XVII. His mother dear, Cupid offended late

Sir Philip Sidney (1554–1586)

HIS mother dear, CUPID offended late;

Because that MARS grown slacker in her love,

With pricking shot he did not throughly move,

To keep the pace of their first loving state.

The boy refused for fear of MARS’ hate;

Who threatened stripes, if he his wrath did prove:

But she, in chafe, him from her lap did shove;

Brake bow, brake shafts: while weeping CUPID sate.

Till that his grandame Nature pitying it,

Of STELLA’s brows, made him two better bows;

And in her eyes, of arrows infinite.

O how for joy, he leaps! O how he crows!

And straight therewith—like wags new got to play—

Falls to shrewd turns; and I was in his way.