OF softer genius, but not less intent To seize the palm of empire, Athens rose. Where, with bright marbles big and future pomp, Hymettus spread, amid the scented sky, His thymy treasures to the laboring bee, And to botanic hand the stores of health; Wrapt in a soul-attenuating clime, Between Ilissus and Cephissus glowed This hive of science, shedding sweets divine, Of active arts, and animated arms. There, passionate for me, an easy-moved, A quick, refined, a delicate, humane, Enlightened people reigned. Oft on the brink Of ruin, hurried by the charm of speech, Inforcing hasty counsel immature, Tottered the rash Democracy; unpoised, And by the rage devoured, that ever tears A populace unequal; part too rich, And part or fierce with want or abject grown. Solon at last, their mild restorer, rose: Allayed the tempest; to the calm of laws Reduced the settling whole; and, with the weight Which the two senates to the public lent, As with an anchor fixed the driving state. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...WHEN DE CO'N PONE'S HOT by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR ULTIMA THULE: THE CHAMBER OVER THE GATE by HENRY WADSWORTH LONGFELLOW LET ME FORGET by OMA CARLYLE ANDERSON PEARLS OF THE FAITH: 5. ALLAH-AL-KUDDUS by EDWIN ARNOLD EMBLEMS OF LOVE: 9. LOVE A TICKLISH GAME by PHILIP AYRES STANZAS: IN THE MANNER OF SPENSER by ANNA LETITIA BARBAULD |