Two Epigrams

Abstract

The title-pages of this miniature continue: To a Mockingbird Singing, The Swallow and The Grasshopper, From the Greek Anthology. A curiosity of this book is that, after that title-page, the first offering is titled To a Blackbird Singing. That epigram warns the blackbird not to sit on the oak, which has mistletoe to trap it. Sit rather on the vine, for the Wine-god cherishes singers. The second offering urges the swallow not to give the grasshopper as food to its young. A singer should not be destroyed by a singer! Is this a fable? There is at least green and red coloring on the various printer's designs offered along the way. OCLC's WorldCat indicates that the translation is by J.W. Mackail. The same listing makes clear that some four US university libraries have this book. Apparently Barahal did a separate book titled Greek Epigrams in 1983 in a run of 125 copies. The brown paper cover features gold title lettering and two silver birds. There is also one golden bird on the back cover.