Deipnosophistae
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Original / primary: Perseus Eng2
15.1
E'en should the Phrygian God enrich my tongue
15.1
With honey'd eloquence, such as erst did fall
15.1
From Nestor's or Antenor's lips,
15.1
I never should be able
15.1
Now nearly all the men have done their supper;
15.1
'Tis well.—Why don't you run and clear the tables
15.1
But I will go and straight some water get
15.1
For the guests' hands; and have the floor well swept;
15.1
And then, when I have offer'd due libations,
15.1
I'll introduce the cottabus. This girl
15.1
Ought now to have her flutes all well prepared,
15.1
Ready to play them. Quick now, slave, and bring
15.1
Egyptian ointment, extract of lilies too,
15.1
And sprinkle it around; and I myself
15.1
Will bring a garland to each guest, and give it;
15.1
Let some one mix the wine.—Lo! now it's mix'd
15.1
Put in the frankincense, and say aloud,
15.1
Now the libation is perform'd. The original text here is very corrupt, and the meaning uncertain. The guests
15.1
Have deeply drunk already; and the scolium
15.1
Is sung; the cottabus, that merry sport,
15.1
Is taken out of doors: a female slave
15.1
Plays on the flute a cheerful strain, well pleasing
15.1
To the delighted guest; another strikes
15.1
The clear triangle, and, with well-tuned voice,
15.1
Accompanies it with an Ionian song.
15.2
Arise, Machaon, great Charoneus calls.
15.2
The cottabus comes from Sicilian lands,
15.2
And a glorious invention I think it,
15.2
Where we put up a target to shoot at with drops
15.2
From our wine-cup whenever we drink it.
15.3
And then with many a dart of Bacchus' juice,
15.3
They struck the old man's head. And I was set
15.3
To crown the victor with deserved reward,
15.3
And give the cottabus to such.
15.3
A. I wish you all to play at cottabus
15.3
While I am here preparing you your supper.
15.3
* * * * * * * *
15.3
Bring, too, some balls to play with, quick,-some balls,
15.3
And draw some water, and bring round some cups.
15.3
B. Now let us play for kisses.This line, and one or two others in this fragment, are hopelessly corrupt. A. No; such games
15.3
I never suffer.
15.3
I challenge you all to play the cottabus,
15.3
And for the prizes, here are these new slippers
15.3
Which she doth wear, and this your cotylus.
15.3
B. A mighty game! This is a greater contest
15.3
Than e'en the Isthmian festival can furnish.
15.4
Who now will take hold of my leg below?
15.4
For I am lifted up like a κοτταβεῖον.
15.4
A. This now is what I mean; don't you perceive
15.4
This lamp's the cottabus: attend awhile;
15.4
The eggs, and sweetmeats, and confectionery
15.4
Are the prize of victory. B. Sure you will play
15.4
For a most laughable prize. How shall you do?
15.4
A. I then will show you how: whoever throws
15.4
The cottabus direct against the scale (πλάστιγξ),
15.4
So as to make it fall——B. What scale? Do you
15.4
Mean this small dish which here is placed above?
15.4
A. That is the scale—he is the conqueror.
15.4
B. How shall a man know this? A. Why, if he throw
15.4
So as to reach it barely, it will fall
15.4
Upon the manes,The manes was a small brazen figure. and there'll be great noise.
15.4
B. Does manes, then, watch o'er the cottabus,
15.4
As if he were a slave?
15.4
B. Just take the cup and show me how 'tis done.
15.4
A. Now bend your fingers like a flute-player,
15.4
Pour in a little wine, and not too much,
15.4
Then throw it. B. How? A. Look here; throw it like this
15.4
B. O mighty Neptune, what a height he throws it!
15.4
A. Now do the same. B. Not even with a sling
15.4
Could I throw such a distance. A. Well, but learn.
15.5
And when she throws ἀπ’ ἀγκύλης,
15.5
Displaying to the youths her snow-white arm.
15.5
Eurymachus, and no one else, did heap
15.5
No slighter insults, undeserved, upon me;
15.5
For my head always was his mark at which
15.5
To throw his cottabus . . . . .The text here is corrupt, and is printed by Schweighauser— τοῦ δ’ ἀγκυλητοῦ κόσσαβός ἐστι σκοπὸς Ἐκτεμὼν ἡβῶσα χεὶρ ἀφίετο, which is wholly unintelligible; but Schweighauser gives an emended reading, which is that translated above.
15.6
Bring here the cruets and the cups at once,
15.6
The foot-pan, too, but first pour in some water.
15.6
Now in the cottabus I challenge you,
15.6
(As is my country's mode,) to aim your blows
15.6
At the empty cruets; and he who sinks the most
15.6
Shall, in my judgment, bear the palm of victory.
15.6
I mean to erect a brazen figure,
15.6
That is, a cottabeum, and myrtle-berries.
15.6
Now soft cloaks are thrown away,
15.6
Every one clasps on his breastplate,
15.6
And binds his greaves around his legs,
15.6
No one for snow-white slippers cares;
15.6
Now you may see the cottabus staff
15.6
Thrown carelessly among the chaff;
15.6
The manes hears no falling drops;
15.6
And you the πλάστιγξ sad may see
15.6
Thrown on the dunghill at the garden door.
15.6
Throwing, and dropping, breaking, too, and naming (λέγοντες),
15.6
O Hercules, the well-thrown drop of wine!
15.6
The golden-colour'd drop of Venus
15.6
Descends on all the houses.
15.6
And the loud noise o' the frequent cottabus
15.6
Awakens melodies akin to Venus
15.6
In every house.
15.6
Many hard drinkers, lovers of Acontius,
15.6
Throw on the ground the wine-drops (λατάγας) from their cups.
15.7
And he who keeps awake all night shall have
15.7
A cheesecake for his prize of victory,
15.7
And kiss whoe'er he pleases of the girls
15.7
Who are at hand.
15.7
For he has long been cooking prizes for
15.7
The victors in the cottabus.
15.7
I then sprang out to cook the χαρ́σιος.
15.7
Come now, ye women, come and dance all night,
15.7
This is the tenth day since my son was born;
15.7
And I will give three fillets for the prize,
15.7
And five fine apples, and nine kisses too.
15.7
Here we, unhappy in our loves, establish
15.7
This third addition to the games of Bacchus,
15.7
That the glad cottabus shall now be play'd
15.7
In honour of you, a most noble quintain—
15.7
All you who here are present twine your hands,
15.7
Holding the ball-shaped portion of your cups,
15.7
And, ere you let it go, let your eyes scan
15.7
The heaven that bends above you; watching well
15.7
How great a space your λάταγες may cover.
15.8
Pouring forth hymns to you and me propitious,
15.8
Let us now send your ancient friend from far,
15.8
With the swift rowing of our tongues and praises,
15.8
To lofty glory while this banquet lasts;
15.8
And the quick genius of Phæacian eloquence
15.8
Commands the Muses' crew to man the benches.
15.8
It suits a happy man to stay at home
15.8
And drink, let others wars and labours love.
15.8
Come now and hear this my auspicious message,
15.8
And end the quarrels which your cups engender;
15.8
Turn your attention to these words of mine,
15.8
And learn these lessons. . . . . . . . .
15.8
And all the roses, when the leaves fell off
15.8
From the man's garlands, on the ground were thrown.
15.9
Receive these first-fruits of my poetry,
15.9
Given you as a pledge; and as an omen
15.9
Of happy fortune I send first to you
15.9
This offering of the Graces, deeply studied,—
15.9
Take it, requiting me with tuneful verse,
15.9
Fit ornament of feasts, and emblem of your happiness.
15.9
I consecrate this rose to you,
15.9
A beautiful idea;
15.9
This cap, and eke these sandals too,
15.9
And this good hunting-spear:
15.9
For now my mind is gone astray,
15.9
Wandering another way,
15.9
Towards that girl of lovely face,
15.9
Favourite of ev'ry Grace."
15.11
To what a great philosopher has Fate
15.11
Now join'd me here!
15.11
You wretched man, you've learnt left-handed letters,
15.11
Your reading has perverted your whole life;
15.11
Philosophising thus with earth and heaven,
15.11
Though neither care a bit for all your speeches.
15.11
These things are shameful, e'en to the Triballi;
15.11
Where they do say a man who sacrifices,
15.11
Displays the feast to the invited guests,
15.11
And then next day, when they are hungry all,
15.11
Sells them what he'd invited them to see.
15.11
And each man three garlands had:
15.11
Two of roses fairly twined,
15.11
And the third a Naucratite.
15.11
But now full twice five months are gone
15.11
Since kind Megisthes wore a crown
15.11
Of pliant osier, drinking wine
15.11
Whose colour did like rubies shine.
15.14
I am not oft, O Philotherus, fond
15.14
Of feasting in the city, but prefer
15.14
The country, where the open breeze of zephyr
15.14
Freshens my heart; a simple bed
15.14
Beneath my body is enough for me,
15.14
Made of the branches of the native willow (πρόμαλος),
15.14
And osier (λύγος), ancient garland of the Carians,—
15.14
But let good wine be brought, and the sweet lyre,
15.14
Chief ornament of the Pierian sisters,
15.14
That we may drink our fill, and sing the praise
15.14
Of the all-glorious bride of mighty Jove,
15.14
The great protecting queen of this our isle.
15.14
But now full twice five months are gone
15.14
Since kind Megisthes wore a crown
15.14
Of pliant osier, drinking wine
15.14
Whose colour did like rubies shine."
15.16
And placing on our brows fresh parsley crowns,
15.16
Let's honour Bacchus with a jovial feast.
15.16
Let every one twine round his neck
15.16
Wreathed ὑποθυμιάδες of anise.
15.16
And wreathed ὑποθυμιάδες
15.16
In numbers round their tender throats.
15.16
They placed upon their bosoms lotus flowers
15.16
Entwined in fragrant ὑποθυμιάδες.
15.16
And therefore we, in honour of Prometheus,
15.16
Place garlands on our heads, a poor atonement
15.16
For the sad chains with which his limbs were bound.
15.16
Give the stranger a στέφανος (garland), the ancient στέφος,—
15.16
This is the best of chains, as we may judge
15.16
From great Prometheus.
15.16
But place those garlands on thy lovely hair,
15.16
Twining the tender sprouts of anise green
15.16
With skilful hand; for offerings of flowers
15.16
Are pleasing to the gods, who hate all those
15.16
Who come before them with uncrowned heads.
15.16
The slaves the goblets crown'd with rosy wine;
15.16
But God plain forms with eloquence does crown.
15.19
Make ready garlands which they give the gods,
15.19
Praying they may be heralds of good omen.
15.19
Cutting sweet garlands, messengers of good omen.
15.19
ναρκισσίνους ὀλίσβους,
15.19
But you wear leather tongues within your shoes,
15.19
And crown yourselves with ὑπογλωττίδες,
15.19
Whenever you're engaged in drinking parties.
15.19
And when you sacrifice you speak only words
15.19
Of happy omen.
15.19
'Tis no hard work to argue on either side,
15.19
If a man's only an adept at speaking.
15.20
What then are we to do? We should have taken
15.20
A white cloak each of us; and then entwining
15.20
Isthmiaca on our brows, like choruses,
15.20
Come let us sing the eulogy of our master.
15.20
* * * * * *
15.21
The crisp ground thyme, the snow-white lily too,
15.21
The purple hyacinth, and the modest leaves
15.21
Of the white celandine, and the fragrant rose,
15.21
Whose petals open to the vernal zephyrs;
15.21
For that fair flower which bears Antinous' name
15.21
The earth had not yet borne.
15.22
She stood by her sire, and in her fragrant hair
15.22
She wore the beautiful Iacchian garland.
15.22
And many μελιλώτινοι garlands hanging.
15.23
He went away unhurt to his own house,
15.23
Having laid aside his cloak, but having on
15.23
His ἐκκύλιστος garland.
15.23
This third man has a κυλιστὸς garland
15.23
Of fig-leaves; but while living he delighted
15.23
In similar ornaments:
15.23
Like a κυλιστὸς garland in suspense.
15.23
Brought into circular shape,
15.23
Like a κυλιστὸς garland.
15.23
You should not wear a beard thus well perfumed,
15.23
And 'tis a shame for you, of such high birth,
15.23
To be reproached as the son of your belly,
15.23
When you might rather be call'd your father's son.
15.24
O happy woman, in your little house
15.24
To have a στρούθιος . . . . .The rest of this extract is so utterly corrupt, that Schweighauser says he despairs of it so utterly that he has not even attempted to give a Latin version of it.
15.24
Aegidion, carry now this garland for me,
15.24
Ingeniously wrought of divers flowers,
15.24
Most tempting, and most beautiful, by Jove!
15.24
For who'd not wish to kiss the maid who bears it?
15.24
A. Perhaps you want some garlands. Will you have them
15.24
Of ground thyme, or of myrtle, or of flowers
15.24
Such as I show you here in bloom.
15.24
B. I'll have
15.24
These myrtle ones. You may sell all the others,
15.24
But always keep the myrtle wreaths for me.
15.25
For the boy wore a garland on his brow
15.25
Of delicate leafy linden (φιλύρα).
15.25
The triple folds of the ἑλικτοὶ garlands,
15.25
Made up of ivy and narcissus.
15.26
To make up twenty συνθηματιαῖοι garlands.
15.26
Phœbus doth teach that song to the Tyndaridæ,
15.26
Which tuneless grasshoppers have crown'd with a χορωνός.
15.27
And I pray to you, and bring
15.27
This chaplet of the helichryse,
15.27
And of the holy cypirus.
15.27
Myrtle-berries with violets mix'd,
15.27
And helichryse, and apple blossoms,
15.27
And roses, and the tender daphne.
15.27
With ground thyme and with crocuses,
15.27
And hyacinths, and helichryse.
15.28
I crown my head with flowers, λείρια,
15.28
Roses, and κρίνα, and κοσμοσάνδαλα.
15.28
Did not the Lacedæmonians boast of old
15.28
As though they were invincible? but now
15.28
They wear effeminate purple head-dresses.
15.28
And the dear hemerocalles.
15.28
Having a golden-colour'd necklace on
15.28
Of the bright calchæ, with their tender petals.
15.30
Then did the Graces, and the smiling Hours,
15.30
Make themselves garments rich with various hues,
15.30
And dyed them in the varied flowers that Spring
15.30
And the sweet Seasons in their bosom bear.
15.30
In crocus, hyacinth, and blooming violet,
15.30
And the sweet petals of the peerless rose,
15.30
So fragrant, so divine; nor did they scorn
15.30
The dewy cups of the ambrosial flower
15.30
That boasts Narcissus' name. Such robes, perfumed
15.30
With the rich treasures of revolving seasons,
15.30
The golden Venus wears.
15.30
And when the smiling Venus with her train
15.30
Had woven fragrant garlands of the treasures
15.30
The flowery earth puts forth, the goddesses
15.30
All crown'd their heads with their queen's precious work,—
15.30
The Nymphs and Graces, and the golden Venus,—
15.30
And raised a tuneful song round Ida's springs.
15.31
And many other flowers you may plant,
15.31
Fragrant and beauteous, of Ionian growth;
15.31
Two sorts of violets are there,—pallid one,
15.31
And like the colour of the virgin gold,
15.31
Such as th' Ionian nymphs to Ion gave,
15.31
When in the meadows of the holy Pisa
15.31
They met and loved and crown'd the modest youth.
15.31
For he had cheer'd his hounds and slain the boar,
15.31
And in the clear Alpheus bathed his limbs,
15.31
Before he visited those friendly nymphs.
15.31
Cut then the shoots from off the thorny rose,
15.31
And plant them in the trenches, leaving space
15.31
Between, two spans in width. The poets tell
15.31
That Midas first, when Asia's realms he left,
15.31
Brought roses from th' Odonian hills of Thrace,
15.31
And cultivated them in th' Emathian lands,
15.31
Blooming and fragrant with their sixty petals.
15.31
Next to th' Emathian roses those are praised
15.31
Which the Megarian Nisæa displays:
15.31
Nor is Phaselis, nor the land which worships
15.31
The chaste Diana,Phaselis is a town in Lycia. The land which worships Diana is the country about Ephesus and Magnesia, which last town is built where the Lethæus falls into the Mæander; and it appears that Diana was worshipped by the women of this district under the name of Lencophrys, from λευκὸς,, white, and ὄφρυς,, an eyebrow. to be lightly praised,
15.31
Made verdant by the sweet Lethæan stream.
15.31
In other trenches place the ivy cuttings,
15.31
And often e'en a branch with berries loaded
15.31
May be entrusted to the grateful ground;
15.31
* * * * *The text here is hopelessly corrupt, and indeed is full of corruption for the next seven lines: I have followed the Latin version of Dalecampius.
15.31
Or with well-sharpen'd knife cut off the shoots,
15.31
And plait them into baskets,
15.31
* * * * *
15.31
High on the top the calyx full of seed
15.31
Grows with white leaves, tinged in the heart with gold,
15.31
Which some call crina, others liria,
15.31
Others ambrosia, but those who love
15.31
The fittest name, do call them Venus' joy;
15.31
For in their colour they do vie with Venus,
15.31
Though far inferior to her decent form.
15.31
The iris in its roots is like th' agallis,
15.31
Or hyacinth fresh sprung from Ajax' blood;
15.31
It rises high with swallow-shaped flowers,
15.31
Blooming when summer brings the swallows back.
15.31
Thick are the leaves they from their bosom pour,
15.31
And the fresh flowers constantly succeeding,
15.31
Shine in their stooping mouths.
15.31
* * * * *
15.31
Nor is the lychnis, nor the lofty rush,
15.31
Nor the fair anthemis in light esteem,
15.31
Nor the boanthemum with towering stem,
15.31
Nor phlox whose brilliancy scarce seems to yield
15.31
To the bright splendour of the midday sun.
15.31
Plant the ground thyme where the more fertile ground
15.31
Is moisten'd by fresh-welling springs beneath,
15.31
That with long creeping branches it may spread,
15.31
Or droop in quest of some transparent spring,
15.31
The wood-nymphs' chosen draught. Throw far away
15.31
The poppy's leaves, and keep the head entire,
15.31
A sure protection from the teasing gnats;
15.31
For every kind of insect makes its seat
15.31
Upon the opening leaves; and on the head,
15.31
Like freshening dews, they feed, and much rejoice
15.31
In the rich latent honey that it bears;
15.31
But when the leaves (θρῖα) are off, the mighty flame
15.31
Soon scatters them . . . .
15.31
Nor can they place their feet
15.31
With steady hold, nor juicy food extract;
15.31
And oft they slip, and fall upon their heads.
15.31
Swift is the growth, and early the perfection
15.31
Of the sampsychum, and of rosemary,
15.31
And of the others which the gardens
15.31
Supply to diligent men for well-earn'd garlands.
15.31
Such are the feathery fern, the boy's-love sweet,
15.31
(Like the tall poplar); such the golden crocus,
15.31
Fair flower of early spring; the gopher white,
15.31
And fragrant thyme, and all the unsown beauty
15.31
Which in moist grounds the verdant meadows bear;
15.31
The ox-eye, the sweet-smelling flower of Jove,
15.31
The chalca, and the much sung hyacinth,
15.31
And the low-growing violet, to which
15.31
Dark Proserpine a darker hue has given;
15.31
The tall panosmium, and the varied colours
15.31
Which the gladiolus puts forth in vain
15.31
To decorate the early tombs of maidens.
15.31
Then too the ever-flourishing anemones,
15.31
Tempting afar with their most vivid dyes.
15.31
And above all remember to select
15.31
The elecampane and the aster bright,
15.31
And place them in the temples of the gods,
15.31
By roadside built, or hang them on their statues,
15.31
Which first do catch the eye of the visitor.
15.31
These are propitious gifts, whether you pluck
15.31
The many-hued chrysanthemum, or lilies
15.31
Which wither sadly o'er the much-wept tomb,
15.31
Or gay old-man, or long-stalk'd cyclamen,
15.31
Or rank nasturtium, whose scarlet flowers
15.31
Grim Pluto chooses for his royal garland.
15.32
The soft theseum, like the apple blossom,
15.32
The sacred blossom of Leucerea,There is some corruption in this name.
15.32
Which the fair goddess loves above all others.
15.32
O you who sigh like mallows soft,
15.32
Whose breath like hyacinths smells,
15.32
Who like the melilotus speak,
15.32
And smile as doth the rose,
15.32
Whose kisses are as marjoram sweet,
15.32
Whose action crisp as parsley,
15.32
Whose gait like cosmosandalum.
15.32
Pour rosy wine, and with loud voice
15.32
Raise the glad pæan's song,
15.32
As laws of God and man enjoin
15.32
On holy festival.
15.32
Treading on soft aspalathi
15.32
Beneath the shady trees,
15.32
In lotus-bearing meadows green,
15.32
And on the dewy cypirus;
15.32
And on the fresh anthryscum, and
15.32
The modest tender violet,
15.32
And green trefoil. . .
15.32
And having bathed before the heat of day,
15.32
Some crown their head and some anoint their bodies.
15.32
Joyful now I crown my head
15.32
With every kind of flower;
15.32
λείρια, roses, κρίνα too,
15.32
And cosmosandala,
15.32
And violets, and fragrant thyme,
15.32
And spring anemones,
15.32
Ground thyme, crocus, hyacinths,
15.32
And buds of helichryse,
15.32
Shoots of the vine, anthryscum too,
15.32
And lovely hemerocalles.
15.32
* * * * * *
15.32
My head is likewise shaded
15.32
With evergreen melilotus;
15.32
And of its own accord there comes
15.32
The flowery cytisus.
15.33
And you too,
15.33
Be sure and have the second course quite neat;
15.33
Adorn it with all kinds of rich confections,
15.33
Perfumes, and garlands, aye, and frankincense,
15.33
And girls to play the flute.
15.33
Then water was brought in to wash the hands,
15.33
Which a delicate youth bore in a silver ewe,
15.33
Ministering to the guests; and after that
15.33
He brought us garlands of the tender myrtle,
15.33
Close woven with young richly-colour'd shoots.
15.33
For when the old men came into the house,
15.33
At once they sate them down. Immediately
15.33
Garlands were handed round; a well-fill'd board
15.33
Was placed before them, and (how good for th' eyes!)
15.33
A closely-kneaded loaf of barley bread.
15.33
A. We caught the pimp and two of his companions,
15.33
When they had just had water for their hands,
15.33
And garlands.
15.33
B. Sure the time, O Chærophon,
15.33
Was most propitious.
15.33
Come, quick! let some one make the barley-cakes,
15.33
And fill the goblets deep; for this man now,
15.33
Just like a farmer's ox, can't work a bit
15.33
Till he has fill'd his belly with good food.
15.33
The guest is either a boatman or a parasite,
15.33
A hanger-on of hell, with hungry belly,
15.33
Which nought can satisfy.
15.33
These garlands all promiscuously (χύδην) woven.
15.33
To bring now hither two good garlands,
15.33
And a good lamp, with good fire brightly burning;
15.35
But elegance I truly love;
15.35
And this my love of life has brilliancy,
15.35
And honour, too, attached to it:
15.35
This is Parrhasius' the painter's work,
15.35
A most luxurious (ἁβροδίαιτος) and virtuous man.
15.36
The best recipe for health
15.36
Is to apply sweet scents unto the brain.
15.36
He shed a sweet perfume all o'er my breast.
15.36
Why fly away, now that you've well anointed
15.36
Your breast, more hollow than a flute, with unguents?
15.36
He struck his breast, and thus reproved his heart.
15.36
His heart within his breast did rage.
15.36
But Hector's heart within his bosom shook.
15.36
Scarce can my knees these trembling limbs sustain,
15.36
And scarce my heart support its load of pain;
15.36
With fears distracted, with no fix'd design,
15.36
And all my people's miseries are mine.
15.36
Now Fear's dark daughter does no more exult
15.36
Within my heart.
15.36
O my wretched heart!
15.36
How you alone of all my limbs or senses
15.36
Rejoice in evil; for you leap and dance
15.36
The moment that you see your lord alarm'd.
15.37
She being old would spare her perfumes (μύρα).
15.37
Displaying hair and breast perfumed (ἐσμυρισμένον);
15.37
So that a man, though old, might fall in love with her.
15.37
Himself anointing them with dewy oil (δροσόεντι ἐλαίῳ).
15.37
Here first she bathes, and round her body pours
15.37
Soft oils of fragrance and ambrosial showers:
15.37
The winds perfumed, the balmy gale convey
15.37
Through heaven, through earth, and all the aërial way.
15.37
Spirit divine! whose exhalation greets
15.37
The sense of gods with more than mortal sweets.
15.39
They'll give you Cyprian stones, and ointments choice
15.39
From dainty Egypt, worth their weight in silver.
15.40
A. He really bathes—
15.40
B. What then?
15.40
A. In a large gilded tub, and steeps his feet
15.40
And legs in rich Egyptian unguents;
15.40
His jaws and breasts he rubs with thick palm-oil,
15.40
And both his arms with extract sweet of mint;
15.40
His eyebrows and his hair with marjoram,
15.40
His knees and neck with essence of ground thyme.
15.40
A. And now that I may well anoint my body,
15.40
Buy me some unguents, I beseech you, Xanthias,
15.40
Of roses made and irises. Buy, too,
15.40
Some oil of baccaris for my legs and feet.
15.40
B. You stupid wretch! Shall I buy baccaris,
15.40
And waste it on your worthless feet?
15.40
Unguents from Peron, which but yesterday
15.40
He sold to Melanopus,—very costly,
15.40
Fresh come from Egypt; which he uses now
15.40
To anoint the feet of vile Callistratus.
15.40
I left the man in Peron's shop, just now,
15.40
Dealing for ointments; when he has agreed,
15.40
He'll bring you cinnamon and spikenard essence.
15.41
I then my nose with baccaris anointed,
15.41
Redolent of crocus.
15.41
Anointed o'er with baccaris, and dressing
15.41
All his front hair with cooling fans of feathers.
15.41
'Tis better far to know the use of μύρα,
15.41
And βάκκαρις, and Sardian ornaments,
15.41
Than all the fashions in the Peloponnesus.
15.41
A man should bathe, and then with baccaris
15.41
Anoint himself.
15.41
Your βακκάρεις and your μύρα.
15.41
And then with μύρον,, and rich spices too,
15.41
And βάκκαρις, did I anoint myself.
15.41
O venerable Jove! with what a scent
15.41
Did that vile bag, the moment it was open'd,
15.41
O'erwhelm me, full of βάκκαρις and μύρον.!In the Thesmophoriazusæ Secundæ that is, which has not come down to us.
15.42
I stood, and order'd him to pour upon us
15.42
Some brenthian unguent, that he also might
15.42
Pour it on those departing.
15.42
He smelt deliciously of royal unguent.
15.42
βρενθεΐῳ βασιληΐῳ,
15.42
Come, let me see what unguent I can give you:
15.42
Do you like ψάγδησ?
15.42
All his breath smells of ψάγδης.
15.42
She thrice anointed with Egyptian psagdas (ψάγδανι).
15.42
And say that you are bringing her such unguents,
15.42
As old Megallus never did compound,
15.42
Nor Dinias, that great Egyptian, see,
15.42
Much less possess.
15.42
A. Adorn the walls all round with hangings rich,
15.42
Milesian work; and then anoint them o'er
15.42
With sweet megallium, and also burn
15.42
The royal mindax.
15.42
B. Where did you, O master,
15.42
E'er hear the name of such a spice as that
15.42
And like the illustrious bride, great Basilis,
15.42
She rubs her body with megallian unguent.
15.42
A. This unguent, boy, is really excellent.
15.42
B. Of course it is, 'tis spikenard.
15.43
Having anointed her (μυρίσασα), she shut her up
15.43
In her own stead most secretly.
15.43
I who 'm anointed (μεμύρισμαι) o'er my head with unguents (μυρώμασι).
15.43
And baccaris, and sagda too.
15.43
And all his breath is redolent of sagda:
15.44
The stacte at two minæ's not worth having.
15.44
The whole Sardian people is of unguents fond;
15.44
For he did use no alabaster box
15.44
From which t' anoint himself; for this is but
15.44
An ordinary, and quite old-fashion'd thing.
15.44
But he let loose four doves all dipp'd in unguents,
15.44
Not of one kind, but each in a different sort;
15.44
And then they flew around, and hovering o'er us,
15.44
Besprinkled all our clothes and tablecloths.
15.44
Envy me not, ye noble chiefs of Greece;
15.44
For thus, while sacrificing, I myself
15.44
Was sprinkled o'er with unguent of the iris.
15.46
A verse to Love,
15.47
Harmodius was invoked, the paean sung,
15.47
Each drank a mighty cup to Jove the Saviour.
15.47
A. Fill now the cup with the libation due
15.47
To Jove the Saviour; for he surely is
15.47
Of all the gods most useful to mankind.
15.47
B. Your Jove the Saviour, if I were to burst,
15.47
Would nothing do for me.
15.47
A. Just drink, and trust him.
15.47
And so I will, my dear;
15.47
But fill him now a parting cup to Health;
15.47
Here, pour a due libation out to Health.
15.47
Another to Good Fortune. Fortune manages
15.47
All the affairs of men; but as for Prudence,—
15.47
That is a blind irregular deity.
15.47
Fill a cup quickly now to the Good Deity,
15.47
And take away this table from before me;
15.47
For I have eaten quite enough;—I pledge
15.47
This cup to the Good Deity;—here, quick, I say,
15.47
And take away this table from before me.
15.47
And now when I begin to nod my head,
15.47
The cup to the Good Deity * *
15.47
* * * *
15.47
That cup, when I had drain'd it, near upset me;
15.47
And then the next libation duly quaff'd
15.47
To Jove the Saviour, wholly wreck'd my boat,
15.47
And overwhelm'd me as you see.
15.47
Before he'd drunk a cup to the Good Deity,
15.47
Or to great Jove the Saviour.
15.49
Come, then. a scolium sing to me,
15.49
Of old Alcæus or Anacreon.
15.50
O thou Tritonian Pallas, who from heaven above
15.50
Look'st with protecting eye
15.50
On this holy city and land,
15.50
Deign our protectress now to prove
15.50
From loss in war, from dread sedition's band,
15.50
And death's untimely blow, thou and thy father Jove.
15.50
I sing at this glad season, of the Queen,
15.50
Mother of Plutus, heavenly Ceres;
15.50
May you be ever near us,
15.50
You and your daughter Proserpine,
15.50
And ever as a friend
15.50
This citadel defend.
15.50
Latona once in Delos, as they say,
15.50
Did two great children bear,
15.50
Apollo with the golden hair,
15.50
Bright Phœbus, god of day.
15.50
And Dian, mighty huntress, virgin chaste.
15.50
On whom all women's trust is placed.
15.50
Raise the loud shout to Pan, Arcadia's king;
15.50
Praise to the Nymphs' loved comrade sing!
15.50
Come, O Pan, and raise with me
15.50
The song in joyful ecstasy.
15.50
We have conquer'd as we would,
15.50
The gods reward us as they should,
15.50
And victory bring from PandrososPandrosos, according to Athenian mythology, was a daughter of Cecrops and Agraulos. She was worshipped at Athens, and had a temple near that of Minerva Polias.—Smith, Dict. Gr. and Rom. Biog. to Pallas.
15.50
Oh, would the gods such grace bestow,
15.50
That opening each man's breast,
15.50
One might survey his heart, and know
15.50
How true the friendship that could stand that test.
15.50
Health's the best gift to mortal given;
15.50
Beauty is next; the third great prize
15.50
Is to grow rich, free both from sin and vice;
15.50
The fourth, to pass one's youth with friends beloved by heaven.
15.50
The man who wrote this song, whoe'er he was,
15.50
When he call'd health the best of all possessions,
15.50
Spoke well enough. But when the second place
15.50
He gave to beauty, and the third to riches,
15.50
He certainly was downright mad; for surely
15.50
Riches must be the next best thing to health,
15.50
For who would care to be a starving beauty
15.50
'Tis well to stand upon the shore,
15.50
And look on others on the sea;
15.50
But when you once have dipp'd your oar,
15.50
By the present wind you must guided be.
15.50
A crab caught a snake in his claw,
15.50
And thus he triumphantly spake,—
15.50
'My friends must be guided by law,
15.50
Nor love crooked counsels to take.
15.50
I'll wreathe my sword in myrtle bough,
15.50
The sword that laid the tyrant low,
15.50
When patriots, burning to be free,
15.50
To Athens gave equality.It is hardly necessary to say that this beautiful translation is by Lord Denman. It is given also at p. 176 of the translation of the Greek Anthology in this series.
15.50
Harmodius, hail! though reft of breath,
15.50
Thou ne'er shalt feel the stroke of death,
15.50
The happy heroes' isles shall be
15.50
The bright abode allotted thee.
15.50
I'll wreathe the sword in myrtle bough,
15.50
The sword that laid Hipparchus low,
15.50
When at Minerva's adverse fane
15.50
He knelt, and never rose again.
15.50
While Freedom's name is understood,
15.50
You shall delight the wise and good;
15.50
You dared to set your country free,
15.50
And gave her laws equality.
15.50
Learn, my friend, from Admetus' story,
15.50
All worthy friends and brave to cherish;
15.50
But cowards shun when danger comes,
15.50
For they will leave you alone to perish.
15.50
Ajax of the ponderous spear mighty son of Telamon,
15.50
They call you bravest of the Greeks, next to the great Achilles,
15.50
Telamon came first, and of the Greeks the second man
15.50
Was Ajax, and with him there came invincible Achilles.
15.50
Would that I were an ivory lyre,
15.50
Struck by fair boys to great Iacchus' taste;
15.50
Or golden trinket pure from fire,
15.50
Worn by a lady fair, of spirit chaste.
15.50
Drink with me, and sport with me,
15.50
Love with me, wear crowns with me,
15.50
Be mad with me when I am moved with rage,
15.50
And modest when I yield to counsels sage.
15.50
A scorpion 'neath every stone doth lie,
15.50
And secrets usually hide treachery.
15.50
A sow one acorn has, and wants its brother;
15.50
And I have one fair maid, and seek another.
15.50
A wanton and a bath-keeper both cherish the same fashion,
15.50
Giving the worthless and the good the self-same bath to wash in.
15.50
Give Cedon wine, O slave, and fill it up,
15.50
If you must give each worthy man a cup.
15.50
Alas! Leipsydrium, you betray
15.50
A host of gallant men,
15.50
Who for their country many a day
15.50
Have fought, and would again.
15.50
And even when they fell, their race
15.50
In their great actions you may trace.This refers to the Alcmæonidæ, who, flying from the tyranny of Hippias, after the death of Hipparchus, seized on and fortified the town Leipsydrium, on Mount Parnes, and were defeated and taken by the Pisistratidæ.—See Herod. v. 62.
15.50
The man who never will betray his friend,
15.50
Earns fame of which nor earth nor heaven shall see the end.
15.50
I have great wealth, a sword, and spear,
15.50
And trusty shield beside me here;
15.50
With these I plough, and from the vine
15.50
Squeeze out the heart-delighting wine;
15.50
They make me lord of everything.
15.50
But they who dread the sword and spear,
15.50
And ever trusty shield to bear,
15.50
Shall fall before me on their knees,
15.50
And worship me whene'er I please,
15.50
And call me mighty lord and king.
15.51
O virtue, never but by labour to be won,
15.51
First object of all human life,
15.51
For such a prize as thee
15.51
There is no toil, there is no strife,
15.51
Nor even death which any Greek would shun;
15.51
Such is the guerdon fair and free,
15.51
And lasting too, with which thou dost thy followers grace,—
15.51
Better than gold,
15.51
Better than sleep, or e'en the glories old
15.51
Of high descent and noble race.
15.51
For you Jove's mighty son, great Hercules,
15.51
Forsook a life of ease;
15.51
For you the Spartan brothers twain
15.51
Sought toil and danger, following your behests
15.51
With fearless and unwearied breasts.
15.51
Your love it was that fired and gave
15.51
To early grave
15.51
Achilles and the giant son
15.51
Of Salaminian Telamon.
15.51
And now for you Atarneus' pride,
15.51
Trusting in others' faith, has nobly died;
15.51
But yet his name
15.51
Shall never die, the Muses' holy train
15.51
Shall bear him to the skies with deathless fame,
15.51
Honouring Jove, the hospitable god,
15.51
And honest hearts, proved friendship's blest abode.
15.52
And now for you Atarneus' pride,
15.52
Trusting in others' faith, has nobly died.
15.53
Do you not feel some pleasure now?
15.53
Do not betray me, I entreat you.
15.53
Rise up before the man comes back,
15.53
Lest he should ill-treat you and me.
15.53
'Tis morning now, dost thou not see
15.53
The daylight through the windows?
15.53
I will choose a single life,
15.53
That is better than a wife;
15.53
Friends in war a man stand by,
15.53
While the wife stays at home to cry.
15.54
For all those men who heroes were of old,
15.54
Eubæus, and Hermogenes, and Philip,
15.54
Are dead, and settlers in dark Pluto's realms;
15.54
But Cleonicus has a life secure
15.54
From all th' attacks of age; he's deeply skill'd
15.54
In all that bards or theatres concerns;
15.54
And even now he's dead, great Proserpine
15.54
Allows his voice still to be heard on earth.
15.55
Muse, sing me now the praises of Eurymedon,
15.55
That great Charybdis of the sea, who holds
15.55
A sword within his stomach, never weary
15.55
With eating. Tell me how the votes may pass
15.55
Condemning him to death, by public judgment,
15.55
On the loud-sounding shore of the barren sea.
15.55
And when I Thasos reach'd they took up filth,
15.55
And pelted me therewith, by which aroused
15.55
Thus a bystander spoke with pitiless heart:—
15.55
O most accursed of men, who e'er advised you
15.55
To put such dirty feet in such fine slippers?
15.55
And quickly I did this brief answer make:—
15.55
'Twas gain that moved me, though against my will,
15.55
(But I am old;) and bitter penury;
15.55
Which many Thasians also drives on shipboard,
15.55
Ill-manner'd youths, and long-ruin'd old men:
15.55
Who now sing worthless songs about the place.
15.55
Those men I join'd when fit for nothing else;
15.55
But I will not depart again for gain,
15.55
But doing nothing wrong, I'll here deposit
15.55
My lovely money among the Thasians:
15.55
Lest any of the Grecian dames at home
15.55
Should be enraged when they behold my wife
15.55
Making Greek bread, a poor and scanty meal.
