Reading Room

Whisper's Muses

A classical oracle and reading room arranged in paper, ink, and line.

Search, draw, and read public-domain verse with stable line references and quiet editorial structure.

Verse

Works and Days

Book 1, Line 29 by Hugh G. Evelyn-White (English)

(ll. 342-351) Call your friend to a feast; but leave your enemy alone; and especially call him who lives near you: for if any mischief happen in the place, neighbours come ungirt, but kinsmen stay to gird themselves . A bad neighbour is as great a plague as a good one is a great blessing; he who enjoys a good neighbour has a precious possession. Not even an ox would die but for a bad neighbour. Take fair measure from your neighbour and pay him back fairly with the same measure, or better, if you can; so that if you are in need afterwards, you may find him sure.

Works and DaysHesiodHugh G. Evelyn-WhiteEnglishVerse permalinkRead in Book 1

Book 1, Line 29ProseID works-and-days-evelyn-white-en-prose-1-29

Project Gutenberg #348, Hesiod, The Homeric Hymns, and Homerica (Hugh G. Evelyn-White), Works and Days