1
Women, believe me, I am embarrassed
about all the things I’m going to tell you,
but it was Venus who recommended me2
not to be afraid of making you blush.
You should take care of knowing yourself well
in order to evaluate any situation
and, according to the shape of your body,
be able to choose among the positions.
You who are beautiful, you should remain on your back,
so that he will be able to admire your face,
but if your shoulders are more beautiful than your face,
it’s clear that you have to turn around.
If a wrinkle crosses your belly,
you have to hide it using your arts,
and, with skillful forethought,
you have to show your other side.
You who have such nimble and fine legs,
you have to try and display them,
and you have to rest them on your partner’s shoulders,
next to his head.
You who are short, straddle on him,
but if you are tall you must never do that;
indeed, it’s well known that Hector never
asked Andromache to ride him.3
If you know you have gorgeous hips,
kneel on the edge of your bed;
lie down a bit slantwise instead,
if your breasts are unblemished.
Don’t think it is inappropriate
to untie your long hair;
bear in mind that on your right side
you can spend your most pleasant moments.
Not even the tripods of the great Phoebus,4
not even the famous Amon cornigerous,5
can sing such a delightful song
to you as I do.
Maybe it’s been my long experience
that helped me in knowing an art
made of a thousand hidden secrets;
you can trust it, rest assured.
You must try and make the conclusion
be simultaneous for both of you,
and, whispering words of love,
the situation will be sweeter.
Even if you are a bit cold by your nature,
I suggest you feign a bit;
but when you are feigning, don’t give yourself away,
and don’t reveal yourself.
Women, believe me, I am embarrassed…
there are things I can’t unveil…
but I want you give you another piece of advice;
then, finally, I’ll be able to conclude.
Never open your windows wide:
the room must keep a bit dark.
There are parts of your body
that belong in the shadows, that’s for sure.
And if, at the end, you want to ask
your partner for a token of love,
you can ask for it, provided
the gift is of no value.
And at this point, my young friends,
my song is coming to an end, my inspiration is coming to an end;
but always remember to mention
that Ovid was your teacher.
1. The song was inspired by Book III of Ars amandi by Ovid (Publius Ovidius Naso).2. Venus, goddess of love and beauty.3. Hector and Andromache, husband and wife, are characters from the Iliad.4. Tripod
Phoebus (Phoibos) {shining, bright} is an epithet for Apollo, the Roman god of arts.5. Amun (or Amon) is an Egyptian deity, called cornigerous {horn-bearing} because he was often depicted as a ram with the sun between its horns.