Poetic Adventures in ChatGPT 3 Translation
I've been testing how ChatGPT handles ancient Greek translation. Here's one attempt. I prompted it to translate a pharmacological poem written in imabic verse by Damocrates and containing a recipe for a plaster.
The text is from Galen’s Compound Drugs According to Kind (De compositione medicamentorum per genera), Book 5, Chapter 10.
The conversation is presented here unedited but abridged in places.
User. translate
ChatGPT. Certainly! I can help you with translation. Please provide me with the text you would like to translate and let me know the target language you want it translated to.
User.
Τῶν περιβοήτων δ' ἐστὶν ἐμπλάστρων μία,
Μόνη τ' ἔχουσα Κρητικὸν τὸ καλούμενον
13.821.5
Δίκταμνον, ἰᾶται δὲ τὰς τῶν ἑρπετῶν,
Ἰοβόλων πληγάς τε καὶ τὰ δήγματα
Πάντων τετραπόδων, κᾂν λελυσσήκῃ τινὰ,
Τετυλωμένα θ' ἕλκη, τάς τε τῶν νεύρων φθοράς.
Μυῶν τε καὶ τῶν ὀστέοις ἐπικειμένων
13.821.10
Χόνδρων, ἐχόντων διὰ βάθους ἤδη φθοράν.
Τά τε περὶ μαστοὺς καὶ τράχηλον καὶ ῥάχιν
Ἕλκη θεραπεύει, κᾂν χρόνους πολλοὺς ἔχῃ·
Καὶ πάνθ' ὅσ' εἶπον τὴν καλουμένην ποιεῖν
Αἰγυπτίαν ἔμπλαστρον ἔμπροσθεν βραχύ.
13.821.15
Ταύτην ἀγαθὴν σφόδρ' οὖσαν ἔνιοι καὶ μόνην
Δοκοῦσι πασῶν τῶν καλῶν βελτίονα,
Πολλῶν διὰ πείρας οὐκ ἔχοντες φαρμάκων.
Ἔχει δὲ λιθάργυρον δὶς ἑκατὸν δραχμὰς,
13.822.1
Λίτρας δ' ἐλαίου τοῦ παλαιοῦ τέταρτον.
Τινὲς δὲ κοτύλης φασὶ μᾶλλον τέταρτον.
Δὶς δ' εἴκοσι πέντε Ποντικοῦ κηροῦ δραχμὰς,
Κολοφωνίας δὲ τῆς καλῆς, κηροῦ διπλοῦν,
13.822.5
Τινὲς δὲ μᾶλλον, ταὐτὸ τῆς τερμινθίνης.
Ἰοῦ δὲ χαλκοῦ καὶ ἀλόης Ἰνδικῆς,
Χαλκοῦ τε κεκαυμένου καὶ διφρυγοῦς καλοῦ
Ἑκκαίδεχ' ἥμισυ ἐξ ἑκάστου μίγματος,
Εἴκοσι δραχμὰς δὲ χαλβάνης καὶ δʹ.
13.822.10
Μάννης, λιβάνου τε τὰς ἴσας δὶς ιβʹ.
Ἀμμωνιακοῦ δὶς εʹ. καὶ δὶς κʹ.
Ἑκκαίδεκα δραχμὰς προπόλεως τῆς Ἀττικῆς,
Ἀριστολοχίας τῆς μακρᾶς δὶς ιʹ. δραχμὰς
Δὶς στʹ. λεπίδος, τοῦ Κυπρίου χαλκοῦ δραχμὰς
13.822.15
Καὶ γεντιανῆς ξηροτάτης ῥίζης ἴσον.
Τούτοις προσαπόδος πᾶσι δικτάμνου πόας
Ξηρᾶς ἐχούσης ἄνθος ὁλκὰς κʹ.
Λείας. λιθάργυρον δὲ μετ' ἐλαίου βαλὼν,
13.823.1
Εἰς λοπάδα καινὴν κεραμίαν πλατύστομον,
Ἕψε πυρὶ κούφῳ καὶ μαλακῷ, κινῶν σπάθῃ
Ἕως γένηται μέλιτος Ἀττικοῦ πάχος.
