Ovid: The Art of Love

OVID: THE ART OF LOVE (ARS AMATORIA)
Translated by A. S. Kline 2001 All Rights Reserved This work may be reely re!rod"#ed$ stored$ and transmitted$ ele#troni#ally or otherwise$ or any non%#ommer#ial !"r!ose.
Contents &ook ' (art ') *is Task........................................................................+ &ook ' (art '') *ow to ,ind *er.........................................................&ook ' (art ''') Sear#h while yo".re o"t /alking .............................&ook ' (art '0) 1r at the Theatre........................................................2 &ook ' (art 0) 1r at the Ra#es$ or the 3ir#"s.....................................4 &ook ' (art 0') Tri"m!hs are 5ood too6............................................7 &ook ' (art 0'') There.s always the 8inner%Table...........................10 &ook ' (art 0''') And ,inally There.s the &ea#h.............................10 &ook ' (art '9) *ow To /in *er.....................................................11 &ook ' (art 9) ,irst Se#"re the :aid................................................1; &ook ' (art 9') 8on.t ,orget *er &irthday6.....................................1+ &ook ' (art 9'') /rite and :ake (romises......................................1&ook ' (art 9''') &e /here She 's....................................................14 &ook ' (art 9'0) <ook (resentable..................................................14 &ook ' (art 90) At 8inner &e &old.................................................17 &ook ' (art 90') (romise and 8e#eive............................................20 &ook ' (art 90'') Tears$ Kisses$ and Take the <ead........................21 &ook ' (art 90''') &e (ale) &e /ary o =o"r ,riends....................2; &ook ' (art 9'9) &e ,le>ible............................................................2+ &ook '' (art ') *is Task....................................................................2&ook '' (art '') =o" ?eed 5i ts o :ind..........................................24 &ook '' (art ''') &e 5entle and 5ood Tem!ered..............................27 &ook '' (art '0) &e (atient and 3om!ly...........................................2@ &ook '' (art 0) 8on.t be ,aint%*earted............................................;1 &ook '' (art 0') /in 1ver the Servants...........................................;1 &ook '' (art 0'') 5ive *er <ittle Taste "l 5i ts...............................;2 &ook '' (art 0''') ,avo"r *er and 3om!liment *er........................;2 &ook '' (art '9) 3om ort *er in Si#kness........................................;; &ook '' (art 9) <et *er :iss =o") &"t ?ot ,or <ong.....................;+ &ook '' (art 9') *ave 1ther ,riends) &"t &e 3are "l......................;&ook '' (art 9'') A!hrodisia#sA........................................................;2 &ook '' (art 9''') Stir her Bealo"sy...................................................;2 &ook '' (art 9'0) &e /ise and S" er..............................................;7 &ook '' (art 90) Res!e#t *er ,reedom...........................................;@ &ook '' (art 90') Kee! 't Se#ret......................................................+1
&ook '' (art 90'') 8on.t :ention *er ,a"lts..................................+2 &ook '' (art 90''') 8on.t Ask Abo"t *er Age................................+2 &ook '' (art 9'9) 8on.t R"sh..........................................................+; &ook '' (art 99) The Task.s 3om!lete...&"t ?ow..........................++ &ook ''' (art ') 't.s Time to Tea#h =o" 5irls...................................+2 &ook ''' (art '') Take 3are with *ow =o" <ook.............................+7 &ook ''' (art ''') Taste and Clegan#e in *air and 8ress...................+@ &ook ''' (art '0) :ake%D!$ b"t in (rivate........................................-1 &ook ''' (art 0) 3on#eal =o"r 8e e#ts............................................-2 &ook ''' (art 0') &e :odest in <a"ghter and :ovement................-; &ook ''' (art 0'') <earn :"si# and Read the (oets.........................-+ &ook ''' (art 0''') <earn 8an#ing$ 5ames.......................................-&ook ''' (art '9) &e Seen Aro"nd....................................................-2 &ook ''' (art 9) &eware o ,alse <overs..........................................-4 &ook ''' (art 9') Take 3are with <etters..........................................-7 &ook ''' (art 9'') Avoid the 0i#es$ ,avo"r the (oets......................-@ &ook ''' (art 9''') Try =o"ng and 1lder <overs.............................20 &ook ''' (art 9'0) Dse Bealo"sy and ,ear........................................21 &ook ''' (art 90) (lay 3loak and 8agger........................................22 &ook ''' (art 90') :ake *im &elieve *e.s <oved.........................2; &ook ''' (art 90'') /at#h *ow =o" Cat and 8rink........................2&ook ''' (art 90''') And So To &ed................................................22
Book I Book I Part I: His Task Sho"ld anyone here not know the art o love$ read this$ and learn by reading how to love. &y art the boat.s set gliding$ with oar and sail$ by art the #hariot.s swi t) love.s r"led by art. A"tomedon was skilled with A#hilles. #hariot reins$ Ti!hys in Thessaly was steersman o the Argo$ 0en"s a!!ointed me as g"ide to gentle <ove) '.ll be known as <ove.s Ti!hys$ and A"tomedon. 't.s tr"e <ove.s wild$ and one who o ten lo"ts me) b"t he.s a #hild o tender years$ it to be r"led. 3hiron made the yo"ng A#hilles !er e#t at the lyre$ and tem!ered his wild s!irits thro"gh !ea#e "l art. *e$ who so terri ied his enemies and riends$ they say he greatly eared the aged 3enta"r. That hand that *e#tor was destined to know$ was held o"t$ at his master.s orders$ to be logged. ' am <ove.s tea#her as 3hiron was A#hilles.$ both wild boys$ both #hildren o a goddess. =et the b"llo#k.s ne#k is bowed beneath the yoke$ and the s!irited horse.s teeth worn by the bit. And <ove will yield to me$ tho"gh with his bow he wo"nds my heart$ shakes at me his b"rning tor#h. The more he !ier#es me$ the more violently he b"rns me$ so m"#h the itter am ' to avenge the wo"nds. ?or will ' alsely say yo" gave me the art$ A!ollo$ no voi#e rom a heavenly bird gives me advi#e$ ' never #a"ght sight o 3lio or 3lio.s sisters while herding the lo#ks$ As#ra$ in yo"r valleys) C>!erien#e !rom!ts this work) listen to the e>!ert !oet) ' sing tr"e) 0en"s$ hel! my vent"re6 ,ar away rom here$ yo" badges o modesty$ the thin headband$ the ankle%#overing dress. ' sing o sa e love$ !ermissible intrig"e$ and there.ll be nothing sin "l in my song. ?ow the irst task or yo" who #ome as a raw re#r"it is to ind o"t who yo" might wish to love.
The ne>t task is to make s"re that she likes yo") the third$ to see to it that the love will last. That.s my aim$ that.s the gro"nd my #hariot will #over) that.s the !ost my th"ndering wheels will s#ra!e. Book I Part II: How to Find Her /hile yo".re still ree$ and #an roam on a loose rein$ !i#k one to whom yo" #o"ld say) E=o" alone !lease me.. She won.t #ome alling or yo" o"t o thin air) the right girl has to be sear#hed or) "se yo"r eyes. The h"nter knows where to s!read nets or the stag$ he knows what valleys hide the angry boar) the wild% owler knows the woods) the isherman knows the waters where the most ish s!awn) =o" too$ who sear#h or the essen#e o lasting love$ m"st be ta"ght the !la#es that the girls reF"ent. ' don.t demand yo" set yo"r sails$ and sear#h$ or wear o"t some long road to dis#over them. (erse"s bro"ght Andromeda rom darkest 'ndia$ and TroGan (aris snat#hed his girl rom 5ree#e$ Rome will grant yo" lots o s"#h lovely girls$ yo".ll say) E*ere.s everything the world has had.. =o"r Rome.s as many girls as 5argara.s sheaves$ as :ethymna.s gra!es$ as ishes in the sea$ as birds in the hidden bran#hes$ stars in the sky) 0en"s$ Aeneas.s mother$ ha"nts his #ity. ' yo".d #at#h them very yo"ng and not yet grown$ real #hild%brides will #ome be ore yo"r eyes) i it.s yo"ng girls yo" want$ tho"sands will !lease yo". =o".ll be or#ed to be "ns"re o yo"r desires) i yo" delight greatly in older wiser years$ here too$ believe me$ there.s an even greater #rowd. Book I Part III: Search whi e !o"#re o"t $a kin% B"st walk slowly "nder (om!ey.s shady #olonnade$ when the s"n.s in <eo$ on the ba#k o *er#"les.s lion) or where 1#tavia added to her dead son :ar#ell"s.s gi ts$
with those ri#h works o oreign marble. 8on.t miss the (orti#o that takes its name rom <ivia its #reator$ "ll o old masters) or where the daring 8anaids !re!are to m"rder their !oor h"sbands$ and their ier#e ather stands$ with o"t%stret#hed sword. And don.t orget the shrine o Adonis$ 0en"s we!t or$ and the sa#red Sabbath rites o the Syrian Bews. 8on.t ski! the :em!hite tem!le o the linen%#lad hei er) she makes many a girl what she hersel was to Bove. And the law%#o"rts (who.d believe itA) they s"it love) a lame is o ten o"nd in the noisy #o"rts) where the A!!ian waters !"lse into the air$ rom "nder 0en"s.s tem!le$ made o marble$ there the lawyer.s o ten #a"ght by love$ and he who g"ides others$ ails to g"ide himsel ) in that !la#e o eloF"en#e o ten his words desert him$ and a new #ase starts$ his own #a"se is the brie . There 0en"s$ rom her neighbo"ring tem!les$ la"ghs) he$ who was on#e the #o"nsel$ now wants to be the #lient. Book I Part IV: Or at the Theatre &"t h"nt or them$ es!e#ially$ at the tiered theatre) that !la#e is the most r"it "l or yo"r needs. There yo".ll ind one to love$ or one yo" #an !lay with$ one to be with G"st on#e$ or one yo" might wish to kee!. As ants ret"rn home o ten in long !ro#essions$ #arrying their avo"rite ood in their mo"ths$ or as the bees b"HH thro"gh the lowers and thyme$ among their !ast"res and ragrant #hosen meadows$ so o"r ashionable ladies #rowd to the amo"s shows) my #hoi#e is o ten #onstrained by s"#h ri#hness. They #ome to see$ they #ome to be seen as well) the !la#e is atal to #haste modesty. These shows were irst made tro"blesome by Rom"l"s$ when the ra!ed Sabines delighted "nmarried men. Then no awnings h"ng rom the marble theatre$ the stage wasn.t stained with sa ron !er "mes) Then what the shady (alatine !rovided$ leaves sim!ly !la#ed$ was all the artless s#ene)
The a"dien#e sat on tiers made rom t"r $ and #overed their shaggy hair$ as best they #o"ld$ with leaves. They wat#hed$ and ea#h with his eye observed the girl he wanted$ and trembled greatly in his silent heart. /hile$ to the meas"re o the homely Ctr"s#an l"te$ the dan#er$ with tri!le beat$ str"#k the levelled earth$ amongst the a!!la"se (a!!la"se that was never art "l then) the king gave the wat#hed% or signal or the ra!e. They s!rang "! straightaway$ showing their intent by sho"ting$ and eagerly took !ossession o the women. As doves lee the eagle$ in a rightened #rowd$ as the new%born lamb r"ns rom the hostile wol ) so they led in !ani# rom the lawless men$ and not one showed the #olo"r she had be ore. ?ow they all ear as one$ b"t not with one a#e o ear) Some tear their hair) some sit there$ all will lost) one mo"rns silently$ another #ries or her mother in vain) one moans$ one aints) one stays$ while that one r"ns) the #a!tive girls were led away$ a Goy "l !riHe$ and many made even ear itsel look itting. /hoever showed too m"#h ight$ and denied her lover$ he held her #las!ed high to his loving heart$ and said to her) E/hy mar yo"r tender #heeks with tearsA as yo"r ather to yo"r mother$ '.ll be to yo".. Rom"l"s$ alone$ knew what was itting or soldiers) '.ll be a soldier$ i yo" give me what s"its me. ,rom that ' s"!!ose #ame the theatres. "s"al #"stoms) now too they remain a snare or the bea"ti "l. Book I Part V: Or at the Races& or the Circ"s 8on.t orget the ra#es$ those noble stallions) the 3ir#"s holds room or a vast obliging #rowd. ?o need here or ingers to give se#ret messages$ nor a nod o the head to tell yo" she a##e!ts) =o" #an sit by yo"r lady) nothing.s orbidden$ !ress yo"r thigh to hers$ as yo" #an do$ all the time) and it.s good the rows or#e yo" #lose$ even i yo" don.t like it$ sin#e the girl is to"#hed thro"gh the r"les o the !la#e. ?ow ind yo"r reason or riendly #onversation$
and irst o all engage in #as"al talk. :ake earnest enF"iry whose those horses are) and r"sh to ba#k her avo"rite$ whatever it is. /hen the #rowded !ro#ession o ivory gods goes by$ yo" #la! ervently or <ady 0en"s) i by #han#e a s!e#k o d"st alls in the girl.s la!$ as it may$ let it be li#ked away by yo"r ingers) and i there.s nothing$ li#k away the nothing) let anything be a reason or yo" to serve her. ' her skirt is trailing too near the gro"nd$ li t it$ and raise it #are "lly rom the d"sty earth) Straightaway$ the !riHe or servi#e$ i she allows it$ is that yo"r eyes #at#h a glim!se o her legs. 8on.t orget to look at who.s sitting behind yo"$ that he doesn.t !ress her sweet ba#k with his knee. Small things !lease light minds) it.s very hel! "l to !" "! her #"shion with a de>tro"s to"#h. And it.s good to raise a breeHe with a light an$ and set a hollow stool beneath her tender eet. And the 3ir#"s brings assistan#e to new love$ and the s#attered sand o the gladiator.s ring. 0en"s. boy o ten ights in that sand$ and who see wo"nds$ themselves re#eive a wo"nd. /hile talking$ to"#hing hands$ #he#king the !rogramme$ and asking$ having bet$ whi#h one will win$ wo"nded he groans$ and eels the winged dart$ and himsel be#omes a !art o the show he sees. /hen$ lately$ 3aesar$ in mo#k naval battle$ e>hibited the 5reek and (ersian leets$ s"rely yo"ng men and girls #ame rom either #oast$ and all the !eo!les o the world were in the 3ityA /ho did not ind one he might love in that #rowdA Ah$ how many were tort"red by an alien love6 Book I Part VI: Tri"'(hs are )ood too* &ehold$ now 3aesar.s !lanning to add to o"r r"le what.s le t o earth) now the ar Cast will be o"rs. (arthia$ we.ll have vengean#e) 3rass"s.s b"st will #heer$ and those standards wi#kedly laid low by barbarians.
The avenger.s here$ the leader$ !ro#laimed$ o tender years$ and a boy wages war.s "n%boy%like agenda. 3owards$ don.t #o"nt the birthdays o the gods) a 3aesar.s #o"rage lowers be ore its time. 8ivine geni"s grows aster than its years$ and s" ers as harm "l evils the #owardly delays. *er#"les was a #hild when he #r"shed two ser!ents in both his hands$ already worthy o B"!iter in his #radle. *ow old were yo"$ &a##h"s$ who are still a boy$ when #onF"ered 'ndia trembled to yo"r rodA =o"r ather.s years and !owers arm yo"$ boy$ and with yo"r ather.s !owers and years yo".ll win) tho"gh yo"r irst beginnings m"st be in debt to s"#h a name$ now !rin#e o the yo"ng$ b"t one day !rin#e o the old) =o"r brothers are with yo"$ avenge yo"r brothers. wo"nds) yo"r ather is with yo"$ kee! yo"r ather.s laws. =o"r and yo"r #o"ntry.s ather endowed yo" with arms) the enemy stole his kingshi! rom an "nwilling !arent) =o" hold a !io"s sha t$ he a wi#ked arrow) B"sti#e and !iety sti#k to yo"r standard. <et (arthia.s #a"se be lost) and their armies) let my leader add Castern wealth to <ati"m. &oth yo"r athers$ :ars and 3aesar$ grant yo" !ower) Thro"gh yo" one is a god$ and one will be. See$ ' a"g"r yo"r tri"m!h) '.ll re!ly with a votive song$ and yo".ll be greatly #elebrated on my li!s. =o".ll stand and e>hort yo"r troo!s with my words) 1 let my words not la#k yo"r #o"rage6 '.ll s!eak o (arthian ba#ks and Roman ronts$ and sha ts the enemy h"rl rom lying horses. ' yo" lee$ to win$ (arthia$ what.s le t or yo" in de eatA :ars already has yo"r evil eye. So the day will be$ when yo"$ bea"ti "l one$ golden$ will go by$ drawn by o"r snowy horses. The generals will go be ore yo"$ ne#ks weighed down with #hains$ lest they lee to sa ety as they did be ore. The ha!!y #rowd o yo"ths and girls will wat#h$ that day will gladden every heart. And i she$ among them$ asks the name o a king$ what !la#e$ what mo"ntains$ and what stream.s dis!layed$
yo" #an re!ly to all$ and more i she asks) and what yo" don.t know$ re!ly as memory !rom!ts. That.s C"!hrates$ his brow #rowned with reeds) that.ll be Tigris with the long green hair. ' make those Armenians$ that.s (ersia.s 8anaan #rown) that was a town in the hills o A#haemenia. *im and him$ they.re generals) and say what names they have$ i yo" #an$ the tr"e ones$ i not the most itting. Book I Part VII: There#s a wa!s the Dinner+Ta, e The table laid or a east also gives yo" an o!ening) There.s something more than wine yo" #an look or there. 1 ten rosy <ove has #las!ed &a##h"s.s horns$ drawing him to his gentle arms$ as he lay there. And when wine has soaked 3"!id.s dr"nken wings$ he.s stayed$ weighed down$ a #a!tive o the !la#e. 't.s tr"e he F"i#kly shakes o"t his dam! eathers) tho"gh still the heart that.s s!rinkled by love is h"rt. /ine ro"ses #o"rage and is it or !assion) #are lies$ and dee! drinking dil"tes it. Then la"ghter #omes$ the !oor man dons the horns$ then !ain and sorrow leave$ and wrinkled brows. Then what.s rarest in o"r age a!!ears to o"r minds$ Sim!li#ity) all art dis!elled by the god. 1 ten at that time girls #a!tivated men.s wits$ and 0en"s was in the vine$ lame in the ire. 8on.t tr"st the trea#hero"s lam!light overm"#h) night and wine #an harm yo"r view o bea"ty. (aris saw the goddesses in the light$ a #lo"dless heaven$ when he said to 0en"s) E0en"s$ yo" win$ over them both.. ,a"lts are hidden at night) every blemish is orgiven$ and the ho"r makes whi#hever girl yo" like bea"ti "l. B"dge Gewellery$ and abri# stained with !"r!le$ G"dge a a#e$ or a ig"re$ in the light. Book I Part VIII: And Fina ! There#s the Beach /hy en"merate every emale meeting !la#e it or the h"nterA The grains o sand give way be ore the n"mber.
