THE CUPIDS

by: William Allingham (1824-1889)

      n a grove I saw one day
      A flight of Cupids all at play,
      Flitting bird-like through the air,
      Or alighting here and there,
      Making every bough rejoice
      With a most celestial voice,
      Or amongst the blossoms found
      Rolling on the swarded ground.
      Some there were with wings of blue,
      Others some, of rosy hue,
      Here, one plumed with purest white,
      There, as dyed in golden light;
      Crimson some, and some I saw
      Coloured like the gay macaw.
      Many were the Queen of Beauty's--
      Many bound to other duties.

      A band of fowlers next I spied,
      Spreading nets on every side,
      Watching long, by skill or hap
      Fleeting Cupids to entrap.
      But if one at length was ta'en,
      After mickle time and pain,
      Whether golden one or blue,
      Piebald, or of rosy hue,
      When they put him in their cage
      He grew meagre as with age,
      Plumage rumpled, colour coarse,
      Voice unfrequent, sad, and hoarse;
      And little pleasure had they in him
      Who had spent the day to win him.

      "The Cupids" is reprinted from Poems. William Allingham. London: Chapman and Hall, 1850.

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