CUPID, ere depriv'd of Sight, <br />Young and apt for all Delight, <br />Met with Folly on the way, <br />As Idle and as fond of Play. <br />In gay Sports the time they pass; <br />Now run, now wrestle on the Grass; <br />Their painted Wings then nimbly ply, <br />And ev'ry way for Mast'ry try: <br />'Till a Contest do's arise, <br />Who has won th' appointed Prize. <br />Gentle Love refers the Case <br />To the next, that comes in Place; <br />Trusting to his flatt'ring Wiles, <br />And softens the Dispute with Smiles. <br />But Folly, who no Temper knows, <br />Words pursues with hotter Blows: <br />'Till the eyes of Love were lost, <br />Which has such Pain to Mortals cost. <br /> <br />Venus hears his mournful Crys, <br />And repeats 'em, in the Skys, <br />To Jupiter in Council set, <br />With Peers for the Occasion met; <br />In her Arms the Boy she bears, <br />Bathing him in falling Tears; <br />And whilst his want of Eyes is shown, <br />Secures the Judges by her Own. <br />Folly to the Board must come, <br />And hear the Tryal and the Doom; <br />Which Cytherea loudly prays <br />May be as heavy as the Case: <br />Which, when All was justly weigh'd, <br />Cupid's Wings now useless made, <br />That a staff, his Feet must guide, <br />Which wou'd still be apt to slide; <br />This Decree at last was read, <br />That Love by Folly shou'd be lead.<br /><br />Anne Kingsmill Finch<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cupid-and-folly/
