2 See Horace's Odes (i, 19-23).
3 Cerberus, the guardian of Hades.
4 Pythagoras. 5 A son of Apollo.
6 Tiresias was gifted by Pallas with the power of understanding
the language of birds to atone for his loss of sight.
7 The Grecian soothsayer at the siege of Troy. 8 Orpheus.
9 Odysseus.
10 "The Hymn" from "On the Morning of Christ's Nativity."
Elegy VI.
Anno Aetates undevigesimo.1
As yet a stranger to the gentle fires
That Amathusia's smiling Queen2 inspires,
Not seldom I derided Cupid's darts,
And scorn'd his claim to rule all human hearts.
Go, child, I said, transfix the tim'rous dove,
An easy conquest suits an infant Love;
Enslave the sparrow, for such prize shall be
Sufficient triumph to a Chief like thee;
Why aim thy idle arms at human kind?
Thy shafts prevail not 'gainst the noble mind. 10
The Cyprian3 heard, and, kindling into ire,
(None kindles sooner) burn'd with double fire.
It was the Spring, and newly risen day
Peep'd o'er the hamlets on the First of May;
My eyes too tender for the blaze of light,
Still sought the shelter of retiring night,
When Love approach'd, in painted plumes arrayed;
Th'insidious god his rattling darts betray'd,
Nor less his infant features, and the sly
Sweet intimations of his threat'ning eye.
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