Poems (Osgood)/Love and Logic

by Frances Sargent Osgood

LOVE AND LOGIC.

The gods one day sent Reason out,
 To look for Love,—their truant-boy!
They bade her seek him all about,
 And lure him home with tempting toy.

She found him in a rosebud rock'd,
 She begg'd him to be back in season;
But still the boy the maiden mock'd,
 For—Love will never list to Reason!

The goddess held a jewel up,
 With Heaven's own glory flashing thro' it;—
"Nay! see my Rose's blushing cup!"
 Said Love,—" Your gem is nothing to it!"

"For shame! false boy! must force be tried?
 Is't thus you waste this precious season?"
"Take care! d'ye know this bow?' he cried!
 Ah! Love too oft has conquer'd Reason!—

"I see your aim!—your rhetoric speeds
 On proud Olympus ill without me;
But happy Love no Reason needs!
 Begone! and when they ask about me,

"Just tell them, in my Rose's heart
 I've found so dear—so pure a treasure
I grudge them not Minerva's art,
 Or laughing Hebe's cup of pleasure

The maid had not a word to say,—
 She knew the rogue was talking treason,—
But back to Ida bent her way;
 For—Love can better plead than Reason!