Cupid Sleeping

 [Inscribed to Her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire.
]


CLOSE in a woodbine's tangled shade, 
The BLOOMING GOD asleep was laid; 
His brows with mossy roses crown'd; 
His golden darts lay scatter'd round; 
To shade his auburn, curled head, 
A purple canopy was spread, 
Which gently with the breezes play'd, 
And shed around a soften'd shade.
 
Upon his downy smiling cheek, 
Adorned with many a "dimple sleek," 
Beam'd glowing health and tender blisses, 
His coral lip which teem'd with kisses 
Ripe, glisten'd with ambrosial dew, 
That mock'd the rose's deepest hue.
­ 
His quiver on a bough was hung, 
His bow lay carelessly unstrung: 
His breath mild odour scatter'd round, 
His eyes an azure fillet bound: 
On every side did zephyrs play, 
To fan the sultry beams of day; 
While the soft tenants of the grove, 
Attun'd their notes to plaintive Love.
 

Thus lay the Boy­when DEVONS feet 
Unknowing reach'd the lone retreat; 
Surpriz'd, to see the beauteous child 
Of every dang'rous pow'r beguil'd! 
Approaching near his mossy bed, 
Soft whisp'ring to herself she said:­
" Thou little imp, whose potent art 
" Bows low with grief the FEELING HEART; 
" Whose thirst insatiate, loves to sip 
" The nectar from the ruby lip; 
" Whose barb'rous joy is prone to seek 
" The soft carnation of the cheek; 
" Now, bid thy tyrant sway farewell, 
" As thus I break each magic spell: " 
Snatch'd from the bough, where high it hung, 
O'er her white shoulder straight she flung 
The burnish'd quiver, golden dart, 
And each vain emblem of his art; 
Borne from his pow'r they now are seen, 
The attributes of BEAUTY'S QUEEN! 
While LOVE in secret hides his tears; 
DIAN the form of VENUS wears!

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