On First Looking into Chapman's Homer
On First Looking into Chapman's Homer
Original Text
Leigh Hunt, The Examiner (London, Dec. 1, 1816). P LE E ROBA.
2 And many goodly states and kingdoms seen;
3 Round many western islands have I been
4Which bards in fealty to Apollo hold.
5Oft of one wide expanse had I been told
6 That deep-brow'd Homer ruled as his demesne;
8Till I heard Chapman speak out loud and bold:
10 When a new planet swims into his ken;
12 He star'd at the Pacific--and all his men
13Look'd at each other with a wild surmise--
14 Silent, upon a peak in Darien.
Notes
1] Keats knew very little Greek, and read Homer only in translation. Back to Line
7] pure serene. This phrase is to be found in Coleridge'sHymn before Sun-rise, in the Vale of Chamouni, 72, and also in Cary's translation of Dante's Paradiso, XV, 11. Back to Line
9] Keats perhaps had in mind Sir William Herschel's discovery of Uranus in 1781. Back to Line
11] Cortez. Actually it was Balboa, not Cortez, who first crossed the isthmus to the Pacific. Keats had read Robertson's History of America and apparently confused two scenes there described: Balboa's discovery of the Pacific and Cortez' first view of Mexico City. The two passages read as follows: "At length the Indians assured them, that from the top of the next mountain they should discover the ocean which was the object of their wishes. When, with infinite toil, they had climbed up the greater part of the steep ascent, Balboa commanded his men to halt, and advanced alone to the summit, that he might be the first who should enjoy a spectacle which he had so long desired. As soon as he beheld the South Sea stretching in endless prospect below him, he fell on his knees, and lifting up his hands to Heaven, returned thanks to God, who had conducted him to a discovery so beneficial to his country, and so honourable to himself. His followers, observing his transports of joy, rushed forward to join in his wonder, exultation, and gratitude" (Bk. III). "In descending from the mountains of Chalco, across which the road lay, the vast plain of Mexico opened gradually to their view. When they first beheld this prospect, one of the most striking and beautiful on the face of the earth; when they observed fertile and cultivated fields, stretching farther than the eye could reach; when they saw a lake resembling the sea in extent, encompassed with large towns, and discovered the capital city rising upon an island in the middle, adorned with its temples and turrets; the scene so far exceeded their imagination, that some believed the fanciful descriptions of romance were realized, and that its enchanted palaces and gilded domes were presented to their sight; others could hardly persuade themselves that this wonderful spectacle was any thing more than a dream. As they advanced, their doubts were removed, but their amazement increased. They were now fully satisfied that the country was rich beyond any conception which they had formed of it" (Bk. V). Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1817
RPO poem Editors
J. R. MacGillivray
RPO Edition
3RP 2.620.
Rhyme
Form