Nature
Book IX, 373
Translated by W. R. Paton (1916–18) · From The Greek Anthology (Loeb, vol. III, 1917)
Way, shepherds, in wanton sport, do you pull from the dewy branches me, the cicada, the lover of the wilds, the roadside nightingale of the Muses, who at midday chatter shrilly on the hills and in the shady copses? Look at the thrushes and blackbirds! Look at all the starlings, pilferers of the country’s wealth! It is lawful to catch the despoilers of the crops. Slay them. Do you grudge me my leaves and fresh dew?
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Anonymous (Greek Anthology). “Book IX, 373.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-greek-anthology/468/.
Chicago
Anonymous (Greek Anthology). “Book IX, 373.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/anonymous-greek-anthology/468/.
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