Poem: Theocritus - A Villanelle

Portrait of Oscar Wilde
Oscar Wilde 1854–1900
27Poems

Poem: Theocritus - A Villanelle

O singer of Persephone! In the dim meadows desolate Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still through the ivy flits the bee Where Amaryllis lies in state; O Singer of Persephone!

Simaetha calls on Hecate And hears the wild dogs at the gate; Dost thou remember Sicily?

Still by the light and laughing sea Poor Polypheme bemoans his fate; O Singer of Persephone!

And still in boyish rivalry Young Daphnis challenges his mate; Dost thou remember Sicily?

Slim Lacon keeps a goat for thee, For thee the jocund shepherds wait; O Singer of Persephone! Dost thou remember Sicily?

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magsie14 words
  1. magsie

    anyone out there have a vague inclination of this poem's meaning or background info?

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