Amores III.2

"I sit not here because fond of high-bred horses; yet, the one you favour I pray may win. To talk with you I came, and to sit with you, so that you might not miss knowing the love you stir. You gaze on the races, I on you; let us both gaze on what delights, both feast our own eyes.

" O, happy driver, whoe'er he be, that wins your favour! Ah. so 'twas he had the fortune to enlist your concern? Be that fortune mine, and when my coursers dash from the starting-chamber, with fearless heart will I tread the car and urge them on, now giving the rein, now striping their hacks with the lash, now grazing the turning-post with inner wheel. Have I caught sight of you as I carter, I will stop, and the reins, let go from my hands, will drop. Yea, how mar Pelops came to falling by Pisaean spear while Looking on thy face, Hippodamia! Yet he won, of course through the favour of his lady. May we owe our victories, all of us, to the favour of our loves!

" Why draw back from me? — 'twill do no good; the line compels us to sit close, This advantage the circus gives, with its rule of space — yet you there on the right, whoever you are, have a care; your pressing against my lady's side annoys. You, too, who are looking on from behind, draw tip your legs, if you care for decency, and press not her back with your hard knee!

" But your cloak is let fall too far, and is trailing on the ground. Gather it up — or look, with my own fingers I'll get it up. Envious wrap you were, to cover such pretty limbs! And the more one looks — ah, envious wrap you were! Such were the limbs of fleet Atalanta that Milanion burned to hold up with his hands. Such in pictures are the limbs of upgirt Diana pursuing the bold wild beasts, herself more bold than they. I burned before, when I had not seen; what will become of me now that I have? You add flames to flame, and waters to the sea. I suspect from them that all else, too. that lies well hidden under your delicate gown, might please.

« Would you like, while we wait, to bid soft breezes blow? Ill take the fan in my hand and start them. Or is this rather the heat of my heart and not of the air, and does love for a woman burn my ravished breast? While I am talking, a sprinkling of light dust has got on your white dress. Vile dust, away from this snowy body!

" But now the procession is coming — keep silence all, and attend! The time for applause is here — the golden procession is coming/I First in the train is Victory, borne with wings outspread — come hither, goddess, and help my love to win! Applaud Neptune, ye who trust o'ermuch the wave! Naught will I with the sea; I choose that the land keep me. Applaud thy Mars, () soldier! Arms I detest; peace is my delight, and love that is found in the midst of peace. And Phoebus — let him be gracious to augurs, and Phoebe gracious to huntsmen! Minerva, turn in applause to thee the craftsman's hands! Ye country dwellers, rise to Ceres and tender Bacchus! Let the boxer court Pollux, the horseman Castor! We, winsome Venus, we applaud thee, and thy children potent with the bow; smile, () goddess, upon my undertakings, and put the right mind in my heart's new mistress! Let her endure to be loved!

" She nodded, and by the movement gave favouring sign. What the goddess has promised, yourself promise, I ask; with Venus' permission let me say it, you will be the greater goddess. I swear to you by all these witnesses and by the train of the gods, I am asking you to be for all time to come my queen!

" But your feet are dangling. If you like, you you can stick your toes in the grating. The circus is clear now for the greatest part of the shows, and the praetor has started the four-horse cars from the equal barrier." I see the one you are eager for. He will win if he has your favour, whoever he be. What you desire the very horses seem to know! Ah, miserable me, he has circled the post in a wide curve! What are you doing? The next hugs close with his axle, and gains on you. What are you doing, wretch? You will lose my love the prayer of her heart. Pull, I entreat, the left rein with all your might! We are favouring a good-for-naught — but call them back, Quirites, and toss your togas in signal from every side! See, they call them back! — but for fear a waving toga spoil your hair, come, you may hide your head in the folds of my cloak.

"And now the starting-chambers are unbarred again, and the gates are open wide; the many-coloured rout comes flying forth with reins let loose to their steeds. This time, at least, get past them, and bend to your work on the open space! See that you fulfil my vows, and my lady-love's!

" Fulfilled are my lady-love's vows, but my vows remain. Yon charioteer has received his palm; my palm is yet to be won.

She smiled, and with speaking eyes promised — I know not what.

"That is enough for here — in some other place render the rest! "

The dissatisfied populace could thus demand a fresh start.