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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PHAETHON: THE BEGINNING OF DAY by EURIPIDES

First Line: NOW THE SWEET-VOICED NIGHTINGALE
Last Line: BELLYING WHITE TO FORE-STAY GO.
Subject(s): DAWN; SUNRISE;

NOW the sweet-voiced nightingale
In the woods takes up her tale,
@3Itys, Itys@1 her refrain,
Waking grief to light again.
Shepherds on the hilly weald
Pipe their reeds to flocks afield;
Yellow foals in couples pass,
Roused from stall to eat their grass;
And the huntsman sets to work
Quartering where the wild beasts lurk.
Swans about the Ocean springs
Cry, and sweet their music rings;
Boats cast off and take the seas
Driven by oar and spanking breeze;
Sails, run up to catch the blow,
Bellying white to fore-stay go.



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