Note 74 — Chapter IV · THE OLD FRENCH EPIC
Reading edition
One of the frequent morals of French epic (repeated also by French romance) is the vanity of overmuch sorrow for the dead.
αλλα χρη τον μεν καταθαπτειν ος κε θανησιν νηλεα θυμον εχοντας, επ' ηματι δακρυσαντας. (Odysseus speaking) Il. xix. 228.
[Transliteration:
alla chrê ton men katathaptein hos ke thanêsin nêlea thymon echontas, ep' êmati dakrysantas.]
"Laissiez ester," li quens Guillaumes dit; "Tout avenra ce que doit avenir; Li mort as mors, li vif voissent as vis; Duel sor dolor et joie sor joïr Ja nus frans hons nel devroit maintenir." Les cors enportent, les out en terre mis. Garin, i. p. 262.