Cupid's Laugh (Amores 1.1)

Abstract

Cupid's Laugh (Amores 1.1) Ovid Translated by Kyle Gervais (bio) Ready to write of heroes' deeds in serious rhythms and the cataclysmsof violent war, with each line equal to the one beforeand meter suiting the matter, I heard the distant sneak-thief laughterof Cupid, lusty hand clutching a bit of the perfect verse I'd planned. "Cruel boy," said I, "who gave you any authority when it comes to poetry?We poets play for the Muses, not you! And if, say,Venus were to seize the shield of blond Minerva, and she to wieldin turn the lovers' light of Venus' torches? If Ceres held the rightto rule the wooded mountainsides, while the Virgin's bow presidesover the farmers' fields, would anyone approve? Would anyone let Mars movehis fingers over Apollo's lyre, and equip long-haired Phoebus with Mars' spear-tip? Ambitious boy, the powers you command are dread enough already—why stretch your handfor even more? Or do you claim as yours everything everywhere? Is Helicon's famous [End Page 63] valley yours? Must even Phoebus fear to lose the lyre he holds so dear?Over and over I write a line of respectable meter, then the next one petersout— and I haven't a thing to write about!No tender he, no well-coiffed she: meet material for verse less lofty." I was whinging like that, when he reached behind to pick from his quiver an arrow designedfor my ruin, then bent his snaking bow back hard, breakingit into a crescent against his knee. "Take this," said he,"to sing of, poet," and shot with perfect accuracy (poor me!) I feel Love's fire, and in my empty heart desirereigns. Let my poetry rise up in strains for the bards to utter, then gutter.Farewell grim wars, and warlike tempo! Ring your golden temples,Muse, with the myrtle of sea-born Venus, and trip in time to my crooked rhyme. [End Page 64] Kyle Gervais Kyle Gervais is an Associate Professor of Classical Studies at the University of Western Ontario. His academic publications include editions, translations, and commentaries on Statius, Thebaid 2 (Oxford University Press) and John of Garland, Integumenta Ovidii (Medieval Institute Publications), a student commentary on Seneca, Hercules Furens (Dickinson College Commentaries), and chapters and articles on Latin poetry from Virgil to the Renaissance. His poems have appeared in Arion, Canadian Literature, Classical Outlook, Literary Imagination, PRISM international, and elsewhere. Copyright © 2022 Trustees of Boston University