Delphi Poetry Anthology: The World's Greatest Poems (Delphi Poets Series Book 50) (24 page)

Amours. I.9

Ad Atticum, amantem non oportere desidiosum esse, sicuti nec militem

All Lovers warre, and Cupid hath his tent,

Atticke all lovers are to warre farre sent.

What age fits Mars, with Venus doth agree,

Tis shame for eld in waive or love to be.

What yeares in souldiours Captaines do require,

Those in their lovers, pretty maydes desire.

Both of them watch: each on the hard earth sleepes:

His Mistris dores this; that his Captaines keepes.

Souldiers must travaile farre: the wench forth send,

Her valiant lover followes without end.

Mounts, and raine-doubled flouds he passeth over,

And treades the deserts snowy heapes do cover.

Going to sea, East windes he doth not chide

Nor to hoist saile attends fit time and tyde.

Who but a souldiour or a lover is bould

To suffer storlne mixt snowes with nights sharpe cold?

One as a spy doth to his enemies goe,

The other eyes his rivall as his foe.

He Citties greate, this thresholds lies before:

This breakes Towne gates, but he his Mistris dore.

oft to invade the sleeping foe tis good

And arm’d to shed unarmed peoples bloud.

So the fierce troupes of ThracianRhesus fell

And Captive horses bad their Lord fare-well.

Sooth Lovers watch till sleepe the hus-band charmes,

Who slumbring, they rise up in swelling armes.

The keepers hands and corps-dugard to passe

The souldiours, and poore lovers worke ere was.

Doubtfull is warre and love, the vanquisht rise

And who thou never think’st should fall downe lies.

Therefore who ere love sloathfiilnesse doth call,

Let him surcease: love tries wit best of all.

Achilles burnd Briseis being tane away:

Trojanes destroy the Greeke wealth, while you may.

Hector to armes went from his wives embraces,

And on Andromache his helmet laces.

Great Agamemnon was, men say, amazed,

On Priams loose-trest daughter when he gazed.

Mars in the deed the black-smithes net did stable,

In heaven was never more notorious fable.

My selfe was dull, and faint, to sloth inclinde,

Pleasure, and ease had mollifide my minde.

A faire maides care expeld this sluggishnesse,

And to her tentes wild me my selfe addresse.

Since maist thou see me watch and night warres move:

He that will not growe slothfull let him love.

List of Poems in Alphabetical Order

List of Poets in Alphabetical Order

Amours III.11

Doletamicam suam ita suis carminibus innotuisse ut rivales multos sibi pararit

What day was that, which all sad haps to bring,

White birdes to lovers did not aiwayes sing.

Or is I thinke my wish against the starres?

Or shall I plaine some God against me warres?

Who mine was cald, whom I lov’d more then any,

I feare with me is common now to many.

Erre I? or by my bookes is she so knowne?

’Tis so: by my witte her abuse is growne.

And justly: for her praise why did I tell?

The wench by my fault is set forth to sell.

The bawde I play, lovers tp her I guide:

Her gate by my hands is set open wide.

’Tis doubtfiill whether verse availe, or harme,

Against my good they were an envious charme.

When Thebes, when Troy, when Caesar should be writ,

Alone Corinna moves my wanton wit.

With Muse oppos’d would I my lines had done,

And Phcebus had forsooke my worke begun.

Nor, as use will not Poets record heare,

Would I my words would any credit beare.

Scylla by us her fathers rich haire steales,

And Scyllaes wombe mad raging dogs conceales.

Wee cause feete flie, wee mingle haires with snakes,

Victorious Perseus a wingd steedes back takes.

Our verse great Titys a huge space out-spreads,

And gives the viper curled Dogge three heads.

We make Enceladus use a thousand armes,

And men inthraild by Mermaids singing charmes.

The East winds in Ulisses baggs we shut,

And blabbing Tantalus in mid-waters put.

Niobe flint, Callist we make a Beare,

Bird-changed Progne doth her Itys teare.

Jove turnes himselfe into a Swanne, or gold,

Or his Bulles hornes Europas hand doth hold.

Proteus what should I name? teeth, Thebes first seed?

Oxen in whose mouthes burning flames did breede?

Heav’n starre Electra that bewaild her sisters?

The ships, whose God-head in the sea now glisters?

The Sunne turnd backe from Atreus cursed table?

And sweet toucht harpe that to move stones was able?

Poets large power is boundlesse, and immense,

Nor have their words true histories pretence,

And my wench ought to have seem’d falsely praisd,

Now your credulity harme to me hath raisd.