/hy s!eak o &aiae$ its shore s!lendid with sails$ where the waters steam with s"l!h"ro"s heatA *ere one ret"rning$ his heart wo"nded$ said) EThat water.s not as healthy as they #laim.. &ehold the s"b"rban woodland tem!le o 8iana$ and the kingdom m"rder r"les with g"ilty hand. She$ who is virgin$ who hates 3"!id.s darts$ gives !eo!le many wo"nds$ has many to give. Book I Part I-: How To $in Her So ar$ riding her "neF"al wheels$ the :"se has ta"ght yo" where yo" might #hoose yo"r love$ where to set yo"r nets. ?ow '.ll "ndertake to tell yo" what !leases her$ by what arts she.s #a"ght$ itsel a work o highest art. /hoever yo" are$ lovers everywhere$ attend$ with h"mble minds$ and yo"$ masses$ show yo" s"!!ort me) "se yo"r th"mbs. ,irst let aith enter into yo"r mind) every one o them #an be won) yo".ll win her$ i yo" only set yo"r snares. &irds will sooner be silent in the S!ring$ #i#adas in s"mmer$ an Ar#adian ho"nd t"rn his ba#k on a hare$ than a woman re "se a yo"ng man.s lattering words) Cven she yo" might think dislikes it$ will like it. Se#ret love.s G"st as !leasing to women as men. :en !retend badly) she hides her desire. ' it was !ro!er or men not to be the irst to ask$ woman.s role wo"ld be to take the !art o the asker. The #ow lows to the b"ll in gentle !ast"res) the mare whinnies to the hoo ed stallion. 8esire in "s is milder and less ranti#) the male ire has its law "l limits. Remember &yblis$ who b"rned with in#est"o"s love$ or her brother$ and bravely !"nished hersel with the nooseA :yrrha loved her ather$ b"t not as a da"ghter sho"ld$ and then was hidden by the #overing bark) ooHing those tears$ that !o"r rom the tree as ragran#e$ and whose dro!lets take their name rom the girl. 1n#e$ in the shady valleys o wooded 'da there was a white b"ll$ glory o the herd$ one small bla#k mark set between his horns)
it the sole blemish$ the rest was milky%white. The hei ers o 3nossos and 3ydon longed to have him mo"nt "! on their ba#ks. (asi!hae Goyed in ad"ltery with the b"ll) she hated the handsome hei ers with Gealo"sy. ' sing what is well%known) not even 3rete$ the h"ndred%#itied$ #an deny it$ however m"#h 3retans lie. They say that$ with "n!ra#tised hands$ she !l"#ked resh leaves and tenderest grasses or the b"ll. She went as one o the herd$ "nhindered by any #are or that h"sband o hers) :inos was o"sted by a b"ll. /hy !"t on yo"r inest #lothes$ (asi!haeA =o"r lover #an a!!re#iate none o yo"r wealth. /hy have a mirror with yo"$ when yo" seek highland #attleA /hy #ontin"ally smooth yo"r hair$ yo" oolish womanA &"t believe the mirror that denies yo".re a hei er. *ow yo" wish that brow o yo"rs #o"ld bear horns6 ' yo".d !lease :inos$ don.t seek o"t ad"lterers) ' yo" want to #heat yo"r h"sband$ #heat with a man6 The F"een le t her marriage bed or woods and ields$ like a :aenad ro"sed by the &oeotian god$ they say. Ah$ how o ten$ with angry a#e$ she s!ied a #ow$ and said) E?ow$ how #an she !lease my lordA <ook$ how she risks be ore him in the tender grass) do"btless the oolish thing thinks that she.s lovely.. She s!oke$ and straightaway had her led rom the vast herd$ the inno#ent thing dragged "nder the ar#hing yoke$ or elled be ore the altar$ or#ed to be a alse sa#ri i#e$ and$ delighted$ held her rival.s entrails in her hand. The n"mber o times she killed rivals to !lease the gods$ and said$ holding the entrails) E5o$ and !lease him or me6. ?ow she #laims to be 'o$ and now C"ro!a$ one who.s a hei er$ the other borne by the b"ll. =et he illed her$ the king o the herd$ de#eived by a wooden #ow$ and their o s!ring betrayed its breeding. ' 3retan Aero!e had s!"rned Thyestes.s love (and isn.t it hard to orego even one manA)$ the S"n wo"ld not have veered rom his #o"rse mid%way$ and t"rned ba#k his #hariot and horses towards 8awn. The da"ghter who savaged ?is"s.s !"r!le lo#k
!resses rabid dogs down with her thighs and groin. Agamemnon who es#a!ed :ars on land$ ?e!t"ne at sea$ be#ame the vi#tim o his m"rdero"s wi e. /ho wo"ld not wee! at 3orinthian 3re"sa.s lames$ and that mother bloodstained by her #hildren.s m"rderA (hoeni>$ Amyntor.s son we!t o"t o sightless eyes) *i!!olyt"s was torn by his ear%maddened horses. (hine"s$ why blind yo"r inno#ent sonsA That !"nishment will ret"rn on yo"r own head. All these things were driven by woman.s l"st) it.s more ier#e than o"rs$ and more renHied. So$ on$ and never hesitate in ho!ing or any woman) there.s hardly one among them who.ll deny yo". /hether they give or not$ they.re delighted to be asked) And even i yo" ail$ yo".ll es#a!e "nharmed. &"t why ail$ when there.s !leas"re in new delights and the more oreign the more they #a!t"re the heartA The seed.s o ten more ertile in oreign ields$ and a neighbo"r.s herd always has ri#her milk. Book I Part -: First Sec"re the Maid &"t to get to know yo"r desired%one.s maid is yo"r irst #are) she.ll smooth yo"r way. See i she.s #lose to her mistress.s tho"ghts$ and has !lenty o tr"e knowledge o her se#ret Gests. 3orr"!t her with !romises$ and with !rayers) yo".ll easily get what yo" want$ i she wishes. She.ll tell the time (the do#tors wo"ld know it too) when her mistress.s mind is re#e!tive$ it or love. *er mind will be it or love when she l">"riates in ertility$ like the #ro! on some ri#h soil. /hen hearts are glad$ and nothing sad #onstrains them$ they.re o!en) 0en"s steals in then with sed"#tive art. So Troy was de ended with sorrow "l #on li#t) in Goy$ the *orse$ !regnant with soldiers$ was re#eived. She.s also to be tried when she.s wo"nded$ !ained by a rival) make it yo"r task then to see that she.s avenged. The maid #an ro"se her$ when she #ombs her hair in the morning$ and add her oar to the work o yo"r sails$
and$ sighing to hersel in a low m"rm"r$ say) E&"t ' do"bt that yo".ll be able to make her !ay.. Then she sho"ld s!eak o yo"$ and add !ers"asive words$ and swear yo".re dying$ #raHed with love. &"t h"rry$ lest the sails all and the breeHe dies) anger melts away$ with time$ like ragile i#e. =o" ask !erha!s i one sho"ld take the maid hersel A S"#h a !lan brings the greatest risk with it. 'n one #ase$ resh rom bed$ she.ll get b"sy$ in another be tardy$ in one #ase yo".re a !riHe or her mistress$ in the other hersel . There.s #han#e in it) even i it avo"rs the idea$ my advi#e nevertheless is to abstain. ' don.t !i#k my way over shar! !eaks and !re#i!i#es$ no yo"th will be #a"ght o"t being lead by me. Still$ while she.s giving and taking messages$ i her body !leases yo" as m"#h as her Heal$ make the lady yo"r irst !riority$ her #om!anion the ne>t) <ove sho"ld never be beg"n with a servant. ' warn yo" o this$ i art.s skill is to be believed$ and don.t let the wind blow my words o"t to sea) ollow the thing thro"gh or don.t attem!t it) she.ll end"re the whis!ers on#e she.s g"ilty hersel . 't.s no hel! i the bird es#a!es when its wings are limed) it.s no good i the boar gets ree rom a loosened net. *old ast to the stri#ken ish yo".ve #a"ght on the hook) !ress home the attem!t$ don.t leave o till yo".ve won. She.ll not give yo" away$ sharing the g"ilt or the #rime$ and yo".ll know whatever yo"r lady.s done$ and said. &"t hide it well) i the in ormer.s well hidden$ yo".ll always se#retly know yo"r mistress.s mind. Book I Part -I: Don#t For%et Her Birthda!* 't.s a mistake to think that only armers working the ields$ and sailors$ need to kee! an eye on the season) Seed #an.t always be tr"sted to the "rrow$ or a hollow shi! to the wine%dark sea$ 't.s not always sa e to #a!t"re tender girls) o ten the time itsel makes or s"##ess. ' her birthday.s here$ or the A!ril Kalends$
that delight in Goining months$ 0en"s.s to :ars$ or i the 3ir#"s is de#orated$ not as be ore with #lay ig"rines b"t with the wealth o kings$ delay the thing) then winter.s harsh$ the (leiades are here$ then the tender Kid is merged with the o#ean wave) it.s best to hold o then) then he who tr"sts the dee!$ #an s#ar#ely save the wre#kage o his mangled boat. 't.s ine to start on that day o tears when the Allia lowed with the blood !o"red rom Roman wo"nds$ or when the Sabbath day ret"rns$ the holy day o the Syrian Bews$ less s"itable or buying things. <et yo"r mistress.s birthday be one o great terror to yo") that.s a bla#k day when anything has to be given. *owever m"#h yo" avoid it$ she.ll still win) it.s a woman.s skill$ to stri! wealth rom an ardent lover. A loose%robed !edlar #omes to yo"r lady) she likes to b"y) and e>!lains his !ri#es while yo".re sitting there. She.ll ask yo" to look$ be#a"se yo" know what to look or) then kiss yo") then ask yo" to b"y her something there. She swears that she.ll be ha!!y with it$ or years$ b"t she needs it now$ now the !ri#e is right. ' yo" say yo" haven.t the money in the ho"se$ she.ll ask or a note o hand I and yo".re sorry yo" learnt to write. /hy % she asks doesn.t she or money as i it.s her birthday$ G"st or the #ake$ and how o ten it is her birthday$ i she.s in needA /hy % she wee!s doesn.t she$ mo"rn "lly$ or a sham loss$ that imaginary gem that ell rom her !ier#ed earA They many times ask or gi ts$ they never give in ret"rn) yo" lose$ and yo".ll get no thanks or yo"r loss. And ten mo"ths with as many tong"es wo"ldn.t be eno"gh or me to des#ribe the wi#ked tri#ks o whores. Book I Part -II: $rite and Make Pro'ises Try wa> to !ave the way$ !o"r it o"t on s#ra!ed tablets) let wa> be yo"r mind.s tr"e #on idante. &ring her yo"r lattering words and !lay the lover) and$ whoever yo" are$ add a h"mble !rayer. A#hilles was moved by !rayer to grant *e#tor.s body to (riam) a god.s anger.s de le#ted by the voi#e o !rayer.
:ake !romises) what harm #an a !romise doA Anyone #an be ri#h in !romises. *o!e lasts$ i she.s on#e believed in$ a "se "l$ tho"gh de#e!tive$ goddess. ' yo".ve given$ yo" #an F"ite reasonably be orgotten) she #arried it o $ and now she.s nothing to lose. &"t i yo" don.t give$ always a!!ear abo"t to) like barren ields that always #heat the armer$ like the gambler who goes on losing$ lest he.s inally lost$ and #alls the di#e ba#k endlessly into his eager hand. This is the work$ the labo"r$ to have her witho"t giving irst) and she.ll go on giving$ lest she lose what she.s reely given. So go on$ and send yo"r letter.s lattering words$ try her intention$ test the road o"t irst. 3ydi!!e was de#eived by the message the a!!le bro"ght$ and "naware the girl by her own words was #a"ght. ' warn yo"$ yo"ths o Rome$ learn the noble arts$ not G"st to de end some trembling #lient) like the #rowd$ the grave G"dge$ the ele#ted senate$ a woman will give her hand$ won by eloF"en#e. &"t let yo"r !owers be hidden$ don.t dis!lay yo"r eloF"en#e) let irksome words vanish rom yo"r s!ee#h. /ho$ b"t a mindless ool$ de#laims to his sweet riendA A strong letter o ten #a"ses her dis!leas"re. <et yo"r s!ee#h be #redible$ "se ordinary words$ lattering tho"gh$ s!eak as i yo" were !resent. ' she won.t re#eive the letter$ ret"rns it "n%read$ sti#k to yo"r !lan$ and ho!e she.ll read it later. 'n time st"bborn o>en #ome to the !lo"gh$ in time the horse learns to s" er the bridle) #onstant "se wears away an iron ring$ the #"rved !lo"gh.s lost to the endless "rrow. /hat.s harder than stone$ so ter than waterA =et so t water #arves the hardest stone. 1n#e stead ast yo".ll #onF"er (enelo!e hersel in time) yo".ll see Troy #a!tive$ tho"gh it.s #a!t"red late. She reads and won.t re!lyA 8on.t !ress her) G"st let her kee! on reading yo"r lattery. ' she wants to read$ she.ll want to answer what she.s read) s"#h things !ro#eed by n"mber and by meas"re.
