuit orbi Addere: nunc, oriens ultime, noster eris. Parthe, dabis poenas: Crassi gaudete sepulti, Signaque barbaricas non bene passa manus.

181Ultor adest, primisque ducem profitetur in annis, Bellaque non puero tractat agenda puer. Parcite natales timidi numerare deorum: Caesaribus virtus contigit ante diem. Ingenium caeleste suis velocius annis

186Surgit, et ignavae fert male damna morae. Parvus erat, manibusque duos Tirynthius angues Pressit, et in cunis iam Iove dignus erat. Nunc quoque qui puer es, quantus tum, Bacche, fuisti, Cum timuit thyrsos India victa tuos?

191Auspiciis annisque patris, puer, arma movebis, Et vinces annis auspiciisque patris: Tale rudimentum tanto sub nomine debes, Nunc iuvenum princeps, deinde future senum; Cum tibi sint fratres, fratres ulciscere laesos:

196Cumque pater tibi sit, iura tuere patris. Induit arma tibi genitor patriaeque tuusque: Hostis ab invito regna parente rapit; Tu pia tela feres, sceleratas ille sagittas: Stabit pro signis iusque piumque tuis.

201Vincuntur causa Parthi: vincantur et armis; Eoas Latio dux meus addat opes. Marsque pater Caesarque pater, date numen eunti: Nam deus e vobis alter es, alter eris. Auguror, en, vinces; votivaque carmina reddam,

206Et magno nobis ore sonandus eris. Consistes, aciemque meis hortabere verbis; O desint animis ne mea verba tuis! Tergaque Parthorum Romanaque pectora dicam, Telaque, ab averso quae iacit hostis equo.

211Qui fugis ut vincas, quid victo, Parthe, relinquis? Parthe, malum iam nunc Mars tuus omen habet. Ergo erit illa dies, qua tu, pulcherrime rerum, Quattuor in niveis aureus ibis equis. Ibunt ante duces onerati colla catenis,

216Ne possint tuti, qua prius, esse fuga. Spectabunt laeti iuvenes mixtaeque puellae, Diffundetque animos omnibus ista dies. Atque aliqua ex illis cum regum nomina quaeret, Quae loca, qui montes, quaeve ferantur aquae,

221Omnia responde, nec tantum siqua rogabit; Et quae nescieris, ut bene nota refer. Hic est Euphrates, praecinctus harundine frontem: Cui coma dependet caerula, Tigris erit. Hos facito Armenios; haec est Danaëia Persis:

226Urbs in Achaemeniis vallibus ista fuit. Ille vel ille, duces; et erunt quae nomina dicas, Si poteris, vere, si minus, apta tamen. Dant etiam positis aditum convivia mensis: Est aliquid praeter vina, quod inde petas.

231Saepe illic positi teneris adducta lacertis Purpureus Bacchi cornua pressit Amor: Vinaque cum bibulas sparsere Cupidinis alas, Permanet et capto stat gravis ille loco. Ille quidem pennas velociter excutit udas:

236Sed tamen et spargi pectus amore nocet. Vina parant animos faciuntque caloribus aptos: Cura fugit multo diluiturque mero. Tunc veniunt risus, tum pauper cornua sumit, Tum dolor et curae rugaque frontis abit.

241Tunc aperit mentes aevo rarissima nostro Simplicitas, artes excutiente deo. Illic saepe animos iuvenum rapuere puellae, Et Venus in vinis ignis in igne fuit. Hic tu fallaci nimium ne crede lucernae:

246Iudicio formae noxque merumque nocent. Luce deas caeloque Paris spectavit aperto, Cum dixit Veneri 'vincis utramque, Venus.' Nocte latent mendae, vitioque ignoscitur omni, Horaque formosam quamlibet illa facit.

251Consule de gemmis, de tincta murice lana, Consule de facie corporibusque diem. Quid tibi femineos coetus venatibus aptos Enumerem? numero cedet harena meo. Quid referam Baias, praetextaque litora velis,

256Et quae de calido sulpure fumat aqua? Hinc aliquis vulnus referens in pectore dixit 'Non haec, ut fama est, unda salubris erat.' Ecce suburbanae templum nemorale Dianae Partaque per gladios regna nocente manu:

261Illa, quod est virgo, quod tela Cupidinis odit, Multa dedit populo vulnera, multa dabit. Hactenus, unde legas quod ames, ubi retia ponas, Praecipit imparibus vecta Thalea rotis. Nunc tibi, quae placuit, quas sit capienda per artes,

266Dicere praecipuae molior artis opus. Quisquis ubique, viri, dociles advertite mentes, Pollicitisque favens, vulgus, adeste meis. Prima tuae menti veniat fiducia, cunctas Posse capi; capies, tu modo tende plagas.

271Vere prius volucres taceant, aestate cicadae, Maenalius lepori det sua terga canis, Femina quam iuveni blande temptata repugnet: Haec quoque, quam poteris credere nolle, volet. Utque viro furtiva venus, sic grata puellae:

276Vir male dissimulat: tectius illa cupit. Conveniat maribus, nequam nos ante rogemus, Femina iam partes victa rogantis agat. Mollibus in pratis admugit femina tauro: Femina cornipedi semper adhinnit equo.

281Parcior in nobis nec tam furiosa libido: Legitimum finem flamma virilis habet. Byblida quid referam, vetito quae fratris amore Arsit et est laqueo fortiter ulta nefas? Myrrha patrem, sed non qua filia debet, amavit,

286Et nunc obducto cortice pressa latet: Illius lacrimis, quas arbore fundit odora, Unguimur, et dominae nomina gutta tenet. Forte sub umbrosis nemorosae vallibus Idae Candidus, armenti gloria, taurus erat,

291Signatus tenui media inter cornua nigro: Una fuit labes, cetera lactis erant. Illum Cnosiadesque Cydoneaeque iuvencae Optarunt tergo sustinuisse suo. Pasiphaë fieri gaudebat adultera tauri;

296Invida formosas oderat illa boves. Nota cano: non hoc, centum quae sustinet urbes, Quamvis sit mendax, Creta negare potest. Ipsa novas frondes et prata tenerrima tauro Fertur inadsueta subsecuisse manu.

301It comes armentis, nec ituram cura moratur Coniugis, et Minos a bove victus erat. Quo tibi, Pasiphaë, pretiosas sumere vestes? Ille tuus nullas sentit adulter opes. Quid tibi cum speculo, montana armenta petenti?

306Quid totiens positas fingis, inepta, comas? Crede tamen speculo, quod te negat esse iuvencam. Quam cuperes fronti cornua nata tuae! Sive placet Minos, nullus quaeratur adulter: Sive virum mavis fallere, falle viro!

311In nemus et saltus thalamo regina relicto Fertur, ut Aonio concita Baccha deo. A, quotiens vaccam vultu spectavit iniquo, Et dixit 'domino cur placet ista meo? Aspice, ut ante ipsum teneris exultet in herbis:

316Nec dubito, quin se stulta decere putet.' Dixit, et ingenti iamdudum de grege duci Iussit et inmeritam sub iuga curva trahi, Aut cadere ante aras commentaque sacra coegit, Et tenuit laeta paelicis exta manu.

321Paelicibus quotiens placavit numina caesis, Atque ait, exta tenens 'ite, placete meo!' Et modo se Europen fieri, modo postulat Io, Altera quod bos est, altera vecta bove. Hanc tamen implevit, vacca deceptus acerna,

326Dux gregis, et partu proditus auctor erat. Cressa Thyesteo si se abstinuisset amore (Et quantum est uno posse carere viro?), Non medium rupisset iter, curruque retorto Auroram versis Phoebus adisset equis.

331Filia purpureos Niso furata capillos Pube premit rabidos inguinibusque canes. Qui Martem terra, Neptunum effugit in undis, Coniugis Atrides victima dira fuit. Cui non defleta est Ephyraeae flamma Creüsae,

336Et nece natorum sanguinolenta parens? Flevit Amyntorides per inania lumina Phoenix: Hippolytum pavidi diripuistis equi. Quid fodis inmeritis, Phineu, sua lumina natis? Poena reversura est in caput ista tuum.

341Omnia feminea sunt ista libidine mota; Acrior est nostra, plusque furoris habet. Ergo age, ne dubita cunctas sperare puellas; Vix erit e multis, quae neget, una, tibi. Quae dant quaeque negant, gaudent tamen esse rogatae:

346Ut iam fallaris, tuta repulsa tua est. Sed cur fallaris, cum sit nova grata voluptas Et capiant animos plus aliena suis? Fertilior seges est alienis semper in agris, Vicinumque pecus grandius uber habet.

351Sed prius ancillam captandae nosse puellae Cura sit: accessus molliet illa tuos. Proxima consiliis dominae sit ut illa, videto, Neve parum tacitis conscia fida iocis. Hanc tu pollicitis, hanc tu corrumpe rogando:

356Quod petis, ex facili, si volet illa, feres. Illa leget tempus (medici quoque tempora servant) Quo facilis dominae mens sit et apta capi. Mens erit apta capi tum, cum laetissima rerum Ut seges in pingui luxuriabit humo.

361Pectora dum gaudent nec sunt adstricta dolore, Ipsa patent, blanda tum subit arte Venus. Tum, cum tristis erat, defensa est Ilios armis: Militibus gravidum laeta recepit equum. Tum quoque temptanda est, cum paelice laesa dolebit:

366Tum facies opera, ne sit inulta, tua. Hanc matutinos pectens ancilla capillos Incitet, et velo remigis addat opem, Et secum tenui suspirans murmure dicat 'At, puto, non poteras ipsa referre vicem.'

371Tum de te narret, tum persuadentia verba Addat, et insano iuret amore mori. Sed propera, ne vela cadant auraeque residant: Ut fragilis glacies, interit ira mora. Quaeris, an hanc ipsam prosit violare ministram?

376Talibus admissis alea grandis inest. Haec a concubitu fit sedula, tardior illa, Haec dominae munus te parat, illa sibi. Casus in eventu est: licet hic indulgeat ausis, Consilium tamen est abstinuisse meum.

381Non ego per praeceps et acuta cacumina vadam, Nec iuvenum quisquam me duce captus erit. Si tamen illa tibi, dum dat recipitque tabellas, Corpore, non tantum sedulitate placet, Fac domina potiare prius, comes illa sequatur:

386Non tibi ab ancilla est incipienda venus. Hoc unum moneo, siquid modo creditur arti, Nec mea dicta rapax per mare ventus agit: Aut non temptaris aut perfice! tollitur index, Cum semel in partem criminis ipsa venit.

391Non avis utiliter viscatis effugit alis; Non bene de laxis cassibus exit aper. Saucius arrepto piscis teneatur ab hamo: Perprime temptatam, nec nisi victor abi. Sed bene celetur: bene si celabitur index,

398Notitiae suberit semper amica tuae. Tempora qui solis operosa colentibus arva, Fallitur, et nautis aspicienda putat; Nec semper credenda ceres fallacibus arvis, Nec semper viridi concava puppis aquae,

403Nec teneras semper tutum captare puellas: Saepe dato melius tempore fiet idem. Sive dies suberit natalis, sive Kalendae, Quas Venerem Marti continuasse iuvat, Sive erit ornatus non ut fuit ante sigillis,

408Sed regum positas Circus habebit opes, Differ opus: tunc tristis hiems, tunc Pliades instant, Tunc tener aequorea mergitur Haedus aqua; Tunc bene desinitur: tunc siquis creditur alto, Vix tenuit lacerae naufraga membra ratis.

413Tu licet incipias qua flebilis Allia luce Vulneribus Latiis sanguinolenta fluit, Quaque die redeunt, rebus minus apta gerendis, Culta Palaestino septima festa Syro. Magna superstitio tibi sit natalis amicae:

418Quaque aliquid dandum est, illa sit atra dies. Cum bene vitaris, tamen auferet; invenit artem Femina, qua cupidi carpat amantis opes. Institor ad dominam veniet discinctus emacem, Expediet merces teque sedente suas:

423Quas illa, inspicias, sapere ut videare, rogabit: Oscula deinde dabit; deinde rogabit, emas. Hoc fore contentam multos iurabit in annos, Nunc opus esse sibi, nunc bene dicet emi. Si non esse domi, quos des, causabere nummos,

428Littera poscetur — ne didicisse iuvet. Quid, quasi natali cum poscit munera libo, Et, quotiens opus est, nascitur illa, sibi? Quid, cum mendaci damno maestissima plorat, Elapsusque cava fingitur aure lapis?

433Multa rogant utenda dari, data reddere nolunt: Perdis, et in damno gratia nulla tuo. Non mihi, sacrilegas meretricum ut persequar artes, Cum totidem linguis sint satis ora decem. Cera vadum temptet, rasis infusa tabellis:

438Cera tuae primum conscia mentis eat. Blanditias ferat illa tuas imitataque amantem Verba; nec exiguas, quisquis es, adde preces. Hectora donavit Priamo prece motus Achilles; Flectitur iratus voce rogante deus.

