The Abydenian sends to you, girl of Sestos, that greeting which he would rather bring in person, if only the wave of the sea should subside.
If the gods were favorable to me, if they were propitious in love, you would read these words of mine with reluctant eyes.
But they are not favorable; for why do they delay my prayers and do not allow me to swim through the familiar water?
You yourself see the sky blacker than pitch, and the straits turbulent with winds, scarcely to be approached even by hollow boats.
§18.9Unus, et hic audax, a quo tibi littera nostra §18.10Redditur, e portu navita movit iter; §18.11Adscensurus eram, nisi quod, cum vincula prorae §18.12Solveret, in speculis omnis Abydos erat.
One sailor, and he a bold one, by whom our letter to you is delivered, moved his course from the port; I was about to embark, except that, when he untied the cables of the prow, all Abydos was on the watchtowers.
§18.13Non poteram celare meos, velut ante, parentes, §18.14Quemque tegi volumus, non latuisset amor.
I could not hide it from my parents, as before, and our love, which we wish to be concealed, would not have remained hidden.
§18.15Protinus haec scribens, 'felix, i, littera!' dixi, §18.16'Iam tibi formosam porriget illa manum.
Straightway writing this, I said: "Go, happy letter!" "Soon she will stretch out her beautiful hand to you.
§18.17Forsitan admotis etiam tangere labellis, §18.18Rumpere dum niveo vincula dente volet. ' §18.19Talibus exiguo dictis mihi murmure verbis, §18.20Cetera cum charta dextra locuta mea est.
Perhaps you will even be touched by her lips brought close, while she wishes to break the bonds with her snowy tooth." When these words had been spoken by me in a tiny murmur, my right hand spoke the rest with my paper.
But how much rather would I have had it swim than write, and diligently carry me through the accustomed waters!
It is indeed more suited to deal blows to the calm sea; yet it is also a suitable minister of my feelings.
The seventh night is passing, a space of time longer to me than a year, since the troubled sea boils with hoarse waters.
If I have seen sleep soothing my breast during these nights, let the delay of the mad sea be long!
Sitting on some rock, I sadly look at your shores, and, where I cannot go in body, I am carried in mind.
Nay, even the light at the top of the watchful tower my eyes either see or think they see.
§18.33Ter mihi deposita est in sicca vestis harena; §18.34Ter grave temptavi carpere nudus iter — §18.35Obstitit inceptis tumidum iuvenalibus aequor, §18.36Mersit et adversis ora natantis aquis.
Thrice has my clothing been laid aside on the dry sand; thrice have I, naked, attempted to take the difficult way — the swollen sea opposed my youthful undertakings, and submerged the face of the swimmer with opposing waters.
But you, most untamed of the rapid winds, why do you wage fixed battles with me with a determined mind?
§18.39In me, si nescis, Borea, non aequora, saevis!
It is against me, Boreas, if you do not know, not against the seas, that you rage!
§18.40Quid faceres, esset ni tibi notus amor?
What would you do, if love were not known to you?
Although you are so cold, do you nevertheless deny, wicked one, that you once burned with Actaean fires?
If someone wished to close the aerial approaches to you when you were about to seize your joys, in what way would you endure it?
§18.45Parce, precor, facilemque move moderatius auram — §18.46Imperet Hippotades sic tibi triste nihil!
Spare me, I pray, and move your favorable breeze more moderately — so may the son of Hippotes command nothing harsh to you!
I ask in vain; he himself mutters against my prayers, and the waters which he shakes, he restrains in no part.
Would that Daedalus would now give me bold wings — although the Icarian shore is not far from here!
§18.51Quidquid erit, patiar, liceat modo corpus in auras §18.52Tollere, quod dubia saepe pependit aqua.
Whatever will be, I shall endure, if only I may lift my body into the air, which has often hung over the doubtful water.
Meanwhile, while both winds and sea deny everything, I turn over in mind the first times of my secret love.
§18.55Nox erat incipiens — namque est meminisse voluptas — §18.56Cum foribus patriis egrediebar amans.
Night was beginning — for indeed to remember is a pleasure — when I, loving, departed from my father's doors.
Without delay, casting off fear along with my clothes, I threw my supple arms in the liquid sea.
The moon provided a nearly trembling light for me as I went, as a dutiful companion on our ways.
Looking up at her, I said: "Be favorable, white goddess," "and let the Latmian rocks come to your mind!
§18.63Non sinit Endymion te pectoris esse severi.
Endymion does not permit you to have a severe breast.
§18.64Flecte, precor, vultus ad mea furta tuos!
Bend, I pray, your face to my secret love!
You, a goddess, descending from heaven, sought a mortal; let me speak the truth! — she whom I follow is herself a goddess.
Nor need I mention manners worthy of a celestial breast, that beauty belongs only to true goddesses.
None is prior to Venus' face and yours; and lest you trust my words, see for yourself!
§18.71Quantum, cum fulges radiis argentea puris, §18.72Concedunt flammis sidera cuncta tuis, §18.73Tanto formosis formosior omnibus illa est.
As much as, when you shine silvery with pure rays, all the stars yield to your flames, so much is she more beautiful than all beautiful things.
§18.74Si dubitas, caecum, Cynthia, lumen habes. '
If you doubt it, Cynthia, you have a blind light."