Friendship
by: Bion of Smyrna (2nd to 1st century B.C.)
translated by M. J. Chapman
Happy is love or friendship when returned--
The lovers whose pure flames have equal burned.
Happy was Theseus, e'en in Tartarus,
With his true heart-friend, good Pirithous,
His Pylades Orestes lorn did bless
Amid th' inhospitable Chalybes.
Blest was Achilles in a friend long tried;
Him living loved, for his sake gladly died!