Ἴσον δὲ καὶ τῆς λεπίδος προσβαλὼν πάλιν
13.823.5
Ἕψε λαβρότερον, εἶτα κιῤῥοῦ γενομένου
Τοῦ φαρμάκου, πρόσβαλε χαλκὸν καὶ διφρυγὲς,
Ποιῶν τ' ἀμόλυντον καὶ πεπηγὸς φάρμακον
Πρόσβαλλε κηρὸν τήν τε ῥητίνην ἅμα.
Ὧν συντακέντων, ὅταν ἴδῃς κεκραμένην
13.823.10
Ἔμπλαστρον, αἴρεις τὴν χύτραν ἀπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς
Καὶ προσβαλὼν προπόλεώς τε καὶ χαλβάνην,
Ἀμμωνιακὸν, μάνναν τε καὶ ἀλόην, τότε
Ψύξας τὸ πυρῶδες καὶ ζέον τοῦ φαρμάκου,
Ἀριστολοχίαν λειοτάτην προσεμπάσεις
13.823.15
Καὶ γεντιανὴν, τήν τε δίκταμνον πόαν
Καὶ προσανακόψας τῇ σπάθῃ τὸ φάρμακον
Χερσὶ καὶ μαγδαλιὰς ποιῶν, ἔχε,
Εἰς ἃς προεῖπον χρώμενος περιστάσεις.
13.824.1
[Περὶ τροχίσκων Ἀσκληπιάδου.
ChatGPT. The provided text appears to be in ancient Greek. Here's a translation into English:
"And among the famous plasters, there is one,
The only one called Cretan,
It heals the wounds of reptiles,
And the bites of vipers
And all four-legged creatures,
Even if someone is affected by rabies,
And it relieves swellings and damages to the nerves.
And it treats the muscles and those attached to the bones,
The cartilages that have already suffered deep damage.
And it heals ulcers around the breasts, neck, and spine,
Even if they have persisted for a long time.
And it does all that I mentioned
In a short time, being the so-called Egyptian plaster.
Some consider it to be exceedingly good and superior
To all other good remedies,
Not having experienced many other drugs.
It costs two hundred drachmas of silver,
And a quarter of a liter of old oil.
Some say it is a little less than a kotyle.
And it costs twenty-five drachmas of Pontic wax,
And twice the value of good Colophonian wax,
Some even say it is the same as turpentine.
And with Indian copper and aloe,
And burnt copper and good tripod,
One part of each mixture,
And twenty drachmas of chalbanum.
And twice twelve librae of frankincense,
And twice two hundred drachmas of ammoniacum.
And sixteen drachmas of Attic propolis,
And twice ten drachmas of long Aristolochia,
And twice fifty lepta of lead,
And an equal amount of Cyprian copper,
And an equal amount of dried gentian root.
To these, for every two drachmas,
Add eight dry leaves of Dictamnus,
Smoothed with silver. And after adding oil to it,
Apply it to a new wide-mouthed clay pot,
And heat it with a gentle and soft fire,
Stirring it with a sword
Until it becomes the consistency of Attic honey.
And after that, add it again to the blade,
And stir it more forcefully,
Then apply it to copper and tripod,
Making a smooth and well-blended remedy,
Add wax and resin at the same time.
When you have prepared these things,
And when you see that the plaster has solidified,
Remove the pot from the fire,
And after adding Attic propolis and chalbanum,
Ammoniacum, frankincense, and aloe,
Cool the fiery and boiling mixture,
And add the finest Aristolochia,
And gentian, and after cutting the remedy with the sword,
With your hands and almond tree,
You will have what I previously mentioned,
Using it according to the appropriate circumstances."
Please note that the translation may not capture the exact nuances of the original text, as ancient Greek can be complex and context-dependent.
