An Oracle that Warned the Writer when on Pilgrim
The poem describes a pilgrim who encounters an oracle that warns him of impending danger on his journey. The oracle's warning is cryptic and open to interpretation, leaving the reader to ponder its meaning. The poem explores themes of fate, free will, and the uncertainty of the future.
By Hilaire Belloc · First published 1906 · Genre: Poetry, Travel, Religious · 159 words
First lines
Matutinus adest ubi Vesper, et accipiens te Saepe recusatum voces intelligit hospes Rusticus ignotas notas, ac flumina tellus Occupat -- In sancto tum, tum, stans Aede caveto Tonsuram Hirsuti Capitis, via namque pedestrem Ferrea praeveniens cursum, peregrine, laborem Pro pietate tua inceptum frustratur, amore Antiqui Ritus alto sub Numine Romae.
_Translation of the above_: --
When early morning seems but eve And they that still refuse receive: When speech unknown men understand; And floods are crossed upon dry land.
Within the Sacred Walls beware The Shaven Head that boasts of Hair, For when the road attains the rail The Pilgrim's great attempt shall fail.
What this Textopian page supports
An Oracle that Warned the Writer when on Pilgrimage is listed on Textopian as a poem by Hilaire Belloc, dated 1906 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: Hilaire Belloc
- Date: 1906 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Poetry, Travel, Religious, Philosophical, Historical
- Length: 159 words
- Structure: 1 section, 4 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Difficult (College Level)
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Similar titles
- The Wandering Jew by James Whitcomb Riley
- Moly by Madison Cawein
- The Lost Word by Henry Van Dyke
- The Strange Companion by Hilaire Belloc
- The Death Of Wandering Peter by Hilaire Belloc
- The Raft Builders by Lord Dunsany
Genres
- Poetry — The work is structured in verse form, employing rhyme and meter, characteristic of poetic writing.
- Travel — The text references a pilgrimage, indicating a journey or travel theme.
- Religious — Mentions of sacred walls and ancient rites suggest religious themes.
- Philosophical — The text contains abstract reflections on understanding and failure, typical of philosophical inquiry.
Tags
Fiction · Novel · Travelogue · Adventure · Pilgrimage · Spirituality · Mystery · Prophecy · Warning · Literary Fiction · Classical Literature · 19th Century Literature