Volume III Part 19 (1/2)

Cypa.s.sis, that a thousand ways trim'st hair, Worthy to kemb none but a G.o.ddess fair, Our pleasant scapes show thee no clown to be, Apt to thy mistress, but more apt to me.

Who that our bodies were comprest bewrayed?

Whence knows Corinna that with thee I played?

Yet blushed I not, nor used I any saying, That might be urged to witness our false playing.

What if a man with bondwomen offend, To prove him foolish did I e'er contend? 10 Achilles burnt with face of captive Briseis, Great Agamemnon loved his servant Chryseis.[278]

Greater than these myself I not esteem: What graced kings, in me no shame I deem.

But when on thee her angry eyes did rush, In both thy[279] cheeks she did perceive thee[280] blush.

But being present,[281] might that work the best, By Venus deity how did I protest!

Thou G.o.ddess dost command a warm south blast, My self oaths in Carpathian seas to cast. 20 For which good turn my sweet reward repay, Let me lie with thee, brown Cypa.s.s, to-day.

Ungrate, why feign'st new fears, and dost refuse?

Well may'st thou one thing for thy mistress use.[282]

If thou deniest, fool, I'll our deeds express, And as a traitor mine own faults confess; Telling thy mistress where I was with thee, How oft, and by what means, we did agree.

FOOTNOTES:

[277] Not in Isham copy or ed. A.

[278] ”Serva Phoebas” (_i.e._ Ca.s.sandra).

[279] Old eds. ”my.”

[280] So ed. B.--Ed. C ”the.”

[281]

”At quanto, si forte refers, _praesentior_ ipse, Per Veneris feci numina magna fidem.”

[282] The original has ”Unum est e dominis emeruisse satis.”

ELEGIA IX.[283]

Ad Cupidinem.

O Cupid, that dost never cease my smart!

O boy, that liest so slothful in my heart!

Why me that always was the soldier found, Dost harm, and in thy[284] tents why dost me wound?

Why burns thy brand, why strikes thy bow thy friends?

More glory by thy vanquished foes ascends.

Did not Pelides whom his spear did grieve, Being required, with speedy help relieve?

Hunters leave taken beasts, pursue the chase, And than things found do ever further pace. 10 We people wholly given thee, feel thine-arms, Thy dull hand stays thy striving enemies' harms.

Dost joy to have thy hooked arrows shaked In naked bones? love hath my bones left naked.

So many men and maidens without love, Hence with great laud thou may'st a triumph move.

Rome, if her strength the huge world had not filled, With strawy cabins now her courts should build.