Women in History

Mary Darby Robinson was born in Bristol, England on November 27, 1757. She was a poet, novelist, actress, mistress and she was also know as "the English Sappho." When Mary was a child, her father John Darby, a Naval Captain, left her mother Hester Seys with a mistress. Mary's mother and her other children were left to live on their own. So they supported themselves by setting up a school for young girls. But this did not last long, since John Darby was forced by law to close the school down.
At a young age Mary unenthusiastically  Married Thomas Robinson, a clerk, who lied of having an inheritance. Later they became poor and went into debt, eventually Thomas was imprisoned. During this time Mary found a Patroness, Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire. Who helped with publishing her first poems. Mary was keen on theater, and decided to pursue acting. During her role as Perdita (heroine of Shakespeare's The Winter's Tale) in 1779, she attracted the young Prince of Wales. They formed a relationship, despite Marys reluctant attitude, she wanted to stay true to her husband. The affair lasted until 1781, when the Prince of Wales ended it. She also had other affairs, like Banastre Tarleton, a soldier who had distinguished himself fighting in the American War of Independence. Their relationship lasted for 15 years, ending when Tarleton married Susan Bertie a heiress.
At the age of 26, she suffered from a illness that partially paralyzed her. At this period of her life she wrote many poems, novels, and plays. She died at the age of 42, sadly in poverty.

 

Cupid Sleeping 

[Inscribed to Her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire.]

CLOSE in a woodbine's tangled shade,
The BLOOMING GOD asleep was laid;
His brows with mossy roses crown'd;
His golden darts lay scatter'd round;
To shade his auburn, curled head,
A purple canopy was spread,
Which gently with the breezes play'd,
And shed around a soften'd shade.
Upon his downy smiling cheek,
Adorned with many a "dimple sleek,"
Beam'd glowing health and tender blisses,
His coral lip which teem'd with kisses
Ripe, glisten'd with ambrosial dew,
That mock'd the rose's deepest hue.­
His quiver on a bough was hung,
His bow lay carelessly unstrung:
His breath mild odour scatter'd round,
His eyes an azure fillet bound:
On every side did zephyrs play,
To fan the sultry beams of day;
While the soft tenants of the grove,
Attun'd their notes to plaintive Love.

Thus lay the Boy­when DEVONS feet
Unknowing reach'd the lone retreat;
Surpriz'd, to see the beauteous child
Of every dang'rous pow'r beguil'd!
Approaching near his mossy bed,
Soft whisp'ring to herself she said:­
" Thou little imp, whose potent art
" Bows low with grief the FEELING HEART;
" Whose thirst insatiate, loves to sip
" The nectar from the ruby lip;
" Whose barb'rous joy is prone to seek
" The soft carnation of the cheek;
" Now, bid thy tyrant sway farewell,
" As thus I break each magic spell: "
Snatch'd from the bough, where high it hung,
O'er her white shoulder straight she flung
The burnish'd quiver, golden dart,
And each vain emblem of his art;
Borne from his pow'r they now are seen,
The attributes of BEAUTY'S QUEEN!
While LOVE in secret hides his tears;
DIAN the form of VENUS wears!

Mary Darby Robinson

Source Compliments to http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/cupid-sleeping/ and Wikipedia.