(erha!s at irst a #ool letter #omes to yo"$ asking) wo"ld yo" !lease not tro"ble her. /hat she asks$ she ears) what she doesn.t ask$ she wants$ that yo" go on) do it$ and yo".ll soon get what yo" wish. Book I Part -III: Be $here She Is :eanwhile$ i she.s being #arried$ re#lining on her bed$ se#retly a!!roa#h yo"r lady.s litter$ and to avoid o ering yo"r words to odio"s ears$ hide what yo" #an with skill and ambig"o"s gest"res. ' she.s wandering at leis"re in the s!a#io"s 3olonnade$ yo" Goin here there also$ lingering$ as a riend) now make as i to lead the way$ now dro! behind$ now go on F"i#kly$ and now take it slow) don.t be ashamed to sli! amongst the #ol"mns$ a while$ then move along side by side) don.t let her sit all bea"ti "l in the theatre row witho"t yo") what yo".ll look at is the way she holds her arms. 5aHe at her$ to admire her is ine) and to s!eak with gest"res and with glan#es. And a!!la"d$ the man who dan#es the girl.s !art) and avo"r anyone who !lays a lover. /hen she rises$ rise) while she.s sitting$ sit) !ass the time at yo"r lady.s whim. Book I Part -IV: Look Presenta, e 8on.t delight in #"rling yo"r hair with tongs$ don.t smooth yo"r legs with shar! !"mi#e stone. <eave that to those who #elebrate 3ybele the :other$ howling wildly in the (hrygian manner. :ale bea"ty.s better or negle#t) These"s #arried o Ariadne$ witho"t a single !in in his hair. (haedra loved *i!!olyt"s) he was "nso!histi#ated) Adonis was dear to the goddess$ and it or the woods. ?eatness !leases$ a body tanned rom e>er#ise) a well itting and s!otless toga.s good) no sti shoe%thongs$ yo"r b"#kles ree o r"st$ no slo!!y eet or yo"$ swimming in loose hide)
don.t mar yo"r neat hair with an evil hair#"t) let an e>!ert hand trim yo"r head and beard. And no long nails$ and make s"re they.re dirt% ree) and no hairs !lease$ s!ro"ting rom yo"r nostrils. ?o bad breath e>haled rom "nwholesome mo"th) don.t o end the nose like a herdsman or his lo#k. <eave the rest or im!"dent women to do$ or whoever.s the sort o man who needs a man. Book I Part -V: At Dinner Be Bo d Ah$ &a##h"s #alls to his !oet) he hel!s lovers too$ and s"!!orts the ire with whi#h he is in lamed. The ranti# 3retan girl wandered the "nknown sands$ that the waters o tiny sea%borne 8ia showed. B"st as she was$ rom slee!$ veiled by her loose robe$ bare oot$ with her yellow hair "nbo"nd$ she #alled$ or #r"el These"s$ to the "nhearing waves$ her gentle #heeks wet with tears o shame. She #alled$ and we!t as well$ b"t both be#ame her$ she was made no less bea"ti "l by her tears. ?ow striking her sweet breast with her hands$ again and again$ she #ried) EThat aithless man.s gone) what o me$ nowA /hat will ha!!en to meA. she #ried) and the whole shore e#hoed to the so"nd o #ymbals and renHied dr"ms. She ainted in terror$ her ne>t words were sti led) no sign o blood in her almost li eless body. &ehold6 The &a##hantes with loose streaming hair) &ehold6 The wanton Satyrs$ a #rowd be ore the god) &ehold6 1ld Silen"s$ barely astride his swayba#ked m"le$ #l"t#hing tightly to its mane in ront. /hile he !"rs"es the &a##hae$ the &a##hae lee and ret"rn$ as the ras#al "rges the mo"nt on with his sta . *e sli!s rom his long%eared m"le and alls head irst) the Satyrs #ry) ERise again$ ather$ rise$. ?ow the 5od in his #hariot$ wreathed with vines$ #"rbing his team o tigers$ with golden reins) the girl.s voi#e and #olo"r and These"s all lost) three times she tried to r"n$ three times ear held her ba#k. She shook$ like a slender stalk o wheat stirred by the wind$
and trembled like a light reed in a marshy !ool. To whom the god said) ESee$ ' #ome$ more aith "l in love) have no ear) 3retan$ yo".ll be bride to &a##h"s. Take the heavens or dowry) be seen as heavenly stars) and g"ide the an>io"s sailor o ten to yo"r 3retan 3rown.. *e s!oke$ and lea!t rom the #hariot$ lest she eared his tigers) the sand yielded "nder his eet) #las!ed in his arms (she had no !ower to str"ggle)$ he #arried her away) all.s easily !ossible to a god. Some sing E1 *ymenae"s.$ some E&a##h"s$ e"hoe6. So on the sa#red bed the god and his bride meet. /hen &a##h"s.s gi ts are set be ore yo" then$ and yo" ind a girl sharing yo"r #o"#h$ !ray to the ather o easts and no#t"rnal rites to #ommand the wine to bring yo"r head no harm. 't.s alright here to s!eak many se#ret things$ with hidden words she.ll eel were s!oken or her alone) and write sweet nothings in the ilm o wine$ so yo"r girl #an read them hersel on the table) and gaHe in her eyes with eyes #on essing ire) yo" sho"ld o ten have silent words and s!eaking a#e. &e the irst to snat#h the #"! that to"#hed her li!s$ and where she drank rom$ that is where yo" drink) and whatever ood her ingers to"#h$ take that$ and as yo" take it$ to"#h hers with yo"r hand. <et it be yo"r wish besides to !lease the girl.s h"sband) it.ll be more "se "l to yo" to make riends. ' yo" #ast lots or drinking$ give him the better draw) give him the garland yo" were #rowned with. Tho"gh he.s below yo" or beside yo"$ let him always be served irst) don.t hesitate to se#ond whatever he says. 't.s a sa e well%trodden !ath to de#eive in a riend.s name$ tho"gh it.s a sa e well%trodden !ath$ it.s a #rime. That way the !ro#"rer !ro#"res ar too m"#h$ and re#kons to see to more than he was #harged with. =o".ll be given s"re limits or drinking by me) so !ay attention to yo"r mind and eet. :ost o all beware o starting a dr"nken sF"abble$ and ists ar too ready or a ro"gh ight. C"rytion the 3enta"r died$ made oolish by the wine)
ood and drink are itter or sweet Gests. ' yo".ve a voi#e$ sing) i yo"r limbs are s"!!le$ dan#e) and !lease$ with whatever yo" do that.s !leasing. And tho"gh dr"nkenness is harm "l$ it.s "se "l to !retend) make yo"r sly tong"e stammer with lis!ing so"nds$ then$ whatever yo" say or do that seems too orward$ it will be tho"ght e>#essive wine.s to blame. And s!eak well o yo"r lady$ s!eak well o the one she slee!s with) b"t silently in yo"r tho"ghts wish the man ill. Then when the table.s #leared$ the g"ests are ree$ the throng will give yo" a##ess to her and room. Boin the #rowd$ and so tly a!!roa#h her$ let ingers br"sh her thigh$ and oot to"#h oot. ?ow.s the time to s!eak to her) boorish modesty ly ar rom here) 3han#e and 0en"s hel! the daring. ?ot rom my r"les yo"r eloF"en#e will #ome) desire her eno"gh$ yo".ll be l"ent yo"rsel . =o"r.s to !lay the lover$ imitate wo"nds with words) "se whatever skill yo" have to win her belie . 8on.t think it.s hard) ea#h think.s hersel desired) the very worst take.s !leas"re in her looks. =et o ten the imitator begins to love in tr"th$ o ten$ what was on#e imagined #omes to be. 1$ be kinder to the ones who eign it$ girls) tr"e love will #ome$ o"t o what was alse. ?ow se#retly s"r!rise her mind with latteries$ as #lear water "ndermines the hanging bank. ?ever weary o !raising her a#e$ her hair$ her elegant ingers$ and her slender eet. Cven the #haste like their bea"ty to be #ommended) her orm to even the virgin.s !leasing and dear. /hy is losing the #ontest in the (hrygian woods a #a"se o shame to B"no and (allas stillA B"no.s !ea#o#k shows his m"#h%!raised !l"mage) i yo" wat#h in silen#e$ he.ll hide his wealth again. Ra#e%horses between ra#es on the testing #o"rse$ love it when ne#ks are !atted$ manes are #ombed. Book I Part -VI: Pro'ise and Decei.e
8on.t be shy o !romising) !romises enti#e girls) add any gods yo" like as witness to what yo" swear. B"!iter on high la"ghs at lovers. !erG"ries$ and orders Aeol"s.s winds to #arry them into the void. B"!iter "sed to swear by the Sty>$ alsely$ to B"no) now he looks avo"rably on his own e>am!le. 5ods are "se "l) as they.re "se "l$ let.s think they.re there) take wine and in#ense to the an#ient altars) indi erent #alm and it.s like$ a!athy$ don.t #hain them) live inno#ently) the divine is #lose at hand) !ay what yo" owe$ hold d"ti "lly to agreements) #ommit no ra"d) let yo"r hands be ree rom blood. 8el"de only women$ i yo".re wise$ with im!"nity) where tr"th.s more to be g"arded against than ra"d. 8e#eive de#eivers) or the most !art an im!io"s tribe) let them all themselves into the tra!s they.ve set. They say in Cgy!t the li e%giving waters ailed in the ields) and there were nine years o dro"ght$ then Thrasi"s #ame to &"siris$ and said that Bove might be !ro!itiated by shedding a stranger.s blood. &"siris told him) E=o" be#ome Bove.s irst vi#tim$ and yo" be the stranger to give Cgy!t water.. And (halaris roasted im!et"o"s (erill"s.s body in the braHen b"ll) the "nha!!y #reator was irst to ill his work. &oth #ases were G"st) or there.s no airer law than that the m"rdero"s maker sho"ld !erish by his art. As liars by liars are right "lly de#eived$ wo"nded by their own e>am!le$ let women grieve. Book I Part -VII: Tears& /isses& and Take the Lead And tears hel!) tears will move a stone) let her see yo"r dam! #heeks i yo" #an. ' tears (they don.t always #ome at the right time) ail yo"$ to"#h yo"r eyes with a wet hand. /hat wise man doesn.t mingle tears with kissesA Tho"gh she might not give$ take what isn.t given. (erha!s she.ll str"ggle$ and then say Eyo".re wi#ked.) str"ggling she still wants$ hersel $ to be #onF"ered. 1nly$ take #are her li!s aren.t br"ised by snat#hing$
and that she #an.t #om!lain that yo" were harsh. /ho takes a kiss$ and doesn.t take the rest$ deserves to lose all that were granted too. *ow m"#h short o yo"r wish are yo" a ter that kissA Ah me$ that was boorishness sto!!ed yo" not modesty. Tho"gh yo" #all it or#e) it.s or#e that !leases girls) what delights is o ten to have given what they wanted$ against their will. She who is taken in love.s s"dden onsla"ght is !leased$ and inds wi#kedness is a trib"te. And she who might have been or#ed$ and es#a!es "ns#athed$ will be saddened$ tho"gh her a#e !retends delight. (hoebe was taken by or#e) or#e was o ered her sister) and both$ when ra!ed$ were !leased with those who ra!ed them. Tho"gh the tale.s known$ it.s still worth re!eating$ how the girl o S#yros mated A#hilles the hero. ?ow the lovely goddess had given her atal bribe to de eat the other two beneath 'da.s slo!es) now a da"ghter%in%law had #ome to (riam rom an enemy land) a 5reek wi e in TroGan walls) all swore the !res#ribed oath to the inG"red h"sband) now one man.s grie be#ame a nation.s #a"se. Shame "lly$ tho"gh he gave way to a mother.s !rayer$ A#hilles hid his manhood in women.s #lothes. /hat.s this$ Aea#idesA S!inning.s not yo"r work) yo"r sear#h or ame.s thro"gh (allas.s other arts. /hy the basketA =o"r arm.s meant to bear a shield) why does the hand that will slay *e#tor hold the yarnA Throw away the s!indle wo"nd laborio"sly with thread6 The s!ear rom (elion.s to be brandished by this hand. &y #han#e a royal virgin shared the room) thro"gh her ra!e she learned he was a man. That she was tr"ly won by or#e$ we m"st think) b"t she still wanted to be won by or#e. She o ten #ried) ESto!6. a terwards$ when A#hilles h"rried on) now he.d taken "! stronger wea!ons than the dista . /here.s that or#e nowA /hy do yo" restrain the !er!etrator o yo"r ra!e$ 8eidamiaA ?o do"bt as there.s a sort o shame in having started irst$ so it.s !leasant to have what someone else has started. Ah6 The yo"th has too m"#h aith in his own bea"ty$
i he waits "ntil she asks him irst. The man m"st a!!roa#h irst) s!eak the words o entreaty) she #o"rteo"sly re#eives his lattering !rayers. To win her$ ask her) she only wants to be asked) give her the #a"se and the beginning o yo"r longing. B"!iter went as a s"!!liant to the heroines o old) no woman ever sed"#ed great B"!iter. ' yo" ind she disdains the advent o yo"r !rayer "l sighs$ leave o what yo".ve beg"n$ retra#e yo"r ste!s. /hat sh"ns them$ they desire the more) they hate what.s there) remove her loathing by !"rs"ing less. The ho!ed% or love sho"ld not always be de#lared) introd"#e desire hidden in the name o riendshi!. '.ve seen the most severe o women ooled this way) he who on#e was a worshi!!er$ be#ame a lover. Book I Part -VIII: Be Pa e: Be $ar! o0 1o"r Friends A !ale #olo"r wo"ld shame a sailor on the o#ean wave$ who.s bla#kened by the rays o the s"n) and shame the armer who t"rns the soil with #"rved !lo"gh and heavy harrow$ "nderneath the heavens. And yo" who seek the athlete.s #rown$ yo" too wo"ld be ashamed i all yo"r body was white. <et all lovers be !ale) it.s the #olo"r itting or love) it s"its$ tho"gh ools have tho"ght it o no val"e. 1rion wandered !ale$ or Side$ in the woods$ 8a!hnis was !ale or his rel"#tant ?aiad. <et yo"r leanness show yo"r heart) don.t think it a shame to sli! a #a!e over yo"r shining hair) <et yo"th "l limbs be worn away by slee!less nights and #are$ and the grie o a great love. To gain yo"r desire$ be miserable$ and those who see yo" #an say E=o".re in love.. Sho"ld ' lament$ warn yo" !erha!s that right and wrong are #on "sed by allA ,riendshi! and loyalty em!ty words. Ah me$ it.s not sa e to !raise yo"r love to a riend) i he believes yo"r !raise$ he.ll steal her himsel . &"t (atro#l"s never disgra#ed A#hilles.s bed) and how modest (haedra was with (iritho"s.
(ylades loved *ermione$ G"st as (hoeb"s (allas$ or as 3astor was twin to yo" (oll">. /ho ho!es or that$ ho!es or a!!le%bearing tamarisks$ and looks or honey in the middle o the stream. All delight in what.s shame "l) #are only or their !leas"res$ and are !leased too when tro"ble #omes to others. Ah it.s a #rime6 't.s not their rivals that lovers ear) lee those yo" think are riends$ and yo".ll be sa e. &eware o brothers$ relatives$ and dear riends) that #rowd o ers yo" tr"e #a"se or ear. Book I Part -I-: Be F e2i, e '.ve done$ b"t there.s diversity in women.s hearts) a tho"sand minds reF"ire a tho"sand methods. 1ne soil doesn.t bear all #ro!s) vines here are good$ olives there) this teems with healthy wheat. There are as many manners o heart as kinds o a#e) a wise man will ada!t to many orms$ and like (rote"s now$ melt into the smooth waters$ now be a tree$ now a lion$ now a bristling boar. These ish are s!eared$ those #a"ght on a hook) others trawled in billowing nets with straining ro!es. 1ne mode won.t s"it yo" or every age%gro"!) the older hinds s!ot a tra! rom "rther o . ' the sim!le ind yo" #"nning$ and the modest #r"de$ the !oor things will straightaway mistr"st themselves. So it ha!!ens that she who ears to tr"st an honest man$ alls to the embra#e o some low ras#al. (art o my task is le t) !art o the labo"r.s done. :oor my boat here to the an#hor%#hains. End o0 Book I
Book II Book II Part I: His Task Sing o"t the (aean) sing o"t the (aean twi#e6 The !riHe ' sear#hed or alls into my net. 8elighted lovers grant my songs the !alm$ '.m !re erred to *esiod and old *omer. So (aris the stranger sailed$ rom hostile Amy#lae.s shore$ "nder white sheets$ with his ravished bride) s"#h was (elo!s who bro"ght yo" home *i!!odamia$ borne on the oreign wheels o his #onF"ering #ar. /hat.s yo"r h"rry$ yo"ng manA =o"r boat.s mid o#ean$ and the harbo"r ' sear#h or is ar away. 't.s not eno"gh the girl.s #ome to yo"$ thro"gh me$ the !oet) she.s #a!t"red by my art$ she.s to be ke!t by my art too. There.s no less virt"e in kee!ing than in inding. There.s #han#e in the latter) the irst.s a work o art. ?ow aid me$ yo"r ollower$ 0en"s$ and the &oy$ and Crato$ :"se$ now yo" have love.s name too. 5reat my task as ' try to tell what arts #an make <ove stay) that boy who wanders so$ thro"gh the vast world. And he.s lighty$ and has two wings on whi#h he vanishes) it.s a tri#ky Gob to !in him down. :inos blo#ked every road o light or his g"est) b"t 8aedal"s devised a bold winged !ath. /hen he.d im!risoned the o s!ring o its mother.s sin$ the man hal %b"ll$ the b"ll who was hal %man$ he said) E:inos$ the B"st$ let my e>ile end) let my native land re#eive my ashes. And sin#e ' #o"ldn.t live in my own #o"ntry$ driven rom it by #r"el ate$ still let me die there. 5ive my boy reedom$ i the ather.s servi#e was worthless) or i !ower will not s!are the #hild$ let it s!are the old.. *e s!oke the words$ b"t they$ and so many others$ were in vain) his reedom was still denied him by the king. /hen he realised this$ he said) E?ow$ now$ 1 8aedal"s$ yo" have an obGe#t or yo"r skil "lness. :inos r"les the earth and the waves) neither land or sea is o!en or my light.
The sky road still remains) we.ll try the heavens. B"!iter$ on high$ avo"r my !lan) ' don.t as!ire to to"#h the starry s!heres) there is no way to lee the king b"t this. '.d swim the Stygian waves$ i Sty> o ered me a !ath) thro"gh my nat"re new laws are mine.. Tro"ble o ten shar!ens the wits) who wo"ld think any man #o"ld travel by the air%roadsA *e lays o"t oar%like wings with lines o eathers$ and ties the ragile work with astenings o string$ and gl"es the ends with beeswa> melted in the lames$ and now the work o this new art.s #om!lete. <a"ghing$ his son handled the wa> and eathers not knowing they were being readied or his own sho"lders. *is ather said o them) EThis is the art that will take "s home$ by this #reation we.ll es#a!e rom :inos. :inos bars all other ways b"t #annot #lose the skies) as is itting$ my invention #leaves the air. &"t don.t gaHe at the &ear$ that Ar#adian girl$ or &ootes.s #om!anion$ 1rion with his sword) ,ly behind me with the wings ' give yo") '.ll go in ront) yo"r Gob.s to ollow) yo".ll be sa e where ' lead. ,or i we go near the s"n thro"gh the airy aether$ the wa> will not end"re the heat) i o"r h"mble wings glide #lose to o#ean$ the breaking salt waves will dren#h o"r eathers. ,ly between the two) and ear the breeHe as well$ s!read yo"r wings and ollow$ as the winds allow.. As he warns$ he its the wings to his #hild$ shows how they move$ as a bird tea#hes her yo"ng nestlings. Then he astened the wings he.d ashioned to his own sho"lders$ and !oised his an>io"s body or the strange !ath. ?ow$ abo"t to ly$ he gave the small boy a kiss$ and the tears ran down the ather.s #heeks. A small hill$ no mo"ntain$ higher than the level !lain) there their two bodies were given to the l"#kless light. And 8aedal"s moved his wings$ and wat#hed his son.s$ and all the time ke!t to his own #o"rse. ?ow '#ar"s delights in the strange Go"rney$ and$ ear orgotten$ he lies more swi tly$ with daring art.
