Living
Maxims of Theognis: May Jove, dwelling in heaven
Translated by Rev. J. Banks (Bohn, 1856) · From Hesiod, Callimachus and Theognis (Bohn, 1856)
May Jove, dwelling in heaven, hold on high his right hand ever over this city for its health and safety, as well as the other immortal blessed gods; but may Apollo nerve my tongue and mind: and on the other hand let the holy melody sound with lyre, and also flute; but let us, having made full drink-offerings to the gods, drink and speak pleasantly one with the other, in no wise fearing the war of the Medes. So be it; and better still be it ours, enjoying a cheerful spirit, aloof from cares to pass our days cheerily, and delight ourselves, and to drive far away ill fates, wretched age, and the end of death.
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: May Jove, dwelling in heaven.” Translated by Rev. J. Banks. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/theognis/263/.
Chicago
Megara, Theognis of. “Maxims of Theognis: May Jove, dwelling in heaven.” Translated by Rev. J. Banks. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/theognis/263/.
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