443Promittas facito: quid enim promittere laedit? Pollicitis dives quilibet esse potest. Spes tenet in tempus, semel est si credita, longum: Illa quidem fallax, sed tamen apta dea est. Si dederis aliquid, poteris ratione relinqui:

448Praeteritum tulerit, perdideritque nihil. At quod non dederis, semper videare daturus: Sic dominum sterilis saepe fefellit ager: Sic, ne perdiderit, non cessat perdere lusor, Et revocat cupidas alea saepe manus.

453Hoc opus, hic labor est, primo sine munere iungi; Ne dederit gratis quae dedit, usque dabit. Ergo eat et blandis peraretur littera verbis, Exploretque animos, primaque temptet iter. Littera Cydippen pomo perlata fefellit,

458Insciaque est verbis capta puella suis. Disce bonas artes, moneo, Romana iuventus, Non tantum trepidos ut tueare reos; Quam populus iudexque gravis lectusque senatus, Tam dabit eloquio victa puella manus.

463Sed lateant vires, nec sis in fronte disertus; Effugiant voces verba molesta tuae. Quis, nisi mentis inops, tenerae declamat amicae? Saepe valens odii littera causa fuit. Sit tibi credibilis sermo consuetaque verba,

468Blanda tamen, praesens ut videare loqui. Si non accipiet scriptum, inlectumque remittet, Lecturam spera, propositumque tene. Tempore difficiles veniunt ad aratra iuvenci, Tempore lenta pati frena docentur equi:

473Ferreus adsiduo consumitur anulus usu, Interit adsidua vomer aduncus humo. Quid magis est saxo durum, quid mollius unda? Dura tamen molli saxa cavantur aqua. Penelopen ipsam, persta modo, tempore vinces:

478Capta vides sero Pergama, capta tamen. Legerit, et nolit rescribere? cogere noli: Tu modo blanditias fac legat usque tuas. Quae voluit legisse, volet rescribere lectis: Per numeros venient ista gradusque suos.

483Forsitan et primo veniet tibi littera tristis, Quaeque roget, ne se sollicitare velis. Quod rogat illa, timet; quod non rogat, optat, ut instes; Insequere, et voti postmodo compos eris. Interea, sive illa toro resupina feretur,

488Lecticam dominae dissimulanter adi, Neve aliquis verbis odiosas offerat auris, Qua potes ambiguis callidus abde notis. Seu pedibus vacuis illi spatiosa teretur Porticus, hic socias tu quoque iunge moras:

493Et modo praecedas facito, modo terga sequaris, Et modo festines, et modo lentus eas: Nec tibi de mediis aliquot transire columnas Sit pudor, aut lateri continuasse latus; Nec sine te curvo sedeat speciosa theatro:

498Quod spectes, umeris adferet illa suis. Illam respicias, illam mirere licebit: Multa supercilio, multa loquare notis. Et plaudas, aliquam mimo saltante puellam: Et faveas illi, quisquis agatur amans.

503Cum surgit, surges; donec sedet illa, sedebis; Arbitrio dominae tempora perde tuae. Sed tibi nec ferro placeat torquere capillos, Nec tua mordaci pumice crura teras. Ista iube faciant, quorum Cybeleïa mater

508Concinitur Phrygiis exululata modis. Forma viros neglecta decet; Minoida Theseus Abstulit, a nulla tempora comptus acu. Hippolytum Phaedra, nec erat bene cultus, amavit; Cura deae silvis aptus Adonis erat.

513Munditie placeant, fuscentur corpora Campo: Sit bene conveniens et sine labe toga: Lingula ne rigeat, careant rubigine dentes, Nec vagus in laxa pes tibi pelle natet: Nec male deformet rigidos tonsura capillos:

518Sit coma, sit trita barba resecta manu. Et nihil emineant, et sint sine sordibus ungues: Inque cava nullus stet tibi nare pilus. Nec male odorati sit tristis anhelitus oris: Nec laedat naris virque paterque gregis.

523Cetera lascivae faciant, concede, puellae, Et siquis male vir quaerit habere virum. Ecce, suum vatem Liber vocat; hic quoque amantes Adiuvat, et flammae, qua calet ipse, favet. Cnosis in ignotis amens errabat harenis,

528Qua brevis aequoreis Dia feritur aquis. Utque erat e somno tunica velata recincta, Nuda pedem, croceas inreligata comas, Thesea crudelem surdas clamabat ad undas, Indigno teneras imbre rigante genas.

533Clamabat, flebatque simul, sed utrumque decebat; Non facta est lacrimis turpior illa suis. Iamque iterum tundens mollissima pectora palmis 'Perfidus ille abiit; quid mihi fiet?' ait. 'Quid mihi fiet?' ait: sonuerunt cymbala toto

538Litore, et adtonita tympana pulsa manu. Excidit illa metu, rupitque novissima verba; Nullus in exanimi corpore sanguis erat. Ecce Mimallonides sparsis in terga capillis: Ecce leves satyri, praevia turba dei:

543Ebrius, ecce, senex pando Silenus asello Vix sedet, et pressas continet ante iubas. Dum sequitur Bacchas, Bacchae fugiuntque petuntque Quadrupedem ferula dum malus urget eques, In caput aurito cecidit delapsus asello:

548Clamarunt satyri 'surge age, surge, pater.' Iam deus in curru, quem summum texerat uvis, Tigribus adiunctis aurea lora dabat: Et color et Theseus et vox abiere puellae: Terque fugam petiit, terque retenta metu est.

553Horruit, ut graciles, agitat quas ventus, aristae, Ut levis in madida canna palude tremit. Cui deus 'en, adsum tibi cura fidelior' inquit: 'Pone metum: Bacchi, Cnosias, uxor eris. Munus habe caelum; caelo spectabere sidus;

558Saepe reges dubiam Cressa Corona ratem.' Dixit, et e curru, ne tigres illa timeret, Desilit; inposito cessit harena pede: Implicitamque sinu (neque enim pugnare valebat) Abstulit; in facili est omnia posse deo.

563Pars 'Hymenaee' canunt, pars clamant 'Euhion, euhoe!' Sic coeunt sacro nupta deusque toro. Ergo ubi contigerint positi tibi munera Bacchi, Atque erit in socii femina parte tori, Nycteliumque patrem nocturnaque sacra precare,

568Ne iubeant capiti vina nocere tuo. Hic tibi multa licet sermone latentia tecto Dicere, quae dici sentiat illa sibi: Blanditiasque leves tenui perscribere vino, Ut dominam in mensa se legat illa tuam:

573Atque oculos oculis spectare fatentibus ignem: Saepe tacens vocem verbaque vultus habet. Fac primus rapias illius tacta labellis Pocula, quaque bibet parte puella, bibas: Et quemcumque cibum digitis libaverit illa,

578Tu pete, dumque petis, sit tibi tacta manus. Sint etiam tua vota, viro placuisse puellae: Utilior vobis factus amicus erit. Huic, si sorte bibes, sortem concede priorem: Huic detur capiti missa corona tuo.

583Sive erit inferior, seu par, prior omnia sumat: Nec dubites illi verba secunda loqui. Tuta frequensque via est, per amici fallere nomen: Tuta frequensque licet sit via, crimen habet. Inde procurator nimium quoque multa procurat,

588Et sibi mandatis plura videnda putat. Certa tibi a nobis dabitur mensura bibendi: Officium praestent mensque pedesque suum. Iurgia praecipue vino stimulata caveto, Et nimium faciles ad fera bella manus.

593Occidit Eurytion stulte data vina bibendo; Aptior est dulci mensa merumque ioco. Si vox est, canta: si mollia brachia, salta: Et quacumque potes dote placere, place. Ebrietas ut vera nocet, sic ficta iuvabit:

598Fac titubet blaeso subdola lingua sono, Ut, quicquid facias dicasve protervius aequo, Credatur nimium causa fuisse merum. Et bene dic dominae, bene, cum quo dormiat illa; Sed, male sit, tacita mente precare, viro.

603At cum discedet mensa conviva remota, Ipsa tibi accessus turba locumque dabit. Insere te turbae, leviterque admotus eunti Velle latus digitis, et pede tange pedem. Conloquii iam tempus adest; fuge rustice longe

608Hinc pudor; audentem Forsque Venusque iuvat. Non tua sub nostras veniat facundia leges: Fac tantum cupias, sponte disertus eris. Est tibi agendus amans, imitandaque vulnera verbis; Haec tibi quaeratur qualibet arte fides.

613Nec credi labor est: sibi quaeque videtur amanda; Pessima sit, nulli non sua forma placet. Saepe tamen vere coepit simulator amare, Saepe, quod incipiens finxerat esse, fuit. Quo magis, o, faciles imitantibus este, puellae:

618Fiet amor verus, qui modo falsus erat. Blanditiis animum furtim deprendere nunc sit, Ut pendens liquida ripa subestur aqua. Nec faciem, nec te pigeat laudare capillos Et teretes digitos exiguumque pedem:

623Delectant etiam castas praeconia formae; Virginibus curae grataque forma sua est. Nam cur in Phrygiis Iunonem et Pallada silvis Nunc quoque iudicium non tenuisse pudet? Laudatas ostendit avis Iunonia pinnas:

628Si tacitus spectes, illa recondit opes. Quadrupedes inter rapidi certamina cursus Depexaeque iubae plausaque colla iuvant. Nec timide promitte: trahunt promissa puellas; Pollicito testes quoslibet adde deos.

633Iuppiter ex alto periuria ridet amantum, Et iubet Aeolios inrita ferre notos. Per Styga Iunoni falsum iurare solebat Iuppiter; exemplo nunc favet ipse suo. Expedit esse deos, et, ut expedit, esse putemus;

638Dentur in antiquos tura merumque focos; Nec secura quies illos similisque sopori Detinet; innocue vivite: numen adest; Reddite depositum; pietas sua foedera servet: Fraus absit; vacuas caedis habete manus.

643Ludite, si sapitis, solas impune puellas: Hac minus est una fraude tuenda fides. Fallite fallentes: ex magna parte profanum Sunt genus: in laqueos quos posuere, cadant. Dicitur Aegyptos caruisse iuvantibus arva

648Imbribus, atque annos sicca fuisse novem, Cum Thrasius Busirin adit, monstratque piari Hospitis adfuso sanguine posse Iovem. Illi Busiris 'fies Iovis hostia primus,' Inquit 'et Aegypto tu dabis hospes aquam.'

653Et Phalaris tauro violenti membra Perilli Torruit: infelix inbuit auctor opus. Iustus uterque fuit: neque enim lex aequior ulla est, Quam necis artifices arte perire sua. Ergo ut periuras merito periuria fallant,

658Exemplo doleat femina laesa suo. Et lacrimae prosunt: lacrimis adamanta movebis: Fac madidas videat, si potes, illa genas. Si lacrimae (neque enim veniunt in tempore semper) Deficient, uda lumina tange manu.

663Quis sapiens blandis non misceat oscula verbis? Illa licet non det, non data sume tamen. Pugnabit primo fortassis, et 'improbe' dicet: Pugnando vinci se tamen illa volet. Tantum ne noceant teneris male rapta labellis,

668Neve queri possit dura fuisse, cave. Oscula qui sumpsit, si non et cetera sumet, Haec quoque, quae data sunt, perdere dignus erit. Quantum defuerat pleno post oscula voto? Ei mihi, rusticitas, non pudor ille fuit.

673Vim licet appelles: grata est vis ista puellis: Quod iuvat, invitae saepe dedisse volunt. Quaecumque est veneris subita violata rapina, Gaudet, et inprobitas muneris instar habet. At quae cum posset cogi, non tacta recessit,

678Ut simulet vultu gaudia, tristis erit. Vim passa est Phoebe: vis est allata sorori; Et gratus raptae raptor uterque fuit. Fabula nota quidem, sed non indigna referri, Scyrias Haemonio iuncta puella viro.

683Iam dea laudatae dederat mala praemia formae Colle sub Idaeo vincere digna duas: Iam nurus ad Priamum diverso venerat orbe, Graiaque in Iliacis moenibus uxor erat: Iurabant omnes in laesi verba mariti:

688Nam dolor unius publica causa fuit. Turpe, nisi hoc matris precibus tribuisset, Achilles Veste virum longa dissimulatus erat. Quid facis, Aeacide? non sunt tua munera lanae; Tu titulos alia Palladis arte petas.

693Quid tibi cum calathis? clipeo manus apta ferendo est: Pensa quid in dextra, qua cadet Hector, habes? Reïce succinctos operoso stamine fusos! Quassanda est ista Pelias hasta manu. Forte erat in thalamo virgo regalis eodem;

698Haec illum stupro comperit esse virum. Viribus illa quidem victa est, ita credere oportet: Sed voluit vinci viribus illa tamen. Saepe 'mane!' dixit, cum iam properaret Achilles; Fortia nam posita sumpserat arma colo.

703Vis ubi nunc illa est? Quid blanda voce moraris Auctorem stupri, Deïdamia, tui? Scilicet ut pudor est quaedam coepisse priorem, Sic alio gratum est incipiente pati. A! nimia est iuveni propriae fiducia formae,

708Expectat siquis, dum prior illa roget. Vir prior accedat, vir verba precantia dicat: Excipiet blandas comiter illa preces. Ut potiare, roga: tantum cupit illa rogari; Da causam voti principiumque tui.

