Naxiad Poem by Joseph S. Josephides

- I’m Promaedon, the Prince of Naxos;
Ypsikreon, the King of Miletus, hosted me
and I fell in love with his beautiful wife, Neaera.

- I fell in love with him too, so we left for Naxos
secretly∙ he hid me in Vesta’s temple, as suppliant
and our hidden small joys make our life great.

As Menelaus, Ypsikreon campaigned to bring
her back, but in vain. Promaedon read the Iliad
and avoided wars and errors of Paris, both
they built invisible walls nobody could see,
there is no law to accuse in court such love,
only time for others to accept the victory of love.

The Achaeans marched to conquer
Helen of Troy or gold or land of Hittites,
the Prince to appreciate beauty that is worthy,
as if it was a flower you caress and never chop.

They died, she as beauty, he as symbol of courage,
now they reside in a double palace, on Olympus,
speechless violets cover the mouths of their graves,
for everything has occurred and all have been said:
they have lived out of love and slept forever in love.