The World's Literature in Europe discussion

'Rhodanthe' by Agathias (c. 536-582 CE), translated by Andrew Lang. In the following Byzantine poem, Rhodantine is a female name and the poet hopes for her return. Notice the references to swallows and other birds.

Rhodanthe
by: Agathias (c. 536-582 AD)
translated by Andrew Lang

Weeping and wakeful all the night I lie,
And with the dawn the grace of sleep is near,
But swallows flit about me with their cry,
And banish drowsihead and bring the tear.
Mine eyes must still be weeping, for the dear
Thought of Rhodanthe stirs in memory;
Ye chattering foes have done! it was not I
Who silenced Philomel: go, seek the sheer


Clefts of the hills, and wail for Itylus
Or clamour from the hoopoe's craggy nest,
But let sweet sleep an hour abide with us,
Perchance a dream may come, and we be blest,
A dream may make Rhodanthe piteous,
And bring us to that haven of her breast.

http://www.blackcatpoems.com/a/agathi...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Byzantin...

Dr. Antony Makrinos lectures on "The Reception of Homer in Byzantium", a video presentation from University College London's 'Lunch Hour Lectures'.

Two venues--
ITunes (preferred)
http://www.ucl.ac.uk/lhl/lhlpub_sprin...

Byzantine (Medieval Greek) Literature

http://www.mlahanas.de/Greeks/NewLite...