Thomas Humphry Ward, ed. The English Poets. 1880–1918.rnVol. III. The Eighteenth Century: Addison to Blake
Matthew Prior (16641721)Cupid Mistaken
A
Venus stood bathing in a river;
Cupid a-shooting went that way,
New-strung his bow, new-filled his quiver.
With all his might his bow he drew:
Swift to his beauteous parent’s heart
The too-well-guided arrow flew.
O cruel, could’st thou find none other
To wreck thy spleen on? Parricide!
Like Nero, thou hast slain thy mother.
Indeed, mamma, I did not know ye:
Alas! how easy my mistake!
I took you for your likeness, Chloe.