Excerpt from Delphic Days

Where is the road through vineyards and olives and hills up to Delphi Held in a hymn of the God, thither I pass to his shrine. From the world's other side, from the banks of the turbulent river Always rushing in rage down to the realms of the Sun, Where the vast flow of the waters doth sweep by the fens of Kahokia, Thence I a pilgrim have come over the ocean and earth. Wild is the turmoil that restlessly whirls in the stream of the River, Fierce are the insects that swarm through the great vale on its banks. But now in truth I have come to the much sung home of the Muses, Now the thing I behold when may be spoken the name. Look! The glistening heights of Parnassus rise in the distance, Over the land and the sea still they are sending their gleams. With that top for my mark I joyously start on my journey, For the way thither, I know, lies in Apollo's bright realm. First are the vineyards preparing their drops of mild inspiration, That put courage ln hearts for the ascent of the mount; Not unmindful I pass them, for manya leaflet and tendril Here are woven in wreaths which the young Bacchus entwine, And the vine is beginning to Sip from the soil a sweet nectar Which it will hold to our lips when has been mellowed the year. Next come the Olives, new full of sweet poesy, in a vast orchard Strown all over the plain, sporting in sunbeams and song. Often I stop for a moment to snatch from the tip of a leaflet, Just a few notes of a hymn which I hereafter may sing; And I intend every day, as long as I linger at Delphi, To return to these trees that I may breathe of their strain. Many a hearty young Olive is here full of lusty rejoicing, Many a trunk that is old, wrinkled and bent to the ground, Yet with rich fruit it is laden. Bright runnels of water are playing Round the roots of the trees, lisping a lay with the brink.

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