我所知道的智者和演说家中，没有谁能像温柔的丘比特那样成功;他的方式和论点是令人愉快的微笑，迷人的外表，温柔的眼泪和获胜的诡计。在他的帝国里，战争不时爆发，在战场上，他的军旗映入眼帘;现在偷偷地偷，用巧妙的诱饵。他能穿透被认为是安全的心，他能越过保护周围的壁垒，城堡也会减少，这是最著名的。我敢与两座堡垒交战，把一座留给火星，另一座留给这个君主。尽管战神率领大军，带着所有的武器，在堡垒前虚度光阴，而丘比特，无人看守，将爬上堡垒，轻而易举地占有，随心所欲地给予条件。现在我想讲一个我最喜欢的故事:——爱神从来不会失败，正如我所读到的，在寻找计谋方面，我看到过许多巧妙地传播。年轻的阿米塔是格罗尼特斯的妻子，她似乎和他过着悲惨的生活。她应该得到比现在更好的东西，因为他嫉妒，他的脾气很坏，一个年老的大块头，而她正处于这样的时刻:从未感受到爱的强大力量的心，很快就会被以前从未想到过的温柔的东西抓住。 WHEN first Aminta saw young Cleon's face, A lad possessing all engaging grace, Much prudence then she ev'ry way displayed, E'en more perhaps than necessary made. For though we may suppose the lovely fair, Would ev'ry effort use to 'scape the snare, Yet when the god of soft persuasion takes The fatal moment, havock soon he makes, In vain his duty, any thing opposed, If once the tender sentiment's disclosed. Aminta consolation had in view 'Twas that alone the passion from her drew, A meeting innocent, to vent her tears, And, to a feeling friend, express her fears. 'Tis represented thus I cannot doubt; But sight of meat brings appetite about; And if you would avoid the tempting bit, 'Tis better far at table not to sit. AMINTA hoped to render Cleon kind; Poor innocent! as yet to dangers blind, These conversations she was led to deem, Mere friendly ways that raised sincere esteem; And this alone she ardently desired, Without supposing more would be required, Or any thing improper be the case: She'd rather die than suffer such disgrace. 'Twas difficult the business to commence; A letter 's often lost, or gives offence, And many serious accidents arrive: To have a confidant 'twere better strive; But where could such a female friend be found? Gerontes dreaded was by all around. I've said already, Cupid will obtain, One way or t'other, what he wants to gain; And this will show the observation just The maxim's such as you may always trust. A FEMALE relative young Cleon had, A peevish prude, who looked upon the lad, As one she had a right to rule and scold; Her name was Mistress Alice: sour and old. ONE summer's day, Aminta to her said: I cannot think how 'tis, your cousin's led, (Though quite indifferent he is to me, And doubtless such will ever prove to be) With various fond attentions, to pretend, He loves me--much beyond a common friend. My window oft he passes day and night; I cannot move a step, but he's in sight, And in a moment at my heels appears; Notes, letters full of soft expressions, dears, To me are sent by one I will not name, For known to you, she would be thought to blame: Pray put an end to such a wild pursuit It nothing can produce but wretched fruit; My husband may take fire at things like these; And as to Cleon.--me he'll never please; I'll thank you to inform him what I say; Such steps are useless: folly they betray. MUCH praise Aminta from the dame received; Who promised that the conduct, which aggrieved; To Cleon she would mention, as desired, And reprimand him, as the fault required: So well would scold him, that she might be sure, From him in future she would be secure. THE foll'wing day our youth to Alice came; To pay a visit solely was his aim; She told him what Aminta had declared, And, in her lecture, words by no means spared. The lad, surprised, on oath the whole denied, And vowed to gain her love, he never tried. Old Alice called her cousin, imp of Hell; Said she, in all that's wicked, you excel; You will not all your base designs confess; The oaths are false on which you lay such stress, And punishment most richly you deserve; But false or true, from this I will not swerve, That you should recollect, Aminta 's chaste, And never will submit to be disgraced; Renounce her from this hour; no more pursue:-- That easily, said Cleon, I can do; Away he went: the case considered o'er;