Reposianus: REPOSIANUS (circa 280 A.D.)

Discite securos non umquam credere amores:
ipsa Venus, cui flamma potens, cui militat ardor,
quae tuto posset custode Cupidine amare,
quae docet et fraudes et amorum furta tuetur,
nec sibi securas valuit praebere latebras                            5
Improbe, dure puer, crudelis crimine matris,
pompam ducis, Amor, nullo satiate triumpho!
Quid conversa Iovis laetaris fulmina semper?
Ut mage flammantes possis laudare sagittas,
iunge, puer, teretes Veneris Martisque catenas:                10
gestet amans Mavors titulos et vincula portet
captivus, quem bella timent; utque ipse veharis,
iam roseis fera colla iugis submittat amator.
Post vulnus, post bella potens Gradivus anhelat
in castris modo tiro tuis, semperque timendus                15

Learn, you secure ones, never to trust loves:
even Venus herself, to whom flame is potent, to whom ardor serves as soldier,
who could safely love with Cupid as guardian,
who teaches deceit and guards the thefts of loves,
nor was she able to afford herself secure hiding-places                            5
O shameless, harsh boy, cruel by your mother's crime,
you lead pomp, Love, with no satiety of triumph!
Why do you always delight in Jove's reversed lightnings?
So that, praising the more flaming arrows,
join, boy, the smooth chains of Venus and of Mars:                10
let warlike Mavors wear titles and bear bonds
a captive whom wars fear; and so that you yourself may be carried,
let the lover now submit his savage neck to rosy yokes.
After a wound, after wars, powerful Gradivus pants
in the camp as your mere recruit, and is always to be feared                15

te timet et sequitur qua ducunt vincla marita.
Ite, precor, Musae: dum Mars, dum blanda Cythere
imis ducta trahunt suspiria crebra medullis,
dumque intermixti captatur spiritus oris,
carmine doctiloquo Vulcani vincla parate, 20
quae Martem nectant Veneris nec brachia laedant
inter delicias roseo prope livida serto.
Namque ferunt Paphien, Vulcani et Martis amorem,
inter adulterium nec iusti iura mariti
indice sub Phoebo captam gessisse catenas: 25
illa manus duros nexus tulit, illa mariti
ferrea vincla sui.

he fears you and follows where the marital chains lead.
Go, I pray, Muses: while Mars, while winsome Cythera
draw frequent sighs down to the inmost marrow,
and while a mingled breath is caught between lips,
with learned song prepare the bonds of Vulcan, 20
which bind Mars to Venus nor wound her arms
amid delights, almost bruised by a rosy garland.
For they report that at Paphos, of the love of Vulcan and Mars,
amid adultery and not the laws of the rightful husband,
she was taken by Phoebus as informer and wore chains: 25
that hand bore hard bonds, that husband bore
the iron fetters of his wife.

Quae vis fuit ista doloris!
An fortem faciebat amor? Quid, saeve, laboras?

What power was that of pain!
Or did love make him brave? What, cruel one, do you labor at?

Cur nodos Veneris Cyclopia flamma paravit?
De roseis conecte manus, Vulcane, catenis! 30

Why did the Cyclopean flame prepare the knots of Venus?
Bind the hands with roseate chains, Vulcan! 30

Nec tu deinde liges, sed blandus vincla Cupido,
ne palmas duro cum nodus vulnere laedat.
Lucus erat Marti gratus, post vulnera Adonis
pictus amore deae; si Phoebi lumina desint
tutus adulterio: dignos quem Cypris amaret, 35
quem Byblos coleret, dignus quem Gratia servet.
Vilia non illo surgebant gramina luco:
pingunt purpureos candentia lilia flores;
ornat terra nemus: nunc lotos mitis inumbrat,
nunc laurus, nunc myrtus.

