Citation |
FJ.782.084
9 Oct 1782:11, 12, 13 (2/77)
Letter from a Grecian Lady to a Lady of Paris, relative to
the Tombs of the Modern Greeks. (Translated from the French
Mercury, for November 1778.)
. . . [in 3rd column, scene in a garden:] After the son of
Semale (Bacchus ever young) has enlivened the assembly into
gaiety and wit, every individual of the assembly begins his
song and invites the rest to dance. Each in his turn is
master of the band, and the others become the choir. The
sentiment in these songs is much the same as that in this
verse of a charming French author.--
. . . [4 lines in French, translated:]
Seize on life's moment ere it flies,
Its wings are spread to haste away,
Enjoy the space that fate allows;
There's no return to yesterday.
They dance and amuse themselves till evening: the assembly
then returns, each with his own company, and the good humour
is continued 'till they break up late in the night Are not
these still the Greeks of Anacreon, whom songs and joyous
dances ever attend? You see, Madam, that altho' these
people return from a tomb, still it does not render them
less amiable or gay.
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