OVID DE PONTO.
LIB. I.
ELEGIE. I.
To Brutus.
NAso that long hath liv'd in Tomos land,
Sends this work to thee from the Getick strand
To receive these bookes, friend Brutu [...] take some care,
And hide them in some place no matter where
M [...]ngst other publicke workes they dare not come,
Least for their Authors sake they finde no roome,
Alasse, oft have I sayd you teach no ill,
Then goe, chaste verses doe finde some place still▪
And yet they would not yeeld, but as you see
Within some private house would hidden be.
[Page] If thou wouldst know where to place them without feare,
Where my Art of love did stand let them stand there.
Thou mayst aske what they are because they are new?
Yet receive them since no Art of love they shew.
Though th [...]y have no mournefull title you shall see,
They are as sad as Tristia could be,
Their titles differ, but their subjects are
The same while every Elegie doth declare
His undissembled name to whom 'tis sent,
Though perhaps you are not therewithall content,
But you cannot prohibit me, for still
My muse will be officious 'gainst your will
Yet howsoever, see that you doe joyne
Vnto the other these last bookes of mine.
You neede not feare, Antonius workes are read,
And learned Brutus reades them without dread,
Though with such great names I doe not compare
Yet gainst the gods I never waged warre.
Lastly my bookes give Caesar his due praise,
Though from my bookes he would receive no Bayes,
Receive my booke since they his prayse containe,
And take my verse though you blot out my name▪
If the peacefull Olive bough makes warre cease,
And is the Embleme of ensuing p [...]ae;
Then shall it not availe me tha: I sing,
The praises of a happy peacefull King?
When Aeneas bore his father, they doe say
The sire in mercy unto him gave way.
Then since these present bookes of mine doe bring
One of Aeneus glorious great off-spring
Should not the way to them lye open rather,
Since that great Caesar is his Countrles father.
Who will boldly from his doore drive him away
That with his hand doth on a Timbrell play,
[Page] And when the Minstrell on his crooked horne
Doth play before Diana, none doe scorne
His musicke, but when they doe heare him sing,
Who gives not a small peece of coyne to him.
We know Diana no such charge did give,
But yet the Prophesier needes must live.
The reverence of the gods doth moove us thus,
And it is good to be thus credulous.
But to no hollow Phrygian pipe I sing,
But the sacred names of the Romane nation bring▪
Give place then to my bookes I thee desire
Not I but Caesars name doth it require.
For though that I have felt the Princes wrath,
Our honouring of him some acceptance hath:
I have seene one that gainst Isis did commit
A fault, confest did at her Altar sit;
Another for like fault depriv'd of sight,
Cry'd out his punishment was just and right.
The heavenly gods do such confessions love,
That what their power is they may so approve.
They restore sight, and take off punishment,
When they perceive that sinners doe repent.
I repent if misery may be beleev'd,
I doe repent, and for my fact am griev'd.
My fault doth grieve me more than banishment,
And to deserve, than suffer punishment.
Though the gods and Caesar should my fault remit▪
They can't wipe out the offence I did commit.
Though death from punishment doe me free,
Death cannot make me no offender be.
Then tis no wonder if my minde tyr'd grow,
And doe dissolve like unto melting snow,
For as the hidden worme a ship doth eate,
And waves make hollow rockes on which they [...],
[Page] As rust eates Iron when it hath it tooke,
And paper-mothes doe feede upon a book [...],
Even so cares doe feede u [...]on my brest,
And sorrow which doe never give me r [...]st;
Nor will they cease to sting me while I live,
My grie [...]e is longer liv'd than I that greeve.
If the gods would beleeve me, whose we are,
They'd send me some small helpe from this my [...]are
And would remove me from cold Scythia,
I shall be impud [...]n [...] if for more I pray.
ELEGIE. II.
To Maximus.
MAximus, great by name and great by kind,
Who gracest thy birth by thy noble minde.
For when that thou into the world didst come,
As if they meant to give thy birthright roome,
Three hundred Fab [...] in one day did fall,
That fatall day tooke not away them all.
Perh [...]p thou wouldst know from whom this letters sent
Or else to know whose I am thou art bent.
What shall I doe? when thou my name hast red,
I feare thou wilt unwillingly proceede:
Yet if that any chance these lines to see,
I dare confesse that I writ them to thee,
And that my purpose therein was that I
Might so bewayle my owne sad misery,
And that I writ them to thee▪ I dare conf [...]sse,
To signifie to thee my owne [...],
[Page] Who though I doe confesse I worthy am
Of more punishment, I cannot more sustaine,
Dangers and enemies on each side come on me,
As if with my Country, safety were tooke from me▪
Who that their wounded enemies may fall,
Doe poyson their arrow [...]s with the viper [...] gall.
The horseman arm'd with these the walls beholds,
Like a Wol [...]e that walkes round about Sheepefolds.
When with a string of horses guts compact,
He bend [...] his Bow, whose string is seldome sl [...]ckt.
A showre of Arrowes from their Bowes doth flye▪
And the gate can [...]earce keepe out the enemie.
The Countries barren without leafe or tree,
And Winters joyned unto winters be.
Five winters I have beene in this estate,
Enduring cold, and striving with my fate,
My griefe is in continuall teares exprest,
And deadly dulnesse doth possesse my brest,
Happie was Niobe, for although that she,
The death of her children did behold and see,
Yet being chang'd into a stone thereby
She grew insensible of her misery.
Happy are you, who weeping for your brother
The Popler with his barke your face did cover,
Bu [...] I cannot be chang'd to any tree,
And I doe wish in vaine a stone to be;
Nay if that I Medusa's head should see,
Medusa's head could have no power on me
Thus doe we live, still sensible of woe,
And griefes by length of time more grievous grow.
Thus Ti [...]ius liver growes, that he thereby
Instead of dying once, may often dye.
But when rest and sleepe, which sorrowes medcine [...] are,
Doe come at night and ease me of my care,
[Page] Then imitating Dreames false sorrowes shew,
Which when I wake my sorrowes doe renew.
Me thinkes I from the Sar [...]a [...]ian arrowes [...]lye
Or that I am held in captivitie.
Or when some happier dreame doth me deceive
I see my Country which I for [...]'d did leave:
Sometimes with you my friends, me think [...]s I speake,
And sometimes to my wife my minde I breake.
When thus with false dreames I have pleased beene,
They make my present state farre worser seeme
Shaddowes of joy make sorrowes greater seeme.
And thus by day in misery I live,
And when the dewie night her Coach doth drive,
My brest even with continuall cares doth melt
As soft waxe when the fires heate hath felt,
I pray for death and doe unpray againe,
Least that Sarmatia should my bones containe.
When I thinke on Caesars clemency I beleeve,
That unto me he will a pardon give.
But thinking on the constancie of my trouble,
My former hope doth faile and my feare double.
Yet this is all to which my hopes aspire
To be remov'd hence is all I desire,
This is a suite which you with modestie,
To obtaine in my behalfe may easily try.
ELEGIE. III:
To Maximus.
MAximus most eloquent in the Romane speech,
Defend my doubtfull cause I thee beseech,
[Page] Tis bad, but will be good if thou it plead
And with gentle words in my case intercede,
For though Caesar all things knowes, he knowes not this,
Of what condition this remote place is
In government his thoughts employed are
For his royall brest this is too meane a care,
Or to enquire how Tomos land doth lye,
Scarce knowne unto the Getes that live thereby▪
Nor knowes he what the Sauromatians doe,
The Lazygians, or Tauricans fi [...]rce in shew,
Or other Nations, who o're Ister ride,
Where frozen ice doth all the River hide:
The most of them, for thee Rome do [...] not care,
Nor of the Romane Souldier stand in feare.
Their Bowes and Quivers make them waxe stou [...].
And their fleete horses sit abroade to scout.
And because they thirst and hunger can endure,
While their enemies no water can procure,
Sure his mild anger had not sent me hither,
If he had knowne this land or people either.
He would not have any Romane to be,
Captive unto a forraigne enemie,
And I suppose that he much lesse would have
Me taken captive, to whom life he gave.
He did not seeke my death although he might,
Without the Getes helpe have destroy'd me quite:
But he found that death was not deserv'd by me,
So that he was most mercifull to me;
And what he did, I did compell him to
And in his wrath much mildnesse he did shew;
You Gods grant, mongst whom none can juster be
Then Caesar, that none may greater be than he,
And that after his long raigne it still may be,
Govern'd by one of Caesars Progenie.
[Page] And when thou findst his mercy is no l [...]sse,
Then speake to him for me in great distresse,
Seeke no repeale from banishment, but that I
May live in banishment safe from the enemie.
Th [...]t that life which Caesa [...]s mercy did afford,
The Gete may not take from me by the swo [...]d.
But when at length I dye, I may dye in peace,
That the Scythian earth my bones may never presse
Nor the Bistonian Horse may tread upon▪
The scattered ashes of a banisht man,
And that if the Sp [...]rit often death survive,
Mongst the Sarmatian ghosts I may not live.
O Maximus these matters may encline
Caesars m [...]nde to pitty, if they first move thine;
O may thy words his royall minde once sof [...]n,
Which have defended guilty parties often,
And with the usuall sweetenesse of thy speech,
Caesars most godlike majestie beseech,
Atreus nor Theromedon shalt thou intreate
Who gave their horses humane flesh to eate
But a Prince to punish slow, to reward free,
Grieving when he must needes more cruell be:
Who c [...]nquers, that he may the conquer'd spare
With quiet peace suppressing civill warre
By feare, not punishment he doth command,
And casts his thunder with an unwilling hand.
Beg of him to banish me to some place where
Vnto my Country I might live more neere;
I'm he whose love to you hath beene exprest,
And on hollidayes have beene your frequent guest,
I am he, did Hymen to your wedding bring,
Whi [...]e at your marriage I did verses sing,
And thou wert wont to praise my bookes I am sure,
Excepting those my ruine did procure.
[Page] I am he, to whom thy writin [...]s thou didst read,
Who out of thy family a wife did wed,
Whom Martia did from her childhood love
And for her chiefe companion did approve,
Caesars grandmother did her much esteeme;
She must be good that's loved by a Queene,
But Claudia whose fame 'bove envie stood,
Did want none of their pra [...]se to make her good.
Besides my former life is free from spot,
Though the last part of life must be forgot.
[...]ut though I'm silent of my selfe and life,
Yet you are bound to take care of my wife:
She flyes to you, your Altars she embraces,
(All flye to their owne gods in distressed cases)
And she entreating you with mournefull teares,
That you would try with your most humble prayers.
Great Caesars wrat [...] to appease and pacifie,
That her husband neerer unto her might dye.
ELEGIE. IIII.
To Rufinus.
Rvsinus, Naso doth this letter send,
If one in misery may be a friend:
For in your comfort, my confused mind,
Much helpe, and hope in misery did finde,
As Paeantius by Machaonian Art▪
Had his wound cured which before did smart;
So I being sicke in minde, with wounds of griefe,
Yet by your admonition found releefe.
[Page] And by your words to life I was restor'd,
As vaines doe swell when wines into them por'd,
And yet your eloquence had not so great strength,
That your words could cure my grieved mind at length,
For though you take some cares out of my brest
That which remaines will be as much at least,
A scarre in time may unto skinning come,
But greene wounds doe at first all handling shunne▪
The Physitians cannot alwayes helpe impart,
Sometimes the malady doth exceede his Art;
You see how a little blood from the Lungs drawne,
Most certaine death doth still occasion.
Though Epidaurius sacred hearbes doe bring,
The wounded heart cannot be cur'd by him:
No Medicine can take away the knotty gout,
Nor can any Soveraigne waters worke it out:
So sometimes no Art can cure griefe and care
Till they by l [...]ngth of time outworne are.
For when thy words had well confirm'd my mind
Arm'd with that courage I in thee did find.
My Countries love above reason did prevaile,
And made the comfort of thy writings faile.
Call it affection, or a womanish part.
I confesse that wretched I have a soft heart.
Vlisses wisedome, cannot doubled be,
Yet he did wish his Countries smoake to see.
All thinke their native soyle to be most sweete,
And in absence they will remember it.
What more faire than Rome? while Scythia cold lyes,
Yet the Salvage from the City hither flies.
Thus Pandion daughters shut in a Cage of wire,
To returne unto the woods doe still desire.
Wild Buls the Forrests where they haunt approve,
And the wild Lyons their usuall Dens doe love.
[Page] Yet your words cannot draw out of my brest
The sting of banishment that doth it molest.
Make your selves lesse belov'd of me, that I
May beare the want of your sweete company,
For I am banisht from my native Land
To an inhumane place of fates command;
[...]n the farthest part of the world I abide,
Whereas continuall Snow the earth doth hide.
For here the barren and unfruitfull field,
No apples, nor sweete pleasant grapes doth yeeld,
No Osiers on the Rivers bankes are seene,
Nor Oakes upon the Mountaines doe looke greene.
Nor can you prayse the Sea more than the Land,
Whose gloomie waves swell at the windes command.
Wheresoere you looke untill'd fields you may see,
And vast grounds that to none belonging be.
The enemie on each hand doth abide,
And puts us in a fright on either side.
One side doth feele the strong Bistonian bowes,
On the other the Sarmatian arrowes throwes:
G [...]e, and some old example shew to me,
Of men that bravely bore adversitie:
Admire the valiant Rutilus who did scorne
To make use of a conditionall returne.
He in Smyrna not in Pontus then did live,
Smyrna a place which did much pleasure give
Sinopeus griefe for his Country was not great,
For he chose Attica to be his seate.
Neoclides who the Persian power did quell,
In a Graecian Cittie banished did dwell,
Aristides did to Lacedemon flye,
Which of his Country had no prioritie:
Patroclus having done a murther runne away,
From Opus and came to Thessalia.
[Page] He that from Aemonia was a banisht man,
Vnto the waters of Pirenis came;
And went Captaine of that ship which sayl'd to Greece,
To fetch from C [...]lchos the rich golden fleece.
Cadmus from Sidons wals did co [...]e away,
That a better foundation he might lay.
And Tyd [...]us banished from Calidon,
Vnto Adrastus did for succour come:
And Carthage which faire Venus still defended,
Receiv'd Aen [...]as and him much befriended.
What should I shew how the ancient [...]omanes sent
Their banisht men no farther than Tiber went.
Should I reckon all the banishment that were,
Yet from their Country none were sent so farre;
Then let your wisedome pardon my sad griefe,
If by your words it doe [...]nde sm [...]ll releefe.
I [...] s if that my griefes could be compos'd.
My wound of griefe had by your words beene clos'd.
But I feare you in vaine doe strive to cure me,
And that you can no helpe at all procure me.
I speake not this because I wiser am,
But more knowne to my selfe than the Physician;
However I your goodwill doe esteeme,
Which hath most acceptable to me beene.
ELEGIE. V.
To his Wife.
Now age upon my haire a whitenesse sprinckles,
And on my face hath plough'd up many wrinckles,
[Page] The vigor of my body now doth languish,
[...] all my strength doth ruine to pai [...]e and anguish,
[...]hose sports which pleased me when I was young,
[...]re most unpleasant unto me b [...]come.
[...]or on a suddaine can you me scarce know,
[...]nce I by age doe so much changed shew.
[...]eares I confesse this change upon me drawes,
[...]et gri [...]fe and labour doe it also cause.
[...] my yeares be reckoned by my misery,
[...]han ancient Nesto [...] I shall older be
[...]ou see that Oxen (through their strength abound)
[...]re worne out with ploughing stiffe clay ground.
[...]nd that ground which doth never fallow lye,
[...]y bearing fruit doth barren w [...]xe thereby,
[...]he [...]orse will be tyr'd out, and even fall downe,
[...]hat in the race continually doth runne.
[...] ship decayes that still at Sea doth lye,
[...] she be not moor'd within the docke to dry;
[...] length of troubles makes my strength decline,
[...]nd maketh me grow old before my time.
[...] rest doth feede the body and the mind,
[...]ut immoderate labour weares both out we [...]inde:
[...]ecause that Iason hither sayl'd, you see
[...]on he was praised by posteritie;
[...]ut his labours lesser were than mine, though fain'd,
[...] great mens action [...] may be truely scan'd,
[...]or he to Pontus was by Peltas sent,
[...]ho in Thessalia held his government
[...]aesars wrath hurt me, whom all Lands every where,
[...]on the rising to the setting Sunne doe [...]eare.
[...]monia is to Pontus neerer farre,
[...]han Rome and the cold River Ister are,
[...]o that his journey shorie▪ was than mine.
[...]esides he had some chiefe Graecians a [...] that time,
[Page] Who went along to beare him company,
But in my banishment all my friends left me,
We in a weake barke ploughing the Sea were,
But it was a stout Ship that did Iaso [...] beare.
Nor was Typhis our Pilot, or Amintors sonne,
To reach us how to steare, or what course runne.
Pallas and royall Iuno him protected,
But none of Heavens powers my ship directed.
And Cupids stolne pleasures he discerned
Which I doe wish from me he had learned,
He return'd home, we in these fields must dye,
If Caesars wrath endure continually.
Therefore my troubles heavier doe appeare,
(Most constant wife) than those Iason did beare,
And though when I left the City thou wert young
I beleeve thou now with griefe art aged growne.
Yet I wish the gods would grant, I might thee see,
And kisse thee, though thy haire white changed be,
Embracing thy slender body, while I remember,
That griefe for me did make thee grow thus slender,
That I with teares might tell my griefes to thee,
While thou with [...]eares didst hearken unto me,
Relating my past labours, while that I
Enjoyed thy unhop'd for company.
That to Caesar and his Consort I might bring
Frankince [...]se as a gratefull offering,
I wish that Caesars wrath were so appeas'd,
That faire Auron [...] would but once be pleas'd
That she would bring this happy newes away;
Soone as her Rosy che [...]ke sends forth the day.
ELEGIE. VI.
To Maximus.
NAso, that was esteemed in times past
Amongst thy other friends not to be last.
(Maximus) doth entreate thee now to reade
These words which from his banisht Mus [...] proceede,
[...]ooke, not in them for former straines of wit,
You know that they in banishment were writ.
The body by idlenesse doth corrupt grow,
And water corrupts that doth not move or flow.
[...]o if I had in verse a happy straine,
[...]or want of use I have lost it now againe,
[...]nd Maximus if you will beleeve me I
[...]hese lines you read have writ unwillingly,
[...]ly minde my present griefes cannot resist,
[...]ly Muse among the Getes will not me assist.
Yet to write some verses I doe strive you see,
Though they as rugged as my fortunes bee.
