ON MRS. BIDDY FLOYD;

By Jonathan Swift

When Cupid did his grandsire Jove entreat

To form some Beauty by a new receipt, Jove sent, and found, far in a country scene,

Truth, innocence, good nature, look serene:

From which ingredients first the dext'rous boy

Pick'd the demure, the awkward, and the coy.

The Graces from the court did next provide

Breeding, and wit, and air, and decent pride:

These Venus cleans'd from ev'ry spurious grain

Of nice coquet, affected, pert, and vain.

Jove mix'd up all, and the best clay employ'd;

Then call'd the happy composition FLOYD.