Poem by Thomas Moore

From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 8

I care not for the idle state
Of Persia’s king, the rich, the great.
I envy not the monarch’s throne,
Nor wish the treasured gold my own
But oh! be mine the rosy wreath,
Its freshness o’er my brow to breathe;
Be mine the rich perfumes that flow,
To cool and scent my locks of snow.
To-day I’ll haste to quaff my wine
As if to-morrow ne’er would shine;
But if to-morrow comes, why then –
I'll haste to quaff my wine again.
And thus while all our days are bright,
Nor time has dimmed their bloomy light,
Let us the festal hours beguile
With mantling pup and cordial smile;
And shed from each new bowl of wine,
The richest drop on Bacchus’ shrine
For death may come, with brow unpleasant,
May come, when least we wish him present,
And beckon to the Sable shore,
And grimly bid us – drink no more!

1. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 75
2. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 16
3. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 27
4. From “Irish Melodies”. 114. I’ve a Secret to Tell Thee
5. Bright Be Thy Dreams

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