University of Virginia Library

ODE I. Upon his Lyre.

The sons of Atreus now I'll sing!
Lo! now I'll sing the sons of Jove!
In vain I strike the trembling string;
My lyre will nothing sound, but love.
But, late I chang'd the warbling wire;
Resolv'd to sing some loftier strain;
Such as the brave and great inspire:
Alas! I chang'd the wire in vain!

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In vain resolv'd! for still I found,
But love, my lyre would nothing sound.
Hence, fare ye well! ye great and brave!
Ye sons of Atreus and of Jove!
Hence, fare ye well! to love a slave,
My lyre shall nothing sound, but love!
 

Agamemnon and Menelaus.

Hercules and Cadmus.