Kitap 1
So should the lover wait the lucky day.
Then stop thy suit, it hurts not thy design;
But think another hour she may be thine.
And when she celebrates her birth at home,
460
Or when she views the public shows of Rome;
Know all thy visits then are troublesome.
Defer thy work, and put not then to sea,
For that's a boding and a stormy day.
Else take thy time, and when thou canst, begin;
465
To break a Jewish sabbath, think no sin;
Nor e'en on superstitious days abstain;
Nor when the Romans were at Allia slain.That was a very unfortunate day for the people of Rome, their army being cut in pieces by the Gauls near the river Allis, the 15th of the calends of August, in the year of the city 363.
Ill omens in her frowns are understood;
When she's in humour, ev'ry day is good.
470
But than her birthday seldom comes a worse,
When bribes and presents must be sent of course;On the mistress's birthday: these presents were commonly cakes; but we find the ladies were not satisfied with cakes only, they wanted pendants for the ears; and the way to get them is much the same in the gallant world now as in Ovid's days.
And that's a bloody day that costs thy purse.
Be stanch; yet parsimony will be vain:
The craving sex will still the lover drain.
475
No skill can shift them off, nor art remove;
