Poems upon Various Occasions Written for the Entertainment of the author, And Printed for the Amusement Of a few friends, Prejudic'd in his Favour [by William Shenstone] |
 |
Cupid and Plutus.
|
 | Poems upon Various Occasions |  |
53
Cupid and Plutus.
I
When Celia, Love's eternal Foe,To rich old Gomez first was marry'd:
And angry Cupid came to know,
His Shafts had err'd, his Bow mis-carry'd;
II
He sigh'd, he wept, he hung his Head,On the cold Ground, full sad, he laid him;
When Plutus, there by Fortune led,
In this desponding Plight survey'd him.
III
And sure, he cry'd, you'll own at lastYour boasted Pow'r by mine exceeded:
Say, wretched Boy, now all is past,
How little She your Efforts heeded.
IV
If with Success you wou'd assail,Gild, Youngster, doubly gild your Arrows:
Little the feather'd Shafts avail,
Tho' wing'd from Mamma's Doves and Sparrows.
54
V
What tho' each Reed, each Arrow grew,Where Venus bath'd herself; depend on't,
'Twere more for Use, for Beauty too,
A Di'mond sparkled at the End on't.
VI
Peace, Plutus, Peace!—the Boy reply'd;Were not my Arts by your's infested,
I cou'd each other Pow'r deride,
And rule this Circle, unmolested.
VII
See yonder Pair! no worldly viewsIn Chloe's gen'rous Breast resided:
Love bade her the spruce Valet chuse,
And she by potent Love was guided.
VIII
For this! she quits her golden Dreams,In her gilt Coach no more she ranges:
And her rich Crimson, bright with Gems,
For Cheeks impearl'd with Tears, she Changes.
IX
Tho' sordid Celia own'd your Pow'r,Think not so monstrous my disgrace is:
You gain'd this Nymph—that very Hour,
I gain'd a Score in diff'rent Places.
| Poems upon Various Occasions | |