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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


EPIGRAM: 13. DIALOGUE WITH THE DEAD by CALLIMACHUS

First Line: ART THOU THE GRAVE OF CHARIDAS? IF FOR ARIMMAS' SON
Last Line: THE MARKET PRICE OF OXEN HERE IS HALF A CROWN A HEAD.'

'ART thou the grave of Charidas?' 'If for Arimmas' son,
The Cyrenaean, you inquire, I am the very one.'
'How goes it, Charidas, below?' 'Much gloom.' 'And the way back?'
'A lie, there is none.' 'Pluto, then?' 'Pluto's a myth.' 'Alack!'
'I'm telling you the truth. If you want fairy tales instead,
The market price of oxen here is half a crown a head.'



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