713Iuppiter ad veteres supplex heroïdas ibat: Corrupit magnum nulla puella Iovem. Si tamen a precibus tumidos accedere fastus Senseris, incepto parce referque pedem. Quod refugit, multae cupiunt: odere quod instat;

718Lenius instando taedia tolle tui. Nec semper veneris spes est profitenda roganti: Intret amicitiae nomine tectus amor. Hoc aditu vidi tetricae data verba puellae: Qui fuerat cultor, factus amator erat.

723Candidus in nauta turpis color, aequoris unda Debet et a radiis sideris esse niger: Turpis et agricolae, qui vomere semper adunco Et gravibus rastris sub Iove versat humum. Et tibi, Palladiae petitur cui fama coronae,

728Candida si fuerint corpora, turpis eris. Palleat omnis amans: hic est color aptus amanti; Hoc decet, hoc stulti non valuisse putant. Pallidus in Side silvis errabat Orion, Pallidus in lenta naïde Daphnis erat.

733Arguat et macies animum: nec turpe putaris Palliolum nitidis inposuisse comis. Attenuant iuvenum vigilatae corpora noctes Curaque et in magno qui fit amore dolor. Ut voto potiare tuo, miserabilis esto,

738Ut qui te videat, dicere possit 'amas.' Conquerar, an moneam mixtum fas omne nefasque? Nomen amicitia est, nomen inane fides. Ei mihi, non tutum est, quod ames, laudare sodali; Cum tibi laudanti credidit, ipse subit.

743At non Actorides lectum temeravit Achillis: Quantum ad Pirithoum, Phaedra pudica fuit. Hermionam Pylades quo Pallada Phoebus, amabat, Quodque tibi geminus, Tyndari, Castor, erat. Siquis idem sperat, laturas poma myricas

748Speret, et e medio flumine mella petat. Nil nisi turpe iuvat: curae sua cuique voluptas: Haec quoque ab alterius grata dolore venit. Heu facinus! non est hostis metuendus amanti; Quos credis fidos, effuge, tutus eris.

753Cognatum fratremque cave carumque sodalem: Praebebit veros haec tibi turba metus. Finiturus eram, sed sunt diversa puellis Pectora: mille animos excipe mille modis. Nec tellus eadem parit omnia; vitibus illa

758Convenit, haec oleis; hac bene farra virent. Pectoribus mores tot sunt, quot in ore figurae; Qui sapit, innumeris moribus aptus erit, Utque leves Proteus modo se tenuabit in undas, Nunc leo, nunc arbor, nunc erit hirtus aper.

763Hi iaculo pisces, illi capiuntur ab hamis: Hos cava contento retia fune trahunt. Nec tibi conveniet cunctos modus unus ad annos: Longius insidias cerva videbit anus. Si doctus videare rudi, petulansve pudenti,

768Diffidet miserae protinus illa sibi. Inde fit, ut quae se timuit committere honesto, Vilis ad amplexus inferioris eat. Pars superat coepti, pars est exhausta laboris. Hic teneat nostras ancora iacta rates.

Book 2

1Dicite 'io Paean!' et 'io' bis dicite 'Paean!' Decidit in casses praeda petita meos; Laetus amans donat viridi mea carmina palma, Praelata Ascraeo Maeonioque seni. Talis ab armiferis Priameïus hospes Amyclis

6Candida cum rapta coniuge vela dedit; Talis erat qui te curru victore ferebat, Vecta peregrinis Hippodamia rotis. Quid properas, iuvenis? mediis tua pinus in undis Navigat, et longe quem peto portus abest.

11Non satis est venisse tibi me vate puellam: Arte mea capta est, arte tenenda mea est. Nec minor est virtus, quam quaerere, parta tueri: Casus inest illic; hoc erit artis opus. Nunc mihi, siquando, puer et Cytherea, favete,

16Nunc Erato, nam tu nomen amoris habes. Magna paro, quas possit Amor remanere per artes, Dicere, tam vasto pervagus orbe puer. Et levis est, et habet geminas, quibus avolet, alas: Difficile est illis inposuisse modum.

21Hospitis effugio praestruxerat omnia Minos: Audacem pinnis repperit ille viam. Daedalus ut clausit conceptum crimine matris Semibovemque virum semivirumque bovem, 'Sit modus exilio,' dixit 'iustissime Minos:

26Accipiat cineres terra paterna meos. Et quoniam in patria, fatis agitatus iniquis, Vivere non potui, da mihi posse mori. Da reditum puero, senis est si gratia vilis: Si non vis puero parcere, parce seni.'

31Dixerat haec; sed et haec et multo plura licebat Dicere: regressus non dabat ille viro. Quod simul ut sensit, 'nunc, nunc, o Daedale,' dixit: 'Materiam, qua sis ingeniosus, habes. Possidet et terras et possidet aequora Minos:

36Nec tellus nostrae nec patet unda fugae. Restat iter caeli: caelo temptabimus ire. Da veniam coepto, Iupiter alte, meo: Non ego sidereas adfecto tangere sedes: Qua fugiam dominum, nulla, nisi ista, via est.

41Per Styga detur iter, Stygias transnabimus undas; Sunt mihi naturae iura novanda meae.' Ingenium mala saepe movent: quis crederet umquam Aërias hominem carpere posse vias? Remigium volucrum disponit in ordine pinnas,

46Et leve per lini vincula nectit opus, Imaque pars ceris adstringitur igne solutis, Finitusque novae iam labor artis erat. Tractabat ceramque puer pinnasque renidens, Nescius haec umeris arma parata suis.

51Cui pater 'his' inquit 'patria est adeunda carinis, Hac nobis Minos effugiendus ope. Aëra non potuit Minos, alia omnia clausit; Quem licet, inventis aëra rumpe meis. Sed tibi non virgo Tegeaea comesque Bootae

56Ensiger Orion aspiciendus erit: Me pinnis sectare datis; ego praevius ibo: Sit tua cura sequi; me duce tutus eris. Nam sive aetherias vicino sole per auras Ibimus, impatiens cera caloris erit:

61Sive humiles propiore freto iactabimus alas, Mobilis aequoreis pinna madescet aquis. Inter utrumque vola; ventos quoque, nate, timeto, Quaque ferent aurae, vela secunda dato.' Dum monet, aptat opus puero, monstratque moveri,

66Erudit infirmas ut sua mater aves. Inde sibi factas umeris accommodat alas, Perque novum timide corpora librat iter. Iamque volaturus parvo dedit oscula nato, Nec patriae lacrimas continuere genae.

71Monte minor collis, campis erat altior aequis: Hinc data sunt miserae corpora bina fugae. Et movet ipse suas, et nati respicit alas Daedalus, et cursus sustinet usque suos. Iamque novum delectat iter, positoque timore

76Icarus audaci fortius arte volat. Hos aliquis, tremula dum captat arundine pisces, Vidit, et inceptum dextra reliquit opus. Iam Samos a laeva (fuerant Naxosque relictae Et Paros et Clario Delos amata deo)

81Dextra Lebinthos erat silvisque umbrosa Calymne Cinctaque piscosis Astypalaea vadis, Cum puer, incautis nimium temerarius annis, Altius egit iter, deseruitque patrem. Vincla labant, et cera deo propiore liquescit,

86Nec tenues ventos brachia mota tenent. Territus a summo despexit in aequora caelo: Nox oculis pavido venit oborta metu. Tabuerant cerae: nudos quatit ille lacertos, Et trepidat nec, quo sustineatur, habet.

91Decidit, atque cadens 'pater, o pater, auferor!' inquit, Clauserunt virides ora loquentis aquae. At pater infelix, nec iam pater, 'Icare!' clamat, 'Icare,' clamat 'ubi es, quoque sub axe volas?' 'Icare' clamabat, pinnas aspexit in undis.

96Ossa tegit tellus: aequora nomen habent. Non potuit Minos hominis conpescere pinnas; Ipse deum volucrem detinuisse paro. Fallitur, Haemonias siquis decurrit ad artes, Datque quod a teneri fronte revellit equi.

101Non facient, ut vivat amor, Medeïdes herbae Mixtaque cum magicis nenia Marsa sonis. Phasias Aesoniden, Circe tenuisset Ulixem, Si modo servari carmine posset amor. Nec data profuerint pallentia philtra puellis:

106Philtra nocent animis, vimque furoris habent. Sit procul omne nefas; ut ameris, amabilis esto: Quod tibi non facies solave forma dabit: Sis licet antiquo Nireus adamatus Homero, Naïadumque tener crimine raptus Hylas,

111Ut dominam teneas, nec te mirere relictum, Ingenii dotes corporis adde bonis. Forma bonum fragile est, quantumque accedit ad annos Fit minor, et spatio carpitur ipsa suo. Nec violae semper nec hiantia lilia florent,

116Et riget amissa spina relicta rosa. Et tibi iam venient cani, formose, capilli, Iam venient rugae, quae tibi corpus arent. Iam molire animum, qui duret, et adstrue formae: Solus ad extremos permanet ille rogos.

121Nec levis ingenuas pectus coluisse per artes Cura sit et linguas edidicisse duas. Non formosus erat, sed erat facundus Ulixes, Et tamen aequoreas torsit amore deas. A quotiens illum doluit properare Calypso,

126Remigioque aptas esse negavit aquas! Haec Troiae casus iterumque iterumque rogabat: Ille referre aliter saepe solebat idem. Litore constiterant: illic quoque pulchra Calypso Exigit Odrysii fata cruenta ducis.

131Ille levi virga (virgam nam forte tenebat) Quod rogat, in spisso litore pingit opus. 'Haec' inquit 'Troia est' (muros in litore fecit): 'Hic tibi sit Simois; haec mea castra puta. Campus erat' (campumque facit), 'quem caede Dolonis

136Sparsimus, Haemonios dum vigil optat equos. Illic Sithonii fuerant tentoria Rhesi: Hac ego sum captis nocte revectus equis.' Pluraque pingebat, subitus cum Pergama fluctus Abstulit et Rhesi cum duce castra suo.

141Tum dea 'quas' inquit 'fidas tibi credis ituro, Perdiderint undae nomina quanta, vides?' Ergo age, fallaci timide confide figurae, Quisquis es, aut aliquid corpore pluris habe. Dextera praecipue capit indulgentia mentes;

146Asperitas odium saevaque bella movet. Odimus accipitrem, quia vivit semper in armis, Et pavidum solitos in pecus ire lupos. At caret insidiis hominum, quia mitis, hirundo, Quasque colat turres, Chaonis ales habet.

151Este procul, lites et amarae proelia linguae: Dulcibus est verbis mollis alendus amor. Lite fugent nuptaeque viros nuptasque mariti, Inque vicem credant res sibi semper agi; Hoc decet uxores; dos est uxoria lites:

156Audiat optatos semper amica sonos. Non legis iussu lectum venistis in unum: Fungitur in vobis munere legis amor. Blanditias molles auremque iuvantia verba Adfer, ut adventu laeta sit illa tuo.

161Non ego divitibus venio praeceptor amandi: Nil opus est illi, qui dabit, arte mea; Secum habet ingenium, qui, cum libet, 'accipe' dicit; Cedimus: inventis plus placet ille meis. Pauperibus vates ego sum, quia pauper amavi;

166Cum dare non possem munera, verba dabam. Pauper amet caute: timeat maledicere pauper, Multaque divitibus non patienda ferat. Me memini iratum dominae turbasse capillos: Haec mihi quam multos abstulit ira dies!

171Nec puto, nec sensi tunicam laniasse; sed ipsa Dixerat, et pretio est illa redempta meo. At vos, si sapitis, vestri peccata magistri Effugite, et culpae damna timete meae. Proelia cum Parthis, cum culta pax sit amica,

176Et iocus, et causas quicquid amoris habet. Si nec blanda satis, nec erit tibi comis amanti, Perfer et obdura: postmodo mitis erit. Flectitur obsequio curvatus ab arbore ramus: Frangis, si vires experiere tuas.

181Obsequio tranantur aquae: nec vincere possis Flumina, si contra, quam rapit unda, nates. Obsequium tigresque domat Numidasque leones; Rustica paulatim taurus aratra subit. Quid fuit asperius Nonacrina Atalanta?

186Succubuit meritis trux tamen illa viri. Saepe suos casus nec mitia facta puellae Flesse sub arboribus Milaniona ferunt; Saepe tulit iusso fallacia retia collo, Saepe fera torvos cuspide fixit apros:

191Sensit et Hylaei contentum saucius arcum: Sed tamen hoc arcu notior alter erat. Non te Maenalias armatum scandere silvas, Nec iubeo collo retia ferre tuo: Pectora nec missis iubeo praebere sagittis;

196Artis erunt cauto mollia iussa meae. Cede repugnanti: cedendo victor abibis: Fac modo, quas partes illa iubebit, agas. Arguet, arguito; quicquid probat illa, probato; Quod dicet, dicas; quod negat illa, neges.

201Riserit, adride; si flebit, flere memento; Imponat leges vultibus illa tuis. Seu ludet, numerosque manu iactabit eburnos, Tu male iactato, tu male iacta dato: Seu iacies talos, victam ne poena sequatur,

206Damnosi facito stent tibi saepe canes: Sive latrocinii sub imagine calculus ibit, Fac pereat vitreo miles ab hoste tuus. Ipse tene distenta suis umbracula virgis, Ipse fac in turba, qua venit illa, locum.

