Nature

Epigram XXI: Epitaph of Hipponax

by Theocritus fl. c. 270 BC

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

Nature

Behold Hipponax' burialplace,
A true bard's grave.
Approach it not, if you're a base
And base-born knave.
But if your sires were honest men
And unblamed you,
Sit down thereon serenely then,
And eke sleep too.

* * * * *

Tuneful Hipponax rests him here.
Let no base rascal venture near.
Ye who rank high in birth and mind
Sit down--and sleep, if so inclined.

MLA

Theocritus. “Epigram XXI: Epitaph of Hipponax.” Translated by C. S. Calverley. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/theocritus/51/.

Chicago

Theocritus. “Epigram XXI: Epitaph of Hipponax.” Translated by C. S. Calverley. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/theocritus/51/.

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