Dionysus’ Procession
Damon the craftsman (there is no other
as capable in Peloponessos) carves
the procession of Dionysus in Parian marble.
In front is the god with his divine,
aura, his powerful stride.
Acratos is behind him. At Acratos’ side
Methe pours wine for the Satyrs
from an amphora decorated with ivy. Close
to them is the meek Hedyoinos, his eyes
half closed, hypnotic. Farther down
come the singers Molpos and Hedymelis,
and Comus who holds the revered torch
of the procession and never lets it burn out;
and the most decorous Telete.— Damon carves
all these. And as he works, every so often
he thinks of the reward
he’ll be getting from the king of Syracuse,
three talents, a large sum. With this added
to the rest of his money, he will be able
to live a prosperous life at last,
and he can go into politics—what a joy!—
he too in the senate, he too in the agora.
Manolis Aligizakis 