Classic Poem

From Dido, Queen of Carthage (1593)

[Jupiter woos Ganymede]

[Here the Curtaines draw, there is discovered Jupiter dandling Ganimed upon hi knee, and Mercury lying asleepe ]
JUPITER: What is't, sweet wag, I should deny thy youth?
Whose face reflects such pleasure to mine eyes,
As I, exhal'd with thy fire-darting beams,
Have oft driven back the horses of the Night,
Whence they would have hal'd thee from my sight.
Sit on my knee, and call for thy content,
Why, are not all the gods at thy command,
And heaven and earth the bounds of thy delight?
Vulcan shall dance to make thee laughing sport,
And my nine daughters sing when thou art sad;
From Juno's bird I'll pluck her spotted pride,
To make thee fans wherewith to cool thy face;
And Venus' swans shall shed their silver down,
To sweeten out the slumbers of thy bed;
Hermes no more shall show the world his wings,
If that thy fancy in his feathers dwell,
But, as this one, I'll tear them all from him.
[Plucks feather from Hermes' wings ]
Do thou but say, " their colour pleaseth me. "
Hold here, my little love; these linked gems.

[Gives jewels ]

My Juno ware upon her marriage day,
Put thou about thy neck, my own sweet heart,
And trick thy arms and shoulders with my theft.

GANIMED: I WOULD HAVE A JEWEL FOR MINE EAR, AND A FINE BROOCH TO PUT IN MY HAT, AND THEN I'LL HUG WITH YOU AN HUNDRED TIMES.JUP: AND SHALT HAVE, GANYMEDE, IF THOU WILT BE MY LOVE.