Envoys from Alexandria
They had not seen, for ages, such beautiful gifts in Delphi
as these that had been sent by the two brothers,
the rival Ptolemaic kings. After they had received them
however, the priests were uneasy about the oracle. They will need
all their experience to compose it with astuteness,
which of the two, which of such two will be displeased.
And they hold secret councils at night
and discuss the family affairs of the Lagidae.
But see, the envoys have returned. They are bidding farewell.
They are returning to Alexandria, they say. And they do not ask
for any oracle. And the priests hear this with joy
(of course they will keep the marvellous gifts),
but they also are utterly perplexed,
not understanding what this sudden indifference means.
For they are unaware that yesterday the envoys received grave news.
The oracle was given in Rome; the division took place there.
poem by Constantine P. Cavafy
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
Know Thyself
at the entrance of all our doors
in our delphis
we put this notice
addressed to ourselves
know thyself
sometimes i wonder
what does this mean?
do i have a self?
have i given it a name?
is the name myself?
i look inside
this self, there is none
it is not me
it is thinking thoughts
not my own
we quarrel
we disagree
this is not me
this ought not to be me
the oracle of delphi
must be wrong
how oedipus rex hurt himself
because he did not like himself
suggests somehow
there is another self
within us........
how many now?
this self? that self?
these selves?
somehow the oracle
of all oracles must be correct
we are unhappy
because 99% of what we do
is for the self
the self and nothing but the self
and there is none any anymore
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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Temples Of Syrinx
We've taken care of everything
The words you hear, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes.
It's one for all and all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why.
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
Look around at this world we've made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
Oh, what a nice, contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand.
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Know Thyself And Then Live Your Life The Way You Deem It Fit
at the gates
of Delphi
of the oracle's
house it is written:
know thyself
it is only then
that life becomes
worth living.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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The Temples Of Syrinx
And the meek shall inherit the earth...
Weve taken care of everything
The words you hear, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
Its one for all, all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
We are the priests
Of the temples of syrinx
Our great computers
Fill the hollowed halls
We are the priests
Of the temples of syrinx
All the gifts of life
Are held within our walls
Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the brotherhood of man
Oh what a wide contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the red star proudly high in hand
We are the priests
Of the temples of syrinx
Our great computers
Fill the hollowed halls
We are the priests
Of the temples of syrinx
All the gifts of life
Are held within our walls
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Rebuff
Rebuff!
Reach, peach, leach, teach, beach;
And like the oracle of the one whose eyes are very sharp!
But how beautiful is your love?
Mule, fuel, cruel, duel, trend;
Alas! ! There i met your love;
But you uttered the oracle and i fell into the hole,
And the darkness of it was full of red.
Seven times of love and three times with your muse,
Alas! ! There i met your love;
But you were consumed like a burning fire.
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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Displeases
Clue, glue, flew, threw, drew, pitch, ditch;
She was ridding on her donkey and you were with your monkey,
But i will turn back to my lover in the garden of peace.
Perverted, realised, displeases, fetch, teach, witch;
He was ridding on his donkey and you were with your monkey!
And like the oracle of the one whose eyes are opened.
Denounced, delighted, enchantment, pole, hole;
The oracle of your love had taken control over me,
But how beautiful is your body?
poem by Edward Kofi Louis
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2112: II. The Temples Of Syrinx
... "The massive grey walls of the Temples rise from the heart of every Federation city. I have always been awed by them, to think that every single facet of every life is regulated and directed from within! Our books, our music, our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent wisdom of the priests..."
We've taken care of everything
The words you hear, the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes.
It's one for all and all for one
We work together, common sons
Never need to wonder how or why.
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
Look around at this world we've made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the Brotherhood of Man
Oh, what a nice, contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the Red Star proudly high in hand.
We are the Priests of the Temples of Syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
We are the Priests, of the Temples of Syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Love Embraces
who will gift
love from heart
to be received
as gifts
in return
for gifts
received
love embraces
receptive souls
love embraces
beating hearts
sharing minds
Dedicated to Aaron Johal who gifts from the heart.
poem by Terence George Craddock
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What The Oracle Said About My Love For You
and so i consulted the oracle of Delphi
about my love for you
that such
must only be felt
not touched
because the moment my skin
touches yours
like the wax wings of Daedalus
i may fall and
drown myself and then
i die
tonight when i have the chance
to be near you
i will hug you.
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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A Poem For Us
this is the sign
at the entrance of the Oracle of
Delphi
Oedipus, he says, you must stop,
right here, in the middle of
an ignorance,
you know what happens next
when you know
finally the root cause
of this misery
You will finally be free
until you become
blinded
by the Truth
You chose your own
Destruction
poem by Ric S. Bastasa
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One of the nuisances of the ballot is that when the oracle has spoken you never know what it means.
quote by Lord Salisbury
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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2112
I. overture
Words and music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
And the meek shall inherit the earth.
