from Odes, Book Three, 15

I

A Tower of Brass, one would have said,

And Locks, and Bolts, and Iron Bars,   

Might have preserv’d one innocent Maiden-head.

The jealous Father thought he well might spare

All further jealous Care.

And, as he walk’d, t’himself alone he smiled,

To think how Venus’ Arts he had beguil’d;

         And when he slept, his Rest was deep:

         But Venus laugh’d, to see and hear him sleep:

                  She taught the am’rous Jove

                  A magical Receipt in Love,

Which arm’d him stronger, and which help’d him more,

Than all his Thunder did, and his Almightyship before.

II

She taught him Love’s Elixir, by which Art

His Godhead into Gold he did convert;

         No Guards did then his Passage stay,   

         He pass’d with Ease, Gold was the Word;

Subtle as Light’ning, bright, and quick, and fierce,

Gold thro’ Doors and Walls did pierce;

And as that works sometimes upon the Sword,

         Melted the Maidenhead away,

         Ev’n in the secret Scabbard where it lay.

         The prudent Macedonian King,

         To blow up Towns a Golden Mine did spring;

         He broke thro’ Gates with this Petarr,

         ’Tis the great Art of Peace, the Engine ’tis of War;

And Fleets and Armies follow it afar;

The Ensign ’tis at Land: and ’tis the Seaman’s Star.