Robert Herrick. Upon Love. (V)

Robert Herrick

UPON LOVE. (V)

I PLAYED with Love, as with the fire
        The wanton Satyr did ;
Nor did I know, or could descry
        What under there was hid.

That Satyr he but burnt his lips ;
        But mine's the greater smart,
For kissing Love's dissembling chips
        The fire scorch'd my heart.

The wanton Satyr, see Note.

[Note, p.317-318:

       565.  The Wanton Satyr.   See Sir E. Dyer's  The
Shepherd's Conceit of Prometheus :—

“ Prometheus, when first from heaven high
   He brought down fire, ere then on earth not seen.
   Fond of delight, a Satyr standing by
   Gave it a kiss, as it like sweet had been.
.       .       .       .       .       .       .       .       .       .       .       .
   The difference is—the Satyr's lips, my heart,
   He for a time, I evermore, have smart.” ]

Correggio. Venus and Cupid with a Satyr, c.1528.

Venus and Cupid with a Satyr
Correggio, c.1528. Le Louvre, Paris.

Source:
Herrick, Robert. Works of Robert Herrick. vol I.
Alfred Pollard, ed.
London, Lawrence & Bullen, 1891. 255; 317-318.

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