Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE PEACE: TO HEAVEN ON A BEETLE, by ARISTOPHANES



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE PEACE: TO HEAVEN ON A BEETLE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Easy, ned, easy, go soft, an it please 'ee
Last Line: From the motions of nature refrain.


TRYGAEUS. SERVANT

TRY.

(to the beetle) Easy, Ned, easy, go soft, an it please 'ee,
Be patient, don't hustle in pride of your muscle
And zoom from the mark like a giddy young spark;
No, no, you must let yourself work to a sweat,
And, as you begin, you will supple the sinew
With a regular swing from the joints of the wing.
This too I must teach you: -- Not a breath . . . I beseech you!
If you're taken that way, it's at home you will stay,
For your wind is as foul as your diet.

SER.

My poor lord and master! what crazy disaster . . .

TRY.

Be quiet, I tell you, be quiet!

SER.

O where and O where do you thresh through the air?

TRY.

I fly for the sake of all Hellas, and take
To the perilous skies on a new enterprise.

SER.

Must you fly? O it's vanity, hopeless insanity . . .

TRY.

Not a sound should be heard of an ill-omened word, --
Let nothing slip out but a jubilant shout!
Bid the whole human race be hushed and replace
Good brickwork again at midden and drain;
Stop up any crack, and every man jack
From the motions of nature refrain.





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