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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


CAELICA: 13 by FULKE GREVILLE

Poet Analysis

First Line: CUPID, HIS BOY'S PLAY MANY TIMES FORBIDDEN
Last Line: WILL EVER PLAY THE WAG WITH ONE OR OTHER.

Cupid, his boy's play many times forbidden
By Venus, who thinks Mars's best manhood boyish,
While he shot all, still for not shooting chidden,
Weeps himself blind to see that sex so coyish.

And in this blindness wand'reth many places,
Till his foe, absence, hath him prisoner gotten,
Who breaks his arrows, bow and wings defaces,
Keeps him till he his boy's play hath forgotten.

Then lets him loose, no god of years, but hours,
Cures and restores him all things, but his blindness,
Forbids him nothing but the constant powers,
Where absence never can have power of kindness.
Ladies, this blind boy that ran from his mother
Will ever play the wag with one or other.



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