Pindar and Anacreon/Anacreon/Ode 24

by Anacreon

ODE XXIV.—LIFE TO BE ENJOYED.^[1]

Born a mortal; doom'd to tread
Life's rough path of pain and wo,

All the past with ease is read,
But the future who can know?

Hence! away, distracting cares,
Make no fellowship with me;
Point not to my silvering hairs,
You and I shall ne'er agree.

Ere fate forbid all further joy,
First amid the festive throng,
Bacchus shall my hours employ
With mirth, and dance, and joyous song.

1. These odes are all nearly similar in subject, and present nothing particularly worthy of remark or illustration.