Nor do you then bind, but bland Cupid the bonds,
lest a knot hurt the palms with a harsh wound.
Lucus was pleasing to Mars, painted after the wounds of Adonis
by the love of the goddess; if Phoebus' eyes were absent
he would be safe from adultery: whom Cypris might love, 35
whom Byblos would tend, whom Grace would keep worthy.
Common grasses did not rise in that grove:
the shining lilies dye the flowers purple;
the earth adorns the wood: now the gentle lotus shades it,
now the laurel, now the myrtle.

Habent sua munera rami: 40
namque hic per frondes redolentia lilia pendent,
hic rosa cum violis, hic omnis gratia florum,
hic in ter violas coma mollis laeta hyacinthi:
dignus amore locus, cui tot sint munera rerum!
Non tamen in lucis aurum, non purpura fulget: 45

Branches have their own gifts: 40
for here through the fronds fragrant lilies hang,
here a rose with violets, here the whole grace of flowers,
here thrice the soft tresses of the glad hyacinth enwreathe the violets:
a place worthy of love, to which there are so many gifts of things!
Yet neither gold nor purple gleams in the grove: 45

flos lectus, flos vincla toris, substramina flores:
deliciis Veneris dives natura laborat:
texerat hic liquidos fontes non vilis harundo,
sed qua saeva puer componat tela Cupido:
hunc solum Paphie, puto, lucum fecit amori. 50
Hic Martem expectare solet: quid Gratia cessat,
quid Charites? Cur, saeve puer, non lilia nectis?
Tu lectum consterne rosis, tu serta parato
et roseis crinem nodis subnecte decenter.

flower of the bed, flower the bonds of the couch, the bed‑coverings are flowers:
nature, rich in the delights of Venus, labors at her task:
here a not‑cheap reed had woven liquid springs,
but by which the savage boy composes Cupid’s darts:
this alone, I think, made the grove of Paphos for love. 50
Here it is wont to wait for Mars: why does Grace delay,
why the Charites? Why, cruel boy, do you not knot lilies?
You strew the bed with roses, you prepare garlands
and bind the hair with roseate knots becomingly.

Haec modo purpureum dccerpens pollice florem 55
cum delibat eum, suspiria ducat odore;
ast tibi blanda manus (florem) sub pectore condat;
tu, ne purpurei laedat te spina roseti,
destrictis teneras foliis constringe papillas:
sic decet in Veneris lucis gaudere puellas! 60

These things: now, plucking the purple flower with your thumb 55
when she tastes it, let it draw sighs by its odor;
but let a gentle hand hide the (flower) beneath your breast;
you, lest the thorn of the purple rosebush wound you,
with leaves stripped off bind your tender papillas:
thus it beseems maidens to revel in the light of Venus! 60

Ut tamen inlaesos Paphiae servetis amores,
vincula sic mixtis caute constringite ramis,
ne diffusa ferat per frondes lumina Titan.
His igitur lucis Paphie, dum proelia Mavors
horrida, dum populos diro terrore fatigat,                     65
ludebat teneris Bybli permixta puellis:
nunc varios canto divom referebat amores
inque modum vocis nunc motus forte decentes
corpore laeta dabat, nunc miscens denique plantas,
nunc alterna movens suspenso pollice crura,                70
molliter inflexo subnitens poplite sidit;
saepe comam pulchro collectam flore ligabat,
ornans ambrosios divino pectine crines.
Dum ludos sic blanda Venus, dum gaudia miscet
et dum suspenso solatia quaerit amori,                        75

That you may nevertheless keep Paphian loves unhurt,
so bind the bonds cautiously with mingled branches,
lest Titan, spread abroad, bear away the lights through the leaves.
While for these lights of Paphis, while Mavors
fierce waged wars, while he wearied peoples with dire terror,                     65
she—Byblis mingled with tender girls—played at them:
now she rehearsed the various loves of the gods in song
and in the manner of her voice now gave movements fit and charming,
with a joyful body now she set the feet moving together,
now lifting and mixing the soles, now alternately moving her legs with a suspended thumb,                70
softly bending, bracing at the hollow of the knee she sat;
often she bound her hair gathered with a fair flower,
adorning ambrosial locks with a divine comb.
While thus charming Venus staged the games, while she mingled delights
and while seeking solace for love with suspense of touch,                        75

