Naughty Cupid

'Naughty Cupid! saucy elf!

Tell me something of thyself.

Many tales of thee I'm told,

False and true, and new and old;

Oh, those tales, so old yet new,

Tell me, Cupid, are they true!

I have never felt thy dart;

Steeled against thee is my heart.

I am heart and fancy free;

Love can never conquer me!

Still, sly archer, I would fain

Learn the secrets of thy reign.

What dark arts dost thou employ?

Tell me, little saucy boy.

Is there poison in thy stings?

For what use are those swift wings?

Swift to come, and swift to go,

Prithee, Cupid, art thou so?'

'Lovely Maiden, frank as fair,

Cupid bids thee now beware,

For the time has come at last

When my chains shall bind thee fust.

Hast thou never felt the smart

Caused by my unerring dart?

Hast thou all my wiles defied?

Entrance to thy heart denied?

Then 'tis time that Love should eome,

In thy breast to make his home.

Maiden, shall I tell thee why

I have always passed thee by?

Why that pure, proud heart of thine

Worships not before my shrine?

I've delayed, fair Maid, thus long

But to make my power more strong.

Skill and care have formed this dart,

Which transfixes now thy heart.

Fear not!- thine are pleasing ills;

Cupid wounds, but rarely kills!

Lovely Maiden, frank as fair,

Where is now that haughty air?

Conscious blushes dye thy cheek;

Tongue scarce dare essay to speak.

Has thy cold henrt tender grown!

Has thy proud defiance flown!

Art thou still so fancy free!

Or has Cupid conquered thee?

Rosy fetters thou shalt wear;

Fair are they, and light as fair;

For, believe me, all my arts,

Nature, gracious Dame, imparts.

If to nature true thou be,

Cupid shall be true to thee;

Swift to come, and slow to go,

Such is Love-thou 'lt find it so!'