Minor Latin poets; with introductions and English translations

REPOSIANUSThe Intrigue ofMars with VenusLearn ye the creed that amours are never freefrom care. \'enus herself of the potent flame, \^enusof the blazmg campaign, who might indulge lovewith Cupid as her safe warden, instructress in deceits,protectress of the stealth of love, did not avail tofurnish herself with a secure lurking-place. Harshtyrant Boy, cruel in a mother's fault, O Love, youlead your victorious procession, never sated with anytriumph ! Why do you always rejoice that Jove'sthunderbolts have been reversed ? " That you maythe better ^ praise your flaming arrows, draw tight,Boy, the well-woven chains of \ enus and of Mars :let NLavors ^ in love wear the label of a slave, let himwhom wars do dread be a prisoner bearing bondsTo let you ride triumphant, the lover yields his savageneck to a rosy yoke. After wounds dealt and battlesfought, powerful Gradivus pants as a new-enlistedrecruit in your camp ; he that should ever be fearedfears you, following where wedlock's bonds do lead.Pray, come, ye Muses: while Mars, while alluringCythere ^ draw fast-following sighs from the depthof Cythera. Cypris (35, 79, 141, 14G) recalls her cult in Cyprus,and Faphie, Reposianus' favourite epithet for Venus (23, 50,61, 64, 80, 105, 109, 13(3, 139, 178), alludes to her temple atPaphos in Cyprus. Reposianus shares the epithets Cythere,Cypris and Paphie with Ausonius (4th cent, a.d.), thoughPaphie is used by Martial.