H THE ODYSSEY ODYSSE OF HOMAlE'R. fl, ml THE N - OF HOMER " ODYSSE RENDERED INTO ENGLISH VERSE. BOO-KS,I. TO XII. BY G. A. SCHOMBERG, C.] GENERAL. LONDON: JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1879. LOND)ON: I'RINTED) BY WILLIAM CLOWES AND s6Nh, STAMFIORD STREET AND CHIARING CROSS. PREFACE. I HAVE adopted blank verse for the principal portion of this attempt to render into English the Odyssey of Homer, although there are two objections to that metre. First, the great difficulty of the metre itself. Second, that even in hands far more able than mine, blank Iambics can hardly give the picturesque variety, and broken light and shadow of the Homeric Hexameter of the Odyssey; of which I have endeavoured, how vainly I fear,-to catch some reflection. But in spite of these objections, faithfulness to the original is the first requisite of a translator, and I am convinced that it is not possible to give a faithful rendering of so long a poem in verse, with the additional burden of rhyme. For the sake of variety I have introduced the two shorter lays of Demodocus, and the Sirens' song, in rhyming stanzas; these must be considered rather as paraphrases than accurate renderings of the originals. I hope I may lay claim to accuracy and faithfulness for the rest of my work. vi PREFACE. I have followed my great master in occasionally and very sparingly, introducing a couplet in rhyme; and have in two or three instances introduced a rhyme in the hemistichs of single verses, of which he has also set the example. With these few remarks of explanation I offer my attempt to clothe in an English garb the first twelve books of the Odyssey; a poem perhaps more wonderful for its variety and exquisite beauty than any other which the mind of a man has compassed. March, 1879. ERRATA. VOL. I., BOOKS I. TO XII. -4 -Book III., P. 53, line 64, for "1the," read "1thee." Book IV., P. 89, line 221, for "helpless, homeless," read "1 hapless, hiomeles~.. Book VI., p. 159, line 87, for "sponsals," read "1spousals." Book VIII., p. 208, line 255, for "read," read "1reach." Book VIII., p. 215, line 415, for "spring," reiwd "1springe." Book X., p. 277, line 281, for "1They sprang out," read "1They sprang- flt." Book XII., p. 3`53, line 374, for "1cave," read "1cove." THE ODYSSEY, BOOK I, ARGUMENT. Council of the Gods in Olympus-Minerva visits Telemachus at Ithaca-The Suitors. DAY 1. ING Muse the hero versatile, who roved So far, so long, after he overthrew Troy's holy citadel; of many men He saw the cities, and their manners learned; And woes he suffered on the deep; he strove 5 To win his comrades' lives, and safe return, But all his strivings failed to rescue them: They perished for their witless sacrilege, Who ate the oxen of Hyperion Sun; Hence never more saw they their native land. 10 B! 2 THE ODYSSEY. Boos I. Daughter of Jove, help us to tell the tale. All had reached home, escaping war and flood, Whom sheer destruction spared, save one alone; Him only-pining for his wife and home, Calypso, lovely goddess, held enthralled 15 In her arched grots, hoping to win his love. But when the circling years brought round the time In which the gods had willed his home return To Ithaca, not then, e'en midst his friends Escaped he trials sore; the gods themselves 20 All pitied him, save Neptune; who alone With unrelenting anger still pursued Godlike Ulysses, ere he reached his home. But now the god had gone to ZEthiops' land, The distant 2Ethiops-whose tribes are twain, 25 One towards the setting, one the rising sun: There he was present at the sacrifice Of lambs and oxen, and enjoyed the feast: Meanwhile the other gods assembled were In Jove's Olympian halls; when thus to them 30 The father of gods and men to speak began; For he bethought him of 2Egisthus' fate, BooK I. THE ODYSSEY. 3 -- Whom Agamemnon's son Orestes slew: Remembering this, the immortals he addressed: "How strange it is that mortals throw the blame 35 Of all their ills on us, the gods; when they By their misdeeds bring on themselves their woes, In spite of fate; 'twas thus IEgisthus stole The wife of Atreus' son, and murdered him On his return; although full well he knew 40 Vengeance awaited him, forewarned by us; Who sent to him the watchful Argus-slayer, Hermes, to bid him not to slay the chief, Nor violate his wife; for vengeance sure Would from Orestes fall when he should reach 45 The prime of youth, and for his birthright long: Thus counselled Hermes well, but failed to sway 2Egisthus' mind; who paid full penalty." To him blue-eyed Minerva thus replied: "My Father, son of Saturn, Lord of lords, 50 Under a righteous vengeance has he fallen; May all thus perish who commit such crimes! But for the brave Ulysses aches my heart; Ill-fated, far from friends; he suffers woes B 2 4 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK I. In that green isle, the centre of the deep, 55 Girt round by waters, where the goddess dwells The child of baleful Atlas; who sees through The depths of every sea, and who himself Sustains the mighty pillars which divide The earth and heaven: his daughter holds enthralled 60 Him the long-suffering and enduring man; And ever strives with soft and flattering words To witch him to forget his Ithaca: In vain, Ulysses pines to see the smoke Ascending from his home-and then to die! 65 Olympian Jove, does not thy heart relent? Did not Ulysses often win thy grace By holy sacrifice on Trojan soil? Then why pursue him with thy wrath, great Jove?" He who piles up the thunderclouds replied: 70 "My daughter, what a speech has 'scaped thy lips! Can I forget the godlike man, who far Excels his fellow men in intellect, And in devotion to the immortal gods, Dwellers in this high heaven above? but Neptune 75 The earth encircler, still is wroth with him, BooK I. THE ODYSSEY. 5 Because the eye he blinded of the Cyclops, The giant Polyphemus, mightiest Of all the race Cyclopian; whom the nymph Tho6sa bare to Neptune; she the child 80 Of Phorcys, genius of the lonely sea: Among the hollow caves she met the god. On this account earth-shaking Neptune spares Barely Ulysses' life; and bars him still From his own native shore; now we in council 85 Assembled, will arrange his home return: Neptune must stay his anger; he alone Dare not oppose all the immortal gods." To him the blue-eyed goddess thus replied: "My Father, son of Saturn, Lord of lords, 90 If it be pleasing to the blessed gods, That wise Ulysses to his home return, Let us dispatch the guiding Argus-slayer, Hermes, at once to the Ogygian isle; That to the fair-haired nymph he may announce 95 Our will unalterable; the return Of the enduring hero to his home: And I will go to Ithaca, and urge 6 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK I. His son; and stir his mind to high resolve, To call the long-haired Greeks to solemn council, 100 And send the suitors packing; who devour Wholesale his sheep, and heavy-footed kine. And he to Sparta and the sandy Pylos Shall go to learn his much-loved father's fate; And thus shall earn bright honour among men." 105 She said, and bound the sandals on her feet, Wondrous, ambrosial; that o'er sea and land Illimitable, bore her like the wind; Took, too, her trusty lance with brazen head, Massive and strong; with which the warrior hosts 110 She, dreadful goddess, in her wrath lays low: Down from the Olympian peaks she swooped, and stood Before Ulysses' gates in Ithaca, Her brazen lance in hand; but took The form of Mentes, of the Taphians chief: 115 And found the noble suitors in the court Before the palace doors: they played at chess Lolling on skins of oxen, which themselves Had slain; the heralds and domestics busily Tempered the wine with water in their cups; 120 BooK I. THE ODYSSEY. 7 The tables, some with sponge absorbent cleanse, And lay anew; some carve the mighty joints. Her presence first Telemachus descried, As 'mongst the suitors grieving in his heart He sat, his noble father in his thoughts; 125 If- he should e'er return and drive away This rabble rout; and to his home restore Its rule and honour: thus he sadly thought Among the crowd, when Pallas he beheld: He hastened to the threshold, vexed in mind 130 A stranger should be left before the gates Standing so long; and drawing near he grasped Her hand, relieved her of her brazen lance, And then with winged words addressed her thus: "Hail, stranger, thou art welcome to our feast, 135 And after tell us what may be thy need." He said, and led the way; Minerva followed, And when they werelhin the lofty courts, He placed her lance within the polished niche Against the springing column; where reposed 140 Full many a weapon of the absent chief; Next led her to a chair, wrought skilfully, 8 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK I. And cushions placed thereon, beneath her feet A footstool; by her side a couch he placed, Withdrawn a little from the suitors' throng, 145 Lest by their tumult she should be disturbed, And thus the feast be irksome to the guest: For greatly he desired to question her, And ask for news of his long-absent father. Meanwhile to wash their hands a serving-maid 150 From a rich golden ewer water poured Into a silver basin; and laid out The polished board; the modest stewardess Served bread and choice of viands from her store tight willingly; dishes of various sorts 155 The carver laid, and golden cups at hand; Which speedily the herald filled with wine. The lordly suitors entered then, and sat On couches and on chairs, in order due; The heralds bathed their hands with water next, 160 And serving-maidens bread in baskets brought, While youths with bumpers filled their brimming cups; They on the ready viands laid their hands. When thirst and hunger both were satisfied, BooK I. THE ODYSSEY. 9 - The suitors turned their thoughts to other joys, 165 The song and dance, the crowning of the feast: And straight the herald placed the graceful harp In Phemius' hands; who at the suitors' best Striking the opening chords, began his song. To blue-eyed Pallas then Telemachus 170 Addressed his speech, keeping his head near hers, So that the others should not hear his words: "Be not offended at my words, dear guest, The harp and song afford delight to these Lightly enough; who with impunity 175 Consume the livelihood of him, whose bones Are whitened by the rain on the lone strand, Or by the salt sea waves tossed up and down: But if they saw him in his home again Their prayers would rather ask for nimbler feet 180 Than greater wealth of gold and worldly store. But his the bitter fate! and we receive No comfort; nor does human being tell One word of his approach and home return. " But prithee tell me truly whence art thou? 185 And of what state and kindred? in what ship 10 THE ODYSSEY. Boox I.. Hast thou arrived? how did thy sailors guide Thee here to Ithaca? what race are they? For well I know on foot thou cam'st not hither: But speak without reserve, art thou unknown 190 A stranger, or one of my father's friends? For many visited my father's house, When his society was sought by men." To him blue-eyed Minerva thus replied: "Thy questions I will answer truthfully; 195 I, Mentes, son of brave Anchialus, Rule o'er the Taphians, skilful oarsmen they: With my companions I have just arrived Across the dark blue waters, in our ship, Visiting people speaking other tongues; 200 My freight of shining iron I would exchange In Temesa for bronze: my vessel lies Hauled high upon the beach in Reithron's bay, Far from thy city; and below the heights Of Neius, thick with woods: we both can claim 205 Our fathers' friendly intercourse of old: The aged chief Laertes this can tell Who now they say visits no more the town; BOOK I. THE ODYSSEY. 11 But far off in the country languishes, Attended only by his aged servant, 210 Who gives him food and drink, when weariness O'ercomes his limbs; creeping along the slopes Of his vine-shadowed garden, far away. I hither came because report gave out Thy father's safe return; although the gods 215 His journey bar, Ulysses is not dead, But living still; within a sea-girt isle By the broad deep confined, 'midst savage men, Who still detain the unwilling visitor. But ne'ertheless to thee I prophesy 220 That which I think the Immortals have decreed, Although no prophet nor diviner I: He will not from his own dear native land Be absent long; though held in iron bonds He will contrive his own deliverance. 225 But tell me now, in truth and verity Art thou indeed Ulysses' very son? In face and piercing eyes thou wondrously Resemblest him; we as familiar friends Frequently met ere he embarked for Troy, 230 12 THE ODYSSEY. BooK I. Whither so many noble Argives sailed On board their ships; but from that time to this I never saw Ulysses, nor he me." Telemachus the wise thus answered her: "My friend, I answer thee right truthfully; 235 My mother says I am indeed his son, But I know not; no one his father knows; Oh! that I were the happy son of one Who 'midst his household meets declining years! But I from one most wretched among men 240 Am sprung they say; I tell thee as thou askest." Him the blue-eyed Minerva thus addressed: "To thee no lineage obscure the gods Have destined, whom Penelope brought forth: But tell me truly, whence this company? 245 What feast is this? is it for thy behoof? A banquet, or a marriage festival? No friendly meeting this; these roisterers Bear themselves rudely in the hall, methinks; Surely a man of sense would deeply grieve 250 To be a witness of such rioting." The wise Telemachus thus answered her: BOOK I. THE ODYSSEY. 13 "0 stranger, since thou askest, I reply: When he was yet at home, this household gave Earnest of wealth and blameless rule; but now 255 The adverse gods have willed it otherwise; For they in mystery have veiled his fate: I could not grieve if he had met his death Among his comrades on the plains of Troy, In friendly arms, the game of war outplayed: 260 For then the Greeks had raised to him a tomb; And I, his son, had gained a glorious name. But him the Harpies now have swept away Ingloriously, unheard of, and unknown; A legacy of sighs and tears he leaves me! 265 Nor him alone do I bewail; the gods Have piled yet other wretched cares on me: For all the princes of these islands near, Who in Dulichium and Same rule, And in Zacynthus, with its wooded heights, 270 And all the chiefs of craggy Ithaca, Are suitors to my mother; and consume My house and home; she neither can refuse Their hateful offers, nor accept their suit; 14 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK I. -- Meanwhile they waste and ruin me and mine." 275 With angry pity then Minerva spoke: "Alas! how much thou need'st the absent chief To raise his hand against this shameless crew; Oh! that he stood before his threshold now, With helm on head, and javelins in hand, 280 In all his strength, as long ago at home I saw him; when our hospitality He joyfully received; from Ephyre He was returning, whither he had gone, To visit Ilus, son of Mermeres; 285 Thither in his swift bark Ulysses went, To fetch a deadly poison to anoint Therewith his brazen arrows; but the chief Refused to give the poison; for he feared The wrath of the Immortals; but my father 290 Gave it him, for he loved him wondrously. Could that Ulysses now be face to face With all this rabble, swift would be their fate; Bitter the wedding feast: but this depends On the gods' will, whether he shall return 295 With vengeance to his home, or whether not. BooK I. THE ODYSSEY. 15 "But thee I urge to take the needful steps To drive this band of suitors from thy palace; Have courage, and attend to what I say. To-morrow call the Grecian chiefs to council, 300 And speak thy mind to all; invoke the gods To witness; urge the suitors to return Each to his home; thy mother, if her mind Be set on marriage, also to return Again to her rich father's spacious halls, 305 Who will arrange her nuptials, and prepare A dowry worthy of a much loved child. And I, if thou wilt be advised by me, Most strongly urge thee to equip a bark, The best thou hast, and twenty rowers take 310 And go in quest of thy long absent father; If any man may tell thee news of him, Or thou may'st hear a summons sent from Jove, Which always brings a true report to men. "First go to Pylos, question Nestor there; 315 To Sparta next, where Menelaus dwells, Who of the mailed Greeks returned the last; Enquire of them; say they thy father lives 16 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK I. And may return, this persecution yet Thou may'st put up with for another year: 320 But if thou hearest he is surely dead, Then to thy much loved native land return, And on its soil erect his monument, And duly celebrate his obsequies: Thy mother also to a husband give. 325 When thou hast done all this, lay well thy plans With careful forethought, so that thou may'st slay The suitors in thy palace; or oy craft Or open force; remember it behoves thee Henceforth all childish acts to put away; 330 Hast thou not heard what fame Orestes won, Because he slew his father's murderer, The traitorous JEgisthus? thou, dear youth, Be brave and trusty, as to look upon Thou art so comely and so strong of limb, 335 That thy descendants may speak well of thee. "But I must seek my bark and comrades now, Who chafe at my delay; meanwhile do thou Act for thyself, and to my words give heed." To her the young Telemachus replied: 340 BOOK I. THE ODYSSEY. 17 " With kindly feeling hast thou spoken, friend, As would a father to a son; thy words I will remember; but I pray thee now Though eager to depart, remain awhile, And rest, and with a bath refresh thyself; 345 And then rejoicing thou shalt go on board, Taking with thee a present rich and rare, A jewel, such as friends on friends bestow." To him blue-eyed Minerva answer made: "Do not detain me, on my voyage intent: 350 The present which thy friendly wish would give I willingly will claim on my return, And carry home; and then thou shalt receive From me a gift of value equal thine." The blue-eyed goddess vanished at these words, 355 And like a falcon upward winged her flight; With strength and courage she inspired his soul, And brought his father to his memory More vividly than erst; his mind with awe Was shaken, for he recognised the god. 360 Godlike himself, he sought the suitors then: To these the far-famed minstrel sang; they sat C 18 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK I. In listening silence; in his lay he told The story of the sad return from Troy, Which the dread goddess to the Greeks ordained. 365 Icarius' daughter, chaste Penelope, Retired in her upper chamber heard The song divine;-adown the lofty stairs She swept,-not unattended;-maidens twain Followed the lovely lady; as she reached 370 The suitors, at the threshold of the hall Of workmanship so exquisite, she paused; And o'er her cheeks let down the gauze-like veil: On either side of her with modest mien, A maiden stood; with tears but half restrained 375 She then the godlike minstrel thus addressed: "Phemius, thou knowest many a moving lay Relating to the deeds of gods and men, Which minstrels make their theme; sing one of these While they who listen drink their wine; but cease 380 From that sad strain, which makes my heart to ache, Since me it tells of my enduring woe, And brings that dear one to my memory, Whose fame through Greece and Argos echoes wide." BooK I. THE ODYSSEY. 19 To her Telemachus in answer spoke: 385 "My mother, why the honored minstrel chide, Who as his spirit prompts him sings his lays? No, not the minstrel is to blame, but Jove, Who skilful men inspireth as he will: Therefore rebuke him not because he sings, 390 The woes of Greece; for men approve the song Which tells to them who listen late events: Nerve thou thy heart and mind to hear the tale: 'Tis not Ulysses only, who no more Returns from Troy; for other chiefs have fallen. 395 Go to thy chamber, and thy household work Resume once more with distaff and with loom, Urge on thy maidens to their task; and leave Speaking to men, and chief of all to me; Who in my palace rightly bear the rule. 400 With wonder she obeyed; her mind amazed That thus with prudence and authority Her youthful son should speak: up to her room Ascending with her maidens she bewailed Her husband so beloved, until sweet sleep 405 The blue-eyed goddess on her eyelids cast. c2 20 ~THE ODYSSEY. BOOK I. The suitors gathered in the shadowy hall, Talked loudly to each other; each one claimed To be the favoured lover; but the youth, Telemachus, addressed them with this speech: 410 "Ye suitors of my mother, in your pride So overweening, let us not disturb The feast we now enjoy with rioting: 'Tis well to listen to the minstrel's voice, A minstrel worthy to the gods to sing: 415 To-morrow we will all in counsel meet, That I may tell you plainly in my speech To quit my palace; seek your feasts elsewhere, Or each in turn the others entertain. But if to you it seemeth good and just 420 Still to consume the livelihood of one, With no remuneration-no restraint; Feast on, devour, but I the gods will pray That Jove may duly recompense your acts So well deserving vengeance; and that you 425 E'en in these halls may perish unavenged." Thus spoke Telemachus, they bit their lips And gazed with wonder at the daring youth BOOK I. THE ODYSSEY. 21 Who thus addressed them: when Eupeithes' son, Antinous, in answer spoke to him: 430 "Telemachus, it seems the gods themselves Have taught thee lofty speech and bold address: May Jove forbid thy rule in Ithaca! Of which thou art by birth inheritor." Him in reply Telemachus addressed: 435 " Antinous, art thou vexed at what I say? I would assume the rule if Jove vouchsafed To grant it me; mayhap thou mayst believe Such lordship a misfortune, not so I: The rule brings honour with it; riches too: 440 But many other Grecian chiefs there are Both young and old in sea-girt Ithaca, Who might; my noble father dead; lay claim To bear the kingly rule: but of our house And servants, which Ulysses won for me 44;5 In war, I claim to be the rightful Lord." Eurymachus, the son of Polybus, In answer then addressed him with these words: "Telemachus, what Grecian chief may reign In Ithaca, the Immortals shall dispose: 450 22 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK I. But thy possessions and thy house are thine; As long as dwellers are in Ithaca No man will dare to rob thee of thy right. But tell me best of friends, about thy guest, Whence came he here? What country does he claim? What is his race, and where his patrimony? Came he to give some message from thy father Now near at hand? or on his own affairs? I know not why he left so suddenly As shunning recognition; there was nought 460 In his appearance that bespoke him mean." Telemachus the wise, in answer spoke: "Eurymachus, my father comes no more; I trust no more reports, where'er they spring, Nor heed prognostications, which my mother 465 May draw from seers whom she may summon here, Within the palace walls: the stranger guest Mentes, the son of brave Anchialus, From Taphos comes, and was my father's friend: He rules the Taphians, skilful oarsmen they." 470 Thus spake he, but her godhead in his mind He knew full well: meanwhile the others turned BOOK I. THE ODYSSEY. 23 To song and dance till dusky evening fell Which found them revelling still in these delights And not till then did each one seek his home. 475 Telemachus then to his chamber hied, Aloft, above his palace beautiful, With prospect far and wide; he sought his couch Revolving in his mind all these events. The careful handmaid Euryclea child 480 Of Ops, Pisenor's son, attended him, With kindled torches; her Laertes bought In bloom of youth, and twenty oxen gave From his own herds to buy her; whom he held In equal honor with his modest wife: 485 He never sought her love, for much he feared The jealousy and anger of his spouse. She in attendance came and torches bore; She loved him more than all the other slaves, Since when a nursling she erst tended him. 490 The door then of the chamber built with skill He oped, and took his seat upon the couch; Doffed his soft tunic, placed it in the hands Of her the aged housewife shrewd in counsel, 24 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK I. And she received and smoothly folded it, 495 And hung the tunic on the peg which stood Beside his bed-head, carven curiously; And left the chamber; with the silver ring Closing the door, and with a thong the bolt. He, lapped in downy wool, the livelong night 500oo Reposed; but ever in his thoughts went o'er The path on which the goddess bid him tread. BooK II. THE ODYSSEY. 25 BOOK II. ARGUMENT. Council at Ithaca-Telemachus sails for Pylos accompanied by Minerva in the form of Mentor. DAY 2. AND when the rosy-fingered dawn appeared, Born of the early morning, from his couch Sprang forth Ulysses' son; his robes he donned, And o'er his shoulders cast his sword; and bound His graceful sandals on his well-shaped feet, 5 And issued from his chamber like a god. The clear-voiced heralds he commanded straight To summon all the long-haired Greeks to council; Who speedily assembled at their call: He hastened then to meet them, in his hand l1 His brazen lance; nor unattended he; 26 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK II.. Two noble hounds his footsteps followed close; Upon his mien the goddess shed a grace Unspeakable; spellbound the people gazed In admiration as he came and took 15 His father's chair of state; which willingly The elder chieftains yielded as his right. To them 2Egyptius made the opening speech, The aged hero; though bowed down by years Rich in experience; his beloved son 20 The warrior Antiphus, followed his chief Noble Ulysses, in the spacious ships To fight the Trojan chivalry; him slew, The savage Cyclops in his vaulted cave, The last to furnish food for his repast: 25 Three other sons he had, Eurynomus, A comrade of the suitors, other twain Followed the father's toil; who ne'er forgot The absent one, whom still he mourned and wept. His tears he mingled with his words, and said: 30 "Hear ye my words, ye men of Ithaca, No counsel or assembly have we held Since with his ships Ulysses left these shores: BOOK II. THE ODYSSEY. 27 Who now assembles us? What need constrains Our summoner? and is he young or old? 35 From early information has he learnt The news of our returning armament? Or has he something else to intimate Touching the public weal? noble he seems And one to bring a blessing; may Jove grant 40 Accomplishment of all his heart desires." He spoke, Ulysses' well-beloved son Rejoiced to hear these favourable words, Nor long kept he his seat, he yearned to speak, And in the midst of the assembly rose: 45 Pisenor, the experienced herald placed The sceptre in his hand: his words he first Directed to the aged chief, and said: "O aged Lord, thou hast not far to seek Thy summoner; in me behold the man, 50 Whom grief has smitten sore; I have no news To tell of our returning armament From early information learnt by me; Nor have I anything to intimate Touching the public weal; but of distress 55 28 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IL. Which grievously upon my house has fallen. Twofold distress; my father I have lost Who gentle as a father was to you, Albeit your king: but a worse ill remains Which utter ruin to my house and home 60 Will swiftly bring: for all the Chieftain's sons Who dwell around, flock here to urge their suit Persistently on my unwilling mother: And these same men would sorely loathe to seek Icarius, her father's house, to ask 65 That with a dower he would his daughter give To whom his will and favor might incline. But these come thronging daily to our house; Oxen, and sheep, and goats they sacrifice; And feast, and drink, with neither cost nor stint 70 The sparkling wine; waste swallows up our all: We lack a man such as Ulysses was To ward away this curse from house and home. Powerless indeed we are, and miserable; Skill-less in self-defence we e'er shall be: 75 O would that I possessed such skill and power! But deeds no longer to be borne are done: BooR II. THE ODYSSEY. 29 My house is ruthlessly destroyed; yourselves Should anger feel for me, and be ashamed That people dwelling near should see these wrongs. 80 Moreover dread the vengeance of the gods, Who may inflict some heavy chastisement, Looking with horror on these evil deeds. Friends, I entreat you by Olympian Jove, And Themis, who assembles and dissolves 85 All solemn councils, spare me; undisturbed, Leave me to suffer in my bitter woe: Unless perhaps my father, good Ulysses, Have evil wrought upon the mailed Greeks: Then injuries from him, with injury 90 Repay on me; and urge these plunderers on. 'Twere better far for me did you yourselves Consume my cattle and my goods: from you Redress without delay I could obtain; For then throughout the city we would go 95 As suppliants, entreating restitution; Till fully made: but now by favouring these, Woes without cure ye heap upon my soul." Thus spoke he wrathfully; and on the ground 30 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK II. His sceptre threw, tears springing to his eyes: 100 Compassion seized his hearers; silent all; None ventured to reply with bitter words. Antinous alone in answer spoke: "Restrain thy wrath, young orator; thy words Reproach and shame attempt to fix on us; 105 Yet we, the suitors, are not culpable, But thy beloved mother, and her craft, Consummate: for three years have passed away, And now almost the fourth, since she began Her coquetry to practise on us chiefs: 110 Hope she extends, and flattering promises, To all; with other projects in her heart. This stratagem moreover she contrived; A mighty loom was in her chamber placed, Broad and extensive was the web, and fine; 115 This she began to weave, and said to us: 'Young princes, suitors mine, I you implore Though dead my husband be, that ye refrain From urging on my nuptials, till this robe I shall complete (lest all the threads be wasted); 120 Intended for Laertes' winding sheet; BOOK II. THE ODYSSEY. 31 When death, with its long sleep, shall overtake The aged hero: for the Grecian women Would cast reproach on me, should he, so rich, Lie, like a pauper, shroudless in his grave!' 125 Thus spake she, and we frankly acquiesced: And day by day she laboured at her loom; But every night by torch-light she unwove The work by day accomplished: three years long She thus deceived us; when the fourth was come, 130 And glided on the hours; one of her maids Who knew, told us the tale: and her we found The beauteous web unweaving: then her task Compelled she finished, much against her will. Therefore to thee we give this final answer, 135 That thou thyself, and all the Greeks may know: Our will is that thou send away thy mother, And her persuade to wed with whomsoe'er Her father may approve, and she may choose: But if she will persist in vexing us 140 By her delay, relying on the gifts With which so richly Pallas has endowed her; Good understanding, skill in workmanship, 32 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK II.. And craftiness; in which we never heard That any of the fair-haired Grecian women 145 Of former days; not Tyro, nor Alcmena, Nor fair Mycene with the graceful wreath; Not one of these, could with Penelope Contend in stratagem: but her devices Have little vantage won, and still thy goods 150 And livelihood will be consumed by us, As long as she retains the mind and purpose Which in her breast the gods have placed; this brings To her renown; but loss of all to thee! In truth we go not hence until she choose 155 One of us Grecian princes for her spouse." Telemachus, the wise in answer spoke: "Antinous, I cannot from our house Thrust her by force, who bare and nourished me; My father far away in foreign lands, 160 Be he alive or dead: Icarius, If I of my own will should send away My mother, heavy vengeance would inflict: Nor would her father only punish me, The gods would also visit me with ill: 165 BooK II. THE ODYSSEY. 33 - ---------- For driven from her home, my mother's prayers On me would bring the hateful Furies' curse: And men would hold me in abhorrence too No, never can I utter such a word! But if a sense of shame remain with you, 170 Quit ye my palace; seek your feasts elsewhere; Or each in turn the others entertain. But if to you it seemeth just and good Still to consume the livelihood of one, With no remuneration, no restraint; 175 Feast on-devour; but I the gods will pray That Jove may duly recompense your acts, So well deserving vengeance: and that ye E'en in these halls may perish unavenged!" Thus spake Telemachus, when Jupiter 180 All seeing, from the mountain peak on high Two eagles sent; on the wind's breath they flew Close to each other, borne on outstretched wings; And when they reached the assembly, hovering, They circled; and with rapid strokes they beat 185 Their wings together; and with threatening gaze Above the heads of all, they looked destruction; D 34 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK II. Tearing each other's neck with beak and claw; Then turning to the right they swooped athwart The city and its houses: all with dread 190 The birds surveyed, and wondered in their thoughts What they portended: Halitherses then The aged hero, Mastor's son, addressed them; Skilled more than all was he the flights of birds To read aright, and omens to interpret: 195 He of his wise good will thus spoke, and said: "Hear what I say, ye men of Ithaca; To you, 0 suitors, I address these words Most earnestly; for now above your heads A mighty ruin hangs; Ulysses now 200 Is not far distant from his home and friends; But close at hand slaughter and death prepares For all of you; on many others too Who dwell in Ithaca, will evil fall: Let us take means the suitors to restrain; 205 Unless perchance they prudently break off Their courtship; which were better far for them: For not in vain do I now prophesy, But well I know what doom is imminent; Boos IL. THE ODYSSEY. 35 I say that all in him is now fulfilling 210 Which I foretold Ulysses, when the Greeks And he embarked, and sailed for Ilium: I said that he would suffer many woes, His comrades lose; and in the twentieth year Would to his home return unrecognised: 215 And now I say all this will come to pass." Eurymachus to him in answer spoke: "Old man, go home, and to thy children prate Thy warnings, that they shun the coming ill; In this I am a better seer than thou: 220 Though birds in numbers through the sunny air Disport themselves, not omens are they all: Dead is Ulysses, and afar; 'twere well That thou hadst perished too; so were we spared Thy wondrous prophecies; nor couldst thou then 225 Stir up Telemachus to wrath, and gain The bribe that he may give thee for thy pains. And now I tell thee what will surely be; If thou, a man of wise experience, Stir up this youth to scold with bitter words, 230 First upon him will ill results ensue; D 2 36 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK II. For he can naught effect 'gainst all of us: And next on thee old man, we will inflict A heavy penalty; which to repay Will vex thy soul, and cause thee sharp regret: 235 Telemachus himself I counsel too, Before you all, to urge upon his mother To go hence to her father; who will make Arrangements for her nuptials, and prepare A dowry worthy of a much-loved child. 240 For well I am assured we Grecian chiefs Will not draw back from our persistent courtship: No one we dread; no, not Telemachus Spite of his talk; nor do we heed one whit The idle prophecy thou utterest 245 Old dotard; kindling deeper wrath in us: Still to his loss this feasting will go on; Nor order reign, as long as she delays To marry one of us: from day to day Moreover we will wait on her decision; 250 And strive to win her preference; nor seek Another spouse; since it may well befall To any one of us to marry her." BooK II. THE ODYSSEY. 37. Telemachus the prudent youth replied: "Eurymachus, no more will I address 255 Thee and the other noble suitors now In terms of supplication; for the gods And all the Greeks the circumstances know. But give me now a bark with twenty comrades, To bring me on the way that I would go: 260 I am for Sparta and the sandy Pylos, To seek for news of my long-absent father; If any one may tell me news of him, Or I may hear a rumour sent from Jove, Which always brings a true report to men. 265 Then should I hear my father is alive, And may come back to us: though hard to bear This for another year I will endure: But if I hear that he is surely dead, I straight will to my native land return; 270 Upon its cherished soil erect his tomb, And duly celebrate his obsequies; And then my mother to a husband give." He spoke and took his seat; then next arose Mentor, who was Ulysses' trusty friend; 275 38 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK II. To whom embarking in his ships he gave The care of all his household; to obey The aged chief, and all in order guard: Who in his ripe experience spoke and said: "Hear what I say, ye men of Ithaca; 280 Let not the sceptre-bearing chief henceforth, Be mild and gentle; let him not regard Justice, but let him rather be severe; Lawless his acts; not thus the godlike chief Ulysses ruled his people: who by them 285 Should be remembered as a tender father. On the young suitors no reproach I cast, Who stake their heads upon their evil deeds, And waste the household of the absent chief, Believing that he never will return: 290 But you his subjects bitterly I blame; Though strong in numbers, mute, unmoved ye sit, Nor these few suitors check ye with a word." Leiocritus, Euenor's son, thus spoke: "Injurious Mentor! what a speech hast thou 295 Misleading uttered; urging these to spoil Our projects, and our courtship to restrain! BooiK II. THE ODYSSEY. 89 Against such odds 'tis idle to contend, And stir up strife, all for a peaceful feast: For if Ulysses should himself appear, Hero of Ithaca, among us now, Determined to drive out us noble suitors, Now feasting in his halls; I think his wife Though eagerly desiring his return, Would not rejoice; but dread the bitter fate Awaiting him in contest with us all. Therefore thy speech lacks reason; now at once Ye people, go about your own affairs: Mentor and Halithuses, who of old Have been his father's friends, will help this you Upon his journey: I for my part think, He will still wait for news in Ithaca, And never make the voyage he now intends." Thus spoke he, and the council was dissolved Without delay; each sought his own abode: The suitors to Ulysses' palace went. Telemachus, then bent his steps afar, Along the shore; and in the salt sea waves Bathing his hands, to Pallas made his prayer: 300 305 th 310 315 40 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK II. "Help me, 0 god who camest yesterday 320 To visit our abode; and didst command That I should sail o'er the cloud-shadowed deep, And seek for news of my long-absent father: The Greeks oppose my journey; most of all The suitors, in their evil arrogance." 325 As thus he prayed, Pallas herself drew near; The form and voice of Mentor she assumed, And thus addressed him with these winged words: "Telemachus, thou wilt be neither base Nor void of sense, if thou inheritest 330 Thy father's firm resolve; but thou as he Wilt surely carry out thy words and deeds: Thy path will never fail to reach its end. But if thou art not truly sprung from him And from Penelope, no longer then 335 I entertain the hope that thou wilt bring Thy plans to full effect: few sons there be Who with their fathers can compare in worth; Most are inferior far; but few indeed Ever surpass their fathers' excellence: 340 But as thou art not base, nor void of wit, BooK II. THE ODYSSEY 41 Nor of thy father's wisdom quite bereft, My hope is thy designs will be fulfilled. The projects of these suitors let alone; Senseless, with no regard for right or wrong, 345 They little know the dreadful fate and death Now at their elbow; and that in one day They all shall fall: thou also art not far From starting on the way that thou wouldst go: I, who have ever been thy father's friend, 350 A trusty galley will for thee procure; And will myself accompany thy voyage. Now go, and 'midst the suitors show thyself; Then in thy house victuals in store prepare; Both wine in jars, and barley, staff of life, 355 In wallets strong: while I among the people Our willing comrades will collect with speed: For ships there are in sea-girt Ithaca In numbers, new and old; of these the best I will equip, and launch her in the deep." 360 Thus spake Minerva, child of Jove; nor long The youth delayed, hearing the goddess' words. With saddened heart, he sought again his home: 42 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK II. He found the suitors busily employed In flaying goats, and singeing fatted swine, 365 In the forecourt: Antinous smiling met Telemachus; and grasped him by the hand, And called him kindly by his name, and said: "Telemachus, thou youth of lofty speech, Restrain thy wrath; nor aught allow of ill 370 In word or deed to rankle in thy breast; But eat and drink with me as thou wast wont. The Greeks will give thee all thou dost demand, A ship, and chosen crew; that thou may'st go At once to sacred Pylos, and enquire 375 If of thy noble father news there be." Telemachus, the prudent youth replied: "Antinous, 'tis not for me to mix In your rude revelry against my will; Nor sad and silent, join in your carouse: 380 It surely was enough that ye should waste My goodly household when I was a child: But now I am a man, and ask and hear What others say of this, my spirit swells Within me; and I am resolved to try 385 Booi II. THE ODYSSEY. 43 How I a dark revenge on you may wreak; Whether I wend to Pylos or stay here. To go I am determined, and the voyage On which I venture will not fruitless be; E'en if a passenger I find my way; 390 Having no ship or crew at my command, A lack of mine which seems a gain for you." He said, and from Antinous' grasp withdrew His hand: meanwhile the suitors through the halls Were busied with the feast; with bitter jibes 395 They taunted him; and one in scorn thus spoke: "Telemachus our ruin meditates Without a doubt; and will allies collect From sandy Pylos, and from Sparta; whither He is so madly bent on voyaging now: 400 Perchance to Ephyre he'll find his way, The fruitful; and fetch deadly poison thence, Wherewith to drug our cups, and slay us all." Another of these scornful youths rejoined: "Ah! but who knows, if once shipped off to sea, 405 He may not, like his father, far from friends Wander to his destruction? which would be 44 THE ODYSSEY. Boos II. For us a great addition to our trouble; As we should have to share his household goods, And give his house to him who wins his mother." 410 Thus said they; he meanwhile his footsteps bent Down to his father's treasure chamber; vast And lofty-roofed; where gold and bronze were piled In heaps; and garments folded lay in chests; With plenteous stores of fragrant olive oil; 415 And casks of old and luscious wine were ranged Along the wall; the liquor they contained Divine and pure, stood there in readiness, Whene'er the chief should to his home return. The double gates were made secure with bolts 420 Close fitted; and within the stewardess, The handmaid Euryclea, child of Ops, Took charge of all the treasures night and day, With large experienced care: Telemachus, Her having summoned, with these words addressed: 425 "Dear nurse, now quickly draw for me in jars The richest and best flavoured wine thou hast, Save that reserved for him, the wretched one! Mly noble father; should he e'er return BooK II. THE ODYS.SEY. 45 To us, escaping misery and death! 