Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/92

62 62 ANACREONTICS

TO A SWALLOW. ODE X.

How am I to punish thee, For the wrong thou 'st done to me, Silly swallow, prating thing — Shall I clip that wheeling wing ? Or, as Tereus ^ did, of old,. s

(So the fabled tale is told,) Shall I tear that tongue away, Tongue that utter'd such a lay ? Ah, how thoughtless hast thou been ! Long before the dawn was seen, lo

When a dream came o'er my mind, Picturing her I worship, kind, . Just when I was nearly blest. Loud thy matins broke my rest !

LOVE'S ASSAULT. ODE ΧΙΠ. I will, I will, the conflict 's past. And I '11 consent to love at last. Cupid has long, with smiling art. Invited me to yield my heart ; And I have thought that peace of mind 5

Should not be for a smile resign'd ; And so repell'd the tender lure. And hop'd my heart would sleep secure.

But, slighted in his boasted charms,

The angry infant flew to arms ; 10

He slung his quiver's golden frame,

He took his bow, his shafts of flame,

And piOudly summoned me to yield.

Or meet him on the martial field.

1 Tereus cut out the tongue of his wife's sister, Philomela, to pre- vent her telling the wrong he had done her.