ATHENS, the stately-walled, magnificent! Proem most beauteous for Alcmaeon's race, Whereon to lay the base Of sacred song, their steeds' proud ornament! For what more eminent Country or home, shall I in Grecia name, Inhabited? No city, wherein fame Sounds not Erectheus' sons; they who for thee, Apollo, have built up a gorgeous shrine In Pytho the divine. Five victories in Corinth lead me on; One in Olympia, Jove's, the chief of these; And two from Cyrrha; yours, O Megacles, And your forefathers'! At the new success In part rejoicing, yet for this I mourn; That beauteous deeds in envy meet return. 'T is said indeed that mortal happiness, When most it flourisheth, to last, must be Thus checkered with a strange variety. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...DOWN THE MISSISSIPPI: 6. NIGHT LANDING by JOHN GOULD FLETCHER THE LAMENTATION OF GLUMDALCLITCH FOR THE LOSS OF GRILDRIG by ALEXANDER POPE THE DEATH OF HARRISON by NATHANIEL PARKER WILLIS PICTURESQUE; A FRAGMENT by JOHN AIKIN THE TIME OF LOVE by FLORENCE E. BALDWIN STANZAS, COMPOSED WHILE WALKING ON WARREN HILL, EARLY SUMMER'S MORNING by BERNARD BARTON |