The Treasury of Musick :: :: University of Virginia Library

Beauties, have ye seen a Toy,
Called, Love a little Boy;
Almost Naked, Wanton, Blind,
Cruel; now and then as kind:
If he be amongst you, say,
He is Venus run away.

2

She that will now but now discover
Where this Winged-wag doth hover,
Shall to night receive a kiss,
How, or where her self would wish;
But who brings him to his Mother,
Shall have that kiss and another.

3

Marks he hath about him plenty,
You shall know him among twenty,
All his body is a fre,
And his breath a flame entire,
That brings shot (like light'ning) in
Wounds the Heart but not the skin.

4

Wings he hath which though you clip,
He will leap from Lip to Lip;
Over Liver, Lips, and Heart,
But ne're stay in any part:
And if by chance his Arrow misies,
He will shoot himself in kisses.

5

He doth bear a golden Bow,
And a Quiver hanging low,
Full of Arrows that out-brave
Dians Shafts; what if he have
Any head more sharp than other?
With that kiss he strikes his mother.

6

Still the fairest are his fuel,
When his daies are to be cruel,
Lovers hearts are all his food,
And his Bath's their warmest Blood:
Nought but wounds his hands doth season,
And he hates none like to reason.

7

Trust him not, his words, though sweet,
Seldom with his heart do meet;
All his practice is deceit,
Ev'ry gift is a bait,
Not a kiss but poyson bears,
And most treason in his tears.

8

Idle minutes are his reign,
Them the stragler makes his gain,
By presenting Maids with toys,
And would have ye think 'em toys;
'Tis the ambition of the Else,
To have all childish as himself.

9

If by these you please to know him,
Beauties be not nice, but show him,
Though you had a will to hide him,
Now I hope ye'le not abide him:
Since ye hear his falser play,
And that he's Venus Ran-away.