Death & Dying
The Thracian
Translated by William Cowper · From Translations
Thracian parents, at his birth,
Mourn their babe with many a tear,
But with undissembled mirth
Place him breathless on his bier.
Greece and Rome, with equal scorn
"O the savages!" exclaim,
"Whether they rejoice or mourn,
Well entitled to the name!"
But the cause of this concern
And this pleasure, would they trace,
Even they might somewhat learn
From the savages of Thrace.
Codex Note
From the Latin of Vincent Bourne.
Cite this poem
MLA
Cowper, William. “The Thracian.” Translated by William Cowper. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/333/.
Chicago
Cowper, William. “The Thracian.” Translated by William Cowper. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/cowper/333/.
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