Remedia amoris
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
487.513
If you're a stranger to the sex, enquire
487.514
Where you may find a mistress to admire.
487.515
To learn their haunts my books of love peruse,
487.516
Where from a swarm of beauties you may choose.
487.517
But if my precepts have the least pretence
487.518
To truth, and if I speak Apollo's sense,
487.519
Tho' Aetna's fires within your bosom glow,
487.520
Dissemble, and appear more cold than snow.
487.521
In spite of torture, still from tears refrain;
487.522
Laugh when you have most reason to complain.
487.523
Nor do I such severe commands impart,
487.524
At once to bid you tear her from your heart:
487.525
But counterfeit; you'll prove in the event,
487.526
That careless lover whom you represent.
487.527
Oft when the merry round I would not keep,
487.528
I've seem'd to nod, and, seeming, fall'n asleep.
487.529
I've laugh'd at him who fool'd away his heart,
487.530
Dissembling passion, till he felt the smart.
487.531
Love comes by use; disuse will love expel;
487.532
Learn to feign health, and you will soon be well
487.533
If she has bid you come, and fix'd the night,
487.534
Tho' sure that she to mock you did invite,
487.535
Yet go; and if you find the door fast lock'd,
487.536
Endure the disappointment; be not shock'd;
487.537
Nor curse the gate, nor fond entreaties make,
487.538
Nor on the threshold a hard lodging take:
487.539
And when you see her next, complaints forbear,
487.540
Nor in your looks the least resentment wear.
487.541
Her pride will stoop, and give your feign'd neglect
487.542
What she denied to your sincere respect.
487.543
Nor is't enough your mistress thus to cheat,
487.544
You on yourself must put the same deceit:
487.545
Acquaint not your own thoughts with the design,
487.546
Till the work's done and you have sprung the mire.
487.547
For else 'tis odd, but nature in your heart
487.548
Will faction raise, and take your mistress' part.
487.549
What you propose will soon effected be,
487.550
Your progress sure, if made with secrecy.
487.551
Conceal your nets; if they are spread in sight,
487.552
The bird you meant to take you'll only fright.
487.553
Nor suffer her you love, so much to prize
487.554
Her charming self, that she may you despise.
487.555
Take courage; conscious of your merit seem,
487.556
And worthy you'll appear of her esteem.
487.557
E'en then when you her door wide open spy,
487.558
Nay, tho' called in, yet pass regardless by.
487.559
She'll offer you her bed; refuse to take
487.560
The favour, or a doubtful answer make.
487.561
Let wisdom once but teach you to abstain
487.562
From what you wish, you may your wish obtain.
487.563
Perhaps at my severe advice you'll start,
487.564
But know, I act a reconciler's part.
487.565
Diseases in a thousand forms are rang'd;
487.566
As tempers vary, med'cines must be chang'd.
487.567
Some bodies must a sharp long course endure,
487.568
A single drug on others works a cure.
487.569
If your soft nature yield to Cupid's stroke,
487.570
And strength is wanting to support his yoke,
487.571
Forbear against the wind and tide to strive;
487.572
Slacken your sail, and with the current drive.
487.573
For first the raging thirst in which you fry,
487.574
Must be assuag'd, ere other means you try:
487.575
Drink freely then: nor can you safely trust
487.576
To satisfaction, drink even to disgust.This is not the only advice which Ovid gives that has a little too much of libertinism in it; but he proposes a less evil to avoid a greater.
487.577
Visit your mistress, keep her in your sight,
487.578
Lock'd up all day, and in your arms all night.
487.579
Still sit at board, though appetite decay,
487.580
And though you find you could be absent, stay:
487.581
Indulge desire, till your desires are cloy'd,
487.582
And love by too much plenty is destroy'd.