430 Fill me twelve jars, with covers fitted all; And twenty measures of pure barley meal, In strong and well-sewn skins prepare for use: Let no one know my purpose but thyself: Have all these ready, and at eventide, 435 What time my mother seeks her couch above, I will remove them all; for I intend To sail for Sparta and the sandy Pylos, To seek for news of my beloved father." Thus said he, and his loving nurse was grieved, 440 And mingled with her tears these winged words: "Beloved child, whence comes this wayward scheme? And why shouldst thou, much loved and only one, This weary journey go? Thy noble father Has perished in a stranger land afar; 445 And evil plotters will contrive with craft Thy sure destruction when thou leav'st thy home; And share all these thy treasures as their spoil: Do thou remain at home, and guard thine own; There is no cause that thou shouldst suffer woes, 450 In wandering far upon the lonely sea." 46 THE ODYSSEY. BooK II. In answer thus the prudent youth replied: "Courage good nurse, my projects do not lack A god's approval; but now swear to me That thou wilt not reveal them to my mother, 455 Until eleven days, or twelve have passed; Except she miss me, and become informed Of my departure otherwise: that tears May not disfigure her fair countenance." Thus said he, and the aged servant swore 460 The oath before the gods which he required: And straightway then she filled the jars with wine; And barley-meal prepared, in well-sewn skins. Telemachus his palace sought again, And mingled with the suitors as before. 465 The blue-eyed goddess other plans contrived; In likeness of Telemachus she sought The city round; and urged each favouring chief To meet her ready to embark at eve, On board a trusty ship; the ship she asked 470 Noemon, son of Phronius, to provide; To which request he yielded willingly. Sun set, and shadows fell athwart the streets; Boos II. THE ODYSSEY. 47 - The good ship in the deep was launched, and stored With all which vessels well equipped could need; 475 Within the harbour's furthest point she lay; The gallant crew assembled on the beach, Each one of them the goddess stirred with zeal. Anon fresh schemes the blue-eyed goddess planned: She sought Ulysses' palace, and the spell 480 Of gentle slumber on the suitors cast; Confused them as they drank, and from their hands The goblets smote: they wearied sought repose Throughout the city; nor awaited long; For sleep upon their eyelids swiftly fell. 485 The goddess then assumed the form and voice Of Mentor, and Telemachus addressed; And called him thus outside his palace walls: "Telemachus, thy comrades ready armed Sit to their oars, awaiting thy approach: 490 Now forward! let us on without delay." Thus Pallas spoke, and led the way at once, And he the goddess' footsteps followed close: And when they reached the ship, and waterside, They found the long-haired warriors on the beach; 495 48 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK II. Telemachus with ardor them addressed: " My brave companions, help me now to store Our ship with victuals; all are now prepared, And ready in the hall; our plan none knows, No, not my mother nor her maids, save one; 500 A trusty one, who my commands obeyed." He spoke, and hastened on: they followed him, And bore the stores on board the galley trim, Obedient to Ulysses' much loved son, Telemachus then stepped on board himself; 505 Minerva led the way, and at the stern Assumed her place; the youth sat by her side. The hawsers off they cast, and on the thwarts The oarsmen eager sat; a favoring breeze The blue-eyed goddess sent from out the West, 510 Which freshly rustled o'er the dark blue sea. Telemachus then urged the ready crew To fit the tackle to the favoring gale: The pine-wood mast they raised and firmly placed Within its step, and steadied it with shrouds; 515 And with the halyards, made of twisted hide, They hoisted the white sails, which the wind swelled; BooK II. THE ODYSSEY. 49 Around the stem of the swift rushing ship, The purple wave resounded lustily, As through the seething deep she clove her way. 520 When all was made secure on board the ship, So gallant and so trim; they filled with wine Their overflowing goblets; which they quaffed, Making libations to the immortal gods, And chiefly to the blue-eyed child of Jove: 525 Through all the night, till dawn they held their course. E 50 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK III. BOOK III. ARGUMENT. Telemachus at Pylos-Nestor gives a narrative of the return of the Greeks after the Trojan war, and of the treachery of _Egisthus-Telemachus starts for Sparta, accompanied by Nestor's youngest son-Pisistratus. DAYS 3-5. THE sun arose above the gleaming main Into the luminous sky, and shed his light O'er the rejoicing earth on gods and men, When they arrived at Neleus' citadel; The well-built Pylos; where upon the shore 5 The people were engaged in offering A sacrifice of bulls, all sable hued, To the Earth-shaker with the dark brown locks. Nine seats there were, five hundred sat on each; For each of which nine bulls were sacrificed: 10 BooR III. THE ODYSSEY. 51 The inner parts they tasted then, and burnt The haunches to the god with solemn rites. The swift ship neared the shore, they furled her sails And moored her safely next, and disembarked. Telemachus himself the galley left, 15 Minerva led the way; and then the youth The blue-eyed goddess with these words addressed: "Telemachus, now is no time to show False modesty, nor shouldst thou hesitate To make enquiries on what foreign soil 20 Thy father lies; or what has been his fate; For therefore hast thou sailed across the sea: But straightway to the valiant Nestor go, That we may quickly his opinion learn; Beg him to tell thee all he knows in truth, 25 He is too wise to speak misleading words!" The prudent youth in answer thus replied: "O Mentor, how can I address the chief Who lack experience of skilful speech? A youth should be restrained by modesty 30 From questioning a man of riper age." The blue-eyed goddess straightway then replied: E 2 52 THE ODYSSEY. Boos III. "Telemachus, thou wilt think otherwise, A god will give thee skilful utterance: I trow indeed that thou hast not been born 35 Nor bred without the favour of the gods." Thus Pallas spake, and led the way forthwith, And he the goddess' footsteps followed close: The gathering of the Pylians soon they reached, Where Nestor sat among his sons; around 40 His friends were busy with the festival; Some for the spit prepare, some roast the joints. Soon as the strangers they descried, in crowds They flocked to welcome them with ready hands; And pressed them to be seated eagerly. 45 Pisistratus, the son of Nestor, first Drew near and took the hand of each of them, And at the feast invited them to sit On carpets soft and woolly, on the sand, Close by his brother Thrasymedes' side, 50 And next his father; and before them placed The first choice morsels; in a golden cup The wine he poured; and then to welcome them Minerva he addressed, the child of Jove: Boos III. THE ODYSSEY. 53 "Now to the ruler Neptune pray, 0 guest; 55 For his the feast that thou hast chanced to meet In coming hither; and when thou hast prayed And poured libation, as the custom is, Give to this youth the cup of luscious wine, That he libation make; for sure I am 60 That he the gods will willingly adore; All mortals yearn towards the immortal gods. As he my fellow is in time of life, Younger than thou, I give the preference, And first to thee the golden beaker pass." 65 Thus saying in her hands he placed the cup Of fragrant wine; well pleased the goddess was With him the just and understanding man, Because he first to her the chalice gave; Straightway she prayed to Neptune fervently: 70 "Hear me, 0 Neptune, Shaker of the Earth; Fulfil all our desires who pray to thee; Adorn with honor Nestor and his sons; To all the Pylians who this offering make, A princely hecatomb, thy favor grant; 75 Grant also to Telemachus and me 54 THE ODYSSEY. BooK III. Return, with all the purposes fulfilled For which we sailed here in our dark swift ship." Thus prayed she, and accomplished her own prayer; The double goblet to Telemachus 80 She passed; then prayed Ulysses' much loved son. When they the joints had roasted and prepared They served them, and commenced the stately feast. When thirst and hunger both were satisfied, Gerenian Nestor thus began to speak: 85 "Now that the strangers have regaled themselves, 'Tis the fit time to ask them who they are: Strangers, who are ye? o'er the watery waste Whence have ye sailed? arrive ye here by chance, Or by design? as corsairs on the sea Risk ye your lives to plunder foreign lands?" Telemachus, emboldened then replied, Pallas herself with courage him inspired, That he should ask about his absent father, And thus should earn bright honor among men: " 0 son of Neleus, glory of the Greeks, Thou askest whence we are; which I will tell: We from the port of Ithaca have sailed BooK III. THE ODYSSEY. 55 Which under Neius lies; and my affairs Are of my own, not public interest. 100 I seek for news of my unhappy father, God-like Ulysses; world wide is his fame; Who warring at thy side, they say, o'erthrew With thee the Trojans' city: we have heard Where all the other chiefs who fought at Troy 105 And perished, met their doom: his fate alone The son of Saturn shrouds in mystery; For none can plainly tell us where he fell: Whether on land, slain by the enemy, Or tossed about by Amphitrite's waves. 110 Therefore I beg thee as a suppliant To tell me if thou know'st his dismal fate: If thou with thine own eyes hast seen, or heard From any traveller aught concerning him: In truth his mother brought him forth for woe! 115 Let not thy pity spare or soften aught, But tell me plainly all that thou hast seen. I pray thee, if my father, brave Ulysses, Have ever stood by thee in word and deed, And done good service in the Trojans' land, 120 56 THE ODYSSEY. BOOKi III. Where ye the Greeks suffered so many woes; Call this to mind, and tell me now the truth." The knight, Gerenian Nestor, then replied: "Dear youth, thou dost remind me of the woe We warrior Greeks in that far land endured, 125 With steadfast soul; how o'er the gloomy sea We sailed for booty where Achilles led; How for King Priam's famous citadel We fought: there fell the bravest of the brave! There warlike Ajax lies; and there Achilles; 130 Patroclus there, the prudent counsellor; There my beloved son, the good and strong, Antilochus; so brave, so swift of foot?! The ills we suffered there, ah! who could tell? If for five years, or more, thou questioned me 135 As to the ills the godlike Greeks endured, Wearied thou wouldst to thine own home return, Ere thou hadst heard of all we suffered there. Nine years we wove our toils around the foe, And hardly Jove allowed our craft to win: 140 Godlike Ulysses there excelled us all In warlike stratagems; none rivalled him, BooK III. THE ODYSSEY. 57 Thy father; if indeed thou art his son: But wonder holds me chained in seeing thee! So like in speech! in truth no one could say 145 A youth could thus in voice resemble him. "In public and in secret council there We never differed, the great chief and I; But ever with one mind advised the Greeks With prudence, and far-seeing thoughtfulness, 150 What should the most for their advantage be. But when the lofty stronghold was o'erthrown Of Priam, and we in our ships embarked, A god then scattered us the Greeks; and Jove Calamities on our return ordained: 155 All were not just and wise: a fearful doom On many lighted, from the baleful wrath Of her, the blue-eyed child of dreadful Jove; Who raised a strife betwixt the Atreidian chiefs; They both assembled all the Greeks in council, 160 Not in due order, unadvisedly; At sunset, an unwonted time: the Greeks Came overcome with wine; to them the chiefs Spoke to explain why they were called together: 58 THE ODYSSEY. Boos III. Then Menelaus irged upon the Greeks 165 At once to undertake their home return, Across the broad expanse of the salt flood: This Agamemnon greatly disapproved; He willed delay; to offer sacrifice Of hecatombs, in order to appease 170 Minerva's awful wrath: fool not to know How vain his prayers; and that the immortal gods Not lightly from their purposes are turned. Thus stood these two opposed, and bitter words Exchanged; with uproar wild the mailed Greeks 175 Broke up the council, discord in their minds. All night we rested, brooding evil thoughts Against each other; for thus Jupiter A retribution for our sins prepared. At dawn part launched their ships, and placed on board 180 Their goods, and lovely women; spoils of war: But half the people stayed behind, and held With Agamemnon, shepherd of the flock; While half of us embarked, and put to sea. Swiftly we sailed; for o'er the boundless deep 185 Boosc Ill. THE ODYSSEY. 59 A godhead smoothed our path: to Tenedos We came, and to the gods made sacrifice, Eager for home; but adverse Jupiter Was unpropitious to our home return, And raised a second discord in our fleet. 190 Some with the prince Ulysses sage in counsel, Turned back the galleys, swinging to the oar, And Agamemnon sought to join again: But I, with all the ships which followed me Sped onwards; for I knew a deity 195 Threatened with ill: on sped the warlike son Of Tydeus; and his comrades urged to haste: And shortly after, brown-haired Menelaus Followed; and us at Lesbos joined again: Where we were doubting on our longer course; 200 Whether to steer above the rugged Chios, To Psyria's isle, and keep it on our left; Or under Chios hold our course towards The windy Alimas; and we asked the god To give an omen to direct our choice: 205 Which he vouchsafed; and to Euboea's isle He urged us through mid-sea to cut our way; 60 THE ODYSSEY. Boox III. And thus we quickly should escape disaster. "Shrill sang the favoring breeze; swiftly we ran Across the waters where the sea fish play; 210 And ere night fell we reached Gereestus' shore: To Neptune many bulls we offered there, Thankful that we had crossed the mighty deep. On the fourth day it was, that Diomed, Tamer of horses, and his comrades, brought 215 Their gallant ships to Argos: I stood on For Pylos; steady held the breeze, nor fell Since first the god vouchsafed to send its breath. "Thus uninformed, dear youth, I reached my home, Of whom among the Greeks were saved or lost: 220 The rumours I have in my palace heard 'Tis right that thou shouldst know, and I will tell. "They say the gallant Myrmidons reached home Led by the brave Achilles' noble son; And Philoctetes, son of Poeas too; 225 Idomeneus brought all his comrades back To Crete in safety, who escaped from war; Nor did the sea rob one from off his roll: And thou hast heard how Atreus' son arrived, Boos III. THE ODYSSEY. 61 And how ZEgisthus compassed his destruction; 230 For which a vengeance dread on him has fallen. How fortunate, that he thus slain should leave A son behind him, to exact revenge On that fell traitor who his father slew. And thou, dear youth, whom now I thus behold 235 So gallant and so strong, be brave and trusty; That thy descendants may speak well of thee." Telemachus the wise, in answer spoke: "Renowned Nestor, glory of the Greeks, Right well the avenger has requited him: 240 To future generations, will the Greeks Record his widespread fame; oh! that the gods Had granted me like power, to recompense My mother's suitors for their shameful acts; Who, in their haughty disregard of me, 245 Contrive their plots: the gods have not decreed Like favor for my father, or for me; With patience we must all this evil bear." Then Nestor the Gerenian Knight replied; "Since thou this subject hast recalled to mind, 250 Dear youth; they say the suitors in thy halls 62 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK III. Come thronging for thy mother; and contrive Their evil plots against thee; tell me now All this dost thou put up with willingly? Or are thy people hostile to thy cause, 255 Led by some oracle divine? for who Can surely tell, if either thou alone, Or thou with all the Greeks assisting thee, May'st punish yet their lawless outrages? Oh! that blue-eyed Minerva would vouchsafe 260 To favor thee, as erst on Trojan soil, Where we the Greeks so many ills endured, She fostered with her care thy noble father! For never have I seen so manifest, Here on this earth, gods favoring mortal men, 265 As the great goddess Pallas, manifest, Stood ever by his side defending him: If she would only thee vouchsafe to tend With equal care; then many a one of these His wooing would right joyfully forego." 270 The prudent youth in answer thus replied: "O venerable chief, I do not think Thy speech can find fulfilment; vast indeed, BOOK III. THE ODYSSEY. 63 Such an emprize! amazement seizes me! I could not dare to hope for such success, 275 Not even if the gods vouchsafed their aid." The blue-eyed goddess then addressed him thus: "Telemachus, what words have 'scaped thy lips? A god, if so he will, from far can save; I would prefer to bear unnumbered woes, 280 And these endured, then win my home return, To such a fate as Agamemnon's was; Who safely journeyed home, but on his hearth Was slaughtered by that traitor and his wife. 'Tis true the gods themselves cannot defend 285 A favored mortal from the common lot, Death; when inevitable fate decrees That he must yield at length to death's long sleep." Telemachus, the prudent youth, replied: "0 Mentor, let us speak no more of this, 290 Of grievous import though it be to us; For him there is no prospect of return, But a sad fate the gods for him decree. Now on another subject I desire The chief to question; since all other men 295 64 THE ODYSSEY. BooK III. In wisdom, and in knowledge, he excels; Over three generations has he ruled; Thus an immortal seems to meet my eyes When I behold him. Nestor, wilt thou say How mighty Agamemnon met his fate? 300 Where then was Menelaus? by what means Did fell ZEgisthus compass his destruction; A better, and a braver man than he? Was Menelaus then in Grecian Argos? Or where afar was he a wanderer 305 That thus the traitor dared to slay the chief?" To him Gerenian Nestor thus replied: "All this, dear youth, I will to thee relate: Thou hast thyself divined how this befell; If Menelaus, on his way from Troy, 310 Had found iEgisthus in his halls alive, When dead, no earth had covered his remains; But him the dogs and vultures had devoured, Far from the city, on the dreary waste; Nor him the Grecian women had bewept, 315 For he designed a most atrocious act; While we afar hardships and war endured, BooR III. THE ODYSSEY. 65 He in the heart of fertile Argos dwelt In peace; and tempted Agamemnon's wife With all the spells of soft and witching words. 320 At first the lovely Clytemnestra loathed His vile proposals; for her mind was formed For purity by nature; by her side A faithful minstrel watched; to whom the chief Sailing for Troy, with many anxious words, 325 The guarding of his consort had consigned. "But when the fates had willed that she should yield, He forced the minstrel to a desert isle, And left him there a prey for noisome birds. Then he too willing, her, right willing brought 330 Home to his palace: on the altars then He many haunches burnt, and offerings made Of treasures, sacred garments, and of gold; Her having won whom he ne'er hoped to win. "Then Atreus' son and I in friendly wise, 335 Sailing together, made our voyage from Troy; And when at holy Sunium we arrived, The cape of Athens, there Apollo smote King Menelaus' pilot; slaying him, F 66 THE ODYSSEY. BooK III. With painless arrows, and a gentle death; 340 Even as the helm of the swift rushing ship He held within his hands: Phrontis his name, Onetor's son; who with surpassing skill Could guide a ship amidst the driving storms. Thus he delayed, though eager to depart, 345 And there performed his comrade's obsequies. But when at last across the purple deep He sailed with his stout ships, they swiftly ran Their course towards Maleia's lofty cape; But there all-seeing Jove prepared for him 350 A troubled voyage; loud roared the tempest's blast, And giant waves like mountains then arose; The fleet were scattered; some drew near to Crete, Where the Cyd6nes dwell, around the streams Of Jardanus: where Gortys' farthest cape 355 Meets with the stormy deep, there rises sheer A scarped rock from out the salt sea flood; Along its face sinister the South wind The swelling billow towards Phaestus rolls, Thus a small rock hems in the mighty wave; 360 Thither they drove; and hardly could the crews Boos, III. O THE ODYSSEY. 67 Escape destruction; but the ships were wrecked And stranded on the rocks; five dark prowed ships, The rest, the wind and waves to Egypt bore: There among people speaking other tongues 365 Long wandered Menelaus with his ships; Collecting gold and treasures on his way. "Meanwhile ]Egisthus consummated then At home his wretched crimes: seven years he ruled Mycenae rich in gold; Atreides slain: 370 The people too submitted to his sway. But woefully for him, in the eighth year Noble Orestes back from Athens came, And slew his honored father's murderer. Then to the Argives, he, the slayer gave 375 A feast to celebrate the obsequies Of base ALgisthus, and his wretched mother. And Menelaus on that day arrived, He of the cheering war-cry in the fight; With treasures which his laden vessels bore. 380 "Now thee dear youth, I counsel not to rove Far from thy home, leaving thy goods behind, With these disdainful men; who will not fail F 2 68 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK III.... Among them to devour all that thou hast; So thou a bootless errand wilt have gone. 385 But I advise, and strongly urge on thee To go to Menelaus, who has come Lately from foreign lands, and tribes of men From whence he never dared to hope return, When once the storms had swept him far away 390 Into a mighty sea; so dread, so vast, Even the wild birds cannot wing their flight Across its broad expanse within the year. But go now with thy ship, and with thy crew; Or if thou shouldst prefer by land to go 395 Chariot and horses ready are for thee; And thee my sons will readily escort, To Lacedsemon and brown Menelaus; Beg him to tell thee all he knows in truth, He is too wise to speak misleading words." 400 Thus said he, set the sun, and twilight fell: The blue-eyed goddess then addressed them thus: "Right justly hast thou spoken, aged chief: But now at once cut out the victims' tongues, And mix the wine, that we libations pour 405 BOOxK II. THE ODYSSEY. 69 To Neptune, and the other blessed gods; Then 'twill be time to think of our repose; Already has the light sunk in the West: We should not sit and make a long carouse When to the gods a feast we celebrate." 410 Thus spake the child of Jove, and they obeyed; Their hands with water then the heralds bathed, The youths to overflowing filled the bowls, And passed the wine in goblets round to all: Next in the fire the victims' tongues they cast, 415 And rising to their feet libations poured: When they had drunk as much as they desired, The goddess and Telemachus prepared To bend their steps toward their roomy ship; But Nestor stopped them with these eager words: 420 "Now Jove and all the immortal gods forbid That ye should seek repose within your ship, Away from me; as if in utter want, Nor robes nor cushions could my house afford, On which my friends and I could softly sleep: 425 But robes and cushions fine and soft I have Here in my house; nor shall the cherished son 70 THE ODYSSEY. BooK. III. Of my heroic friend be forced to lie On his ship's deck, while I am yet alive, And while my sons are left within my halls, 430 To welcome friends who visit my abode." Him then the blue-eyed goddess thus addressed: "Thou speakest well, O venerable chief; Telemachus will do as thou hast said, And follow thee and sleep within thy halls: 435 But I must seek again my black hulled ship; And stir the crew and give them my commands: For I alone am well advanced in years, And all the others far more youthful are, Who with affection follow this brave youth; 440 And fellows are in time of life with him. Now I shall seek repose on board my ship; For by to-morrow's dawn I mean to sail To visit the Cauc6nes, where a debt Is due to me; a debt not new nor small. 445 This youth who now has sought thee in thy home, Dispatch him in thy chariot with thy son; And of thy horses those most swift of foot, The best and strongest, for his journey give." BooK III. THE ODYSSEY. 71 Thus having said, the goddess disappeared, 450 Taking an eagle's shape; amazement seized All the beholders; and the aged chief Was awe struck; as he saw this with his eyes. Telemachus he took then by the hand, And called him kindly by his name, and said: 455 "Dear youth, I have no fear that thou wilt prove Feeble or base; since thee young as thou art The gods attend, and follow with their care: This was no other of the Olympian ones Than she the child of Jove, most glorious, 460 Tritogeneia; who in favor held Thy noble father above all the Greeks. "Great Queen, be gracious; and fair honor grant To me, my children, and my modest spouse: To thee then will I offer gratefully 465 A yearling heifer; broad of front, untamed, Which never yet has felt the yoke of man. The horns of which entwined with gold shall be." Thus prayed he, and Minerva heard his prayer. Then straight Gerenian Nestor led the way, 470 His sons and sons-in-law all following him, 72 THE ODYSSEY. BoosK III. Towards his beauteous palace; when they reached The stately mansion of the royal chief On couches and on chairs they took their seats. The aged lord himself then in the bowl 475 For all around him mixed the fragrant wine, Which kept eleven years, the stewardess, Releasing from its long confinement broached: This wine the chief himself mixed in the bowl, And poured libations praying fervently, 480 To Pallas, child of vegis-bearing Jove. When all had poured libations, and had drunk As much as they desired, they sought their homes. The knight Gerenian Nestor orders gave A couch of skilful carved-work to prepare 485 There under the re-echoing corridor For the renowned Ulysses' cherished son; And close by him Pisistratus reposed, Leader of men, so skilful with the lance; Who only of his sons then lacked a spouse. 490 He in an inner chamber took his rest, Within his palace' lofty walls; for him The couch his queen and consort there prepared. BooK III. THE ODYSSEY. 73 At morn, when rosy-fingered dawn appeared, Gerenian Nestor from his couch arose: 495 And issuing from his house, he took his seat On the white marble stones before his gates; Polished, they glistened in the light like oil: On them had Neleus sat; a counsellor In wisdom rivalling the gods themselves: 500 But he subdued by death had gone below, To Hades; Nestor the Gerenian chief, The bulwark of the Greeks, sat in his seat; And held the sceptre in his hands: his sons Assembled round him as they issued forth: 505 Echephron, Stratius, and Perseus next, Aretus, and heroic Thrasimede; Pisistratus, the warrior, came the sixth: Telemachus they led forth like a god, And placed him by their father's side; to them 510 Gerenian Nestor then began to speak: "Dear children, now at once fulfil my wish Chief of all gods Minerva to adore, Who at the sea-god's bounteous feast appeared: Go seek at once the heifer in the field, 515 74 THE ODYSSEY. BooK III. And let the herdsman drive her quickly hither; And let another seek the dark hulled ship Of brave Telemachus; and hither bring His comrades, leaving only two on board; And hither also let the goldsmith come, 520 Laerkes, to adorn the horns with gold; The rest remain; and tell them all within The palace walls, the servants, to prepare A stately feast; and seats to place around; And wood to bring, and water bright and clear." 525 Thus said he, and all hastened to obey: Came from the field the heifer; from the ship Telemachus' companions came; the smith Came, bringing tools to execute his work; Anvil and hammer, pincers deftly formed, 530 With which to work the gold: the goddess came, And to the sacrifice herself drew near: The venerable Nestor brought the gold, Which then the smith wrought cunningly, and twined Around the victim's horns; that seeing this 535 A pleasing gift, the goddess should rejoice. Echephton, and the noble Stratius, BooK III. THE ODYSSEY. 75 Came, leading in the heifer by the horns, Aretus from the chamber came, and brought In one hand water in a sculptured vase, 540 And in the left a basket with the meal: Brave Thrasymede stood near; a keen-edged axe To slay the victim in his hands he held; Perseus a basin had to catch the blood. The aged chief began the sacrifice; 545 The holy water, and the barley meal He offered first; and to the goddess prayed With fervent words, as from the victim's front He plucked the hairs, and cast them in the flame. The prayers were offered, and the barley meal; 550 When Nestor's son, stout Thrasymede drew near, And struck the victim; the sharp weapon shore Through the neck sinews, motionless she fell: The daughters of the chief, and his sons' wives, With them Eurydice, his modest spouse, s555 (Of Clymenus the daughter eldest born,) Together raised the sacrificial chant. Then from the earth, trodden by many feet The men raised up and held the victim's head, 76 THE ODYSSEY. Boos III. And from her throat the chief Pisistratus, 560 Let out the dark blood, and the life at once. The offering they divided speedily; The haunches in due order severed were, And these with fat were covered twice; thereon The slices from the limbs were duly laid; 565 All these on blazing wood the aged chief Consumed; and poured upon them sparkling wine: With five-pronged forks in hand the youths stood near. Soon as the haunches they had duly burnt, And tasted the choice morsels; all the rest 570 Cut into portions small, and pierced with spits They roasted; with the sharp spits in their hands. Fair Polycasta, Nestor's youngest child, Telemachus attended at the bath; When he had bathed, she then with shining oil 575 Anointed him; and next about him cast A mantle fair and tunic: like a god He issued from the bath, and straightway sat By Nestor's side, the shepherd of the folk. When they the joints had roasted and prepared, 580 They served, and sitting down commenced the feast: BooK III. THE ODYSSEY. 77 And chosen youths attended heedfully, In golden beakers pouring out the wine. When thirst and hunger both were satisfied, The knight Gerenian Nestor spoke these words: 585 "My children, quickly for Telemachus Now to the chariot yoke the long-maned steeds; That they may bear him swiftly on his way." Thus spake he, and they heard him, and obeyed, And the swift horses to the chariot yoked; 590 In which the stewardess stored bread and wine, And dainties such as noble princes eat. Telemachus then mounted in the car, The son of Nestor mounted by his side, The chief Pisistratus; and took the reins. 595 He whipped the horses forward; o'er the plain They flew with willing speed, and left behind The lofty keep of Pylos speedily. All day the harness rattled as they went: Then set the sun, the streets in shadow lay, 600 As they arrived at Pherae; where abode Diodes, of Ortilochus the son, Who from Alpheius sprang; they rested there; 78 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK III. And he received them kindly as his guests. And when the rosy-fingered dawn appeared, 605 Born of the early morn; they yoked the steeds, Mounted the painted chariot, and drove out Through the fore-gateway, and the sounding porch: He whipped them forward, and with willing speed, They onward flew, and soon they reached the plain, 610 Where stood the growing corn, their journey's end; So swift the horses bore them on the way: Then set the sun, the streets in shadow lay. BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 79 BOOK IV. ARGUMENT. Telemachus at Lacedaemon-Narratives of Helen and Menelaus -Ithaca-Projects of the Suitors. DAYS 5, 6. THEN Lacedaemon in its vale they reached Guarded by hills, where Menelaus dwelt: There, in his home they found the noble chief, Holding among his friends a festival To celebrate the marriage of his son 5 And daughter guileless; her he now sent forth, To be the consort of Achilles' son, Achilles, who smote down the armed ranks; According to his plighted word in Troy, Which now the gods allowed him to fulfil: 10 And to the far-famed city of the prince 80 THE ODYSSEY. Boor IV. Who ruled the Myrmidons, he her despatched With chariots and with horses in her train. And for his much loved son, stout Megapenth, Born of a slave, the chief from Sparta brought 15 The daughter of Alector as a bride. The gods to Helen offspring had refused, Since she brought forth the sweet Hermione, Beauteous in form as golden Aphrodite. Thus Menelaus' friends and kinsmen all 20 Were holding revelry within his halls: To them a minstrel sang melodiously, And harped to his song; two acrobats Whirled lithely in their midst, and moved in time, Their dance commencing with the melody. 25 Telemachus, and Nestor's noble son, Arrived before the palace gates, and stood They and their horses there; whom straight descried The chief attendant of King Menelaus, The ready Eteoneus; through the halls 30 He hastened to the shepherd of the folk, And standing near uttered these winged words: "0 Noble Menelaus, strangers twain BOOx IV. THE ODYSSEY. 81 -- In beauty like the sons of Jupiter, Have just arrived; their steeds shall we unyoke? 35 Pray tell me; or as we are feasting here Shall they elsewhere seek hospitality?" In anger Menelaus him addressed: "Boethus' son, thou hast not heretofore Lacked sense; but now thou pratest like a child: 40 We in our wandering homeward have enjoyed Often from strangers hospitality; May Jove henceforward from our travail sore Grant us repose! at once their steeds unyoke, And bring the strangers here to feast with us." 45 He spoke; the other hastening from the hall His fellow servants told to follow him: They loosed the foaming horses from the yoke, And to the manger safely tethered them; And gave them spelt, with yellow barley mixed: 50 Next leant the chariot 'gainst the polished walls And to the beauteous palace led the guests. They gazed with marvel at the royal abode; For as the lustre of the sun and moon Shone forth the lofty mansion of the chief. 55 G 82 THE ODYSSEY. Boor. IV. But when they had enjoyed the wondrous sight, They were conducted to the polished baths Attended by the maids, who afterwards With shining olive oil anointed them, And mantles soft, and tunics round them cast: 60 They then by Menelaus took their seats. Meanwhile to wash their hands, a serving-maid From a rich golden ewer water poured Into a silver basin, and laid out The polished board; the modest stewardess 65 Served bread and choice of viands from her store Right willingly; dishes of various sorts The carver placed, and golden cups at hand. Then greeting them, brown Menelaus spoke: "Share ye my bread and welcome; afterwards 70 When ye have eaten ask we whence ye are: Your parentage is not obscure I ween, But ye are surely of heroic race, And sprung from chieftains who the sceptre bear; No base-born fathers could beget such sons." 75 He said, and with his hands before them placed The choicest portions of the fatted ox, BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 83 The honored viands destined for himself: They on the ready dainties laid their hands: When thirst and hunger both were satisfied, 80 Telemachus thus spoke to Nestor's son; Keeping their heads together, in his ear, So that the others should not hear his words: "Look, my heart's brother, at the glittering sheen Of gold, of silver, amber, ivory, 85 Resplendent on the mansion's spacious walls; No richer is the hall of Jove himself: Amazement holds me chained to see such wealth." But Menelaus overheard his speech; And thus addressed him with these winged words: 90 "Beloved youths, no mortal can contend With Jove; immortal is his dwelling-place, All he possesses is immortal too; Howe'er it be that any man in wealth Can rival me or not: after much toil, 95 And wanderings manifold, I hither brought In the eighth year these treasures in my ships; Cyprus, Phoenicia had I visited, And Egypt too; and reached the AEthiops, G2 84 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. Sidonians and Erembi; and the shores 100 Of Libya, where the rams mature so soon, And thrice the ewes bring forth within the year: Where neither prince nor peasant ever lacks Cheese, flesh, and milk delicious; all of which The teeming cattle plenteously afford. 105 Among these distant climes I wandered long, Collecting treasure, till that hateful one My brother slew; at unawares, by stealth, Assisted by the craft of his vile wife: Therefore my wealth gives little joy to me. 110 Ye from your fathers must have have heard all this Whoe'er ye be; for much have I endured; My pleasant home was wrecked, and all it held My treasures various and rich despoiled: Would that I now had but a third of these 115 So that the heroes were alive who fell In distant Troy, afar from fruitful Greece! For all of whom I often grieve and mourn: Sitting alone, within my halls, I oft Indulge my grief, and then restrain my tears, 120 For quickly comes satiety of woe. BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 85 " But though I grieve for all, for one I grieve More deeply than the rest; the thought of whom, Destroys my sleep, and spoils my zest for food: No Grecian chief so labored in my cause, 125 Nor suffered trials as Ulysses did: Sorrow is doomed by fate for him; for me, Regret that nothing ever can console; On his account, who long has disappeared, Whether alive or dead no one can tell. 130 The old Laertes and Penelope, That prudent matron; and Telemachus, Whom newly born, a babe, he left at home, No doubt are grieving sadly now for him." He spoke, and anguish for his father's fate 135 O'ercame the youth; tears from his eyelids fell; With both his hands he held his purple robe Before his eyes: this Menelaus saw, And doubted in his mind what he should do; Whether to wait and let him mention first 140 His father's name, or question him at once: While thus debating in his doubtful thoughts, Forth from her scented chamber Helen came; 86 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. As lovely as the goddess Artemis, Who bears the golden distaff, she appeared: 145 Adrasta placed for her the sculptured chair, Alcippe brought a mat of downy wool, Phylo the silver basket bore, a gift Alcandra, wife of Polybus of Thebes, To Helen gave in Egypt; where is stored 150 In every mansion the most lavish wealth: He, Polybus, to Menelaus gave Two baths of silver wrought, and tripods twain, And golden talents ten; besides the gifts So rare, to Helen offered by his wife; 155 A golden distaff, and a work basket That ran on wheels, of silver; round its edge A marge of gold was deftly inter-wrought: This by her side the maiden Phylo placed, Filled high with twisted threads; and on the top 160 The distaff lay, holding the purple wool. Then straightway on the couch she took her seat, Her feet upon the foot-stool placed, and spoke Greeting her husband with enquiring words: " 0 noble Menelaus, do we know 165 I. I I -- BooK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 87 Who these our visitors may claim to be? Say, do I err; or do I rightly guess? My inclination urges me to speak, For never man or woman have I seen, (And as I gaze amazement holds me chained!) 170 So like another as this youthful chief Is like Ulysses' son Telemachus; Whom newly born, a baby, in his home Ulysses left; when all ye Greeks embarked And sailed for Troy, and bravely undertook 175 That direful war for me, the shameless one!" To her brown Menelaus thus replied: "Lady, I think that thou hast rightly guessed; His are the hands and feet, and rapid glance Shot from the eyes, and his the countenance; 180 The locks which o'er it wave are also his: Just now too, when I spoke about Ulysses, And called to mind his sufferings in my cause, He from his brow let fall the bitter tear, Holding his purple robe before his eyes." 185 Then Nestor's son thus answered in reply: "0 Menelaus, leader of the folk, 88 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IV. This is his son indeed as thou hast said: But he is modest, and is loth to seem Of hasty speech, on first approaching thee; 190 Whose words delight us as they were a god's: The knight Gerenian Nestor, me hath sent To be his escort; since he longed to see thee, Hoping for thy support by word or deed: For many cares beset a youthful son 195 Left by his father in his home alone, With no one near to succour or advise: And thus now fares it with Telemachus; His father absent, and none other left Among his people, him to shield from ill." 200 The brown-haired Menelaus thus replied: "In truth the son of one most dear to me Now visits my abode; who in my cause Has many a toil and hardship undergone; One whom I would have held my dearest friend 205 Of all the Greeks, if but Olympian Jove All-seeing, had vouchsafed a safe return In our swift ships across the salt sea flood. In Argos then I would have offered him BooK IV, THE ODYSSEY. 89 A city and a palace for his home; 210 Bringing him hither from his Ithaca, His goods, his household, and his people all; From one of my own cities having moved The present dwellers who inhabit it, And who to me.alone allegiance give: 215 Then could we have enjoyed close intercourse; And us delighting in our friendship then Nought could have severed; until death at last Had with his sable cloud o'ershadowed us. A god himself has thwarted this, and doomed 220 That he alone should helpless, homeless, be." He spoke; his words awoke the grief of all;And Argive Helen wept, the child of Jove; Telemachus, and Menelaus wept; And Nestor's son could not refrain from tears; 225 For then Antilochus he called to mind, Slain by the glorious son of the bright East; Remembering him, he spake these winged words: "O Atreus' son, the aged Nestor said When we conversed together in our halls, 2030 And in our mutual converse spoke of thee, 90 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. That thou for wisdom wast pre-eminent; If this be so, I pray thee hear my words: I for my part would not give way to grief After a feast; to-morrow's dawn must shine: 235 Not that I scorn myself to grieve or weep For one on whom the last sad doom has fallen; Since to us mortals, in our misery Our only solace is to show our grief By locks close shorn, and cheeks bedewed with tears: For I alas! a brother have to mourn; Nor he the least heroic of the Greeks: Thou must have known him well; although by me He died unknown, unseen; but I have heard Antilochus was peerless among all, 245 As swift of foot as he was brave in fight." To him then Menelaus thus replied: "Dear youth, thy words and acts might well become A man of wisdom, and of riper years; Thou speakest wisely, as thy father would: 250 How marked the race of him, whom Saturn's son Has blessed in wedlock, and in offspring too! As thus to Nestor he has deigned to grant --- ~ rl I I BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 91 Old age, and honors in his happy home; And sons as famed for wisdom as in war. 255 The grief which touched us, we will now cast off; And pouring water on our hands resume Once more the banquet; by to-morrow's dawn Telemachus and I will converse hold." He spoke, and his attendant diligent, 260 Asphalion, poured water on their hands, Which they upon the ready viands laid. This did moreover Helen, child of Jove She in the wine which they were drinking cast A drug, which strife and sorrow lulls to sleep 265 And brings forgetfulness of every ill: Whoe'er may quaff this mingled in his cup, No tear will he let fall within that day; Not if his father or his mother die; Or if a brother, or beloved son, 270 Be smitten down before his very eyes: Such was the wondrous drug, of virtue rare, Which to Jove's daughter Polydamna gave, The wife of Thon, in Egypt; where the soil Prolific, drugs and herbs in plenty bears; 275 92 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. Some of rare virtue, some of deadly bane: Here they who know the healing art excel, For from Paaeon's race they all are sprung. She mixed this wondrous potion in the bowl, And bade them fill the cups; and thus she spoke: 280 " 0 noble Menelaus, Atreus' son, And ye the children of heroic chiefs; Jove good and ill distributes; now to one, Now to another; he almighty is. Now sit ye at your banquet, and indulge 285 In converse, in which I will bear my part: I cannot all the famous acts recount Done by Ulysses of the steadfast soul; This one will show how much the valiant chief Ventured and suffered in the Trojans' land, 290 Where ye the Greeks so many ills endured. He on himself inflicting shameful wounds, And clad in tattered garments like a slave, Entered the spacious city of the foe: And he who had no equal 'mongst the Greeks 295 Appeared in likeness of a beggar vile; Thus to the city came he in disguise: Boox IV. THE ODYSSEY. 93 The Trojans knew him not; and I alone Failed not to recognise and question him; And he with cunning shunned my questioning: 300 But when I him attended at the bath, With oil anointed him, and round him cast His garments; then I swore a binding oath Not to disclose his presence to the Trojans Till he should safely reach on his return, 305 The camp, and tents, and swift ships of the Greeks. Then he revealed to me their mind and plans; And after he had many Trojans slain With his sharp sword, back to the Greeks he went, With information gathered from the foe. 310 The Trojan women uttered wailings shrill; But I rejoiced within my heart; which yearned With longing homeward; and I deeply grieved For all the sin which Aphrodite caused; When far astray she led me by her wiles 315 From my loved native land, and from my child: Torn from my marriage-bed, and husband too, As noble in his mind as in his form." Then in reply brown Menelaus spoke: 94 THE ODYSSEY. Boos IV. " 0 Lady all thou say'st is just and true; 320 In my long wanderings over foreign lands Of many chiefs heroic I have known The mind and disposition; but my eyes, Have never seen another with a heart So true and steadfast as Ulysses had. 325 What courage and endurance did he show The valiant chief, when we the chosen few Of all the Greeks, sat in the wooden horse Ready to hurl slaughter and death on Troy: Thou didst approach; sure some divinity 330 Who willed the Trojans to obtain renown Must have constrained thy will; and on thy steps Deiphobus, the god-like, followed close: Thrice round the hollow ambush didst thou walk, Touching it with thy hands; and thou didst call 335 The Grecian chiefs by name; and with thy voice Didst counterfeit the voices of their wives; And I, the son of Tydeus and Ulysses, Seated within, all heard thee as thou calledst; We two distracted, and with rash resolve, 340 Were ready to rush forth, or answer thee; BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 95 Ulysses held us back, and checked our rashness: Then all the Grecian chiefs in silence sat, Save one, Anticlus, would have answered thee, Had not Ulysses seized him by the jaw 345 And held him firmly with his nervous hands; And saved us Greeks: nor did he let him go Until Minerva led thee far from us." Telemachus, the prudent youth replied: "O noble Menelaus, chief of men; 350 How much the sadder this! his bitter fate Nought could have turned aside; not if his heart Within his breast had been an iron heart! Now shall we seek our couches, and repose, That we may be refreshed with gentle sleep?" 355 He spoke, and Argive Helen ordered then The serving maidens straightway to prepare Their couches, underneath the corridor, With goodly purple cushions piled thereon, With carpets decked, and blankets of soft wool. 360 They hastened from the hall at her command With torches in their hands, and her obeyed. Meanwhile the herald ushered out the guests, 96 THE ODYSSEY. Boos IV. Telemachus, and Nestor's noble son, Who in the corridor lay down to rest. 365 And Menelaus in an inner room Within his stately palace walls reposed, And Helen, lovely lady, by his side; She of the flowing robes which swept the ground. And when the rosy-fingered Dawn appeared 370 Born of the early morning, from his couch Sprang Menelaus, of the battle cry So cheering in the fight; his robes he donned, And o'er his shoulders cast his sword; and bound His graceful sandals on his well-shaped feet; 375 And issued from his chamber like a god: He made Telemachus sit by his side, And called him kindly by his name, and said: "Telemachus, thou gallant youth, what need Has brought thee hither o'er the distant sea? 380 Pray tell me truly what the cause may be; Of public or of private interest?" Telemachus, the prudent youth replied: "0 son of Atreus, 'leader of the folk, I come to ask if thou canst tell me aught 385 BOOiK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 97 Touching my father; for my home is spoiled, And all my rich possessions are destroyed: My house is filled with men on evil bent, My mother's suitors; with rude insolence They eat my sheep and crumple-horned kine: 390 Therefore I pray thee as a suppliant, Be pleased to tell me if thou know'st his fate; If thou with thine own eyes hast seen; or heard From any traveller aught concerning him: In truth his mother brought him forth for woe! 395 Let not thy pity spare or soften aught But tell me truly all that thow hast seen: I pray thee, if my father, brave Ulysses, Have even stood by thee in word or deed, And done good service in the Trojan's land 400 Where ye, the Greeks, so many ills endured; Call this to mind; and tell me now the truth." In bitter anger Menelaus spoke: "Ye gods! that men contemptible should dare To dream that they might occupy the couch 405 Of him the dauntless chief! as if the hind Should lay her suckling young ones in the haunt H 98 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IV. Of the dread lion; she with anxious gaze Scans as she feeds, the slopes and grassy vales: But he returns, and finds them in his lair; 410 Dire is the vengeance he inflicts on them, Dire will Ulysses' vengeance be on these. If father Jove, Apollo, and Minerva, Would but vouchsafe Ulysses to appear; Such as he was when once in well-built Lesbos 415 He forward strode to wrestle in a match With Philomeleus' son, and hurled him down: A dreadful fall; at which the Greeks rejoiced; Could he but thus your mother's suitors meet, For all this rabble then how swift the fate, 420 Bitter for them the wedding feast would be! "As to the questions which thou askest me So urgently; I will not thee deceive, Nor from the truth will swerve in aught I say: All that the aged genius of the sea 425 Whose words are true related, I will tell; Nor will I aught conceal or screen from thee. "The gods in Egypt kept me still detained, Longing for home; because of my neglect BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 99.. In offering them accustomed sacrifice; 430 For they are ever jealous of their laws. There lies an island on the weltering main Just off the coast of Egypt-Pharos called, Not farther than a gallant bark could run During the day, before a favoring gale; 435 It has a land-locked haven, whence the ships When they have watered can put out to sea. For twenty days the gods detained me there; No seaward breezes gave their breath, our fleet To herald o'er the bosom of the deep; 440 Our food had been consumed, and with our food The spirit of my comrades, had not one And she one of the immortals, pitied me, And rescued us; Eidothee, the child Of mighty Proteus, genius of the sea. 445 Her soul was stirred to pity when she met me Far from my comrades wand'ring and alone: For they about the island listless strolled, And strove to angle fish with curved hooks, To serve for food; hunger their entrails gnawed. 450 She drawing near addressed me with these words: H2 ~or 100 THE ODYSSEY. BOOR IV. "' 0 foolish stranger, hast thou lost thy wits? Or dost thou stay here of thine own accord, And findest pleasure in enduring woe? Why dost thou tarry in this isle so long, 455 No effort made to seek thy journey's end? Thou wilt wear out the patience of thy crew!' "She spake; and thus I answered in reply: "'Goddess, whate'er thy name, I thee assure That not of my own will do I delay; 460 Perchance I have unwittingly offended The gods who dwell in heaven; tell me now, For gods know all things; what immortal one Now holds me back, and bars me from my path, And how I may my homeward course pursue 465 Across the deep, wherein the sea fish play?" "I spoke, the lovely goddess thus replied: "' 0 stranger, I will truly answer thee; A venerable genius of the sea, Immortal, and of speech infallible 470 Egyptian Proteus called, frequents this isle; He Neptune's minister and henchman true Of every sea the deep abysses knows; BOOK~ IV. THE ODYSSEY. 101 They say that I my being owe to him, And he my father is; if thou by stealth 475 Canst get him in thy power, he will declare The course and measure of thy homeward voyage Across the deep, wherein the sea fish play. And he, 0 chief, will tell if thou desire The good and evil that has taken place 480 Within thy palace, which thou long hast left, On this thy journey long and dangerous.' "The goddess spoke, and thus I answered her: "'But wilt thou now explain by what device I may entrap the genius of the sea; 485 Lest he foreseeing may escape my toils; A god will hardly be by man subdued.' "I spoke, the lovely goddess straight replied: " ' O stranger, I will tell thee what to do; Soon as the sun has climbed the half of heaven, 490 The aged god, of words infallible, With the west wind emerges from the sea, By the dark ripple of the waves concealed, And lays him down under the hollow caves: And seals in numbers issuing from the flood, 495 102 THE ODYSSEY. BoOK IV. The progeny of Halosydne fair, Repose around him; and their breath exhales The pungent odour of the deep salt sea: And I will thee conduct at dawn of day, And lay thee in their ranks; and thou must choose 500 Three trusty comrades from thy gallant ships Most fitted to assist thy enterprise: Now I will caution thee before, and tell The weird devices of the aged god. First he will count and number all his seals; 505 When he has told them on his fingers five, He in their midst will lay him down to rest, As would a shepherd in his flock of sheep; And when thou seest him in slumber bound, Seize him, and hold him fast with all thy strength, 510 However hard he struggle to escape: All shapes he will assume, which are produced On earth, in water, or the dreadful flame; But ye must all the faster cling to him: But soon as he himself shall speak to thee 615 In the same shape thou sawest him asleep, Use no more force, but let the sea-god free.! BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 103 Then he, O gallant hero, will declare Which of the deities is wroth with thee And how thou mayest thy homeward course pursue 520 Across the deep wherein the sea fish play.' "She spoke and dived beneath the seething waves: I to the ships returned, and where they lay Hauled up upon the sands; and as I went My mind was stirred with many anxious thoughts: 525 And when I reached the ships, we then prepared Our evening meal, and fell ambrosial night; And lying on the beach we took our rest. "And when the rosy-fingered dawn appeared Along the shore of the far-stretching sea 530 I went, and to the gods prayed fervently: And of my crews I three companions chose, Most trusty for a daring enterprise. "The goddess from the bosom of the deep Emerged just then; and in her hands she bore 535 Four seal skins, from the creatures newly stripped, Intending thus her father to deceive: And in the sandy beach of the salt sea She dug a lair for us, and waiting sat: 104 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. When we drew near, she made us all lie down, 540 And over each of us a seal's skin threw; It was a fearful ambush, for the stench Of these sea-nurtured seals distressed us sore; For who would lie beside a slimy fish? But for our sufferings she contrived relief; 545 She brought ambrosia; and for each of us A portion underneath our nostrils placed; And that sweet scent destroyed the fishy smell. There we remained with patience all the morn; And waited, while the seals from out the sea 550 Issued in herds, and lay along the beach. At noon the aged sea-god came on shore, And found his well-fed seals; among the rows He walked surveying all, and counted them; And reckoned us the first among his fish, 555 With no suspicion of a stratagem; And then himself lay down to take his rest. We with a shout rushed in, and seized him there; Nor did the aged god forget his craft; First like a long-maned lion he appeared; 560 A dragon next, a leopard, and a boar; BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 105 Then flowing water, and a towering tree; But we unflinchingly held on to him: But when the aged god, so skilled in wiles Was wearied; he addressed me with these words; 565 "'Who, son of Atreus, has revealed to thee The secrets of the gods? against my will Thou hast entrapped me; say, what is thy need?' "Thus said he, and I answered in reply: "'0 venerable god, thou knowest well; 570 Wherefore address me with deceiving words? How long I am delayed within this isle! No outlet can I find; within my breast My soul is wearied; tell me now, I pray, For gods know all things,-which immortal one 575 Now holds me back, and bars me from my course, And how I may my homeward course pursue, Across the flood, wherein the sea-fish play?' "I spoke, and straight he answered in reply: 'Thou shouldst have offered solemn sacrifice 580 To Jupiter, and all the other gods, Before thou didst embark; and swiftly then Thou hadst sailed home across the dark grey sea. 106 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IV. Fate will not thee allow to see once more Thy much loved friends, nor reach thy well-built home In thy own native land, till thou return To Egypt's river, which from Heaven flows; And offer consecrated hecatombs To the immortal gods who dwell in heaven; Then they will guide whither thou long'st to go.' 590 "Thus spoke the god; my heart within me sank, Because again across the stormy deep He bade me go; a long and dreary voyage, To Egypt; then I spoke to him again: "'0 venerable god, all thy commands 595 I will obey, but tell me truly now If all the Greeks have safely reached their homes, Whom Nestor left, and I, on board their ships, When we were sailing on our way from Troy? Has any since the war was ended, died, 600 On board his ship, when on his homeward voyage? Or met his fate at home, among his friends?' "I spoke, and thus he straightway answered me: 'O son of Atreus, wherefore dost thou ask? It is not well for thee to know all this; 605 BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 107 Or that thou share the knowledge I possess: I warn thee, that thou wilt not tearless be When thou hast heard the tale I have to tell. "' Many have fallen, many too are spared: Only two chiefs of all the mailed Greeks 610 Have perished on their home return; in war I need not say who fell, as thou wast there: And one yet lives, hemmed in by the broad sea. "'Ajax is lost, with all his long-oared ships; Him Neptune cast upon the mighty rocks 615 Of Gyrae; and preserved him from the sea: In spite of Pallas' wrath he had escaped, Had he not uttered a blaspheming speech; He said he would escape the sea's abyss Maugre the gods; Neptune heard his boast, 620 And with the trident in his mighty hands Smote the Gyraean rock, and clove it down; The base remained; the crest fell in the sea, The seat of Ajax, when he thus blasphemed; And dragged him down to the vast seething deep; 625 And thus he perished in the briny waves. Thy brother with his ships escaped disaster, 108 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. Preserved by Juno, Queen of Goddesses; But when he neared Maleia's craggy steep A driving tempest whirled him back to sea, 6:30 Lamenting his sad fate; towards the cape Which forms the furthest limit of the land. There stood the palace where Thyestes dwelt, And there his son ZEgisthus then abode. " ' But now a chance of safe return appeared, 635 And to a favoring breeze the gods had turned The adverse winds; and soon they reached their home; How gladly then he sprang upon the shore! And as he shed warm tears, he kissed the soil, His native soil, he so rejoiced to see. 640 But him the watchman from his eyrie saw, Whom traitorous ZEgisthus stationed there; To him he promised golden talents twain, For his reward; for a whole year he watched, Lest unobserved the chief should reach his home, 645 And take a dread revenge; he hastened then To tell ZEgisthus of his near approach, Who straight contrived a crafty villany. He placed an ambush; choosing twenty -men BooK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 109 To lie in wait, the bravest in the land: 650 And at the same time ordered to prepare A banquet, and in haste he went himself With chariots, and with horses in his train Inviting Agamemnon to the feast; But in his heart contriving treachery. 655 Him to his palace he conducted then Unwitting of his doom; and murdered him, When he had entertained and feasted him, As one might slaughter in his stall the ox: And of the chieftain's comrades none were spared, 660 And of ZEgisthus' followers none escaped; But all were slain in that fell banquet hall.' "He spoke; and straight my heart within me sank And sitting on the sand I wept; nor wished Longer to live, or the sun's light to see; 665 But as I took my fill of weeping there, The genius of the sea thus spoke again: ' Weep not, 0 Atreus' son, incessantly, Thy ceaseless tears will benefit thee nought; But quickly try to reach thy native land, 670 That thou may'st find the traitor yet alive; 110 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. Orestes will forestall thy vengeance yet, And thou wilt only see his obsequies.' As thus he spoke my courage was restored, And nerved my heart within my aching breast: 675 I then addressed him with these winged words: "'I know the fate of these, but wilt thou name The one who if alive is kept from home, Hemmed in by the broad sea? or is he dead? Spite of my grief I fain would hear of him!' 680 "I spoke and thus he answered in reply: "'Laertes' son who dwells in Ithaca: I saw him in an isle, shedding hot tears, In fair Calypso's palace, who by force Detains him there; he cannot reach his home, 685 No comrades has he, and no ships with oars To bear him o'er the bosom of the deep. "'For thee, O noble Menelaus, destiny Ordains, thou shalt not die and end thy days In Argos rich in pastures; but the gods 690 Will waft thee to the far Elysian fields The utmost confines of the earth; where dwells Brown Rhadamanthus; where for mortal men BooK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 111 A life of perfect happiness is found: No snow, no winter, and no rain are there; 695 But Ocean sends the breezes from the West With gentle breath its dwellers to refresh: And this because fair Helen is thy wife, And thou thyself the son-in-law of Jove.' "He spoke, and dived beneath the billowy deep: 700 I to my ship, and comrades brave returned, While many anxious thoughts my mind disturbed. And when I reached the ships close by the sea, We straightway then prepared our evening meal And night ambrosial fell; upon the shore, 705 By the sea side, we laid us down to sleep. But when the rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, Born of the early morning, first of all We launched our ships upon the sea divine; And next we placed on board the buoyant ships 710 The masts and sails, and went on board ourselves; The ready oarsmen sat upon the thwarts, And struck the yeasty water with their oars. To Egypt's river, which from heaven flows I quickly brought my ships again; and there 715 112 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IV. I offered sacrifice of hecatombs. When the immortals' wrath I had appeased, To Agamemnon next I raised a tomb, So that his glory should eternal be. When all these things were done, we sailed away: 720 The gods vouchsafed to me a favoring breeze Which swiftly bore me to my native land. But now I hope thou wilt remain with me Until eleven or twelve days be past, Then from my palace I will send thee home 725 With honor, and with honorable gifts: Three horses, and a splendid chariot, And a rich goblet I will give to thee, With which to make libations to the gods; That there thou ever may'st remember me." 730 Telemachus, the prudent youth, replied: "O Atreus' son, keep me no longer here; For a whole year I fain would stay with thee, And feel no craving for my home or kin, As I sat listening to thy discourse, 735 So wondrous my delight to hear thy words: But my companions chafe at my delay, Boos IV. THE ODYSSEY. 113 At sacred Pylos; while thou keep'st me here; And wilt thou let thy gift a jewel be? Horses I cannot take to Ithaca, 740 But let them here remain for thy delight: For thy dominion is a rolling plain, Where grow rich clover, and luxuriant grass, And wheat, and spelt, and breadths of yellow grain: In Ithaca we have no stretching downs, 745 Nor meadows; but a grazing scant for goats; Though far more lovely than a pasture land Our island homes are not for horses fit, Nor have we goodly meadows on the slopes Which slant sheer towards the sea: but ne'ertheless Dearest of lands is Ithaca to me!" 751 Thus spake the youth, and Menelaus smiled, And soothed him with his hand in kindly wise; And called him kindly by his name and said: "Thy words betray thy noble blood, dear youth; 755 I willingly will change my gifts to thee, As easily I can; and in my house The richest and the rarest gifts I have Among my treasures lying, shall be thine: I 114 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. A goblet of consummate workmanship; 760 Of silver pure, with gold worked round the brim, A masterpiece of Vulcan; Phaedimus, The warrior king of the Sidonians, Gave it me, when within his palace walls I sojourned on my homeward journey here: 765 This as a gift I will on thee bestow." While these in friendly converse were engaged The revellers sought the palace of the king And sheep they brought, and wine which cheers the heart; The veiled serving-women brought them bread, 770 And all were busied to prepare the feast. The haughty suitors in their wonted place Before Ulysses' palace were employed In hurling quoits, and hunting spears, in sport, Upon the courtyard, levelled skilfully. 775 Antinoiis was seated; and by him Eurymachus of god-like beauty sat; In valour these the others all surpassed. To these Noemon son of Phronios BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 115 Drew near, and thus Antinois addressed: 780 "Antinoiis, are we informed or not What time we may expect Telemachus From sandy Pylos? whither he has gone On board one of my ships, of which just now I have an urgent need: I fain would go 785 To Elis, where there are twelve mares of mine, With them their foals, laborious mules, unbroke; And one of these I would bring here to break." He spoke; they were surprised, for no one thought That to Neleian Pylos he had gone; 790 But rather to the country pastures near, Where he the flocks or swineherd visited: Antinoiis addressed him with these words: "Tell me in truth what time he went away? Did any noble youths of Ithaca, 795 Or only slaves and servants follow him? How had he means to carry out his plans! And tell me truly, for I fain would know, If he by force conveyed away thy ship, Against thy will? or did he thee persuade 800 To lend her to him by his urgent prayer?" I 2 116 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IV. Noemon son of Phronios replied: "I lent her to him of my own accord; Who could act otherwise, at the appeal Of such a chief? 'Twere hard him to refuse. 805 The noblest youths among us follow him; And at the head I saw myself embark Or Mentor, or a god who took his form: For I to my surprise at early dawn Of yesterday the god-like Mentor saw; 810 Although methought to Pylos he had gone." He spoke and to his father's house returned; And both the chiefs were startled at his speech; The suitors left their sports, and gathered round: Antinofis in anger them addressed; 815 With fury his dark plotting heart was filled, And both his eyes shone out like gleaming flame: "Ye gods! with a high hand Telemachus Has carried out his journey, and his plans; Which we imagined he would never do: 820 The youth has gone his way in spite of us, Equipped a ship, and manned her with a crew The noblest and the bravest in the land; BOKE IV. THE ODYSSEY. 117 And further ill will follow; oh! that Jove May slay him ere he grow to be a man! 825 But give me now a bark with twenty rowers, That I may lie in ambush in his path: I in the narrow strait will keep my watch 'Twixt Ithaca, and Same steep with crags: E'en yet this precious voyage he undertakes 830 All for his father's sake, may bring him woe." He spoke, and all applauded and approved, And rising to Ulysses' palace went. Penelope was not long uninformed Of all the schemes the suitors deeply laid; 835 Medon the herald told her; who outside Had overheard their converse in the hall, Where they contrived their plot: he straightway went Towards the palace to Penelope: Him meeting on the threshold she addressed: 840 "Why have the noble suitors sent thee here? Tell me 0 herald, is it to command The maidens of my noble lord to cease Their housewife's work, and labor for their feast? Oh! that they ne'er might urge their suits again! 845 118 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IV. And that they now might take their last carouse! Thou bandest with these men to dissipate The rich inheritance of my brave son: When ye were children did ye never hear Your fathers tell, the manner of the life 85, Ulysses led with them in days gone by? How in his public rule, in deed or word He never overbearing was to them, As sovran chiefs are often wont to be; Oppressing this one, and caressing that? 855 No wrong wrought he to any in the land; But your injurious deeds and thoughts are plain, And manifest; no gratitude exists Amongst you now for all his kindly acts." Medon the wise in answer her addressed: 860 "I would, O Queen, this were our greatest ill! But a much graver and more shameful crime The suitors contemplate; which Jove avert! With the sharp sword they now design to slay Telemachus, as he is voyaging home: 865 To sacred Pylos he has lately gone, And Lacedaemon the divine; to seek BooK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 119 If news there be touching his father's fate." As thus he spoke, her heart within her sank, Her knees were nerveless, speechless long she stood; Her eyes were filled with tears, and her rich voice 871 Was choked; at length she thus found words to say: "Why has he gone, O herald? sure no need For him to sail away in those swift ships, Which are the chariots of the salt sea flood 875 For warriors; them to bear across the main: Or does he wish no name to leave behind?" Medon the wise, in answer thus replied: "I know not if a god have urged him on, Or his own will have instigated him 880 To go to Pylos, that he might enquire About his father's fate or home return." He spoke, and left her, passing through the hall. She was o'erwhelmed with sore, heart-breaking grief, And sat not on the couches ranged around 885 The gorgeous chamber; but upon the floor She crouching sat in miserable woe: The women young and old around her wailed; Penelope, lamenting, them addressed: 120 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. "Hear me my trusty maids, the Olympian god 89o Has given me afflictions far beyond All other women of my age and kin: A husband I have lost both good and brave, With every noble quality adorned, Whose fame through Greece and Argos is extolled: Besides all this, my son, so fondly loved, 896 The storms have swept away, unknown to fame: And I unwitting he had left his home! Cruel, it never entered in the mind Of one of you to wake me from my sleep; 900 Though at the very time ye must have known That he was starting in the black hulled ship. For had I his intended journey known He doubtless would have stayed at my request, However eager on his way to go; 905 Or he had left me dead within these halls. "But summon Dolios at once to me, The aged servant, whom my father gave To be my follower when I left my home; And who my garden tends, so thick with shrubs; 91o That he may quickly tell Laertes this; BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 121 And he will come to us and counsel take, To raise some pity in the people's hearts; Who now it seems are seeking to destroy His, and Ulysses' offspring, root and branch." 915 The faithful Euryclea her addressed: " If with the ruthless sword thou slay me here Dear child, I will not hide from thee the truth: I knew all these his plans; and gave to him The food and wine he ordered me to give: 920 He also forced from me a mighty oath That I would not reveal the scheme to thee Till the twelfth day were past; or thou shouldst miss him, And information of his absence gain; Lest tears should mar thy lovely countenance. 925 Do thou now take a bath, and clothe thy limbs With garments fair; and to thy upper room Ascending, followed by thy serving-maids, Pray to the child of mgis-bearing Jove; For him can Pallas surely save from death. 930 Vex not the aged chief with thy sad tale: I cannot think that the Arceisian race Is hateful to the gods; but there will be 122 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. For ever a successor, to possess The lofty palace, and the rich domain." 935 Thus spake she; and the lady's sobs were lulled And dried her tears; she straightway took her bath, And garments fair about her limbs she cast, And to her upper chamber with her maids Ascending, in a basket she laid out 940 The sacred meal, and to Minerva prayed: "Unconquered child of regis-bearing Jove, Hear me; if e'er Ulysses in these halls Have in thy honour fatted haunches burnt Of sheep or oxen; then extend to me 945 Thy favor, and preserve my darling son; And curb the suitors' haughty violence." Thus having said, the sacrificial hymn She chanted, and the goddess heard her prayer. The suitors gathered in the shadowy halls, 950 One of these scornful youths addressed the rest: (' Tis plain the Queen whom we so long have wooed Invokes the gods as ready now to wed, Nor knows that we prepare to slay her son." Thus said the youth, but little did he know, 955 BOOK IV. THE ODYSSEY. 123 - Nor did the others, what had taken place: Antinoiis then addressed them with these words: "0 comrades, we must carefully avoid All threatening words, suspicion to awake; But let us now in silence set about 960 The plan proposed, on which we all agreed." He said, and twenty gallant men he chose, And took them to a ship upon the beach: And first of all they launched her in the deep, And then the mast and sails they placed on board; The oars they fitted in their leathern thongs, 966 The white sails loosed, and all their gear prepared; Meanwhile the ready servants brought their arms: Next in deep water from the lofty beach They moored the ship, and went on board themselves; And took their meal, and waited for the dark. 971 Then in her upper room, Penelope, Fasting lay down; nor food nor drink she took; In anxious doubt whether her noble son Should 'scape destruction; or if he should fall 975 Before the haughty suitors' dark designs: And as the lion, when the hunter's toils 124 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. Encircle him, is anxious in unrest; So was she anxious until slumber came And lulled her to repose with limbs relaxed. 980 Then blue-eyed Pallas other plans contrived; She raised a form which took Iphthime's shape, The daughter of Icarius, with whom Eumelus wedded, who at Pherm dwelt: She to Ulysses' palace sent this form 985 To soothe the weeping and the wailing Queen, And calm her sobbing, and her tearful sighs. Into her sleeping chamber by the latch The shadow came; and standing at her head Addressed the lady with these words, and said: 990 "Penelope, thou steepest in thy grief But thee the gods who live in endless bliss Will not abandon to thy care and woe; Be sure thy son will soon come back to thee, For never has he sinned against the gods." 995 Penelope thus answered in reply, In gentle slumber, at the gate of dreams: "Why sister art thou here? thou art not wont To visit me, thy dwelling is afar; BoOr IV. THE ODYSSEY. 125 Why dost thou tell me to restrain my grief, 1000 And choking sobs, which rend my heart and breast? First I have lost a husband good and brave, Adorned with every noble quality, Whose fame through Greece and Argos echoes wide: And now my darling son has sailed away, 1005 A youth unskilled in council and in war: For him I tremble; and I sorely dread What he may suffer in a foreign land, Whither he now has gone, and on the deep; For many evil men contrive their plots, 1010 And even now are starting on their way To slay him ere he reach his native shore." The shadowy form in answer thus replied: "Have courage; nor resign thy soul to fear; For she is guiding him whom heroes pray 1015 To be their guard; almighty is her power, Pallas Minerva; and she pities thee, And now has sent me all this to relate." Then her the chaste Penelope addressed: "Oh! if thou art divine, if thou hast heard 1020 A god's commands, I pray thee tell me now 126 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IV. The fate of him who is so miserable; Say, does he live and see the light of day? Or is he dead and down to Hades gone? " The shadowy form in answer thus replied: 1025 "Be he alive or dead, I cannot tell; It is not good to babble idle words." She spoke and vanished by the chamber latch, On the wind's breath; straightway Icarius' child Awoke from slumber; and her heart was stilled, 1030 For the true dream came just before the dawn. Meanwhile the suitors had embarked and sailed Across the track of waters, breathing out Sudden destruction for Telemachus. A rocky islet rises from the deep 1035 Twixt Ithaca and Same rough with crags, Called Asteris; its haven safe for ships Has double entrance to the sea; and there The princes lay in ambush for their prey. BOOK V. THE ODYSSEY. 127 BOOK V. ARGUMENT. Council of the Gods —Hermes sent to Calypso- Isle of Ogygia-Ulysses builds a raft-His voyage, and wreck on the coast of Scheria. DAYS 7-33. Now from Tithonus' bed the dawn arose O'er mortals and immortals light to shed: The gods in council sat, and in their midst The lofty thunderer of might supreme. Pallas to them with constant memory 6 Ulysses' woes recounted; for she grieved That by the goddess he was still detained: "0 Father-Jove, and ye immortal gods Let not a king who bears the sceptre now Henceforth be mild and lenient; nor regard 10 Justice; nay, let him rather be severe, 128 THE ODYSSEY. BooK V... _ Lawless his acts; not thus the godlike chief Ulysses should in memory be held, But as a father in his gentleness, By all the people over whom he ruled. 15 He in that island suffers grievous woe Within Calypso's halls, the nymph by force Detains him there; he cannot reach his home; No ships has he equipped with oars; no crew, To bear him o'er the bosom of the deep; 20 And now they plot to slay his cherished son, As he from sacred Pylos voyages home, And Lacedaemon; whither he has gone To seek for news touching his father's fate." He who o'errules the thunder clouds replied: 25 "My daughter, what a speech has 'scaped thy lips! For hast thou not thyself contrived this plan So that Ulysses may return at last And vengeance take? but now do thou conduct Telemachus with skill, as well thou canst, 30 That he may scathless reach his native shore; And that the suitors baffled, may sail back." To Hermes also his loved son he spoke: BOOK. V. THE ODYSSEY. 129 "Hermes, be thou a messenger for us, And to the fair-haired nymph do thou announce 35 Our will unalterable; the return Of the enduring hero to his home: No guidance shall he have from gods or men, But he shall sail upon a fragile raft, Enduring hardships; on the twentieth day 40 He shall arrive at Scheria's fruitful shore, Where the Phfeacians dwell, blest as the gods; Who as a god shall reverence the chief, And in a ship shall send him to his home, His much-loved native land; and give to him 45 Great store of bronze, of raiments, and of gold; More than Ulysses would have brought from Troy, If he had safe returned with all its spoil: It is his destiny to see his friends, And visit yet again once more in peace 50 His lofty palace, and his native shore." He spoke, nor disobeyed the Argus slayer, He bound the wondrous sandals on his feet, Ambrosial, golden; that o'er sea and land Illimitable, bore him like the wind; ss K 130 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK V. Took too the wand with which he charms to rest The eyes of men; and opes them at his will: This in his hand the Argus slayer held As down from heaven aslant he winged his way, And from Pieria lighted on the sea: 60 He skimmed the billows like the wild sea-mew, Which o'er the dread abysses of the deep, The lonely deep, pursues its fishy prey, And bathes its feathers in the briny foam. Thus Hermes flew athwart the countless waves; 65 And when at length he reached the distant isle And trod firm land from off the purple sea, He sought the spacious grotto where abode The fair-haired nymph; and found her then within. A blazing fire was burning on the hearth. 70 And from afar o'er all the island stole The perfumed odors of the burning woods Of fragile cedar, and the tree of life: And she within sang with melodious voice, And with a golden shuttle plied the loom. 75 A blooming grove around the grotto stood; Alder and poplar, mixed with cypress sweet; Boos V. THE ODYSSEY. 131 And long-winged birds upon the branches perched, Falcons and owls, and chattering hooded crows, Birds of the sea, who pastime take therein. 80 And all about the lovely grotto climbed A blooming vine, luxuriant with grapes. From fountains four which close together stood The limpid water bubbled far and wide: And from the turf so soft, the violet 85 And-parsley sprang: even a god must gaze On such a scene with wonder and delight. There stood and gazed the guiding Argus slayer, When he had gazed his fill, and all admired Her spacious grot he entered then; nor failed 90 The lovely goddess him to recognise; For to each other never are unknown Immortals; though they far apart may dwell. High-souled Ulysses was not then within, He sat upon the shore as he was wont 95 And wept; his heart was torn with sighs and groans; Tearful he gazed across the lonely sea. The lovely goddess Hermes thus addressed As on her bright and gleaming couch she sat: 2 132 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK V. -- "Tell me, 0 Hermes of the golden wand 100 Dear and beloved friend, why thou hast come? Thy visits are not frequent heretofore: Thy wishes only tell, my heart is prompt To do for thee whatever may be done: But first come in and welcome taste my cheer." 105 Thus having said, the goddess for him laid Herself a table with ambrosia piled, And mixed the ruddy nectar in his cup: The guiding Argus slayer ate and drank, And when his appetite was satisfied 110 He with these words addressed her in reply: "Goddess, of me, a god, thou dost demand Why I have come; therefore at thy request My message I will truly tell to thee. Against my wishes Jove has sent me here; 115 Who of his own free will would travel o'er This wide and dreary waste of the salt flood? No city near, where men could offer up Their sacrifice of choicest hecatombs To us the gods? but 'tis not possible 120 For any go(d to cross the will of Jove, BOOK V. THE ODYSSEY. 133 The aegis-bearer, or evade his hests. "They say a hero dwelleth now with thee Who is the most unfortunate of those Who for nine years for Priam's city fought: 125 In the tenth year they sacked the citadel, And sailed for home; but they on their return Offended Pallas, who against them raised A dreadful tempest, and a mighty sea: And all his brave companions perished there. 130 But him the waves and tempests hither bore; And him he orders thee to send away Without delay; 'tis not his destiny To perish here afar from all his friends; But 'tis his fate to see them all again 135 And that he visit yet once more in peace His lofty palace, and his native land." He spake, the lovely goddess was dismayed And thus addressed him with these winged words: "How cruel are ye gods! how envious! 140 Who grudge that goddesses should e'er enjoy The love of mortal men; that one should choose Without disguise a mortal for her spouse. 134 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK V. Thus rosy-fingered Dawn Orion chose; The gods who live in bliss straight envied her; 145 And chaste Diana of the golden throne Drew near and slew him in Ortygia, With painless arrows, and a gentle death. Thus also did the fair-haired Ceres yield To passion; and to Jason gave her love; 150 And in a fallow field her favors gave: Not long was Jove left uninformed of this Who slew him with his flashing thunderbolt. And thus ye gods grudge me my mortal love! I saved him, clinging to his vessel's keel 155 Alone, when with his flashing thunderbolt Jove struck his flying bark in the mid sea, And shattered her amidst the gloomy waves; When all his comrades brave had perished there, And him the waves and tempests bore to me. 160 I loved and cherished him; and did intend To give him immortality of youth: But since no other god can cross the will, Or 'scape the hests of egis-bearing Jove, E'en let him go; since such is his command: 165 BOOK V. THE ODYSSEY. 135 'Tis he who drives him o'er the lonely sea, For I could never, never banish him: Nor have I ships equipped with oars, nor crew To bear him o'er the bosom of the deep: But I will give him guileless counsel now 170 So that he safely reach his native shore." The guiding Argus slayer her addressed: "Send him away at once, and reverence The wrath of Jove, lest in his jealousy He may hereafter be incensed with thee." 175 Thus spoke the mighty god and disappeared. Now that the goddess had Jove's mandate heard Her steps she turned towards the dauntless chief: She found him sitting on the beach; his eyes Were never dry from tears; his gladsome life 180 Was wasted by his yearning for his home; And now the nymph herself had ceased to charm: With her so loving he with little love His nights perforce must spend in her arched grot; All day he sat upon the sands and rocks, 185 His heart with grief and sighs and groans was torn, As shedding tears he gazed o'er the sad sea. 136 THE ODYSSEY. BOOKi V. The lovely goddess standing near him spoke: "Unhappy one, weep here no more for me, Nor for my sake waste all thy life in grief; 190 For now I willingly will send thee home: So come at once, and with the axe hew out Tall beams; and form with them a spacious raft; And fasten planks across it strong and high, That it may bear thee o'er the stormy sea: 195 And bread and water, and the ruddy wine I for thy sustenance will place on board, So that thou may'st not starve; and garments too. Moreover, I will send a favoring breeze To waft thee safely to thy native shore: 200 For thus, alas! the gods in heaven decree, Aild they are stronger in their will than I!" She spoke; the suffering hero was dismayed, And thus addressed her with these winged words: "0 goddess, surely thou hast other thoughts 205 Than sending me in safety to my home; Who now commandest me upon a raft To cross the deep; so terrible, so dread; Which hardly ships can traverse, swift and strong, BOOK V. THE ODYSSEY. 