Classic Poem

Helen sat by my side, and I held
To her lip the gay cup in my bower,
When a bird at our feet we beheld,
As we talked of old Greece in that hour;
And his wing bore a turden of love,
To some fair one the secret soul telling —
O drink of my cup, carrier-dove!
And sleep on the bosom of Helen.
Thou art tired — rest awhile, and anon
Thou shalt soar, with new energy thrilling,
To the land of that far-off fair one,
If such be the task thou'rt fulfilling;
But perhaps thou dost waft the last word
Of despair, wrung from valour and duty —
Then drink of my cup, carrier bird!
And sleep on the bosom of Beauty.

Ha! these lines are from Greece! Well I knew
The loved idiom! Be mine the perusal.
Son of France, I'm a child of Greece too;
And a kinsman will brook no refusal.
" Greece is free! " all the gods have concurred.
To fill up our joy's brimming measure —
O drink of my cup, carrier bird!
And sleep on the bosom of Pleasure.

Greece is free! Let us drink to that land,
To our elders in fame! Did ye merit
Thus to struggle alone, glorious band!
From whose sires we our freedom inherit?
The old glories, which kings would destroy,
Greece regains, never, never to lose 'em!
O drink of my cup, bird of joy!
And sleep on my Helen's soft bosom.

Muse of Athens! thy lyre quick resume!
None thy anthem of freedom shall hinder:
Give Anacreon joy in his tomb,
And gladden the ashes of Pindar.
Helen! fold that bright bird to thy breast,
Nor permit him henceforth to desert you —
O drink of my cup, winged guest!
And sleep on the bosom of Virtue.

But no, he must hie to his home,
To the nest where his bride is awaiting;
Soon again to our climate he'll come,
The young glories of Athens relating,
The baseness of kings to reprove,
To blush our vile rulers compelling! —
Then drink of my goblet, O dove!
And sleep on the breast of my Helen.