Preface to Amores

Ovid

AD Melville trs.

We who before were Ovid's five slim volumes / Are three: he thought it better to compress. / Though reading us may still give you no pleasure, / With two removed at least the pain is less.

Peter Green trs.

We are our author’s book. Before, we comprised five sections, / Now we’re cut down to three. The decision was his. / You still may derive no pleasure from reading us---but remember, / With two of us gone, your labour is that much less.