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Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral · Chapter
X explained
The speaker implores Phoebus, the sun god, to hasten his journey across the sky so that they may behold a famous town, invoking the king of day for swift illumination.
What happens
The speaker implores Phoebus, the sun god, to hasten his journey across the sky so that they may behold a famous town, invoking the king of day for swift illumination.
Characters to notice
- Phoebus
Addressed as the sun god whose chariot moves slowly; implored to hasten his rising ray.
Key passages
“Why, Phoebus, moves thy car so slow? So slow thy rising ray? Give us the famous town to view, Thou glorious king of day!”
Why does your chariot, Phoebus, move so slowly? Why does your morning light rise so slowly? Let us see the renowned city, you radiant king of the day!
A direct appeal to the sun god for speed and visibility.