Out Of Bion. Love's Tutor. Poem by Daniel Baker

As underdeath an Oak one Day
Free from unpeaceful Thoughts I lay
A gentle Slumber o'er my head
His downy Wing had softly spread:
When lo! before me seem'd to stand
Bright Beauty's Queen, and in her hand
Her little winged Son she had;
A peevish, proud, unhappy Lad
He is, tho' then h'appeared mild,
And humble as a sucking Child.

Dear Shepherd, I commend to thee
My Son: pray take him home (said she)
And teach him Poetry, for well
I know, thou dost therein excel:
Nor shalt thou unrewarded go,
If Venus can rewards bestow.

This said, away she went, and I
(Proud of the Office) by and by
Took my young Scholar, and began
To teach the wanton Wag to scan
A Verse upon his Fingers: but,
The D--- a dram would Cupid do't.
No; He began to sing to me
Songs of Love and Jolity,
Songs of God's and Mortal's Pleasures,
And t'unfold his Mother's Treasures.

Soon, alas! soon I forgot
All that the Youth I meant t'have taught.
But his wicked Ballads out
Of my Mind I ne'er could put,
Nor ever since my lips could move
To sing of any thing but Love.