Too stern, too cold, the matron Truth.
Next Fancy claimed him for her own;
But Venus disallowed her right;
She deem’d her Iris pinions shone
Too dazzling for his infant sight.
To Youth, awhile, the charge was given,
And well with Youth the cherub throve;
Till Innocence came down from heaven,
Sole guardian friend and nurse of Love.
Pleasure grew mad with envious spite,