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Matthew Prior - Love Disarmed
Work rating: Low

Beneath a Myrtle`s verdant Shade
As Cloe half asleep was laid,
Cupid perch`d lightly on Her Breast,
And in That Heav`n desir`d to rest:
Over her Paps his Wings He spread:
Between He found a downy Bed,
And nestl`d in His little Head.

Still lay the God: The Nymph surpriz`d,
Yet Mistress of her self, devis`d,
How She the Vagrant might inthral,
And Captive Him, who Captives All.

Her Boddice half way She unlac`d:
About his Arms She slily cast
The silken Bond, and held Him fast.

The God awak`d; and thrice in vain
He strove to break the cruel Chain;
And thrice in vain He shook his Wing,
Incumber`d in the silken String.

Flutt`ring the God, and weeping said,
Pity poor Cupid, generous Maid,
Who happen`d, being Blind, to stray,
And on thy Bosom lost his Way:
Who stray`d, alas! but knew too well,
He never There must hope to dwell.
Set an unhappy Pris`ner free,
Who ne`er intended Harm to Thee.

To Me pertains not, She replies,
To know or care where Cupid flies;
What are his Haunts, or which his Way;
Where He would dwell, or whither stray:
Yet will I never set Thee free:
For Harm was meant, and Harm to Me.

Vain Fears that vex thy Virgin Heart!
I`ll give Thee up my Bow and Dart:
Untangle but this cruel Chain,
And freely let Me fly again.

Agreed: Secure my Virgin Heart:
Instant give up thy Bow and Dart:
The Chain I`ll in Return unty;
And freely Thou again shalt fly.

Thus She the Captive did deliver:
The Captive thus gave up his Quiver.

The God disarm`d, e`er since that Day
Passes his Life in harmless Play;
Flies round, or sits upon her Breast,
A little, flutt`ring, idle Guest.

E`er since that Day the beauteous Maid
Governs the World in Cupid`s stead;
Directs his Arrow as She wills;
Gives Grief, or Pleasure; spares, or kills.
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