ON THE BRONZE IMAGE OF A FROG.
FROM THE GREEK OF PLATO.
A traveler, when nearly exhausted by thirst, being guided by the croaking of a frog to a spring of water, afterward vowed to the Nymphs a bronze image of the little creature.
The servant of the Nymphs, the singer dank,
Pleased with clear fountains—the shower-loving frog,
Imaged in brass—hath a wayfaring man
Placed here, a votive gift—because it served
To quench the fever of the traveler’s thirst.
For the amphibious creature’s well-timed song,
Croaked from its dewy grot, the wandering steps
Of him who searched for water hither drew;
Not heedless of the guiding voice, he found
The longed-for draught from the sweet cooling spring.
Translation of W. Hay.