| εἰ γάρ κεν καὶ σμικρὸν ἐπὶ σμικρῷ καταθεῖο | Unarmed through haste, while kinsmen will delay |
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| καὶ θαμὰ τοῦτʼ ἔρδοις, τάχα κεν μέγα καὶ τὸ γένοιτο. | In arming. Wicked neighbours cause much pain |
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| ὃς δʼ ἐπʼ ἐόντι φέρει, ὃ δʼ ἀλέξεται αἴθοπα λιμόν· | But good ones bring a splendid profit. They |
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| οὐδὲ τό γʼ ἐν οἴκῳ κατακείμενον ἀνέρα κήδει. | Who have good neighbours find that they will gain |
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| οἴκοι βέλτερον εἶναι, ἐπεὶ βλαβερὸν τὸ θύρηφιν. | Much worth. No cow is lost unless you dwell |
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| ἐσθλὸν μὲν παρεόντος ἑλέσθαι, πῆμα δὲ θυμῷ | Near wicked neighbours. Measure carefully |
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| χρηίζειν ἀπεόντος, ἅ σε φράζεσθαι ἄνωγα. | When borrowing from a neighbour, serve them well |
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| ἀρχομένου δὲ πίθου καὶ λήγοντος κορέσασθαι | When giving him repayment equally |
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| μεσσόθι φείδεσθαι· δειλὴ δʼ ἐνὶ πυθμένι φειδώ. | Nay more if you are able, for you’ll gain |
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| μισθὸς δʼ ἀνδρὶ φίλῳ εἰρημένος ἄρκιος ἔστω. | By this a friend in need, and do not earn |
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| καί τε κασιγνήτῳ γελάσας ἐπὶ μάρτυρα θέσθαι. | Ill-gotten wealth – such profits are a bane. |
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| πίστεις γάρ τοι ὁμῶς καὶ ἀπιστίαι ὤλεσαν ἄνδρας. | Love all your friends, turn to all those who turn |
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| μὴ δὲ γυνή σε νόον πυγοστόλος ἐξαπατάτω | To you. Give to a giver but forbear |
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| αἱμύλα κωτίλλουσα, τεὴν διφῶσα καλιήν. | To give to one who doesn’t give. One give |
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| ὃς δὲ γυναικὶ πέποιθε, πέποιθʼ ὅ γε φηλήτῃσιν. | To open-handed men but does not care |
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| μουνογενὴς δὲ πάις εἴη πατρώιον οἶκον | To please a miser thus, for Giving live |
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| φερβέμεν ὣς γὰρ πλοῦτος ἀέξεται ἐν μεγάροισιν. | In virtue, while Theft lives in sin and bring |
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| γηραιὸς δὲ θάνοις ἕτερον παῖδʼ ἐγκαταλείπων. | Grim death. The man who gives abundantly |
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| ῥεῖα δέ κεν πλεόνεσσι πόροι Ζεὺς ἄσπετον ὄλβον. | And willingly rejoices in the thing |
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| πλείων μὲν πλεόνων μελέτη, μείζων δʼ ἐπιθήκη. | He gives, delights within his soul. But he |
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| σοὶ δʼ εἰ πλούτου θυμὸς ἐέλδεται ἐν φρεσὶν ᾗσιν | Who steals however small a thing will find |
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| ὧδʼ ἔρδειν, καὶ ἔργον ἐπʼ ἔργῳ ἐργάζεσθαι. | A freezing in his heart. Add to your store |
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| πληιάδων Ἀτλαγενέων ἐπιτελλομενάων | And leave ferocious famine far behind; |
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| ἄρχεσθʼ ἀμήτου, ἀρότοιο δὲ δυσομενάων. | If to a little you a little more |
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| αἳ δή τοι νύκτας τε καὶ ἤματα τεσσαράκοντα | Should add and do this often, with great speed |
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| κεκρύφαται, αὖτις δὲ περιπλομένου ἐνιαυτοῦ | It will expand. A man has little care |
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| φαίνονται τὰ πρῶτα χαρασσομένοιο σιδήρου. | For what he has at home: there’s greater need |
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| οὗτός τοι πεδίων πέλεται νόμος, οἵ τε θαλάσσης | To guard his wealth abroad, while still his share |
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| ἐγγύθι ναιετάουσʼ, οἵ τʼ ἄγκεα βησσήεντα | At home is safer. Taking from your store |
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| πόντου κυμαίνοντος ἀπόπροθι, πίονα χῶρον | Is good, but wanting something causes pain – |
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| ναίουσιν· γυμνὸν σπείρειν, γυμνὸν δὲ βοωτεῖν | Think on this. Use thrift with the flagon’s core |
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| γυμνὸν δʼ ἀμάειν, εἴ χʼ ὥρια πάντʼ ἐθέλῃσθα | But when you open it and then again |
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| ἔργα κομίζεσθαι Δημήτερος· ὥς τοι ἕκαστα | As it runs out, then take your fill – no need |
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| ὥριʼ ἀέξηται, μή πως τὰ μέταζε χατίζων | For prudence with the lees. Allow no doubt |
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| πτώσσῃς ἀλλοτρίους οἴκους καὶ μηδὲν ἀνύσσῃς. | About a comrade’s wages; no, take heed |
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| ὡς καὶ νῦν ἐπʼ ἔμʼ ἦλθες· ἐγὼ δέ τοι οὐκ ἐπιδώσω | Even with your brother – smile and ferret out |
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| οὐδʼ ἐπιμετρήσω· ἐργάζευ, νήπιε Πέρση | A witness. Trust and mistrust both can kill. |
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| ἔργα, τά τʼ ἀνθρώποισι θεοὶ διετεκμήραντο | Let not a dame, fawning and lascivious |
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| μή ποτε σὺν παίδεσσι γυναικί τε θυμὸν ἀχεύων | Dupe you - she wants your barn. Your trust is ill- |
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| ζητεύῃς βίοτον κατὰ γείτονας, οἳ δʼ ἀμελῶσιν. | Placed in a woman – she’s perfidious. |
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| δὶς μὲν γὰρ καὶ τρὶς τάχα τεύξεαι· ἢν δʼ ἔτι λυπῇς | An only child preserves his family |
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| χρῆμα μὲν οὐ πρήξεις, σὺ δʼ ἐτώσια πόλλʼ ἀγορεύσεις· | That wealth may grow. But if one leaves two heirs |
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| ἀχρεῖος δʼ ἔσται ἐπέων νομός. ἀλλά σʼ ἄνωγα | One must live longer. Zeus, though, easily |
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| φράζεσθαι χρειῶν τε λύσιν λιμοῦ τʼ ἀλεωρήν. | To larger houses gives great wealth. The care |
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| οἶκον μὲν πρώτιστα γυναῖκά τε βοῦν τʼ ἀροτῆρα | And increase for more kindred greater grow. |
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| κτητήν, οὐ γαμετήν, ἥτις καὶ βουσὶν ἕποιτο | If you want wealth, do this, add industry |
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| χρήματα δʼ ἐν οἴκῳ πάντʼ ἄρμενα ποιήσασθαι | To industry, and harvest what you sow |
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| μὴ σὺ μὲν αἰτῇς ἄλλον, ὃ δʼ ἀρνῆται, σὺ δὲ τητᾷ | When Pleiades’ ascendancy you see |
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| ἡ δʼ ὥρη παραμείβηται, μινύθῃ δὲ τὸ ἔργον. | And plough when they have set. They lurk concealed |
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| μηδʼ ἀναβάλλεσθαι ἔς τʼ αὔριον ἔς τε ἔνηφιν· | For forty days and nights but then appear |
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| οὐ γὰρ ἐτωσιοεργὸς ἀνὴρ πίμπλησι καλιὴν | In time when first your sickles for the field |
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| οὐδʼ ἀναβαλλόμενος· μελέτη δὲ τὸ ἔργον ὀφέλλει· | You sharpen. This is true for dwellers near |
