Classic and Contemporary Poetry
IDYLL 1. LOVE A RUNAWAY, by MOSCHUS Poet's Biography First Line: Her eros thus proclaimed the cyprian queen Last Line: "and every thing he has is dipt in fire." Subject(s): Love | ||||||||
HER Eros thus proclaimed the Cyprian Queen: "If any one has in the highway seen My straying Eros, and reports to me His whereabouts, he shall rewarded be; A kiss for him; but if it shall betide One bring him me, a kissand more beside. Midst twenty he is notable to view; Not fair, but flamy, is his dazzling hue; Sharp are his eyes, and flame their glances fleet; His mind is wicked, but his speech is sweet. His word and meaning are not like at all; His word is honey, and his meaning gall. He is a mischievous, deceitful child; Beguiles with falsehood, laughs at the beguiled. He has a lovely head of curling hair, But saucy features, with a reckless stare. His hands are tiny, but afar they throw. E'en down to Dis and Acheron below. Naked his form, his mind in covert lies; Winged as a feathered bird, he careless flies From girls to boys, from men to women flits, Sports with their heart-strings, on their vitals sits. Small is his bow, his arrow small to sight, But to Jove's court it wings its ready flight. Upon his back a golden quiver sounds, Full of sharp darts, with which e'en me he wounds. All cruel things by cruel Love are done; His torch is small, yet scorches e'en the sun. But should you take himfast and safely bind him, And bring him to me with his hands behind him. If he should weep, take heedhe weeps at will; But should he smilethen drag him faster still; And should he offer you a kiss, beware! Evil his kiss, his red lips poisoned are! And should he say, with seeming friendship hot, 'Accept my bow and arrows,' touch them not! Tears, smiles, words, gifts, deceitful wiles inspire, And every thing he has is dipt in fire." | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE INVENTION OF LOVE by MATTHEA HARVEY TWO VIEWS OF BUSON by ROBERT HASS A LOVE FOR FOUR VOICES: HOMAGE TO FRANZ JOSEPH HAYDN by ANTHONY HECHT AN OFFERING FOR PATRICIA by ANTHONY HECHT LATE AFTERNOON: THE ONSLAUGHT OF LOVE by ANTHONY HECHT A SWEETENING ALL AROUND ME AS IT FALLS by JANE HIRSHFIELD ALL THINGS SHOULD CONTRIBUTE TO LOVE'S ASSISTANCE; AN IDYLLIUM by MOSCHUS |
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