List of Poems in Alphabetical Order

List of Poets in Alphabetical Order

Venus and Adonis: Extract from ‘The Metamorphoses’

Translated by J. J. Howard

 
“As kisses sweet the quiver-bearing boy
“Press’d on his mother’s lips, he witless raz’d
“Slightly her bosom, with a dart that stood
“Protruding. Venus, wounded, angry push’d
“Her son far from her; light the wound appear’d;
“At first even her deceiving. With the blaze
“Of manly beauty caught, she now contemns
“The Cythereïan shores; nor Paphos seeks,
“Girt by profoundest seas; Cnidos, so fam’d
“For fish; nor Amathus with metals rich.
“Heaven too, she quits, to heaven she now prefers
“Adonis: him she follows, him attends;
 
“Whose sole employ was loitering in the shade,
“In anxious study to increase her charms.
“Bare to the knee, her robe, like Dian’s train
“High-girt, o’er hills, through woods, and brambly rocks
“She roves: exhorts the dogs, and drives such game
“As threaten not with danger; fearful hares,
“High-antler’d stags, and rapid-flying deer.
“Fierce boars she shuns, and shuns the robber-wolf,
“Strong-talon’d bears, and lions slaughter-gorg’d.

 
“Thou too, Adonis, admonition heardst
“These to avoid, if admonition ought
“With thee could weigh: — Be brave, — the goddess said —
“To those who fly thee; courage ‘gainst the bold
“To danger drags. Dear youth, thy heart is brave;
“Indulge not to my hazard, nor provoke
“Fierce beasts by nature arm’d, nor seek for fame.
“Nor youth nor beauty, such as Venus move,
“Will move the lion, or the bristly boar:
“Their eyes and breasts untouch’d by brightest charms.
“Thunder and lightning in his bended tusks
“The fierce boar carries; rapid is the force
“The tawny lion, (hated race!) exerts:
“My cause of hatred when to thee disclos’d,
“Will raise thy wonder at the monstrous crime,
“In days of yore committed. Now hard toil
“Unwonted tires me. Lo! the poplar’s shade
 
“So opportune invites; and the green turf
“A couch presents. Upon the ground with thee
“I’ll rest: — she spoke, and as she stretch’d along,
“She press’d the grass, and press’d the lovely youth:
“Smiling, her head upon his breast reclin’d,
“‘Midst intermingling kisses, thus she spoke. —

 
“Perhaps thou’st heard of that renowned maid,
“Whose fleetness in the race the swiftest man’s
“Surpass’d. Not fabulous the tale you heard:
“She vanquish’d all. And hard it was to say,
“If praise for swiftness, or for beauteous form,
“She most deserv’d. To her, who once enquir’d
“Of marriage, fate-predicting Phœbus said —
“A spouse would, Atalanta, be thy bane;
“Avoid an husband’s couch. Yet wilt thou not
“An husband’s couch avoid; but lose thyself,
“Thyself yet living. — Terror-struck to hear
“The sentence of the god, maiden she lives
“Amid the thickest woods; driving severe
“The throngs of pressing suitors from her far,
“By hard conditions. — Ne’er can I be gain’d —
“She said — till vanquish’d in the race. With me
“Your swiftness try: the conqueror in the strife,
“Shall gain me spouse, and gain a genial couch;
“But death must him who lags behind reward.
“Such be the laws of trial. — Pitiless
 
“The law appear’d; but (such is beauty’s power)
“Crowds of rash lovers to the law agreed.
“There sat Hippomenes to view the race
“Unequal; and exclaim’d, — are there so mad,
“As seek a wife through peril so immense? —
“And the blind love of all the youths condemn’d.
“But when her face he saw, and saw her limbs
“Bar’d for the contest, (limbs like mine, or thine,
“Were thine of female mould,) amaz’d he look’d
“With uprais’d hands, and cry’d; — forgive my fault,
“Ye whom but now I blam’d; the great reward
“For which you labor, then to me unknown! —
“Thus praising, fire he feels, and hopes no youth
“More swift will run, and envious fears their speed —
“But why the fortune of this contest leave,
“Untry’d — he said, — myself? Heaven helps the bold. —
“While musing thus Hippomenes remarks
“The virgin’s flying pace. Though not less swift
“Th’ Aönian youth beheld her, than the dart
“Shot from the Scythian bow; her beauty more
“Ravish’d his eyes, and speed her charms increas’d.
“Th’ opposing breeze, which met her rapid feet,
“Blew back the ribbons which her sandals bound;
“Her tresses floated down her ivory back;
“And loosely flow’d her garment o’er her knees,
“With painted border gay: a purple bloom
“With virgin whiteness mixt, her body shew’d;
 