211Nec dubita tereti scamnum producere lecto, Et tenero soleam deme vel adde pedi. Saepe etiam dominae, quamvis horrebis et ipse, Algenti manus est calfacienda sinu. Nec tibi turpe puta (quamvis sit turpe, placebit),

216Ingenua speculum sustinuisse manu. Ille, fatigata praebendo monstra noverca Qui meruit caelum, quod prior ipse tulit, Inter Ioniacas calathum tenuisse puellas Creditur, et lanas excoluisse rudes.

221Paruit imperio dominae Tirynthius heros: I nunc et dubita ferre, quod ille tulit. Iussus adesse foro, iussa maturius hora Fac semper venias, nec nisi serus abi. Occurras aliquo, tibi dixerit: omnia differ,

226Curre, nec inceptum turba moretur iter. Nocte domum repetens epulis perfuncta redibit: Tum quoque pro servo, si vocat illa, veni. Rure erit, et dicet 'venias': Amor odit inertes: Si rota defuerit, tu pede carpe viam.

231Nec grave te tempus sitiensque Canicula tardet, Nec via per iactas candida facta nives. Militiae species amor est; discedite, segnes: Non sunt haec timidis signa tuenda viris. Nox et hiems longaeque viae saevique dolores

236Mollibus his castris et labor omnis inest. Saepe feres imbrem caelesti nube solutum, Frigidus et nuda saepe iacebis humo. Cynthius Admeti vaccas pavisse Pheraei Fertur, et in parva delituisse casa.

241Quod Phoebum decuit, quem non decet? exue fastus, Curam mansuri quisquis amoris habes. Si tibi per tutum planumque negabitur ire, Atque erit opposita ianua fulta sera, At tu per praeceps tecto delabere aperto:

246Det quoque furtivas alta fenestra vias. Laeta erit, et causam tibi se sciet esse pericli; Hoc dominae certi pignus amoris erit. Saepe tua poteras, Leandre, carere puella: Transnabas, animum nosset ut illa tuum.

251Nec pudor ancillas, ut quaeque erit ordine prima, Nec tibi sit servos demeruisse pudor. Nomine quemque suo (nulla est iactura) saluta, Iunge tuis humiles, ambitiose, manus. Sed tamen et servo (levis est inpensa) roganti

256Porrige Fortunae munera parva die: Porrige et ancillae, qua poenas luce pependit Lusa maritali Gallica veste manus. Fac plebem, mihi crede, tuam; sit semper in illa Ianitor et thalami qui iacet ante fores.

261Nec dominam iubeo pretioso munere dones: Parva, sed e parvis callidus apta dato. Dum bene dives ager, cum rami pondere nutant, Adferat in calatho rustica dona puer. Rure suburbano poteris tibi dicere missa,

266Illa vel in Sacra sint licet empta via. Adferat aut uvas, aut quas Amaryllis amabat — At nunc castaneas non amat illa nuces. Quin etiam turdoque licet missaque columba Te memorem dominae testificere tuae.

271Turpiter his emitur spes mortis et orba senectus. A, pereant, per quos munera crimen habent! Quid tibi praecipiam teneros quoque mittere versus? Ei mihi, non multum carmen honoris habet. Carmina laudantur, sed munera magna petuntur:

276Dummodo sit dives, barbarus ipse placet. Aurea sunt vere nunc saecula: plurimus auro Venit honos: auro conciliatur amor. Ipse licet venias Musis comitatus, Homere, Si nihil attuleris, ibis, Homere, foras.

281Sunt tamen et doctae, rarissima turba, puellae; Altera non doctae turba, sed esse volunt. Utraque laudetur per carmina: carmina lector Commendet dulci qualiacumque sono; His ergo aut illis vigilatum carmen in ipsas

286Forsitan exigui muneris instar erit. At quod eris per te facturus, et utile credis, Id tua te facito semper amica roget. Libertas alicui fuerit promissa tuorum: Hanc tamen a domina fac petat ille tua:

291Si poenam servo, si vincula saeva remittis, Quod facturus eras, debeat illa tibi: Utilitas tua sit, titulus donetur amicae: Perde nihil, partes illa potentis agat. Sed te, cuicumque est retinendae cura puellae,

296Attonitum forma fac putet esse sua. Sive erit in Tyriis, Tyrios laudabis amictus: Sive erit in Cois, Coa decere puta. Aurata est? ipso tibi sit pretiosior auro; Gausapa si sumpsit, gausapa sumpta proba.

301Astiterit tunicata, 'moves incendia' clama, Sed timida, caveat frigora, voce roga. Conpositum discrimen erit, discrimina lauda: Torserit igne comam, torte capille, place. Brachia saltantis, vocem mirare canentis,

306Et, quod desierit, verba querentis habe. Ipsos concubitus, ipsum venerere licebit Quod iuvat, et quae dat gaudia voce notes. Ut fuerit torva violentior illa Medusa, Fiet amatori lenis et aequa suo.

311Tantum, ne pateas verbis simulator in illis, Effice, nec vultu destrue dicta tuo. Si latet, ars prodest: adfert deprensa pudorem, Atque adimit merito tempus in omne fidem. Saepe sub autumnum, cum formosissimus annus,

316Plenaque purpureo subrubet uva mero, Cum modo frigoribus premimur, modo solvimur aestu, Aëre non certo, corpora languor habet. Illa quidem valeat; sed si male firma cubarit, Et vitium caeli senserit aegra sui,

321Tunc amor et pietas tua sit manifesta puellae, Tum sere, quod plena postmodo falce metas. Nec tibi morosi veniant fastidia morbi, Perque tuas fiant, quae sinet ipsa, manus. Et videat flentem, nec taedeat oscula ferre,

326Et sicco lacrimas conbibat ore tuas. Multa vove, sed cuncta palam; quotiesque libebit, Quae referas illi, somnia laeta vide. Et veniat, quae lustret anus lectumque locumque, Praeferat et tremula sulpur et ova manu.

331Omnibus his inerunt gratae vestigia curae: In tabulas multis haec via fecit iter. Nec tamen officiis odium quaeratur ab aegra: Sit suus in blanda sedulitate modus: Neve cibo prohibe, nec amari pocula suci

336Porrige: rivalis misceat illa tuus. Sed non cui dederas a litore carbasa vento, Utendum, medio cum potiere freto. Dum novus errat amor, vires sibi colligat usu: Si bene nutrieris, tempore firmus erit.

341Quem taurum metuis, vitulum mulcere solebas: Sub qua nunc recubas arbore, virga fuit: Nascitur exiguus, sed opes adquirit eundo, Quaque venit, multas accipit amnis aquas. Fac tibi consuescat: nil adsuetudine maius:

346Quam tu dum capias, taedia nulla fuge. Te semper videat, tibi semper praebeat aures; Exhibeat vultus noxque diesque tuos. Cum tibi maior erit fiducia, posse requiri, Cum procul absenti cura futurus eris,

351Da requiem: requietus ager bene credita reddit, Terraque caelestes arida sorbet aquas. Phyllida Demophoon praesens moderatius ussit: Exarsit velis acrius illa datis. Penelopen absens sollers torquebat Ulixes;

356Phylacides aberat, Laodamia, tuus. Sed mora tuta brevis: lentescunt tempore curae, Vanescitque absens et novus intrat amor. Dum Menelaus abest, Helene, ne sola iaceret, Hospitis est tepido nocte recepta sinu.

361Quis stupor hic, Menelaë, fuit? tu solus abibas, Isdem sub tectis hospes et uxor erant. Accipitri timidas credis, furiose, columbas? Plenum montano credis ovile lupo? Nil Helene peccat, nihil hic committit adulter:

366Quod tu, quod faceret quilibet, ille facit. Cogis adulterium dando tempusque locumque; Quid nisi consilio est usa puella tuo? Quid faciat? vir abest, et adest non rusticus hospes, Et timet in vacuo sola cubare toro.

371Viderit Atrides: Helenen ego crimine solvo: Usa est humani commoditate viri. Sed neque fulvus aper media tam saevus in ira est, Fulmineo rabidos cum rotat ore canes, Nec lea, cum catulis lactentibus ubera praebet,

376Nec brevis ignaro vipera laesa pede, Femina quam socii deprensa paelice lecti: Ardet et in vultu pignora mentis habet. In ferrum flammasque ruit, positoque decore Fertur, ut Aonii cornibus icta dei.

381Coniugis admissum violataque iura marita est Barbara per natos Phasias ulta suos. Altera dira parens haec est, quam cernis, hirundo: Aspice, signatum sanguine pectus habet. Hoc bene compositos, hoc firmos solvit amores;

386Crimina sunt cautis ista timenda viris. Nec mea vos uni damnat censura puellae: Di melius! vix hoc nupta tenere potest. Ludite, sed furto celetur culpa modesto: Gloria peccati nulla petenda sui est.

391Nec dederis munus, cognosse quod altera possit, Nec sint nequitiae tempora certa tuae. Et, ne te capiat latebris sibi femina notis, Non uno est omnis convenienda loco; Et quotiens scribes, totas prius ipse tabellas

396Inspice: plus multae, quam sibi missa, legunt. Laesa Venus iusta arma movet, telumque remittit, Et, modo quod questa est, ipse querare, facit. Dum fuit Atrides una contentus, et illa Casta fuit: vitio est improba facta viri.

401Audierat laurumque manu vittasque ferentem Pro nata Chrysen non valuisse sua: Audierat, Lyrnesi, tuos, abducta, dolores, Bellaque per turpis longius isse moras. Haec tamen audierat: Priameïda viderat ipsa:

406Victor erat praedae praeda pudenda suae. Inde Thyestiaden animo thalamoque recepit, Et male peccantem Tyndaris ulta virum. Quae bene celaris, siqua tamen acta patebunt, Illa, licet pateant, tu tamen usque nega.

411Tum neque subiectus, solito nec blandior esto: Haec animi multum signa nocentis habent: Sed lateri ne parce tuo: pax omnis in uno est; Concubitu prior est infitianda venus. Sunt, qui praecipiant herbas, satureia, nocentes

416Sumere; iudiciis ista venena meis; Aut piper urticae mordacis semine miscent, Tritaque in annoso flava pyrethra mero; Sed dea non patitur sic ad sua gaudia cogi, Colle sub umbroso quam tenet altus Eryx.

421Candidus, Alcathoi qui mittitur urbe Pelasga, Bulbus et, ex horto quae venit, herba salax Ovaque sumantur, sumantur Hymettia mella, Quasque tulit folio pinus acuta nuces. Docta, quid ad magicas, Erato, deverteris artes?

426Interior curru meta terenda meo est. Qui modo celabas monitu tua crimina nostro, Flecte iter, et monitu detege furta meo. Nec levitas culpanda mea est: non semper eodem Impositos vento panda carina vehit.

431Nam modo Threïcio Borea, modo currimus Euro, Saepe tument Zephyro lintea, saepe Noto. Aspice, ut in curru modo det fluitantia rector Lora, modo admissos arte retentet equos. Sunt quibus ingrate timida indulgentia servit,

436Et, si nulla subest aemula, languet amor. Luxuriant animi rebus plerumque secundis, Nec facile est aequa commoda mente pati. Ut levis absumptis paulatim viribus ignis Ipse latet, summo canet in igne cinis,

441Sed tamen extinctas admoto sulpure flammas Invenit, et lumen, quod fuit ante, redit: Sic, ubi pigra situ securaque pectora torpent, Acribus est stimulis eliciendus amor. Fac timeat de te, tepidamque recalface mentem:

446Palleat indicio criminis illa tui; O quater et quotiens numero conprendere non est Felicem, de quo laesa puella dolet: Quae, simul invitas crimen pervenit ad aures, Excidit, et miserae voxque colorque fugit.

451Ille ego sim, cuius laniet furiosa capillos: Ille ego sim, teneras cui petat ungue genas, Quem videat lacrimans, quem torvis spectet ocellis, Quo sine non possit vivere, posse velit. Si spatium quaeras, breve sit, quo laesa queratur,

456Ne lenta vires colligat ira mora; Candida iamdudum cingantur colla lacertis, Inque tuos flens est accipienda sinus. Oscula da flenti, Veneris da gaudia flenti, Pax erit: hoc uno solvitur ira modo.

461Cum bene saevierit, cum certa videbitur hostis, Tum pete concubitus foedera, mitis erit. Illic depositis habitat Concordia telis: Illo, crede mihi, Gratia nata loco est. Quae modo pugnarunt, iungunt sua rostra columbae,

466Quarum blanditias verbaque murmur habet. Prima fuit rerum confusa sine ordine moles, Unaque erat facies sidera, terra, fretum; Mox caelum impositum terris, humus aequore cincta est Inque suas partes cessit inane chaos;

471Silva feras, volucres aer accepit habendas, In liquida, pisces, delituistis aqua. Tum genus humanum solis errabat in agris, Idque merae vires et rude corpus erat; Silva domus fuerat, cibus herba, cubilia frondes:

476Iamque diu nulli cognitus alter erat. Blanda truces animos fertur mollisse voluptas: Constiterant uno femina virque loco; Quid facerent, ipsi nullo didicere magistro: Arte Venus nulla dulce peregit opus.

