Lament for Heliodore

Meleager of Gadara (1st Century B.C.)

From the Greek by Andrew Lang

TEARS for my lady dead—

Heliodore!

Salt tears, and strange to shed,

Over and o’er;

Tears to my lady dead,

Love do we send,

Longed for, rememberèd,

Lover and friend!

Sad are the songs we sing,

Tears that we shed,

Empty the gifts we bring

Gifts to the dead!

Go, tears, and go, lament,

Fare from her tomb,

Wend where my lady went

Down through the gloom!

Ah, for my flower, my love,

Hades hath taken!

Ah, for the dust above

Scattered and shaken!

Mother of blade and grass,

Earth, in thy breast

Lull her that gentlest was

Gently to rest!