User. translated again, assume λιθάργυρον is "litharge" and δραχμὰς refer to the unit of weight "drachma" not the currency
ChatGPT. Certainly! Here's the revised translation, taking into account the terms "litharge" for "λιθάργυρον" and "drachma" for "δραχμὰς" as a unit of weight:
"And among the renowned plasters, there is one,
The only one called Cretan,
It heals the wounds of reptiles,
And the bites of vipers,
And the injuries of all quadrupeds,
Even if someone is afflicted by rabies,
And it alleviates swellings and nerve damage.
It treats muscles and those attached to the bones,
The cartilages that have already suffered profound damage.
It also heals ulcers around the breasts, neck, and spine,
Even if they have persisted for a long time.
And it accomplishes all these things
With what is known as Egyptian litharge in a short time.
Some consider it to be extremely good and superior
To all other beneficial remedies,
Not having the experience of many other drugs.
It requires two hundred drachmas of litharge,
And a quarter of a liter of old oil.
Some say it is a little less than a kotyle in weight.
And it costs twenty-five drachmas of Pontic wax,
And twice the value of good Colophonian wax,
Some even say it is equivalent to turpentine.
And with Indian copper and Indian aloe,
And burnt copper and a good tripod,
One part of each mixture,
And twenty drachmas of chalcanthum (chalbanum).
And twice twelve librae (pounds) of frankincense,
And twice two hundred drachmas (units of weight) of ammoniacum.
And sixteen drachmas (units of weight) of Attic propolis,
And twice ten drachmas (units of weight) of long Aristolochia,
And twice fifty lepta (units of currency) of lead,
And an equal amount of Cyprian copper,
And an equal amount of dried gentian root.
For these, for every two drachmas (units of weight),
Add eight dry leaves of Dictamnus,
Smoothed with silver. And after adding oil to it,
Apply it to a new wide-mouthed clay pot,
And heat it with a gentle and soft fire,
Stirring it with a sword,
Until it becomes the consistency of Attic honey.
And after that, add it again to the blade,
And stir it more forcefully,
Then apply it to copper and tripod,
Creating a smooth and well-blended remedy,
Add wax and resin at the same time.
When you have prepared these things,
And when you see that the plaster has solidified,
Remove the pot from the fire,
And after adding Attic propolis and chalcanthum (chalbanum),
Ammoniacum, frankincense, and aloe,
Cool the fiery and boiling mixture,
And add the finest Aristolochia,
And gentian, and after cutting the remedy with the sword,
With your hands and almond tree,
You will have what I previously mentioned,
Using it according to the appropriate circumstances."
Please note that the translation may still vary based on different interpretations of the text, and the terminology used for certain substances or measures may differ in specific contexts.
[At this point, I pasted the passage again with more context included at the beginning and asked it to retranslate]
User.
[Ἡ διὰ δικτάμνου ὡς Δαμοκράτης.]
13.820.15
Εἴρηταί μοι πολλάκις ὡς οὐ μόνον εἰς μνήμην αἱ ἔμμετροι
γραφαὶ χρησιμώτεροι τῶν πεζῇ γεγραμμένων εἰσὶν, ἀλλὰ καὶ
εἰς τὴν τῆς συμμετρίας τῶν μιγνυμένων ἀκρίβειαν. διὰ τοῦτ'
13.821.1
οὖν καὶ νῦν τὴν διὰ δικτάμνου προσέγραψε συμμετρίαν
ἀκριβῆ διασώζουσαν ἐν τῇ Δαμοκράτου γραφῇ.
Τῶν περιβοήτων δ' ἐστὶν ἐμπλάστρων μία,
Μόνη τ' ἔχουσα Κρητικὸν τὸ καλούμενον
13.821.5
Δίκταμνον, ἰᾶται δὲ τὰς τῶν ἑρπετῶν,
Ἰοβόλων πληγάς τε καὶ τὰ δήγματα
Πάντων τετραπόδων, κᾂν λελυσσήκῃ τινὰ,
Τετυλωμένα θ' ἕλκη, τάς τε τῶν νεύρων φθοράς.
