When Celia, love's eternal foe, <br />To rich old Gomez first was married; <br />And angry Cupid came to know <br />His shafts had err'd, his bow miscarried; <br /> <br />He sigh'd, he wept, he hung his head, <br />On the cold ground, full sad, he laid him; <br />When Plutus, there by fortune led, <br />In this desponding plight survey'd him. <br /> <br />'And sure,' he cried, 'you'll own at last <br />Your boasted power by mine exceeded: <br />Say, wretched boy, now all is past, <br />How little she your efforts heeded. <br /> <br />'If with success you would assail, <br />Gild, youngster, doubly gild your arrows: <br />Little the feather'd shafts avail, <br />Though wing'd from mamma's doves and sparrows. <br /> <br />'What though each reed, each arrow grew, <br />Where Venus bathed herself; depend on't, <br />'Twere more for use, for beauty too, <br />A diamond sparkled at the end on't.' <br /> <br />'Peace, Plutus, peace!'-the boy replied; <br />'Were not my arts by yours infested, <br />I could each other power deride, <br />And rule this circle unmolested. <br /> <br />'See yonder pair! no worldly views <br />In Chloe's generous breast resided: <br />Love bade her the spruce valet choose, <br />And she by potent love was guided. <br /> <br />'For this, she quits her golden dreams, <br />In her gilt coach no more she ranges: <br />And her rich crimson, bright with gems, <br />For cheeks impearl'd with tears, she changes. <br /> <br />'Though sordid Celia own'd your power, <br />Think not so monstrous my disgrace is: <br />You gain'd this nymph-that very hour <br />I gain'd a score in different places.'<br /><br />William Shenstone<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cupid-and-plutus/