“As when the snow-white hall a deepen’d tinge
“From purple curtains shews. While this the guest
“Intently notes, the utmost goal is pass’d:
“Victorious Atalanta with the wreath
“Is crown’d: the vanquish’d sigh, and meet the doom
“Agreed. He, by the youths’ untimely fate
“Deterr’d not, forward stood, and on the nymph
“Fix’d full his eyes, and said; — Why seek you thus
“An easy conquest, vanquishing the weak?
“With me contend. So potent am I born
“You need not blush to such high rank to yield.
“Megareus was my sire, Onchestius his,
“Grandson to Neptune; thus the fourth I boast
“From Ocean’s sovereign. Nor beneath my race
“Stoops aught my valor; should success me crown,
“A lofty and an everlasting fame,
“Hippomenes your conqueror, would you gain. —
“As thus he spoke, with softening eyes the maid
“Beheld him, doubtful which ‘twere best to wish,
“To vanquish or be vanquish’d. While she thus
“Utter’d her thoughts — What god, an envious foe
“To beauty would destroy him: urg’d to seek
“My bed, by risking thus his own dear life?
“I cannot sure so great a prize be thought!
“His beauty melts me not; though yet I own
“Such beauty well might melt. But such a youth
“He seems, he moves me not but from his years.
 
“What courage in him reigns! his soul unaw’d
“By death. He springs the fourth from Ocean’s king!
“Then how he loves! and prizes so my hand,
“That should hard fortune keep me from his arms,
“He’d perish. Stranger, while thou may’st, depart;
“Avoid the bloody nuptials. Marriage, I
“Too cruel make. No maid would thee refuse;
“And soon may’st thou a wiser nymph select.
“But why for him this care? from me who see
“So many die, whom he too has beheld?
“Then let him perish; since the numerous train
“Of slaughter’d lovers warns him not: he spurns
“An hated life. How! should he then be slain
“Because with me to live he wishes? Death
“Inglorious must he gain, reward of love?
“Hatred would such a conquest still attend.
“Still is not mine the fault. Do thou desist;
“Or if thy madness holds, O, that thy feet
“More swift may be! See in his youthful face
“What virgin beauties! Ah! Hippomenes,
“Would Atalanta thou had’st never seen.
“Well worthy thou of life. Were I more blest;
“Had rugged fate not me a spouse forbade,
“Thou, sole art he, by whom to Hymen’s couch
“With joy I would be led. — Thus spoke the nymph,
“In fond simplicity, first touch’d by love,
 
“Unknowing what she felt: ardent she lov’d,
“Yet knew the passion not which rul’d her soul.

 
 
“Now loud the people, and the king demand,
“The wonted race. To me with anxious words
“Hippomenes, great Neptune’s offspring pray’d —
“O Cytherea! I adjure thee, aid
“My bold attempt; from thee those flames I felt,
“Grant them thy succour. — Gales auspicious waft
“To me the tender prayers, my soul is mov’d:
“Nor long the aid so needful I delay.
“A tract there lies in Cyprus’ richest lands,
“Nam’d Tamasene by those who dwell around,
“This ancient times made sacred unto me:
“And with this gift my temples were endow’d.
“‘Midst of the field appears a shining tree;
“Yellow its leaves, its crackling branches gold.
“By chance there straying, from the boughs I pluck’d
“Three golden apples, bore them in my hand,
“And seen by none, except the favor’d youth,
“Approach’d Hippomenes, and taught their use.
“The trumpets gave the sign, each ready sprung —
“Shot from the barrier, and with rapid feet
“Skimm’d lightly o’er the sand. O’er the wide main
“With feet unwetted, they might seem to fly;
“Or sweep th’ unbending ears of hoary grain.
“Loud shouts encouraging, and cheering words,
 
“On every side a stimulus afford,
“To urge the youth’s exertions. — Now, — they cry, —
“Now, now, Hippomenes, the time to press!
“On, on! exert thy vigor — flag not now, —
“The race is thine. — The grateful sounds both heard,
“Megareus’ son, and Schœneus’ daughter; hard
“Which joy’d the most to judge. How oft her pace
“She slacken’d, when with ease she might have pass’d,
“And ceas’d unwilling on his face to gaze.
“Tir’d now, parch’d breathings from the mouth ascends
“Of Neptune’s son, and far remote the goal.
“Then, as his last resource, he distant flung
“One of the tree’s bright produce. In amaze
“The virgin saw it roll; and from the course
“Swerv’d, tempted to obtain the glittering fruit.
“Hippomenes o’ershoots her; all around
“Applauses ring. She soon corrects delay,
“And wasted moments, with more rapid speed,
“And leaves again the youth behind. Again,
“Delay’d to catch the second flying fruit,
“The youth is follow’d, and again o’erpass’d.
“Now near the goal they come, — O, goddess! now
“Who gave the boon assist; he said, and flung
“With youthful force obliquely o’er the plain,
“More to detain, the last bright glittering gold.
“In doubt the virgin saw it fly: I urg’d
“That she should follow; and fresh weight I gave
 
“The apple when obtain’d; thus by the load
“Her course impeding, and obtain’d delay.
“But lest my tale, in length surpass the race,
“The vanquish’d virgin was the victor’s prize.

 
“Think’st thou Adonis, did I not deserve
“Most grateful thanks in smoking incense paid?
“Mindless, nor thanks, nor incense yielded he;
“And sudden anger in my bosom rag’d.
“Irk’d at the slight, I instantly provide
“That future times with less contempt behave:
“And ‘gainst them both my raging bosom burns.
“Now pass’d they near a temple, long since rais’d
“By fam’d Echion, in a shady wood,
“To the great mother of the heavenly gods,
“When the long journey tempted to repose;
“And there, inspir’d by me, ill-tim’d desire
“Hippomenes excited. Near the fane
“A cave-like close recess dim-lighted stood,
“With native pumice roof’d, hallow’d of old;
“Where priests the numerous images had plac’d,
“Of ancient deities. They enter’d here,
“And with forbidden lust the place defil’d.
“The wooden images their eyes avert:
“The tower-crown’d goddess dubious stands to plunge,
“The guilty couple in the Stygian wave.
“Too light that sentence seems: straight yellow manes
 
“Cover their soft smooth necks; their fingers curve
“To mighty claws; their arms to fore-legs turn;
“And new-form’d tails sweep lightly o’er the sand:
“Angry their countenance glares; for speech they roar;
“They haunt the forests for their nuptial dome.
“Transform’d to lions, and by others fear’d,
“Their tam’d mouths champ the Cybeleïan reins.
“Do thou, O dearest boy! their rage avoid;
“Not theirs alone, but all the savage tribe,
“That stubborn meet with breasts the furious war;
“Not turn their backs for flight: lest bold too much,
“Thou and myself, have cause too much too mourn. —

 
“Thus she admonish’d; and by coupled swans
“Upborne, she cleft the air; but his brave soul
“Her cautious admonitions rash contemn’d.

 
“By chance his dogs the well-mark’d footprints trac’d,
“And from his lurking covert rous’d a boar;
“Whom with a stroke oblique, as from the brake
“To spring he went, the gallant youth transpierc’d.
“Instant, with crooked tusks, the gore-stain’d spear
“Wrench’d the fierce boar away, and at him rush’d,
“Trembling, and safety seeking: every fang
“Deep in his groin he plung’d, and on the sand
“Stretch’d him expiring. Cytherea, borne
“Through midmost ether in her chariot light,
 
“Had not at Cyprus with her swans arriv’d,
“When, known from far, she heard his dying groans;
“And thither turn’d her snowy birds. From high
“When lifeless she beheld him, in his blood
“Convulsive struggling, quick she darted down,
“She tore her garments, and she tore her hair;
“And with unpitying hands her breast she smote.
“Then, fate upbraiding first, she said; — Not all
“Shall bend to your decision; still shalt thou
“Remain, Adonis, monument of woe,
“Suffer’d by me! The image of thy death,
“Annual repeated, annual shall renew
“Remembrance of my mourning. But thy blood
“A flower shall form. Shalt thou, O Proserpine,
“A female body to a scented herb
“Transform; and I the Cinyreïan youth
“Forbidden be to change? — She said, and flung
“Nectar most odorous on the ebbing gore;
“Which instant swelling rose. So bubbles rise
“On the smooth stream when showery floods descend.
“Nor long the term, an hour’s short space elaps’d,
“When the same teinted flower the blood produc’d:
“Such flowers the deep pomegranate bears, which hides
“Its purple grains beneath a flexile rind.
“But short its boast, for the same winds afford
“Its name, and shake them where they light adhere:
“Ripe for their fall in fragile beauty gay.”

List of Poems in Alphabetical Order

List of Poets in Alphabetical Order