THE ANACREONTICK SONG

To Anacreon in Heaven where he sat in full glee
A few sons of harmony sent a Petition
That he their advisor and patron would be.
Then this answer arriv'd from the jolly old Grecian:
"Voice, Fiddle and Flute no longer be mute.
I'll lend you my aid and inspire you to boot,
And besides I'll instruct you like me to entwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.

The news through Olympus immediately flew;
When Old Thunder pretended to give himself Airs:
"If these Mortals are suffer'd their Scheme to pursue,
The Devil a Goddess will stay above Stairs.
Hark! Already they cry,
In transports of joy,
'Away to the Sons of Anacreon we'll fly,
And there with good Fellows, we'll learn to entwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.'

The Yello-Hair'd God and his nine fusty maids
From Helicon's Banks will incontinent flee,
Idalia will boast but of tenantless Shades
And the bi-forked Hill a mere desert will be.
My Thunder no fear on't,
Shall soon do its Errand,
And soundly I'll swinge the ringleaders, I warrant.
I'll trim the young dogs for thus daring to entwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Apollo rose up and said, "Pr'ythee ne'er quarrel,
Good King of the Gods, with my Vot'ries below:
Your Thunder is useless." Then shewing his Laurel,
Cry'd, "Sic evitabile fulmen," * you know!
Then over each Head,
My Laurels I'll spread,
So my Sons from your Crackers no Mischief shall dread,
While snug in their Club-Room they jovially twine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Next Momus got up, with his risible phiz,
And swore with Apollo he'd cheerfully join:
"The full Tide of Harmony still shall be his,
But the Song and the Catch and the Laugh shall be mine.
Then, Jove, be not Jealous
Of these honest Fellows."
Cry'd Jove, "We relent since the truth you now tell us,
And swear by Old Styx that they long shall entwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine."

Ye sons of Anacreon then join Hand in Hand;
Preserve Unanimity, Friendship and Love!
'Tis yours to support what's so happily plann'd.
You've the Sanction of Gods and the Fiat of Jove.
While thus we agree,
Our Toast let it be:
May our Club flourish happy, united and free!
And long may the Sons of Anacreon entwine
The Myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's Vine.


*"Thus we evade thunderbolts."

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