MOLY
Reading edition
EDITH M. THOMAS
The root is hard to loose From hold of earth by mortals, but Gods' power Can all things do. 'Tis black, but bears a flower As white as milk. (Chapman's Homer.)
Traveller, pluck a stem of moly, If thou touch at Circe's isle,— Hermes' moly, growing solely To undo enchanter's wile. When she proffers thee her chalice,— Wine and spices mixed with malice,— When she smites thee with her staff To transform thee, do thou laugh! Safe thou art if thou but bear The least leaf of moly rare. Close it grows beside her portal, Springing from a stock immortal,— Yes, and often has the Witch Sought to tear it from its niche; But to thwart her cruel will The wise God renews it still. Though it grows in soil perverse, Heaven hath been its jealous nurse, And a flower of snowy mark Springs from root and sheathing dark; Kingly safeguard, only herb That can brutish passion curb! Some do think its name should be Shield-heart, White Integrity. Traveller, pluck a stem of moly, If thou touch at Circe's isle,— Hermes' moly, growing solely To undo enchanter's wile!
NOTES
Chapman's Homer:—George Chapman (1559?-1634) was an English poet. He translated Homer from the Greek into English verse.
moly:—An herb with a black root and a white flower, which Hermes gave to Odysseus in order to help him withstand the spell of the witch Circe.
Circe:—A witch who charmed her victims with a drink that she prepared for them, and then changed them into the animals they in character most resembled.
Hermes:—The messenger of the other Greek gods; he was crafty and eloquent.
The wise God:—Hermes, or Mercury.
SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDY
Before you try to study this poem carefully, find out something of the story of Ulysses and Circe: when you have this information, the poem will become clear. Notice how the author applies the old Greek tale to the experiences of everyday life. This would be a good poem to memorize.
COLLATERAL READINGS
On First Looking into Chapman's HomerJohn Keats
The Strayed RevellerMatthew Arnold
The Wine of CirceDante Gabriel Rossetti
Tanglewood Tales (Circe's Palace)Nathaniel Hawthorne
Greek Story and Song, pp. 214-225A.J. Church
The Odyssey, pp. 151-164 (School Ed.)G.H. Palmer (Trans.)
Classic Myths, chapter 24C.M. Gayley
The Age of Fable, p. 295Thomas Bulfinch
The Prayer of the Swine to CirceAustin Dobson
PICTURES
The Wine of CirceSir Edward Burne-Jones
Circe and the Companions of UlyssesBriton Rivière