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Poetry Magnum Opus

Dithyramb


Tinker

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Greek Verse, the beginnings.

Dithyramb is a genre of "frenzied" lyric in praise of wine and revelry. It is named for the god of revelry Dionysus. The dithyramb was originally composed to be sung by a chorus. The frame is at the discretion of the poet although the theme should be fitting with the history of the genre. Alternating verse and chorus are often used and it is common to find the genre written in Anacreontic Couplets.

Alexander's Feast by John Dryden (1639-1701) Chorus III

Bacchus' blessings are a treasure,
Drinking is the soldier's pleasure:
Rich the treasure,
Sweet the pleasure,
Sweet is pleasure after pain.

  • A Skolion dating back to 200 BC Greece is a banquet song often in praise of drink and could be called a Dithyhramb. These poems by banquet guests would be sung accompanied by the lyre which would be passed around and the guests lyrics would attempt to top the last. Responding to the previous skolion using clever language and punning.

~~ © ~~ Poems by Judi Van Gorder ~~

For permission to use this work you can write to Tinker1111@icloud.com

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