Achilles
is the speaker.
Greek Anthology
Alas for the Muse that was adverse to harmony !
They now lie deaf, the remains of my towers, once charmed by the lyre, the stones that took their places of their own accord in the muse-built walls, a gift that cost you, Amphion, no labour ; for with your seven-stringed lyre you built your seven-gated city.
[251] EUENUS { Ph 1 } G
Page-eater, the Muses' bitterest foe, lurking destroyer, ever feeding on your thefts from learning, why, black bookworm, dos you lie concealed among the sacred utterances, producing the image of envy ? Away from the Muses, far away ! Convey not even by the sight of you the suspicion of how they must suffer from ill-will.
[252]
Bianor →
[253]
Philippus →
[254]
Philippus →
[255]
Philippus →
[256] ANTIPHANES { Ph 4 } G
I thought that half of me was still alive, and that half produced one single apple on the highest branch. But the brute that ravages fruit-trees, the hairy backed caterpillar, envied me even the one, and ate it up. Envy's eyes are set on great wealth, but the creature who lays waste a little substance I must call worse even than Envy's self.
[257]
Apollonides →
[258] ANTIPHANES OF MEGALOPOLIS { Ph 5 } G
I who once gushed with abundance of sweet water, have now lost my nymphs * even to the last drop. For the murderer washed his bloody hands in my water, and tainted it with the stain. Ever since the maidens have retired from the sunlight, exclaiming, " We nymphs mix with Bacchus alone, not with Ares. "
* My water.
[259]
Bianor →
[260] SECUNDUS OF TARENTUM { Ph 2 } G
I, Lais, who was once the love-dart that smote all, am Lais no longer, but a witness to all of the Nemesis of years. No, by Cypris ! - and what is Cypris to me now but an oath ? - Lais is no longer recognisable to Lais herself.
[261] EPIGONUS OF THESSALONICA { Ph 1 } G
I, the vine who once was young and clothed in leafy shoots, I who bore bunches of swelling grapes, am now as old as you see. Look how Time overcomes us ! Even the vine's clusters know the wrinkles of old age.
[262]
Philippus →
[263]
Antiphilus →
[264]
Apollonides →
[265]
Apollonides →
[266]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[267]
Philippus →
[268]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[269]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[270]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[271]
Apollonides →
[272]
Bianor →
[273]
Bianor →
[274]
Philippus →
[275] MACEDONIUS { Ph 2 } G
Codrus killed the boar on land, and the swift deer he took in the blue waves of the sea. Were there beasts with wings too, Artemis would not have seen him empty-handed even in the air.
[276]
Crinagoras →
[277]
Antiphilus →
[278]
Bianor →
[279] BASSUS { Ph 7 } G
When, for the second time, * Hades received from the bark of Lethe three hundred dead, all slain in war, he said : " The company is Spartan ; see how all their wounds are in front again, and war dwells in their breasts alone. Now, people of unvanquished Ares, hunger no more for battle, but rest in my sleep. "
* The first time was the battle of Thyreae.
[280]
Apollonides →
[281]
Apollonides →
[282]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[283]
Crinagoras →
[284]
Crinagoras →
[285]
Philippus →
[286]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[287]
Apollonides →
[288] GEMINUS { Ph 2 } G
I, this stone, heavy to the Athenians, am dedicated to Ares as a sign of the valour of Philip. Here stand I to insult Marathon and the deeds of sea-girt Salamis, which bow before the Macedonian spear. Swear by the dead now, Demosthenes, but I shall be heavy to living and dead alike. *
* Supposed to be on a trophy erected by Philip II to celebrate his victories over the Athenians. No such trophy ever existed. The reference is to Dem. De Cor. 208.
[289] BASSUS { Ph 8 } G
O rocks of Caphereus, fatal to ships, which destroyed the fleet of the Greeks on their home-coming from Troy, then when the lying beacon sent forth a flame darker than the night of hell, and every keel ran blindly on the sunken reefs, you were another Troy to Greece and more deadly than the ten years' war. Troy indeed they sacked, but Caphereus was invincible. Nauplius, then did Hellas weep tears which were a joy to you. *
* Nauplius, to revenge the death of his son Palamedes, lured the Greek navy by a false beacon on to the rocks of Caphereus in Euboea.
[290]
Philippus →
[291]
Crinagoras →
[292] HONESTUS { Ph 7 } G
Aristiŏn was burning the corpse of one son when she heard the other was shipwrecked. A double grief consumed a single heart. Alas ! Fate divided this mother in two, since she gave one child to fire and the other to cruel water.
[293]
Philippus →
[294]
Antiphilus →
[295]
Bianor →
[296]
Apollonides →
[297]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[298]
Antiphilus →
[299]
Philippus →
[300] ADDAEUS { Ph 7 } G
Valiant Peucestes encountered on horseback the bull as it issued from the dreadful vale of Doberus. Like a mountain it rushed at him, but with his Paeonian spear he pierced its tender temples, and having despoiled its head of the pair of horns, ever as he quaffs the wine from them boasts of his enemy's death.
[301] SECUNDUS { Ph 3 } G
Why do you drive me, the slow-footed braying ass, round and round with the threshing horses? Is it not enough that, driven in a circle and blindfolded, I am forced to turn the heavy millstone ? But I must compete with horses too! Is the next task in store for me to plough the twisted earth with my neck's strength ?
[302]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[303] ADDAEUS { Ph 8 } G
To little Calathina, in labour with her puppies, Leto's daughter gave an easy delivery. Artemis hears not only the prayers of women, but knows how to save also the dogs, her companions in the chase.
[304] PARMENION { Ph 10 } G
On the Battle of Thermopylae
Three hundred valiant Spartan spears resisted the man who, transforming the paths of land and ocean, sailed over the dry land and marched on the sea, Shame on you, mountains and seas !
[305]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[306]
Antiphilus →
[307]
Philippus →
[308]
Bianor →
[309]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[310]
Antiphilus →
[311]
Philippus →
[312] ZONAS OF SARDIS { Ph 7 } G
Refrain, sir, from cutting the oak, the mother of acorns ; refrain, and lay low the old stone-pine, or the sea-pine, or this paliurus with many stems, or the holly-oak, or the dry arbutus. Only keep your axe far from the oak, for our grannies tell us that oaks were the first mothers. *
* Referring to the legend that men were sprung from oaks or rocks, cp. Hom. Od. xix. 163.
epigrams 313-827 →
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Greek Anthology: Book 9
THE SEPULCHRAL EPIGRAMS : 313-827
Translations of most of the epigrams are already available elsewhere, as indicated by the links. The translations of the remaining epigrams are taken from the edition by W. R. Paton (1916-18), but have been modified to remove some of the archaic language. Click on G to go to the Greek text of each epigram.
← epigrams 1-312
[313]
Anyte →
[314]
Anyte →
[315] NICIAS { H 5 } G
Sit here under the poplar trees, traveller, for you are weary, and come near and drink from my fountain. When you are far away bethink you of the spring - near which stands Simus' statue beside his dead son Gillus.
[316]
Leonidas →
[317] Anonymous { H 54 } G
Hermaphroditus. " Goatherd, I love seeing this foul-mouthed god struck on his bald pate by the pears. " Silenus. "Goatherd, I entered him three times, and the young billy-goats were looking at me and tupping the young nanny-goats. " Goal herd. "Is it true, Hermaphroditus, that he did so? " Hermaphroditus. "No, goatherd, I swear by Hermes. " Silenus. "I swear by Pan I did, and I was laughing all the time. "
[318]
Leonidas →
[319] PHILOXENUS { H 1 } G
Tlepolemus of Myra, the son of Polycrites, set me up here, Hermes, presiding deity of the course, a pillar to mark the starting point in the holy races of twenty stades. Toil, you runners, in the race, banishing soft ease from your knees.
[320]
Leonidas →
[321] ANTIMACHUS { F 1 } G
Why, Cypris, have you, to whom the toil of war is strange, got these accoutrements of Ares ? What falsifier fitted on you, to no purpose, this hateful armour ? You delight in the Loves and the joys of the bridal bed, and the girls dancing madly to the castanets. Lay down these bloody spears. They are for divine Athena, but come you to Hymenaeus with the flowing locks.
[322]
Leonidas →
[323]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[324]
Mnasalcas →
[325] Anonymous { H 55 } G
On a Shell with an image of Love carved inside it
Of old I dwelt in the depths on a sea-washed rock clothed in luxuriant seaweed, but now in my bosom sleeps the delightful child, tender Love, the servant of diademed Cypris.
[326]
Leonidas →
[327] HERMOCREON { H 2 } G
O Nymphs of the water, to whom Hermocreon set up these gifts when he had lighted on your delightful fountain, all hail ! And may you ever, full of pure drink, tread with your lovely feet the floor of this your watery home.
[328] DAMOSTRATUS { H 1 } G
O Naiad Nymphs, who shed from the mountain cliff this fair stream in inexhaustible volume, Damostratus, the son of Antilas, gave you these wooden images and the two hairy boar-skins.
