Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ON BEAUTY; A RIDDLE, by MATTHEW PRIOR


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ON BEAUTY; A RIDDLE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Resolve me, cloe, what is this
Last Line: Of idle tales, and foolish riddles.
Subject(s): Beauty; Goddesses & Gods; Kisses; Mythology; Ovid (43 B.c.-17 A.d.); Riddles


RESOLVE me, Cloe, what is this:
Or forfeit me one precious kiss.
'Tis the first offspring of the Graces;
Bears different forms in different places;
Acknowledged fine, where'er beheld;
Yet fancied finer, when concealed.
'Twas Flora's wealth, and Circe's charm;
Pandora's box of good and harm:
'Twas Mars's wish, Endymion's dream;
Apelles' draught, and Ovid's theme.
This guided Theseus through the maze;
And sent him home with life and praise.
But this undid the Phrygian boy;
And blew the flames that ruined Troy.
This showed great kindness to old Greece,
And helped rich Jason to the fleece.
This through the east just vengeance hurled,
And lost poor Anthony the world.
Injured, though Lucrece found her doom;
This banished tyranny from Rome.
Appeased though Lais gained her hire;
This set Persepolis on fire.
For this Alcides learned to spin:
His club laid down, and lion's skin.
For this Apollo deigned to keep,
With servile care, a mortal's sheep.
For this the father of the gods,
Content to leave his high abodes,
In borrowed figures loosely ran,
Europa's bull, and Leda's swan,
For this he reassumes the nod,
(While Semele commands the god)
Launches the bolt, and shakes the poles;
Though Momus laughs, and Juno scolds.
Here listening Cloe smiled and said;
Your riddle is not hard to read:
I guess it -- Fair one, if you do;
Need I, alas! the theme pursue?
For this thou see'st, for this I leave,
Whate'er the world thinks wise or grave;
Ambition, business, friendship, news,
My useful books, and serious Muse.
For this I willingly decline
The mirth of feasts, and joys of wine;
And choose to sit and talk with thee
(As thy great orders may decree)
Of cocks and bulls, and flutes and fiddles,
Of idle tales, and foolish riddles.





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