  A man to Jupiter preferred Prayers for a wife: his prayer was heard. Jove smiled to see the man caressing The granted prayer and doubtful blessing. Again he troubled Jove with prayers: Fraught with a wife, he wanted heirs: They came, to be annoys or joys— One girl and two big bouncing boys. And, a third time, he prayed his prayer For grace unto his son and heir— That he, who should his name inherit, Might be replete with worth and merit. Then begged his second might aspire, With strong ambition, martial fire; That Fortune he might break or bend, And on her neck to heights ascend. Last, for the daughter, prayed that graces Might tend upon her face and paces. Jove granted all and every prayer, For daughter, and cadet, and heir. The heir turned out a thorough miser, And lived as lives the college sizar; He took no joy in show or feat, And starving did not choose to eat. The soldier—he held honours martial, And won the baton of field-marshal; And then, for a more princely elf, They laid the warrior on the shelf. The beauty viewed with high disdain The lover's hopes—the lover's pain; Age overtook her, undecided, And Cupid left her much derided. The father raised his voice above, Complaining of the gifts to Jove; But Jove replied that weal and woe Depended not on outward show— That ignorant of good or ill, Men still beset the heavenly will: The blest were those of virtuous mind, Who were to Providence resigned. |
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