And I am asham'd when I have red them over,
[...]ecause I in them so many faults discover.
[...]hat in my judgement, who them first did frame,
[...]hey doe deserve to be blotted out againe.
[...]et to mend them, then to write them is more paine,
[...]nd my sicke mind no labour can sustaine.
[...]hall I beginne to use an exacter line,
[...]o place with judgement every word of mine.
[...]e that would have my troubles worser grow,
[...]akes the River Lychus into Hebrus flow.
[...]r maketh the high Mountaine Achos add,
[...]eaves to the Alpes of which they great store had.
[Page] Therefore you ought a wo [...]nded minde to spare,
Oxen leave dravving when they gawled are.
If profit would requite paine undergone,
And if I should reape [...]fruite from that I had sowne;
Yet reckon all my workes, no worke of mine
Hath brought any profit to me at any time,
And I doe wish since they no profit bring,
That they [...] neve [...] to me harmefull beene,
Doe you wonder why I wri [...]e? even so doe I;
And with you admite what good I finde thereby.
Or is the peopl [...]s opinion confirm'd by m [...]?
Who deny that Po [...]s in their [...] be.
Since I so ost deceiv'd with a barren field,
Doe sow seed in a ground doth nothing yeeld.
Yet in his owne study every one takes pl [...]asure,
And in his Art delights to sp [...]nd his leasure.
The wounded Fencer that sweares he will not fight,
Forgets his wounds, and in weapons doth delight.
The Ship wrackt man saies he the Sea [...] will shunne,
Yet straight doth saile, where he before hath swo [...]e.
Thus in a fruitl [...]sse study [...] doe labour,
I forsake the Muses, and yet seeke their favour.
What shall I doe? I cannot idle bee,
Time spent in idlenesse, is like de [...]th to me.
In drinking too much wine, I take no pleasure,
Or in throwing flattering dice to spend my leasure.
When I have given my body so much [...]est
As it requires, so that it is refresht.
When I doe wake, how shall I then bestow
The time which seemeth to [...]unne on so slow.
Shall I learne to bend accordi [...]g to their fashion,
The Sarmatian Bow, forgetting my owne Nation,
I have not strength in that Art to goe on,
My minde is than my body farre more strong
[Page] Considering what I should doe, you shall see,
These unprofitable Arts are best for me:
By them misfortune out of mind I keepe
It is enough if I this fruite doe reape,
Glory makes students, that their verse recited
May be approved, and of all be liked.
Its enough for me easie verse to frame,
Since ther's no cause to make me take more paine.
Why should I pollish my lines with great care?
That the Getes should not like them doe I feare?
Though it may boldnesse seeme, yet boast I doe
[...]ster no better Wit than mine can shew
And while I live here, tis enough to gaine
Among inhumane Getes a Poets na [...]e.
For Fame in another world should I strive?
Rome is the place doth fame and fortune give,
My poore muse with this The [...]t [...]r is content
So I have deserved, so the gods are b [...]nt.
Nor doe I thinke my bookes can thither goe,
Where the Northwind can hardly come to blow,
Our climates different are, for the cold Beare,
Which is farre from Rome, to the Getes is neere.
Through many Lands and Sens, I can't beleeve
My studies should passe, censure to receive.
[...]f they were red, and did please which is strange,
[...]heir Authors sorrowes would not thereby change.
What availes it, if thou in Syene please,
[...]r Tabroband washt, with Indian Seas?
[...]f Countries neere the Pleiades [...]hee praise
Wilt thou goe on in hope, thy fame to raise?
[...]ince my best writings hardly thither come,
[...]y famo with, me was banished from Rome.
And now I doe conjecture and beleeve,
That to speake of my death you all doe leave,
[Page] Since unto you I then indeed was dead,
Men live not when their fame is buried.
ELEGIE. VII.
To Graecinus.
WHen in a forraine Country thou heardst [...]ad
Of my misfortune, was not thy heart sad?
Graecinus, though thou fearest to confesse,
I know thou wert sad hearing my distresse;
Such hardnesse with thy ingenuitie,
And with thy studies doth no lesse agree.
By witty Arts in which thou tak'st delight,
The minde is softn'd, rudenesse put to flight.
And none more studious of all Arts can be,
When the warres, and occasions suffer thee.
Truely when I perceiv'd my owne sad case
(For I was senslesse long, and in a maze)
Of this misfortune I had also sense
That thou who shouldst have beene my strong defence
Wer't absent, and my comfort gone with thee,
Who didst give courage, and counsell to me.
Now though farre of some helpe to me impart,
Speake words of comfort to my grieved heart.
Which (if you dare beleeve no lying friend)
By folly, not by wick [...]dnesse did of [...]end.
'Twere tedious, and not saf [...] for to touch heere
My faults beginning which doth touching feare.
Aske me not how those wounds have first made beene
Touch them not if that you would have them skinne.
[Page] It was no vice, and yet a fault nere lesse,
Or are faults 'gainst the gods held wickednesse.
Therefore all hope hath not forsooke my mind,
I may at last (Graecinus) comfort finde.
This goddesse, when the rest from earth were flowne
Remained on the hated earth alone.
This makes the ditcher bound with fetters live,
And that his legges shall be free he doth beleeve.
This makes the Shipwrackt man begin to swim,
Then when no land at all by him is seene.
He that by the Physician hath beene left
Yet of all hope of life is not bere [...]t.
The condemned prisoner hopes for life they say,
Some hanging on the Crosse for life doe pray.
This goddesse those would hang themselves doth stay
Not s [...]ffering them to make themselves away.
When I to end my griefe with a sword thought,
Shee chid me, and fast hold on me she caught,
What dost thou doe? by [...]eares, not blood saith she,
The wrath of a Prince may appeased be.
Though no hope doth to my deserts belong,
In Caesars mercy still my hope is strong.
Intreate his favour Graecinus, and joyne
With me, in this petition of mine.
And that thou dost move him I understand
Else may I buried be in Tom [...]s sand.
For sooner shall the gentle Doves beginne
To leave those Towers where they have lived in▪
Wild beasts, and Cattle and the quicke Dived apper,
Shall first leave their Dens, the grasse, and water▪
Then Graecinus should forsake his old friend
My fate will not such a misfortune send▪
ELEGIE. VIII.
To Messallnus.
THis Letter which you read, friend Mess [...]li [...]e,
Health from the cruell Getes to you doth bring.
Does not the mention of the place shew whom
Was Authour of it, and whence it doth come.
Or dost not know that Naso writ the same
Vntill that you at length have read my name.
Which of your friends in banishment doth lye,
In farthest part of all the world but I?
And the gods grant that those who reverenc [...] show
And love to you this Country may not know.
Let us mongst Ice and Scythian arrowes live,
If we to death the name of life may give.
Either the earth with warre doth us oppresse
Or else the ayre with cold doth us distresse,
Or the fierce Gete with Armes doth us assayle,
Or else the winter sendeth stormes of hayle.
No grapes or apples in this Country be,
No part of it from enemies is free.
May your other friends in happinesse goe on,
Of which as of the people, I once was one.
Woes me, [...] that these words doe thee offend,
And that thou doest deny I was thy friend.
Pardon my lye, if that thy words be true,
My glory takes away no prayse from yo [...].
Who doth not faine himselfe a friend to be
To Caesar, you shall Caesar be to me.
Yet I into your friendship have not broken,
Tis enough if the gates of love stand open,
[Page] Though you will have nothing with me to doe
Permit me that I may salute thee too.
Your father did not deny [...]e his friend,
But wished me my studdy to attend,
At whose death I wept, and writ Elegies
As my last gift to attend his obsequies.
I lov'd [...] is brother too besides all this,
As stout Atrides did Tindarid [...]s.
Yet he scornd not my love nor company
If you thinke this did him no injury.
If not I will confesse that I doe lye;
Let me lose the love of his family.
Yet why should I lose it, since no power can
A friend from doing an offer res [...]raine.
Though I could wish I could my fault deny,
All know it was free from impiety.
If my fault did not pardonable seeme,
Banishment too small punishment had beene;
But Caesar saw this, who doth all things see,
That my offence might folly called be.
He spar'd me for my offences quality,
And usd his [...]laming thunder moderately.
My life nor country he tooke not away,
If you by suite his anger could allay,
But yet my fall was great, for tis no wonder,
He should be wounded that's strucke with Ioves thunder.
And though Achilles his [...]ackned force restraind,
Pe [...]as speare wounded deepely from his hand.
Since direfull judgement hath overtooke me so,
There's no cause why thy gate should not me know▪
I frequented your house oft, I doe confesse,
But twas my fortune to doe so I guesse,
No other house of my love had such proofe,
For I was alwayes underneath your roofe.
[Page] And your love did not on your selfe reflect,
But as a brother did your friend respect.
Besides, that then advanced to honour wert,
Thou mayest both thanke thy fortune and desert.
If I may wish w [...]at thou desi [...]'st thy selfe,
That thou mayst give, not pay, aske the gods welth.
So thou dost, may I mention it to thee,
Thy goodnesse makes thee bountifull to be.
And therefore Me [...]aline let me be plac'd
Amongst your other friends, though I be last.
And grieve that Ovids griefe, deserv'd doth seeme,
If not for's griefe, grieve he hath faul [...]y beene.
ELEGIE. IX.
To Severus.
SEverus, whom my Soule loves as it selfe,
Thy Ovid loved of thee doth wish thee health
Aske not how I doe, for if my griefes were
Reckon'd, they would enforce from thee a teare.
It is enough for thee that thou dost know,
The totall Summe of all my griefe and woe.
We live without peace and in armes still are
The Quiver-bearing Gete still making warre.
Of so many banisht men, I onely am
At once a Souldier and a banisht man.
And that thou mayst my bookes with pardon take
I in my Armour did these verses make.
There stands a City upon Isters side,
By walls and situation Fortifide.
[Page] Aegypsus if that we may them beleeve,
Did build it, and his name thereto did give.
This the Gete tooke, th' Odrysians being slaine,
And 'gainst the King did a fierce warre maintaine,
Discent, and vallour caused him to raise
An Army which he thither led straight wayes,
Nor departed not, till on his slaughterd foes,
He did revenge himselfe with bloody blowes.
And mayst thou valiant King, even many a day
The glorious Scepter of this Land still sway.
And besides (what fuller wish can thee behove)
May Martiall Rome, and Caesar thee approve.
But to returne, O sweete companion I
Complaine the warres encreasd my misery.
Since farre from you in Scythia I have beene
The rising Pleiades have foure Autumnes seene.
You will not beleeve Ovid thinkes upon
The Cities pleasure, yet he thinkes thereon.
Now sweete friends I remember you, and after
I thinke upon my deare wife, and my daughter.
And on the buildings in the City be,
For in my fancy I doe all things see.
The Courts, the houses, and Theaters lind
With Marble, and the Porch it brings to minde.
The fields, and gardens into minde it brings,
The standing Lakes, the streames, and virgin Springs,
Yet though I am depriv'd of Cities pleasure,
I thinke I may in the Country spend my leasure,
My minde doth not desire to view these fields,
Or delights the Pel [...]gnian Country yeelds.
Nor these gardens which upon the mountaines lay,
By Claudia's house, nere the Fla [...]inian way.
Where I in gardning used to take some paine.
And to water young plants held it for no shame.
[Page] Some grafts I set, if living there doe stand,
Whose fruite must not be gathered by my hand.
Which pleasures having lost, I wish that I
Might here though banisht practise husbandry.
Goates that doe climbe upon the rockes I would keepe;
Or leaning on my staffe, tend on my sheepe.
And that my minde with cares might not be broke,
My labouring Oxen I would daily yoke.
I would learne words the Geti [...]ke Oxen know,
With usuall threatnings making them on goe.
I'de hold the Plough, and heavily on it lye,
And to so [...] seede on f [...]rrowes I would try.
And with my long hooke I the fields would weede,
Or water my garden if that it did neede.
But how should I doe this? there onely be,
A wall and gate [...] us and the enemy.
But I am glad the fatall sisters did,
At th [...] birth spinne thee a more happy thread.
The fi [...]lds, and shady Porch thou dost frequent,
Or the Court, where thou little time hast spent.
In Appian Coach t [...]ou dost the City leave,
While Vmbria and A [...]ana thee receive,
Where you wish Caesar would be pleasd againe,
And that your village mig [...]t me [...]ntertaine.
O friend it is too much which you require,
Contract your wishes, moderate your desire.
Let me live in a Country from warres free,
This will take off part of my misery.
ELEGIE. X.
To Maximus.
OF Celsus death I in your Letter read,
Which made teares from my eyes straightway proceed.
And that which I did never thinke could be,
I read your Letter most unwillingly.
No harsher newes my eare did ever strike,
In Pontus may I never heare the like:
Me thinkes that I doe see him still surviving,
My love doth make me thinke he should be living.
I often thinke how merry he would be,
And performe serious matters faithfully.
Those times with sorrow to remembrance come,
And I doe wish my life had then beene done.
When that my house, whose ruine was not small,
Did suddainely upon my owne head fall,
Maximus, he when that the most [...]id leave me,
Was not my fortunes friend, nor did deceive me.
At my living death, I saw him weepe,
As if his brothers funerall he did keepe.
His love was in his kind embraces showne,
And with my teares he mingled his owne.
O how oft said he that life I did scorne.
And kept my hands from doing my selfe harme?
How oft said he, the gods may pleased be,
Then live, and thinke that they may pardon thee.
But these words were the best, when he did say,
Thinke Maximus will helpe thee any way.
Maximus will endeavour, and will try,
If he great Caesars wrath can mollifie:
[Page] And wish his brother if he at Court have grace,
To mediate some [...]avour in thy case.
These words of his diminished the paine
Of life, then Maximus prove them not vaine.
And he swore he would come hither to me,
If you would give him leave and libertie.
For in like manner he did honour thee,
As thou dost reverence Caesars Majestie.
Beleeve me, though you friends deserved many
He was as worthy a friend as you had any.
If not wealth, or the pedegree of name,
But wit, and honesty doe merit fame.
Then let me weepe for Celsus who is dead,
And weepe backe those teares which on me shed.
Let me write Elegies may his life containe,
That posterity may reade of [...]elsus name.
These from the Gete [...] I can send thee this time,
And this is all that I can here call mine.
I cann't embalme thy body, nor yet be
At thy hearse, who am a world off from thee,
M [...]ximus, whom thou living didst adore,
Hath perform'd all those ri [...]es for thee before.
He in a worthy funerall hath exprest
His love, and powr'd swee [...]e odours on thy brest,
And with his teares the oyntments soft hath made,
And in some ground hard by thy bones hath laide.
Since to his dead friends he thus kind will be,
Amongst the dead he may too reckon me.
ELEGIE. XI.
To Flaccus.
BAnished Ovid, sends thee Flaccus, health,
If one can send, what he doth want himselfe:
For languishing and bitter cares at le [...]gth
Have worne my body and decay'd my strength.
And yet I feele no paine▪ nor panting Feaver,
My pulse doth beate as well as it did ever.
But yet my taste is dull, I loath my meate,
And at due times I have no list to ea [...]e.
For if that Ga [...]imede should give to me
Sweete [...]ectar and Ambrosi [...], which be
[...]anquets for Gods to feede on, and to drink▪
T [...]eir rell [...]sh could not please my tas [...]e I thinke;
Though the [...] are pleasant and most savoury,
Yet in my stomacke the [...] would heavy lye.
This truth to every one I dare n [...]t w [...]ite.
Least I should seem in misery to delight.
As if such were my fortunes and my sta [...]e
That I in wantonnesse delight could take.
May he take such delight who ere [...]e be
Who feares least Caesars wrath should milder be.
And that sleepe which doth a full body cherish,
Doth not at all the empty body nourish.
But as I wake my endlesse sorrowes wake,
And from the place fresh cause of griefe doe take.
So that my face by you could not be knowne,
And [...]ou would wonder how my colours gone.
My slender limbes but little bl [...]od containe
And than new waxe I am more pale and wan.
[Page] Excessive drinking wine doth not cause this,
Water you know my common drinke here is,
I am not pleasd with bankers, if I were,
Amongst the Getes theres no such plenty here.
And Venus pleasures doe not weaken me,
Those desires vanish in adversity.
The place, and water, causers of it be,
And sorrow which is present still with me.
You and your brother still my helpers were,
Or else my mind could not her sorrowes beare.
You are the Port to which my Barke doth drive,
That helpe which som [...] deny unto me give,
Then helpe me still, for I shall neede helpe sure,
While Caesars anger against me doth endure.
Humbly beseech your gods his minde to bend
That so his wrath may lessen though not end.
OVID DE PONTO.
LIB. II.
ELEGIE. I.
To Brutus.
THE fame of Caesars triumph hi [...]her stretches,
Whether the weary South scarsely reaches
I thought no good news could to Scythia com,
I hate the place now lesse than I have done.
[...]t length my cares being vanisht out of sight,
[...]ike moving clouds; I saw some glimpse of light,
[...]o that my fortune I began to flatter,
[...]eing glad to raise joy out of any matter.
[...]hough Caesar would not these joyes should chance to me
[...]ou must grant he would have them common be,
[...]he gods that all men with a cheerefull mind
[...]light worship them, have festivals assign'd,
[...]hat they might lay aside, all griefe and sadnesse,
[...]nstead thereof expressing holy gladnesse▪
[Page] So Ile enjoy this joy though he forbid,
Though it were madnesse to say that I did.
When love with fruitfull showers the [...]ield doth water,
The Corne and C [...]ckle both grow by it a [...]ter.
And I like an [...] weede have felt
This showre of joy which did on m [...] too melt,
And did from Caesars powerfull deedes distill
Whereby I am refresht against his will:
Thankes fame to thee, by whose helpe I have seene,
This triumph [...]ile I with the Getes have beene.
How infinite natio [...]s came of late to see
Their Captaines face, this (Fame) I learnt f [...]om thee.
Thou toldst me how that the Southwind did powre,
For many dayes together [...] a show [...]e.
Yet on that day the Sunne did shine most cleer [...],
The day rejoy [...]d and people that were there,
While that the Conquerour with a loud applause
Warlicke gifts upon worthy men bestowes,
And before he his royall robes put on,
His offerings at the Altar first were done,
Sacrificing to his Parents with resp [...]ct,
Iustice in him her Temple doth erect.
Where he vvent, joy was in applauses shew'd,
And the streete blush'd with roses on them strew'd.
