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Apes are apes, though clothed in scarlet.

quote by Ben Jonson
Added by Lucian Velea
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Pretty In Scarlet

Pretty in scarlet
So pretty in scarlet
We slept a while
To turn it up and get it off our minds
I slept a while
To get it all
It seems allright
To find a place without a single life
Where is the night
We run into
Cause nothings good I can explain
Im falling down and caught up the rain
I turn myself into changes
The night I kissed you goodbye
Cause nothings good I can explain
Im falling down and caught up the rain
To turn myself into changes
Your death is over
You wanna live a life pretty in scarlet
Come on
You wanna wash it down Im pretty in scarlet
To myself to say goodbye
You wanna live a life pretty in scarlet
Come on
You wanna wash it down Im pretty in scarlet
To myself to say
Its ok
Doesnt count
For my place
Deeper sound
Let me dive alone
Let me dive alone
You gave me wine
To poison me and take away my time
I can hear your cry
I wonder why
Cause nothings good I can explain
Im falling down and caught up the rain
Cause I turn myself into changes
The night I kissed you goodbye
Cause nothings good I can explain
Im falling down and caught up the rain
I turn myself into changes
Your death is over
You wanna live a life pretty in scarlet
Come on
You wanna wash it down Im pretty in scarlet
To myself to say goodbye
You wanna live a life pretty in scarlet
Come on

[...] Read more

song performed by Guano Apes
Added by Lucian Velea
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Would You Believe?

Would you believe
we descended from apes?

We also share bipedalism with apes
we both walk on two legs like apes; not...
Bipedalism causes considerable problems
for the back, knees and organs,

putting pressure on joints and torso
causing breathing problems...
During millions of evolutionary years
of distinctly disadvantaged changes!

Evolutionarily unfavourable adaptation? ? ?

We also share a descended larynx for speech
just like apes; not (except descended larynx monkeys) ? ? ?

A hooded nose like apes a muscular
nostril aperture control
(plus the philtrum) preventing water
entering the nostrils like apes; not? ? ?

We also share a mammalian
diving reflex
which occurs when the head
is immersed

in cold water plus
voluntary breath control
which allows diving
swimming like apes; not? ? ?

We have a more streamlined
shape compared to other apes? ? ?

We have increased subcutaneous
fat for increased insulation
especially in human infants
born hairless with a waxy coating

plus requirement of human brain
for specific nutrients including iodine
some essential fatty acids most easily
found absorbed in seafood, an ape diet; not? ? ?

[...] Read more

poem by Terence George Craddock
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Would You Believe? The Evidence Continues!

Would you believe
we descended from apes?

We also share bipedalism with apes
we both walk on two legs like apes; not...
Bipedalism causes considerable problems
for the back, knees and organs,

putting pressure on joints and torso
causing breathing problems...
During millions of evolutionary years
of distinctly disadvantaged changes!

Evolutionarily unfavourable adaptation? ? ?

We also share a descended larynx for speech
just like apes; not (except descended larynx monkeys) ? ? ?

A hooded nose like apes a muscular
nostril aperture control
(plus the philtrum) preventing water
entering the nostrils like apes; not? ? ?

We also share a mammalian
diving reflex
which occurs when the head
is immersed

in cold water plus
voluntary breath control
which allows diving
swimming like apes; not? ? ?

We have a more streamlined
shape compared to other apes? ? ?

We have increased subcutaneous
fat for increased insulation
especially in human infants
born hairless with a waxy coating

plus requirement of human brain
for specific nutrients including iodine
some essential fatty acids most easily
found absorbed in seafood, an ape diet; not? ? ?

