Ovid 343-382

Question 1

Ergo age, ne dubita cunctas sperare puellas;
Vix erit e multis, quae neget, una, tibi.
Quae dant quaeque negant, gaudent tamen esse rogatae:
Ut iam fallaris, tuta repulsa tua est.

Answer 1

Therefore come, and don’t doubt that all women are expected.
scarcely will there one of many who denies you.
they grant or they deny, yet they are happy to be asked.
now although you may be disappointed, your rejection is safe.

ne dubita- neg. imp. which takes acc + inf.
rogatae- ppp of rogo

Question 2

Sed cur fallaris, cum sit nova grata voluptas
Et capiant animos plus aliena suis?
Fertilior seges est alienis semper in agris,
Vicinumque pecus grandius uber habet.

Answer 2

But why would you be disappointed, when new delights are pleasing,
and someone else’s (stuff) captures our minds more?
someone else’s crop is always more fertile than in our field,
and the herd of the neighbour have grander udders.

Question 3

Sed prius ancillam captandae nosse puellae
Cura sit: accessus molliet illa tuos.
Proxima consiliis dominae sit ut illa, videto,
Neve parum tacitis conscia fida iocis.

Answer 3

But first, take care to know slavegirl of the needing to be won woman.
she will soften your approach.
See that she is the closest consul of her mistress,
and not too little trustworthy accomplice in sport.

cura- imp.
videto- fut. imp.

Question 4

Hanc tu pollicitis, hanc tu corrumpe rogando:
Quod petis, ex facili, si volet illa, feres.
Illa leget tempus (medici quoque tempora servant)
Quo facilis dominae mens sit et apta capi.

Answer 4

Corrupt her with promises, corrupt her with requests,
If she is willing, you will win what you desire easily.
She will choose the time (physicians also keep the time)
where the mind of her mistress is easy and ready to be captured.

currumpe- imp.
ex facili- easily
mens- mind, heart, disposition
capi- pass. inf.

Question 5

Mens erit apta capi tum, cum laetissima rerum
Ut seges in pingui luxuriabit humo.
Pectora dum gaudent nec sunt adstricta dolore,
Ipsa patent, blanda tum subit arte Venus.

Answer 5

Then her mind will be suited to winning, when in the most joyous of states, she will be wanton, like corn in fertile earth.
While hearts are glad and not bund up in grief,
they lie open, then Venus enters with smooth arts.

Question 6

Tum, cum tristis erat, defensa est Ilios armis:
Militibus gravidum laeta recepit equum.
Tum quoque temptanda est, cum paelice laesa dolebit:
Tum facies opera, ne sit inulta, tua.

Answer 6

Ilios, when it was sad, was defended by armies,
when it was happy it joyously received a horse of soldiers.
and also then she is tempted, when wounded and hurt by the mistress.
Make sure then by your attention, lest she is unavenged.

then you will do your work nor is she without satisfaction by your work (so she is not unavenged)

Question 7

Hanc matutinos pectens ancilla capillos
Incitet, et velo remigis addat opem,
Et secum tenui suspirans murmure dicat
“At, puto, non poteras ipsa referre vicem.”

Answer 7

Let the slavegirl girl urge her in the morning, while combing her hair,
and add help, as oarsmen to sails.
and with a soft sigh to herself, she says,
‘But I suppose, you are not able to pay him back in kind.;

opes- help
vicem- in kind

Question 8

Tum de te narret, tum persuadentia verba
Addat, et insano iuret amore mori.
Sed propera, ne vela cadant auraeque residant:
Ut fragilis glacies, interit ira mora.

Answer 8

Then let her speak about you, and add persuasive words,
and swear (falsely) that you are dying of frantic love.
But be quick, lest the winds settle and the sails fall,
as fragile ice, anger is lost by delay.

Question 9

Quaeris, an hanc ipsam prosit violare ministram?
Talibus admissis alea grandis inest.
Haec a concubitu fit sedula, tardior illa,
Haec dominae munus te parat, illa sibi.

Answer 9

You ask whether it would be useful to violate the maid herself?
the great risk is in such enterprise.
this girl becomes more diligent from sex, that one sluggish,
this one provides you as the gift for her mistress, that one for herself.

an- whether (indirect question hence an is used not si)
admissis- enterprise (I don’t know why, it just is lol)
alea grandis- great risk
munus- gift.

Question 10

Casus in eventu est: licet hic indulgeat ausis,
Consilium tamen est abstinuisse meum.
Non ego per praeceps et acuta cacumina vadam,
Nec iuvenum quisquam me duce captus erit.

Answer 10

the outcome is in the result; it is allowed here, she favours your advances,
however it is my advice to abstain.
I do not go headlong through sharp summits,
no youth under my leadership will be captured.