Ovid de Ponto Containing foure books of elegies. Written by him in Tomos, a citie of Pontus, in the foure last yeares of his life, and so dyed there in the seaventh yeare of his banishment from Rome. Translated by W.S.

OVID DE PONTO .

LIB. I.

ELEGIE . I. To Brutus . NAso that long hath liv'd in Tomos land , Sends this work to thee from the Getick strand To receive these bookes , friend Brutu● take some care , And hide them in some place no matter where M●ngst other publicke workes they dare not come , Least for their Authors sake they finde no roome , Alasse , oft have I sayd you teach no ill , Then goe , chaste verses doe finde some place still ▪ And yet they would not yeeld , but as you see Within some private house would hidden be . If thou wouldst know where to place them without feare , Where my Art of love did stand let them stand there . Thou mayst aske what they are because they are new ? Yet receive them since no Art of love they shew . Though th●y have no mournefull title you shall see , They are as sad as Tristia could be , Their titles differ , but their subjects are The same while every Elegie doth declare His undissembled name to whom 't is sent , Though perhaps you are not therewithall content , But you cannot prohibit me , for still My muse will be officious 'gainst your will Yet howsoever , see that you doe joyne Vnto the other these last bookes of mine . You neede not feare , Antonius workes are read , And learned Brutus reades them without dread , Though with such great names I doe not compare Yet gainst the gods I never waged warre . Lastly my bookes give Caesar his due praise , Though from my bookes he would receive no Bayes , Receive my booke since they his prayse containe , And take my verse though you blot out my name ▪ If the peacefull Olive bough makes warre cease , And is the Embleme of ensuing p●●ae ; Then shall it not availe me tha : I sing , The praises of a happy peacefull King ? When Aeneas bore his father , they doe say The sire in mercy unto him gave way . Then since these present bookes of mine doe bring One of Aeneus glorious great off-spring Should not the way to them lye open rather , Since that great Caesar is his Countrles father . Who will boldly from his doore drive him away That with his hand doth on a Timbrell play , And when the Minstrell on his crooked horne Doth play before Diana , none doe scorne His musicke , but when they doe heare him sing , Who gives not a small peece of coyne to him . We know Diana no such charge did give , But yet the Prophesier needes must live . The reverence of the gods doth moove us thus , And it is good to be thus credulous . But to no hollow Phrygian pipe I sing , But the sacred names of the Romane nation bring ▪ Give place then to my bookes I thee desire Not I but Caesars name doth it require . For though that I have felt the Princes wrath , Our honouring of him some acceptance hath : I have seene one that gainst Isis did commit A fault , confest did at her Altar sit ; Another for like fault depriv'd of sight , Cry'd out his punishment was just and right . The heavenly gods do such confessions love , That what their power is they may so approve . They restore sight , and take off punishment , When they perceive that sinners doe repent . I repent if misery may be beleev'd , I doe repent , and for my fact am griev'd . My fault doth grieve me more than banishment , And to deserve , than suffer punishment . Though the gods and Caesar should my fault remit ▪ They can't wipe out the offence I did commit . Though death from punishment doe me free , Death cannot make me no offender be . Then t is no wonder if my minde tyr'd grow , And doe dissolve like unto melting snow , For as the hidden worme a ship doth eate , And waves make hollow rockes on which they 〈◊〉 , As rust eates Iron when it hath it tooke , And paper-mothes doe feede upon a book● , Even so cares doe feede u●on my brest , And sorrow which doe never give me r●st ; Nor will they cease to sting me while I live , My grie●e is longer liv'd than I that greeve . If the gods would beleeve me , whose we are , They 'd send me some small helpe from this my ●are And would remove me from cold Scythia , I shall be impud●n● if for more I pray .

ELEGIE . II. To Maximus . MAximus , great by name and great by kind , Who gracest thy birth by thy noble minde . For when that thou into the world didst come , As if they meant to give thy birthright roome , Three hundred Fab●● in one day did fall , That fatall day tooke not away them all . Perh●p thou wouldst know from whom this letters sent Or else to know whose I am thou art bent . What shall I doe ? when thou my name hast red , I feare thou wilt unwillingly proceede : Yet if that any chance these lines to see , I dare confesse that I writ them to thee , And that my purpose therein was that I Might so bewayle my owne sad misery , And that I writ them to thee ▪ I dare conf●sse , To signifie to thee my owne 〈◊〉 , Who though I doe confesse I worthy am Of more punishment , I cannot more sustaine , Dangers and enemies on each side come on me , As if with my Country , safety were tooke from me ▪ Who that their wounded enemies may fall , Doe poyson their arrow●s with the viper● gall . The horseman arm'd with these the walls beholds , Like a Wol●e that walkes round about Sheepefolds . When with a string of horses guts compact , He bend● his Bow , whose string is seldome sl●ckt . A showre of Arrowes from their Bowes doth flye ▪ And the gate can ●earce keepe out the enemie . The Countries barren without leafe or tree , And Winters joyned unto winters be . Five winters I have beene in this estate , Enduring cold , and striving with my fate , My griefe is in continuall teares exprest , And deadly dulnesse doth possesse my brest , Happie was Niobe , for although that she , The death of her children did behold and see , Yet being chang'd into a stone thereby She grew insensible of her misery . Happy are you , who weeping for your brother The Popler with his barke your face did cover , Bu● I cannot be chang'd to any tree , And I doe wish in vaine a stone to be ; Nay if that I Medusa's head should see , Medusa's head could have no power on me Thus doe we live , still sensible of woe , And griefes by length of time more grievous grow . Thus Ti●ius liver growes , that he thereby Instead of dying once , may often dye . But when rest and sleepe , which sorrowes medcine● are , Doe come at night and ease me of my care , Then imitating Dreames false sorrowes shew , Which when I wake my sorrowes doe renew . Me thinkes I from the Sar●a●ian arrowes ●lye Or that I am held in captivitie . Or when some happier dreame doth me deceive I see my Country which I for●'d did leave : Sometimes with you my friends , me think●s I speake , And sometimes to my wife my minde I breake . When thus with false dreames I have pleased beene , They make my present state farre worser seeme Shaddowes of joy make sorrowes greater seeme . And thus by day in misery I live , And when the dewie night her Coach doth drive , My brest even with continuall cares doth melt As soft waxe when the fires heate hath felt , I pray for death and doe unpray againe , Least that Sarmatia should my bones containe . When I thinke on Caesars clemency I beleeve , That unto me he will a pardon give . But thinking on the constancie of my trouble , My former hope doth faile and my feare double . Yet this is all to which my hopes aspire To be remov'd hence is all I desire , This is a suite which you with modestie , To obtaine in my behalfe may easily try .

ELEGIE . III : To Maximus . MAximus most eloquent in the Romane speech , Defend my doubtfull cause I thee beseech , T is bad , but will be good if thou it plead And with gentle words in my case intercede , For though Caesar all things knowes , he knowes not this , Of what condition this remote place is In government his thoughts employed are For his royall brest this is too meane a care , Or to enquire how Tomos land doth lye , Scarce knowne unto the Getes that live thereby ▪ Nor knowes he what the Sauromatians doe , The Lazygians , or Tauricans fi●rce in shew , Or other Nations , who o're Ister ride , Where frozen ice doth all the River hide : The most of them , for thee Rome do● not care , Nor of the Romane Souldier stand in feare . Their Bowes and Quivers make them waxe stou● . And their fleete horses sit abroade to scout . And because they thirst and hunger can endure , While their enemies no water can procure , Sure his mild anger had not sent me hither , If he had knowne this land or people either . He would not have any Romane to be , Captive unto a forraigne enemie , And I suppose that he much lesse would have Me taken captive , to whom life he gave . He did not seeke my death although he might , Without the Getes helpe have destroy'd me quite : But he found that death was not deserv'd by me , So that he was most mercifull to me ; And what he did , I did compell him to And in his wrath much mildnesse he did shew ; You Gods grant , mongst whom none can juster be Then Caesar , that none may greater be than he , And that after his long raigne it still may be , Govern'd by one of Caesars Progenie . And when thou findst his mercy is no l●sse , Then speake to him for me in great distresse , Seeke no repeale from banishment , but that I May live in banishment safe from the enemie . Th●t that life which Caesa●s mercy did afford , The Gete may not take from me by the swo●d . But when at length I dye , I may dye in peace , That the Scythian earth my bones may never presse Nor the Bistonian Horse may tread upon ▪ The scattered ashes of a banisht man , And that if the Sp●rit often death survive , Mongst the Sarmatian ghosts I may not live . O Maximus these matters may encline Caesars m●nde to pitty , if they first move thine ; O may thy words his royall minde once sof●●n , Which have defended guilty parties often , And with the usuall sweetenesse of thy speech , Caesars most godlike majestie beseech , Atreus nor Theromedon shalt thou intreate Who gave their horses humane flesh to eate But a Prince to punish slow , to reward free , Grieving when he must needes more cruell be : Who c●nquers , that he may the conquer'd spare With quiet peace suppressing civill warre By feare , not punishment he doth command , And casts his thunder with an unwilling hand . Beg of him to banish me to some place where Vnto my Country I might live more neere ; I 'm he whose love to you hath beene exprest , And on hollidayes have beene your frequent guest , I am he , did Hymen to your wedding bring , Whi●e at your marriage I did verses sing , And thou wert wont to praise my bookes I am sure , Excepting those my ruine did procure . I am he , to whom thy writin●s thou didst read , Who out of thy family a wife did wed , Whom Martia did from her childhood love And for her chiefe companion did approve , Caesars grandmother did her much esteeme ; She must be good that 's loved by a Queene , But Claudia whose fame 'bove envie stood , Did want none of their pra●se to make her good . Besides my former life is free from spot , Though the last part of life must be forgot . ●ut though I 'm silent of my selfe and life , Yet you are bound to take care of my wife : She flyes to you , your Altars she embraces , ( All flye to their owne gods in distressed cases ) And she entreating you with mournefull teares , That you would try with your most humble prayers . Great Caesars wrat ● to appease and pacifie , That her husband neerer unto her might dye .

ELEGIE . IIII. To Rufinus . Rvsinus , Naso doth this letter send , If one in misery may be a friend : For in your comfort , my confused mind , Much helpe , and hope in misery did finde , As Paeantius by Machaonian Art ▪ Had his wound cured which before did smart ; So I being sicke in minde , with wounds of griefe , Yet by your admonition found releefe . And by your words to life I was restor'd , As vaines doe swell when wines into them por'd , And yet your eloquence had not so great strength , That your words could cure my grieved mind at length , For though you take some cares out of my brest That which remaines will be as much at least , A scarre in time may unto skinning come , But greene wounds doe at first all handling shunne ▪ The Physitians cannot alwayes helpe impart , Sometimes the malady doth exceede his Art ; You see how a little blood from the Lungs drawne , Most certaine death doth still occasion . Though Epidaurius sacred hearbes doe bring , The wounded heart cannot be cur'd by him : No Medicine can take away the knotty gout , Nor can any Soveraigne waters worke it out : So sometimes no Art can cure griefe and care Till they by l●ngth of time outworne are . For when thy words had well confirm'd my mind Arm'd with that courage I in thee did find . My Countries love above reason did prevaile , And made the comfort of thy writings faile . Call it affection , or a womanish part . I confesse that wretched I have a soft heart . Vlisses wisedome , cannot doubled be , Yet he did wish his Countries smoake to see . All thinke their native soyle to be most sweete , And in absence they will remember it . What more faire than Rome ? while Scythia cold lyes , Yet the Salvage from the City hither flies . Thus Pandion daughters shut in a Cage of wire , To returne unto the woods doe still desire . Wild Buls the Forrests where they haunt approve , And the wild Lyons their usuall Dens doe love . Yet your words cannot draw out of my brest The sting of banishment that doth it molest . Make your selves lesse belov'd of me , that I May beare the want of your sweete company , For I am banisht from my native Land To an inhumane place of fates command ; ●n the farthest part of the world I abide , Whereas continuall Snow the earth doth hide . For here the barren and unfruitfull field , No apples , nor sweete pleasant grapes doth yeeld , No Osiers on the Rivers bankes are seene , Nor Oakes upon the Mountaines doe looke greene . Nor can you prayse the Sea more than the Land , Whose gloomie waves swell at the windes command . Wheresoere you looke untill'd fields you may see , And vast grounds that to none belonging be . The enemie on each hand doth abide , And puts us in a fright on either side . One side doth feele the strong Bistonian bowes , On the other the Sarmatian arrowes throwes : G●e , and some old example shew to me , Of men that bravely bore adversitie : Admire the valiant Rutilus who did scorne To make use of a conditionall returne . He in Smyrna not in Pontus then did live , Smyrna a place which did much pleasure give Sinopeus griefe for his Country was not great , For he chose Attica to be his seate . Neoclides who the Persian power did quell , In a Graecian Cittie banished did dwell , Aristides did to Lacedemon flye , Which of his Country had no prioritie : Patroclus having done a murther runne away , From Opus and came to Thessalia . He that from Aemonia was a banisht man , Vnto the waters of Pirenis came ; And went Captaine of that ship which sayl'd to Greece , To fetch from C●lchos the rich golden fleece . Cadmus from Sidons wals did co●e away , That a better foundation he might lay . And Tyd●us banished from Calidon , Vnto Adrastus did for succour come : And Carthage which faire Venus still defended , Receiv'd Aen●as and him much befriended . What should I shew how the ancient ●omanes sent Their banisht men no farther than Tiber went . Should I reckon all the banishment that were , Yet from their Country none were sent so farre ; Then let your wisedome pardon my sad griefe , If by your words it doe ●●nde sm●ll releefe . I 〈◊〉 s if that my griefes could be compos'd . My wound of griefe had by your words beene clos'd . But I feare you in vaine doe strive to cure me , And that you can no helpe at all procure me . I speake not this because I wiser am , But more knowne to my selfe than the Physician ; However I your goodwill doe esteeme , Which hath most acceptable to me beene .

ELEGIE . V. To his Wife . Now age upon my haire a whitenesse sprinckles , And on my face hath plough'd up many wrinckles , The vigor of my body now doth languish , 〈◊〉 all my strength doth ruine to pai●e and anguish , ●hose sports which pleased me when I was young , ●re most unpleasant unto me b●come . ●or on a suddaine can you me scarce know , ●●nce I by age doe so much changed shew . ●eares I confesse this change upon me drawes , ●et gri●fe and labour doe it also cause . ● my yeares be reckoned by my misery , ●han ancient Nesto● I shall older be ●ou see that Oxen ( through their strength abound ) ●re worne out with ploughing stiffe clay ground . ●nd that ground which doth never fallow lye , ●y bearing fruit doth barren w●xe thereby , the ●orse will be tyr'd out , and even fall downe , ●hat in the race continually doth runne . 〈◊〉 ship decayes that still at Sea doth lye , 〈◊〉 she be not moor'd within the docke to dry ; 〈◊〉 length of troubles makes my strength decline , ●nd maketh me grow old before my time . 〈◊〉 rest doth feede the body and the mind , ●ut immoderate labour weares both out we ●inde : ●ecause that Iason hither sayl'd , you see ●on he was praised by posteritie ; ●ut his labours lesser were than mine , though fain'd , ● great mens action● may be truely scan'd , ●or he to Pontus was by Peltas sent , ●ho in Thessalia held his government ●aesars wrath hurt me , whom all Lands every where , ●on the rising to the setting Sunne doe ●eare . ●●monia is to Pontus neerer farre , ●han Rome and the cold River Ister are , ●o that his journey shorie ▪ was than mine . ●esides he had some chiefe Graecians a● that time , Who went along to beare him company , But in my banishment all my friends left me , We in a weake barke ploughing the Sea were , But it was a stout Ship that did Iaso● beare . Nor was Typhis our Pilot , or Amintors sonne , To reach us how to steare , or what course runne . Pallas and royall Iuno him protected , But none of Heavens powers my ship directed . And Cupids stolne pleasures he discerned Which I doe wish from me he had learned , He return'd home , we in these fields must dye , If Caesars wrath endure continually . Therefore my troubles heavier doe appeare , ( Most constant wife ) than those Iason did beare , And though when I left the City thou wert young I beleeve thou now with griefe art aged growne . Yet I wish the gods would grant , I might thee see , And kisse thee , though thy haire white changed be , Embracing thy slender body , while I remember , That griefe for me did make thee grow thus slender , That I with teares might tell my griefes to thee , While thou with ●eares didst hearken unto me , Relating my past labours , while that I Enjoyed thy unhop'd for company . That to Caesar and his Consort I might bring Frankince●se as a gratefull offering , I wish that Caesars wrath were so appeas'd , That faire Auron● would but once be pleas'd That she would bring this happy newes away ; Soone as her Rosy che●ke sends forth the day .

