Classic Poem

Where Thebes' great towers did threat the sky,
And overlook'd the fertile Pharian land,
There Memnon's statue all of stone did stand,
And challeng'd wonder from each gazing eye;
For of itself no sense in it was found,
No breath, no motion, nor no life at all;
But when Apollo's beams on it did fall,
Then it sent out a vital vocal sound.
I am that statue, great and mighty king;
Thou art that Phœbus, who with rays of love
Did make me both to breathe, to live and move.
When of myself I was a senseless thing.
Then gracious sun still shine, and with those rays,
Still give him life, who still shall give thee praise.