Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WORKS AND DAYS: THE FARMER'S YEAR: THE SIGN OF THE PLEIADS, by HESIOD


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WORKS AND DAYS: THE FARMER'S YEAR: THE SIGN OF THE PLEIADS, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When first the pleiads, children of atlas, arise
Last Line: Or beg at another's door, and none shall heed.
Variant Title(s): Advice To Farmers
Subject(s): Farm Life; Agriculture; Farmers


WHEN first the Pleiads, children of Atlas, arise,
begin your harvest: plough, when they quit the skies.
For two score days they are hidden, and nights two score,
and soon as the sickle is sharpened appear once more.
Here's a rule of the plains, a rule that the farmer obeys
who dwells by the coast, or in winding valley ways
far from the heaving sea, where the soil is deep:
'Strip you to sow and to plough, and strip to reap.'
So do, if a timely harvest be your care
of fruits by Demeter given. For each prepare
a timely increase against your hour of need, --
or beg at another's door, and none shall heed.





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