[329]
Leonidas →
[330]
Nicarchus →
[331]
Meleager →
[332] NOSSIS { H 4 } G
Let us go to the temple to see the statue of Aphrodite, how cunningly wrought it is of gold. Polyarchis erected it, having gained much substance from the glory of her own body.
[333]
Mnasalcas →
[334] PERSES { H 8 } G
If at the right season you call upon me too, little among the lesser gods, you shall get your wish, but crave not for great things. For I, Tychon, * have in my power to grant only such things as the people's god may give to a labouring man.
* He was a god worshipped in company with or in place of Priapus.
[335]
Callimachus (26)
[337]
Leonidas →
[338]
Theocritus (III)
[339]
Archias →
[340]
Dioscorides →
[341] GLAUCUS { H 3 } G
A. "Nymphs answer me truly, if Daphnis on his road rested here his white goats. " B. "Yes, yes, piper Pan, and on the back of that poplar tree he cut a message for you : 'Pan, Pan, go to Malea * ; to the mountain of Psophis. I shall come there. ' " A. "Farewell, Nymphs, I go. "
* The Arcadian town of that name.
[342] PARMENION { Ph 11 } G
An epigram of many lines does not, I say, conform to the Muses' law. Seek not the long course in the short stadion. The long race has many rounds, but in the stadion sharp and short is the strain on the wind.
[343]
Archias →
[344] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 21 } G
{This and the following ones are Isopsephe. )
There was a time when 1 gave pleasure to myself alone by lines, and was not known at all to noble Romans. But now I am beloved by all, for late in life I recognised how far Calliope excels Urania. *
* By "lines" in l. 1 he means astronomical and geometrical figures. He has abandoned these for lines of verse, the Muse of Astronomy for the Muse of Poesy.
[345] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 22 } G
The fury of Athamas against his son Learchus * was not so great as the wrath that made Medea plot her children's death. For jealousy is a greater evil than madness. If a mother kills, in whom are children to place confidence ?
* Athamas killed his son in a fit of madness.
[346] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 23 } G
After flying, swallow, across the whole earth and the islands, you rear your brood on the picture of Medea. Do you believe that the Colchian woman who did not spare even her own children will keep her faith to your young?
[347] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 24 } G
We oxen are not only skilled in cutting straight furrows with the plough, but, look, we pull ships out of the sea too. For we have been taught the task of oarsmen. Now, sea, you too should yoke dolphins to plough on the land.
[348] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 25 } G
Hecatonymus, the stealer of grapes, ran to Hades whipped with a stolen vine-switch.
[349] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 26 } G
Caesar, * may the baths of Cutiliae on this your birthday gush for you in abundance of healing, so that all the world may see you a grandfather as it has seen you the father of three fair children.
* The Caesar is Vespasian, the three children Titus, Domitian, and Domitilla. Cutiliae, now Contigliano, is in the Sabine territory.
[350] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 27 } G
You send me thin sheets of papyrus, snowy white, and reed pens, gifts from the headland that the Nile waters. Do not, Dionysius, send another time imperfect gifts to a poet. What use are these without ink ?
[351] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 28 } G
{ cp. 9. 114 }
Lysippe's baby, creeping over the edge of a precipice, was on the point of suffering the fate of Astyanax. But she turned it from its path by holding out to it her breast, that thus was its saviour from death as well as from famine.
[352] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 29 } G
The Nile * keeps festival by the holy wave of Tiber, having vowed a sacrifice for Caesar's deliverance. A hundred axes made the willing necks of as many bulls bleed at the altars of Heavenly Zeus.
* i. e. the Egyptians. If the Emperor was Nero, the sacrifice was to celebrate his deliverance from his mother's plots by her death.
[353] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 30 } G
Pappus, you have both strictly composed a work adorned with learning, and have kept your life strict in strength of friendship. The Egyptian poet sends you this gift to-day when you celebrate your birthday morning.
[354] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 31 } G
I, whom war dreaded and slew not, am now afflicted by disease, and waste away by intestine warfare. Pierce my heart then, sword, for I will die like a valiant soldier, beating off disease even as I did war.
[355] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 32 } G
Poppaea Augusta, spouse of Zeus, * receive from the Egyptian Leonidas this map of the heavens on your birthday ; for you take pleasure in gifts worthy of your alliance and your learning.
* i. e. Nero.
[356] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 33 } G
We open another fountain of drink to quaff from it verses of a form hitherto strange to Leonidas. The letters of the couplets give equal numbers. But away with you, Momus, and set your sharp teeth in others.
[359]
Poseidippus (X)
[360] METRODORUS { F 1 } G
Pursue every path of life. In the market place are honours and prudent dealings, at home rest ; in the country the charm of nature, and at sea profit ; in a foreign country, if you have any possessions, there is fame, and if you are in want no one knows it but yourself. Are you married ? Your house will be the best of houses. Do you remain unmarried ? Your life is yet lighter. Children are darlings ; a childless life is free from care. Youth is strong, and old age again is pious. Therefore there is no choice between two things, either not to be born or to die ; for all in life is excellent.
[368] THE EMPEROR JULIAN { F 1 } G
On Beer
Who and whence are you, Dionysus ? For, by the true Bacchus, I know you not : I know only the son of Zeus. He smells of nectar, but you of billy-goat. Did the Celts for lack of grapes make you out of corn ? Then you should be called Demetrius, not Dionysus, being born of corn, rather than of the fire, and Bromus * rather than Bromius.
* Bromos is the Greek for oats ; Bromius is a common title of Dionysus, derived probably from bromos = noise. In purogenē, "wheat-born", there is a play on the similar word meaning " fire-born".
[369] CYRILLUS { F 1 } G
An epigram of two lines has every merit, and if you exceed three lines it is rhapsody, not epigram.
[370] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 2 } G
1 am a fawn slain by no dogs, or stake-nets, or huntsmen, but in the sea I suffered the fate that threatened me on land. For I rushed into the sea from the wood, and then the netted snare of the fishermen dragged me up on the beach. I was wrong in flying, and all in vain, from the shore, and deservedly was taken by the fisherman after I had deserted my hills. Never again, fishermen, shall your hands be unsuccessful, since you now knit webs that serve both for sea and land.
[371] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 3 } G
{cp. 9. 17 ff. }
A hound was pressing hotly on a swift-footed hare that had just freed itself from the toils of the net. The hare, rapidly turning away from the rough hill, leapt, to avoid the dog's jaws, into the deep water near the shore, where a sea-dog with one snap caught it at once in his teeth. The poor hare was evidently destined to be dog's meat.
[372] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 4 } G
The spider, that had woven her fine web with her slender feet, had caught a cicada in her crooked meshes. But when I saw the little songster lamenting in the fine toils I did not pass hastily by, but freeing him from the nooses, I comforted him and said : "Be saved, you who call with the musical voice. "
[373] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 5 } G
Why, shepherds, in wanton sport, do you pull from the dewy branches me, the cicada, the lover of the wilds, the roadside nightingale of the Muses, who at midday chatter shrilly on the hills and in the shady copses ? Look at the thrushes and blackbirds ! Look at all the starlings, pilferers of the country's wealth ! It is lawful to catch the despoilers of the crops. Slay them. Do you grudge me my leaves and fresh dew ?
[374] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 6 } G
From the neighbouring grove I, ever-flowing Pure Fount, gush forth for passing travellers. On all sides, well canopied by planes and softly blooming laurels, I offer a cool resting-place under the shade. Therefore pass me not by in summer. Dispel your thirst and rest you, too, from toil in peace beside me.
[375] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 7 } G
What man thus carelessly plucked from the vine-branch the unripe grapes of Bacchus that nurse the wine, and when his lips were drawn up by the taste threw them away, half-chewed refuse for travellers to tread on ? May Dionysus be his foe, because, like Lycurgus, he quenched good cheer in its growth. By that drink some man could have been moved to song, or found relief from plaintive grief.
[376] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 8 } G
Why, foolish carpenter, do you make of me, the pine-tree that am the victim of the winds, a ship to travel over the seas, and do not dread the omen ? Boreas persecuted me on land ; so how shall I escape the winds at sea ?
[387] GERMANICUS (or THE EMPEROR HADRIAN) { F 3 } G
Hector of the race of Ares, if you hear wherever you are under ground, hail ! and pause for a little from your sighs for your country. Ilium is inhabited, and is a famous city containing men inferior to you, but still lovers of war, while the Myrmidons have perished. Stand by his side and tell Achilles that all Thessaly is subject to the sons of Aeneas. *
* Troy was restored by Julius Caesar and Augustus.
(388, 389)
Under the above a soldier {some say Trajan) wrote :
They are bold, for they look not on the face of my helmet. *
When the Emperor praised this and wrote "Reveal who you are," he replied :
I am a soldier of cuirassed Ares and also a servant of Heliconian Apollo, chosen among the first men-at-arms.
* Homer, Il. xvi. 70.
Achilles is the speaker.
