Living
Maxims of Theognis: Cyrnus, let a seal be
Translated by Rev. J. Banks (Bohn, 1856) · From Hesiod, Callimachus and Theognis (Bohn, 1856)
Cyrnus, let a seal be set on these words of mine, as I pursue wisdom, but it will never escape notice, if it be stolen. Nor will any one take-in-exchange worse, when the good is present: but thus shall every one say, these are the poems of Theognis, the Megarean, and one celebrated among all men: yet not yet am I able to please all the citizens. No wonder, son of Polypas, for not even doth Jove please all, either when he rains, or when he holds up. But to thee with kind intention I will give advice, Cyrnus, even such as I myself learned, when yet a boy, from the good.
This translation is printed as prose in its source edition.
Codex Note
Literal prose translation by the Rev. J. Banks (Bohn, 1856), printed as prose: the plain-sense companion to Frere’s verse version. Banks’s hyphenated compounds are his own.
Cite this poem
MLA
Megara, Theognis of. “Maxims of Theognis: Cyrnus, let a seal be.” Translated by Rev. J. Banks. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/theognis/115/.
Chicago
Megara, Theognis of. “Maxims of Theognis: Cyrnus, let a seal be.” Translated by Rev. J. Banks. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/theognis/115/.
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