Plato Epigram Translations

PLATO EPIGRAM TRANSLATIONS These epitaphs and other epigrams have been ascribed to Plato... Mariner, do not ask whose tomb this may be, But go with good fortune: I wish you a kinder sea. —Michael R. Burch, after Plato We left the thunderous Aegean to sleep peacefully here on the plains of Ecbatan. Farewell, renowned Eretria, our homeland! Farewell, Athens, Euboea's neighbor! Farewell, dear Sea! —Michael R. Burch, after Plato We who navigated the Aegean's thunderous storm-surge now sleep peacefully here on the mid-plains of Ecbatan: Farewell, renowned Eretria, our homeland! Farewell, Athens, nigh to Euboea! Farewell, dear Sea! —Michael R. Burch, after Plato This poet was pleasing to foreigners and even more delightful to his countrymen: Pindar, beloved of the melodious Muses. —Michael R. Burch, after Plato Some say the Muses are nine. Foolish critics, count again! Sappho of Lesbos makes ten. —Michael R. Burch, after Plato Even as you once shone, the Star of Morning, above our heads, even so you now shine, the Star of Evening, among the dead. —Michael R. Burch, after Plato Why do you gaze up at the stars? Oh, my Star, that I were Heaven, to gaze at you with many eyes! —Michael R. Burch, after Plato Every heart sings an incomplete song, until another heart sings along. Those who would love long to join in the chorus. At a lover's touch, everyone becomes a poet. —Michael R. Burch, after Plato NOTE: I take this Plato epigram to be an epithalamium, with the two voices joining in a complete song being the bride and groom, and the rest of the chorus being the remainder of the wedding ceremony. The Apple ascribed to Plato loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Here's an apple; if you're able to love me, catch it and chuck me your cherry in exchange. But if you hesitate, as I hope you won't, take the apple, examine it carefully, and consider how briefly its beauty will last. That country wench bewitches your heart? Hell, her most beguiling art’s hiking her dress to seduce you with her ankles' nakedness! Sappho, fragment 57, loose translation/interpretation by Michael R. Burch Keywords/Tags: Plato, epigram, epitaph, eulogy, epithalamium, tribute, memorial, memory, remember, death, funeral, ancient, Greek, translation, apple, cherry, star, stars, Aegean, Athens, Pindar, Sappho, Muses, music, carpe diem, seize the day