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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
AT CORINTH, by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) Poet Analysis Poet's Biography First Line: On a tribunal raised, flaminius sat Last Line: Round the proconsul's tent repeated rung. | |||
ON a tribunal raised, Flaminius sat: A victor he, from the deep phalanx pierced Of iron-coated Macedon; and back The Grecian tyrant to his bounds repelled, In the high thoughtless gayety of game, While sport alone their unambitious hearts Possessed; the sudden trumpet, sounding hoarse, Bade silence o'er the bright assembly reign. Then thus a herald: "To the states of Greece The Roman people, unconfined, restore Their countries, cities, liberties, and laws; Taxes remit, and garrisons withdraw." The crowd, astonished half, and half informed, Stared dubious round; some questioned, some exclaimed (Like one who dreaming, between hope and fear, Is lost in anxious joy), "Be that again, Be that again proclaimed, distinct and loud." Loud and distinct it was again proclaimed; And still as midnight in the rural shade, When the gale slumbers, they the words devoured. Awhile severe amazement holds them mute, Then, bursting broad, the boundless shout to heaven From many a thousand hearts ecstatic sprung. On every hand rebellowed to their joy The swelling sea, the rocks, and vocal hills: Through all her turrets stately Corinth shook, And, from the void above of shattered air, The flitting bird fell breathless to the ground. Mixed in a tempest of superior joy, They left the sports; like Bacchanals they flew, Each other straining in a strict embrace, Nor strained a slave; and loud acclaims till night Round the Proconsul's tent repeated rung. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE CASTLE OF INDOLENCE: CANTO 1 by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) THE SEASONS: A HYMN by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) TO FORTUNE by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) A NUPTIAL SONG by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) A PARAPHRASE OF THE LATTER PART OF THE SIXTH CHAPTER OF ST. MATTHEW by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) A POEM SACRED TO THE MEMORY OF SIR ISAAC NEWTON by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) AGAMEMNON: EPILOGUE by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) AMATORY LINES by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) AN ODE ON AEOLUS'S HARP by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) ATHENS by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) BRITANNIA by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) EPITAPH ON MISS ELIZABETH STANLEY; IN HOLYROOD CHURCH, SOUTHAMPTON by JAMES THOMSON (1700-1748) |
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