ELEGIE . VI . To Maximus . NAso , that was esteemed in times past Amongst thy other friends not to be last . ( Maximus ) doth entreate thee now to reade These words which from his banisht Mus● proceede , ●ooke , not in them for former straines of wit , You know that they in banishment were writ . The body by idlenesse doth corrupt grow , And water corrupts that doth not move or flow . ●o if I had in verse a happy straine , ●or want of use I have lost it now againe , ●nd Maximus if you will beleeve me I ●hese lines you read have writ unwillingly , ●ly minde my present griefes cannot resist , ●ly Muse among the Getes will not me assist . Yet to write some verses I doe strive you see , Though they as rugged as my fortunes bee . And I am asham'd when I have red them over , ●ecause I in them so many faults discover . ●hat in my judgement , who them first did frame , ●hey doe deserve to be blotted out againe . ●et to mend them , then to write them is more paine , ●nd my sicke mind no labour can sustaine . ●hall I beginne to use an exacter line , ●o place with judgement every word of mine . ●e that would have my troubles worser grow , ●akes the River Lychus into Hebrus flow . ●r maketh the high Mountaine Achos add , ●eaves to the Alpes of which they great store had . Therefore you ought a wo●nded minde to spare , Oxen leave drawing when they gawled are . If profit would requite paine undergone , And if I should reape●fruite from that I had sowne ; Yet reckon all my workes , no worke of mine Hath brought any profit to me at any time , And I doe wish since they no profit bring , That they 〈◊〉 neve●● to me harmefull beene , Doe you wonder why I wri●e ? even so doe I ; And with you admite what good I finde thereby . Or is the peopl●s opinion confirm'd by m● ? Who deny that Po●●s in their 〈◊〉 be . Since I so ost deceiv'd with a barren field , Doe sow seed in a ground doth nothing yeeld . Yet in his owne study every one takes pl●asure , And in his Art delights to sp●nd his leasure . The wounded Fencer that sweares he will not fight , Forgets his wounds , and in weapons doth delight . The Ship wrackt man saies he the Sea● will shunne , Yet straight doth saile , where he before hath swo●e . Thus in a fruitl●sse study● doe labour , I forsake the Muses , and yet seeke their favour . What shall I doe ? I cannot idle bee , Time spent in idlenesse , is like de●th to me . In drinking too much wine , I take no pleasure , Or in throwing flattering dice to spend my leasure . When I have given my body so much ●est As it requires , so that it is refresht . When I doe wake , how shall I then bestow The time which seemeth to ●unne on so slow . Shall I learne to bend accordi●g to their fashion , The Sarmatian Bow , forgetting my owne Nation , I have not strength in that Art to goe on , My minde is than my body farre more strong Considering what I should doe , you shall see , These unprofitable Arts are best for me : By them misfortune out of mind I keepe It is enough if I this fruite doe reape , Glory makes students , that their verse recited May be approved , and of all be liked . It s enough for me easie verse to frame , Since ther 's no cause to make me take more paine . Why should I pollish my lines with great care ? That the Getes should not like them doe I feare ? Though it may boldnesse seeme , yet boast I doe ●●ster no better Wit than mine can shew And while I live here , t is enough to gaine Among inhumane Getes a Poets na●e . For Fame in another world should I strive ? Rome is the place doth fame and fortune give , My poore muse with this The●t●r is content So I have deserved , so the gods are b●nt . Nor doe I thinke my bookes can thither goe , Where the Northwind can hardly come to blow , Our climates different are , for the cold Beare , Which is farre from Rome , to the Getes is neere . Through many Lands and Seas , I can't beleeve My studies should passe , censure to receive . ●f they were red , and did please which is strange , ●heir Authors sorrowes would not thereby change . What availes it , if thou in Syene please , ●r Tabroband washt , with Indian Seas ? ●f Countries neere the Pleiades●hee praise Wilt thou goe on in hope , thy fame to raise ? ●ince my best writings hardly thither come , ●y famo with , me was banished from Rome . And now I doe conjecture and beleeve , That to speake of my death you all doe leave , Since unto you I then indeed was dead , Men live not when their fame is buried .

ELEGIE . VII . To Graecinus . WHen in a forraine Country thou heardst ●ad Of my misfortune , was not thy heart sad ? Graecinus , though thou fearest to confesse , I know thou wert sad hearing my distresse ; Such hardnesse with thy ingenuitie , And with thy studies doth no lesse agree . By witty Arts in which thou tak'st delight , The minde is softn'd , rudenesse put to flight . And none more studious of all Arts can be , When the warres , and occasions suffer thee . Truely when I perceiv'd my owne sad case ( For I was senslesse long , and in a maze ) Of this misfortune I had also sense That thou who shouldst have beene my strong defence Wer 't absent , and my comfort gone with thee , Who didst give courage , and counsell to me . Now though farre of some helpe to me impart , Speake words of comfort to my grieved heart . Which ( if you dare beleeve no lying friend ) By folly , not by wick●dnesse did of●end . 'T were tedious , and not saf● for to touch heere My faults beginning which doth touching feare . Aske me not how those wounds have first made beene Touch them not if that you would have them skinne . It was no vice , and yet a fault nere lesse , Or are faults 'gainst the gods held wickednesse . Therefore all hope hath not forsooke my mind , I may at last ( Graecinus ) comfort finde . This goddesse , when the rest from earth were flowne Remained on the hated earth alone . This makes the ditcher bound with fetters live , And that his legges shall be free he doth beleeve . This makes the Shipwrackt man begin to swim , Then when no land at all by him is seene . He that by the Physician hath beene left Yet of all hope of life is not bere●t . The condemned prisoner hopes for life they say , Some hanging on the Crosse for life doe pray . This goddesse those would hang themselves doth stay Not s●ffering them to make themselves away . When I to end my griefe with a sword thought , Shee chid me , and fast hold on me she caught , What dost thou doe ? by ●eares , not blood saith she , The wrath of a Prince may appeased be . Though no hope doth to my deserts belong , In Caesars mercy still my hope is strong . Intreate his favour Graecinus , and joyne With me , in this petition of mine . And that thou dost move him I understand Else may I buried be in Tom●s sand . For sooner shall the gentle Doves beginne To leave those Towers where they have lived in ▪ Wild beasts , and Cattle and the quicke Dived apper , Shall first leave their Dens , the grasse , and water ▪ Then Graecinus should forsake his old friend My fate will not such a misfortune send ▪

ELEGIE . VIII . To Messallnus . THis Letter which you read , friend Mess●li●e , Health from the cruell Getes to you doth bring . Does not the mention of the place shew whom Was Authour of it , and whence it doth come . Or dost not know that Naso writ the same Vntill that you at length have read my name . Which of your friends in banishment doth lye , In farthest part of all the world but I ? And the gods grant that those who reverenc● show And love to you this Country may not know . Let us mongst Ice and Scythian arrowes live , If we to death the name of life may give . Either the earth with warre doth us oppresse Or else the ayre with cold doth us distresse , Or the fierce Gete with Armes doth us assayle , Or else the winter sendeth stormes of hayle . No grapes or apples in this Country be , No part of it from enemies is free . May your other friends in happinesse goe on , Of which as of the people , I once was one . Woes me , 〈◊〉 that these words doe thee offend , And that thou doest deny I was thy friend . Pardon my lye , if that thy words be true , My glory takes away no prayse from yo● . Who doth not faine himselfe a friend to be To Caesar , you shall Caesar be to me . Yet I into your friendship have not broken , T is enough if the gates of love stand open , Though you will have nothing with me to doe Permit me that I may salute thee too . Your father did not deny ●e his friend , But wished me my studdy to attend , At whose death I wept , and writ Elegies As my last gift to attend his obsequies . I lov'd ● is brother too besides all this , As stout Atrides did Tindarid●s . Yet he scornd not my love nor company If you thinke this did him no injury . If not I will confesse that I doe lye ; Let me lose the love of his family . Yet why should I lose it , since no power can A friend from doing an offer res●raine . Though I could wish I could my fault deny , All know it was free from impiety . If my fault did not pardonable seeme , Banishment too small punishment had beene ; But Caesar saw this , who doth all things see , That my offence might folly called be . He spar'd me for my offences quality , And usd his ●laming thunder moderately . My life nor country he tooke not away , If you by suite his anger could allay , But yet my fall was great , for t is no wonder , He should be wounded that 's strucke with Ioves thunder . And though Achilles his ●●ackned force restraind , Pe●●as speare wounded deepely from his hand . Since direfull judgement hath overtooke me so , There 's no cause why thy gate should not me know ▪ I frequented your house oft , I doe confesse , But t was my fortune to doe so I guesse , No other house of my love had such proofe , For I was alwayes underneath your roofe . And your love did not on your selfe reflect , But as a brother did your friend respect . Besides , that then advanced to honour wert , Thou mayest both thanke thy fortune and desert . If I may wish w●at thou desi●'st thy selfe , That thou mayst give , not pay , aske the gods welth . So thou dost , may I mention it to thee , Thy goodnesse makes thee bountifull to be . And therefore Me●●aline let me be plac'd Amongst your other friends , though I be last . And grieve that Ovids griefe , deserv'd doth seeme , If not for 's griefe , grieve he hath faul●y beene .

ELEGIE . IX . To Severus . SEverus , whom my Soule loves as it selfe , Thy Ovid loved of thee doth wish thee health Aske not how I doe , for if my griefes were Reckon'd , they would enforce from thee a teare . It is enough for thee that thou dost know , The totall Summe of all my griefe and woe . We live without peace and in armes still are The Quiver-bearing Gete still making warre . Of so many banisht men , I onely am At once a Souldier and a banisht man . And that thou mayst my bookes with pardon take I in my Armour did these verses make . There stands a City upon Isters side , By walls and situation Fortifide . Aegypsus if that we may them beleeve , Did build it , and his name thereto did give . This the Gete tooke , th' Odrysians being slaine , And 'gainst the King did a fierce warre maintaine , Discent , and vallour caused him to raise An Army which he thither led straight wayes , Nor departed not , till on his slaughterd foes , He did revenge himselfe with bloody blowes . And mayst thou valiant King , even many a day The glorious Scepter of this Land still sway . And besides ( what fuller wish can thee behove ) May Martiall Rome , and Caesar thee approve . But to returne , O sweete companion I Complaine the warres encreasd my misery . Since farre from you in Scythia I have beene The rising Pleiades have foure Autumnes seene . You will not beleeve Ovid thinkes upon The Cities pleasure , yet he thinkes thereon . Now sweete friends I remember you , and after I thinke upon my deare wife , and my daughter . And on the buildings in the City be , For in my fancy I doe all things see . The Courts , the houses , and Theaters lind With Marble , and the Porch it brings to minde . The fields , and gardens into minde it brings , The standing Lakes , the streames , and virgin Springs , Yet though I am depriv'd of Cities pleasure , I thinke I may in the Country spend my leasure , My minde doth not desire to view these fields , Or delights the Pel●gnian Country yeelds . Nor these gardens which upon the mountaines lay , By Claudia's house , nere the Fla●inian way . Where I in gardning used to take some paine . And to water young plants held it for no shame . Some grafts I set , if living there doe stand , Whose fruite must not be gathered by my hand . Which pleasures having lost , I wish that I Might here though banisht practise husbandry . Goates that doe climbe upon the rockes I would keepe ; Or leaning on my staffe , tend on my sheepe . And that my minde with cares might not be broke , My labouring Oxen I would daily yoke . I would learne words the Geti●ke Oxen know , With usuall threatnings making them on goe . I 'de hold the Plough , and heavily on it lye , And to so● seede on f●rrowes I would try . And with my long hooke I the fields would weede , Or water my garden if that it did neede . But how should I doe this ? there onely be , A wall and gate 〈◊〉 us and the enemy . But I am glad the fatall sisters did , At the birth spinne thee a more happy thread . The fi●lds , and shady Porch thou dost frequent , Or the Court , where thou little time hast spent . In Appian Coach t●ou dost the City leave , While Vmbria and A●●ana thee receive , Where you wish Caesar would be pleasd againe , And that your village mig●t me ●ntertaine . O friend it is too much which you require , Contract your wishes , moderate your desire . Let me live in a Country from warres free , This will take off part of my misery .

ELEGIE . X. To Maximus . OF Celsus death I in your Letter read , Which made teares from my eyes straightway proceed . And that which I did never thinke could be , I read your Letter most unwillingly . No harsher newes my eare did ever strike , In Pontus may I never heare the like : Me thinkes that I doe see him still surviving , My love doth make me thinke he should be living . I often thinke how merry he would be , And performe serious matters faithfully . Those times with sorrow to remembrance come , And I doe wish my life had then beene done . When that my house , whose ruine was not small , Did suddainely upon my owne head fall , Maximus , he when that the most ●id leave me , Was not my fortunes friend , nor did deceive me . At my living death , I saw him weepe , As if his brothers funerall he did keepe . His love was in his kind embraces showne , And with my teares he mingled his owne . O how oft said he that life I did scorne . And kept my hands from doing my selfe harme ? How oft said he , the gods may pleased be , Then live , and thinke that they may pardon thee . But these words were the best , when he did say , Thinke Maximus will helpe thee any way . Maximus will endeavour , and will try , If he great Caesars wrath can mollifie : And wish his brother if he at Court have grace , To mediate some ●avour in thy case . These words of his diminished the paine Of life , then Maximus prove them not vaine . And he swore he would come hither to me , If you would give him leave and libertie . For in like manner he did honour thee , As thou dost reverence Caesars Majestie . Beleeve me , though you friends deserved many He was as worthy a friend as you had any . If not wealth , or the pedegree of name , But wit , and honesty doe merit fame . Then let me weepe for Celsus who is dead , And weepe backe those teares which on me shed . Let me write Elegies may his life containe , That posterity may reade of ●elsus name . These from the Gete● I can send thee this time , And this is all that I can here call mine . I cann't embalme thy body , nor yet be At thy hearse , who am a world off from thee , M●ximus , whom thou living didst adore , Hath perform'd all those ri●es for thee before . He in a worthy funerall hath exprest His love , and powr'd swee●e odours on thy brest , And with his teares the oyntments soft hath made , And in some ground hard by thy bones hath laide . Since to his dead friends he thus kind will be , Amongst the dead he may too reckon me .

ELEGIE . XI . To Flaccus . BAnished Ovid , sends thee Flaccus , health , If one can send , what he doth want himselfe : For languishing and bitter cares at le●gth Have worne my body and decay'd my strength . And yet I feele no paine ▪ nor panting Feaver , My pulse doth beate as well as it did ever . But yet my taste is dull , I loath my meate , And at due times I have no list to ea●e . For if that Ga●imede should give to me Sweete ●ectar and Ambrosi● , which be ●anquets for Gods to feede on , and to drink ▪ T●eir rell●sh could not please my tas●e I thinke ; Though the● are pleasant and most savoury , Yet in my stomacke the● would heavy lye . This truth to every one I dare n●t w●ite . Least I should seem in misery to delight . As if such were my fortunes and my sta●e That I in wantonnesse delight could take . May he take such delight who ere ●e be Who feares least Caesars wrath should milder be . And that sleepe which doth a full body cherish , Doth not at all the empty body nourish . But as I wake my endlesse sorrowes wake , And from the place fresh cause of griefe doe take . So that my face by you could not be knowne , And ●ou would wonder how my colours gone . My slender limbes but little bl●od containe And than new waxe I am more pale and wan . Excessive drinking wine doth not cause this , Water you know my common drinke here is , I am not pleasd with bankers , if I were , Amongst the Getes there s no such plenty here . And Venus pleasures doe not weaken me , Those desires vanish in adversity . The place , and water , causers of it be , And sorrow which is present still with me . You and your brother still my helpers were , Or else my mind could not her sorrowes beare . You are the Port to which my Barke doth drive , That helpe which som● deny unto me give , Then helpe me still , for I shall neede helpe sure , While Caesars anger against me doth endure . Humbly beseech your gods his minde to bend That so his wrath may lessen though not end .

OVID DE PONTO . LIB. II.

