Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE EUMENIDES: CHORUS, by AESCHYLUS Poet's Biography First Line: Pallas' home contenteth me Last Line: And bid to grief a long farewell! | ||||||||
PALLAS' home contenteth me: Honour to the strong citie Zeus Almighty made his own And Ares' armed strength sustains; A fortress for the Gods of Greece, A jewel flashing forth anew, When ravished were her costly fanes And her high altars overthrown. Breathe on her blessings, breathe the dew Of prayer; Earth, yield her thine increase; Shine, thou rejoicing Sun, and speed All nature sends and mortals need! I will have nor storm nor flood Scathe her vines and olive-bowers; No scorching wind shall blind the bud In the waking-time of flowers. By my grace all airs that blow Their appointed bounds shall know. No distemper blast her clime With perpetual barrenness; Flocks and herds in yeaning time Pan shall with twin offspring bless; And Earth's wombed wealth, God-sealed, All its lucky ingots yield. Untoward and untimely Doom Bring not strong Youth to his death-bed: Ye maidens, in your beauty bloom, Live not unloved, nor die unwed. You, Heavenly Pair, this good gift grant. Grant it, ye Elder Destinies, Our Sisters, whom one Mother bare, Spirits whose governance is law, Of every home participant, And at all seasons, foul or fair, Just Inmates, Righteous Presences, Shadows of an Unseen Awe; Over the wide earth and the deep seas Honoured above all Deities. Tiger-throated Faction fed On the meat of human woe, Filled but never surfeited, Come not hither growling low, Nor wake Athens with thy roar. Never be this thirsty ground Drunk with fratricidal blood, Nor lust of Power insatiate Snatch at vengeance evermore. In one fellowship of Good Each be to his neighbour bound, One in love and one in hate; For such grace, where'er 'tis found, Lays the balm to many a wound. Joy to you, joy and all good things! Joy to the fortunate city that lies With Zeus about her and above: Vowed to the Unmarried Maiden's love And in the dawn of Time made wise, Whom Pallas covers with her wings And the Father sanctifies! Joy, joy to Athens! Oh, twice blest Be all that in her borders dwell, Or be they men of mortal mould Or deathless Deities that hold Pallas' rock-built citadel! Love me that am your Sacred Guest And bid to Grief a long farewell! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A FRAGMENT FROM THE AGAMEMNON OF AESCHYLOS by AESCHYLUS AGAMEMNON: CHORUS by AESCHYLUS AGAMEMNON: HELEN. CHORUS by AESCHYLUS AGAMEMNON: THE BEACONS by AESCHYLUS AGAMEMNON: THE PURPLE CARPER by AESCHYLUS AGAMEMNON: THE SACRIFICE OF IPHIGENIA. CHORUS by AESCHYLUS AGAMEMNON: WELCOME TO AGAMEMNON by AESCHYLUS CHOEPHOROI: INVOCATION OF AGAMEMNON'S GHOST by AESCHYLUS CHOEPHOROI: ORESTES GOES MAD by AESCHYLUS CRY WOE, WOE, AND LET THE GOOD PREVAIL, FR. AGAMEMNON by AESCHYLUS |
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