Explore "Prayer to Bragi" by Joyce Kilmer on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
The world-rocking roar of the thunder, the red lightning's death-dealing flash, / The wind that rends mountains asunder, the tempest's sharp, blood-bringing lash, / Beneficent silvery rivers that stream from the dream-laden moon, / And crimsoning fire that delivers bound life at the sun's freeing noon; / These swell like a marvellous ocean, all throbbing and leaping and strong, / O Bragi, in thy magic potion of pain and of sweetness and song!
The life-blood of Kvasir was taken, sharp heart-seeking knives made him bleed, / But still shall his spirit awaken in singers who drink of thy mead. / The honey from forests of flowers, poured out as the milk from the kine, / It flows through the undying hours from lips that are wet with thy wine. / O Bragi, dear master of singing, song-thirsty I beg for thy dole! / To thy knees, a suppliant clinging, I pray for a draught from thy bowl.