Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE AMAZON (COPY OF A STATUE BY POLYCLITUS OF ARGOS, 5TH CENTURY B.C.), by FRANK ERNEST HILL


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE AMAZON (COPY OF A STATUE BY POLYCLITUS OF ARGOS, 5TH CENTURY B.C.), by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: This marble is a dream of woman grown
Last Line: Her body into growth, but not her wit!
Subject(s): Amazons; Statues; Women


This marble is a dream of woman grown
Beyond the distaff and the lover's bed;
Nobly on throat and arm the muscles spread,
And touch the breast with hardness not its own.
Yet, Polyclitus, you have failed in this,
Working too much in size, too much in flesh;
You should have snared your dream with finer mesh, --
Cast not for Here, but for Artemis.

"Add dust to dust and give her strength," you said;
But through our Amazons of latter years
She answers: "I have stolen fire instead."
Too slender and too strong for dust and spears
She mocks you, Polyclitus, who could fit
Her body into growth, but not her wit!





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