Lovely courier of the sky, <br />Whence and whither dost thou fly? <br />Scattering, as thy pinions play, <br />Liquid fragrance all the way: <br />Is it business? is it love? <br />Tell me, tell me, gentle dove. <br />'Soft Anacreon's vows I bear, <br />Vows to Myrtale the fair; <br />Graced with all that charms the heart, <br />Blushing nature, smiling art. <br />Venus, courted by an ode, <br />On the bard her dove bestow'd: <br />Vested with a master's right, <br />Now Anacreon rules my flight; <br />His the letters that you see, <br />Weighty charge, consign'd to me: <br />Think not yet my service hard, <br />Joyless task without reward; <br />Smiling at my master's gates, <br />Freedom my return awaits; <br />But the liberal grant in vain <br />Tempts me to be wild again. <br />Can a prudent dove decline <br />Blissful bondage such as mine? <br />Over hills and fields to roam, <br />Fortune's guest without a home; <br />Under leaves to hide one's head, <br />Slightly shelter'd, coarsely fed: <br />Now my better lot bestows <br />Sweet repast and soft repose; <br />Now the generous bowl I sip, <br />As it leaves Anacreon's lip: <br />Void of care, and free from dread, <br />From his fingers snatch his bread, <br />Then with luscious plenty gay, <br />Round his chamber dance and play; <br />OR from wine as courage springs, <br />O'er his face extend my wings; <br />And when feast and frolic tire <br />Drop asleep upon his lyre. <br />This is all, be quick and go, <br />More than all thou canst not know; <br />Let me now my pinions ply, <br />I have chatter'd like a pye.'<br /><br />Samuel Johnson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/anacreon-ode-9/
