The First Ode of Anacreon

THE line of Atreus will I sing; To Cadmus will I tune the string: But, as from string to string I move, My lute will only sound of Love.

The cords I change through every screw, And model the whole lute anew. Once more, in song, my voice I raise, And, Hercules, thy toils I praise: My lute does still my voice deny, And in the tones of love reply.

Ye heroes then, at once farewel: Loves only echo from my shell.