University of Virginia Library

DIVISION OF LOVE'S EMPIRE

Fair Cupid's arrows once gave out,
He scarce knew what to be about
But wander'd sad and listless ever
Lamenting o'er his empty quiver.
The hearts of men impervious grown
Mock'd at his erst-revered throne
Till the boy maddened by their slights
Resolv'd somehow to win his rights,
And having a fine ready wit
Right soon upon a scheme he hit
He flew to seek on earth the maid
Who first in beauty was array'd,
Nor long sought he but found in—
The one well suited to his plan.
In sooth so lovely did she seem
She look'd the creature of a dream
Save that the rising of her vest
Proved that the spirit heav'd the breast.
Now he proceeds to work the charm
With which h'intends himself to arm.
He took from out those shining wells
Of soft'ning sympathy the cells
The tear that flows at “sorrow's tale”
Down the blanch'd cheek of beauty pale
The dew from off her honied lip
Which angels would delight to sip
The smiles that light her countenance
When starry hopes before her dance
And placed them in his little palm
And mix'd with them the sighs of balm
That heave her rising bosom meek
The blush that stains her damask cheek
He then threw in to color it
The composition made he lit
It in the sparkles of her eye
Brighter than than [sic] the noonday sky
Warmer than the solar gleam
Softer than a vesper beam
Then snatch'd one more delicious sigh
From the dear maid to waft it by.
Now sallies Cupid forth in glee
The virtues of his charm to see
And sooth it did work wondrous well
None could resist the magic spell
But every heart to him did yield
And every youth before him kneel'd
Young love once more resumes his reign
And lords it over men again
But grateful gave one half his sway
(And—retains it to this day)
To her whose potent charms restor'd
An empire to its rightful Lord.