by Susanna Haswell Rowson (1762 - 1824)
The warning
Language: English
List to me, ye gentle fair: Cupid oft in ambush lies, Of the urchin have a care, Lest he take you by surprise. He with trifles will inflame The hearts of us poor silly maids, And oft-times he takes his aim From shoulder knots and smart cockades. Oft his darts the heart assail From a pair of brilliant eyes; Never were they known to fail, Wet with tears or borne on sighs. Beauteous too he seems to be, Sweet as roses in the morn; But beneath these beauties he, Like the rose, conceals a thorn. List to me, ye gentle fair: Cupid oft in ambush lies, Of the urchin have a care, Lest he take you by surprise.
Authorship:
- by Susanna Haswell Rowson (1762 - 1824) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by James Hook (1746 - 1827), "The warning" [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 20
Word count: 118