Μυῶν τε καὶ τῶν ὀστέοις ἐπικειμένων
13.821.10
Χόνδρων, ἐχόντων διὰ βάθους ἤδη φθοράν.
Τά τε περὶ μαστοὺς καὶ τράχηλον καὶ ῥάχιν
Ἕλκη θεραπεύει, κᾂν χρόνους πολλοὺς ἔχῃ·
Καὶ πάνθ' ὅσ' εἶπον τὴν καλουμένην ποιεῖν
Αἰγυπτίαν ἔμπλαστρον ἔμπροσθεν βραχύ.
13.821.15
Ταύτην ἀγαθὴν σφόδρ' οὖσαν ἔνιοι καὶ μόνην
Δοκοῦσι πασῶν τῶν καλῶν βελτίονα,
Πολλῶν διὰ πείρας οὐκ ἔχοντες φαρμάκων.
Ἔχει δὲ λιθάργυρον δὶς ἑκατὸν δραχμὰς,
13.822.1
Λίτρας δ' ἐλαίου τοῦ παλαιοῦ τέταρτον.
Τινὲς δὲ κοτύλης φασὶ μᾶλλον τέταρτον.
Δὶς δ' εἴκοσι πέντε Ποντικοῦ κηροῦ δραχμὰς,
Κολοφωνίας δὲ τῆς καλῆς, κηροῦ διπλοῦν,
13.822.5
Τινὲς δὲ μᾶλλον, ταὐτὸ τῆς τερμινθίνης.
Ἰοῦ δὲ χαλκοῦ καὶ ἀλόης Ἰνδικῆς,
Χαλκοῦ τε κεκαυμένου καὶ διφρυγοῦς καλοῦ
Ἑκκαίδεχ' ἥμισυ ἐξ ἑκάστου μίγματος,
Εἴκοσι δραχμὰς δὲ χαλβάνης καὶ δʹ.
13.822.10
Μάννης, λιβάνου τε τὰς ἴσας δὶς ιβʹ.
Ἀμμωνιακοῦ δὶς εʹ. καὶ δὶς κʹ.
Ἑκκαίδεκα δραχμὰς προπόλεως τῆς Ἀττικῆς,
Ἀριστολοχίας τῆς μακρᾶς δὶς ιʹ. δραχμὰς
Δὶς στʹ. λεπίδος, τοῦ Κυπρίου χαλκοῦ δραχμὰς
13.822.15
Καὶ γεντιανῆς ξηροτάτης ῥίζης ἴσον.
Τούτοις προσαπόδος πᾶσι δικτάμνου πόας
Ξηρᾶς ἐχούσης ἄνθος ὁλκὰς κʹ.
Λείας. λιθάργυρον δὲ μετ' ἐλαίου βαλὼν,
13.823.1
Εἰς λοπάδα καινὴν κεραμίαν πλατύστομον,
Ἕψε πυρὶ κούφῳ καὶ μαλακῷ, κινῶν σπάθῃ
Ἕως γένηται μέλιτος Ἀττικοῦ πάχος.
Ἴσον δὲ καὶ τῆς λεπίδος προσβαλὼν πάλιν
13.823.5
Ἕψε λαβρότερον, εἶτα κιῤῥοῦ γενομένου
Τοῦ φαρμάκου, πρόσβαλε χαλκὸν καὶ διφρυγὲς,
Ποιῶν τ' ἀμόλυντον καὶ πεπηγὸς φάρμακον
Πρόσβαλλε κηρὸν τήν τε ῥητίνην ἅμα.
Ὧν συντακέντων, ὅταν ἴδῃς κεκραμένην
13.823.10
Ἔμπλαστρον, αἴρεις τὴν χύτραν ἀπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς
Καὶ προσβαλὼν προπόλεώς τε καὶ χαλβάνην,
Ἀμμωνιακὸν, μάνναν τε καὶ ἀλόην, τότε
Ψύξας τὸ πυρῶδες καὶ ζέον τοῦ φαρμάκου,
Ἀριστολοχίαν λειοτάτην προσεμπάσεις
13.823.15
Καὶ γεντιανὴν, τήν τε δίκταμνον πόαν
Καὶ προσανακόψας τῇ σπάθῃ τὸ φάρμακον
Χερσὶ καὶ μαγδαλιὰς ποιῶν, ἔχε,
Εἰς ἃς προεῖπον χρώμενος περιστάσεις.
