The Vigil of Venus and Other Poems by "Q"
Now learn ye to love who loved never—now ye who have loved, love anew! "Lady Dian"—Behold how demurely the damsels approach her and sue— 

Una res est quam rogamus: cede, virgo Delia, Ut nemus sit incruentum de ferinis stragibus. Ipsa vellet ut venires, si deceret virginem: 40 Jam tribus choros videres feriatos noctibus Congreges inter catervas ire per saltus tuos, Floreas inter coronas, myrteas inter casas: Nee Ceres nee Bacchus absunt, nee poetarum Deus; De tenente tota nox est pervigilia canticis: 45 Regnet in silvis Dione; tu recede, Delia. Cras amet qui nunquam amavit; quique amavit cras amet.

Hear Venus her only petition! Dear maiden of Delos, depart! Let the forest be bloodless to-day, unmolested the roe and the hart! Holy huntress, thyself she would bid be her guest, 40 could thy chastity stoop To approve of our revels, our dances—three nights that we weave in a troop Arm-in-arm thro' thy sanctu'ries whirling, till faint and dispersed in the grove We lie with thy lilies for chaplets, thy myrtles for arbours of love: And Apollo, with Ceres and Bacchus to chorus— song, harvest, and wine— Hymns thee dispossess'd, "'Tis Dione who reigns! 45 Let Diana resign!" O, the wonderful nights of Dione! dark bough, with her star shining thro'! Now learn ye to love who loved never—now ye who have loved, love anew! 

Delos, depart!

roe and the hart!

could thy chastity stoop

nights that we weave in a troop

and dispersed in the grove

arbours of love:

song, harvest, and wine—

Let Diana resign!"

with her star shining thro'!


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