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Classic and Contemporary Poetry


PEACE by BACCHYLIDES

First Line: PEACE UPON EARTH
Last Line: AND THE AMOROUS HYMN LIKE FIRE IN THE AIR BREAKS FORTH IN PRAISE.
Subject(s): PEACE;

Peace upon earth
Brings Wealth and blossom of dulcet Song to birth;
To the Gods on carven altars makes thighs of oxen burn,
And sheep in the yellow flame,
And bids the young men's thoughts to the wrestling-game
And revel and hautboy turn.

Webs of the spider brown in the iron shield are made,
And rust grows over the edge of the sword and the lance's blade;
The sound of the brazen trumpet is not heard,
Nor the still air stirred
And the sweet of slumber torn
From the eyelid heavy at morn:
Banquet and blithe carousal throng the ways,
And the amorous hymn like fire in the air breaks forth in praise.



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