[...] Read more

poem by Terence George Craddock
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Scarlet Pussy

Once upon a time in the land of fever, there lived a scarlet pussy
This kitty cat of fine descent, was cherished by her mother
Who wouldnt let another, pet her, unless he was qualified
Every 1st of the month this pretty feline got the hots
And thats when the neighborhood (d-d-dogs)
Theyd line up around the block
Meow
When my little scarlet feline roars
The locals come around (come around)
When they see the scarlet light
They know its time to come chase her down (chase her down)
Lo and behold the fantastical way
In which their bodies groove
My scarlet pussys furry magic alters any mood
Scarlet pussy (its cool)
Scarlet pussy
Pussycat, pussycat
Wherefore art thou, puppy?
She can make u crazy if ure too close to her heat
She can make u sad when ure happy as can be
She can make u shoot your ego all over her sheets
All is hers in love and war, my little scarlet pussy
Every dog would try his lines
To get pussys attention ([...])
All they want is so exposed
In ways too gross to mention (eew!)
Green virgin teenager
A filthy rich yuppie
Pussycat pussycat
Wherefore art thou puppy?
Scarlet pussy
She can make u crazy if ure too close to her heat
She can make u sad when ure happy as can be
She can make u shoot your ego all over your sheets
All is hers in love and war, my little scarlet pussy
Meow
Now whats going on?
Oh, no, man, look out!
Somebody come get this meow-meow of my leg!
Meow!
Scarlet pussy
Pussycat pussycat
Wherefore art thou, puppy?
Meow
She can make u crazy if ure too close to her heat
She can make u sad when ure happy as can be
She can make u shoot your ego all over her sheets
All is hers in love and war, my little scarlet pussy
All is hers in love and war, my little scarlet pussy
She can make u happy, she can make u sad

[...] Read more

song performed by Prince
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Scarlet Fever

I stood outside the Lucky Star
Staring at the flashing sign
It read: come on in and watch young
Scarlet's body come alive
Let her dance for you and catch your spell
You'll swear you can believe her
Be careful not to catch the scarlet fever.
So I paid my fare and walked down front
And found an empty chair
As I settled in young scarlet took the ribbons from her hair
The moves her body made while the music played
Were the likes I've never seen
And she became the envy of my dreams.
One by one her teasing movements
Brought the crowd out of their seats
And all at once young scarlet
Danced straight up in front of me
From the moment that her eyes found mine
I've never been the same
Scarlet locked another heart upon her chain.
Now I get scarlet fever every time I see her
But she's a night club teaser
Not paid to notice me
Yes, I get scarlet fever
If she knew how much I need her
She'd place her hand in my hand
And dance away with me.
She looked 25 but I was told
That she was just 16
She had a way of making a man believe
She danced for only him
As she tantalized I fantasized
And felt the sound of my heart beat
And every night I'd dream
She'd fall in love with me.
Then one night while driving in
My eyes begun to tear
'Cause the sign outside the Lucky Star
Said: scarlet isn't here
She'd left that day to find a life
Of bigger and better things
And she left behind my chain of broken dreams.
But still get scarlet fever
In my mind I still see her
Out there dancing somewhere
To another fool like me.
Yes, I get scarlet fever every time I see her
But she's a night club teaser
Not paid to notice me
Yes, I get scarlet fever

[...] Read more

song performed by Kenny Rogers
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Scarlet Ribbons

I peeked in to say good-night,
When I heard my child in prayer.
And for me some scarlet ribbons,
Scarlet ribbons for my hair.
All the stores were closed and shuttered,
All the streets were dark and bare.
In our town no scarlet ribbons,
Not one ribbon for her hair.
Thru the night my heart was aching,
Just before the dawn was breaking.
I peeked in and on her bed,
In gay profusion lying there,
Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons,
Scarlet ribbons for her hair.
If I live to be a hundred,
I will never know from where.
Came those lovely scarlet ribbons,
Scarlet ribbons for her hair.
Scarlet ribbons- theres magic in the air,
Scarlet, scarlet ribbons for her hair.

song performed by Cliff Richard
Added by Lucian Velea
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Escape From The Planet Of The Apes