Then there were Pageant [...] brought all silver'd o're,
That represented Townes he tooke before,
With [...] being closd about,
And the be [...]eiged seemed to march out.
The Rivers▪ Mountaines, woods resembled were,
And their joyn'd battels were represented there.
And with their Sunburnt god, as Trophy yeelded,
The Romane Marketpl [...]ce, was richly guilded.
And that s [...] many Captaines chained were
By [...]he necke, which chiefely maintain'd the warre.
[Page] The most of which had life and pardon granted,
Being the chiefe that in those warres commanded.
Then may not Caesars wrath waxe milde towards me,
Who is so mercifull to his enemy?
And Fame (Ger [...]anians) brought the newes to me,
That all the Townes are yeelded unto thee.
Their wals, munition, nor their scituation;
Could not defend them against thy invasion:
Gods, give thee yeares, thy selfe the rest will give.
That so thy vertues may a long time live.
Thus I doe wish, and Poets Prophets be
The Gods my wishes seeme to ratifie.
And joyfull Rome, on plumed steede shall see
Thee after some brave noble victory,
In triumph riding to the Tarpeian Towre,
As may become so great a Conquerour.
Your triumph by your father shall be seene,
[...]oying in you, as much as you in him.
To thee most vertuous and va [...]iant, I
Thus much doe now foretell, and prophesie.
And if I live and doe my griefes abide,
Thy triumph then I will in verse describe.
If I with Scythian arrowes be not shot,
Not the Gete with his sword my head of cut.
But if in my life time your wreath of Bayes
Be offer'd in the Temple to your prayse.
You will confesse it was twice truth that I,
Did at this time unto you prophesie.
ELEGIE. II:
To Messalinus.
OVid, that from his youth did reverence thee,
And also all thy vertuous familye
That lives in banishment, distres [...]d and poore,
Vpon [...]he left side of the Euxine shore.
From the Get [...]s (Messaline) hath thee health sent,
Which he in person usually did present.
Woes me, if thou dost blush to reade my name,
Doubting to reade the rest for feare of blame.
Reade them; and banish not my lines with me▪
My v [...]rse may lawfu [...]ly in your City be.
I made not [...]lion on Ossa stand
That I might touch the cleere starres with my hand.
Nor followd I Enceladus, that I
Should [...]ight for him gainst Caesars Majesty.
Nor as Tydides rash hand did attempt,
Gainst higher powers my sword I have not bent,
My fault is grievo [...]s, and yet just nere lesse,
It wrought my ruine by no wickednesse.
Vnwary, fearefull I may called be,
These two names with my nature doe agree.
I confesse since I Caesar did offend,
Thou justly mist my prayers slight hearing lend.
For such is thy love to the Iu [...]an name,
Thou thin [...]'st thy selfe wrong'd if they wrong sustaine,
Yet if thou shouldst come arm'd, and vow to kill me,
Thy threatning with no feare at all could fill me.
The Trojan ship received in distresse,
The val [...]ant Graec [...]a [...] Athemenlde [...].
Vnto the Altar and is sav'd thereby.
And himselfe to Gods power doth commend:
Whom he before d [...]d [...]ormerly offend.
Some may say safety in this course can't be,
Yet my adversity makes it suite with me.
Let others safety to themselves procure
A miserable fortune is secure,
And doth not feare, that any bad suecesse,
Can bring him into any worse distresse.
He that relies on Fortune, all fea [...]e scornes,
And with his naked hands will graspe [...]ha [...]pe thornes▪
The trembling fearefull bird being put into a fright
By the fierce Hawe [...]e, and tired in her [...]light,
With trembling wings will to the [...]aulkoner slye,
That so she may a [...]oyde her enemy.
The hunted D [...]ere into some house will runne,
That shee the following dogs may thereby shu [...]ne,
So gentle friend, let me in my distress▪
Flying unto thee find most free accesse.
Though in a weake estate I c [...]me to thee,
Yet let not thy gate be shut against me.
In my behalfe see thou great Caesar moove,
Whom thou dost reverence as much as Iove.
My cause is the embassage I command,
Though my case bad is, whatsoever na [...]'d.
For I now sicke, and even past hope growne,
Will be recovered by your selfe or none,
Now make use of the Princes love and grace,
To mediate some favour in my case:
Now use thy usuall shining eloquence,
Whereby the guilty have obtaind defence.
You have your fathers speech and fluent tongue,
And to you as his Heire they doe belong.
[Page] Yet I doe not intreate thee to defend
My cause, it is not that which I intend.
For that parties case can never be maintaind,
That doth confesse he's guilty when arraig [...]'d.
Yet see if that thou canst excuse my fault
Or not, which was by my owne error wrought▪
For since my wound can of no cure admit
The safest course is not to handle it.
Be silent tongue, no more thou must unfold,
Let some things in oblivion be involv'd.
Speake to him, [...]s if errour did deceave me,
That I may [...]njoy life, which he did give me.
And when his v [...]sage pleas [...]nt seemes a [...]d clea [...]e,
Which the whole Empire of the world doth feare.
For some safe place of banishment entreate,
That I may not be a prey unto the Gete.
The time to make suite is most fit and [...],
Rome knowes that you in Caesars favour are.
The season is faire, Caesars in health,
And Rome doth flourish both in strength and wealth,
His Queene upon her Couch in health doth lye,
His sonne gaines his Empire in rich Ita [...]y.
Germa [...]us courage exceedes his yeares,
Like noble vigour in Dru [...]us appeares.
His daughters in law, and his kindred deare,
And all his family in health now are.
Besides he hath triumphed now of late,
And brought Dalmatia to a quiet state.
And now Illyria thinketh it no [...]corne,
Casting away those armes which she had borne,
To prostrate humbly her most servile necke,
Beneath great Caesa [...]s feete even at his becke.
Who with a sweete and mild aspect beside,
I [...] his triumphant Chariot did ride.
[Page] And on his brow which shined with bright rayes,
He wore a greene wreath of [...] Bayes.
Attended with his royall Progeny,
Who on each side did him accompany.
Like those brothers, the next Temple doth enfold.
Which I [...]lians house in prospect doth behold.
To them Messalinus in publicke [...]hew,
Of joy, gave the fi [...]st place as it was due.
M [...]n strove for the next place as zealous love
To Caesar did their true affections move.
In this contention of affection he
Would to no other s [...]bject second be.
For he before did reverence this day,
On which his vertue should receive due pay.
While to expresse desert, his head and hayre,
With a greene wreath of Bayes encircled were.
Happy are they that did this triumph see,
The Em [...]erour riding th [...]s in Maje [...]ty.
But I instead of seeing Caesars f [...]ce,
Behold the [...] in this place.
A land wherein there is con [...]n [...]ll warre.
While all the waters with cold [...]rozen are.
Yet if thou hearest now my present mo [...]e,
And that the voyce of my [...]riefe to thee come.
Then use thy power with Caesar and thy grace
P [...]rswade him to remoove me from this place.
Thy father was lov'd from my youth by me,
And his ghost seemeth to crave this of thee.
Thy brother desires it, though he doth feare,
Thou sh [...]uldst hurt thy selfe, taking of me care.
Thy kindred aske it, not canst thou deny,
That I was once one of thy family.
And thou my ill employ'd wit didst approve,
Excepting when I writ the Art of Love.
[Page] And if so be my last fault be not nam'd,
Thy family by my life cann't be sham'd,
So may thy house still flourishing appeare,
May gods and Caesar have of thee a care.
His gentle Majesty offended pray,
That I may be remov'd from Scytb [...]a,
I know tis hard, but vertue still is bent,
The hardest matters alwayes to attempt,
Besides the greater thy deservings be,
The greater thankes thou dost deserve from me.
Of Aetnaean Polyphemus in his Cave,
Nor of Antiphates shalt favour crave.
But of a Prince whose pardon is prepard,
By whose thunders men are not hurt but scard.
Who to make sad decrees is discontent,
Grieving when others suffer punishment.
Yet my fault hath his mercy overcome,
And urg'd his wrath to doe what he hath done,
And since I so farre from my Country am,
I cannot kneele to Caesar and complaine.
Be thou my Priest and unto Caesar pray,
And let thy owne words to my words make way.
In such sort that they may not him displease,
Pardon me if Shipwrackt I feare the Seas.
ELEGIE. III.
To Maximus.
MAximus, like in vertues to thy name,
Whose wit doth thy nobility not shame.
[Page] Whom to my latest houre I reverenced,
(For now what differ I from those are dead?)
Thou leav'st not thy friend in adversity,
Which in this age a miracle may be.
Tis true, though base, the people still are friends
For their owne profit, and their private ends:
Their first care is what may expedient be,
Preferring profit before honestie.
And as our present fortunes rise or fall,
So doth their faith and friendship therewithall,
To finde one among thousands it is hard
Who thinkes that vertue doth it selfe reward.
The beauty of good actions cannot move them,
Vnlesse they profit bring, they doe not love them.
And they are very sorry that the rate is
Of a right honest man, to doe good gratis.
That which brings profit, that is onely deare,
And if no hope of profit should appeare,
None of the people would desire a friend,
For it is profit which they doe attend,
While every one doth love his private gaine,
And on his singers casteth up the same.
Thus friendship once a venerable name,
Like a whore prostitutes it selfe for gaine;
Therefore I wonder thou hast constant tarry'd,
And with this common streame hast not beene carry'd.
He's stor'd with friends that's in prosperity,
If fortune frowne, then friends away will fl [...]e.
For I had many friends, while gentle gales
Of prosperous fortune breathed in my sales;
But when winds of troubles once to rise began.
Like a ship cleft at Sea they left me than:
And when some would not know me, two or three
Of you in my distresse did succour me.
[Page] Amongst whom you did chiefely me relieve,
And unto others didst example give.
For no re [...]pect that might thy love envi [...].
But thou in doing good didst take delight▪
Shewing that vertue needes not to be hir'd,
But for her owne sake is to be desir'd.
And that she cares not for the companie,
Of those externall goods which fading bee.
Thou scorn'dst to leave thy friend in misery,
Or to forsake him in adversity.
It is better to hold thy friend by the chin,
Then to thrust his head downe while he doth swim.
Ae [...]cides dead friend unto him was deare,
And my life doth a kind of death appeare.
When Perithous to Stygian waters went,
T [...]escus to goe with him was content.
Phoc [...]us lov'd Orestes being mad▪
My fault in it a kind of madnesse had,
Then as those men for friendship praised be,
So strive to helpe your friend in miserie.
If I know you [...] if you are still the same
If you your former courage doe retaine,
The more that fortunes cruelty doth persist,
The more you dee her violence resist.
And as tis fit thou takest care that she,
Shall never have the power to conquer thee.
Her fighting with thee teacheth thee the slight,
Toward her blowes, and how with her to fight.
So I by bearing f [...]rtune [...] enmity,
I hereby lea [...]ne to resist my enemy,
But thou most rare young, man dost scorne to be,
[...]ickle as fortune in inconstancy,
Or to be at that goddesses command,
Who on arowlin [...] [...] doth alwaies stand.
[Page] For you are friends and will not from me slip,
But guide t [...]e sayle of my poore broken ship,
Which is so weather beaten, that some thinke,
Vnlesse you doe supp [...]rt her shee will sinke.
Thy wrath at first, was just and milde like thee,
Who justly we [...]t offended then with me.
And when I had grieved Caesar thou didst sweare,
Thou wert so griev'd, as if it thy griefe were▪
But when my fault, occasion thou [...] adst heard▪
Then thou didst grieve, because I had so er'd,
And in thy Lotters thou didst comfort me,
With hope that Caesar, wrath app [...]asd might be.
Our constant, friendship move [...] thee therein.
Which did as soone as thou wert borne begin.
Because that others made a friend of thee,
But thou wert borne to be a friend to me.
And I did kisse thee in thy Infancy.
W [...]ile t [...]ou didst smiling in th [...] cradle lye,
Since from my youth you have beene lov'd by me,
My troubling you must pleade antiquity.
Your father (eloquent in Romane speech,
And in nobility of birth as rich)
Made me my verses unto same commit,
Being the first encourager of my wit.
Yet not because I lov'd thee above all other,
Doe I strive to be esteemed as thy brother.
My love preferd thee so, that I made thee
My refuge still in my adversity.
We parted last, as Italy can tell.
While upon thee teares from my sad eyes fell.
When asking me, if my fault were the same,
Which thou hadst [...]eard abroad by evill fame.
I was doubtfull to confesse, or to deny,
Vntill my blushes did my guilt descry.
[Page] Then as Snow melts which the Southwind doth soften
So downe my cheekes the teares did trickle often,
Which mov'd your pitty, because that you thought,
That this offence of mine was my first fault.
And therefore of your old [...]end care hast tooke,
And in adversity on his wounds dost looke.
For which, if wishes their effect might take,
I then would wish a thousand for your sake.
But that my wishes your desire suite may,
For Caesars health and your mothers I pray.
I remember you prayed to the gods for that,
And with Frankincense made their Altars [...]at [...]
ELEGIE. IV.
To Atticus.
REcei [...]e my Letters from the Ister cold,
Atticus, whom most constant I doe hold.
A [...]t thou still mindfull of thy haplesse friend,
Or doth thy love now languish in the end?
My fortunes are not so averse to me,
As to procure forgetfulnesse in thee.
Thy Figure still before m [...] eyes doth glance,
Me thinke [...] t [...]at I doe see th [...] countenance;
And then I doe remember presently
Serious discourses betweene thee and I,
With all those happy hou [...]es which we have spent
In pleasant jesting, and in [...]erriment.
Oft in discourse we past the hou [...]es away,
And [...]ft our conference did ou [...] last the day.
[Page] To bring my verses to you, I did use,
And you did passe your judgement on my Muse,
For that which vvas commended once by you,
I did thinke worthy of the peoples view.
Whose praise I did esteeme of more then gaines,
It was the sweete reward of my fresh paines,
And vvith a friendly hand thou didst correct,
My bookes, all those faults thou didst detect.
Both in the Court, Porch, and Theater we,
And in the streete would both together be.
Lastly, deare friend we in our mutuall love,
Aeacides and Actorides did prove.
If thou shouldst drinke the River Lethes water,
I thinke thou couldst not forget this hereafter.
Su [...]mers dayes than winters shall shorter be,
And Summer nights with winter nights agree,
Nor Babilon shall be hot, nor Pontus cold,
Calt [...]a's Rose, shall 'fore Pa [...]stums be [...]xtold,
Before thou canst forget our former love,
My fates cannot so blacke and dismall prove.
But yet beware it be not said that I,
Had too much confidence and credulity;
And it without trouble if you may defend,
Most constantly your true and ancient friend.
ELEGIE. V:
To Solanus.
O'Oid doth Solanus these verses send,
B [...]t first he wishes health to you his friend.
[Page] And doth desire his wishes may succeede,
That you in health deare friend my lines may reade:
Your Candor, a faire vertue now decayd,
Is the cause I for your sake thus have pray'd.
For though wit [...] you I small acquaintance had,
You for my sudden ba [...]ishment were s [...]d.
And when you read my verses that were sent
From Pontus, you to favour them were bent,
That Ces [...]rs wrath might not last thou didst wish,
Whic [...] if he knew he would not hinder this.
These prayers did with thy gentle mind agree,
Which are not lesse acceptable to me.
But deare friend, if thou wouldst know my misery,
The natu [...]e of this place will then move thee.
Trust me, thou canst not finde all the world ore,
A Country that with warre is troubled more.
These verses which I in the warres did frame,
Thou readst, and having read dost like the same:
My wit although it slow with a poore vaine,
Thou dost applaud, and likest of my straine;
Though like a River it a course doth take,
Yet thou of it, a mighty streame dost make.
And these thy free applauses I doe find,
Doe yeeld much sweete contentment to my mind,
Since those who are in m [...]sery scarce write,
To please themselves, or yeeld themselves delight.
Yet while that I on meaner subjects writ,
My subject then could not exceede my wit.
But hearing Caesars triumph now of late,
When I attempted a worke of that waight.
The gravity of the matter quite outwent
My strength, which could not such a worke attempt.
Yet the will ayming high doth merit praise,
Weake matters have no pow [...]r themselves to raise.
[Page] Then if this booke unto yours hands doth come,
I charge you to give it protection.
Which I know you would doe though not entreated,
And with light thankes you shall be now requi [...]ed.
No praise, deserve I but thy brest I know
Is whiter than milke, or untrodden snow:
Thou admir'st others when thy owne selfe art,
Admirable for thy [...]loquence and Art.
The Prince that from Germany name doth take
In studdy doth thee his companion make:
His young yeares and his elder thou dost fit,
Thy manners being equall to thy wit.
And he doth take delight to heare thee speake,
While thou in thy owne words his mind dost breake.
When you leave off, there's generall silence then,
But when they have a while thus silent beene,
Royall Germanicus from his seate doth rise,
Like the bright morning-starre in Easterne skies.
When they are silent, he stands up in st [...]re,
Whose mild and learned aspect then doth make
Much expectation, and much hope affords,
To heare his eloquent and [...] words.
Then [...]e without delay doth silence breake,
And you would sweare, he like the gods doth speake.
His speech is such as a great Princes should be,
His eloquence being full of Majesty.
Whom though you please, and are raisd to this hight,
Reade what a banisht Poet here doth write.
For betweene wits, there will still concord be,
And those that love one study doe agree.
Clownes doe love clownes, and Souldiers men of warre,
The Shipmaster doth love the Ma [...]iner:
Thou lovest Poetry, and dost study it,
And being witty favorest my wit.
[Page] Though you the Thyrsus, I the bayes doe beare.
Poeticke fl [...]me doth in us both appeare.
Your eloq [...]ence is stronger then my lines.
And in my verse your eloquence so shines.
And since my verse on your studdy doth con [...]ine,
You doe defend my verses at this time.
For which I pray, that thou mayest be esteemd,
And lov'd o [...] Caesar unto thy lives end;
And of him that sh [...]ll next the Empire sway,
For which let all the people with me pray.
ELEGIE. VI.
To Graecinus.
Ovid Graecinus from the Euxine shore.
Salutes in verse, in person heretofore.
Letters in banishment are my voyce and tongue▪
And if I might not write, I should be dumbe.
Thou dost reprove my fault, and sorry art,
That I am not punisht unto my desert.
Reproo [...]es are true, but too late nerethelesse▪
Then chide not him, that guilty doth confesse,
For I by the Ceraunian rockes had come,
You might admonish me those rockes to shunne.
Now being shipwrackt what am I availd?
