Social Commentaries
The slavish visage never is erect
Translated by John Hookham Frere (1842; Bohn 1856) · From Fragments of Theognis (Frere, 1842)
Social Commentaries
The slavish visage never is erect ;
But looks oblique and language indirect
Betray their origin—no lovely rose,
Or hyacinth, from the rude bramble grows ;
Nor from a slavish and degraded breed
Can gentle words or courteous acts proceed.
Cite this poem
MLA
Megara, Theognis of. “The slavish visage never is erect.” Translated by John Hookham Frere. Poetry Codex, poetrycodex.com/poem/theognis/77/.
Chicago
Megara, Theognis of. “The slavish visage never is erect.” Translated by John Hookham Frere. Poetry Codex. https://poetrycodex.com/poem/theognis/77/.
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