Escape from the planet of the apes
Well we gotta escape from the planet of the apes
'cause all our friends are on different planet
Yes all my friends are on a different planet now
Gotta escape from the planet of the apes
Gotta escape from the planet of the apes
I've got a starship that will take you to the planet where mick jagger lives
We've gotta escape to the planet of the apes
We've gotta escape to the planet of the apes before we explode.

song performed by They Might Be Giants
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Scarlet And Sheba

Scarlet wants to hold me, wearing just a red-veiled hat
Sheba's in the shadows waiting for her turn at bat
In the parlour where the lights are low
A vulture sister act, I watch their show
They're trying to kill me, want to pick my bones
Methodically, erotically
I just want your body, Sheba
I don't want your brain
Scarlet gets what's left of my remains
I just want your body, Sheba
You lock me up in chains
Scarlet, she can referee the game
Scarlet likes to scold me, showers me with all her love
Sheba's in a bad mood, sharpening her black fur glove
With blood and honey attitude
They'll never know my gratitude
I'm crossed with longitude and latitude
Upon my back... with a crack
I just want your body, Sheba
I don't want your brain
Scarlet gets what's left of my remains
I just want your body, Sheba
You lock me up in chains
Scarlet, she can referee the game
I just want your body, Sheba
I don't want your brain
Scarlet gets what's left of my remains
I just want your body, Sheba
You lock me up in chains
Scarlet, she can referee the game

song performed by Alice Cooper
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Scarlet Ribbons

(jack segal/evelyn danzig)
I peeped in to say good night
When i heard my child in prayer
"send for me, some scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for my hair"
All the stores were closed and shuttered
All the streets were dark and bare
In my town no scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair
Through the night my heart was aching
Just before the dawn was breaking
I peeped in and on her bed
In gay profusion lying there
Lovely ribbons, scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair
If i live to be a hundred
I will never know from where
Came those lovely scarlet ribbons
Scarlet ribbons for her hair

song performed by Roy Orbison
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Robin Hood's Flight

Robin Hood's mother, these twelve years now,
Has been gone from her earthly home;
And Robin has paid, he scarce knew how,
A sum for a noble tomb.

The church-yard lies on a woody hill,
But open to sun and air:
It seems as if the heaven still
Were looking and smiling there.

Often when Robin looked that way,
He looked through a sweet thin tear;
But he looked in a different manner, they say,
Towards the Abbey of Vere.

He cared not for its ill-got wealth,
He felt not for his pride;
He had youth, and strength, and health,
And enough for one beside.

But he thought of his gentle mother's cheek
How it sunk away,
And how she used to grow more weak
And weary every day;

And how, when trying a hymn, her voice
At evening would expire,
How unlike it was the arrogant noise
Of the hard throats in the quire:

And Robin thought too of the poor,
How they toiled without their share,
And how the alms at the abbey-door
But kept them as they were:

And he thought him then of the friars again,
Who rode jingling up and down
With their trappings and things as fine as the king's,
Though they wore but a shaven crown.

And then bold Robin he thought of the king,
How he got all his forests and deer,
And how he made the hungry swing
If they killed but one in a year.

And thinking thus, as Robin stood,
Digging his bow in the ground,
He was aware in Gamelyn Wood,
Of one who looked around.

[...] Read more

poem by James Henry Leigh Hunt
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Beneath The Planet Of The Apes

All my friends are beneath the planet of the apes
All my friends are
All my friends are
All my friends are beneath the planet of the apes
And when i get there
I'll find my friends there
Deep inside the ground
Underneath the town
Where the apes live
Where the apes live
You can't walk around
Because it is in town
All my friends are
All my friends are
Beneath the planet
Of the apes

song performed by They Might Be Giants
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Idylls of the King: The Passing of Arthur (excerpt)