A man #at#hing ish$ with F"ivering rod$ saw them$ and the task he.d started dro!!ed rom his hand. ?ow Samos was to the le t (?a>os was ar behind and (aros$ and 8elos beloved by (hoeb"s the god) <ebinthos lay to the right$ and shady%wooded 3alymne$ and Asty!alaea ringed by ri#h ishing gro"nds$ when the boy$ too rash$ with yo"th.s #arelessness$ soared higher$ and le t his ather ar behind. The knots give way$ and the wa> melts near the s"n$ his lailing arms #an.t #l"t#h at thin air. ,ear "l$ rom heaven.s heights he gaHes at the dee!) terri ied$ darkness$ born o ear$ #lo"ds his eyes. The wa> dissolves) he thrashes with naked arms$ and l"tters there with nothing to s"!!ort him. *e alls$ and alling #ries) E,ather$ 1 ather$ '.m lost6. the salt%green sea #loses over his o!en li!s. &"t now the "nha!!y ather$ his ather$ #alls$ E'#ar"s6 /here are yo" '#ar"s$ where "nder the skyA 3alling E'#ar"s.$ he saw the eathers on the waves. Carth holds his bones) the waters take his name. Book II Part II: 1o" 3eed )i0ts o0 Mind :inos #o"ld not hold ba#k those mortal wings) '.m setting o"t to #he#k the winged god himsel . *e who has re#o"rse to Thra#ian magi#$ ails$ to what the oal yields$ torn rom its new%born brow$ :edea.s herbs #an.t kee! love alive$ nor :arsian dirges mingled with magi# #hants. ' in#antations only #o"ld enslave love$ Dlysses wo"ld have been tied to 3ir#e$ Bason to the 3ol#hian. 't.s no "se giving girls !ale dr"gs) dr"gs h"rt the mind$ have !ower to #a"se madness. Away with s"#h evils) to be loved be lovable) something a#e and orm alone won.t give yo". Tho"gh yo".re ?ire"s loved by *omer o old$ or sweet *ylas ravished by the ?aiades. #rime$ to kee! yo"r love$ and not to ind her leave yo"$ add gi ts o mind to gra#e o body. A sweet orm is ragile$ what.s added to its years
lessen it$ and time itsel eats it away. 0iolets and o!en lilies do not lower orever$ and thorns are le t sti ening on the blown rose. And white hair will #ome to ind yo"$ lovely lad$ soon wrinkles will #ome$ "rrowing yo"r skin. Then no"rish mind$ whi#h lasts$ and adds to bea"ty) it alone will stay till the "neral !yre. 3"ltivate yo"r tho"ghts with the noble arts$ more than a little$ and learn two lang"ages. Dlysses wasn.t handsome$ b"t he was eloF"ent$ and still ra#ked the sea%goddesses with love. *ow o ten 3aly!so mo"rned his haste$ and denied the waves were it or oars6 She asked him again and again abo"t the all o Troy) *e grew "sed to retelling it o ten$ di erently. They walked the bea#h) there$ lovely 3aly!so too demanded the gory tale o King Rhes"s.s ate. *e$ with a rod (a rod !erha!s he already had) ill"strated what she asked in the thi#k sand. EThis. he said$ Eis Troy. (drawing the walls in the sand)) EThis yo"r Simois) imagine this is o"r #am!. This is the ield$. (he drew the ield)$ Ethat was dyed with 8olon.s blood$ while he s!ied on A#hilles.s horses. here were the tents o Thra#ian Rhes"s) here am ' riding ba#k the #a!t"red horses at night.. And he was drawing more$ when s"ddenly a wave washed away Troy$ and Rhes"s$ and his #am!. Then the goddess said E8o yo" see what yo" !la#e yo"r tr"st in or yo"r voyage$ waves that have destroyed s"#h mighty namesA. So listen$ whoever yo" are$ ear to rely on trea#hero"s bea"ty or own to something more than G"st the lesh. Book II Part III: Be )ent e and )ood Te'(ered 5entleness es!e#ially im!resses minds avo"rably) harshness #reates hatred and ier#e wars. /e hate the hawk that lives its li e in battle$ and the wol whose #"stom is to raid the timid lo#ks. &"t the swallow$ or its gentleness$ is ree rom h"man snares$ and 3haonian doves have dove#otes to live in.
Away with dis!"tes and the battle o bitter tong"es) sweet love m"st eed on gentle words. <et married men and married women be #he#ked by reb" s$ and think in t"rn things always are against them) that.s !ro!er or wives) F"arrelling.s the marriage dowry) b"t a mistress sho"ld always hear the longed% or #ooing. ?o law orders yo" to #ome together in one bed) in yo"r r"les it.s love !rovides the entertainment. A!!roa#h her with gentle latteries and words to delight her ear$ so that yo"r arrival makes her glad. ' don.t #ome as a tea#her o love or the ri#h) he who #an give has no need o my art) *e has geni"s who #an say) ETake this. when he !leases) ' s"bmit) he delights more than my inventions. '.m the !oor man.s !oet$ who was !oor when ' loved) when ' #o"ld give no gi ts$ ' gave them words. The !oor m"st love warily) the !oor ear to s!eak amiss$ and s" er m"#h that the ri#h wo"ld not. ' remember m"ssing my lady.s hair in anger) how many days that anger #ost me6 ' don.t think ' tore her dress$ ' didn.t eel it) b"t she said so$ and my reward was to re!la#e it. &"t yo"$ i yo".re wise$ avoid yo"r tea#her.s a"lts$ and ear the harm that #ame rom my o en#e. :ake war with the (arthians$ !ea#e with a #ivilised riend$ and la"ghter$ and whatever engenders love. Book II Part IV: Be Patient and Co'( ! ' she.s not #harming or #o"rteo"s eno"gh$ at yo"r loving$ end"re it and !ersist) she.ll soon be kinder. =o" #an get a #"rved bran#h to bend on the tree by !atien#e) yo".ll break it$ i yo" try o"t yo"r "ll strength. /ith !atien#e yo" #an #ross the water) yo".ll not #onF"er the river by sailing against the low. (atien#e tames tigers and ?"midian lions) the armer in time bows the o> to the !lo"gh. /ho was ier#er than Ar#adian AtalantaA /ild as she was she still s"rrendered to male kindness. 1 ten :ilanion we!t among the trees
at his !light and at the girl.s harsh a#ts) o ten at her orders his sho"lders #arried the nets$ o ten he !ier#ed wild boars with his deadly s!ear) and he elt the !ain o *ylae"s.s tense bow) b"t that o another bow was still more amiliar. ' don.t order yo" to #limb in :aenalian woods$ holding a wea!on$ or #arrying nets on yo"r ba#k) ' don.t order yo" to bare yo"r #hest to lying darts) the tender #ommands o my arts are sa e. =ield to o!!osition) by yielding yo".ll end as vi#tor) 1nly !lay the !art she #ommands yo" to. 3ondemn what she #ondemns) what she a!!roves$ a!!rove) say what she says) deny what she denies. She la"ghs$ yo" la"gh) remember to #ry$ i she #ries) she.ll set the r"les a##ording to yo"r e>!ression. ' she !lays$ tossing the ivory di#e in her hand$ throw them wrong$ and #on#ede on yo"r bad throw) ' yo" !lay kn"#klebones$ no !riHe i yo" win$ make o"t that o ten the r"ino"s low 8ogs ell to yo". And i it.s dra"ghts$ the dra"ghtsmen mer#enaries$ let yo"r #ham!ion be swe!t away by yo"r glass oe. =o"rsel $ hold yo"r girl.s s"nshade o"ts!read$ yo"rsel $ make a !la#e or her in the #rowd. J"i#kly bring "! a ootstool to her elegant #o"#h$ and sli! the sandal on or o her sweet oot. 1 ten$ even tho"gh yo".re shivering yo"rsel $ her hand m"st be warmed at yo"r negle#ted breast. 8on.t think it shame "l (tho"gh it.s shame "l$ yo".ll like it)$ to hold the mirror or her in yo"r noble hands. /hen his ste!mother$ B"no$ was tired o sending him monsters$ *er#"les$ it.s said$ who rea#hed the heavens he.d sho"ldered$ held a basket$ among the <ydian girls$ and s!"n raw wool. The hero o Tiryns #om!lied with his girl.s orders) go now$ and end"re the misgivings he end"red. 1rdered to a!!ear in town$ make s"re yo" arrive be ore time$ and don.t leave "nless it.s late. She tells yo" to be elsewhere) dro! everything$ r"n$ don.t let the #rowd in the way sto! yo" trying. She.s ret"rning home rom another !arty at night) when she #alls or her slave yo" #ome too.
She.s in the #o"ntry$ says) E#ome.) <ove hates a laggard) i yo".ve no wheels$ travel the road on oot. 8on.t let bad weather$ or !ar#hing 8og%days$ stall yo"$ or the roads whitened by alling snow. Book II Part V: Don#t ,e Faint+Hearted <ove is a kind o war are. Sla#kers$ dismiss6 There are no #owards g"arding this standard. ?ight and winter$ long roads and #r"el sorrows$ and every kind o labo"r are o"nd on love.s #am!aigns. =o".ll o ten end"re rain !o"ring rom heavenly #lo"ds$ and roHen$ lie there on the naked earth. They say that (hoeb"s graHed Admet"s.s #attle$ and o"nd shelter in a h"mble h"t. /ho #an.t s"it what s"ited (hoeb"sA <ose yo"r !ride$ yo" who.d have love.s sorrows tamed. ' yo".re denied a sa e and level road$ and the door barred with a bolt against yo"$ then dro! down head% irst thro"gh the o!en roo ) a high window too o ers a se#ret way. She.ll be glad$ knowing the #hase itsel is risky or yo") that will be s"re !roo to the lady o yo"r love. =o" might o ten have been !arted rom yo"r girl$ <eander) yo" swam a#ross so she #o"ld know yo"r heart. Book II Part VI: $in O.er the Ser.ants ?or is it shame "l to yo" to #"ltivate her maids$ a##ording to their grades$ and the serving men. 5reet them by their names (it #osts yo" nothing) #las! h"mble hands with yo"rs$ in yo"r ambition. And even o er the servant$ who asks$ a little something on ,ort"ne.s 8ay (it.s little eno"gh to !ay)) and the maid$ on that day when the hand o !"nishment ell on the 5a"ls$ they del"ded by maids in mistress.s #lothes. Tr"st me$ make the !eo!le yo"rs) es!e#ially the gatekee!er$ and whoever lies in ront o her bedroom doors.
Book II Part VII: )i.e Her Litt e Taste0" )i0ts ' don.t tell yo" to give yo"r mistress e>!ensive gi ts) give little b"t o that little$ skil "lly$ give what.s itting. /hen the ield is "ll o ri#hes$ when the bran#hes bend with the weight$ let the boy bring a gi t in a r"sti# basket. =o" #an say it was sent rom yo"r #o"ntry villa$ even tho"gh it was bo"ght on the 0ia Sa#ra. Send gra!es$ or those n"ts Amaryllis loved$ #hestn"ts$ b"t she doesn.t love them now. /hy even thr"shes are ine$ and the gi t o a dove$ to witness yo"r remembran#e o yo"r mistress. Shame "l to send them ho!ing or the death o some #hildless old man. Ah$ !erish those who make giving a #rime6 8o ' also tea#h that yo" send tender versesA Ah me$ !oems are not hono"red m"#h. Songs are !raised$ b"t its gi ts they really want) barbarians themselves are !leasing$ so long as they.re ri#h. Tr"ly now it is the Age o 5old) the greatest hono"rs #ome with gold) love.s won by gold. Cven i yo" #ame$ *omer$ with the :"ses as #om!anions$ i yo" bro"ght nothing with yo"$ *omer$ yo".d be o"t. Still there are #"lt"red girls$ the rarest set) and another set who aren.t$ b"t wo"ld like to be. (raise either in song) and they.ll #ommend the reader whatever his voi#e.s sweetness) So sing yo"r midnight song to one and the other$ !erha!s it will ig"re as a tri ling gi t. Book II Part VIII: Fa.o"r Her and Co'( i'ent Her Then what yo".re abo"t to do$ and think is "se "l$ always get yo"r lover to ask yo" to do it. =o" !romised liberty to one o yo"r slaves) still let him seek the a#t o it rom yo"r girl) i yo" stay a !"nishment$ orgo the "se o #r"el #hains$ let her be thank "l to yo"$ or what yo" did) the advantage is yo"rs) the title Egiver. is yo"r lover.s) yo" lose nothing$ she !lays the mistress.s !art. &"t whoever yo" are$ who want to kee! yo"r girl$
she m"st think that yo".re ins!ired by her bea"ty. ' she.s dressed in Tyrian robes$ !raise Tyrian) i she.s in 3oan silk$ #onsider 3oan itting. She.s in gold%threadA She.s more !re#io"s than gold) She wears wool$ a!!rove the wool she.s wearing. She leaves o her t"ni#$ #ry) E=o" set me on ire.$ b"t reF"est her an>io"sly to beware o #hills. She.s !arted her hair) !raise the !arting) she waves her hair) be !leased with the waves. Admire her limbs as she dan#es$ her voi#e when she sings$ and when it inishes$ grieve that it.s inished in words. 't.s ine i yo" tell her what delights$ and what gives Goy abo"t her lovemaking$ her skill in bed. Tho"gh she.s more violent than ier#e :ed"sa$ she.ll be Ekind and gentle. to her lover. &"t make s"re o this) don.t let yo"r e>!ression give yo"r s!ee#h the lie$ lest yo" seem a de#eiver with words. Art works when its hidden) dis#overy brings shame$ and time destroys aith in everything o merit. Book II Part I-: Co'0ort Her in Sickness 1 ten in a"t"mn$ when the season.s loveliest$ and the ri!e gra!e.s dyed with !"r!le G"i#e$ when now we.re roHen solid$ now dren#hed with heat$ the body.s listless in the #hanging air. =o"r girl.s well in a#t) b"t i she.s lying si#k$ eels ill be#a"se o the "nhealthy weather$ then let love and devotion be obvio"s to yo"r girl$ then sow what yo".ll rea! later with "ll si#kle. 8on.t be !"t o by the ret "lness o the !atient$ let yo"rs be the hand that does what she allows. And be seen wee!ing$ and don.t shrink rom kisses$ let her !ar#hed mo"th drink rom yo"r tears. (ray a lot$ b"t all alo"d) and$ as o ten as she lets yo"$ tell her ha!!y dreams that yo" remembered. And let the old woman #ome who #leanses room and bed$ bringing s"l!h"r and eggs in her trembling hands. The signs o a wel#ome devotion are in all this) by these means into wills many have made their way.
