Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ONCE, ON A CLOUDLESS SUMMER-DAY, by JAMES GATES PERCIVAL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ONCE, ON A CLOUDLESS SUMMER-DAY, by                     Poet's Biography
Last Line: Of such a poisoned arrow
Subject(s): Cupid


Once, on a cloudless summer-day,
Beneath a mantling vine I lay,
When Cupid came by chance that way,
''aAnd aimed at me an arrow.
He laid the dart upon the bow
And drew the horn and sinew so,
And said, '' My friend, you soon will know,
''aHow keenly stings my arrow.''
His cheek was gay, his eye was bright,
And shot a piercing, bitter light:
He drew the nerve all tense and tight,
''aAnd then let fly his arrow.
The bow twanged sharp, and with a bound
At once its mark the weapon found;
I tingled with the fiery wound
''aOf that soul-kindling arrow.
He flapped his wings, away he flew,
And, turning backward, looked me through,
And slyly laughed, as forth I drew
''aThe heart-encrimsoned arrow.
I felt my blood like lava glow,
I writhed, and twined, and wrestled so,
As madmen in their dying throe,''"
''aI broke and cursed the arrow.
It is indeed a cruel thing,
When early youth is on the wing,
To feel, and keenly feel, the sting
''aOf such a poisoned arrow.





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