Poems That Every Child Should Know/Cupid Drowned

by Julianus the Egyptian

For other English-language translations of this work, see Epigram 16.388 (Greek Anthology).

For other versions of this translation, see Cupid Swallowed (Julianus/Hunt).

Cupid Drowned.

"Cupid Drowned" (1784-1859), "Cupid Stung" (1779-1852), and "Cupid and My Campasbe" (1558-1606) are three dainty poems recommended by Mrs. Margaret Mooney, of the Albany Teachers' College in her "Foundation Studies in Literature." Children are always delighted with them.

T'other day as I was twining
Roses, for a crown to dine in,
What, of all things, 'mid the heap,
Should I light on, fast asleep,
But the little desperate elf,
The tiny traitor, Love, himself!
By the wings I picked him up
Like a bee, and in a cup
Of my wine I plunged and sank him,
Then what d'ye think I did?—I drank him.
Faith, I thought him dead. Not he!
There he lives with tenfold glee;
And now this moment with his wings
I feel him tickling my heart-strings.

Leigh Hunt.