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Mary Darby Robinson - The Origin of Cupid -- A Fable
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ON IDA`S mount the gods were met, 
A sportive, jolly, noisy set, 
Resolving nectar bowls to quaff, 
To revel, riot, sing and laugh; 
For gods will frolic now and then, 
And err like earth-born sons of men. 
From early dawn till setting day 
The jocund hours had roll`d away, 
When midst the group Apollo rose 
This serious question to propose, 
Who should succeed upon the throne­ 
When Jupiter their king was gone? 

  MARS first his best excuses made, 
War his delight and ancient trade; 
Old NEPTUNE vow`d at such an age, 
In state affairs he`d not engage: 
BACCHUS preferr`d a draught of nectar 
To any monarch`s crown and sceptre. 

At length fatigu`d with idle prating,
With contradiction and debating;
It was propos`d, and straight agreed,
A new-form`d monarch should succeed,
And each, to make the plan expedient,
Should of offer some DIVINE ingredient. 

  MARS offer`d courage­train`d to arms; 
VENUS her soft bewitching charms: 
HERCULES strength; proud JUNO grace; 
MOMUS his laughing, dimpled face; 
APOLLO and the SISTERS NINE, 
Gave polish`d manners, wit divine! 

  At length the infant was completed, 
And on a throne of ether seated; 
His beauty aw`d the gazing crowd; 
Before his feet each veteran bow`d; 
Each hop`d his gentle smiles to prove, 
And hail`d the little monarch LOVE. 

  When lo, to check the mirthful hour, 
Old TIME appear`d, with aspect sour; 
His hoary locks like silver thread 
Upon his stooping shoulders spread; 
"Vain are your wishes" cried the sage; 
"In useless toil you now engage, 
Think ye, with all this vain parade, 
To form a god without MY aid? 
In all debates am I alone, 
For age, and wise experience known; 

Presumptuous wretches, you shall prove,
That TIME has pow`r TO CONQUER LOVE!
No settled bliss the Boy shall taste,
My pinions to his shoulders plac`d
Shall bear him to the world below;
Each change of fortune there to know;
While in each state the wretch shall be
A SUBJECT VASSAL STILL TO ME."
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