P. OVIDII NASONIS AMORUM.

LIBER PRIMUS.

Elegia I.

Quemadmodum a Cupidine, pro bellis amoris scribere coactus sit.

We which were Ovid's five books, now are three,

For these before the rest preferreth he:

If reading five thou plain'st of tediousness,

Two ta'en away, thy[128] labour will be less;

With Muse prepared,[129] I meant to sing of arms,