§2.671Aut mare remigiis, aut vomere findite terras, §2.672Aut fera belligeras addite in arma manus, §2.673Aut latus et vires operamque adferte puellis: §2.674Hoc quoque militia est, hoc quoque quaerit opes.
Either cleave the sea with oars, or the earth with the ploughshare, or add your warlike hands to fierce weapons, or bring your flank, strength, and labor to the girls: this too is military service, this too seeks wealth.
§2.675Adde, quod est illis operum prudentia maior, §2.676Solus et artifices qui facit, usus adest: §2.677Illae munditiis annorum damna rependunt, §2.678Et faciunt cura, ne videantur anus.
Add, that they have a greater wisdom of love's works, and experience is present, which alone makes people skilled: they compensate for the losses of years with elegance, and by care they bring it about that they do not seem old women.
And as you wish, they join love-making in a thousand ways: no picture has found more methods.
In them, an unforced pleasure is felt: let woman and man equally share what delights.
I hate intercourse which does not untie both; this is why I am less touched by the love of a boy.
I hate her who offers because it is necessary to offer, while she herself is thinking of her dry wool-work.
Pleasure given out of duty is not pleasing to me: let no girl perform a duty for me.
It delights me to hear voices confessing their joys, and begging that I wait for them and hold myself back.
Let me gaze upon the conquered eyes of my maddened mistress: let her grow languid, and for a long time forbid herself to be touched.
§2.693Haec bona non primae tribuit natura iuventae, §2.694Quae cito post septem lustra venire solent.
Nature does not grant these benefits to early youth, which are accustomed to come quickly after thirty-five years.
§2.695Qui properant, nova musta bibant: mihi fundat avitum §2.696Consulibus priscis condita testa merum.
Let those who hurry drink new must: let an ancestral jar stored under ancient consuls pour pure wine for me.
Nor can a plane tree, unless mature, resist Phoebus, and new meadows hurt bare feet.
Could you indeed prefer Hermione to Helen, and was Gorge better than her mother?
But whoever desires to touch mature love, if only you endure, you will bear worthy rewards.
Behold, the conscious bed has received two lovers: stand back, Muse, at the closed doors of the bedchamber.
Of their own accord, without you, they will speak the most passionate words, nor will the left hand lie idle on the bed.
Fingers will find what to do in those parts in which Love secretly dips his arrows.
The bravest Hector did this before with Andromache, nor was he useful only in wars.
The great Achilles also did this with his captive Lyrnesian girl, when, tired from the enemy, he pressed the soft couch.
You allowed yourself, Briseis, to be touched by those hands, which were always stained with Phrygian slaughter.
Or was this very thing what delighted you, playful girl, that victorious hands came to your limbs?
Believe me, the pleasure of love is not to be hurried, but gradually lured out by slow delay.
§2.719Cum loca reppereris, quae tangi femina gaudet, §2.720Non obstet, tangas quo minus illa, pudor.
When you have found the places which a woman rejoices to have touched, let no shame prevent you from touching them.
You will see her eyes glittering with a trembling gleam, as the sun often reflects from clear water.
Complaints will be added, an amiable murmur will be added, and sweet groans and words suited for jesting.
§2.725Sed neque tu dominam velis maioribus usus §2.726Desere, nec cursus anteat illa tuos; §2.727Ad metam properate simul: tum plena voluptas, §2.728Cum pariter victi femina virque iacent.
But neither should you, using larger sails, desert your mistress, nor let her outrun your course; hasten to the goal together: then pleasure is full, when woman and man lie equally vanquished.
This pace is to be kept by you when free leisure is given, and no fear urges the secret work.
When delay is not safe, it is useful to bend to all oars and apply the spur to the unleashed horse.
The end is near for the work: give me the palm, grateful youth, and bring myrtle wreaths for my scented hair.
§2.735Quantus apud Danaos Podalirius arte medendi, §2.736Aeacides dextra, pectore Nestor erat, §2.737Quantus erat Calchas extis, Telamonius armis, §2.738Automedon curru, tantus amator ego.
As great as Podalirius was among the Greeks in the art of healing, Achilles in his right hand, Nestor in his wisdom, as great as Calchas was in entrails, Ajax in arms, Automedon in the chariot, so great a lover am I.
Celebrate me as the poet, men, sing my praises, let my name be sung in the whole world.
I gave you weapons: Vulcan had given them to Achilles; conquer by the gifts given, just as he conquered.
§2.743Sed quicumque meo superarit Amazona ferro, §2.744Inscribat spoliis 'Naso magister erat. ' §2.745Ecce, rogant tenerae, sibi dem praecepta, puellae: §2.746Vos eritis chartae proxima cura meae!
But whoever overcomes an Amazon with my sword, let him inscribe on the spoils 'Naso was the teacher.' Behold, tender girls ask that I give them precepts: you will be the next care of my paper!