Publius Ovidius Naso (43 BC - AD17) a self-conscious and brilliant stylist, whose gifts as amythological poet and teller of erotic tales made him immensely popular through the Middle Ages and well beyond the Renaissance. His works included the Amores and Ars Amatoria, the Heroides, Metamorphose, and Fasti, and during exile, Tristia and Letters from Pontus.

     From the Heroides

     [Dido's farewell]

     While stormie seas grow calme,
     while custom tempers love:
     How patiently mishaps to beare,
     I shall the practise prove.
     If not, my life to spill
     with full intent I mind:
     Of crueltie thou canst not long
     in me a subject find.
     Would God thou didst but see
     mine Image as I wright:
     I wright, and full against my breast
     thy naked sword is pight.
     And downe my cheeks along
     the teares do trickling fall:
     Which by and by in stead of teares,
     ingrayne in blood I shall.
     How well with this my fate,
     these gifts of thine agree,
     To furnish out my funeral,
     the cost will slender be.
     My breast shall not be now
     first pierced with this blade,
     For why? there is a former wound,
     which cruel Love hath made.

     (trans. George Turbevile, 1567)