SCOLIA.
X.
I'll wreathe my sword in myrtle bough,
The sword that laid the tyrant low,
When patriots, burning to be free,
To Athens gave equality.[1]
XI.
Harmodius, hail! though reft of breath,
Thou ne'er shalt feel the stroke of death.
The happy heroes' isles shall be
The bright abode allotted thee.
XII.
I'll wreathe the sword in myrtle bough,
The sword that laid Hipparchus low,
When at Minerva's adverse fane
He knelt, and never rose again.
XIII.
While Freedom's name is understood,
You shall delight the wise and good;
You dared to set your country free,
And gave her laws equality.
XIV.
Learn, my friend, from Admetus' story,
All worthy friends and brave to cherish;
But cowards shun when danger comes,
For they will leave you alone to perish,
XV.
Ajax of the ponderous spear, mighty son of Telamon,
They call you bravest of the Greeks, next to the great Achilles,
Telamon came first, and of the Greeks the second man
Was Ajax, and with him there came invincible Achilles.
XVI.
Would that I were an ivory lyre,
Struck by fair boys to great Iacchus' taste;
Or golden trinket pure from fire,
Worn by a lady fair, of spirit chaste.
XVII.
Drink with me, and sport with me,
Love with me, wear crowns with me,
Be mad with me when I am moved with rage,
And modest when I yield to counsels sage.
XVIII.
A scorpion 'neath every stone doth lie,
And secrets usually hide treachery.
- ↑ 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.