If you tell me where my ship should have saild:
Rathertake hold of me, as I doe swimme,
And with your hand hold up my sinking chinn [...],
You doe, and therefore may your mother and wife,
And br [...]hren be healthfull all their life.
[Page] And since to pray with minde and voyce you love,
May all the Caesars all thy deedes approve.
Twere base if thou shouldst not in some kinde be
Helpefull to thy old friend in misery,
Twere base if thou thy foote shouldst now pull backe,
Or now my ship in her distresse forsake,
Tis base to follow fortune, and deny,
A friend cause hee's not in prosperity;
Strophius and Agame [...]nons sonnes you know,
Nor T [...]eseus and Perithous liv'd not so.
Whom former ages reverenced, and shall be
Admir'd by following posterity,
While whole Theaters did aloud resound,
With the applauses which their friendship found.
Thou in adversity dost thy friend preserve,
Therefore a name amongst them dost deserve.
Deserving praise too for thy piety,
For which I will preserve thy memory.
T [...]ust me, if my verse shall immortall be,
You shall be mention'd by posterity,
Yet let your love, Graecinus faithfull be,
And constant to me in adversit [...].
Which although you already doe performe,
To spu [...]re a horse that runnes can be no harme.
ELEGIE. VII.
To Atticus [...]
MY Letter to salute thee first is bent,
Which [...] Atti [...]us, from the fierce Getes is sent
[Page] Next what y [...]u doe, it doth desire to know,
And if you thinke on [...]e, whatso [...]re you doe.
I doubt not but you doe, but often feare,
Makes me afraid when no cause doth appeare.
Yet pardon fe [...]res, w [...]ich too much on me sease,
The S [...]ipwra [...]kt man's afraid of t [...]e calme Seas,
The fish that by the Angler hath beene strooke,
Feare [...] f [...]od, lest it should prove a ba [...]ted hooke.
The Lambe too from the Shep [...]erds dogge doth runn [...],
Fearing the wol [...]e, and doth his keeper shunne.
A wound dot [...] feare the touch though so [...]t and light,
And a vaine shaddow troubled winds dot [...] [...],
So I once shot with Fortunes unkind arrow,
My [...] on nothing now but sorrow,
I sinde t [...]e fat [...]s will [...] their course begunne,
And in their wonted way will alwayes runne,
No serving of t [...]e gods sure can make me
Fortunate, nor can Fortune flatter'd be,
For us her onely care to ove [...]tl row me,
And in wantonn [...]ss: some mischiefe doe me,
Trust me, if there be any truth in me,
My griefes and sorrowes cannot reckon'd be.
Y [...]u may first count [...]yphia's [...]ares of corne,
Or how much sweete th [...]me Hybla doth adorne,
How many birds cut the ayre with their wing,
How many fishes through the Sea doe swim;
Before thou canst all my griefes understand,
Which I have suffered both by Sea and land.
No people than the Getes more cruell be,
Yet they have pittyed my misery;
Which if I should describe to thee in verse,
An Iliad of my griefes I should rehearse.
Yet feare I not thou wilt inconstant prove,
H [...]ving had many pledges of thy love,
[Page] But since that misery feares everything,
And joy from me long time hath banish [...] beene;
[...]y sorrowes are into a custome growne,
As water drops oft falling make a stone
[...]ollow, so Fortune doth me so oft wound,
That no place for a new stroke can be found.
Nor is the plough by often use more worne,
[...]he Appian way by bending w [...]eeles more torne;
Than is my breast with length of misery,
[...]et I have nothing found that could [...]lpe me.
[...]ome by the liberall Ar [...]s have gotten fame,
[...]ut by my gifts destruction I did gaine.
My former l [...]e was blamel [...]sse, without spot,
Yet this in misery avayl'd me not.
Great faults are pardon'd, when that friends entreate.
But none at all in my behal [...]e would sp [...]ake.
T [...]oubles befall some when t [...]ey present be,
But I was absent when they fell on me.
Though Caesars wrath not crush where it is bent?
[...]eproch was added to my punishment.
The time doth often lighten banishment,
[...]ut in the winter I to Sea was sent,
And Ships oft [...]nd t [...]e winter calme enough,
[...] ship found not the Sea more rough.
[...]aithfull companions might some com [...]ort be,
[...]ut I was robbed by my company.
[...]or the place of Exile, no land doth l [...]e
Vnder both Poles so full of misery.
[...]is comfort to our Country to be n [...]ere,
[...]'me in the farthest part of the world heere,
[...]y Caesars power, banisht men protected are,
[...]ut Po [...]tus still is troubled with fierce warre.
To spend the time in ploughing of the [...]eld,
[...]s a delight which doth some pleasure yeeld,
[Page] But the [...]ierce enemy lying neere us, will
Not suffer us to plough the ground or till.
The mind and body love a temperate aire,
Sarn [...]atian f [...]ces with cold frozen are.
To drinke sweete water doth the pallate pl [...]ase;
Our water is salt like that in the Seas.
Though all things faile▪ my minde doth overcome▪
And that is it which makes my body strong.
To beare a burthen you must strive withall,
But if you bend or yeeld, then you will fall.
And my hope that the Princes wrath may be,
Appeald, doth make me live, and c [...]m [...]orts me.
And you no small comfort to me doe yeeld,
Whose faith I in my troubles have beheld.
Proceede as you have now begunne I pray,
Leav [...] [...] a Ship in the mi [...]st of the Sea.
Me and your judgement you shall so preserve,
Which judg'd that I your friendship did deserve.
ELEGIE. VIII.
To Cotta.
THe Caesars Pictures that like the gods be,
Which, Cotta, you sent were deliv [...]r'd me.
And that your gi [...]t might more acceptance find,
Livia's there was with the Caesars joyn'd.
These silver peeces are than gold more blest,
Wh [...]reon the Caesars figures are exprest.
You could have given no greater wealth to me,
Then Pictures wherein I three god [...] see.
[Page] To see the gods in Picture comforts me,
To speake as twere unto their Majesty;
Me thinkes remote lands doe not me containe,
But I returned in the City am.
I doe see Caesars face as I did before,
Though I scarce have hope to see him more;
And as before I salute his Majesty,
If I returnd I could not happier be.
What doe not we behold but the Pallace?
Whereto great Caesars presence giveth grace:
Beholding him, me thinkes I Rome doe s [...]e,
His face presents his Empire unto me.
Dreame I? or doth his Pictu [...]e still appeare,
To threaten, as with me he angry were?
O spare me then, whose vertues doe exc [...]ede
And in thy just revenge doe not [...]roceede.
Spare me young Prince the glory of our time,
Whose nature doth to Soveraignty encline:
By thy land to thee than thy selfe more deare,
By the gods who doe alwayes heare thy praye [...];
And by your Consort, who was found to be
Fit o [...]ely to match with your Majesty.
And by thy Sonne, so like in vertues growne.
T [...]at to be thine he may be thereby knowne.
And by all your other kindred who be,
By your command advanc'd to high degree.
Abate my punishment and grant that I
May live [...] from the Syt [...]ian enemy.
And you that next unto great Caesar are,
Be not averse unto my humble prayer,
So may subdued Germany soone be,
Carry'd in solemne triumph before thee.
So may thy Father live to Nestors years
And thy old mother untill [...]he appeares
[Page] A Cum [...]an Syb [...]ll, and mayst thou long
Be unto both of them a happy Sonne.
And you his royall Queene be pleasd to grant
The humble prayers of a poore supplyant.
So may your husband and your progeny
Live in health and your royall family.
So may Drusus onely of your off-spring dye,
Being snatcht from you by fate in Germany.
So may thy Sonne on his white horse soone be,
The revenger of his brothers destiny.
Ye gentle powers [...] this my fearefull prayer,
Helpe me since you by picture present are.
I take delight your countenance to see,
Since thr [...]e gods in one house encluded be.
H [...]ppy are they w [...]o in your presence doe,
Your Majesties [...]n [...] not your picture view.
Which since my haplesse fate to me envyes,
I [...]dore the pictures of your Majesties.
Thus men did know the gods in the skies hid,
And for great Iove, Ioves Image honour did.
Let not your Images which shall still reside
With me, here in this hatefull place abide.
My head shall sooner be cut from my necke,
My eyes be dig'd out and lye on my cheeke;
Then I w [...]nt the pictures of your Majesty,
In banishment they shall my comfort be.
For you I would [...]mbrace, if by the stout
Arm'd Getes I were encompassd round about:
And following the Romane Eagles I
Will follow the pictures of y [...]ur Majesty.
But my desires are to deceive me bent,
Or t [...]ere is hope of milder banishment.
The Pictures aspects doe more mild appeare,
And seeme as if they granted my desire:
[Page] And may my fearefull mind the truth presage,
That Caesars wrath, although just, may a [...]wage.
ELEGIE. IX.
To Cotys.
COtys, who art of a royall Progenie,
Fetching from Eumolpus thy Pedigree.
If Fame have brought the newes unto your [...]are,
That in a Country neere you I live here.
Then heare my humble speech gent [...]e young man,
And helpe a banisht man, since that yoh can.
Fortune deliverd me to thee, (nor I
Complaine) she was not then my ene [...]y.
On thy shore to [...]ceive me shipwrackt please,
Let not thy land be unsafer than Seas.
To helpe the distrest is a royall thing,
And such great men as you are doth beseeme.
This becomes your fortune, which though it be
Great, is not like your minds nobility.
For power can never better be expres [...],
Than when it heares and grants a just request,
Thy great descent requireth this of thee,
This worke suites thy divine nobility.
Eumolpus whence thy famous descent is
And Erichthonius perswade thee to this.
In this you are like gods, both of you grant,
After some suite helpe to your suppliant.
Why should we honour gods with wonted care
But that the gods to helpe us ready are?
[Page] If [...]piter would not heare prayers at all,
Should sacrifices in his Temple fall?
If Seas in passage have not quiet beene,
Why unto Neptune should I vaine gifts bring?
If Ceres doe the Ploughmans [...]ope deceive,
Why should she inwards of a Sow receiv [...]
The Goate on Bacchus altar is not laid,
Vnl [...]sse much wine that Vintage hat [...] beene made,
We with t [...]at Caesar may the Empire raigne,
So long as he well governeth the same.
Thus honour's given both to gods and men,
For helpe, and profit t [...]at's r [...]ceiv'd from them.
T [...]en Cotys helpe me who in thy land lye,
And be thou like thy noble Progeny,
For one to helpe another in misery,
Is a duty belongs to humanity.
Besides there is no better way to gaine
B [...] any other Art favour or fame.
An [...]hates or Le [...]igon who doth love,
Alcinous bounty who doth not approve?
C [...]andrus, nor Caphar [...]us thy father is,
Nor [...]et the cruell Tyran Pha [...]aris.
He's fierce in waries, and not to be withstood,
So peace once made he nere d [...]si [...]eth blood.
Besides the liberall Arts being studdied often
Exp [...]ll all rudenesse, and the minde doe soften.
In which no other King hath thee outwent
Or in those gentle studdies more time spent,
Thy verses witnesse it, which thy name showes,
A Thracian [...]oung man happil [...] did compose:
Or else some Orph [...]us that doth here abide;
In thy wit the Bistonian land takes pride.
As on occasion thou thy armes ca [...]st take
And a [...]erce slaughter on the [...]nemy make.
[Page] Or sometime with thy strong arme sling thy da [...],
Or as in [...]ling thou most cunning art.
So h [...]ving studyed Arts of Soveraigntie,
When matters in thy kingdome quiet be:
Least you in sloth should seeme then to delight,
Your M [...]se, unto the starres doth take her slight:
This of our league may some occasion be,
B [...]cause we both, doe honour Poesie.
A Poet p [...]ayes a Poet, with [...]eav'd up [...]ands
To live, though exild safely in your lands.
For when that I did into Pontus come,
By poyson mixt I had no murder do [...]e.
And no false tables forged by me were
Which did with counterfeited seales appeare.
Nor did I any thing which lawes forbid,
Yet I confesse that I a worse fault did.
If you aske what, the Art of Love I writ,
My guilt [...] hand did this offence commit.
Tother offence doe not desire to know,
Vnder my Art of Love it must hid goe.
But yet the Iudge did moderate his wrath,
And unto exile on [...]ly sent me hath:
And though farre from my Country let me b [...],
Safe in this hated place, since neere to thee.
ELEGIE. X.
To Macer.
MAcer, thou maist know that thy Ovid writ
This Letter to thee, by the s [...]ale on it.
[Page] Or if the Seale doe not the Authour shew
Dost thou know that my hand this Letter drew?
Or hath length of [...]ime made thee both forget
That thy eyes know them not, before thee set?
Though hand and seale should both forgotten be,
You fo [...]got not the care you had of me.
Which for our old acquaintance you should show,
Or because my wife was a friend to you,
Or for our studies, which you did use
And by no Art of love did them abuse.
That w [...]ich immortall Homer left undone
Of Trojan warres was by thy o [...]ne muse sung.
But unwise Ovid, while he did impart
The Art of Love, was punisht for his Art.
Yet Poets doe amongst themselves agree,
Though every one in writing different be.
We have amongst us all one common Bayes,
Though all of us d [...]e follow severall wayes.
Of me though absent you will mindfull be,
And willingly helpe me in my misery.
The Citties faire of Asia I have seene
And Trinacris while you my guide have beene:
We saw the Heavens shine with Aetnean flame,
Which from the Giants mouth beneath it came,
Aetnean Lakes, and Palicus pooles not sweete,
And where Anapus doth Cyane meete▪
Not farre of that Spring, which while it doth shu [...]n [...]
The River [...], under ground doth runne.
Here I did spend a great part of the yeare,
How unlike this place Geticke lands appeare!
How many other places did we see,
Whilst you made the way pleasant unto me?
Both while our Ship cut the wave [...] with his Keele,
Or t [...]e Coach carry'd us with nimble [...].
[Page] Oft our discourse did make the way to seeme
Short, while our words more than our steps have beene!
Oft our discourse was longer than the day,
While our discourse past Sommers dayes away.
Of perils at Sea we have beene afraid
And to the gods have both together pray'd.
We acted both together, and againe
Told others jests, which [...]o tell was no shame.
If you remember this, though I should be,
Here all my life time, yet you might me see.
Vnder the North Pole of the world I am,
[...]hich doth above the Sea one point maintaine.
Y [...]t in my minde I doe thee still be hold
And talke with thee under the Pole so cold.
Famous friend thou art here unknowne to thee,
Though absent, thou art present here with me.
Me thinkes I see thee here among the Getes,
Come from the [...] love workes these conceites.
[...] Lieu whereof since those lands happier be,
Have me there alwayes in your memory.
ELEGIE. XI.
To Rufus.
OVid by whom the Art of Love was pend
These lines in hast doth to thee Ru [...]us s [...]nd
That thou [...]h we the whole world asunder be:
Yet thou maist know I doe remember t [...]ee.
For I shall sooner sure my name forget,
Then thy love shall out of my minde be beat,
[Page] And I shall sooner render up my spirit,
Then I shall be unthankefull to your merit:
Your merit wa [...] your teares, which did bedew
Your face, when mine with sorrow still dry grew.
Your merit was, that comfort to my mind
Which you did give, and both of us did find.
My wife deserves praise for her owne conditions,
Yet she growes better by your admonitions.
I am glad you will my wives counsellour be,
As Hector to Iul [...]s, Castor to Hermione.
She strives to be like you in what is good,
And by he [...] life seemes to be of your blood.
And what she would doe without provocation,
She does more fully by your faire perswasion.
The svvift horse that within the race doth runne,
Will run more swiftly if he be spurd on.
Besides in absence th [...]u performst my will,
And for my sake refusest no paines still.
Because we cannot, may the gods thanke thee,
Who doe reward those good deeds which they see.
And may thy vertues with long life be crown'd,
[...]ufus the glory of the Fundane ground,
OVID DE PONTO.
LIB. III.
ELEGIE. I.
To his Wife.
O Sea on which young Iason fi [...]st did row,
O Land, nere wanting enemies and snow.
When wil the time come Ovid shal you leav [...]
While some quieter place doth him receive?
Must I still live where barbarisme abounds?
Must I be buried here in Tomos grounds?
With favour I speake it, if there may be,
Any peace or favour Po [...]tus, within thee
With favour thou dost make my bani [...]hment
So grievous, and my sufferings dost augment.
Thou dost not see the garland-crownd haymaker,
Nor dost behold the thin cloath'd sweating reaper.
Autumne doth yeeld no ripened grapes to thee,
But all thy seasons extream [...] cold still be.
[Page] Thou [...] up the Seas, that fish have beene
Oft frozen in the waves while they did swimme.
Thou hast no springs, but of salt brackish water,
Which doe not qu [...]nch thirst, but encrease it rather.
A few poore wither'd trees in the fields grow,
And the land like the b [...]rren Sea doth [...]how.
No birds doe sing their sweete and pleasant notes,
But Vultures cro [...]ke out of their hollow throates
When sl [...]ing hither from some remote wood,
They come to quench their thirst in the salt [...]lood.
Sa [...] worm [...]wood growes here in the empty field,
Which bitter harvest like the place doth yeeld.
Besides assaults of enemies we feare,
Whose arrowes dipt in deadl [...] poyson are.
Besides this Country farre remo [...]e doth lye,
And none by land or sea can come safely.
Wonder not then if I desire to be
Sent to som [...] place that yeelds lesse misery
But wonder (wife) that these things doe not make
Thee weepe, and to shed teares even for my sake.
If you aske what you should seeke, seeke some favour,
You sha [...]l finde it, if you do [...] it endeavour.
Wish and desire that you may it obtaine,
And breake your sl [...]epe with thinking on the same.
Many wish it, for who so unjust is
That restlesse banishment doth to me wish?
It becom [...]s you with all strength to endeavour
Con [...]inually to worke for me some [...]avour.
For thou wi [...]e shouldst exceede another friend,
And first of all shouldst helpe to me extend.
For to my bookes thou shouldst conforme thy life,
Which call thee the example of a wife.
Doe not degenerate but let me see,
That I the truth of thee did prophesie,
[Page] And see that thou dost take heede to maintaine
Thy former glory, and well gotten fame,
Though I complaine not, fame will accuse thee,
Vnlesse as tho [...] oughtst, tho [...] takst care of me.
Fortune exposd me to the peoples view
And made me knowne to more than ere I knew.
Capan [...]us strooke with thunder was more knowne,
And Amphiaraus when his horse sunke downe
Into the earth, V [...]ysses was throughout
The world knowne, by wandring about,
And Philoctetes by his wound did gaine
A generall knowledge, and much glorious fame,
I meane men with such great ones may [...]anc [...]'d be,
My ruine giveth glory unto me.
