Odes Of Anacreon - Ode XXXVII.

'Twas night, and many a circling bowl     Had deeply warmed my thirsty soul;     As lulled in slumber I was laid,     Bright visions o'er my fancy played.     With maidens, blooming as the dawn,     I seemed to skim the opening lawn;     Light, on tiptoe bathed in dew,     We flew, and sported as we flew!         Some ruddy striplings, who lookt on--     With cheeks that like the wine-god's shone,     Saw me chasing, free and wild,     These blooming maids, and slyly smiled;     Smiled indeed with wanton glee,     Though none could doubt they envied me.     And still I flew--and now had caught     The panting nymphs, and fondly thought     To gather from each rosy lip     A kiss that Jove himself might sip--     When sudden all my dream of joys,     Blushing nymphs and laughing boys,     All were gone!--"Alas!" I said,     Sighing for the illusion fled,     "Again, sweet sleep, that scene restore,     Oh! let me dream it o'er and o'er!"[1]