Unknown - To Anacreon In Heaven Lyrics

TO ANACREON IN HEAVEN
(Ralph Tomlinson)

To Anacreon in Heav'n, where he sat in full glee
A few sons of Harmony seny a petition,
That he their inspirer and patron would be,
When this answer arrived from the jolly old Grecian:
Voice, fiddle and flute,
No longer be mute.
I'll lend you my name, and inspire you to boot...
And, besides, I'll intruct you, like me, to entwine
The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus' vine.

The news to Olympus immediately flew,
Where Old Thunder decided to give himself airs.
"If we suffer these mortals their schemes to pursue,
There's Devil a goddess will stay above stairs."
Hark! Already they cry
In transports of joy,
"A fig for Parnassus, to Rowley's we'll fly!
And there, my good fellows, we'll learn to entwine
The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus' vine."

Note: ca 1778