ELEGIE . I. To Brutus . THE fame of Caesars triumph hi●her stretches , Whether the weary South scarsely reaches I thought no good news could to Scythia com , I hate the place now lesse than I have done . ●t length my cares being vanisht out of sight , ●ike moving clouds ; I saw some glimpse of light , ●o that my fortune I began to flatter , ●eing glad to raise joy out of any matter . ●hough Caesar would not these joyes should chance to me ●ou must grant he would have them common be , the gods that all men with a cheerefull mind ●light worship them , have festivals assign'd , ●hat they might lay aside , all griefe and sadnesse , ●nstead thereof expressing holy gladnesse ▪ So I le enjoy this joy though he forbid , Though it were madnesse to say that I did . When love with fruitfull showers the ●ield doth water , The Corne and C●ckle both grow by it a●ter . And I like an 〈◊〉 weede have felt This showre of joy which did on m● too melt , And did from Caesars powerfull deedes distill Whereby I am refresht against his will : Thankes fame to thee , by whose helpe I have seene , This triumph ●●ile I with the Getes have beene . How infinite natio●s came of late to see Their Captaines face , this ( Fame ) I learnt f●om thee . Thou toldst me how that the Southwind did powre , For many dayes together 〈◊〉 a show●e . Yet on that day the Sunne did shine most cleer● , The day rejoy●●d and people that were there , While that the Conquerour with a loud applause Warlicke gifts upon worthy men bestowes , And before he his royall robes put on , His offerings at the Altar first were done , Sacrificing to his Parents with resp●ct , Iustice in him her Temple doth erect . Where he went , joy was in applauses shew'd , And the streete blush'd with roses on them strew'd . Then there were Pageant● brought all silver'd o're , That represented Townes he tooke before , With 〈…〉 being closd about , And the be●eiged seemed to march out . The Rivers ▪ Mountaines , woods resembled were , And their joyn'd battels were represented there . And with their Sunburnt god , as Trophy yeelded , The Romane Marketpl●ce , was richly guilded . And that s● many Captaines chained were By the necke , which chiefely maintain'd the warre . The most of which had life and pardon granted , Being the chiefe that in those warres commanded . Then may not Caesars wrath waxe milde towards me , Who is so mercifull to his enemy ? And Fame ( Ger●anians ) brought the newes to me , That all the Townes are yeelded unto thee . Their wals , munition , nor their scituation ; Could not defend them against thy invasion : Gods , give thee yeares , thy selfe the rest will give . That so thy vertues may a long time live . Thus I doe wish , and Poets Prophets be The Gods my wishes seeme to ratifie . And joyfull Rome , on plumed steede shall see Thee after some brave noble victory , In triumph riding to the Tarpeian Towre , As may become so great a Conquerour . Your triumph by your father shall be seene , ●oying in you , as much as you in him . To thee most vertuous and va●iant , I Thus much doe now foretell , and prophesie . And if I live and doe my griefes abide , Thy triumph then I will in verse describe . If I with Scythian arrowes be not shot , Not the Gete with his sword my head of cut . But if in my life time your wreath of Bayes Be offer'd in the Temple to your prayse . You will confesse it was twice truth that I , Did at this time unto you prophesie .

ELEGIE . II : To Messalinus . OVid , that from his youth did reverence thee , And also all thy vertuous familye That lives in banishment , distres●d and poore , Vpon the left side of the Euxine shore . From the Get●s ( Messaline ) hath thee health sent , Which he in person usually did present . Woes me , if thou dost blush to reade my name , Doubting to reade the rest for feare of blame . Reade them ; and banish not my lines with me ▪ My v●rse may lawfu●ly in your City be . I made not ●●lion on Ossa stand That I might touch the cleere starres with my hand . Nor followd I Enceladus , that I Should ●ight for him gainst Caesars Majesty . Nor as Tydides rash hand did attempt , Gainst higher powers my sword I have not bent , My fault is grievo●s , and yet just nere lesse , It wrought my ruine by no wickednesse . Vnwary , fearefull I may called be , These two names with my nature doe agree . I confesse since I Caesar did offend , Thou justly mist my prayers slight hearing lend . For such is thy love to the Iu●●an name , Thou thin●'st thy selfe wrong'd if they wrong sustaine , Yet if thou shouldst come arm'd , and vow to kill me , Thy threatning with no feare at all could fill me . The Trojan ship received in distresse , The val●ant Graec●a● Athemenlde● . ●e that committeth sacriledge doth ●lye , Vnto the Altar and is sav'd thereby . And himselfe to Gods power doth commend : Whom he before d●d ●ormerly offend . Some may say safety in this course can't be , Yet my adversity makes it suite with me . Let others safety to themselves procure A miserable fortune is secure , And doth not feare , that any bad successe , Can bring him into any worse distresse . He that relies on Fortune , all fea●e scornes , And with his naked hands will graspe ●ha●pe thornes ▪ The trembling fearefull bird being put into a fright By the fierce Hawe●e , and tired in her ●light , With trembling wings will to the ●aulkoner slye , That so she may a●oyde her enemy . The hunted D●ere into some house will runne , That shee the following dogs may thereby shu●ne , So gentle friend , let me in my distress ▪ Flying unto thee find most free accesse . Though in a weake estate I c●me to thee , Yet let not thy gate be shut against me . In my behalfe see thou great Caesar moove , Whom thou dost reverence as much as Iove . My cause is the embassage I command , Though my case bad is , whatsoever na●'d . For I now sicke , and even past hope growne , Will be recovered by your selfe or none , Now make use of the Princes love and grace , To mediate some favour in my case : Now use thy usuall shining eloquence , Whereby the guilty have obtaind defence . You have your fathers speech and fluent tongue , And to you as his Heire they doe belong . Yet I doe not intreate thee to defend My cause , it is not that which I intend . For that parties case can never be maintaind , That doth confesse he 's guilty when arraig●'d . Yet see if that thou canst excuse my fault Or not , which was by my owne error wrought ▪ For since my wound can of no cure admit The safest course is not to handle it . Be silent tongue , no more thou must unfold , Let some things in oblivion be involv'd . Speake to him , ●s if errour did deceave me , That I may ●njoy life , which he did give me . And when his v●sage pleas●nt seemes a●d clea●e , Which the whole Empire of the world doth feare . For some safe place of banishment entreate , That I may not be a prey unto the Gete . The time to make suite is most fit and 〈◊〉 , Rome knowes that you in Caesars favour are . The season is faire , Caesars in health , And Rome doth flourish both in strength and wealth , His Queene upon her Couch in health doth lye , His sonne gaines his Empire in rich Ita●y . Germa●●●us courage exceedes his yeares , Like noble vigour in Dru●us appeares . His daughters in law , and his kindred deare , And all his family in health now are . Besides he hath triumphed now of late , And brought Dalmatia to a quiet state . And now Illyria thinketh it no ●corne , Casting away those armes which she had borne , To prostrate humbly her most servile necke , Beneath great Caesa●s feete even at his becke . Who with a sweete and mild aspect beside , I● his triumphant Chariot did ride . And on his brow which shined with bright rayes , He wore a greene wreath of 〈◊〉 Bayes . Attended with his royall Progeny , Who on each side did him accompany . Like those brothers , the next Temple doth enfold . Which I●lians house in prospect doth behold . To them Messalinus in publicke ●hew , Of joy , gave the fi●st place as it was due . M●n strove for the next place as zealous love To Caesar did their true affections move . In this contention of affection he Would to no other s●bject second be . For he before did reverence this day , On which his vertue should receive due pay . While to expresse desert , his head and hayre , With a greene wreath of Bayes encircled were . Happy are they that did this triumph see , The Em●erour riding th●s in Maje●ty . But I instead of seeing Caesars f●ce , Behold the 〈◊〉 in this place . A land wherein there is con●n●●ll warre . While all the waters with cold ●rozen are . Yet if thou hearest now my present mo●e , And that the voyce of my ●riefe to thee come . Then use thy power with Caesar and thy grace P●rswade him to remoove me from this place . Thy father was lov'd from my youth by me , And his ghost seemeth to crave this of thee . Thy brother desires it , though he doth feare , Thou sh●uldst hurt thy selfe , taking of me care . Thy kindred aske it , not canst thou deny , That I was once one of thy family . And thou my ill employ'd wit didst approve , Excepting when I writ the Art of Love . And if so be my last fault be not nam'd , Thy family by my life cann't be sham'd , So may thy house still flourishing appeare , May gods and Caesar have of thee a care . His gentle Majesty offended pray , That I may be remov'd from Scytb●a , I know t is hard , but vertue still is bent , The hardest matters alwayes to attempt , Besides the greater thy deservings be , The greater thankes thou dost deserve from me . Of Aetnaean Polyphemus in his Cave , Nor of Antiphates shalt favour crave . But of a Prince whose pardon is prepard , By whose thunders men are not hurt but scard . Who to make sad decrees is discontent , Grieving when others suffer punishment . Yet my fault hath his mercy overcome , And urg'd his wrath to doe what he hath done , And since I so farre from my Country am , I cannot kneele to Caesar and complaine . Be thou my Priest and unto Caesar pray , And let thy owne words to my words make way . In such sort that they may not him displease , Pardon me if Shipwrackt I feare the Seas .

ELEGIE . III. To Maximus . MAximus , like in vertues to thy name , Whose wit doth thy nobility not shame . Whom to my latest houre I reverenced , ( For now what differ I from those are dead ? ) Thou leav'st not thy friend in adversity , Which in this age a miracle may be . T is true , though base , the people still are friends For their owne profit , and their private ends : Their first care is what may expedient be , Preferring profit before honestie . And as our present fortunes rise or fall , So doth their faith and friendship therewithall , To finde one among thousands it is hard Who thinkes that vertue doth it selfe reward . The beauty of good actions cannot move them , Vnlesse they profit bring , they doe not love them . And they are very sorry that the rate is Of a right honest man , to doe good gratis . That which brings profit , that is onely deare , And if no hope of profit should appeare , None of the people would desire a friend , For it is profit which they doe attend , While every one doth love his private gaine , And on his singers casteth up the same . Thus friendship once a venerable name , Like a whore prostitutes it selfe for gaine ; Therefore I wonder thou hast constant tarry'd , And with this common streame hast not beene carry'd . He 's stor'd with friends that's in prosperity , If fortune frowne , then friends away will fl●e . For I had many friends , while gentle gales Of prosperous fortune breathed in my sales ; But when winds of troubles once to rise began . Like a ship cleft at Sea they left me than : And when some would not know me , two or three Of you in my distresse did succour me . Amongst whom you did chiefely me relieve , And unto others didst example give . For no re●pect that might thy love envi●● . But thou in doing good didst take delight ▪ Shewing that vertue needes not to be hir'd , But for her owne sake is to be desir'd . And that she cares not for the companie , Of those externall goods which fading bee . Thou scorn'dst to leave thy friend in misery , Or to forsake him in adversity . It is better to hold thy friend by the chin , Then to thrust his head downe while he doth swim . Ae●cides dead friend unto him was deare , And my life doth a kind of death appeare . When Perithous to Stygian waters went , T●escus to goe with him was content . Phoc●us lov'd Orestes being mad ▪ My fault in it a kind of madnesse had , Then as those men for friendship praised be , So strive to helpe your friend in miserie . If I know you● if you are still the same If you your former courage doe retaine , The more that fortunes cruelty doth persist , The more you dee her violence resist . And as t is fit thou takest care that she , Shall never have the power to conquer thee . Her fighting with thee teacheth thee the slight , Toward her blowes , and how with her to fight . So I by bearing f●rtune● enmity , I hereby lea●ne to resist my enemy , But thou most rare young , man dost scorne to be , ●ickle as fortune in inconstancy , Or to be at that goddesses command , Who on arowlin● 〈◊〉 doth alwaies stand . For you are friends and will not from me slip , But guide t●e sayle of my poore broken ship , Which is so weather beaten , that some thinke , Vnlesse you doe supp●rt her shee will sinke . Thy wrath at first , was just and milde like thee , Who justly we●t offended then with me . And when I had grieved Caesar thou didst sweare , Thou wert so griev'd , as if it thy griefe were ▪ But when my fault , occasion thou ● adst heard ▪ Then thou didst grieve , because I had so er'd , And in thy Lotters thou didst comfort me , With hope that Caesar , wrath app●asd might be . Our constant , friendship move● thee therein . Which did as soone as thou wert borne begin . Because that others made a friend of thee , But thou wert borne to be a friend to me . And I did kisse thee in thy Infancy . W●ile t●ou didst smiling in the cradle lye , Since from my youth you have beene lov'd by me , My troubling you must pleade antiquity . Your father ( eloquent in Romane speech , And in nobility of birth as rich ) Made me my verses unto same commit , Being the first encourager of my wit . Yet not because I lov'd thee above all other , Doe I strive to be esteemed as thy brother . My love preferd thee so , that I made thee My refuge still in my adversity . We parted last , as Italy can tell . While upon thee teares from my sad eyes fell . When asking me , if my fault were the same , Which thou hadst ●eard abroad by evill fame . I was doubtfull to confesse , or to deny , Vntill my blushes did my guilt descry . Then as Snow melts which the Southwind doth soften So downe my cheekes the teares did trickle often , Which mov'd your pitty , because that you thought , That this offence of mine was my first fault . And therefore of your old ●●●end care hast tooke , And in adversity on his wounds dost looke . For which , if wishes their effect might take , I then would wish a thousand for your sake . But that my wishes your desire suite may , For Caesars health and your mothers I pray . I remember you prayed to the gods for that , And with Frankincense made their Altars ●at●

ELEGIE . IV. To Atticus . REcei●e my Letters from the Ister cold , Atticus , whom most constant I doe hold . A●t thou still mindfull of thy haplesse friend , Or doth thy love now languish in the end ? My fortunes are not so averse to me , As to procure forgetfulnesse in thee . Thy Figure still before m● eyes doth glance , Me thinke● t●at I doe see the countenance ; And then I doe remember presently Serious discourses betweene thee and I , With all those happy hou●es which we have spent In pleasant jesting , and in ●●erriment . Oft in discourse we past the hou●es away , And ●ft our conference did ou● last the day . To bring my verses to you , I did use , And you did passe your judgement on my Muse , For that which was commended once by you , I did thinke worthy of the peoples view . Whose praise I did esteeme of more then gaines , It was the sweete reward of my fresh paines , And with a friendly hand thou didst correct , My bookes , all those faults thou didst detect . Both in the Court , Porch , and Theater we , And in the streete would both together be . Lastly , deare friend we in our mutuall love , Aeacides and Actorides did prove . If thou shouldst drinke the River Lethes water , I thinke thou couldst not forget this hereafter . Su●mers dayes than winters shall shorter be , And Summer nights with winter nights agree , Nor Babilon shall be hot , nor Pontus cold , Calt●a's Rose , shall 'fore Pa●stums be ●xtold , Before thou canst forget our former love , My fates cannot so blacke and dismall prove . But yet beware it be not said that I , Had too much confidence and credulity ; And it without trouble if you may defend , Most constantly your true and ancient friend .

ELEGIE . V : To Solanus . O'Oid doth Solanus these verses send , B●t first he wishes health to you his friend . And doth desire his wishes may succeede , That you in health deare friend my lines may reade : Your Candor , a faire vertue now decayd , Is the cause I for your sake thus have pray'd . For though wit● you I small acquaintance had , You for my sudden ba●ishment were s●d . And when you read my verses that were sent From Pontus , you to favour them were bent , That Ces●rs wrath might not last thou didst wish , Whic● if he knew he would not hinder this . These prayers did with thy gentle mind agree , Which are not lesse acceptable to me . But deare friend , if thou wouldst know my misery , The natu●e of this place will then move thee . Trust me , thou canst not finde all the world ore , A Country that with warre is troubled more . These verses which I in the warres did frame , Thou readst , and having read dost like the same : My wit although it slow with a poore vaine , Thou dost applaud , and likest of my straine ; Though like a River it a course doth take , Yet thou of it , a mighty streame dost make . And these thy free applauses I doe find , Doe yeeld much sweete contentment to my mind , Since those who are in m●sery scarce write , To please themselves , or yeeld themselves delight . Yet while that I on meaner subjects writ , My subject then could not exceede my wit . But hearing Caesars triumph now of late , When I attempted a worke of that waight . The gravity of the matter quite outwent My strength , which could not such a worke attempt . Yet the will ayming high doth merit praise , Weake matters have no pow●r themselves to raise . Then if this booke unto yours hands doth come , I charge you to give it protection . Which I know you would doe though not entreated , And with light thankes you shall be now requi●ed . No praise , deserve I but thy brest I know Is whiter than milke , or untrodden snow : Thou admir'st others when thy owne selfe art , Admirable for thy ●loquence and Art . The Prince that from Germany name doth take In studdy doth thee his companion make : His young yeares and his elder thou dost fit , Thy manners being equall to thy wit . And he doth take delight to heare thee speake , While thou in thy owne words his mind dost breake . When you leave off , there 's generall silence then , But when they have a while thus silent beene , Royall Germanicus from his seate doth rise , Like the bright morning-starre in Easterne skies . When they are silent , he stands up in st●re , Whose mild and learned aspect then doth make Much expectation , and much hope affords , To heare his eloquent and 〈◊〉 words . Then ●e without delay doth silence breake , And you would sweare , he like the gods doth speake . His speech is such as a great Princes should be , His eloquence being full of Majesty . Whom though you please , and are raisd to this hight , Reade what a banisht Poet here doth write . For betweene wits , there will still concord be , And those that love one study doe agree . Clownes doe love clownes , and Souldiers men of warre , The Shipmaster doth love the Ma●iner : Thou lovest Poetry , and dost study it , And being witty favorest my wit . Though you the Thyrsus , I the bayes doe beare . Poeticke fl●me doth in us both appeare . Your eloq●ence is stronger then my lines . And in my verse your eloquence so shines . And since my verse on your studdy doth con●ine , You doe defend my verses at this time . For which I pray , that thou mayest be esteemd , And lov'd o●Caesar unto thy lives end ; And of him that sh●ll next the Empire sway , For which let all the people with me pray .