Ii. the temples of syrinx
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
... the massive grey walls of the temples rise from the
Heart of every federation city. I have always been awed
By them, to think that every single facet of every life is
Regulated and directed from within! our books, our music,
Our work and play are all looked after by the benevolent
Wisdom of the priests...
Weve taken care of everything
The words you hear the songs you sing
The pictures that give pleasure to your eyes
Its one for all and all for one
We work together common sons
Never need to wonder how or why
We are the priests of the temples of syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls
We are the priests of the temples of syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls
Look around this world we made
Equality our stock in trade
Come and join the brotherhood of man
Oh what a nice contented world
Let the banners be unfurled
Hold the red star proudly high in hand
We are the priests of the temples of syrinx
Our great computers fill the hallowed halls.
We are the priests of the temples of syrinx
All the gifts of life are held within our walls.
Iii. discovery
Words by neil peart, music by alex lifeson
... behind my beloved waterfall, in the little room that was
Hidden beneath the cave, I found it. I brushed away the
Dust of the years, and picked it up, holding it reverently in
My hands. I had no idea what it might be, but it was
Beautiful ...
... I learned to lay my fingers across the wires, and to turn
The keys to make them sound differently. as I struck the
Wires with my other hand, I produced my first harmonious
Sounds, and soon my own music! how different it could
Be from the music of the temples! I cant wait to tell the
Priests about it! ...
What can this strange device be?
When I touch it, it gives forth a sound
Its got wires that vibrate and give music
What can this thing be that I found?
See how it sings like a sad heart
And joyously screams out its pain
Sounds that build high like a mountain
Or notes that fall gently like rain
I cant wait to share this new wonder
The people will all see its light
Let them all make their own music
The priests praise my name on this night
Iv. presentation
Words by neil peart, music by alex lifeson
... in the sudden silence as I finished playing, I looked up
To a circle of grim, expressionless faces. father brown
Rose to his feet, and his somnolent voice echoed
Throughout the silent temple hall. ...
... instead of the grateful joy that I expected, they were
Words of quiet rejection! instead of praise, sullen
Dismissal. I watched in shock and horror as father brown
Ground my precious instrument to splinters beneath his
Feet...
I know its most unusual
To come before you so
But Ive found an ancient miracle
I thought that you should know
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
Theres something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Yes, we know its nothing new
Its just a waste of time
We have no need for ancient ways
The world is doing fine
Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesnt fit the plan
I cant believe youre saying
These things just cant be true
Our world could use this beauty
Just think what we might do
Listen to my music
And hear what it can do
Theres something here as strong as life
I know that it will reach you
Dont annoy us further
We have our work to do
Just think about the average
What use have they for you?
Another toy will help destroy
The elder race of man
Forget about your silly whim
It doesnt fit the plan
V. oracle: the dream
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
... I guess it was a dream, but even now it all seems so
Vivid to me. clearly yet I see the beckoning hand of the
Oracle as he stood at the summit of the staircase ...
... I see still the incredible beauty of the sculptured cities
And the pure spirit of man revealed in the lives and works
Of this world. I was overwhelmed by both wonder and
Understanding as I saw a completely different way to life,
A way that had been crushed by the federation long ago. i
Saw now how meaningless life had become with the loss
Of all these things ...
I wandered home though silent streets
And fell into a fitful sleep
Escape to realms beyond the night
Dream cant you show me the light?
I stand atop a spiral stair
An oracle confronts me there
He leads me on light years away
Through astral nights, galactic days
I see the works of gifted hands
That grace this strange and wondrous land
I see the hand of man arise
With hungry mind and open eyes
They left the planets long ago
The elder race still learn and grow
Their power grows with purpose strong
To claim the home where they belong
Home, to tear the temples down...
Home, to change..
Vi. soliloquy
Words by neil peart, music by geddy lee and alex lifeson
... I have not left this cave for days now, it has become
My last refuge in my total despair. I have only the music of
The waterfall to comfort me now. I can no longer live
Under the control of the federation, but there is no other
Place to go. my last hope is that with my death I may pass
Into the world of my dream, and know peace at last.
The sleep is still in my eyes
The dream is still in my head
I heave a sigh and sadly smile
And lie a while in bed
I wish that it might come to pass
Not fade like all my dreams
Just think of what my life might be
In a world like I have seen
I dont think I can carry on
Carry on this cold and empty life
Oh...noo!
My spirits are low in the depths of despair
My lifeblood spills over..
Vii. grand finale
Music by geddy lee, alex lifeson, and neil peart
Attention all planets of the solar federation
Attention all planets of the solar federation
Attention all planets of the solar federation
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.
We have assumed control.
song performed by by Rush
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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With Antecedents
WITH antecedents;
With my fathers and mothers, and the accumulations of past ages;
With all which, had it not been, I would not now be here, as I am:
With Egypt, India, Phenicia, Greece and Rome;
With the Kelt, the Scandinavian, the Alb, and the Saxon;
With antique maritime ventures,--with laws, artizanship, wars and
journeys;
With the poet, the skald, the saga, the myth, and the oracle;
With the sale of slaves--with enthusiasts--with the troubadour, the
crusader, and the monk;
With those old continents whence we have come to this new continent;
With the fading kingdoms and kings over there; 10
With the fading religions and priests;
With the small shores we look back to from our own large and present
shores;
With countless years drawing themselves onward, and arrived at these
years;
You and Me arrived--America arrived, and making this year;
This year! sending itself ahead countless years to come.
O but it is not the years--it is I--it is You;
We touch all laws, and tally all antecedents;
We are the skald, the oracle, the monk, and the knight--we easily
include them, and more;
We stand amid time, beginningless and endless--we stand amid evil and
good;
All swings around us--there is as much darkness as light; 20
The very sun swings itself and its system of planets around us;
Its sun, and its again, all swing around us.
As for me, (torn, stormy, even as I, amid these vehement days,)
I have the idea of all, and am all, and believe in all;
I believe materialism is true, and spiritualism is true--I reject no
part.
Have I forgotten any part?
Come to me, whoever and whatever, till I give you recognition.
I respect Assyria, China, Teutonia, and the Hebrews;
I adopt each theory, myth, god, and demi-god;
I see that the old accounts, bibles, genealogies, are true, without
exception; 30
I assert that all past days were what they should have been;
And that they could no-how have been better than they were,
And that to-day is what it should be--and that America is,
And that to-day and America could no-how be better than they are.
In the name of These States, and in your and my name, the Past,
And in the name of These States, and in your and my name, the Present
time.
I know that the past was great, and the future will be great,
And I know that both curiously conjoint in the present time,
(For the sake of him I typify--for the common average man's sake--
your sake, if you are he;)
And that where I am, or you are, this present day, there is the
centre of all days, all races, 40
And there is the meaning, to us, of all that has ever come of races
and days, or ever will come.
poem by Walt Whitman
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Orpheus Magic Poetic Music
Orphus 'twas playing
His most magical tune
While Greek soldiers
Fought under blue moon
Tyrants and despots
Bent towards their evil whims
Undaunting acrimony
Their foul mouths spin
But in the distance
Near the Aegean Sea
Orpheus's music
Has inticed little me
The Oracle announced him
'He's magic' The oracle bemused
Poetry came to me
I so very enthused
The Acropolis of Athen's
Stood tall at attention
In hopes that Orpheus
Would give them honrable mention
Dedicated to: Origins of Poetry
To Orpheus and all things Greek
I love You...
poem by Theodora Onken
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Austerity/girl One
In the town
The start of day
The father thinks in sadness
On why his daughters went away
On youth and other madness
I know we don't choose who we love
And malice is so human
When your principle's no good
It's time to find a new one
I was brought up to believe
That to avoid disaster
In life as in your dreams
You've got to be the monster
When you've done your very best
When things turn out unpleasant
When the best of men take bribes
Isn't it the fool who doesn't?
In the town
By the house
The journalist is waiting
And near this place
There is a space
A subject contemplating
You've got your keys to get back in
You've washed your face so you can smile
You've got your pockets full of lending cash
Your ticket to the ladies mile
You brush away a flake of zinc
Advance toward the street outside
You close your mind so you can't think
The hide, the ride, the tide
But the scenes come rushing in
Like eels into your net
And it's just like joseph said
Another walk you can't forget
But you push into the bleak
Where all the women walk in fear
Another three-word phrase
The near, the clear, the dear
You're a lonely little girl
Who just wants to please her dad
So you thought you'd be a nurse
Just like your mother had
But you make the patients worse
And the doctors know you're bad
(better get back to the oracle)
The oracle in this case
Is a message on your phone
It says where you go
Gravity has gone
You know this is true
But you want to speak of love
Prediction and ambiguity
Go hand in glove
The oracle in this case
Is a face on your wall
It says where you go
People will fall
And near this place
There is a space
A subject contemplating
And in the town
The sun goes down
No-one investigating
song performed by by Human League
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Homecoming Of A Wanderer (To Bhupen Hazarika)
He returned home through the same village roads,
Some morning declaring his fight against time and its tides,
through which he had gone.
Declaring miles and miles of road shorter than his dreams through which he had gone..
Declaring himself anonymous and wanderer and leaving promises of returning winner.
through which he had gone,,,
He returned.
On his return, the village road saw the same villager and he returned on the same wheels of his dreams
And those dreams were still full of life.
On his return but he was no longer an anonymous, he earned a name which could travel boundaries of land, river, ocean and time as well..
And when he returned he was no longer a wanderer for everywhere he went he left a mark of the river of his village where he belonged and now he owned a home in thousands heart
On his return he was no longer a wanderer
He returned through the same village roads
but not without gifts of eternity..
gifts from the zenith of human limits,,
gifts of pride and honour,,
gifts of travelling the roads of life,,
larger than travelled by any one ever,,,
he returned for he had left with promises of returning to his mother.
For sunset is nowhere more peaceful than the laps of her..
Dedicated to the wanderer,
You have to realise that I am not a remarkable person at all, but incomprehensible even to myself. While in the cradle I was showered with gifts from many beautiful people who acted as fairies having been invited by my mother to bestow a multitude of different talents upon her son. But the forgotten fairy, the terrible twisted and bandy legged one that is always left out appeared as well. Leaning over my cot, she said I cannot take away the gifts you have just received from these ladies, but I can give you one of my own. Your whole life long, you will never do that which you like best!
quote by Felicien Rops
Submitted by Simona Enache
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Delphi, c.430 BCE
She saw them coming, that rainy day;
popped her head out of the cave,
saw them trudging sandalled up the hillside;
being an oracle, she knew all the answers;
but had to guess the questions, or wait
to see what stupidity or conceit
framed their speech;
upmarket bunch, this lot; not the usual
money market slickers whom
it was a pleasure to turn away..
Chaerophon addressed her:
was there any man who was wiser
than Socrates? She sighed inwardly;
always their leading questions
gave them away..
tell them what they want to hear..
she did the smoke thing, but
the rain spoiled the trick;
a theatrical pause always gives
better value, a certain weight..
no, she said at length, no man
is wiser than Socrates..
swiftly satisfied, they turned away;
did not hear her add,
‘but his wife is wiser…’
typical men… but she chuckled to herself
ironically, remembering what
her father said when she told him
she wanted to be an oracle when she grew up:
‘Men think they know… but women
think they know better…’ Dad
spoke truer than he knew -
in her case.
She gathered her robe
around her; checked the time;
caves are OK, have a certain drama;
but temples, she thought, are friendlier..
poem by Michael Shepherd
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I Am Greatly Perplexed
i am greatly perplexed
&
i am greatly perplexed-
the unbearable burden is squarely on my head
crushing me into smithereens-
it was accumulation madness in youth
receiving gifts in plenty, all in repetitions-
most glittering but utterly useless-
my purse then was bottomless
my desires soaring endless heights
and proud of my vanity acquisitions-
at the exit gate of my life
all shout at me clamouring protection
from the closed boxes' stifling darkness
never once breathing fresh air in years-
of what use were they for me
except to occupy entire lofts?
o how to dispose of these worthless stuffs
with no place even to display their empty glitter?
time runs out with the knock of death getting louder
the gifts outliving their utility and unexciting the gen-next-
i spend sleepless nights, waking up with bulging eyes
o god! no more gifts to slaughter my sleep!
kind hearts! relieve me of my distress lest i kill myself!
-s.chandra kalaadhar
poem by Sundaram Chandrakalaadhar
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Can We See The Future Today? [Part 3]
Human beings have peeped into the future with clairvoyance
Clairvoyance is the ability to perceive future events with
powers that are beyond the natural range of the senses
The practitioners of this art are called clairvoyant or psychic
In esoteric language, clairvoyants are said to possess second sight
How true is clairvoyance as a tool to peep into the future?
The accuracy depends on the clairvoyant or the psychic
The ancients have used the oracle to foresee the future
This is a process of consulting the oracular gods through
a priest or priestess to learn about future events.
The oracles are still in use in many places around the world
Even today, some people will not start a new project
or commence an undertaking without consulting the oracle
How correct is the oracle as a means to foretell the future?
The precision depends on the oracle priest or priestess
Can we see the future today?
Human beings have peeped into the future using necromancy
This is the process of invoking or conjuring up the
spirit of the dead to make prophesies and foretell the future
The practitioners of this art are called medium or spiritualist
How accurate is necromancy as a device to forecast the future?
The veracity depends on the spiritualist or the medium
Can we see the future today?
Some people have used I Ching to peep into the future
I Ching is a Chinese system of divination or
fortune-telling that has been in use since the B.C era
In English language, I Ching is called the Book of Changes
There are many methods of using I Ching, but the most
popular ones are the yarrow stalks and the coin methods
Another Chinese method of divination that has been
practiced since the B.C era is called Feng Shui
Feng shui which in english means wind and water is
defined by encarta as a Chinese system that studies
people’s relationships to their environment, especially
their home or workspace, in order to achieve maximum
harmony with the spiritual forces believed to influence all places
Today, believers in feng shui can be found in many countries
[To Be Concluded in Part 4]
poem by Julius Babarinsa
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