[390] MENECRATES OF SMYRNA { H 1 } G
A mother who had laid on the pyre her third child after losing the others too, reviling insatiate Death, on giving birth to a fourth sorrow, would not wait to nourish uncertain hope, but threw the child alive in the fire. "I will not rear it," she said. "What profits it ? My breasts, you are toiling for Hades. With less trouble I shall gain mourning. "
[391] DIOTIMUS { H 8 } G
This son of Poseidon and the son of Zeus trained their youthful limbs for stubborn wrestling bouts. The contest is no brazen one for a caldron, but for which shall gain death or life. Antaeus has got the fall, and it was fit that Heracles, the son of Zeus, should win. Wrestling is Argive, not Libyan. *
* Antaeus was Libyan.
[402] HADRIAN (? ) { F 4 } G
On Pompeius Magnus
In what sore need of a tomb stood he who possessed abundant temples !
[403] MACCIUS { Ph 10 } G
To Dionysus
Enter the vat yourself, my lord, and tread leaping swiftly ; lead the labour of the night. Make naked your proud feet, and give strength to the dance your servant, girding yourself up above your active knees ; and guide, O blessed one, the sweet-voiced wine into the empty casks. So shall you receive cakes and a shaggy goat.
[404]
Antiphilus →
[405] DIODORUS { Ph 8 } G
May holy Adrasteia preserve you, and Nemesis, the maiden who treads in our track, she who has cheated many. I fear for your body's lovely form, O youth ; for your mental gifts and the strength of your divine courage, for your learning and your prudent counsel. Such we are told, Drusus, * are the children of the blessed immortals.
* Probably Drusus the son of Germanicus and brother of Nero.
[406] ANTIGONUS OF CARYSTUS { Ph 1 } G
On a figure of a Frog placed in a crater
I am a frog, now no longer croaking continually, placed under the shower of wine from the silver spout. I lie in the water, whose friend I am, but no enemy to Bacchus, and I am washed by the drops of both. Too late in life I went revelling to Dionysus. Alas for those who drink water: they are mad but with a temperate madness ! *
* Antigonus suggests that he, too, like the frog, had learnt wisdom and become a better poet since he had become a wine-drinker.
[407]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[408]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[409] ANTIPHANES { Ph 6 } G
If there be one who does not take delight in the strains of the flute and the sweet sound of harp-playing, or in nectar-like wine, oldest of the old, or in torches, revels, garlands, and scent, but who takes a frugal supper and stores up with greedy hands the fruits of stealthy-footed usury, to me he is dead, and I pass by the . . . corpse, who hoards for the throats of others.
[410] TULLIUS SABINUS { Ph 1 } G
A mouse once, greedy for every kind of food and not even shy of the mouse-trap, but one who won booty even from death, gnawed through Phoebus' melodious lyre-string. The strained chord springing up to the bridge of the lyre, throttled the mouse. We wonder at the bow's good aim ; but Phoebus uses his lyre, too, as a weapon wherewith to aim well at his enemies.
[411] MACCIUS { Ph 3 } G
Cornelius is changed all of a sudden, and is no longer pleased with our simple literary life, but depends on light hope. We are not the same as before to him, but the hope on which he hangs is another. Let us give in, my heart ; we are thrown ; seek not to resist; it is a silver fall * that has laid us on the ground.
* i. e. avarice.
[412]
Philodemus →
[413]
Antiphilus →
[414] GEMINUS { Ph 3 } G
I am the paliurus, a thorny shrub used as a fence. Who shall say I am unproductive when I protect the fruitful crops ?
[415]
Antiphilus →
[416]
Philippus →
[417]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[418]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[419]
Crinagoras →
[420]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[421]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[422]
Apollonides →
[423]
Bianor →
[424] DURIS OF ELAEA { H 1 } G
Clouds of the heavens, whence drank you bitter waters, and in league with unbroken night deluged all ? This is not Libya, these countless dwellings and the wealth of many prosperous years, but unhappy Ephesus. * Whither, then, were the eyes of the Saving deities turned ? Alas for the most besung of all Ionian cities ! All, like rolling waves, has been swept to sea by the floods.
* The destruction of old Ephesus by flood took place in the reign of Lysimachus, circ. 290 B. C.
[428]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[429]
Crinagoras →
[430]
Crinagoras →
[432]
Theocritus (VI)
[433]
Theocritus (V)
[435]
Theocritus (XIV)
[437]
Theocritus (IV)
[438]
Philippus →
[439]
Crinagoras →
[488] TRYPHO { F 1 } G
Terpes, * harping beautifully at the Carneian feast of tabernacles, died . . . among the Lacedaemonians, not wounded by a sword or a missile, but by a fig on the lips. Alas ! Death is never at a loss for occasions.
* A citharode. Someone threw a fig into his mouth as he was singing, and this killed him.
[496] ATHENAEUS { F 1 } G
Hail ! you who are learned in the Stoic lore, you whose holy pages contain the very best of doctrines, that virtue is the soul's only good. This is the only doctrine that saves the lives and cities of men. But indulgence of the flesh, an end dear to others, is only approved by one of all Mnemosyne's daughters. *
* i. e. Erato.
[506] PLATO { F 13 } G
Some say the Muses are nine, but how carelessly ! Look at the tenth, Sappho from Lesbos.
[507]
Callimachus (29)
[513]
Crinagoras →
[515] Anonymous { F 14 } G
The Graces are three, and you are one born for these three, that the Graces may have a Grace. *
* cp. 5. 146 (Callim:Epigr_52).
[516]
Crinagoras →
[517]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[518]
Alcaeus →
[519]
Alcaeus →
[520] Anonymous { H 60 } G
On Alcaeus (probably by his enemy King Philip)
This is the tomb of Alcaeus who was killed by the broad-leaved daughter of earth, the radish, punisher of adulterers.
[526] ALPHEIUS OF MYTILENE { Ph 3 } G
Shut, O god, the tireless gates of great Olympus ; keep, O Zeus, the holy castle of heaven. Already sea and earth are subdued by the Roman arms, but the path to heaven is still untrodden. *
* Imitated from No. 518.
[541]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[542]
Crinagoras →
[543]
Philippus →
[544] ADDAEUS { Ph 9 } G
On a Figure of Galene cut by Tryphon *
Tryphon coaxed me, the Indian beryl, to be Galene, the goddess of Calm, and with his soft hands let down my hair. Look at my lips smoothing the liquid sea, and my breasts with which I charm the windless waves. Did the envious stone but consent, you would soon see me swimming, as I am longing to do.
* A famous gem-carver, some of whose work we possess.
[545]
Crinagoras →
[546]
Antiphilus →
[548]
Bianor →
[549]
Antiphilus →
[550]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[551]
Antiphilus →
[552]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[553]
Philippus →
[554]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[555]
Crinagoras →
[556] ZONAS { Ph 8 } G
Pan is the Speaker
Nereids, Nymphs of the shore, you saw Daphnis yesterday, when he washed off the dust that lay like down on his skin ; when, burnt by the dog star, he rushed into your waters, the apples of his cheeks faintly reddened. Tell me, was he beautiful ? Or am I a goat, not only lame in my legs but in my heart too ?
[557]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[558] ERYCIUS { Ph 3 } G
Cleson's billy-goat through the livelong night kept the she-goats awake with his snorting and jumping, for he had caught from afar the scent of a goat-slaying wolf that was approaching the fold built on the cliff. At length the dogs awakened from their bed, frightened away the huge beast, and sleep closed the eyes of the goats.
[559]
Crinagoras →
[560]
Crinagoras →
[561]
Philippus →
[562]
Crinagoras →
[563]
Leonidas →
[564] NICIAS { H 6 } G
O bee, that reveal the presence of many-coloured spring in her delightful bloom ; yellow bee, revelling in the prime of the flowers ; fly to the sweetly-scented field and busy thyself with your work, that your waxen chambers may be filled.
[565]
Callimachus (9)
[566]
Callimachus (10)
[567]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[568]
Dioscorides →
[570]
Philodemus →
[571] Anonymous { F 36b } G
On the Nine Lyric Poets
Pindar screamed * loud from Thebes, the Muse of Simonides breathed delight with her sweet-strained voice, Stesichorus and Ibycus shine, Alcman was sweet, and Bacchylides' lips uttered dainty song, Persuasion attended on Anacreon, Lesbian Alcaeus sings varied strains on the Aeolian . . . But Sappho was not the ninth among men, but is tenth in the list of the lovely Muses.
* He is compared to an eagle as elsewhere.
[572]
Lucillius →
[573]
Lucillius →
[574]
Lucillius →
[575]
Philippus →
[576]
Nicarchus →
[577] PTOLEMAEUS { F 1 } G
I know that I am mortal, a creature of a day ; but when I search into the multitudinous revolving spirals of the stars my feet no longer rest on the earth, but, standing by Zeus himself, I take my fill of ambrosia, the food of the gods.
