Song of Callicles, The Song of Callicles, The |
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Song of Callicles, TheSong of Callicles, The
Song of Callicles, The
Through the black, rushing smoke - bursts,
Thick breaks the red flame.
All Etna heaves fiercely
Her forest - clothed frame.
Not here, O Apollo!
Are haunts meet for thee.
But, where Helicon breaks down
In cliff to the sea.
Where the moon - silver`d inlets
Send far their light voice
Up the still vale of Thisbe,
O speed, and rejoice!
On the sward at the cliff - top,
Lie strewn the white flocks;
On the cliff - side, the pigeons
Roost deep in the rocks.
In the moonlight the shepherds,
Soft lull`d by the rills,
Lie wrapt in their blankets,
Asleep on the hills.
- What forms are these coming
So white through the gloom?
What garments out - glistening
The gold - flower`d broom?
What sweet - breathing Presence
Out - perfumes the thyme?
What voices enrapture
The night`s balmy prime? -
`Tis Apollo comes leading
His choir, The Nine.
- The Leader is fairest,
But all are divine.
They are lost in the hollows.
They stream up again.
What seeks on this mountain
The glorified train? -
They bathe on this mountain,
In the spring by their road.
Then on to Olympus,
Their endless abode.
- Whose praise do they mention:
Of what is it told? -
What will be for ever.
What was from of old.
First hymn they the Father
Of all things: and then,
The rest of Immortals,
The action of men.
The Day in his hotness,
The strife with the palm;
The Night in her silence,
The Stars in their calm.
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