How early has young Chromius begun The Race of Virtue, and how swiftly run, And born the noble Prize away, Whilst other youths yet at the Barriere stay? None but Alcides ere set earlier forth than He; The God, his Fathers, Blood nought could restrain, 'Twas ripe at first, and did disdain The slow advance of dull Humanitie, The big-limm'ed Babe in his huge Cradle lay, Too weighty to be rockt by Nurses hands, Wrapt in purple swadling-bands. When, Lo, by jealous Juno's fierce commands, Two dreadful Serpents come Rowling and hissing loud into the roome. To the bold Babe they trace their bidden way, Forth from their flaming eyes dread Lightnings went, Their gaping Mouths did forked Tongues like Thunderbolts present. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ODE TO THE RAIN by SAMUEL TAYLOR COLERIDGE SUNKEN GOLD by EUGENE JACOB LEE-HAMILTON A REQUIEM FOR SOLDIERS LOST IN OCEAN TRANSPORTS by HERMAN MELVILLE IDYLLS OF THE KING: GERAINT AND ENID by ALFRED TENNYSON THE LAMENT OF THE FLOWERS by JONES VERY ECSTACY by KENNETH SLADE ALLING A NAMELESS EPITAPH (2) by MATTHEW ARNOLD |