The Mask of Apollo: A Novel

δaκpva μέν ‘Eκάßη τε καί ‘Iλιάδεσσι γυναιξί Moîpaι έπέκλwσav δή τότε γεινομέναις, σοì δέ, Δίων, ρέξavτι κaλwv έπινίκιον έpγωv δαίμovες ευροίας έλπίδας έξέχεαν. κεîσαι δ’ ευρυχόρω εv πατρίδι τίμιος άστιος, ώ έμòν έκμήνας θυμòν έρωτι Δίων.

Tears were for Hekabê, friend, and for Ilion’s women,

Spun into the dark Web on the day of their birth,

But for you our hopes were great, and great the triumph,

Cancelled alike by the gods at the point of glory.

Now you lie in your own land, now all men honor you—

But I loved you, O Diôn!

PLATO

(Translation by Dudley Fitts)