[588]
Alcaeus →
[598]
Theocritus (22)
[599]
Theocritus (17)
[600]
Theocritus (18)
[601] Anonymous { F 83 } G
This passing fair statue did Aeximenes erect to Aphrodite, the protectress of all navigation. Hail, sovereign Cypris ! and if you give gain and welcome wealth you shall learn that a ship is most ready to go shares. *
* i. e. Aphrodite will get her share.
[602] EUENUS OF ATHENS { Ph 4 } G
I who once supplicated Cypris with my maiden hands and, waving torches, prayed for marriage, after I had loosed my nuptial dress in the bridal chamber, suddenly saw spring from my thighs the marks of manhood. Now I am called a bridegroom instead of a bride, and crown the altars of Ares and Heracles instead of those of Aphrodite. Thebes once told of Teiresias, and now Chalcis greets in a chlamys her who formerly wore the snood.
[603]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[604] NOSSIS { H 7 } G
This is the picture of Thaumareta. Well did the painter render the bearing and the beauty of the gentle-eyed lady ! your little house-dog would fawn upon you if it saw you here, thinking that it looked on the mistress of its home.
[605] NOSSIS { H 6 } G
Callo had her portrait made exactly like herself, and hung the picture in the house of fair-haired Aphrodite. How gentle she looks standing there ! Look how fresh is the bloom of her charm ! All hail to her ! for there is no fault in her life.
[684] Anonymous { F 81 } G
On the Fountain on the Island Taphos *
I am the fountain Nycheia, daughter of Ocean and Tethys, for so the Teleboae named me. I pour forth a bath for the Nymphs and health for mortals. It was Pterelas, the son of Ares, who placed me here.
* One of the Echinades islands at the mouth of the Adriatic.
[700]
Simonides →
[706]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[707] TULLIUS GEMINUS { Ph 4 } G
I am reckoned among rivers, but rival the sea in volume, Strymon, the fresh-water sea of Thrace. I am both a deep stream and a field yielding crops through my water, for water-chestnuts sweeter than the fruits of Demeter rise from me. * The depths, too, are productive in Thrace, and we deem, Nile, that the bearer of the crop is superior to its feeder.
* The inhabitants made a kind of sweet bread from the seeds of this plant (trapa natans) ; it is still used in some places for the purpose, and has, in fact, been introduced as a food-plant into American rivers.
[708]
Philippus →
[709]
Philippus →
[715] ANACREON (? ) { F 17 } G
715-742 are all on Myron's celebrated Statue of a Heifer. It stood originally in the Agora at Athens, but was transferred to the Temple of Peace at Rome.
Herdsman, pasture your herd far from here, lest taking Myron's heifer to be alive you drive it off with the rest.
[716] ANACREON (? ) { F 18 } G
Myron pretended this heifer to be the work of his hands, but it was never formed in the mould, but turned into bronze owing to old age.
[717] EUENUS { Ph 8 } G
Either a complete hide of bronze clothes here a real cow, or the bronze has a soul inside it.
[718] EUENUS { Ph 9 } G
Perhaps Myron himself will say this : "I did not mould this heifer, but its image. "
[719]
Leonidas →
[720]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[721]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[721a]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[722]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[723]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[724]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[728]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[730] DEMETRIUS OF BITHYNIA { F 1 } G
If a calf sees me, it will low ; a bull will mount me, and the herdsman drive me to the herd.
[732]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[740] GEMINUS { Ph 5 } G
It is the base to which it is attached that keeps back the heifer, and if freed from this it will run off to the herd. For the bronze lows. See how much alive the artist made it. If you yoke a fellow to it, perhaps it will plough.
[742]
Philippus →
[743]
Theodoridas →
[744]
Leonidas →
[745]
Anyte →
[746] KING POLEMON { Ph 1 } G
On a Ring
This little jasper stone has a seal of seven cows looking like one, * and all looking at us as if alive. Perhaps the cows would have run away, but now the little herd is confined in the golden pen.
* If not corrupt, it must mean that they were represented one standing behind the other, only the heads of six showing.
[747] PLATO { F 4 } G
The little jasper stone is carved with five cows all looking alive as they feed. Perhaps they would run away, but now the little herd is confined in the golden pen.
[748] PLATO THE YOUNGER { F 2 } G
On Dionysus carved on an Amethyst
The stone is amethyst, * but I am the toper Dionysus. Either let it teach me to be sober, or learn itself to get drunk.
* i. e. "against drunkenness. "
[749] OENOMAUS { F 1 } G
On Love carved on a Bowl
Why Love on the bowl ? It is enough for the heart to be set on fire by wine. Add not fire to fire.
[750]
Archias →
[751] PLATO THE YOUNGER { F 3 } G
The stone is Hyacinthus, * and on it are Apollo and Daphne. Of which was Apollo rather the lover ?
* Jacinth.
[752]
Asclepiades →
[756] AEMILIANUS { Ph 3 } G
{A Silenus speaks}
As far as it depends on your art, Praxiteles, the stone could wax wanton. Let me loose and I will join in the revel again. It is not that my old age is feeble, but the fettering stone grudges the Sileni their sport.
[757]
Simonides →
[758]
Simonides →
[774] GLAUCUS OF ATHENS { Ph 1 } G
The Bacchante is of Parian marble, but the sculptor gave life to the stone, and she springs up as if in Bacchic fury. Scopas, your god-creating art has produced a great marvel, a Thyad, the frenzied slayer of goats.
[775] GLAUCUS OF ATHENS { Ph 2 } G
The Bacchante has made the son of Cronus a Satyr, and he rushes to the frenzied dance as if he were in Bacchic fury. *
* Zeus disguised himself as a Satyr in order to possess Antiope at the Bacchic revels.
[776] DIODORUS { Ph 18 } G
The colour and the beauty is worthy of Zeuxis ; but Satyreius painted me on a little crystal and gave the pretty miniature to Arsinoē. I am the queen's own image, and no whit inferior to a large picture.
[777]
Philippus →
[778]
Philippus →
[786] Anonymous { F 69 } G
The inhabitants erected to the god this beautiful altar, placing it here as a sign to mark the boundary of Leuce and Pteleus. The arbiter of the division is the king of the immortals himself, Cronus' son. *
* From Demosth. vii. 39. The places are in the Thracian Chersonese.
[790]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[791]
Apollonides →
[792]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[823] PLATO { F 16 } G
Let the cliff clothed in greenery of the Dryads keep silence, and the fountains that fall from the rock, and the confused bleating of the ewes newly lambed ; for Pan himself plays on his sweet-toned pipe, running his pliant lips over the joined reeds, and around with their fresh feet they have started the dance, the Nymphs, Hydriads, and Hamadryads.
[824] ERYCIUS { Ph 4 } G
Hunters, who come to this peak where dwells mountain Pan, good luck to you in the chase, whether you go on your way trusting in nets or in the steel, or whether you are fowlers relying on your hidden limed reeds. Let each of you call on me. I have skill to bring success to trap, spear, nets, and reeds.
[826] PLATO { F 22b } G
On a Satyr standing by a Well and Love Asleep
A cunning master wrought me, the Satyr, son of Bacchus, divinely inspiring the monolith with breath. I am the playmate of the Nymphs, and instead of purple wine I now pour forth pleasant water. Guide your steps here in silence, lest you disturb the boy lapped in soft sleep.
[827] PLATO (or AMMONIUS) { F 22a } G
On the Same
I am the dear servant of horned Dionysus, and pour forth the water of the silver Naiads, soothing the young boy who rests asleep . . .
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Greek Anthology: Book 10
THE HORTATORY AND ADMONITORY EPIGRAMS
This selection from Book 10 of the Greek Anthology contains all the epigrams written before the middle of the first century A. D. , as listed in three editions:
(H) A. S. F. Gow & D. L. Page, "The Greek Anthology: Hellenistic Epigrams"
(Ph) A. S. F. Gow & D. L. Page, "The Greek Anthology: The Garland of Philip and Some Contemporary Epigrams"
(F) D. L. Page, "Further Greek Epigrams"
The labels in green are the numbers assigned to the epigrams in one of these editions. The labels in red are their numbers within the Anthology.
Translations of most of the epigrams are already available elsewhere, as indicated by the links. The translations of the remaining epigrams are taken from the edition by W. R. Paton (1916-18), but have been modified to remove some of the archaic language. Click on G to go to the Greek text of each epigram.
[1]
Leonidas →
[2]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[3] Anonymous { F 90 } G
The way down to Hades is straight, whether you start from Athens or whether you betake yourself there, when dead, from Meroē. Let it not vex you to die far from your country. One fair wind to Hades blows from all lands. *
* Probably an epitaph on an Athenian who died at Meroe.
[4]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[5] THYILLUS { F 3 } G
Already the swallows build their mud houses, already on the waves Zephyr is bosomed in the soft sails. Already the meadows shed flowers over their green leaves, and the rough strait closes its lips in silence. Wind up your hawsers and stow the anchors on shipboard, and give all your canvas to the sheets. This is the advice that Priapus of the harbour writes for you who sail the seas seeking merchandise.
[251] EUENUS { Ph 1 } G
Page-eater, the Muses' bitterest foe, lurking destroyer, ever feeding on your thefts from learning, why, black bookworm, dos you lie concealed among the sacred utterances, producing the image of envy ? Away from the Muses, far away ! Convey not even by the sight of you the suspicion of how they must suffer from ill-will.
[252]
Bianor →
[253]
Philippus →
[254]
Philippus →
[255]
Philippus →
[256] ANTIPHANES { Ph 4 } G
I thought that half of me was still alive, and that half produced one single apple on the highest branch. But the brute that ravages fruit-trees, the hairy backed caterpillar, envied me even the one, and ate it up. Envy's eyes are set on great wealth, but the creature who lays waste a little substance I must call worse even than Envy's self.
[257]
Apollonides →
[258] ANTIPHANES OF MEGALOPOLIS { Ph 5 } G
I who once gushed with abundance of sweet water, have now lost my nymphs * even to the last drop. For the murderer washed his bloody hands in my water, and tainted it with the stain. Ever since the maidens have retired from the sunlight, exclaiming, " We nymphs mix with Bacchus alone, not with Ares. "
* My water.
[259]
Bianor →
[260] SECUNDUS OF TARENTUM { Ph 2 } G
I, Lais, who was once the love-dart that smote all, am Lais no longer, but a witness to all of the Nemesis of years. No, by Cypris ! - and what is Cypris to me now but an oath ? - Lais is no longer recognisable to Lais herself.
[261] EPIGONUS OF THESSALONICA { Ph 1 } G
I, the vine who once was young and clothed in leafy shoots, I who bore bunches of swelling grapes, am now as old as you see. Look how Time overcomes us ! Even the vine's clusters know the wrinkles of old age.
[262]
Philippus →
[263]
Antiphilus →
[264]
Apollonides →
[265]
Apollonides →
[266]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[267]
Philippus →
[268]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[269]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[270]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[271]
Apollonides →
[272]
Bianor →
[273]
Bianor →
[274]
Philippus →
[275] MACEDONIUS { Ph 2 } G
Codrus killed the boar on land, and the swift deer he took in the blue waves of the sea. Were there beasts with wings too, Artemis would not have seen him empty-handed even in the air.
[276]
Crinagoras →
[277]
Antiphilus →
[278]
Bianor →
[279] BASSUS { Ph 7 } G
When, for the second time, * Hades received from the bark of Lethe three hundred dead, all slain in war, he said : " The company is Spartan ; see how all their wounds are in front again, and war dwells in their breasts alone. Now, people of unvanquished Ares, hunger no more for battle, but rest in my sleep. "
* The first time was the battle of Thyreae.
[280]
Apollonides →
[281]
Apollonides →
[282]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[283]
Crinagoras →
[284]
Crinagoras →
[285]
Philippus →
[286]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[287]
Apollonides →
[288] GEMINUS { Ph 2 } G
I, this stone, heavy to the Athenians, am dedicated to Ares as a sign of the valour of Philip. Here stand I to insult Marathon and the deeds of sea-girt Salamis, which bow before the Macedonian spear. Swear by the dead now, Demosthenes, but I shall be heavy to living and dead alike. *
* Supposed to be on a trophy erected by Philip II to celebrate his victories over the Athenians. No such trophy ever existed. The reference is to Dem. De Cor. 208.
[289] BASSUS { Ph 8 } G
O rocks of Caphereus, fatal to ships, which destroyed the fleet of the Greeks on their home-coming from Troy, then when the lying beacon sent forth a flame darker than the night of hell, and every keel ran blindly on the sunken reefs, you were another Troy to Greece and more deadly than the ten years' war. Troy indeed they sacked, but Caphereus was invincible. Nauplius, then did Hellas weep tears which were a joy to you. *
* Nauplius, to revenge the death of his son Palamedes, lured the Greek navy by a false beacon on to the rocks of Caphereus in Euboea.
[290]
Philippus →
[291]
Crinagoras →
[292] HONESTUS { Ph 7 } G
Aristiŏn was burning the corpse of one son when she heard the other was shipwrecked. A double grief consumed a single heart. Alas ! Fate divided this mother in two, since she gave one child to fire and the other to cruel water.
[293]
Philippus →
[294]
Antiphilus →
[295]
Bianor →
[296]
Apollonides →
[297]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[298]
Antiphilus →
[299]
Philippus →
[300] ADDAEUS { Ph 7 } G
Valiant Peucestes encountered on horseback the bull as it issued from the dreadful vale of Doberus. Like a mountain it rushed at him, but with his Paeonian spear he pierced its tender temples, and having despoiled its head of the pair of horns, ever as he quaffs the wine from them boasts of his enemy's death.
[301] SECUNDUS { Ph 3 } G
Why do you drive me, the slow-footed braying ass, round and round with the threshing horses? Is it not enough that, driven in a circle and blindfolded, I am forced to turn the heavy millstone ? But I must compete with horses too! Is the next task in store for me to plough the twisted earth with my neck's strength ?
[302]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[303] ADDAEUS { Ph 8 } G
To little Calathina, in labour with her puppies, Leto's daughter gave an easy delivery. Artemis hears not only the prayers of women, but knows how to save also the dogs, her companions in the chase.
[304] PARMENION { Ph 10 } G
On the Battle of Thermopylae
Three hundred valiant Spartan spears resisted the man who, transforming the paths of land and ocean, sailed over the dry land and marched on the sea, Shame on you, mountains and seas !
[305]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[306]
Antiphilus →
[307]
Philippus →
[308]
Bianor →
[309]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[310]
Antiphilus →
[311]
Philippus →
[312] ZONAS OF SARDIS { Ph 7 } G
Refrain, sir, from cutting the oak, the mother of acorns ; refrain, and lay low the old stone-pine, or the sea-pine, or this paliurus with many stems, or the holly-oak, or the dry arbutus. Only keep your axe far from the oak, for our grannies tell us that oaks were the first mothers. *
* Referring to the legend that men were sprung from oaks or rocks, cp. Hom. Od. xix. 163.
epigrams 313-827 →
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Greek Anthology: Book 9
THE SEPULCHRAL EPIGRAMS : 313-827
Translations of most of the epigrams are already available elsewhere, as indicated by the links. The translations of the remaining epigrams are taken from the edition by W. R. Paton (1916-18), but have been modified to remove some of the archaic language. Click on G to go to the Greek text of each epigram.
← epigrams 1-312
[313]
Anyte →
[314]
Anyte →
[315] NICIAS { H 5 } G
Sit here under the poplar trees, traveller, for you are weary, and come near and drink from my fountain. When you are far away bethink you of the spring - near which stands Simus' statue beside his dead son Gillus.
[316]
Leonidas →
[317] Anonymous { H 54 } G
Hermaphroditus. " Goatherd, I love seeing this foul-mouthed god struck on his bald pate by the pears. " Silenus. "Goatherd, I entered him three times, and the young billy-goats were looking at me and tupping the young nanny-goats. " Goal herd. "Is it true, Hermaphroditus, that he did so? " Hermaphroditus. "No, goatherd, I swear by Hermes. " Silenus. "I swear by Pan I did, and I was laughing all the time. "
[318]
Leonidas →
[319] PHILOXENUS { H 1 } G
Tlepolemus of Myra, the son of Polycrites, set me up here, Hermes, presiding deity of the course, a pillar to mark the starting point in the holy races of twenty stades. Toil, you runners, in the race, banishing soft ease from your knees.
[320]
Leonidas →
[321] ANTIMACHUS { F 1 } G
Why, Cypris, have you, to whom the toil of war is strange, got these accoutrements of Ares ? What falsifier fitted on you, to no purpose, this hateful armour ? You delight in the Loves and the joys of the bridal bed, and the girls dancing madly to the castanets. Lay down these bloody spears. They are for divine Athena, but come you to Hymenaeus with the flowing locks.
[322]
Leonidas →
[323]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[324]
Mnasalcas →
[325] Anonymous { H 55 } G
On a Shell with an image of Love carved inside it
Of old I dwelt in the depths on a sea-washed rock clothed in luxuriant seaweed, but now in my bosom sleeps the delightful child, tender Love, the servant of diademed Cypris.
[326]
Leonidas →
[327] HERMOCREON { H 2 } G
O Nymphs of the water, to whom Hermocreon set up these gifts when he had lighted on your delightful fountain, all hail ! And may you ever, full of pure drink, tread with your lovely feet the floor of this your watery home.
[328] DAMOSTRATUS { H 1 } G
O Naiad Nymphs, who shed from the mountain cliff this fair stream in inexhaustible volume, Damostratus, the son of Antilas, gave you these wooden images and the two hairy boar-skins.
[329]
Leonidas →
[330]
Nicarchus →
[331]
Meleager →
[332] NOSSIS { H 4 } G
Let us go to the temple to see the statue of Aphrodite, how cunningly wrought it is of gold. Polyarchis erected it, having gained much substance from the glory of her own body.
[333]
Mnasalcas →
[334] PERSES { H 8 } G
If at the right season you call upon me too, little among the lesser gods, you shall get your wish, but crave not for great things. For I, Tychon, * have in my power to grant only such things as the people's god may give to a labouring man.
* He was a god worshipped in company with or in place of Priapus.
[335]
Callimachus (26)
[337]
Leonidas →
[338]
Theocritus (III)
[339]
Archias →
[340]
Dioscorides →
[341] GLAUCUS { H 3 } G
A. "Nymphs answer me truly, if Daphnis on his road rested here his white goats. " B. "Yes, yes, piper Pan, and on the back of that poplar tree he cut a message for you : 'Pan, Pan, go to Malea * ; to the mountain of Psophis. I shall come there. ' " A. "Farewell, Nymphs, I go. "
* The Arcadian town of that name.
[342] PARMENION { Ph 11 } G
An epigram of many lines does not, I say, conform to the Muses' law. Seek not the long course in the short stadion. The long race has many rounds, but in the stadion sharp and short is the strain on the wind.
[343]
Archias →
[344] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 21 } G
{This and the following ones are Isopsephe. )
There was a time when 1 gave pleasure to myself alone by lines, and was not known at all to noble Romans. But now I am beloved by all, for late in life I recognised how far Calliope excels Urania. *
* By "lines" in l. 1 he means astronomical and geometrical figures. He has abandoned these for lines of verse, the Muse of Astronomy for the Muse of Poesy.
[345] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 22 } G
The fury of Athamas against his son Learchus * was not so great as the wrath that made Medea plot her children's death. For jealousy is a greater evil than madness. If a mother kills, in whom are children to place confidence ?
* Athamas killed his son in a fit of madness.
[346] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 23 } G
After flying, swallow, across the whole earth and the islands, you rear your brood on the picture of Medea. Do you believe that the Colchian woman who did not spare even her own children will keep her faith to your young?
[347] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 24 } G
We oxen are not only skilled in cutting straight furrows with the plough, but, look, we pull ships out of the sea too. For we have been taught the task of oarsmen. Now, sea, you too should yoke dolphins to plough on the land.
[348] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 25 } G
Hecatonymus, the stealer of grapes, ran to Hades whipped with a stolen vine-switch.
[349] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 26 } G
Caesar, * may the baths of Cutiliae on this your birthday gush for you in abundance of healing, so that all the world may see you a grandfather as it has seen you the father of three fair children.
* The Caesar is Vespasian, the three children Titus, Domitian, and Domitilla. Cutiliae, now Contigliano, is in the Sabine territory.
[350] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 27 } G
You send me thin sheets of papyrus, snowy white, and reed pens, gifts from the headland that the Nile waters. Do not, Dionysius, send another time imperfect gifts to a poet. What use are these without ink ?
[351] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 28 } G
{ cp. 9. 114 }
Lysippe's baby, creeping over the edge of a precipice, was on the point of suffering the fate of Astyanax. But she turned it from its path by holding out to it her breast, that thus was its saviour from death as well as from famine.
[352] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 29 } G
The Nile * keeps festival by the holy wave of Tiber, having vowed a sacrifice for Caesar's deliverance. A hundred axes made the willing necks of as many bulls bleed at the altars of Heavenly Zeus.
* i. e. the Egyptians. If the Emperor was Nero, the sacrifice was to celebrate his deliverance from his mother's plots by her death.
[353] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 30 } G
Pappus, you have both strictly composed a work adorned with learning, and have kept your life strict in strength of friendship. The Egyptian poet sends you this gift to-day when you celebrate your birthday morning.
[354] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 31 } G
I, whom war dreaded and slew not, am now afflicted by disease, and waste away by intestine warfare. Pierce my heart then, sword, for I will die like a valiant soldier, beating off disease even as I did war.
[355] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 32 } G
Poppaea Augusta, spouse of Zeus, * receive from the Egyptian Leonidas this map of the heavens on your birthday ; for you take pleasure in gifts worthy of your alliance and your learning.
* i. e. Nero.
[356] LEONIDAS OF ALEXANDRIA { F 33 } G
We open another fountain of drink to quaff from it verses of a form hitherto strange to Leonidas. The letters of the couplets give equal numbers. But away with you, Momus, and set your sharp teeth in others.
[359]
Poseidippus (X)
[360] METRODORUS { F 1 } G
Pursue every path of life. In the market place are honours and prudent dealings, at home rest ; in the country the charm of nature, and at sea profit ; in a foreign country, if you have any possessions, there is fame, and if you are in want no one knows it but yourself. Are you married ? Your house will be the best of houses. Do you remain unmarried ? Your life is yet lighter. Children are darlings ; a childless life is free from care. Youth is strong, and old age again is pious. Therefore there is no choice between two things, either not to be born or to die ; for all in life is excellent.
[368] THE EMPEROR JULIAN { F 1 } G
On Beer
Who and whence are you, Dionysus ? For, by the true Bacchus, I know you not : I know only the son of Zeus. He smells of nectar, but you of billy-goat. Did the Celts for lack of grapes make you out of corn ? Then you should be called Demetrius, not Dionysus, being born of corn, rather than of the fire, and Bromus * rather than Bromius.
* Bromos is the Greek for oats ; Bromius is a common title of Dionysus, derived probably from bromos = noise. In purogenē, "wheat-born", there is a play on the similar word meaning " fire-born".
[369] CYRILLUS { F 1 } G
An epigram of two lines has every merit, and if you exceed three lines it is rhapsody, not epigram.
[370] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 2 } G
1 am a fawn slain by no dogs, or stake-nets, or huntsmen, but in the sea I suffered the fate that threatened me on land. For I rushed into the sea from the wood, and then the netted snare of the fishermen dragged me up on the beach. I was wrong in flying, and all in vain, from the shore, and deservedly was taken by the fisherman after I had deserted my hills. Never again, fishermen, shall your hands be unsuccessful, since you now knit webs that serve both for sea and land.
[371] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 3 } G
{cp. 9. 17 ff. }
A hound was pressing hotly on a swift-footed hare that had just freed itself from the toils of the net. The hare, rapidly turning away from the rough hill, leapt, to avoid the dog's jaws, into the deep water near the shore, where a sea-dog with one snap caught it at once in his teeth. The poor hare was evidently destined to be dog's meat.
[372] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 4 } G
The spider, that had woven her fine web with her slender feet, had caught a cicada in her crooked meshes. But when I saw the little songster lamenting in the fine toils I did not pass hastily by, but freeing him from the nooses, I comforted him and said : "Be saved, you who call with the musical voice. "
[373] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 5 } G
Why, shepherds, in wanton sport, do you pull from the dewy branches me, the cicada, the lover of the wilds, the roadside nightingale of the Muses, who at midday chatter shrilly on the hills and in the shady copses ? Look at the thrushes and blackbirds ! Look at all the starlings, pilferers of the country's wealth ! It is lawful to catch the despoilers of the crops. Slay them. Do you grudge me my leaves and fresh dew ?
[374] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 6 } G
From the neighbouring grove I, ever-flowing Pure Fount, gush forth for passing travellers. On all sides, well canopied by planes and softly blooming laurels, I offer a cool resting-place under the shade. Therefore pass me not by in summer. Dispel your thirst and rest you, too, from toil in peace beside me.
[375] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 7 } G
What man thus carelessly plucked from the vine-branch the unripe grapes of Bacchus that nurse the wine, and when his lips were drawn up by the taste threw them away, half-chewed refuse for travellers to tread on ? May Dionysus be his foe, because, like Lycurgus, he quenched good cheer in its growth. By that drink some man could have been moved to song, or found relief from plaintive grief.
[376] TIBERIUS ILLUSTRIS { F 8 } G
Why, foolish carpenter, do you make of me, the pine-tree that am the victim of the winds, a ship to travel over the seas, and do not dread the omen ? Boreas persecuted me on land ; so how shall I escape the winds at sea ?
[387] GERMANICUS (or THE EMPEROR HADRIAN) { F 3 } G
Hector of the race of Ares, if you hear wherever you are under ground, hail ! and pause for a little from your sighs for your country. Ilium is inhabited, and is a famous city containing men inferior to you, but still lovers of war, while the Myrmidons have perished. Stand by his side and tell Achilles that all Thessaly is subject to the sons of Aeneas. *
* Troy was restored by Julius Caesar and Augustus.
(388, 389)
Under the above a soldier {some say Trajan) wrote :
They are bold, for they look not on the face of my helmet. *
When the Emperor praised this and wrote "Reveal who you are," he replied :
I am a soldier of cuirassed Ares and also a servant of Heliconian Apollo, chosen among the first men-at-arms.
* Homer, Il. xvi. 70.
Achilles is the speaker.
[390] MENECRATES OF SMYRNA { H 1 } G
A mother who had laid on the pyre her third child after losing the others too, reviling insatiate Death, on giving birth to a fourth sorrow, would not wait to nourish uncertain hope, but threw the child alive in the fire. "I will not rear it," she said. "What profits it ? My breasts, you are toiling for Hades. With less trouble I shall gain mourning. "
[391] DIOTIMUS { H 8 } G
This son of Poseidon and the son of Zeus trained their youthful limbs for stubborn wrestling bouts. The contest is no brazen one for a caldron, but for which shall gain death or life. Antaeus has got the fall, and it was fit that Heracles, the son of Zeus, should win. Wrestling is Argive, not Libyan. *
* Antaeus was Libyan.
[402] HADRIAN (? ) { F 4 } G
On Pompeius Magnus
In what sore need of a tomb stood he who possessed abundant temples !
[403] MACCIUS { Ph 10 } G
To Dionysus
Enter the vat yourself, my lord, and tread leaping swiftly ; lead the labour of the night. Make naked your proud feet, and give strength to the dance your servant, girding yourself up above your active knees ; and guide, O blessed one, the sweet-voiced wine into the empty casks. So shall you receive cakes and a shaggy goat.
[404]
Antiphilus →
[405] DIODORUS { Ph 8 } G
May holy Adrasteia preserve you, and Nemesis, the maiden who treads in our track, she who has cheated many. I fear for your body's lovely form, O youth ; for your mental gifts and the strength of your divine courage, for your learning and your prudent counsel. Such we are told, Drusus, * are the children of the blessed immortals.
* Probably Drusus the son of Germanicus and brother of Nero.
[406] ANTIGONUS OF CARYSTUS { Ph 1 } G
On a figure of a Frog placed in a crater
I am a frog, now no longer croaking continually, placed under the shower of wine from the silver spout. I lie in the water, whose friend I am, but no enemy to Bacchus, and I am washed by the drops of both. Too late in life I went revelling to Dionysus. Alas for those who drink water: they are mad but with a temperate madness ! *
* Antigonus suggests that he, too, like the frog, had learnt wisdom and become a better poet since he had become a wine-drinker.
[407]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[408]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[409] ANTIPHANES { Ph 6 } G
If there be one who does not take delight in the strains of the flute and the sweet sound of harp-playing, or in nectar-like wine, oldest of the old, or in torches, revels, garlands, and scent, but who takes a frugal supper and stores up with greedy hands the fruits of stealthy-footed usury, to me he is dead, and I pass by the . . . corpse, who hoards for the throats of others.
[410] TULLIUS SABINUS { Ph 1 } G
A mouse once, greedy for every kind of food and not even shy of the mouse-trap, but one who won booty even from death, gnawed through Phoebus' melodious lyre-string. The strained chord springing up to the bridge of the lyre, throttled the mouse. We wonder at the bow's good aim ; but Phoebus uses his lyre, too, as a weapon wherewith to aim well at his enemies.
[411] MACCIUS { Ph 3 } G
Cornelius is changed all of a sudden, and is no longer pleased with our simple literary life, but depends on light hope. We are not the same as before to him, but the hope on which he hangs is another. Let us give in, my heart ; we are thrown ; seek not to resist; it is a silver fall * that has laid us on the ground.
* i. e. avarice.
[412]
Philodemus →
[413]
Antiphilus →
[414] GEMINUS { Ph 3 } G
I am the paliurus, a thorny shrub used as a fence. Who shall say I am unproductive when I protect the fruitful crops ?
[415]
Antiphilus →
[416]
Philippus →
[417]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[418]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[419]
Crinagoras →
[420]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[421]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[422]
Apollonides →
[423]
Bianor →
[424] DURIS OF ELAEA { H 1 } G
Clouds of the heavens, whence drank you bitter waters, and in league with unbroken night deluged all ? This is not Libya, these countless dwellings and the wealth of many prosperous years, but unhappy Ephesus. * Whither, then, were the eyes of the Saving deities turned ? Alas for the most besung of all Ionian cities ! All, like rolling waves, has been swept to sea by the floods.
* The destruction of old Ephesus by flood took place in the reign of Lysimachus, circ. 290 B. C.
[428]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[429]
Crinagoras →
[430]
Crinagoras →
[432]
Theocritus (VI)
[433]
Theocritus (V)
[435]
Theocritus (XIV)
[437]
Theocritus (IV)
[438]
Philippus →
[439]
Crinagoras →
[488] TRYPHO { F 1 } G
Terpes, * harping beautifully at the Carneian feast of tabernacles, died . . . among the Lacedaemonians, not wounded by a sword or a missile, but by a fig on the lips. Alas ! Death is never at a loss for occasions.
* A citharode. Someone threw a fig into his mouth as he was singing, and this killed him.
[496] ATHENAEUS { F 1 } G
Hail ! you who are learned in the Stoic lore, you whose holy pages contain the very best of doctrines, that virtue is the soul's only good. This is the only doctrine that saves the lives and cities of men. But indulgence of the flesh, an end dear to others, is only approved by one of all Mnemosyne's daughters. *
* i. e. Erato.
[506] PLATO { F 13 } G
Some say the Muses are nine, but how carelessly ! Look at the tenth, Sappho from Lesbos.
[507]
Callimachus (29)
[513]
Crinagoras →
[515] Anonymous { F 14 } G
The Graces are three, and you are one born for these three, that the Graces may have a Grace. *
* cp. 5. 146 (Callim:Epigr_52).
[516]
Crinagoras →
[517]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[518]
Alcaeus →
[519]
Alcaeus →
[520] Anonymous { H 60 } G
On Alcaeus (probably by his enemy King Philip)
This is the tomb of Alcaeus who was killed by the broad-leaved daughter of earth, the radish, punisher of adulterers.
[526] ALPHEIUS OF MYTILENE { Ph 3 } G
Shut, O god, the tireless gates of great Olympus ; keep, O Zeus, the holy castle of heaven. Already sea and earth are subdued by the Roman arms, but the path to heaven is still untrodden. *
* Imitated from No. 518.
[541]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[542]
Crinagoras →
[543]
Philippus →
[544] ADDAEUS { Ph 9 } G
On a Figure of Galene cut by Tryphon *
Tryphon coaxed me, the Indian beryl, to be Galene, the goddess of Calm, and with his soft hands let down my hair. Look at my lips smoothing the liquid sea, and my breasts with which I charm the windless waves. Did the envious stone but consent, you would soon see me swimming, as I am longing to do.
* A famous gem-carver, some of whose work we possess.
[545]
Crinagoras →
[546]
Antiphilus →
[548]
Bianor →
[549]
Antiphilus →
[550]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[551]
Antiphilus →
[552]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[553]
Philippus →
[554]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[555]
Crinagoras →
[556] ZONAS { Ph 8 } G
Pan is the Speaker
Nereids, Nymphs of the shore, you saw Daphnis yesterday, when he washed off the dust that lay like down on his skin ; when, burnt by the dog star, he rushed into your waters, the apples of his cheeks faintly reddened. Tell me, was he beautiful ? Or am I a goat, not only lame in my legs but in my heart too ?
[557]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[558] ERYCIUS { Ph 3 } G
Cleson's billy-goat through the livelong night kept the she-goats awake with his snorting and jumping, for he had caught from afar the scent of a goat-slaying wolf that was approaching the fold built on the cliff. At length the dogs awakened from their bed, frightened away the huge beast, and sleep closed the eyes of the goats.
[559]
Crinagoras →
[560]
Crinagoras →
[561]
Philippus →
[562]
Crinagoras →
[563]
Leonidas →
[564] NICIAS { H 6 } G
O bee, that reveal the presence of many-coloured spring in her delightful bloom ; yellow bee, revelling in the prime of the flowers ; fly to the sweetly-scented field and busy thyself with your work, that your waxen chambers may be filled.
[565]
Callimachus (9)
[566]
Callimachus (10)
[567]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[568]
Dioscorides →
[570]
Philodemus →
[571] Anonymous { F 36b } G
On the Nine Lyric Poets
Pindar screamed * loud from Thebes, the Muse of Simonides breathed delight with her sweet-strained voice, Stesichorus and Ibycus shine, Alcman was sweet, and Bacchylides' lips uttered dainty song, Persuasion attended on Anacreon, Lesbian Alcaeus sings varied strains on the Aeolian . . . But Sappho was not the ninth among men, but is tenth in the list of the lovely Muses.
* He is compared to an eagle as elsewhere.
[572]
Lucillius →
[573]
Lucillius →
[574]
Lucillius →
[575]
Philippus →
[576]
Nicarchus →
[577] PTOLEMAEUS { F 1 } G
I know that I am mortal, a creature of a day ; but when I search into the multitudinous revolving spirals of the stars my feet no longer rest on the earth, but, standing by Zeus himself, I take my fill of ambrosia, the food of the gods.
[588]
Alcaeus →
[598]
Theocritus (22)
[599]
Theocritus (17)
[600]
Theocritus (18)
[601] Anonymous { F 83 } G
This passing fair statue did Aeximenes erect to Aphrodite, the protectress of all navigation. Hail, sovereign Cypris ! and if you give gain and welcome wealth you shall learn that a ship is most ready to go shares. *
* i. e. Aphrodite will get her share.
