Ovid Love Poems 3.2 (English)
This scroll contains Ovid's Amores 3.2, a dramatic tour de
force set in the Circus Maximus, where the frenzy of the horserace is
equalled by the excitement of the chase in a place where the sexes sit side by
side. Ovid makes the reader/listener a shameless eavesdropper on a pick-up at
the public races. A man about town, seated beside a woman who has doubtless
come to the races unaccompanied for exactly this purpose, talks non-stop for 83
lines, speaking some of the oldest and most inventive lines a suitor ever fed
to a woman. His dexterity, speed, and verbal maneuverings are breathtaking. In
the process of charming and dazzling his new mistress, the speaker describes
for us features of the races that we might otherwise never know, such as the
surprising audience demand for a re-start of the race. By the end of his
monologue, we, along with his girl, award him the palm of victory.
 |
Polydus, victorious charioteer for the Red faction, with his
team of four horses led by his inside horse, Compressor
Poem translated by Kimberly
Nickerson and Jennifer Pinheiro, assisted by Professor Ann Raia |
"I do not sit as a fan of thoroughbred horses;
Nevertheless, whomever you yourself favor, I pray he succeeds.
In order to speak with you I came and to sit with you,
so that the passion which you excite not be not known to you.
5 You observe the races, I you: let each of us observe
what is pleasing and let each feed his own eyes.
Oh, whomever you favor,lucky driver of horses!
Well then, did that one happen to have your attention?
Should this happen for me, I, about to ride, with manly courage
10 will urge on my horses, sent from the sacred barrier,
and now I will give the reins, now mark their backs with the whip,
now I will scrape the turning posts with my inner wheel.
If you should be visible to me as I race, I will stay
and from my hands the reins loosened will stream.
15 But how nearly did Pelops perish by the spear of Pisa
while he observes your beautiful appearance, Hippodamia!
Certainly with his own girl's favor he conquered nevertheless.
Let each of us conquer with the favor of his own mistress.
Why do you shrink in vain? The seat line forces us to be joined.
20 The circus has these advantages by law of the place---
but you, on the right, whoever you are, let the girl alone;
she is offended by the touch of your side.
You also, who are watching behind us, draw in your legs,
if you have shame, don't press her back with your stiff knee!---
25 But your pallium, let down too much, is lying on the earth.
Collect it - or with my fingers, look, I lift it!
A jealous dress you were, covering such good legs!
Also you would observe more - a jealous dress you were!
Such were the legs of Atalanta that Milanion
30 hoped to hold back with his own hands.
Such legs are pictured on Diana, with her tunic tucked up,
when she, braver herself, follows strong wild beasts.
I, these legs unseen, burned; what will happen from seeing them?
Onto flame you pour flames, into the sea you pour waters.
35 I surmise from these legs that also the rest can be pleasing
which lies well-hidden beneath your thin dress.
But do you wish meanwhile to summon the ready winds
which a little tablet, moved by my hand, will create?
Or rather is this heat mine, of passion not of the air,
40 and does a womanly love scorch my captured breast?
While I am speaking your white dress is sprinkled with a light dust.
Go away, filthy dust, from her snowy body!
But here the procession comes--abstain from evil words and thoughts!
The time for clapping is at hand -- the golden procession comes.
45 First in place is carried Victory with spread-out feathers--
be present to this place and here allow, goddess, my love to conquer!
Applaud for Neptune, those of you who trust in the waves too much!
I have nothing to do with the sea; my land seizes me.
Applaud for your Mars, soldier! we hate arms;
50 peace pleases me and love, discovered in the midst of peace.
For the seers let Phoebus be present, Phoebe for those who hunt!
Direct toward yourself, Minerva, the craftsmen's hands.
Country-dwellers, rise up for Ceres and for tender Bacchus!
Let the boxers welcome Pollux, let the horseman welcome Castor.
55 For you, charming Venus, and for your boys powerful with the bow
we applaud; nod approval at my undertakings, divine one,
and give courage to my new mistress! let her endure being loved!
She nodded approval and with the motion she gave favorable signs.
What the goddess has promised, may you yourself promise, we beg;
60 With Venus' approval I shall say you will be the greater goddess.
To you I swear by so many witnesses and the procession of the gods,
that you are sought as my mistress for all time!
But your legs are hanging down. If perhaps it will be pleasing,
you can put the front of your feet forward on the barriers.
65 Already, the circus emptied, the praetor sent forth the greatest sights,
the horses yoked four abreast from the equal starting gate.
I see the one for whom you root. He will win, whomever you favor.
What you desire the horses themselves seem to know.
Wretched me! He goes around the turning post in a wide circle.
70 What are you doing? The closest one creeps up with swift axle.
What are you doing, loser? You destroy the good prayers of my girl.
Stretch, I beg, the left reins with a strong hand.
We favor an ignoramus -- but indeed recall them, Romans,
and from every side give the signals with your togas waved!
75 Behold, they recall them!--but, lest a shaken toga mess your hair,
you may hide yourself the whole time in our bosom.
And now, the starting gate unlocked, again the doors lie open;
the multi-colored line flies forth, the horses at the gallop.
Now at least surpass them and rise into the space lying open!
80 Make certain my prayers, the prayers of my mistress!
The prayers of my mistress are answered, my prayers remain.
That fellow holds the victory palm; my prize must be sought."
She laughed and she promised something with her sly eyes.
"This is enough here; in another place deliver the rest."