Anacreontea i The women tell me, "Man, you're old; don't be so bold. Look into a mirror to make it clearer: your hair ain't there." But I can't see what lies above my eyes. I do see more reason to play the game, when Death takes aim. 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. iii Old Gyges had a ton of gold when he was Asia's king; his treasure houses leave me cold, I don't grudge him a thing. What counts with me is scented hair, rose garlands, and today; so let's drink while the weather's fair: tomorrow's far away. -- translated from the Greek, originally published in A Glass of New Made Wine (Poetry Salzburg 1999) _________________________________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free E-mail from MSN Hotmail at http://www.hotmail.com. Share information about yourself, create your own public profile at http://profiles.msn.com. %%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%%