Not Aphrodite

I found Love by a fountain and alone,
And had no fear and crept up to his face;
And Love! I said, 'art thou indeed alone?
For I am fall'n into such deep disgrace
That, though I sought thy mother, I could ne'er,
Seeing she is but a woman, of my pride.
For very shame open my heart to her.
But tell me, while I sit down at thy side.
Rather of those first days when thou wert mated
With many a stubborn force, and fierce the strife,
How light was of thy loving power created:
And all thy labour not for death, but life.'
Oh, then I heard how the sweet stars were born.
And very softly put away my scorn.