ChatGPT. Translation:
"[As] Dictamnus says, like Democritus.
13.820.15
It has been said to me many times that not only are metrical compositions more useful for memorization than those written in prose, but they also contribute to the precision of the composition when it comes to the arrangement of mixed elements. Therefore,
13.821.1
he has now prefaced this composition with the symmetry achieved through Dictamnus,
preserving accurate measurements in the writing of Democritus.
Among the renowned plasters, there is one,
the only one called Cretan,
13.821.5
Dictamnus, which heals the wounds of reptiles,
the bites of scorpions, and the stings
of all four-legged creatures, even if someone is afflicted with madness,
healed ulcers, and damage to nerves.
For flies and those affected by bone diseases
13.821.10
and cartilage diseases that have already progressed deep,
it heals the sores around the breasts, neck, and spine,
even if they have persisted for a long time.
And it does all these things in a short time,
an Egyptian plaster applied beforehand.
13.821.15
This excellent plaster, being considered by some as the best of all,
having tested many remedies,
contains 200 drachmas of litharge,
a quarter of a liter of old olive oil.
Some say a fourth of a kotyle.
Twice twenty-five drachmas of Pontic wax,
twice the good Colophonian wax,
13.822.5
some say the same as termentine.
And two drachmas of Indian copper and aloes,
and twice 100 drachmas of burnt copper and good turpentine.
Twenty drachmas of resin and four,
twice 12 drachmas of ammoniac,
13.822.10
and twice 20 drachmas of Attic propolis,
and twice 12 drachmas of long Aristolochia,
twice 9 drachmas of copper blade, and the same of Cyprian copper,
and an equal amount of dried gentian root.
With all these ingredients, taking dry Dictamnus herb,
13.822.15
grind it into a smooth powder, mixing it with litharge
and pouring it into a new, wide-mouthed clay pot.
Stir it gently and softly with a sword
until it becomes the consistency of Attic honey.
Then, applying it again to the blade,
13.823.5
stir it more vigorously until it becomes red and boiling,
and when the medicine is formed, apply it to copper and good turpentine,
making it unadulterated and adhesive,
and add wax and resin together.
When you see it has been properly mixed and heated,
13.823.10
remove the pot from the fire,
and after applying Attic propolis and resin,
ammoniac, and frankincense,
cool the fragrant mixture of the medicine,
and add the finest Aristolochia
13.823.15
and gentian, and, with the sword, cut the medicine,
and with your hands and kneading, form it into almonds.
These are the circumstances I previously mentioned, using them accordingly."
User. can you tell me what meter the greek is in?
ChatGPT. The Greek text you provided is written in dactylic hexameter, which is a meter commonly used in ancient Greek epic poetry. Dactylic hexameter consists of six metrical feet per line, where each foot is either a dactyl (long syllable followed by two short syllables) or a spondee (two long syllables). This meter is characterized by its rhythmic pattern and was used by renowned poets such as Homer and Hesiod.
User. can you scan a line for me?
ChatGPT. Certainly! Please provide me with a specific line from the Greek text you provided, and I'll do my best to scan it for you.
User. the last
ChatGPT. The last line you provided is:
Ἡ διὰ δικτάμνου ὡς Δαμοκράτης.
Here is the scanned version with long (—) and short (⏑) marks:
— ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑
This line consists of eleven syllables and follows the pattern of dactylic hexameter, which is a common meter in ancient Greek poetry. In dactylic hexameter, each line typically consists of six feet, and each foot contains either a long syllable (—) or two short syllables (⏑).
User. scan this line: Ἔμπλαστρον, αἴρεις τὴν χύτραν ἀπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς
ChatGPT. Sure! Here's the scanned version of the line you provided:
— ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑
This line consists of seventeen syllables and follows the pattern of dactylic hexameter.
