Love's Excess, Author Unknown

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The Greek Anthology
Introduction

Chapter I Part I | Part II | Part III | Part IV | Part V | Part VI | Part VII | Part VIII

LI
LOVE'S EXCESS
AUTHOR UNKNOWN

Arm thyself, Cypris, with thy bow, and go at thy leisure to some other mark; for I have not even room left for a wound.

Moth and Candle, Meleager

LII
MOTH AND CANDLE
MELEAGER

If thou scorch so often the soul that flutters round thee, O Love, she will flee away from thee; she too, O cruel, has wings.

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Love at Auction, Meleager

LIII
LOVE AT AUCTION
MELEAGER

Let him be sold, even while he is yet asleep on his mother's bosom, let him be sold; why should I have the rearing of this impudent thing? For it is snub-nosed and winged, and scratches with its nail-tips, and weeping laughs often between; and furthermore it is unabashed, ever- talking, sharp-glancing, wild and not gentle even to its very own mother, every way a monster; so it shall be sold; if any outward-bound merchant will buy a boy, let him come hither.

And yet he beseeches, see, all in tears. I sell thee no more; be comforted; stay here and live with Zenophile.

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Inter Minora Sidera, Marcus Argentarius

LIV
INTER MINORA SIDERA
MARCUS ARGENTARIUS

Pour ten cups for Lysidice, and for beloved Euphrante, slave, give me one cup. Thou wilt say I love Lysidice more? No, by sweet Bacchus, whom I drink deep in this bowl; Euphrante for me, one against ten; for the one splendour of the moon also outshines the innumerable stars.

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Rosa Triplex, Meleager

LV
ROSA TRIPLEX
MELEAGER

Pour for Heliodora as Persuasion, and as the Cyprian, and once more for her again as the sweet-speeched Grace; for she is enrolled as my one goddess, whose beloved name I will mix and drink in unmixed wine.

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LVI
LOVE IN ABSENCE
MELEAGER

Pour, and again say, again, again, "Heliodora"; say it and mingle the sweet name with the unmixed wine; and wreath me with that garland of yesterday drenched with ointments, for remembrance of her. Lo, the lovers' rose sheds tears to see her away, and not on my bosom.

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LVII
LOVE'S PORTRAITURE
MELEAGER

Who of my friends has imaged me sweet-voiced Zenophile? who has brought me one Grace of the three? Surely the man did a gracious deed who gave this gift, and in his grace gave Grace herself to me.

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LVIII
THE SEA'S WOOING
MELEAGER

Fond Asclepias with her sparkling eyes as of Calm woos all to make the voyage of love.

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LIX
THE LIGHT OF TROY
DIOSCORIDES

Athenion sang of that fatal horse to me; all Troy was in fire, and I kindled along with it, not fearing the ten years' toil of Greece; and in that single blaze Trojans and I perished together then.

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LX
LOVE AND MUSIC
MELEAGER

Sweet is the tune, by Pan of Arcady, that thou playest on the harp, Zenophile, oversweet are the notes of the tune. Whither shall I fly from thee? on all hands the Loves encompass me, and let me not take breath for ever so little space; for either thy form shoots longing into me, or again thy music or thy graciousness, or -- what shall I say? all of thee; I kindle in the fire.

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