South of Chios

South of Chios, north of Patmos and the Dodecanese,
Off the coast of Asia minor,
Birthplace of Pythagoras, the golden jackal,
The monk seal, the stone marten,
Samian wine and red pottery, the Ionic temple
And Epicurus. Oh vinyards and muscat,
Ampelos and Kerkis, Heraion, Aristarchus,
Oh Cesme Strait, Vrontados and Kambos, birthplace of Homer,
High-hearted hero. Amphoras with sphynxes and bunches of grapes
Held Chian wine, drunk by the hero, returned Theopompus,
Who told of the animals’ love for the citharode, told of the dolphin,
Brave friend of the stripling, told of the slaves, barbarian strangers
Who escaped to the mountains, then ravaged the country with trees overgrown,
Of their leader, Drimacus, famed gentle hero, who persuaded another 
To cut off his head and thus procure freedom, freedom and riches.