That story which the bold Sir Bedivere,
First made and latest left of all the knights,
Told, when the man was no more than a voice
In the white winter of his age, to those
With whom he dwelt, new faces, other minds.
For on their march to westward, Bedivere,
Who slowly paced among the slumbering host,
Heard in his tent the moanings of the King:
"I found Him in the shining of the stars,
I mark'd Him in the flowering of His fields,
But in His ways with men I find Him not.
I waged His wars, and now I pass and die.
O me! for why is all around us here
As if some lesser god had made the world,
But had not force to shape it as he would,
Till the High God behold it from beyond,
And enter it, and make it beautiful?
Or else as if the world were wholly fair,
But that these eyes of men are dense and dim,
And have not power to see it as it is:
Perchance, because we see not to the close;--
For I, being simple, thought to work His will,
And have but stricken with the sword in vain;
And all whereon I lean'd in wife and friend
Is traitor to my peace, and all my realm
Reels back into the beast, and is no more.
My God, thou hast forgotten me in my death:
Nay--God my Christ--I pass but shall not die."

Then, ere that last weird battle in the west,
There came on Arthur sleeping, Gawain kill'd
In Lancelot's war, the ghost of Gawain blown
Along a wandering wind, and past his ear
Went shrilling, "Hollow, hollow all delight!
Hail, King! to-morrow thou shalt pass away.
Farewell! there is an isle of rest for thee.
And I am blown along a wandering wind,
And hollow, hollow, hollow all delight."
And fainter onward, like wild birds that change
Their season in the night and wail their way
From cloud to cloud, down the long wind the dream
Shrill'd; but in going mingled with dim cries
Far in the moonlit haze among the hills,
As of some lonely city sack'd by night,
When all is lost, and wife and child with wail
Pass to new lords; and Arthur woke and call'd,
"Who spake? A dream. O light upon the wind,
Thine, Gawain, was the voice--are these dim cries
Thine? or doth all that haunts the waste and wild
Mourn, knowing it will go along with me?"

[...] Read more

poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson
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The Passing Of Arthur

That story which the bold Sir Bedivere,
First made and latest left of all the knights,
Told, when the man was no more than a voice
In the white winter of his age, to those
With whom he dwelt, new faces, other minds.

For on their march to westward, Bedivere,
Who slowly paced among the slumbering host,
Heard in his tent the moanings of the King:

'I found Him in the shining of the stars,
I marked Him in the flowering of His fields,
But in His ways with men I find Him not.
I waged His wars, and now I pass and die.
O me! for why is all around us here
As if some lesser god had made the world,
But had not force to shape it as he would,
Till the High God behold it from beyond,
And enter it, and make it beautiful?
Or else as if the world were wholly fair,
But that these eyes of men are dense and dim,
And have not power to see it as it is:
Perchance, because we see not to the close;--
For I, being simple, thought to work His will,
And have but stricken with the sword in vain;
And all whereon I leaned in wife and friend
Is traitor to my peace, and all my realm
Reels back into the beast, and is no more.
My God, thou hast forgotten me in my death;
Nay--God my Christ--I pass but shall not die.'

Then, ere that last weird battle in the west,
There came on Arthur sleeping, Gawain killed
In Lancelot's war, the ghost of Gawain blown
Along a wandering wind, and past his ear
Went shrilling, 'Hollow, hollow all delight!
Hail, King! tomorrow thou shalt pass away.
Farewell! there is an isle of rest for thee.
And I am blown along a wandering wind,
And hollow, hollow, hollow all delight.'
And fainter onward, like wild birds that change
Their season in the night and wail their way
From cloud to cloud, down the long wind the dream
Shrilled; but in going mingled with dim cries
Far in the moonlit haze among the hills,
As of some lonely city sacked by night,
When all is lost, and wife and child with wail
Pass to new lords; and Arthur woke and called,
'Who spake? A dream. O light upon the wind,
Thine, Gawain, was the voice--are these dim cries

[...] Read more

poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson
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The Triumph Of Time

Before our lives divide for ever,
While time is with us and hands are free,
(Time, swift to fasten and swift to sever
Hand from hand, as we stand by the sea)
I will say no word that a man might say
Whose whole life's love goes down in a day;
For this could never have been; and never,
Though the gods and the years relent, shall be.

