Nicander of Colophon, Theriaca

ὄμμασιν ἀμβλώσσει, μαράθου δέ ἑ νήχυτος ὅρπηξ

is dim in his eyes; but the luxuriant shoot of fennel,

βοσκηθεὶς ὠκύν τε καὶ αὐγήεντα τίθησι.

once grazed, makes him swift and clear-sighted.

Θιβρὴν δ’ ἐξελάσεις ὀφίων ἐπιλωβέα κῆρα,

You will drive off the hot, harmful bane of snakes

καπνείων ἐλάφοιο πολυγλώχινα κεραίην,

by burning the many-pointed antler of a stag,

ἄλλοτε δ’ ἀζαλέην δαίων ἐγγαγίδα πέτρην,

or at other times kindling the dry stone of Gagai,

ἣν οὐδὲ κρατεροῖο πυρὸς περικαίνυται ὁρμή·

which not even the onset of strong fire overcomes;

ἐν δὲ πολυσχιδέος βλήτρου πυρὶ βάλλεο χαίτην·

and throw into the fire the leafage of the much-cleft bletron;

ἢ σύ γε καχρυόεσσαν ἑλὼν πυριθαλπέα ῥίζαν

or take the fire-hot root that bears cachrys,

καρδάμῳ ἀμμίγδην ἰσοελκέι· μίσγε δ’ ἔνοδμον

mixed with an equal weight of cress; and mix in the strong-smelling

ζορκὸς ἐνὶ πλάστιγγι νέον κέρας ἀσκελὲς ἱστὰς,

fresh, hard horn of a roe, setting it in the scale-pan,

καί τε μελανθείου βαρυαέος, ἄλλοτε θείου,

and of heavy-scented nigella, at other times of sulphur,

ἄλλοτε δ’ ἀσφάλτοιο φέρων ἰσοαχθέα μοῖραν·

at other times of bitumen, bringing a share of equal weight;

ἠὲ σύ γε Θρήισσαν ἐνιφλέξαις πυρὶ λᾶαν,

or you might set the Thracian stone ablaze in fire,

ἥ θ’ ὕδατι βρεχθεῖσα σελάσσεται, ἔσβεσε δ’ αὐγὴν,

which, when wetted with water, blazes, but quenches its gleam

τυτθὸν ὅτ’ ὀδμήσαιτο ἐπιχρανθέντος ἐλαίου.

when it scents even a little oil sprinkled on it.

Τὴν δ’ ἀπὸ Θρηικίου νομέες ποταμοῖο φέρονται,

This the herdsmen bring from the Thracian river

ὃν Πόντον καλέουσι· τόθι Θρήικες ἀμολγοί,

which they call Pontus; there the Thracian milkers,