Ellis Parker Butler

Cupid Caught Napping

Cupid on a summer day,
Wearied by unceasing play,
In a rose heart sleeping lay,
  While, to guard the tricksy fellow,
Close above the fragrant bed
Back and forth a gruff bee sped,
And, to lull the sleepy head,
  Played “Zoom! Zoom!” upon his ‘cello.

Little did the god surmise
That sweet Anna’s cerule eyes
Gazed on him with glad surprise,
  Or that he was in such danger;
But the watchman bee, in haste,
Left his post that he might taste
of the honey nature placed
  On the lips of that fair stranger.

Thus unwatched, from Cupid’s side
Anna stole the boy god’s pride,
All his love darts, and then hied
  Far away from capture’s chances
And today she wields the prize;
For Love’s quiver still supplies
Darts that speed from Anna’s eyes
  In her love compelling glances!