IBYCUS


Fragment 282a

For the Muse leads me onto new paths,

and I recant the words

that I once uttered in ignorance.


Fragment 282

And the cranes, messengers of Zeus,

will come upon the murderers—

those watchers of the sky,

crying out the tale of Ibycus.


Fragment 286G

Now again the leaves grow green,

and again the earth brings flowers,

and again the waves of desire

shake my heart—

for Love, the limb-loosener,

springs upon me with madness.


Fragment 286

In spring the Kydonian

apple trees, watered by flowing

streams there where the Maidens

have their unravished garden, and vine buds,

growing under the shadowy branches

of the vines, bloom and flourish.

For me, however, love

is at rest in no season

but like the Thracian north wind,

ablaze with lightning,

rushing from Aphrodite with scorching

fits of madness, dark and unrestrained,

it forcibly convulses from their very roots

my mind and heart.


Fragment 287

Once again Love darts me a melting

glance from under dark eyelids

and by magical charms of all sorts entangles me

in Aphrodite's endless nets.

I swear that at his approach, I tremble

like a prize-winning horse still under the yoke in old age

who against his will drafts the swift chariot to the contest.