<et> dum flet quod sera venit sibi grata voluptas,
ecce furens post bella deus, post proelia victor
victus amore venit. Cur gestas ferrea tela?
Ne metuat Cypris, comptum decet ire rosetis.

and while she weeps that the pleasure which comes late is pleasing to her,
behold the god, raging after wars, victor after battles,
comes, conquered by love. Why bear iron-spears?
Let not Cypris be feared; it becomes her to go adorned with rosettes.

A, quotiens Paphie vultum mentita furentis 80
lumine converso serum incusavit amantem!
Verbera saepe dolens mentita est dulcia serto,
aut, ut forte magis succenso Marte placeret,
amovit teneris suspendens oscula labris,
nec totum effundens medio blanditur amore. 85
Decidit aut posita est devictis lancea palmis;
sed, dum forte cadit, myrto retinente pependit.
Ensem tolle, puer; galeam tu, Gratia, solve!

A, how often, feigning the visage of a raging woman at Paphos 80
with her light turned away she reproached the belated lover!
Oft, feigning to smart, she struck with a sweet garland,
or, that perhaps she might please the more with Mars enkindled,
withdrawing, she suspended kisses from her tender lips,
and not pouring out her whole love, she blandished with partial affection. 85
Either the spear fell or was set in the conquered palms;
but, while by chance it fell, it hung, restrained by myrtle.
Take up the sword, boy; you, Grace, unfasten the helmet!

Haec laxet nodos, haec ferrea vincula temptet:
solvite, Bybliades, praeduri pectora Martis 90

Let these undo knots, let these assay iron chains:
loosen them, O Bybliades, that the breast of Mars may be consumed by burning 90

loricaeque moras; vos scuta et tela tenete:
nunc violas tractare decet! Laetare, Cupido,
terribilem divum tuo solo numine victum:
pro telis flores, pro scuto myrtea serta,
et rosa forte loco est gladii, quem iure tremescunt! 95
Iverat ad lectum Mavors, et pondere duro
floribus incumbens totum turbarat honorem;
ibat pulchra Venus vix presso pollice cauta,
florea ne teneras violarent spicula plantas;
et nunc innectens, ne rumpant oscula, crinem, 100
nunc vestes fluitare sinens, vix, laxa retentat,
cum nec tota latet nec totum nudat amorem.
Ille inter flores, furtivo lumine, tectus,
spectat hians Venerem totoque ardore tremescit.

and delays of cuirasses; you, shields and spears, hold fast:
now it befits you to handle violets! Rejoice, Cupido,
having conquered the terrible of the gods by your single divinity:
for weapons, flowers; for shield, myrtle garlands,
and by chance a rose stands in the place of the sword, at which they rightly tremble! 95
Mars had gone to the couch, and pressing down with heavy weight
had soiled the whole honor with flowers;
fair Venus went, scarcely cautious with thumb pressed down,
lest flowery spears trample her tender soles;
and now braiding her hair, lest kisses break it, 100
now letting her garments float, scarcely the loose one holds them back,
since she neither conceals the whole nor bares the whole of her love.
He, hidden among the flowers, with a furtive glance,
gazes, gaping, at Venus and trembles with full ardor.

Incubuit lectis Paphie. Proh sancte Cupido, 105

He reclined upon the Paphian couches. Ah, holy Cupid, 105

quam blandas voces, quae tunc ibi murmura fundunt !
Oscula permixtis quae tunc fixere labellis!
Quam bene consertis haeserunt artibus artus!
Stringebat Paphiae Mavors tunc pectore dextram
et collo innexam ne laedant pondera laevam, 110
lilia cum roseis supponit candida sertis;
saepe levi cruris tactu commovit amantem
in flammas, quas diva fovet.

what bland voices, what murmurs then poured forth there!
What kisses then fixed upon mingled lips!
How well the limbs clung, their joints so firmly joined!
Mavors then was clasping the right hand to Paphian breast
and, laid upon her neck, the left lest its weight injure it, 110
with white lilies he places amid rosy garlands;
often with a light touch of his leg he moved the lover
into the flames which the goddess fosters.

