His Epitaphs
I
My nurse was island Tyre; an Attic country bore me, Gadara which lies in Syria; I, Meleager, son of Eucrates, grew up under the Muses, imitating first the graces of Menippus.
Though I am a Syrian, what wonder? O friend, we inhabit one country — the earth; one chaos produced all men.
In my old age I cut these words on my tablets for my tomb, since old age is the neighbour of death.
Salute the garrulous old man — may you also reach garrulous old age!
II
The famous town Gadara was my first country, but I grew up in sacred hospitable Tyre.
When I came to old age, Cos, which nourished Zeus, cherished me when old as an adopted fellow citizen of the Meropes.
Among the chosen few the Muses adorned me, Meleager, son of Eucrates, with the graces of Menippus.
III
Tread lightly, friend. Here among the good rests an old man, tranquil in the inevitable sleep, Meleager, son of Eucrates, who joined together Love, the giver of sweet tears, the Muses and the happy Graces.
Tyre, daughter of the gods, and the sacred land of Gadara reared me to manhood and Cos, beloved of the Meropes, cherished my old age.
If you are a Syrian: Salam.
If you are a Phaenician: Audoni.
If you are a Greek: Khaire.
And do you say the same.
My nurse was island Tyre; an Attic country bore me, Gadara which lies in Syria; I, Meleager, son of Eucrates, grew up under the Muses, imitating first the graces of Menippus.
Though I am a Syrian, what wonder? O friend, we inhabit one country — the earth; one chaos produced all men.
In my old age I cut these words on my tablets for my tomb, since old age is the neighbour of death.
Salute the garrulous old man — may you also reach garrulous old age!
II
The famous town Gadara was my first country, but I grew up in sacred hospitable Tyre.
When I came to old age, Cos, which nourished Zeus, cherished me when old as an adopted fellow citizen of the Meropes.
Among the chosen few the Muses adorned me, Meleager, son of Eucrates, with the graces of Menippus.
III
Tread lightly, friend. Here among the good rests an old man, tranquil in the inevitable sleep, Meleager, son of Eucrates, who joined together Love, the giver of sweet tears, the Muses and the happy Graces.
Tyre, daughter of the gods, and the sacred land of Gadara reared me to manhood and Cos, beloved of the Meropes, cherished my old age.
If you are a Syrian: Salam.
If you are a Phaenician: Audoni.
If you are a Greek: Khaire.
And do you say the same.
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