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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


THEOCRITUS; A VILLANELLE by OSCAR WILDE

Poem Explanation

First Line: O SINGER OF PERSEPHONE
Last Line: DOST THOU REMEMBER SICILY?
Subject(s): THEOCRITUS (310-250 B.C.);

O SINGER of Persephone!
In the dim meadows desolate
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still through the ivy flits the bee
Where Amaryllis lies in state;
O Singer of Persephone!

Simaetha calls on Hecate
And hears the wild dogs at the gate;
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still by the light and laughing sea
Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate:
O Singer of Persephone!

And still in boyish rivalry
Young Daphnis challenges his mate:
Dost thou remember Sicily?

Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee,
For thee the jocund shepherds wait,
O Singer of Persephone!
Dost thou remember Sicily?



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