ELEGIE . VI . To Graecinus . Ovid Graecinus from the Euxine shore . Salutes in verse , in person heretofore . Letters in banishment are my voyce and tongue ▪ And if I might not write , I should be dumbe . Thou dost reprove my fault , and sorry art , That I am not punisht unto my desert . Reproo●es are true , but too late nerethelesse ▪ Then chide not him , that guilty doth confesse , For I by the Ceraunian rockes had come , You might admonish me those rockes to shunne . Now being shipwrackt what am I availd ? If you tell me where my ship should have saild : Rathertake hold of me , as I doe swimme , And with your hand hold up my sinking chinn● , You doe , and therefore may your mother and wife , And br●●hren be healthfull all their life . And since to pray with minde and voyce you love , May all the Caesars all thy deedes approve . T were base if thou shouldst not in some kinde be Helpefull to thy old friend in misery , T were base if thou thy foote shouldst now pull backe , Or now my ship in her distresse forsake , T is base to follow fortune , and deny , A friend cause hee 's not in prosperity ; Strophius and Agame●nons sonnes you know , Nor T●eseus and Perithous liv'd not so . Whom former ages reverenced , and shall be Admir'd by following posterity , While whole Theaters did aloud resound , With the applauses which their friendship found . Thou in adversity dost thy friend preserve , Therefore a name amongst them dost deserve . Deserving praise too for thy piety , For which I will preserve thy memory . T●ust me , if my verse shall immortall be , You shall be mention'd by posterity , Yet let your love , Graecinus faithfull be , And constant to me in adversit● . Which although you already doe performe , To spu●re a horse that runnes can be no harme .

ELEGIE . VII . To Atticus● MY Letter to salute thee first is bent , Which●Atti●us , from the fierce Getes is sent Next what y●u doe , it doth desire to know , And if you thinke on ●e , whatso●re you doe . I doubt not but you doe , but often feare , Makes me afraid when no cause doth appeare . Yet pardon fe●res , w●ich too much on me sease , The S●ipwra●kt man's afraid of t●e calme Seas , The fish that by the Angler hath beene strooke , Feare● f●od , lest it should prove a ba●ted hooke . The Lambe too from the Shep●erds dogge doth runn● , Fearing the wol●e , and doth his keeper shunne . A wound dot● feare the touch though so●t and light , And a vaine shaddow troubled winds dot● 〈◊〉 , So I once shot with Fortunes unkind arrow , My 〈…〉 on nothing now but sorrow , I finde t●e fat●s will 〈◊〉 their course begunne , And in their wonted way will alwayes runne , No serving of t●e gods sure can make me Fortunate , nor can Fortune flatter'd be , For us her onely care to ove●tl row me , And in wantonn●ss : some mischiefe doe me , Trust me , if there be any truth in me , My griefes and sorrowes cannot reckon'd be . Y●u may first count ●●●yphia's ●ares of corne , Or how much sweete th●me Hybla doth adorne , How many birds cut the ayre with their wing , How many fishes through the Sea doe swim ; Before thou canst all my griefes understand , Which I have suffered both by Sea and land . No people than the Getes more cruell be , Yet they have pittyed my misery ; Which if I should describe to thee in verse , An Iliad of my griefes I should rehearse . Yet feare I not thou wilt inconstant prove , H●ving had many pledges of thy love , But since that misery feares everything , And joy from me long time hath banish● beene ; ●y sorrowes are into a custome growne , As water drops oft falling make a stone ●ollow , so Fortune doth me so oft wound , That no place for a new stroke can be found . Nor is the plough by often use more worne , the Appian way by bending w●eeles more torne ; Than is my breast with length of misery , ●et I have nothing found that could ●●lpe me . ●ome by the liberall Ar●s have gotten fame , ●ut by my gifts destruction I did gaine . My former l●●e was blamel●sse , without spot , Yet this in misery avayl'd me not . Great faults are pardon'd , when that friends entreate . But none at all in my behal●e would sp●ake . T●oubles befall some when t●ey present be , But I was absent when they fell on me . Though Caesars wrath not crush where it is bent ? ●eproch was added to my punishment . The time doth often lighten banishment , ●ut in the winter I to Sea was sent , And Ships oft ●nd t●e winter calme enough , 〈◊〉 ship found not the Sea more rough . ●aithfull companions might some com●ort be , ●ut I was robbed by my company . ●or the place of Exile , no land doth l●e Vnder both Poles so full of misery . ●is comfort to our Country to be n●ere , ●'me in the farthest part of the world heere , ●y Caesars power , banisht men protected are , ●ut Po●tus still is troubled with fierce warre . To spend the time in ploughing of the ●●eld , ●s a delight which doth some pleasure yeeld , But the ●ierce enemy lying neere us , will Not suffer us to plough the ground or till . The mind and body love a temperate aire , Sarn●atian f●ces with cold frozen are . To drinke sweete water doth the pallate pl●ase ; Our water is salt like that in the Seas . Though all things faile ▪ my minde doth overcome ▪ And that is it which makes my body strong . To beare a burthen you must strive withall , But if you bend or yeeld , then you will fall . And my hope that the Princes wrath may be , Appeald , doth make me live , and c●m●orts me . And you no small comfort to me doe yeeld , Whose faith I in my troubles have beheld . Proceede as you have now begunne I pray , Leav● 〈◊〉 a Ship in the mi●st of the Sea . Me and your judgement you shall so preserve , Which judg'd that I your friendship did deserve .

ELEGIE . VIII . To Cotta . THe Caesars Pictures that like the gods be , Which , Cotta , you sent were deliv●r'd me . And that your gi●t might more acceptance find , Livia's there was with the Caesars joyn'd . These silver peeces are than gold more blest , Wh●reon the Caesars figures are exprest . You could have given no greater wealth to me , Then Pictures wherein I three god● see . To see the gods in Picture comforts me , To speake as t were unto their Majesty ; Me thinkes remote lands doe not me containe , But I returned in the City am . I doe see Caesars face as I did before , Though I scarce have hope to see him more ; And as before I salute his Majesty , If I returnd I could not happier be . What doe not we behold but the Pallace ? Whereto great Caesars presence giveth grace : Beholding him , me thinkes I Rome doe s●e , His face presents his Empire unto me . Dreame I ? or doth his Pictu●e still appeare , To threaten , as with me he angry were ? O spare me then , whose vertues doe exc●ede And in thy just revenge doe not ●roceede . Spare me young Prince the glory of our time , Whose nature doth to Soveraignty encline : By thy land to thee than thy selfe more deare , By the gods who doe alwayes heare thy praye● ; And by your Consort , who was found to be Fit o●ely to match with your Majesty . And by thy Sonne , so like in vertues growne . T●at to be thine he may be thereby knowne . And by all your other kindred who be , By your command advanc'd to high degree . Abate my punishment and grant that I May live 〈◊〉 from the Syt●ian enemy . And you that next unto great Caesar are , Be not averse unto my humble prayer , So may subdued Germany soone be , Carry'd in solemne triumph before thee . So may thy Father live to Nestors years And thy old mother untill ●he appeares A Cum●an Syb●ll , and mayst thou long Be unto both of them a happy Sonne . And you his royall Queene be pleasd to grant The humble prayers of a poore supplyant . So may your husband and your progeny Live in health and your royall family . So may Drusus onely of your off-spring dye , Being snatcht from you by fate in Germany . So may thy Sonne on his white horse soone be , The revenger of his brothers destiny . Ye gentle powers 〈◊〉 this my fearefull prayer , Helpe me since you by picture present are . I take delight your countenance to see , Since thr●e gods in one house encluded be . H●ppy are they w●o in your presence doe , Your Majesties ●n ● not your picture view . Which since my haplesse fate to me envyes , I ●dore the pictures of your Majesties . Thus men did know the gods in the skies hid , And for great Iove , Ioves Image honour did . Let not your Images which shall still reside With me , here in this hatefull place abide . My head shall sooner be cut from my necke , My eyes be dig'd out and lye on my cheeke ; Then I w●nt the pictures of your Majesty , In banishment they shall my comfort be . For you I would ●mbrace , if by the stout Arm'd Getes I were encompassd round about : And following the Romane Eagles I Will follow the pictures of y●ur Majesty . But my desires are to deceive me bent , Or t●ere is hope of milder banishment . The Pictures aspects doe more mild appeare , And seeme as if they granted my desire : And may my fearefull mind the truth presage , That Caesars wrath , although just , may a●●wage .

ELEGIE . IX . To Cotys . COtys , who art of a royall Progenie , Fetching from Eumolpus thy Pedigree . If Fame have brought the newes unto your ●are , That in a Country neere you I live here . Then heare my humble speech gent●e young man , And helpe a banisht man , since that yoh can . Fortune deliverd me to thee , ( nor I Complaine ) she was not then my ene●y . On thy shore to ●●ceive me shipwrackt please , Let not thy land be unsafer than Seas . To helpe the distrest is a royall thing , And such great men as you are doth beseeme . This becomes your fortune , which though it be Great , is not like your minds nobility . For power can never better be expres● , Than when it heares and grants a just request , Thy great descent requireth this of thee , This worke suites thy divine nobility . Eumolpus whence thy famous descent is And Erichthonius perswade thee to this . In this you are like gods , both of you grant , After some suite helpe to your suppliant . Why should we honour gods with wonted care But that the gods to helpe us ready are ? If ●●piter would not heare prayers at all , Should sacrifices in his Temple fall ? If Seas in passage have not quiet beene , Why unto Neptune should I vaine gifts bring ? If Ceres doe the Ploughmans ●ope deceive , Why should she inwards of a Sow receiv●● The Goate on Bacchus altar is not laid , Vnl●sse much wine that Vintage hat● beene made , We with t●at Caesar may the Empire raigne , So long as he well governeth the same . Thus honour's given both to gods and men , For helpe , and profit t●at 's r●ceiv'd from them . T●en Cotys helpe me who in thy land lye , And be thou like thy noble Progeny , For one to helpe another in misery , Is a duty belongs to humanity . Besides there is no better way to gaine B● any other Art favour or fame . An●●●hates or Le●●●igon who doth love , Alcinous bounty who doth not approve ? C●●●andrus , nor Caphar●us thy father is , Nor ●et the cruell Tyran Pha●aris . He 's fierce in waries , and not to be withstood , So peace once made he nere d●si●eth blood . Besides the liberall Arts being studdied often Exp●ll all rudenesse , and the minde doe soften . In which no other King hath thee outwent Or in those gentle studdies more time spent , Thy verses witnesse it , which thy name showes , A Thracian●oung man happil● did compose : Or else some Orph●us that doth here abide ; In thy wit the Bistonian land takes pride . As on occasion thou thy armes ca●st take And a ●●erce slaughter on the ●nemy make . Or sometime with thy strong arme sling thy da●● , Or as in●●ling thou most cunning art . So h●ving studyed Arts of Soveraigntie , When matters in thy kingdome quiet be : Least you in sloth should seeme then to delight , Your M●se , unto the starres doth take her slight : This of our league may some occasion be , B●cause we both , doe honour Poesie . A Poet p●ayes a Poet , with ●eav'd up ●ands To live , though exild safely in your lands . For when that I did into Pontus come , By poyson mixt I had no murder do●e . And no false tables forged by me were Which did with counterfeited seales appeare . Nor did I any thing which lawes forbid , Yet I confesse that I a worse fault did . If you aske what , the Art of Love I writ , My guilt● hand did this offence commit . Tother offence doe not desire to know , Vnder my Art of Love it must hid goe . But yet the Iudge did moderate his wrath , And unto exile on●ly sent me hath : And though farre from my Country let me b● , Safe in this hated place , since neere to thee .

ELEGIE . X. To Macer . MAcer , thou maist know that thy Ovid writ This Letter to thee , by the s●ale on it . Or if the Seale doe not the Authour shew Dost thou know that my hand this Letter drew ? Or hath length of ●ime made thee both forget That thy eyes know them not , before thee set ? Though hand and seale should both forgotten be , You fo●got not the care you had of me . Which for our old acquaintance you should show , Or because my wife was a friend to you , Or for our studies , which you did use And by no Art of love did them abuse . That w●ich immortall Homer left undone Of Trojan warres was by thy o●ne muse sung . But unwise Ovid , while he did impart The Art of Love , was punisht for his Art . Yet Poets doe amongst themselves agree , Though every one in writing different be . We have amongst us all one common Bayes , Though all of us d●e follow severall wayes . Of me though absent you will mindfull be , And willingly helpe me in my misery . The Citties faire of Asia I have seene And Trinacris while you my guide have beene : We saw the Heavens shine with Aetnean flame , Which from the Giants mouth beneath it came , Aetnean Lakes , and Palicus pooles not sweete , And where Anapus doth Cyane meete ▪ Not farre of that Spring , which while it doth shu●n● The River 〈◊〉 , under ground doth runne . Here I did spend a great part of the yeare , How unlike this place Geticke lands appeare ! How many other places did we see , Whilst you made the way pleasant unto me ? Both while our Ship cut the wave● with his Keele , Or t●e Coach carry'd us with nimble 〈◊〉 . Oft our discourse did make the way to seeme Short , while our words more than our steps have beene ! Oft our discourse was longer than the day , While our discourse past Sommers dayes away . Of perils at Sea we have beene afraid And to the gods have both together pray'd . We acted both together , and againe Told others jests , which ●o tell was no shame . If you remember this , though I should be , Here all my life time , yet you might me see . Vnder the North Pole of the world I am , ●hich doth above the Sea one point maintaine . Y●t in my minde I doe thee still be hold And talke with thee under the Pole so cold . Famous friend thou art here unknowne to thee , Though absent , thou art present here with me . Me thinkes I see thee here among the Getes , Come from the 〈◊〉 love workes these conceites . 〈◊〉 Lieu whereof since those lands happier be , Have me there alwayes in your memory .

ELEGIE . XI . To Rufus . OVid by whom the Art of Love was pend These lines in hast doth to thee Ru●us s●nd That thou●h we the whole world asunder be : Yet thou maist know I doe remember t●ee . For I shall sooner sure my name forget , Then thy love shall out of my minde be beat , And I shall sooner render up my spirit , Then I shall be unthankefull to your merit : Your merit wa● your teares , which did bedew Your face , when mine with sorrow still dry grew . Your merit was , that comfort to my mind Which you did give , and both of us did find . My wife deserves praise for her owne conditions , Yet she growes better by your admonitions . I am glad you will my wives counsellour be , As Hector to Iul●s , Castor to Hermione . She strives to be like you in what is good , And by he● life seemes to be of your blood . And what she would doe without provocation , She does more fully by your faire perswasion . The swift horse that within the race doth runne , Will run more swiftly if he be spurd on . Besides in absence th●u performst my will , And for my sake refusest no paines still . Because we cannot , may the gods thanke thee , Who doe reward those good deeds which they see . And may thy vertues with long life be crown'd , ●ufus the glory of the Fundane ground ,

OVID DE PONTO .

