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Odes Of Anacreon - Ode XXIII.

By Thomas Moore

Topics: classic

I often wish this languid lyre,     This warbler of my soul's desire,     Could raise the breath of song sublime,     To men of fame, in former time.     But when the soaring theme I try,     Along the chords my numbers die,     And whisper, with dissolving tone,     "Our sighs are given to love alone!"     Indignant at the feeble lay,     I tore the panting chords away,     Attuned them to a nobler swell,     And struck again the breathing shell;     In all the glow of epic fire,     To Hercules I wake the lyre,     But still its fainting sighs repeat,     "The tale of love alone is sweet!"     Then fare thee well, seductive dream,     That madest me follow Glory's theme;     For thou my lyre, and thou my heart,     Shall never more in spirit part;     And all that one has felt so well     The other shall as sweetly tell!

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Author:Thomas Moore

"I often wish this languid lyre,..." by Thomas Moore

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Thomas Moore

About Thomas Moore

Thomas Moore (1779–1852) was an Irish poet, singer, and songwriter best known for "Irish Melodies" (1808–1834), a collection of songs including "The Last Rose of Summer" and "Believe Me, If All Those Endearing Young Charms." He was the most popular poet of his era in the British Isles.

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