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Ovid Translations by Michael R. Burch

These are modern English translations of Latin poems and epigrams written by the ancient Roman poet Ovid.

Ovid (c. 43 BC-18 AD) was a Roman poet who wrote poems in Latin and influenced Shakespeare, among others. Ovid is widely considered to be one of the three "most major" Latin poets, along with Virgil and Horace.



“The Amores” Book I, Elegy II: Darted!
by Ovid
translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Why can I say except that my mattress feels hard to me
and that my sheets and clothes keep tumbling to the floor
through these long, sleepless, endlessly tossing nights?
Why do my weary bones ache?
Why is my restless body wracked with pain?
But if I was being assailed by desire, surely I’d know it!
Certainly, Cupid’s crept in and wounded me with some secret art.
That’s it: a sliverous dart has found and lodged fast in my heart,
where cruel Love now commands my conquered breast.



“The Amores” Book I, Elegy I: Cupid tunes his Meter to the Theme of Love
by Ovid
translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Just as I was preparing to write of violent warfare,
with a heavy measure suited to war’s somber matter,
and with the second verse corresponding to the first,
Cupid smirked, then stole a foot away!

“Cruel boy, Cupid, who made you master of my song?
We poets are the Muses’, not your serfs!
What if Venus snatched golden-haired Minerva’s weaponry,
while golden-haired Minerva brandished love’s blazing firebrands?
Who’d approve of Ceres ruling wooded mountain ridges,
while cultivated fields quivered before the quivered Virgin?
Who’d dare arm Phoebus with his flowing locks
while Mars strummed his Aonian lyre?
You’ve far too much power, Cherub, too much sway,
and you’re far too ambitious. What the hell are you planning?
Or is everything everywhere already yours? Helicon’s metres?
Phoebus’s lyre? Does he no longer own it?
I was off to a clean start, with the first line on a fresh page,
when the second one lessened my resolve.
Alas, I’ve no theme fit for lighter numbers,
whether some handsome youth or elegant long-haired girl!”

I was arguing thus, as Cupid selected an arrow,
carefully weighed, to ensure my destruction,
then vigorously bent the bow against his knee,
crying, “Poet, here’s a subject suitable to your song!”

Woe is me! That godling has unerring arrows!
Now I burn and Love rules my once-disciplined heart.
Henceforth, let my verse commence in six beats, close in five:
farewell cruel warfare with your counter measures!
I am destined to sing of Love in eleven feet.
Muse, garland your golden temples with Venus’s myrtle!



Less Heroic Couplets: In Love and Other Disasters
by Michael R. Burch

after Ovid

in love and other disasters
wee’re ruled by the cruellest of Masters.

why do gaudlings like Eros and Cupid
issue orders so stupid:
“fall in love with the one who’ll bankrupt u
and cause u to wail and boo-hoo!”

mean-while, at a much higher level,
wee’re ruled Yahweh and the Devil,
caught in their cruel tug of war
with no greater Gauds to implore.

“tho(u) shalt not kill!!!
genocide?
if they’re the Devil’s, I take it in stride.
let love hit the skids.
hell, murder their kids!
then I’ll burn them in hell where my Enemy reigns,
rather than saving.
Christ! why take such pains?”

meanwhile wee’ll be Dev’lishly tempted
by porn, love once again preempted.
yes, in love and all other disasters
wee’re ruled by the cruellest of Masters.



OVID EPIGRAMS

Beauty is a fragile ornament.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

The prickliest thorns protect the tenderest roses.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Fallow fields become more fertile, so be sure to get your rest.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Once shipwrecked, men shudder at a calm sea.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Death is less bitter than its delay or denial.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Peace becomes men; violence belongs to the beasts.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

A clean wick burns brightest.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Well-borne burdens lessen, lighten.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Petty things please petty minds.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Envy eyes the exalted.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Love and dignity are incompatible.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Love is siege warfare.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Every lover's a soldier camping with Cupid.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

He who remains unnoticed has lived admirably.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Habits hone character.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

A steady drip hollows rocks.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Go all out or give out.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Go all out or stay put.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

His workmanship surpassed his subject.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Everyone's rich in promises.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

We're all millionaires where promises are exchanged.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

We're all millionaires where promises are concerned.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Venus adores the daring.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

Luck and love favor the brave.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

If you would be loved, first be lovable.—Ovid translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

It’s easy to believe you’ve braved Cupid’s arrows, seeing the scars they’ve left in me!—Ovid “The Amores” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch

What if Venus snatched golden Minerva’s weaponry, while golden Minerva fanned love’s flames? —Ovid “The Amores” translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch



Michael R. Burch Main Translation Page & Index:

The Best Poetry Translations of Michael R. Burch
The Best Poetry Translations of Michael R. Burch (sans links)

Translation Pages by Language:

Modern English Translations of Anglo-Saxon Poems by Michael R. Burch
Modern English Translations of Middle English and Medieval Poems
English Translations of Chinese Poets by Michael R. Burch
English Translations of Female Chinese Poets by Michael R. Burch
English Translations of French Poets by Michael R. Burch
Germane Germans: English Translations by Michael R. Burch
English Translations of German Poets by Michael R. Burch
English Translations of Japanese Poets by Michael R. Burch
English Translations of Japanese Zen Death Poems
English Translations of Ancient Mayan Love Poems
English Translations of Native American Poems, Proverbs and Blessings
English Translations of Roman, Latin and Italian Poets by Michael R. Burch
English Translations of Tamil Poets
English Translations of Urdu Poets by Michael R. Burch
English Translations of Uyghur Poets by Michael R. Burch

Translation Pages by Poet:

Catullus Translations by Michael R. Burch
Ovid Translations by Michael R. Burch
Leonardo da Vinci Translations by Michael R. Burch
Pablo Neruda Translations by Michael R. Burch

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