LIB. III. ELEGIE . I. To his Wife . O Sea on which young Iason fi●st did row , O Land , nere wanting enemies and snow . When wil the time come Ovid shal you leav● While some quieter place doth him receive ? Must I still live where barbarisme abounds ? Must I be buried here in Tomos grounds ? With favour I speake it , if there may be , Any peace or favour Po●tus , within thee With favour thou dost make my bani●hment So grievous , and my sufferings dost augment . Thou dost not see the garland-crownd haymaker , Nor dost behold the thin cloath'd sweating reaper . Autumne doth yeeld no ripened grapes to thee , But all thy seasons extream● cold still be . Thou 〈◊〉 up the Seas , that fish have beene Oft frozen in the waves while they did swimme . Thou hast no springs , but of salt brackish water , Which doe not qu●nch thirst , but encrease it rather . A few poore wither'd trees in the fields grow , And the land like the b●rren Sea doth ●how . No birds doe sing their sweete and pleasant notes , But Vultures cro●ke out of their hollow throates When sl●ing hither from some remote wood , They come to quench their thirst in the salt ●lood . Sa● worm●wood growes here in the empty field , Which bitter harvest like the place doth yeeld . Besides assaults of enemies we feare , Whose arrowes dipt in deadl● poyson are . Besides this Country farre remo●e doth lye , And none by land or sea can come safely . Wonder not then if I desire to be Sent to som● place that yeelds lesse misery But wonder ( wife ) that these things doe not make Thee weepe , and to shed teares even for my sake . If you aske what you should seeke , seeke some favour , You sha●l finde it , if you do● it endeavour . Wish and desire that you may it obtaine , And breake your sl●epe with thinking on the same . Many wish it , for who so unjust is That restlesse banishment doth to me wish ? It becom●s you with all strength to endeavour Con●inually to worke for me some ●avour . For thou wi●e shouldst exceede another friend , And first of all shouldst helpe to me extend . For to my bookes thou shouldst conforme thy life , Which call thee the example of a wife . Doe not degenerate but let me see , That I the truth of thee did prophesie , And see that thou dost take heede to maintaine Thy former glory , and well gotten fame , Though I complaine not , fame will accuse thee , Vnlesse as tho● oughtst , tho● takst care of me . Fortune exposd me to the peoples view And made me knowne to more than ere I knew . Capan●us strooke with thunder was more knowne , And Amphiaraus when his horse sunke downe Into the earth , V●ysses was throughout The world knowne , by wandring about , And Philoctetes by his wound did gaine A generall knowledge , and much glorious fame , I meane men with such great ones may ●anc●'d be , My ruine giveth glory unto me . Besides you know my bookes have raisd your fame , Equall in honour unto Battis name . The world shall view the actions of thy life , And approve thee to be a loyall wife . He that thy praises doth in my verse read , May aske if they from merit doe proceed , Since many will thy vertuous life commend , So some thy actions will soone reprehend . Prevent their envy that they may not say That thou to helpe thy husband didst delay . And though I faile to draw the yoke with thee O● marriage , y●t be still a wife to me . Being sicke my Physician I doe looke , Stay with me , till all life hath mee forsooke . And since thou ar● in health , shew unto me T●at love , which I in health would shew to thee . Our marriage love doth this of thee require , Thy nature wife , doth thee with love inspire : Your house requires this of you whence you came Whose honest credit you should still maintaine . For unlesse you be a praise-worthy wife , None will thinke , that you hono●rd Martia's life : Nor am I unworthy , if you le confesse The truth , or altogether meritlesse ; For which thou largely hast requited me , So that ●ame if she would cannot hurt thee . Encrease thy former good deedes by addit●on Of helping me , let this be thy ambition . Entreate that in some quiet Country I May live , and this thy love shall testifie . My suite is great , yet can no harme procure If granted not r●p●lse I can endure . Be not slender , that my verse moves you To performe that which I doe know you doe , The Trumpet●r doth valiant men excite , And the Captaine doth encourage men to fight . That you , are honest Time doth testifie , Let vertue equallize your honesty . The Amazo●ian ax● thou needst not take , Or beare in hand a Buckler for my sake ; Onely entreate great Caesar he would be , Though not pleasd , ●et lesse angry with me . And let thy teares for mercy intercede , For they will Caesar move while thou dost pleade ▪ Thy husbands misery will afford thee plenty Of teares , an ● never let thy eyes be empty . My troubles will yeeld matter to be wayle My fortune , so that teares can never faile : If with thy death thou couldst red●eme my life , Then thou wouldst follow Admetus deare wife . And thou like to Penelope wouldst cheate Thy urgent suiters with a chaste deceite . Laodamia would teach thee to dye , With thy husband and to beare him company . Thou wouldst thinke upon Iphias and desire , To throw thy selfe into a funerall fire . Thy death or a spunne web I doe not need , But that to Caesars wife thou intercede , Whose vert●es excell , least antiquity Should exceede our age for praisd chastity . Who Iunoes stoole , and Venus beauty had Which made her worthy of the royall bed . Why dost thou tremble , or her presence feare ? Thou shalt speake to no wicked Progne there . No●Agamemnons wife , Aegistus daughter , Nor Scylla that ba●kes in S●●●lian water . No●Telegonus mother cl●anging shapes , Nor Medusa with haire full of curled snakes , But a Princesse , who made fortune to find Eyes , and is falsely accusd to be blind . Who next to Caesar is most famous growne . ●ven from the rising to the setting Sunne . Then chuse a time , that for suite fit may be , ●east thou faile wanting opportunity . The Oracles have not at all times spoken , Nor doe the Temples at all times stand open . When Citties state is happy , as 't is now ●o that no griefe contracts the peoples brow . When that August●s house , and Progeny , Which like the Capitoll ador'd should be . ) Doth flourish in height of prosperity , As now it doth and may it still so be . Then take a happy opportunity , When thou dost thinke thy words shall powerfull be , ●f he be busie then thy suite deferre , ●east ●ashn●sse should destroy my hopes bewa●e , And yet againe I doe not bid thee goe , To him when he hath no affaires to doe . Since he ●ath hardly leasure to put on Those royall rob●s which unto him belong , When with t●e ancient Senators he doth sit In the Court , then to goe to him 't is fit : W●en thou comm●st before Iunoes Majesty , Looke you remember then to speake for me . Defend not my offence , for it ●s best That an ill cause in silence be supprest . And therefore in thy speech take onely care To pleade for me by earnest suite and prayer . Then presently thou mayest shed teares and weepe And prostrate thy selfe at their royall fee●e . Aske , that from the foe I may remov'd be : Fortune hath beene a foe enough to me . More I 〈◊〉 ●ay , but thou with feare d●smaid , Wilt scarcely speake even that which I have s●id And ●et this feare c●nnot endammage thee : It will shew that thou dost dread her Majesty . Nor can it hurt , if teares thy speech of breake , For sometimes teares as much as words doe speake . And on a prosperous day thy first suite mak● In an houre may be fit , and fortunate . But first to the gods holy Altar bring Wine and sweete mcense for an offering . Let Augustus above all adored be , With his Conso●t , and royall Progeny . May they their wonted graciousnesse still keepe , And pitty thee , when they doe see thee weepe .

ELEGIE . II. To Cotta . COtta , I wish the health that 's sent from me , As it is truely sent , may come to thee . For to my sorrowes thou dost yeeld releefe , And dost take off a good part of my griefe . While others leave me , and away doe slip , Thou art an Anchor to my ●orne ship , Thy love is gratefull , and we pardon them ▪ That left me , since my fortunes chang'd have beene . When one is thunder strooke , all that are neere To him was strooke , are strooke with sudd●ine feare : Or when a wall is ready downe to come , All from that place for feare of it doe ●unne . Who doth not shunne the sicke with circumspection , ●caring least he from them should draw insect ●n ? ●o some of my friends that too fearefull were , ●orsooke me not for hatred , but for feare . Nor love in them was wanting or good will , ●ut the offended gods they feared still . ●●ey may be called circumspect and wary , ●ut yet not wicked , although they were chary . ●hus I excuse my friends in curtesie , That towards me they might not faulty be , And with my pardon let them be content . ●hat so they may be from all blame exempt . ●ou better friends are not asham'd to be ●elpefull unto me in adversity . 〈◊〉 memory of your merit cannot fade ●ill my consum'd body be ashes made . N●y it shall survive me when I am dead , If by posterity I shall be re●d . For though our bodyes in the grave must lye , Yet Fame and 〈◊〉 live ete●nally : Theseus and Orestes both were slaine , Yet they still live by their praise worthy fame . And you shall be praisd by succeeding times Your love shall be most famous by my lines . The Sauromates and Ge●es , doe know your love , And barbarous people doe of it approve . For when I of your love to them made mention , ( Speaking the 〈◊〉 and Sarmatian tongue ) By chance an old man there in company , Did in this following manner answer me . The name of friendship ( stranger ) we have knowne , Although our Count●y be farre from your owne ; A place in S●ythia is T●urus nam'd . Which is not farre of from the G●ticke land . Of this my bi●th place , I am not asham'd , D●ana is much honored in this Land , Her Te●ple built on Pillars doth remaine , To which by foureteene ●ising steps they came : Her Image here ( as Fame sayes ) was contaynd , The Basis of the Image still doth stand : The Altar which was builded of white stone , Lookes red with blood that hath beene shed thereon , T●e noblest Virgin , Scythia can shew , Performes those sacred ●ites which are due : A stranger then ( as those times did ordaine ) By the Virgins for a sacrifice is slaine . Thus these kingdomes had well knowne all o're , The Euxine Seas , and the Maeoticke shore , In his raigne , one came hither as they say , Flying , who was call'd Iphigenia . W●om the light winds , did carry through the ayre , Till Phaebe ( they beleeve ) set her downe here , Many yeares she this Temple did command And sacrificed with an unwilling hand . When two young men did in a Ship come hither , And both did land upon the shore together . Equall in love and yeares , the one of these Orestes was , the other Pylades . Their names for friendship which they did maintaine , To one another , are cry'd up by fame , Vnto Diana's cruell Altar straight , With their hands bound behind them they were brought , The Priestesse sprinkled them with holy water , Covering her yellow haire , with a vaile after : And while she doth the sacrifice prepare , And with a fillet bindeth up her haire While she doth seeke occasion any way , To lengthen out the time with slow delay . It is not I that cruell am said she , And therefore young men pray you pardon me , But to performe these rites it is my case Which are more barbarous than his salvage place , It is the custome of this nation , Whence are you , from what City did you come ? Or whether was your haplesse ship then bound , When you did first arrive upon this ground ? T●is said , when as the Virgin heard them n●me Their Land , she knew they from her City came , One of you must be sacrific'd , said she , But tother may returne home presently , Pylades that was ready to dye there , B●d Orestes goe home whom he lov'd deare , But brave Oreste● to goe did deny , And both of them contended which should dye . This onely made them both to disagree , Who still had liv'd in peacefull amity . While these brave young men , did in love contend , Vnt● her brother ●he a letter pend : Giving it one of them , it came to passe , ( Marke how it fortun'd ) he her brother was : Which knowne , Diana's Image they tooke away , O●t of the Temple , and so saild away . The young mens love , though many yeares agone , Yet through all Scythia is famous growne . When the old man had this old fable told , They all did praise their love ▪ and courage bold , So that even heere , in these most salvage parts , The name of friendship , moves their hard hearts . What ought you then to doe , being borne in Rome ? When such deedes moove the Getes compassion . Besides thy gentle mind and manners be , The Cognisance of thy Nobility . Such as the name of Vol●sus doe become , And such as Nu●a neede not shame to owne . Of t●e name of Cotta , thy house can't be Asham'd , who dost uphold thy family . Worthy man , thinke that it doth well agree With Vertue , to helpe friends in misery .

ELEGIE . III. To Maximus . IF thou hast time to bestow on thy friend , Maximus , chiefe of Fabius attend While I relate to thee what I have seene , Either it was a true shape , or a dreame . The Moone upon my window shin'd one night , As she in the midst of the moneth shines bright . Sleepe that doth ease all cares , had me possest While I lay on my bed , and tooke my rest . A paire of wings a noyse in the aire did make , And the glasse windowes did a little shake . I frighted , raisd my selfe up in my bed , On my left elbow , sleepe away soone fled , When Love with sad lookes , did before me stand , Bearing a Maple Scepter in his hand ▪ No Chaine on 's necke , no Corone● on his haire , His lockes not comb'd , as heret●fore they were . His haire hung o're his face , and it did s●eme , The feathers of his wings had ruffled beene , Such as upon the airy Doves backe stand , When she hath handled beene , by many a hand . When I knew him ( whom I so well had know●e ) To speake to him in this sor● I begunne ; Oh boy , that hast thy Masters exile wrought , Whom I had better never to have taught ; Why dost thou hither come where there 's no pea●e , But barbarous Isters water still doth freeze ? Thou didst dictate to me my youthfull rhymes And mad'st me to write Elegiacke Lines . Thou wouldst not have me rise by Homer● verse , While I great Captaines actions did rehearse . Perhaps thy bow and Torch did spoyle my wit , For I had some , and they did weaken it . For w●ile I of thee , and thy mother sung , My mind no greater worke did thinke upon , And besides this , I did in verse discover The Art of Love , unto the ignorant Lover . For which I am now banisht to a place That 's farre remote , and where there is no peace , Eumolp●n was not such to Orpheus , Nor Olympus to Phrygian Satyrus . Chiron not so by Achilles hurt was , And Numa did not hurt Pythagoras . Instead of reckoning nam●s were long agone I by my Scholler perished alone . While I arm'd thee , and taught thee wanton shift● , Thou didst reward thy master with such gifts , Yet thou dost know , and thou maist safely sweare , No married folkes by me instructed were . I writ to those who doe not bind their haire , With a chaste fillet , nor a long robe weare . When did I teach how wives should be beguil'd ? While the● scarce know by whom they are with chil● . Yet what availes this , if they thinke I did Write , the Art of Adultery forbid . So may thy arrowes hit the marke aright , So may thy blazing torch never want Light , So may great Caisar o'r● this Empire raigne , Who is thy cozen , and from Aeneas came . If thou his anger dost so farre appease , That to remove me hence , he would but please ▪ Me thought I spoke thus to the winged Lad , And from him this same following answer had , By my arrowes , and the blazing Torch I beare By my mother , and by Caesars●ead I sweare , That none but lawfull rules thou hast me taught , And in thy Art of Love there was no fault . And I doe know thou maist defend the same , But for another fault thou art to blame . For though I will not thy sad griefe renew . That was the chief●st fault that thou didst doe . Although an error thou wouldst have it thought , Thy punishment 〈◊〉 not like to thy fault , To visit thee , and comfort thee here lying , Downe through the ayre I on my wings came flying . This place I first saw , when 〈◊〉 the request Of my mother , I did wound Calistho's brest . And for thy sake I visit thee againe , Who to my colours hast t●ue Souldier beene . Feare not , for Caesa●s wrath being milder growne , The happy houre which thou desirst shall come● Feare not delay , the time i● now at hand , For while his triumph doth great joy command . While'● mother rejoyces , and his family , And Father who is Pater Patri● . While people praise him , and sweete incense burne , Which makes the Altars of the City warme . And while the Temple affords me accesse , Hope that my prayers may helpe thee in distress● . This said , his slight he through the ayre did take , And then my senses did begin to wake . Beleeve these words although I doubtfull am , And sooner thinke there may be a blacke Swan , Yet milke white cannot to blacke changed 〈◊〉 , Nor Ivory white , turne to blacke Ebony , Thy noble birth doth with thy minde agree , Hercules heart thou hast and honesty . Envy that slothfull vice in thee 's not found , Which like a Viper creepes low by the groun● , Thy lofty mind above thy birth doth flye , Not greater than thy ingenuity . Some seeke by oppression to be feared of all , And doe beare dar●s of envy dipt in gall , Your house doth use to helpe the supplian● Among which to count me I pray you gran● .

ELEGIE . IV. To Rufinus . THese words which health unto thee doe commend Thy Ovid , doth from 〈◊〉 City send ; Favour this paper-Triumph I command , Rufi●●● if it come unto thy hand . The worke is small , though the triumph were great , Yet howsoe're receive it I entreate . The strong and healthfull neede no Machaon The sicke man doth to the Physitian runne . Great Poets doe no gentle reader neede , For they can make the unwilling Reader reade , But I who either had at all no wit , Or else long labour hath decayed it , My weakenesse by your candor is made strong Which if you take away then all is gone . And since my workes your courteous favour crav● , This booke especially may pardon have ▪ Other Poets wrote the triumph they did see , And the sight helps the hand and memory . But I beheld it onely by relation , Instead of seeing , I heard the narration . And c●n those straines , and passions , alike be , That proceede from things heard , and things we see● Nor am I griev'd , I did not see the gold And silver Pageants , which you did behold . But the places and lands which they did present , And battailes had given my verse nourishment . And the Kings royall aspect● at that time , Would have helpt me in this same worke of mine . The peoples loud applause had power in it , With acclamations to warme any wit . Such vigor in my selfe I should have found , As Souldiers doe that heare the trumpet sound . Were my heart colder than the Ice or Snow , Or this place where I misery undergoe . If that I should the Generall behold , In 's Ivory Chariot , I should feele no cold . I ●earing the relation of this sight , Doe desire you to favour what I write , The Captaines names , and places , are unknowne To me , I have no matter to write upon . How little of it could I heare by fame , Or who by writing could relate the same ? Therefore , O Reader , you ought pardon me If I have err'd , or ought omitted be . Besides , my Muse being used to complaine , Can hardly reach unto a joyfull straine . My words doe onely suite an Elegie , And joy doth seeme to me a Novelty . And as the eye unused to the Sunne , Is dazled when that it doth looke thereon , Even so joy is an object farre too bright For my minde , which doth dazle at the sight . And those things are most gratefull which are new , No thankes to slow officiousnesse are due . Much of this Triumph hath beene writ before , Which I suppose the people have read o're . The thirsty reader , did their lines drinke up , When he is full , he will drinke of m● cup . And then their lines like wine seem'd briske and fresh , But mine will seeme both warme and waterish . It was nor sloth that made me come behind , But because I so farre off am confind . Ere I could heare the newes , and make in hast , Vers●s , and send them a yeare might be past . Besides it is better at the first to pull , An● gather Roses when the gardens full : Then to come aft●r and plucke what you find , And gather that which hath beene left behind . If others the slowers of the garden take , Can we a garland for the Emperour make ? Yet let no Poets my words misesteeme , As spoke against those verses made by them . Let them not gather this construction hence , My Muse hath spoke but in her owne defence . Poets , I am one of your company , And of your Tribe although in misery . Friends I did alwayes in my Soule affect you , And now in absen●e I asmuch respect you . Then favor my verse , and let them gaine thence , Applause , since I can't speake in my defence . Those workes are grievous and doe oftnest please That come forth after the Authors decease , Because that envy doth unjustly use , To wound the living and their name abuse . If sad life be death , then I am dead ; And onely stay but to be buried . The earth is onely stay'd that should be throwne Vpon me , and I onely want a Tombe . Lastly although my worke should all offend , Yet no man will my duty reprehend . Though strength doe faile , the will praiseworthy is The gods I suppose are content with this . And accept the poore mans will , that doth bring A Lambe , as w●ll as an Oxe offring . This Subject was so great , that it was fit For that chiefe Poet who Aeneads wr●t . Soft Elegies the great waight could not beare Of Triumph , since their feete unequall were , And I am doubtfull now , what verse to frame , For Rhene shall yeeld a new triumph againe . Poets presages have not untrue beene , Fresh Bayes must Caesar crowne , while these are greene . Nor doe you reade my words , who here am sent , To the River Ister unto banishment . Where the Getes who are never pacified , Drinke of the streame , as it along doth glide . They are the words of that power that inspi●es me , By whose 〈…〉 thus prophesie . Livia why delay you to prep●re , His chariot for his triumphs gain'd by warre ? Vnfaithfull Germany throwes her Speares away My prophesie hath waight , you now willsay . Beleeve me , it to passe shall shortly come , That honours shall be doubled on thy Sonne : And in his chariot he shall then be seene , Drawne on with horses as he once hath beene . Bring forth his robes that are of purple dye , To cloath ●is shoulders for his victory . His wre●th of Bayes may even know his head , Which it so often hath encircled . His Buckler , Helmet shall with gold shine bright , A●d pecious stones which cast a glittering light . The pieces of those Trophies he did get From the foe , shall above their head be set . The Townes are compassd with a Towring wall , And the faigned shew doth seeme to be reall . Let conquer'd Rhene , goe now under the speare , And drinke those waters which with blood dy'd were . The Captive Kings , shall all of them lay by , Their barbarous ornaments of regali●ie . And all their royall robes and vestures , which Are for their present fortune farre too rich ▪ And other honours too , which ought to be Emblemes of vertue , in thy ancestry . Ye gods , by wh●se power I doe prophesie , I pray you my words quickly verifie .

