Corinna Translations

CORINNA I come to sing of heroes' and heroines' courageous deeds.—Corinna translation by Michael R. Burch Mount Helicon, father of fair offspring, friend of the wayfarer, beloved of the Muses!—Corinna translation by Michael R. Burch Terpsichora calls me to sing beautifully of heroes for Tanagra's white-clad daughters and my city rejoices, hearing my clear, evocative voice. —Corinna translation by Michael R. Burch I indeed censure even sweet-voiced Myrtis, for, having been born a woman, she chose to compete against Pindar! —Corinna translation by Michael R. Burch The chorus gathered well-garlanded atop Olympus as the musicians tuned their lyre-strings while tribes of asses brayed and jockeyed for position, ever a discordant family. Then Cithaeron sang of how the Curetes had sheltered the goddess’s sacred offspring in a cave without the knowledge of crooked-minded Cronus, since blessed Rhea had stolen him away, winning great honor from the Immortals. Such was Cithaeron’s song that, when it was done, the Muses immediately instructed the Blessed Ones to cast their secret ballot-stones into gleaming gold urns. Then they all rose together, declaring Cithaeron the winner, whereupon Hermes heartily proclaimed Cithaeron victorious and the Blessed Ones, rejoicing, decorated him with garlands as he danced with joy. But Helicon hurled down ten thousand boulders in disgust! —Corinna translation by Michael R. Burch MOERO You lie here, grapes, beneath Aphrodite’s golden portico, full to the brim with Dionysus’s nectar, but your mother-vine can no longer lovingly wrap her branches around you, nor protect you beneath her tender leaves. —Moero translation by Michael R. Burch Hamadryad Nymphs, river-daughters, ambrosial beings treading the depths with rose-petaled feet, hail!, and may you always remember and safeguard Kleonymos, who placed these votive images beneath the pines for you, O goddesses! —Moero translation by Michael R. Burch Mnemosyne by Moero translation by Michael R. Burch Zeus was nursed to manhood on Crete, unknown to the Blessed Ones, yet he continued to grow in strength and vigor. Safe inside a sacred cave, he was nurtured by timid doves bearing ambrosia from the sea. Meanwhile a great eagle drawing nectar from a rock brought it in its beak for Zeus to drink. Thus after he had conquered Cronus, victorious Zeus made the eagle immortal, bequeathing him heaven. He likewise bestowed honour on the doves, making them heralds of summer and winter.