THE SWALLOW AND THE GRASSHOPPER.
FROM THE GREEK, 450 B. C.
Attic maiden—honey-fed—
Chirping warbler, bear’st away
Thou the chirping grasshopper,
To thy callow young a prey?
Warbling thou—a warbler seize,
Winged-one with lovely wings!
Guest thyself—by summer brought—
Fellow-guest, whom summer brings!
Will not quickly let it drop?
’Tis not fair—indeed, ’tis wrong,
That the ceaseless songster should
Die by mouth of ceaseless song!
Translation of G. Trevor.