Iam languida fessos
forte quies Martis tandem compresserat artus;
non tamen omnis amor, non omnis pectore cessit 115
flamma dei: trahit in medio suspiria somno
et venerem totis pulmonibus ardor anhelat.
Ipsa Venus tunc tunc calidis suspensa venenis
uritur ardescens, nec somnia parta quiete...
O quam blanda quies! O quam bene presserat artus 120

Now languid rest, perhaps, at last had pressed down Mars’ weary limbs;
not, however, all love, not all the flame of the god yielded in the breast 115
it draws sighs into the midst of sleep
and ardor pants for Venus with all the lungs.
Venus herself then and again, suspended on warm poisons,
is burned, kindled, nor are dreams born of quiet...
O how mild a rest! O how well it had pressed the limbs 120

nudos forte sopor! Niveis suffulta lacertis
colla nitent; pectus gemino quasi sidere turget.
Non omnis resupina iacet, sed corpore flexo
molliter et laterum qua se confinia iungant;
Martem respiciens, deponit lumina somno, 125
sed gratiosa, decens... Pro lucis forte Cupido
Martis tela regens; quae postquam singula <lustrat>
loricam clipeum gladium galeaeque minaces
cristas flore ligat: tunc hastae pondera temptat
miraturque suis tantum licuisse sagittis. 130
Iam medium Phoebus radiis possederat orbem,
iam tumidum calidis spatium libraverat horis:
flammantes retinebat equos.

sleep, perchance, the naked one! On snowy white arms
her shining neck rests; her bosom swells as with a twin star.
Not wholly does she lie back, but with the body bent
softly, and where the flanks meet she joins herself;
looking toward Mars, she lays down her eyes in sleep, 125
yet graceful, comely... For by chance Cupid of the light
holding Mars’ weapons; which, when he surveys each piece,
he binds breastplate, shield, sword, and threatening helmets’ crests with a garland of flowers: then he weighs the spears’ burdens
and marvels that so much was allowed to his own shafts. 130
Already Phoebus had possessed the mid-sky with his rays,
already he had balanced the swollen hours with warm light:
he held back his flaming horses.

Proh conscia facti
invida lux! Veneris qui nunc produntur amores
lumine, Phoebe, tuo! Stant capti indice tanto 135

Ah, envious light, conscious of the deed! O light that now betrayest
the loves of Venus by your radiance, Phoebe! The captives stand, revealed by so great a witness 135

Mars Amor et Paphie, ramisque inserta tremescunt
lumina, nec crimen possunt te teste negare.
Viderat effusis Gradivum Phoebus habenis
in gremio Paphiae spirantem incendia amoris.
O rerum male tuta fides!

Mars, Amor, and Paphie tremble, and eyes set among the branches tremble;
nor can they deny the crime with you as witness. Phoebus had seen Gradivus,
with reins cast loose, breathing the fires of love in Paphie’s lap. O ill-secure faith of things!

O gaudia et ipsis 140
vix secura deis! Quis non, cum Cypris amaret,
praeside sub tanto tutum speraret amare?
Criminis exemplum si iam de numine habemus,
quid speret mortalis amor?

O joys, and scarcely secure even for the gods themselves! Who would not, when Cypris loved,
under so mighty a protector hope to love in safety?
If we already have an example of crime from the numen,
what hope can mortal love entertain?

