Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE TRAVELER AND THE STATUE; A DIALOGUE, by POSEIDIPPUS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE TRAVELER AND THE STATUE; A DIALOGUE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A market-place in athens, where are seen
Last Line: E'en while I speak, away -- away I soar!
Alternate Author Name(s): Posidippus; Poseidippos


SCENE.

A MARKET-PLACE in Athens, where are seen
Statues of gods and goddesses, serene
In marble majesty. Among the rest,
A group wherein the sculptor has exprest
Some tale, or moral homily, where these
Symbolic shapes in stone the observer sees:
A human figure resting on a wheel,
With winged feet, while flowing locks conceal
The eyes; and yet (to make the gazer stare!)
The head, behind, shows not a tuft of hair!
Hard by, observe, another figure stands, --
A maid, who seems to weep and wring her hands.
Enter a Traveler who, gazing, seeks
The Statue's meaning. Thus, at length, he speaks: --

TRAVELER.

Tell me, O Image! by what sculptor's grace
Of wondrous art thou standest in this place?

STATUE.

Of Phidias thou hast heard; whose magic hand
Can re-create the gods. See! where they stand,
Jove, Juno, and Minerva! He alone
Could place me here -- a homily in stone --
Among the immortals. Yet no god am I,
Although I claim close kindred with the sky;
My name, I hear, through all the world has flown;
As Opportunity to mortals I am known.

TRAVELER.

Tell me, O Image! what the wheel may mean,
On which, as a support, thou seem'st to lean.

STATUE.

The wheel thou seest, if thou dost rightly read
The pregnant sign, denotes my rapid speed.

TRAVELER.

And on thy feet a pair of wings are wrought;
Tell me of these the cunning sculptor's thought.

STATUE.

From those my brief abiding thou may'st learn;
Neglected once, I nevermore return.

TRAVELER.

And why those flowing locks that hide thine eyes?

STATUE.

Because I'm seldom seen save in disguise.

TRAVELER.

But why no hair behind? -- tell me, I pray!

STATUE.

That none may seize me as I flee away!

TRAVELER.

And who is she behind, -- so sad of mien?

STATUE.

Repentance is her name; still is she seen
To follow him, the wretch, who weakly fails
To seize me when the timely hour avails
For noble action. Thus she serves to teach,
"Be swift to seize the good within thy reach,
Lest it be lost forever!" Ask no more!
E'en while I speak, away -- away I soar!





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