Poems (Lewis)/Love and his Enemy

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4536866Poems — Love and his EnemyMatthew Gregory Lewis

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.

"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!"—

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!"—