137 When favored by the fairest wind from Jove. 210 Nay goddess, on the raft against thy wish I will not venture, till thou swear to me That thou toward me hast no ill design." Thus spake Ulysses, and Calypso smiled; The lovely goddess soothed him with her hand, 215 And called him kindly by his name and said: "0 cunning one, thy craft deserts thee never, Why what a speech is this that thou hast made? Bear witness earth, and heaven which spreads above, Also the Stygian stream which flows below; 220 The oath most dread and binding to us gods, That I to thee harbor no ill design; But with the same regard and care for thee I counsel and advise, as for myself I would devise, had I an equal need: 225 Guileless are my intents; nor holds my breast A heart of iron, but a most tender one." The lovely nymph thus spoke and led the way, And he straight in her footsteps followed close: The goddess and the mortal reached the grot, 230 And there he sat upon the seat from which 138 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK V. Hermes had just arisen; and the nymph Before him spread of every kind of food Which mortals eat and drink for sustenance; And she sat opposite the godlike chief; 235 And her attendant maids before her placed Ambrosia and nectar; then at once They on the ready viands laid their hands. When thirst and hunger both were satisfied, The lovely goddess thus began to speak: 240 "Son of Laertes fertile in resource, So thou wilt leave me; and wouldst start at once For thy beloved home and native shore; If it must be farewell! but didst thou know The ills that fate has yet in store for thee, 245 Before thou reach again thy native land, Thou wouldst remain with me in this abode, And share my immortality; although Thou weariest to see thy wife again; And though for her thou pinest day by day: 250 In truth I may lay claim to no less charms In form and countenance than she can boast; No mortal woman may presume to vie BOOK V. THE ODYSSEY. 139 In form and beauty with us goddesses." Wary Ulysses thus replied to her: 255 "Goddess divine, oh! be not vexed with me; I know right well that my Penelope Is frail and feeble in comparison With thy most glorious form, and beauty rare; For she is but a mortal; and thou art 260 Immortal, and thou hast immortal youth: Yet I must long and weary every day To see the day which greets my home return: Yea, though a god into the gloomy deep May hurl me back once more; this will I bear, 265 And keep a steadfast soul within my breast. Already I have many ills endured, And suffered toils in war and in the waves: What yet I have to suffer must be borne." He spoke; then set the sun, and twilight fell: 270 And in the inmost chamber of her grot, They both together joyed in love's delights. And when the rosy-fingered dawn appeared Ulysses donned his tunic and his robe; And in an ample garment, silver white, 275 140 THE ODYSSEY. Boox V. Graceful and fine, the nymph herself arrayed; About her waist a golden girdle cast Of wondrous beauty; o'er her head a veil; Then for the chief's departure she prepared A ponderous axe of bronze she gave to him, 280 That he could deftly wield, with double edge, The shapely handle made of olive wood; Also a polished adze: she led him then To the remotest corners of the isle, Where many lofty trees in plenty grew, 285 The alder, poplar, and the towering pine: Pry seasoned wood, to float upon the wave: When she had shown him where the tall trees grew, The lovely goddess to her home returned. He laboured hard and finished soon his task, 290 And twenty trees he felled with the sharp axe; Shaped them with skill, and straightened them by line: And then the lovely goddess augers brought, With which he bored the beams which he had hewed; And placed them side by side and hammered them 295 With nails together, and with strengthening bands. And as the skilful shipwright would round off BooK V. THE ODYSSEY. 141 And shape the hull of a stout merchant ship, So did Ulysses shape his spacious raft. And decks he built, fixed to the various ribs, 300 And finished all the work with planking strong: A mast he made, and fitted with a yard; And helm and rudder to direct his course: All round the raft he worked a weather board Of osiers formed; a shelter from the waves; 305 Much wood he used his labor to complete. Calypso also brought him cloth for sails, And these he shaped and formed right skilfully; And fitted them with brails, and tacks, and sheets. With levers then the raft complete he launched 310 And in the sea divine he floated it. The fourth day came, and all was then prepared, And on the fifth, Calypso, lovely nymph, Dispatched him from her isle; and gave to him Garments both fair and fragrant; and on board 315 Two skins she placed; one full of dark red wine, The other larger one with water filled; And in a wallet she provisions stored, Food of all kinds, to give him sustenance; 142 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK V.. She sent him too a gentle favoring gale. 320 Godlike Ulysses was rejoiced at this And spread his sail before the welcome breeze; And seated at the helm he steered his course Right skilfully; nor on his eyelids fell Sleep; as he watched afar the Pleiades; 325 Bootes late to wheel towards the West; And bright she-bear, so often called the 'Wain;' Which circling in the sky for ever keeps Watch on Orion; she alone is doomed Never to dip her beams in Ocean's baths; 330 And her the goddess counselled him to keep Still on his left, as o'er the deep he sailed. For seventeen days he sailed across the deep, And on the eighteenth day the land appeared, The shadowy mountains of Phaeacia, 335 The nearest land to him; and like a shield It loomed before him o'er the misty sea. But the earth shaker, from the ZEthiops As he returned, from off the mountain crests Of Solyma, descried him from afar: 340 He viewed him as he sailed across the main, BOOK V. THE ODYSSEY. 143 -- -------- And deeply he was vexed; he shook his head; And from his inmost heart he said these words: "Ah ha! while I the ]Ethiops visited, The gods it seems have changed again their plans; 345 Ulysses now to the Phaeacian land Is fast approaching; where it is his fate To 'scape the woeful end which threatens him, But I will yet on him full vengeance wreak." Thus saying he the clouds together piled, 350 And stirred the deep, his trident brandishing; And from all quarters raised the stormy winds, Shrouded in driving mist the earth and sea, And from the heavens, night sent sweeping down. The East wind and the South, and gusty West 355 Were all abroad; and nursed in piercing cold The North, rolled on before it mighty waves. Then sank the hero's heart, and shook his limbs; And grieving in his steadfast heart, he said: "Ah! woe is me! is this to be my end? 360 I fear indeed the goddess told me true, Who said that woes were yet in store for me, Ere I should reach again my native land; 144 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK V. And all this is fulfilled; for see how Jove Enshrouds in driving mists the outstretched heaven, And stirs the deep; and from all quarters rush The tempests; sure destruction threatens me. Oh! thrice and fourfold happy were ye Greeks Who perished on the battle-field of Troy In the Atreides' cause; far happier I, 370 If I had also died, and met my fate Even on the day when thronging Trojans hurled Their brazen pointed spears at me, who stood Astride the corse of Peleus' son, just slain: Then I had gained a tomb; and me the Greeks 375 Had honored with a glorious memory; But now a wretched ending is my doom." As he was speaking thus, a mighty wave Careering wildly, struck him from on high, Engulfed the raft, and hurled him in the sea, 380 And from the tiller wrenched his grasp; a squall Descending from all winds, broke short the mast, The yard and fluttering sail swept in the sea. For long was he submerged beneath the deep, And hardly struggled through the surging wave: 385 BooE V. THE ODYSSEY. 145 His garments weighed him down, Calypso's gift: At last he rose, and sputtered out the foam Bitter and salt, which streamed down from his head. But though distressed, he still abandoned not His raft; but seized it dashing through the waves 390 Scrambled on board, and scaped the threatened death. The waves and currents drove it here and there, As the north wind in Autumn o'er the plain Before it drives the shreds of thistle down Which close together hang; thus the fierce blasts 395 The raft drove up and down upon the sea: The South wind now would hurl it to the North, Tossed here and there a plaything; then the East Would yield it to the wild will of the West. But graceful Ino saw him there in woe, 400 Daughter of Cadmus, once a sweet-voiced maid, Leucothea now; a goddess of the sea; She pitied him, a miserable waif, And like a water-hen on wing she rose From out the depth of waters; and she sat 405 Upon the timbers of the raft and said: "Unhappy one, oh! why is Neptune now L 146 THE ODYSSEY. BooK V. So madly wroth, to work this woe on thee? But though on thy destruction fiercely bent He will not thee destroy, if thou wilt act 410 As I direct, and as thy prudence tells. Throw off thy garments, and forsake thy raft, And swimming with thy arms strike out towards Thy destined refuge, the Phaeacian land: Here take this veil celestial, spread it out 415 Beneath thy breast, and thou wilt yet be saved: But when thy hands have grasped firm land again Unwind it then, and with averted face Cast it afar into the purple sea." The goddess spoke, and gave him then the veil, 420 And she in likeness of a water-hen Dived down again beneath the billowy main, And the dark wave concealed her from his sight: The god-like chief was doubtful what to do, And grieving in his steadfast heart he said: 425 "Alas! this goddess may have ill designs Who now has urged me to forsake my raft; But she will not persuade me; for I see The land she calls my refuge is afar, BOOK V. THE ODYSSEY. 147 But I will do what seems to me the best; 430 As long as plank to plank together holds, Here I remain, whate'er I may endure; But when the raft is shattered by the waves Then I will take to swimming; and I see Nothing that I can better plan than this." 435 While he was thus debating with himself, Earth-shaking Neptune sent a mighty surge. Fearful and dread, with overhanging crest; Which struck him; even as a boisterous wind Scatters a heap of chaff piled on the floor, 440 And whirls about its fragments here and there, Thus the strong planks were shattered of the raft. Ulysses seized upon a floating plank, And rode astride on it, as on a horse; And of the garments which Calypso gave 445 He stripped himself, and spread beneath his breast, The veil; and headlong in the sea he sprang, And with his hands struck boldly out to swim: The sea-god, the earth-shaker, this beheld; Shaking his head, he said thus to himself: 450 "Now toss about the deep in misery, L 2 148 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK V. Before thou reach this people loved by Jove, And their society; I hope in truth Thou wilt not crave a larger share of woe!" Thus having said he urged his long-maned steeds, And went to Aige, his august abode. But then fresh schemes the child of Jove contrived, The other winds she held fast in their course And by her orders lulled them all to rest, But raised a brisk north wind to lay the waves; 460 So that the noble chief might reach the land Of the Phoeacians, skilful with the oar; And shun the death and fate which threatened him. Two days and nights among the surging waves He tossed; and oft his heart foreboded death; 465 When the third day the fair Dawn ushered in; Then sank the gale, there was a windless calm: As o'er the heaving swell he rose, he scanned With eager gaze the near approaching shore. And as returning life so welcome seems 470 To children watching by a father's bed Who from a sore disease has suffered long, Inflicted by an adverse Deity; BOOK V. THE ODYSSEY. 149 As they rejoice with gladness when the gods Have rescued him from suffering and distress; 475 Ulysses thus rejoiced to see once more The land and trees: he swam with eager strokes Longing to tread upon firm land again. But when he was no further from the shore Than a loud shout could reach; he heard afar 480 The booming of the sea against the rocks: The mighty billow roared, and broke in foam As it was wildly hurled upon the strand; No havens to give shelter to the ships Nor creeks for refuge were there; all around 485 Sharp promontories, cliffs, and sea-washed rocks: Then sank Ulysses' heart, and shook his limbs And grieving in his steadfast soul he said: "Alas! though Jove has me allowed once more To see the land, which seemed beyond my hopes; 490 Though I have cloven through this watery gulf, Yet at the threshold of the hoary sea No loophole of escape appears; in front The spines of jagged rocks; around me roar The furious waves; sheer rises up the cliff 495 150 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK V. Without a cleft from out the water deep; No holding for my feet to 'scape the death! And if I strive to climb, a mighty wave, Will hurl me back upon the stony crag; Vain the attempt would be: if I return, 500 And onward swim, endeavouring to find A sloping beach, or landing from the sea, I sorely dread that suddenly a storm May whirl me out again with heavy groans To the broad sea, wherein the sea fish play: 505 And where perhaps some monster of the deep; And many such does Amphitrite rear;May me devour; for well I am aware That the earth-shaker is enraged with me." While thus debating in his mind, a surge 510 Caught him, and flung him on the rugged shore; Flayed would have been his skin, and crushed his bones, Had not the blue-eyed goddess prompted him At once to seize with both his hands a rock; Though groaning he held on with all his strength; 515 Until the mighty surge had o'er him passed; The onward billow he escaped unhurt, -- _ II _. III BooK V. THE ODYSSEY. 151 But the back flowing water swept him off, And tossed him out afar into the deep. As the sea polypus, dragged from his lair, 620 Displays dependent from his claw-like arms, Gravel and stones; thus on the rocks remained The skin and flesh from off his clinging hands: And he was buried in the mighty surge. The chief had perished then, in spite of fate 625 Had not the blue-eyed goddess him inspired With thoughtful courage; and above the waves Which broke upon the strand he rose again; And swam to seaward, looking on the shore With eager gaze, if haply he might find 530 A shelving beach, or inlet from the sea. Swimming, at last he reached a river's mouth, Which gently flowing lured him on to land; No longer rock bound, sheltered from the wind; The stream he welcomed, and to its genius prayed: "Hear me, O god, whoever thou may'st be, I now draw near to thee so much adored, Fleeing from Neptune's wrath, and from the sea: The wanderer is worthy of regard 152 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK V. E'en from the gods, who comes in sore distress 540 As I, who many woes have suffered come, And supplicate thy gentle stream and thee; Oh! pity me, who am thy suppliant." He spoke; at once the god his current smoothed, And lulled his waves, and round him made a calm, 545 And brought him safely to the river's brink; He rested then his knees and sturdy hands; His heart was worn with battling with the sea, Swollen was his body; the salt water ran In streams from mouth and nostrils; out of breath 550 And speechless there he lay, and powerless; For dreadful was the toil he had endured. At last he breathed again, and gathered strength; And then the goddess' veil he threw away And gave it to the seaward flowing stream, 555 Which down its current bore it on the wave, And 1no took it in her gentle hands. He left the river; on its rushes green He threw himself and kissed the welcome soil, Then grieving in his steadfast soul he said: 560 "Alas, for me! what is to be my fate? BOOK V. THE ODYSSEY. 153 -- For if upon the river banks I pass The weary night, I fear the cruel frost And chilling dew with faintness will o'ercome Me'gasping now for breath; and the cold breeze 565 Will blow from off the river ere the dawn: And if I climb the hill, and lay me down 'Midst the thick bushes of its shady grove, And cold and weariness will let me rest, I fear if gentle sleep should visit me, 570 That I to some wild beast may fall a prey." At last to him in doubt this seemed the best; A wood he sought, which in the open grew, Close to the waterside; two bosky shrubs Together stood; of fruitful olives one, 575 Of wild the other; no mist-laden wind Could with its blast search through their foliage, Nor could the sun pierce through them with his beams, Nor any shower through them penetrate; So close and thick they interlacing grew: 580 Ulysses there lay down, and with his hands An ample lair he heaped up for himself; For fallen leaves lay thick upon the ground; 154 THE ODYSSEY. BooK V. Enough in winter, in the bitter cold, Two or three wayfarers to shelter there. 585 The suffering chief rejoiced to see the leaves, And lay down in their midst, and heaped them round. As one who in a solitary place, Remote, where dwellers there are none, may hide A burning brand beneath the ashes dark, 590 Nursing the seed of fire, lest when afar The spark burst forth and kindle into flame; Thus did Ulysses shroud himself with leaves; And Pallas o'er his eyes soft slumber cast, And closed his jaded eyelids in repose, 595 That he might rest from all his weary toil. BOOK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 155 BOOK VI. ARGUMENT. Nausicaa and her maids-They guide Ulysses to the gates of the city of the Phaeacians. DAYS 33-34. WHILE he who had so many trials borne, Slept there, worn out with weariness and toil, Minerva to the realm and city went Of the Phseacians; who formerly Abode in Hypereia's stretching plains; 5 Near the Cyclopes, an imperious race Of greater might than they, who them despoiled. Nausithous, the godlike, moved them thence, And settled them in Scheria's distant isle, Afar from men who know the arts of life. 10 Around the city he upreared a wall; 156 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VI. And houses built, and temples for the gods, And lands divided; but subdued by death He in his time had now to Hades gone: And now Alcinous, who from the gods 15 Had wisdom learnt, was reigning in his stead. The blue-eyed goddess to his palace went, The noble chief's arrival to prepare. She sought the beauteous chamber, where reposed The maiden daughter of Alcinous, 20 Nausicaa; whose form and comeliness With the immortals vied; and near to her On either side her door, attendants twain, Both lovely as the Graces took their rest. The gleaming chamber doors were safely shut. 25 The goddess entered like a breath of air, Approached the virgin's couch, and o'er her head She stood and spoke to her; the form she took Of a young maiden of Nausicaa's age, Daughter of Dymas, famous on the sea, 30 Who was her bosom friend; and in her shape The blue-eyed goddess thus addressed the maid: " Nausicaa, why art thou indolent? — ~- -- -- -- -- BOOK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 157 Thy lovely garments lie uncared for, soiled, And now thy wedding day draws on apace, 35 When thou shouldst deck thyself in raiment fair, And all thy wardrobe thou shouldst ready make For him who leads thee to his home from thine. A good report of such good housewifery Not only pleases men, but is a joy 40 Both to thy father and thy honored mother. But let us both together go at dawn And wash thy clothes; I will thy fellow be, That thou may'st all things have in readiness; For now not long wilt thou remain a maid, 45 Since many noble youths are wooing thee, Of our Phaeacian race, which is thine own. But ask thy noble father ere the dawn To yoke for thee the chariot and the mules, To bear thy girdles, robes, and garments fine. 50 'Twere better too that thou thyself shouldst ride, As the fresh pools for washing are afar." The goddess spake these words and disappeared, Straight to Olympus; where they say for aye The gods possess their everlasting seat; 55 158 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VI. Which never storm disturbs, or shower chills; No snow falls there; but ever shining light Pervades the calm serene, without a cloud: There do the happy gods in happiness, Pass all their days; thither the blue-eyed went, 60 Ascending, when she left the mortal maid. Fair dawn appeared, and from her slumber woke The maiden who was robed so gracefully; She wondered at her dream, and through the house Her mother and her father dear she sought 65 To tell them all; she found them both within: Her mother sat with her attendant maids Close by the hearth, spinning the purple wool: And issuing from the door she met the king, To hold a council with his noble chiefs, 70 To which the people had now summoned him. Approaching her dear father, thus she spoke: "My father dear, wilt thou now yoke for me The lofty chariot with swift running wheels, That I may take our garments fine, which now 75 Are lying soiled, and wash them in the stream? It is but right that thou; who oft must meet BOOK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 169 In council with the noblest in the land, In fair and cleanly garments shouldst appear: And in thy palace thou hast now five sons, 80 Two married, three yet in the bloom of youth: And they are ever wanting garments fresh To deck them at the dance which they frequent; And all these matters are my special care." Thus spoke the maid; her bashfulness forbade That she should even to her father dear Her sponsals mention, though a pleasing thought: All this he plainly saw, and answered her: "My child, the mules I will not thee refuse, Nor aught which thou desirest; prithee go; 90 The servants shall the chariot yoke for thee And ready make, high built, with rolling wheels, And fitted with a tilt thy clothes to bear." He ordered then his servants, who obeyed: Outside the court, the car with rolling wheels 95 They ready made, and to it yoked the mules: The maiden brought the beauteous garments out And placed them in the well-appointed car: Her mother then a casket stored with food, 160 THE ODYSSEY. BooK VI. For sustenance; and dainties placed therein; 100 And filled with wine a goatskin; then the maid Mounted the chariot; in a golden flask They gave her olive oil limpid and clear, For her and her attendants at the bath. She took the whip and seized the shining reins 105 And onward whipped the mules, with clattering feet They stoutly bore the garments and herself; Nor unattended was she; for on foot Her serving maidens followed or, the way. To the fair running stream they quickly came, 110 Where the abundant pools of water clear Gushed forth; that well might cleanse the foulest stains. The mules they then unyoked from out the car And turned them loose to crop the fragrant grass, Along the borders of the eddying stream. 115 The maidens then the garments lifted out, And plunged them in the dark and welling pools, And trod them with their feet with eager toil. When every stain was washed and cleansed away, They spread them on the pebbles of the beach, 120 BooK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 161..... Just where the sea had left them clean and dry. After a bath, with shining olive oil They all themselves anointed, and their meal They took beside the margin of the brook, Leaving the garments spread upon the shore 125 To dry beneath the bright beams of the sun. And when they all, the lady and her maids, Had hunger satisfied, they threw aside Their veils, and with the ball their pastime took. Nausicaa, the white-armed led the sport, 130 Like Artemis the arrow Queen she seemed, As she descends the aery mountain top Of Taygetus, or lofty Erymanth; Chasing the wild boar, and the flying stag: Around her sport and dance the woodland nymphs,135 The children of the aegis-bearing Jove; Latona joys to see her daughter fair, Her graceful head and brow o'ertop them all, Amongst the lovely she the loveliest: Thus the proud virgin far outshone her maids. 140 But when the time was come for their return, That they should seek their home; they yoked the mules, M 162 THE ODYSSEY. Bom. VI. And folded up with care the garments fine. Then blue-eyed Pallas other plans contrived So that Ulysses might awake and see 145 The lovely maiden, who should him conduct To the PhMeacian city where she dwelt. At one of her attendant maidens then The Lady threw the ball; and missed her aim; In the deep current fell the flying ball: 150 Then long and loud they shouted, and awoke The god-like chief, and sitting in his lair* He wondered in his mind what this should mean: "Ah woe is me! among what kind of men Have I arrived? Are they a savage race, 155 Given to deeds of violence and wrong, Or gently nurtured do they fear the gods? The shrill-toned voice of women met my ear, Perhaps of nymphs who haunt the mountain peaks, Or sources of the stream, or grassy meads: 160 At all events I am not distant far From human beings, speaking human tongues; And I will strive to find out who they be." Thus spake Ulysses, from the thicket's shade BooK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 163 He issued forth, and with his stalwart hand 165 From a luxuriant tree he wrenched a branch With foliage dense adorned; and round his loins He wound it, to conceal his nakedness. Thus issues forth the lion in his strength Through storm and rain from out his mountain lair; His eyeballs gleam like flame as he pursues 171 The sheep or oxen or the flying deer; If hunger drive him he will e'en assail The sheepfold, and the homestead so secure: Thus did Ulysses naked as he was 175 Prepare the fair-haired maidens to approach, For urgent need compelled him so to do. Uncouth he seemed to them-befouled with brine; And far in terror o'er the beach they fled: The daughter of Alcinous alone 180 Stood fast; with courage Pallas her inspired, Nor suffered fear to seize upon her limbs: She stood before him; and he was in doubt Whether he should approach the lovely maid, And as a suppliant embrace her knees, 185 Or whether at a distance he should beg 164 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VI. With soft and flattering words, that she would deign To give him clothing for his nakedness, And to her native city him conduct. At last this seemed to him the better plan, 190 That he should at a distance her beseech With gentle words; lest she should take offence At him approaching to embrace her knees; Therefore he spoke this soft and wily speech: "Lady, thy favour I implore; be thou 195 Goddess or mortal? if a goddess then Thy beauty, and thy figure, and thy grace, Proclaim thee Artemis, the child of Jove: But if a mortal, and a child of earth, Thrice blest thy father and thy mother are; 200 Thrice blest thy brothers; thou must ever be To them a source of joyfulness and pride, Whenever with their eyes they follow thee, And watch thy lovely figure in the dance: But blest he will be, far above them all 205 Who wins thee for his bride, and leads thee home. For never mortal have I seen so fair; Nor youth nor maiden; wonder holds me chained: BooK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 165 Thus at Apollo's shrine in Delos once I saw the graceful offshoot of the palm; 210 Thither I went with many followers, And on my way I suffered many woes; And long I gazed in wonder at its grace, For never sprang so fair a plant from earth: And Lady, thus with admiration now 215 And wonder mixed with awe I gaze on thee: I did not venture to embrace thy knees, Though direful suffering has befallen me; For yesterday I 'scaped the stormy flood, The twentieth day it was; and all that time 220 The waves and driving storms with respite none Had borne me with them from Ogygia's isle, And now an outcast, fate has thrown me here; And even here I yet must suffer ill, Nor can I hope that now my woes will cease; 225 For still the gods have woes in store for me. Pity me, Lady; after trials sore I come to thee the first; none else I see, No dwellers in the city or the land: Oh! guide me to thy city; deign to give 230 166 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VI. A rag to clothe me; if thou hast to spare A wrapper for the garments thou hast brought: So may the gods fulfil thy dearest wish, A husband, and a home, and household peace. There is no greater, truer bliss on earth, 235 Than when the husband and the wife enjoy A home, with constant thoughts of mutual love: Sad for their foes, but joyous to their friends; And they themselves the wondrous blessing know." Nausicaa, the lily-armed~ replied: 240 "Stranger, it seems thou art not ill-disposed, Nor dost thou want for sense; Olympian Jove Distributes happiness to whom he will Among us mortals, whether good or bad: What he inflicts on thee with patience bear. 245 Here in our city, and our native land Thou shalt not clothing lack, nor aught beside Which it is seemly we should give to thee, Whom we have chanced to meet in sore distress: And to our city I will thee conduct; 250 My people's name I also will declare. This land and city the Phaeacians own: BOOK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 167 I am the daughter of Alcinous, The mighty chieftain; the Phaeacians Acknowledge his dominion and his rule." 255 She spoke and summoned thus her fair-haired maids: "Stand fast my maidens; wherefore have ye fled? Deem ye this man to be our enemy? No mortal man there is, nor e'er will be, Who dares approach to the Phaeacian land 260 With hostile violence; we are beloved By the immortal gods; afar we dwell Encircled by the ever restless sea; No other men have intercourse with us: But as this wanderer has reached our shores 265 In sore distress; him we are bound to tend: To Jove belong the stranger and the poor, Under his guard they are; all we can give However small, we should give willingly. Therefore my maidens to the stranger now 270 Give food and drink, and bathe him in the stream Where you can find some shelter from the wind." She spoke; her maidens to each other called And stayed their flight; and to a sheltered place 168 THE ODYSSEY. BooK VI. Where he might take his bath, they led the chief; 275 For thus Nausicaa commanded them: Tunic, and robe, and garments placed near him; Gave him the golden flask, of limpid oil; And in the stream invited him to bathe. Ulysses then addressed them with these words: 280 "Leave me, O maidens, I will wash away Myself the brine which stains my shoulders now, And afterwards with oil anoint myself; 'Tis long indeed, since I have this enjoyed! My modesty forbids I should appear 285 Naked before fair maidens such as ye." Thus spoke the godlike chief, and they retired, And to their mistress told what he had said. He in the stream washed off the briny stains Which clung about his back and shoulders broad; 290 And from his head he cleansed the crusted foam Which the salt water left: when he had bathed He then applied the shining olive oil, And donned the garments which the virgin gave. Then Pallas, child of Jove, around him threw 295 A greater majesty of form and grace, BooK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 169.. And from his head she shook the waving curls As beauteous as the hyacinthine flower. And as the cunning workman who has learnt From Vulcan and Minerva all his art, 300 O'erlays with gold the silver; and with pains His graceful work to full perfection brings; So did the goddess o'er his head and form A wondrous charm and fascination shed. Then far along the shore he went, and sat 305 Shining with beauty, and with manly grace. The maid with admiration gazed at him, And to her fair attendants thus she spoke: "My white-armed maidens, listen to my words, 'Tis not without the purpose of the gods 310 Who in Olympus dwell, this man has come To visit our Phaeacian noble race: At first indeed he seemed to me but mean, But now he looks more like a heavenly god. Oh! would that I might such a husband win 315 Among the people dwelling in the land! Or would that he himself would stay with us! But maidens quickly give him food and drink." 170 THE ODYSSEY. Boos VI. She spoke; they heard her and obeyed her words, And food and drink they placed before the chief, 320 And eagerly Ulysses ate and drank; Long had he been deprived of sustenance. Then this moreover did Nausicaa; She placed the folded garments in the car, Yoked the surefooted mules, and to the seat 325 She mounted; and with kindly cheering words She urged Ulysses forward, and thus spoke: "Up, stranger, to the city follow us; I to my father's palace thee will guide, Where thou wilt see the noblest of our race: 330 But as thou seemest not to want for sense, I tell thee what I wish thee now to do. Long as we journey through the open fields And tilled lands, with my attendant maids Keep close behind the chariot and the mules; 335 And I will thee direct along the way; But leave us when the city we draw near: A lofty wall with towers girds it round, And fair on either side a haven spreads; Narrow is the approach, and by the road 340 BooK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 171 The galleys lie, which to the oar stroke swing, Each hauled upon its slip; they line the strand: And there is standing Neptune's beauteous fane, And round it is the market-place, laid out With massive stones firm bedded in the earth: 345 There for the black hulled ships with busy care The tackle they equip; the ropes, the sails; And shape the oars; for the Phaeacians Delight not in the arrow or the bow; Rather in masts, and oars, and gallant ships, 350 In which they joy to cross the stormy sea. I dread the gossip of the people there, Lest the ill-natured should find fault with me, And some inferior meeting me should say: 'Who is the stranger with Nausicaa 355 So handsome, and so tall? where met she him? No doubt this will a husband be for her; Some foreigner she brings from over sea, Fresh from his ship, since none will suit her here: Perhaps some god besought with many vows 360 Descends from heaven in answer to her prayers, And evermore will keep her as his own: 172 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VI. 'Tis better she elsewhere a husband seek, Since she despises our Phaeacian youths, Though many of the noblest woo her now!' 365 Thus would they talk, and it would shame me much; For I myself would blame another maid Who did the like; did she associate Against her father's and her mother's will, With any man with whom she chanced to meet, 370 Who did not come to woo her openly. Therefore 0 stranger to my words give heed, That thou may'st quickly learn to find the way Which to my father's palace will thee guide. Close by the road appears Minerva's grove 375 Beauteous with poplars; there a fountain flows, And meadows stretch around, and there thou'lt see My father's blooming gardens and domain; Not farther from the city do these lie Than a loud shout would reach the listening ear; 380 There thou must sit and wait, to give us time To reach the city and my father's house; And when thou deemest we have reached our home, The city thou may'st enter then at once, BOOK VI. THE ODYSSEY. 173 And to Alcinous' palace ask the way, 385 My noble father's; right well is it known, And any child can lead thee on the road; For no Phaeacian palace rivals this, The palace of the chief Alcinous. But when the courtyard thou hast entered in, 390 Pass quickly through the hall, until thou find My mother; by the hearth she has her seat Before the glowing fire; and there she weaves The threads of wool as purple as the sea, A marvel to behold; and she reclines 395 Against the column, with her maids behind her. And close to it is placed my father's seat, There like a god he sits and drinks his wine: But pass him by, and seize my mother's knees Entreating her; that thou may'st quickly know 400 The joy of home return; if so it be Thou dwell'st afar; and if thou dost desire With longing yet again to see thy friends, And reach once more thy home and native land." She said; and with her shining whip she urged 405 The mules; who quickly left the flowing stream; 174 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VI... Swiftly they went, and nimbly plied their feet; She drove with skill, and governed well their pace, So her attendants and the godlike chief Could follow easily the car on foot. 410 The sun set, and they reached the famous grove Sacred to Pallas; Ulysses there sat down; And to the child of Jove addressed his prayer: "Unconquered child of aegis-bearing Jove Hear now the prayer of me, a castaway, 415 Whose prayers thou heretofore deign'dst not to hear When Neptune, the earth-shaker in his might Wrecked me; from the Phaeacian people now Grant me to win kind pity and regard." Thus prayed he, and Minerva heard his prayer, 420 Though she appeared not visibly; she feared Her father's brother; who with bitter wrath The godlike chief Ulysses still pursued, Ere he should reach his native land again. BooK VII. THE ODYSSEY. 175 BOOK VII. ARGUMENT. Ulysses enters the city of the Pheeacians-Palace and Garden of Alcinous-Reception of Ulysses. DAY 34. THUS prayed the chief who had so much endured: Meanwhile the sturdy mules had borne the maid Back to the city; when she had arrived Before her father's stately palace gates, She stopped the mules; her brothers gathered round Beauteous as gods, the mules they straight unyoked And bore the garments all within the house: The maiden to her chamber bent her steps. Eurymedusa made a fire for her, Her aged waiting-woman; whom the ships, 10 Which to the oar-stroke swing to either hand, 176 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VII. Had from Epirus brought; and who was chosen To be a gift of honour to the king, Alcinous, the ruler of their race, Whom all the people as a god obeyed: 15 And she within his palace halls had nursed Nausicaa the lily-armed; for her A fire she kindled and her meal prepared. Ulysses to the city hastened then, And Pallas in her favor to the chief 20 A misty cloud enrolled about his form; Lest any one of the Phaeacians, That haughty race, might chance to meet with him, And ask him who he was with gibing words. As to the lovely city he drew near 25 The blue-eyed Pallas met him there herself; A youthful maid the goddess seemed to be, Bearing a pitcher; in his path she stood; The godlike chief addressed her with these words: "Young maiden, wilt thou guide me in the way 30 Towards the palace of Alcinous, Who is the ruler of these people here? For I a stranger, and in wretchedness, BooK VII. THE ODYSSEY. 177 Have hither come from a far distant shore; And no one do I know of those who dwell 35 In this thy city, and thy native land." The blue-eyed goddess answered in reply: "Master, right gladly will I show the way, It is not far from where my father dwells: But follow me in silence, and take care 40 Not to address or question whom you meet; For hardly do they suffer strangers here, Nor do they greet with hospitality A foreigner, who comes from foreign lands: Trusting to their swift ships they scour the seas 45 As rovers, under the earth-shaker's guard; Their ships are fleet as winged birds, or thought." Thus having said Minerva led the way, And he the goddess' footsteps followed close; Those famous sailors the Phawacians, 50 Observed him not as through their town he passed, Even in their midst; the goddess stayed their sight; The mighty goddess with the waving locks Who favored him, around him spread a mist. Ulysses gazed with wonder at the port, 55 N 178 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VII. The gallant ships, the market-place, and where The heroes council held; the lofty walls, Far-stretching, fenced with stakes, a wondrous sight. But when they reached the palace of the king, The blue-eyed goddess thus addressed the chief: 60 ' This, master, is the house thou askest me To show thee; thou wilt find the noble chiefs Regaling there; but do thou enter in With no misgiving mind; a gallant man, In all adventures, aye, the better man, 65 Will gain his end, although unknown he be, And though a stranger from a foreign land. The queen thou first wilt see within the hall; Arete is the name they give to her, Descended from the self-same stock whence sprung 70 Alcinous the king; for Neptune first Who shakes the earth, begat Nausithous, From Periboea of the beauteous form, The youngest daughter of Eurymedon, Who o'er the haughty giants held the rule; 75 He and that lawless race were swept away; But Neptune's love she won; and she brought forth BOOK VIL THE ODYSSEY. 179 Nausithous, who the Phaeacians ruled; And from Nausithous Rhexenor sprang, Alcinous also; but the former chief 80 Apollo of the silver bow struck down, A youthful bridegroom; in his halls he left An only daughter, and no son behind him; Arete she; and her Alcinous Took for his consort, and he honoured her 85 As among women who men's housewives are, None ever yet was honoured on the earth. Thus she is held in heartfelt reverence By her dear children and Alcinous, And by the people; who look up to her 90 As if she were a goddess, and her greet With acclamations when she visits them. No goodly disposition does she lack; Gentle to women, and when men fall out She with good will dissolves their enmity: 95 If thou canst only win her kind regard, Thou well may'st hope again to see thy friends, The roof of thine own home, and native shore." Blue-eyed Minerva vanished at these words; N 2 180 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VII.. The lovely land of Scheria she left 100 Crossing the barren sea; to Marathon, And Athens, with the spacious streets she came; And entered there Erechtheus' stately fane. Meanwhile Ulysses bent his steps towards Alcinous' palace; many anxious thoughts 105 Surged through his mind while he was standing there, Ere he across the brazen threshold trod. For as the lustre of the sun and moon Shone forth the palace of the mighty chief: On either hand extended brazen walls, 110 From outer threshold to the inner court; And round the walls a cornice ran of bronze, And golden gates enclosed the stately pile; And from the brazen threshold-floor up sprang Door-posts of silver; silver was the beam 115 Which formed the lintel; the door ring of gold. And gold and silver dogs on either hand Were standing there; which with consummate art, Vulcan had fashioned; aye to be the guard Of the abode of proud Alcinous; 120 Immortal were they, indestructible. BooK VII. THE ODYSSEY. 