LOVE, who now deals to human hearts, <br />Such ill thrown, yet resistless darts, <br />That hapless mortals can't withstand them, <br />Was once less cruel and perverse, <br />Nor did he then his shafts disperse, <br />So much at random. <br /> <br />It happened, that the thoughtless child <br />Was rambling thro' a flowery wild, <br />Like idle lad in school vacation; <br />Where sauntering now, and now at rest, <br />Stroll'd Folly, who to Love address'd <br />His conversation. <br />On trifles he had much to say, <br />Then laughing he propos'd to play, <br />And stake against Love's bow his bauble; <br />The quiver'd gamester smil'd and won, <br />But testy Folly soon began <br />To fret and squabble. <br /> <br />Loud and more loud the quarrel grows; <br />From words the wranglers went to blows, <br />For Folly's rage is prompt to rise; <br />Till bleeding Love a martyr stood <br />A stroke from Folly's weapon rude, <br />Put out his eyes. <br />Then wild with anguish, Venus pray'd, <br />For vengeance on the idiot's head, <br />And begg'd of cloud-compelling Jove, <br />His swiftest lightening, to destroy, <br />The mischievous malignant boy <br />That blinded Love. <br /> <br />'Folly is immortal,' Jove replied, <br />'But, tho' your prayer must be denied, <br />'An endless penance is decreed him; <br />'For Love, tho' blind, will reign around <br />'The world; but still where-ever found, <br />'Folly shall lead him.'<br /><br />Charlotte Smith<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/love-and-folly-2/
