Love
Book XII, 85
Translated by W. R. Paton (1916–18) · From The Greek Anthology (Loeb, vol. IV, 1918)
Receive me, ye carousers, the newly landed, escaped from the sea and from robbers, but perishing on land. For now just as, leaving the ship, I had but set my foot on the earth, violent Love caught me and drags me here, here where I saw the boy go through the gate; and albeit I would not I am borne hither swiftly by my feet moving of their own will. I come thus as a reveller filled with fire about my spirit, not with wine. But, dear strangers, help me a little, help me, strangers, and for the sake of Love the Hospitable receive me who, nigh to death, supplicate for friendship.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Gadara, Meleager of. “Book XII, 85.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/meleager/95/.
Chicago
Gadara, Meleager of. “Book XII, 85.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/meleager/95/.
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