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Charlotte Smith - Love And Folly
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LOVE, who now deals to human hearts, 
Such ill thrown, yet resistless darts, 
That hapless mortals can`t withstand them, 
Was once less cruel and perverse, 
Nor did he then his shafts disperse, 
So much at random. 
  
It happened, that the thoughtless child 
Was rambling thro` a flowery wild, 
Like idle lad in school vacation; 
Where sauntering now, and now at rest, 
Stroll`d Folly, who to Love address`d 
His conversation. 
On trifles he had much to say, 
Then laughing he propos`d to play, 
And stake against Love`s bow his bauble; 
The quiver`d gamester smil`d and won, 
But testy Folly soon began 
To fret and squabble. 
  
Loud and more loud the quarrel grows; 
From words the wranglers went to blows, 
For Folly`s rage is prompt to rise; 
Till bleeding Love a martyr stood­ 
A stroke from Folly`s weapon rude, 
Put out his eyes. 
Then wild with anguish, Venus pray`d, 
For vengeance on the idiot`s head, 
And begg`d of cloud-compelling Jove, 
His swiftest lightening, to destroy, 
The mischievous malignant boy 
That blinded Love. 
  
"Folly is immortal," Jove replied, 
"But, tho` your prayer must be denied, 
"An endless penance is decreed him; 
"For Love, tho` blind, will reign around 
"The world; but still where-ever found, 
"Folly shall lead him."
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