Nature
To a Blackbird Singing (Mackail)
Translated by J. W. Mackail (1890) · From Select Epigrams from the Greek Anthology (1890)
No longer now warble on the oak, no longer sing, O blackbird, sitting on the topmost spray; this tree is thine enemy; hasten where the vine rises in clustering shade of silvered leaves; on her bough rest the sole of thy foot, around her sing and pour the shrill music of thy mouth; for the oak carries mistletoe baleful to birds, and she the grape-cluster; and the Wine-god cherishes singers.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Argentarius, Marcus. “To a Blackbird Singing (Mackail).” Translated by J. W. Mackail. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/marcus-argentarius/37/.
Chicago
Argentarius, Marcus. “To a Blackbird Singing (Mackail).” Translated by J. W. Mackail. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/marcus-argentarius/37/.
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