|
|
Classic and Contemporary Poetry
HYMN 2. THE EPIPHANY OF APOLLO, by CALLIMACHUS Poet's Biography First Line: How the branch trembles of apollo's bay Last Line: Wide-mouthed in phrygia mourning, will forget. Alternate Author Name(s): Kallimachos | |||
HOW the branch trembles of Apollo's bay! How the whole shrine! Hence, sinners all, away! Now Phoebus with his beautiful feet assails The threshold. Look! on a sudden gently vails The Delian palm her crest, while heavenward soars The swan singing. Lift up your bolts, ye doors, And be ye turned, ye keys! The God is near. Prepare you, lads, for song and dance, prepare! Apollo doth not unto all appear, But to the good: who seeth him is great; Who hath not seen him is of low estate. We shall behold thee, Archer, and not be base. Boys, when Apollo visiteth his place, Not mute your lyre nor pulseless be your tread, If you'd be wived, and crop a silvered head, And stedfast on their old foundations keep Your walls! Well done! the lyre is not asleep. Hush, listeners, at the Apolline melody! Hushed are the waves when minstrels magnify The Lycoreian emblems, lyre or bow: Thetis will intermit the dirge of woe Over her son Achilles when she hears 'Hie Paeeon'; and the Rock of Tears, That dripping stone, that marble woman set Wide-mouthed in Phrygia mourning, will forget. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AETIA: PROLOGUE. THE BATTLE OF THE BOOKS by CALLIMACHUS EPIGRAM: 13. DIALOGUE WITH THE DEAD by CALLIMACHUS EPIGRAM: 19. NICOTELES by CALLIMACHUS EPIGRAM: 21. THE POET'S FATHER by CALLIMACHUS EPIGRAM: 27. TO ARATUS by CALLIMACHUS EPIGRAM: 28. THE INTELLECTUAL by CALLIMACHUS EPIGRAM: 31. LOVE'S CAPRICIOUSNESS by CALLIMACHUS EPIGRAM: 9. THE GOOD LIVE FOR EVER by CALLIMACHUS |
| |