Ovid - The Love Poems
Book One1A tale of arms and war and violence, Matching the weighty matter with my verse, All lines alike in length --- no difference; But Cupid laughed (they say) And filched one foot away. Cruel boy, who made you judge of poetry? We're not your rabble, we're the muses choir. Shall Venus snatch blonde Pallas' weaponry, And who'd approve if Ceres stood Queen of every upland wood? Or shall the warrior virgin rule the byre, Long haired Apollo learn to use the lance, While Mars on Helicon strikes up the lyre? Great is you reign, too strong your dominance. Why, greedy child should you Go for this work that's new? Is all the world then yours? The muses' shrine Yours too? Even Phoebus' lyre not now secure? On the new page arose my proud first line, Then came the next, unstringing me for sure, And there's no theme of mine Can suit that slighter line. No boy, no girl with long and lovely hair- I'd made my protest. He drew instantly An arrow from his quiver, chosen with care To lay me low, and braced against his knee His crescent bow. "Here poet, take This for the verses you next make. Poor me! That boy's sure arrows never stray. I'm burning. In my vacant breast love reigns. So in six beats my verse must rise today, And settle back in five. Farewell you strains Of steely war! Farewell to you, And to your epic metre too! Muse wreathe your golden tresses With Myrtle of the sea, And in eleven stresses Compose your poetry. Translation by A.D. Melville |
