| T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22. | | | | From Elegies: Book II. Elegia III. | | By Ovid (43 B.C.–18 A.D.) |
| | (Translated by Christopher Marlowe)
Ad Eunuchum servantem dominam.
AY me, an eunuch keeps my mistress chaste, | |
| That cannot Venus’ mutual pleasure taste. | |
| Who first deprived young boys of their best part, | |
| With self-same wounds he gave, he ought to smart. | |
| To kind requests thou would’st more gentle prove, | 5 |
| If ever wench had made lukewarm thy love; | |
| Thou wert not born to ride, or arms to bear, | |
| Thy hands agree not with the warlike spear. | |
| Men handle those; all manly hopes resign, | |
| Thy mistress’ ensigns must be likewise thine. | 10 |
| Please her—her hate makes others thee abhor; | |
| If she discards thee, what use serv’st thou for? | |
| Good form there is, years apt to play together: | |
| Unmeet is beauty without use to wither. | |
| She may deceive thee, though thou her protect; | 15 |
| What two determine never wants effect. | |
| Our prayers move thee to assist our drift, | |
| While thou hast time yet to bestow that gift. | | | | |
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