VENUS'S ADVICE TO THE MUSES by MATTHEW PRIOR

THUS to the Muses spoke the Cyprian dame;
'Adorn my altars, and revere my name.
My son shall else assume his potent darts,
Twang goes the bow, my girls; have at your hearts!'
The Muses answered, 'Venus, we deride
The vagrant's malice, and his mother's pride;
Send him to nymphs who sleep on Ida's shade,
To the loose dance, and wanton masquerade;
Our thoughts are settled, and intent our look,
On the instructive verse, and moral book;
On female idleness his power relies;
But, when he finds us studying hard, he flies.'

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