BEAUTY

by: Anacreon (c.572-488 BC)

ORNS to bulls wise Nature lends;

Horses she with hoofs defends;

Hares with nimble feet relieves;

Dreadful teeth to lions gives;

Fishes learn through streams to slide;

Birds through yielding air to glide;

Men with courage she supplies;

But to women these denies.

What then gives she? Beauty, this

Both their arms and armor is:

She, that can this weapon use,

Fire and sword with ease subdues.

 

TRANSLATED BY THOMAS STANLEY, 1651

• Purchase books by Anacreon
• Search eBay! or abebooks for more books by Anacreon