ELEGIE . V. To Cotta . WOuld'st know from whence this letter doth thee greete ? From thence , where Ister doth the b●ew Sea meete . The place 〈◊〉 nam'd you ought to thinke on me , Ovid who perish'd by ingenu●tie ; Who from the salvage Getes , doth send thee health , Cotta , which he had rather bring himselfe . Young man , heire to thy Father● eloquence , we Have read the words spoke in full Court by thee ▪ And having spent many hour●s to reade them o're , I was then sorry that they were no more . By often reading more of them I did make , And alwayes much delight in them did take . Which still their former sweetnesse did retaine , And I was pleasd with the strength of thy vaine , They are happy that thy speeches heare and know , And from whose mouth such eloquence doth flow , Though waters sweete , which we away doe bring , It s sweeter being drunke out of the Spring . To ●ather apples from the bough it is , Pleasanter than being tooke out of a dish . But if my erring Muse had not banisht me , Thy workes had beene recited then by thee . And as I was wont , I might then too sit With hundred others a Iudge of thy wit . And my heart had beene filled with more delight , Being tooke with those words you did recite . You and my Country being left , the fates , Had rather I should be amongst the Ge●es , But that I may by reading present be , Some pledges of your study send to me . Example from me take , if you will receive , That which you may to me more rightly give . For Maximus I that long ruin'd am , Strive to recover by my wit againe . Then let me in requitall , receive from thee Some workes which shall hereafter gratefull be , Tell me O young man , that art so enclin'd To my studies , bring they not me to minde ? To what friends dost thou thy new verse recite ? Or else to reade their owne , dost them excite ? My absence sometimes makes thee grieve in mind Which in it selfe a want of me doth find . And as in presence thou wouldst speake of me ; So O●ids name is mention'd now by thee , May I by Geticke bowes be slaine and dye , ( Punishment soone o'retaketh perjury , ) If I in absence doe not thee still see , Thankes to the gods , the mind and thought is free . By helpe whereof I to the City come Vnseene , and often talke with thee alone . Then it is hard to say how I esteeme , That white houre which so happy then doth seeme ▪ Then I conceite ( if I may be beleev'd ) That into heaven I am then receiv'd ▪ And I doe then conceive my selfe to be With the gods in their blessed company . But then I thinke I am ' here bereaven , Both of the gods society and heaven . And then me thinkes that this some Po●ticke land From Stygian Lake , farre distant doth not stand . Whence if 'gainst fate I strive repeal'd to be , Maximus , out of this vaine hope put me .

ELEGIE . VI . To his Companio● , OVid , to his friend whom he had even n●m'd , From Euxine shore sends these li●es here contain'd , For if I rashly , who thou art had written , Blame for my love , perhaps I should have gotten , If thou aske why I doe not name thee too , As others thinke , I may them safely doe . Since thou dost know great Caesars clemency , In midst of wrath , I can thee c●rtisie . If I should judge my selfe I could not offer , To take off any punishment which I suffer . To remember my friends he forbids not me , No● that I should write to thee , thou to me , It is no wickednesse , if thou dost spend , Some gentle words to comfort up thy friend ▪ This feare of thine , makes Caesars Majesty ●eeme dreadfull , and thereby envy'd to be , We have seene those were thunder strucke , yet did Revive againe , Iove did not it forbid : Neptune did teare V●sses ship , and ●end His Barke , Leucot●●e did him be friend . Neither did she deny to lend to him Her ayd while he through the greene waves did swimme . Beleeve me , gods doe spare men in distresse , The wretched they doe not alwaye● oppresse . And no god can than Caesar milder be , Who makes his justice power qualli●ie . To which a Temple Caesar hath assignd , Before , plac'd in the Temple of his mind . Iupiter 'gainst some hath his thunder sent , Whose faults have not deserv'd s●ch punishment . When Neptunes cruell waves have many drown'd , How many worthy of that death are found ? When the most stout in warres are s●aine , Mars must Iudging himselfe , confesse his doom 's unjust . If you enquire of us none will deny That our sufferings doe proc●ed from equity . Besides those who are drownd , or in warres slaine , Can never be restor'd to life againe . But Caesar hath call'd some from banishment , Or else tooke off part of their punishment . And I most earnestly doe pray , that I Might be one of that happy company . Then since we under such a good Prince are , To receive a banisht mans words dost thou feare ? Thou mighest if Busires held the government , Who in a Brazen Bull did men torment Wrong not his gentlenesse with thy feare hereafter , Art thou afraid of rockes in a calme water ? That I to write to you unnam'd have usd , Me thinkes that I can hardly be excusd . But fea rt had tooke sway my use of reason , Griefe made me voyde of counsell at that season . Not Caesars wrath , but my fault feare excited And with my owne name I was even afrighted , Then grant unto your Poet , n●w that he May in his verses name , and mention thee . T were our diseraces , if my booke should make No mention of thee for acquaintance sake . Yet least his feare should breake thy sleepe , I will No more than thou wilt be officious still . Vnlesse thou wilt , thou shalt be still unknowne , I will enforce a kindnesse upon none . Though ●ou may safely love me openly , Yet if you doubt it , love me secretly .

ELEGIE . VII . To his friend . I want words , the same so oft to en●eate , And am asham'd one suite still to repeate ; I thinke my verse to you doth teadious grow , Still of one theame , since you my suite doe know . For , ●ou know what my Letter doth reveale , Before you open it and breake the seale . Therefore in ●riting let me change my theame , That I goe not so oft against the streame . Friends pardon me for my good confidence , I will no more commit such an offence . Least I distrust my wife who doth abide Constant , but yet for favour hath not tride . Ovid shall beare , for worse than this can be , Thou hast borne , bu●thens can be felt by thee . T●e Oxe tooke from the heard , doth shu● the plough , And to the hard ●oke his necke will not bow . But I whom sate hath usd most cruelly , Am long since used to all misery . To dye on Geticke land , i ft be my doome . L●t my fate goe on as it hath begun . It is delightfull some hope maintaine , But not delightfull if it still prove vaine . And men doe alwayes wish those things may be , Of which they conceive possibility ; But being undone , 't is the next degree , Bravely to despaire of all remedy . Some wounds we see by curing do grow greater , Which if they had not beene toucht had beene better . It s easier at first to drowne in water , Than tyre with swimming and be drowned after , To remove from Sythia why did I beleeve , Or that a happier Land might me receive ? Why should I hope my fat● should gentler be , Have I ere knowne fortune so kind to me ? It doth encrease my sorrow , and to shew My place of banishment doth griefe renew . Yet t is better my friends should not sue for me , Than that their suite should not effectuall be . My friends so great a suite you dare not make Would you aske , he would grant it for my sake . Since Caesar doth not this to me deny , On Euxine shoare let me dye valiantly .

ELEGIE . VIII . To Maximus . I Considered what gi●ts from Tomos I Might send , my love to thee to testifie . Thou art more worth than silver , or gold bright ; Which in bestowing well thou tak'st delight . But yet these places rich in mettail be , Which cannot be dug for the enemy . The shiny purple hath thy garments dy'd , But in Sarma●icke Seas none doth abide , The sleeces which the cattle beare , are hard , And the Mayds know not ●ow to spin or card . Instead of carding women grind corne here , And heavy water on their heads doe beare . The Vine here on the Elme runs not abroad , No apples with their waight the boughs doe load . But in those sad fields bitter wormewood growes , The fruite the bitternesse of this Land showes ; So that in Po●tus I could nothing see . That I might send to expresse love to thee , Some S●ythian Arro●es I have sent to thee , Which wounding thy soe may they bloodyed be These are the pens and bookes , which here we use , In this place Maximus , they are our Muse : I am asham'd of such a poore present , But 〈◊〉 them kindly , pray , as they are sent .

ELE●IE . IX . To Brutus . BRutus , because my bookes are still the same , You doe report that some my verses blame : Because they sue that I might neerer be , And shew how I live with the enemy . Of how many faults may one be reprehended : T is well if ●y Muse here alone offended . I ●ce what faults I in my bookes commit , When all approve their verse more than is ●it Aut●ors doe praise their worke , Accius said , Ther sites face was good which he had made . My judgement is not so led to approve W●at I doe make , that I should straight it love . You may aske why I will offensive be In verse , if I my fault in writing see ; T is one thing to be sensible of paine , Another to take away griefe againe . For all are sensible of misery , ●ut Art must take away the malady . That word which I would change I doe leave in , My strength of Iudgement to faile doth begin . Some●imes ( why should I doubt to speake the troth , ) To correct them , much trouble me it doth . Besides I take delight in popular favour , Which maketh me in writing take lesse labour . And when my inspir'd brest once wa●me is growne , Then my encreas●ing worke goes swiftly on . But to correct a worke t is a hard thing , Homer fore Aristarth●s I esteeme . Besides the brid●e doth hold backe the Horse , And cares restraine the mind in her steete course But may the gods grant Caesars wrath may be , Appeased and diminished towards me . That these bones of mine may be covered , And in some quiet land be buried . When I would fa●ne describe my misery , My Fortune's visage then a●●●ighteeth me . Me thinkes I am mad , while I vers●s make , And mongst the Getes care to correct them take , Yet this doth make my lines excusable , That to shew change of humours they are able . For I sung when I had cause to be glad , Now I sing sadly because I am sad ; While once I sung of joy , now of misery , And both my workes with my times agree . Can I write of this land but bitterly ? Praying I in some better place may dye . I write the same so oft , none it respect , And my words are become of none effect . But that the reader should not take offence , When he doth finde the same repeated sense . Of all my friends Brutus I entreate thee ? Respect my worth , you learned pardon me , For I doe prize the good that I may gaine , By this worke more than I doe any fame . Besides a Poet can that matter frame , Vnto his owne desire which he doth faine . My Muse is Index of my misery , Of which she may a faithfull witnesse be , That my Letters should be delivered being sent , And not to make a booke , ●as my intent . Afterward I collected some of those , That you may not thinke I this worke did chuse Then pardon these lines , which I did not make For glory , but for love and profit sake .

OVID DE PONTO . LIB. IV.

ELEGIE . I. To Sext : Pompeius . Rliceive Po●pei●s , this verse whic● he 〈◊〉 , Who oweth ( Se●tus ) even his life to you If you permit me your name to set downe , You adde one kindnesse to the former summe , But if you frowne , my fault I will confesse , ●et you may pardon my fault nere the lesse , ●y mind would needes declare her thankefulnesse , Then be not angry at my officiousness● , ●ow oft did I thinke it a fault in me , That in my bookes I had not mention'd thee , And while I did compose my selfe and frame , To write to others should I write thy name ? ●y erro● pleased me in such a fault , Which unwillingly I out againe did blor . I●e write to him , said I , though he doe blame Me , for prefixing on the toppe his name , Ah I 'me asham'd that I have not commended My love before to him , and so offended . If I should drinke the dull Lathean water , Yet I can never forget thee hereafter . Then suffer me I pray , doe not disdaine My words , nor verse which I in duty frame . Light thankes for former kindenesses receive If not I will be gratefull without leave . You ●eady were to doe me good your selfe , And you did still supply me with your wealth . And being not afrighted by my fate , Your love hath ●elpfull beene to me of lat● . But if thou aske per●hance how I can be , For future time so confident in thee , I see that every one strives to maintaine , And preserve that worke which himselfe did frame . So Venus , which the Painter Cous drew , His labour and his glory both doth shew , Being drawne by him , as if she did repaire From Sea , and seem'd to dry her moystned haire , So Pallas in the Act●an Tower doth stand , Carved in Ivory by Phidias hand . So 〈◊〉 for the horses which he drew , Deserveth praise which unto him is due . So 〈◊〉 worke was of no lesser worth , Who did unto the li●e a Cow draw forth . So I amongst thy other good deedes am ▪ A peece of workmanship ●hou 〈…〉 .

ELEGIE . II. To Severus . THat which thou readst Severus , the most great Of Poets , comes from the unshorne 〈◊〉 . I● I may speake the truth , asham'd I am , Tha● my bookes hitherto conceal'd thy name . Yet my officious Letters which I did frame ●n Prose , not Verse , unto thee often came . I sent no verse to shew what eare I take Of thee ; what should I send , what thou dost make● Who giveth Aristeus at any time Honey , or unto Ba●ebus Fal●rns wine ? Who to Tuptolemus doth come and offer , Who to A●cinus doth Apples proffer . Thou hast a fruitfull brest , and amongst those That honour Hellicon , there s none outgoes Thee , for the richnesse of thy fluent vaine , Or for the plenteousnesse of thy sweete 〈◊〉 To send thee verses then , had beene to adde Leaves to the wood● of which great store they had ; And this Severus onely caused me , To be so slow in writing unto thee . Nor is my wit such as it was , for now The dry and barren sands in vaine I plough , For as m●d choketh up the waters vaine , Making a Spring that cannot flow am●in● , The mud of griefe my brest hath choaked so , That my verse with a poorer vaine doth flow , For if this land had beene great 〈◊〉 seat , Beleeve me , I had then become a Gete . Grane me your pardon , if I do confesse That in my studyes I am growne remisse And seldome time when I a letter frame , Doe I the syllables on my fingers scan . That ●ury which in Poets doth use to be , Is absent now , which was before in me . My Muse will scarce assist me , when I take Paper to write , to dictate she is slacke ; So that in writing I take little pleasure , Nor take delight to joyne my words in measure : Since verse hath not beene profitable to me , But hath occasion'd all my misery . Or since to dance in the darke t is all one , And to write ver●es that are read of none , Our study by the audience is ●aisd , And Vertue doth encrease when it is praysd . For glory is a great spurre to excite Vertue , and make her take a higher flight . To whom but the Coralli can I heere Recite those lines which by me written are ? Or to those other Nations which abido Fast by the barbarous River Iste●s side● But what should doe here to passe away My haplesse leasure or to spend the day ? I neither love deceitfull dice nor wine ; By which they use to passe away the time . Nor doe the ploughed fields yeeld me delight , Which if the warres would cease , would please my sigh● . My Muses , who my cold comforters be Remaine , that have not well deserv'd of me , But thou that drinkst of their happy spring , Love Poetry which did thee profit bring . Let the Muses by thee still be reverenced , And send us some new worke of thine to reade .

ELEGIE . III. To his unconstant friend . SHall I complaine ? be dumb , or without a name Make knowne who thou art , that art so too blame . I will not name thee , least thou thinke it be A credit , while my verse complaines of thee . While that my fortunes favorable were , One of my chiefest friends thou didst appeare . Now fortune bends her brow , tho● goest backe , When you perceiv'd that I your helpe did lacke . Now you pretend , you know not who I am Asking who Ovid is , when you heare his name . Know I am he that was your friend of old From a child , though of this you le not be told . I am he that to know your affaires did use , Whom then to beare you company you did chuse , In the house I still bore you companie , It was my Muse alone that pleased thee . I am he , who whether he doe live or no , Per●idious man , thou took'st no care to know . Either confesse thou never lovedst me , Or confesse thy selfe a counterset to be , Or else if that thou didst not counterfeit , Thou wilt be found to be sickle and light . Tell me , what anger hath thus changed thee ? If thy complaint be not just , mine must be . What fault of mine hath thus estranged thee ? Or i st a fault to be in adv●rsity ? If to helpe me in deedes you thought unfit , Three words in paper you might then have writ . I scarce beloeve it , yet by fame I heare , That to insult o're me , you doe not spar● . Thou madman ; if thy fortune should goe backe , All pitty from thy selfe why dost thou take ? This goddesse , shewes her lightnesse by her wheele , ●laking the highest spoke to touch her heele , She is more light than wind or leave● can be . Yet thou art like her in inconstancy . Humane states on a slender thred are hung , Those who are highest , soone to ruine come . Who hath not heard of Caesars wealth ? yet he Wa● taken captive by his enemy . He of whom Syracuse was so afraid , Hunger compelled him to use a trade . Who greater was than Alexander great Yet he once put to flight , did helpe entreate : While he whom all the world before obeyd , Poorer than any of them all was made . Marius by the Iugurthine tryumph glorious , Who being Consull , Rome was oft victorious , In the mudde and the marish reedes did lie , And suffer many an indignitie . Humane affaires the sport of the gods be , In present time there is no certaintie . If any one had said that I should go , To th' Euxine shoare , and feare the Get●s stiffe Bowe , To purge ●is madnesse , I had bid him goe , Drinke Hellebore which doth in Anti●yra grow . Yet I have sufferd this for though I could shunne Mans power , from Caesar's thunder I could not runn● : Then wisely feare , and thinke prosperity , While thou speak'st , may change into adversity .