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| αἰεὶ δʼ ἀμβολιεργὸς ἀνὴρ ἄτῃσι παλαίει. | The level plains and sea, and those who dwell |
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| ἦμος δὴ λήγει μένος ὀξέος ἠελίοιο | In woody glens far from the raging deep |
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| καύματος ἰδαλίμου, μετοπωρινὸν ὀμβρήσαντος | Those fertile lands; sow naked, plough, as well |
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| Ζηνὸς ἐρισθενέος, μετὰ δὲ τρέπεται βρότεος χρὼς | Unclothed, and harvest stripped if you would reap |
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| πολλὸν ἐλαφρότερος· δὴ γὰρ τότε Σείριος ἀστὴρ | Demeter’s work in season. Everything |
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| βαιὸν ὑπὲρ κεφαλῆς κηριτρεφέων ἀνθρώπων | Will then be done in time: in penury |
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| ἔρχεται ἠμάτιος, πλεῖον δέ τε νυκτὸς ἐπαυρεῖ· | You’ll not beg help at others’ homes and bring |
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| τῆμος ἀδηκτοτάτη πέλεται τμηθεῖσα σιδήρῳ | Your own downfall. Thus now you come to me: |
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| ὕλη, φύλλα δʼ ἔραζε χέει, πτόρθοιό τε λήγει· | I’ll give you nothing. Practise industry |
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| τῆμος ἄρʼ ὑλοτομεῖν μεμνημένος ὥρια ἔργα. | Foolish Perses, which the gods have given men |
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| ὄλμον μὲν τριπόδην τάμνειν, ὕπερον δὲ τρίπηχυν | Lest, with their wives and children, dolefully |
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| ἄξονα δʼ ἑπταπόδην· μάλα γάρ νύ τοι ἄρμενον οὕτω· | They seek food from their neighbours, who will then |
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| εἰ δέ κεν ὀκταπόδην, ἀπὸ καὶ σφῦράν κε τάμοιο. | Ignore them. Twice or thrice you may succeed |
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| τρισπίθαμον δʼ ἄψιν τάμνειν δεκαδώρῳ ἀμάξῃ. | But if you still harass them, you’ll achieve |
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| πόλλʼ ἐπικαμπύλα κᾶλα· φέρειν δὲ γύην, ὅτʼ ἂν εὕρῃς | Nothing and waste your words about your need. |
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| ἐς οἶκον, κατʼ ὄρος διζήμενος ἢ κατʼ ἄρουραν | I urge you, figure how you may relieve |
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| πρίνινον· ὃς γὰρ βουσὶν ἀροῦν ὀχυρώτατός ἐστιν | Your need and cease your hunger. The first thing |
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| εὖτʼ ἂν Ἀθηναίης δμῷος ἐν ἐλύματι πήξας | That you must do is get a house, then find |
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| γόμφοισιν πελάσας προσαρήρεται ἱστοβοῆι. | A slave to help you with your furrowing |
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| δοιὰ δὲ θέσθαι ἄροτρα, πονησάμενος κατὰ οἶκον | Female, unwed, an ox to plough behind |
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| αὐτόγυον καὶ πηκτόν, ἐπεὶ πολὺ λώιον οὕτω· | Then in the house prepare the things you’ll need; |
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| εἴ χʼ ἕτερον ἄξαις, ἕτερόν κʼ ἐπὶ βουσὶ βάλοιο. | Don’t borrow lest you be refused and lack |
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| δάφνης δʼ ἢ πτελέης ἀκιώτατοι ἱστοβοῆες | All means and, as the hours duly speed |
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| δρυὸς ἔλυμα, γύης πρίνου· βόε δʼ ἐνναετήρω | Along, your labour’s lost. Do not push back |
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| ἄρσενε κεκτῆσθαι, τῶν γὰρ σθένος οὐκ ἀλαπαδνόν | Your toil for just one day: don’t drag your feet |
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| ἥβης μέτρον ἔχοντε· τὼ ἐργάζεσθαι ἀρίστω. | And fight with ruin evermore. No, when |
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| οὐκ ἂν τώ γʼ ἐρίσαντε ἐν αὔλακι κὰμ μὲν ἄροτρον | You feel no more the fierce sun’s sweaty heat |
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| ἄξειαν, τὸ δὲ ἔργον ἐτώσιον αὖθι λίποιεν. | And mighty Zeus sends autumn rain, why, then |
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| τοῖς δʼ ἅμα τεσσαρακονταετὴς αἰζηὸς ἕποιτο | We move more quickly – that’s the time when we |
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| ἄρτον δειπνήσας τετράτρυφον, ὀκτάβλωμον | See Sirius travelling less above us all |
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| ὃς ἔργου μελετῶν ἰθεῖάν κʼ αὔλακʼ ἐλαύνοι | Poor wretches, using night more, and that tree |
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| μηκέτι παπταίνων μεθʼ ὁμήλικας, ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ ἔργῳ | You cut has shed its foliage in the fall |
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| θυμὸν ἔχων· τοῦ δʼ οὔτι νεώτερος ἄλλος ἀμείνων | No longer sprouting, and is less replete |
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| σπέρματα δάσσασθαι καὶ ἐπισπορίην ἀλέασθαι. | With worm-holes. Now’s the time to fell your trees. |
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| κουρότερος γὰρ ἀνὴρ μεθʼ ὁμήλικας ἐπτοίηται. | Cut with a drilling-mortar of three feet |
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| φράζεσθαι δʼ, εὖτʼ ἂν γεράνου φωνὴν ἐπακούσῃς | And pestle of three cubits: you must seize |
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| ὑψόθεν ἐκ νεφέων ἐνιαύσια κεκληγυίης· | A seven-foot axle – that’s a perfect fit |
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| ἥτʼ ἀρότοιό τε σῆμα φέρει καὶ χείματος ὥρην | (You’ll make a hammerhead with one of eight). |
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| δεικνύει ὀμβρηροῦ· κραδίην δʼ ἔδακʼ ἀνδρὸς ἀβούτεω· | To have a ten-palm wagon, make for it |
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| δὴ τότε χορτάζειν ἕλικας βόας ἔνδον ἐόντας· | Four three-foot wagon-wheels. Wood that’s not straight |
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| ῥηίδιον γὰρ ἔπος εἰπεῖν· βόε δὸς καὶ ἄμαξαν· | Is useful – gather lots for use within: |
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| ῥηίδιον δʼ ἀπανήνασθαι· πάρα ἔργα βόεσσιν. | At home or in the mountains search for it. |
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| φησὶ δʼ ἀνὴρ φρένας ἀφνειὸς πήξασθαι ἄμαξαν | Holm-oak is strongest for the plough: the pin |
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| νήπιος, οὐδὲ τὸ οἶδʼ· ἑκατὸν δέ τε δούρατʼ ἀμάξης | Is fixed on it, on which the pole will sit |
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| τῶν πρόσθεν μελέτην ἐχέμεν οἰκήια θέσθαι. | By craftsmen of Athene. But make two |
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| εὖτʼ ἂν δὲ πρώτιστʼ ἄροτος θνητοῖσι φανείῃ | Within your house, of one piece and compressed. |
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| δὴ τότʼ ἐφορμηθῆναι ὁμῶς δμῶές τε καὶ αὐτὸς | That’s better - if one breaks the other you |
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| αὔην καὶ διερὴν ἀρόων ἀρότοιο καθʼ ὥρην | May use. Sound elm or laurel are the best |
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| πρωὶ μάλα σπεύδων, ἵνα τοι πλήθωσιν ἄρουραι. | For poles. The stock should be of oak, the beam |
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| ἦρι πολεῖν· θέρεος δὲ νεωμένη οὔ σʼ ἀπατήσει. | Of holm-oak. Two bull oxen you should buy |
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| νειὸν δὲ σπείρειν ἔτι κουφίζουσαν ἄρουραν· | Both nine years old - a prime age, you may deem |
