Early Apollo
Early Apollo - fact Summary
Included in New Poems
The poem portrays a young, nascent poet likened to an early Apollo whose head is momentarily touched by springlike radiance. It sketches potential rather than achievement: no laurel crowns yet, but a future bloom of roses and falling petals suggesting the gradual emergence of voice. The final image of a trembling mouth implies a song about to form, emphasizing anticipation and the slow unfolding of poetic life.
Read Complete AnalysesAs when at times there breaks through branches bare A morning vibrant with the breath of spring, About this poet-head a splendour rare Transforms it almost to a mortal thing. There is as yet no shadow in his glance, Too cool his temples for the laurel's glow; But later o'er those marble brows, perchance, A rose-garden with bushes tall will grow, And single petals one by one will fall O'er the still mouth and break its silent thrall, —The mouth that trembles with a dawning smile As though a song were rising there the while.
Translated by Jessie Lamont
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