Besides you know my bookes have raisd your fame,
Equall in honour unto Battis name.
The world shall view the actions of thy life,
And approve thee to be a loyall wife.
He that thy praises doth in my verse read,
May aske if they from merit doe proceed,
Since many will thy vertuous life commend,
So some thy actions will soone reprehend.
Prevent their envy that they may not say
That thou to helpe thy husband didst delay.
And though I faile to draw the yoke with thee
O [...] marriage, y [...]t be still a wife to me.
Being sicke my Physician I doe looke,
Stay with me, till all life hath mee forsooke.
And since thou ar [...] in health, shew unto me
T [...]at love, which I in health would shew to thee.
Our marriage love doth this of thee require,
Thy nature wife, doth thee with love inspire:
Your house requires this of you whence you came
Whose honest credit you should still maintaine.
[Page] For unlesse you be a praise-worthy wife,
None will thinke, that you hono [...]rd Martia's life:
Nor am I unworthy, if youle confesse
The truth, or altogether meritlesse;
For which thou largely hast requited me,
So that [...]ame if she would cannot hurt thee.
Encrease thy former good deedes by addit [...]on
Of helping me, let this be thy ambition.
Entreate that in some quiet Country I
May live, and this thy love shall testifie.
My suite is great, yet can no harme procure
If granted not r [...]p [...]lse I can endure.
Be not slender, that my verse moves you
To performe that which I doe know you doe,
The Trumpet [...]r doth valiant men excite,
And the Captaine doth encourage men to fight.
That you, are honest Time doth testifie,
Let vertue equallize your honesty.
The Amazo [...]ian ax [...] thou needst not take,
Or beare in hand a Buckler for my sake;
Onely entreate great Caesar he would be,
Though not pleasd, [...]et lesse angry with me.
And let thy teares for mercy intercede,
For they will Caesar move while thou dost pleade▪
Thy husbands misery will afford thee plenty
Of teares, an [...] never let thy eyes be empty.
My troubles will yeeld matter to be wayle
My fortune, so that teares can never faile:
If with thy death thou couldst red [...]eme my life,
Then thou wouldst follow Admetus deare wife.
And thou like to Penelope wouldst cheate
Thy urgent suiters with a chaste deceite.
Laodamia would teach thee to dye,
With thy husband and to beare him company.
[Page] Thou wouldst thinke upon Iphias and desire,
To throw thy selfe into a funerall fire.
Thy death or a spunne web I doe not need,
But that to Caesars wife thou intercede,
Whose vert [...]es excell, least antiquity
Should exceede our age for praisd chastity.
Who Iunoes stoole, and Venus beauty had
Which made her worthy of the royall bed.
Why dost thou tremble, or her presence feare?
Thou shalt speake to no wicked Progne there.
No [...] Agamemnons wife, Aegistus daughter,
Nor Scylla that ba [...]kes in S [...]lian water.
No [...] Telegonus mother cl [...]anging shapes,
Nor Medusa with haire full of curled snakes,
But a Princesse, who made fortune to find
Eyes, and is falsely accusd to be blind.
Who next to Caesar is most famous growne.
[...]ven from the rising to the setting Sunne.
Then chuse a time, that for suite fit may be,
[...]east thou faile wanting opportunity.
The Oracles have not at all times spoken,
Nor doe the Temples at all times stand open.
When Citties state is happy, as 'tis now
[...]o that no griefe contracts the peoples brow.
When that August [...]s house, and Progeny,
Which like the Capitoll ador'd should be.)
Doth flourish in height of prosperity,
As now it doth and may it still so be.
Then take a happy opportunity,
When thou dost thinke thy words shall powerfull be,
[...]f he be busie then thy suite deferre,
[...]east [...]ashn [...]sse should destroy my hopes bewa [...]e,
And yet againe I doe not bid thee goe,
To him when he hath no affaires to doe.
[Page] Since he [...]ath hardly leasure to put on
Those royall rob [...]s which unto him belong,
When with t [...]e ancient Senators he doth sit
In the Court, then to goe to him 'tis fit:
W [...]en thou comm [...]st before Iunoes Majesty,
Looke you remember then to speake for me.
Defend not my offence, for it [...]s best
That an ill cause in silence be supprest.
And therefore in thy speech take onely care
To pleade for me by earnest suite and prayer.
Then presently thou mayest shed teares and weepe
And prostrate thy selfe at their royall fee [...]e.
Aske, that from the foe I may remov'd be:
Fortune hath beene a foe enough to me.
More I [...] [...]ay, but thou with feare d [...]smaid,
Wilt scarcely speake even that which I have s [...]id
And [...]et this feare c [...]nnot endammage thee:
It will shew that thou dost dread her Majesty.
Nor can it hurt, if teares thy speech of breake,
For sometimes teares as much as words doe speake.
And on a prosperous day thy first suite mak [...]
In an houre may be fit, and fortunate.
But first to the gods holy Altar bring
Wine and sweete mcense for an offering.
Let Augustus above all adored be,
With his Conso [...]t, and royall Progeny.
May they their wonted graciousnesse still keepe,
And pitty thee, when they doe see thee weepe.
ELEGIE. II.
To Cotta.
COtta, I wish the health that's sent from me,
As it is truely sent, may come to thee.
For to my sorrowes thou dost yeeld releefe,
And dost take off a good part of my griefe.
While others leave me, and away doe slip,
Thou art an Anchor to my [...]orne ship,
Thy love is gratefull, and we pardon them▪
That left me, since my fortunes chang'd have beene.
When one is thunder strooke, all that are neere
To him was strooke, are strooke with sudd [...]ine feare:
Or when a wall is ready downe to come,
All from that place for feare of it doe [...]unne.
Who doth not shunne the sicke with circumspection,
[...]caring least he from them should draw insect [...]n?
[...]o some of my friends that too fearefull were,
[...]orsooke me not for hatred, but for feare.
Nor love in them was wanting or good will,
[...]ut the offended gods they feared still.
[...]ey may be called circumspect and wary,
[...]ut yet not wicked, although they were chary.
[...]hus I excuse my friends in curtesie,
That towards me they might not faulty be,
And with my pardon let them be content.
[...]hat so they may be from all blame exempt.
[...]ou better friends are not asham'd to be
[...]elpefull unto me in adversity.
[...] memory of your merit cannot fade
[...]ill my consum'd body be ashes made.
[Page] N [...]y it shall survive me when I am dead,
If by posterity I shall be re [...]d.
For though our bodyes in the grave must lye,
Yet Fame and [...] live ete [...]nally:
Theseus and Orestes both were slaine,
Yet they still live by their praise worthy fame.
And you shall be praisd by succeeding times
Your love shall be most famous by my lines.
The Sauromates and Ge [...]es, doe know your love,
And barbarous people doe of it approve.
For when I of your love to them made mention,
(Speaking the [...] and Sarmatian tongue)
By chance an old man there in company,
Did in this following manner answer me.
The name of friendship (stranger) we have knowne,
Although our Count [...]y be farre from your owne;
A place in S [...]ythia is T [...]urus nam'd.
Which is not farre of from the G [...]ticke land.
Of this my bi [...]th place, I am not asham'd,
D [...]ana is much honored in this Land,
Her Te [...]ple built on Pillars doth remaine,
To which by foureteene [...]ising steps they came:
Her Image here (as Fame sayes) was contaynd,
The Basis of the Image still doth stand:
The Altar which was builded of white stone,
Lookes red with blood that hath beene shed thereon,
T [...]e noblest Virgin, Scythia can shew,
Performes those sacred [...]ites which are due:
A stranger then (as those times did ordaine)
By the Virgins for a sacrifice is slaine.
Thus these kingdomes had well knowne all o're,
The Euxine Seas, and the Maeoticke shore,
In his raigne, one came hither as they say,
Flying, who was call'd Iphigenia.
[Page] W [...]om the light winds, did carry through the ayre,
Till Phaebe (they beleeve) set her downe here,
Many yeares she this Temple did command
And sacrificed with an unwilling hand.
When two young men did in a Ship come hither,
And both did land upon the shore together.
Equall in love and yeares, the one of these
Orestes was, the other Pylades.
Their names for friendship which they did maintaine,
To one another, are cry'd up by fame,
Vnto Diana's cruell Altar straight,
With their hands bound behind them they were brought,
The Priestesse sprinkled them with holy water,
Covering her yellow haire, with a vaile after:
And while she doth the sacrifice prepare,
And with a fillet bindeth up her haire
While she doth seeke occasion any way,
To lengthen out the time with slow delay.
It is not I that cruell am said she,
And therefore young men pray you pardon me,
But to performe these rites it is my case
Which are more barbarous than his salvage place,
It is the custome of this nation,
Whence are you, from what City did you come?
Or whether was your haplesse ship then bound,
When you did first arrive upon this ground?
T [...]is said, when as the Virgin heard them n [...]me
Their Land, she knew they from her City came,
One of you must be sacrific'd, said she,
But tother may returne home presently,
Pylades that was ready to dye there,
B [...]d Orestes goe home whom he lov'd deare,
But brave Oreste [...] to goe did deny,
And both of them contended which should dye.
[Page] This onely made them both to disagree,
Who still had liv'd in peacefull amity.
While these brave young men, did in love contend,
Vnt [...] her brother [...]he a letter pend:
Giving it one of them, it came to passe,
(Marke how it fortun'd) he her brother was:
Which knowne, Diana's Image they tooke away,
O [...]t of the Temple, and so saild away.
The young mens love, though many yeares agone,
Yet through all Scythia is famous growne.
When the old man had this old fable told,
They all did praise their love▪ and courage bold,
So that even heere, in these most salvage parts,
The name of friendship, moves their hard hearts.
What ought you then to doe, being borne in Rome?
When such deedes moove the Getes compassion.
Besides thy gentle mind and manners be,
The Cognisance of thy Nobility.
Such as the name of Vol [...]sus doe become,
And such as Nu [...]a neede not shame to owne.
Of t [...]e name of Cotta, thy house can't be
Asham'd, who dost uphold thy family.
Worthy man, thinke that it doth well agree
With Vertue, to helpe friends in misery.
ELEGIE. III.
To Maximus.
IF thou hast time to bestow on thy friend,
Maximus, chiefe of Fabius attend
[Page] While I relate to thee what I have seene,
Either it was a true shape, or a dreame.
The Moone upon my window shin'd one night,
As she in the midst of the moneth shines bright.
Sleepe that doth ease all cares, had me possest
While I lay on my bed, and tooke my rest.
A paire of wings a noyse in the aire did make,
And the glasse windowes did a little shake.
I frighted, raisd my selfe up in my bed,
On my left elbow, sleepe away soone fled,
When Love with sad lookes, did before me stand,
Bearing a Maple Scepter in his hand▪
No Chaine on's necke, no Corone [...] on his haire,
His lockes not comb'd, as heret [...]fore they were.
His haire hung o're his face, and it did s [...]eme,
The feathers of his wings had ruffled beene,
Such as upon the airy Doves backe stand,
When she hath handled beene, by many a hand.
When I knew him (whom I so well had know [...]e)
To speake to him in this sor [...] I begunne;
Oh boy, that hast thy Masters exile wrought,
Whom I had better never to have taught;
Why dost thou hither come where there's no pea [...]e,
But barbarous Isters water still doth freeze?
Thou didst dictate to me my youthfull rhymes
And mad'st me to write Elegiacke Lines.
Thou wouldst not have me rise by Homer [...] verse,
While I great Captaines actions did rehearse.
Perhaps thy bow and Torch did spoyle my wit,
For I had some, and they did weaken it.
For w [...]ile I of thee, and thy mother sung,
My mind no greater worke did thinke upon,
And besides this, I did in verse discover
The Art of Love, unto the ignorant Lover.
[Page] For which I am now banisht to a place
That's farre remote, and where there is no peace,
Eumolp [...]n was not such to Orpheus,
Nor Olympus to Phrygian Satyrus.
Chiron not so by Achilles hurt was,
And Numa did not hurt Pythagoras.
Instead of reckoning nam [...]s were long agone
I by my Scholler perished alone.
While I arm'd thee, and taught thee wanton shift [...],
Thou didst reward thy master with such gifts,
Yet thou dost know, and thou maist safely sweare,
No married folkes by me instructed were.
I writ to those who doe not bind their haire,
With a chaste fillet, nor a long robe weare.
When did I teach how wives should be beguil'd?
While the [...] scarce know by whom they are with chil [...].
Yet what availes this, if they thinke I did
Write, the Art of Adultery forbid.
So may thy arrowes hit the marke aright,
So may thy blazing torch never vvant Light,
So may great Caisar o'r [...] this Empire raigne,
Who is thy cozen, and from Aeneas came.
If thou his anger dost so farre appease,
That to remove me hence, he would but please▪
Me thought I spoke thus to the winged Lad,
And from him this same following answer had,
By my arrowes, and the blazing Torch I beare
By my mother, and by Caesars [...]ead I sweare,
That none but lawfull rules thou hast me taught,
And in thy Art of Love there was no fault.
And I doe know thou maist defend the same,
But for another fault thou art to blame.
For though I will not thy sad griefe renew.
That was the chief [...]st fault that thou didst doe.
[Page] Although an error thou wouldst have it thought,
Thy punishment [...] not like to thy fault,
To visit thee, and comfort thee here lying,
Downe through the ayre I on my wings came flying.
This place I first saw, when [...] the request
Of my mother, I did wound Calistho's brest.
And for thy sake I visit thee againe,
Who to my colours hast t [...]ue Souldier beene.
Feare not, for Caesa [...]s wrath being milder growne,
The happy houre which thou desirst shall come [...]
Feare not delay, the time i [...] now at hand,
For while his triumph doth great joy command.
While' [...] mother rejoyces, and his family,
And Father who is Pater Patri [...].
While people praise him, and sweete incense burne,
Which makes the Altars of the City warme.
And while the Temple affords me accesse,
Hope that my prayers may helpe thee in distress [...].
This said, his slight he through the ayre did take,
And then my senses did begin to wake.
Beleeve these words although I doubtfull am,
And sooner thinke there may be a blacke Swan,
Yet milke white cannot to blacke changed [...],
Nor Ivory white, turne to blacke Ebony,
Thy noble birth doth with thy minde agree,
Hercules heart thou hast and honesty.
Envy that slothfull vice in thee's not found,
Which like a Viper creepes low by the groun [...],
Thy lofty mind above thy birth doth flye,
Not greater than thy ingenuity.
Some seeke by oppression to be feared of all,
And doe beare dar [...]s of envy dipt in gall,
Your house doth use to helpe the supplian [...]
Among which to count me I pray you gran [...].
ELEGIE. IV.
To Rufinus.
THese words which health unto thee doe commend
Thy Ovid, doth from [...] City send;
Favour this paper-Triumph I command,
Rufi [...] if it come unto thy hand.
The worke is small, though the triumph were great,
Yet howsoe're receive it I entreate.
The strong and healthfull neede no Machaon
The sicke man doth to the Physitian runne.
Great Poets doe no gentle reader neede,
For they can make the unwilling Reader reade,
But I who either had at all no wit,
Or else long labour hath decayed it,
My weakenesse by your candor is made strong
Which if you take away then all is gone.
And since my workes your courteous favour crav [...],
This booke especially may pardon have▪
Other Poets wrote the triumph they did see,
And the sight helps the hand and memory.
But I beheld it onely by relation,
Instead of seeing, I heard the narration.
And c [...]n those straines, and passions, alike be,
That proceede from things heard, and things we see [...]
Nor am I griev'd, I did not see the gold
And silver Pageants, which you did behold.
But the places and lands which they did present,
And battailes had given my verse nourishment.
And the Kings royall aspect [...] at that time,
Would have helpt me in this same worke of mine.
[Page] The peoples loud applause had power in it,
With acclamations to warme any wit.
Such vigor in my selfe I should have found,
As Souldiers doe that heare the trumpet sound.
Were my heart colder than the Ice or Snow,
Or this place where I misery undergoe.
If that I should the Generall behold,
In's Ivory Chariot, I should feele no cold.
I [...]earing the relation of this sight,
Doe desire you to favour what I write,
The Captaines names, and places, are unknowne
To me, I have no matter to write upon.
How little of it could I heare by fame,
Or who by writing could relate the same?
Therefore, O Reader, you ought pardon me
If I have err'd, or ought omitted be.
Besides, my Muse being used to complaine,
Can hardly reach unto a joyfull straine.
My words doe onely suite an Elegie,
And joy doth seeme to me a Novelty.
And as the eye unused to the Sunne,
Is dazled when that it doth looke thereon,
Even so joy is an object farre too bright
For my minde, which doth dazle at the sight.
And those things are most gratefull which are new,
No thankes to slow officiousnesse are due.
Much of this Triumph hath beene writ before,
Which I suppose the people have read o're.
The thirsty reader, did their lines drinke up,
When he is full, he will drinke of m [...] cup.
And then their lines like wine seem'd briske and fresh,
But mine will seeme both warme and waterish.
It was nor sloth that made me come behind,
But because I so farre off am confind.
[Page] Ere I could heare the newes, and make in hast,
Vers [...]s, and send them a yeare might be past.
Besides it is better at the first to pull,
An [...] gather Roses when the gardens full:
Then to come aft [...]r and plucke what you find,
And gather that which hath beene left behind.
If others the slowers of the garden take,
Can we a garland for the Emperour make?
Yet let no Poets my words misesteeme,
As spoke against those verses made by them.
Let them not gather this construction hence,
My Muse hath spoke but in her owne defence.
Poets, I am one of your company,
And of your Tribe although in misery.
Friends I did alwayes in my Soule affect you,
And now in absen [...]e I asmuch respect you.
Then favor my verse, and let them gaine thence,
Applause, since I can't speake in my defence.
Those workes are grievous and doe oftnest please
That come forth after the Authors decease,
Because that envy doth unjustly use,
To wound the living and their name abuse.
If sad life be death, then I am dead;
And onely stay but to be buried.
The earth is onely stay'd that should be throwne
Vpon me, and I onely want a Tombe.
Lastly although my worke should all offend,
Yet no man will my duty reprehend.
Though strength doe faile, the will praiseworthy is
The gods I suppose are content with this.
And accept the poore mans will, that doth bring
A Lambe, as w [...]ll as an Oxe offring.
This Subject was so great, that it was fit
For that chiefe Poet who Aeneads wr [...]t.