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| νειὸς ἀλεξιάρη παίδων εὐκηλήτειρα. | For strength. They toil the hardest nor will vie |
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| εὔχεσθαι δὲ Διὶ χθονίῳ Δημήτερί θʼ ἁγνῇ | In conflict in the furrows nor will break |
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| ἐκτελέα βρίθειν Δημήτερος ἱερὸν ἀκτήν | The plough or leave the work undone. And now |
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| ἀρχόμενος τὰ πρῶτʼ ἀρότου, ὅτʼ ἂν ἄκρον ἐχέτλης | A forty-year-old stalwart you should take |
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| χειρὶ λαβὼν ὅρπηκα βοῶν ἐπὶ νῶτον ἵκηαι | Who will, before he ventures out to plough |
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| ἔνδρυον ἑλκόντων μεσάβων. ὁ δὲ τυτθὸς ὄπισθε | Consume a quartered, eight-slice loaf, one who |
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| δμῷος ἔχων μακέλην πόνον ὀρνίθεσσι τιθείη | Skilled in his craft, will keep the furrow straight |
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| σπέρμα κατακρύπτων· ἐυθημοσύνη γὰρ ἀρίστη | Nor look around for comrades but stay true |
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| θνητοῖς ἀνθρώποις, κακοθημοσύνη δὲ κακίστη. | To his pursuit. Born at a later date |
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| ὧδέ κεν ἀδροσύνῃ στάχυες νεύοιεν ἔραζε | A man may never plough thus and may cause |
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| εἰ τέλος αὐτὸς ὄπισθεν Ὀλύμπιος ἐσθλὸν ὀπάζοι | A second sowing. Younger men, distract |
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| ἐκ δʼ ἀγγέων ἐλάσειας ἀράχνια· καί σε ἔολπα | Will wink at comrades. Let this give you pause - |
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| γηθήσειν βιότου αἰρεύμενον ἔνδον ἐόντος. | The crane’s high, yearly call means “time to act” |
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| εὐοχθέων δʼ ἵξεαι πολιὸν ἔαρ, οὐδὲ πρὸς ἄλλους | Start ploughing for it’s winter-time. It’s gall |
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| αὐγάσεαι· σέο δʼ ἄλλος ἀνὴρ κεχρημένος ἔσται. | To one who has no oxen: it will pay |
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| εἰ δέ κεν ἠελίοιο τροπῇς ἀρόῳς χθόνα δῖαν | To have horned oxen fattened in their stall. |
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| ἥμενος ἀμήσεις ὀλίγον περὶ χειρὸς ἐέργων | It will be simple then for you to say |
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| ἀντία δεσμεύων κεκονιμένος, οὐ μάλα χαίρων | “Bring me my oxen and my wagon too” |
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| οἴσεις δʼ ἐν φορμῷ· παῦροι δέ σε θηήσονται. | And it is also easy to reject |
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| ἄλλοτε δʼ ἀλλοῖος Ζηνὸς νόος αἰγιόχοιο | A friend and say “They have their work to do |
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| ἀργαλέος δʼ ἄνδρεσσι καταθνητοῖσι νοῆσαι. | My oxen.” Merely mind-rich men expect |
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| εἰ δέ κεν ὄψʼ ἀρόσῃς, τόδε κέν τοι φάρμακον εἴη· | Their wagon’s made already, foolish men. |
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| ἦμος κόκκυξ κοκκύζει δρυὸς ἐν πετάλοισι | They don’t know that a hundred boards they’ll need. |
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| τὸ πρῶτον, τέρπει δὲ βροτοὺς ἐπʼ ἀπείρονα γαῖαν | Get all you need together and then, when |
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| τῆμος Ζεὺς ὕοι τρίτῳ ἤματι μηδʼ ἀπολήγοι | The ploughing term commences, with all speed |
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| μήτʼ ἄρʼ ὑπερβάλλων βοὸς ὁπλὴν μήτʼ ἀπολείπων· | You and your slaves, set out and plough straight through |
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| οὕτω κʼ ὀψαρότης πρῳηρότῃ ἰσοφαρίζοι. | The season, wet or dry; quick, at cockcrow |
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| ἐν θυμῷ δʼ εὖ πάντα φυλάσσεο· μηδέ σε λήθοι | That you may fill those furrows, plough; and you |
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| μήτʼ ἔαρ γιγνόμενον πολιὸν μήθʼ ὥριος ὄμβρος. | Should plough in spring; the summer, should you go |
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| πὰρ δʼ ἴθι χάλκειον θῶκον καὶ ἐπαλέα λέσχην | On ploughing, won’t dismay you. Plough your field |
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| ὥρῃ χειμερίῃ, ὁπότε κρύος ἀνέρα ἔργων | When soil is light – such is a surety |
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| ἰσχάνει, ἔνθα κʼ ἄοκνος ἀνὴρ μέγα οἶκον ὀφέλλοι | For us and for our children forms a shield. |
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| μή σε κακοῦ χειμῶνος ἀμηχανίη καταμάρψῃ | Pray, then, to Zeus, the god of husbandry |
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| σὺν πενίῃ, λεπτῇ δὲ παχὺν πόδα χειρὶ πιέζῃς. | And pure Demeter that she fill her grain. |
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| πολλὰ δʼ ἀεργὸς ἀνήρ, κενεὴν ἐπὶ ἐλπίδα μίμνων | First grab the handles of the plough and flick |
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| χρηίζων βιότοιο, κακὰ προσελέξατο θυμῷ. | The oxen as upon the straps they strain. |
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| ἐλπὶς δʼ οὐκ ἀγαθὴ κεχρημένον ἄνδρα κομίζει | Then let a bondsman follow with a stick |
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| ἥμενον ἐν λέσχῃ, τῷ μὴ βίος ἄρκιος εἴη. | Close at your back, to hide the seed and cheat |
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| δείκνυε δὲ δμώεσσι θέρευς ἔτι μέσσου ἐόντος· | The birds. For man good management’s supreme |
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| οὐκ αἰεὶ θέρος ἐσσεῖται, ποιεῖσθε καλιάς. | Bad management is worst. If you repeat |
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| μῆνα δὲ Ληναιῶνα, κάκʼ ἤματα, βουδόρα πάντα | These steps, your fields of corn shall surely teem |
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| τοῦτον ἀλεύασθαι, καὶ πηγάδας, αἵτʼ ἐπὶ γαῖαν | With stalks which bow down low if in the end |
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| πνεύσαντος Βορέαο δυσηλεγέες τελέθουσιν | Zeus brings a happy outcome and you’ve cleared |
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| ὅστε διὰ Θρῄκης ἱπποτρόφου εὐρέι πόντῳ | Your jars of cobwebs: then if you make fast |
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| ἐμπνεύσας ὤρινε· μέμυκε δὲ γαῖα καὶ ὕλη· | Your stores of food at home you will be cheered |
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| πολλὰς δὲ δρῦς ὑψικόμους ἐλάτας τε παχείας | I think. You’ll be at ease until pale spring |
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| οὔρεος ἐν βήσσῃς πιλνᾷ χθονὶ πουλυβοτείρῃ | Nor will you gape at others – rather they’ll |
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| ἐμπίπτων, καὶ πᾶσα βοᾷ τότε νήριτος ὕλη. | Have need of you. Keep at your furrowing |
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| θῆρες δὲ φρίσσουσʼ, οὐρὰς δʼ ὑπὸ μέζεʼ ἔθεντο | Until the winter sun and surely fail |
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| τῶν καὶ λάχνῃ δέρμα κατάσκιον· ἀλλά νυ καὶ τῶν | And reap sat down and seize within your hand |
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| ψυχρὸς ἐὼν διάησι δασυστέρνων περ ἐόντων. | Your meagre crop and bind with dusty speed |