181 And all around the walls were couches set, From outer threshold to the inmost court; On these the finest drapery was spread With tapestry work of women, deftly wrought; 125 On these the chiefs of the Phaeacians sat Eating and drinking, lavish was their cheer; And golden statues stood on pedestals Of youths, with burning torches in their hands, To light by night the revellers in the hall. 130 And in the palace fifty serving maids Ground ever in the mill the yellow grain: As numerous, and restless as the leaves Which grow upon the lofty poplar-tree Were others sitting, busy with the loom; 135 And turned the spindle; while the limpid oil From the close woven linen trickled down. For as the men of the Phaeacians Excel all other races in their skill In sailing gallant ships across the seas, 140 Thus are their women skilful at the loom; Pallas has gifted them with genius rare And a consummate skill in workmanship. 182 THE ODYSSEY. BOOR VII. Without the court, and by its gate extends An orchard of four acres, girt with walls; 145 And lofty blooming trees are growing there; The pear, pomegranate, and the apple-tree, With goodly fruit; olive and luscious fig. On these the fruit ne'er withers, never fails, In winter and in summer through the year: 150 Aye the soft zephyr sprouts the opening bud, And ripes the fruit mature; pear follows pear, Apple succeeds to apple, fig to fig, One grape cluster another follows fast. A plot of teeming vines is planted there, 155 Some of its fruit is drying in the sun, Some gathered ripe, some trodden in the press. On the same stock are found the clusters green, The budding flower, just bursting into bloom, And fruit just turning to a darker hue. 160 And at the vineyard's foot throughout the year Trim beds of flowers in brilliant colors glow; Of fountains twain, one flows in many rills Through all the garden; by another course The other 'neath the threshold of the hall 165 BOOK VII. THE ODYSSEY. 183.. Into the lofty courtyard throws its jet; And there from it the people water draw: These gifts the gods gave to Alcinous. There stood Ulysses, and with wonder gazed; When he had gazed his fill, and all admired, 170 He straightway crossed the threshold of the hall; And found the chiefs of the Phaeacians Pouring libations to the watchful one, The Argus slayer; and to him the last They made libation, thinking of repose. 175 Godlike Ulysses passed across the hall Concealed in mist, which Pallas o'er him spread, Until he reached Arete and the King; And round her knees Ulysses threw his arms; Then the thick cloud was rolled away from him, 180 And all in silence on the hero gazed Throughout the hall; and wondered as they gazed. Ulysses his entreaty thus began: "Arete, from divine Rhexenor sprung; I to thy husband, and before thy feet 185 Come as a suppliant, having much endured; And to the guests thou entertainest here; 184 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VII. To whom the gods vouchsafe a happy life, And that the goods which they possess at home, And honors which the state has given to them, 190 In the due time may to their children fall. But now with prompt good will afford to me A speedy conduct to my native shore; Long severed from my friends I suffer woe." Thus saying 'midst the ashes of the hearth 195 He sat down by the fire; no word was said, Till Echineus silence broke at last, The oldest lord of the Phaeacians, Most skilled in eloquence and ancient lore; Of his good will and wisdom, thus he spoke: 200 "Alcinous, it is not well for thee Nor seemly, that this stranger be allowed To sit amidst the ashes of the hearth: All look to thee and hang upon thy words; Do thou at once arise, and place thy guest 205 Upon an honored seat; and straight command The heralds in the bowl to mix the wine, That we may due libations make to Jove, The Thunderer, who favors suppliants; BOOK VII. THE ODYSSEY. 185 And for this stranger, let thy stewardess 210 Prepare a meal from all her plenteous stores." And when Alcinous of might divine Had heard these words, he taking by the hand The valiant chief of infinite resource, Upraised him from the hearth; and made him sit 215 Upon a gorgeous chair, from which he moved Laodamas, his son, who loved brave deeds, Who next him sat, and dearest was to him. Meanwhile to wash his hands a serving maid From a rich golden ewer water poured 220 Into a silver basin, and laid out The polished board; the modest stewardess Served bread, and choice of viands from her store, Right willingly; of these the suffering chief, Ulysses ate and drank: Alcinous 225 The mighty king, his herald thus addressed: "Pontonous, now mix the fragrant draught, And hand it round to all within the hall; That we may our libations pour to Jove, The Thunderer, who favors suppliants." 230 He spoke; Pontonous straight mixed the wine, 186 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VII. - And passed again the luscious cup to all; And when they had libations made, and drunk Until the lust for drink was satisfied, Alcinous addressed them with these words: 235 "Ye lords and chiefs of the Phaeacians, List that ye hear the words I crave to say: Now that our feast is ended, seek your homes, And take your rest; but by to-morrow's dawn Let us in full assembly gather here 240 The seignors of the state, to greet our guest, And to the gods make solemn sacrifice: And afterwards we will deliberate How by our guidance, and without delay, This stranger, free from weariness and toil, 245 May reach with joy again his native land, Although his dwelling be afar from us; That no mischance or ill may him befall Ere he reach home; where he must undergo Whatever destiny prepares for him; 250 And what the Fates inexorable spun In his life's web, the day that he was born. But if it be that an immortal one, BOOK VII. THE ODYSSEY. 187 Now visits us from heaven, it would seem That something new for us the gods prepare: 255 For they, the gods, have ever heretofore Appeared to us in plain and open guise; Not only at our solemn hecatombs, But even at our feasts they sit with us: And if a solitary wayfarer 260 Among us, chance to meet with them alone, They never shun him; for we are allied And kindred to them, as the Cyclops are; And as the giants are, that savage race." Wary Ulysses answered in reply: 265 "Alcinous, think otherwise of me, In nought do I the immortal ones resemble Who in this heaven dwell, which o'er us spreads, In mind or body; but a mortal I: Think of the human beings thou hast known 270 Most steeped in wretchedness; with them in truth I in my sufferings might well compare: Yes, I could even greater ills recount, All which I suffered by the gods' decrees; But though afflicted thus, permit me now ~75 188 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VII. To take my meal; there is no sharper pang Than gnawing hunger; which asserts its sway Though other ills may seize and vex the soul: 'Tis thus with me, although possessed with grief This drives me now to eat and drink my fill, 280 And to forget all else I have endured. But hasten, I entreat, at early dawn To give me conduct to my native land; Me wretched, who have borne so many woes! I die with longing yet to see again 285 My own domain, my household, and the roof Above my spacious palace, and my home." He spoke, they all applauded and approved To send away the stranger to his home, Since he with so much wisdom had discoursed. 290 When thirst and hunger both were satisfied Each to his home returned, and took his rest. The godlike chief was left within the hall; Near him Arete and Alcinous sat; Meanwhile the servants cleared away the feast. 295 White-armed Arete then took up the word, The robe, the tunic, and the garments fair BoOr VII. THE ODYSSEY. 189 She saw and recognised; for she herself Had wrought and made them with her serving-maids; Therefore with winged words she him addressed: 300 "Now stranger I must question thee myself; Who art thou? who these garments gave to thee? Didst thou not say that thou a wanderer O'er the broad sea, wast cast upon our shore?" Wary Ulysses answered in reply: 305 "0 queen, it is a dismal tale to tell, The heavenly ones have sent me many woes; But I will tell thee all thou askest me. The isle Ogygia lies afar from this, Nestled among the waters; the abode 310 Of Atlas' child, Calypso, queen of spells; A mighty goddess with fair waving locks: She has no intercourse with gods or men; Me only, me unhappy, destiny Drove to the shelter of her hearth and home: 315 For Jove had with his flashing thunderbolt Shattered my flying bark in the mid sea; And all my gallant comrades perished there: I clinging to my oary vessel's keel 190 THE ODYSSEY. BooiK VII. During nine days was tossed about the deep; 320 And on the tenth, in the dark shade of night, Me the gods cast upon Ogygia's isle: There dwells Calypso of the waving locks, A mighty goddess; she received me there, Cherished with loving care, and did intend 325 To give me immortality of youth; But she could never bend my will to this. For seven long years I staid there; with my tears The beauteous garments which Calypso gave, I still bedewed; when the eighth year was come, 330 She, either swayed by the commands of Jove, Or of her own free will, bade me depart. She sent me on a raft, with planks contrived; And many gifts of corn, and fragrant wine, And garments beautiful, she gave to me: 335 She sent me too a gentle favouring breeze. For seventeen days I sailed across the deep, And on the eighteenth day, the misty peaks Of this thy land appeared; and I rejoiced, Ill-fated yet to be; for misery 340 In plenty had I yet to undergo; BooK VII. THE ODYSSEY. 191 Which Neptune, the earth-shaker on me sent: The winds he stirred to bar me from my course, And raised a mighty sea; nor did the raft Afford me safety, groaning at my fate; 345 For it at last was shattered by the storm. But swimming I passed o'er the watery gulf, Till wind and water brought me to thy shore: But as I strove to land, the broken surge Caught me, and hurled me on the desert strand, 350 Against the rocks; I struggled back to sea And swam still on, till I a river gained, And on its banks seemed the best place to land, Not rock-bound, and well sheltered from the wind. I fell upon the earth to gather breath; 355 Ambrosial night descended; I lay down, Far from the stream which draws its floods from heaven, Among the thickets; and around me heaped Dead leaves; the god deep slumber sent on me. And there all night I slept among the leaves, 360 With wearied heart; through dawn till past midday: The sun sloped westwards when my slumber passed; And then thy daughter's maidens on the shore, 192 THE ODYSSEY. BooK VII. I saw disporting; she herself with them Lovely as any goddess to behold. 365 I supplicated her; nor did she fail In gentle kindliness; from one so young, Chance met, I had not dared to hope so much; For youth is ever heedless; but from her I food in plenty, and bright wine received; 370 Besides she bade me bathe me in the stream, And gave me too these garments which I wear. 'Midst all my woes I tell thee but the truth." Alcinous thus answered him, and said: "Stranger, it seems my child has not in this 375 Her duty minded; since she with her maids Did not conduct thee to our house herself: And she it was whom thou didst first intreat." Wary Ulysses thus replied to him: "0 chief, chide not thy gentle child for this, 380 She ordered me to follow with her maids; But I would not; I doubted and I feared Lest thou shouldst anger, seeing me with her: We men are ever jealous on this earth." Alcinous thus answered him and said: 385 BooK VII. THE ODYSSEY. 193 "Stranger, I will not angry be for nought; 'Tis best that reason guide us in our acts: If Father Jove, Apollo, and Minerva, Would only grant that thou such as thou art, With the same noble thoughts as I, wouldst stay 390 And win my child, and be my son-in-law: For I would give thee home and heritage, If thou wouldst willingly remain with us. But no Phaeacian shall detain thee here Against thy will; forbid this Father Jove: 395 And I an escort will assign to thee, As by to-morrow thou thyself shalt know: And while thou art reposing, slumber-locked, Thou shalt be sailing o'er a tranquil sea, Until thou reach thy country and thy home; 400 Though it be further than Euboea's isle, Which all our people who have seen it say To be the furthest land: from whence they brought Brown Rhadamanthus, when he visited The giant Tityus, who from Gmea sprang. 405 From thence they sailed, and on the self-same day Their homeward voyage they finished without toil. 0 194 THE ODYSSEY. BooK VII. And thou thyself shalt by experience know How swift my ships, how skilful are my men, To stir the salt sea water with the oar." 410 He spoke; Ulysses who had much endured Rejoiced, and uttered in these words his prayer: "O Father Jove, allow Alcinous All to perform which now he promises: So he on the rejoicing earth may win 415 Immortal honour, I my native land." As thus with one another they conversed, The lily-armed Arete ordered then The serving maidens straightway to prepare And place a couch beneath the corridor, 420 With goodly purple cushions piled thereon, With carpets decked, and blankets of soft wool: They left the hall with torches in their hands. When they with care the couch had ready made, They called Ulysses with these words, and said: 425 "O stranger, hasten now to take thy rest, Thy couch is ready and prepared for thee." They spoke, and welcome seemed his rest to him. So thus Ulysses who had much endured, BOOe VII. THE ODYSSEY. 195. Slept on the well-carved bed beneath the porch: 430 And in an inner room Alcinous, Reposed within his palace' lofty walls; His queen and consort there his couch prepared. o 2 196 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. BOOK VIII. ARGUMENT. Council of Phseacians-Banquet and games-Songs of Demodocus. DAY 35. AND when the rosy-fingered dawn arose Born of the early morning, from his couch Sprang forth Alcinous, of might divine; Ulysses also rose, the noble chief Who cities and their strongholds had o'erthrown. 5 Alcinous led him to the market-place Close by the ships of the Phseacians; And there they sat together on the stones Of polished marble; meanwhile Pallas went Throughout the city, in the shape and mien 10 Of King Alcinous' herald, counselling, To give Ulysses escort to his home: BooK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 197 To every chief she went, and said these words: "Ye lords and chiefs of the Phseacians, Come to the council, that ye see and hear 15 The stranger guest, who now has just arrived At King Alcinous' palace o'er the sea, In beauty like one of the immortal gods." Thus with these words the minds of all she stirred; The courts and seats were quickly thronged with men Assembling: many wondered as they gazed, 21 And saw Laertes' son, renowned in war. And o'er his head and shoulders Pallas shed A wondrous grace; and added to his form Unusual grandeur, and new majesty; 25 That he should earn from the Phaeacians Their favor, with respect and reverence; And that he might come off successfully In contests, if they put him to the proof. And when they gathered and assembled were, 30 Alcinous addressed them with these words: "Ye lords and chiefs of the Phaeacians, List that ye hear the words I crave to say: This stranger has arrived at my abode, 198 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. A wanderer; I know not who he be, 35 Or if his dwelling be in East or West; And begs of us safe conduct to his home: Now let us grant him this without delay, As we are wont to do; for no one yet Has ever visited my palace here, 40 And has been long detained against his will In sadness, without escort to his home. So let us launch at once a black-hulled ship, A new and swift one, in the sea divine; And two and fifty youths choose for a crew, 45 From all our people, the most skilled we have; And let them in the rowlock lash the oars; Then disembark and to my palace wend, And there prepare at once a hasty meal, Which I will give to all right willingly; 5o These are my orders to the youthful crew. Ye others, sceptre-bearing chieftains all, Come to my palace, that we may regale This stranger in my halls; let none refuse. And summon too the godlike minstrel here, 55:Demodocus, to whom surpassing all BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 199 The god has given the witching gift of song, Whatever be the subject of his lay." He spoke, and led the way; the sceptred chiefs Followed, the herald sought the god-like bard. 60 And as he ordered, two and fifty youths Went to the margin of the barren sea; And when they reached the ship and waterside, They launched the black hull in the water deep, And placed at once on board the masts and sails; 65 The oars they fitted in the leathern thongs, The white sails loosed, and all their gear prepared: Next in deep water from the lofty beach They safely moored the ship; and then they sought The stately palace of Alcinous. 70 The chambers and the courts and corridors Were filled with thronging men-both young and old For them Alcinous made a sacrifice, Twelve sheep, of heavy-footed oxen twain, Eight boars with gleaming tusks; all these they flayed, And ready made for the abundant feast. The herald led the honored minstrel in, Whom the Muse loved, and gave both good and ill: 200 THE ODYSSEY. BooK VIII. For she had him of sight bereft, but given The meed of poesy, and dulcet song. 80 Pontonous placed him on a gorgeous seat, Against a springing column, 'midst the guests; And hung his clear-tuned harp upon a pin Above his head, and showed him where it hung: A table and a basket fair with bread 85 He placed too by his side; and at his hand A cup of wine, that he might drink at will. They on the ready viands laid their hands; When thirst and hunger both were satisfied, The Muse the minstrel urged to celebrate 90 The praise of heroes, in that wondrous lay Whose fame has echoed through the heaven wide: He sang Ulysses' strife with Peleus' son, How when a sacred festival they held, With haughty words their quarrel there begun: 95 This Agamemnon king of men beheld, And at their strife with joy his bosom swelled; Because he hoped the war might then be ended, Since the two bravest of the Greeks in wrath contended. BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 201 This was the token given by the god, 100 Even by Apollo, from his holy shrine; When the chief o'er its stony threshold trod, To question him in Pytho the divine; These warriors' strife of conquest was the sign: Thus by the will of Jove, the first dark woe, 105 Hung o'er the doomed heads of Greek and Trojan foe. Thus sang the famous minstrel, but the chief Seized with his stalwart hands his purple robe And drew it o'er his head, and hid his face; He shamed that they should see him shedding tears: But when the godlike minstrel ceased to sing, 111 He wiped his eyes, and drew aside his robe; And taking up the double handled cup He poured libations to the gods above. But when the chiefs of the Phaeacians 115 The minstrel urged to recommence his lay, Because they were delighted with his words, Ulysses hid his face again and wept. None of the others saw him shedding tears; Alcinous alone perceived his grief, 120 And sitting next him heard his heavy sighs: 202 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. Whereat he with these words at once addressed The skilful oarsmen, the Ph.eacians. "Ye lords and chiefs of the Phaeacians, We now have all enjoyed our common feast, 125 And listened to the harp, whose strains so well Accompany the bounteous festival: Now let us quit the hall, and prove our skill In warlike games; that when he reach his home Our guest may tell his friends how we excel 130 In wrestling, and in boxing with the fist, And with swift feet to vault, and run the course." He said, and led the way; they followed him: The herald hung the harp upon the pin And from the hall led out Demodocus; 135 Along the path which the Phaeacian chiefs Were taking then to view the warlike games, Towards the market-place they bent their steps, A mighty crowd in thousands followed them: And many gallant youths assembled there; 140 Acroneus and Ocyalus stood forth; Elatreus, Nautus, and Anchialus, Prymnus, Eretmus, Pontus, Prorus too; BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 203 Thoos and Anabesineus stood there; And Polyneus' son from Tecton sprung, 145 Amphialus; and strong as cruel Mars, Euryalus; there was Naubolides, Who save the noble youth Laodamas, In beauty and in figure far excelled All other youths of the Phaeacians: 150 And the three sons of King Alcinous, Laodamas and Halius, the third Was Clytoneus, rival of the gods. And first they in the foot race tried their speed, For them the course was measured from the goal; 155 In clouds of dust across the plain they flew; And Clytoneus proved most swift of foot: Far as a yoke of mules would leave behind A team of oxen, ploughing the furrow down, So far he left the others in the race, 160 When to the goal and people he returned. In toilsome wrestling next they tried their strength, In this Euryalus surpassed the rest; In leaping, all Amphialus excelled; Elatreus was the strongest with the quoit; 165 204 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. Laodamas in boxing won the prize, The gallant son of King Alcinous. Thus they enjoyed the games and rivalry, When them the youth Laodamas addressed: " Friends, let us ask our guest if he perchance 170 May skill possess in any manly feats: His stature and his figure are not mean; His thighs, his knees, and hands, and stalwart neck, Betoken strength; nor does he want for youth, Although worn down by many sufferings; 175 For well I ween nought saps the strength of man More surely, than long hardship on the deep; However strong and stout of heart he be." Euryalus thus answered in reply: "Laodamas, thy words are true and just; 180 Address him now thyself, and challenge him." The noble youth soon as he heard these words Stepped forth, and thus Ulysses he addressed: " Wilt thou too, noble stranger, take thy part In rivalry with us? perchance it be 185 That thou hast skill in manly exercise: And for a man as long as life remains, BooK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 205 There is no greater honor than the skill With which he exercises hand and limb. Come strive with us, and banish all thy care: 190 Thy homeward journey is not far removed, Thy ship is launched, and ready are thy crew." Ready Ulysses answered in reply: "Laodamas, 0 why importune me? My soul is troubled now with other cares, 195 Nor can I think of feats of manly strength: For I have many, many, ills endured; And now I sit in thy assembly here Yearning for home; for this alone I pray The favor of thy king, and people all." 200 Euryalus with sneering speech rejoined: "Stranger, I see thou art no hero, skilled In manly exercises, fit for men; More like a voyager in a huckster ship, A chief of men who sail for merchandise; 205 Who thinks of nought but cargo, and his goods Acquired with churlish greed: no champion thou! " With frowning glance Ulysses thus replied: "Foul is thy speech, and arrogant art thou: 206 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. The gods give not their choicest gifts to all, 210 Beauty of form, wisdom and eloquence: For one perhaps of mean exterior The gods adorn with beauty in his speech; And in delight all hang upon his glance, With winning modesty his flowing words 215 He utters, all excelling in debate; And in the city when he shows himself, The people all regard him as a god. Another has the beauty of a god But lacks the crowning grace of eloquence. 220 With beauty thus the gods distinguish thee, But have withheld from thee their other gifts; For thou art vain in judgement and in sense, And thou hast stirred my anger in my breast By thy ill-mannered words: in warlike feats 225 I am not quite unversed as thou hast said; But ever 'midst the foremost I was found, When I had confidence in youth and strength: Now I am bound in misery and woe; Much have I suffered,-many ills endured 230 In strife with men and with the cruel waves: BoOr VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 207 But toil-worn though I be, I will abide The contest; for thy speech my spirit chafes, Thy gibing words provoke and anger me." He spoke, nor even laid aside his robe, 235 But forward sprang and seized a massive quoit, Heavier by far than the Phaeacians used; And hurled it spinning from his sinewy hand: Hurtled the flying stone; and to the earth Crouched down those sailors, the Phoeacians, 240 As it hissed o'er their heads; afar it flew Beyond the utmost mark, as from his hand It ran its whirling course; Minerva stood In likeness of a man to mark the goal; And thus with kindly words she spoke to him. 245 "A blind man, fumbling, by the touch could mark The goal for thee 0 stranger; for thy quoit Lies not among the ruck, but far beyond: Thou may'st have confidence to win; none else Will equal, certes none surpass thy cast." 250 Thus said she,-and the godlike chief rejoiced To find he had a friendly comrade nigh, Amidst the contest; and with lighter cheer 208 THE ODYSSEY. BooiK VIII. He spoke, addressing the Pheeacians: "Try to read this, ye youths, and afterwards 255 I will make yet a further cast than this: And let him now step forth among you all Who has the courage and the heart to strive With me; for ye have vexed me with your gibes; Be it to box, to wrestle, or to run, 260 I will not baulk the wish of one of you, Phaeacians all; except Laodamas; He is my host, how can I fight with him Who now affords me hospitality? Senseless and worthless would I hold the man 265 Who on a foreign soil would challenge him To strife, who entertains him as a guest: 'Twould be as if to fight against himself. But of you others none will I deny, But try the contest with you face to face: 270 I am not altogether worthless now For warlike feats in rivalry with men; I handle yet with skill the polished bow, And in the hostile ranks I could pick out And shoot my man the first; though round me stood BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 209 My comrades eager all to smite the foe. 276 And Philoctetes only me excelled In archery, among the Greeks at Troy, Whene'er we shot; save him I am the first Of all who now are living on the earth: 280 But with the heroes of the days of yore I do not claim to vie; with Hercules, Or with (Echalian Eurytus; who strove Even with the gods for skill in archery: And for this cause, the mighty Eurytus 285 Perished before his time, nor reached old age; In anger him the god Apollo slew, Because the mortal dared to challenge him. And far as one of you the arrow shoot, Will I the javelin hurl, and reach the mark. 290 But in the foot race only do I fear That one of you Phaeacians pass me by; For I am sorely jaded by the waves; And on my voyage I lacked both care and food: Therefore my limbs are weakened and unstrung." 295 He spoke, and at his words they silence held, Alcinous alone addressed him thus: p 210 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. " Stranger, thy words give no offence to us; 'Tis just that thou the valour wish to show, Which thee adorns; and that thou anger feel 300 With him who with harsh words has challenged thee: For no one who has wit to speak with sense Would on thy prowess dare to cast a doubt. But heed my words, and tell thy hero friends; And when thou boldest banquet in thy halls 305 In peace at home, thy wife and children round, Think of the wondrous skill which we possess, Which from our fathers Jove has given to us. In wrestling, and in boxing with the fist We are not foremost; but unrivalled are 310 To run a race on foot, or sail a ship: The feast, the harp, the dance are dear to us, And frequent change of garments rich and rare, Warm and luxurious baths, and couches soft. And now Phaeacian dancers, step ye forth, 315 And dance your best before this stranger here; That he to all his friends may tell at home How much in seamanship we all surpass, And in the race, the dance, and minstrelsy. BooK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 211 And some one fetch now for Demodocus 320 The tuneful harp which hangs up in my hall." Thus spake Alcinous: the herald rose And from his palace fetched the graceful harp: And umpires nine, whose duty ever was To measure out the lists for games of skill, 325 Prepared a level flooring for the dance; A broad and goodly stage they ready made: The herald with the shrill-toned harp approached, And straightway gave it to Demodocus: He came forth in their midst, and round him stood 330 The skilful dancers in the bloom of youth, And to the measured dance their feet beat time; Ulysses gazed with wonder as he watched The glancing of the many twinkling feet. The harper swept the strings, and straight began 335 His song melodious; all about the loves Of Mars with coronetted Aphrodite; "How first in Vulcan's palace, secretly They met; and many gifts he gave to her, And brought dishonour on the marriage bed S34 Of him her Lord: to whom the sun god came P 2 212 THE ODYSSEY. BooK VIII. The witness of their loves, and told him all. And Vulcan when he heard the grievous tale Went to his smithy, brooding evil thoughts: He placed the mighty anvil on its seat, 345 And fetters forged on it, infrangible, Inextricable; ever fast to hold. And when the gyves were finished and complete, Incensed with Mars he to his chamber went: There stood the couch that was so dear to him, 350 And in a circle on its posts he spread The cunning snare; and from the high roof tree Unnumbered as the spider's aery web The threads were hung; invisible to all, Even to the gods, so weirdly were they made. 355 "And when the springe was laid thus craftily He feigned to go to Lemnos' well-built keep, Which was the dearest land of all to him. Mars of the golden reins not unawares, Kept watch on this; and soon was he informed 360 Vulcan, the mighty smith, had gone from home. To Vulcan's palace straight he bent his steps, Pining for Cytheraea's love, who wore BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 213 The graceful garland wreathed in her hair; She from her mighty father, Saturn's son, 365 Had even now returned; and sat her down, He sought her in her home as she returned, And seized her hand, and said these tender words: 'Come sweet with me, let us enjoy our loves; Vulcan is far from home, and now has gone 370 To Lemnos, and the harsh tongued Sintians.' Thus spake the god;-and she was nothing loth, And to the couch they turned, and lay them down. There they were caught in crafty Vulcan's snare, Which held them fast, nor could they stir a limb, 375 At once they saw for them was no escape. "The mighty Lame one was not far away; The sun-god was his spy, and told him all; And vexed at heart he sought his house again: Before his gates he stood with anger wild, 380 And loud he shouted, summoning the gods: ' O father Jove, and all ye other gods Who live in endless bliss, come here and see A shameless deed, which will your laughter move; For me, who am the Lame one, ever scorns 385 214 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. Jove's daughter, Aphrodite; and still she loves Infernal Mars; because he has the gift Of beauty, and has symmetry of limb; And I was weakly from my birth; alas! For this my parents are to blame, not I; 390 Would that I never had been born to them! And ye will see them lying on my couch; To see them there costs me a bitter pang: But there henceforth they will not wish to lie, Full well I ween; however loving they 395 Nor will they wish to rest long where they are; But in these gyves and fetters shall they stay, Until my father Jove restore to me The marriage gifts, and portion which I gave To her, the shameless woman; though his child 400 Beauty she has, but modesty she lacks.' "He spoke and at his palace, brazen paved The gods assembled; the Earth shaker came, Neptune; and Hermes bringer of good luck; Came Phoebus, lord of the unerring bow; 405 The goddesses for shame remained at home. "The gods who blessings shower upon men BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 215 Before his threshold stood assembled all: And ringing laughter 'midst the happy gods Arose when they beheld the weird device 410 Of Vulcan, him so versed in cunning spells: And looking at his neighbour one thus said: 'Ill speed, ill deed; the slow o'ertakes the swift; Vulcan, the halting one, has captured Mars. Though lame he be, he in his cunning spring 415 Has taken him who is most fleet of foot Of all the gods; sin earns its just award.' "As thus with one another they conversed, Apollo, son of Jove, to Hermes said: 'O Hermes, son of Jove, Giver and Guide, 420 Wouldst thou of thy free will be fettered thus, To win the love of golden Aphrodite?' "The guiding Argus slayer answered thus: 'Apollo, Lord of the unerring bow, I would indeed that this might be my luck! 425 Then might the fetters three times stronger be, And all the goddesses be lookers on As well as ye,-so I might win the love And lie beside the golden Aphrodite!' 216 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. "He spoke and moved the laughter of the gods; Neptune laughed not, but earnestly besought 431 Vulcan the wondrous smith to set Mars free; And thus addressed him with these winged words: 'Release him, and I promise thee for him. All thou so justly claimest shall be paid, 435 In presence of the immortal gods themselves.' "The wondrous Lame one thus replied to him: 'Earth circling Neptune, ask not this of me, Vile are the pledges which the vile can give: How could I fetter thee among the gods 440 If Mars escaped from bonds and debt together?' "Neptune, who shakes the solid earth replied: 'Vulcan, if Mars escaping bonds and debt Refuse to pay, myself will pay for him.' "The wondrous Lame one answered in reply: 445 ''Tis not for me to gainsay such a speech.' "Then mighty Vulcan lifted up the springe, And from the bonds which held them both so fast, They both were freed; he bounded off to Thrace, And she, the laughter loving Aphrodite 450 To Paphos fled, in Cyprus' isle; where are BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 217 Her grove and altar, breathing frankincense: And there the Graces bathed and tended her, Anointing her with oil ambrosial, Such oil as only the immortals use; 455 And clad in garments lovely, wonderful." Thus sang the famous minstrel, and the chief Was charmed at hearing him, as were they all, Those hardy sailors, the Phaeacians. Then to Laodamas and Halius 460 Alcinous directions gave to dance, Those two alone; since none could vie with them. They in their hands took the round purple ball, Which Polybus so deftly made for them; One bending backwards hurled it towards the clouds, The other springing high to reach the ball, 466 Adroitly caught it in mid air; before He with his feet had touched the ground again. When with the flying ball thus upwards thrown, They had shown forth their skill sufficiently. 470 They danced together on the teeming earth, Each changing place with each; the other youths Stood round the stage, and clapping beat the time 218 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII, Loud was the echo of the stamping feet. Ulysses then addressed Alcinous: 475 "Most mighty Lord the King, Alcinous, Well didst thou boast thy dancers were the best; They prove thy words; I marvel them to see." Alcinous was pleased to hear his speech, And the Pheeacian oarsmen thus addressed: 480 "Hearken to me, Phveacian chiefs and lords, This stranger seems to be a man of sense; 'Tis therefore right that with a kindly gift We him should honour, each of us and all: Twelve noble chiefs there are who bear the rule 485 Among my people, the thirteenth am I; And now let each of us present to him A mantle fair, and tunic; and besides Add we thereto a talent of fine gold: And let us bring these out to him at once, 490 That he our guest may come and feast with us In cheerful mood, and not with empty hands. And let Euryalus apologise To him our guest, and add thereto a gift; For certainly not seemly was his speech." 495 BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 219 He spoke, they all applauded and approved; A herald each sent forth to bring the gifts: Also Euryalus in answer spoke: "Most mighty Lord the King, Alcinous, Right willingly will I apologise 500 To this our stranger guest at thy command; And I moreover will present to him This sword of solid bronze, with silver hilt: The sheath which holds it is of ivory, Fresh from the workman's hands; a gift of price." 505 Thus said he, as he placed within his hands The sword with silver ornaments adorned; And thus addressed him with these winged words: "Hail honoured guest, if any word of mine Have given thee offence, may the swift winds 510 Bear it afar; and the gods grant to thee Again to see thy wife and native shore: Much hast thou suffered far away from friends." Prudent Ulysses answered in reply; "And thou kind host most kindly do I greet; 515 And may the gods vouchsafe thee happiness: As to the sword which thou hast given to me 220 THE ODYSSEY. BooK VIII. With many friendly words; henceforth I pray That thou may'st never feel the need of it." He spoke, and o'er his shoulders hung the sword: The sun was setting as the gifts were brought All by the heralds to Alcinous; And the king's sons received the splendid gifts, And laid them at their honoured mother's feet: Alcinous the King directed all. 525 When afterwards they sat in pomp around, Alcinous, Arete thus addressed: "0 Lady wilt thou order forth to bring A chest, a splendid one, the best we have, And in it place the tunic and fair robe: 530 And round the brazen cauldron let them kindle A fire to warm the water for the bath. That when our guest is with a bath refreshed The presents he may see all safely stored, Which we Phaeacians have bestowed on him; 535 And then enjoy the feast and minstrel's song. And I present to him this cup, my own, Of gold, embossed, of wondrous workmanship; That he may all his days remember me, BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 221 --- When he libations offers in his halls 540 To father Jove and all the other gods." He spoke, Arete told her serving maids At once to place the tripod on the fire; They placed the brazier on the glowing blaze, And water poured therein; and underneath 545 They heaped the wood upon the kindled brand; And round the belly of the tripod licked The flame; the water bubbled with the heat. Meanwhile Arete from her chamber brought A splendid coffer for her stranger guest; 550 And placed within it all the beauteous gifts, Garments and gold, which the Phaeacians gave, The tunic also and the gorgeous robe: She then addressed him with these winged words: "Here is the cover, and about it cast 555 Deftly, a binding cord to fasten it, So that thou be not robbed upon thy voyage, While sleeping sweetly in the black hulled ship." And when the godlike chief had heard her speech, He closed the cover straight, and round it cast 560 A fastening, in many artfil coils, 222 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. With a device which Circe taught to him. The stewardess invited him to bathe, Straight to the bath he went, and joyed to find The tepid water and the gentle care, 565 To which he had so long a stranger been, Since he had left the fair Calypso's halls; Where he was ever tended like a god. The maidens him attended at the bath, With olive oil anointed, and around 570 His limbs, a tunic and rich mantle cast; And from the bath he went amidst the chiefs Who quaffed their wine; and there Nausicaa Close by the threshold of the gorgeous hall Stood like a goddess in her loveliness: 575 She gazed in admiration at the chief, And thus addressed him with these winged words: "Hail stranger; sometimes in thy native land Call me to mind; and call to mind the debt Thou owest first of all to me, thy life." 580 To her the prudent chief in answer spoke: "0 daughter of Alcinous the King, Nausicaa, may Jove vouchsafe to grant, BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 223 The Lord of Juno who the thunder wields, That I may see the day of home return; 585 And safely reach again once more my home; There as a goddess will I pray to thee Each day, for thou hast saved my life, sweet maid." He spoke, and took his seat beside the king. They served the banquet and prepared the wine; 590 The herald led the cherished minstrel near, Demodocus, by all in honour held; He brought him in amongst the revellers, And by a lofty column placed his seat. Ulysses then the herald thus addressed, 595 As from the chine of the white toothed boar A portion he cut off, with fat enriched, An ampler portion still was left for him: "Herald, I pray thee give Demodocus, For his repast this portion; him I greet 600 With warm regard, though sorrowing myself: For minstrels claim both honour and respect, From all mankind who dwell upon the earth; For them the Muse has taught the wondrous spell 224 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. Of song; and dearly does she love them all." 605 He spoke, the herald to Demodocus The portion bore, and placed it in his hands; Their hands all on the ready viands laid; When thirst and hunger both were satisfied, Ulysses to Demodocus thus spoke: 610 "Demodocus, among all mortal men I honour thee the first; for thee the Muse Daughter of Jove has taught; or Phoebus' self: With wondrous skill thou tellest of the woe Which the Greeks caused, and they endured themselves; 615 As if thou hadst thyself been present there, Or from another thou the tale hadst heard. But change thy strain, and tell about the horse Of giant timbers which Epeius built, Aided by Pallas; how Ulysses brought 620 This hollow ambush to the citadel With heroes filled; who ravaged Ilium. If thou canst tell this tale as it befell, I will to all declare in very deed A god has gifted thee with Poesy." 625 BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 225 - -- He spake; the minstrel felt the flame divine, And thus broke forth in tuneful melody: His song began with how the Argive host Embarked on board their ships and sailed away, And left their tents in flames upon the coast, 630 And left the gallant few who chose to stay With famed Ulysses; who in war's array Sat in the horse, within the city's bound; The while the Trojan foe in council sat around. For they themselves within their citadel 635 Had dragged the horse; and there the ambush stood; And then on their debates confusion fell; For threefold counsel brought incertitude; Whether with axe to rend the hollow wood, Or hurl it headlong from the rocky steep, 640 Or as an offering to the gods, the charmed spell to keep. They chose the last, for ruin was their doom; When once the city in its walls concealed The giant horse, within whose fatal womb Q 226 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. Of Argive chiefs the bravest in the field, 645 Sat ready armed with sword, and spear, and shield, To issue forth; and on the Trojan foe To wreak in their fell swoop, destruction, death, and woe. And then he sang how like an angry tide The Grecian heroes burst from out their lair, 650 And streaming forth from its gigantic side, Enwreathed in fire and flame the city fair; And then he sang how the heroic pair, Ulysses joined with Menelaus, sought The palace of Deiphobus; and there 655 Like gods of war a mighty combat fought, And by Minerva's aid, ravage and ruin wrought. Thus sang the famous minstrel, but the chief Wept bitterly; the tears ran down his cheeks: Thus lies the woman at her husband's feet. 660 Weeping for him the loved one, who has fallen For her his city, and his country's cause; Striving from home, and from his children dear To turn aside the fate, and fated day. BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 227 She sees him dying, gasping out his life, 665 And shrieks embracing him; they with their spears Behind her, urge her on with cruel blows On back and shoulders into slavery; To suffer misery and toil; her cheeks Are wasted with her miserable woe. 670 Thus from Ulysses' eyebrows fell the tears, From all the others he concealed his tears; Alcinous alone perceived his grief, And sitting near him heard his heavy sighs: And seeing this, he with these words addressed 675 Those skilful oarsmen, the Pheeacians: "Ye lords and chiefs of the Phaeacians, Hearken to me; let now Demodocus Lay by his tuneful harp, and still his song; Its burden is not pleasing to us all; 680 For since our feast was ended, and his lay Began the godlike minstrel, this our guest Has never ceased from shedding bitter tears; A bitter grief indeed must wring his soul! So let him still his song that we may all, 685 Our guest, and we the hosts rejoice together, Q 2 228 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. 