When younglings first

Song Meaning

The lyrics paint a picture of youthful infatuation, where the initial perception of love is one of innocent playfulness. Young people, seeing Cupid depicted as a blindfolded, boyish figure, believe love can't possibly harm them. They "play" with his "purple wings," seeing love as glorious and light, assuming they can easily escape its grasp because, after all, a blind man "shoot[s] they know not whither." However, this naive perspective is quickly shattered by experience. The narrator reveals that love, far from being harmless, actually "dim[s] their sight," leaving them more bewildered by the "surpassing power and might" of this seemingly simple "lad." The initial joy turns to a dawning realization of love's potent, disorienting force, a stark contrast to the carefree image they first embraced. The craft here hinges on the ironic contrast between the perceived innocence of Cupid and the actual, overwhelming impact of love. The imagery of a "naked, blindfold and a boy" is subverted by the later discovery that "he did see" and his "wound did rather dim their sight." This shift from playful ignorance to painful awareness is amplified by the final, desperate plea, "Then shield me heavens from such a subtle thing," highlighting love's deceptive and powerful nature, like the "ants have galls" or the "bee his sting."