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| καί τε διὰ ῥινοῦ βοὸς ἔρχεται, οὐδέ μιν ἴσχει· | With many a frown, and take it from your land |
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| καί τε διʼ αἶγα ἄησι τανύτριχα· πώεα δʼ οὔ τι | Inside a basket, and few folk will waste |
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| οὕνεκʼ ἐπηεταναὶ τρίχες αὐτῶν, οὐ διάησιν | Their praise upon you. Aegis-bearing Zeu |
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| ἲς ἀνέμου Βορέου· τροχαλὸν δὲ γέροντα τίθησιν. | Is changeable – his thoughts are hard to see. |
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| καὶ διὰ παρθενικῆς ἁπαλόχροος οὐ διάησιν | If you plough late, this just may be of use: |
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| ἥτε δόμων ἔντοσθε φίλῃ παρὰ μητέρι μίμνει | When first the cuckoo calls on the oak-tree |
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| οὔ πω ἔργα ἰδυῖα πολυχρύσου Ἀφροδίτης· | And through the vast earth causes happiness |
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| εὖ τε λοεσσαμένη τέρενα χρόα καὶ λίπʼ ἐλαίῳ | Zeus rains non-stop for three days that the height |
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| χρισαμένη μυχίη καταλέξεται ἔνδοθι οἴκου | Of flood’s an ox’s hoof, no more, no less: |
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| ἤματι χειμερίῳ, ὅτʼ ἀνόστεος ὃν πόδα τένδει | That way the man who ploughs but late just might |
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| ἔν τʼ ἀπύρῳ οἴκῳ καὶ ἤθεσι λευγαλέοισιν. | Equal the early plougher. All this you |
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| οὐδέ οἱ ἠέλιος δείκνυ νομὸν ὁρμηθῆναι· | Must do, and don’t permit pale spring to take |
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| ἀλλʼ ἐπὶ κυανέων ἀνδρῶν δῆμόν τε πόλιν τε | You by surprise, the rainy season, too. |
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| στρωφᾶται, βράδιον δὲ Πανελλήνεσσι φαείνει. | Round public haunts and smithies you should make |
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| καὶ τότε δὴ κεραοὶ καὶ νήκεροι ὑληκοῖται | A detour during winter when the cold |
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| λυγρὸν μυλιόωντες ἀνὰ δρία βησσήεντα | Keeps men from work, for then a busy man |
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| φεύγουσιν· καὶ πᾶσιν ἐνὶ φρεσὶ τοῦτο μέμηλεν | May serve his house. Let hardship not take hold |
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| ὡς σκέπα μαιόμενοι πυκινοὺς κευθμῶνας ἔχωσι | Nor helplessness, through cruel winter’s span |
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| καὶ γλάφυ πετρῆεν· τότε δὴ τρίποδι βροτῷ ἶσοι | Nor rub your swollen foot with scrawny hand. |
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| οὗ τʼ ἐπὶ νῶτα ἔαγε, κάρη δʼ εἰς οὖδας ὁρᾶται | An idle man will often, while in vain |
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| τῷ ἴκελοι φοιτῶσιν, ἀλευόμενοι νίφα λευκήν. | He hopes, lacking a living from his land |
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| καὶ τότε ἕσσασθαι ἔρυμα χροός, ὥς σε κελεύω | Consider crime. A needy man will gain |
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| χλαῖνάν τε μαλακὴν καὶ τερμιόεντα χιτῶνα· | Nothing from hope while sitting in the street |
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| στήμονι δʼ ἐν παύρῳ πολλὴν κρόκα μηρύσασθαι· | And gossiping, no livelihood in sight. |
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| τὴν περιέσσασθαι, ἵνα τοι τρίχες ἀτρεμέωσι | Say to your slaves in the midsummer heat: |
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| μηδʼ ὀρθαὶ φρίσσωσιν ἀειρόμεναι κατὰ σῶμα. | “There won’t always be summer, shining bright – |
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| ἀμφὶ δὲ ποσσὶ πέδιλα βοὸς ἶφι κταμένοιο | Build barns.” Lenaion’s evil days, which gall |
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| ἄρμενα δήσασθαι, πίλοις ἔντοσθε πυκάσσας. | The oxen, guard yourself against. Beware |
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| πρωτογόνων δʼ ἐρίφων, ὁπότʼ ἂν κρύος ὥριον ἔλθῃ | Of hoar-frosts, too, which bring distress to all |
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| δέρματα συρράπτειν νεύρῳ βοός, ὄφρʼ ἐπὶ νώτῳ | When the North Wind blows, which blasts upon the air |
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| ὑετοῦ ἀμφιβάλῃ ἀλέην· κεφαλῆφι δʼ ὕπερθεν | In horse-rich Thrace and rouses the broad sea |
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| πῖλον ἔχειν ἀσκητόν, ἵνʼ οὔατα μὴ καταδεύῃ· | Making the earth and woods resound with wails. |
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| ψυχρὴ γάρ τʼ ἠὼς πέλεται Βορέαο πεσόντος | He falls on many a lofty-leafed oak-tree |
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| ἠώιος δʼ ἐπὶ γαῖαν ἀπʼ οὐρανοῦ ἀστερόεντος | And on thick pines along the mountain-vale |
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| ἀὴρ πυροφόρος τέταται μακάρων ἐπὶ ἔργοις· | And fecund earth, the vast woods bellowing. |
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| ὅστε ἀρυσάμενος ποταμῶν ἄπο αἰεναόντων | The wild beasts, tails between their legs, all shake. |
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| ὑψοῦ ὑπὲρ γαίης ἀρθεὶς ἀνέμοιο θυέλλῃ | Although their shaggy hair is covering |
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| ἄλλοτε μέν θʼ ὕει ποτὶ ἕσπερον, ἄλλοτʼ ἄησι | Their hides, yet still the cold will always make |
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| πυκνὰ Θρηικίου Βορέου νέφεα κλονέοντος. | Their way straight through the hairiest beast. Straight through |
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| τὸν φθάμενος ἔργον τελέσας οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι | An ox’s hide the North Wind blows and drill |
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| μή ποτέ σʼ οὐρανόθεν σκοτόεν νέφος ἀμφικαλύψῃ | Through long-haired goats. His strength, though, cannot do |
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| χρῶτα δὲ μυδαλέον θήῃ κατά θʼ εἵματα δεύσῃ. | Great harm to sheep who keep away all chill |
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| ἀλλʼ ὑπαλεύασθαι· μεὶς γὰρ χαλεπώτατος οὗτος | With ample fleece. He makes old men stoop low |
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| χειμέριος, χαλεπὸς προβάτοις, χαλεπὸς δʼ ἀνθρώποις. | But soft-skinned maids he never will go through – |
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| τῆμος τὤμισυ βουσίν, ἐπʼ ἀνέρι δὲ πλέον εἴη | They stay indoors, who as yet do not know |
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| ἁρμαλιῆς· μακραὶ γὰρ ἐπίρροθοι εὐφρόναι εἰσίν. | Gold Aphrodite’s work, a comfort to |
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| ταῦτα φυλασσόμενος τετελεσμένον εἰς ἐνιαυτὸν | Their darling mothers, and their tender skin |
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| ἰσοῦσθαι νύκτας τε καὶ ἤματα, εἰσόκεν αὖτις | They wash and smear with oil in winter’s space |
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| γῆ πάντων μήτηρ καρπὸν σύμμικτον ἐνείκῃ. | And slumber in a bedroom far within |
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| εὖτʼ ἂν δʼ ἑξήκοντα μετὰ τροπὰς ἠελίοιο | The house, when in his cold and dreadful place |
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| χειμέριʼ ἐκτελέσῃ Ζεὺς ἤματα, δή ῥα τότʼ ἀστὴρ | The Boneless gnaws his foot (the sun won’t show |
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| Ἀρκτοῦρος προλιπὼν ἱερὸν ῥόον Ὠκεανοῖο | Him pastures but rotate around the land |
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| πρῶτον παμφαίνων ἐπιτέλλεται ἀκροκνέφαιος. | Of black men and for all the Greeks is slow |
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| τὸν δὲ μέτʼ ὀρθογόη Πανδιονὶς ὦρτο χελιδὼν | To brighten). That’s the time the hornèd and |
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| ἐς φάος ἀνθρώποις, ἔαρος νέον ἱσταμένοιο. | The unhorned beasts of the wood flee to the brush |
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| τὴν φθάμενος οἴνας περταμνέμεν· ὣς γὰρ ἄμεινον. | Teeth all a-chatter, with one thought in mind – |
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| ἀλλʼ ὁπότʼ ἂν φερέοικος ἀπὸ χθονὸς ἂμ φυτὰ βαίνῃ | To find some thick-packed shelter, p’raps a bush |
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| Πληιάδας φεύγων, τότε δὴ σκάφος οὐκέτι οἰνέων· | Or hollow rock. Like one with head inclined |
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| ἀλλʼ ἅρπας τε χαρασσέμεναι καὶ δμῶας ἐγείρειν· | Towards the ground, spine shattered, with a stick |
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| φεύγειν δὲ σκιεροὺς θώκους καὶ ἐπʼ ἠόα κοῖτον | To hold him up, they wander as they try |
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| ὥρῃ ἐν ἀμήτου, ὅτε τʼ ἠέλιος χρόα κάρφει. | To circumvent the snow. As I ordain |
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| τημοῦτος σπεύδειν καὶ οἴκαδε καρπὸν ἀγινεῖν | Shelter your body, too, when snow is nigh – |
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| ὄρθρου ἀνιστάμενος, ἵνα τοι βίος ἄρκιος εἴη. | A fleecy coat and, reaching to the floor |
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| ἠὼς γὰρ ἔργοιο τρίτην ἀπομείρεται αἶσαν | A tunic. Both the warp and woof must you |
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| ἠώς τοι προφέρει μὲν ὁδοῦ, προφέρει δὲ καὶ ἔργου | Entwine but of the woof there must be more |
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| ἠώς, ἥτε φανεῖσα πολέας ἐπέβησε κελεύθου | Than of the warp. Don this, for, if you do |
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| ἀνθρώπους πολλοῖσί τʼ ἐπὶ ζυγὰ βουσὶ τίθησιν. | Your hair stays still, not shaking everywhere. |
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| ἦμος δὲ σκόλυμός τʼ ἀνθεῖ καὶ ἠχέτα τέττιξ | Be stoutly shod with ox-hide boots which you |
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| δενδρέῳ ἐφεζόμενος λιγυρὴν καταχεύετʼ ἀοιδὴν | Must line with felt. In winter have a care |
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| πυκνὸν ὑπὸ πτερύγων, θέρεος καματώδεος ὥρῃ | To sew two young kids’ hides to the sinew |
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| τῆμος πιόταταί τʼ αἶγες καὶ οἶνος ἄριστος | Of an ox to keep the downpour from your back |
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| μαχλόταται δὲ γυναῖκες, ἀφαυρότατοι δέ τοι ἄνδρες | A knit cap for your head to keep your ear |
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| εἰσίν, ἐπεὶ κεφαλὴν καὶ γούνατα Σείριος ἄζει | From getting wet. It’s freezing at the crack |
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| αὐαλέος δέ τε χρὼς ὑπὸ καύματος· ἀλλὰ τότʼ ἤδη | Of dawn, which from the starry sky appear |
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| εἴη πετραίη τε σκιὴ καὶ βίβλινος οἶνος | When Boreas drops down: then is there spread |
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| μάζα τʼ ἀμολγαίη γάλα τʼ αἰγῶν σβεννυμενάων | A fruitful mist upon the land which fall |
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| καὶ βοὸς ὑλοφάγοιο κρέας μή πω τετοκυίης | Upon the blessed fields and which is fed |
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| πρωτογόνων τʼ ἐρίφων· ἐπὶ δʼ αἴθοπα πινέμεν οἶνον | By endless rivers, raised on high by squalls. |
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| ἐν σκιῇ ἑζόμενον, κεκορημένον ἦτορ ἐδωδῆς | Sometimes it rains at evening, then again |
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| ἀντίον ἀκραέος Ζεφύρου τρέψαντα πρόσωπα | When the thickly-compressed clouds are animated |
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| κρήνης τʼ αἰενάου καὶ ἀπορρύτου, ἥτʼ ἀθόλωτος | By Thracian Boreas, it blows hard. Then |
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| τρὶς ὕδατος προχέειν, τὸ δὲ τέτρατον ἱέμεν οἴνου. | It is the time, having anticipated |
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| δμωσὶ δʼ ἐποτρύνειν Δημήτερος ἱερὸν ἀκτὴν | All this, to finish and go home lest you |
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| δινέμεν, εὖτʼ ἂν πρῶτα φανῇ σθένος Ὠαρίωνος | Should be enwrapped by some dark cloud, heaven-sent |
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| χώρῳ ἐν εὐαέι καὶ ἐυτροχάλῳ ἐν ἀλωῇ. | Your flesh all wet, your clothing drenched right through. |
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| μέτρῳ δʼ εὖ κομίσασθαι ἐν ἄγγεσιν· αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ | This is the harshest month, both violent |
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| πάντα βίον κατάθηαι ἐπάρμενον ἔνδοθι οἴκου | And harsh to beast and man – so you have need |
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| θῆτά τʼ ἄοικον ποιεῖσθαι καὶ ἄτεκνον ἔριθον | To be alert. Give to your men more fare |
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| δίζησθαι κέλομαι· χαλεπὴ δʼ ὑπόπορτις ἔριθος· | Than usual but halve your oxen’s feed. |
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| καὶ κύνα καρχαρόδοντα κομεῖν, μὴ φείδεο σίτου | The helpful nights are long, and so take care. |
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| μή ποτέ σʼ ἡμερόκοιτος ἀνὴρ ἀπὸ χρήμαθʼ ἕληται. | Keep at this till the year’s end when the day |
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| χόρτον δʼ ἐσκομίσαι καὶ συρφετόν, ὄφρα τοι εἴη | And nights are equal and a diverse crop |
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| βουσὶ καὶ ἡμιόνοισιν ἐπηετανόν. αὐτὰρ ἔπειτα | Springs from our mother earth and winter’s phase |
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| δμῶας ἀναψῦξαι φίλα γούνατα καὶ βόε λῦσαι. | Is two months old and from pure Ocean’s top |
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| εὖτʼ ἂν δʼ Ὠαρίων καὶ Σείριος ἐς μέσον ἔλθῃ | Arcturus rises, shining, at twilight. |
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| οὐρανόν, Ἀρκτοῦρον δʼ ἐσίδῃ ῥοδοδάκτυλος Ηώς | Into the light then Pandion’s progeny |
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| ὦ Πέρση, τότε πάντας ἀποδρέπεν οἴκαδε βότρυς· | The high-voiced swallow, comes at the first sight |
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| δεῖξαι δʼ ἠελίῳ δέκα τʼ ἤματα καὶ δέκα νύκτας | Of spring. Before then, the best strategy |
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| πέντε δὲ συσκιάσαι, ἕκτῳ δʼ εἰς ἄγγεʼ ἀφύσσαι | Is pruning of your vines. But when the snail |
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| δῶρα Διωνύσου πολυγηθέος. αὐτὰρ ἐπὴν δὴ | Climbs up the stems to flee the Pleiades |
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| Πληιάδες θʼ Ὑάδες τε τό τε σθένος Ὠαρίωνος | Stop digging vineyards; now it’s of avail |
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| δύνωσιν, τότʼ ἔπειτʼ ἀρότου μεμνημένος εἶναι | To sharpen scythes and urge your men. Shun these |
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| ὡραίου· πλειὼν δὲ κατὰ χθονὸς ἄρμενος εἶσιν. | Two things – dark nooks and sleeping till cockcrow |
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| εἰ δέ σε ναυτιλίης δυσπεμφέλου ἵμερος αἱρεῖ | At harvest-season when the sun makes dry |
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| εὖτʼ ἂν Πληιάδες σθένος ὄβριμον Ὠαρίωνος | One’s skin. Bring in your crops and don’t be slow. |
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| φεύγουσαι πίπτωσιν ἐς ἠεροειδέα πόντον | Rise early to secure your food supply. |
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| δὴ τότε παντοίων ἀνέμων θυίουσιν ἀῆται· | For Dawn will cut your labour by a third |
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| καὶ τότε μηκέτι νῆας ἔχειν ἐνὶ οἴνοπι πόντῳ | Who aids your journey and you toil, through whom |
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| γῆν ἐργάζεσθαι μεμνημένος, ὥς σε κελεύω. | Men find the road and put on many a herd |
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| νῆα δʼ ἐπʼ ἠπείρου ἐρύσαι πυκάσαι τε λίθοισι | Of oxen many a yoke. When thistles bloom |
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| πάντοθεν, ὄφρʼ ἴσχωσʼ ἀνέμων μένος ὑγρὸν ἀέντων | And shrill cicadas chirp up in the tree |
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| χείμαρον ἐξερύσας, ἵνα μὴ πύθῃ Διὸς ὄμβρος. | Nonstop beneath their wings, into our view |
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| ὅπλα δʼ ἐπάρμενα πάντα τεῷ ἐγκάτθεο οἴκῳ | Comes summer, harbinger of drudgery |
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| εὐκόσμως στολίσας νηὸς πτερὰ ποντοπόροιο· | Goats at their fattest, wine its choicest, too |
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| πηδάλιον δʼ ἐυεργὲς ὑπὲρ καπνοῦ κρεμάσασθαι. | The women at their lustiest, though men |
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| αὐτὸς δʼ ὡραῖον μίμνειν πλόον, εἰσόκεν ἔλθῃ· | Are at their very weakest, head and knee |
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| καὶ τότε νῆα θοὴν ἅλαδʼ ἑλκέμεν, ἐν δέ τε φόρτον | Being dried up by Sirius, for then |
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| ἄρμενον ἐντύνασθαι, ἵνʼ οἴκαδε κέρδος ἄρηαι | Their skin is parched. It is at times like these |
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| ὥς περ ἐμός τε πατὴρ καὶ σός, μέγα νήπιε Πέρσῃ | I crave some rocky shade and Bibline wine |
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| πλωίζεσκʼ ἐν νηυσί, βίου κεχρημένος ἐσθλοῦ· | A hunk of cheese, goat’s milk, meat from a beast |
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| ὅς ποτε καὶ τῇδʼ ἦλθε, πολὺν διὰ πόντον ἀνύσσας | That’s pasture-fed, uncalved, or else I pine |
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| Κύμην Αἰολίδα προλιπών, ἐν νηὶ μελαίνῃ· | For new-born kids. Contented with my feast |
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| οὐκ ἄφενος φεύγων οὐδὲ πλοῦτόν τε καὶ ὄλβον | I sit and drink the wine, so sparkling |
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| ἀλλὰ κακὴν πενίην, τὴν Ζεὺς ἄνδρεσσι δίδωσιν· | Facing the strong west wind, there in the shade |
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| νάσσατο δʼ ἄγχʼ Ἑλικῶνος ὀιζυρῇ ἐνὶ κώμῃ | And pour three-fourths of water from the spring |
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| Ἄσκρῃ, χεῖμα κακῇ, θέρει ἀργαλέῃ, οὐδέ ποτʼ ἐσθλῇ. | A spring untroubled that will never fade |
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| τύνη δʼ, ὦ Πέρση, ἔργων μεμνημένος εἶναι | Then urge your men to sift the holy corn |
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| ὡραίων πάντων, περὶ ναυτιλίης δὲ μάλιστα. | Of Demeter, when Orion first we see |
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| νῆʼ ὀλίγην αἰνεῖν, μεγάλῃ δʼ ἐνὶ φορτία θέσθαι. | In all his strength, upon the windy, worn |
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| μείζων μὲν φόρτος, μεῖζον δʼ ἐπὶ κέρδεϊ κέρδος | Threshing-floor. Then measure well the quantity |
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| ἔσσεται, εἴ κʼ ἄνεμοί γε κακὰς ἀπέχωσιν ἀήτας. | And take it home in urns. Now I urge you |
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| εὖτʼ ἂν ἐπʼ ἐμπορίην τρέψας ἀεσίφρονα θυμὸν | To stockpile all your year’s supplies inside. |
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| βούληαι χρέα τε προφυγεῖν καὶ λιμὸν ἀτερπέα | Dismiss your hired man and then in lieu |
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| δείξω δή τοι μέτρα πολυφλοίσβοιο θαλάσσης | Seek out a childless maid (you won’t abide |
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| οὔτε τι ναυτιλίης σεσοφισμένος οὔτε τι νηῶν. | One who is nursing). You must take good care |
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| οὐ γάρ πώ ποτε νηί γʼ ἐπέπλων εὐρέα πόντον | Of your sharp-toothed dog; do not scant his meat |
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| εἰ μὴ ἐς Εὔβοιαν ἐξ Αὐλίδος, ᾗ ποτʼ Ἀχαιοὶ | In case The One Who Sleeps by Day should dare |
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| μείναντες χειμῶνα πολὺν σὺν λαὸν ἄγειραν | To steal your goods. Let there be lots to eat |
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| Ἑλλάδος ἐξ ἱερῆς Τροίην ἐς καλλιγύναικα. | For both oxen and mules, and litter, too. |
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| ἔνθα δʼ ἐγὼν ἐπʼ ἄεθλα δαΐφρονος Ἀμφιδάμαντος | Unyoke your team and grant a holiday. |
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| Χαλκίδα τʼ εἲς ἐπέρησα· τὰ δὲ προπεφραδμένα πολλὰ | When rosy-fingered Dawn first gets a view |
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| ἄεθλʼ ἔθεσαν παῖδες μεγαλήτορος· ἔνθα μέ φημι | Of Arcturus and across the sky halfway |
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| ὕμνῳ νικήσαντα φέρειν τρίποδʼ ὠτώεντα. | Come Sirius and Orion, pluck your store |
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| τὸν μὲν ἐγὼ Μούσῃς Ἑλικωνιάδεσσʼ ἀνέθηκα | Of grapes and bring them home; then to the sun |
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| ἔνθα με τὸ πρῶτον λιγυρῆς ἐπέβησαν ἀοιδῆς. | Expose them for ten days, then for five more |
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| τόσσον τοι νηῶν γε πεπείρημαι πολυγόμφων· | Conceal them in the dark; when this is done |
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| ἀλλὰ καὶ ὣς ἐρέω Ζηνὸς νόον αἰγιόχοιο· | Upon the sixth begin to pour in jar |
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| Μοῦσαι γάρ μʼ ἐδίδαξαν ἀθέσφατον ὕμνον ἀείδειν. | Glad Bacchus’ gift. When strong Orion’s set |
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| ἤματα πεντήκοντα μετὰ τροπὰς ἠελίοιο | And back into the sea decline the star |
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| ἐς τέλος ἐλθόντος θέρεος καματώδεος ὥρης | Pleiades and Hyades, it’s time to get |
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| ὡραῖος πέλεται θνητοῖς πλόος· οὔτε κε νῆα | Your plough out, Perses. Then, as it should be |
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| καυάξαις οὔτʼ ἄνδρας ἀποφθείσειε θάλασσα | The year is finished. If on stormy sea |
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| εἰ δὴ μὴ πρόφρων γε Ποσειδάων ἐνοσίχθων | You long to sail, when into the dark |
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| ἢ Ζεὺς ἀθανάτων βασιλεὺς ἐθέλῃσιν ὀλέσσαι· | To flee Orion’s rain, the Pleiade |
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| ἐν τοῖς γὰρ τέλος ἐστὶν ὁμῶς ἀγαθῶν τε κακῶν τε. | Descend, abundant winds will blow: forbear |
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| τῆμος δʼ εὐκρινέες τʼ αὖραι καὶ πόντος ἀπήμων· | To keep at that time on the wine-dark sea |
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| εὔκηλος τότε νῆα θοὴν ἀνέμοισι πιθήσας | Your ships, but work your land with earnest care |
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| ἑλκέμεν ἐς πόντον φόρτον τʼ ἐς πάντα τίθεσθαι | As I ordain. So that the potency |
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| σπεύδειν δʼ ὅττι τάχιστα πάλιν οἶκόνδε νέεσθαι· | Of the wet winds may not affect your craft |
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| μηδὲ μένειν οἶνόν τε νέον καὶ ὀπωρινὸν ὄμβρον | You must protect it on dry land, and tamp |
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| καὶ χειμῶνʼ ἐπιόντα Νότοιό τε δεινὰς ἀήτας | It tight with stones on both sides, fore and aft. |
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| ὅστʼ ὤρινε θάλασσαν ὁμαρτήσας Διὸς ὄμβρῳ | Take out the plug that Zeus’s rain won’t damp |
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| πολλῷ ὀπωρινῷ, χαλεπὸν δέ τε πόντον ἔθηκεν. | And rot the wood. The tackle store inside |
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| ἄλλος δʼ εἰαρινὸς πέλεται πλόος ἀνθρώποισιν· | And neatly fold the sails and then suspend |
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| ἦμος δὴ τὸ πρῶτον, ὅσον τʼ ἐπιβᾶσα κορώνη | The well-made rudder over smoke, then bide |
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| ἴχνος ἐποίησεν, τόσσον πέταλʼ ἀνδρὶ φανείῃ | Your time until the season’s at an end |
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| ἐν κράδῃ ἀκροτάτῃ, τότε δʼ ἄμβατός ἐστι θάλασσα· | And you may sail. Then take down to the sea |
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| εἰαρινὸς δʼ οὗτος πέλεται πλόος. οὔ μιν ἔγωγε | Your speedy ship and then prepare the freight |
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| αἴνημʼ· οὐ γὰρ ἐμῷ θυμῷ κεχαρισμένος ἐστίν· | To guarantee a gain, as formerly |
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| ἁρπακτός· χαλεπῶς κε φύγοις κακόν· ἀλλά νυ καὶ τὰ | Our father would his vessels navigate. |
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| ἄνθρωποι ῥέζουσιν ἀιδρείῃσι νόοιο· | In earnest, foolish Perses, to posse |
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| χρήματα γὰρ ψυχὴ πέλεται δειλοῖσι βροτοῖσιν. | Great riches, once he journeyed to this place |
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| δεινὸν δʼ ἐστὶ θανεῖν μετὰ κύμασιν. ἀλλά σʼ ἄνωγα | From Cyme, fleeing not wealth or succe |
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| φράζεσθαι τάδε πάντα μετὰ φρεσίν, ὡς ἀγορεύω. | But grinding poverty, which many face |
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| μηδʼ ἐν νηυσὶν ἅπαντα βίον κοΐλῃσι τίθεσθαι· | At Zeus’s hands. Near Helicon he dwelt |
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| ἀλλὰ πλέω λείπειν, τὰ δὲ μείονα φορτίζεσθαι. | In a wretched village, Ascra, most severe |
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| δεινὸν γὰρ πόντου μετὰ κύμασι πήματι κύρσαι. | In winter, though an equal woe one felt |
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| δεινὸν δʼ, εἴ κʼ ἐπʼ ἄμαξαν ὑπέρβιον ἄχθος ἀείρας | In summer, goods at no time. Perses, hear |
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| ἄξονα. καυάξαις καὶ φορτία μαυρωθείη. | My words – of every season’s toil take care |
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| μέτρα φυλάσσεσθαι· καιρὸς δʼ ἐπὶ πᾶσιν ἄριστος. | Particularly sailing. Sure, approve |
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| ὡραῖος δὲ γυναῖκα τεὸν ποτὶ οἶκον ἄγεσθαι | A little ship but let a large one bear |
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| μήτε τριηκόντων ἐτέων μάλα πόλλʼ ἀπολείπων | Your merchandise – the more of this you move |
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| μήτʼ ἐπιθεὶς μάλα πολλά· γάμος δέ τοι ὥριος οὗτος· | The greater gain you make so long as you |
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| ἡ δὲ γυνὴ τέτορʼ ἡβώοι, πέμπτῳ δὲ γαμοῖτο. | Avoid strong winds. When you have turned to trade |
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| παρθενικὴν δὲ γαμεῖν, ὥς κʼ ἤθεα κεδνὰ διδάξῃς. | Your foolish mind, in earnest to eschew |
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| τὴν δὲ μάλιστα γαμεῖν, ἥ τις σέθεν ἐγγύθι ναίει | Distressful want and debits yet unpaid |
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| πάντα μάλʼ ἀμφιιδών, μὴ γείτοσι χάρματα γήμῃς. | The stretches of the loud-resounding sea |
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| οὐ μὲν γάρ τι γυναικὸς ἀνὴρ ληίζετʼ ἄμεινον | I’ll teach you, though of everything marine |
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| τῆς ἀγαθῆς, τῆς δʼ αὖτε κακῆς οὐ ῥίγιον ἄλλο | I am unlearned: yet on no odyssey |
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| δειπνολόχης· ἥτʼ ἄνδρα καὶ ἴφθιμόν περ ἐόντα | Upon the spacious ocean have I been – |
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| εὕει ἄτερ δαλοῖο καὶ ὠμῷ γήραϊ δῶκεν. | Just to Euboea from Aulis (the great host |
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| εὖ δʼ ὄπιν ἀθανάτων μακάρων πεφυλαγμένος εἶναι. | Of Greeks here waited out the stormy gale |
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| μηδὲ κασιγνήτῳ ἶσον ποιεῖσθαι ἑταῖρον· | Who went from holy Greece to Troy, whose boast |
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| εἰ δέ κε ποιήσῃς, μή μιν πρότερος κακὸν ἔρξῃς. | Is comely women). I myself took sail |
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| μηδὲ ψεύδεσθαι γλώσσης χάριν· εἰ δὲ σέ γʼ ἄρχῃ | To Chalchis for the games of the geniu |
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| ἤ τι ἔπος εἰπὼν ἀποθύμιον ἠὲ καὶ ἔρξας | Archidamas: for many games had been |
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| δὶς τόσα τίνυσθαι μεμνημένος· εἰ δὲ σέ γʼ αὖτις | Arranged by children of that glorious |
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| ἡγῆτʼ ἐς φιλότητα, δίκην δʼ ἐθέλῃσι παρασχεῖν | Great man and advertised. I scored a win |
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| δέξασθαι· δειλός τοι ἀνὴρ φίλον ἄλλοτε ἄλλον | For song and brought back home my accolade |
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| ποιεῖται, σὲ δὲ μή τι νόον κατελεγχέτω εἶδος. | A two-eared tripod which I dedicated |
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| μηδὲ πολύξεινον μηδʼ ἄξεινον καλέεσθαι | To the Muses there in Helicon (I made |
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| μηδὲ κακῶν ἕταρον μηδʼ ἐσθλῶν νεικεστῆρα. | My debut there when I participated |
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| μηδέ ποτʼ οὐλομένην πενίην θυμοφθόρον ἀνδρὶ | In lovely song). Familiarity |
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| τέτλαθʼ ὀνειδίζειν, μακάρων δόσιν αἰὲν ἐόντων. | With ships for me to this has been confined. |
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| γλώσσης τοι θησαυρὸς ἐν ἀνθρώποισιν ἄριστος | But since the Muses taught singing to me |
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| φειδωλῆς, πλείστη δὲ χάρις κατὰ μέτρον ἰούσης. | I’ll tell you aegis-bearing Zeus’s mind. |
