Mercury And Cupid

In sullen Humour one Day Jove Sent Hermes down to Ida's Grove, Commanding Cupid to deliver His Store of Darts, his total Quiver; That Hermes shou'd the Weapons break, Or throw 'em into Lethe's Lake. Hermes, You know, must do his Errand: He found his Man, produc'd his Warrant: Cupid, your Darts this very Hour There's no contending against Power. How sullen Jupiter, just now I think I said: and You'll allow, That Cupid was as bad as He: Hear but the Youngster's Repartee. Come Kinsman (said the little God) Put off your Wings; lay by your Rod; Retire with Me to yonder Bower; And rest your self for half an Hour: 'Tis far indeed from hence to Heav'n: And You fly fast: and 'tis but Seven. We'll take one cooling Cup of Nectar; And drink to this Celestial Hector He break my Darts, or hurt my Pow'r! He, Leda's Swan, and Danae's Show'r! Go, bid him his Wife's Tongue restrain; And mind his Thunder, and his Rain. My Darts? O certainly I'll give 'em: From Cloe's Eyes He shall receive 'em. There's One, the Best in all my Quiver, Twang! thro' his very Heart and Liver. He then shall Pine, and Sigh, and Rave: Good Lord! what Bustle shall We have! Neptune must straight be sent to Sea; And Flora summon'd twice a-day: One must find Shells, and t'other Flow'rs, For cooling Grotts, and fragrant Bow'rs, That Cloe may be serv'd in State: The Hours must at Her Toilet wait: Whilst all the reasoning Fools below, Wonder their Watches go too slow. Lybs must fly South, and Eurus East, For Jewels for Her Hair and Breast: No Matter tho' their cruel Haste Sink Cities, and lay Forrests waste. No Matter tho' This Fleet be lost; Or That lie wind-bound on the Coast. What whis'pring in my Mother's Ear! What Care, that Juno shou'd not hear! What Work among You Scholar Gods! Phoebus must write Him am'rous Odes: And Thou, poor Cousin, must compose His Letters in submissive Prose: Whilst haughty Cloe, to sustain The Honour of My mystic Reign, Shall all his Gifts and Vows disdain; And laugh at your Old Bully's Pain. Dear Couz, said Hermes in a Fright, For Heav'n sake keep Your Darts: Good Night.