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TEMPE by PUBLIUS OVIDIUS NASO

First Line: LAPPED IN THESSALIA'S FOREST-MANTLED HILLS
Last Line: WEARY WITH MANY WANDERINGS, TO THE SEA.
Subject(s): TEMPE (VALE), GREECE;

LAPPED in Thessalia's forest-mantled hills
Lies the fair vale of Tempe: down the gorge,
O'ercanopied with groves, old Peneus rolls
From Pindus' foot his waters to the sea,
Wreathing the woods with mist of silvery spray,
And resonant, through many a league around,
With many a fall. There, in the caverned rock
That makes his palace-home, the River-God
Sits sovereign o'er the stream that bears his name
And all its haunting nymphs. And thither throng
The brother-powers of all the neighbor-floods,
Doubtful or to congratulate or condole
The parent's hap: Spercheus, poplar-crowned, --
Enipeus turbulent, Apidonus
Hoary with age, and smooth Amphrysus came,
And AEas, and the rest, that lead their waves,
Weary with many wanderings, to the sea.



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