An Echo of Greek Song. Englished by W. H. D.
Rouse. (J. M. Dent and Co. 3s. 6c1.)—Mr. Rouse has put some very good work into these versions. There are "Love Poems,' perhaps the most numerous company, epitaphs, a composition in which the Greek genius was particularly haispy, and poems of humour and con- viviality. Whatever the subject, the translator's taste and skill very seldom fail him. Here is one of the love poems (frem
Agathias) :—
" The livelong night I mourn ; and when the day A moment's rest had brought,
Cheep-cheeping swallows drive sweet sleep away, The tears start welling from my wakeful eyes : Again before my thought Flitting Rodanthe's image seems to rise.
Peace, envious chatterers, peace : it was not I Shore Philomela's tongue ; Mourn Itylus among the mountains—fly To the wild cave of Epops, thither wing
And let me rest, not long, Dreaming Rodanthe's arms about me sung."
And here is an epitaph, the famous inscription which Simmias wrote for Sophocles
Twine gently o'er his tomb, oh gently twine with all that wealth of curling green, All round be roses blooming, and the vine
Fling her soft tendrils and steep climbing screen.
To him the Graces and the Muses brought
Their honey—magic speech and lofty thought."
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