Poems (Lewis)/Love and his Enemy
LOVE AND HIS ENEMY.
[IMITATED FROM FONTENELLE.]
'Twas in the Golden Age, ere shame
Was e'er attached to Pleasure's name,
But Mortals loved as free as sparrows,
That Jove heard Cupid thus complain:
—"I blush o'er none but Slaves to reign,
"Who kiss my chains, and court my arrows.
Was e'er attached to Pleasure's name,
But Mortals loved as free as sparrows,
That Jove heard Cupid thus complain:
—"I blush o'er none but Slaves to reign,
"Who kiss my chains, and court my arrows.
"On nobler Game I fain would try
"My shafts, and make some Monster die,
"Whose fall next Mars himself may place me!
"Deign then, imperial Sire, to show,
"Where I can find some worthy Foe;
"These easy triumphs but disgrace me!"—
"My shafts, and make some Monster die,
"Whose fall next Mars himself may place me!
"Deign then, imperial Sire, to show,
"Where I can find some worthy Foe;
"These easy triumphs but disgrace me!"—
Jove smiled, then bade the Earth unclose,
And Lo! before them Honour rose!
—"Look," cried the Sire;" Your suit is granted!"—
Half-pleased, half-frightened, Love surveyed
His new-born foe—"Thanks, Jove!" He said;
"Here's just the Monster that I wanted!"—
And Lo! before them Honour rose!
—"Look," cried the Sire;" Your suit is granted!"—
Half-pleased, half-frightened, Love surveyed
His new-born foe—"Thanks, Jove!" He said;
"Here's just the Monster that I wanted!"—