Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ACHARNIANS: IN PRAISE OF THE POET, by ARISTOPHANES Poet's Biography First Line: Since first to exhibit his plays began Last Line: But teachings the things that are best. Variant Title(s): Aristophane's Defence [or, The Poet And The People] Subject(s): Athens, Greece; Authors & Authorship; Critics & Criticism | ||||||||
Since first to exhibit his plays began, our chorus-instructor has never Come forth to confess in this public address how tactful he is and how clever. But now that he knows he is slandered by foes before Athens so quick to assent, Pretending he jeers our City and sneers at the people with evil intent, He is ready and fain his cause to maintain before Athens so quick to repent. Let honour and praise be the guerdon, he says, of the poet whose satire has stayed you From believing the orators' novel conceits wherewith they cajoled and betrayed you; Who bids you despise adulation and lies nor be citizens Vacant and Vain. For before, when an embassy came from the states intriguing your favour to gain, And called you the town of the violet crown, so grand and exalted ye grew, That at once on your tiptails erect ye would sit, those crowns were so pleasant to you. And then, if they added the shiny, they got whatever they asked for their praises, Though apter, I ween, for an oily sardine than for you and your City the phrase is, By this he's a true benefactor to you, and by showing with humour dramatic The way that our wise democractic allies are ruled by a state demoocratic. And therefore their people will come oversea, their tribute to bring to the City, Consumed with desire to behold and admire the poet so fearless and witty, Who dared in the presence of Athens to speak the thing that is rightful and true. And truly the fame of his prowess, by this, has been bruited the universe through, When the Sovereign of Persia, desiring to test what end of our warfare will be, Inquired of the Spartan ambassadors, first, which nation is queen of the sea, And next, which the wonderful Poet has got, as its stern and unsparing adviser; For those who are lashed by his satire, he said, must surely be better and wiser, And they'll in the war be the stronger by far, enjoying his counsel and skill. And therefore the Spartans approach you to-day with proffers of Peace and Goodwill, Just asking indeed that Aegina ye cede; and nought do they care for the isle, But you of the Port who serves you so well they fain would despoil and beguile. But be you on your guard nor surrender to the bard; for his Art shall be reighteous and true. Rare blessings and great will he work for the State, rare happiness shower upon you; Nor fawning, or bribing, or striving to cheat with an empty unprincipled jest; Not seeking your favour to curry or nurse, but teachings the things that are best. | Other Poems of Interest...POEM DEDICATED TO THE ADVANCEMENT OF AVIATION by ARCHIBALD MACLEISH LINES FREELY TAKEN FROM CALLIMACHUS by CHARLES MARTIN FORM DESTRUCTIONIST?ÇÖSCULPTOR by ROBERT MCALMON POETS AND CRITICS by JOHN FREDERICK NIMS LINES TO A DON by HILAIRE BELLOC TO A REVIEWER WHO ADMIRED MY BOOK by JOHN CIARDI SONORA DESERT POEM by LUCILLE CLIFTON THE SEVEN ARTS by ROBERT FROST IN MEMORY OF DAVID KALSTONE by ANTHONY HECHT METAMORPHOSES: 16. PROSERPINA (JOHN RUSKIN) by WAYNE KOESTENBAUM |
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