Ovid Amores II

esse quid hoc dicam, quod tam mihi dura videntur

What should I say this to be, that the mattresses seem so hard to me

strata, neque in lecto pallia nostra sedent,

nor do my covers stay on the bed,

et vacuus somno noctem, quam longa, peregi,

And I have passed the night (how long!) empty from sleep,

lassaque versati corporis ossa dolent?

And the weary bones of my turned body ache?

nam, puto, sentirem, si quo temptarer amore -

For, I think, I should know if I was being tempted by love

an subit et tecta callidus arte nocet?

or does it steal in and cleverly do harm by hidden skill?

sic erit: haeserunt tenues in corde sagittae,

Thus it will be: the slender arrows stick in the heart

et possessa ferus pectora versat Amor

And savage Love turns the occupied hearts

cedimus, an subitum luctando accendimus ignem?

Do we surrender, or do we inflame the sudden fire by struggling?

cedamus: leve fit, quod bene fertur, onus.

Let’s surrender: the burden becomes light that which is well endured

vidi ego iactatas mota face crescere flammas

I have seen that fanned flames grow with the movement of a torch

et vidi nullo concutiente mori

and I myself have seen them die when no one shakes it

verbera plura ferunt quam quos iuvat usus atatri,

Oxen, who, when seized, refuse the first yoke,

dectractant prensi dum igua prima, boves;

bear more beatings than those whom the use of the plough pleases;

asper equus duris contunditur ora lupatis:

the wayward horse bruises its mouth on the hard toothed bit:

frena minus sentit, quisquis ad arma facit

Whichever adapts to its tools feels the reins less.

acrius invitos multoque ferocius urget,

Love urges the unwilling more fiercely and much

quam qui servitium ferre fatentur, Amore.

More ferociously than those who acknowledge that they endure slavery.

en ego, confiteor, tua sum nova praeda, Cupido;

Look, I confess, I am your newest plunder, Cupid;

porrigimus victas ad tua iura manus.

I stretch out my conquered hands to your authority.

nil opus est bello: veniam pacemque rogamus;

There is no need for war: I ask for mercy and peace;

nec tibi laus armis victus inermis ero

nor will I be a cause of praise to you if conquered by arms when unarmed

necte comam myrto, maternas iunge columbas

bind your hair with myrtle, yoke your mother’s doves

qui deceat, currum vitricius ipse dabit

your stepfather himself will give you a chariot as he should

inque dato curru, populo clamante triumphum

and you will stand in the given chariot with the people shouting about your triumph

stabis et adiunctas arte movebis aves

and you will move the joined birds with skill

ducentur capti iuvenes captaeque puellae

captive young men and captive girls will be led

haec tibi magnificus pompa triumphus erit

this procession will be a magnificent triumph for you

ipse ego, praeda recens, factum modo vulnus habebo

I myself, your new plunder, will have the wound just made

et nova captiva vincula mente feram.

and I will bear my new chains with a captive mind

Mens Bona ducetur manibus post terga retortis

Good sense will be led with hands tied behind his back

et Pudor et castris quidquid Amoris obest.

And Modesty and whatever is against Love’s camp

omnia te metuent, ad te sua bracchia tendens

All will fear you, extending their arms to you

volgus ‘io’ magna voce ‘triumphe’ canet

The people will sing “io triumphe” with a great voice.

Blanditiae comites tibi erunt Errorque Furorque,

Flatteries and Error and Madness will be your companions.

adsidue partes turba secuta tuas.

constantly having followed the crowd as your supporters.

his tu militibus superas hominesque deosque;

You overcome both men and gods with these soldiers;

haec tibi si demas commoda, nudus eris.

If you should take away these advantages from you, you will be naked.

laeta triumphanti de summo mater Olympo

Your happy mother will applaud you as you triumph from the height of Olympus

plaudet et adpositas sparget in ora rosas.

and sprinkle the roses laid beside her on your face.

tu pinnas gemma, gemma variante capillos,

You will go with jewels on your wings, with jewels of various colours in your hair,

ibis in auratis aureus ipse rotis.

golden yourself in your golden chariot.

tunc quoque non paucos, si te bene novimus, ures;

Then you will also burn not a few people, if I know you well;

tunc quoque praeteriens vulnera multa dabis.

Then also in passing you will give many wounds.

non possunt, licet ipse velis, cessare sagittae;

Your arrows cannot stop, even if you yourself want it;

fervida vicino flamma vapore nocet.

Your fiery flame injures with a close heat.

talis erat domita Bacchus Gangetide terra:

Such was Bacchus when the land of the Ganges had been subdued:

tu gravis alitibus, tigribus ille fuit.

You oppressed with birds, he was with tigers

ergo cum possim sacri pars esse triumphi,

Therefore since I can be part of your sacred triumph,

parce tuas in me perdere victor opes

As a winner, refrain from wasting your power on me.

aspice cogniati felicia Caesaris arma:

Behold the happy weapons of your kinsman Caesar:

qua vicit, victos protegit ille manu.

He protects the conquered with the hand with which he conquered.