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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

VENUS MISTAKEN by MATTHEW PRIOR

First Line: WHEN CLOE'S PICTURE WAS TO VENUS SHOWN
Last Line: FRIEND HOWARD'S GENIUS FANCIED ALL THE REST.
Subject(s): CUPID; MYTHOLOGY - CLASSICAL; PAINTINGS AND PAINTERS; VENUS (GODDESS); EROS;
WHEN Cloe's picture was to Venus shown,
Surprised, the goddess took it for her own.
And what, said she, does this bold painter mean,
When was I bathing thus, and naked seen?

Pleased Cupid heard, and checked his mother's pride:
And who's blind now, mamma? the urchin cried.
'Tis Cloe's eye, and cheek, and lip, and breast:
Friend Howard's genius fancied all the rest.



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