|
Old Biton of Arcady
dedicated these things to rustic Pan,
and Bacchus the reveller, and the nymphs; to Pan a
newly born kid, its mother's play-fellow, to Bacchus a branch
of vagrant ivy, to the Nymphs the varied bloom of shady
Autumn and blood-red roses in full flower. In return for
which, bless the old man's house with abundance -
ye Nymphs, of water, Pan of milk, and Bacchus,
of grapes.
A triple gift did Biton dedicate under the greenwood tree,
to Pan a goat, roses to the Nymphs, and a thyrsus to
Bacchus. Receive with joy his gifts, ye gods, and increase,
Pan his flocks, ye Nymphs his fountain, and Bacchus
his cellar.
Ye Anigrian nymphs, daughters of the stream, ambrosial beings
that ever tread these depths with your rosy feet, all hail, and
cure Cleonymus, who set up for you under the pines
these fair images.
Hail, thou cold stream that leapest down from the
cloven rock, and ye images of the Nymphs carved by a shepherd's hand!
Hail, ye drinking troughs and your thousand little dolls,
ye Maidens of the spring, that lie drenched in its waters. All hail! And I,
Aristocles, the wayfarer, give you this cup which I dipped in your
stream to quench my thirst.
To the Nymphs is this statue dedicated, and the
place is in their care. Yea, may it be their care that
a constant stream flow from the fountain.
To shock-headed Pan and the Nymphs of the sheepfold
did the shepherd Theodotus set this his gift here
under the hill, because, when he was sore tired
by the parching summer heat, they refreshed him,
holding out to him sweet water in their hands.
|