Source edition
Bion. The Greek Bucolic Poets. Edmonds, J. M., editor. London: William Heinemann, Ltd.; New York: G. P. Putnam's Sons, 1916.
Source data
Perseus Digital Library · CC BY-SA 4.0
Cloned and adapted by Humanitext, with ongoing edits.
Summary
This lyric poem sings of the tragic death of the beautiful youth Adonis and the poignant lament of the love goddess Aphrodite, who loved him deeply. The narrative opens with a heart-wrenching scene where Aphrodite bids a final farewell, exchanging a last embrace and kiss with the dying Adonis, who has been mortally wounded by a wild boar's tusk. The goddess deeply mourns his passing, grieving that he is stolen away by Persephone to the underworld. As she weeps, her tears and Adonis's blood transform into beautiful flowers, bringing natural beauty out of tragedy. Other deities, including Eros and the Moirai (Fates), join in mourning the youth's untimely death. The poem beautifully contrasts the fleeting nature of life and love with the enduring power of grief and mythic beauty.