As an addendum (not alternative) to Jon Corelis' +Anacreontea+, here's my
own version of one he translated (Loeb numbering):
ANACREONTEA: 36
If being human you could purchase life, then
I'd grab money with both hands, so when
Death arrived, I'd pass him a bundle and he'd
pass on. But since no one merely human
Can buy out of it, why scream for the moon?
If you have to die anyway, why go to the trouble?
Let me at least down another
drink, and when that's done,
fuck till my brains burst.
... and a little parallel from The Man Himself ...
ANACREON; 361 (p. 59)
If I had you ...
I wouldn't care for
an American Express Card
with no credit limit,
Or to reign king under the mountains
well beyond retirement age.
Robin Hamilton
> Anacreontea
> ii
>
> If wealth with all its money
> could make us never die,
> I'd give my life to earning,
> and then, when Death came by,
>
> I'd pay him and forget him.
> But there's no way to spend
> yourself into forever.
> So since my life must end,
>
> what good does money do me,
> or why then should I mourn
> the certainty of dying,
> which comes with being born?
>
> My riches are in friendship
> and drinking wine at ease,
> and moon-lit celebrations
> of Love's solemnities.
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