 | The Sports of the Genii |  |
5
CUPID,
JUDGE IN HIS OWN CAUSE.
CUPID'S half-brother, one fine day,When he was idly gone to play,
Slily stole his bow and arrows,—
Feigning he would shoot at sparrows;
But other sport was in his mind:
To wicked mischief still inclin'd,
He left the playful sportive Loves,
And crept where Venus kept her doves;
And hit the fairest of the twain,
Which us'd to draw her painted wain:
Then on her altar laid his prey;
And, lest its fellow 'scap'd away,
There fix'd it, by a silken string,
Till he could clip its silver wing.
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And, hast'ning with indignant speed,
Seiz'd on the culprit, bound his hands;—
And see how like a knave he stands!—
Cupid, provok'd, would have him sham'd,
For much the cruel deed he blam'd:
To mischief tho' himself inclin'd,
'Tis mischief of another kind.
“Unworthy son of Beauty's Queen,
“Base, cruel, dastardly, and mean,”
Cry'd angry Cupid; “thou shalt be
“Severely whipp'd by Phantasy:
“Then on a goat I'll have thee ride;
“And Ridicule shall be thy guide;
“While one behind shall make thee feel
“Repentance close upon thy heel.”
| The Sports of the Genii | |