ELEGIE . IIII. To Sext. Pompeius . THere is no day with Southerne showers so wet That no soft raine their violence doth remit , Nor any place hath yet so barren beene , That no good herbs among the thornes do spring : For Fortune no such misery doth inflict , That no joy can in part diminish it . I from my house , my country , and friends am sent To Getick shoares to live in banishment , Yet I have found away my selfe to cheere , And not remember my sad fortune heere . For while I walked on the yellow sand . I heard a paire of wings which gently ●●nd The ayre , as it did seeme then unto mee , I looked backe , but no body could see : At last I heard these words , behold I Fame , Come flying through the wide ayr● , to proclaime These tydings which shall happen unto thee , A messenger of joyfull newes to bee . The next ensuing yeare shall happy bee , In Pompeys Consulship , who 's deare to thee : When shee had this report through Pontus blowne , The goddesse through the Countries-journyd on . This newes made care to leave me for a space , That I forgot the barbarisme of the place : Therefore when 〈◊〉 doth the yeare begin , Whose month after December commeth in , Pompeius then the purple robe shall weare , Which honour's due unto his vertues ar● . Me thinkes I see the vulgar people hurt , While they doe presse and throng into his Court . While thou to Ta●pelan Temples dost repaire , To the mercifull gods to make thy prayer , While snow white oxen there are sacrificed , Which in the faire Faliscan fields were bred : Desiring all the gods to favour thee , Especially Iove and C●sa●s Majestie . The Court shall love thee , and the convocation Of Senators harken unto thy Oration , When having pleased them with a fluent stile , Having received gratulations all the while ; Having thankd the gods , and C●sars Majestie , Who will conferre more honours upon thee . The Senate then shall bring thee backe againe , While thy ●ouse can't the throng of people containe : Woes me , that I may not amongst them bee , And that I may not those sights view and see . Yet in my minde , which I may onely doe , The Consuls face I will behold and view . Gods grant thou maist sometimes thinke on my name , And say , alasse , how doth that wretched man ? When I heare thou hast said it so , I 'le confesse , The sorrowes of my banishment are ●●sse .

ELEGIE . V. To the same , now Consull . LIght Elegies goe to the Consuls ●are , And to his honours view , these my lines beare . A long way on unequall feete you go● The earth being covered o're with winters snow . Having past cloudy 〈◊〉 , and cold Thrace , And the rough billowes of the Ionian seas . You need not make much hast , for you shall come , In ten dayes to the Queene of Cities , Rome . Then to Pompeius house goe out of hand , Which next unto Augustus Court doth stand . If people aske whose you are whence you came , Then tell them in their care some fained name : Your Author you with safety may confesse , Yet a fain'd name will be more dangerlesse . And when you come to his gate , go and see● The Consull , for none will prohibit thee . While he doth unto the Quirites speake , Sitting in state upon his Ivory seate . Or while he doth the people taxe and cease , And strives to make the Cities wealth encrease : Or like a Consull holds a consultation , To call the Senators to a convocation In the Iulian Temple , or else goes himselfe , To wish Augustus and his Sonne all health : Or else he takes care to discharge , and looke Vnto his office , which he undertooke . To salute Germanicus● after them he goes , To whom as to the gods he honour showes . When his affaires are setled and do quiet stand , Then he will take you in his gentle hand , And perhaps aske how I your Author doe , To answer him in these words I would have you . He lives and saies he owes his life to thee , First granted him by Caesars Majestie : And gratefully remembers how he went , By thy convoy safely to banishment , While the Bisto●ian sword had beene dyed in His blood ▪ unlesse thou hadst tooke care of him , And supplyedst him with●n cassaries thy sel●e , That he might not diminish his owne wealth , That to requite your love , he vowes that he A servant unto you will alwayes be . For first the Mountaines shall want shady trees , Sayle bearing ships shall not sayle on the seas , And Rivers shall runne backe unto their spring , Ere I forget what your love to me hath beene . This having said , entreate him he would dain● To keepe you , for unto this end you came .

ELEGIE . VI . To Brutus . BRutus , 〈◊〉 letter thou readest is sent thee From thence , where thou wouldst not have Ovid be : Thou wouldst not have it so , but fate requires , Alasse the fates are stronger than desires . Five yeares past since I have in Sc●thia beene , And now another five yeares doth begin . Fortune is constant in her crueltie , And treacherously she still opposeth me . Maximus honour of the Fabian family , Would have mov'd Caesar for me certainely , Thou dydst before thy suite could moved be Vnworthily , I thinke , with griefe for me . Now to commit my cause to any I feare , For after thy death all my hopes dead were . Augu●tus to pardon my fault did begin , But then he dy'd , and my hopes dy'd in him : Yet I though farre off , verses to you writ , Of him whom Heaven did of late admit , And may my pious dutie so pro●it me , That Caesars wrath may once appeased be : That you pray for the same , I dare be sworne Brutus , whose faithfulnesse to me is knowne : For the love was still constant unto me , And it encreased in adversity . He that did see our t●ares together shed , Did beleeve that we both were banished . Nature hath given asof●nesse unto thee , To pitty such as are in misery : And Brutus she hath given unto none , Such a gentle temper and disposition ; That he who doth not know how thou canst plead . Thinkes not thou couldst gainst guilty ones proceed . Thou canst at once , though they doe seeme con●ra●y . Be mild to suiters , cruell to the guilty . When thou hast undertooke to judge a cause , According to the severity of lawes , The words that come from thee in generall , Seeme as if they were dipt in poyson all . May thy cruelty to enemies be knowne , Feeling the wounding arrowes of thy tongue , Which thou do●● sharpen carefully , that none Would thinke thou hadst such a disposition . But unto such as fortune hath opprest , A woman cannot beare a tenderer brest : And this I cheifely then did finde in thee , When the most of my friends denied me : I will forget them , but I will never be , V●●●indfull of your helpe in 〈◊〉 ▪ And ●ster that too neere me doth flow on , From Euxine Seas unto his spring shall runne . The Sunne shall drive his chariot to the East , As it was when Thyestes kept his feast . Sooner than you who were much griev'd that I , Should be tooke from you all so suddenly , Shall accuse me that I have unto him , Either ungratefull , or forgetfull beene .

ELEGIE . VII . To Vestalis . VEstalis because you were sent before , On purpose unto the cold Euxine shoare . To render justice to those Lands which bee 〈◊〉 under the North Axletree , You see in what a country I doe ●ie , And t●at my complaints true can testifie . Your words to my complaint much credit brings , O young man descended from the Alpine Kings . Thou sees● the Sea with Ice is frozen up , Thou sees● the wine is frozen in the cup , And thou dost see here how the country Swaine , Over the Ister drives his loaden waine , And how they doe poyson arrowes you do see , That they by two effects may deadly bee . And I doe wish thou hadst them onely seene , Not by experience knowne to thee had beene : For since you did your way through danger make , Honour hath beene conferrd on you of late : Which honour though it be to you a grace , Your vertue doth deserve a higher place . This Ister knowes , whose streame was dyed red With blood of Getes by t●y hand slaughtered : And this Aegypsos knowes , which thou didst take , Which strongly scituate no defence could make . This City was as strong by scituation , Plac'd on a hill as by fortification . From King Sit●enius , Sa'vages did it winne . And as conquerors t●ey looke the wealth therein , Till V●●ellius did by water pass●ge g●t For his Army , and march'd up against the Gete . Thou that valiant Dc●nas art descended , To march against the enemy wast intended , And glistering armour then put on you did , For valiant actions never can be bid . And marching on the Citie didst assaile , Mauger their swords and stones that flew like haile : With arrowes shot thou couldst not be withstood , Nor with darts dipped in t●e vipers blood ; And there thy body did some wounds sustaine , But love of honour takes away all paine . Thus Ajax when their ships to Troy did come , Resisted the fire-bals which Hector flung . But when you fought hand to hand , and came nigh , That by the sword you might the matter try : T is hard to say , what valour you did shew , And whom you kild , or how many you slew . And being Conquerour didst tread on the Getes , Who by thy sword lay slaughtered there is heapes . The Souldiers from their Captaine did fire take , Receiving wounds , they many wounds did make : But yet thy valour did as much exceed , As Pegasus surpassed other horses speed . Aegypsu● tooke in verse Vestalis , I Did memorize your deedes to eternity .

ELEGIE . VIII . To Sttillius . LEarned Suill●us your letter was to me Most welcome , t●ough lately it delivered be : ●herein you promise th●● if the gods may Be encl●ned by prayer , my helpe you ●ill assay . Though you availe not , your friendly goodwill Obliges me to be your debtor still . And may you long continue in this desire , Let not my misery make your love to tire . Bonds of affinity bind us in one yoake , Which I do pray may still remaine unbroke : For shee that is thy wife is daughter to me , And my wife also sonne in law calst●ee . Woes me , if thou dost frowne when th●u hastread My verse , and art ashamd of my kin●red : Y●t no cause to be asham'd canst thou finde But Fortune , which unto me hath beene blinde . Ex●mine my descent , my Ancestrie Were Gentlemen of ancient Pedigree : If you examine my lifes integrity , Bate me one error , I should blamelesse be . Then you do thinke interatie may prevaile To entreat the gods humbly do not faile . Young Caesar is thy gods , his Majestie An Altar is , that is well knowne to thee . He suffers not his Priests in vain● to pray , To get some helpe from him therefore assay , If he do favour me , my Barke hereafter , Shall rise againe that 's now suncke in the water . T●en I swee●e Insence solmnely will bring Vnto the Altar for an offering : And I will t●en both testifie and show , How much the gods by their owne power can do . I will not build a marble Temple ●or thee Germani●us , since my fall impov●●ishd mee ; Let happy f●milies Temples build to t●ee , And Cities that are in pr●●perity . Ovid will shew his gratitude himselfe , By writing verses ▪ which are all his wealth , Yet he I know a small requitall ●ffords , That for life given him doth give backe words , But he t●at giveth the most he can doe , His gratitude abundantly doth shew ; And in this action ●e hath truely shew'd , The high'st perfection of all gratitude . When poore men a little Insence sacrifice Vnto the gods , they do it not dispise : Their little insence is as powerfull , even As that which out of a great dish is given . The sucking lambe , and that which hath beene fed ▪ With the F●lisian grasse are offered As sacrifices , and with their blood staine The Tarpeian Altars when as they are slaine , And yet the thankfull lines of Poets be , Most sutable to a Princes dignity . Verses doe every where your prayse proclaime , And make your worthy deedes still live by fame . Vertue doth live by verse , and cannot dye , But is made knowne unto posterity . For time consumeth Iron and hard stone , There is nothing that is than time more strong . Verses doe beare t●eir yeares , by verse you know W●o Agamemnon was , and also who Did be●re armes on his side , and what might , Did on the other side against him fight . Of Thebes or the seven Captaines who had knowne , Without verse , what shall , or hath beene done ? The gods themselves by verse are de●fy'd , So that their Majesties doe Poets neede . By it t●e Chaos , natures first rude heape We know was formed into a divers shape . B● it the Gya●●s that affected Heaven , By d●r●●ull thunder unto Styx were driven . So Ba●chus praise b● verse abro●d was sp●ed , When 〈◊〉 the Indians had 〈◊〉 . Hercules in verse hath praised beene , Cause ●e Och●lia away did bring . And Caesar your Grandfather , whose vertues were Such that he is now made a shining starre . Verses partly the c●iefe maintain●rs be , Of his most sa●red gracious memory . Therefore if any wit ●emaine in me , Germanicus , it shall at thy service be . Then being a Poet , thou wilt not contemne A Poets love , but judge e're thou condemne . Wert thou not called to greater dignity , The glory of the Muses thou wouldst be . Thou wouldst rather give matter for verse than make Verses , and yet thou canst not them forsake . Now thou mak'st warre , then in a verses measure Dost write those warre● , thus warre is but thy pleasure . And as Apoll● skild in Harpe and Bow , So that both strings , his sacred fingers know . So learning is not wanting unto thee , Nor Arts that suite with Principality : But in thy royall mind Ioves Soveraignty , Is mingled with the Muses Poetry . Then since that we are banish'd from that Spring , Which by a stroke of Pegasus hoofe did begin . Let it availe me something that I am A Po●t , and doe sacred rites maintaine , That I may leave the Getes , and shoa●es which are Subject to the Coralli , who skins weare . That if I must live banishd , I may come To live in some place neerer unto Rome , That I may celebrate your praise in verse , And suddenly your glorious deedes rehearse . And deare Suillui , by earnest pr●yer require The gods to grant your Father in lawes desire .

ELEGIE . IX . To Gracinus . Ovid , from Euxine shoare , not when he would , Graecinus , sends th●e health , but whence he could . I wish that it that morning may meete thee , When thou receiv'st the Consuls dignity . Since when thou as Consull shalt carri'd be To the Capitoll , I shall not goe with thee . ●ay my Letter on that day be receiv'd , And so performe my duty in my stead . But if to better fates I had beene borne , And that my Fortunes had runne smoothly on ▪ I had saluted thee in presence then , Which now my hand performeth by my pen . And I would mingle kisses with each word , Which should honour unto both of us afford . I should be so proud if this day once came , So that thy house could scarce my pride containe . And while the Senate walked on each side , I as a horseman should before thee ride . And though I desir'd still next thee to abide , I should be glad not to be next thy side . I would endure the peoples throng and presse , And to be throng'd so , count it happinesse . And I sh●uld also then rejoyce to s●e , What troopes of people beare thee company . And I who am mov'd , with each vulgar sight , To see thy purple robes should take delight . And to see thy 〈◊〉 wrought with Imagery , Which is carv'd on Numidian Ivory . Then comming to the Tarpeian●ower againe , While Sacrifices at thy command were slaine , The god in the midst of it , had heard me Giving thankes for giving me this dignity . And giving Frankinsence with gratefull minde , For joy of honour unto thee assign'd , And amongst thy friends I should reckon'd be , If the more gentle fates had sufferd me To be in the City , so that what I doe Behold in thought , I with my eyes might view . But they were not pleasd , and perhaps justly My cause of punishment why should I deny ? Yet in mind , which cannot banisht be , Thy purple robes and ornaments I see . And how to people thou dost justice doe , And thinke I me present at thy counsels too ▪ Or how the Cities rents are improv'd by thee , And are cast up with much fidelity . Or how in Senate thou mak'st an Oration , Or for the publicke good holdst consultation . Or how thou dost fat Oxen sacrifice , To god-like Caesar for thy dignities . And I wish , when thy better prayers are made , Thou would pray that their wrath might be allayd . These words will make the flame rise from the fire , Vpon the Altar , and to mount up higher , Till then ●le cease complaints , and as I may When thou art Consull , keepe a Holyday . And this no lesse a cause of joy shall be , That thy brother succeedes thee in dignity . Thou on Decembers last dost it forsake , He on the last of Ianuary shall it take . Mutuall love shall you to joy encline , You f●r your brothers honour , he for thine . Twice Consull , you shall in each other be , And double honour shall grace your family . Which honour is so great , that there can be In Martiall Rome no greater dignity : Beside it is more honour unto thee , To have such honour given by his Majesty . And may Caesar still thinke you 〈◊〉 to be , Worthy of such honour and dignity . If winds stand faire to hoyst sayles doe not faile , That my Ship out of Stygian waves may saile . Graecinus , Fla●cus did of late command , And the Land about Ister in peace maintaind . I le by the Mysia● people in fidelity , And the Bow bearing Getes did terrifie , By speedy valour he did Tr●●●es take And D●nub●ed with salvage blood did make : ●nquire of him how 〈◊〉 doth lye , And how I am frighted by the enemy . Or if their shafts are dipt in Serpentsgall , Or if that men for sacrifices fall . Or that Pontus with cold be frozen over , And that Ice many leagues of it doth cov●● . Th●n aske how I am esteem'd , and how I Doe spend the time here in hard misery . I am not hated , nor deserve to be , My mind is not chang'd by adversity . My mind enjoyes her owne tranquility , Which hath beene praised heretofore by thee , And thy speech retaines that old modesty Which was wont usuall in it to be . Such I was , and am where the enemy , Gives to the sword the lawes validity , So that Graecinus for many yeares none can Complaine of us , not woman , child , nor man . This makes the 〈◊〉 so kind to be , Because the Country doth thinke well of me I Some wish I were gone , since I it desire , But for their owne sakes wish I may stay here . Besides some publicke decrees extant be , That doe give praise and priviledge to me ▪ And the Townes round about doe honour me , Though glory doth not suite with misery . Nor is my piety unknowne in this Land , The Caesars pictures in my house doe stand . His Sonnes Image and wives , there placed be , Equall to god-like Caesar in Majesty . And to make up his family , on each hand , His Nephewes by Father , and Mother side stand . To these I pray and o●●er sacrifice , When the day breaketh from the Easterne skies . And if you aske● , ●ll 〈◊〉 can testifie , My pious duty and say I doe not lye . Pontus knowes , that with such sports as I may , I here doe celebrate Caesars birth day . Nor is my love to strangers lesser knowne , If any from Propontus hither come . Perhaps your brother heard thus much of me , In whose rule , Pontus enjoy'd liberty . My fortune is unto my minde unlike , Which makes my gifts and sacrifices ●light , Nor doe I it to show my Piety , But am pleasd to doe good in secresie . Yet these things may come unto Caesars eare , Who of all matters in the world doth heare . Thou Caesar joyn'd to the heavenly Deities , Dost know this , and see this Land with thy ey●s , And being plac'd among the starry Spheares , Dost heare the humble meanest of my prayers , And dost heare of those verses I did make Of thee , who art now made a god of late . And therefore I suppose your Deity , By these things will incline to pitty me , And will declare you have the gentle name , Of a Father , which you worthily retaine .