481Ales habet, quod amet; cum quo sua gaudia iungat, Invenit in media femina piscis aqua; Cerva parem sequitur, serpens serpente tenetur, Haeret adulterio cum cane nexa canis; Laeta salitur ovis: tauro quoque laeta iuvenca est:

486Sustinet inmundum sima capella marem; In furias agitantur equae, spatioque remota Per loca dividuos amne sequuntur equos. Ergo age et iratae medicamina fortia praebe: Illa feri requiem sola doloris habent:

491Illa Machaonios superant medicamina sucos: His, ubi peccaris, restituendus eris. Haec ego cum canerem, subito manifestus Apollo Movit inauratae pollice fila lyrae. In manibus laurus, sacris inducta capillis

496Laurus erat; vates ille videndus adit. Is mihi 'Lascivi' dixit 'praeceptor Amoris, Duc, age, discipulos ad mea templa tuos, Est ubi diversum fama celebrata per orbem Littera, cognosci quae sibi quemque iubet.

501Qui sibi notus erit, solus sapienter amabit, Atque opus ad vires exiget omne suas. Cui faciem natura dedit, spectetur ab illa: Cui color est, umero saepe patente cubet: Qui sermone placet, taciturna silentia vitet:

506Qui canit arte, canat; qui bibit arte, bibat. Sed neque declament medio sermone diserti, Nec sua non sanus scripta poeta legat!' Sic monuit Phoebus: Phoebo parete monenti; Certa dei sacro est huius in ore fides.

511Ad propiora vocor. Quisquis sapienter amabit Vincet, et e nostra, quod petet, arte feret. Credita non semper sulci cum faenore reddunt, Nec semper dubias adiuvat aura rates; Quod iuvat, exiguum, plus est, quod laedat amantes;

516Proponant animo multa ferenda suo. Quot lepores in Atho, quot apes pascuntur in Hybla, Caerula quot bacas Palladis arbor habet, Litore quot conchae, tot sunt in amore dolores; Quae patimur, multo spicula felle madent.

521Dicta erit isse foras: intus fortasse videre est: Isse foras, et te falsa videre puta. Clausa tibi fuerit promissa ianua nocte: Perfer et inmunda ponere corpus humo. Forsitan et vultu mendax ancilla superbo

526Dicet 'quid nostras obsidet iste fores?' Postibus et durae supplex blandire puellae, Et capiti demptas in fore pone rosas. Cum volet, accedes: cum te vitabit, abibis; Dedecet ingenuos taedia ferre sui.

531'Effugere hunc non est' quare tibi possit amica Dicere? non omni tempore sensus obest. Nec maledicta puta, nec verbera ferre puellae Turpe, nec ad teneros oscula ferre pedes. Quid moror in parvis? Animus maioribus instat;

536Magna canam: toto pectore, vulgus, ades. Ardua molimur, sed nulla, nisi ardua, virtus: Difficilis nostra poscitur arte labor. Rivalem patienter habe, victoria tecum Stabit: eris magni victor in arce Iovis.

541Haec tibi non hominem, sed quercus crede Pelasgas Dicere: nil istis ars mea maius habet. Innuet illa, feras; scribet, ne tange tabellas: Unde volet, veniat; quoque libebit, eat. Hoc in legitima praestant uxore mariti,

546Cum, tener, ad partes tu quoque, somne, venis. Hac ego, confiteor, non sum perfectus in arte; Quid faciam? monitis sum minor ipse meis. Mene palam nostrae det quisquam signa puellae, Et patiar, nec me quo libet ira ferat?

551Oscula vir dederat, memini, suus: oscula questus Sum data; barbaria noster abundat amor. Non semel hoc vitium nocuit mihi: doctior ille, Quo veniunt alii conciliante viri. Sed melius nescisse fuit: sine furta tegantur,

556Ne fugiat ficto fassus ab ore pudor. Quo magis, o iuvenes, deprendere parcite vestras: Peccent, peccantes verba dedisse putent. Crescit amor prensis; ubi par fortuna duorum est, In causa damni perstat uterque sui.

561Fabula narratur toto notissima caelo, Mulciberis capti Marsque Venusque dolis. Mars pater, insano Veneris turbatus amore, De duce terribili factus amator erat. Nec Venus oranti (neque enim dea mollior ulla est)

566Rustica Gradivo difficilisque fuit. A, quotiens lasciva pedes risisse mariti Dicitur, et duras igne vel arte manus. Marte palam simul est Vulcanum imitata, decebat, Multaque cum forma gratia mixta fuit.

571Sed bene concubitus primos celare solebant. Plena verecundi culpa pudoris erat. Indicio Solis (quis Solem fallere possit?) Cognita Vulcano coniugis acta suae. Quam mala, Sol, exempla moves! Pete munus ab ipsa

576Et tibi, si taceas, quod dare possit, habet. Mulciber obscuros lectum circaque superque Disponit laqueos: lumina fallit opus. Fingit iter Lemnon; veniunt ad foedus amantes: Impliciti laqueis nudus uterque iacent.

581Convocat ille deos; praebent spectacula capti: Vix lacrimas Venerem continuisse putant. Non vultus texisse suos, non denique possunt Partibus obscenis opposuisse manus. Hic aliquis ridens 'in me, fortissime Mavors,

586Si tibi sunt oneri, vincula transfer!' ait. Vix precibus, Neptune, tuis captiva resolvit Corpora: Mars Thracen occupat, illa Paphon. Hoc tibi pro facto, Vulcane: quod ante tegebant, Liberius faciunt, ut pudor omnis abest:

591Saepe tamen demens stulte fecisse fateris, Teque ferunt artis paenituisse tuae. Hoc vetiti vos este; vetat deprensa Dione Insidias illas, quas tulit ipsa, dare. Nec vos rivali laqueos disponite, nec vos

596Excipite arcana verba notata manu. Ista viri captent, si iam captanda putabunt, Quos faciet iustos ignis et unda viros. En, iterum testor: nihil hic, nisi lege remissum Luditur: in nostris instita nulla iocis.

601Quis Cereris ritus ausit vulgare profanis, Magnaque Threïcia sacra reperta Samo? Exigua est virtus praestare silentia rebus: At contra gravis est culpa tacenda loqui. O bene, quod frustra captatis arbore pomis

606Garrulus in media Tantalus aret aqua! Praecipue Cytherea iubet sua sacra taceri: Admoneo, veniat nequis ad illa loquax. Condita si non sunt Veneris mysteria cistis, Nec cava vesanis ictibus aera sonant,

611At sic inter nos medio versantur in usu, Se tamen inter nos ut latuisse velint. Ipsa Venus pubem, quotiens velamina ponit, Protegitur laeva semireducta manu. In medio passimque coit pecus: hoc quoque viso

616Avertit vultus nempe puella suos. Conveniunt thalami furtis et ianua nostris, Parsque sub iniecta veste pudenda latet: Et si non tenebras, ad quiddam nubis opacae Quaerimus, atque aliquid luce patente minus.

621Tum quoque, cum solem nondum prohibebat et imbrem Tegula, sed quercus tecta cibumque dabat, In nemore atque antris, non sub Iove, iuncta voluptas; Tanta rudi populo cura pudoris erat. At nunc nocturnis titulos inponimus actis,

626Atque emitur magno nil, nisi posse loqui! Scilicet excuties omnes, ubi quaeque, puellas, Cuilibet ut dicas 'haec quoque nostra fuit,' Nec desint, quas tu digitis ostendere possis? Ut quamque adtigeris, fabula turpis erit?

631Parva queror: fingunt quidam, quae vera negarent, Et nulli non se concubuisse ferunt. Corpora si nequeunt, quae possunt, nomina tangunt, Famaque non tacto corpore crimen habet. I nunc, claude fores, custos odiose puellae,

636Et centum duris postibus obde seras! Quid tuti superest, cum nominis extat adulter, Et credi quod non contigit esse, cupit? Nos etiam veros parce profitemur amores, Tectaque sunt solida mystica furta fide.

641Parcite praecipue vitia exprobrare puellis, Utile quae multis dissimulasse fuit. Nec suus Andromedae color est obiectus ab illo, Mobilis in gemino cui pede pinna fuit. Omnibus Andromache visa est spatiosior aequo:

646Unus, qui modicam diceret, Hector erat. Quod male fers, adsuesce, feres bene; multa vetustus Leniet, incipiens omnia sentit amor. Dum novus in viridi coalescit cortice ramus, Concutiat tenerum quaelibet aura, cadet:

651Mox eadem ventis, spatio durata, resistet, Firmaque adoptivas arbor habebit opes. Eximit ipsa dies omnes e corpore mendas, Quodque fuit vitium, desinit esse mora. Ferre novae nares taurorum terga recusant:

656Adsiduo domitas tempore fallit odor. Nominibus mollire licet mala: fusca vocetur, Nigrior Illyrica cui pice sanguis erit: Si straba, sit Veneri similis: si rava, Minervae: Sit gracilis, macie quae male viva sua est;

661Dic habilem, quaecumque brevis, quae turgida, plenam, Et lateat vitium proximitate boni. Nec quotus annus eat, nec quo sit nata, require, Consule, quae rigidus munera Censor habet: Praecipue si flore caret, meliusque peractum

666Tempus, et albentes iam legit illa comas. Utilis, o iuvenes, aut haec, aut serior aetas: Iste feret segetes, iste serendus ager. Dum vires annique sinunt, tolerate labores: Iam veniet tacito curva senecta pede.

671Aut mare remigiis, aut vomere findite terras, Aut fera belligeras addite in arma manus, Aut latus et vires operamque adferte puellis: Hoc quoque militia est, hoc quoque quaerit opes. Adde, quod est illis operum prudentia maior,

676Solus et artifices qui facit, usus adest: Illae munditiis annorum damna rependunt, Et faciunt cura, ne videantur anus. Utque velis, venerem iungunt per mille figuras: Invenit plures nulla tabella modos.

681Illis sentitur non inritata voluptas: Quod iuvet, ex aequo femina virque ferant. Odi concubitus, qui non utrumque resolvunt; Hoc est, cur pueri tangar amore minus. Odi quae praebet, quia sit praebere necesse,

686Siccaque de lana cogitat ipsa sua. Quae datur officio, non est mihi grata voluptas: Officium faciat nulla puella mihi. Me voces audire iuvat sua gaudia fassas, Quaeque morer meme sustineamque rogent.

691Aspiciam dominae victos amentis ocellos: Langueat, et tangi se vetet illa diu. Haec bona non primae tribuit natura iuventae, Quae cito post septem lustra venire solent. Qui properant, nova musta bibant: mihi fundat avitum

696Consulibus priscis condita testa merum. Nec platanus, nisi sera, potest obsistere Phoebo, Et laedunt nudos prata novella pedes. Scilicet Hermionen Helenae praeponere posses, Et melior Gorge, quam sua mater, erat?

701At venerem quicumque voles adtingere seram, Si modo duraris, praemia digna feres. Conscius, ecce, duos accepit lectus amantes: Ad thalami clausas, Musa, resiste fores. Sponte sua sine te celeberrima verba loquentur,

706Nec manus in lecto laeva iacebit iners. Invenient digiti, quod agant in partibus illis, In quibus occulte spicula tingit Amor. Fecit in Andromache prius hoc fortissimus Hector, Nec solum bellis utilis ille fuit.

711Fecit et in capta Lyrneside magnus Achilles, Cum premeret mollem lassus ab hoste torum. Illis te manibus tangi, Briseï, sinebas, Imbutae Phrygia quae nece semper erant. An fuit hoc ipsum, quod te, lasciva, iuvaret,

716Ad tua victrices membra venire manus? Crede mihi, non est veneris properanda voluptas, Sed sensim tarda prolicienda mora. Cum loca reppereris, quae tangi femina gaudet, Non obstet, tangas quo minus illa, pudor.

721Aspicies oculos tremulo fulgore micantes, Ut sol a liquida saepe refulget aqua. Accedent questus, accedet amabile murmur, Et dulces gemitus aptaque verba ioco. Sed neque tu dominam velis maioribus usus

726Desere, nec cursus anteat illa tuos; Ad metam properate simul: tum plena voluptas, Cum pariter victi femina virque iacent. Hic tibi versandus tenor est, cum libera dantur Otia, furtivum nec timor urget opus.

731Cum mora non tuta est, totis incumbere remis Utile, et admisso subdere calcar equo. Finis adest operi: palmam date, grata iuventus, Sertaque odoratae myrtea ferte comae. Quantus apud Danaos Podalirius arte medendi,

736Aeacides dextra, pectore Nestor erat, Quantus erat Calchas extis, Telamonius armis, Automedon curru, tantus amator ego. Me vatem celebrate, viri, mihi dicite laudes, Cantetur toto nomen in orbe meum.

741Arma dedi vobis: dederat Vulcanus Achilli; Vincite muneribus, vicit ut ille, datis. Sed quicumque meo superarit Amazona ferro, Inscribat spoliis 'Naso magister erat.' Ecce, rogant tenerae, sibi dem praecepta, puellae:

746Vos eritis chartae proxima cura meae!

