Works of the Hon. and Very Rev. William Herbert ... Excepting those on botany and natural history. With additions and corrections by the author |
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[Ruthless Cupid, wouldst thou bind] |
 | Works of the Hon. and Very Rev. William Herbert |  |
[Ruthless Cupid, wouldst thou bind]
“Διδακτον μηδεν, αλλ' εν τη φυσει
Το σωφρονειν ειληχεν.”
Eurip. Hippol.
Το σωφρονειν ειληχεν.”
Eurip. Hippol.
1800.
Ruthless Cupid, wouldst thou bind
Fast and firm my roving mind,
Search, and find a lovely maid,
Fair, as nature e'er display'd!
Let her unambitious be;
Frank, but free from levity;
Guarded so by modest look,
That her thoughts e'en dread rebuke:
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Simple, sweet, by nature bless'd.
Let her bosom softly swelling
Heave at mournful story's telling.
Let her sometimes (thus most fair)
Gentle melancholy wear;
Let her sometimes, free from guile,
Chase it by the sweetest smile,
That did ever beauty give
To the loveliest forms that live.
Give her features not so fair,
As are called regular;
But which might expression lend
Lovelier to the fairest friend:
Sparkling eyes, whose modest fire
Somewhat beams of fond desire:
Tresses soft, that simply flow
O'er a neck of purest snow.
Let her teeth be shining white;
Let her mouth be small and bright,
Of such hue, that freshest rose
By comparison would lose.
Let her feet, a tiny pair,
Figure light and airy bear;
And, like visions of the bless'd,
Scarce have touch'd the soil, they press'd.
Search the world, great God of love,
Search the fairest crowds that move;
Find her such, and add to this,
Meeting wishes, meeting bliss;
Find her such, and thou shalt be
Mine adored Deity.
| Works of the Hon. and Very Rev. William Herbert | |