The Nameless Tomb

Mnasidika having taken me by the hand

led me outside the gates of the city,

to a small uncultivated field

where there was a marble stele,

and she said to me: "This was my mother's lover."

Then I felt a great shiver,

and without letting go of her hand,

I leaned on her shoulder,

in order to read the four verses

between the hollow cup and the snake:

"It is not death that took me away

but the Nymphs of the springs.

I am resting here beneath the light earth

with Xanthô's cut hair.

May she alone weep for me.

I do not tell my name."

We remained standing for a long time,

and we did not pour the libation.

For how should we call an unknown soul

from amongst the throngs in Hades?