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Lyric Poems

Made in Imitation of the Italians. Of which, many are Translations From other Languages ... By Philip Ayres

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147

The Pæan of Bacchylides,

Περι ειρην/ης.

On PEACE.

[_]

Beginning

Τικτει δη θνατοισιν ειρην/α μεγαλα
Πλουτον------
Great Goddess PEACE does Wealth on us bestow,
From her our Sciences and Learning flow,
Our Arts improve, and we the Artists prize,
Our Altars fume with richest Sacrifice:
Youths mind their active Sports they often meet,
Revel and dance with Maydens in the Street;
The useless Shield serves to adorn the Hall,
Whence Spiders weave their Nets against the Wall;
Gauntlets and Spears lye cover'd o'er with Dust,
And slighted Swords half eaten up with Rust;
No Trumpets sound, no ratling Drums we hear,
No frightful Clamours pierce the tim'rous Ear;
Our weary Eyes enjoying nat'ral Rest,
Refresh the Heart when 'tis with Cares opprest:
Days steal away in Feasting and Delight,
And Lovers spend in Serenades the Night.