Poems (Coates 1916)/Volume II/Cupid and the Muses
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For other versions of this work, see Cupid and the Muses.
CUPID AND THE MUSES
"Revetior illas, mater; nam venerandae sunt, et semper quiddam commeditantur. . ."—Lucian.
ONCE lovely Venus to her wayward boy—
Her wilful torment and her keen delight—
Spake chidingly:—"Why must you me annoy
With your capricious wiles by day and night?
Perplexing child, display your arts elsewhere:
Turn you to those whom idly now you spare!
Cold in content, and armored in their pride,
Behold the Muses!—let them claim your care!"
To whom the laughing Cupid: "Nay, I've tried
What ways I know, to move those ladies fair;
But, ah, my mother, they're so occupied!"