&"t don.t let dislike or yo"r attentions rise rom illness$ only be #harming$ in yo"r earnestness) don.t !rohibit ood$ or hand her #"!s o bitter st" ) let yo"r rival mi> all that or her. Book II Part -: Let Her Miss 1o": B"t 3ot For Lon% &"t the winds that illed yo"r sails and blew o shore$ are no "se when yo".re in the o!en sea. /hile yo"ng love.s wandering$ it gathers strength by "se) i yo" no"rish it well$ it will be strong in time. The b"ll yo" ear.s the #al yo" "sed to stroke) the tree yo" lie beneath was a sa!ling) the river.s tiny when born$ b"t gathers ri#hes in its low$ and #olle#ts the many waters that #ome to it. :ake her a##"stomed to yo") nothing.s greater than habit) while yo".re #a!tivating her$ avoid no boredom. <et her always be seeing yo") always giving yo" ear) show yo"r a#e$ at night and in the day. /hen yo".ve more #on iden#e that yo".ll be missed$ when yo"r absen#e ar away will #a"se her worry$ give her a rest) the ields when rested re!ay the loan$ and !ar#hed earth drinks the heavenly rain. (hyllis b"rnt less or 8emo!hoon in his !resen#e) she blaHed more ier#ely when he sailed away. (enelo!e was tormented by the loss o #"nning Dlysses) yo"$ <aodamia$ by absent (rotesila"s. &"t brie delays are best) ondness ades with time$ love vanishes with absen#e$ and new love a!!ears. /hen :enela"s le t$ *elen did not lie alone$ (aris$ the g"est$ at night$ was taken to her warm breast. /hat #raHiness was that$ :enela"sA =o" le t wi e and g"est alone "nder the same roo . :adman$ wo"ld yo" tr"st timid doves to a hawkA /o"ld yo" tr"st the "ll old to a mo"ntain wol A *elen did not sin) her lover #ommitted none) what yo"$ what anyone wo"ld do$ he did. =o" or#ed ad"ltery by giving time and !la#e) /hat did the girl em!loy b"t yo"r #o"nselA /hat sho"ld she doA *er man away$ a #"ltivated g"est$
and she a raid to slee! alone in an em!ty bed. <et Atrides a!!ear) ' a#F"it *elen o #rime) she took advantage o her h"sband.s #o"rtesy. Book II Part -I: Ha.e Other Friends: B"t Be Care0" &"t the red%haired boar is not so ier#e in mid%anger. when he t"rns and threatens the rabid !a#k$ or the lioness giving s"#k to "n%weaned #"bs$ or the tiny vi!er #r"shed by a #areless oot$ as a woman when a rival.s #a"ght in her lover.s bed) she blaHes$ her a#e the #olo"r o her heart. She storms with ire and lame$ all restraint orgot$ as i str"#k$ as they say$ by the horns o the &oeotian god. /ronged by her h"sband$ her marriage violated$ savage :edea avenged hersel thro"gh her #hildren. Another atal mother was that swallow$ yo" see there) look$ her breast #arries the stain o blood. /ell% o"nded and irm loves have been dissolved so) these are #rimes to make #a"tio"s men a raid. ?ot that my #ens"re #ondemns yo" to only one girl) the gods orbid6 A wi e #o"ld hardly e>!e#t that. 'nd"lge$ b"t se#retly veil yo"r sins$ with restraint) it.s no glory to yo" to be seeking o"t wrongdoing. 8on.t give gi ts another girl #o"ld s!ot$ or have set times or yo"r assignations. And lest a girl #at#h yo" o"t in yo"r avo"rite ha"nts don.t meet all o them in one !la#e. And always look #losely at yo"r wa> tablets$ whenever yo" write) lest m"#h more is read there than yo" sent. /o"nded$ 0en"s takes "! G"st arms$ and h"rls her dart$ and makes yo" lament$ as she is lamenting. /hile Agamemnon was satis ied with one woman$ 3lytemnestra was #haste) evil was done thro"gh the man.s a"lt. She had heard how 3hryses$ with sa#red head%bands$ and la"rel in his hand$ ailed to win ba#k his da"ghter) she had heard o yo"r sorrows$ #a!tive &riseis$ and how s#andalo"s delays had !rolonged the war. She heard all this) She saw 3assandra or hersel ) the vi#tor the shame "l !riHe o his own !riHe.
Then she took Thyestes to her heart and bed$ and wrong "lly avenged the Atrides.s #rime. Cven i the a#ts$ yo".ve well hidden$ be#ome known$ tho"gh they.re known$ still always deny them. 8on.t be s"bd"ed$ or more ond than "s"al) those are the signs o many g"ilty tho"ghts. &"t don.t orgo se>) all !ea#e is in that one thing. The a#t it is that dis!roves a !rior "nion. Book II Part -II: A(hrodisiacs4 There are those who !res#ribe eating a dish o savory$ a no>io"s herb$ my G"dgement is its !oisono"s) or mi> !e!!er with the seeds o stinging nettles$ or #r"sh yellow #amomile in well%aged wine) &"t the goddess who holds high Cry>$ beneath the shaded hill$ doesn.t or#e yo" to s" er like this or her delights. /hite onions bro"ght rom :egara$ Al#atho"s.s #ity$ and ro#ket$ herba salax$ the kind that #omes rom gardens$ eat those$ and eggs$ eat honey rom *ymett"s$ and seeds rom the #ones o shar!%needled !ines. Book II Part -III: Stir her 5ea o"s! /ise Crato$ why t"rn to magi# artsA :y #hariot.s s#ra!ing the inside !ost. =o" who G"st hid yo"r #rimes on my advi#e$ #hange #o"rse$ and on my advi#e reveal yo"r se#rets. '.m not g"ilty o i#kleness) the #"rved !row is not always blown onwards by the same wind. ?ow we r"n to a Thra#ian northerly$ an easterly now$ sometimes a west wind ills o"r sails$ sometimes a so"th. <ook how the #harioteer now sla#ks the reins$ then skil "lly restrains the gallo!ing team. There are those who don.t like being served with shy kindness) while love ades i there.s no rival aro"nd. 5enerally heads are swollen with s"##ess$ it.s not easy to be #ontent with the good times. As a ire with little !ower$ grad"ally #ons"med$ hides itsel $ ashes whitening on its s"r a#e$
b"t the do"sed lames will lare with a !in#h o s"l!h"r$ and the brightness$ that was there be ore$ ret"rns) so when hearts are n"mbed by sla#k d"llness and se#"rity$ love is aro"sed by some shar! stim"l"s. :ake her ear "l or yo") warm her te!id mind) let her grow !ale at eviden#e o yo"r g"ilt) 1 o"r times ha!!y$ times im!ossible to #o"nt$ is he or whom his wo"nded girl grieves. That$ when his sins rea#h her "nwilling ears$ she.s lost$ and voi#e and #olo"r lee the "nha!!y girl. <et me be him$ whose hair the angry woman tears) let me be him$ whose tender #heeks nails seek$ him whom she sees with tears$ t"rns on him tort"red eyes$ whom tho"gh she #an.t live witho"t$ she wishes she #o"ld. ' yo" ask how long yo" sho"ld let her lament her h"rt$ kee! it brie $ lest a long delay kindles anger.s or#e) Throw yo"r arms straightaway aro"nd her snow%white ne#k$ and let the wee!ing girl all on yo"r #hest. Kiss her who wee!s$ make sweet love to her who wee!s$ there.ll be !ea#e) this is the one way anger.s dissolved. /hen she.s tr"ly raging$ when she seems i>ed on war$ then s"e or !ea#e in bed$ she.ll be gentle. There *armony dwells with gro"nded arms) there$ tr"st me$ is the !la#e where gra#e is born. 8oves that on#e o"ght$ now bill and #oo$ whose m"rm"r is o #aressing words. At irst all things were #on "sed mass witho"t orm$ heaven and earth and sea were #reated one) soon sky was set above land$ earth #ir#led by water$ and random #haos s!lit into its !arts) ,orests allowed the #reat"res a home) air the birds) ish took shelter in the r"nning streams. Then the h"man ra#e wandered the em!ty wilds$ a thing o naked strength and br"tish body) woods were its home$ grass its ood$ leaves its bed) and or a long time no man knew another. They say sweet delights so tened savage s!irits) when man and woman rested in one !la#e) they had no tea#her to show them what to do) 0en"s did her work witho"t sweet art.
&irds have mates to love) in the midst o waters a ish will ind another to share her Goy) hind ollows stag$ snake will bind with snake$ bit#h #lings entwined with some ad"ltero"s dog) ewes delight in being #overed) b"lls delight in hei ers$ too$ the sn"b%nosed she%goat s"!!orts her rank mate) :ares driven to renHy ollow their stallion$ thro"gh distant !la#es beyond the bran#hing river. So a#t$ and o er strong medi#ine to yo"r angry one) only this will bring !ea#e to her "nha!!iness) this medi#ine beats :a#haon.s dr"gs) this will reinstate yo" when yo".ve sinned. Book II Part -IV: Be $ise and S"00er /hile ' was writing this$ A!ollo s"ddenly a!!eared !l"#king the strings o his lyre with his th"mb. <a"rel was in his hand$ la"rel wreathing his hair) he a!!ears to !oets looking like that. E(ro essor o /anton <ove$. he said to me$ Ego lead yo"r dis#i!les to my tem!le$ it.s where the amo"s words$ #elebrated thro"gho"t the world$ #ommand everyone to KKnow =o"rsel L. *e alone will be wise$ who.s well%known to himsel $ and #arries o"t ea#h work that s"its his !owers. /hom nat"re.s given bea"ty$ let it be seen by her) whose skin is l"stro"s$ lie there o ten with bare sho"lders) who delights by talking$ avoid ta#it"rn silen#e) who sings with art$ then sing) who drinks with art$ then drink. b"t the eloF"ent sho"ld never de#laim mid%s!ee#h nor the #raHy !oet ever read his !oems6. So (hoeb"s warned) take note o (hoeb"s.s warning) tr"th.s s"rely on the sa#red li!s o that god. To bring "s ba#k to earth) who loves wisely wins$ and by my skill will bring o what he seeks. 't.s not o ten the "rrow re!ays the loan with interest$ not o ten the winds aid the boat in tro"ble) /hat delights a lover is little$ what !ains him more) many s" erings de#lare themselves to his heart. As many as hares on Athos$ the bees that graHe on *ybla$
as many as the olives the grey%green bran#hes #arry$ or the sea%shells on the shore$ are the !ains o love) the thorns we s" er rom are dren#hed in gall. They.ll say she.s gone o"t) very likely she.s to be seen inside) think that she has gone o"t$ and yo"r vision lied. The door will be sh"t the night she !romised yo") end"re it$ lay yo"r body on the d"sty gro"nd. And !erha!s the lying maid with s#orn "l a#e$ will say) E/hy.s he hanging ro"nd o"r doorA. Still$ a s"!!liant$ #oa> the door!osts$ and yo"r harsh mistress$ and hang the roses$ rom yo"r head$ o"tside. 3ome i she wishes) when she sh"ns yo"$ go) it.s "nbe#oming to a noble man to bore her. /hy let yo"r lover say) EThere.s no es#a!ing him.A *er eelings won.t always be against yo". 8on.t think it a disgra#e to s" er #"rses or blows rom the girl$ or !lant kisses on her tender eet. Book II Part -V: Res(ect Her Freedo' /hy waste time on tri lesA 5reater themes arise) ' sing great things) !ay attention$ !eo!le. /e labo"r hard$ b"t virt"e.s nothing i not hard) hard labo"r.s what my art demands. &e !atient with yo"r rival$ vi#tory rests with yo") yo".ll be vi#tor on 5reat B"!iter.s hill. &elieve me$ it.s no man says this$ b"t 3haonia.s sa#red oaks) my art #ontains nothing more !ro o"nd than this. ' she lirts$ end"re it) i she writes$ don.t to"#h the wa>) let her #ome rom where she wishes) and go where she !leases$ too. This h"sbands allow their law "lly married wives$ when yo" #ome$ gentle slee!$ to !lay yo"r !art$ as well. '.m not !er e#t in this art$ ' #on ess) /hat #an ' doA '.m less than my own instr"#tions. /hat$ shall ' let some man signal o!enly to my girl$ and bear it$ and not show anger i ' wishA ' remember her h"sband kissed her) ' grieved at the kiss he gave) my love.s "ll o barbarities. ?ot a ew times this a"lt has h"rt me) he.s wiser who.s re#on#iled to other mens. #oming.
&"t it was better to know nothing) let intrig"es be hidden$ lest her shameless mo"th revealed "ntr"ths. *ow m"#h better$ 1 yo"ng men$ to avoid s"r!rising them) let girls sin$ and think$ while sinning$ that they.ve ooled yo". <ove grows with being #a"ght) who are twinned by ort"ne !ersist to the end in the #a"se that r"ined them. The story.s well known thro"gh all the heavens$ o :ars and 0en"s #a"ght by 0"l#an.s #ra t. :ars stirred by mad desire or 0en"s was t"rned rom grim warrior to lover. And 0en"s was not #oy or resistant to :ar.s !leas ( or there.s no more loving goddess than her). Ah how o ten the wanton la"ghed at her h"sband.s lim!$ they say$ or his hands hardened by his iery art. She.d o!enly imitate 0"l#an then$ to :ars) it be#ame her) great bea"ty was mingled there with #harm. &"t they "sed to hide their ad"ltery at irst. 't was a sin$ illed with the bl"sh o shame. The S"n.s tale (who #an evade the S"nA) made known to 0"l#an what his s!o"se had done. /hat a !oor e>am!le$ S"n$ yo" set6 Seek a gi t rom her$ and yo"$ i yo".re F"iet$ #an have what she #an give. 0"l#an set a hidden net$ over and ro"nd the bed) it.s a !ie#e o work that de#eives the eye. (retends he.s o to <emnos) the lovers #ome to their assignation) and both lie naked in the net. *e #alls the gods) the #a!tives are dis!layed) 0en"s they think #an s#ar#ely restrain her tears. They #an.t hide their a#es$ are even "nable to #over their se>es with their hands. Then someone la"ghed and said) E<et me have the #hains$ :ars$ i they.re an embarrassment to yo"6. Their #a!tive bodies are$ with di i#"lty$ reed$ at yo"r !lea$ ?e!t"ne) 0en"s r"ns to (a!hos) :ars heads or Thra#e. This yo" a#hieved$ 0"l#an) what they hid be ore$ now all shame is gone$ they ind"lge in reely) ?ow maddened yo" o ten #on ess the thing was oolish$ and s" er regret or yo"r #"nning. 't.s orbidden yo") 0en"s on#e tri#ked orbids tra!s to be set$ like the one that she end"red.
<ay o"t no snares or rivals) don.t inter#e!t those se#ret hand%written messages. <et h"sbands tra! them$ i they think they indeed need tra!!ing$ h"sbands to whom the #eremony o ire and water gives the right. <ook$ ' swear again) there.s nothing here e>#e!t what.s !layed within the law) no virt"o"s woman.s #a"ght "! in my Gests. Book II Part -VI: /ee( It Secret /ho.d dare reveal to the im!io"s the se#ret rites o 3eres$ or "n#over the high mysteries o Samothra#eA There.s little virt"e in kee!ing silent) b"t s!eaking o what.s ke!t se#ret.s a heino"s #rime. 1 it.s good i that babbler Tantal"s$ #l"t#hing at r"it in vain$ thirsts in the very middle o the waters6 0en"s$ above all$ orders yo" to be silent abo"t her rites) ' warn yo"$ let no idle #hatterers #ome near her. Tho"gh the mysteries o 0en"s are not b"ried in a bo>$ nor e#ho in the wide air to the #lash o #ymbals$ b"t are b"sily enGoyed so$ by "s all$ they still wish to be #on#ealed among "s. 0en"s$ hersel $ when she takes o her #lothes$ #overs her se> with the hal %t"rned !alm o her le t hand. &easts #o"!le indis#riminately in "ll view) rom this sight girls o #o"rse t"rn aside their a#es$ too. &edrooms and lo#ked doors s"it o"r intrig"es$ and shame "l things are hidden "nder the sheets) and i not darkness$ we seek some veiling shadow$ and something less e>!osed than the light o day. Cven ba#k then$ when roo s ke!t o"t neither rain nor s"n$ and the oak%tree !rovided ood and shelter$ !leas"re was had in woods and #aves$ not "nder the heavens) s"#h #are the native !eo!les had or their modesty. b"t now we advertise o"r no#t"rnal a#ts$ and nothing.s bo"ght i it #an.t be boasted o 6 ?o do"bt yo".ll look o"t every girl$ whatever$ to say to whom yo" !lease) EShe too was mine$. and there.ll be no la#k o those yo" #an !oint o"t$ so or ea#h that.s mentioned there.s a shame "l taleA <ittle to #ry at) some invent$ what they.d deny i tr"e$
and #laim there isn.t one they haven.t sle!t with. ' not their bodies$ they to"#h what they #an$ their names$ and the re!"tation.s gone$ tho"gh the body.s #haste. 1dio"s wat#hman$ go #lose the girl.s door$ now$ too late$ lo#ked with a h"ndred heavy bars6 /hat.s sa e$ when ad"lterers give o"t her name$ and want what never ha!!ened to be believedA '.m wary even o !ro essing to gen"ine !assions$ and$ tr"st me$ my se#ret a airs are wholly hidden. Book II Part -VII: Don#t Mention Her Fa" ts Above all beware o re!roa#hing girls or their a"lts$ it.s "se "l to ignore so many things. Andromeda.s dark #om!le>ion was not #riti#ised by (erse"s$ who was borne alo t by wings on his eet. Androma#he by all was rightly tho"ght too tall) *e#tor was the only one who s!oke o her as small. 5row a##"stomed to what.s #alled bad$ yo".ll #all it good) Time heals m"#h) new love eels everything. /hile a new%gra ted twig.s growing in the green bark$ str"#k by the lightest breeHe$ it may all) <ater$ hardened by time$ it resists the winds$ and the strong tree will bear ado!ted wealth. Time itsel erases all a"lts rom the lesh$ and what was a law$ #eases to make yo" !a"se. A new o>%hide makes nostrils re#oil) tamed by amiliarity$ the odo"r ades. An evil may be sweetened by its name) let her be Edark. whose !igment.s bla#ker than 'llyrian !it#h) i she sF"ints$ she.s like 0en"s) i she.s grey$ :inerva) let her be Eslender.$ who.s tr"ly ema#iated) #all her Etrim.$ who.s tiny$ E "ll%bodied. i she.s gross$ and hide the a"lt behind the nearest virt"e. Book II Part -VIII: Don#t Ask A,o"t Her A%e 8on.t ask how old she is$ or who was 3ons"l when she was born$ that.s stri#tly the 3ensor.s d"ty) Cs!e#ially i she.s !ast bloom$ and the good times gone$
and now she !l"#ks the odd grey hair. There.s val"e$ 1 yo"th$ in this or a greater age) this will bear seed$ this is a ield to sow. &esides$ they.ve more knowledge o the thing$ and have that !ra#ti#e that alone makes the artist) /ith elegan#e they re!air the marks o time$ and take good #are that they don.t a!!ear old. As yo" wish$ they.ll !er orm in a tho"sand !ositions) no !ainting.s ever #ontrived to show more ways. They don.t have to be aro"sed to !leas"re) man and woman eF"ally deliver what delights. ' hate se> that doesn.t !rovide release or both) that.s why the to"#h o boys is less desirable. ' hate a girl who gives be#a"se she has to$ and$ arid hersel $ thinks only o her s!inning. (leas"re.s no Goy to me that.s given o"t o d"ty) let no girl be d"ti "l to me. ' like to hear a voi#e #on essing to her ra!t"re$ whi#h begs me to hold ba#k$ and kee! on going. ' gaHe at the daHed eyes o my ranti# mistress) she.s e>ha"sted$ and won.t let hersel be to"#hed or ages. ?at"re doesn.t give those Goys to raw yo"ths$ that o ten #ome so easily beyond thirty% ive. The hasty drink the new and "n ermented) !o"r a vintage wine or me$ mat"red in the #ask$ rom an an#ient #ons"lshi!. ?ot till it.s grown #an the !lane tree bear the s"n$ and naked eet destroy a new%laid lawn. ' s"!!ose yo".d !re er *ermione to *elen$ and was :ed"sa any better than her motherA Then$ he who wants to #ome to his love late$ earns a val"able !riHe$ i he.ll only wait. Book II Part -I-: Don#t R"sh See$ the knowing bed re#eives two lovers) halt$ :"se$ at the #losed doors o the room. ,lowing words will be said$ by themselves$ witho"t yo") and that le t hand won.t lie idle on the bed. ,ingers will ind what will aro"se those !arts$ where love.s dart is di!!ed in se#re#y.
