Pindar and Anacreon/Anacreon/Ode 2

by Anacreon

ODE II.—ON WOMEN.^[1]

Pointed horns, the dread of foes,
Nature on the bull bestows;
Horny hoofs the horse defend,
Swift-wing'd feet the hare befriend;
Lions' gaping jaws disclose
Dreadful teeth in grinning rows;
Wings to birds her care supplied,
Finny fishes swim the tide;
Nobler gifts to man assign'd,
Courage firm and strength of mind.^[2]
From her then exhausted store
Naught for woman has she more:
How does Nature prove her care?
Beauty's charms is woman's share,

Stronger far than warrior's dress
Is her helpless loveliness.
Safety smiles in beauty's eyes,
She the hostile flame defies:
Fiercest swords submissive fall—
Lovely woman conquers all!

1. The sentiment of this little ode is natural and beautiful, and it has been imitated by many succeeding writers. The first of modern poets, Lord Byron, has in the following beautiful passage a similar idea to that contained in the latter part of it:—

   "Oh, too convincing, dangerously dear!
   In woman's eye the unanswerable tear!
   That weapon of her weakness she can wield
   To save—subdue—at once her spear and shield."
   

   Corsair, Canto ii., 15.

2. The single word in the original thus translated, usually signifies wisdom or prudence; but surely so polite a poet as Anacreon would not have denied these important qualities to the ladies. It may likewise be rendered, as in the text, "Courage, or strength of mind;" but in neither sense may we arrogate to ourselves the title of "the exclusives," so long as the deeds and daring of the softer sex live in the Records of Woman, and are related by such a champion as Mrs. Hemans.