CUPID AT COURT

Young Cupid strung his bow one day,

And sallied out for sport;

As country hearts were easy prey,

Odd Darts! he went to court.

Of all that wore the puff and patch,

Belinda led the fair:

With falbala, and fan to match,

I trow she made him stare!

“Oho!” he cried, and quickly drew

His bow upon the sly;—

But though he pierced her bosom through,

She never breathed a sigh!

This was a turn, beyond a doubt,

That filled him with amaze,

And so he sought his mother out,

With tear-bewildered gaze.

“You silly boy,” Dame Venus said,

“Why did you waste your art?

Go clip your curls and hide your head,—

Belinda has no heart!”

Samuel Minturn Peck.