I see ANACREON smile and sing: His silver tresses breathe perfume; His cheek displays a second spring Of roses taught by wine to bloom. Away, deceitful cares, away! And let me listen to his lay! While flow'ry dreams my soul employ; While turtle-wing'd the laughing hours Lead hand in hand the festal pow'rs, Lead Youth and Love, and harmless Joy. Broke from the fetters of his native land, Devoting shame and vengeance to her lords, With louder impulse, and a threat'ning hand, The [22]Lesbian patriot smites the sounding chords: Ye wretches, ye perfidious train, Ye curst of Gods and free-born men, Ye murd'rers of the laws, Tho' now you glory in your lust, Tho' now you tread the feeble neck in dust, Yet time and righteous JOVE will judge your dreadful cause. But lo, to SAPPHO'S mournful airs Descends the radiant queen of love; She smiles, and asks what fonder cares Her suppliant's plaintive measures move: Why is my faithful maid distrest? Who, SAPPHO, wounds thy tender breast? Say, flies he?----Soon he shall pursue: Shuns he thy gifts?----He too shall give: Slights he thy sorrows?----He shall grieve, And bend him to thy haughtiest vow. But, O MELPOMENE, for whom Awakes thy golden shell again? What mortal breath shall e'er presume To echo that unbounded strain? Majestic, in the frown of years, Behold, the [23]Man of Thebes appears: For some there are, whose mighty frame The hand of JOVE at birth endow'd With hopes that mock the gazing crowd; As eagles drink the noontide flame. While the dim raven beats his weary wings, And clamours far below.----Propitious Muse, While I so late unlock thy hallow'd springs, And breathe whate'er thy ancient airs infuse, To polish Albion's warlike ear This long-lost melody to hear, Thy sweetest arts imploy; As when the winds from shore to shore, Thro' Greece thy lyre's persuasive language bore, Till towns, and isles, and seas return'd the vocal joy.