No dust have I to cover me, My grave no man may show; My tomb is this unending sea, And I lie far below. My fate, O stranger, was to drown; And where it was the ship went down Is what the sea-birds know.
Three Epitaphs from the Greek: Anthology for Baritone
Song Cycle by John Woods Duke (1899 - 1984)
1. An inscription by the sea [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
Text Authorship:
- by Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869 - 1935), "An inscription by the sea", appears in Captain Craig, in Variations of Greek Themes, no. 11, first published 1902 [an adaptation]
Based on:
- a text in Greek (Ελληνικά) by Glaucus of Nicopolis , from Greek Anthology, or Palatine Anthology, VII, 285
See other settings of this text.
Available translations, adaptations or excerpts, and transliterations (if applicable):
- ITA Italian (Italiano) (Ferdinando Albeggiani) , "Una iscrizione", copyright © 2008, (re)printed on this website with kind permission
2. Undying thirst [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
This rudely sculptur'd porter-pot Denotes where sleeps a female sot Who pass'd her life, good easy soul! In sweetly chirping o'er her bowl. Not for her friends or children dear She mourns -- but only for her beer. E'en in the very grave, they say, She thirsts for drink to wet her clay; And, faith, she thinks it very wrong This jug should stand unfill'd so long.
Text Authorship:
- by Robert Bland (1779 - 1825), "Imitated", appears in Translations Chiefly from The Greek Anthology with Tales and Miscellaneous Poems, in From Antipater of Sidon, no. 9, first published 1806
Based on:
- a text in Greek (Ελληνικά) by Antipater of Sidon (flourished 1st century BCE)
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Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]3. A happy man [sung text not yet checked]
Language: English
When these graven lines you see, Traveler, do not pity me; Though I be among the dead, Let no mournful word be said. Children that I leave behind, And their children, all were kind; Near to them and to my wife, I was happy all my life. My three sons I married right, And their sons I rocked at night; Death nor sorrow ever brought Cause for one unhappy thought. Now, and with no need of tears, Here they leave me, full of years, -- Leave me to my quiet rest In the region of the blest.
Text Authorship:
- by Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869 - 1935), "A happy man", appears in Captain Craig, in Variations of Greek Themes, no. 1, first published 1902
Based on:
- a text in Greek (Ελληνικά) by Carphyllides , first published 1902 [text unavailable]
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]Total word count: 206