*e#tor did it on#e with vigo"r$ or Androma#he$ and wasn.t only "se "l in the wars. And great A#hilles did it or his #a!tive maid$ when he lay in his sweet bed$ weary rom the ight. =o" let yo"rsel be to"#hed by hands$ &riseis$ that were still dyed with TroGan blood. And was that what overGoyed yo"$ las#ivio"s girl$ those #onF"ering ingers a!!roa#hing yo"r bodyA Tr"st me$ love.s !leas"re.s not to be h"rried$ b"t to be elt enti#ingly with lingering delays. /hen yo".ve rea#hed the !la#e$ where a girl loves to be to"#hed$ don.t let modesty !revent yo" to"#hing her. =o".ll see her eyes li#kering with trem"lo"s brightness$ as s"nlight o ten lashes rom r"nning water. :oans and loving m"rm"rs will arise$ and sweet sighs$ and !lay "l and itting words. &"t don.t desert yo"r mistress by #ramming on more sail$ or let her overtake yo" in yo"r ra#e) hasten to the goal together) that.s the "llness o !leas"re$ when man and woman lie there eF"ally s!ent. This is the !a#e yo" sho"ld ind"lge in$ when yo".re given time or leis"re$ and ear does not "rge on the se#ret work. /hen delay.s not sa e$ lean "se "lly on the oar$ and !l"nge yo"r s!"r into the gallo!ing horse. /hile strength and years allow$ s"stain the work) bent age #omes soon eno"gh on silent eet. (lo"gh the earth with the blade$ the sea with oars$ take a #r"el wea!on in yo"r warring hands$ or s!end yo"r body$ and strength$ and time$ on girls) this is warlike servi#e too$ this too earns !lenty. Book II Part --: The Task#s Co'( ete666B"t 3ow666 The end o the work.s at hand) grate "l yo"th grant me the !alm$ and set the wreathe o myrtle on my !er "med hair. As (odaliri"s with his art o medi#ine$ among the 5reeks$ was great$ A#hilles with his right hand$ ?estor his wisdom$ 3al#has great as a !ro!het$ AGa> in arms$ A"tomedon as a #harioteer$ so am ' in love. 3elebrate me as a !oet$ men$ s!eak my !raises$
let my name be s"ng thro"gho"t the world. '.ve given yo" wea!ons) 0"l#an gave A#hilles his) e>#el with the gi ts yo".re given$ as he e>#elled. &"t whoever over#omes an AmaHon with my sword$ write on the s!oils E1vid was my master.. &ehold$ yo" tender girls ask or r"les or yo"rselves) well yo"rs then will be the ne>t task or my !en6 End o0 Book II
Book III Book III Part I: It#s Ti'e to Teach 1o" )ir s '.ve given the 5reeks arms$ against AmaHons) arms remain$ to give to yo" (enthesilea$ and yo"r AmaHon troo!. 5o eF"al to the ight) let them win$ those who are avo"red by 0en"s$ and her &oy$ who lies thro"gh all the world. 't.s not air or armed men to battle with naked girls) that wo"ld be shame "l$ men$ even i yo" win. Someone will say) E/hy add venom to the snake$ and betray the shee! old to the rabid she%wol A. &eware o loading the #rime o the many onto the ew) let the merits o ea#h se!arate girl be seen. Tho"gh :enela"s has *elen$ and Agamemnon has 3lytemnestra$ her sister$ to #harge with #rime$ tho"gh Am!hiar"s$ and his horses too$ #ame living to the Sty>$ thro"gh the wi#kedness o Cri!hyle$ (enelo!e was aith "l to her h"sband or all ten years o his waging war$ and his ten years wandering. Think o (rotesila"s$ and <aodameia who they say ollowed her marriage !artner$ died be ore her time. Al#estis$ his wi e$ redeemed Admet"s.s li e with her own) the wi e$ or the man$ was borne to the h"sband.s "neral. E3a!ane"s$ re#eive me6 <et "s mingle o"r ashes$. Cvadne #ried$ and lea!t into the lames. 0irt"e hersel is named and worshi!!ed as a woman too) it.s no wonder that she delights her ollowers. =et their aims are not reF"ired or my art$ smaller sails are s"ited to my boat$ 1nly !lay "l !assions will be learnt rom me) '.ll tea#h girls the ways o being loved. /omen don.t brandish lames or #r"el bows) ' rarely see men harmed by their wea!ons. :en o ten #heat) it.s seldom tender girls$ and$ i yo" #he#k$ they.re rarely a##"sed o ra"d. ,alsely$ Bason le t :edea$ already a mother) he took another bride to himsel . As ar as yo" knew$ These"s$ the sea birds ed on Ariadne$ le t all by hersel on an "nknown island6
Ask why one road.s #alled ?ine%Times and hear how the woods$ wee!ing$ shed their leaves or (hyllis. Tho"gh he might be amed or !iety$ Aeneas$ yo"r g"est$ s"!!lied the sword$ 8ido$ and the reason or yo"r death. /hat destroyed yo" all$ ' askA ?ot knowing how to love) yo"r art was la#king) love lasts long thro"gh art. =o" still might la#k it now) b"t$ be ore my eyes$ stood 0en"s hersel $ and ordered me to tea#h yo". She said to me. then) E/hat have the !oor girls done$ an "narmed #rowd betrayed to well%armed menA Two books o their tri#ks have been #om!osed) let this lot too be instr"#ted by yo"r warnings. Stesi#hor"s who s!oke against *elen.s "n%#hastity$ soon sang her !raises in a ha!!ier key. ' ' know yo" well (don.t harm the #"lt"red girls now6) this avo"r will always be asked o yo" while yo" live.. She s!oke$ and she gave me a lea $ and a ew myrtle berries (sin#e her hair was #rowned with myrtle)) ' elt re#eived !ower too) !"rer air glowed$ and a whole weight li ted rom my s!irit. /hile wit works$ seek yo"r orders here girls$ those that modesty$ !rin#i!les and yo"r r"les allow. &e mind "l irst that old age will #ome to yo") so don.t be timid and waste any o yo"r time. *ave "n while it.s allowed$ while yo"r years are in their !rime) the years go by like lowing waters) The wave that.s !ast #an.t be re#alled again$ the ho"r that.s !ast never #an ret"rn. <i e.s to be "sed) li e sli!s by on swi t eet$ what was good at irst$ nothing as good will ollow. Those stalks that wither ' saw as violets) rom that thorn%b"sh to me a dear garland was given. There.ll be a time when yo"$ who now sh"t o"t yo"r lover$ will lie alone$ and aged$ in the #old o night$ nor ind yo"r entran#e damaged by some no#t"rnal F"arrel$ nor yo"r threshold s!rinkled with roses at dawn. *ow F"i#kly (ah me6) the sagging lesh wrinkles$ and the #olo"r$ there$ is lost rom the bright #heek. And hairs that yo".ll swear were grey rom yo"r girlhood will s!ring "! all over yo"r head overnight.
Snakes shed their old age with their ragile skin$ antlers that are #ast make the stag seem yo"ng) "n%aided o"r bea"ties lee) !l"#k the lower$ whi#h$ i not !l"#ked$ will o itsel $ shame "lly$ all. Add that the time o yo"th is shortened by #hildbirth) the ield.s e>ha"sted by #ontin"al harvest. Cndymion #a"ses yo" no bl"shes$ on <atmos$ :oon$ nor is 3e!hal"s the rosy goddess o 8awn.s shame "l !riHe. Tho"gh Adonis was given to 0en"s$ whom she mo"rns to this day$ where did she get Aeneas$ and *armonia$ romA 1 mortal girls go to the goddesses or yo"r e>am!les$ and don.t deny yo"r delights to loving men. Cven i yo".re de#eived$ what do yo" loseA 't.s all inta#t) tho"gh a tho"sand "se it$ nothing.s destroyed that way. 'ron #r"mbles$ stone.s worn away with "se) that !art.s s" i#ient$ and es#a!es all ear o harm. /ho obGe#ts to taking light rom a light nearbyA /ho hoards the vast waters o the hollow dee!A So why sho"ld any woman say) E?ot now.A Tell me$ why waste the water i yo".re not going to "se itA ?or does my voi#e say sell it$ G"st don.t be a raid o #as"al loss) yo"r gi ts are reed rom loss. Book III Part II: Take Care with How 1o" Look &"t '.m blown abo"t by greater g"sts o wind$ while we.re in harbo"r$ may yo" ride the gentle breeHe. '.ll start with how yo" look) good wine #omes rom vines that are looked a ter$ tall #ro!s stand in #"ltivated soil. &ea"ty.s a gi t o the gods) how many #an boast itA The larger n"mber among yo" la#k s"#h gi ts. Taking !ains brings bea"ty) bea"ty negle#ted dies$ even tho"gh it.s like that o 0en"s$ the 'dalian goddess. ' girls o old didn.t #"ltivate their bodies in that way$ well they had no #"ltivated men in those days) i Androma#he was dressed in healthy #lothes$ what wonderA *er h"sband was a ro"gh soldierA 8o yo" s"!!ose AGa>.s wi e wo"ld #ome to him all smart$ when his o"ter layer was seven hides o an o>A There was #r"de sim!li#ity be ore) now Rome is golden$
and owns the vast wealth o the #onF"ered world. <ook what the 3a!itol is now$ and what it was) yo".d say it belonged to a di erent Bove. The Senate%*o"se$ now worthy o s"#h debates$ was made o wattle when Tati"s held the kingshi!. /here the (alatine now gleams with A!ollo and o"r leaders$ what was that b"t !ast"re or !lo"ghmen.s o>enA 1thers may delight in an#ient times) ' #ongrat"late mysel on having been born G"st now) this age s"its my nat"re. ?ot be#a"se st"bborn gold.s mined now rom the earth$ or #hoi#e shells #ome to "s rom arthest shores) nor be#a"se mo"ntains shrink as marble.s F"arried$ or be#a"se bl"e waters retreat rom the !iers) b"t be#a"se #ivilisation.s here$ and no #r"dity remains$ in o"r age$ that s"rvives rom o"r an#ient an#estors. =o" too sho"ldn.t weight yo"r ears with #ostly stones$ that d"sky 'ndia gathers in its green waters$ nor show yo"rsel in sti #lothes sewn with gold$ wealth whi#h yo" #o"rt "s with$ o ten makes "s lee. Book III Part III: Taste and E e%ance in Hair and Dress /e.re #a!tivated by elegan#e) don.t ignore yo"r hair) bea"ty.s granted or denied by a hand.s to"#h. There isn.t only one style) #hoose what s"its ea#h one$ and #ons"lt yo"r mirror in advan#e. An oval%sha!ed head s"ggests a !lain !arting) that.s how <aodamia arranged her hair. A ro"nd a#e asks or a small knot on the to!$ leaving the orehead ree$ showing the ears. 1ne girl sho"ld throw her hair over both sho"lders) like (hoeb"s when he takes "! the lyre to sing. Another tied "! behind$ in 8iana.s "s"al style$ when$ skirts t"#ked "!$ she seeks the rightened F"arry. &lown tresses s"it this girl$ loosely s#attered) that one.s en#ir#led by tight%bo"nd hair. This one delights in being adorned by tortoiseshell rom 3yllene) that one !resents a likeness to the #"rves o a wave. &"t yo".ll no more n"mber the a#orns on oak bran#hes$ or bees on *ybla$ wild beasts on Al!ine mo"ntains$
than ' #an !ossibly #o"nt so many ashions) every new day adds another new style. And tangled hair s"its many girls) o ten yo".d think it.s been hanging loose sin#e yesterday) it.s G"st #ombed. Art imitates #han#e) when *er#"les$ in #a!t"red 1e#halia$ saw 'ole like that$ he said) E' love that girl.. So yo" &a##h"s$ li ted orsaken Ariadne$ into yo"r #hariot$ while the Satyrs gave their #ries. 1 how kind nat"re is to yo"r bea"ty$ how many ways yo" have to re!air the damage6 /e.re sadly e>!osed$ and o"r hair$ snat#hed at by time$ alls like the leaves stri!!ed by the north wind. A woman dyes the grey with 5erman herbs$ and seeks a better #olo"r by their art) a woman shows hersel in dense bo"ght #"rls$ instead o her own$ !ays #ash or another.s. ?o bl"shes shown) yo" #an see them #oming$ o!enly$ be ore the eyes o *er#"les and the 0irgin :"ses 3hoir. /hat to say abo"t dressA 8on.t ask or bro#ade$ or wools dyed !"r!le with Tyrian m"re>. /ith so many #hea!er #olo"rs having a!!eared$ it.s #raHy to bear yo"r ort"ne on yo"r ba#k6 See$ the sky.s #olo"r$ when the sky.s witho"t a #lo"d$ no warm so"th%westerly threatening heavy rain. See$ what to yo"$ yo".ll say$ looks similar to that lee#e$ on whi#h (hri>"s and *elle on#e es#a!ed ier#e 'no) this resembles the waves$ and also takes its name rom the waves) ' might have tho"ght the sea%nym!hs #lothed with this veil. That.s like sa ron% lowers) dressed in sa ron robes$ the dew%wet goddess yokes her shining horses) this$ (a!hian myrtle) this$ !"r!le amethyst$ dawn roses$ and the Thra#ian #rane.s grey. =o"r #hestn"ts are not la#king$ Amaryllis$ and almonds) and wa> gives its name to vario"s wools. As many as the lowers the new world$ in warm s!ring$ bears when vine%b"ds wake$ and dark winter vanishes$ as many or more dyes the wool drinks) #hoose$ de#isively) sin#e all are not s"itable or everyone. dark%grey s"its snow%white skin) dark%grey s"ited &riseis) when she was #arried o $ then she also wore dark%grey.
