Who happened, being blind, to stray; Who strayed, alas! but knew too well Who ne'er intended harm to thee!' 'To me pertains not,' she replies, 'To know, or care, where CUPID flies! What are his haunts, or which his way! Where he would dwell, or whither stray! Yet will I never set thee free; For harm was meant, and meant to me!' 'Vain fears that vex thy virgin heart! I'll give thee up my bow and dart; Untangle but this cruel chain, And freely let me fly again!' 'Agreed! Secure my virgin heart! Thus she the captive did deliver; The captive thus gave up his quiver! The God disarmed, e'er since that day, Passes his life in harmless play; Flies round, or sits upon her breast, A little, flutt'ring, idle guest! E'er since that day, the beauteous Maid Governs the World in CUPID'S stead: Directs his arrow as she wills; Gives grief, or pleasure! spares, or kills! In vain, you tell your parting Lover, You wish fair winds may waft him over! Alas! what winds can happy prove, That bear me far from what I love? Be gentle and, in pity, choose To wish the wildest tempests loose! That, thrown again upon the coast Where first my shipwracked heart was lost, I may, once more, repeat my pain! Once more, in dying notes complain Of slighted vows, and cold disdain! CUPID AND GANYMEDE. IN Heaven, one holiday, you read By HERMES taught, played all the play! The God, unhappily engaged, By nature rash, by Play enraged, Complained, and sighed, and cried, and fretted, Lost ev'ry earthly thing he betted! In ready money, all the store Picked up, long since, from DANA's Shower! His Bowl pure gold, the very same Its matter passionate; yet true! Heaps of Hair Rings, and Cyphered Seals! What sad disorders Play begets! Desp'rate and mad, at length, he sets Those darts; whose points make Gods adore His might, and deprecate his power! Those darts; whence all our joy and pain Arise! Those darts-' Come, Seven 's the Main!' Cries GANYMEDE. The usual trick! 'Seven, slur a Six, Eleven! A nick!' Ill news goes fast! 'Twas quickly known, Swifter than lightning VENUS flew! 'All Heaven is by the ears together, Has acted ill, for such a God; 'And thou, unhappy child!' she said, (Her anger by her grief allayed) 'Unhappy child! who thus hast lost All the estate we e'er could boast! Whither? O, whither wilt thou run; Thy name despised, thy weakness known? Nor shall thy shrine on Earth be crowned, Nor shall thy power in Heaven be owned; When thou, nor Man, nor God, canst wound!' Obedient CUPID, kneeling, cried, The loss of these I can supply |