FOR mighty Wars I thought to Tune my Lute, And make my Measures to my Subject suit. Six Feetfor ev'ry Verse the Muse design'd: But @3Cupid,@1 laughing, when he sawmy Mind, From ev'ry Second Verse a Foot purloin'd. Who gave Thee, Boy, this Arbitrary sway, On Subjects, not thyown, Commands to lay, Who @3Phoebus@1 only and his Laws obey? 'Tis more absurd than if the @3Queen of Love@1 Should in @3Minerva's@1 arms to Battel move; Or Manly @3Pallas@1 from that Queen should take Her Torch, and o're the dying Lover shake. In fields as well may @3Cynthia@1 sow the Corn, Or @3Ceres@1 wind in Woods the Bugle Horn. As well may @3Phoebus@1 quit the trembling String, For Sword and Shield; and @3Mars@1 may learn to Sing. Already thy Dominions are too large; Be not ambitious of a Foreign Charge. If thou wilt Reign e're all, and ev'ry where, The God of Musick for his Harp may fear. Thus when with soaring Wings I seek Renown, Thou pluck'st my Pinnions, and I flutter down. Cou'd I on such mean Thoughts my Muse employ, I want a Mistress or a Blooming Boy. Thus I complain'd: his Bow the Stripling bent, And chose an Arrow fit for his Intent. The Shaft his purpose fatally pursues; Now, Poet, there's a Subject for thy Muse. He said, (too well, alas, he knows his Trade,) For in my Breast a Mortal Wound he made. Far hence, ye proud @3Hexameters,@1 remove, My Verse is pac'd and tramel'd into love. With Myrtle Wreaths my thoughtful brows inclose, While in unequal Verse I sing my Woes. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE PASSIONATE SHEPHERD: PASTORAL 3. THE HAPPY COUNTRYMAN by NICHOLAS BRETON DO YOU FEAR THE WIND? by HAMLIN GARLAND MENAPHON: SAMELA by ROBERT GREENE THE SONG OF FIONNUALA by THOMAS MOORE TO MY EXCELLENT LUCASIA, ON OUR FRIENDSHIP. 17TH JULY 1651 by KATHERINE PHILIPS AFAR IN THE DESERT by THOMAS PRINGLE |