The season of planting fields is almost done
When whisper-like through the islands come
The eager-waited message all to summon;
'Tis time to leave your hearth and homely towns
To leave the merchants launching laden tritemes
Leave your wives and mothers to the spinning
And hoplite youth at martial arts for training;
Once again it is the time for discourse
Beneath the ancient plane tree at Kos
In company with Hippocrates the Wise
And walk the Aesculapion wards
Be refreshed in vigour, with renewed delight
In platonic ideals of Health and Hygiene,
Debate with friends far into star-filled nights.
Upon return each to his dispensary
Renewed in ardour, with commitment filled
In philosophy, philanthropy and philotechnia
Of healing herbs, potion and incantation
A sense of change among the …