Death & Dying

Book VII, 558

by Anonymous (Greek Anthology) various, 7th c. BC – 10th c. AD

Translated by W. R. Paton (1916–18) · From The Greek Anthology (Loeb, vol. II, 1917)

Death & Dying

Hades spoiled the ripe fruit of my youth and the stone hid me in this ancestral tomb. My name was Rufinus, the son of Aetherius and I was born of a noble mother, but in vain’ was I born; for after reaching the perfection of education and youth, I carried, alas my learning to Hades and my youth to Erebus. Lament long, O traveller, when thou readest these lines, for without doubt thou art either the father or the son of living men.

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

MLA

Anonymous (Greek Anthology). “Book VII, 558.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-greek-anthology/368/.

Chicago

Anonymous (Greek Anthology). “Book VII, 558.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-greek-anthology/368/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Anonymous (Greek Anthology)