Classic Poem

ODE XX.

One day the Muses twined the hands
Of infant Love with flowery bands;
And to celestial Beauty gave
The captive infant for her slave.
His mother comes, with many a toy,
To ransom her beloved boy;
His mother sues, but all in vain, —
He ne'er will leave his chains again.
Even should they take his chains away,
The little captive still would stay.
" If this, " he cries, " a bondage be,
Oh, who could wish for liberty? "