They say that Venus once did stray,
Where Spring had put on her array
Of cowslips, daffys, lilies too,
And hyacinths of every hue.
The goddess viewed each beauteous flow'r
Frail offspring of a sunny hour,
Till stooping down in eager haste,
A hearts-ease in her side she plac'd.
“Within my zone shalt thou remain,
And Cupid I thy arts disdain;
Thine arrows now I will defy,
Whilst thou in turn shalt learn to sigh.”
The little god his danger knew,
When straight beneath his feet there grew
A lowly flower to true love dear,
Moistened with many a dewy tear.
The graceful child the emblem caught,
His spirits mounted with the thought:
“Sweet Venus, I thy threats deride,
Without this flow'ret by thy side!
“'Tis true I cannot wound thy heart,
Thus guarded by thine utmost art;
Yet still methinks this violet blue
Would prove a double charm for you.”
She saw—she smiled—no thorn it bore,
And longed to add it to her store;
“For sure,” she said, “from Heaven it came,
Its colour like yon arch the same.”
With silken chain its stem he bound,
And dash'd the dew upon the ground;
Myrtea took the flower and prest
Its azure bloom within her vest.
Softly in play the amorous child
Took up his bow, then inly smil'd;
An arrow from his quiver drew,
And quick to pierce her breast it flew.
She saw—she sighed, “That artful boy
Is born to work me much annoy;
Go hearts-ease! fragile is thy reign,
For love they say is linked with pain.”