15.55
Or if they see a cheesecake small, should say,—
15.55
"Philion, who sang the 'Fierce Attack' at Athens,
15.55
Got fifty drachmas, and yet this is all
15.55
That you sent home."—While I was thinking thus,
15.55
And in my mind revolving all these things,
15.55
Pallas Minerva at my side appeared,
15.55
And touch'd me with her golden sceptre, saying,
15.55
"O miserable and ill-treated man,
15.55
Poor Lentil, haste thee to the sacred games."
15.55
Then I took heart, and sang a louder strain.
15.56
They one another smote with brazen ἐγχείῃσι,
15.56
But seize not, valiant barber, on this prize,
15.56
Nor thou Achilles . . . . .This is a parody on Iliad, i. 275,— μήτε σὺ τόνδ’ ἀγαθός περ ἐὼν, ἀποαίρεο κούρην, where Eubœus changes κούρην, maiden, into κουρεῖ, barber.
15.56
The man whom fierce Agathocles did drive
15.56
An exile from his land, was nobly born
15.56
Of an old line of famous ancestors,
15.56
And from his early youth he lived among
15.56
The foreign visitors; and thoroughly learnt
15.56
The dulcet music of Mimnermus' lyre,
15.56
And follow'd his example;—and he wrote,
15.56
In imitation of great Homer's verse,
15.56
The deeds of cobblers, and base shameless thieves,
15.56
Jesting with highly-praised felicity,
15.56
Loved by the citizens of fair Syracuse.
15.56
But he who once has heard Bœotus' song,
15.56
Will find but little pleasure in Eubœus."
15.57
The pitch dropp'd down beneath the γράβια,,
15.57
As if from torches.
15.58
I see the light shining all o'er his cloak,
15.58
As from a new λυχνοῦχος.
15.58
Alas, unhappy man! my λύχνιον's lost;
15.58
But you all lie
15.58
Fast as a candle in a candlestick (λυχνίδιον).
15.58
The undertakers sure will have λυχνοῦχοι.
15.58
Make haste and go, for now the night descends,
15.58
And bring a lantern (λυχνοῦχον) with a candle furnish'd.
15.58
So taking out the candle from the lantern (λύχνιον),
15.58
He very nearly set himself on fire,
15.58
Carrying the light beneath his arm much nearer
15.58
His clothes than any need at all required.
15.58
A. Take now a pitchfork and a lantern (λυχνοῦχον),
15.58
B. But I now in my right hand hold this fork,
15.58
An iron weapon 'gainst the monsters of the sea;
15.58
And this light too, a well-lit horn lantern (λύχνου).
15.58
The man who first invented the idea
15.58
Of walking out by night with such a lantern (λυχνούχου),
15.58
Was very careful not to hurt his fingers.
15.59
I think that some of those I meet will blame
15.59
For being drunk so early in the day;
15.59
But yet I pray you where's a lantern (φανὸς) equal
15.59
To the sweet light of the eternal sun?
15.59
Will you take your lantern (φανόν) now, and quickly
15.59
Light me a candle (λύχνον)?
15.59
This φανὸς is quite full of water now,
15.59
I must not shake (σείω) it, but throw it away (ἀποσείω).
15.59
For when this vintner in our neighbourhood
15.59
Sells any one some wine, or e'en a φανὸς,
15.59
Or vinegar, he always gives him water.
15.59
A. The φανὸς did not give a bit of light.
15.59
B. Well, then, you wretched man, could not you blow it?
15.60
A. Where were these λυχνεῖα made?
15.60
B. In Etruria.
15.60
Binding three long straight darts together,
15.60
We use them for a torch (λυχνείῳ).
15.60
We lit a candle (λύχνον), and then sought a candlestick (λύχνειον).
15.60
A military candlestick well put together.
15.60
Here, lamp (λυχνίδιον), show me my road on the right hand.
15.60
He enter'd, and cried out,
15.60
πανὸν, πύχνον, λυχνοῦχον, any light—
15.60
Making one into many.
15.60
But now this, πανὸς is quite full of water.
15.60
* * * * *There is a hiatus here in the text of Athenæus, but he refers to Ag. 284,— μέγαν δὲ πανὸν ἐκ νήσου τρίτον, ἄθωον αἶπος ζηνὸς ἐξεδέξατο, where Clytæmnestra is speaking of the beacon fires, which had conveyed to her the intelligence of the fall of Troy.
15.61
Put out the λύχνον,
15.61
And then upon the top he'll have a candle,
15.61
Bright with two wicks.
15.61
The darts fly round him from an hundred hands,
15.61
And the red terrors of the blazing brands (δεταὶ),
15.61
Till late, reluctant, at the dawn of day,
15.61
Sour he departs, and quits th' untasted prey.
15.61
Bring now, as Agathon says, the shining torches (πεύκας);
15.61
Putting his tail between his lion's feet,
15.63
O holiest Health, all other gods excelling,
15.63
May I be ever blest
15.63
With thy kind favour, and for all the rest
15.63
Of life I pray thee ne'er desert my dwelling;
15.63
For if riches pleasure bring,
15.63
Or the power of a king,
15.63
Or children smiling round the board,
15.63
Or partner honour'd and adored,
15.63
Or any other joy
15.63
Which the all-bounteous gods employ
15.63
To raise the hearts of men,
15.63
Consoling them for long laborious pain;
15.63
All their chief brightness owe, kind Health, to you;
15.63
You are the Graces' spring,
15.63
'Tis you the only real bliss can bring,
15.63
And no man's blest when you are not in view,
15.63
* * * * * *
15.64
I can both carve and drink Etruscan wine,
15.64
In due proportion mix'd.
15.64
What, whether you begin or end a work,
15.64
Is better than the thing you most require?