T. Moore.
Moore has been often accused of plagiarism, and more often perhaps in connection with the above translation from Anacreon than any other poem. A few examples of the versions of earlier writers will show how far the charge can be substantiated.
Pierre de Ronsard (who died in 1585) wrote a version; which, given in the old orthography, runs thus:—
“La terre, les eaux va boivant.
L’arbre la boit par sa racine.
La mer salée boit le vent,
Et le soleil boit la marine.
Le soleil est beu de la lune,
Tout boit soit en haut ou en bas.
Suivant ceste règle commune