User. can you put the scan over the text of the line
ChatGPT. Certainly! Here's the line with the corresponding scansion markings:
Ἔμπλαστρον, αἴρεις τὴν χύτραν ἀπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς
— ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑ ⏑ ⏑ — ⏑
The symbols "⏑" represent a stressed or long syllable, and "—" represents an unstressed or short syllable.
User. ⏑ means short
ChatGPT. Apologies for the confusion. You are correct. In the scansion markings, "⏑" represents a short or unstressed syllable, and "—" represents a long or stressed syllable.
User. how many syllables?
ChatGPT. The line "Ἔμπλαστρον, αἴρεις τὴν χύτραν ἀπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς" has a total of 15 syllables.
User. i count 13
ChatGPT. I apologize for the confusion. You are correct. The line "Ἔμπλαστρον, αἴρεις τὴν χύτραν ἀπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς" has a total of 13 syllables. Thank you for pointing out the error.
[...]
User. now scan
ChatGPT. Certainly! Here's the correct scansion with the appropriate markings placed over the text:
Ἔμ-πλα-στρον, αἴ-ρεις τὴν χύ-τραν ἀπὸ τοῦ πυ-ρὸς
˘ ¯ ¯ ˘ ¯ ˘ ¯ ˘ ¯ ˘ ¯ ¯ ˘
Each syllable is marked with the corresponding scansion symbol, indicating whether it is a short (˘) or long (¯) syllable.
User. is τὴν short or long?
ChatGPT. Apologies for the oversight. The syllable "τὴν" in the line "τὴν χύτραν" should be marked as long (¯¯) rather than short (˘). Here's the corrected scansion:
Ἔμ-πλα-στρον, αἴ-ρεις τὴν χύ-τραν ἀπὸ τοῦ πυ-ρὸς
˘ ¯ ¯ ˘ ¯ ¯ ˘ ¯ ˘ ¯ ¯ ˘
User. what meter is that?
ChatGPT. The meter of the line "Ἔμπλαστρον, αἴρεις τὴν χύτραν ἀπὸ τοῦ πυρὸς" is primarily iambic trimeter (ὁλοκληροῦ τριμέτρου ἰαμβικοῦ), with variations and metrical licenses. The iambic trimeter consists of three metrical feet, each containing one long syllable (¯) followed by one short syllable (˘). However, the presence of anapaests (˘ ¯ ¯) and spondees (¯¯) within the line creates variations and breaks the strict iambic pattern.
User. Can you repeat your translation, but understand that Ἡ διὰ δικτάμνου ὡς Δαμοκράτης means Ἡ Κυζικηνή διὰ δικτάμνου ὡς Δαμοκράτης "the cyzicus [made with] dittany, according to Damocrates"
ChatGPT. Apologies for the misunderstanding. Taking into account the phrase "Ἡ Κυζικηνή διὰ δικτάμνου ὡς Δαμοκράτης," which can be translated as "the Cyzicus [made with] dittany, according to Damocrates," here's a revised translation of the passage:
"It has been repeatedly said to me that not only are metrical compositions more useful for memorization than those written in prose but also [useful] for the precise arrangement of mixed medicines. Therefore, even now, preserving the accurate symmetry through the use of the Cyzicus made with dittany, according to Damocrates."
Please note that the translation is based on the provided context, but additional details or nuances may affect the interpretation.
User. Please translate the whole passage:
ChatGPT. Certainly! Here's the translation of the entire passage:
"It has been repeatedly said to me that not only are metrical compositions more useful for memorization than those written in prose but also for the precise arrangement of mixed medicines. Therefore, even now, preserving the accurate symmetry through the use of the Cyzicus made with dittany, according to Damocrates.
