Ovid's Erotic Poems. Ovid

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СКАЧАТЬ Perhaps our family can count its fields and ploughs, And parsed-out pennies are all it allows 10 Me. Phoebus, though, and Bacchus, and the Muses, and Amor, deliver me into your hand. I’ll offer you the greatest trust, love free from stain, And proper modesty—all clean and plain. I am no ladies’ man who jumps from horse to horse, 15 Some circus rider, but will stay the course Spun out by Clotho through the years—their whole, long thread— And die with you beside me at my bed. You only need to give yourself to be my theme To see that what I write’s worth your esteem. 20 Recall those other famous women: she who turned Bovine; and one a swan left not quite spurned; That girl who went to sea with what just seemed a bull (Her virgin hands held horns to push and pull)? Oh, we’ll be sung that way throughout the world forever— 25 Two names that earth and time will never sever.

       I.4

Your husband’s coming to our feast? That same repast
I’m praying will turn out to be his last?
So I must see my darling like some common guest;
Watch any banquet hanger-on caressed.
Shall someone else, some man, grow warmer in my place,	5
Arms round your neck in casual embrace?
No wonder that the wedding of Atrax’s daughter
Drew both those men and half-men to the slaughter!
But not for me some Centaur’s home; my members mean
To have you like a man’s. That’s plainly seen.	10
So memorize what you must do (don’t give the South
Wind or the East these words fresh from my mouth):
Arrive before him. As to why, I cannot say:
What could we do? Come early anyway.
Then when he lies down on the couch, go modestly,	15
But brush against my foot in secrecy.
And watch my subtle looks, my eyes, communicate;
Catch all my hints … and then reciprocate.
Arch words that make no sound will speak from silent brows.
Observe my hands; in wine, they’ll trace my vows.	20
When you are thinking of our hungry, errant hands,
Finger your cheeks as if with blushing brands.
Or if you’re harboring against me some complaint,
Tug gently on your earlobe as a feint.
My darling, when I speak and you approve the sound,	25
Then smile … and twirl one of your rings around.
Hands down like those in prayer, palm the banquet table …
To wish him all the curses you are able.
The wine he stirs for you, let your husband drink—take heed!
Then whisper your choice to the ganymede.	30
The cup that’s been refilled, I’ll take and drink from first,
Sipping from where your lips have quenched their thirst.
If he should offer you some dainty that he’s tasted,
Refuse your husband’s food; let it be wasted.
Don’t let him throw his arms around your slender shoulder	35
Or draw you to that chest hard as a boulder.
Make sure his nimble fingers never find your breast.
Don’t let him kiss you—this above the rest!
Just let his lips touch yours and I’ll stand up and swear
They’re mine, revealing my love then and there.	40
But these are open torts; the robe you wear, my dear,
Hides things that fill me with a cold, blind fear.
Don’t let your thigh touch his; don’t let his brush your leg.
Your soft foot touch his rough one? No, I beg!
I fear so much because I’ve boldly done it, too.	45
See how my own acts act like rack and screw,
So often have we two too fast made sweetest haste,
Beneath unfastened robes, to touch and taste.	СКАЧАТЬ В начало < 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 > В конец