'Tis better so, for all is done for him, Our honored guest; for him we now prepare Escort and gifts, which willingly we grant. For like a brother must the stranger be, 690 Who comes in sore distress; aye e'en to him Who has but little pity in his breast. " And thou no longer shroud in deep reserve What I demand of thee; 'tis best to tell. Say now the name by which thou hast been called, There far away, where'er thy dwelling be, 696 By father, mother, and thy countrymen. For no man, be he noble, be he mean, Is nameless quite among his fellow-men Since he first drew his breath; a name to all 700 Is given by their parents at their birth. And tell thy land, thy people, and thy home, So that our ships may find the course to steer; For unlike others, our Pheacian ships Need neither helm nor pilot them to guide; 705 But sense they have, and will, as were they men; And know the cities and the fruitful lands Of all the human race; and the vast deep BOOK VIII. THE ODYSSEY. 229 They traverse swiftly, though they shrouded be In darkness and in mist; no fear in them 710 To suffer loss or wreck upon the sea. But long ago, I heard my father say, Nausithous, that Neptune jealous was, For that we were safe guides to every one; So he would wreck one of our gallant ships 715 Some day, returning o'er the shadowy sea; And near our city would a mountain raise O'erhanging it: thus spoke the aged king: And may the god accomplish all these things, Or leave them unaccomplished; as he will! 720 " But tell me now in truth whence hast thou sailed? What countries hast thou visited of men, What peopled cities? Their inhabitants Say, didst thou find them lawless, savage, wild, Or kind to strangers, did they fear the gods? 725 Say why thou weepest, and dost grieve thy soul When thou dost hear the sufferings of the Greeks, And of the doom of Troy? which the gods willed, And fated this destruction for mankind; That it might point a tale for future times. 730 230 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK VIII. Has any gallant kinsman of thine own Perished before the walls of Ilium? A son-in-law, or father of thy wife, The dearest after thine own blood and race? Or any comrade brave, thy bosom friend? 735 For e'en a brother cannot dearer be Than the tried friend of wise and upright mind." BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 231.. BOOK IX. ARGUMENT. Ulysses declares his name- His tale- The Cicones- The Lotophagi-The Cyclops. DAY 35. ULYSSES ready of resource replied: "Most mighty lord the king, Alcinous, 'Tis well to listen to the minstrel's lay, A minstrel worthy to the gods to sing: Nothing more grateful do I know than this, 5 When festive joy o'er all the people reigns, Who seated side by side enjoy good cheer, And listen to the minstrel in the hall: With bread and viands are the tables piled, And from the bowl the busy cup-bearer lo Pours in the goblets forth the luscious wine: 232 THE ODYSSEY. BoOK IX. This of all pastimes seems to me the best. Thou hast a wish to hear the grievous woes Which I have suffered; that recalling them I may renew my grief, and weep again! 15 What first, what last shall I relate, of all The many woes the gods have thrust on me? First I will tell my name, that ye may know Who I may be, a fugitive in woe. Who am your guest; whose dwelling is afar. 20 I am Ulysses, of Laertes son; And I am held to be most skilled of men In stratagem; my fame to heaven extends. In sunny Ithaca my dwelling is, O'er which Mount Neritus its head uprears 25 Crested with rustling leaves; and there around Nestled together many islands lie, Dulichium, Same, and Zacynthus green; The isle itself is furthest o'er the sea, And slants down towards the west; the others turn, 30 And sun themselves towards the eastern ray: Rugged it is, but nurtures gallant youths; I ne'er can see a fairer land than this. BooR IX. THE ODYSSEY. 233 In vain Calypso, lovely goddess, strove To keep me from it by her witcheries, 35 In her arched grots; striving to win my love; In vain LZeean Circe with her wiles Kept me enthralled, striving to win my love; She never could enchain my will to hers: For nought is sweeter than our native land, 40 Or dearer than our kindred; fair though be And rich our dwelling in a foreign land; Afar from home, our kindred, and our friends: But I will now relate the woes which Jove On me inflicted, on my way from Troy. 45 "The winds bore me from Troy to Ismarus, Where the Cic6nes dwell; the city there I burnt, and slew the men; their wives and goods We took, and shared the spoils of war to all; For none with me his share of booty lacked. 50 And thence I strongly urged upon my men To sail, and with no lagging foot to flee: Senseless they would not listen to my words, But there upon the shore they deeply drank, And sheep and lazy-footed oxen slew; 55 234 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IX. While some Ciconians fled, and warning gave To others of their race, who near them dwelt, On the mainland; more numerous and brave; Skilful to fight in chariots or on foot. And by the misty dawn in hordes they came, 60 Thick as the leaves and buds are seen in spring;Then Jove decreed an evil fate for us Devoted ones; that we should suffer loss. In close array they fought beside our ships, And from both sides the brazen spears were hurled: From morn throughout the day we stood our ground Right manfully; though they outnumbered us; But when the sun sloped down towards the west, And the tired ox is loosed from his yoke, Then the Ciconians forced the Greeks to yield. 70 Six of my gallant comrades in each ship Were slain; the rest by flight escaped from death. "Onward we sailed from thence with saddened hearts, Our comrades lost, but glad to 'scape ourselves: Not further did I let them urge the ships, 75 Which to the oar-stroke swung to either hand, Till we had thrice invoked each one of those, BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 235 Our hapless comrades, we had left behind; Whom the Cicones slew upon the plain. Then Jove, who piles the thunder clouds stirred up 80 In a fierce hurricane the northern wind, S1rouded in driving mist the earth and sky, And from the heavens night sent sweeping down. Bows-under pitched the ships; beneath the blast The sails were torn and tattered; in our fear 85 We lowered them down and stowed them in the holds: And rowed the ships towards the land amain. Two nights, two days together, we lay there, Our souls worn out with weariness and grief But when fair Dawn the third day ushered in, 90 We raised our masts and hoisted the white sails, And sat; the while the helmsman and the breeze Kept the ships steady to their onward course. Then had I safely reached my native shore, But wave and current, and the northern wind, 95 Together beat me from my track away; As vain I strove to turn Maleia's cape; And further drove me past Cythera's isle. "For nine clays thence I plied with baffling winds. 236 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IX. Across the deep, wherein the sea fish play; 100 And on the tenth we touched upon the land Of the Lotophagi, who feed on flowers: We landed and drew water for our ships And by their side my comrades took their meal. When we were satisfied with food and drink, 105 I sent some of my comrades to enquire. Who they might be who lived upon the land; And two I chose, a herald was the third. And soon they met with the Lotophagi: They on my comrades schemed no ill design 110 But offered them the lotus flower to eat. Whoe'er may taste its fruit so honey sweet, Will never wish to bring a message back, Or to return; but ever wish to dwell With these Lotophagi; and ever feed 115 On that weird plant, forgetful of his home. But these I drove back weeping to their ships Dragged them on board, and bound them in the holds: And to my other much loved comrades all I gave command to go on board their ships 120 BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 237 In haste; lest they should of the lotus eat And think no more of home, and home return. Straight they embarked, and sat upon the thwarts And with their oars they threshed the foaming sea. "And onward thence we sailed with saddened hearts And reached the land wherein the Cyclops dwell; An arrogant and lawless race they are, Who blindly on the immortal gods rely; Nor labour with their hands, nor plant nor sow: Their lands unsown, untilled, all things produce; 130 Barley and wheat; for them the vineyards yield Wine from the heavy clustered grape; which Jove Still nourishes with fruitful showers for them. No councils do they know, nor law, nor right; But on the summits of the mountain tops, 135 They dwell in vaulted caves; each one o'er rules His household, wife, and children, as he will; Nor have they care for aught beside themselves. "A narrow island off a harbour lies Not very distant from the Cyclops' land, 140 Wood crowned; there countless chamois roam at will, No paths for human footsteps them to scare, 238 THE ODYSSEY. BOOiK IX. Nor do the hunters there resort, who toil Amidst the brakes, and scale the mountain crags: No grazing ground, no tilled land is there; 145 Unsown, unhusbanded, devoid of men It food affords to the wild goats alone. For ships with painted bows are never seen Amidst the Cyclops; nor with them are found Men who can build a ship, or who are skilled 150 In all the arts of fitting gallant ships, Which visit cities far apart, and fetch The merchandise and treasures manifold For which men traverse in these barks the seas; Then had the island not a desert been; 155 Not barren is it, but in season bears All goodly crops; down stretching to the sea Are water meadows, ever soft and moist; Rich vines are there, and level ground for corn, And heavy and unfailing is the yield 160 At reaping time; rich is the soil beneath. Landlocked the harbour; there no need to moor Or cast out anchor, or make fast the stern, Bult beach the ship, and stay there as ye list BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 239 Until the favourable breezes blow. 165 And at the harbour's head there issues forth A fount of sparkling water from the rock; Round it a fringe of poplars wave their heads. Here under sail we came; and sure some god Directed us throughout the dusky night; 170 Nought could we see, the air around the ships Was dense with mist; and overhead the moon Enwrapped in clouds refused to give her light: None saw the isle; nor did we hear or see The long swell rolling in upon the strand 175 Before we ran our gallant ships aground. When we had beached our galleys on the sand, We lowered the sails and went on shore ourselves; And on the margin of the sea we slept The deep sleep of the weary until dawn. 180 "And when the rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, Born of the early prime, throughout the isle We wandered; and we gazed on all around: And to afford us chance of food, the Nymphs The daughters of the aegis-bearing Jove, 185 Aroused the chamois, on the mountains bred. 240 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IX. Straight from our ships we fetched our limber bows, And pointed hunting spears: in parties three The chace we ordered, and the quarry shot: And game in plenty did the god provide: 190 Twelve ships were in my fleet, nine chamois each Fell to their share; ten to myself alone. All day we sat till sunset feasting these On plenteous venison, and the luscious wine; For in my ships as yet there was no lack 195 Of ruddy wine; for we had filled our jars When the Cicones' stronghold we had sacked. Not far from us we marked the Cyclops' land, Their smoke, and bleating of their sheep and goats. When the sun set and darkness fell around 200 We laid us down and slept upon the shore. But when the rosy-fingered Dawn appeared I called a council and addressed them all: 'Mly gallant comrades, you must here remain While I go forth with my own ship and crew 205 To see what sort of men are dwelling here; And whether they be lawless, savage, rude, Or kind to strangers, reverence the gods.' Boor, IX. THE ODYSSEY. 241 "Saying these words I went on board my ship, Ordered my crew to follow, and cast off 210 The mooring hawsers; and they straight obeyed. They took their seats in order on the thwarts, And threshed the grey sea water with their oars. "We soon drew near the place; and by the sea Upon the furthest point of land we saw 215 A lofty cave with laurels shaded o'er A folding place for many sheep and goats, Within a lofty courtyard, which was built With massive stones, firm bedded in the earth; Girt with tall pines, and oaks, whose leafy crests 220 Waved high aloft; and he was sleeping there, This man of giant bulk; who solitary Was ever wont to tend his flock alone, Nor with his fellows would associate, But far from all imagined lawless thoughts. 225 For he was shaped more like a monster than Aught human; like a shaggy peak he seemed Uplifted o'er a lofty mountain range; So showed this portent among other men. "I ordered then my comrades to remain 230 R 242 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IX. -- Beside the ship, when beached upon the shore; And of their number twelve I took with me The trustiest and best; I also took A goat-skin filled with dark red luscious wine; Which Maro gave to me, Evanthes' son, 235 Apollo's priest, who guarded Ismarus; We had protected him, his wife, and child, With reverence; and shielded them from harm: In dread Apollo's leafy grove he dwelt, And many splendid gifts bestowed on me. 240 He gave me seven talents of pure gold, A bowl of solid silver, and besides Twelve jars he drew for me of pure rich wine; A drink divine it was; none knew of it Of all the slaves and servants in his house; 245 Only himself, his wife, and stewardess, Knew where the wondrous liquor was concealed. And when he drank it, luscious, ruby-red, He mixed one goblet full with twenty more Of water; yet the odour from the bowl 250 Was marvellous, and scented all the air; None could refrain from quaffing such a draught. BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 243 "A mighty skin I filled and took with me Of this same wine; and other viands too, Packed in a wallet; my presaging thoughts 255 Warned me that I was then about to meet A savage man, of superhuman strength, With no respect for human laws or right. "We shortly reached the cave, but could not find Its occupant; he drove his flock afield, 260 We entered in and gazed about the cave; Baskets were piled with cheeses all around, The pens were thickly crammed with lambs and kids, The various breeds of each were kept apart; The firstlings by themselves, the summer lambs 265 Were all together, then those newly born: The pans were all o'erflowing with skimmed milk, And pails and jugs stood ready, to be filled. My comrades urged me then with eager words To seize the cheeses first, and next to drive 270 The lambs and kids on board the gallant ships, And sail away across the salt sea flood. I yielded not to them; it better seemed To see the man himself, and to request 244 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IX He would afford us hospitality. 275 I little thought alas! how little joy The sight of him would to my comrades bring! "A fire we kindled and an offering made In reverence to the gods; then eagerly We of the cheese partook ourselves; and then 280 We sat within, awaiting his return, Until he came and homeward drove his flock. He carried in a mighty load of wood For fuel dried, to cook his evening meal, And threw it clattering down within the cave. 285 We crouched into a corner in our fear; And he within the cavern's spacious bounds Drove in his fatted ewes, and milked them all. The males, both rams and goats he left outside, Within the ample court; the cave he closed 290 Heaving a mass of rock against its mouth, Vast; such as two-and-twenty four-wheeled trains Of strongest build, could scarcely move away. This craggy rock he placed to serve as door; Then sitting down the ewes and bleating goats 295 He milked; and laid the kids to suck: Boox IX. THE ODYSSEY. 245 And then he curdled half the pearly milk, And heaped it up in wicker baskets piled; And half he poured out into pans to serve For drink for him, and for his evening meal: 300 When all this work he finished thriftily, The fire he kindled then, and looked about; And seeing us addressed us with these words: 'Strangers who are ye? o'er the watery waste Whence have ye sailed? arrive ye here by chance, 30o Or by design? as corsairs on the sea Risk ye your lives to plunder foreign lands?' "Thus said he, and our hearts within us sank, Fearing his awful voice, and monstrous self; Still with these words I answered in reply: 310 'We Greeks are on our homeward way from Troy, But driven o'er the gulf of the vast deep, By baffling winds, out of our track and course, Have hither come; for Jove has willed it so. And proud we are to be of those who own 315 The rule of Agamemnon, Atreus' son, Whose fame is vaunted through the universe: A mighty city he has overthrown 246 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IX. And sacked; and many warriors has destroyed. And now we come to thee, and at thy knees 320 We supplicate thy hospitality, And any other favour thou may'st grant, And which as strangers we may justly claim. O best and worthiest, respect the gods; We are thy suppliants; protecting Jove 325 Avenger is of suppliants and guests, And deems them worthy of his watchful care.' "I spoke, he answered from his ruthless soul: 'In truth O stranger witless must thou be, Or from a very distant land hast come, 330 To warn me to respect and fear the gods: For we, the Cyclops, have no care for Jove, Who bears the aegis, nor the blessed gods; For we ourselves are mightier far than they: And I thy comrades would not spare, nor thee, 335 To 'scape the dreaded wrath of Jove himself, Except I listed, of my own free will. But tell me, whither hast thou brought thy ship? Is she fast anchored by some distant shore, Or is she near at hand? I fain would know.' 340 BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 247 " His crafty questioning was not unmarked By me; his craft I thus gave back to him: 'Earth-shaking Neptune has destroyed my ship And hurled her on the rocks which bound thy coast, Driving her on a rugged promontory, 345 Whither the tempest swept us from the main; And I with only these have 'scaped grim death.' "I spoke; he pitiless no answer gave, But pounced upon my comrades; two of them He seized as if they helpless puppies were, 350 And dashed them to the floor; with blood and brains The earth was spattered; tore them limb from limb And thus prepared them for his dread repast; And as a lion on the mountains bred He them devoured, nor left a scrap behind; 355 Flesh, entrails, bones, and marrow, all he ate: We raised our hands to heaven, and wept to see The fiendish deed; in utter helplessness: And when the cannibal had filled his crop With human flesh, he washed it down with milk, 360 Then stretched his mighty bulk and laid him down Along the cavern floor, among his sheep: 248 THE ODYSSEY. Boo} IX. And I with dauntless courage in my soul Approached him, and my sword drew from my thigh To smite him through the chest; and with my hand I felt and searched his midriff, which concealed His vitals; but on second thoughts I stayed: For sheer destruction there awaited us; Since never with our hands could we remove The mighty rock which he had placed to guard 370 And block the lofty entrance of the cave: So tearfully we waited for the dawn. "And when the rosy-fingered Dawn appeared He made a fire and milked his bleating ewes, In order due, and laid the kids to suck, 375 And hastily he finished all his work. And then two others did he seize of us And slew, and made them ready for his meal: And having made his horrible repast, He drove his teeming flock from out the cave, 380 Opening with ease the mighty door; which straight He closed, as if a quiver with its lid. And then the Cyclops piping to his flock Towards the mountain drove them; I was left BooK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 249 To my sad thoughts, how I might vengeance win. 385 And if Minerva would restore my fame; This to my mind appeared the wisest plan. "A massive club was lying by the stall,' Of olive wood, yet green; which for his use The brute had cut and laid aside to dry: 390 To us it seemed to equal in its bulk The mast of a stout, black-hulled merchant ship, Of twenty oars; well fit to cross the deep; Such was its length, so massive it appeared. From this I cut myself a fathom's length 395 And gave it to my comrades; telling them To shape it with their knives, and make it smooth; And afterwards I cut it to a point, And in the flaming fire I charred the end. This I concealed beneath a heap of dung, 400 Of which was plenty strewed about the cave: My comrades then I ordered to draw lots For who should share the daring deed with me, And help to lift the stake we had prepared, And thrust and grind it in the Cyclops' eye, 405 When he was overcome by gentle sleep. 250 THE ODYSSEY. Booii IX. The lots they drew, and to the four it fell I would have wished to choose; I made the fifth. " He came at eve, tending his fleecy charge. And all his teeming flock within the cave 410 He drove, and from suspicion and distrust, Or by God's will none left without the court: He next swung in its place the mighty door, And sitting down he milked his ewes and goats, In order due, and laid the kids to suck: 415 When all his toil he thriftily despatched, Two others of my comrades next he seized, And having slaughtered made his meal of them. " Then I drew near the Cyclops, in my hand A bowl of dark red wine, and spoke to him: 420 ' See here 0 Cyclops, wine for thee to drink, Since thou hast eaten human flesh for food, Drink now, that thou may'st know what kind of cheer Our ship contained; I bring this now to thee, An offering that may move thy pity yet 425 To send me home; though thou dost wildly rage: If thou so cruel art, and dost such deeds, No human beings e'er will visit thee, BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 251 And bring with them such goodly gifts as this.' "I said these words, he took the bowl from me 430 And drank it off; and the sweet luscious draught Was wondrously delightful to his taste; He asked me quickly for a second draught: ' Give me yet more, and let me know thy name, That I may give thee hospitality: 435 For fruitful is the Cyclops' land, and bears Wine from the heavy clustered grape, which Jove Still nourishes with genial showers for us: But this is nectar and ambrosia!' "He spoke; and I poured out the sparkling wine Thrice in his cup, and thrice he drained it off 441 With reckless folly; when the heady wine Had worked its spell upon the Cyclops' brain, I thus addressed him with these subtle words: 'Cyclops, thou askest me to tell my name, 445 And as thou askest I will tell it thee; But thou must give me hospitality As thou hast promised; No-one is my name, And by the name of No-one I am known By father, mother, and my comrades all.' 450 252 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK IX. "I spoke; and thus his brutal thoughts found words: 'No-one, I promise I will eat thee last, This is my promised hospitality.' "And prostrate then he fell upon his back, And stretched his brawny throat: all conquering sleep Subdued him; from his filthy maw there oozed Gobbets of human flesh and dribbling wine, As snoring he belched forth its heavy fumes. Among the burning embers then I placed The stake till it was heated by the flame: 460 I also stirred my men with cheery words, Lest any should shrink back from craven fear; When in the flames the stake of olive wood Though green, was ready to burst forth ablaze, And reddened with the fire glowed wondrously, 465 I took it from the fire; around me stood My comrades; and a godhead nerved their hearts: They seized the stake, and thrust the sharpened point Full in his eyeball; I above them stood, And leaning hard against it screwed it round: 470 "Thus would the shipwright with an auger bore A plank of wood; his helpmates from below BooK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 253... Work round on either hand the leathern strap, Which fastened to the handle turns it round, And keeps it ever spinning in its place: 475 Thus we turned round the stake with fiery point Full in his eye; spouted the bubbling blood Around the stake all burning as it was. And as his eyeball burnt, the fiery breath Shrivelled his eyelids and his brow; with heat 480 His deep-set eye-roots crackled as they burst. "Thus may the smith in ice-cold water plunge The huge axe-head, or adze, which hiss aloud, To temper them, and give the metal strength; Thus hissed his eye around the olive stake: 485 The rock re-echoed to his fearful howl, And we in dread drew back; he from his eye Tore out the stake defiled with blood and gore, And threw it from him in his frantic pain; And to his fellow Cyclops shouted loud, 490 Who had their dwellings round him; and abode In caverns on the aery mountain peaks. They when they heard his shouts, from far and near Came running; and stood round about the cave 254 THE ODYSSEY. Boos IX. And asked what ailed him, what might be his grief: 495 'O Polyphemus, what is thy distress, That thus thou criest through the ambrosial night? Why dost thou fright us from our gentle sleep? Has any mortal robbed thee of thy flocks, Or injured thee by stratagem or force?' 500 "And Polyphemus answered from the cave: '0 comrades, No-one murders me by craft, No mortal could by force me overcome.' "Then they in answer spoke these winged words: 'If no one does thee violence in aught 505 And thou art all alone; thy woes must come From mighty Jove, from whom is no escape; Pray to thy father Neptune for relief.' " They spoke and went their way; within myself I chuckled at the thought of how my name 510 And well-laid project had deceived them all. "The Cyclops groaning in his agony, Went fumbling with his hands, and moved away The rock which formed the door; and sat him down Right in the doorway, stretching out his hands 515 BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 255 That he might seize on any one of us Attempting to go out among the sheep: So senseless did he deem that I should be. But I thought deeply what were best to do, To find some means to shun the threatened death, Both for myself and comrades; in my mind 521 I brooded every stratagem and plan For very life; a mighty ill was nigh. And this appeared to me the wisest course: His rams were fat, and heavy fleeces bore, 525 Well grown and large they were, and dark their wool: In silence I bound these in threes together With osier twigs, well twisted into bands, On which the monstrous Cyclops used to sleep And dream his lawless and revolting thoughts: 530 Under each middle one I bound a man, On either side the others were a guard; And thus each three a comrade safely bore. A ram, the very largest of the flock I seized, and clinging to his back, I slipped 535 Under his fleecy belly, lying down; Twisting my hands into his woolly coat 256 THE ODYSSEY. BoOK IX. I held on firmly; nor relaxed my grip. "Sadly we waited thus till dawn of day; And when the rosy-fingered Dawn appeared, 540 The males went out to feed as they were wont; The ewes unmilked were bleating in their pens, Their udders full to bursting; racked with pain Their master sat and felt the backs of all As they passed by him; fool, he little knew 545 The burden bound beneath his fleecy sheep: And last of all my ram went to the door Bearing the burden of his wool, —and me, With ready mind for aught that might occur. "The mighty Polyphemus stroked the ram 550 With kindly action, and addressed him thus: 'Why art thou last to issue from the cave My gentle ram? it is not heretofore Thy wont to be a laggard; ever first Thou boundest forward, far beyond the rest; 555 The first to crop the flowers and tender grass, The first to reach the rills and flowing streams, And first to reach the homestead and return, At eve; and now thou art the last of all! BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 257 Perhaps thou grievest for thy master's eye 560 Which that base caitiff No-one has destroyed, Banded with his vile fellows; when with wine They robbed him of his sense and consciousness: This No-one, who has not yet 'scaped from me. If thou hadst only sense and voice to tell 565 Where he is lurking now, to shun my wrath! Oh! I would hurl him to the earth, and strew The cavern with his brains: and I could bear More lightly then this miserable woe Which No-one, good for nought, has wrought on me.' "He spoke, and let the ram go through the gate; And when we had advanced a little space Beyond the cave and courtyard, from the ram I slipped away myself, and freed my men: And then the active sheep so sleek with fat, 575 We drove in silence, keeping them together Towards the ship; and glad our comrades were To welcome us, who had escaped from death: And they began to wail their comrades lost; But this I checked; and by a sign I stayed 580 Their tears; and then in silence ordered them s 258 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IX To throw the fleecy sheep on board the ship And row at once across the salt sea flood. They went on board, and sat upon the thwarts, And threshed the grey salt water with their oars: 585 And when we were no further from the shore Than a loud shout could reach the listening ear, With gibing words the Cyclops I addressed: 'O Cyclops, in thy wild ferocity Thou hast devoured in thy vaulted cave 590 The comrades of no coward recreant; And thy ill deeds have overtaken thee, Atrocious miscreant, who hast not shrunk From eating thine own guests, in thine own home; Jove and the gods have recompensed thy acts.' 595 "I spoke, he raged with fury in his heart, The top of a tall cliff he tore away And hurled it at us; o'er the dark-beaked ship It flew, and almost grazed the tiller end; The water seethed beneath the falling rock, 600 And the recurring wave threw back the ship Like a full tide, and swung her towards the shore: I seized the massive pole, with hand and arm BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 259 And shoved her off; encouraging my men I ordered them to stretch out to the oars 605 For life; in silence nodding my commands; And with a will they pulled; when we had gained Double our former distance o'er the sea, I would address the Cyclops, though around My comrades from their places at the oars 610 Strove to restrain me with appeasing words: ' O reckless one, why wilt thou irritate This fiend, who even now has hurled a rock And stirred the sea to drift us to the shore Where we had well nigh perished? if just then 615 He had but heard a voice or sound from us, Our galley's timbers, and ourselves as well He would have crushed with a huge gnarled crag: So vast his giant power to hurl these bolts!' "They spoke; their words swayed not my dauntless soul, 620 But I gave back to him these angry words: 'Cyclops, if any mortal man shall ask Who smote thee with this fearful punishment, And took away thy eyesight, thou must say; s2 260 THE ODYSSEY. Boos IX. --- Ulysses, who walled cities devastates, 625 Deprived me of my eyesight in his wrath; Laertes' son, who dwells in Ithaca.' "I spake, he answered groaning in reply: 'Alas! a prophecy I call to mind Uttered of yore, which now comes home to me; 630 A mighty man, a prophet, dwelt with us, Named Telemus, the son of Eurymus, Skilled in the knowledge of futurity; And who grew old in this our Cyclops' land, And who foretold all that has come to pass; 635 That I should suffer at Ulysses' hands The loss of eyesight; but I looked to see The coming of a strong and mighty man, Endued with superhuman power and strength: And now this puny creature, vile and weak, 640 Has robbed me of my eye, o'ercome with wine! "'But now Ulysses come again to land That I may give thee hospitality. And I will ask the shaker of the earth, To give thee guidance; for his son am I; 645 And he it is who boasts to be my sire; - - - I -- BooK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 261 May he-no other god or mortal can, Vouchsafe to heal me of my wretched woe!' " He spoke, and thus I answered in reply: 'Would I could reave thee of thy life and breath! 650 And to the realm of Hades send thee down, As surely as the god who shakes the earth Will never give thy eyesight back to thee.' "I spoke, he prayed to Neptune, mighty lord, Raising his hands towards the starry skies: 655 ' 0 earth-encircling Neptune, hear my prayer, Thou of the ebon locks; if I am thine, And thou indeed art proud to be my sire; May this Ulysses never reach his home, Laertes' son who dwells in Ithaca, 660 Who boasts of cities he has overthrown: But if it be his fate to see his friends, And reach his home secure, and native land; Let his return be late, and full of woe; His comrades lost, on board a foreign ship; 665 And may he grief and sorrow find at home!' "He praying spoke, and Neptune heard his prayer. Directly then he seized a larger rock, 262 THE ODYSSEY. BooK IX. And hurled it at us with tremendous force; Spinning it fell behind the dark-beaked ship, 670 Just short, and almost grazed the rudder end; The water seethed beneath the falling rock And the wave rushing onward, drove the ship, And swung her forward to the other shore. " And when we reached the island, there we found Together all the other gallant ships; 676 Around them our companions sat in grief; In constant sadness waiting our return. And then we hauled our galley on the sand And disembarked ourselves upon the shore: 680 From the ship's hold we brought to land the sheep; And them divided into equal shares, For none with me his share of booty lacked. My gallant comrades gave the ram to me, When we the sheep divided: on the shore 685 I burned his haunches as a sacrifice To Jove, who in the clouds of darkness dwells, Son of the Ancient one, Omnipotent; But he regarded not my sacrifice; It was his will that all my gallant ships, 690 BOOK IX. THE ODYSSEY. 263 And all my cherished comrades should be lost! "All day, till sunset, we sat feasting there On plenteous viands, and on fragrant wine: But when the sun went down, and darkness fell, We took our rest, and slept upon the shore. 695 " And when the rosy-fingered Dawn appeared Born of the early prime, I gave command To my companions that they should embark And straight cast off the stern-fasts from the shore: They went on board and sat upon the thwarts 700 And with their oars they threshed the grey salt flood; Onward we sailed from thence with saddened hearts, Our comrades lost, but glad to 'scape ourselves." 264 THE ODYSSEY. BooK X. - -- --- BOOK X. ARGUMENT. Tale of Ulysses —Zolus-The Lestrygonians-Circe and the Isle of iEasa. DAY 35. " WE reached the island of ]Eolie; There on this island, floating on the main Dwells IEolus, the son of Hippotas, Friend of the immortal gods; a wall of brass Zones in the isle around, infrangible: 5 And sheer spring up its cliffs from out the sea. "To him twelve children in his halls were born, Six daughters, and six sons, in bloom of youth; He gave his daughters to his sons as brides; And ever 'neath their loving father's eye 10 And in their mother's watchful care, they live BooK X. THE ODYSSEY. 265 A festive life; for them the daintiest cheer; And every day with revelry and song The perfumed hall resounds; and every night The youths repose beside their modest brides 15 On couches quaintly carved, and tapestry soft. "We reached the city and its fair abodes, And a whole month he entertained me there, And never wearied in his questioning Of Troy, the Grecian fleet, and their return: 20 Of which I told him every circumstance. And when I asked about my homeward voyage, And begged his guidance he refused it not. A hide flayed from an ox of growth mature He gave to me in which he bound the course 25 Of all the stormy winds; for Saturn's son, Had made him guard and warden of the winds, To rouse them, and to calm them at his will. And in my ship, with a bright silver cord He bound them fast, that not a breath should 'scape; 30 Only a gentle zephyr he let loose, A breeze, to waft us and our ships along. But his good will was thwarted; we ourselves 266 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK X. By our own folly our own ruin wrought. "Nine days and nights we sailed across the sea, 35 And on the tenth our native land appeared; So near we were the watch fires e'en we saw Fed by the herdsmen; just then gentle sleep Me overcame, worn out with constant toil; For all the voyage I took the helm myself, 40 Not trusting it to any of my crew, That we might quickly reach our native shore. "My comrades talked together as I slept And gossiped of the silver and the gold The presents which they thought I carried home 45 From 2Eolus, the son of Hippotas: And one winked to his neighbour as he said: "' It is a marvel that where'er we go Whatever be the city or the land This man finds friends and honor everywhere: 50 For treasures rich he takes with him from Troy, His booty; we go back with empty hands; Though we the selfsame trials have undergone. And now this 2Eolus has favored him With gifts no doubt; but let us quickly see 55 BOOK X. THE ODYSSEY. 267 What silver and what gold this bag contains.' "Thus argued they, and evil counsel won; They loosed the skin, and out flew all the winds! A driving tempest whirled us out to sea Far from our native land, in grief and tears: 60 And when I woke in my distracted mind I doubted which were best, to end my woes, And throw myself into the deep, and die, Or bear with patience yet the ills of life. I suffered and remained; and went below 65 And in my mantle hid my face for grief, And laid me down: by the wild tempest's blast My ships were driven off their course again, Back to ZEolie's isle, while wept my crew. "We landed and drew water for the ships, 70 And by their side my comrades took their meal. When we with food and drink were satisfied, I with a herald and a chosen friend, Went to the echoing halls of IEolus. "I found him with his wife and children dear 75 Feasting as they were wont within the hall. And as we reached the threshold, on the floor 268 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK X We sat us down: in blank astonishment They gazed, and thus addressed me with these words: "'Whence hast thou come, Ulysses? what foul fiend 80 Afflicts thee now? whom we with every care Sent to thy native land, and to thy home, Or wheresoe'er thou hadst the will to go?' "They spoke, and I in bitter grief replied: 'My wretched comrades by their own rash acts, 85 And sleep, which seized me in an evil hour, Have caused this woe; pity me, dear friends, You only have the power to make amends.' "I pleaded thus my cause with gentle words; They silence kept; their father thus replied: 90 " Begone, most reprobate of living souls, Forth from my isle! for law and right forbid That I should harbour here, or guide henceforth, A man detested by the blessed gods. Begone! avaunt! for thou hast reached our shore 95 Beneath the ban of the immortals' hate.' " He thus dismissed me weeping from his halls. Onward we sailed from thence with saddened hearts; The strength and courage of my crews were worn BooK X. THE ODYSSEY. 269 By toilsome rowing; in our vain pursuit 100 To find our way, with nought to guide our course. Six days and nights we sailed with respite none; And on the seventh reached the lofty keep Which Lamus built in Laestrygonia; Telepylus its name, with lofty gates. 105 "Here shouts the shepherd driving home his flock To him who goes afield, who answers him; And there a man who sleep denied himself Might earn a double wage; for he might tend The herds of kine, and flocks of milk-white sheep: 110 For there the outgoings of the morn and eve Are near at hand, and on each other press. "The haven then we entered, all around Tall echoing cliffs sprang up on either side In one unbroken wall; and at its mouth 115 Two jutting promontories raise their peaks Close opposite; narrow the strait between. Within the harbor they brought all the ships Which to the oar-stroke swung to either hand, And lashed them close together side by side 120 Within the land-locked basin of the cove: 270 THE ODYSSEY. BOOKi X. Nor wave nor ripple stirred upon its face; But all around it shimmered in repose. "M3y black-hulled ship alone I kept outside At the far point; and moored her to a rock. 125 I viewed the country from a rocky cliff, No signs of labor done by man or beast, Appeared to meet my view; we only saw The distant smoke ascending from the earth. I sent some of my comrades to enquire 130 Who they might be who lived upon that land Two men I chose, a herald made the third. They found a level road, by which the wains Brought wood down to the city from the hills; And as the city they drew near, they met 135 A maiden fetching water in their way, The comely daughter of Antiphates, The Laestrygonian; she was wending towards The limpid fountain of Artacia, From which the water to the town was brought. 140 Approaching her, they questioned her, and asked Who was the ruler of the people there; She showed them where her father's palace was: BOOK X. THE ODYSSEY. 271 And as its echoing halls they entered in, A woman met their view of giant bulk; 145 Tall as a mountain peak the monster seemed, And horror seized them at the sight of her: She from the council called Antiphates Her Lord; who a sad fate prepared for them For one of my companions straight he seized 150 And slew, to furnish food for his repast: The other two escaped and reached the ships. "Antiphates then raised a mighty shout Throughout the city, and his people called: The monstrous Laestrygonians hearing him 155 Came rushing forth in thousands at his call; Like giants were they, not like mortal men. They from the cliffs above cast down on us Stones huge as rocks, which men could barely lift. A mournful din arose among the ships 160 Of dying men, and ships together crushed: Like fish they in the water speared my men And bore them off to make their loathsome meal. While they destruction hurled upon all those Who in the basin of the harbor lay, 165 272 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK X. Straight from my thigh I drew my trusty sword, And cut the cable of my dark prowed ship, And told my men to stretch out to their oars And flee from all the wrack and ruin round. They with their oars churned up the foaming deep, 170 Dreading destruction; from the beetling crags My ship escaped into the welcome sea, But all the other ships were there destroyed. " We onward sailed from thence with saddened hearts, Our comrades lost, but glad to 'scape ourselves; 175 And at 2Eoea's isle we next arrived; There Circe dwelt, she of the waving locks, The mighty goddess with melodious voice, Own sister of MEvetes the malign. For to the sun-god who sheds light on men 180 Perse, their mother brought forth both of them, She who was daughter of Oceanus. "Then silently we steered towards the shore And to a land-locked haven brought our ship, Sure some divinity o'erruled our course: 185 And disembarking for two days and nights We rested there in utter weariness, Boox X. THE ODYSSEY. 