[602] EUENUS OF ATHENS { Ph 4 } G
I who once supplicated Cypris with my maiden hands and, waving torches, prayed for marriage, after I had loosed my nuptial dress in the bridal chamber, suddenly saw spring from my thighs the marks of manhood. Now I am called a bridegroom instead of a bride, and crown the altars of Ares and Heracles instead of those of Aphrodite. Thebes once told of Teiresias, and now Chalcis greets in a chlamys her who formerly wore the snood.
[603]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[604] NOSSIS { H 7 } G
This is the picture of Thaumareta. Well did the painter render the bearing and the beauty of the gentle-eyed lady ! your little house-dog would fawn upon you if it saw you here, thinking that it looked on the mistress of its home.
[605] NOSSIS { H 6 } G
Callo had her portrait made exactly like herself, and hung the picture in the house of fair-haired Aphrodite. How gentle she looks standing there ! Look how fresh is the bloom of her charm ! All hail to her ! for there is no fault in her life.
[684] Anonymous { F 81 } G
On the Fountain on the Island Taphos *
I am the fountain Nycheia, daughter of Ocean and Tethys, for so the Teleboae named me. I pour forth a bath for the Nymphs and health for mortals. It was Pterelas, the son of Ares, who placed me here.
* One of the Echinades islands at the mouth of the Adriatic.
[700]
Simonides →
[706]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[707] TULLIUS GEMINUS { Ph 4 } G
I am reckoned among rivers, but rival the sea in volume, Strymon, the fresh-water sea of Thrace. I am both a deep stream and a field yielding crops through my water, for water-chestnuts sweeter than the fruits of Demeter rise from me. * The depths, too, are productive in Thrace, and we deem, Nile, that the bearer of the crop is superior to its feeder.
* The inhabitants made a kind of sweet bread from the seeds of this plant (trapa natans) ; it is still used in some places for the purpose, and has, in fact, been introduced as a food-plant into American rivers.
[708]
Philippus →
[709]
Philippus →
[715] ANACREON (? ) { F 17 } G
715-742 are all on Myron's celebrated Statue of a Heifer. It stood originally in the Agora at Athens, but was transferred to the Temple of Peace at Rome.
Herdsman, pasture your herd far from here, lest taking Myron's heifer to be alive you drive it off with the rest.
[716] ANACREON (? ) { F 18 } G
Myron pretended this heifer to be the work of his hands, but it was never formed in the mould, but turned into bronze owing to old age.
[717] EUENUS { Ph 8 } G
Either a complete hide of bronze clothes here a real cow, or the bronze has a soul inside it.
[718] EUENUS { Ph 9 } G
Perhaps Myron himself will say this : "I did not mould this heifer, but its image. "
[719]
Leonidas →
[720]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[721]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[721a]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[722]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[723]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[724]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[728]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[730] DEMETRIUS OF BITHYNIA { F 1 } G
If a calf sees me, it will low ; a bull will mount me, and the herdsman drive me to the herd.
[732]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[740] GEMINUS { Ph 5 } G
It is the base to which it is attached that keeps back the heifer, and if freed from this it will run off to the herd. For the bronze lows. See how much alive the artist made it. If you yoke a fellow to it, perhaps it will plough.
[742]
Philippus →
[743]
Theodoridas →
[744]
Leonidas →
[745]
Anyte →
[746] KING POLEMON { Ph 1 } G
On a Ring
This little jasper stone has a seal of seven cows looking like one, * and all looking at us as if alive. Perhaps the cows would have run away, but now the little herd is confined in the golden pen.
* If not corrupt, it must mean that they were represented one standing behind the other, only the heads of six showing.
[747] PLATO { F 4 } G
The little jasper stone is carved with five cows all looking alive as they feed. Perhaps they would run away, but now the little herd is confined in the golden pen.
[748] PLATO THE YOUNGER { F 2 } G
On Dionysus carved on an Amethyst
The stone is amethyst, * but I am the toper Dionysus. Either let it teach me to be sober, or learn itself to get drunk.
* i. e. "against drunkenness. "
[749] OENOMAUS { F 1 } G
On Love carved on a Bowl
Why Love on the bowl ? It is enough for the heart to be set on fire by wine. Add not fire to fire.
[750]
Archias →
[751] PLATO THE YOUNGER { F 3 } G
The stone is Hyacinthus, * and on it are Apollo and Daphne. Of which was Apollo rather the lover ?
* Jacinth.
[752]
Asclepiades →
[756] AEMILIANUS { Ph 3 } G
{A Silenus speaks}
As far as it depends on your art, Praxiteles, the stone could wax wanton. Let me loose and I will join in the revel again. It is not that my old age is feeble, but the fettering stone grudges the Sileni their sport.
[757]
Simonides →
[758]
Simonides →
[774] GLAUCUS OF ATHENS { Ph 1 } G
The Bacchante is of Parian marble, but the sculptor gave life to the stone, and she springs up as if in Bacchic fury. Scopas, your god-creating art has produced a great marvel, a Thyad, the frenzied slayer of goats.
[775] GLAUCUS OF ATHENS { Ph 2 } G
The Bacchante has made the son of Cronus a Satyr, and he rushes to the frenzied dance as if he were in Bacchic fury. *
* Zeus disguised himself as a Satyr in order to possess Antiope at the Bacchic revels.
[776] DIODORUS { Ph 18 } G
The colour and the beauty is worthy of Zeuxis ; but Satyreius painted me on a little crystal and gave the pretty miniature to Arsinoē. I am the queen's own image, and no whit inferior to a large picture.
[777]
Philippus →
[778]
Philippus →
[786] Anonymous { F 69 } G
The inhabitants erected to the god this beautiful altar, placing it here as a sign to mark the boundary of Leuce and Pteleus. The arbiter of the division is the king of the immortals himself, Cronus' son. *
* From Demosth. vii. 39. The places are in the Thracian Chersonese.
[790]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[791]
Apollonides →
[792]
Antipater_of_Thessalonica →
[823] PLATO { F 16 } G
Let the cliff clothed in greenery of the Dryads keep silence, and the fountains that fall from the rock, and the confused bleating of the ewes newly lambed ; for Pan himself plays on his sweet-toned pipe, running his pliant lips over the joined reeds, and around with their fresh feet they have started the dance, the Nymphs, Hydriads, and Hamadryads.
[824] ERYCIUS { Ph 4 } G
Hunters, who come to this peak where dwells mountain Pan, good luck to you in the chase, whether you go on your way trusting in nets or in the steel, or whether you are fowlers relying on your hidden limed reeds. Let each of you call on me. I have skill to bring success to trap, spear, nets, and reeds.
[826] PLATO { F 22b } G
On a Satyr standing by a Well and Love Asleep
A cunning master wrought me, the Satyr, son of Bacchus, divinely inspiring the monolith with breath. I am the playmate of the Nymphs, and instead of purple wine I now pour forth pleasant water. Guide your steps here in silence, lest you disturb the boy lapped in soft sleep.
[827] PLATO (or AMMONIUS) { F 22a } G
On the Same
I am the dear servant of horned Dionysus, and pour forth the water of the silver Naiads, soothing the young boy who rests asleep . . .
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Greek Anthology: Book 10
THE HORTATORY AND ADMONITORY EPIGRAMS
This selection from Book 10 of the Greek Anthology contains all the epigrams written before the middle of the first century A. D. , as listed in three editions:
(H) A. S. F. Gow & D. L. Page, "The Greek Anthology: Hellenistic Epigrams"
(Ph) A. S. F. Gow & D. L. Page, "The Greek Anthology: The Garland of Philip and Some Contemporary Epigrams"
(F) D. L. Page, "Further Greek Epigrams"
The labels in green are the numbers assigned to the epigrams in one of these editions. The labels in red are their numbers within the Anthology.
Translations of most of the epigrams are already available elsewhere, as indicated by the links. The translations of the remaining epigrams are taken from the edition by W. R. Paton (1916-18), but have been modified to remove some of the archaic language. Click on G to go to the Greek text of each epigram.
[1]
Leonidas →
[2]
Antipater_of_Sidon →
[3] Anonymous { F 90 } G
The way down to Hades is straight, whether you start from Athens or whether you betake yourself there, when dead, from Meroē. Let it not vex you to die far from your country. One fair wind to Hades blows from all lands. *
* Probably an epitaph on an Athenian who died at Meroe.
[4]
Marcus_Argentarius →
[5] THYILLUS { F 3 } G
Already the swallows build their mud houses, already on the waves Zephyr is bosomed in the soft sails. Already the meadows shed flowers over their green leaves, and the rough strait closes its lips in silence. Wind up your hawsers and stow the anchors on shipboard, and give all your canvas to the sheets. This is the advice that Priapus of the harbour writes for you who sail the seas seeking merchandise.
