Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, CUPID TURNED STROLLER, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

CUPID TURNED STROLLER, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: At dead of night, when stars appear
Last Line: Safe is my bow, but sick thy heart.'
Subject(s): Cupid; Dreams; Night; Voices; Eros; Nightmares; Bedtime


AT dead of night, when stars appear,
And strong Bootes turns the bear;
When mortals sleep their cares away,
Fatigued with labours of the day,
Cupid was knocking at my gate;
Who's there! says I, who knocks so late,
Disturbs my dreams, and breaks my rest!
O fear not me, a harmless guest,
He said, but open, open, pray;
A foolish child, I've lost my way,
And wander here this moonless night,
All wet and cold, and wanting light.
With due regard his voice I heard,
Then rose, a ready lamp prepared,
And saw a naked boy below,
With wings, a quiver, and a bow;
In haste I ran, unlocked my gate,
Secure and thoughtless of my fate;
I set the child an easy chair
Against the fire, and dried his hair;
Brought friendly cups of cheerful wine,
And warmed his little hands in mine.
All this I did with kind intent;
But he, on wanton mischief bent,
Said, Dearest friend, this bow you see,
This pretty bow belongs to me:
Observe, I pray, if all be right;
I fear the rain has spoiled it quite.
He drew it then, and straight I found
Within my breast a secret wound.
This done, the rogue no longer staid,
But leaped away, and laughing said,
'Kind host, adieu! we now must part;
Safe is my bow, but sick thy heart.'





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