BY me in my fresh prime did Cypris stand, Leading the child Love in her lovely hand; He kept his eyes fixt, downcast on the ground, While in mine ears his mother's words did sound:— "Dear herdsman, take and teach for me, I pray, Eros to sing;" she said, and went her way. Him, as one fain to learn, without ado I then began to teach whate'er I knew— Fool that I was! how first great Pan did suit With numerous tones his new-invented flute; Athene wise the straight pipe's reedy hollow; Hermes his shell; his cithern sweet Apollo. I taught him this; he heeded not my lore, But sang me his love-ditties evermore— His mother's doings—how Immortals yearn With fond desires, and how poor mortals burn. All I taught Eros I have quite forgot; But his love-ditties—I forget them not. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SWEET MEETING OF DESIRES by COVENTRY KERSEY DIGHTON PATMORE AMORETTI: 30 by EDMUND SPENSER THE SHAVEN BEAUTY by YUSUF IBN HARUN AL-RAMADI TRAVELOGUE by EVA K. ANGLESBURG ON GRACE CHURCH CORNER by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |