Charming Words in a Fight: Some Fragments for A Saturday Night

Demetrios on Anacreon fr. 396

“The rhythm is that of a drunk old man”
μεθύοντος γὰρ ὁ ῥυθμὸς ἀτεχνῶς γέροντος

Anacreon fr. 402c

“For the children might adore me for my words
Since I sing with charm I know how to say charming things.”

ἐμὲ γὰρ † λόγων † εἵνεκα παῖδες ἂν φιλέοιεν·
χαρίεντα μὲν γὰρ ᾄδω, χαρίεντα δ᾿ οἶδα λέξαι.

Anacreon fr. 412

“Won’t you let me return home again since I am drunk?”

οὐ δηὖτέ μ᾿ ἐάσεις μεθύοντ᾿ οἴκαδ᾿ ἀπελθεῖν;

Anacreon, 429

“Whoever wants to fight,
Since it’s possible, let him fight…”

ὁ μὲν θέλων μάχεσθαι,
πάρεστι γάρ, μαχέσθω.