University of Virginia Library

Φιλεουσι μεν σε Μουσαι,
Φιλεει δε Φοιβος αυτος,
Λιγυρην δ' εδωκεν οιμην.

ANACREON.


The Muses love thee dearly, Peter,
And eke the merry God of Metre,
Who gracious gave thee such a charming tongue:
We thought that age had quench'd thy fire,
Or law's rude hammer crush'd thy lyre,
Or royal whisper sooth'd the rage of Song;
Or pension chang'd thy harp's uncourtly strings,
And with her golden scissars clipp'd thy wings.