Nature

Epigram XVI: For a Statue of the Heavenly Aphrodite

by Theocritus fl. c. 270 BC

Translated by C. S. Calverley (1869) · From Epigrams and Epitaphs

Nature

Aphrodite stands here; she of heavenly birth;
Not that base one who's wooed by the children of earth.
'Tis a goddess; bow down. And one blemishless all,
Chrysogonè, placed her in Amphicles' hall:
Chrysogonè's heart, as her children, was his,
And each year they knew better what happiness is.
For, Queen, at life's outset they made thee their friend;
Religion is policy too in the end.

MLA

Theocritus. “Epigram XVI: For a Statue of the Heavenly Aphrodite.” Translated by C. S. Calverley. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/theocritus/46/.

Chicago

Theocritus. “Epigram XVI: For a Statue of the Heavenly Aphrodite.” Translated by C. S. Calverley. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/theocritus/46/.

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