Death & Dying

The Withered Vine (Mackail)

by Leonidas of Tarentum fl. early 3rd century BC

Translated by J. W. Mackail (1890) · From Select Epigrams from the Greek Anthology (1890)

Death & Dying

Even as a vine on her dry pole I support myself now on a staff, and death calls me to Hades. Be not obstinately deaf, O Gorgus; what is it the sweeter for thee if for three or four summers yet thou shalt warm thyself beneath the sun? So saying the aged man quietly put his life aside, and removed his house to the greater company.

This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.

MLA

Tarentum, Leonidas of. “The Withered Vine (Mackail).” Translated by J. W. Mackail. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/leonidas-tarentum/107/.

Chicago

Tarentum, Leonidas of. “The Withered Vine (Mackail).” Translated by J. W. Mackail. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/leonidas-tarentum/107/.

Read this poem with the Codex →

More by Leonidas of Tarentum