Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, ORFEO, by GEORGE EDWARD WOODBERRY


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

ORFEO, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Teach me to kiss the dorian flute
Last Line: Leaped high, and clapped his hands for joy.
Subject(s): Gifts & Giving; Lutes; Strangers


"TEACH me to kiss the Dorian flute,
The Dorian pipe to blow;
I with my own breath would salute
Great Pan before I go;
And may the genius of the place
Adopt me in the shepherd race!"

So, perched on Monte Venere,
I prayed a little goat-skin boy
To leave his herd and sit by me,
And teach me all the shepherd's joy.
"What is your name?" to him I said:
"Orfeo," blithe reply he made.

I took the flute, I took the pipe;
No reed would to my breath respond;
He laughed to see me blow, and wipe
My lips, the pretty vagabond;
Still nature's child, though notes I snatch,
Was victor in that singing match.

But I was paid when, as behooved,
I threw into his shaggy lap
The gifts by ancient time approved,
My London scarf and Naples cap;
And, as of old, the happy boy
Leaped high, and clapped his hands for joy.





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