T. R. Smith, comp. Poetica Erotica: Rare and Curious Amatory Verse. 1921–22.
The Vintage
By Anacreon (582–485 B.C.)(From the Odes; translated by Thomas Stanley, 1651) |
MEN and maids at time of year | |
| The ripe clusters jointly bear | |
| To the press, but in when thrown, | |
| They by men are trod alone, | |
| Who in Bacchus’ praises join, | 5 |
| Squeeze the grape, let out the wine: | |
| Oh with what delight they spy | |
| The new must when tunned work high! | |
| Which if old men freely take, | |
| Their grey heads and heels they shake; | 10 |
| And a young man, if he find | |
| Some fair maid to sleep resign’d | |
| In the shade, he straight goes to her, | |
| Wakes, and roundly ’gins to woo her; | |
| Whilst Love slily stealing in | 15 |
| Tempts her to the pleasing sin: | |
| Yet she long resists his offers, | |
| Nor will hear whate’er he proffers, | |
| Till perceiving that his prayer | |
| Melts into regardless air, | 20 |
| Her, who seemingly refrains, | |
| He by pleasing force constrains; | |
| Wine doth boldness thus dispense, | |
| Teaching young men insolence. | |