Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DITTY OF ARISTIPPUS, by HERMAN MELVILLE


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DITTY OF ARISTIPPUS, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Noble gods at the board
Last Line: Might but revellers pause in the prime.
Subject(s): Aristippus (435-366 B.c.); Philosophy & Philosophers


Noble gods at the board
Where lord unto lord
Light pushes the care-killing wine:
Urbane in their pleasure,
Superb in their leisure --
Lax ease --
Lax ease after labor divine!

Golden ages eternal
Autumnal, supernal,
Deep mellow their temper serene:
The rose by their gate
Shall it yield into fate?
They are gods --
They are gods and their garlands keep green.

Ever blandly adore them;
But spare to implore them:
They rest, they discharge them from time;
Yet believe, light believe
They would succor, reprieve --
Nay, retrieve --
Might but revellers pause in the prime.





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