Anacreon finds in the brevity of life arguments for the voluptuary as well as for the moralist:
“Can we discern, with all our lore,
The path we’re yet to journey o’er?
No, no, the walk of life is dark,
’Tis wine alone can strike a spark!
Then let me quaff the foamy tide,
And through the dance meandering glide;
Let me imbibe the spicy breath
Of odors chafed to fragrant death,
Or from the kiss of love inhale