by Carphyllides
Translation by Edwin Arlington Robinson (1869 - 1935)
A happy man
Language: English after the Greek (Ελληνικά)
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 [author's text checked 1 time against a primary source]
Based on:
- a text in Greek (Ελληνικά) by Carphyllides , first published 1902 [text unavailable]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by John Woods Duke (1899 - 1984), "A happy man", 1968 [ baritone and piano ], from Three Epitaphs from the Greek: Anthology for Baritone, no. 3, Recital Publ. [sung text not yet checked]
- by Frank Lewin (1925 - 2008), "A happy man", published 1975 [ mezzo-soprano or contralto, flute, viola, harp, and piano ], from Variations of Greek Themes, no. 1 [sung text checked 1 time]
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website: 2008-06-17
Line count: 16
Word count: 96