University of Virginia Library

FRAGMENT XLVIII. VENUS AND CUPID.

As Love's delightful mother prest
The sportive urchin to her breast,
And he, like other idle boys,
Play'd with her trinkets and her toys,
Unbound her tresses, scar'd her doves,
Or teaz'd his younger brother loves;
“Come, tell me,” cries the queen of charms,
“Why hast thou never turn'd thine arms
Against the sage Minerva's heart?
Does she defy thy potent art?”
“'Tis true,” abash'd her son replies,
“A single glance from wisdom's eyes
Can all my best resolves destroy,
And quite repels thy daring boy,
As often as he strives to plunder
The heart of that same vestal wonder;
And sure the snakes that twine her crest,
The gorgon head that shields her breast,
Might well an infant soul dismay,
And chase a timid child away.
One night, with luscious nectar warm,
(I swear ne'er dreaming ought of harm)
I strove in frolic play to scorch
Her owl's grey pinion with my torch,
And then (as though I did not fear her)
Flash'd my little flambeau near her;
When turning round, (her eyes on fire)
‘I swear,’ she cried, ‘by Jove my sire,
If thus again you venture near me,
To pieces, urchin, will I tear thee;
Dare but a single step advance,
I'll pierce thee, mischief! with my lance;
Raise but thy bow, and strait from heaven
To Tartarus shalt thou be driven.’
I took the hint, and from that hour
Ne'er threw myself in wisdom's pow'r.”
“Well, if Minerva's gorgon head
Awakes my timid Cupid's dread
More than the thunder-bolt of Jove,
Say, do the Muses frighten Love?”
“Oh no, mamma!” replies the elf,
“I love the Muses next thyself;
E'en I revere, with all my folly,
Their sweet voluptuous melancholy,
And oft I steal their groves among
To catch, unseen, their pensive song!”
Th' experienced mother archly smiles,
And cries, “Alas! with all thy wiles,
Thou'rt still a child; for where can Love
Unseen repose, unthought of, rove?
Thy faintest sigh that scents the air
Would still thy vicinage declare;
And when thou steal'st their groves among,
Well may the Muses' pensive song
Breathe the soul of melody,
Still sweetest breathed when breathed for thee;
For sure the song the soul holds dearest
Is sweetest breathed when Love is nearest.”