Theocritus

270 BC / Syracuse, Italy

Epitaph of Hipponax

Behold Hipponax' burialplace,
A true bard's grave.
Approach it not, if you're a base
And base-born knave.
But if your sires were honest men
And unblamed you,
Sit down thereon serenely then,
And eke sleep too.
* * * * *
Tuneful Hipponax rests him here.
Let no base rascal venture near.
Ye who rank high in birth and mind
Sit down- and sleep, if so inclined.

translated by C. S. Calverley
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