Anacreon was a Greek lyric poet, notable for his drinking songs and hymns. Later Greeks included him in the canonical list of nine lyric poets. Anacreon wrote all of his poetry in the ancient Ionic dialect. Like all early lyric poetry, it was composed to be sung or recited to the accompaniment of music, usually the lyre. Anacreon's poetry touched on universal themes of love, infatuation, disappointment, revelry, parties, festivals and the observations of everyday people and life. Wikipedia
“Ah, cruel 'tis to love,
And cruel not to love,
But cruelest of all
To love and love in vain.”
Odes, XXIX. (XXVII.), 1.
Variant: Fruitful earth drinks up the rain, Trees from earth drink that again; The sea too drinks the air, the sun Drinks the sea, and him the moon. Is it reason, then, do ye think, That I should thirst when all else drink?
Source: Odes, 21.
Odes, XXIV.
Variant: The bull by nature hath his horns, The horse his hoofs, to daunt their foes; The light-foot hare the hunter scorns; The lion's teeth his strength disclose.The fish, by swimming, 'scapes the weel; The bird, by flight, the fowler's net; With wisdom man is arm'd as steel; Poor women none of these can get. What have they then?—fair Beauty's grace, A two-edged sword, a trusty shield; No force resists a lovely face, Both fire and sword to Beauty yield.
“Love for lineage nothing cares.
Tramples wisdom under foot.
Worth derides, and only looks
For money.”
Odes, XXIX. (XXVIL, b), 5.
“E'en though I would not, die I must;
Why stray I thus through life?”
XLV. (XLIII.), 5.
“But when an old man dances,
His locks with age are grey.
But he's a child in mind.”
Odes, XXXIX. (XXXVII), 3.
“Whence can we the future learn?
Life to mortals is obscure.”
Odes, XXXVIII. (XXXVL), 19.
