THE PET DOVE 63
And what did I unthinking do ? 15
I took to arms, undaunted, too ;
Assum'd the corslet, shield, and spear.
And, like Pelides,^ smil'd at fear.
Then (hear it, all ye powers abo'e !)
I fought with Love ! I fought with Love ! 20
And now his arrows all were shed,
And I had just in terror fled —
When, hearing an indignant sigh,
To see me thus unwounded fly,
And having now no other dart, 25
He shot himself into my heart !
My heart — alas the luckless day !
Receiv'd the God, and died away.
Farewell, farewell, my faithless shield !
Thy lord at length is forc'd to yield. 30
Vain, vain, is every outward care.
The foe 's within, and triumphs there.
THE PET DOVK ODE XV. " Tell rae,2 why, my sweetest dove, Thus your humid pinions move. Shedding through the air in showers Essence of the balmiest flowers ? Tell me whither, whence you rove, β
Tell me all, my sweetest dove."
" Curious stranger, I belong To the bard of Teian ^ song ;
^ Achilles, the son of Peleus. The first six verses are addressed by a stranger to Anacreon's dove, who is bearing a note from the poet to his mistress. The dove replies.
^ Anacreon was bom at Teos.
