BETA

A Song of Love’s Revenge

Young love and Beauty sat at
odds,1
And Love was weeping sore ;2
While Beauty frowned with angry nods,3
And made him weep the more.4
“ In love, give back my bended bow,5
My little shafts of pain,6
For I was never Beauty’s foe,7
But slave to her disdain.”8
“ The knight you gave was false,” she
cried,9
“ Was selfish and a knave ;10
And bow and quiver I will hide11
In some forgotten cave.12
No more shall arrow go on quest13
To mock a trusting maid ;14
With poppies I will soothe my breast,15
And be no move afraid.”16
“ Nay, nay, sweet Beauty, pity show,17
Nor curse my life alway ;18
Give back my shafts and bended bow,19
And sorrow shall be gay.20
“ For I will plague the knavish knight21
With jilts as bright as dew ;22
And he shall chase and lose delight,23
And wed at last a shrew.”24
And Beauty gave the bended bow,25
The little shafts of pain ;26
And Cupid from her side did go,27
And she from her disdain.28
Charles Lusted.