Classic Poem

Now night with sable wings the world o'erspread,
But Venus, not in vain surprised with dread
Of Latian arms, before the tempest breaks
Her husband's timely succour thus bespeaks,
Couched in his golden bed;
And, that her pleasing speech his mind may move,
Inspires it with diviner charms of love:
‘While adverse Fate conspired with Grecian powers
To level with the ground the Trojan towers,
I begged no aid th' unhappy to restore,
Nor did thy succour, nor thy art implore;
Nor sought their sinking empire to sustain,
To urge the labour of my lord in vain;
Though much I owed to Priam's house, and more
The dangers of Aeneas did deplore:
But now, by Jove's command and Fate's decree,
His race is doomed to reign in Italy,
With humble suit I ask thy needful art,
O still propitious power, O sovereign of my heart.
A mother stands a suppliant for a son:
By silver-footed Thetis thou wert won
For fierce Achilles, and the rosy morn
Moved thee with arms her Memnon to adorn;
Are these my tears less powerful on thy mind?
Behold what warlike nations are combined
With fire and sword my people to destroy,
And twice to triumph over me and Troy.’
She said; and straight her arms of snowy hue
About her unresolving husband threw:
Her soft embraces soon infuse desire,
His bones and marrow sudden warmth inspire,
And all the godhead feels the wonted fire.
Not half so swift the rolling thunder flies,
Or streaks of lightning flash along the skies.
The goddess, pleased with her successful wiles,
And conscious of her conquering beauty, smiles.
Then thus the good old god, soothed with her charms,
Panting, and half dissolving in her arms:
‘Why seek you reasons for a cause so just,
Or your own beauty, or my love distrust?
Long since, had you required my helpful hand,
You might the artist and his art command
To arm your Trojans; nor did Jove or Fate
Confine their empire to so short a date:
And if you now desire new wars to wage,
My care, my skill, my labour I engage;
Whatever melting metals can conspire,
Or breathing bellows, or the forming fire,
I freely promise; all your doubts remove,
And think no task is difficult to love.’
He said; and eager to enjoy her charms
He snatched the lovely goddess to his arms;
Till all infused in joy he lay possessed
Of full desire, and sunk to pleasing rest.