Song

Cupid by Nikolai Argunov
Listen to: 

Song (1:41)

by Sir John Suckling 

performed by Bob Gonzalez, rhapsode

The crafty boy that full oft essay’d

To pierce my stubborn and resisting breast,

But still the bluntness of his darts betrayed,

Resolv’d at last of setting up his rest.

            Either my wild unruly heart to tame,

            Or quit his godhead, and his bow disclaim.

So all his lovely looks, his pleasing fires,

All his sweet motions, all his taking smiles,

All that awakes, all that inflames desires,

All that by sweet commands, all that beguiles,

            He does into one pair of eyes convey,

            And there begs leave that he himself may stay.

And there he brings me, where his ambush lay,

Secure and careless, to a stranger land;

And never warning me – which was foul play –

Does make me close by all this beauty stand.

            Where first struck dead, I did at last recover,

            To know that I might only live to love her.

So I’ll be sworn I do, and do confess,

The blind lad’s power, whilst he inhabits there;

But I’ll be even with him, nevertheless,

If e’er I chance to meet with him elsewhere.

            If other eyes invite the boy to tarry,

            I’ll fly to hers as to a sanctuary.