Semonides 1 (West p. 16)

Loud-thundering Zeus controls the outcome, lad,

in everything, and makes it how he wants.

Men have no foresight, but from day to day

they live like cattle, knowing not at all

how God will bring each matter to its end;

yet everybody feeds on hope and trust

throughout his vain endeavours. Some await

tomorrow, some the turning of the seasons;

there's no man does not think he'll reach next year

the Wealth-god's darling, and society's.

But one is overtaken by old age

before he makes his goal, others succumb

to grim diseases, others slain in war

Hades escorts below dark earth, while some

die out at sea, by tempests buffeted

and the salt purple deep's unending waves,

when they can make no living on the land;

others again fasten themselves a noose

and leave the sunlight by their own grim choice.

So we are spared no ill, but numberless

dangers and hurts for which we cannot plan

exist for mortals. If I had my way,

we would not cling to sorrow, or so long

torment ourselves by dwelling on our woes.

Updated 2-10-08, bolmarcich[at]mail.utexas.edu