273 Worn out alike with toil and bitter grief. "But when the dawn with all her shining locks The third day ushered in; without delay 190 I seized my spear, and donned my trusty sword, And climbed a rising ground hard by the ship, If I might see the handiwork of man,' Or hear the welcome sound of human voice. I viewed the country from a lofty cliff, 195 Above the earth with all its many paths, The smoke I saw rising from Circe's halls, Through a thick forest and a coppice of oaks. And I debated in my inmost thoughts Whether I should explore the land at once, 200 Since smoke I saw as from a kindled fire: But this to me in doubt appeared the best, First to return to where my galley lay Close to the waterside, and to my crew To give their morning meal, and afterwards 205 To send them onward to explore the land. "As I drew near my ship, one of the gods Took pity on me, solitary, sad; And sent a stately stag with branching horns T 274 THE ODYSSEY. BOOR X. Full in my path; down to the mountain stream 210 He through the woodland pasture made his way To drink; for he was wearied by the heat: And as he bounded from the tangled brake Right through the spine and middle of the back I smote him; through him passed the brazen spear; 215 Transfixed, and bleating in the dust he fell, And gasping yielded up his breath and life. I set my foot upon his side, and dragged My brazen spear from out his welling wound And thus I left him lying on the earth. 220 Withies and osier twigs I gathered next, And weaving them together, made a rope Close twisted, and about a fathom long, And bound the feet together,of the stag; And on my neck and shoulder carried him 225 Towards my galley, leaning on my spear With both my hands; it was not possible To bear him on my shoulders with one hand So vast and heavy was the mighty beast. "I threw him on the ground close by the ship 230 And roused my crew from their despondent sleep, BooK X. THE ODYSSEY. 27&-. To each of them I spoke some cheering words: "'0 friends, why are ye sad? we shall not go To Hades' grim domain before our day; Be of good cheer, and let us eat and drink 235 While we have goodly cheer on board our ship, It is not yet our time to starve and die.' "I spoke, and soon they yielded to my words; From where they lay upon the lonely beach With faces muffled in their robes they rose, 240 And gazed with wonder at the mighty stag: A goodly beast he was; they gazed their fill, And then they washed their hands with reverence, And set about preparing the rich feast. "All day till sunset we sat feasting there, 245 On plenteous venison, and on fragrant wine; And when the sun went down and darkness fell, We took our rest, and slept upon the shore. And when the rosy-fingered dawn appeared I called a council and addressed them all: 250 "'Companions of my woes, hear now my words; Beloved friends; we now have lost all count Where is the east or west; or where the sun T2 276 THE ODYSSEY. Boos X. Giver of light and life, sinks down to rest; Or where he rises; we must now decide 255 What next to do, if aught remain to do; I know not what to counsel or advise: For when I climbed a rocky cliff to view, I saw the isle begirt with trackless sea, And all around its shore sinks towards the main: 260 But in the midst I saw some smoke arise Through a thick forest, and a coppice of oaks.' "I spoke, but their sad hearts within them sank, Calling to mind the Lestrygonians, And all Antiphates had done to them; 265 The Cyclops, and his savage violence, The fell man-eater: bitterly they wept, But bootless was it to give way to tears; So I divided them in parties twain, And told a leader off to either band; 270 One band I led, and one Eurylochus: The lots I in a brazen helmet cast, And to the brave Eurylochus it fell To lead his band the first; so forth they went, And two-and-twenty comrades went with him, 275 BOOK X. THE ODYSSEY. 277 And wept; wept those who stayed with me. "To Circe's palace 'midst the glades they came, Built on a rising ground with polished stones: Around it savage wolves and lions prowled, Which she with magic philtres had bewitched; 280 They sprang out on my men, but roused themselves Waving their tails; and crouching fawned on them, As dogs upon their master fawn for food When he brings dainties pleasing to their taste; The lions thus and wolves with cruel paws, 285 Crouched down and fawned on them: they shook with fear, And trembled when they saw the dreadful beasts. At Circe's threshold thus they waiting stood, And heard the goddess with the waving locks As she within sang with melodious voice, 290 And stood and worked before a mighty beam, A shining web of beauty marvellous, Of texture such as the immortals weave. "Polites, of my comrades the most dear, And my most cherished friend, addressed them thus: ' list, a goddess or a mortal's voice, 296 278 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK X. Is it we hear within so sweetly singing, As at her mighty loom she stands and works? The very floor resounds with her clear song: But let us call to her without delay.' 300 "Thus he addressed them, and they called aloud; She issued forth, and oped her shining doors, And called them in; they with bewilderment All followed her except Eurylochus; Who stood without, suspecting treachery. 305 "She led them in and bade them all sit down On couches and on chairs, and offered them Meal-cakes and cheese; and honey golden-hued She seasoned with Pramnaean wine for them; But with their food she mingled baleful drugs, 310 That they might quite forget their native land: And when she offered them the cup to drink They quaffed it off; straight with her magic rod She struck them, and she penned them in her sties; And they assumed the shape, the head, the grunt, 315 The very bristles and the hides of swine; But human sense remained as heretofore, So that they wept when shut in her vile dens. I' BOOK X. THE ODYSSEY. 279 And Circe threw before them food to eat, Which swine who grovel in the mire devour; 320 Acorn and mast, and fruit of cornel tree. "Eurylochus rushed back towards the ship, To tell us of our comrades' dreadful fate; But smitten to the heart with anguish sore He strove for words; his eyes were filled with tears, His breast was ready to burst forth in sobs: 326 But when we in our wonder questioned him, At length he thus found words to tell their fate. 'Noble Ulysses, as thou didst command We sought the grove of oaks; and there we found 330 Deep in the glades a palace beautiful, Built on a rising knoll with polished stones: And there a mortal or a goddess sang Melodiously, while weaving at a loom: We raised our voices, and we called aloud, 335 And she came forth, and oped her shining doors And called us in: they in bewilderment All followed her, but I remained behind, Suspecting treachery: they vanished all: Not one of them appeared to me again, 340 280" THE ODYSSEY. BooK X. Not one of them! though long I sat and watched.' "He spoke; and I about my shoulders cast My massive brazen sword with silver hilt, And took my bow; and ordered him at once To guide me in the path which he had gone: 345 He fell down at my feet and seized my knees, And me entreated with these winged words: 'O force me not to go with thee, dread chief, But leave me here behind; for well I know That if thou go, thou never wilt return; 350 Nor wilt thou bring one comrade back with thee: But let us fly with those who still are left, While yet we may escape this dreadful day.' "He spoke, and thus I answered in reply: 'Eurylochus, stay thou beside the ship, 355 And eat and drink thy fill in safety here; But go I must, stern duty me constrains.' "I said, and left the ship beside the sea: And as I passed along the haunted glades Which led to the enchantress' weird abode, 360 There Hermes met me, of the golden wand, As I drew near the palace; he appeared BooK X. THE ODYSSEY. 281 Like a fair stripling in the bloom of youth, When the first down appears upon the lip; He called me kindly by my name, and said: 365 'Why dost thou go thy solitary way O hapless one, across these lonely crags, Not knowing where thou art? in Circe's halls Thy friends in durance lie, transformed to swine; Confined in dens from whence is no escape: 370 And dost thou think that thou canst set them free? I tell thee thou wilt never thence return, But there wilt stay in durance vile with them; But I can rescue thee from all these ills, And will; here take with thee this antidote, 375 And fearless then to Circe's palace go, In danger's hour it will thee well bestead: But all her weird devices I will tell; A potion she will offer thee to drink, And she will mix in it her baleful drugs, 380 But they will not bewitch thee; all her spells This antidote defies; I give it thee; And now will tell thee what to do besides. When Circe strikes thee with her potent rod, 282 THE ODYSSEY. BooK X. Straight draw then from thy hip thy trusty sword, 385 And rush on her, as if to slay her there; And she will yield in fear; and to her bed She will invite thee; nor do thou refuse The offer which the goddess makes to thee; That she may free thy crew, and thee befriend: 390 But make her swear by all the blessed gods, That she towards thee has no ill design; And that she will no evil work on thee When thou defenceless restest in her arms.' "Thus spake the Argus slayer, as he gave 395 The herb to me, which from the earth he plucked, And all its virtue he to me explained; Black is its root, but milk-white is its flower, And Moly is the name gods give to it, And hard it is to find for gods and men, 400 But to the gods all things are possible. "Then Hermes through the wooded island went To far Olympus; I to Circe's halls. And as I towards her palace took my way My heart was stirred with many anxious thoughts. 405 I stood before the fair-haired Circe's gates, Booi X. THE ODYSSEY. 283 And shouted loudly; and she heard my voice, And straight for me she oped her shining doors, And called me in; and I with saddened heart Followed her, as she led me to a chair 410 Of beauteous workmanship; with silver studs Adorned, and placed a footstool for my feet. And in a golden cup she offered me A draught to drink in which her baleful drugs She cast, intending mischief in her mind; 415 I drank it, but it wrought no spell on me: Then with her wand she struck me, as she said: 'Off to thy sty, and with thy fellows lie!' "I from my thigh flashed out my trusty blade, And rushed on Circe, as to slay her there; 420 She shrieking fell before me, seized my knees, And in entreaty spoke these winged words: ' What man art thou? and of what land and kin? Amazement holds me chained that thou canst quaff This potion, and not be bewitched by it: 425 For sure I am no other mortal man Who let it pass the threshold of his lips Could bear unscathed the working of its spell; 284 THE ODYSSEY. BooiK X. Thy soul is proof against its witcheries. Thou needs must be that hero versatile 430 Ulysses, who the god, the Argus slayer, He of the golden wand, aye said would come From Troy returning in his black-hulled ship. But sheathe thy sword, and turn we to my couch, And let us both in mutual truth and trust 435 Together joy in love and love's delights.' "She spoke, and thus I answered in reply: '0 Circe canst thou ask me to be kind When thou my comrades hast transformed to swine, Here in thy halls? now I am in thy power 440 Thou broodest mischief in thy mind for me; Inviting me to share thy bower and couch To rob me of my sense and manhood too, When I defenseless rest within thy arms: Goddess, I will not yield to thy request 445 Until thou swear a mighty oath to me That thou against me hast no ill design.' " I spoke, she took the oath as I required, And when she swore the oath in solemn form, I went with Circe to her beauteous couch. 450 Boox X. THE ODYSSEY. 285 "Meanwhile her serving maidens busy were, The four, who in her palace tended her, The daughters of the fountains and the groves, And haunted rills which flow towards the sea. One on the couches goodly cushions piled, 455 Of purple, draping them with linen fair; Another opposite the couches placed The silver boards, with golden baskets decked: The third mixed in the silver bowl the wine, Fragrant and sweet, and laid the golden cups: 460 The fourth fetched water, and a fire prepared Beneath a tripod, and the water warmed: And when within the tripod's gleaming brass The water bubbled up; she drew therefrom And mixed it with the water in my bath, 465 And when she tempered it to gentle heat She made it o'er my head and shoulders stream, And took the weary stiffness from my limbs. Next she with crystal oil anointed me, And clad me with a tunic and fair robe; 470 And afterwards she led me to a chair Of beauteous workmanship; with silver studs 286 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK. X. Adorned, and placed a footstool for my feet. Meanwhile to wash my hands a serving maid From a rich golden ewer water poured 475 Into a silver basin, and laid out The polished board; the modest stewardess Served bread and choice of viands from her store Right willingly, inviting me to eat; But I with little appetite for food 480 Sat lost in thought, my soul foreboding ill. And Circe, when she saw me seated there, Touching no food, possessed with bitter grief, Approached me tenderly, and said these words: ' Why dost thou sit, Ulysses, like one dumb, 485 Eating thy heart in grief, and not thy food? Perhaps thou fearest still some other snare; Thou hast no cause for dread, a mighty oath I even now have sworn, which I will keep.' "She spoke, and thus I answered in reply: 490 'O Circe, tell me, how could any man With feeling in his soul have heart to sit And eat and drink in comfort, ere he saw His comrades freed from bonds and suffering? Boox X. THE ODYSSEY. 287 If thou from kindly feeling urgest me 495 To eat and drink, first set my comrades free, That I may see those loved ones with my eyes.' "I spoke, and Circe straightway left the hall, She carried in her hand her magic wand; The doors she opened of the sty; thereout 500 She drove them in the shape of full-grown swine; They stood before her in their bestial guise; And she going up to each anointed him With some weird drug of opposite effect; The bristles straightway vanished from their limbs 505 Which the first baleful drug had planted there, And which the Witch divine had given to them; And they were men again; younger they seemed, More beauteous, and more stalwart than before: They knew me, and each seized me by the hand 51o And all shed tears of joy: we wept aloud The hall resounded with our glad laments: Even the goddess pity felt and wept. "The lovely one came near me and thus spoke; 'Son of Laertes, fertile in resource, 515 Go to thy ship which lies now by the shore; 288 THE ODYSSEY. BoOK X. And the first thing of all thou hast to do Is to haul up thy galley on the strand; And next her tackle, and thy treasures all, To store away in safety in my grots; 520 And go thyself and bring thy comrades here.' " The goddess spoke, I readily complied, And to the ship I went by the sea shore; I found my loved companions near the ship, In piteous grief they mourned, hot tears they shed: And as young calves meeting their well-fed dams 526 When they return from pasture to the farm, Break from the penfold, lowing with delight, And round their mothers frisk and bound with joy; Thus did the sight of me rejoice their eyes: 530 They wept for joy; it seemed as if they saw Rough Ithaca, where they were born and bred. With tears of gladness thus they spoke to me: ' We joy, O noble chief at thy return, As if we saw once more our Ithaca, 535 Our native shore; but now relate to us The fate which our companions have endured.' " They spoke, I answered them with cheering words: BOOK X. THE ODYSSEY. 289 'Comrades, the first thing that we have to do Is to 'haul up our galley on the strand, 540 Next all her tackle, and our treasures place In safety in these caves; then follow me, And I will guide you all where ye will see Our comrades safe and sound in Circe's halls, Eating and drinking; plenteous in their cheer.' 545 "I spoke, and they were ready to obey; Eurylochus alone strove to dissuade And stop them; as he spoke these winged words: 'Ye fools, where are ye going? do ye crave More ills to suffer that ye trust yourselves 550 In Circe's palace? where ye will be changed To swine, or wolves, or lions, that ye be Perforce the guardians of that dread abode? What did the Cyclops, when our comrades sought His stronghold, following our reckless chief? 555 By whose fool-hardiness they were destroyed.' " He spoke, and I was minded there and then As I my sword drew from my martial thigh To smite with its sharp edge his rebel head Straightway from off his shoulders to the dust, 560 U 290 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK X. Though he was very near to me in kin; But my companions pressed around, and sought To turn my wrath aside with soothing words: 'Noble Ulysses, let us leave him here To guard the ship, and we will follow thee 565 To Circe's haunted courts, be thou our guide.' "They spoke, we left the ship by the seaside; Nor was the craven left beside the ship; He skulked behind, dreading my fearful threat. "Our other comrades Circe entertained 570 Meanwhile with every care within her halls; When with a bath they had refreshed themselves, They were anointed with rich olive oil, In tunic robed, and garments of soft wool; We found them feasting in the hall in peace: 575 And when they met each other, and again, The faces so well known they saw once more, They wept aloud, and with their glad laments The hall resounded: standing by my side The lovely goddess then addressed me thus: 580 'Son of Laertes, skilled in stratagem, No longer stir the sources of the tear: BOOK X. THE ODYSSEY. 291 I know myself the ills ye have endured Upon the deep, wherein-the sea fish play, And all the cruelties which cruel men, 585 Your foes, have wreaked on you upon the land: But feast now on good cheer, and drink your wine Till ye recover all the heart and strength With which ye left your own dear native shore, Your craggy Ithaca: now travel worn, 590 And spiritless, ye cannot yet shake off The memory of your sad pilgrimage; Nor have ye heart as yet to welcome joy; So many are the travails ye have proved.' "These words she spoke; and won our willing hearts; For a whole year we sat there day by day, Feasting on goodly cheer, and drinking wine; But when the year was gone, and when the hours Kept gliding on; as month by month slipped by, And when the spring with lengthening days returned; My comrades taking me aside, thus spoke: G01 '0 faithless one, forget not quite thy home, If yet it be thy fate to be preserved. And thou have yet to reach once more in peace u 2 292 THE ODYSSEY. BooK X. Thy lofty palace and thy native soil.' 605 "They spoke, I felt the truth of all they said; And all that day till sunset we sat there, Feasting on plenteous cheer, and fragrant wine; And when the sun went down and darkness fell, They took their rest within the shadowy halls; 610 And when I went to Circe's beauteous couch, I threw myself before the goddess' feet, Imploring her; she listened to my prayer: 'Circe, wilt thou thy promise now fulfil, Of which thou hast assurance given to me, 615 And send me home? my heart is deeply stirred, And my companions weary out my soul With their complaints, when thou art far from us.' "I spoke, the lovely goddess thus replied: 'Noble Ulysses, fertile in resource, 620 Ye shall not stay with me against your will; But first ye must another journey make, And to the courts of Hades ye must go, And dread Persephone, and question there The spirit of the blind old Theban seer, 625 Tiresias, whose faculties remain BOOK X. THE ODYSSEY. 293 Though dead he be; to him of all the dead Alone Persephone has reason given, And all the others fleeting shadows are.' "Thus Circe spoke, my heart within me sank, 630 And sitting on the couch I wept, nor wished Longer to live or see the light of day: When I had wept my fill, I said to her: 'O Circe who to Hades will me guide? No black hulled ship has ever reached that shore.' "I spoke, the lovely goddess thus replied: 636 'Noble Ulysses, fertile in resource, Thou wilt not need a pilot for thy ship; But raise the mast, and spread the snow-white sail, And sit; the northern breeze will waft her on. 640 When thou hast crossed the Ocean in thy bark, At the wild shore of dread Persephone, Where wave the lofty poplars of her grove, And fruitless willows trail; beach there thy ship, Upon the shore of Ocean's eddying deeps: 645 But go thyself to Hades' dank abodes, Where into Acheron their waters pour Fierce Phlegethon, and the Cocytus' flood, 294 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK X. An off-stream of the Stygian wave; a rock Marks where the two hoarse sounding currents mix: There, gallant hero, on that very spot Which thou with toil must reach, as I command, Dig out a trench, a cubit long and broad, And make libations there for all the dead; Of honey first with milk; next luscious wine, 655 The third of water, strewn with golden meal: And to the fleeting shadows of the dead Make many supplications; promising On reaching thine own halls in Ithaca, To sacrifice a barren steer to them; 660 The very best thou hast amongst thy herds; And offer costly gifts upon the pyre: And to Tiresias himself a ram, All sable hued, the choice of all thy flocks. When to the wailing kindred of the dead 665 Thou thus hast many supplications made, There sacrifice a ram and sable ewe, Turning them towards the shades of Erebus; Turning away thyself with glance towards The river's rapid flood: to thee in crowds 670 BOOK X. THE ODYSSEY. 295 The souls of the departed dead will flock: Then on thy comrades lay a strict command To flay and burn the sheep which thou hast slain, And to the gods to pray; to Hades' might, And also to the dread Persephone. 675 And from thy hip draw thou thy trusty sword And sit thou down, and with its threatening point Keep back the fleeting shadows of the dead; And let them not come near and taste the blood, Till thou enquire of Tiresias. 680 And then, 0 chief of men, the Seer will come, And will point out to thee the path and course Which thou must go upon thy journey home, Across the deep wherein the sea fish play.' "She spoke, and gold enthroned Dawn appeared; 685 Tunic and robe she gave to me to wear And in an ample garment, silver white, Graceful and fine the Nymph herself arrayed; About her waist a golden zone she cast, Of wondrous beauty; o'er her head a veil. 690 "But I went through the palace to arouse My comrades, with a cheering word for each: 296 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK X. 'In idle slumber let us not indulge, But let us go; the goddess bids farewell.' "I spoke, and they obeyed me readily. 695 But even thence I did not scathless bring My comrades all; amongst them was a youth Elpenor called by name; with no great gifts Of gallantry in fight, or ready wit: He overcome with wine lay down to sleep 700 Far from his comrades, on the palace roof, Seeking to breathe the cool air of the night: He heard the noise and stir his comrades made Preparing to depart, and started up In sudden haste; and in his heedlessness 705 He missed the lofty stairs, and from the roof Fell straight; and from the column of his back His neck he broke; his soul to Hades fled. "Then to my comrades setting out I said: 'Ye now are thinking of our native land, 710 And starting on the way to our loved home; But Circe shows another path for us; First to the Courts of Hades we must go, And dread Persephone; and question there BooK X. THE ODYSSEY. 297.. The spirit of the Seer Tiresias.' 715 "I spoke these words; their heart within them sank, And on the ground they crouched, and tore their hair; But bootless was it to give way to tears: So grieving as we went, with tearful cheeks, We sought our black-hulled ship upon the beach. 720 "Thither meanwhile had Circe gone herself, And bound on board a ram and sable ewe, Unmarked by us; what mortal man may see A god who wills invisible to be?" 298 THE ODYSSEY. Boox XI. BOOK XI. ARGUMENT. Tale of Ulysses-Hades. DAY 35. "AND when we reached the galley and the sea, We launched her first of all upon the deep, And stepped the mast and ready made the sails, And put the sheep on board the black-hulled ship, And then embarked ourselves, shedding hot tears. 5 Circe, dread goddess with the waving locks And voice melodious, sent us a fair breeze, A good companion; which swelled out our sails, Following the wake of the dark beaked ship: On board of her we made the tackle fast, 10 And lay down at our ease; while favoring gale, And steersman, kept her steady to her course: BooK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 299 All day the swelling sails the tackle strained, As she ran swiftly o'er the sea's expanse. At sunset, when the streets in shadow lay 15 We reached the shores which are the boundary Of the unfathomable Ocean stream. 'There are the city and the land where dwell Enshrouded in thick mist and gloomy cloud The people of Cimmeria; on them 20 The radiant sun shines never with his beams; Not when he climbs the starry vault of heaven, Or from the zenith turns to earth again: But o'er the wretched dwellers of this land, The baleful night for ever spreads its pall. 25 And there when we arrived, we beached the ship, And put the sheep on shore; and went ourselves Along the margin of the Ocean stream; And reached the land which Circe told us of. " Then Perimedes and Eurylochus, 30 Held fast the victims for the sacrifice; I from my hip drew forth my trusty sword And dug a trench a cubit long and broad; For all the dead I there libations made, 300 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XI. Of honey first with milk, next luscious wine, 35 The third of water; strewn with golden meal: And to the fleeting shadows of the dead, Made many supplications; promising * On reaching my own halls in Ithaca, To sacrifice a barren steer to them, 40 The very best that in my herds was found; And offer costly gifts upon the pyre; And to Tiresias himself a ram, All sable-hued, the choice of all my flocks. When I had many vows and prayers addressed 45 To them, the mighty kindred of the dead; I took the sheep myself, and cut their throats; Into the trench the dark blood spouted forth. Then lo! the souls of the departed dead, Came flocking from the gloom of Erebus; 50 Brides in the bloom of youth, and hoary men Who many ills had suffered; tender maids Whose hearts were all unskilled in grief and woe; Heroes in battle slain, with brazen spears Transfixed; their armour stained with blood and gore: All these in crowds came flitting round the trench BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 301 ------ With direful shrieking: I waxed pale with dread. I urged my comrades then with strict command To flay and burn the sheep which they had slain, And to the gods to pray; to Hades' might, 60 And also to the dread Persephone. And I myself with sword drawn from my thigh Sat there on guard; and with its threatening point, Kept back the fleeting shadows of the dead; And let them not come near to taste the blood, 65 Till I had questioned there, Tiresias. "Elpenor's ghost appeared to me the first; O'er him the earth, trodden by many feet, Was not yet piled; his corse we left behind In Circe's halls, unburied and unwept, 70 Since other duties claimed our anxious care. With pity in my soul I wept for him; And thus addressed him with these winged words: 'Elpenor, by what pathway hast thou reached The shades of gloomy night? for thou on foot 75 Hast far outstripped me in my black hulled ship.' "I spoke, he answered groaning in reply: 'Noble Ulysses, fertile in resource, 302 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XI. My evil fate, and my intemperance, Have wrought this woe on me: I laid me down 80 To take my rest on Circe's palace roof, And in descending in my heedlessness I missed the lofty stair, and from the roof Fell straight; and from the column of my back I broke my neck; my soul to Hades fled! 85 But by thy love for all those absent ones, Thy wife; thy sire who nourished thee, a babe; And thy Telemachus, now left at home The sole hope of thy house; I thee entreat: For well I know that thou wilt steer thy ship 90 From Hades' realms back to Emea's isle; O chief, when thou art there remember me! O leave me not unburied and unwept; So that I bring not down God's curse on thee; But burn me on the pyre with all my arms, 5. And on the shore, close by the hoary sea Raise thou a tomb to me, the hapless one; So those who pass thereby shall know my fate. This do for me; and o'er my resting-place Fix thou the oar, with which I toiled so oft loo BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 303 With my companions when I was alive.' "He spoke, and thus I answered in reply: 'Ill-fated one, thus I will do for thee.' "Thus sadly we conversed while seated there; On one side of the trench I with my sword 105 Kept guard upon the blood; while opposite My comrade's ghost related all his tale. "The shade of Anticleia next appeared, The daughter of the brave Autolycus, My mother; dead whom I had left alive 110 When I set out for sacred Ilium. Grieved to the heart, I wept to see her there; But though in anguish sore I kept her back, Nor let e'en her approach to taste the blood, Till I had questioned there Tiresias. 115 "At last the spirit of the Theban seer Approached; a golden sceptre in his hand: He knew me, and addressed me with these words: ' Son of Laertes fertile in resource Unhappy one, why hast thou hither come? 120 Leaving the light of day to visit here The dead; and these domains unknown to joy? 304 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XI. Back from the trench, and lower thy threatening blade! That I may taste the blood, and sooth unfold.' "He spake, and I drew back, and in its sheath 125 Thrust back my sword adorned with golden studs. And soon as he had tasted the dark blood The holy Seer addressed me with these words: 'A blissful home return O noble chief Is what thou cravest; but the gods ordain 130 That it must be right sorrowful for thee: For well I trow the Shaker of the earth Will not forget thee; who hast roused his ire, Since thou hast blinded his beloved son. But ne'ertheless, though doomed to suffer woe, 135 Thou still may'st reach thy home: so thou but learn To curb thine own and thy companions' will: When thou approachest to Trinacria's shore From o'er the azure sea, in thy brave bark, Pasturing on that island, thou wilt find 140 The sun-god's oxen, and his goodly sheep; The god who all things sees, and all things hears: If thou wilt spare his flocks, and turn thy mind Boox XI. THE ODYSSEY. 305 To nought but thy return, ye yet may reach Your Ithaca; though ills ye must endure. 145 But if ye spoil his flocks, I prophesy, Destruction to thy comrades, and thy ship: And if by lucky chance thou 'scape thyself, Late thy return will be, and full of woe; Thy comrades lost, on board a foreign ship. 150 And trouble wilt thou find in thine own home, Young princes, flown with pride, wasting thy goods; And offering gifts to woo thy goddess wife: But retribution wilt thou bring on these. When thou hast slain the suitors of thy wife 155 Within thy palace; or by stratagem, Or open force, thy trusty sword in hand; Thou still must wander; and must take with thee An oar right deftly shaped; until thou readh A people who know nothing of the sea; 160 Who eat their food unflavoured with its salt, And nothing know of ships with painted bows, Or balanced oars; which are the wings of ships. A sign I give thee unmistakeable; Fail not to mark it; when on foreign soil 165 x 306 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XI.. A wayfarer shall meet thee, and shall say: The burden which thy noble shoulder bears Must be a winnowing fan, to husk the grain; Then in the earth fix there the balanced oar, And to the sea-god Neptune sacrifice 170 A ram, a bull, a boar, with solemn rites; And home returning offer hecatombs To the immortal gods who rule in heaven, To each and all of them in order due. Then death shall gently come to thee at last, 175 Escaped from sea, honored, and full of years; And happy shall thy subjects round thee be: This prophecy is true, which I declare.' "He spoke, and thus I answered in reply: 'May all this follow as the gods decree: 180 But, Q Tiresias, now tell me this; I see the ghost of my dead mother there, Who near the trench in silence sits; nor cares To look me in the face, who am her son; Nor utters she one word to me; oh! say, 185 Dread lord, how she may know me, who I am.' "I spoke, and thus he answered in reply: BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 307 'This I can easily explain to thee; Whatever one of the departed dead Whom thou may'st suffer to approach the blood, 190 Will to thy questions give a true reply; But whom thou may'st prevent from tasting it, In silence will draw back and disappear.' "At this the soul of Lord Tiresias Departed, and the realms of Hades sought; 195 Since he had told me all the gods decreed. But I stirred not until my mother came, And drank the dark red blood: she knew me straight, And grieving spoke to me these winged words: 'My child, how hast thou reached these gloomy shades And thou alive? 'tis hard for mortal eyes To gaze on this sad scene; for all around Are mighty rivers, and terrific floods; Oceanus the first, which none can cross On foot, except he have a gallant ship: 20.5 Or hast thou come here with thy ship and crew Wandering so long on thy return from Troy? Hast thou not yet arrived at Ithaca, Nor seen thy wife in thine own halls at home?' x2 308 THE ODYSSEY. Boos XI. "She spoke, and thus I answered in reply: 210 'My mother, I have come to Hades' realms The soul to question of Tiresias: Not yet have I been near Achaean land, Nor touched our own dear soil; a wretched waif I have not ceased from wandering; ever since 215 I went with Agamemnon, godlike chief, To Troy, to fight the Trojan chivalry. But I entreat thee, tell me now in truth, How death with its long sleep has fallen on thee; Perchance thou languishedst in long disease, 220 Or Artemis, the Arrow Queen thee smote With her sweet painless shafts and gentle death? And tell me of my father and my son, Whom I so long have left; still rests with them My kingly rule? or does another chief 225 Now hold the sway, hopeless of my return? And is my wedded wife still true to me In heart and soul? Is she a faithful guard Still to my boy, and all that I possess? Or has some Grecian chief now wedded her?' 230 ",I spoke, my honored mother thus replied: BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 809 - - 'Ah! she with patient and enduring heart Within thy halls remains; in bitter tears Her miserable nights and days are spent: No one usurps thy rule; Telemachus, 235 Still holds in peace the sway of thy domain, And still enjoys the honors of a chief, And homage due to him; but far from these Thy father never visits now the town, But in the solitary country dwells; 240 Nor will he rest on couches soft and warm, On tapestry, and on cushions of bright hue; But in the winter, 'midst the slaves he sleeps; And lies among the ashes of the fire, And sorry garments wears: in summer's heat, 245 And when in autumn time, the fruit grows ripe, In his vine shadowed garden, on the ground, His lowly bed of fallen leaves is made; There he lies down in sorrow; in his heart Grief swells with yearning still for thy return; 260 And trouble comes upon him with his years. And thus in trouble did I perish too; Nor did the Arrow Queen, the archer sure, 310 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XI. Visit me in her mercy in my home, And smite me with her gentle painless shafts; 255 Nor did disease with its sad wasting pain, The common lot, take from my limbs their life; But yearning and anxiety for thee, And tenderness for thee, my noble son, Robbed me of life, so sweet and dear to all.' 260 "She spoke; I pining, longed with all my soul To clasp my mother's shade in my embrace; Thrice I attempted urged by wild desire To throw my arms about her; from my arms Thrice like a shadow or a dream she fled, 265 And bitter sorrow cut me to the heart. And I addressed her with these winged words: 'O mother, dost thou shun my fond embrace? Locked in each other's loving arms we might In Hades even find a joy in woe! 270 Or is this but a shadow which I see, Which the august Persephone has raised, That yet a deeper grief may swell my tears?' "I spoke, my honored mother thus replied: My son, thou most ill-fated among men, 275 BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 311 -- Persephone, the child of Jove, in nought Beguiles thee; and in this I but obey The law which binds all mortals when they die; No longer sinews knit the flesh and bone, But soon as life and motion leave the frame 280 The mighty breath of the consuming fire Devours all these; dream like the spirit flees: But speed thou back to life and light and love; And hold all these things in thy memory, And to thy wife tell all that thou hast learnt.' 285 " Thus sadly we conversed; then other dames Appeared, raised up by dread Persephone, The wives and daughters of renowned chiefs: In crowds they gathered round the dark red blood. And I took counsel with myself, and thought, 290 How I might converse hold with each of them; This seemed the wisest plan to gain my wish; I from my hip drew forth my keen-edged sword, And let them not together taste the blood; But made them each draw near in turn, and tell, 295 Her race and name; so I might question all. "Tyro came first, born of a noble sire 312 THE ODYSSEYBK Boox XI. The daughter of Salmoneus, honored lord, And wife of Cretheus son of AEolus: She loved the genius of Enipeus' stream 300 The very fairest stream which flows on earth; And oft she wandered by its limpid rills. He who surrounds the earth and in his might Shakes its firm base, assumed Enipeus' form: And where the eddying river meets the sea 305 He lay with her; the azure water rose, And like a wall the wave around them stood, And arching over bowed to his behest, And thus concealed the god and mortal dame. He loosed her zone, and lulled her off to sleep: 310 And when the god had satisfied his love, He seized her hand with tenderness and said: 'Joy in our love fair dame, within the year Fair children shalt thou bear; for fruitless never Is an immortal's love; and fail thou not 315 To nurse and cherish them with tender care; Now to thy home return; locked in thy breast, In silence keep the secret of our loves, For I am Neptune, Shaker of the earth.' BoOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 313 " He spoke and vanished 'midst the seething waves. 320 Pelias and Neleus hence to her were born, Both stalwart vassals of the mighty Jove: Pelias, enriched with many thriving flocks, Dwelt in Iolchus with its stretching meads; The other dwelt on sandy Pylos' shores. 325 "This queen of dames to Cretheus afterwards Her other sons, 2Eson and Pheres bore, And Amythaon, flower of chivalry. "And after her I saw Antiope, As6pus' daughter; she could make the boast 330 That in the arms of Jove himself she lay: Two sons, Amphion, Zethus, she brought forth; And these were they who the foundations laid Of Thebes, the stronghold with the seven gates; And raised a wall around it, fenced with towers: 335 For even they, with all their warlike might, Dare not dwell there amid the stretching plains While Thebes lay open, and ungirt by walls. "And after her Alcmena next I saw, Amphitryon's spouse; from Jove's embrace she bore 340 Undaunted Hercules of lion heart: 314 THE ODYSSEY. BooR XI. And Megara, the haughty Creion's child She who was wedded to Amphitryon's son, The hero of indomitable strength. "The lovely Epicasta next I saw, 345 Mother of CEdipus, an awful crime Unwitting she committed, when her son She wedded; he his father having slain Took her to wife; the gods divulged the tale: And he fulfilling the gods' dread decrees, 350 O'er the Cadmeans held the rule in Thebes; In Thebes the lovely, hateful woes he bore; While she descended to the warder grim, To Hades; in her terrible remorse A rope she fitted to a lofty beam; 355 And left him to unnumbered lingering woes, Wrought by a mother's Furies to their end. "And Chloris next I saw, of beauty rare, Whom Neleus married for her comeliness: Rich gifts he gave to her, the youngest child 360 Of King Amphion, son of Iasus; In Minyan Orchomenus he ruled, And she in Pylos with her Neleus reigned; BooR XI. THE ODYSSEY. 315. And children of renown she bore to him Nestor and Chromius, Periclymenus, 365 A lordly chief the last; and these besides The shapely Pero, wondrous for her charms, And wooed by all the chiefs who dwelt around: Neleus refused to give the charming maid, Except to him who should a foray make 370 On mighty Iphiclus in Phylace; And drive his oxen, broad browed, crumpled horned; A daring exploit; the skilled soothsayer, Melampus only undertook the task: But the gods' will stayed its accomplishment; 375 And the wild herdsmen kept him bound in chains, But when the months and days were all fulfilled Of the revolving year, and seasons waned, He by his wondrous gifts of prophecy Escaped, and thus fulfilled the will of Jove. 380 "Leda I saw, the wife of Tyndarus: To Tyndarus two dauntless sons she bore; The famous Castor, tamer of the horse, The boxer Pollux: the all-teeming earth Received them in her bosom when alive: 385 316 THE ODYSSEY. BOOKi XI. But they below the earth from mighty Jove A wondrous favor earn; one day they live, And on alternate days they sleep in death And as the gods are they in honor held. "Iphimedeia was the next I saw 390 The wife and consort of Aloeus, They say the love of Neptune she enjoyed: Two sons she bare, brief was their term of life, Otus and Ephialtes were they called; The most gigantic youths whom teeming earth 395 Has ever nourished, and most beautiful, Next to Orion, hunter ever famed. At nine years old nine cubits was their breadth, And fathoms nine was their colossal height. They dared to threaten the immortal gods 400 That they would even to Olympus bring The din of furious battle; and aspired To pluck up Ossa by the roots, and pile Its mass upon Olympus; and to heap On Ossa Pelion, with its quivering leaves; 405 And thus to pave a way to scale the heavens: And this they had achieved if they had reached BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 317 Ever the strength of manhood: but Jove's son Whom fair Latona bare, destroyed them both, Before the beard appeared upon their cheeks, 410 And ere the down was budding on their lip. "And Phaedra then, and Procris next I saw; And beauteous Ariadne, daughter fair Of Minos the malign; whom Theseus brought From island Crete, to Athens' sacred mount: 415 Her love he ne'er enjoyed; for Artemis Slew her for Bacchus' sake in Die's isle. "And Moera next, and Clymene I saw, And Eriphyle hateful one, who sold Her husband's life, bribed by a golden gaud. 420 "But I could never tell you all I saw, The wives and daughters of heroic chiefs; Nor name them all, till night ambrosial fled. But now it is the hour to seek repose, Either on board your ship, among the crew, 425 Or in these halls; the safety of my voyage I trust to the immortal gods, and you!" He finished speaking, and they silence kept, Spell-bound with marvel through the shadowy halls, 318 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XI. The lily-armed Arete spoke at last; 430 "Does not this hero seem, Phaeacians, Alike endued with manly beauty, strength, And mind composed? 