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Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ARMY OF XERXES, by DELPHIC ORACLE First Line: Wretches, why tarry ye thus? Nay, flee from your houses and city Last Line: Wherefore I bid you begone! Have courage to lighten your evil. | |||
WRETCHES, why tarry ye thus? Nay, flee from your houses and city, Flee to the ends of the earth from the circle embattled of Athens! Body and head are alike, nor one is stable nor other, Hands and feet wax faint, and whatso lieth between them Wasteth in darkness and gloom; for flame destroyeth the city, Flame and the fierce War-god, swift driver of Syrian horses. Many a fortress too, not thine alone, shall he shatter; Many a shrine of the gods he'll give to the flame for devouring; Sweating for fear they stand, and quaking for dread of the foeman, Running with gore are their roofs, foreseeing the stress of their sorrow; Wherefore I bid you begone! Have courage to lighten your evil. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE FALLEN SHRINE by DELPHIC ORACLE THE POWER OF AN OATH by DELPHIC ORACLE THE WOODEN WALLS OF ATHENS by DELPHIC ORACLE WHAT SHALL IT PROFIT? by WILLIAM DEAN HOWELLS MUTABILITY (2) by PERCY BYSSHE SHELLEY SOUL AND BODY by LASCELLES ABERCROMBIE THE LOST CHILD by ST. CLAIR ADAMS TO A DOG by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD THE HORSE THIEF by WILLIAM ROSE BENET |
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