Volume III Part 21 (2/2)

ELEGIA XV.[316]

Ad annulum, quem dono amicae dedit.

Thou ring that shalt my fair girl's finger bind, Wherein is seen the giver's loving mind: Be welcome to her, gladly let her take thee, And, her small joints encircling, round hoop make thee.

Fit her so well, as she is fit for me, And of just compa.s.s for her knuckles be.

Blest ring, thou in my mistress' hand shall lie, Myself, poor wretch, mine own gifts now envy.

O would that suddenly into my gift, I could myself by secret magic s.h.i.+ft! 10 Then would I wish thee touch my mistress' pap, And hide thy left hand underneath her lap, I would get off, though strait and sticking fast, And in her bosom strangely fall at last.

Then I, that I may seal her privy leaves, Lest to the wax the hold-fast dry gem cleaves, Would first my beauteous wench's moist lips touch; Only I'll sign naught that may grieve me much.

I would not out, might I in one place hit: But in less compa.s.s her small fingers knit. 20 My life! that I will shame thee never fear, Or be[317] a load thou should'st refuse to bear.

Wear me, when warmest showers thy members wash, And through the gem let thy lost waters pash, But seeing thee, I think my thing will swell, And even the ring perform a man's part well.

Vain things why wish I? go, small gift, from hand; Let her my faith, with thee given, understand.

FOOTNOTES:

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

[317] Old eds. ”by.”

ELEGIA XVI.[318]

Ad amicam, ut ad rura sua veniat.

Sulmo, Peligny's third part, me contains, A small, but wholesome soil with watery veins, Although the sun to rive[319] the earth incline, And the Icarian froward dog-star s.h.i.+ne; Pelignian fields with liquid rivers flow, And on the soft ground fertile green gra.s.s grow; With corn the earth abounds, with vines much more, And some few pastures Pallas' olives bore; And by the rising herbs, where clear springs slide, A gra.s.sy turf the moistened earth doth hide. 10 But absent is my fire; lies I'll tell none, My heat is here, what moves my heat is gone.

Pollux and Castor, might I stand betwixt, In heaven without thee would I not be fixt.

Upon the cold earth pensive let them lay, That mean to travel some long irksome way.

Or else will maidens young men's mates to go, If they determine to persever so.

Then on the rough Alps should I tread aloft, My hard way with my mistress would seem soft. 20 With her I durst the Libyan Syrts break through, And raging seas in boisterous south-winds plough.

No barking dogs, that Scylla's entrails bear, Nor thy gulfs, crook'd Malea, would I fear.

No flowing waves with drowned s.h.i.+ps forth-poured By cloyed Charybdis, and again devoured.

But if stern Neptune's windy power prevail, And waters' force force helping G.o.ds to fail, With thy white arms upon my shoulders seize; So sweet a burden I will bear with ease. 30 The youth oft swimming to his Hero kind, Had then swum over, but the way was blind.

But without thee, although vine-planted ground Contains me; though the streams the[320] fields surround; Though hinds in brooks the running waters bring, And cool gales shake the tall trees' leafy spring; Healthful Peligny, I esteem naught worth, Nor do I like the country of my birth.

Scythia, Cilicia, Britain are as good, And rocks dyed crimson with Prometheus' blood. 40 Elms love the vines; the vines with elms abide, Why doth my mistress from me oft divide?

Thou swear'dst,[321] division should not twixt us rise, By me, and by my stars, thy radiant eyes; Maids' words more vain and light than falling leaves, Which, as it seems, hence wind and sea bereaves.

If any G.o.dly care of me thou hast, Add deeds unto thy promises at last.

And with swift nags drawing thy little coach (Their reins let loose), right soon my house approach. 50 But when she comes, you[322] swelling mounts, sink down, And falling valleys be the smooth ways' crown.[323]

FOOTNOTES:

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

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