Cupid and Campaspe

John Lyly (1555?–1606)

From “Alexander and Campaspe,” Act III. Sc. 5.

CUPID and my Campaspe played

At cards for kisses,—Cupid paid;

He stakes his quiver, bow and arrows,

His mother’s doves, and team of sparrows,—

Loses them too; then down he throws

The coral of his lip, the rose

Growing on ’s cheek (but none knows how);

With these the crystal of his brow,

And then the dimple of his chin,—

All these did my Campaspe win.

At last he set her both his eyes;

She won, and Cupid blind did rise.

O Love! has she done this to thee?

What shall, alas! become of me?