Book 3

1Arma dedi Danais in Amazonas; arma supersunt, Quae tibi dem et turmae, Penthesilea, tuae. Ite in bella pares; vincant, quibus alma Dione Faverit et toto qui volat orbe puer. Non erat armatis aequum concurrere nudas;

6Sic etiam vobis vincere turpe, viri. Dixerit e multis aliquis 'quid virus in angues Adicis, et rabidae tradis ovile lupae?' Parcite paucarum diffundere crimen in omnes; Spectetur meritis quaeque puella suis.

11Si minor Atrides Helenen, Helenesque sororem Quo premat Atrides crimine maior habet, Si scelere Oeclides Talaioniae Eriphylae Vivus et in vivis ad Styga venit equis, Est pia Penelope lustris errante duobus

16Et totidem lustris bella gerente viro. Respice Phylaciden et quae comes isse marito Fertur et ante annos occubuisse suos. Fata Pheretiadae coniunx Pagasaea redemit: Proque viro est uxor funere lata viri.

21'Accipe me, Capaneu! cineres miscebimus' inquit Iphias, in medios desiluitque rogos. Ipsa quoque et cultu est et nomine femina Virtus: Non mirum, populo si placet illa suo. Nec tamen hae mentes nostra poscuntur ab arte:

26Conveniunt cumbae vela minora meae. Nil nisi lascivi per me discuntur amores; Femina praecipiam quo sit amanda modo. Femina nec flammas nec saevos excutit arcus; Parcius haec video tela nocere viris.

31Saepe viri fallunt: tenerae non saepe puellae, Paucaque, si quaeras, crimina fraudis habent. Phasida iam matrem fallax dimisit Iason: Venit in Aesonios altera nupta sinus. Quantum in te, Theseu, volucres Ariadna marinas

36Pavit, in ignoto sola relicta loco! Quaere, novem cur una viae dicantur, et audi Depositis silvas Phyllida flesse comis. Et famam pietatis habet, tamen hospes et ensem Praebuit et causam mortis, Elissa, tuae.

41Quid vos perdiderit, dicam? nescistis amare: Defuit ars vobis; arte perennat amor. Nunc quoque nescirent: sed me Cytherea docere Iussit, et ante oculos constitit ipsa meos. Tum mihi 'Quid miserae' dixit 'meruere puellae?

46Traditur armatis vulgus inerme viris. Illos artifices gemini fecere libelli: Haec quoque pars monitis erudienda tuis. Probra Therapnaeae qui dixerat ante maritae, Mox cecinit laudes prosperiore lyra.

51Si bene te novi (cultas ne laede puellas!) Gratia, dum vives, ista petenda tibi est.' Dixit, et e myrto (myrto nam vincta capillos Constiterat) folium granaque pauca dedit; Sensimus acceptis numen quoque: purior aether

56Fulsit, et e toto pectore cessit onus. Dum facit ingenium, petite hinc praecepta, puellae, Quas pudor et leges et sua iura sinunt. Venturae memores iam nunc estote senectae: Sic nullum vobis tempus abibit iners.

61Dum licet, et vernos etiamnum educitis annos, Ludite: eunt anni more fluentis aquae; Nec quae praeteriit, iterum revocabitur unda, Nec quae praeteriit, hora redire potest. Utendum est aetate: cito pede labitur aetas,

66Nec bona tam sequitur, quam bona prima fuit. Hos ego, qui canent, frutices violaria vidi: Hac mihi de spina grata corona data est. Tempus erit, quo tu, quae nunc excludis amantes, Frigida deserta nocte iacebis anus,

71Nec tua frangetur nocturna ianua rixa, Sparsa nec invenies limina mane rosa. Quam cito (me miserum!) laxantur corpora rugis, Et perit in nitido qui fuit ore color. Quasque fuisse tibi canas a virgine iuras,

76Spargentur subito per caput omne comae. Anguibus exuitur tenui cum pelle vetustas, Nec faciunt cervos cornua iacta senes: Nostra sine auxilio fugiunt bona; carpite florem, Qui, nisi carptus erit, turpiter ipse cadet.

81Adde, quod et partus faciunt breviora iuventae Tempora: continua messe senescit ager. Latmius Endymion non est tibi, Luna, rubori, Nec Cephalus roseae praeda pudenda deae. Ut Veneri, quem luget adhuc, donetur Adonis:

86Unde habet Aenean Harmoniamque suos? Ite per exemplum, genus o mortale, dearum, Gaudia nec cupidis vestra negate viris. Ut iam decipiant, quid perditis? omnia constant; Mille licet sumant, deperit inde nihil.

91Conteritur ferrum, silices tenuantur ab usu: Sufficit et damni pars caret illa metu. Quis vetet adposito lumen de lumine sumi? Quisve cavo vastas in mare servet aquas? Et tamen ulla viro mulier 'non expedit' inquit?

96Quid, nisi quam sumes, dic mihi, perdis aquam? Nec vos prostituit mea vox, sed vana timere Damna vetat: damnis munera vestra carent. Sed me flaminibus venti maioris iturum, Dum sumus in portu, provehat aura levis.

101Ordior a cultu; cultis bene Liber ab uvis Provenit, et culto stat seges alta solo. Forma dei munus: forma quota quaeque superbit? Pars vestrum tali munere magna caret. Cura dabit faciem; facies neglecta peribit,

106Idaliae similis sit licet illa deae. Corpora si veteres non sic coluere puellae, Nec veteres cultos sic habuere viros; Si fuit Andromache tunicas induta valentes, Quid mirum? duri militis uxor erat.

111Scilicet Aiaci coniunx ornata venires, Cui tegumen septem terga fuere boum? Simplicitas rudis ante fuit: nunc aurea Roma est, Et domiti magnas possidet orbis opes. Aspice quae nunc sunt Capitolia, quaeque fuerunt:

116Alterius dices illa fuisse Iovis. Curia, concilio quae nunc dignissima tanto, De stipula Tatio regna tenente fuit. Quae nunc sub Phoebo ducibusque Palatia fulgent, Quid nisi araturis pascua bubus erant?

121Prisca iuvent alios: ego me nunc denique natum Gratulor: haec aetas moribus apta meis. Non quia nunc terrae lentum subducitur aurum, Lectaque diverso litore concha venit: Nec quia decrescunt effosso marmore montes,

126Nec quia caeruleae mole fugantur aquae: Sed quia cultus adest, nec nostros mansit in annos Rusticitas, priscis illa superstes avis. Vos quoque nec caris aures onerate lapillis, Quos legit in viridi decolor Indus aqua,

131Nec prodite graves insuto vestibus auro, Per quas nos petitis, saepe fugatis, opes. Munditiis capimur: non sint sine lege capilli: Admotae formam dantque negantque manus. Nec genus ornatus unum est: quod quamque decebit

136Eligat, et speculum consulate ante suum. Longa probat facies capitis discrimina puri: Sic erat ornatis Laodamia comis. Exiguum summa nodum sibi fronte relinqui, Ut pateant aures, ora rotunda volunt.

141Alterius crines umero iactentur utroque: Talis es adsumpta, Phoebe canore, lyra. Altera succinctae religetur more Dianae, Ut solet, attonitas cum petit illa feras. Huic decet inflatos laxe iacuisse capillos:

146Illa sit adstrictis impedienda comis; Hanc placet ornari testudine Cyllenea: Sustineat similes fluctibus illa sinus. Sed neque ramosa numerabis in ilice glandes, Nec quot apes Hyblae, nec quot in Alpe ferae,

151Nec mihi tot positus numero conprendere fas est: Adicit ornatus proxima quaeque dies. Et neglecta decet multas coma; saepe iacere Hesternam credas; illa repexa modo est. Ars casum simulat; sic capta vidit ut urbe

156Alcides Iolen, 'hanc ego' dixit 'amo.' Talem te Bacchus Satyris clamantibus euhoe Sustulit in currus, Cnosi relicta, suos. O quantum indulget vestro natura decori, Quarum sunt multis damna pianda modis!

161Nos male detegimur, raptique aetate capilli, Ut Borea frondes excutiente, cadunt. Femina canitiem Germanis inficit herbis, Et melior vero quaeritur arte color: Femina procedit densissima crinibus emptis,

166Proque suis alios efficit aere suos. Nec rubor est emisse; palam venire videmus Herculis ante oculos virgineumque chorum. Quid de veste loquar? Nec vos, segmenta, requiro Nec te, quae Tyrio murice, lana, rubes.

171Cum tot prodierint pretio leviore colores, Quis furor est census corpore ferre suos! Aëris, ecce, color, tum cum sine nubibus aër, Nec tepidus pluvias concitat auster aquas: Ecce, tibi similis, quae quondam Phrixon et Hellen

176Diceris Inois eripuisse dolis; Hic undas imitatur, habet quoque nomen ab undis: Crediderim nymphas hac ego veste tegi. Ille crocum simulat: croceo velatur amictu, Roscida luciferos cum dea iungit equos:

181Hic Paphias myrtos, hic purpureas amethystos, Albentesve rosas, Threïciamve gruem; Nec glandes, Amarylli, tuae, nec amygdala desunt; Et sua velleribus nomina cera dedit. Quot nova terra parit flores, cum vere tepenti

186Vitis agit gemmas pigraque fugit hiemps, Lana tot aut plures sucos bibit; elige certos: Nam non conveniens omnibus omnis erit. Pulla decent niveas: Briseïda pulla decebant: Cum rapta est, pulla tum quoque veste fuit.

191Alba decent fuscas: albis, Cepheï, placebas: Sic tibi vestitae pressa Seriphos erat. Quam paene admonui, ne trux caper iret in alas, Neve forent duris aspera crura pilis! Sed non Caucasea doceo de rupe puellas,

196Quaeque bibant undas, Myse Caice, tuas. Quid si praecipiam ne fuscet inertia dentes, Oraque suscepta mane laventur aqua? Scitis et inducta candorem quaerere creta: Sanguine quae vero non rubet, arte rubet.

201Arte supercilii confinia nuda repletis, Parvaque sinceras velat aluta genas. Nec pudor est oculos tenui signare favilla, Vel prope te nato, lucide Cydne, croco. Est mihi, quo dixi vestrae medicamina formae,

206Parvus, sed cura grande, libellus, opus; Hinc quoque praesidium laesae petitote figurae; Non est pro vestris ars mea rebus iners. Non tamen expositas mensa deprendat amator Pyxidas: ars faciem dissimulata iuvat.

211Quem non offendat toto faex inlita vultu, Cum fluit in tepidos pondere lapsa sinus? Oesypa quid redolent? quamvis mittatur Athenis Demptus ab inmundo vellere sucus ovis. Nec coram mixtas cervae sumpsisse medullas,

216Nec coram dentes defricuisse probem; Ista dabunt formam, sed erunt deformia visu: Multaque, dum fiunt, turpia, facta placent; Quae nunc nomen habent operosi signa Myronis Pondus iners quondam duraque massa fuit;

221Anulus ut fiat, primo conliditur aurum; Quas geritis vestis, sordida lana fuit; Cum fieret, lapis asper erat: nunc, nobile signum, Nuda Venus madidas exprimit imbre comas. Tu quoque dum coleris, nos te dormire putemus;

226Aptius a summa conspiciere manu. Cur mihi nota tuo causa est candoris in ore? Claude forem thalami! quid rude prodis opus? Multa viros nescire decet; pars maxima rerum Offendat, si non interiora tegas.

231Aurea quae splendent ornato signa theatro, Inspice, contemnes: brattea ligna tegit; Sed neque ad illa licet populo, nisi facta, venire, Nec nisi summotis forma paranda viris. At non pectendos coram praebere capillos,

236Ut iaceant fusi per tua terga, veto. Illo praecipue ne sis morosa caveto Tempore, nec lapsas saepe resolve comas. Tuta sit ornatrix; odi, quae sauciat ora Unguibus et rapta brachia figit acu.

241Devovet, ut tangit, dominae caput illa, simulque Plorat in invisas sanguinolenta comas. Quae male crinita est, custodem in limine ponat, Orneturve Bonae semper in aede deae. Dictus eram subito cuidam venisse puellae:

246Turbida perversas induit illa comas. Hostibus eveniat tam foedi causa pudoris, Inque nurus Parthas dedecus illud eat. Turpe pecus mutilum, turpis sine gramine campus, Et sine fronde frutex, et sine crine caput.

251Non mihi venistis, Semele Ledeve, docendae, Perque fretum falso, Sidoni, vecta bove, Aut Helene, quam non stulte, Menelaë, reposcis, Tu quoque non stulte, Troice raptor, habes; Turba docenda venit, pulchrae turpesque puellae:

256Pluraque sunt semper deteriora bonis. Formosae non artis opem praeceptaque quaerunt: Est illis sua dos, forma sine arte potens; Cum mare compositum est, securus navita cessat: Cum tumet, auxiliis adsidet ille suis.

261Rara tamen mendo facies caret: occule mendas, Quaque potes vitium corporis abde tui. Si brevis es, sedeas, ne stans videare sedere: Inque tuo iaceas quantulacumque toro; Hic quoque, ne possit fieri mensura cubantis,

266Iniecta lateant fac tibi veste pedes. Quae nimium gracilis, pleno velamina filo Sumat, et ex umeris laxus amictus eat. Pallida purpureis spargat sua corpora virgis, Nigrior ad Pharii confuge piscis opem.

