The Art of Love [Paperback]

In the first century a.d., Ovid, author of the groundbreaking epic poemMetamorphoses, came under severe criticism forThe Art of Love, which playfully instructed women in the art of seduction and men in the skills essential for mastering the art of romantic conquest. In this remarkable translation, James Michie breathes new life into the notorious Roman’s mock-didactic elegy. In lyrical, irreverent English, he reveals love’s timeless dilemmas and Ovid’s enduring brilliance as both poet and cultural critic.“Every age probably regards itself as unique in its sexual sophistication, and if we take Ovid as a typical spokesman we should have to conclude that the keynote of his age was elegance. . . . Ovid could not possibly have taken himself, nor be taken for, an Ancient.”—Rolfe HumphriesJames Michiestudied classics at Trinity College, Oxford. His other translations include Horace’sOdesand Martial’sEpigrams(both available as Modern Library Paperback Classics). HisCollected Poemswas awarded the Hawthornden Prize.

David Maloufis the author of fourteen books, includingAn Imaginary Lifeand the international bestsellerThe Great World. His work has been awarded the Commonwealth Writers Prize, among other accolades. He lives in Tuscany and Australia.The Art of Love

Liber Primus Siquis in hoc artem populo non novit amandi,

Hoc legat et lecto carmine doctus amet.

Arte citae veloque rates remoque moventur,

Arte leves currus: arte regendus amor.

Curribus Automedon lentisque erat aptus habenis,5

Tiphys in Haemonia puppe magister erat:

Me Venus artificem tenero praefecit Amori;

Tiphys et Automedon dicar Amoris ego.

Ille quidem ferus est et qui mihi saepe repugnet:

Sed puer est, aetas mollis et apta regi.10

Phillyrides puerum cithara perfecit Achillem,

Atque animos placida contudil“+