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| εἰ δὲ κακὸν εἴποις, τάχα κʼ αὐτὸς μεῖζον ἀκούσαις. | When fifty days beyond the solstice go |
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| μηδὲ πολυξείνου δαιτὸς δυσπέμφελος εἶναι | And toilsome summer’s ending, mortals can |
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| ἐκ κοινοῦ· πλείστη δὲ χάρις, δαπάνη τʼ ὀλιγίστη. | Set sail upon the ocean, which will no |
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| μηδέ ποτʼ ἐξ ἠοῦς Διὶ λειβέμεν αἴθοπα οἶνον | Seafarers slaughter, nor will any man |
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| χερσὶν ἀνίπτοισιν μηδʼ ἄλλοις ἀθανάτοισιν· | Shatter his ship, unless such is the will |
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| οὐ γὰρ τοί γε κλύουσιν, ἀποπτύουσι δέ τʼ ἀράς. | Of earth-shaking Poseidon or our king |
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| μηδʼ ἄντʼ ἠελίου τετραμμένος ὀρθὸς ὀμιχεῖν· | Lord Zeus, who always judge both good and ill. |
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| αὐτὰρ ἐπεί κε δύῃ, μεμνημένος, ἔς τʼ ἀνιόντα· | The sea is tranquil then, unwavering |
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| μήτʼ ἐν ὁδῷ μήτʼ ἐκτὸς ὁδοῦ προβάδην οὐρήσῃς | The winds. Trust these and drag down to the sea |
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| μηδʼ ἀπογυμνωθείς· μακάρων τοι νύκτες ἔασιν· | Your ship with confidence and place all freight |
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| ἑζόμενος δʼ ὅ γε θεῖος ἀνήρ, πεπνυμένα εἰδώς | On board and then as swiftly as may be |
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| ἢ ὅ γε πρὸς τοῖχον πελάσας ἐυερκέος αὐλῆς. | Sail home and for the autumn rain don’t wait |
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| μηδʼ αἰδοῖα γονῇ πεπαλαγμένος ἔνδοθι οἴκου | Or fast-approaching blizzards, new-made wine |
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| ἱστίῃ ἐμπελαδὸν παραφαινέμεν, ἀλλʼ ἀλέασθαι. | The South Wind’s dreadful blasts – he stirs the sea |
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| μηδʼ ἀπὸ δυσφήμοιο τάφου ἀπονοστήσαντα | And brings downpours in spring and makes the brine |
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| σπερμαίνειν γενεήν, ἀλλʼ ἀθανάτων ἀπὸ δαιτός. | Inclement. Spring, too, grants humanity |
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| μηδέ ποτʼ αἰενάων ποταμῶν καλλίρροον ὕδωρ | The chance to sail. When first some leaves are seen |
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| ποσσὶ περᾶν, πρίν γʼ εὔξῃ ἰδὼν ἐς καλὰ ῥέεθρα | On fig-tree-tops, as tiny as the mark |
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| χεῖρας νιψάμενος πολυηράτῳ ὕδατι λευκῷ. | A raven leaves, the sea becomes serene |
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| ὃς ποταμὸν διαβῇ κακότητʼ ἰδὲ χεῖρας ἄνιπτος | For sailing. Though spring bids you to embark |
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| τῷ δὲ θεοὶ νεμεσῶσι καὶ ἄλγεα δῶκαν ὀπίσσω. | I’ll not praise it – it does not gladden me. |
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| μηδʼ ἀπὸ πεντόζοιο θεῶν ἐν δαιτὶ θαλείῃ | It’s hazardous, for you’ll avoid distre |
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| αὖον ἀπὸ χλωροῦ τάμνειν αἴθωνι σιδήρῳ. | With difficulty thus. Imprudently |
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| μηδέ ποτʼ οἰνοχόην τιθέμεν κρητῆρος ὕπερθε | Do men sail at that time – covetousne |
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| πινόντων· ὀλοὴ γὰρ ἐπʼ αὐτῷ μοῖρα τέτυκται. | Is their whole life, the wretches. For the sea |
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| μηδὲ δόμον ποιῶν ἀνεπίξεστον καταλείπειν | To take your life is dire. Listen to me: |
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| μή τοι ἐφεζομένη κρώξῃ λακέρυζα κορώνη. | Don’t place aboard all your commodities – |
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| μηδʼ ἀπὸ χυτροπόδων ἀνεπιρρέκτων ἀνελόντα | Leave most behind, place a small quantity |
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| ἔσθειν μηδὲ λόεσθαι· ἐπεὶ καὶ τοῖς ἔνι ποινή. | Aboard. To tax your cart too much and break |
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| μηδʼ ἐπʼ ἀκινήτοισι καθιζέμεν, οὐ γὰρ ἄμεινον | An axle, losing all, will bring distress. |
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| παῖδα δυωδεκαταῖον, ὅτʼ ἀνέρʼ ἀνήνορα ποιεῖ | Be moderate, for everyone should take |
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| μηδὲ δυωδεκάμηνον· ἴσον καὶ τοῦτο τέτυκται. | An apt approach. When you’re in readiness |
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| μηδὲ γυναικείῳ λουτρῷ χρόα φαιδρύνεσθαι | Get married. Thirty years, or very near |
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| ἀνέρα· λευγαλέη γὰρ ἐπὶ χρόνον ἔστʼ ἐπὶ καὶ τῷ | Is apt for marriage. Now, past puberty |
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| ποινή. μηδʼ ἱεροῖσιν ἐπʼ αἰθομένοισι κυρήσας | Your bride should go four years: in the fifth year |
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| μωμεύειν ἀίδηλα· θεός νύ τι καὶ τὰ νεμεσσᾷ. | Wed her. That you may teach her modesty |
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| μηδέ ποτʼ ἐν προχοῇς ποταμῶν ἅλαδε προρεόντων | Marry a maid. The best would be one who |
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| μηδʼ ἐπὶ κρηνάων οὐρεῖν, μάλα δʼ ἐξαλέασθαι· | Lives near you, but you must with care look round |
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| μηδʼ ἐναποψύχειν· τὸ γὰρ οὔ τοι λώιόν ἐστιν. | Lest neighbours make a laughingstock of you. |
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| ὧδʼ ἔρδειν· δεινὴν δὲ βροτῶν ὑπαλεύεο φήμην. | A better choice for men cannot be found |
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| φήμη γάρ τε κακὴ πέλεται, κούφη μὲν ἀεῖραι | Than a good woman, nor a worse one than |
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| ῥεῖα μάλʼ, ἀργαλέη δὲ φέρειν, χαλεπὴ δʼ ἀποθέσθαι. | One who’s unworthy, say a sponging mare |
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| φήμη δʼ οὔτις πάμπαν ἀπόλλυται, ἥν τινα πολλοὶ | Who will, without a torch, burn up a man |
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| λαοὶ φημίξωσι· θεός νύ τίς ἐστι καὶ αὐτή. | And bring him to a raw old age. Beware |
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| Ἤματα δʼ ἐκ Διόθεν πεφυλαγμένος εὖ κατὰ μοῖραν | Of angering the blessed ones – your friend |
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| πεφραδέμεν δμώεσσι· τριηκάδα μηνὸς ἀρίστην | Is not your brother – treat them differently. |
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| ἔργα τʼ ἐποπτεύειν ἠδʼ ἁρμαλιὴν δατέασθαι. | But if you don’t, don’t be first to offend. |
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| εὖτʼ ἂν ἀληθείην λαοὶ κρίνοντες ἄγωσιν. | Don’t lie. If he treats you offensively |
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| αἵδε γὰρ ἡμέραι εἰσὶ Διὸς πάρα μητιόεντος | In word or deed, then you should recompense |
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| Πρῶτον ἔνη τετράς τε καὶ ἑβδόμη ἱερὸν ἦμαρ· | Him double, then, if he would be again |
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| τῇ γὰρ Ἀπόλλωνα χρυσάορα γείνατο Λητώ· | Your friend and pay the price for his offence |
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