May they give garlands
May they give garlands
of woven flowers
to your horse
to the birds from the lake
to this city
to vine-clad stones
taken from peaks
where sweet-scented
grey-green cold water
and green reeds
are always rustling
in springtime
from peaks where
the far-seen assembly
makes its way down
the rocky hillside
on which goats graze
and roses grow
May they give garlands
by Alcaeus
Translation © R J Dent (2005)
Hebrus
Hebrus, you flow endlessly,
the most beautiful of rivers,
past Aenus into the dark sea,
surging through the land of Thrace
And many maidens visit you,
to bathe their lovely thighs; they are
enchanted as their gentle hands touch
your water which is like an ointment.
Hebrus
by Alcaeus
Translation © R J Dent (2005)
Winter Warmth
For the sake of winter warmth
and with the cranes flying north,
I came wearing a cloak against the chill,
trusting the ship on her maiden voyage.
Thus such coldness will be left behind;
no longer will I see or feel snow.
Winter Warmth
by Alcaeus
Translation © R J Dent (2005)
Pour perfume over my head
Pour perfume over my head
which has suffered a great deal,
and over my grey-haired chest.
As for my guests, let them drink
the evils of the day away,
and revel in all the gods have given.
And with other men, I toast Dionysus,
but the man who does not raise his cup,
you say has lost his reason.
Pour perfume over my head
by Alcaeus
Translation © R J Dent (2005)
These translations first appeared in Acumen 56 (2006).