Quae vota ferenda?
Quod numen poscat, quo sit securus adulter? 145
Cypris amat, nec tuta tamen! Compressit habenas
Phoebus et ad lucos tantum puto lumina vertit,
et sic pauca refert: "Nunc sparge tela, Cupido;
nunc nunc, diva Venus, nati devicta sagittis,
da mihi solamen: sub te securus amavi: 150

What vows are to be offered?
What divinity to petition, by which an adulterer might be secure? 145
Cypris loves, yet not safe! Phoebus has checked the reins
and, I think, has turned his eyes only to the groves,
and thus utters few words: "Now cast your shafts, Cupid;
now now, divine Venus, vanquished by your son's arrows,
give me consolation: beneath you I loved in safety: 150

fabula, non crimen, nostri dicentur amores".
Haec ait et dictis Vulcanum instigat amaris:
"Dic ubi sit Cytherea decens, secure marite!
Te expectat lacrimans, tibi castum servat amorem?
Vel, si forte tuae Veneris fera crimina nescis, 155
quaere simul Martem, cui tu modo tela parasti".
Dixit et infuso radiabat lumine lucum,
inque fidem sceleris totos demiserat ignes.

"our loves will be called a tale, not a crime."
She spoke this and with her words urged on Vulcan bitterly:
"Say where fair Cytherea is, secure husband!
Does she await you weeping, does she keep a chaste love for you?
Or, if by chance you do not know the fierce crimes of your Venus, 155
seek at the same time Mars, to whom you but now prepared weapons."
She spoke, and the grove shone with diffused light,
and she had let fall fires of crime upon all belief.

Haeserat Ignipotens, stupefactus crimine tanto;
iam quasi torpescens - vix sufficit ira dolori - 160
ore fremit maestoque modo gemit ultima pulsans
ilia et indignans suspiria pressa fatigat.
Antra furens Aetnaea petit: vix iusserat, omnes
incubuere manus: multum dolor addidit arti.
Quam cito cuncta gerunt ars numen flamma maritus 165

Ignipotens had been held fast, stupefied by so great a crime;
now, as if benumbed — anger scarcely suffices for his grief 160
he roars from his mouth and now utters groans, pressing his loins,
and indigant, he exhausts himself with suppressed sighs.
Raving, he makes for the caverns of Aetna: scarcely had he commanded, when all
the hands fell upon it: much pain added to the craft.
How quickly husbandly art and divine power bring all things to flame 165

ira dolor! Nam vix causam tunc forte iubendo
dixerat, et vindex coniunx iam vincla ferebat.
Pervenit ad lucos, non ipsi visus Amori,
non Chariti: totas arti mandaverat iras.

Wrath, grief! For scarcely had he then, perhaps by commanding, spoken the cause,
and the avenging husband was already bearing chains.
He reached the groves, not seen by Amor himself,
nor by Charis: he had committed his whole wrath to his art.

Vincula tunc manibus suspenso molliter ictu 170
inligat et teneris conectit bracchia palmis.
Excutitur somno Mavors et pulchra Cythere:
posset Gradivus validos disrumpere nexus,
sed retinebat amor, Veneris ne bracchia laedat.
Tunc tu sub galea, tunc inter tela latebas, 175
saeve Cupido, timens.

Then he fastens the bonds with a gentle blow to the raised hands 170
and links the arms with tender palms.
Mars is shaken out of sleep and fair Cytherea:
Gradivus could burst asunder strong fetters,
but love restrained him, lest he injure the arms of Venus.
Then you beneath the helmet, then amid the spears didst hide, 175
fierce Cupid, fearing.

Stat Mavors lumine torvo
atque indignatur, quod sit deprensus adulter;
at Paphie conversa dolet non crimina facti,
sed quae sit vindicta sibi tum singula volvens
cogitat et poenam sentit, si Phoebus amaret. 180

Mars stands with a stern light
and is indignant that an adulterer has been caught;
but the Paphian, turned away, grieves not for the crimes of the act,
but, revolving what vengeance there may be for her, she ponders each thing in turn
and feels the punishment, if Phoebus were to love. 180

Iamque dolos properans decorabat cornua tauri,
Pasiphaae crimen mixtique cupidinis iram.

And now, hastening, he decked the bull’s horns with guile,
Pasiphae’s crime and the wrath of mingled desire.