THE WISH
by: Anacreon (c.572-488
BC)
- IOBE on
Phrygian sands
- Turn'd a weeping statue stands,
- And the Pandionian Maid
- In a swallow's wings array'd;
- But a mirror I would be,
- To be look'd on still by thee;
- Or the gown wherein thou'rt drest,
- That I might thy limbs invest;
- Or a crystal spring, wherein
- Thou might'st bathe thy purer skin;
- Or sweet unguents, to anoint
- And make supple every joint;
- Or a knot, thy breast to deck;
- Or a chain, to clasp thy neck;
- Or thy shoe I wish to be,
- That thou might'st but tread on me.
-
- TRANSLATED BY THOMAS STANLEY,
1651
MORE
POEMS BY ANACREON |
|