7 
lay, 
play! 
Whilst others fresh wreaths for the Muses entwine, 
And garlands of beauty, they weave for the Nine ! 
They protect the young blooms from the Fairy and Fay 
Who trip o’er the branches in frolicsome play, 
For “under the blossom” that hangs on the tree 
Still sportive as ever, will Ariel be. 
The Iris commission’d on errands above, 
Was quickly dispatch’d with a message of love 
To Cupid the culprit, to call him away 
From Venus, the Graces, his loves and his play : 
To the court of queen Flora who bade her prepare 
New toys and new pleasures to welcome him there. 
Now Cupid has conscience, tho’ perhaps it is small, 
(But ’tis well if he have any conscience at all) 
He knew the sad havoc his arrows had made, 
And the eye of the goddess, he fain would evade; 
