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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

PREFACE TO ERINNA'S POEMS by ANTIPATER OF SIDON

First Line: THOUGH SHORT HER STRAIN NOR SUNG WITH MIGHTY BOAST
Last Line: OF ROOKS IN SPRINGTIME BLOWN ABOUT THE SKIES.
Subject(s): ERINNA (4TH CENTURY B.C.);
THOUGH short her strain nor sung with mighty boast,
Yet there the power of song had dwelling-room;
So lives her name for ever, nor lies lost
Beneath the shadow of the wings of gloom,
While bards of after days, in countless host,
Slumber and fade forgotten in the tomb.
Better the swan's brief note than thousand cries
Of rooks in springtime blown about the skies.



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