or as ‘returning’ to an earlier one. But in the poets, both Indian and Greek, we
find more graphic images.
According to RV 9. 10. 6 ‘the poets of the past open the doors of mindings/
songs’, presumably enabling the songs to come forth. Similarly Bacchylides
(fr. 5): ‘One becomes skilled (as a poet) from another; it was ever so. For it
is not the easiest thing to discover the gates of unspoken verse.’ And Pindar
(Ol. 6. 27): ‘the gates of song must be opened for them’. In Parmenides the
gates of Night and Day are opened for his car to pass through, so that he can
learn the truth that will form the subject matter of his poem.
The poem needs an open, smooth road for its advance. ‘As in the past,
make the paths conducive for the new hymn’ (RV 9. 91. 5). ‘Broad are the
approaches from every side for story-men to glorify this famed island’ (Pind.
Nem. 6. 45 f., cf. Isth. 3. 19, Bacchyl. 5. 31). ‘It is no rocky or uphill path, if one
brings the Muses’ honours to the house of men of high repute’ (Isth. 2. 33 f.).
When all is ready, one can say ‘let the song go forth!’
prá Vís
̇
n
̇
ave s ́u ̄s
̇
ám etu mánma.
Let the song go forth sonorously for Vishnu. (RV 1. 154. 3)
prá s ́ukrá etu devı ̄ ́ manı ̄s
̇
a ́ ̄ asmát sútas
̇
to rátho ná va ̄jı ̄ ́.
Let the shining, divine song go forth from us like a well-built prize-winning chariot.
(7. 34. 1)
prá Mitráyor Várun
̇ayo stómo na etu s ́u ̄s
̇íyah
̇.
Let our praise of Mitra and Varuna go forth sonorously. (7. 66. 1)The third-person imperative etu corresponds to Greek Aτω, and the formula
resembles Greek examples such as Aesch. Sept. 964 Aτω γο. Aτω δα ́ κρυ,
Soph. fr. 490 Aτω δC Πυθια βοα ́, Eur. Phaethon 101 Aτω τελεα γα ́ μων α, οιδα ́, Ion of Chios fr. 27. 7 Aτω δια νυκτ: α, οιδ .
Besides travelling by road or by ship, the song may fly (*pet) through the
air.^55
pára ̄ hi me vímanyavah
pátanti vásyaïs ̇
̇t
̇aye
váyo ná vasatı ̄ ́r úpa.
For forth my sentiments
fly to find success
like birds to their nests. (RV 1. 25. 4)The Danaids in Aeschylus’ Supplices (656) sing ‘So from our suppliant
mouths let the honorific prayer fly forth’ (ποτα ́ σθω). In Homer we have the
(^55) Durante (1958), 5–8 ~ (1976), 124–8; Nünlist (1998), 279–83.
44 1. Poet and Poesy