Page:Friendship's Offering 1828.pdf/4



VIII. Venus taking a Bow from a Sleeping Cupid; engraved by W. T., from a group of Sculpture, by, a pupil of F., R. A.; exhibited at Somerset House in 1827 .................................................188

of smiles! fling down the bow: Hearts are, like thine own hand, snow. Love is sleeping, and in vain You would waken him again; And that bow’s no more divine, Even in such a hand as thine. Smile thy smile,—and sigh thy sigh, Both will pass unheeded by. —Out upon our heartless age! Stain upon the poet’s page! Now, the sweetest kiss and smile Barter for their gift the while; And the lover’s heart is sold For, what is not worth it, gold. Once, there was more stirring time Chronicled in minstrel rhyme, When the young knight onwards prest, For the colours of his crest; When it was enough to say, Bright eyes watch your course to day; When the maiden kept her faith Like a thing of life and death;