Is it worth a tear, is it worth an hour,
To think of things that are well outworn?
Of fruitless husk and fugitive flower,
The dream foregone and the deed forborne?
Though joy be done with and grief be vain,
Time shall not sever us wholly in twain;
Earth is not spoilt for a single shower;
But the rain has ruined the ungrown corn.

It will grow not again, this fruit of my heart,
Smitten with sunbeams, ruined with rain.
The singing seasons divide and depart,
Winter and summer depart in twain.
It will grow not again, it is ruined at root,
The bloodlike blossom, the dull red fruit;
Though the heart yet sickens, the lips yet smart,
With sullen savour of poisonous pain.

I have given no man of my fruit to eat;
I trod the grapes, I have drunken the wine.
Had you eaten and drunken and found it sweet,
This wild new growth of the corn and vine,
This wine and bread without lees or leaven,
We had grown as gods, as the gods in heaven,
Souls fair to look upon, goodly to greet,
One splendid spirit, your soul and mine.

In the change of years, in the coil of things,
In the clamour and rumour of life to be,
We, drinking love at the furthest springs,
Covered with love as a covering tree,
We had grown as gods, as the gods above,
Filled from the heart to the lips with love,
Held fast in his hands, clothed warm with his wings,
O love, my love, had you loved but me!

We had stood as the sure stars stand, and moved
As the moon moves, loving the world; and seen
Grief collapse as a thing disproved,
Death consume as a thing unclean.
Twain halves of a perfect heart, made fast

[...] Read more

poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne
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Satan Absolved

(In the antechamber of Heaven. Satan walks alone. Angels in groups conversing.)
Satan. To--day is the Lord's ``day.'' Once more on His good pleasure
I, the Heresiarch, wait and pace these halls at leisure
Among the Orthodox, the unfallen Sons of God.
How sweet in truth Heaven is, its floors of sandal wood,
Its old--world furniture, its linen long in press,
Its incense, mummeries, flowers, its scent of holiness!
Each house has its own smell. The smell of Heaven to me
Intoxicates and haunts,--and hurts. Who would not be
God's liveried servant here, the slave of His behest,
Rather than reign outside? I like good things the best,
Fair things, things innocent; and gladly, if He willed,
Would enter His Saints' kingdom--even as a little child.

[Laughs. I have come to make my peace, to crave a full amaun,
Peace, pardon, reconcilement, truce to our daggers--drawn,
Which have so long distraught the fair wise Universe,
An end to my rebellion and the mortal curse
Of always evil--doing. He will mayhap agree
I was less wholly wrong about Humanity
The day I dared to warn His wisdom of that flaw.
It was at least the truth, the whole truth, I foresaw
When He must needs create that simian ``in His own
Image and likeness.'' Faugh! the unseemly carrion!
I claim a new revision and with proofs in hand,
No Job now in my path to foil me and withstand.
Oh, I will serve Him well!
[Certain Angels approach. But who are these that come
With their grieved faces pale and eyes of martyrdom?
Not our good Sons of God? They stop, gesticulate,
Argue apart, some weep,--weep, here within Heaven's gate!
Sob almost in God's sight! ay, real salt human tears,
Such as no Spirit wept these thrice three thousand years.
The last shed were my own, that night of reprobation
When I unsheathed my sword and headed the lost nation.
Since then not one of them has spoken above his breath
Or whispered in these courts one word of life or death
Displeasing to the Lord. No Seraph of them all,
Save I this day each year, has dared to cross Heaven's hall
And give voice to ill news, an unwelcome truth to Him.
Not Michael's self hath dared, prince of the Seraphim.
Yet all now wail aloud.--What ails ye, brethren? Speak!
Are ye too in rebellion? Angels. Satan, no. But weak
With our long earthly toil, the unthankful care of Man.

