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Zusatztext “Every age probably regards itself as unique in its sexual sophistication! and if we take Ovid as a typical spokesman we should have to conclude that the keynote of his age was elegance. . . . Ovid could not possibly have taken himself! nor be taken for! an Ancient.”— Rolfe Humphries Informationen zum Autor James Michie studied classics at Trinity College, Oxford. His other translations include Horace’s Odes and Martial’s Epigrams (both available as Modern Library Paperback Classics). His Collected Poems was awarded the Hawthornden Prize. David Malouf is the author of fourteen books, including An Imaginary Life and the international bestseller The Great World . His work has been awarded the Commonwealth Writers Prize, among other accolades. He lives in Tuscany and Australia. Klappentext In the first century a.d., Ovid, author of the groundbreaking epic poem Metamorphoses, came under severe criticism for The Art of Love, which playfully instructed women in the art of seduction and men in the skills essential for mastering the art of romantic conquest. In this remarkable translation, James Michie breathes new life into the notorious Roman's mock-didactic elegy. In lyrical, irreverent English, he reveals love's timeless dilemmas and Ovid's enduring brilliance as both poet and cultural critic.The Art of Love Liber Primus Siquis in hoc artem populo non novit amandi, Hoc legat et lecto carmine doctus amet. Arte citae veloque rates remoque moventur, Arte leves currus: arte regendus amor. Curribus Automedon lentisque erat aptus habenis,5 Tiphys in Haemonia puppe magister erat: Me Venus artificem tenero praefecit Amori; Tiphys et Automedon dicar Amoris ego. Ille quidem ferus est et qui mihi saepe repugnet: Sed puer est, aetas mollis et apta regi.10 Phillyrides puerum cithara perfecit Achillem, Atque animos placida contudit arte feros. Qui totiens socios, totiens exterruit hostes, Creditur annosum pertimuisse senem. Quas Hector sensurus erat, poscente magistro15 Verberibus iussas praebuit ille manus. Book One If any Roman knows nothing about love-making, please Read this poem and graduate in expertise. Ships and chariots with sails, oars, wheels, reins, Speed through technique and control, and the same obtains For love. As Automedon was Achilles' charioteer And Tiphys earned the right to steer The Argo on Jason's expedition, So I am appointed by Venus as the technician Of her art-my name will live on As Love's Tiphys, Love's Automedon. Love often fights against me, for he's wild, Yet he's also controllable, for he's still a child. Chiron made Achilles expert with the lyre, His cool tuition quenched youth's primitive fire, So that the boy who later became A terror to friends and foes alike stood tame In front of his aged teacher, so they say, And the hand that Hector would feel one day Was held out meekly to be rapped Aeacidae Chiron, ego sum praeceptor Amoris: Saevus uterque puer, natus uterque dea. Sed tamen et tauri cervix oneratur aratro, Frenaque magnanimi dente teruntur equi;20 Et mihi cedet Amor, quamvis mea vulneret arcu Pectora, iactatas excutiatque faces. Quo me fixit Amor, quo me violentius ussit, Hoc melior facti vulneris ultor ero: Non ego, Phoebe, datas a te mihi mentiar artes,25 Nec nos aëriae voce monemur avis, Nec mihi sunt visae Clio Cliusque sorores Servanti pecudes vallibus, Ascra, tuis: Usus opus movet hoc: vati parete perito; Vera canam: coeptis, mater Amoris, ades!30 Este procul, vittae tenues, insigne ...