[Page] Soft Elegies the great waight could not beare
Of Triumph, since their feete unequall were,
And I am doubtfull now, what verse to frame,
For Rhene shall yeeld a new triumph againe.
Poets presages have not untrue beene,
Fresh Bayes must Caesar crowne, while these are greene.
Nor doe you reade my words, who here am sent,
To the River Ister unto banishment.
Where the Getes who are never pacified,
Drinke of the streame, as it along doth glide.
They are the words of that power that inspi [...]es me,
By whose [...] thus prophesie.
Livia why delay you to prep [...]re,
His chariot for his triumphs gain'd by warre?
Vnfaithfull Germany throwes her Speares away
My prophesie hath waight, you now willsay.
Beleeve me, it to passe shall shortly come,
That honours shall be doubled on thy Sonne:
And in his chariot he shall then be seene,
Drawne on with horses as he once hath beene.
Bring forth his robes that are of purple dye,
To cloath [...]is shoulders for his victory.
His wre [...]th of Bayes may even know his head,
Which it so often hath encircled.
His Buckler, Helmet shall with gold shine bright,
A [...]d pecious stones which cast a glittering light.
The pieces of those Trophies he did get
From the foe, shall above their head be set.
The Townes are compassd with a Towring wall,
And the faigned shew doth seeme to be reall.
Let conquer'd Rhene, goe now under the speare,
And drinke those waters which with blood dy'd were.
The Captive Kings, shall all of them lay by,
Their barbarous ornaments of regali [...]ie.
[Page] And all their royall robes and vestures, which
Are for their present fortune farre too rich▪
And other honours too, which ought to be
Emblemes of vertue, in thy ancestry.
Ye gods, by wh [...]se power I doe prophesie,
I pray you my words quickly verifie.
ELEGIE. V.
To Cotta.
WOuld'st know from whence this letter doth thee greete?
From thence, where Ister doth the b [...]ew Sea meete.
The place [...] nam'd you ought to thinke on me,
Ovid who perish'd by ingenu [...]tie;
Who from the salvage Getes, doth send thee health,
Cotta, which he had rather bring himselfe.
Young man, heire to thy Father [...] eloquence, we
Have read th [...] words spoke in full Court by thee▪
And having spent many hour [...]s to reade them o're,
I was then sorry that they were no more.
By often reading more of them I did make,
And alwayes much delight in them did take.
Which still their former sweetnesse did retaine,
And I was pleasd with the strength of thy vaine,
They are happy that thy speeches heare and know,
And from whose mouth such eloquence doth flow,
Though waters sweete, which we away doe bring,
Its sweeter being drunke out of the Spring.
To [...]ather apples from the bough it is,
Pleasanter than being tooke out of a dish.
[Page] But if my erring Muse had not banisht me,
Thy workes had beene recited then by thee.
And as I was wont, I might then too sit
With hundred others a Iudge of thy wit.
And my heart had beene filled with more delight,
Being tooke with those words you did recite.
You and my Country being left, the fates,
Had rather I should be amongst the Ge [...]es,
But that I may by reading present be,
Some pledges of your study send to me.
Example from me take, if you will receive,
That which you may to me more rightly give.
For Maximus I that long ruin'd am,
Strive to recover by my wit againe.
Then let me in requitall, receive from thee
Some workes which shall hereafter gratefull be,
Tell me O young man, that art so enclin'd
To my studies, bring they not me to minde?
To what friends dost thou thy new verse recite?
Or else to reade their owne, dost them excite?
My absence sometimes makes thee grieve in mind
Which in it selfe a want of me doth find.
And as in presence thou wouldst speake of me;
So O [...]ids name is mention'd now by thee,
May I by Geticke bowes be slaine and dye,
(Punishment soone o'retaketh perjury,)
If I in absence doe not thee still see,
Thankes to the gods, the mind and thought is free.
By helpe whereof I to the City come
Vnseene, and often talke with thee alone.
Then it is hard to say how I esteeme,
That white houre which so happy then doth seeme▪
Then I conceite (if I may be beleev'd)
That into heaven I am then receiv'd▪
[Page] And I doe then conceive my selfe to be
With the gods in their blessed company.
But then I thinke I am' here bereaven,
Both of the gods society and heaven.
And then me thinkes that this some Po [...]ticke land
From Stygian Lake, farre distant doth not stand.
Whence if 'gainst fate I strive repeal'd to be,
Maximus, out of this vaine hope put me.
ELEGIE. VI.
To his Companio [...],
OVid, to his friend whom he had even n [...]m'd,
From Euxine shore sends these li [...]es here contain'd,
For if I rashly, who thou art had written,
Blame for my love, perhaps I should have gotten,
If thou aske why I doe not name thee too,
As others thinke, I may them safely doe.
Since thou dost know great Caesars clemency,
In midst of wrath, I can thee c [...]rtisie.
If I should judge my selfe I could not offer,
To take off any punishment which I suffer.
To remember my friends he forbids not me,
No [...] that I should write to thee, thou to me,
It is no wickednesse, if thou dost spend,
Some gentle words to comfort up thy friend▪
This feare of thine, makes Caesars Majesty
[...]eeme dreadfull, and thereby envy'd to be,
[Page] We have seene those were thunder strucke, yet did
Revive againe, Iove did not it forbid:
Neptune did teare V [...]sses ship, and [...]end
His Barke, Leucot [...]e did him be friend.
Neither did she deny to lend to him
Her ayd while he through the greene waves did swimme.
Beleeve me, gods doe spare men in distresse,
The wretched they doe not alwaye [...] oppresse.
And no god can than Caesar milder be,
Who makes his justice power qualli [...]ie.
To which a Temple Caesar hath assignd,
Before, plac'd in the Temple of his mind.
Iupiter 'gainst some hath his thunder sent,
Whose faults have not deserv'd s [...]ch punishment.
When Neptunes cruell waves have many drown'd,
How many worthy of that death are found?
When the most stout in warres are s [...]aine, Mars must
Iudging himselfe, confesse his doom's unjust.
If you enquire of us none will deny
That our sufferings doe proc [...]ed from equity.
Besides those who are drownd, or in warres slaine,
Can never be restor'd to life againe.
But Caesar hath call'd some from banishment,
Or else tooke off part of their punishment.
And I most earnestly doe pray, that I
Might be one of that happy company.
Then since we under such a good Prince are,
To receive a banisht mans words dost thou feare?
Thou mighest if Busires held the government,
Who in a Brazen Bull did men torment
Wrong not his gentlenesse with thy feare hereafter,
Art thou afraid of rockes in a calme water?
That I to write to you unnam'd have usd,
Me thinkes that I can hardly be excusd.
[Page] But feart had tooke sway my use of reason,
Griefe made me voyde of counsell at that season.
Not Caesars wrath, but my fault feare excited
And with my owne name I was even afrighted,
Then grant unto your Poet, n [...]w that he
May in his verses name, and mention thee.
T were our diseraces, if my booke should make
No mention of thee for acquaintance sake.
Yet least his feare should breake thy sleepe, I will
No more than thou wilt be officious still.
Vnlesse thou wilt, thou shalt be still unknowne,
I will enforce a kindnesse upon none.
Though [...]ou may safely love me openly,
Yet if you doubt it, love me secretly.
ELEGIE. VII.
To his friend.
I want words, the same so oft to en [...]eate,
And am asham'd one suite still to repeate;
I thinke my verse to you doth teadious grow,
Still of one theame, since you my suite doe know.
For, [...]ou know what my Letter doth reveale,
Before you open it and breake the seale.
Therefore in [...]riting let me change my theame,
That I goe not so oft against the streame.
Friends pardon me for my good confidence,
I will no more commit such an offence.
Least I distrust my wife who doth abide
Constant, but yet for favour hath not tride.
[Page] Ovid shall beare, for worse than this can be,
Thou hast borne, bu [...]thens can be felt by thee.
T [...]e Oxe tooke from the heard, doth shu [...] the plough,
And to the hard [...]oke his necke will not bow.
But I whom sate hath usd most cruelly,
Am long since used to all misery.
To dye on Geticke land, ift be my doome.
L [...]t my fate goe on as it hath begun.
It is delightfull some hope maintaine,
But not delightfull if it still prove vaine.
And men doe alwayes wish those things may be,
Of which they conceive possibility;
But being undone, 'tis the next degree,
Bravely to despaire of all remedy.
Some wounds we see by curing do grow greater,
Which if they had not beene toucht had beene better.
Its easier at first to drowne in water,
Than tyre with swimming and be drowned after,
To remove from Sythia why did I beleeve,
Or that a happier Land might me receive?
Why should I hope my fat [...] should gentler be,
Have I ere knowne fortune so kind to me?
It doth encrease my sorrow, and to shew
My place of banishment doth griefe renew.
Yet tis better my friends should not sue for me,
Than that their suite should not effectuall be.
My friends so great a suite you dare not make
Would you aske, he would grant it for my sake.
Since Caesar doth not this to me deny,
On Euxine shoare let me dye valiantly.
ELEGIE. VIII.
To Maximus.
I Considered what gi [...]ts from Tomos I
Might send, my love to thee to testifie.
Thou art more worth than silver, or gold bright;
Which in bestowing well thou tak'st delight.
But yet these places rich in mettail be,
Which cannot be dug for the enemy.
The shiny purple hath thy garments dy'd,
But in Sarma [...]icke Seas none doth abide,
The sleeces which the cattle beare, are hard,
And the Mayds know not [...]ow to spin or card.
Instead of carding women grind corne here,
And heavy water on their heads doe beare.
The Vine here on the Elme runs not abroad,
No apples with their waight the boughs doe load.
But in those sad fields bitter wormewood growes,
The fruite the bitternesse of this Land showes;
So that in Po [...]tus I could nothing see.
That I might send to expresse love to thee,
Some S [...]ythian Arro [...]es I have sent to thee,
Which wounding thy soe may they bloodyed be
These are the pens and bookes, which here we use,
In this place Maximus, they are our Muse:
I am asham'd of such a poore present,
But [...] them kindly, pray, as they are sent.
ELE [...]IE. IX.
To Brutus.
BRutus, because my bookes are still the same,
You doe report that some my verses blame:
Because they sue that I might neerer be,
And shew how I live with the enemy.
Of how many faults may one be reprehended:
Tis well if [...]y Muse here alone offended.
I [...]ce what faults I in my bookes commit,
When all approve their verse more than is [...]it
Aut [...]ors doe praise their worke, Accius said,
Ther sites face was good which he had made.
My judgement is not so led to approve
W [...]at I doe make, that I should straight it love.
You may aske why I will offensive be
In verse, if I my fault in writing see;
Tis one thing to be sensible of paine,
Another to take away griefe againe.
For all are sensible of misery,
[...]ut Art must take away the malady.
That word which I would change I doe leave in,
My strength of Iudgement to faile doth begin.
Some [...]imes (why should I doubt to speake the troth,)
To correct them, much trouble me it doth.
Besides I take delight in popular favour,
Which maketh me in writing take lesse labour.
And when my inspir'd brest once wa [...]me is growne,
Then my encreas [...]ing worke goes swiftly on.
But to correct a worke tis a hard thing,
Homer fore Aristarth [...]s I esteeme.
Besides the brid [...]e doth hold backe the Horse,
And cares restraine the mind in her steete course
[Page] But may the gods grant Caesars wrath may be,
Appeased and diminished towards me.
That these bones of mine may be covered,
And in some quiet land be buried.
When I would fa [...]ne describe my misery,
My Fortune's visage then a [...]ighteeth me.
Me thinkes I am mad, while I vers [...]s make,
And mongst the Getes care to correct them take,
Yet this doth make my lines excusable,
That to shew change of humours they are able.
For I sung when I had cause to be glad,
Now I sing sadly because I am sad;
While once I sung of joy, now of misery,
And both my workes with my times agree.
Can I write of this land but bitterly?
Praying I in some better place may dye.
I write the same so oft, none it respect,
And my words are become of none effect.
But that the reader should not take offence,
When he doth finde the same repeated sense.
Of all my friends Brutus I entreate thee?
Respect my worth, you learned pardon me,
For I doe prize the good that I may gaine,
By this worke more than I doe any fame.
Besides a Poet can that matter frame,
Vnto his owne desire which he doth faine.
My Muse is Index of my misery,
Of which she may a faithfull witnesse be,
That my Letters should be delivered being sent,
And not to make a booke, [...]as my intent.
Afterward I collected some of those,
That you may not thinke I this worke did chuse
Then pardon these lines, which I did not make
For glory, but for love and profit sake.
OVID DE PONTO.
LIB. IV.
ELEGIE. I.
To Sext: Pompeius.
Rliceive Po [...]pei [...]s, this verse whic [...] he [...],
Who oweth (Se [...]tus) even his life to you
If you permit me your name to set downe,
You adde one kindnesse to the former summe,
But if you frowne, my fault I will confesse,
[...]et you may pardon my fault nere the lesse,
[...]y mind would needes declare her thankefulnesse,
Then be not angry at my officiousness [...],
[...]ow oft did I thinke it a fault in me,
That in my bookes I had not mention'd thee,
And while I did compose my selfe and frame,
To write to others should I write thy name?
[...]y erro [...] pleased me in such a fault,
Which unwillingly I out againe did blor.
[Page] I [...]e write to him, said I, though he doe blame
Me, for prefixing on the toppe his name,
Ah I'me asham'd that I have not commended
My love before to him, and so offended.
If I should drinke the dull Lathean water,
Yet I can never forget thee hereafter.
Then suffer me I pray, doe not disdaine
My words, nor verse which I in duty frame.
Light thankes for former kindenesses receive
If not I will be gratefull without leave.
You [...]eady were to doe me good your selfe,
And you did still supply me with your wealth.
And being not afrighted by my fate,
Your love hath [...]elpfull beene to me of lat [...].
But if thou aske per [...]hance how I can be,
For future time so confident in thee,
I see that every one strives to maintaine,
And preserve that worke which himselfe did frame.
So Venus, which the Painter Cous drew,
His labour and his glory both doth shew,
Being drawne by him, as if she did repaire
From Sea, and seem'd to dry her moystned haire,
So Pallas in the Act [...]an Tower doth stand,
Carved in Ivory by Phidias hand.
So [...] for the horses which he drew,
Deserveth praise which unto him is due.
So [...] worke was of no lesser worth,
Who did unto the li [...]e a Cow draw forth.
So I amongst thy other good deedes am▪
A peece of workmanship [...]hou [...].
ELEGIE. II.
To Severus.
THat which thou readst Severus, the most great
Of Poets, comes from the unshorne [...].
I [...] I may speake the truth, asham'd I am,
Tha [...] my bookes hitherto conceal'd thy name.
Yet my officious Letters which I did frame
[...]n Prose, not Verse, unto thee often came.
I sent no verse to shew what eare I take
Of thee; what should I send, what thou dost make [...]
Who giveth Aristeus at any time
Honey, or unto Ba [...]ebus Fal [...]rns wine?
Who to Tuptolemus doth come and offer,
Who to A [...]cinus doth Apples proffer.
Thou hast a fruitfull brest, and amongst those
That honour Hellicon, theres none outgoes
Thee, for the richnesse of thy fluent vaine,
Or for the plenteousnesse of thy sweete [...]
To send thee verses then, had beene to adde
Leaves to the wood [...] of which great store they had;
And this Severus onely caused me,
To be so slow in writing unto thee.
Nor is my wit such as it was, for now
The dry and barren sands in vaine I plough,
For as m [...]d choketh up the waters vaine,
Making a Spring that cannot flow am [...]in [...],
The mud of griefe my brest hath choaked so,
That my verse with a poorer vaine doth flow,
For if this land had beene great [...] seat,
Beleeve me, I had then become a Gete.
[Page] Grane me your pardon, if I do confesse
That in my studyes I am growne remisse
And seldome time when I a letter frame,
Doe I the syllables on my fingers scan.
That [...]ury which in Poets doth use to be,
Is absent now, which was before in me.
My Muse will scarce assist me, when I take
Paper to write, to dictate she is slacke;
So that in writing I take little pleasure,
Nor take delight to joyne my words in measure:
Since verse hath not beene profitable to me,
But hath occasion'd all my misery.
Or since to dance in the darke tis all one,
And to write ver [...]es that are read of none,
Our study by the audience is [...]aisd,
And Vertue doth encrease when it is praysd.
For glory is a great spurre to excite
Vertue, and make her take a higher flight.
To whom but the Coralli can I heere
Recite those lines which by me written are?
Or to those other Nations which abido
Fast by the barbarous River Iste [...]s side [...]
But what should doe here to passe away
My haplesse leasure or to spend the day?
I neither love deceitfull dice nor wine;
By which they use to passe away the time.
Nor doe the ploughed fields yeeld me delight,
Which if the warres would cease, would please my sigh [...].
My Muses, who my cold comforters be
Remaine, that have not well deserv'd of me,
But thou that drinkst of their happy spring,
Love Poetry which did thee profit bring.
Let the Muses by thee still be reverenced,
And send us some new worke of thine to reade.
ELEGIE. III.
To his unconstant friend.
SHall I complaine? be dumb, or without a name
Make knowne who thou art, that art so too blame.
I will not name thee, least thou thinke it be
A credit, while my verse complaines of thee.
While that my fortunes favorable were,
One of my chiefest friends thou didst appeare.
Now fortune bends her brow, tho [...] goest backe,
When you perceiv'd that I your helpe did lacke.
Now you pretend, you know not who I am
Asking who Ovid is, when you heare his name.
Know I am he that was your friend of old
From a child, though of this youle not be told.
I am he that to know your affaires did use,
Whom then to beare you company you did chuse,
In the house I still bore you companie,
It was my Muse alone that pleased thee.
I am he, who whether he doe live or no,
Per [...]idious man, thou took'st no care to know.
Either confesse thou never lovedst me,
Or confesse thy selfe a counterset to be,
Or else if that thou didst not counterfeit,
Thou wilt be found to be sickle and light.
Tell me, what anger hath thus changed thee?
If thy complaint be not just, mine must be.
What fault of mine hath thus estranged thee?
Or ist a fault to be in adv [...]rsity?
If to helpe me in deedes you thought unfit,
Three words in paper you might then have writ.
[Page] I scarce beloeve it, yet by fame I heare,
That to insult o're me, you doe not spar [...].
Thou madman; if thy fortune should goe backe,
All pitty from thy selfe why dost thou take?
This goddesse, shewes her lightnesse by her wheele,
[...]laking the highest spoke to touch her heele,
She is more light than wind or leave [...] can be.
