64 ANACREONTICS
With his mandate now I fly
To the nymph of azure eye ; — lo
She, whose eye has madden 'd many,
But the poet more than any.
Venus, for a hymn of love,
Warbled in her votive grove,
('T was in sooth a gentle lay,) is
Gave me to the bard away.^
See me now his faithful minion, —
Thus with softly-gliding pinion.
To his lovely girl I bear
Songs of passion through the air. 20
Oft he blandly whispers me,
' Soon, my bird, I '11 set you free,'
But in vain he '11 bid me fly,
I shall serve him till I die.
Never could my plumes sustain 25
Ruffling winds and chilling rain,
O'er the plains, or in the dell,
On the mountain's savage swell.
Seeking in the desert wood
Gloomy shelter, savage food. 30
Now I lead a life of ease.
Far from rugged haunts like these.
From Anacreon's hand I eat
Food delicious, viands sweet ;
Flutter o'er his goblet's brim, 35
Sip the foamy wine with him.
Then, when I have wanton'd round
To his lyre's beguiling sound ;
Or with gently-moving wings
Fann'd the minstrel while he sings : «
1 Since the dove was Venus' own bird she could fitly bestow it as reward for a song.
