Cupid Sleeping

[Inscribed to Her Grace the Duchess of

SE in a woodbine's tangled shade,

The

NG

OD 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

NS 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

NG

RT; " 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

TY'S

EN!

While

VE in secret hides his tears;

AN the form of

US wears!