To great Apelles when young Ammon brought1 The am'rous master own'd her potent eyes; Sigh'd when he look'd, and trembled as he drew; Each flowing line confirm'd his first surprise, And as the piece advanc'd, the passion grew. While Philip's son, while Venus' son was near, What different tortures does his bosom feel! Great was the rival, and the god severe: Nor could he hide his flame, nor durst reveal. The prince, renown'd in bounty as in arms, And gave the fair one to the friend's embrace. books, and medals, which at his death* (March 27, 1737), he bequeathed to his only brother Robert Howard, Bishop of Elphin, who transported them to Ireland. "Mr. Howard's picture was drawn by Dahl, very like, and published in mezzotinto about a year before his death. Howard himself etched from a drawing of Carlo Marati, a head of Padra Resta, the collector, with his spectacles on, turning over a large book of drawings." 1 See Pliny's Natural History, B. 35. C. 10. *He died in Pall-Mall, and was buried at Richmond Walpole's Anecdotes, vol. iii. p. 156. Thus the more beauteous Cloe sat to thee, And flames that pierc'd thy predecessor's heart. Had thy poor breast receiv'd an equal pain; Had I been vested with the monarch's power; Thou must have sigh'd, unlucky youth, in vain; Nor from my bounty hadst thou found a cure. Though to convince thee, that the friend did fee! A kind concern for thy ill-fated care, I would have sooth'd the flame I could not heal; Giv'n thee the world, though I withheld the fair LOVE DISARMED. BENEATH a myrtle's verdant shade Still lay the god: the nymph surpris'd, Yet mistress of herself, devis'd How she the vagrant might enthral, And captive him, who captives all. Her bodice half-way she unlac'd ; The god awak'd; and thrice in vain Flutt'ring the god, and weeping said, Pity poor Cupid, generous maid, Who happen'd, being blind, to stray, And on thy bosom lost his way; Who stray'd, alas! but knew too well, He never there must hope to dwell: Set an unhappy pris'ner free, Who ne'er intended harm to thee. To me pertains not, she replies, For harm was meant, and harm to me. Agreed secure my virgin heart: Bayerische München Thus she the captive did deliver; The captive thus gave up his quiver. The god disarm'd, e'er since that day Passes his life in harmless play : Flies round, or sits upon her breast, A little, fluttering, idle guest. E'er since that day the beauteous maid Governs the world in Cupid's stead; Directs his arrow as she wills; Gives grief, or pleasure; spares, or kills. CLOE HUNTING. BEHIND her neck her comely tresses tied, And, Sister, dear, bright Cynthia, turn, he said. Fair Thames she haunts, and every neighb❜ring grove, Sacred to soft recess, and gentle love. Go, with thy Cynthia, hurl the pointed spear At the rough boar, or chase the flying deer: At human hearts we fling, nor ever miss the game. CUPID AND GANYMEDE. IN Heaven, one holiday, you read By Hermes taught, play'd all the play. The god unhappily engag'd, By nature rash, by play enrag'd, Complain'd, and sigh'd, and cried, and fretted; Lost every earthly thing he betted: In ready-money, all the store Pick'd up long since from Danaë's shower; A snuff-box, set with bleeding hearts, Rubies, all pierc'd with diamond darts; |