Читать книгу Yale Classics - Ancient Greek Literature - Anacreon - Страница 116

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Let us drink, and pledge the night!

Wherefore wait the torches’ light?

Twilight’s hour is brief.

Pass the ample goblet 'round,

Gold-enwrought, whereon is wound

Many a jewelled leaf.

Sprung from Semele and Zeus

Dionysus gave to us

Care-dispelling wine.

Pouring out the liquid treasure

With one part of water measure

Two parts from the vine.

Mix it well, and let it flow,

Cup on cup shall headlong go,

While we drink and laugh,

While we sing and quaff.

The happiest hours are in the cup,

But O beware the waking up

If you but drink too deep.

For miserable is the wight —

Ay! doubly wretched is his plight —

Who woos a drunkard’s sleep.

Imprimis comes a Splitting head,

Secundo comes, in pleasure’s stead,

Remorse his heart to rend.

But if you ’d taste of joys divine,

Nor yet offend the god of wine,

Drink wisely, O my friend!