I saw the smiling bard of pleasure,

The minstrel of the Teian measure;

'Twas in a vision of the night,

He beamed upon my wondering sight.

I heard his voice, and warmly prest

The dear enthusiast to my breast.

His tresses wore a silvery dye,

But beauty sparkled in his eye;

Sparkled in his eyes of fire,

Through the mist of soft desire.

His lip exhaled, when'er he sighed,

The fragrance of the racy tide;

And, as with weak and reeling feet

He came my cordial kiss to meet,

An infant, of the Cyprian band,

Guided him on with tender hand.

Quick from his glowing brows he drew

His braid, of many a wanton hue;

I took the wreath, whose inmost twine

Breathed of him and blushed with wine.

I hung it o'er my thoughtless brow,

And ah! I feel its magic now:

I feel that even his garland's touch

Can make the bosom love too much.

[1] This ode is the first of the series in the Vatican manuscript, which attributes it to no other poet than Anacreon. They who assert that the manuscript imputes it to Basilius, have been mislead. Whether it be the production of Anacreon or not, it has all the features of ancient simplicity, and is a beautiful imitation of the poet's happiest manner.