Pindar and Anacreon/Anacreon/Ode 42

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ODE XLII.—ON HIMSELF.

A friend to mirth and harmless sport,
I love the dance which Bacchus taught.
I dearly love to wake the lyre
When wine or love my lays inspire;
But dearer, sweeter joys I prove,
When with gay smiling maids I rove;
While hyacinths sweet odours breathe,
And round my brows their blossoms wreath,
My heart from envious thoughts is free,[1]
And even Envy still spares me:
From Slander's venom'd tongue I fly,
And shun the shafts of calumny.
Fierce quarrels o'er the festive board
My honest heart has e'er abhorr'd:
But, dancing to the lute's soft strain,
I love to join the blooming train.
Oh! let us banish barb'rous strife,
And lead a happy, peaceful life.[2]

  1. ↑ Such sentiments as these do honour to the poet, and establish his claim to the title of "the wise Anacreon."
  2. ↑ Anacreon seems to have esteemed tranquillity the greatest blessing of life: thus, ode 39, "Peaceful pleasures are my theme."
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