from Archilochus
229 the beechshaft flew
98 spears
of the overcome
Athena the divine
tower
of stone
men of Lesbos
hand in hand
with Zeus Olympian
we brought malice
on swift spears
they stood struggling
on the walls
which
with effort
we
clad in ladders
all in motion
quivers uncovered
turmoil
there
101 the bodies of
seven we overtook
we thousand killers
# # #
36 against the wall
in thick shadow
49 hated
thief roves
the city at night
# # #
45 they choked on
clots of pride
129 you
choke on friends
# # #
88 Erxias
where will these
doomed troops muster
89 now all
smoke
ships
sharp
killing
dries
in the sun
daring
who yearn
much can
but
cut
them
checked
this
the people
relax
release
from brothers
cut off
broken
driven
for me breath
from below
dies the same
know this
message will
reach Thasos
and Toronaius
quick ships
from Paros
and brothers
breath but
fire surrounds
the city
Erxias send
a raid
don’t fail
# # #
193 I’m wracked with regret
riven with aches
to the bone
I lie lifeless
196 I’m slack and
undone by desire
191 like Polyphemus’ sheep
that urge curled
into my chest
poured thick mist
over my eyes
stole my sense
and drove me
from below
# # #
30 gladdened by myrtle
and a rose
32 through the myrtle
37 such a fence
surrounds the yard
# # #
170 they stayed behind
many of them
132 and their thought
shifts with events
# # #
237 how he sawed
through the neck
222 cut the sinews
of his member
# # #
195 to bring home
something clearly wrong
202 close to me
and my friend
# # #
31 hair
shaded
shoulders and back
48 fragrant
hair and breast
old men burn
Glaucus
180 embers in it
235 under a load
219 but nothing resists
254 we can’t
# # #
111 cheer the boys
gods have already
fixed the outcome
4 hey
stranger
dinner
no
don’t press me
come
with the dipper
along
all the benches
of this ship
dole out wine
from that jug
scrape the bottom
we
can’t stay sober
on this watch
# # #
23 it’s work
sure
if he’s afraid
he won’t stay
but that’s not me
I care
count on it
I don’t know
what you think
that I’m a fool
fair enough
but it’s not true
I’m an ant
I’m steady
give
when I get
take
when I’m taken
that’s the truth
and I’m here
for the taking
make them jealous
# # #
230 Zeus give them
an awful drought
107 the Dog Star
rises in heat
let
that bright light
wither them all
# # #
168 Charilaus
son of Erasmon
here’s something funny
my good friend
listen and laugh
35 I have an ox
he’s regal
he knows his work
but won’t
252 snapped his dickstring
# # #
41 the kingfisher on
the rock outcrop
beats its wings
212 the edge of
waves and air
24 the sea resounds
213 souls held in
the waves’ embrace
8 in the ocean’s
braided gray brine
praying for home
9 if his head
and lithe limbs
had only had
Fire’s clean clothes
12 hide
the dread gifts
of Lord Poseidon
106 a fast craft
in the sea
under full sail
and let run
before the wind
so long as
we remember you
keep us from
the batter and roil
you know how
105 Glaucus
see the deep
troubled with swells
a cloud sits
on Gyrae’s heights
sign of storms
and sudden fear
192 of fifty men
Poseidon saved one
Koiranos
# # #
184 cunning held water
in one hand
in the other
fire
118 if
I could touch
Neobule’s hand
# # #
197 Zeus
I didn’t have
a wedding feast
246 but women beckon
# # #
211 a good gig
and sharp pilot
307 the trap fishes
while you sleep
# # #
236 distressed by lice
44 there was drool
at his mouth
quite a lot
47 girls drove him
from the door
# # #
127 my mistake made
mischief for another
226 I understand nothing
nothing at all
# # #
38 only
the better daughter
of Lycambes
60 triply blessed who has
such a child
172 father Lycambes
what
are you saying
you sound deranged
you were always
so sensible before
now
with everyone
you’re a joke
# # #
205 don’t wear perfume
at your age
188 your skin
no longer supple
has grown dry
and
furrowed with age
the soft expression
of your face
has
felt the breath
of winter winds
many winter winds
189 you had a few
blind eels
190 and I had
deep wooded clefts
in youth
# # #
231 skirting submerged hogbacks
21 a spine
of an island
with a line
of defiant trees