Satan. Ye have in truth good cause.

Angels. And we would know God's plan,
His true thought for the world, the wherefore and the why
Of His long patience mocked, His name in jeopardy.

[...] Read more

poem by Wilfrid Scawen Blunt
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Thank God

god, thanks for your love
i am not that cat
that so clumsily runs
across the road
without knowing danger
is around
or that rat that eats
from a trap
though it's so obviously a trap
or that chick
that so cheerfully picks rice
from the master's hand
without knowing
that is for it to grow big
to whet his own appetite
god, thanks for your love
for sharing with us
that minute portion
of your infinite intelligence
giving us a head over our shoulders
looks like it is too dynamic
too large a voltage for a little amplifier
humble amplifier
for us apes, poor apes
the world has since gone mad
since you shower your
intelligence on us
minute though it is
it is too dynamic
for us apes, poor apes
to keep tame
its power, overwhelming power
once exposed
almighty, almighty
a world turns awry
give us the other portion
to keep us tame
those sea of desires
that constantly raise tempests
in our heart and soul

poem by John Tiong Chunghoo
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Tarzan (A Song)

Deep in the jungle you can hear a yell
Over in the jungle an air plane fell
All the apes came gathered around
To come see this thing that fell to the ground

All inside, none survived
Until the apes heard an infant cry
Aug aug ooga no child for mama Toga
A child for you it fell from the blue

Now the apes they took it home
Mama ape Toga raised it on her own
It grew up, it didn’t take long
Now swinging from the trees it big and strong

Aug aug ooga no child for mama Toga
A child for you it fell from the blue

Some they say, call him Tarzan
Some say half ape, some say half man
Swinging tree to tree not wearing any briefs
Some they say a white chimpanzee

Aug aug ooga no child for mama Toga
A child for you it fell from the blue

Now deep in the jungle and I’ve heard it well
Not to far from where that air plane fell
Some they tried to hunt him but didn’t live to tell
He is the king of the jungle you can hear his yell

All inside, none survived
Until the apes heard an infant cry
Aug aug ooga no child for mama Toga
A child for you it fell from the blue.

poem by Bill Simmons
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As the Edge of the Moon

I have stained my soul with scarlet colors, thus this work
The ballad of merlot and mandolins, the bliss is midnight blue
The deep black is but her hungry delight
Thus I dye her desires a darker scarlet within the foils of my flesh

As the edge of the moon watched over our swallowing dance
Evening had long settled into the wit of the light and slow rain
Distinct in the thought of our lust consuming the blackberry wine
As the bottle overflowed throughout the frolic of our ecstasy

Her heart is but scarlet colored, her kisses are like tight fisted flowers
Her gentle hands in the threshold and the deep suite waters
The sharp love that blots my soul somewhat like her devilish shadow
Thereafter, my emotions are stained with her sweet scarlet

The bare bedroom in the pulp and the deep black music
As I come to bed where she lays sweet and in favor
I have stained my soul with her scarlet color, thus this work
Evening having settled into the song as the edge of the moon

poem by Jason PraTT
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Morte D'Arthur

So all day long the noise of battle roll'd
Among the mountains by the winter sea;
Until King Arthur's table, man by man,
Had fallen in Lyonnesse about their Lord,
King Arthur: then, because his wound was deep,
The bold Sir Bedivere uplifted him,
Sir Bedivere, the last of all his knights,
And bore him to a chapel nigh the field,
A broken chancel with a broken cross,
That stood on a dark strait of barren land.
On one side lay the ocean, and on one
Lay a great water, and the moon was full.