/hite s"its the dark) yo" looked !leasing$ Andromeda$ in white) so dressed$ the island o Seri!hos was r"led by yo". Book III Part IV: Make+7(& ,"t in Pri.ate *ow near ' was to warning yo"$ no rankness o the wild goat "nder yo"r arm!its$ no legs bristling with harsh hair6 &"t '.m not tea#hing girls rom the 3a"#asian hills$ or those who drink yo"r waters$ :ysian 3ai#"s. So why remind yo" not to let yo"r teeth get bla#kened$ by being laHy$ and to wash yo"r a#e ea#h morning in waterA =o" know how to a#F"ire whiteness with a layer o !owder) she who doesn.t bl"sh by blood$ indeed$ bl"shes by art. =o" make good the naked edges o yo"r eyebrows$ and hide yo"r nat"ral #heeks with little !at#hes. 't.s no shame to highlight yo"r eyes with thinned ashes$ or sa ron grown by yo"r banks$ bright 3ydn"s. 't.s ' who s!oke o a#ial treatments or yo"r bea"ty$ a little book$ b"t one whose labo"r took great #are. There too yo" #an ind !rote#tion against aded looks) my art.s no idle thing in yo"r behal . Still$ don.t let yo"r lover ind #osmeti# bottles on yo"r dressing table) art delights in its hidden a#e. /ho.s not o ended by #ream smeared all over yo"r a#e$ when it r"ns in allen dro!s to yo"r warm breastA 8on.t those ointments smellA Cven i they are sent rom Athens$ they.re oils e>tra#ted rom the "nwashed lee#e o a shee!. 8on.t a!!ly !re!arations o deer marrow o!enly$ and ' don.t a!!rove o o!enly #leaning yo"r teeth) it makes or bea"ty$ b"t it.s not bea"ti "l to wat#h) many things that !lease when done$ are "gly in the doing) /hat now #arries the signat"re o b"sy :yron was on#e d"mb mass$ hard stone) to make a ring$ irst #r"sh the golden ore) the dress yo" wear$ was greasy wool) That was ro"gh marble$ now it orms a amo"s stat"e$ naked 0en"s sF"eeHing water rom her wet hair. /e.ll think yo" too are slee!ing while yo" do yo"r a#e) it to be seen a ter the inal to"#hes. /hy sho"ld ' know the so"r#e o the brightness in yo"r looksA
3lose yo"r bedroom door6 /hy betray "n inished workA There are many things it.s right men sho"ldn.t know) most things o end i yo" don.t kee! them se#ret. The golden ig"res shining rom the ornate theatre$ e>amine them$ yo".ll des!ise them) gilding hiding wood) b"t the #rowd.s not allowed to a!!roa#h them till they.re done$ and till yo"r bea"ty.s ready banish men. &"t ' don.t orbid yo"r hair being reely #ombed$ so that it alls$ loosely s!read$ a#ross yo"r sho"lders. &eware es!e#ially lest yo".re irritable then$ or are always loosening yo"r ailed hairstyle again. <eave yo"r maid alone) ' hate those who s#rat#h her a#e with their nails$ or !ri#k the arm they.ve snat#hed at with a !in. She.ll #"rse her mistress.s head at every to"#h$ as she wee!s$ bleeding$ on the hate "l tresses. ' yo".re hair.s a!!alling$ set a g"ard at yo"r threshold$ or always have it done at &ona 8ea.s ertile tem!le. ' was on#e s"ddenly anno"n#ed arriving at some girl.s) in her #on "sion she !"t her hair on wrong way ro"nd. :ay s"#h #a"se o #r"el shame #ome to my enemies$ and that disgra#e be reserved or (arthian girls. *ornless #ows are "gly$ ields are "gly witho"t grass$ and b"shes witho"t leaves$ and a head witho"t its hair. Book III Part V: Concea 1o"r De0ects '.ve not #ome to tea#h Semele or <eda$ or Sidon.s C"ro!a$ #arried thro"gh the waves by that de#e!tive b"ll$ or *elen$ whom :enela"s$ being no ool$ re#laimed$ and yo"$ (aris$ her TroGan #a!tor$ also no ool$ withheld. The #rowd #ome to be ta"ght$ girls !retty and !lain) and always the greater !art are not%so%good. The bea"ti "l ones don.t seek art and instr"#tion) they have their dowry$ bea"ty !otent witho"t art) the sailor rests se#"re when the sea.s #alm) when it.s swollen$ he "ses every aid. Still$ a"ltless orms are rare) #on#eal yo"r a"lts$ and hide yo"r body.s de e#ts as best yo" may. ' yo".re short sit down$ lest$ standing$ yo" seem to sit) and #ommit yo"r smallness to yo"r #o"#h)
there also$ so yo"r meas"re #an.t be taken$ let a shawl dro! over yo"r eet to hide them. ' yo".re very slender$ wear a "ll dress$ and walk abo"t in #lothes that hang loosely rom yo"r sho"lders. A !ale girl s#atters bright stri!es a#ross her body$ the darker then have re#o"rse to linen rom Ale>andria. <et an "gly oot be hidden in snow%white leather) and don.t loose the bands rom skinny legs. Thin !adding s"its those with high sho"lder blades) a good brassiere goes with a meagre #hest. Those with thi#k ingers and bitten nails$ make s!aring "se o gest"res whenever yo" s!eak. Those with strong breath don.t talk when yo".re asting. and always kee! yo"r mo"th a distan#e rom yo"r lover. Book III Part VI: Be Modest in La"%hter and Mo.e'ent ' yo".re teeth are bla#kened$ large$ or not in line rom birth$ la"ghing wo"ld be a atal error. /ho.d believe itA 5irls m"st even learn to la"gh$ they seek to a#F"ire bea"ty also in this way. <a"gh modestly$ a small dim!le either side$ the teeth mostly #on#ealed by the li!s. 8on.t strain yo"r l"ngs with #ontin"al la"ghter$ b"t let something so t and eminine ring o"t. 1ne girl will distort her a#e !erversely by g" awing) another shakes with la"ghter$ yo".d think she.s #rying. That one la"ghs stridently in a hate "l manner$ like a mangy ass braying at the shame "l mill. /here does art not !enetrateA They.re ta"ght to #ry$ with !ro!riety$ they wee! when and how they wish. /hy6 Aren.t tr"e words #heated by the voi#e$ and tong"es or#ed to make lis!ing so"nds to orderA 3harm.s in a de e#t) they try to s!eak badly) they.re ta"ght$ when they #an s!eak$ to s!eak less. /eigh all this with #are$ sin#e it.s or yo") learn to #arry yo"rsel in a eminine way. And not the least !art o #harm is in walking) it attra#ts men yo" don.t know$ or sends them r"nning.
1ne moves her hi!s with art$ #at#hes the breeHe with lowing robes$ and !oints her toes daintily) another walks like the wi e o a red% a#ed Dmbrian$ eet wide a!art$ and with h"ge !a#es. &"t there.s meas"re here as in most things) both the r"sti#.s stride$ and the more a e#ted ste! sho"ld be oregone. Still$ let the !arts o yo"r lower sho"lder and "!!er arm on the le t side$ be naked$ to be admired. That s"its yo" !ale%skinned girls es!e#ially) when ' see it$ ' want to kiss yo"r sho"lder$ as ar as it.s shown. Book III Part VII: Learn M"sic and Read the Poets The Sirens were sea%monsters$ who$ with singing voi#e$ #o"ld restrain a shi!.s #o"rse as they wished. Dlysses$ yo"r body nearly melted hearing them$ while the wa> illed yo"r #om!anions. ears. Song is a thing o gra#e) girls$ learn to sing) or many yo"r voi#e is a better !ro#"ress than yo"r looks. And re!eat what yo" G"st heard in the marble theatre$ and the latest songs !layed in the Cgy!tian style. ?o woman ta"ght "nder my #ontrol sho"ld ail to know how to hold her lyre with the le t hand$ the !le#tr"m with her right. Thra#ian 1r!he"s$ with his l"te$ moved animals and stones$ and Tartar"s.s lake and 3erber"s$ the tri!le%headed ho"nd. At yo"r song$ Am!hion$ G"st avenger o yo"r mother$ the stones obligingly made Thebes.s new walls. Tho"gh d"mb$ a 8ol!hin.s tho"ght to have res!onded to a h"man voi#e$ as the tale o Arion.s lyre noted. And learn to swee! both hands a#ross the genial har! that too is s"itable or o"r sweet "n. <et 3allima#h"s$ be known to yo"$ 3oan (hiletas and the Teian :"se o old dr"nken Ana#reon) And let Sa!!ho be yo"rs (well what.s more wantonA)$ :enander$ whose master.s g"lled by his Thra#ian slaves. #"nning. and be able to re#ite tender (ro!erti"s.s song$ or some o yo"rs 5all"s or Tib"ll"s) and the high% lown s!ee#h o 0arro.s lee#e o golden wool$ (hri>"s$ yo"r sister *elle.s lament) and Aeneas the wanderer$ the beginnings o mighty Rome$
than whi#h there is no better known work in <atin. And !erha!s my name will be mingled with those$ my works not all given to <ethe.s streams) and someone will say) ERead o"r master.s #"lt"red song$ in whi#h he tea#hes both the se>es) or #hoose rom the three books stam!ed with the title Amores$ that yo" re#ite so tly with sweetly%tea#hable li!s) or let yo"r voi#e sing those letters he #om!osed$ the Heroides) he invented that orm "nknown to others.. 1 grant it so$ (hoeb"s6 And$ yo"$ sa#red !owers o !oetry$ great horned &a##h"s$ and the ?ine goddesses6 Book III Part VIII: Learn Dancin%& )a'es /ho do"bts '.d wish a girl to know how to dan#e$ and move her limbs as de#reed when the wine goes ro"ndA The body.s artistes$ the theatre.s s!e#ta#le$ are loved) so great.s the gra#e "lness o their agility. A ew things shame "l to mention$ she m"st know how to #all the throws at kn"#klebones$ and yo"r val"es$ yo" rolled di#e) sometimes throwing three$ sometimes thinking$ #losely$ how to advan#e #ra tily$ how to #hallenge. She sho"ld !lay the #hess mat#h warily not rashly$ where one !ie#e #an be lost to two o!!onents$ and a warrior wars witho"t his #om!anion who.s been taken$ and a rival o ten has to retra#e the Go"rney he began. <ight s!ills sho"ld be !o"red rom the o!en bag$ nor sho"ld a s!ill be dist"rbed "nless she #an raise it. There.s a kind o game$ the board sF"ared%o by as many lines$ with !re#ise #al#"lation$ as the leeting year has months) a smaller board !resents three stones ea#h on either side where the winner will have made his line "! together. There.s a tho"sand games to be had) it.s shame "l or a girl not to know how to !lay) !laying o ten brings on love. &"t there.s not m"#h labo"r in knowing all the moves) there.s m"#h more work in kee!ing to yo"r r"les. /e.re re#kless$ and revealed by eagerness itsel $ and in a game the naked heart.s e>!osed) Anger enters$ "gly mis#hie $ desire or gain$ F"arrels and ights and an>io"s !ain)
a##"sations ly$ the air e#hoes with sho"ts$ and ea#h #alls on their o"traged deities) there.s no hono"r$ they seek to #an#el their debts at whim) and o ten '.ve seen #heeks wet with tears. B"!iter kee! yo" ree rom all s"#h vile re!roa#hes$ yo" who have any an>iety to !lease men. Book III Part I-: Be Seen Aro"nd 'dle ?at"re has allotted these games to girls) men have more o!!ort"nity to !lay. Theirs the swi t ball$ the Gavelin and the hoo!$ and arms$ and horses made to go in a #ir#le. =o" have no ,ield o :ars$ no i#e%#old AF"a 0irgo$ yo" don.t swim in the Tiber.s #alm waters. &"t it.s ine to be seen o"t walking in the shade o (om!ey.s (or#h when yo"r head.s on ire with 0irgo.s heavenly horses) visit the holy (alatine o la"rel%wreathed (hoeb"s) he sank 3leo!atra.s galleys in the dee!) the ar#ades <ivia$ 3aesar.s wi e$ and his sister$ 1#tavia$ started$ and his son%in%law Agri!!a.s$ #rowned with naval hono"rs) visit the in#ense%smoking altars o the Cgy!tian hei er$ visit the three theatres$ take some #ons!i#"o"s seat) let the sand that.s dren#hed with warm blood be seen$ and the im!et"o"s wheels ro"nding the t"rning%!ost. /hat.s hidden is "nknown) nothing "nknown.s desired) there.s no !riHe or a a#e that tr"ly la#ks a witness. Tho"gh yo" e>#el Thamyras and Amoebe"s in song$ there.s no great a!!la"se or an "nknown lyre. ' A!elles o 3os had never s#"l!ted 0en"s$ she.d be hidden$ s"nk beneath the waters. /hat do sa#red !oets seek b"t ameA 't.s the inal goal o all o"r labo"rs. (oets were on#e the #on#ern o gods and kings) and the an#ient #hor"s earned a big reward. A bard.s dignity was inviolable) his name was hono"red$ and he was o ten granted vast wealth. Cnni"s earned it$ born in 3alabria.s hills$ b"ried ne>t to yo"$ great S#i!io. ?ow the ivy wreaths lie witho"t hono"r$ and the !ain "l toil
o the learned :"ses$ in the night$ has the name o idleness. &"t he.s delighted to stay awake or ame) who.d know *omer$ i his immortal work the 'liad were "nknownA /ho.d know o 8anae$ i she.d always been im!risoned$ and lay hidden$ an old woman$ in her towerA <ovely girls$ the #rowd is "se "l to yo". 1 ten li t yo"r eet above the threshold. The wol shadows many shee!$ to snat#h G"st one$ and B"!iter.s eagle stoo!s on many birds. So too a lovely woman m"st let the !eo!le see her) and !erha!s there.ll be one among them she attra#ts. Keen to !lease she.ll linger in all those !la#es$ and a!!ly her whole mind to #aring or her bea"ty. 3han#e r"les everywhere) always dangle yo"r bait) the ish will l"rk in the least likely !ool. 1 ten ho"nds wander the wooded hills in vain$ and the deer$ "n%driven$ walks into the net. /hat was less ho!ed or by Andromeda$ in #hains$ than that her tears #o"ld !lease anyoneA 1 ten a lover.s o"nd at a h"sband.s "neral) walking with loosened hair and "n#he#ked wee!ing s"its yo". Book III Part -: Beware o0 Fa se Lo.ers Avoid those men who !ro ess to looks and #"lt"re$ who kee! their hair #are "lly in !la#e. /hat they tell yo" they.ve told a tho"sand girls) their love wanders and lingers in no one !la#e. /oman$ what #an yo" do with a man more deli#ate than yo"$ and one !erha!s who has more lovers tooA =o".ll s#ar#ely #redit it$ b"t #redit this) Troy wo"ld remain$ i 3assandra.s warnings had been heeded. Some will atta#k yo" with a lying !reten#e o love$ and thro"gh that o!ening seek a shame "l gain. &"t don.t be tri#ked by hair gleaming with liF"id nard$ or short tong"es !ressed into their #reases) don.t be ensnared by a toga o inest threads$ or that there.s a ring on every inger. (erha!s the best dressed among them all.s a thie $ and b"rns with love o yo"r inery.
E5ive it me ba#k6. the girl who.s robbed will o ten #ry$ E5ive it me ba#k6. at the to! o her voi#e in the #attle%market. 0en"s$ rom yo"r tem!le$ all glittering with gold$ yo" #almly wat#h the F"arrel$ and yo"$ A!!ian nym!hs. There are names known or a #ertain sort o re!"tation too$ they.re g"ilty o de#eiving many lovers. <earn rom other.s grie to ear yo"r own) don.t let the door be o!ened to lying men. Athenian girls$ beware o tr"sting These"s.s oaths) those gods he #alls to witness$ he.s #alled on be ore. And yo"$ 8emo!hoon$ heir to These"s.s #rimes$ no hono"r remains to yo"$ with (hyllis le t behind. ' they !romise tr"ly$ !romise in as many words) and i they give$ yo" give the Goys that were agreed. She might as well !"t o"t the slee!less 0estal.s ire$ and snat#h the holy reli#s rom yo"r Tem!le$ 'no$ and give her man hemlo#k and monkshood #r"shed together$ as deny him se> i she.s re#eived his gi ts. Book III Part -I: Take Care with Letters <et me s!eak #loser to the theme) hold the reins$ :"ses$ don.t smash the wheels with gallo!ing. *is letters written on ir%wood tablets test the waters) make s"re a s"itable servant re#eives the message. 3onsider it) and read what$ gathered rom his own words$ he said$ and !erha!s$ rom its intent$ what he might an>io"sly be asking. And wait a little while be ore yo" answer) waiting always aro"ses love$ i it.s only or a short time. &"t don.t give in too easily to a yo"ng man.s !rayers$ nor yet deny him what he seeks o"t o #r"elty. :ake him ear and ho!e together$ every time yo" write$ let ho!e seem more #ertain and ear grow less. /rite elegantly girls$ b"t in ne"tral ordinary words$ an everyday sort o style !leases) Ah6 *ow o ten a do"bting lover.s been set on ire by letters$ and good looks have been harmed by barbaro"s words6 &"t sin#e$ tho"gh yo" la#k the marriage ribbons$ it.s yo"r #on#ern to de#eive yo"r lovers$ write the tablets in yo"r maid.s or boy.s hand$
don.t tr"st these tokens to a new yo"ng man. *e who kee!s s"#h tokens is trea#hero"s$ b"t nevertheless he holds the lames o Ctna. '.ve seen girls$ made !allid by this terror$ s"bmit to slavery$ !oor things$ or many years. ' G"dge that #o"ntering ra"d with ra"d.s allowed$ the law lets arms be wielded against arms. 1ne orm.s "sed in e>er#ising many hands$ (Ah6 (erish those that give me reason or this warning) don.t write again on wa> "nless it.s all been s#ra!ed$ lest the single tablet #ontain two hands. And always s!eak o yo"r lover as emale when yo" write) let it be Eher. in yo"r letters$ instead o Ehim.. Book III Part -II: A.oid the Vices& Fa.o"r the Poets ' ' might t"rn rom lesser to greater things$ and s!read the "ll e>!anse o swelling sail$ it.s im!ortant to banish looks o anger rom yo"r a#e) bright !ea#e s"its h"man beings$ anger the wild beast. Anger swells the a#e) the veins darken with blood) the eyes lash more savagely than the 5orgon.s. EAway with yo"$ l"te$ yo".re not worth all that$. said (allas when she saw her a#e in the water. =o" too i yo" looked in the mirror in yo"r anger$ that girl wo"ld s#ar#ely know her own a#e. (ride does no less harm to yo"r looks) love is attra#ted to riendly eyes. /e hate (believe the e>!ert) e>travagant disdain) a silent a#e o ten sows the seeds o o"r dislike. 5lan#e at a glan#e$ smile tenderly at a smile) he nods$ yo" too ret"rn the signal yo" re#eived. /hen he.s !ra#tised$ so$ the boy leaves the oils$ and takes his shar! arrows rom his F"iver. /e hate sad girls too) let AGa> #hoose Te#messa) a ha!!y girl #harms "s #heer "l !eo!le. '.d never ask yo"$ Androma#he$ or yo"$ Te#messa while there.s another lover or me than yo". ' ind it hard to believe$ tho"gh '.m or#ed to by yo"r #hildren$ that yo" ever sle!t with yo"r h"sbands.
