_Cupid crying_ (Vol. i., p. 172.).--I had no means (for reasons I need
not now specify) of referring to my 1st Vol. of "N. & Q." until
yesterday, for the pretty epigram given in an English dress by RUFUS and
as the writer in the _Athenæum_, whose communication you quote on the
same subject (Vol. i., p. 308.), observes "that the translator has taken
some liberties with his text," I make no apology for sending you a much
closer rendering, which hits off with great happiness the point and
quaintness of the original, by a septuagenarian, whose lucubrations have
already been immortalised in "N. & Q."
"DE CUPIDINE.
Cur natum cædit Venus? arcum perdidit, arcum
Nunc quis habet? Tusco Flavia nata solo:
Qui factum? petit hæc, dedit hic, nam lumine formæ
Deceptus, matri se dari crediderat."
"CUPID CRYING.
Wherefore does Venus beat her boy?
He has mislaid or lost his bow:--
And who retains the missing toy?
Th' Etrurian Flavia. How so?
She ask'd: he gave it; for the child,
Not e'en suspecting any other,
By beauty's dazzling light beguil'd,
Thought he had given it to his mother."