Bartolozzi Prints

After Subjects Taken from the Greek Anthology

ELINOR WYLIE

To Aphrodite, with a Talisman

THIS graven charm, that leads a girl unkissed

From bridal-bed; that knows to draw a man

Far over-seas; carved out of amethyst, Chased with fine gold; accept, O Cyprian!

See where it lies, translucent, beautiful: O take it for your very own! and see How it is bound with violet-coloured wool,

Gift of a sorceress from Thessaly.

To a Blackbird Singing

Marcus Argentarius

WHERE the poisonous mistletoe Over the oak her magic weaves, Sing no more, O blackbird! go To safer shade of silver leaves.

Sing, and set your little foot On golden grape and silver vine:

The Wine-God loves your song: the fruit

Will cool your lovely throat with wine.

To Claudia Homonoea

words were delicately breathed As Syren notes: the Cyprian's head Never shone out more golden-wreathed Than mine: but now I lie here dead.

A chattering swallow, bright and wild, Whom one man loved for all her years— Having loved her even as a child:

I leave him nothing but his tears.

On a Singing Girl

MUSA of the sea-blue eyes, Silver nightingale, alone In a little coffin lies:

A stone beneath a stone.

She, whose song we loved the best, Is voiceless in a sudden night:

On your light limbs, O loveliest, May the dust be light!