'tis true he is my guest But ye my honor and my duty share: Oh! send not such an one away in haste; 435 Nor stint the gifts which he so greatly needs, And which the gods to you have freely given." Then Echineus, aged chief, thus spoke The most revered of the Phaeacian lords: "With point and judgment has our thoughtful queen Addressed you, noble friends; obey her words: 441 But to Alcinous it appertains That he command us what to do and say." Alcinous in answer thus replied: " As surely as I live and rule o'er you 445 Phaeacian oarsmen, this is my command, Although our guest be yearning for his home, Let him remain with patience here with us Until the morrow; when I can complete The full tale of my gifts; his homeward voyage 450 Will be an anxious care to all of us; BOOx XI. THE ODYSSEY. 319 And specially to me, who rule this land." Ulysses fertile in resource replied: "Most mighty lord the king, Alcinous, If for a year ye urge me to remain, 455 And at its term would send me on my voyage Enriched with noble gifts; I fain would stay: For it would more to my advantage be To reach my native land, so much beloved, Full-handed, graced by many gifts from you: 460 Thus I should win more honor and respect From all my subjects when they greeted me, On my return to Ithaca and home." Alcinous thus answered in reply: "We, O Ulysses, do not thee regard 465 As a deceiver or pretending knave, Such as there are in numbers spread about On the earth's fertile bosom, weaving ever Their lying stories; no one knows from whence. Thou knowest how to clothe thy noble thoughts 470 In words of eloquence; thou dost relate With all a minstrel's poesy, the woes Endured by all the Argives, and by thee; 320 THE ODYSSEY.B BOOK XI. Continue now thy truthful tale, and say Didst thou meet any of thy hero friends 475 Who went with thee to Troy, and perished there? The night is not advanced, nor is it time To seek for rest; pursue thy wondrous tale. For I could stay and listen till the dawn So thou hadst patience still to tell thy woes." 480 Ready Ulysses answered in reply: "Most mighty lord the king, Alcinous, There is a time for speech and for repose: But if thou dost desire to hear me yet I will not baulk thy wish, but will relate 485 The still more miserable woes which fell On my companions; who the Trojan strife, With its wild mournful battle cry, escaped; And perished afterwards, on their return; Destroyed by a vile woman's wickedness. 490 "Then at the hests of chaste Persephone The shades of gentle women vanished all. And next the ghost of Atreus' son appeared In sorrow; and around him gathered were His followers, who in AEgisthus' halls 495 BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 321 Together with him fell, and shared his fate; He knew me when he tasted the dark blood; Thick fell his tears, and bitterly he wept; He strove to reach me, as he feebly raised His hands towards me; but in him alas! 500 No more the strength and vital force remained Which strung erstwhile his strong and supple limbs; I looked on him with pity, and I wept; And thus addressed him with these winged words: 'Most noble Agamemnon, king of men 505 How hast thou fallen into death's long sleep? Has Neptune raised a furious hurricane Of stormy winds, and drowned thee in thy ships? Or hast thou died on land before the foe Making a foray on his herds and flocks 510 Or fighting for his city and its spoil?' "I spoke, and thus he answered in reply: 'Noble Ulysses, fertile in resource, The sea-god has not by the furious blasts Of stormy tempests drowned me in my ships; 515 Nor did I fall before the foe on land: But I was murdered: and my death and doom y 322 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XI. Were plotted by ZEgisthus and my wife, That devilish woman: he inviting me To banquet in his palace, murdered me; 520 As one might slaughter at his stall the ox: I perished thus by a most woeful death; My comrades round me mercilessly slain, As boars with shining tusks might butchered be To furnish forth a wedding festival, 525 Or friendly feast, or sumptuous repast, For some rich man, or some luxurious lord. Thou hast been present in the ranks of death And seen men fall in struggle hand to hand, And in the mingled battle's stern debate; 530 But thou hadst horror felt hadst thou seen this: How round the wine cup and the festive board We butchered lay, in that fell banquet hall, And the whole floor and pavement reeked with blood: And then I heard the voice of Priam's child, 535 Cassandra, in her death shriek, as she fell On me; whom fiendish Clytemnestra stabbed: As I lay dying on the ground, and clutched With wavering hand my sword; that shameless one BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 323 Turned from me pitiless; nor would she deign 540 To close my staring eyes and gaping mouth, As I departed to the shades below. Nought can more shameless or more worthless be Than woman; who could in their minds implant The will to do such deeds? such fearful deeds 545 As she contrived; her husband and her lord To murder; and I fondly looked to meet My children and my servants in my home! Oh! she has wrought a hideous deed; which piles Perpetual shame upon her gentle sex 550 For ever, be they e'er so virtuous.' "He spoke, and thus I answered in reply: 'Ye gods! almighty Jove from first to last Has wrought sad misery by woman's wiles On Atreus' house: for many of us have fallen 555 In Helen's cause; for thee when far away Thy Clytemnestra also planned this doom!' "I spoke, and thus he straight replied to me: ' Never to woman be too gentle thou, Nor tell her all thou dost intend to do! 560 But part thy purpose tell, and part conceal. 324 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XI. But as for thee, Ulysses, from thy wife Fear thou no ill; modest, true, and wise, Is thy Penelope, Icarius' child; Her whom we left when starting for the war, 565 Thy gentle newly married wife; thy boy, An infant then, was hanging at her breast; And now with heroes he in council sits In peace; and will his loving father see, And greet with welcome on his home return. 570 To me alas! that woman vile forbade That I should satisfy my longing eyes By gazing on my son: she slew me first. And now I tell thee, graft this in thy mind; Steer not thy bark toward thy native shore 575 In open daylight; but arrive by stealth: Nor faith, nor trust, put thou in womankind. " ' But tell me truly now if thou hast heard Aught of my son? say is he yet alive? And if he be not dead but lives on earth, 580 In sandy Pylos, or Orchomenus, Or Sparta's plains where Menelaus dwells, Hast thou heard tidings of Orestes' fate?' BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 325 "He spoke, and thus I answered in reply: 'Why, son of Atreus, askest thou these things? 585 I know not if he be alive or dead; It is not good to babble idle words.' "Thus we together stood in converse sad: And then the shade of Peleus' son approached; And of Patroclus, and Antilochus, 590 And Ajax too; of all the Grecian chiefs Except Achilles, the most beautiful In manly grace, and symmetry of form. The ghost of him who was so swift of foot, Grandson of ZEacus, me recognised; 595 And grieving spoke to me these winged words: ' Son of Laertes, fertile in resource, Undaunted one, what exploit hast thou dared? How hast thou ventured to these shades below, Where only dwell the skill-less dead? the ghosts 600 Of mortals who have ended all their toils?' "He spoke, and thus I answered in reply: ' son of Peleus, bravest of the Greeks, I have come here to ask Tiresias If he can give me counsel or advice 605 326 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XI. How I may reach my craggy Ithaca. Not yet have I been near the Grecian land, Nor put my foot upon my native soil; Still woes I suffer in my pilgrimage. But thou Achilles dost surpass in bliss (10 The heroes who have gone before; and none Will ever rival thee; for when alive We Greeks thee honored as thou wert a god; And now e'en here, thou rulest o'er the dead: Achilles, mourn not thy untimely death.' 615 "I spoke, he straightway answered in reply: 'Ulysses, talk not thus of death to me; I would prefer to be the veriest thrall, Who for a needy, landless master sweats, Than to be lord of all the skill-less dead! 620 But let me talk now of my noble boy; Tell me, is he the foremost in the fight? And of the honored Peleus, hast thou heard If o'er the Myrmidons he still holds sway? Or have they bated aught in their respect 625 In Greece and Phthia to his kingly rule, Because from age his hands are feeble now? BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 327 Oh! would that I still in the light of day Could his defender be; such as I was When I erstwhile the champion of the Greeks, 630 Struck down the bravest of the brave at Troy; If I could visit; brief the term might be, Thus in my strength my father's house again; I would raise up a terror of my wrath, And mighty hands, on each and all of those, 635 Who spoiled and robbed him of his kingly rule!' "He spoke, and thus I answered in reply: 'Of noble Peleus I can tell thee nought; But of thy cherished Neoptolemus, At thy request I tell thee all I know: 640 I brought him in my trim and gallant ship Myself from Scyros to the armed Greeks: When in our leaguer round the Trojan hold, We council held, his speech was prompt and sure; None his superiors in council were, 645 Except the godlike Nestor and myself. But when with arms upon the Trojan plain We fought, not long remained he in the rear, Nor in the ranks; but to the front he rushed, 328 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XI. Yielding to none in warlike hardihood: 650 And many chiefs he slew in deadly fray; I will not say the names of all who fell Before him when he battled for the Greeks, But mention only one, Eurypylus, The son of Telephus, whom he struck down; 655 And many comrades fell around that chief, The Cetii, who fought for spoils of war; And none who rivalled him in manly grace Save Memnon the puissant, did I see. And when we all the bravest of the Greeks, 660 Our places took within the wooden horse, Built by Epeius; under my command, And my direction, was the ambushment; I gave the order when to issue forth, And when to stay within our hiding-place: 665 Then all the chiefs and leaders of the Greeks Showed signs of dread, and wiped away the tear; No tear he shed; I watched him narrowly; Nor did the color blanch on his fresh cheeks: Impatiently he waited my command 670 To issue forth; his hand upon his sword, BooK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 329 _ And brazen spear, burning with lust for fight. When we had stormed and sacked the lofty keep Of Priam's city; he on board his ship Embarked with goodly spoil and honored gifts, 675 Unharmed; nor in the struggle hand to hand Received he wounds from sword or brazen lance; And in that furious struggle wounds were rife.' "I spoke; the shade of him so swift of foot Strode back towards the meads of Asphodel, 680 Joying to hear the glory of his son. "And many souls of my departed friends Stood round in sorrow, and their sorrows told, The ghost of Ajax, son of Telamon Alone drew back; and lonely stalked apart; 685 In anger at the quarrel which we had, When at the Grecian ships I urged my claim, And won Achilles' arms; which as a prize His mother offered; and the Trojan chiefs, And Pallas too adjudged the arms to me. 690 Oh! would that I had never won that prize! Which brought that noble head down to the earth, And cost the life of Ajax! who excelled, 330 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XI. In manly beauty and heroic deeds, All other chiefs except great Peleus' son. 695 With gentle words I made my speech to him: "' 0 Ajax, son of noble Telamon, Wilt thou not e'en in death forget thy wrath, Caused by our contest for those cursed arms? The gods decreed this punishment for us, 700 And wrought thy woe; the tower of our defence. And we the Greeks all sorrowed for thy loss, As we had sorrowed for Achilles' self. Jove, and none other was to blame for this, Who hated all the warrior Grecian host; 705 Therefore he willed thy doom: approach great chief, And listen to the words I fain would say; Master thy wrath, and bate thy lofty pride.' " I spoke, but nought he answered in reply, But into darkness strode and disappeared 710 Among the other shades; but even then He had addressed me angry as he was, Or I again had spoken; but I wished With longing in my mind to see the shades Of many others of the mighty dead. 715 BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 331 "Minos I saw, the glorious son of Jove; He sat, a golden sceptre in his hand And judged the dead; and they around the king Sitting and standing in the spacious gate Of Hades' realms, awaited his award. 720 "The huge Orion was the next I saw; He chased across the plains of Asphodel The shadowy game, which on the mountains lone Himself had killed; and in his hands he bore A mace of solid brass, infrangible. 725 "Tityus I saw; the son of glorious Earth Stretched on the ground; and his gigantic bulk Nine acres covered: on each side of him A vulture sat, and at his liver tore; Down to his very vitals plunged their beaks; 730 Nor could his hands drive back the loathsome birds: For he Latona strove to violate, The peerless paramour of Jove himself, As she towards Pytho wandered; on her way Through Panopeus, and its lovely glades. 735 "And Tantalus I saw in misery; As in a pool he stood, the limpid wave 332 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XI. -- Lapped up towards his chin; his burning thirst The hoary sinner strove to slake, in vain; Fast as he stooped to catch the running tide 740 It gliding slipped away, and disappeared; And the dark earth was shown around his feet, Parched by the mighty power of the god. And waving trees trailed down above his head, Their fruit; pomegranate, pear, and luscious fig. 745 The blooming olive, apple golden-hued; And as he snatched at them with eager hand The wind aloft tossed up the swinging branch Beyond his reach, towards the shadowy clouds. "And next I saw the woe of Sisyphus, 7.50 Upheaving with his hands the massive rock; As up the steep he strained with hand and foot To roll the stone; when almost at the top A mighty power toppled it back again; Down to the plain hurtled the headlong crag: 755 And he once more with sinews on the stretch, Resumed his labor; until from his limbs The sweat ran down, and dust stood on his brow. "And then I saw the might of Hercules; BooK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 333 'Twas but a phantom; for the hero's self 760 Revels in bliss with the immortal gods, And Hebe of the graceful limbs has won To be his spouse; the child of mighty Jove, And Juno, who the golden sandals wears. Round him the dead, shrieked with wild cries of fear, As noisome birds; and he like gloomy night 766 Bared his dread bow, with arrow on its string, And glared about him, aye prepared to shoot. A wondrous baldrick o'er his chest he wore, A golden cincture, wrought with weird device; 770 Wild bears and boars, lions with flaming eyes; Battle and strife, carnage and homicide: The workman who that cincture had enwrought With skill so wondrous, ne'er should work again. "He knew me when on me he cast his eyes, 775 And in his pity spoke these winged words: "Son of Laertes, fertile in resource, Alas for thee! under the sun's bright beams As dark a fate thou draggest after thee As I; and I although the son of Jove, 780 Sprung from the Ancient one, a misery 334 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XI. Suffered unspeakable; for I was bound To serve a man far my inferior; And heavy tasks he gave me to perform: He sent me here to bring the Dog from Hell; 785 He thought he could no harder task inflict: But I from Hades dragged the beast away; Hermes and blue-eyed Pallas sped me hence.' "He spoke and vanished back to Hades' realms. But I remained still there, that I might see 790 The heroes who in former ages fell: And I could well have seen them as I wished, Pirithous and Theseus, those famed chiefs Sprung from the gods; but ere they met my view The kindred of the dead in thousands came, 795 And flocked around me with terrific din: Wan terror seized me, lest from Hades' depths The dread Persephone should launch at me The awful horror of the Gorgon's head. So to my ship I hastened back again 800 And ordered my companions to embark, And to cast off the hawsers; they obeyed, And took their seats in order on the thwarts; BOOK XI. THE ODYSSEY. 335 And on the heaving tide the ship was borne Adown the ocean's stream; at first with oars 805 And afterwards before a gentle breeze. 336 THE ODYSSEY. Boos XII. BOOK XII. ARGUMENT. Conclusion of tale of Ulysses-Departure from Circe-The Sirens-Scylla and Charybdis-The Sun-god's oxenWreck-Ulysses alone reaches Calypso's Island. DAY 35. " AND when the ship had left the Ocean stream She crossed the surge of the far-stretching sea, And reached ZEea's isle: there is the seat Of the rathe Dawn; thence in her aery dance She issues forth: there are the springs of light. 5 And there we beached the ship upon the sands, And landed on the margin of the sea; And weary slept until the dawn of day. "And when the rosy-fingered dawn appeared I sent my comrades on to Circe's halls 10 To fetch the dead Elpenor's corse to us: And logs of wood we cut, shedding hot tears, BOOK XII. THE ODYSSEY. 337 And on a lofty headland raised his pyre. When we had sadly burned his arms and corse, We reared his tomb, crowned with a monument, 15 And on its summit fixed his shapely oar. "All this we did; but Circe knew right well Of our return from Hades; soon she came Bravely arrayed; her maidens followed her With bread and viands, and bright ruby wine: 20 The lovely goddess then addressed us all: ' Of reckless courage are ye, who alive Have sought the realms of Hades: twice to die, When other human beings die but once! But eat and drink to-day; by early dawn 25 Sail onward; I will point you out your course, And show each danger; lest by evil chance Ye suffer other woes by land or sea.' "She spoke, her wish we readily obeyed, And all that day till sunset we sat there 30 Feasting on plenteous cheer, and fragrant wine: And when the sun went down, and darkness fell, My comrades laid them down and took their rest, Close by the hawsers, which held fast the ship. z 338 THE ODYSSEY. BOOx XII. She led me by the hand away from them, 35 And made me sit; and lay down by my side And our adventures asked; I told her all. Then Circe the divine addressed me thus: 'These dangers now are past, but listen next To all I have to tell thee; and may God 40 Fix all I tell thee in thy memory. "'First thou wilt reach the Sirens, who bewitch All human beings who approach their shore: Him who draws near them in his ignorance, Who hears unwarned the Sirens' voice and song, 45 No wife will ever greet; his tender babes Will ne'er be gladdened by his home return: On the green mead the Sirens sit and sing, With chant bewitching; and around in heaps Are piled the bones of men from which the flesh 5o Has rotted; and there moulder their remains. Row swiftly by them; all thy comrades' ears Stop thou with wax from the sweet honey-comb; Lest haply one of them may hear their song. But thou may'st hear them, if such be thy wish: 55 If thy companions bind thee hand and foot BooK XII. THE ODYSSEY. 339 And lash thee to thy galley's mast with ropes, Thou may'st delight thee with the Sirens' song: If thou entreat thy crew to set thee free, They must not listen to thy best or prayer; 60 But bind thee faster still, with yet more bonds. "'And when thy crew have rowed thee past this snare, I need not tell thee what thy course must be, But thou thyself decide this in thy mind; The danger I point out on either hand. 65 On one side rocks arise, with beetling crest Against whose base is hurled the mighty wave Resounding, of the, blue-eyed Amphitrite: Planctae, the Shifting rocks, the gods them call: No winged fowl can safely o'er them fly, 70 No, not the gentle doves who pass that way Bringing ambrosia to Father Jove; But one of them against the scarped cliff Is to destruction hurled; but Father Jove Creates another to replace the lost. 75 No bark with mortal crew can pass thereby, But floating on the wave are planks of ships z 2 340 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XII. And bodies of dead men; and from the depths Belch forth the flames of the infernal fire. Of ships which glide across the heaving tide, 80 The only one which safely steered this course Was famous Argo from.Eaetes sailing: She had been cast upon the dreadful rocks Had it not been for Juno's mighty aid Who for the sake of Jason pushed her through. 85 "' And on the other hand two crags are seen; The one to heaven raises its sharp peak, On which a lurid cloud for ever sits, Which never rolls away; in heat or cold Its crest is never seen in the clear air: 90 No mortal man could climb it, or descend, If he had twenty hands and twenty feet; Smooth is the crag as if it polished were: And half-way up its face, a gloomy cave Opens its jaws towards dark Erebus. 95 And past this rock steer thou thy gallant bark O noble chief: a man in pride of strength Shooting an arrow from thy vessel's deck Could not the cavern's deep abysses reach; *9 Boose XII. THE ODYSSEY. 341 There Scylla dwells, with howlings terrible, 100 A dog-like yelling in her dreadful voice, Herself a portent fearful to behold, A god would quail to cast his eyes on her; Twelve shapeless feet she has, six outstretched necks On each an awful head, with thickset teeth 105 In triple rows, fraught with the gloom of death; She lurks half-hidden in the vaulted cave, And from its dread abyss she stretches forth Her heads; and watches all around the rock Fishing for dolphins, sharks, or mighty whales, 110 And these in thousands Amphitrite rears, The goddess of the ever moaning sea. No voyagers e'er can hope to steer their bark Unscathed by her; with each of her six heads She will a sailor seize from out the crew 115 And drag him from the dark prowed ship; her prey. "' The other rock, Ulysses, thou wilt see Is not so steep; and near the other lies; About a bowshot do they stand apart; On it a fig-tree grows with verdant leaves, 120 And under it the weird Charybdis boils, 342 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XII. And sucks the pitch-black water down again: Thrice in the day she vomits forth the waves, And thrice devours them in her awful gulf: Approach not thou her vortex; from her maw 125 Earth-shaking Neptune could not rescue thee: But steer thy galley close to Scylla's rock, And hug that shore; 'twere better far for thee To lose six comrades from thy gallant crew, Than ship and all her crew to sacrifice.' 130 "She spoke, and thus in turn I questioned her: 'But, goddess, wilt thou tell me this in truth; Is it not possible I may escape The fell Charybdis, and beat back with arms The other, when she pounces on my crew?' 135 "I spoke, the lovely goddess thus replied: 'Reckless thou art, and hast no other thoughts But warlike exploits and heroic deeds! To the immortals wilt not thou submit? No mortal she, but an immortal woe; 140 Awful and dread and fierce; invincible; Making all arms ridiculous; from her The truest courage is to take to flight. BQOK XII. THE ODYSSEY. 343 For if thou stay thy course along the rock And arm thyself for fight, she will launch forth, 145 I fear, those heads again, and from thy crew Will seize as many as she seized before: So row thou swiftly on, and make thy prayer To Scylla's mother, the Terrific one, She who brought forth that scourge for mortal men, 150 That she restrain her from a second swoop. "'Then thou wilt reach the isle Trinacria: The Sun god's oxen, and his goodly sheep In numbers thou wilt see there pasturing; Seven herds of oxen, and of thriving sheep 155 Seven flocks; with fifty in each flock and herd: No increase is there ever to the breed, Nor do their numbers fail; and goddesses Their guardians are; two nymphs with waving locks, Whom fair Necera to the Sun god bare, 160 Both Phaetusa and Lampetia; Their mother nourished them with tenderness; And sent them to remote Trinacria's isle, To guard their father's oxen and his sheep. " If thou wilt leave these flocks inviolate, 165 344 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XII. And turn thy thoughts to nought but home return, Ye all may reach your Ithaca again; Though on the way much ill ye may endure: But if thou spoil the flocks, I prophesy Destruction to thy comrades and thy ship: 170 And if thou 'scape thyself, thy home return Will be delayed, and with disaster fraught, And thy companions all will be destroyed.' "She spoke, the dawn shone from her golden throne; Then through the isle the goddess bent her way 175 And left me there: while I my footsteps turned Towards my ship, and stirred my comrades up To go on board, and cast the hawsers off; They went on board and sat upon the thwarts, And beat the grey salt water with their oars. 180 Circe, dread goddess of the waving locks, And voice melodious, sent us a fair breeze; A good companion, which swelled out our sails, Following the wake of the dark-beaked ship: On board of her we made the tackle fast 185 And lay down at our ease; while favoring gale And steersman kept her steady to her course: BoOK XII. THE ODYSSEY. 345 Then with sad heart my comrades I addressed: "'It is not just that one or two of you, My comrades dear, and only those should know, 190 The fate which Circe has foretold to me; But I will tell you all, that not unwarned, We may face death, or shun our threatened doom; And first she warns us how we may escape The spell bewitching of the Sirens' voice, 195 And shun the flowery mead in which they dwell: She says that I alone may hear their voice; But ye must bind me fast, with straitest bonds, And lash me standing upright to the mast, So that I cannot stir; if I entreat, 200 And lay command on you to set me free, Then bind me faster yet, with yet more cords.' "As thus I told them what we had to do, Our gallant ship, sped by the favoring gale, Approached without delay the Sirens' isle: 205 Then fell the breeze, there was a breathless calm; Some spirit stilled and lulled the waves to rest: My crew jumped up in haste to furl the sails, And lowered them in the hold; and with the oars 346 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XII. Of well-shaped fir, the wave they churned to foam. 210 Then from a cake of beeswax I cut off A portion with my sword; and with strong hands I kneaded it, and soon it soft became, And yielded to my strength, and to the rays Of the bright Sun-god, from Hyperion sprung; 215 With this I stopped up my companions' ears: Then in the ship they bound me hand and foot And lashed me standing upright to the mast, While with the oars they beat the hoary sea. "And when we speeding swiftly neared the isle, And were no farther distant from the shore 221 Than a loud shout could reach; the gliding ship Could not pass by the Sirens unobserved As she approached they raised their clear sweet song: "'Ulysses, famous Chief, thy galley stay, 225 Thou glory of the Greeks, and turn aside, That thou may'st listen to our tuneful lay: For ne'er in black-hulled ship did mortal glide Close to our haunt across the heaving tide, But fain must yield to the delicious spell 230 BooK XII. THE OIDYSSEY. 347 Of our sweet melody, and list to all we tell: "'Gleaning wise lore from lips melodious; For all ye suffered by the gods' decree, Ye Greeks and Trojans, is well known to us; The woes ye suffered, and the misery, 235 On Troy's wide plain we know as well as ye; All things we know, and all things we can tell That hap on fruitful earth; so yield ye to our spell.' "These words they uttered from their beauteous lips, And more I longed to hear; and making signs 240 I urged my comrades to release my bonds: But they bent forward stoutly to their oars; And Perimedes, and Eurylochus, Got up and bound me faster, with more cords. "W When we had passed them by, and we no more Could hear the Sirens' voice and witching lay, My loved companions then removed the wax With which I stopped their ears, and loosed my bonds. " And when we left the island far behind We saw smoke rise above the swelling wave, 250 348 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XII. And a terrific noise smote on our ears: The oars dropped from my comrades' trembling hands, The blades fell splashing dragged against the tide; Stood still the ship; for now no more the men Strained with their arms upon the tapering oar: 255 I rushed along the decks to rouse my crew, To each of them I spoke with cheering words: "'Comrades, are we untrained to peril now? No greater danger threatens us, than when The Cyclops shut us in his vaulted cave, 260 With savage violence; but e'en from thence, Thanks to my valour, foresight, and address, We 'scaped; and we may live to talk of this; Pay strict attention now to my commands: Ye oarsmen keep your seats, and with your oars 265 Strike deep the broken water; Jove may grant That e'en this danger we may yet escape; And to thee steersman, these are my commands, And heed them carefully: for with thy hands Thou dost direct the helm of our stout ship: 270 To all the smoke and broken water there Give a wide berth; but do thou hug those rocks: BOOK XII. THE ODYSSEY. 349 If from this course thou swerve in heedlessness On wreck and ruin thou wilt cast us all.' "I spoke, they quickly my commands obeyed: 275 I dared not mention Scylla to them then, That hopeless terror; lest in utter fear My crew should drop their oars, and skulk below. Then Circe's mandate, not to arm myself Which vexed me sorely, I could not obey; 280 I went below and donned my rattling mail; And with two massive javelins in my hand, I took my post upon the foremost deck, Close by the prow: there first I hoped to see Scylla, the fearful dweller of the rock, 285 Who to my comrades would destruction bring. But nothing could I see; although my eyes I wearied, gazing at the gloomy cliff. "We steered in sadness through the narrow gorge; On this side Scylla; on the other hand 290 The weird Charybdis in her vortex dire Whirled down the water of the salt sea flood; When she belched forth, the seething water boiled As in a cauldron on a glowing fire; 350 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XII. The foam rose high in air, and fell in showers 295 E'en on the topmost peaks on either hand: And when she sucked the water down again, The seething vortex boiled, and all around The rocks resounded; the abyss disclosed The bottom of the sea, and dark brown sand 300 Beneath; my comrades all were pale with fear. All eyes were turned towards this peril nigh, When Scylla pounced upon us; from my ship Six of my crew she seized and bore away, The strongest and the bravest of them all: 305 As inboard on my crew I turned my eyes I saw them in mid air, with hands and feet They vainly struggled in her fearful clutch, And shrieked my name in their last agony. "Thus stands the fisher on the jutting crag, 310 And with his tapering rod throws forth the bait Into the water, the small fish to snare; His quivering prey he jerks back to the shore: Thus they went quivering upwards in her grasp, And she devoured them in the cavern's mouth; 315 Shrieking and stretching forth their hands to me THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XII. 351 In their dread torture; the most rueful sight That e'er my eyes were fated to behold In all my wanderings over the salt sea. "' When dread Charybdis, Scylla, and the rocks, 320 And all these dangers we had left behind, To the god's lovely island we drew near. There were the oxen with broad stately brows, There browsed the many flocks of goodly sheep, Of the Hyperion Sun-god: o'er the sea 325 I heard the oxen lowing in their stalls, And the sheep bleating: then I called to mind What the blind Seer Tiresias had said, And what ZAean Circe had foretold; How they had warned me strictly to avoid 330 The island of the ever genial sun: With anxious mind my comrades I addressed: 'Hearken to me, companions of my woes, That I may tell you what Tiresias And what IEvean Circe have foretold: 335 How they have warned me strictly to avoid The island of the ever gladsome sun; Since a most dreadful ill awaits us there. 352 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XII. So past the island row our black hulled ship.' "These words I said, their heart within them sank; With moody speech Eurylochus replied: 341 'Ulysses, thou art harsh, thy strength and nerve Are more than man's; thy limbs know not fatigue; Compact of iron are thy frame and will: Thy comrades, worn with toil and sleeplessness, 345 Thou wilt not suffer to put foot on shore: And here upon this sea-girt isle at hand We might prepare our comfortable meal! But no! thou drivest us to wander on Through all the wretched night; and from the isle To turn our course toward the stormy sea, 351 At night; when stormy winds, the bane of ships, Are all abroad; and how could we escape If suddenly a tempest fall on us From South or gusty West? those fatal winds, 355 Which wreck the ships spite of the gods themselves. Let us obey the best of dusky night, And beach our ship, and take our meal by her; And with the dawn launch o'er the mighty deep.' " Thus spoke Eurylochus, his comrades all 360 BoOR XII. THE ODYSSEY. 353 Approved his speech; and I began to see That fate had yet more woes in store for us; Then I addressed them with these winged words: 'Eurylochus, ye force me now to yield, Since ye are many, and I stand alone; 365 But swear now all of you a mighty oath, If herds of oxen, and vast flocks of sheep, We hap to find, that none of you will dare With sacrilegious wickedness to slay Or ox or sheep; but that ye will content 370 To eat the food which Circe gave to us.' "I spoke, they took the oath as I required: When they had sworn with all solemnity, Within a land-locked cave we brought the ship, Fresh water near; my comrades went on shore, 375 And busily prepared the evening meal. When we with food and drink were satisfied, We then bethought us of our comrades dear, And wept for them whom from our gallant ship Scylla had torn, and cruelly devoured; 380 And gentle sleep fell on us while we wept. "When the third watch was come; and when the stars 2 A 354 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XII. Were sliding down the sky, almighty Jove, Who sits among the thunder clouds, stirred up In a fierce hurricane the stormy wind; 385 Shrouded in driving mist the earth and heaven And from the heavens night sent sweeping down. And when the rosy-fingered dawn arose, Born of the prime; we made our ship secure And dragged her underneath an arched cave; 390 There are the haunted cells where dance the nymphs. Then thus I spoke to my assembled crew: ' Dear friends, we have enough to eat and drink On board our gallant ship; these flocks and herds Let us not touch, lest evil fall on us; 395 They are the oxen and the goodly sheep Of the dread Sun-god, the omniscient, Who sees all things on earth, and all things hears.' "I spoke, their minds were swayed by what I said: For a whole month the South wind blustered still, 400 Without a lull; there was no change of wind, Except a veering from the South to East. "' As long as they had food and ruddy wine, Boos XII. THE ODYSSEY..355 They spared the oxen, and had due regard For life and safety; but when all the store 405 Of victuals which the ship contained was gone, They strayed about the isle in sore distress Hunting for game, for fish or feathered fowl, Whatever came to hand; and captured them With curved hooks; hunger their entrails gnawed. 410 I went a lonely path to supplicate The gods; that one would deign to be my guide. When from my comrades I had quite withdrawn, \Nhere I could find a shelter from the wind, I bathed my hands in water, and I prayed 415 To all the gods who in Olympus dwell: And they sweet sleep upon my eyelids strewed. While I was absent thus, Eurylochus This evil counsel to my comrades gave: 'Hearken to me, companions in distress, 420 To wretched mortals, death in all its shapes Must miserable be; but worst of all Is death by hunger's lengthened agony; Therefore the choicest heifers let us seize Of all the Sun-god's herds; and slay and eat, 425 2 A 2 356 THE ODYSSEY. BooK XII. And sacrifice them to the gods above: And if we reach our own dear Ithaca, Our native land, on our arrival there A splendid temple we will consecrate To the Hyperion Sun-god; beautified 430 With many sacred offerings rich and rare. If for his oxen with high branching horns He be so vexed that he destroy our ship, And all the gods allow his wrath full sway; So let it be; and let me die at once, 4>5 And rather perish choking in the wave, Than die by inches in this desert isle.' "Thus spoke Eurylochus, they all approved: The choicest heifers of the Sun-god's herds They drove towards the ship with beaked prow; 440 For nigh at hand the beauteous oxen grazed, Of trailing hoof, and broad and stately brow. They stood around them praying to the gods And from the lofty crested oak they plucked The tender leaves; for in the gallant ship 445 No barley of the golden grain was left. When they had prayed, the heifers then they slew BOOK XII. THE ODYSSEY. 357 And flayed them; and the haunches they cut off, And these with fat were covered twice; thereon The slices from the limbs were duly laid. 450 They had no wine for the burnt sacrifice, Therefore with water they libations made, And on the roasted entrails sprinkled it; Soon as the haunches they had duly burnt, And tasted the choice morsels, all the rest 455 They cut in portions small, and pierced with spits. "Then gentle slumber from my eyelids fled; Along the margin of the sea in haste I bent my steps; as I approached the ship, Which to the oar stroke swings to either hand, 460 The savoury odour of the sacrifice Was wafted towards me in the air; I groaned And cried with passion to the immortal gods: "'O father Jove, and all ye other gods Who live in bliss; why have ye lulled me off 465 For my destruction in that fatal sleep, While my companions whom I left, alas! Have consummated this dread sacrilege?' "Lampetia, with robes behind her flying, 358 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XII. To the Hyperion Sun-god swiftly went, 470 To tell him how we had his oxen slain; In anger the immortals he addressed: "' O father Jove, and all ye other gods Who dwell in endless bliss, your vengeance bring On the companions of Laertes' son; 475 Who in their reckless disregard of me, Have slain my oxen; in which I rejoiced When I ascended to the starry heaven, And when from heaven I turned to earth again: If for my oxen ye will not inflict 480 A retribution just, I will descend To Hades' realms, and shine among the dead.' "Then Jove who piles the thunder clouds replied: "' Still on the Immortals shed thy beams, O Sun, And light the joyous earth for mortal men; 485 Soon will I with my flashing thunderbolt Shiver their bark to splinters in mid sea.' "The fair Calypso with the waving locks Related this to me; which she had heard Herself from Hermes, the immortal Guide. 490 "And when I reached the ship by the sea shore, BooK XII. THE ODYSSEY. 359 My comrades blamed each other bitterly: Past remedy it was, the beasts were slain. On these the gods showed forth their prodigies; The flayed hides crawled about; and on the spits 495 The flesh began to low; the roast and raw Gave forth a voice as from a living ox. "Six days my comrades held their feast: and ate The choicest heifers of the Sun-god's herds. But when great Jove, son of the Ancient one, 500 Brought round the seventh day, the wind was lulled, And ceased to scour the seas with its fierce breath. We launched upon the bosom of the deep, And raised the mast, and spread the snow-white sails. But when we left the isle, and saw no more 505 The land, but nothing save the sea and sky; Then Saturn's son raised up a lurid cloud, Which hung above our hollow bark; below The sea grew dark with its portentous shade. Not long the ship ran on her course, for soon 510 A howling storm came rushing from the West: Both the fore-stays were snapped by its fierce blast; Back fell the mast; its rigging and its gear 360 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XII. Were tumbled inll the hold; and in its fall It struck the steersman on the after deck 515 Full in the head, and battered in his skull; And like a diver overboard he fell Headlong; his spirit left its mortal frame. Then Jove let loose his thunder; with his bolt He smote our bark; which reeled beneath the stroke Of Jove's dread levin-brand; with sulphurous fume 521 She reeked, my comrades overboard were hurled, Like sea-birds floating on the heaving waves They swain around the black hull of the ship; The god snatched from us hope of home return. 525 "I paced the middle deck, till from the sides The billow ripped the keel, and swept it off Shorn of its timbers, and away from it The mast was torn adrift; on the masthead Still hung the back-stay, made of leathern hide; 5830 With this I lashed together keel and mast, And on this raft was borne by the fierce storms. Then soon the West wind stayed its fiery breath; The North arose, and with it dread for me, Lest I should drift back to Charybdis' isle. 535 BooK XII. THE ODYSSEY. 361 "All night I drifted; with the rising sun, I came close under Scylla's rock again, And fell Charybdis; which engulphed the waves: As the gulph yawned beneath me, I sprang up And seized the lofty fig-tree; to its boughs 5410 I clung as would a bat; nor could I find Hold for my feet, or swing myself aloft: Deep were the roots below from which it grew, And the long mighty boughs hung out of reach, And o'er Charybdis stretched their shadowy arms. 545 I clung with desperation, yet with hope, That mast and keel might be hurled forth again: And as I waited hoping, they appeared At last; a weary while it seemed to me, As to a hungry judge his supper time, 550 Who all day long has sat deciding suits: So long it seemed to me, until again The timbers from Charybdis floated up. With hand and foot I hastily swung down. And with a plunge dropped down beside the spars, 555 And scrambling on them paddled with my hands; The father of the gods and men vouchsafed 362 THE ODYSSEY. BOOK XII. That Scylla should not see me; otherwise From sheer destruction I had ne'er escaped. "During nine days I floated on the deep;.560 On the tenth night the gods cast me on shore Upon Ogygia's island; the abode Where dwells Calypso of the locks so fair; The mighty goddess with melodious voice. She tenderly received and cherished me 565 With loving care; but why repeat my tale? For in thy palace only yesterday I told all this to thee and thy fair spouse; 'Tis irksome to repeat a once told tale." LON)DON: lPiNTEl);Y WILLI.AM CTLOWES AND SONS, STAMFORI STIREET, AN]) (CIARING CROSS,