英语美文背诵 挽歌9

（单词翻译）

Elegy¹ 9 by Ovid, translated by Christopher Marlowe

Yet should I curse a god, if he but said,

Live without love, so sweet ill is a maid.

For when my loathing² it of heat deprives me,

I know not whether my mind's whirlwind drives me.

Even as a headstrong courser bears away,

His rider vainly striving him to stay,

Or as a sudden gale³ thrusts into sea,

The haven⁴ touching⁵ bark now near the lea,

So wavering Cupid brings me back amain,

And purple Love resumes his darts⁶ again.

Strike boy, I offer thee my naked breast,

Here thou hast strength, here thy right hand doth rest.

Here of themselves thy shafts⁷ come, as if shot,

Better then I their quiver knows them not.

Hapless is he that all the night lies quiet and slumb'ring,

thinks himself much blessed by it.

Fool, what is sleep but image of cold death,

Long shalt thou rest when Fates expire thy breath.

But me let crafty⁸ damsels words deceive,

Great joys by hope I inly shall conceive.

Now let her flatter me, now chide⁹ me hard,

Let me enjoy her oft, oft be debarr'd.

Cupid by thee, Mars in great doubt doth trample¹⁰,

And thy step-father fights by thy example.

Light art thou, and more windy then thy wings,

Joys with uncertain faith thou tak'st and brings.

Yet Love, if thou with thy fair mother hear ,

Within my breast no desert empire bear.

Subdue¹¹ the wandring wenches to thy reign¹²,

So of both people shalt thou homage¹³ gain.