Explore "O Pan of the evergreen forest" by Bliss Carman on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
O Pan of the evergreen forest, / Protector of herds in the meadows, / Helper of men at their toiling, -- / Tillage and harvest and herding, -- / How many times to frail mortals / Hast thou not hearkened!
Now even I come before thee / With oil and honey and wheat-bread, / Praying for strength and fulfilment / Of human longing, with purpose / Ever to keep thy great worship / Pure and undarkened.
O Hermes, master of knowledge, / Measure and number and rhythm, / Worker of wonders in metal, / Moulder of malleable music, / So often the giver of secret / Learning to mortals!
Now even I, a fond woman, / Frail and of small understanding, / Yet with unslakable yearning / Greatly desiring wisdom, / Come to the threshold of reason / And the bright portals.
And thou, sea-born Aphrodite, / In whose beneficent keeping / Earth, with her infinite beauty, / Colour and fashion and fragrance, / Glows like a flower with fervour / Where woods are vernal!
Touch with thy lips and enkindle / This moon-white delicate body, / Drench with the dew of enchantment / This mortal one, that I also / Grow to the measure of beauty / Fleet yet eternal.