19 Quotes by Anakreon

On easy wings I glide to Olympos whereI seek my master Eros,but he no longer lets me run down warm womenas in my doghood days:he sees my graying beard and passes me by,while I stand transfixedin the wind made by his wings of quivering gold.

We go through Poseidon’s month.Ponderous clouds sag with waterand furious storms break outcollapsing the rain earthward.

Let us hang garlands of celeryacross our foreheadsand call a festival to Dionysos.

I love and yet do not love.I am mad yet not quite mad.

Although we call these women loose,they tighten their thighs around thighs.

The dice of love areshouting and madness.

Eros, the blind god of lovers,strikes me with a purple balland asks me to play with a womanwearing colorful sandals,but she is from beautifulLesbos, and scorns my white hair,and turning her back runs gapingbehind another woman.

My Thracian foal, why do you glare with disdainand then shun me absolutely as if I knewnothing of this art?I tell you I could bridle you with tight straps,seize the reins and gallop you around the postsof the pleasant course.But you prefer to graze on the calm meadow,or frisk and gambol gayly—having no manly rider to break you in.

Bring out water and wine and an armfulof flowers.I want the proper settingwhen I spar a few rounds with love.