Friday, August 29, 2025
The Song of Datis
Aristophanes, Peace 289-291 (tr. Benjamin Bickley Rogers):
See M.V. Molitor, "The Song of Datis," Mnemosyne 39.1/2 (1986) 128-131.
Related post: A Gift of the Gods.
Newer› ‹Older
Now may I sing the ode that Datis made,In typical Victorian fashion, Rogers bowdlerized earthy Aristophanes. Cf. Jeffrey Henderson's translation:
The ode he sang in ecstacy at noon,
"Eh, sirs, I'm pleased, and joyed, and comforted."
νῦν, τοῦτ᾿ ἐκεῖν᾿, ἥκει τὸ Δάτιδος μέλος.
ὃ δεφόμενός ποτ᾿ ᾖδε τῆς μεσημβρίας·
"ὧς ἥδομαι καὶ χαίρομαι κεὐφραίνομαι."
That's that, now! Here comes the song of Datis,δεφόμενος is the present middle participle of δέφω (masturbate). Cf. δέψω = rub.
which once upon a time he used to sing while masturbating of an afternoon:
"How happy, how pleasured, how bubbly I feel!"
See M.V. Molitor, "The Song of Datis," Mnemosyne 39.1/2 (1986) 128-131.
Related post: A Gift of the Gods.
