Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, ed. Poems of Places: An Anthology in 31 Volumes.
Greece and Turkey in Europe: Vol. XIX. 1876–79.

Greece: Athens

Athens

By Aristophanes (c. 446–386 B.C.)

Translated by J. B. Patterson

NYMPHS of the rain,

Let us visit again

The city by Pallas beloved, the home,—

The populous home of choicest delights,

Where for the appointed secret rites

From year to year the mystic dome

Duly unfolds its hallowed portals;

And gifts are there to the Powers Divine,

And many a statue and lofty shrine,

And pomps for all the blessed immortals;

Banquet and wreathy sacrifice

Hallow each season as it flies;

And ever, at the voice of spring,

Bacchus his graceful mirth renews;

Sweet choirs in strife melodious sing,

And all the festive echoes ring

With thunders of the Scenic Muse.