Poems That Every Child Should Know/Cupid Drowned
For other English-language translations of this work, see Epigram 16.388 (Greek Anthology).
For other versions of this translation, see Cupid Swallowed (Julianus/Hunt).
Cupid Drowned.
"Cupid Drowned" (1784–1859), "Cupid Stung" (1779–1852), and "Cupid and My Campasbe" (1558–1606) are three dainty poems recommended by Mrs. Margaret Mooney, of the Albany Teachers' College in her "Foundation Studies in Literature." Children are always delighted with them.
T'other day as I was twining
Roses, for a crown to dine in,
What, of all things, 'mid the heap,
Should I light on, fast asleep,
But the little desperate elf,
The tiny traitor, Love, himself!
By the wings I picked him up
Like a bee, and in a cup
Of my wine I plunged and sank him,
Then what d'ye think I did?—I drank him.
Faith, I thought him dead. Not he!
There he lives with tenfold glee;
And now this moment with his wings
I feel him tickling my heart-strings.
Leigh Hunt.
Roses, for a crown to dine in,
What, of all things, 'mid the heap,
Should I light on, fast asleep,
But the little desperate elf,
The tiny traitor, Love, himself!
By the wings I picked him up
Like a bee, and in a cup
Of my wine I plunged and sank him,
Then what d'ye think I did?—I drank him.
Faith, I thought him dead. Not he!
There he lives with tenfold glee;
And now this moment with his wings
I feel him tickling my heart-strings.
Leigh Hunt.