Classic Poem

When the apple to Venus by Paris was given,
It occasion'd much strife 'tween the fair-ones of Heaven;
For Juno and Pallas, by the Trojan rejected,
Were enrag'd that their charms could be seen and neglected;
While Discord rejoic'd that her pippin of gold,
Could make even Goddesses bluster, and scold!
Had you made a fourth in this famous convention,
An end had been put to the serious contention;
To fair Laura had Paris the apple resign'd,
Who can boast Venus' beauty, and Pallas's mind;
Each Goddess had yielded her claim to the prize,
And Discord been sooth'd with a smile from her eyes;
For beauty alone can but charm for an hour,
But, join'd to sweet temper, has absolute power!
The first may our senses a moment controul —
The latter finds only the way to the soul!