Four Short Greek poems

LAST SUN IN THE TREETOPS

From her roost the water hen stretched out
her purple-green sleek neck
the kingfisher's quick glance
shook droplets from his crown
and I thought love should always be
that brilliant on the wing and wild.
Ibykos, 6th century BC

ECHO

Up and down the meadow where the sheep graze echo,
fadingly as afterthoughts, the cries of quail.
Satyrus, 2nd century BC

SINGER

She took the myrtle branch and sang in turn
another song of pleasure, in her left hand still
the flower of the rosetree, and let loose
over her naked shoulder, down her arm
and back, the darkness of her hair.
Archilocos, 7th century BC

LOVE TOKEN

I am an apple thrown to you for love. Nod yes,
Xanthippe. You and I, though sweet, are not to last.
Plato, 4th century BC

*source here*