When the watching daughters of Zeus attend with their grace the honoured birth of a prince of god-nurtured race, down on his tongue they let a honeydew fall and his lips pour eloquence out. To him one and all look reverently, as he in righteousness interprets the law, and with serene address swiftly resolves the bitterest brawls that arise. Therefore so blest a ruler is counted wise: when the people assembled are erring, his words have force with gentle ease to persuade the better course. Godlike he moves; with modest mien all men greet his presence, and still he outstands where the elders meet. Such are the gifts of the Muses, and holy they are. From the Muses and lord Apollo who shoots from afar come the singers and harpers of earth; but from Zeus, the kings. Happy is he that the Muses love. When he sings, sweetly speech from his lips forever flows. Aye, though fresh troubles have crazed a man till he knows nothing but dread and despair, should a singer praise, as the Muses' servant, the glory of ancient days, the heroes and blessed gods of Olympus-crest, the man will forget that he ever was darkly distressed, such powers of healing to gifts of the Muses belong. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO SEE THE STARS IN DAYLIGHT by JAMES GALVIN AFTERGLOW by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON TAPS by GEORGIA DOUGLAS JOHNSON CRITIC AND POET by EMMA LAZARUS IF HE SHOULD COME by EDWIN MARKHAM |