CUPID MISTAKEN. I. AS after noon, one fummer's day, Venus ftood bathing in a river; Cupid a-fhooting went that way, New ftrung his bow, new fill'd his quiver. II. With fkill he chofe his fharpest dart, I faint! I die! the goddess cried : Poor Cupid fobbing scarce could speak; I took you for your WH likeness Cloe. VENUS MISTAKEN. I. HEN Cloe's picture was to Venus shown; Surpriz'd, the goddess took it for her own. And what, faid fhe, does this bold painter mean? When was I bathing thus, and naked feen ? 7 II. Pleas'd II. Pleas'd Cupid heard, and check'd his mother's pride; I F wine and mufick have the power But the to-morrow will return: Venus, be thou to-morrow great; Let us to-morrow's bleffings own: THE THE DO VE. 86 Tantæne animis cœleftibus iræ ?" IN I. N Virgil's facred verse we find, But, if they should, what our great master Of having loft her favourite Dove. In complaifance poor Cupid mourn'd; His grief reliev'd his mother's pain; Though none, faid he, fhall yet be nam'd, With that, his longest dart he took, That gods defire like men to look, VIRG. VI. Love's VI. Love's fubalterns, a duteous band, Like watchmen, round their chief appear: Each had his lantern in his hand; And Venus mafk'd brought up the rear. Accouter'd thus, their eager ftep To Cloe's lodging they directed: Late they fet out, had far to go: With one great peal they rap the door, Folks at her house at fuch an hour! Lord! what will all the neighbours say? X. The door is open up they run : Nor prayers, nor threats, divert their speed : Thieves thieves! cries Sufan; we're undone ; They'll kill my mistress in her bed. XI. In bed indeed the nymph had been Three hours for, all historians fay, She commonly went up at ten, Unlefs piquet was in the way. XII. She XII. She wak'd, be fure, with ftrange furprize: O Cupid, is this right or law, Thus to disturb the brightest eyes, That ever flept, or ever saw? XIII. Have you obferv'd a fitting hare, Of horns and hounds, clap back her ear, Or have you mark'd a partridge quake, Nor would the stay: nor dares fhe fly. Then have you feen the beauteous maid; Venus this while was in the chamber It smelt fo ftrong of myrrh and amber- XVII. But, fince we have no prefent need With Cupid let us e'en proceed ; |