Erotica Romana

<p><br/> <br/> <br/><SPAN name="linkfifteen" id="linkfifteen"></SPAN> <br/></p> <h2> XV </h2> <p><br/> <br/> Cupid is always a scoundrel, and if you believe him he'll cheat you.<br/> <br/> Here's what the hypocrite said: "Trust me just once more, this time.<br/> <br/> I have the best of intentions toward you who have now dedicated&mdash;<br/> <br/> I recognize it with thanks&mdash;life and writings to me.<br/> <br/> Lo, I have followed you hither to Rome, and I'd like to do something<br/> <br/> Here in this far away land pleasing to such an old friend.<br/> <br/> Every traveller I've ever known has complained of poor treatment:<br/> <br/> He whom I recommend treatment delicious receives.<br/> <br/> You've now regarded with awe all the structures which lie here in ruins,<br/> <br/> Cultivated your eye, sensing each hallow�d space.<br/> <br/> How you've revered the formative will of those ancient artists!<br/> <br/> In their own ateliers often I 've visited them.<br/> <br/> As for their works, why, I formed those myself&mdash;now this time I'm boasting<br/> <br/> Not. Oh come now, admit what I am saying is true.<br/> <br/> Where are your own creations, your service to me having slackened?<br/> <br/> Where is invention's glow now? Where is the color all gone?<br/> <br/> Friend, do you hope you can create again? &mdash;The school of the Ancients<br/> <br/> Yet remains open. Its gates, years have not closed them to you.<br/> <br/> I am eternally young, and as teacher I still love the young ones.<br/> <br/> Wisdom that comes with old age pleases me not. Listen here:<br/> <br/> Wasn't antiquity young when those fortunate Ancients were living?<br/> <br/> Happy then be your life, too: in it antiquity lives.<br/> <br/> Where will you find a fit theme for your song? &mdash;It is I must provide it.<br/> <br/> As for a style truly grand, love can alone give you that."<br/> <br/> All of these claims that sophist asserted. Could I contradict him?<br/> <br/> I am wont to obey, when my commander decrees.<br/> <br/> Treacherous now he is keeping his word: giving me themes for my poems<br/> <br/> While he is stealing my time, potency, presence of mind.<br/> <br/> Gazing into her eyes, holding hands, giving kisses, exchanging<br/> <br/> Syllables sweet and those words lovers alone understand,<br/> <br/> Murmuring our conversations we stutter in sweet oratory.<br/> <br/> Hymns of such sort pass away, wanting prosodical tact.<br/> <br/> Goddess of morning, Aurora, as friend of my muse I once knew you.<br/> <br/> Has the unprincipled god, Cupid, seduced you now too?<br/> <br/> So that these mornings you come as his sweetheart, awakening me at<br/> <br/> His festive altar again, where I must celebrate him?<br/> <br/> Here on my breast flows her hair, an abundance of curls, while her head rests,<br/> <br/> Pressing my arm as it's bent, so as to pillow her neck.<br/> <br/> What a delicious condition, if only these few tranquil moments<br/> <br/> Could in my memory fix firmly that image of joy<br/> <br/> When the night rocked us to sleep&mdash;but in slumber she's moving away now,<br/> <br/> From my side turns, as she goes leaving her hand in my hand.<br/> <br/> Love in our hearts makes us one, as the genuine need there stays constant;<br/> <br/> Only returning desire knows oscillation or change.<br/> <br/> Gently her hand presses mine, now she opens her eyes and is looking<br/> <br/> Into my own eyes. No&mdash;don't. Let my thoughts rest on your form!<br/> <br/> Please close your eyes. They're inebriation, confusion, they rob me<br/> <br/> All too soon of the joy quiet reflection affords.<br/> <br/> Grand are the forms of this body and nobly positioned each member.<br/> <br/> Had Ariadne lain thus, Theseus never had fled.<br/> <br/> Only a single kiss for these lips and then, O Theseus, leave her;<br/> <br/> Look at her eyes&mdash;she's awake! Now you're eternally bound.<br/></p> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />