Death & Dying
Epitaph XII. — For Protesilaus
Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White (1919–21) · From Book VI. — Epitaphs on the Heroes who took part in the Trojan War
Ominous the name assigned me — Protesilaus; for first of the Danaans I perished in the Trojan War when, boldly leaping, I invaded the Sigean shore — tricked by the wiles of Laertes' deceitful son. He leaped down upon his shield lest his should be the first foot to touch Trojan soil. Yet why do I complain? My Fates sang of this doom even at the time when my father laid upon me such a name.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Ausonius, Decimus Magnus. “Epitaph XII. — For Protesilaus.” Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/ausonius/77/.
Chicago
Ausonius, Decimus Magnus. “Epitaph XII. — For Protesilaus.” Translated by Hugh G. Evelyn-White. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/ausonius/77/.
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