ALCÆUS, a famous ancient lyric poet, born at Mitylene, in the island of Lesbos. Horace seems to think him the inventor of this kind of poetry:

Now the Roman muse inspire, And warm the song with Grecian fire. Francis.

He flourished in the 44th Olympiad, at the same time with Sappho, who was likewise of Mitylene. Alcaeus was a great enemy to tyrants, but not a very brave soldier. He was present at an engagement, wherein the Athenians gained a victory over the Lefrians; and here, as he himself is said to have confessed in one of his pieces, he threw down his arms, and saved himself by flight. Horace, who, of all the Latin poets, most resembled Alcaeus, has made the like confession:

With thee I saw Philippi's plain, Its fatal rout, a fearful scene! And dropp'd, alas! th' inglorious shield, Where valour's self was forc'd to yield; Where foil'd in dust the vanquish'd lay, And breath'd th' indignant foul away. Francis.

The poetical abilities of Alcaeus are indisputable; and though though his writings were chiefly in the lyric strain, yet his muse was capable of treating the sublimest subjects with a suitable dignity. Hence Horace says,

Alcaeus strikes the golden strings, And seas, and war, and exile, sings. Thus while they strike the various lyre, The ghosts the sacred sounds admire; But when Alcaeus lifts the strain To deeds of war and tyrants slain, In thicker crowds the shadowy throng Drink deeper down the martial fong.

Francis.