Erotica Romana Part 9

Sooner depart and leave Rome's seven famed hills to me.

Please do the poet a favor and shorten the glorious hours

Which the painter devours, eagerly filling his eyes.

Cast now but one ardent glance, while descending, on n.o.ble facades and

Cupolas, pillars, and--last--up at the obelisks. Then

Hastily plunge to the ocean. Come view all the sooner tomorrow

That which, for centuries now, G.o.ds have let you enjoy:

Italy's sh.o.r.eline so long overgrown with moist reeds, elevations

Somberly rising to shades cast by the bushes and trees.

First were but few simple dwellings here, suddenly sunlight discovered

Nations enlivening hills teeming with fortunate thieves.

Onto this spot they a.s.sembled such plunder, in your eye so splendid

All earth's remaining orb scarcely was worthy of note.

You watched a world being born here, watched the same world sink to ruin,

And from those ruins yet arise world again greater, perhaps.

O may I long by your light now behold this Rome. May the Parcae

Spin the fine thread of my life slowly, taking great care.

O but come rus.h.i.+ng the moment my love designated so sweetly.

Wonderful! Sound already the chimes? --No, but I heard at least three.

Thus, my dear muses, again you've beguiled the monotony for me.

Of this long interval while I was apart from my love.

All of you now, farewell! I'll be going now--don't be offended.

For, though you're proud, you'll concede: Cupid in my heart comes first.

XIX

Why did you fail to appear at the cot in the vineyard today, Love?

As I had promised I would, long I awaited you there.

"Dear, I had almost arrived when I saw, by good fortune, your uncle

Standing right there by the vines, looking now this way, now that.

Stealthily I slipped away." --Alas, what a misapprehension!

You saw the scarecrow, that's all. Nothing else drove you away.

Reeds and some discarded garments all hastily cobbled together--

I helped to make it myself: diligent in my own grief.

"Well, now his wish is fulfilled. The old gardner's most dissolute crow has

Left on this day unscathed nice little garden and niece."

XX

While there is many an unpleasant sound, I hate to hear barking

Worse than anything else. Bellowing dogs split my ears.

Nevertheless I do like to hear, and take pleasure in listening

To the loud howl of the dog raised from a pup next door.

That is the dog that so bayed one time at my girl that he almost

Gave our secret away (when she was visiting me).

Now, when I hear the dog barking I think my beloved is coming--

Or I remember the time, when long awaited she came.

XXI

I can tell not only about a discomfort far greater than others,