Yet thou art like her in inconstancy.
Humane states on a slender t [...] red are hung,
Those who are highest, soone to ruine come.
Who hath not heard of Caesars wealth? yet he
Wa [...] taken captive by his enemy.
He of whom Syracuse was so afraid,
Hunger compelled him to use a trade.
Who greater was than Alexander great
Yet he once put to flight, did helpe entreate:
While he whom all the world before obeyd,
Poorer than any of them all was made.
Marius by the Iugurthine tryumph glorious,
Who being Consull, Rome was oft victorious,
In the mudde and the marish reedes did lie,
And suffer many an indignitie.
Humane affaires the sport of the gods be,
In present time there is no certaintie.
If any one had said that I should go,
To th' Euxine shoare, and feare the Get [...]s stiffe Bowe,
To purge [...]is madnesse, I had bid him goe,
Drinke Hellebore which doth in Anti [...]yra grow.
Yet I have sufferd this for though I could shunne
Mans power, from Caesar's thunder I could not runn [...]:
Then wisely feare, and thinke prosperity,
While thou speak'st, may change into adversity.
ELEGIE. IIII.
To Sext. Pompeius.
THere is no day with Southerne showers so wet
That no soft raine their violence doth remit,
Nor any place hath yet so barren beene,
That no good herbs among the thornes do spring:
For Fortune no such misery doth inflict,
That no joy can in part diminish it.
I from my house, my country, and friends am sent
To Getick shoares to live in banishment,
Yet I have found away my selfe to cheere,
And not remember my sad fortune heere.
For while I walked on the yellow sand.
I heard a paire of wings which gently [...]nd
The ayre, as it did seeme then unto mee,
I looked backe, but no body could see:
At last I heard these words, behold I Fame,
Come flying through the wide ayr [...], to proclaime
These tydings which shall happen unto thee,
A messenger of joyfull newes to bee.
The next ensuing yeare shall happy bee,
In Pompeys Consulship, who's deare to thee:
When shee had this report through Pontus blowne,
The goddesse through the Countries-journyd on.
This newes made care to leave me for a space,
That I forgot the barbarisme of the place:
Therefore when [...] doth the yeare begin,
Whose month after December commeth in,
Pompeius then the purple robe shall weare,
Which honour's due unto his vertues ar [...].
[Page] Me thinkes I see the vulgar people hurt,
While they doe presse and throng into his Court.
While thou to Ta [...]pelan Temples dost repaire,
To the mercifull gods to make thy prayer,
While snow white oxen there are sacrificed,
Which in the faire Faliscan fields were bred:
Desiring all the gods to favour thee,
Especially Iove and C [...]sa [...]s Majestie.
The Court shall love thee, and the convocation
Of Senators harken unto thy Oration,
When having pleased them with a fluent stile,
Having received gratulations all the while;
Having thankd th [...] gods, and C [...]sars Majestie,
Who will conferre more honours upon thee.
The Senate then shall bring thee backe againe,
While thy [...]ouse can't the throng of people containe:
Woes me, that I may not amongst them bee,
And that I may not those sights view and see.
Yet in my minde, which I may onely doe,
The Consuls face I will behold and view.
Gods grant thou maist sometimes thinke on my name,
And say, alasse, how doth that wretched man?
When I heare thou hast said it so, I'le confesse,
The sorrowes of my banishment are [...]sse.
ELEGIE. V.
To the same, now Consull.
LIght Elegies goe to the Consuls [...]are,
And to his honours view, these my lines beare.
[Page] A long way on unequall feete you go [...]
The earth being covered o're with winters snow.
Having past cloudy [...], and cold Thrace,
And the rough billowes of the Ionian seas.
You need not make much hast, for you shall come,
In ten dayes to the Queene of Cities, Rome.
Then to Pompeius house goe out of hand,
Which next unto Augustus Court doth stand.
If people aske whose you are whence you came,
Then tell them in their care some fained name:
Your Author you with safety may confesse,
Yet a fain'd name will be more dangerlesse.
And when you come to his gate, go and see [...]
The Consull, for none will prohibit thee.
While he doth unto the Quirites speake,
Sitting in state upon his Ivory seate.
Or while he doth the people taxe and cease,
And strives to make the Cities wealth encrease:
Or like a Consull holds a consultation,
To call the Senators to a convocation
In the Iulian Temple, or else goes himselfe,
To wish Augustus and his Sonne all health:
Or else he takes care to discharge, and looke
Vnto his office, which he undertooke.
To salute Germanicus [...] after them he goes,
To whom as to the gods he honour showes.
When his affaires are setled and do quiet stand,
Then he will take you in his gentle hand,
And perhaps aske how I your Author doe,
To answer him in these words I would have you.
He lives and saies he owes his life to thee,
First granted him by Caesars Majestie:
And gratefully remembers how he went,
By thy convoy safely to banishment,
[Page] While the Bisto [...]ian sword had beene dyed in
His blood▪ unlesse thou hadst tooke care of him,
And supplyedst him with [...]n cassaries thy sel [...]e,
That he might not diminish his owne wealth,
That to requite your love, he vowes that he
A servant unto you will alwayes be.
For first the Mountaines shall want shady trees,
Sayle bearing ships shall not sayle on the seas,
And Rivers shall runne backe unto their spring,
Ere I forget what your love to me hath beene.
This having said, entreate him he would dain [...]
To keepe you, for unto this end you came.
ELEGIE. VI.
To Brutus.
BRutus, [...] letter thou readest is sent thee
From thence, where thou wouldst not have Ovid be:
Thou wouldst not have it so, but fate requires,
Alasse the fates are stronger than desires.
Five yeares past since I have in Sc [...]thia beene,
And now another five yeares doth begin.
Fortune is constant in her crueltie,
And treacherously she still opposeth me.
Maximus honour of the Fabian family,
Would have mov'd Caesar for me certainely,
Thou dydst before thy suite could moved be
Vnworthily, I thinke, with griefe for me.
Now to commit my cause to any I feare,
For after thy death all my hopes dead were.
[Page] Augu [...]tus to pardon my fault did begin,
But then he dy'd, and my hopes dy'd in him:
Yet I though farre off, verses to you writ,
Of him whom Heaven did of late admit,
And may my pious dutie so pro [...]it me,
That Caesars wrath may once appeased be:
That you pray for the same, I dare be sworne
Brutus, whose faithfulnesse to me is knowne:
For th [...] love was still constant unto me,
And it encreased in adversity.
He that did see our t [...]ares together shed,
Did beleeve that we both were banished.
Nature hath given asof [...]nesse unto thee,
To pitty such as are in misery:
And Brutus she hath given unto none,
Such a gentle temper and disposition;
That he who doth not know how thou canst plead.
Thinkes not thou couldst gainst guilty ones proceed.
Thou canst at once, though they doe seeme con [...]ra [...]y.
Be mild to suiters, cruell to th [...] guilty.
When thou hast undertooke to judge a cause,
According to the severity of lawes,
The words that come from thee in generall,
Seeme as if they were dipt in poyson all.
May thy cruelty to enemies be knowne,
Feeling the wounding arrowes of thy tongue,
Which thou do [...] sharpen carefully, that none
Would thinke thou hadst such a disposition.
But unto such as fortune hath opprest,
A woman cannot beare a tenderer brest:
And this I cheifely then did finde in thee,
When the most of my friends denied me:
I will forget them, but I will never be,
V [...]indfull of your helpe in [...] ▪
[Page] And [...]ster that too neere me doth flow on,
From Euxine Seas unto his spring shall runne.
The Sunne shall drive his chariot to the East,
As it was when Thyestes kept his feast.
Sooner than you who were much griev'd that I,
Should be tooke from you all so suddenly,
Shall accuse me that I have unto him,
Either ungratefull, or forgetfull beene.
ELEGIE. VII.
To Vestalis.
VEstalis because you were sent before,
On purpose unto the cold Euxine shoare.
To render justice to those Lands which bee
[...] under the North Axletree,
You see in what a country I doe [...]ie,
And t [...]at my complaints true can testifie.
Your words to my complaint much credit brings,
O young man descended from the Alpine Kings.
Thou sees [...] the Sea with Ice is frozen up,
Thou sees [...] the wine is frozen in the cup,
And thou dost see here how the country Swaine,
Over the Ister drives his loaden waine,
And how they doe poyson arrowes you do see,
That they by two effects may deadly bee.
And I doe wish thou hadst them onely seene,
Not by experience knowne to thee had beene:
For since you did your way through danger make,
Honour hath beene conferrd on you of late:
[Page] Which honour though it be to you a grace,
Your vertue doth deserve a higher place.
This Ister knowes, whose streame was dyed red
With blood of Getes by t [...]y hand slaughtered:
And this Aegypsos knowes, which thou didst take,
Which strongly scituate no defence could make.
This City was as strong by scituation,
Plac'd on a hill as by fortification.
From King Sit [...]enius, Sa'vages did it winne.
And as conquerors t [...]ey looke the wealth therein,
Till V [...]ellius did by water pass [...]ge g [...]t
For his Army, and march'd up against the Gete.
Thou that valiant Dc [...]nas art descended,
To march against the enemy wast intended,
And glistering armour then put on you did,
For valiant actions never can be bid.
And marching on the Citie didst assaile,
Mauger their swords and stones that flew like haile:
With arrowes shot thou couldst not be withstood,
Nor with darts dipped in t [...]e vipers blood;
And there thy body did some wounds sustaine,
But love of honour takes away all paine.
Thus Ajax when their ships to Troy did come,
Resisted the fire-bals which Hector flung.
But when you fought hand to hand, and came nigh,
That by the sword you might the matter try:
Tis hard to say, what valour you did shew,
And whom you kild, or how many you slew.
And being Conquerour didst tread on the Getes,
Who by thy sword lay slaughtered there is heapes.
The Souldiers from their Captaine did fire take,
Receiving wounds, they many wounds did make:
But yet thy valour did as much exceed,
As Pegasus surpassed other horses speed.
Did memorize your deedes to eternity.
ELEGIE. VIII.
To Sttillius.
LEarned Suill [...]us your letter was to me
Most welcome, t [...]ough lately it delivered be:
[...]herein you promise th [...] if the gods may
Be encl [...]ned by prayer, my helpe you [...]ill assay.
Though you availe not, your friendly goodwill
Obliges me to be your debtor still.
And may you long continue in this desire,
Let not my misery make your love to tire.
Bonds of affinity bind us in one yoake,
Which I do pray may still remaine unbroke:
For shee that is thy wife is daughter to me,
And my wife also sonne in law calst [...]ee.
Woes me, if thou dost frowne when th [...]u hastread
My verse, and art ashamd of my kin [...]red:
Y [...]t no cause to be asham'd canst thou finde
But Fortune, which unto me hath beene blinde.
Ex [...]mine my descent, my Ancestrie
Were Gentlemen of ancient Pedigree:
If you examine my lifes integrity,
Bate me one error, I should blamelesse be.
Then you do thinke interatie may prevaile
To entreat the gods humbly do not faile.
Young Caesar is thy gods, his Majestie
An Altar is, that is well knowne to thee.
[Page] He suffers not his Priests in vain [...] to pray,
To get some helpe from him therefore assay,
If he do favour me, my Barke hereafter,
Shall rise againe that's now suncke in the water.
T [...]en I swee [...]e Insence solmnely will bring
Vnto the Altar for an offering:
And I will t [...]en both testifie and show,
How much the gods by their owne power can do.
I will not build a marble Temple [...]or thee
Germani [...]us, since my fall impov [...]ishd mee;
Let happy f [...]milies Temples build to t [...]ee,
And Cities that are in pr [...]perity.
Ovid will shew his gratitude himselfe,
By writing verses▪ which are all his wealth,
Yet he I know a small requitall [...]ffords,
That for life given him doth give backe words,
But he t [...]at giveth the most he can doe,
His gratitude abundantly doth shew;
And in this action [...]e hath truely shew'd,
The high'st perfection of all gratitude.
When poore men a little Insence sacrifice
Vnto the gods, they do it not dispise:
Their little insence is as powerfull, even
As that which out of a great dish is given.
The sucking lambe, and that which hath beene fed▪
With the F [...]lisian grasse are offered
As sacrifices, and with their blood staine
The Tarpeian Altars when as they are slaine,
And yet the thankfull lines of Poets be,
Most sutable to a Princes dignity.
Verses doe every where your prayse proclaime,
And make your worthy deedes still live by fame.
Vertue doth live by verse, and cannot dye,
But is made knowne unto posterity.
[Page] For time consumeth Iron and hard stone,
There is nothing that is than time more strong.
Verses doe beare t [...]eir yeares, by verse you know
W [...]o Agamemnon was, and also who
Did be [...]re armes on his side, and what might,
Did on the other side against him fight.
Of Thebes or the seven Captaines who had knowne,
Without verse, what shall, or hath beene done?
The gods themselves by verse are de [...]fy'd,
So that their Majesties doe Poets neede.
By it t [...]e Chaos, natures first rude heape
We know was formed into a divers shape.
B [...] it the Gya [...]s that affected Heaven,
By d [...]r [...]ull thunder unto Styx were driven.
So Ba [...]chus praise b [...] verse abro [...]d was sp [...]ed,
When [...] the Indians had [...].
Hercules in verse hath praised beene,
Cause [...]e Och [...]lia away did bring.
And Caesar your Grandfather, whose vertues were
Such that he is now made a shining starre.
Verses partly the c [...]iefe maintain [...]rs be,
Of his most sa [...]red gracious memory.
Therefore if any wit [...]emaine in me,
Germanicus, it shall at thy service be.
Then being a Poet, thou wilt not contemne
A Poets love, but judge e're thou condemne.
Wert thou not called to greater dignity,
The glory of the Muses thou wouldst be.
Thou wouldst rather give matter for verse than make
Verses, and yet thou canst not them forsake.
Now thou mak'st warre, then in a verses measure
Dost write those warre [...], thus warre is but thy pleasure.
And as Apoll [...] skild in Harpe and Bow,
So that both strings, his sacred fingers know.
[Page] So learning is not wanting unto thee,
Nor Arts that suite with Principality:
But in thy royall mind Ioves Soveraignty,
Is mingled with the Muses Poetry.
Then since that we are banish'd from that Spring,
Which by a stroke of Pegasus hoofe did begin.
Let it availe me something that I am
A Po [...]t, and doe sacred rites maintaine,
That I may leave the Getes, and shoa [...]es which are
Subject to the Coralli, who skins weare.
That if I must live banishd, I may come
To live in some place neerer unto Rome,
That I may celebrate your praise in verse,
And suddenly your glorious deedes rehearse.
And deare Suillui, by earnest pr [...]yer require
The gods to grant your Father in lawes desire.
ELEGIE. IX.
To Gracinus.
Ovid, from Euxine shoare, not when he would,
Graecinus, sends th [...]e health, but whence he could.
I wish that it that morning may meete thee,
When thou receiv'st the Consuls dignity.
Since when thou as Consull shalt carri'd be
To the Capitoll, I shall not goe with thee.
[...]ay my Letter on that day be receiv'd,
And so performe my duty in my stead.
But if to better fates I had beene borne,
And that my Fortunes had runne smoothly on▪
[Page] I had saluted thee in presence then,
Which now my hand performeth by my pen.
And I would mingle kisses with each word,
Which should honour unto both of us afford.
I should be so proud if this day once came,
So that thy house could scarce my pride containe.
And while the Senate walked on each side,
I as a horseman should before thee ride.
And though I desir'd still next thee to abide,
I should be glad not to be next thy side.
I would endure the peoples throng and presse,
And to be throng'd so, count it happinesse.
And I sh [...]uld also then rejoyce to s [...]e,
What troopes of people beare thee company.
And I who am mov'd, with each vulgar sight,
To see thy purple robes should take delight.
And to see thy [...] wrought with Imagery,
Which is carv'd on Numidian Ivory.
Then comming to the Tarpeian [...]ower againe,
While Sacrifices at thy command were slaine,
The god in the midst of it, had heard me
Giving thankes for giving me this dignity.
And giving Frankinsence with gratefull minde,
For joy of honour unto thee assign'd,
And amongst thy friends I should reckon'd be,
If the more gentle fates had sufferd me
To be in the City, so that what I doe
Behold in thought, I with my eyes might view.
But they were not pleasd, and perhaps justly
My cause of punishment why should I deny?
Yet in mind, which cannot banisht be,
Thy purple robes and ornaments I see.
And how to people thou dost justice doe,
And thinke I me present at thy counsels too▪
[Page] Or how the Cities rents are improv'd by thee,
And are cast up with much fidelity.
Or how in Senate thou mak'st an Oration,
Or for the publicke good holdst consultation.
Or how thou dost fat Oxen sacrifice,
To god-like Caesar for thy dignities.
And I wish, when thy better prayers are made,
Thou would pray that their wrath might be allayd.
These words will make the flame rise from the fire,
Vpon the Altar, and to mount up higher,
Till then [...]le cease complaints, and as I may
When thou art Consull, keepe a Holyday.
And this no lesse a cause of joy shall be,
That thy brother succeedes thee in dignity.
Thou on Decembers last dost it forsake,
He on the last of Ianuary shall it take.
Mutuall love shall you to joy encline,
You f [...]r your brothers honour, he for thine.
Twice Consull, you shall in each other be,
And double honour shall grace your family.
Which honour is so great, that there can be
In Martiall Rome no greater dignity:
Beside it is more honour unto thee,
To have such honour given by his Majesty.
And may Caesar still thinke you [...] to be,
Worthy of such honour and dignity.
If winds stand faire to hoyst sayles doe not faile,
That my Ship out of Stygian waves may saile.
Graecinus, Fla [...]cus did of late command,
And the Land about Ister in peace maintaind.
Ile by the Mysia [...] people in fidelity,
And the Bow bearing Getes did terrifie,
By speedy valour he did Tr [...]es take
And D [...]nub [...]ed with salvage blood did make:
And how I am frighted by the enemy.
Or if their shafts are dipt in Serpentsgall,
Or if that men for sacrifices fall.
Or that Pontus with cold be frozen over,
And that Ice many leagues of it doth cov [...].
Th [...]n aske how I am esteem'd, and how I
Doe spend the time here in hard misery.
I am not hated, nor deserve to be,
My mind is not chang'd by adversity.
My mind enjoyes her owne tranquility,
Which hath beene praised heretofore by thee,
And thy speech retaines that old modesty
Which was wont usuall in it to be.
Such I was, and am where the enemy,
Gives to the sword the lawes validity,
So that Graecinus for many yeares none can
Complaine of us, not woman, child, nor man.