271Pes malus in nivea semper celetur aluta: Arida nec vinclis crura resolve suis. Conveniunt tenues scapulis analemptrides altis: Angustum circa fascia pectus eat. Exiguo signet gestu, quodcumque loquetur,

276Cui digiti pingues et scaber unguis erit. Cui gravis oris odor numquam ieiuna loquatur, Et semper spatio distet ab ore viri. Si niger aut ingens aut non erit ordine natus Dens tibi, ridendo maxima damna feres.

281Quis credat? discunt etiam ridere puellae, Quaeritur aque illis hac quoque parte decor. Sint modici rictus, parvaeque utrimque lacunae, Et summos dentes ima labella tegant. Nec sua perpetuo contendant ilia risu,

286Sed leve nescio quid femineumque sonent. Est, quae perverso distorqueat ora cachinno: Risu concussa est altera, flere putes. Illa sonat raucum quiddam atque inamabile ridet, Ut rudit a scabra turpis asella mola.

291Quo non ars penetrat? discunt lacrimare decenter, Quoque volunt plorant tempore, quoque modo. Quid, cum legitima fraudatur littera voce, Blaesaque fit iusso lingua coacta sono? In vitio decor est: quaerunt male reddere verba;

296Discunt posse minus, quam potuere, loqui. Omnibus his, quoniam prosunt, inpendite curam: Discite femineo corpora ferre gradu. Est et in incessu pars non temnenda decoris: Allicit ignotos ille fugatque viros.

301Haec movet arte latus, tunicisque fluentibus auras Accipit, expensos fertque superba pedes: Illa velut coniunx Umbri rubicunda mariti Ambulat, ingentes varica fertque gradus. Sed sit, ut in multis, modus hic quoque: rusticus alter

306Motus, concesso mollior alter erit. Pars umeri tamen ima tui, pars summa lacerti Nuda sit, a laeva conspicienda manu. Hoc vos praecipue, niveae, decet: hoc ubi vidi, Oscula ferre umero, qua patet usque, libet.

311Monstra maris Sirenes erant, quae voce canora Quamlibet admissas detinuere rates. His sua Sisyphides auditis paene resolvit Corpora, nam sociis inlita cera fuit. Res est blanda canor: discant cantare puellae:

316Pro facie multis vox sua lena fuit. Et modo marmoreis referant audita theatris, Et modo Niliacis carmina lusa modis. Nec plectrum dextra, citharam tenuisse sinistra Nesciat arbitrio femina docta meo.

321Saxa ferasque lyra movit Rhodopeïus Orpheus, Tartareosque lacus tergeminumque canem. Saxa tuo cantu, vindex iustissime matris, Fecerunt muros officiosa novos. Quamvis mutus erat, voci favisse putatur

326Piscis, Arioniae fabula nota lyrae. Disce etiam duplici genialia nablia palma Verrere: conveniunt dulcibus illa iocis. Sit tibi Callimachi, sit Coi nota poetae, Sit quoque vinosi Teïa Musa senis;

331Nota sit et Sappho (quid enim lascivius illa?), Cuive pater vafri luditur arte Getae. Et teneri possis carmen legisse Properti, Sive aliquid Galli, sive, Tibulle, tuum: Dictaque Varroni fulvis insignia villis

336Vellera, germanae, Phrixe, querenda tuae: Et profugum Aenean, altae primordia Romae, Quo nullum Latio clarius extat opus. Forsitan et nostrum nomen miscebitur istis, Nec mea Lethaeis scripta dabuntur aquis:

341Atque aliquis dicet 'nostri lege culta magistri Carmina, quis partes instruit ille duas: Deve tribus libris, titulus quos signat Amorum, Elige, quod docili molliter ore legas: Vel tibi composita cantetur Epistola voce:

346Ignotum hoc aliis ille novavit opus.' O ita, Phoebe, velis! ita vos, pia numina vatum, Insignis cornu Bacche, novemque deae! Quis dubitet, quin scire velim saltare puellam, Ut moveat posito brachia iussa mero?

351Artifices lateris, scenae spectacula, amantur: Tantum mobilitas illa decoris habet. Parva monere pudet, talorum dicere iactus Ut sciat, et vires, tessera missa, tuas: Et modo tres iactet numeros, modo cogitet, apte

356Quam subeat partem callida, quamque vocet. Cautaque non stulte latronum proelia ludat, Unus cum gemino calculus hoste perit, Bellatorque sua prensus sine compare bellat, Aemulus et coeptum saepe recurrit iter.

361Reticuloque pilae leves fundantur aperto, Nec, nisi quam tolles, ulla movenda pila est. Est genus, in totidem tenui ratione redactum Scriptula, quot menses lubricus annus habet: Parva tabella capit ternos utrimque lapillos,

366In qua vicisse est continuasse suos. Mille facesse iocos; turpe est nescire puellam Ludere: ludendo saepe paratur amor. Sed minimus labor est sapienter iactibus uti: Maius opus mores composuisse suos.

371Tum sumus incauti, studioque aperimur in ipso, Nudaque per lusus pectora nostra patent; Ira subit, deforme malum, lucrique cupido, Iurgiaque et rixae sollicitusque dolor: Crimina dicuntur, resonat clamoribus aether,

376Invocat iratos et sibi quisque deos: Nulla fides, tabulaeque novae per vota petuntur; Et lacrimis vidi saepe madere genas. Iuppiter a vobis tam turpia crimina pellat, In quibus est ulli cura placere viro.

381Hos ignava iocos tribuit natura puellis; Materia ludunt uberiore viri. Sunt illis celeresque pilae iaculumque trochique Armaque et in gyros ire coactus equus. Nec vos Campus habet, nec vos gelidissima Virgo,

386Nec Tuscus placida devehit amnis aqua. At licet et prodest Pompeias ire per umbras, Virginis aetheriis cum caput ardet equis; Visite laurigero sacrata Palatia Phoebo: Ille Paraetonicas mersit in alta rates;

391Quaeque soror coniunxque ducis monimenta pararunt, Navalique gener cinctus honore caput; Visite turicremas vaccae Memphitidos aras, Visite conspicuis terna theatra locis; Spectentur tepido maculosae sanguine harenae,

396Metaque ferventi circueunda rota. Quod latet, ignotum est: ignoti nulla cupido: Fructus abest, facies cum bona teste caret. Tu licet et Thamyram superes et Amoebea cantu, Non erit ignotae gratia magna lyrae.

401Si Venerem Cous nusquam posuisset Apelles, Mersa sub aequoreis illa lateret aquis. Quid petitur sacris, nisi tantum fama, poetis? Hoc votum nostri summa laboris habet. Cura deum fuerant olim regumque poetae:

406Praemiaque antiqui magna tulere chori. Sanctaque maiestas et erat venerabile nomen Vatibus, et largae saepe dabantur opes. Ennius emeruit, Calabris in montibus ortus, Contiguus poni, Scipio magne, tibi.

411Nunc ederae sine honore iacent, operataque doctis Cura vigil Musis nomen inertis habet. Sed famae vigilare iuvat: quis nosset Homerum, Ilias aeternum si latuisset opus? Quis Danaën nosset, si semper clusa fuisset,

416Inque sua turri perlatuisset anus? Utilis est vobis, formosae, turba, puellae. Saepe vagos ultra limina ferte pedes. Ad multas lupa tendit oves, praedetur ut unam, Et Iovis in multas devolat ales aves.

421Se quoque det populo mulier speciosa videndam: Quem trahat, e multis forsitan unus erit. Omnibus illa locis maneat studiosa placendi, Et curam tota mente decoris agat. Casus ubique valet; semper tibi pendeat hamus:

426Quo minime credas gurgite, piscis erit. Saepe canes frustra nemorosis montibus errant, Inque plagam nullo cervus agente venit. Quid minus Andromedae fuerat sperare revinctae, Quam lacrimas ulli posse placere suas?

431Funere saepe viri vir quaeritur; ire solutis Crinibus et fletus non tenuisse decet. Sed vitate viros cultum formamque professos, Quique suas ponunt in statione comas. Quae vobis dicunt, dixerunt mille puellis:

436Errat et in nulla sede moratur amor. Femina quid faciat, cum sit vir levior ipsa, Forsitan et plures possit habere viros? Vix mihi credetis, sed credite: Troia maneret, Praeceptis Priamo si foret usa satae.

441Sunt qui mendaci specie grassentur amoris, Perque aditus talis lucra pudenda petant. Nec coma vos fallat liquido nitidissima nardo, Nec brevis in rugas lingula pressa suas: Nec toga decipiat filo tenuissima, nec si

446Anulus in digitis alter et alter erit. Forsitan ex horum numero cultissimus ille Fur sit, et uratur vestis amore tuae. 'Redde meum!' clamant spoliatae saepe puellae, 'Redde meum!' toto voce boante foro.

451Has, Venus, e templis multo radiantibus auro Lenta vides lites Appiadesque tuae. Sunt quoque non dubia quaedam mala nomina fama: Deceptae multi crimen amantis habent. Discite ab alterius vestras timuisse querellis;

456Ianua fallaci ne sit aperta viro. Parcite, Cecropides, iuranti credere Theseo: Quos faciet testes, fecit et ante, deos. Et tibi, Demophoon, Theseï criminis heres, Phyllide decepta nulla relicta fides.

461Si bene promittent, totidem promittite verbis: Si dederint, et vos gaudia pacta date. Illa potest vigiles flammas extinguere Vestae, Et rapere e templis, Inachi, sacra tuis, Et dare mixta viro tritis aconita cicutis,

466Accepto venerem munere siqua negat. Fert animus propius consistere: supprime habenas, Musa, nec admissis excutiare rotis. Verba vadum temptent abiegnis scripta tabellis: Accipiat missas apta ministra notas.

471Inspice: quodque leges, ex ipsis collige verbis, Fingat, an ex animo sollicitusque roget. Postque brevem rescribe moram: mora semper amantes Incitat, exiguum si modo tempus habet. Sed neque te facilem iuveni promitte roganti,

476Nec tamen e duro quod petit ille nega. Fac timeat speretque simul, quotiensque remittes, Spesque magis veniat certa minorque metus. Munda, sed e medio consuetaque verba, puellae, Scribite: sermonis publica forma placet;

481A! quotiens dubius scriptis exarsit amator, Et nocuit formae barbara lingua bonae! Sed quoniam, quamvis vittae careatis honore, Est vobis vestros fallere cura viros, Ancillae puerique manu perarate tabellas,

486Pignora nec iuveni credite vestra novo. Perfidus ille quidem, qui talia pignora servat, Sed tamen Aetnaei fulminis instar habent. Vidi ego pallentes isto terrore puellas Servitium miseras tempus in omne pati.

491Iudice me fraus est concessa repellere fraudem, Armaque in armatos sumere iura sinunt. Ducere consuescat multas manus una figuras, (A! pereant, per quos ista monenda mihi) Nec nisi deletis tutum rescribere ceris,

496Ne teneat geminas una tabella manus. Femina dicatur scribenti semper amator: Illa sit in vestris, qui fuit ille, notis. Si licet a parvis animum ad maiora referre, Plenaque curvato pandere vela sinu,

501Pertinet ad faciem rabidos compescere mores: Candida pax homines, trux decet ira feras. Ora tument ira: nigrescunt sanguine venae: Lumina Gorgoneo saevius igne micant. 'I procul hinc,' dixit 'non es mihi, tibia, tanti,'

506Ut vidit vultus Pallas in amne suos. Vos quoque si media speculum spectetis in ira, Cognoscat faciem vix satis ulla suam. Nec minus in vultu damnosa superbia vestro: Comibus est oculis alliciendus amor.

511Odimus inmodicos (experto credite) fastus: Saepe tacens odii semina vultus habet. Spectantem specta, ridenti mollia ride: Innuet, acceptas tu quoque redde notas. Sic ubi prolusit, rudibus puer ille relictis

516Spicula de pharetra promit acuta sua. Odimus et maestas: Tecmessam diligat Aiax; Nos hilarem populum femina laeta capit. Numquam ego te, Andromache, nec te, Tecmessa, rogarem, Ut mea de vobis altera amica foret.

521Credere vix videor, cum cogar credere partu, Vos ego cum vestris concubuisse viris. Scilicet Aiaci mulier maestissima dixit 'Lux mea' quaeque solent verba iuvare viros? Quis vetat a magnis ad res exempla minores

526Sumere, nec nomen pertimuisse ducis? Dux bonus huic centum commisit vite regendos, Huic equites, illi signa tuenda dedit: Vos quoque, de nobis quem quisque erit aptus ad usum, Inspicite, et certo ponite quemque loco.

531Munera det dives: ius qui profitebitur, adsit: Facundus causam saepe clientis agat: Carmina qui facimus, mittamus carmina tantum: Hic chorus ante alios aptus amare sumus. Nos facimus placitae late praeconia formae:

536Nomen habet Nemesis, Cynthia nomen habet: Vesper et Eoae novere Lycorida terrae: Et multi, quae sit nostra Corinna, rogant. Adde, quod insidiae sacris a vatibus absunt, Et facit ad mores ars quoque nostra suos.

