Mythology & Folklore

Book XVI, 244: On a Painting of a Satyr holding a Reed-Pipe to his Ear as if it were Listening

by Agathias Scholasticus c. 530 – c. 580

Translated by W. R. Paton (1916–18) · From The Greek Anthology (Loeb, vol. V, 1918)

Mythology & Folklore

“Does thy pipe, little Satyr, send forth sound of its own accord, or why dost thou bend thine ear and put it to the reed?” But the Satyr smiled and spoke not; perchance he would have uttered words, but his delight held him in forgetfulness. For it was not the wax that hindered him, but he chose of his own will to be silent, turning his whole soul to his occupation with the pipe.

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

MLA

Scholasticus, Agathias. “Book XVI, 244: On a Painting of a Satyr holding a Reed-Pipe to his Ear as if it were Listening.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/agathias/97/.

Chicago

Scholasticus, Agathias. “Book XVI, 244: On a Painting of a Satyr holding a Reed-Pipe to his Ear as if it were Listening.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/agathias/97/.

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