This makes the [...] so kind to be,
Because the Country doth thinke well of me I
Some wish I were gone, since I it desire,
But for their owne sakes wish I may stay here.
Besides some publicke decrees extant be,
That doe give praise and priviledge to me▪
And the Townes round about doe honour me,
Though glory doth not suite with misery.
Nor is my piety unknowne in this Land,
The Caesars pictures in my house doe stand.
His Sonnes Image and wives, there placed be,
Equall to god-like Caesar in Majesty.
And to make up his family, on each hand,
His Nephewes by Father, and Mother side stand.
To these I pray and o [...]er sacrifice,
When the day breaketh from the Easterne skies.
My pious duty and say I doe not lye.
Pontus knowes, that with such sports as I may,
I here doe celebrate Caesars birth day.
Nor is my love to strangers lesser knowne,
If any from Propontus hither come.
Perhaps your brother heard thus much of me,
In whose rule, Pontus enjoy'd liberty.
My fortune is unto my minde unlike,
Which makes my gifts and sacrifices [...]light,
Nor doe I it to show my Piety,
But am pleasd to doe good in secresie.
Yet these things may come unto Caesars eare,
Who of all matters in the world doth heare.
Thou Caesar joyn'd to the heavenly Deities,
Dost know this, and see this Land with thy ey [...]s,
And being plac'd among the starry Spheares,
Dost heare the humble meanest of my prayers,
And dost heare of those verses I did make
Of thee, who art now made a god of late.
And therefore I suppose your Deity,
By these things will incline to pitty me,
And will declare you have the gentle name,
Of a Father, which you worthily retaine.
ELEGIE. X.
To Albinovanus.
THis is the sixt Summer I have spent here,
On this shoare with the Gete [...] that skins doe weare.
[Page] What s [...]int or iron, can in hardnesse be
Deare Albinovanus, compar'd with me?
Drops, hollow stones. Rings by use weare aw [...].
The crooked Ploughshare doth at length [...]
Thus Time devoureth all things except me,
Of whom death cannot get the victory.
Vlysses an example of toyle may be,
Who wandred ten yeares in the [...]nknowne Sea.
Yet all that time misfortunes did not beare
Some passages delightfull to him were.
To stay with Calypso six yeares, and [...]l [...]e
With a faire goddesse, could it be misery?
Cyrce receiv'd him, and gave him a wind
To drive his sa [...]les from havens they did find,
Nor to heare the sweete Sy [...]ens could it be
A labour, or to taste the Lotos tree.
Whose fruite with part [...]f my life I would buy,
Could the Ivy make me forget my countrey,
Neither can you Lestrigons Cit [...]ies comp [...],
With Nations which [...]eere unto Ister are▪
Cyclops exceed not Phiaces in cruelty.
What terrour to m [...] doe they use to be?
Hemochi [...]n Ships have more terrifi'd me
Than Scyllt's waves which barking monsters be.
The Ach [...]ns with Ca [...]ybd [...] cannot compare,
Though three strong tides in it, and [...]bbes there are,
Who t [...]ough they on the Countries right side lye,
They suffer this side to have no security,
For all the naked fields be leanenesse here,
And all their shafts in poyson dipped are.
And winters cold [...]oth freeze o're the Sea so,
That you on [...]oote may easily o're it goe.
So that where Oares through the waves way did make,
Travellers without Boate their way may take.
[Page] Those who come home, doe say you will not belee [...]
Them, nor yet credence to their report give,
How wretched then and miserable is he,
Whose sufferings beyond all credit be.
Beleeve me winter covers the [...] Seas
With Ice, Ile shew the cause why it doth freeze.
For that cold constellation which doth beare
The figure of a waine to us is neere.
Here Boreas dwells and hath his Mansion,
And being nere us he doth blow more strong.
But the warme Souther wind which still doth breath
From the opposite Axletree is underneath,
Is farre off, and to blow is seldome knowne,
And with a weary strength doth hither come▪
And divers Rivers into the Sea goe,
Beating backe the Sea, whereinto they flow,
Ly [...]us, Sagaris, Penius, hither come,
And often winding Italy▪ doth hither runne▪
Hither violent Parthenius doth slide,
And the stone-rolling [...] doth glide.
Hither the River Tiras doth also flow,
Who than no other River is more slow.
And Thermodon to the Ama [...]o [...]es well knowne,
And Posis which did unto Gre [...]e belong.
With [...] there meeteth here
The River Driaspes that is faire and cleare▪
And gentle Melanthus runnes softly on,
In silent manner till his course be done.
And that same River which doth take his way,
Betweene two Lands, Europe and Asia.
And divers others, mongst which Dan [...]b is held
The greatest, who will not to Nilus yeeld.
Thus store of Rivers, as they doe increase,
So they doe weaken the strength of the Seas.
[Page] For they [...]oe make it like to a dull Lake,
And the blew colour of it away take.
Fresh water swims aloft, as being lighter
Then Sea water, which saltnesse maketh heavier,
If any aske why I t [...]ese things rehearse,
And take delight to speake of them in verse:
I answer, to passe the time in miserie,
This fruite this present houre doth bring to me.
While I writ this, my sorrowes absent were,
Nor thought that I amongst t [...]e Getes was here.
I doe not doubt but since thou dost commend
Th [...]seus in verse, thou wilt mine defend.
Resembling him who denies Love, should be
The companion onely of prosperity.
Whose actions though composd by thee and sung,
Were not so well declar'd as they were done.
Yet something in him may imitable be,
Each one may be Theseus in fidelitie.
Thou hast no foes with sword and key to tame,
In spite of whom he o're the Istmos came.
Love's the atchievement that's to thee assignd,
Which is no paine [...]ull thing to a willing mind.
For what great paines or labour is it, sure
To keepe our faith inviolate, and pure?
Yet thinke not I in these lines doe complaine
Of thee, who dost true to thy friend remaine.
ELEGIE. XI.
To Galli [...].
GAllio this fault will not excusd be,
That my verse doth not by name mention thee.
Thou (I remember) didst with many a teare
Embalme my wounds made by a heavenly speare▪
And would thou hadst no other cause to grieve,
But that exile doth thee of thy friend deprive.
The gods were not so pleasd, whose cruelty
A chast and modest wife have tooke from thee.
Your Letter brought me tidings of your griefe,
And while I red your losse did make me weepe.
To comfort thy wisdome, it would folly be,
Or apply sayings of learned men to thee▪
And if that reason cann't your griefe allay,
Yet time I know doth make it to decay.
While your Letter comes, and ours is backe sent,
Through Lands and Seas, a yeare is spent:
For how should comfort in due season bring
To griefe, when sorrow is both fresh and greene.
But when those wounds by time have healed li [...],
Then admonitions doe those wounds unskin.
Besides thou mayst happy in a new wife be.
And may my prophesie prove true to thee.
ELEGIE. XII.
To Tutica [...]us.
THe cause why my Bookes doe not the [...] containe,
I [...] the measure and condition of thy name.
Else none should have this honour before thee,
If that my verse may any honour be.
The law of verse and fortune of thy name
Prohibit it, which in verse can containe.
I am asham'd to divide thy name betweene
Two verses, mend with't, and to beginne.
Or to contract a long s [...]l [...]able thus,
And so to call thee in briefe Tuticanus:
Or else Tuti [...]anus thou in verse must come,
By making a short syllable of a long.
Or the short ending syllable may be drawne
At length, and the sec [...]nd also made long.
If I thus bo [...]chingly brought in thy name,
I might be thought to have no fluent vaine.
And this to write to thee made me delay,
Which now I with advantage will repay.
Now in any measure I will sing of thee,
And send thee verses whatso [...]re they be.
Since when we both were children thou and I,
Have knowne ea [...]h other from our Infancy.
And all that time that we did live together,
I loved thee, as if thou wert my brother.
For thouwert my companion and my guide,
When I did first beginne to learne to ride.
Often thy Bookes were corrected by me,
As they before had censur'd beene by thee.
[Page] And oftentimes I have faults deprehended
In thy workes, which by thee have [...]eene amended.
When the Pierian goddesses did teach
Thee how to frame a strong line that might reach
Ph [...]acis worth, who did deserve a straine,
That might be equall unto Homers vaine,
This concord in our yeares of youth begunne,
Continues now when our haires are waite grow [...]e,
But this Land m [...]y first want both cold and warre,
Which in Pontus most usuall to me are.
The Northwind may be warme, the Southwind be
Cold, and my fortunes be more kind to me.
Ere thou of thy friend can forgetfull be,
This burthen shall not encrease my misery.
Maist thou of the gods, of whom chiefe is he,
Who daily advances thee to dignity,
Obtaine some favour for me in the end,
And constantly a banisht man defend.
Wouldst thou know my mind, nay I perish if I know,
If one may perish that is in depth of woe.
I know not what to doe, nor what would be
Most profitable at this time to me.
For men in misery have no wisedome left
But of all sense and counsell are berest
Therefore seeke how you may helpe me I pray
And how you may to my desires make way.
ELEGIE. XIII.
To Carus.
O Thou who art to be mentioned by me
Mongst my companions of most constancy▪
[Page] Carus, who truely art to me most deare,
As thou art by name, I salute thee here.
From whence thou dost receive this salutation.
The colour of my verse may shew and fashion.
Because unfit for any publicke view,
Yet howsoe're it seemes that I them drew.
The title leafe of thy workers teare away.
Yet that they are workes of thine I can say.
Though in old Authours thou art often coate [...]
And in t [...]eir annotations o [...]t [...]n note [...];
Th [...] strong lines shew th [...]ir Authour which have bin,
Worthy of Hercules of whom thou dost sing.
So my Muse may be knowne b [...]her owne colour,
And by her faults which doe display her Fuller.
Thersites was knowne by bad shapes drawne by him,
As Nir [...]us was in his faire peeces s [...]ene.
Nor can you wonder if my verse be blame,
Which I almost a Getick [...] Poet frame.
For in the Geticke speech a Booke I writ,
And barbarous words have in our measures set,
And I have pleasd them, so that I began
To have amongst the Getes a Poets name,
While I great Caesars praises did rehearse,
Whose power did helpe the novelty of my verse.
Shewing Augustus body mortall was,
But that his soule did to any dwellings passe.
While he his Fathers vertue doth equallize,
Succeeding him in Imperiall dignities.
And that Livia might Vesta of Matrons be
Whom both her Sonne and Husband dignifie.
That the Princes, who their Fathers strength are,
Their courage by their actions doe declare.
When I had writ this in the Geticke verse,
And the last leafe did unto them rehearse.
And a long murmuring noise the Getes did make,
Saying, since he of Caesar writes thus, he might
By Caesars command be repealed by right.
Yet Carus I in banishment have beene he [...]e,
Vnder the Snowy Axletree, six yeare.
Verses helpe me, that caus'd me to be sent,
At first into this most sad banishment:
By that Love thou bearst sacred Poesie
By the name of Friendship esteem'd by thee.
So many Germanicus, subdu [...]ng the Enemy,
Afford matter to your ingenuity.
So may he prosper in his Sonnes who are
Committed to thy tuition and care.
As thou dost yeeld what helpe thou canst to me,
Which is none unlesse I hence removed be.
ELEGIE. XIV.
To Teutican [...]s.
I Send these to thee, of whom since thy name,
Would not stand in my verse I did complaint.
In which, but that they shew I am in health,
There is not any thing can delight my selfe.
I hate my health, and it is my last prayer,
That hence I may be removed any where,
I care not whether from hence I shall sent be,
All Lands will prove better than this I see.
Let my way by Rockes, and by Chary [...]d [...] stand,
So that I may depart out of this Land.
Or if th [...]re be a place than Styx more low.
For weedes are not more hatefull to a field,
That lately hath beene husbanded and t [...]ll'd.
The tender Swallow hateth lesse the cold
Then Ovid, places which the Getes enfold.
At these my words the Tomita [...] angry are,
My verses doe their publicke anger stirre.
Shall I still by my verse thu [...] harmed be?
And punisht for rash ingenuity.
Cut off my fingers that I may not write?
Why in these [...]urtfull weapons doe I delight?
I bend my course unto those rockes and Seas,
Where my Barke formerly Shipwracked was.
Yet Tomitan [...] I have acted no faul [...],
I love you though your Country I doe hate.
Let any one peruse my workes againe,
M [...] [...]etters doe not of you once complain [...].
I doe complaine of cold, and inro [...]des made,
And how the Enemy doth the wals invade.
Against the place not men I doe complaine,
You also often [...]our owne Country blame.
The Muse of an old husbandman don't sing,
How his Country Ascra hath shunned beene,
T [...]e writer was within that Country borne,
Yet Ascra did not her owne Poet scorne.
Who lov'd his Country more than Vlysses did,
Yet he the rudenesse of it doth describe.
Sextius not 'gainst places, but abuses
Of manners sharpely writ, and Rome accuses.
Who with a patient mind did beare that wrong,
Nor was the Author amayd by his tongue.
But people by their owne interpretation
Are offended, and call my [...],
[Page] Would I were happy as my brest is white,
For I have wounded none with words of spite.
If blacker than Illyrian pitch it could be,
I would not wr [...]e gainst those were friends to me.
You Tomita [...]s in pittying my misery,
Shewd that the Gr [...]tians lost and gentle be,
Pelignum, nor the Sul [...] O my birth-pla [...]e,
Could not be more kind to my distressd case▪
So t [...]at you gave more honour unto me,
Than unto others in prosperity.
[...] onely in your Country doe l [...]ve free,
Subject unto the Lawes authority.
My Temples [...] crovvned with a wreath of B [...]ye [...],
Given me, 'gainst my will by publicke praise.
Thus as the hospitable Land o [...] Delia,
Was once beloved of wandring [...]:
Even s [...] Tomes d [...]are to me doth seeme,
Which hath so kind to me in exile beene,
If gods had granted [...] peacefull be
O [...] further l [...]e, from the cold Axletree.
ELEGIE. XV.
To Sex. Pompeius.
IF any one that yet remembers me,
Doe aske how Ovid doth in misery▪
Life to Caesar, to Sextus health I owe,
Whom next the gods I honour, let him know▪
For in the troubles of my life, I have bin
At all times, much beholding unto him.
[Page] Which are as many as these weedes which grow.
In the garden of a fertile field and show,
Of purple colour or a ruddish dye,
While they within the slender skinne doe lye.
Or as the eares of Corne in Africa,
Or as the boughs that grow in Tinolia▪
Or as the Berries are in Sicyon seene,
Or honycombs which Hib [...]a forth doth bring.
I confesse my selfe much in debt to thee,
I speake it, you by Law neede not force me.
Amongst your fath [...]rs riches left of late,
You may count me as part of your est [...]te.
For as Sicily is subject to your command,
And all that Country in which Philip raignd.
And as that house neere to Aug [...]stus Court,
Is yours, and all Campania in like sort,
And all those other Lands which left you were
Sextus, or by thy selfe since purchaste are.
So I am yours, so that you must confesse,
That you in Pontus something doe poss [...]sse.
And I wish [...]ou may prevailing, I may be
Plac'd in a Country more friendly to me.
Which since tis in the gods power, therefore try,
If thou by suite their wrath can'st pacifie.
For I cann't tell, whether I should make thee
My helper, or apply my suite to thee.
I trust unto thy helpe, yet those who goe
With the streame, to haste their course doe row.
I am asham'd one suite alwayes to moove,
Least it unto your mind should tedious proove.
What shall I doe? desire doth know no end,
Then grant a pardon to my fault kind friend.
Oft I desir'd to write some other thing,
And fall to writing of the same agen.
[Page] My very Letters by themselves encreate,
And for my removall hence, still suite doe make.
Whether I favour find, or fates decree
That I shall dye under the Axlettee.
I will still keepe thy love in memory,
And this Land shall know, I belong to thee.
And other Nations situate wh [...]refore,
If my Muse can passe, the Getes shall it hear [...].
ELEGIE. XVI.
To the Envious.
ENvious man why d [...]st teare verses write
By Ovid, death can have no power on wit.
For after death there commeth greater fame,
And also while I liv'd I [...]ad a name.
While Marsus and strong lin'd [...] are
Trosan Virgill, Pedo shining like a starre.
And C [...] us that gr [...]at [...]uno might offend,
While he did Hercules her Sonne commend.
And [...]everus that gave to [...]
Heroicke verse, with Numa full of subtilty.
And then Montanus whose vaine did suffice,
To write Heroickes, or else Elegies.
And by writing in both kindes didst obtaine,
Vnto thy selfe a twofold Fame, and Name.
He that makes Vlysses write to Penelope,
When he had wandred ten yeares on the Sea.
And He [...]iod that an imperfect worke writ,
Of dayes, and dy'd ere he could finish it.
[Page] Largus, whose wit to him his name did yeeld,
Who brings Aeueu [...] into the French field.
Or [...] us who of Troy d [...]th sing,
Which Hector did unto destruction bring:
Or [...] scus, who by his P [...]yllis did gaine
Much renowne and everlasting name.
And that Sea Poet, whose Verses such seeme,
As if the Sea gods had composed them.
He that of Lihy [...] and R [...]mes battailes writ,
And [...] for a [...]l kind of writing [...]it.
He that Pe [...]s [...]us actions did p [...]rfo [...]me,
And Lupu [...] who writ of Iasons returne.
And he that Ho [...]ers Ph [...]acis did translate.
Rusus tha [...] Pindars vaine did imitate.
And Ture [...]us who writ high I ragedies,
Me [...]ssus, who pend m [...]rry [...].
Varus and [...] did write,
And Procu [...]us in smoother waies did [...]:
And Tityrus an ancient Shepheard writ,
And shewd what weapons were for Hunters sit.
And Fontanus of the Naiodes did sing,
Who by the Saty [...]es have beloved beene.
And Capella who his words did also joyne,
And set together in uncquall line.
And there are others whose names to rehearse
Would tedious be, the people [...]ath their verse.
And young men, who since that which they did write,
Was not publisht, I cannot them recite.
Cotta, I can't passe o' [...]e thee in silence,
The Light of the Muses, the Courts defence.
The Cotta's and Messalla's give to thee,
By [...]ny descent, a double Nobility.
And though I say't, my Muse once had a name,
And it was read amongst these men of Fame.
[Page] Then Envy cease in exile to wound me,
Rake not my ashes abroad cruelly.
I have lost all, onely my life is left,
To make me know of what I am berest.
Why dost delight to thrust thy sword through him?
That can't be wounded more then he hath been.