Elliott M. turns our attention to a lovely "Fragment of a Greek Tragedy" by A. E. Housman.
CHORUS: O suitably-attired-in-leather-boots
Head of a traveller, wherefore seeking whom
Whence by what way how purposed art thou come
To this well-nightingaled vicinity?
My object in inquiring is to know.
But if you happen to be deaf and dumb
And do not understand a word I say,
Then wave your hand, to signify as much.
It goes on from there.
This is a hilarious piece. At the time it was written, its point was to make fun of the bad classical translations of the late 19th century.
ObSFF: Zelazny used ‘well-nightingaled vicinity’ in Lord of Light. I am told that this phrase, which sounds absurd in English, is perfectly good classical Greek.
When I studied classical Greek, my professor had us read this before we made our first attempt at translating Greek drama. I think that Housman did lift most of his odder phrases straight from the Greek – I’m pretty sure I remember coming across a reference to “mud’s sister” in Euripides.