The circle's turns that rise and fall,
and those of the wheel
that now mount high
and now plummet to the depths,
time's changes that never rest but advance
and speed to good and evil,
the turmoil of arms, hostilities, suffering,
the power of Cupid and the charm of friendship
all these have today moved me to tell the story
of what they caused and brought
for a maid and a youth
who were enmeshed in a pure
and blameless love.
Introduction of 'Erotokritos' by Vitsentzos Kornaros. Early 17th century, Crete.
Translated by by Gavin Betts, Stathis Gauntlett, Thanasis Spilias (2004).