Classic Poem

A NAME that's born with the primrose,
Wherefrom the year its best part knows,
Which draws from Attic flowers their scent
And phoenix perfumes subtly blent,
Sweeter than nectar's juice divine,
Which, Atys, thou wouldst wish were thine,
And he who holds for Jove his cup;
A name which in our court brings up
Venus and Cupid to the call,
Soft, delicate, and famed withal;
This in deft verse I fain would tell,
But, stubborn syllable, you rebel.
" Eiarinos" the poets write;
But they are Greeks who may indite
Whate'er they please and in their song
Have Ares short and Ares long.
We cannot such glib license use,
For Romans court a sterner Muse.