Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/93

63 THE PET DOVE 63

And what did I unthinking do ? 15

I took to arms, undaunted, too ;

Assum'd the corslet, shield, and spear.

And, like Pelides,^ smil'd at fear.

Then (hear it, all ye powers abo'e !)

I fought with Love ! I fought with Love ! 20

And now his arrows all were shed,

And I had just in terror fled —

When, hearing an indignant sigh,

To see me thus unwounded fly,

And having now no other dart, 25

He shot himself into my heart !

My heart — alas the luckless day !

Receiv'd the God, and died away.

Farewell, farewell, my faithless shield !

Thy lord at length is forc'd to yield. 30

Vain, vain, is every outward care.

The foe 's within, and triumphs there.

THE PET DOVK ODE XV. " Tell rae,2 why, my sweetest dove, Thus your humid pinions move. Shedding through the air in showers Essence of the balmiest flowers ? Tell me whither, whence you rove, β

Tell me all, my sweetest dove."

" Curious stranger, I belong To the bard of Teian ^ song ;

^ Achilles, the son of Peleus. The first six verses are addressed by a stranger to Anacreon's dove, who is bearing a note from the poet to his mistress. The dove replies.

^ Anacreon was bom at Teos.