Page:Works of Voltaire Volume 36.djvu/197



, love's victorious power Prevailed, and near approached the hour Which should have crowned our mutual flame, Just then your tyrant husband came. That hoary Jailer was too hard, To love he all access has barred, And all our wishes to defeat, Secures the key of pleasure's seat; For such strange matters to account, Our tale to ancient days should mount; Ceres must to you sure be known, Ceres one daughter had alone, Who much resembled you in face, Beauteous, adorned with every grace, To the soft passion much inclined, And guided by a Cupid blind. Hymen, a god as blind as he, Treated him as he treated thee; Pluto, the rich and old, in hell Made her his wife, and forced to dwell; But she the jealous miser scorned, And Pluto, though a god, was horned; Pirithous, his rival bright, Young, handsome, generous, and polite,