Living
Book XI, 38
Translated by W. R. Paton (1916–18) · From The Greek Anthology (Loeb, vol. IV, 1918)
This is the poor man’s welcome armour against hunger—a jar and a loaf, here is a crown of dewy leaves, and this is the holy bone, outwork of a dead brain, the highest citadel of the soul. “ Drink,’ says the sculpture, “and eat, and surround thee with flowers, for like to this we suddenly become.”
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Paton’s heading: “On a relief representing a jar, a loaf, a crown, and a skull”.
Cite this poem
MLA
Pontus, King Polemo of. “Book XI, 38.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/polemo-pontus/1/.
Chicago
Pontus, King Polemo of. “Book XI, 38.” Translated by W. R. Paton. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/polemo-pontus/1/.
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