by: Ovid (43 BC-17 AD?)
- In summer's heat, and mid-time of the day,
- To rest my limbs, upon a bed I lay;
- One window shut, the other open stood,
- Which gave such light as twinkles in a wood,
- Like twilight glimpse at setting of the sun,
- Or night being past, and yet not day begun;
- Such light to shamefaced maidens must be shown
- Where they may sport, and seem to be unknown:
- Then came Corinna in her long loose gown,
- Her white neck hid with tresses hanging down,
- Resembling fair Semiramis going to bed,
- Or Lais of a thousand wooers sped.
- I snatched her gown being thin, the harm was small,
- Yet strived she to be covered therewithal,
- And striving thus as one that would be cast,
- Betrayed herself, and yielded at the last.
- Stark naked as she stood before mine eye,
- Not one wen in her body could I spy.
- What arms and shoulders did I touch and see,
- How apt her breasts were to be pressed by me,
- How smooth a belly under her waist saw I,
- How large a leg, and what a lusty thigh.
- To leave the rest, all liked me passing well;
- I clinged her naked body, down she fell:
- Judge you the rest, being tired she bade me kiss;
- Jove send me more such afternoons as this!
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- Translated into English by Christopher Marlowe
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