Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
III. Loves BeginningsCupid and Campaspe
John Lyly (1555?1606)From “Alexander and Campaspe,” Act III. Sc. 5.
C
At cards for kisses,—Cupid paid;
He stakes his quiver, bow and arrows,
His mother’s doves, and team of sparrows,—
Loses them too; then down he throws
The coral of his lip, the rose
Growing on ’s cheek (but none knows how);
With these the crystal of his brow,
And then the dimple of his chin,—
All these did my Campaspe win.
At last he set her both his eyes;
She won, and Cupid blind did rise.
O Love! has she done this to thee?
What shall, alas! become of me?