With skill he chose his sharpest dart:

With all his might his bow he drew:

Swift to his beauteous parent’s heart

The too-well-guided arrow flew.

“I faint! I die!” the goddess cried:

“O cruel, could’st thou find none other

To wreak thy spleen on: Parricide!

Like Nero, thou hast slain thy mother.”

Poor Cupid, sobbing, scarce could speak;

“Indeed, mama, I did not know ye: