THE amorous youth, whose tender breast Was by his darling cat possest, Obtained of Venus his desire, Howe'er irregular his fire. Nature the power of love obeyed; The cat became a blushing maid; And, on the happy change, the boy Employed his wonder, and his joy. Take care, O beauteous child, take care, Lest thou prefer so rash a prayer: Nor vainly hope, the queen of love Will e'er thy favourite's charms improve. O quickly from her shrine retreat; Or tremble for thy darling's fate. The queen of love, who soon will see Her own Adonis live in thee, Will lightly her first loss deplore; Will easily forgive the boar: Her eyes with tears no more will flow; With jealous rage her breast will glow; And on her tabby rival's face She deep will mark her new disgrace. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE MOURNING-GARMENT: THE SHEPHERD'S WIFE'S SONG by ROBERT GREENE SCHOOL AND SCHOOLFELLOWS; FLOREAT ETONA by WINTHROP MACKWORTH PRAED PARRHASIUS by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS THE LAKE ISLE OF INNISFREE by WILLIAM BUTLER YEATS IN THE BELFRY OF THE NIEUWE KERK by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH INSTEAD OF TEARS by JOSEPH AUSLANDER EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 13. CUPID IS A WARRIOR by PHILIP AYRES |