Phoebos Apollo, radiant and shining archer,
Pythian Apollo, Lord of Delphi and oracles,
Delian Apollo, Lord of the Island of Delos,
Delphinius, Averter of evil, Rescuer, Protector of strangers,
Divine healer, Far-shooter.
Beautiful, terrible god of truth and light,
I ask your presence. I call to you
To be here this evening and witness this rite.
Golden son of Zeus and Leto, Brother of Artemis,
Lord of the Hyperboreans most pious,
Averter of plagues, giver of foresight
I ask for your blessing of purity, your shining inspiration,
and your unparalleled song.
Apollo, brilliant one of far sight and beautiful voice,
Wine and honey I pour to you.
Ie, Paeon!
- Dante Alighieri
ANALYSIS
The subject of "Invocations to Apollo" becomes evident after viewing the first few sentences, it's main purpose is conveyed through the author explaining different scenarios and acts of gallant heroism that Apollo has accomplished. About halfway into the poem, you can notice a slight shift in the author's writing. He goes from endless praise to asking for his divine task. In fact, he even goes on to state such as: " Beautiful, terrible, god of truth and light, I ask your presence." However, Dante makes sure to reiterate his main purpose and key points: praising Apollo. He does this in an attempt to not lose Apollo's attention and to have a better chance of graciously receiving the "blessing of purity" that Dante desires. Dante then offers Apollo some of the finest wine and honey as a tribute and appreciation for Apollo's gratitude. The poem closes with Dante shouting "le, Paeon!", which he uses to express his praises towards Apollo.
I. THE SUMMONS OF THE SOLAR MINSTREL
I invoke Thee, O Flame-Crowned Archer of the Celestial Vault,
whose shafts of living gold discern the measure of all deeds;
whose sacred harp entwines the circling aeons
and awakens the chariot of day from the caverns of night.
Thine is the Vision that pierces the roots of mountains
and the secret fire hidden within the stars.
Through veils of pearl-grey dawn Thou wanderest,
rousing the silver rivers from their dreaming,
unsealing the cups of flowers,
guiding the winged choir through the luminous ether.
O Sovereign of Melody and Splendour,
whose every note is a law unto the worlds,
descend not as a phantom of sleep,
but as a radiant Presence clothed in living brilliance.
Let Thy golden laughter scatter the phantoms of sorrow;
let Thy sacred stillness unveil the mysteries of endurance.
Reveal unto me the hidden script of destiny
written upon the scrolls of the Eternal Sky.
II. THE ECSTASY OF THE LIVING LIGHT
Thy glory streams into the temple of my being
like amber nectar poured from immortal vessels.
Time itself melts beneath Thy gaze,
and the chambers of the soul become sanctified with wonder.
I behold Thee in the rushing breath of the winds;
I hear Thy hymn within the voices of the waters.
Thou art the Dancer among shadows and constellations,
the Secret Measure behind every rhythm of creation.
All creatures move according to Thy hidden cadence,
yet no boundary may contain Thy freedom,
nor any chain restrain Thy sovereign course.
O Lord of the Sacred Isle,
whose wisdom turns the hearts of kings and wanderers alike,
whose celestial harmonies bind the galaxies together,
I bow not from fear of Thy might,
but from the intoxication of adoration.
For Love is the star within my breast,
and Will is the flame that bears it heavenward.
Therefore I yearn to feel Thy current within my blood,
that Thy power may move through me
as it moves through the wheeling heavens
and the breathing Earth beneath them.
III. THE CONSECRATION OF ALEXANDER THE PRIEST
Come unto me, O Solar Oracle,
Master of the shining bow and the seven-stringed enchantment;
Guardian of luminous remedies,
Keeper of the hidden auguries,
Lord of the purifying fire and the righteous thunder.
Come unto Alexander the Priest!
Come in splendour;
come in rapture;
come in the fragrance of the sacred laurel
and the music that causes the soul to remember its divine origin.
Take my heart as an altar of devotion.
Take my breath as incense before Thy throne.
Take my voice and make it a vessel of Thy praise.
Take my spirit and unite it with Thy everlasting radiance.
Let every thought become a hymn,
every act a sacrament,
every moment a celebration of Thy beauty.
Thus shall I walk in the path of the Sun,
crowned with wonder,
illumined with wisdom,
and carried upon the wings of sacred ecstasy;
Forever devoted,
forever transformed,
forever ablaze in the splendour of Love under Will,
eternal, resplendent, and unbounded.
>MMXXVI 31 MAY
Image: Apollo Harmonia 3
Mahaboka
ellievsbear
stormborns
theartofmadeline
vaporwave
prguitarman
dailybridgerton
discoholicmusic
romaincrisis
turnnoffyourmind
