January 2,2010; revised today, January 5,2010
- written while reading Werner Jaeger's Paideia, Volume I, thechapter on Ionian and Aeolian Poetry
How truly wise and well-travelledyou are,
Archilochus, sharp-tongued and outspoken to the end—
outdoing even Homer at times.And yet, Pindar
berates you—the competitive jealousy of a different man,
aristocrat-born.Hardly anyone readshim anymore.
I prefer you, your poetry—bloodand sweat and worry.
That poemrecited to your heart: that all of life is up and down
like this, so try to keep to the middle course.Above all
else, you spoke the truth—this is why we recite you still.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem