Sabrina Fair

Sabrina fair,
——Listen where thou art sitting
Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave,
——In twisted braids of lilies knitting
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair;
——Listen for dear honour's sake,
——Goddess of the silver lake,
Listen and save!

——Listen and appear to us,
——In name of great Oceanus,
——By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace,
——And Tethys' grave majestic pace;
——By hoary Nereus' wrinkled look,
——And the Carpathian wizard's hook;
——By scaly Triton's winding shell,
——And old soothsaying Glaucus' spell;
——By Leucothea's lovely hands,
——And her son that rules the strands;
——By Thetis' tinsel-slippered feet,
——And the songs of Sirens sweet;
——By dead Parthenope's dear tomb,
——And fair Ligea's golden comb,
——Wherewith she sits on diamond rocks
——Sleeking her soft alluring locks;
——By all the nymphs that nightly dance
——Upon thy streams with wily glance,—
——Rise, rise, and heave thy rosy head
——From thy coral-paven bed,
——And bridle in thy headlong wave,
——Till thou our summons answered have.
Listen and save!

Sabrina fair,
——Listen where thou art sitting
Under the glassy, cool, translucent wave,
——In twisted braids of lilies knitting
The loose train of thy amber-dropping hair;
——Listen for dear honour's sake,
——Goddess of the silver lake,
Listen and save!

——Listen and appear to us,
——In name of great Oceanus,
——By the earth-shaking Neptune's mace,
——And Tethys' grave majestic pace;
——By hoary Nereus' wrinkled look,
——And the Carpathian wizard's hook;
——By scaly Triton's winding shell,
——And old soothsaying Glaucus' spell;
——By Leucothea's lovely hands,
——And her son that rules the strands;
——By Thetis' tinsel-slippered feet,
——And the songs of Sirens sweet;
——By dead Parthenope's dear tomb,
——And fair Ligea's golden comb,
——Wherewith she sits on diamond rocks
——Sleeking her soft alluring locks;
——By all the nymphs that nightly dance
——Upon thy streams with wily glance,—
——Rise, rise, and heave thy rosy head
——From thy coral-paven bed,
——And bridle in thy headlong wave,
——Till thou our summons answered have.
Listen and save!
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Hnnhbiie30's picture

John Milton's poem "Sabrina Fair" is a captivating invocation that transports readers into the realm of myth and magic, where the ethereal beauty of the natural world is celebrated and revered. Through intricate language and vivid imagery, Milton beckons to Sabrina, the goddess of the silver lake, to rise from her watery abode and heed the call of mortals.
The poem begins with a lyrical address to Sabrina, who is implored to listen from her watery throne beneath the glassy, cool, translucent wave. Milton paints a vivid picture of Sabrina, her hair braided with lilies and adorned with amber drops, evoking an image of divine beauty and serenity. The repetition of the phrase "Listen and save!" emphasizes the urgency of the speaker's plea, underscoring the importance of Sabrina's intervention.
As the invocation continues, Milton invokes the names of various mythological figures associated with the sea, including Oceanus, Neptune, and Triton, among others. Each name is imbued with symbolic significance, representing the vastness and power of the ocean and its inhabitants. The speaker beseeches these deities to lend their strength and authority to the summoning of Sabrina, emphasizing the reverence with which she is regarded.
Throughout the poem, Milton's language is rich with imagery and symbolism, drawing upon the traditions of classical mythology to evoke a sense of wonder and awe. The imagery of twisted braids of lilies, amber-dropping hair, and coral-paved beds creates a vivid sensory experience for the reader, immersing them in the mystical world of the poem.
At its core, "Sabrina Fair" is a celebration of the beauty and power of nature, personified in the figure of Sabrina. Through her association with the silver lake and its surrounding landscape, Sabrina embodies the timeless allure of the natural world and its ability to inspire awe and reverence in those who behold it.
In conclusion, "Sabrina Fair" by John Milton is a captivating poetic invocation that celebrates the beauty and majesty of the natural world. Through intricate language and vivid imagery, Milton transports readers into a realm of myth and magic, where the ethereal presence of Sabrina evokes a sense of wonder and reverence. This timeless poem serves as a testament to the enduring power of nature to captivate and inspire the human imagination.

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