ELEGIE . X. To Albinovanus . THis is the sixt Summer I have spent here , On this shoare with the Gete● that skins doe weare . What s●int or iron , can in hardnesse be Deare Albinovanus , compar'd with me ? Drops , hollow stones . Rings by use weare aw● . The crooked Ploughshare doth at length 〈◊〉 Thus Time devoureth all things except me , Of whom death cannot get the victory . Vlysses an example of toyle may be , Who wandred ten yeares in the ●nknowne Sea . Yet all that time misfortunes did not beare Some passages delightfull to him were . To stay with Calypso six yeares , and●l ●●e With a faire goddesse , could it be misery ? Cyrce receiv'd him , and gave him a wind To drive his sa●les from havens they did find , Nor to heare the sweete Sy●ens could it be A labour , or to taste the Lotos tree . Whose fruite with part ●f my life I would buy , Could the Ivy make me forget my countrey , Neither can you Lestrigons Cit●ies comp●●● , With Nations which ●eere unto Ister are ▪ Cyclops exceed not Phiaces in cruelty . What terrour to m● doe they use to be ? Hemochi●n Ships have more terrifi'd me Than Scyllt's waves which barking monsters be . The Ach●●ns with Ca●ybd●● cannot compare , Though three strong tides in it , and ●bbes there are , Who t●ough they on the Countries right side lye , They suffer this side to have no security , For all the naked fields be leanenesse here , And all their shafts in poyson dipped are . And winters cold ●oth freeze o're the Sea so , That you on ●oote may easily o're it goe . So that where Oares through the waves way did make , Travellers without Boate their way may take . Those who come home , doe say you will not belee●● Them , nor yet credence to their report give , How wretched then and miserable is he , Whose sufferings beyond all credit be . Beleeve me winter covers the 〈◊〉 Seas With Ice , I le shew the cause why it doth freeze . For that cold constellation which doth beare The figure of a waine to us is neere . Here Boreas dwells and hath his Mansion , And being nere us he doth blow more strong . But the warme Souther wind which still doth breath From the opposite Axletree is underneath , Is farre off , and to blow is seldome knowne , And with a weary strength doth hither come ▪ And divers Rivers into the Sea goe , Beating backe the Sea , whereinto they flow , Ly●us , Sagaris , Penius , hither come , And often winding Italy ▪ doth hither runne ▪ Hither violent Parthenius doth slide , And the stone-rolling 〈◊〉 doth glide . Hither the River Tiras doth also flow , Who than no other River is more slow . And Thermodon to the Ama●o●es well knowne , And Posis which did unto Gre●●e belong . With 〈◊〉 there meeteth here The River Driaspes that is faire and cleare ▪ And gentle Melanthus runnes softly on , In silent manner till his course be done . And that same River which doth take his way , Betweene two Lands , Europe and Asia . And divers others , mongst which Dan●b is held The greatest , who will not to Nilus yeeld . Thus store of Rivers , as they doe increase , So they doe weaken the strength of the Seas . For they ●oe make it like to a dull Lake , And the blew colour of it away take . Fresh water swims aloft , as being lighter Then Sea water , which saltnesse maketh heavier , If any aske why I t●ese things rehearse , And take delight to speake of them in verse : I answer , to passe the time in miserie , This fruite this present houre doth bring to me . While I writ this , my sorrowes absent were , Nor thought that I amongst t●e Getes was here . I doe not doubt but since thou dost commend Th●seus in verse , thou wilt mine defend . Resembling him who denies Love , should be The companion onely of prosperity . Whose actions though composd by thee and sung , Were not so well declar'd as they were done . Yet something in him may imitable be , Each one may be Theseus in fidelitie . Thou hast no foes with sword and key to tame , In spite of whom he o're the Istmos came . Love 's the atchievement that 's to thee assignd , Which is no paine●ull thing to a willing mind . For what great paines or labour is it , sure To keepe our faith inviolate , and pure ? Yet thinke not I in these lines doe complaine Of thee , who dost true to thy friend remaine .

ELEGIE . XI . To Galli● . GAllio this fault will not excusd be , That my verse doth not by name mention thee . Thou ( I remember ) didst with many a teare Embalme my wounds made by a heavenly speare ▪ And would thou hadst no other cause to grieve , But that exile doth thee of thy friend deprive . The gods were not so pleasd , whose cruelty A chast and modest wife have tooke from thee . Your Letter brought me tidings of your griefe , And while I red your losse did make me weepe . To comfort thy wisdome , it would folly be , Or apply sayings of learned men to thee ▪ And if that reason cann't your griefe allay , Yet time I know doth make it to decay . While your Letter comes , and ours is backe sent , Through Lands and Seas , a yeare is spent : For how should comfort in due season bring To griefe , when sorrow is both fresh and greene . But when those wounds by time have healed li● , Then admonitions doe those wounds unskin . Besides thou mayst happy in a new wife be . And may my prophesie prove true to thee .

ELEGIE . XII . To Tutica●us . THe cause why my Bookes doe not the● containe , I● the measure and condition of thy name . Else none should have this honour before thee , If that my verse may any honour be . The law of verse and fortune of thy name Prohibit it , which in verse can containe . I am asham'd to divide thy name betweene Two verses , mend with 't , and to beginne . Or to contract a long s●l●able thus , And so to call thee in briefe Tuticanus : Or else Tuti●anus thou in verse must come , By making a short syllable of a long . Or the short ending syllable may be drawne At length , and the sec●nd also made long . If I thus bo●chingly brought in thy name , I might be thought to have no fluent vaine . And this to write to thee made me delay , Which now I with advantage will repay . Now in any measure I will sing of thee , And send thee verses whatso●re they be . Since when we both were children thou and I , Have knowne ea●h other from our Infancy . And all that time that we did live together , I loved thee , as if thou wert my brother . For thou wert my companion and my guide , When I did first beginne to learne to ride . Often thy Bookes were corrected by me , As they before had censur'd beene by thee . And oftentimes I have faults deprehended In thy workes , which by thee have ●eene amended . When the Pierian goddesses did teach Thee how to frame a strong line that might reach Ph●acis worth , who did deserve a straine , That might be equall unto Homers vaine , This concord in our yeares of youth begunne , Continues now when our haires are waite grow●e , But this Land m●y first want both cold and warre , Which in Pontus most usuall to me are . The Northwind may be warme , the Southwind be Cold , and my fortunes be more kind to me . Ere thou of thy friend can forgetfull be , This burthen shall not encrease my misery . Maist thou of the gods , of whom chiefe is he , Who daily advances thee to dignity , Obtaine some favour for me in the end , And constantly a banisht man defend . Wouldst thou know my mind , nay I perish if I know , If one may perish that is in depth of woe . I know not what to doe , nor what would be Most profitable at this time to me . For men in misery have no wisedome left But of all sense and counsell are bereft Therefore seeke how you may helpe me I pray And how you may to my desires make way .

ELEGIE . XIII . To Carus . O Thou who art to be mentioned by me Mongst my companions of most constancy ▪ Carus , who truely art to me most deare , As thou art by name , I salute thee here . From whence thou dost receive this salutation . The colour of my verse may shew and fashion . Because unfit for any publicke view , Yet howsoe're it seemes that I them drew . The title leafe of thy workers teare away . Yet that they are workes of thine I can say . Though in old Authours thou art often coate● And in t●eir annotations o●t●n note● ; The strong lines shew their Authour which have bin , Worthy of Hercules of whom thou dost sing . So my Muse may be knowne b●her owne colour , And by her faults which doe display her Fuller . Thersites was knowne by bad shapes drawne by him , As Nir●us was in his faire peeces s●ene . Nor can you wonder if my verse be blame , Which I almost a Getick● Poet frame . For in the Geticke speech a Booke I writ , And barbarous words have in our measures set , And I have pleasd them , so that I began To have amongst the Getes a Poets name , While I great Caesars praises did rehearse , Whose power did helpe the novelty of my verse . Shewing Augustus body mortall was , But that his soule did to any dwellings passe . While he his Fathers vertue doth equallize , Succeeding him in Imperiall dignities . And that Livia might Vesta of Matrons be Whom both her Sonne and Husband dignifie . That the Princes , who their Fathers strength are , Their courage by their actions doe declare . When I had writ this in the Geticke verse , And the last leafe did unto them rehearse . They str●●ke t●eir arrowes , and their heads did shake , And a long murmuring noise the Getes did make , Saying , since he of Caesar writes thus , he might By Caesars command be repealed by right . Yet Carus I in banishment have beene he●e , Vnder the Snowy Axletree , six yeare . Verses helpe me , that caus'd me to be sent , At first into this most sad banishment : By that Love thou bearst sacred Poesie By the name of Friendship esteem'd by thee . So many Germanicus , subdu●ng the Enemy , Afford matter to your ingenuity . So may he prosper in his Sonnes who are Committed to thy tuition and care . As thou dost yeeld what helpe thou canst to me , Which is none unlesse I hence removed be .

ELEGIE . XIV . To Teutican●s . I Send these to thee , of whom since thy name , Would not stand in my verse I did complaint . In which , but that they shew I am in health , There is not any thing can delight my selfe . I hate my health , and it is my last prayer , That hence I may be removed anywhere , I care not whether from hence I shall sent be , All Lands will prove better than this I see . Let my way by Rockes , and by Chary●d●● stand , So that I may depart out of this Land . From Ister unto Styx I le gladly goe , Or if th●re be a place than Styx more low . For weedes are not more hatefull to a field , That lately hath beene husbanded and t●ll'd . The tender Swallow hateth lesse the cold Then Ovid , places which the Getes enfold . At these my words the Tomita● angry are , My verses doe their publicke anger stirre . Shall I still by my verse thu● harmed be ? And punisht for rash ingenuity . Cut off my fingers that I may not write ? Why in these ●urtfull weapons doe I delight ? I bend my course unto those rockes and Seas , Where my Barke formerly Shipwracked was . Yet Tomitan● I have acted no faul● , I love you though your Country I doe hate . Let any one peruse my workes againe , M●●etters doe not of you once complain● . I doe complaine of cold , and inro●des made , And how the Enemy doth the wals invade . Against the place not men I doe complaine , You also often ●our owne Country blame . The Muse of an old husbandman don't sing , How his Country Ascra hath shunned beene , T●e writer was within that Country borne , Yet Ascra did not her owne Poet scorne . Who lov'd his Country more than Vlysses did , Yet he the rudenesse of it doth describe . Sextius not 'gainst places , but abuses Of manners sharpely writ , and Rome accuses . Who with a patient mind did beare that wrong , Nor was the Author amayd by his tongue . But people by their owne interpretation Are offended , and call my 〈…〉 , Would I were happy as my brest is white , For I have wounded none with words of spite . If blacker than Illyrian pitch it could be , I would not wr●e gainst those were friends to me . You Tomita●s in pittying my misery , Shewd that the Gr●tians lost and gentle be , Pelignum , nor the Sul● O my birth-pla●e , Could not be more kind to my distressd case ▪ So t●at you gave more honour unto me , Than unto others in prosperity . ● onely in your Country doe l●ve free , Subject unto the Lawes authority . My Temples 〈◊〉 crowned with a wreath of B●ye● , Given me , 'gainst my will by publicke praise . Thus as the hospitable Land o●Delia , Was once beloved of wandring 〈◊〉 : Even s●Tomes d●are to me doth seeme , Which hath so kind to me in exile beene , If gods had granted 〈◊〉 peacefull be O● further l●e , from the cold Axletree .

ELEGIE . XV . To Sex . Pompeius . IF any one that yet remembers me , Doe aske how Ovid doth in misery ▪ Life to Caesar , to Sextus health I owe , Whom next the gods I honour , let him know ▪ For in the troubles of my life , I have bin At all times , much beholding unto him . Which are as many as these weedes which grow . In the garden of a fertile field and show , Of purple colour or a ruddish dye , While they within the slender skinne doe lye . Or as the eares of Corne in Africa , Or as the boughs that grow in Tinolia ▪ Or as the Berries are in Sicyon seene , Or honycombs which Hib●a forth doth bring . I confesse my selfe much in debt to thee , I speake it , you by Law neede not force me . Amongst your fath●rs riches left of late , You may count me as part of your est●te . For as Sicily is subject to your command , And all that Country in which Philip raignd . And as that house neere to Aug●stus Court , Is yours , and all Campania in like sort , And all those other Lands which left you were Sextus , or by thy selfe since purchaste are . So I am yours , so that you must confesse , That you in Pontus something doe poss●sse . And I wish ●ou may prevailing , I may be Plac'd in a Country more friendly to me . Which since t is in the gods power , therefore try , If thou by suite their wrath can'st pacifie . For I cann't tell , whether I should make thee My helper , or apply my suite to thee . I trust unto thy helpe , yet those who goe With the streame , to haste their course doe row . I am asham'd one suite alwayes to moove , Least it unto your mind should tedious proove . What shall I doe ? desire doth know no end , Then grant a pardon to my fault kind friend . Oft I desir'd to write some other thing , And fall to writing of the same agen . My very Letters by themselves encreate , And for my removall hence , still suite doe make . Whether I favour find , or fates decree That I shall dye under the Axlettee . I will still keepe thy love in memory , And this Land shall know , I belong to thee . And other Nations situate wh●refore , If my Muse can passe , the Getes shall it hear● .

ELEGIE . XVI . To the Envious . ENvious man why d●st teare verses write By Ovid , death can have no power on wit . For after death there commeth greater fame , And also while I liv'd I ●ad a name . While Marsus and strong lin'd 〈◊〉 are Trosan Virgill , Pedo shining like a starre . And C● us that gr●at ●uno might offend , While he did Hercules her Sonne commend . And ●everus that gave to 〈◊〉 Heroicke verse , with Numa full of subtilty . And then Montanus whose vaine did suffice , To write Heroickes , or else Elegies . And by writing in both kindes didst obtaine , Vnto thy selfe a twofold Fame , and Name . He that makes Vlysses write to Penelope , When he had wandred ten yeares on the Sea . And He●iod that an imperfect worke writ , Of dayes , and dy'd ere he could finish it . Largus , whose wit to him his name did yeeld , Who brings Aeueu● into the French field . Or 〈◊〉 us who of Troy doth sing , Which Hector did unto destruction bring : Or 〈◊〉 scus , who by his P●yllis did gaine Much renowne and everlasting name . And that Sea Poet , whose Verses such seeme , As if the Sea gods had composed them . He that of Lihy● and R●mes battailes writ , And 〈◊〉 for a●l kind of writing ●it . He that Pe●s●us actions did p●rfo●me , And Lupu● who writ of Iasons returne . And he that Ho●ers Ph●acis did translate . Rusus that Pindars vaine did imitate . And Ture ●●us who writ high Tragedies , Me●ssus , who pend m●rry 〈◊〉 . Varus and 〈…〉 did write , And Procu●us in smoother waies did 〈◊〉 : And Tityrus an ancient Shepheard writ , And shewd what weapons were for Hunters sit . And Fontanus of the Naiodes did sing , Who by the Saty●es have beloved beene . And Capella who his words did also joyne , And set together in uncquall line . And there are others whose names to rehearse Would tedious be , the people ●ath their verse . And young men , who since that which they did write , Was not publisht , I cannot them recite . Cotta , I can't passe o'●e thee in silence , The Light of the Muses , the Courts defence . The Cotta's and Messalla's give to thee , By ●ny descent , a double Nobility . And though I say 't , my Muse once had a name , And it was read amongst these men of Fame . Then Envy cease in exile to wound me , Rake not my ashes abroad cruelly . I have lost all , onely my life is left , To make me know of what I am bereft . Why dost delight to thrust thy sword through him ? That can't be wounded more then he hath been .