Poem by Thomas Moore

From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 13

I will, I will; the conflict’s past,
And I’ll consent to love at last.
Cupid has long, with smiling art,
Invited me to yield my heart;
And I have thought that peace of mind
Should not be for a smile resign’d;
And so repell’d the tender lure,
And hoped my heart would sleep secure.
            But slighted in his boasted charms,
The angry infant flew to arms;
He slung his quiver’s golden frame,
He took his bow, his shafts of flame,
And proudly summon’d me to yield,
Or meet him on the martial field.
And what did I unthinking do?
I took to arms, undaunted, too;
Assumed the corslet, shield, and spear,
And, like Pelides, smiled at fear.
Then (hear it, all ye powers above!)
I fought with Love! I fought with Love!
And now his arrows all were shed,
And I had just in terror fled —
When, heaving an indignant sigh,
To see me thus unwounded fly,
And, having now no other dart,
He shot himself into my heart!
My heart — alas the luckless day!
Received the God, and died away.
Farewell, farewell, my faithless shield!
Thy lord at length is forced to yield.
Vain, vain is every outward care,
The foe’s within, and triumphs there.

1. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 38
2. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 52
3. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 17
4. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 54
5. From “The Odes of Anacreon”. Ode 46

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