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26

ODE IX. THE DOVE.

Tell me, dear, delightful Dove,
“Emblematic Bird of Love,
“On your wavering Wings descending,
“Whence you come, and whither tending?

27

“Tell me whence your snowy Plumes
“Breathe such Fragrance of Perfumes?
“And what Master you obey,
“Gentle Bird of Venus, say!”
“Blithe Anacreon, the wise,
“(Thus the feather'd Page replies)
“Sends me o'er the Meads and Groves
“To Bathyllus whom he loves,

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“To Bathyllus, beauteous Boy,
“Men's Delight, and Maidens Joy.
“For a Sonnet terse and trim,
“Which the Poets call a Hymn,
Venus, in her sweet Regard,
“Sold me to the gentle Bard:
“Happy in his easy Sway,
“All his Mandates I obey;
“Often through the Fields of Air
“Song or Billet-doux I bear.
“If you serve me well, says he,
“I will shortly make you free.
“He may free me, if he will,
“Yet I'll stay and serve him still:

29

“For what Comfort can I know
“On the Mountain's barren Brow?
“Or in Deserts left alone,
“There to murmur and to moan?
“Or in melancholy Wood,
“Pecking Berries, nauseous Food!
“Now I eat delicious Bread,
“By my liberal Master fed;
“Now I drink, of his own Bowl,
“Rosy Wine that chears my Soul;

30

“Sometimes dance, and sometimes play,
“Ever easy, ever gay;
“Or my fragrant Pinions spread,
“Hovering o'er my Master's Head:
“When my Limbs begin to tire,
“Then I perch upon his Lyre;
“Soothing Sounds my Eye-lids close,
“Sweetly lulling my Repose.
“Now I've told you all I know,
“Friend, adieu—'tis Time to go;
“You my Speed so long delay,
“I have chatter'd like a Jay.