A Selection from the Lyrical Poems of Robert Herrick

81. UPON LOVE

     A crystal vial Cupid brought,
     Which had a juice in it:
     Of which who drank, he said, no thought
     Of Love he should admit.

     I, greedy of the prize, did drink,
     And emptied soon the glass;
     Which burnt me so, that I do think
     The fire of hell it was.

     Give me my earthen cups again,
     The crystal I contemn,
     Which, though enchased with pearls, contain
     A deadly draught in them.

     And thou, O Cupid!  come not to
     My threshold,—since I see,
     For all I have, or else can do,
     Thou still wilt cozen me.