Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, DANAE, by SIMONIDES OF CEOS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

DANAE, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: The wind blew fresh and seaward made
Last Line: If I speak offending.'
Alternate Author Name(s): Simonides Of Keos
Subject(s): Danae; Mythology - Classical


THE wind blew fresh and seaward made,
The water stirred and lifted;
She, in carven coffer laid,
Rode the sea, and drifted.

Stolen upon her cheek tear-wet
Fear in that hour came preying;
But Perseus in her arm she set
And held him to her, saying:

'Child, my heart is faint with care . . .
You lie quiet, unaware,
Drowsing still, dream-possest,
All the world a mother's breast.

In this vessel brute and bare,
Brazen-clamped and timbered tight,
Stark your bed, wrapt about
With the darkness of our night
And the raven gloom without.

Spindrift comes and then is gone
Dashing your hair with deepening brine,
And the wind howls -- all in vain.
Safe you rest, sleeping on
In your cloak of purple stain,
Cheek laid up to cheek of mine.

Child, if fear to you were fear,
Soon would turn that dainty ear
To my words attending;
Now I bid you nothing hear --
Sleep, my babe, sleep, O sea,
Sleep, my pain unending.

Father Zeus, I call to thee.
Lighten our adversity,
Turning evil into good.
Oh, forgive my hardihood
If I speak offending.'





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