Classic Poem

All by a stream impetuous,
A student lay reclin'd;
Before him lay P ICTETUS ,
And L IMBORCH lay behind.

Full many a deep, dark system,
Perplex'd his weary brain;
In vain the zephyrs kiss'd him,
And linnets sooth'd in vain.

Though on the blue-green billow
Each lovely Naiad stood,
Their temples crown'd with willow;
Fair daughters of the flood!

Though Cupid was their pander,
And flush'd each naked charm,
And bade gay graces wander,
And wanton fancies warm;

Yet, lost were all their beauties,
And lost was Cupid's art;
V ANGROODT de vi virtutis ,
Secur'd the student's heart.

" 'Tis wrong; the ancient fathers
" Disprove what V ANGROODT says,
" For Virtue's sprig soon withers,
" Not grafted upon grace. "

Then rose the rage of Cupid,
Right surly was his brow;
" The fellow's mad or stupid,
" Or something worse I trow.

" What! on a couch of daisies,
" Yet scorn my pleasant lore;
" I will — for desp'rate cases
" Require a desp'rate cure. "

He spoke; and from his quiver,
Among a thousand, chose
A dart he uses never,
But when his anger glows.

The same, whose fervid poison
Sent B ERNARD to the pool;
Ah, simple saint! the ocean
Love's fervour cannot cool!

With this he pierc'd the student,
All musing as he lay;
He started up, imprudent,
And leapt a cock of hay.

In hopes of future kissing,
A maid was lying there:
The am'rous youth was pressing,
Complying was the fair.

The end of this adventure
Assemblies never knew;
Tho' many a grave dissenter
Abroad the scandal blew.

Away, ye pale-fac'd fellows!
I wot ye would have done
Far worse to fill your bellies,
Or pocket half-a-crown.

Tho' slim as he of S AMOS ,
The fault I can forgive;
And if their pleasures damn us,
Alas, we e'er did live!