CUPID

There rest my chariot on the mountain tops, I that in shape appear unto your sighed A naked boy, not cloathde but with my wings, Am that great God of Love, who with his might Ruleth the wast wide world, and living things. This left hand bears vain hope, short joyful state, With fair Resemblance, lovers to allure, This right hand holds Repentance all too late, War, fire, blood, and pains without recure. On sweet Ambrosia, is not my food, Nectar is not my drink, as to the rest "Of all the Gods: I drink the lovers blood, "And feed upon the heart within his breast. Well hath my power in heaven and earth been tried, And deepest hell, my piercing force hath known. The marble seas, my wonders have descried, Which elder age throughout the world hath blown. To me, the king of Gods and men does yield, . As witness can the Greekish maid, whom I Made Like a cow go lowing through the field, Least jealous Juno should the escape espy: The doubled night, the Suns restrained course, His secret stealths, the slander to eschew, Like to Amphi trio to Alcmena. In shape transformed, we list not to discourse. All that and more we forced him to do. The warlike Mars hath not subdued our might, We feared him not, his fury nor disdain, That can the Gods record: before whose sighed He lay fast wrapped in Vulcan's subtle chain. He that on earth yet hath not felt our power, Let him behold the fallen and cruel spoil Of thee fair Troy, of Asia the flower, So foul defaced, and leveled with the soil. Who forced Leander with his naked breast So many nights to cut the frothy waves, But Heroes love, that lay enclosed in Sest? The stoutest hearts to me shall yield them slaves. Who could have matched the huge Alcides strength, Hercules. Great Macedon, what force might have subdued? Alexand. Wise Scipio who overcame at length, But we, that are with greater force endued? Who could have conquered the golden fleece But Jason, aided by Medea's art? Who durst have stolen fair Helen out of Greece But I, with love that boldened Paris heart? What bound of nature, what restraint avails Against our power? I vouch to witness truth. The Myrrh tree that with shamefast tears bewails Myrrha Her father's love, still weeps yet for ruth. But now, this world not seeing in these days, Such present proofs of our al-daring power, Disdains our name, and seeks sundry ways, To scorn and scoff, and shame us every hour, A brat, a bastard, and and idle boy, A rod, a staff, a whip to beat him out, And to be sick of love, a childish toy, These are mine honours now the world about, My name disgraced, to raise again therefore, And in this age, mine ancient renown By mighty acts, intending to restore, Down to the earth, in wrath now am I come. And in this place, such wonders shall you hear, As these your stubborn, and disdainful hearts, In melting tears, and humble yielding fear, Shall soon relent by sighed of others smarts. This princely palace, will I enter in, And there inflame, the fair Gismunda, so Inraging all her secret veins within, Through firy love, that she shall feel much woe. Too late repentance, thou shalt bend my bow. Vain hope, take out my pale dead heavy shaft, Thou fair Resemblance, foremost forth shalt go, With Brittle joy: my self will not be least, But after me, comes death, and deadly pain. Thus shall you march, till we return again, Mean while, fit still, and here I shall you show Such wonders, that at last with one accord, You shall relent, and say that now you know, Love rules the world, Love is a mighty Lord, SO, now they feel what lordly love can worser that proudly practice to deface his nam Invaine they wrestle with so fierce a foe, of little sparks arise a blazing flame. "By small occasions love can kindle heat, "and wast the Oaken breast to cinder dust: