CICERONIS AMOR: SONG by ROBERT GREENE

MARS in a fury 'gainst Love's brightest Queen,
Put on his helm, and took him to his lance;
On Erycinus Mount was Mavors seen,
And there his ensigns did the god advance,
And by heaven's greatest gates he stoutly swore,
Venus should die, for she had wrong'd him sore.

Cupid heard this, and he began to cry,
And wish'd his mother's absence for a while:
"Peace, fool," quoth Venus; "is it I must die?
Must it be Mars?" with that she coin'd a smile;
She trimm'd her tresses, and did curl her hair,
And made her face with beauty passing fair.

A fan of silver feathers in her hand,
And in a coach of ebony she went:
She pass'd the place where furious Mars did stand,
And out her looks a lovely smile she sent;
Then from her brows leap'd out so sharp a frown,
That Mars for fear threw all his armour down.

He vow'd repentance for his rash misdeed,
Blaming his choler that had caus'd his woe;
Venus grew gracious, and with him agreed,
But charg'd him not to threaten beauty so,
For women's looks are such enchanting charms
As can subdue the greatest god in arms.

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

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