This also I composed, born in the well-watered Pelignian country, I, that famous Naso, the poet of my own naughtiness.
§2.1.3Hoc quoque iussit Amor — procul hinc, procul este, severae!
This too Love commanded — far from here, be far away, grave women!
§2.1.4Non estis teneris apta theatra modis.
You are not a suitable audience for tender measures.
§2.1.5Me legat in sponsi facie non frigida virgo, §2.1.6Et rudis ignoto tactus amore puer; §2.1.7Atque aliquis iuvenum quo nunc ego saucius arcu §2.1.8Agnoscat flammae conscia signa suae, §2.1.9Miratusque diu 'quo' dicat 'ab indice doctus §2.1.10Conposuit casus iste poeta meos?' §2.1.11Ausus eram, memini, caelestia dicere bella §2.1.12Centimanumque Gyen — et satis oris erat — §2.1.13Cum male se Tellus ulta est, ingestaque Olympo §2.1.14Ardua devexum Pelion Ossa tulit.
Let the maiden read me who is not cold at the sight of her betrothed, and the untutored boy touched by an unknown love; and may some youth, wounded by the same bow by which I am now wounded, recognize the signs that share the secret of his own flame, and, having long wondered, let him say, 'Taught by what informer did that poet compose my own misfortunes?' I had dared, I remember, to tell of celestial wars and hundred-handed Gyas — and I had voice enough for it — when Earth took ill-fated vengeance for herself, and steep Ossa bore sloping Pelion piled upon Olympus.
§2.1.15In manibus nimbos et cum Iove fulmen habebam, §2.1.16Quod bene pro caelo mitteret ille suo — §2.1.17Clausit amica fores! ego cum Iove fulmen omisi; §2.1.18Excidit ingenio Iuppiter ipse meo.
In my hands I was holding storm-clouds and the lightning-bolt along with Jove, which he might well hurl in defense of his own heaven — my mistress closed her doors! I let go of the lightning-bolt along with Jove; Jove himself slipped from my genius.
Forgive me, Jove! Your weapons were of no help to me; a closed door holds a greater thunderbolt than yours.
I took up again flattery and light elegies, my own weapons; gentle words softened the hard doors.
§2.1.23Carmina sanguineae deducunt cornua lunae, §2.1.24Et revocant niveos solis euntis equos; §2.1.25Carmine dissiliunt abruptis faucibus angues, §2.1.26Inque suos fontes versa recurrit aqua.
Songs draw down the horns of the blood-red moon, and recall the snowy horses of the departing sun; by song, snakes burst asunder, their jaws split open, and water turned backward runs back to its own sources.
§2.1.27Carminibus cessere fores, insertaque posti, §2.1.28Quamvis robur erat, carmine victa sera est.
To songs doors have yielded, and the bolt inserted in the post, though it was of oak, was conquered by song.
§2.1.29Quid mihi profuerit velox cantatus Achilles?
What use to me will swift Achilles sung be?
§2.1.30Quid pro me Atrides alter et alter agent, §2.1.31Quique tot errando, quot bello, perdidit annos, §2.1.32Raptus et Haemoniis flebilis Hector equis?
What will the one and the other son of Atreus do for me, and he who lost as many years in wandering as in war, and lamentable Hector dragged by Haemonian horses?
But when the beauty of a tender girl is often praised, she herself comes to the poet, as the reward of the song.
A great reward is given! Farewell, famous names of heroes; your favor is not suited to me!