8o yo" s"!!ose that gloomy wi e ever said to AGa>) E<ight o my li e.) or the words that "s"ally delight a manA /ho.ll !revent me "sing great e>am!les or little things$ why sho"ld we be a raid o the leader.s nameA 1"r good leader tr"sts those #ommanders with a sF"ad$ these with the #avalry$ that man to g"ard the standard) =o" too sho"ld G"dge what ea#h o "s is good or$ and !la#e ea#h one in his !ro!er role. The ri#h give gi ts) the lawyer a!!ears as !romised) o ten he !leads a #lient.s #ase that m"st be heard) /e who make songs$ #an only send yo" songs) we are the #hoir here best s"ited above all to love. /e #an make bea"ties that !lease "s widely known) ?emesis has a name$ and 3ynthia has) yo".ll have heard o <y#oris rom Cast to /est) and many ask who my 3orinna is. Add that g"ile is absent rom the sa#red !oets$ and o"r art too ashions o"r #hara#ters. Ambition and desire or !ossession don.t to"#h "s) the shady #o"#h is #herished$ the or"m s#orned. &"t we.re easily #a"ght$ torn by !ower "l !assions$ and we know too well how to love with !er e#t aith. ?o do"bt o"r minds are sweetened by gentle art$ and o"r nat"res are #onsistent with o"r st"dies. 5irls$ be kind to the !oets o *eli#on) there.s divinity in them$ and they.re the :"ses. riends. There.s a god in "s$ and o"r dealings are with the heavens) this ins!iration #omes rom ethereal heights. 't.s a sin to ho!e or gi ts rom the !oet) ah me6 ?o girl.s a raid o that sin. Still hide it$ don.t look greedy at irst sight) new love will balk when it sees the snare. Book III Part -III: Tr! 1o"n% and O der Lo.ers ?o rider r"les a horse that.s lately known the reins$ with the same bit as one that.s tr"ly mastered$ nor will the same way serve to #a!tivate the mind o mat"re years and o green yo"th. This raw re#r"it$ irst known o now in love.s #am!aigns$
who rea#hes yo"r threshold$ a resh !riHe$ m"st know yo" only$ always #ling to yo" alone) this #ro! m"st be s"rro"nded by high hedges. Kee! rivals away) yo".ll win while yo" hold G"st one) love and !ower don.t last long when they.re shared. =o"r older warrior loves sensibly and wisely$ s" ers m"#h that the beginner won.t end"re) he won.t break the door down$ b"rn it with #r"el ire$ atta#k his mistress.s tender #heeks with his nails$ or ri! a!art his #lothing or his girl.s$ nor will torn hair be a #a"se o tears. That s"its hot boys$ the time o strong desire) b"t he.ll bear #r"el wo"nds with #alm mind. *e b"rns$ alas$ with slow ires$ like wet straw$ like new%#"t timber on the mo"ntain height. This love.s more s"re) that.s brie and more !roli i#) snat#h the swi t r"its$ that ly$ in yo"r hand. Book III Part -IV: 7se 5ea o"s! and Fear <et all be betrayed) '.ve "nbarred the gates to the enemy) and let my loyalty be to trea#hero"s betrayal. /hat.s easily given no"rishes love !oorly) mingle the odd reGe#tion with wel#ome "n. <et him lie be ore the door$ #rying) E3r"el entran#e6$ !leading very h"mbly$ threatening a lot too. /e #an.t stand sweetness) bitterness renews o"r taste) o ten a ya#ht sinks swam!ed by a avo"rable wind) this is what bitter wives #an.t end"re) their h"sbands #an #ome to them when they wish) add a #losed door and a hard%mo"thed Ganitor$ saying) E=o" #an.t$. and love will to"#h yo" too. 8ro! the bl"nted oils now) ight with blades) no do"bt '.ll be atta#ked with my own wea!ons. Also when the lover yo".ve G"st #a"ght alls into the net$ let him think that only he has a##ess to yo"r room. <ater let him sense a rival$ the bed.s shared !a#t) remove these arts$ and love grows old. The horse r"ns swi tly rom the starting gate$ when he has others to !ass$ and others ollow.
/rongs relight the dying ires$ as yo" wish) See (' #on ess6)$ ' don.t love "nless '.m h"rt. Still$ don.t give #a"se or grie $ e>#essively$ let the an>io"s man s"s!e#t it$ rather than know. Stir him with a dismal wat#hman$ i#titio"sly set to g"ard yo"$ and the e>#essively irksome #are o a harsh h"sband. (leas"re that #omes with sa ety.s less enGoyable) tho"gh yo".re reer than Thais$ !retend ear. Tho"gh the door.s easier$ let him in at the window$ and show signs o ear on yo"r a#e. A #lever maid sho"ld lea! "! and #ry) E/e.re lost6. =o"$ hide the trembling yo"th in any hole. Still sa e loving sho"ld be mi>ed with right$ lest he #onsider yo" hardly worth a night. Book III Part -V: P a! C oak and Da%%er ' nearly orgot the skil "l ways by whi#h yo" #an el"de a h"sband$ or a vigilant g"ardian. let the bride ear her h"sband) to g"ard a wi e is right) it.s itting$ it.s de#reed by law$ the #o"rts$ and modesty. &"t or yo" too be g"arded$ s#ar#ely released rom !rison$ who #o"ld bear itA Adhere to my religion$ and de#eive6 Tho"gh as many eyes as Arg"s owned observe yo"$ yo".ll de#eive them (i only yo"r will is irm). *ow #an a g"ard make s"re that yo" #an.t write$ when yo".re given all that time to s!end washingA /hen a knowing maid #an #arry letters yo".ve !enned$ #on#ealed in the dee! #"rves o her warm breastsA /hen she #an hide !a!ers astened to her #al $ or bear #harming notes tied beneath her eetA The g"ard.s on the look%o"t or that$ yo"r go%between o ers her ba#k as !a!er$ and takes yo"r words on her lesh. Also a letter.s sa e$ and de#eives the eye$ written with resh milkM yo" read it by s#attering it with #r"shed ashes. And those tra#ed o"t with a !oint wetted with linseed oil$ so that the em!ty tablet #arries se#ret messages. A#risi"s took #are to im!rison his da"ghter$ 8anae) b"t she still made him a grand ather by her sin. /hat good.s a g"ard$ with so many theatres in the #ity$
when she.s ree to gaHe at horses !aired together$ when she sits o##"!ied with the Cgy!tian hei er.s sistr"m$ and goes where male #om!anions #annot go$ when male eyes are banned rom &ona 8ea.s tem!le$ e>#e!t those she orders to enterA /hen$ with the girls. #lothes g"arded by a servant at the door$ the baths #on#eal so many se#ret Goys$ when$ however many times she.s needed$ a riend eigns illness$ and however ill she is #an leave her bed$ when the alse key tells by its name what we sho"ld do$ and the door alone doesn.t grant the e>its yo" seekA And the Gailor.s attention.s "ddled with m"#h wine$ even tho"gh the gra!es were !i#ked on S!anish hills) then there are dr"gs that bring dee! slee!$ and #lose eyes over#ome by <ethe.s night) or yo"r maid #an rightly detain the wret#h with lengthy games$ and be asso#iated hersel with long delays. b"t why "se these tort"o"s ways and minor r"les$ when the least gi t will b"y a g"ardianA &elieve me gi ts #a!tivate men and gods) B"!iter himsel is !leased with the gi ts he.s given. /hat #an the wise man do$ when the ool love.s gi tsA *e.ll be silent too when a gi t.s a##e!ted. &"t let the g"ard be bo"ght or on#e and all) who s"rrenders to it on#e$ will s"rrender o ten. ' remember ' lamented$ riends are to be eared) that #om!laint.s not only tr"e o men. ' yo".re #red"lo"s$ others snat#h yo"r Goys$ and that hare yo" started r"nning goes to others. She too$ who eagerly o ers room and bed$ believe me$ she.s been mine more than on#e. 8on.t let too bea"ti "l a maid serve yo") she.s o ten o ered hersel to me as my lady. Book III Part -VI: Make Hi' Be ie.e He#s Lo.ed /hat am ' talking o $ madmanA /hy show a naked ront to the enemy$ and betray mysel on my own eviden#eA The bird doesn.t show the h"nter where to ind it$ the stag doesn.t tea#h the savage ho"nds to r"n.
<et others seek advantage) aith "l to how ' started$ '.ll go on) '.ll give the <emnian girls swords to kill me. :ake "s believe (it.s so easy) that we.re loved) aith #omes easily to the loving in their !rayers. let a woman look longingly at her yo"ng man$ sigh dee!ly$ and ask him why he #omes so late) add tears$ and eigned grie over a rival$ and tear at his #heeks with her nails) he.ll straight away be #onvin#ed) and she.ll be !itied$ and he.ll say) EShe.s seiHed by love o me.. Cs!e#ially i he.s #"lt"red$ !leased with his mirror$ he.ll believe he #o"ld to"#h the goddesses with love. &"t yo"$ whatever wrong o##"rs$ be lightly tro"bled$ nor in !oor s!irits i yo" hear o a rival. 8on.t believe too F"i#kly) how F"i#k belie #an wo"nd$ (ro#ris sho"ld be an e>am!le to yo". There.s a sa#red o"ntain$ and sweet green%t"r ed gro"nd$ near to the bright slo!es o lowered *ymett"s) the low woods orm a grove) strawberry%trees to"#h the grass$ it smells o rosemary$ bay and bla#k myrtle) there.s no la#k o oliage$ dense bo> and ragile tamarisk$ nor ine #lover$ and #"ltivated !ine. The many kinds o leaves and grass%heads tremble at the to"#h o light winds and re reshing breeHes. The F"iet !leased 3e!hal"s) leaving men and dogs behind$ the weary yo"th o ten settled on this s!ot$ E3ome$ i#kle breeHe (Aura)$ who #ools my heat. he "sed to sing$ Ebe wel#ome to my breast.. Some o i#io"s !erson$ evilly remembering what he.d heard$ bro"ght it to the wi e.s ear "l hearing) (ro#ris$ as she took the name Aura to be some rival$ ainted$ and was s"ddenly d"mb with grie ) She grew !ale$ as the leaves o #hoi#e vine%stalks grow !ale$ wo"nded by an early winter$ or ri!e F"in#es ar#hing on their bran#hes$ or #ornelian #herries not yet it or "s to eat. As her breath ret"rned$ she tore the thin #lothing rom her breast$ and s#rat#hed at her inno#ent #heeks with her nails) Then she led F"i#kly$ renHied$ down the ways$ hair lowing$ like a :aenad ro"sed by the thyrs"s.
As she #ame near$ she le t her #om!anions in the valley$ bravely hersel entered the grove$ in se#ret$ on silent eet. /hat was in yo"r mind$ when yo" hid there so oolishly$ (ro#risA /hat ardo"r$ in yo"r terri ied heartA 8id yo" think she.d #ome soon$ Aura$ whoever she was$ and her in amy be visible to yo"r eyes. ?ow regretting that yo" #ame (not wishing to s"r!rise them) now !leased) do"bting love twists at yo"r heart. The !la#e$ the name$ the witness$ #ommand belie $ and the mind always thinks what it ears is tr"e. She saw signs that a body had !ressed down the grass$ her #hest throbbed$ F"ivering with its an>io"s heart. ?ow noon had #ontra#ted the thin shadows$ and dawn and twilight were !arted eF"ally) behold$ 3e!hal"s$ *ermes.s #hild$ ret"rned to the wood$ and !l"nged his b"rning a#e in the o"ntain.s water. =o" hid$ (ro#ris$ an>io"sly) he lay down as "s"al on the grass$ and #ried) E3ome yo" He!hyrs$ yo" sweet air (Aura)6. As her Goyo"s error in the name #ame to the miserable girl$ her wits and the tr"e #olo"r o her a#e ret"rned. She rose$ and with agitated body moved the o!!osing leaves$ a wi e r"nning to her h"sband.s arms) *e$ s"re a wild beast moved$ lea!t yo"th "lly to his eet$ gras!ing his s!ear in his right hand. /hat are yo" doing$ "nha!!y manA That.s no #reat"re$ hold ba#k yo"r throw6 Alas$ yo"r girl.s !ier#ed by yo"r s!ear6 She #alled o"t) EAh me6 =o".ve !ier#ed a loving heart. That !art always takes its wo"nd rom 3e!hal"s. ' die be ore my time$ b"t not wo"nded by a rival) that will ens"re yo"$ earth$ lie lightly on me. ?ow my s!irit de!arts into that air with its de#e!tive name) ' !ass$ ' go$ dear hand$ #lose my eyes6. *e held the body o his dying lady on his sad breast$ and bathed the #r"el wo"nd with his tears. She died$ and her breath$ !assing little by little rom her rash breast$ was #a"ght on her sad lover.s li!s. Book III Part -VII: $atch How 1o" Eat and Drink &"t to res"me the work) bare a#ts or me
so that my weary vessel #an rea#h harbo"r. =o".re an>io"sly e>!e#ting$ while ' lead yo" to dinner$ that yo" #an even ask or my advi#e there too. 3ome late$ and #ome "!on "s #harmingly in the lam!light) yo".ll #ome with !leasing delay) delay.s a grand sed"#tress. Cven i yo".re !lain$ with drink yo".ll seem bea"ti "l$ and night itsel grants #on#ealment to yo"r ailings. Take the ood daintily) how yo" eat does matter) don.t smear yo"r a#e all over with a greasy hand. 8on.t eat be ore at home$ b"t sto! be ore yo".re "ll) be a little less eager than yo" #an be) i (aris$ (riam.s son$ saw *elen eating greedily$ he.d detest it$ and say) E:ine.s a oolish !riHe.. 't.s more itting$ and it s"its girls more$ to drink) &a##h"s yo" don.t go badly with 0en"s.s boy. So long as the head holds o"t$ and the mind and eet stand irm) and yo" don.t see two o what.s only one. Shame "l a woman lying there$ dren#hed with too m"#h wine) she.s worthy o slee!ing with anyone who.ll have her. And it.s not sa e to all aslee! at table) many shame "l things "s"ally ha!!en in slee!. Book III Part -VIII: And So To Bed To have been ta"ght more is shame "l) b"t kindly 0en"s said) E/hat.s shame "l is my !arti#"lar #on#ern.. <et ea#h girl know hersel ) ado!t a reliable !ost"re or her body) one layo"t.s not s"itable or all. She who.s known or her a#e$ lie there a#e "!wards) let her ba#k be seen$ she who.s ba#k delights. :ilanion bore Atalanta.s legs on his sho"lders) i they.re good looking$ that mode.s a##e!table. <et the small be #arried by a horse) Androma#he$ his Theban bride$ was too tall to straddle *e#tor.s horse. <et a woman noted or her length o body$ !ress the bed with her knees$ ar#h her ne#k slightly. She who has yo"th "l thighs$ and a"ltless breasts$ the man might stand$ she s!read$ with her body downwards. 8on.t think it shame "l to loosen yo"r hair$ like a :aenad$ and throw ba#k yo"r head with its lowing tresses.
=o" too$ whom <"#ina.s marked with #hildbirth.s wrinkles$ like the swi t #hild o (arthia$ t"rn yo"r mo"nt aro"nd. There.s a tho"sand ways to do it) sim!le and least e ort$ is G"st to lie there hal %t"rned on yo"r right side. &"t neither (hoeb"s.s tri!ods nor Ammon.s horn shall sing greater tr"ths to yo" than my :"se) ' yo" tr"st art.s !romise$ that '.ve long em!loyed) my songs will o er yo" their !romise. /oman$ eel love$ melted to yo"r very bones$ and let both delight eF"ally in the thing. 8on.t leave o"t sed"#tive #oos and delight "l m"rm"rings$ don.t let wild words be silent in the middle o yo"r games. =o" too whom nat"re denies se>"al eeling$ !retend to sweet delight with art "l so"nds. Dnha!!y girl$ or whom that sl"ggish !la#e is n"mb$ whi#h man and woman eF"ally sho"ld enGoy. 1nly beware when yo" eign it$ lest it shows) #reate belie in yo"r movements and yo"r eyes. /hen yo" like it$ show it with #ries and !anting breath) Ah6 ' bl"sh$ that !art has its own se#ret signs. She who asks ondly or a gi t a ter love.s delights$ #an.t want her reF"est to #arry any weight. 8on.t let light into the room thro"gh all the windows) it.s itting or m"#h o yo"r body to be #on#ealed. The game is done) time to des#end$ yo" swans$ yo" who bent yo"r ne#ks beneath my yoke. As on#e the boys$ so now my #rowd o girls ins#ribe on yo"r tro!hies E1vid was my master.. End o0 Book III and o0 The Ars A'atoria

Ovid: The Art of Love

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