Note 58 — THE WORKS AND DAYS.
George Chapman translation
They and their cities flourish.] This passage resembles one in the nineteenth book of the Odyssey: but not so closely as to justify the charge of plagiarism which Dr. Clarke prefers against Hesiod, and which might be retorted upon Homer. These were sentiments common to the popular religion.
Like the praise of some great king Who o’er a numerous people and renown’d, Presiding like a deity, maintains Justice and truth. Their harvests overswell The sower’s hopes: their trees o’erladen scarce Their fruit sustain: no sickness thins the folds: The finny swarms of ocean crowd the shores, And all are rich and happy for his sake. Cowper.