Love, Worship and Death Part 6

JULIUS POLYAENUS

1ST CENTURY B.C.

AN EXILE'S PRAYER

Among the myriad voices that seek to win thine ear From those whose prayers are granted, from those who pray in fear, O Zeus of Scheria's holy plain, let my voice reach thee too, And hearken and incline the brow that binds thy promise true.

Let my long exile have an end, my toil and travel past, Grant me in my own native land to live at rest at last!

 

ANTIPATER OF THESSALONICA

1ST CENTURY B.C.

A GRAVE AT OSTIA

Ausonian earth contains me That was a Libyan maid, And in the sea's sand hard by Rome My virgin form was laid.

Pompeia with a mother's care Watched o'er my tender years, Entombed me here among the free, And gave me many tears.

Not as she prayed the torch was fired, She would have burned for me; The lamp which took the torch's place Was thine, Persephone.

AUTHOR UNKNOWN

FRIENDs.h.i.+P'S EPITAPH

This stone, my good Sabinus, although it be but small, Shall be of our great friends.h.i.+p a witness unto all.

Ever shall I desire thee, and thou, if this may be, Forbear to drink among the dead the lethe-draft for me.

Note 9

THE COUNSEL OF PAN

In this green meadow, traveller, yield Thy weary limbs to rest: The branches of the stone pine sway To the wind from out the west; The cricket calls, and all noon long The shepherd's piping fills The plane-grove's leafy shadows By the spring among the hills.

Soothed by these sounds thou shalt avoid The dogstar's autumn fires, And then to-morrow cross the ridge;-- Such wisdom Pan inspires.

BeNITIER

Touch but the virgin water, clean of soul, Nor fear to pa.s.s into the pure G.o.d's sight: For the good a drop suffices. But the whole Great ocean could not wash the unclean white.

THE END OF THE COMEDY

Fortune and Hope, a long adieu!

My s.h.i.+p is safe in port.

With me is nothing left to do, Make other lives your sport.

Note 10

STRATO

2ND CENTURY A.D.

THE KISS

It was at even and the hour in which good-nights are bid That Mris kissed me, if indeed I do not dream she did.

Of all the rest that happened there is naught that I forget, No word she said, no question of all she asked,--and yet If she indeed did kiss me, my doubt can not decide, For how could I still walk the earth had I been deified!

AMMIa.n.u.s

2ND CENTURY A.D.

THE LORD OF LANDS