“Emblem of thund’ring MARS I rise,
“My boast and offspring too;
“Then own the progeny divine,
“And pay the tribute due.”
IX.
The Myrtle heard;—fair VENUS’ care,
With peaceful honours crown’d;
The glory of the genial hour,
By lovers still renown’d.
X.
“And how! said she, redoubted knight,
“Would’st thou with US engage?
“Did ever MARS, of glory vain,
“Rough wars with VENUS wage?
XI.
“Her flow’r I am; her name I boast,
“Who can mankind subdue;
“And by a gentler method far
“Than any known to you.
XII.
“Say, boaster, what are realms destroy’d
“By many a foughten field;
“When desp’rate battles, bravely won,
“A bloody harvest yield?
XIII.
“Can these atone the dreadful ills
“That wasteful wars supply;
“When from the horrid din of arms
“The Loves and Graces fly?
XIV.
“Remember, when the blue-ey’d Maid
“With NEPTUNE did contend:
“Say, who the greatest gift produc’d;
“And let our contest end.
XV.
“The Palm to PALLAS was decreed,
“Who nam’d fair ATHENS; there
“The warlike steed, great NEPTUNE’S boast,
“Yields to the Olive fair.
XVI.
“Then thou, proud Knight, exult no more,
“Abase thy haughty crest;
“Give honour due to meek-ey’d Peace,
“And Love, her genial guest.”
XVII.
Let then great MARS his Pow’r resign
To brighter VENUS’ fame;
And quit the glories of the field,
When LOVE disputes the claim.