Familiar Quotations / A Collection of Passages, Phrases, and Proverbs Traced to / Their Sources in Ancient and Modern Literature

by Unknown

Evenings in Greece. First Evening.

If thou would'st have me sing and play

As once I play'd and sung,

First take this time-worn lute away,

And bring one freshly strung.

If Thou would'st have Me sing and play.

To sigh, yet feel no pain;

To weep, yet scarce know why;

To sport an hour with Beauty's chain,

Then throw it idly by.