University of Virginia Library

Whilst Heav'n with kind propitious ray,
Smiles, Celia, on thy nuptial day,
And ev'ry sympathising breast
With transport glows to see thee blest;
Whilst present joys the hours beguile,
And future prospects seem to smile.
Shall not my muse her tribute bring
And gladly touch the trembling string?
I know 'tis usual at such times
To pay respect in pompous rhymes;
To bid the whole celestial race
With brightest glories fill the place,
And from their mansions hasten down
The nuptial rites with bliss to crown:
As if each goddess might be said
To be the poet's waiting maid:
But I who have no power at all,
Such high divinities to call,
Must lay those stratagems aside
And with plain fable treat the bride.

As Cupid thro' the azure way
Did late with wand'ring pinion stray,
The little urchin chanc'd to spy;
His master Hymen passing by;
Surpris'd with conscious guilt and shame,
Knowing his conduct much to blame,
With nimble haste he strove to shroud
His presence in a fleecy cloud.
But Hymen saw, nor could he fail
To see a wing—oh! piteous tale!
Peep from behind the misty veil.
Th' observing god with eager joy,
Rush'd on and seiz'd th' affrighted boy.—
“Well, master Cupid, are you caught
“At last, he cry'd, I almost thought
“You, far from hence, had taken flight,
“And quite forsook the realms of light;
“For whereso'er I choose to stray,
“I seldom meet you in my way.—
“Wherefore so shy? since well you know
“It is not very long ago
“Since Jove in council did decree,
“Yourself and services to me;
“That it might ever be your care,
“To warm those breasts whom I would pair
“With mutual love, and bless my bonds,
“By mingling hearts with joining hands.
“Instead of which, you rambling go,
“And sad confusions make below:
“Whilst my softest bondage often falls,
“Where custom points or int'rest calls.
“But Jove himself shall quickly hear,
“How much his dictates you revere;
“Yet e'er we part, 'tis my desire,
“You kindle love's celestial fire
“In the fair Celia's peaceful breast,
“And make her am'rous Strephen blest.”
With piteous tone, and tear-full eye,
Thus did the little god reply:
“This, Hymen, this I must deny,
“Do—any other service choose,
“There's nought but this I can refuse;
“I have my word and honour giv'n,
“And firmly sworn by earth and Heav'n,
“That love shall Celia ne'er molest
“No dart of mine e'er wound her breast.
Hymen, first made an angry pause,
Then spake—“Thou traitor to my cause,
“Is't thus with mortals you conspire,
“To break my torch and quench my fire;
“I oft have wonder'd why that maid
“My soft encircling bands delay'd;
“The wonder ceases now; I find
“That you and Celia have combin'd,
“My pow'r celestial to despise
“And rob me of my pairest prize.
“But Celia soon in wedlock's chain
“Shall shine the fairest of my train:
“Virtue her days with peace shall crown,
“And I will show'r my blessings down;
“Her happy state shall others move,
“To seek the joys of weded love.”
Much would the weeping boy have said;
But Hymen urg'd, and love obey'd:
A shaft he chose from out the rest,
And sunk it deep in Celia's breast.
Soft thro' her frame the poison crept;
And Hymen laugh'd and Cupid wept.
Then upwards, far from human sight,
They wing'd their way in speedy flight,
Wrapt in a glorious blaze of light.