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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


WORKS AND DAYS: GIVING AND TAKING by HESIOD

First Line: BEFRIEND THE FRIENDS YOU HAVE, AND GO
Last Line: IS THEFT, AND BRINGETH DEATH AS ALMS.
Subject(s): GIFTS & GIVING;

BEFRIEND the friends you have, and go
To him who comes to you. Bestow
Your gifts on whoso gives: to him
Who grudges, give not. Men endow
Munificent, not niggard, palms.
Bounty is excellent, but grim
Is theft, and bringeth death as alms.



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