The Loves, ’tis thought, were free till then,
They had no king or laws, dear;
But gods, like men, should subject be,
Say all the ancient saws, dear. 
And so our crew resolved, for quiet,
To choose a king to curb their riot. 
A kiss:  ah! what a grievous thing
For both, methinks, ’twould be, child,
If I should take some prudish king,
And cease to be so free, child!

III

Among their toys a Casque they found,
It was the helm of Ares;
With horrent plumes the crest was crown’d,
It frightened all the Lares. 
So fine a king was never known—­
They placed the helmet on the throne. 
My girl, since Valor wins the world,
They chose a mighty master;
But thy sweet flag of smiles unfurled
Would win the world much faster!

IV

The Casque soon found the Loves too wild
A troop for him to school them;
For warriors know how one such child
Has aye contrived to fool them. 
They plagued him so, that in despair
He took a wife the plague to share. 
If kings themselves thus find the strife
Of earth, unshared, severe, girl;
Why just to halve the ills of life,
Come, take your partner here, girl.

V

Within that room the Bird of Love
The whole affair had eyed then;
The monarch hail’d the royal dove,
And placed her by his side then: 
What mirth amidst the Loves was seen! 
‘Long live,’ they cried, ‘our King and Queen.’ 
Ah!  Lesbia, would that thrones were mine,
And crowns to deck that brow, love! 
And yet I know that heart of thine
For me is throne enow, love!

VI

The urchins hoped to tease the mate
As they had teased the hero;
But when the Dove in judgment sate
They found her worse than Nero! 
Each look a frown, each word a law;
The little subjects shook with awe. 
In thee I find the same deceit—­
Too late, alas! a learner! 
For where a mien more gently sweet? 
And where a tyrant sterner?

This song, which greatly suited the gay and lively fancy of the Pompeians, was received with considerable applause, and the widow insisted on crowning her namesake with the very branch of myrtle to which he had sung.  It was easily twisted into a garland, and the immortal Fulvius was crowned amidst the clapping of hands and shouts of Io triumphe!  The song and the harp now circulated round the party, a new myrtle branch being handed about, stopping at each person who could be prevailed upon to sing.

The sun began now to decline, though the revellers, who had worn away several hours, perceived it not in their darkened chamber; and the senator, who was tired, and the warrior, who had to return to Herculaneum, rising to depart, gave the signal for the general dispersion.  ‘Tarry yet a moment, my friends,’ said Diomed; ’if you will go so soon, you must at least take a share in our concluding game.’