Among the renowned plasters, there is one, the only one called the Cretan plaster, which heals the wounds of serpents and the bites of snakes, as well as the ailments of all four-legged creatures, even if they are afflicted by madness. It also treats rolled-up sores and the damage to nerves, muscles, and bones. It heals the ailments around the breasts, neck, and spine, even after long durations. And all that I mentioned, it accomplishes as the Egyptian plaster, applied externally for a short time.
This excellent remedy, being considered by some as superior to all other good remedies, is without many drugs. It consists of two hundred drachmas of silver stone and one-fourth of a liter of old olive oil. Some say it is one-fourth of a kotyle. It also contains twenty-five drachmas of Pontic wax, twice the amount of good Colophonian wax, or, according to some, the same as turpentine.
It includes two and a half drachmas of copper and Indian aloe, as well as double that amount of burnt copper and good frankincense. It has twelve drachmas of Attic propolis, twice the amount of storax, and two times two and a half drachmas of ammoniacum. Additionally, twenty drachmas of Galbanian, and four drachmas of bitter gentian root. In mixing all these, when you see that the new pottery basin has been heated with a gentle and soft fire, stir it with a sword until it becomes the consistency of Attic honey.
Then, by applying it again with the sword, spread a smoother layer, and when the medicine has cooled and become firm, apply copper and good diphrygus, making the ointment smooth and adhesive. Apply lead, with the addition of olive oil, into the newly made wide-mouthed clay pot. In addition, rub the mixture with the blade until it becomes thicker, and then apply copper and double diphrygus, making the ointment smooth and sticky.
By preparing it according to the mentioned circumstances, when you cool and harden the plaster, you will have it, consisting of dried dittany, two hundred and fifty drachmas. Smooth, litharge ointment mixed with olive oil will be added in equal parts, one-fourth of the diphrygus, and fifteen drachmas of the finest gentian root. By applying the mixture with the sword, and making almond-sized pieces, you will have it, fulfilling the mentioned circumstances."
User. now translate it in a way that matches the meter of the original
ChatGPT. Certainly! Here's a translation of the passage that aims to match the meter of the original:
"Repeatedly told, to me, they say
That compositions in meter's array
Are not only useful for memory's sway,
But for medicines mixed, with order to stay.
So now I preserve, with careful employ,
The Cyzicus made with dittany's joy,
As Damocrates taught, in precise employ.
Among plasters renowned, there exists but one,
Called Cretan plaster, its virtues well-spun.
It heals serpent wounds, bites of snakes' spite,
And four-legged creatures, afflicted with blight,
Even madness subdued, it brings them respite.
Rolled-up sores, nerves, muscles, and bones,
Breasts, neck, and spine, its healing intones,
After long durations, ailments it dethrones.
Egyptian plaster, briefly applied,
Does all I've mentioned, far and wide.
This potent remedy, some deem supreme,
With fewer drugs, it fulfills its theme.
Two hundred drachmas of silver it holds,
And one-fourth liter of oil, as unfolds.
Some say one-fourth kotyle, to be precise,
With twenty-five drachmas of wax, the device.
Colophonian wax, double the measure,
Or turpentine, as some might treasure.
Two and a half drachmas of aloe it bears,
With burnt copper doubled, for healing affairs.
Good frankincense, twelve drachmas it shows,
Twice the storax amount, as the recipe goes,
Two and a half drachmas of ammoniacum's repose.
Added are twenty drachmas of Galbanian kind,
And four drachmas of bitter gentian, we find.
In mixing, with heat, the new basin aligned,
Stirred with a sword, till Attic honey defined.
Applied with the sword, a smoother layer bestowed,
As the medicine cools and hardens, its code.
With copper and diphrygus, smoothness bestowed,
Lead and olive oil, in the clay pot's abode.
The mixture rubbed, till it thickens in turn,
Copper and double diphrygus, ointment to yearn.
Prepared as mentioned, cooled plaster revealed,
With dried dittany, its power unconcealed.
Two hundred and fifty drachmas, its yield,
Smooth litharge ointment, in olive oil's field,
One-fourth diphrygus, fifteen drachmas concealed.
Applied with the sword, in pieces well-sized,
Matching the mentioned circumstances, apprised."
