Bliss Carman, et al., eds. The World’s Best Poetry. 1904.
Poems of Sentiment: II. LifeThe Generous Air
Palladas (fl. 4th Century A.D.)From the Greek by William M. Hardinge
B
Live, and a little space the sunlight see—
Even all that live—each being an instrument
To which the generous air its life has lent.
He sends the stark soul shuddering down to death.
We that are nothing on our pride are fed,
Seeing, but for a little air, we are as dead.