Lyric Poems Made in Imitation of the Italians. Of which, many are Translations From other Languages ... By Philip Ayres |
 |
|
 |
An Ode of Anacreon Englished.
|
 | Lyric Poems |  |
108
An Ode of Anacreon Englished.
Εις ΧΕΛΙΔΟΝΑ.
To the SWALLOW.
I
Dear Bird, thy Tunes and Sportings here,Delight us all the Day;
Who dwell'st amongst us half the Year,
And then art forc'd away.
II
Thou canst not Winter's Fury bear,But cross the Southern Main,
To warmer Africk dost repair,
Till Spring return again.
III
But, Ah! No Force of Storm, or Art,Drives Cupid from my Brest,
He took Possession of my Heart,
And in it built his Nest.
109
IV
This Bird there hatches all his Young,Where each by Instinct led,
Learns of its Sire his Tricks and Song,
VVith Shell upon its Head.
V
And e'er these Loves have plum'd their VVings,They multiply apace,
For as one plays, or cryes, or sings,
It propagates its Race.
VI
Now their Confusion's grown so loud,It cannot be exprest:
I've such Disturbance with the Crowd,
They give my Soul no Rest.
| Lyric Poems | |