Nature
Book IX, 299
Translated by W. R. Paton (1916–18) · From The Greek Anthology (Loeb, vol. III, 1917)
We meek-necked oxen, the ploughers of the field, endure in the sea the labour of the land. We both draw in the water a furrow not cut by iron, the long ropes attached to the seine. We toil now for fish, not for corn. Ah, long-suffering creatures! Oxen have begun to plough the sea too for its fruits.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Cite this poem
MLA
Thessalonica, Philippus of. “Book IX, 299.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/philippus-thessalonica/50/.
Chicago
Thessalonica, Philippus of. “Book IX, 299.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/philippus-thessalonica/50/.
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