THE WEDDING OF PELEUS AND THETIS (from "Iphigenia at Aulis")
by: Euripides
- ERRILY rose
the bridal strain,
- With the pipe of reed and the wild harp ringing,
- With the Libyan flute, and the dancers' train,
- And the bright-haired Muses singing.
-
- On the turf elastic treading,
- Up Pelion's steep with an airy bound
- Their golden sandals they struck on the ground,
- While the mighty gods were feasting round,
- As they sped to Peleus' wedding.
- They left Pierea's fountain,
- On the leaf-crowned hill they stood,
- They breathed their softest, sweetest lays
- In the bride's and bridegroom's praise.
- Reëchoed the Centaur's mountain,
- Reëchoed Pelion's wood.
-
- The golden goblets crowned the Page,
- The Thunderer's darling boy,
- In childhood's rosy age
- Snatched from the plains of Troy.
- Where on the silvery sand
- The noontide sun was glancing,
- The fifty Nereids, hand in hand,
- Were in giddy circles dancing.
-
- The Centaur's tramp rang up the hill,
- To feast with the gods they trooped in haste,
- And at the board by Bacchus graced,
- The purpling bowl to fill.
- Grassy wreath and larch's bough
- Twined around each shaggy brow.
- Daughter of Nereus, loud to thee
- Chaunted the maids of Thessaly.
- Their song was of a child unborn,
- Whose light should beam like summer morn,
- Whose praise by the Delian seer was sung,
- And hymned by Chiron's tuneful tongue.
-
- "Thetis, mark thy warrior son,
- Gift with many a Myrmidon,
- Armed with spear and flaming brand,
- Wasting Priam's ancient land.
- He shall ne'er to foeman quail;
- He shall case his limbs in mail,
- Casque, and greaves, and breastplate's fold,
- All by Vulcan wrought of gold,
- Moulded in the forge of heaven,
- By his goddess-mother given.
- He shall be a hero's name,
- Godlike might, and deathless fame."
-
- Thus the gods propitious smiled
- On Peleus and the ocean child;
- Lady! not such nuptial wreath
- Shall Argives bid thee wear,
- But with the flowers of death
- Entwine thy clustering hair.
This English translation, by Joseph
Anstice, of 'The Wedding of Peleus and Thetis' is reprinted from
Greek Poets in English Verse. Ed. William Hyde Appleton.
Cambridge: The Riverside Press, 1893. |
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