“So I shall never waste my life-span in a vain useless hope, seeking what cannot be, a flawless man among us all who feed on the fruits of the broad earth. If I find him, I will bring you news.

But I praise and love every man who does nothing base from free will. Against necessity, even gods do not fight.”
.

by Simonides, ca. 556 – 468 BC

—

On Sunday, I discussed Mary Renault’s novel The Praise Singer, which is based on the life of the lyric poet, Simonides of Keos, during the classical Greek era. So it felt fitting that today’s Tuesday Poem should be from one of his better known fragments, which is included in Plato’s Protagoras. It also forms the dedication to The Praise Singer.

Simonides was one of the preeminent poets of his time and also much referred to throughout the Roman era as well. A detailed discussion of what is known of his life and work can be found on Wikipedia: Simonides of Ceos.

I particularly like this fragment and hope you also enjoy it.

—

To read the featured poem on the Tuesday Poem Hub and other great poems from fellow Tuesday poets from around the world, click here or on the Quill icon in the sidebar.