As after noon, one summer's day, Venus stood bathing in a river; Cupid a-shooting went that way, New strung his bow, new filled his quiver. With skill he chose his sharpest dart: With all his might his bow he drew: Swift to his beauteous parent's heart The too-well-guided arrow flew. 'I faint! I die!' the goddess cried: 'O cruel, could'st thou find none other To wreck thy spleen on: Parricide! Like Nero, thou hast slain thy mother.' Poor Cupid sobbing scarce could speak; 'Indeed, mama, I did not know ye: Alas! how easy my mistake? I took you for your likeness, Chloe. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...PENT by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON DOMESDAY BOOK: THE CONVENT by EDGAR LEE MASTERS TO MAKE A PRAIRIE by EMILY DICKINSON UPON HIS DEPARTURE HENCE by ROBERT HERRICK THE LADY POVERTY by ALICE MEYNELL HOMAGE TO SEXTUS PROPERTIUS: 1 by EZRA POUND |