Mars and Venus

Mars in a fury 'gainst love's brightest queen

Put on his helm and took him to his lance;

On Erycinus mount was Mavors seen,

And there his ensigns did the god advance;

And by heaven's greatest gates he stoutly swore,

Venus should die, for she had wronged him sore.

Cupid heard this and he began to cry,

And wished his mother's absence for a while:

"Peace, fool,' quoth Venus, "is it I must die?

Must it be Mars?' With that she coined a smile:

She trimmed her tresses and did curl her hair,

And made her face with beauty passing fair.

A fan of silver feathers in her hand,

And in a coach of ebony she went:

She passed the place where furious Mars did stand,

And out her looks a lovely smile she sent;

Then from her brows leaped out so sharp a frown,

That Mars for fear threw all his armour down.

He vowed repentance for his rash misdeed,

Blaming his choler that had caused his woe:

Venus grew gracious, and with him agreed,

But charged him not to threaten beauty so,

For women's looks are such enchanting charms,

As can subdue the greatest god in arms.