If I had money, Simonides, I would not feel such pain
As I do now, when in the company of the noble.
As it is, wealth recognizes me but passes by, and I am speechless
Out of want, although it would seem that I know better than most
That now, with our white sails lowered, we are being carried
Out of the Melian Sea through the murky night,
And the men refuse to bail, although the sea sweeps over
Both sides of the ship. Indeed, only with great difficulty is anyone likely to be
Saved, acting as they are: they have stopped the helmsman,
Good though he was, who kept watch skillfully;
And they are plundering the cargo by force. Discipline has perished,
And fair division is no longer carried out in an open fashion;
The deckhands are in control, and the base have the upper hand over the noble.
I am afraid that the waves may swallow up the ship.
Let this, well hidden, be my riddling message for the noble,
Though a base man too may understand it, if he is clever.
(Theognis)
More Poetry from Theognis:
Theognis Poems based on Topics: Man, Money & Wealth, Night, Acting, Movies, Discipline, Obstacles, Fashion- Fragments - Lines 0467 - 0496 (Theognis Poems)
- Fragments - Lines 0237 - 0254 (Theognis Poems)
- Fragments - Lines 0019 - 0030 (Theognis Poems)
- Fragments - Lines 1341 - 1350 (Theognis Poems)
- Fragments - Lines 0183 - 0192 (Theognis Poems)
- Fragments - Lines 0429 - 0438 (Theognis Poems)
Readers Who Like This Poem Also Like:
Based on Topics: Man Poems, Night Poems, Money & Wealth Poems, Fashion Poems, Movies Poems, Obstacles Poems, Discipline Poems, Acting PoemsBased on Keywords: plundering, riddling, skillfully, recognizes, simonides, melian