Love

Ode XXX

by Anacreon c. 582 – c. 485 BC

Translated by Thomas Moore (1800) · From Odes of Anacreon (1800)

Love

'Twas in a mocking dream of night--
I fancied I had wings as light
As a young birds, and flew as fleet;
While Love, around whose beauteous feet,
I knew not why, hung chains of lead,
Pursued me, as I trembling fled;
And, strange to say, as swift as thought,
Spite of my pinions, I was caught!
What does the wanton Fancy mean
By such a strange, illusive scene?
I fear she whispers to my breast,
That you, sweet maid, have stolen its rest;
That though my fancy, for a while,
Hath hung on many a woman's smile,
I soon dissolved each passing vow,
And ne'er was caught by love till now!

MLA

Anacreon. “Ode XXX.” Translated by Thomas Moore. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anacreon/29/.

Chicago

Anacreon. “Ode XXX.” Translated by Thomas Moore. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anacreon/29/.

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