Then spake King Arthur to Sir Bedivere:
"The sequel of to-day unsolders all
The goodliest fellowship of famous knights
Whereof this world holds record. Such a sleep
They sleep--the men I loved. I think that we
Shall never more, at any future time,
Delight our souls with talk of knightly deeds,
Walking about the gardens and the halls
Of Camelot, as in the days that were.
I perish by this people which I made,--
Tho' Merlin sware that I should come again
To rule once more--but let what will be, be,
I am so deeply smitten thro' the helm
That without help I cannot last till morn.
Thou therefore take my brand Excalibur,
Which was my pride: for thou rememberest how
In those old days, one summer noon, an arm
Rose up from out the bosom of the lake,
Clothed in white samite, mystic, wonderful,
Holding the sword--and how I row'd across
And took it, and have worn it, like a king:
And, wheresoever I am sung or told
In aftertime, this also shall be known:
But now delay not: take Excalibur,
And fling him far into the middle mere:
Watch what thou seëst, and lightly bring me word."

To him replied the bold Sir Bedivere:
"It is not meet, Sir King, to leave thee thus,
Aidless, alone, and smitten thro' the helm.
A little thing may harm a wounded man.
Yet I thy hest will all perform at full,
Watch what I see, and lightly bring thee word."

So saying, from the ruin'd shrine he stept
And in the moon athwart the place of tombs,
Where lay the mighty bones of ancient men,

[...] Read more

poem by Alfred Lord Tennyson
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Athens: An Ode

ERE from under earth again like fire the violet kindle, [Str. I.
Ere the holy buds and hoar on olive-branches bloom,
Ere the crescent of the last pale month of winter dwindle,
Shrink, and fall as falls a dead leaf on the dead month’s tomb,
Round the hills whose heights the first-born olive-blossom brightened,
Round the city brow-bound once with violets like a bride,
Up from under earth again a light that long since lightened
Breaks, whence all the world took comfort as all time takes pride.
Pride have all men in their fathers that were free before them,
In the warriors that begat us free-born pride have we:
But the fathers of their spirits, how may men adore them,
With what rapture may we praise, who bade our souls be free?
Sons of Athens born in spirit and truth are all born free men;
Most of all, we, nurtured where the north wind holds his reign:
Children all we sea-folk of the Salaminian seamen,
Sons of them that beat back Persia they that beat back Spain.
Since the songs of Greece fell silent, none like ours have risen;
Since the sails of Greece fell slack, no ships have sailed like ours;
How should we lament not, if her spirit sit in prison?
How should we rejoice not, if her wreaths renew their flowers?
All the world is sweeter, if the Athenian violet quicken:
All the world is brighter, if the Athenian sun return:
All things foul on earth wax fainter, by that sun’s light stricken:
All ill growths are withered, where those fragrant flower-lights burn.
All the wandering waves of seas with all their warring waters
Roll the record on for ever of the sea-fight there,
When the capes were battle’s lists, and all the straits were slaughter’s,
And the myriad Medes as foam-flakes on the scattering air.
Ours the lightning was that cleared the north and lit the nations,
But the light that gave the whole world light of old was she:
Ours an age or twain, but hers are endless generations:
All the world is hers at heart, and most of all are we.

Ye that bear the name about you of her glory, [Ant. I.
Men that wear the sign of Greeks upon you sealed,
Yours is yet the choice to write yourselves in story
Sons of them that fought the Marathonian field.
Slaves of no man were ye, said your warrior poet,
Neither subject unto man as underlings:
Yours is now the season here wherein to show it,
If the seed ye be of them that knew not kings.
If ye be not, swords nor words alike found brittle
From the dust of death to raise you shall prevail:
Subject swords and dead men’s words may stead you little,
If their old king-hating heart within you fail.
If your spirit of old, and not your bonds, be broken,
If the kingless heart be molten in your breasts,
By what signs and wonders, by what word or token,
Shall ye drive the vultures from your eagles’ nests?
All the gains of tyrants Freedom counts for losses;

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poem by Algernon Charles Swinburne
Added by Poetry Lover
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