541Nec nos ambitio, nec amor nos tangit habendi: Contempto colitur lectus et umbra foro. Sed facile haeremus, validoque perurimur aestu, Et nimium certa scimus amare fide. Scilicet ingenium placida mollitur ab arte,

546Et studio mores convenienter eunt. Vatibus Aoniis faciles estote, puellae: Numen inest illis, Pieridesque favent. Est deus in nobis, et sunt commercia caeli: Sedibus aetheriis spiritus ille venit.

551A doctis pretium scelus est sperare poetis; Me miserum! scelus hoc nulla puella timet. Dissimulate tamen, nec prima fronte rapaces Este: novus viso casse resistet amans. Sed neque vector equum, qui nuper sensit habenas,

556Comparibus frenis artificemque reget, Nec stabiles animos annis viridemque iuventam Ut capias, idem limes agendus erit. Hic rudis et castris nunc primum notus Amoris, Qui tetigit thalamos praeda novella tuos,

561Te solam norit, tibi semper inhaereat uni: Cingenda est altis saepibus ista seges. Effuge rivalem: vinces, dum sola tenebis; Non bene cum sociis regna Venusque manent. Ille vetus miles sensim et sapienter amabit,

566Multaque tironi non patienda feret: Nec franget postes, nec saevis ignibus uret, Nec dominae teneras adpetet ungue genas, Nec scindet tunicasve suas tunicasve puellae, Nec raptus flendi causa capillus erit.

571Ista decent pueros aetate et amore calentes; Hic fera composita vulnera mente feret. Ignibus heu lentis uretur, ut umida faena, Ut modo montanis silva recisa iugis. Certior hic amor est: brevis et fecundior ille;

576Quae fugiunt, celeri carpite poma manu. Omnia tradantur: portas reseravimus hosti; Et sit in infida proditione fides. Quod datur ex facili, longum male nutrit amorem: Miscenda est laetis rara repulsa iocis.

581Ante fores iaceat, 'crudelis ianua!' dicat, Multaque summisse, multa minanter agat. Dulcia non ferimus: suco renovemur amaro; Saepe perit ventis obruta cumba suis; Hoc est, uxores quod non patiatur amari:

586Conveniunt illas, cum voluere, viri; Adde forem, et duro dicat tibi ianitor ore 'Non potes,' exclusum te quoque tanget amor. Ponite iam gladios hebetes: pugnetur acutis; Nec dubito, telis quin petar ipse meis.

591Dum cadit in laqueos captus quoque nuper amator, Solum se thalamos speret habere tuos. Postmodo rivalem partitaque foedera lecti Sentiat: has artes tolle, senescet amor. Tum bene fortis equus reserato carcere currit,

596Cum quos praetereat quosque sequatur habet. Quamlibet extinctos iniuria suscitat ignes: En, ego (confiteor!) non nisi laesus amo. Causa tamen nimium non sit manifesta doloris, Pluraque sollicitus, quam sciet, esse putet.

601Incitat et ficti tristis custodia servi, Et nimium duri cura molesta viri. Quae venit ex tuto, minus est accepta voluptas: Ut sis liberior Thaide, finge metus. Cum melius foribus possis, admitte fenestra,

606Inque tuo vultu signa timentis habe. Callida prosiliat dicatque ancilla 'perimus!' Tu iuvenem trepidum quolibet abde loco. Admiscenda tamen venus est secura timori, Ne tanti noctes non putet esse tuas.

611Qua vafer eludi possit ratione maritus, Quaque vigil custos, praeteriturus eram. Nupta virum timeat: rata sit custodia nuptae; Hoc decet, hoc leges iusque pudorque iubent. Te quoque servari, modo quam vindicta redemit,

616Quis ferat? Ut fallas, ad mea sacra veni! Tot licet observent (adsit modo certa voluntas), Quot fuerant Argo lumina, verba dabis. Scilicet obstabit custos, ne scribere possis, Sumendae detur cum tibi tempus aquae?

621Conscia cum possit scriptas portare tabellas, Quas tegat in tepido fascia lata sinu? Cum possit sura chartas celare ligatas, Et vincto blandas sub pede ferre notas? Caverit haec custos, pro charta conscia tergum

626Praebeat, inque suo corpore verba ferat. Tuta quoque est fallitque oculos e lacte recenti Littera: carbonis pulvere tange, leges. Fallet et umiduli quae fiet acumine lini, Ut ferat occultas pura tabella notas.

631Adfuit Acrisio servandae cura puellae: Hunc tamen illa suo crimine fecit avum. Quid faciat custos, cum sint tot in urbe theatra, Cum spectet iunctos illa libenter equos, Cum sedeat Phariae sistris operata iuvencae,

636Quoque sui comites ire vetantur, eat, Cum fuget a templis oculos Bona Diva virorum, Praeterquam siquos illa venire iubet? Cum, custode foris tunicas servante puellae, Celent furtivos balnea multa iocos,

641Cum, quotiens opus est, fallax aegrotet amica, Et cedat lecto quamlibet aegra suo, Nomine cum doceat, quid agamus, adultera clavis, Quasque petas non det ianua sola vias? Fallitur et multo custodis cura Lyaeo,

646Illa vel Hispano lecta sit uva iugo; Sunt quoque, quae faciant altos medicamina somnos, Victaque Lethaea lumina nocte premant; Nec male deliciis odiosum conscia tardis Detinet, et longa iungitur ipsa mora.

651Quid iuvat ambages praeceptaque parva movere, Cum minimo custos munere possit emi? Munera, crede mihi, capiunt hominesque deosque: Placatur donis Iuppiter ipse datis. Quid sapiens faciet, stultus cum munere gaudet?

656Ipse quoque accepto munere mutus erit. Sed semel est custos longum redimendus in aevum: Saepe dabit, dederit quas semel ille manus. Questus eram, memini, metuendos esse sodales: Non tangit solos ista querella viros.

661Credula si fueris, aliae tua gaudia carpent, Et lepus hic aliis exagitatus erit. Haec quoque, quae praebet lectum studiosa locumque Crede mihi, mecum non semel illa fuit. Nec nimium vobis formosa ancilla ministret:

666Saepe vicem dominae praebuit illa mihi. Quo feror insanus? quid aperto pectore in hostem Mittor, et indicio prodor ab ipse meo? Non avis aucupibus monstrat, qua parte petatur: Non docet infestos currere cerva canes.

671Viderit utilitas: ego coepta fideliter edam: Lemniasin gladios in mea fata dabo. Efficite (et facile est), ut nos credamus amari: Prona venit cupidis in sua vota fides. Spectet amabilius iuvenem, suspiret ab imo

676Femina, tam sero cur veniatque roget: Accedant lacrimae, dolor et de paelice fictus, Et laniet digitis illius ora suis: Iamdudum persuasus erit; miserebitur ultro, Et dicet 'cura carpitur ista mei.'

681Praecipue si cultus erit speculoque placebit, Posse suo tangi credet amore deas. Sed te, quaecumque est, moderate iniuria turbet, Nec sis audita paelice mentis inops. Nec cito credideris: quantum cito credere laedat,

686Exemplum vobis non leve Procris erit. Est prope purpureos colles florentis Hymetti Fons sacer et viridi caespite mollis humus: Silva nemus non alta facit; tegit arbutus herbam, Ros maris et lauri nigraque myrtus olent:

691Nec densum foliis buxum fragilesque myricae, Nec tenues cytisi cultaque pinus abest. Lenibus inpulsae zephyris auraque salubri Tot generum frondes herbaque summa tremit. Grata quies Cephalo: famulis canibusque relictis

696Lassus in hac iuvenis saepe resedit humo, 'Quae' que 'meos releves aestus,' cantare solebat 'Accipienda sinu, mobilis aura, veni.' Coniugis ad timidas aliquis male sedulus aures Auditos memori detulit ore sonos;

701Procris ut accepit nomen, quasi paelicis, Aurae, Excidit, et subito muta dolore fuit; Palluit, ut serae lectis de vite racemis Pallescunt frondes, quas nova laesit hiemps, Quaeque suos curvant matura cydonia ramos,

706Cornaque adhuc nostris non satis apta cibis. Ut rediit animus, tenues a pectore vestes Rumpit, et indignas sauciat ungue genas; Nec mora, per medias passis furibunda capillis Evolat, ut thyrso concita Baccha, vias.

711Ut prope perventum, comites in valle relinquit, Ipsa nemus tacito clam pede fortis init. Quid tibi mentis erat, cum sic male sana lateres, Procri? quis adtoniti pectoris ardor erat? Iam iam venturam, quaecumque erat Aura, putabas

716Scilicet, atque oculis probra videnda tuis. Nunc venisse piget (neque enim deprendere velles), Nunc iuvat: incertus pectora versat amor. Credere quae iubeant, locus est et nomen et index, Et quia mens semper quod timet, esse putat.

721Vidit ut oppressa vestigia corporis herba, Pulsantur trepidi corde micante sinus. Iamque dies medius tenues contraxerat umbras, Inque pari spatio vesper et ortus erant: Ecce, redit Cephalus silvis, Cyllenia proles,

726Oraque fontana fervida pulsat aqua. Anxia, Procri, lates: solitas iacet ille per herbas, Et 'zephyri molles auraque' dixit 'ades!' Ut patuit miserae iucundus nominis error, Et mens et rediit verus in ora color.

731Surgit, et oppositas agitato corpore frondes Movit, in amplexus uxor itura viri: Ille feram movisse ratus, iuvenaliter artus Corripit, in dextra tela fuere manu. Quid facis, infelix? non est fera, supprime tela!

736Me miserum! iaculo fixa puella tuo est. 'Ei mihi!' conclamat 'fixisti pectus amicum. Hic locus a Cephalo vulnera semper habet. Ante diem morior, sed nulla paelice laesa: Hoc faciet positae te mihi, terra, levem.

741Nomine suspectas iam spiritus exit in auras: Labor, eo, cara lumina conde manu!' Ille sinu dominae morientia corpora maesto Sustinet, et lacrimis vulnera saeva lavat: Exit, et incauto paulatim pectore lapsus

746Excipitur miseri spiritus ore viri. Sed repetamus opus: mihi nudis rebus eundum est, Ut tangat portus fessa carina suos. Sollicite expectas, dum te in convivia ducam, Et quaeris monitus hac quoque parte meos.

751Sera veni, positaque decens incede lucerna: Grata mora venies; maxima lena mora est. Etsi turpis eris, formosa videbere potis, Et latebras vitiis nox dabit ipsa tuis. Carpe cibos digitis: est quiddam gestus edendi:

756Ora nec immunda tota perungue manu. Neve domi praesume dapes, sed desine citra Quam capis; es paulo quam potes esse minus; Priamides Helenen avide si spectet edentem, Oderit, et dicat 'stulta rapina mea est.'

761Aptius est, deceatque magis potare puellas: Cum Veneris puero non male, Bacche, facis. Hoc quoque, qua patiens caput est, animusque pedesque Constant: nec, quae sunt singula, bina vide. Turpe iacens mulier multo madefacta Lyaeo:

766Digna est concubitus quoslibet illa pati. Nec somnis posita tutum succumbere mensa: Per somnos fieri multa pudenda solent. Ulteriora pudet docuisse: sed alma Dione 'Praecipue nostrum est, quod pudet' inquit 'opus.'

771Nota sibi sit quaeque: modos a corpore certos Sumite: non omnes una figura decet. Quae facie praesignis erit, resupina iaceto: Spectentur tergo, quis sua terga placent. Milanion umeris Atalantes crura ferebat:

776Si bona sunt, hoc sunt accipienda modo. Parva vehatur equo: quod erat longissima, numquam Thebaïs Hectoreo nupta resedit equo. Strata premat genibus, paulum cervice reflexa, Femina per longum conspicienda latus.

781Cui femur est iuvenale, carent quoque pectora menda, Stet vir, in obliquo fusa sit ipsa toro. Nec tibi turpe puta crinem, ut Phylleïa mater, Solvere, et effusis colla reflecte comis. Tu quoque, cui rugis uterum Lucina notavit,

786Ut celer aversis utere Parthus equis. Mille modi veneris; simplex minimique laboris, Cum iacet in dextrum semisupina latus. Sed neque Phoebei tripodes nec corniger Ammon Vera magis vobis, quam mea Musa, canet:

791Siqua fides arti, quam longo fecimus usu, Credite: praestabunt carmina nostra fidem. Sentiat ex imis venerem resoluta medullis Femina, et ex aequo res iuvet illa duos. Nec blandae voces iucundaque murmura cessent,

796Nec taceant mediis improba verba iocis. Tu quoque, cui veneris sensum natura negavit, Dulcia mendaci gaudia finge sono. Infelix, cui torpet hebes locus ille, puella, Quo pariter debent femina virque frui.

801Tantum, cum finges, ne sis manifesta, caveto: Effice per motum luminaque ipsa fidem. Quam iuvet, et voces et anhelitus arguat oris; A! pudet, arcanas pars habet ista notas. Gaudia post Veneris quae poscet munus amantem,

806Illa suas nolet pondus habere preces.... Nec lucem in thalamos totis admitte fenestris; Aptius in vestro corpore multa latent. Lusus habet finem: cygnis descendere tempus, Duxerunt collo qui iuga nostra suo.

811Ut quondam iuvenes, ita nunc, mea turba, puellae Inscribant spoliis "Naso magister erat."