Theokritosz (Villanella)

Repkény közt a méh száll dongva,
S őrzi Amarillisz álmát;
Oh, Persephoné dalosa!

Hecatét hívja Simætha,
Hol ugatnak a vadkutyák;
Eszedbe jut Szicília?

Hol fény és tenger kacagása
Szól, Polyphém siratja sorsát;
Oh, Persephoné dalosa!

S hol hallik a fiúk harca,
Ifjú Daphnék párjuk hívják;
Oh, Persephoné dalosa!

Lakón a kecskéjét adja,
Vidám pásztorok várnak rád;
Oh, Persephoné dalosa!
Eszedbe jut Szicília?

2008-02-02

(Theocritus – A villanelle)

O Singer of Persephone!
   In the dim meadows desolate
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still through the ivy flits the bee
   Where Amaryllis lies in state;
O Singer of Persephone!

Simætha calls on Hecate
   And hears the wild dogs at the gate;
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still by the light and laughing sea
   Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate:
O Singer of Persephone!

And still in boyish rivalry
   Young Daphnis challenges his mate:
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee,
   For thee the jocund shepherds wait,
O Singer of Persephone!
Dost thou remember Sicily?