Arthur Rackham’s ‘A Dish of Apples’ for National Apple Day

Arthur Rackham’s ‘A Dish of Apples’ for National Apple Day

It’s National Apple Day! To celebrate we’re sharing Arthur Rackham‘s beautiful illustrations from Eden Phillpott’s delightful book A Dish of Apples. We’ve also added our favourite poem from the book – ‘Song to Pomona’.

Pomona was the Roman goddess of fruit trees, gardens, and orchards. She was said to look after the soil around the roots of her trees, prune them when they got overgrown, guide water to their roots, and shoo away any insects attempting to eat their leaves. In roman mythology she marries Vertumnus, the god of seasons, plant growth, gardens and orchards, who tricks her into it by disguising as an old lady offering advice on marriage.

Song to Pomona

A silver dew lies on the Autumn grasses,
Autumnal sunshine habits every tree;
From each bejewelled bough there slowly passes
Immeasured scent and sweetness up to thee,
Pomorum Patrona! Pomorum Patrona!
O hear, as thou wert wont to hear of old,
Though guardian goddess of red and gold.

Banners, above thine orchard temples flying.
Flame a new splendour from each glowing glade,
And radiant hills of clustered light are lying
Beneath the lichened pillars on the shade,
Pomorun Patrona! Pomorum Patrona!
O give, as thou wert wont to give of old,
Though guardian goddess of red and gold.

With ample stores abundantly she blesses
Each nesting hamlet of the hills and plains,
Shaking within their thirsty cider-presses
The glory garnered from her woodland fanes.
Pomorun Patrona! Pomorum Patrona!
We praise thy name with voices of young and old,
Though guardian goddess of red and gold.

 

More illustrations from A Dish of Apples…

Ribston Pippin

In russet clad, and o’er his noble head
A Halo spread,
He reigns upon a cordon lifted high.
The very wasps salute as they pass by.”

 

Barnack Beauty

Not until every leaf has flown
Will he desert his summer throne,
Then, full of days and plump with sap,
Leap gaily down into your lap;
For since the apple world began,
He’s shown a great good will to man.

Allington Pippin

Delicate and dainty thing!
For the fairies you were fashioned;
Than a flavour so impassioned
Pine and grape no richer being.

Lady’s apple thou shalt be
Food that pretty women eat —
Pouting lips thy destiny,
Sparkling sweets unto the sweet.

Devonshire Quarrenden

This was the very apple, though some may disbelieve,
Flashed through a leafy dapple and took the eye of eve;
And if you seek another and hold it to the light,
You’ll see where our first mother bestowed her fateful bite.”

 

Read more about the life and work of Arthur Rackham here.

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