Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THEOGONY: THE MUSES' GIFT (2), by HESIOD


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THEOGONY: THE MUSES' GIFT (2), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: When the watching daughters of zeus attend with their grace
Last Line: Such powers of healing to gifts of the muses belong.


When the watching daughters of Zeus attend with their grace
the honoured birth of a prince of god-nurtured race,
down on his tongue they let a honeydew fall
and his lips pour eloquence out. To him one and all
look reverently, as he in righteousness
interprets the law, and with serene address
swiftly resolves the bitterest brawls that arise.
Therefore so blest a ruler is counted wise:
when the people assembled are erring, his words have force
with gentle ease to persuade the better course.
Godlike he moves; with modest mien all men greet
his presence, and still he outstands where the elders meet.

Such are the gifts of the Muses, and holy they are.
From the Muses and lord Apollo who shoots from afar
come the singers and harpers of earth; but from Zeus, the kings.
Happy is he that the Muses love. When he sings,
sweetly speech from his lips forever flows.
Aye, though fresh troubles have crazed a man till he knows
nothing but dread and despair, should a singer praise,
as the Muses' servant, the glory of ancient days,
the heroes and blessed gods of Olympus-crest,
the man will forget that he ever was darkly distressed,
such powers of healing to gifts of the Muses belong.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net