Alciato Emblem 194: Source in Greek Anthology 9.95
(trans Paton, III, 51)
Alpheius of Mitylene
[No Title]
A domestic hen, the winter snow-flakes falling thick on her,
gathered her chickens safely bedded under her wings till the cold
shower from the sky killed her; for she remained exposed,
fighting against the clouds of heaven. Procne and Medea, blush
for yourselves in Hades, learning from a hen what mothers ought
to be.