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great Apollo offered as a dower

His burning throne to beauty's excellence;

If Jove himself came in a golden shower

Down to the earth to fetch fair Io thence;

If Venus in the curlèd locks was tied

Of proud Adonis not of gentle kind;

If Tellus for a shepherd's favour died,

The favour cruel Love to her assigned;

If Heaven's winged herald Hermes had

His heart enchanted with a country maid;

If poor Pygmalion was for beauty mad;

If gods and men have all for beauty strayed:

I am not then ashamed to be included

'Mongst those that love, and be with love deluded.