A legend of ancient mythology relates, that the inhabitants of Methymnia, on the island of Lesbos, received from Apollo a genius for music and poetry, as a mark of his gratitude for having extended the rights of burial to the sever'd head of Orpheus. WHEN Orpheus' limbs, by Thracian madness torn, Down the cold Hebrus' sounding floods were borne, The blood-stain'd lips in tuneful measures sigh'd, And murmur'd music charm'd the listening tide. Thus roam'd the head, complaining and distrest, Till Lesbian bands beheld the approaching guest, And with indignant sorrow, shuddering bore The mangled victim to their verdant shore, With fragrant streams the quivering temples lave, And cleanse the tresses from the briny wave, Spread a soft pillow in the earth's green breast, And with low dirges lull its woes to rest. Then from the tossing surge, his lyre they gain, A treasur'd trophy for Apollo's fane, Round its fair frame funereal garlands bind, And mourn its lord, to silent dust consign'd. But when its chords the gales of evening sweep, Soft tones awake, and mystic voices weep. "Eurydice!" in trembling love they sigh. "Eurydice!" the long-drawn aisles reply, And through the temple steals, in echoes low, The mournful sweetness of remember'd woe. Methymnia's sons, with new-felt warmth inspir'd, By all Apollo's soul of song were fir'd, Pour'd their rich offerings round his golden shrine, Caught the rapt spirit, and the strain divine, While he with smiles and priceless gifts repaid The men, whose pious rites appeas'd his favourite's shade. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CROSSING THE PLAINS by CINCINNATUS HEINE MILLER THE CHARGE OF THE HEAVY BRIGADE AT BALACLAVA: THE CHARGE by ALFRED TENNYSON ACHIEVEMENT'S SILVER CRY by MARGARETE ROSE AKIN WEDDED (PROVENCAL AIR) by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH SUMMER'S JOE by PATRICK JOHN MCALISTER ANDERSON A REPLY TO AN IMITATION OF THE SECOND ODE OF HORACE by RICHARD BENTLEY |