Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE SECOND BROTHER; ACT 1, SCENE 1 by THOMAS LOVELL BEDDOES

Poet Analysis

First Line: HE'S COMING THROUGH THIS STREET
Last Line: TIS BACCHUS' SON WHO WALKS BELOW.
Subject(s): COURTS & COURTIERS; ROYAL COURT LIFE; ROYALTY; KINGS; QUEENS;
@3Gentleman@1 He's coming through this street,
Orazio, wrapt, like Bacchus, in the hide
Of a specked panther, with his dancing nymphs,
And torches bright and many, as his slaves
Had gathered up the fragments of the sun
That fell just now. Hark! here his music comes.

@3Enter@1 ORAZIO, @3between@1 ARMIDA @3and@1 ROSAURA, @3attended@1.

@3Orazio@1 Thrice to the moon, and thrice unto the sun,
And thrice unto the lesser stars of night,
From tower and hill, by trump and cannon's voice,
Have I proclaimed myself a deity's son:
Not Alexander's father, Ammon old,
But ivied Bacchus, do I call my sire.
Hymn it once more.

@3Song@1

Strew not earth with empty stars,
Strew it not with roses,
Nor feathers from the crest of Mars,
Nor summer's idle posies.
'Tis not the primrose-sandalled moon,
Nor cold and silent morn,
Nor he that climbs the dusty noon,
Nor mower war with scythe that drops,
Stuck with helmed and turbaned tops
Of enemies new shorn.

Ye cups, ye lyres, ye trumpets know,
Pour your music, let it flow,
'Tis Bacchus' son who walks below.



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