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about himself.

Rising myself from the blood of a Syracusan citizen,
I am seized by love for my sweet fatherland.
I was famous for my genius, sung on the Sicilian shores,
And the Sicilian shore was famous through me.
Moreover, so that as master of things he might surround the fatherland's city,
Our art delayed the Roman leader.
But the soldier badly seizes the arms that the victor forbade,
And a bold hand took me from among the many.
Had Germany not looked upon my wretched fate,
And taken pity on me and my circumstances:
Little would have been lacking for my monuments to perish,
Most of which are worthy to live for extended days.
Because I overcome the darkness, to enjoy the open sky
Henceforth, I owe this to the Germans, not the Sicilians.