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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


MEDEA: SHIFTING FORTUNE by EURIPIDES

First Line: NOW BACKWARD THE FOUNTS OF THE SACRED STREAMS ARE DRIVEN
Last Line: MANY A TALE OF THE DEEDS 'TWIXT US AND MAN COULD TELL!

NOW backward the founts of the sacred streams are driven,
All's o'erturned and Justice becomes but as Wrong.
Crook'd grow man's counsels, and Faith in God's sight given
Fails that aforetime was strong.
But of us now songs shall be other, new fame shall crown our days,
Yea for Woman also comes her hour of praise,
Woman no more shall be made a thing of shame in song.

And @3they@1 shall be silenced, the bards of old that chide us,
Harping still their stories of false brides that fell.
Well that the Singer, Apollo, hath denied us
Song and the lyre's magic spell!
Else our tongues had given Man answer, and loud our lips had rolled
Strains to challenge his. Ay, well the years of old
Many a tale of the deeds 'twixt us and Man could tell!



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