Nature
Book IX, 706
Translated by W. R. Paton (1916–18) · From The Greek Anthology (Loeb, vol. III, 1917)
I ama holy tree. Beware of injuring me as thou passest by, stranger, for I suffer pain if I am mutilated. Remember that my bark is still virginal, not like that of savage wild pear-trees. Who does not know what the race of poplars is like? If thou dost bark me, as I stand here by the road, thou shalt weep for it. Though I am but wood, the Sun cares for me.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Attribution queried by Paton.
Cite this poem
MLA
Thessalonica, Antipater of. “Book IX, 706.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/antipater-thessalonica/69/.
Chicago
Thessalonica, Antipater of. “Book IX, 706.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/antipater-thessalonica/69/.
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