THE 
 
 ODYSSEY 
 
 OF 
 
 HOMER, 
 
 TRANSLATED INTO 
 
 ENGLISH BLANK VERSE 
 
 BT THE LATE 
 
 WILLIAM COWPER, Esg. 
 SDfje ^econu CDDifion, 
 
 With copious Alterations and NoteSt 
 PREPARED FOR THE PRESS BY THE TRANSLATOR, 
 
 AND NOW PUBLISHED WITH A PREFACE 
 BY HIS KINSMAN, 
 
 J. JOHNSON, LL.B. 
 
 CHAPLAIN TO THE BISHOP OF PETERBOROUGH. 
 
 Tad^E can Vocfsad of*o»«, ota oe twk avruv di). — EPICHARMUS. 
 
 VOL. I. 
 
 LONDON: 
 
 PRINTED 
 
 FOR J. JOHNSON, ST. PAU-'^'s CHURCH YARD, 
 BT BUNMET AND COLD, SHOE I.ANE» 
 
 1802.
 
 - 
 
 \,^ 
 
 
 -/- ' 
 
 
 \ ;: 
 
 TO 
 
 THE 
 
 ^S5 
 
 RIGHT HONOURABLE 
 
 COUNTESS DOWAGER SPENCER, 
 
 THE FOLLOWING 
 
 TRANSLATION OF THE ODYSSEY, 
 
 A POEM THAT EXHIBITS, 
 
 IN THE CHARACTER OF ITS HEROINE, 
 
 AN EXAMPLE 
 
 OF ALL DOMESTIC VIRTUE, 
 
 IS WITH EQUAL PROPRIETY AND RESPECT 
 
 INSCRIBED 
 
 BY HER ladyship's 
 
 MOST DEVOTED SERVANT, 
 
 THE AUTHOR. 
 
 >8 C^f^
 
 THE 
 
 ODYSSEY OF HOMER. 
 
 TRANSLATED INTO 
 
 ENGLISH BLANK VERSE.
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FIRST BOOK. 
 
 In a Council of the Gods, Minerva calls their attention to Ulyffeij 
 ftill a wanderer. They refolve to grant him a fafe return to Ithaca. 
 Minerva defcends to encourage Telemachus, and in the form of 
 Mentes direfts him in what manner to proceed. Throughout this 
 book the extravagance and profligacy of the fuitors are occafionally 
 fuggefted*
 
 ODYSSEY. 
 
 BOOK I. 
 
 JVI USE make the man thy theme, for flircwdnefs famed 
 
 And genius verfatile ; who far and wide 
 
 A Wand'rer, after Ilium overthrown, * 
 
 Difcover'd various cities, and the mind 
 
 And manners learn'd of men in lands remote. 
 
 He num'rous woes, on Ocean tofs-'d, endured. 
 
 Anxious to favehimfelf, and to condu6l 
 
 His followers to their home ; yet all his care 
 
 Prcferved them not ; they periifh'd felf-deftroy'd 
 
 By their own fault ; infatuate ! -who devoured 
 
 The oxen of the all-o'erfeeing Sun, 
 
 And, punifh'd for that crime, return'd no more. 
 
 Daughter divine of Jove, thefe things record, 
 
 As it may pleafe thee, even in our ears. 
 
 The reft, all thofc who had perdition 'fcaped 
 By war or on the Deep, dwelt now at home ; 
 Him only, of his country and his wife 
 Alike defirous, in her hollow grot 
 
 VOL. in, B Calypfo,
 
 2 ODYSSEY I. 19—40. 
 
 Calypfo, beauteous GoddelS' fllll detained 
 Wooing him to her arms ; and, when at length. 
 Year rolling after year, the feafon came 
 That fhould reftore him, by the will of heav'n. 
 To his loved Ithaca, (nor even there, 
 Friends only fhould he meet, but many a foe) 
 Then all the PowVs above with pity view'd 
 , His num'rous toils, fave Neptune ; He alone. 
 With ceafelefs rage purfuing him, withheld 
 
 Godlike UlyfTes from his native fhores. 
 
 But Neptune, now, the ^Ethiopians fought, 
 
 (The Ethiopians, utmofl of mankind, 
 ^ Thefe Eaftward .fituate, thofe toward the Weft) 
 
 CaU'd to an hecatomb of bulls and lambs*. 
 
 There fitting, plcas'd he banquetted ; the Gods 
 
 In Jove's abode, mean-time, aflembled all, 
 
 'Midft whom the Sire of heav'n and earth began. 
 
 For he recalFd to mind vEgifthus flain 
 
 By Agamemnon's celebrated fon 
 
 Oreftcs, and retracing in his thought 
 
 That dread event, the Immortals thus addrcfs'd. 
 How rafh are Human-kind ! who charge on Us 
 
 * The .-Ethiopians, according to Diodorus Sic :, are faiJ to have 
 been the firft of the human race who celebrated the worfhip of the 
 Gods, from whom they recrived, in recompenfe of their devotions, 
 an immunity from conqueft by the Kings their neighbours. 
 
 Their
 
 ODYSSEY 1; 41—57. *. 
 
 Their TufF 'rings, far more truly the refult 
 
 Of their own folly, than of our decrees *. 
 
 So now ^Egifthus, under no conftraint 
 
 Of Defliny, hath ta'en Atridcs' wife 
 
 To his own bed, and him at his return 
 
 Hath foully flain, though not unwarn'd by Us 
 
 That he would furely perifh ; for we fent 
 
 The watchful Argicidc, who bade him fear 
 
 Alike, to flay the King, or woo the Queen ; 
 
 For that Atrides* fon Orefles, foon 
 
 As grown mature, and eager to alTume 
 
 The fway in Argos, fhould avenge the deed. 
 
 So Hermes fpake, but his advice moved not 
 
 ^gifthus, on whofe head the whole arrear 
 
 Of vengeance heap'd, at laft, hath therefore fall'n ^. 
 
 To whom Minerva, Goddefs azure-eyed. 
 Oh Jove, Saturnian Sire, o'er all fupreme ! 
 
 * Chryfippus, as quoted by Gellius, inveighs with much reafon- 
 able indignation againft thofe profligate .and audacious perfons, 
 who, to excufe a flavifh obedience to tiicir lufts, have recourfe to the 
 plea of Fatality, afcribing all their wickednefs, not to their own 
 impious rafhnefs, the proper and true fource of it, but to the will 
 of heaven.— Homer however, as he obferves, the wifcft as well as 
 the molt antient of the poets, was the iirft alfo to cenfure this egre- 
 gious folly. — C. 
 
 t -Argus, the fon of Areftor, was called the vo>,v6iA.[A.xToi xvuv or 
 dog luith many eyes, on account of the vigilance with which he 
 guarded lo the daughter of Inachus ; but Mercury, by command of 
 Jupiter flew him, and was thence entitled the Argicide, — B; 
 
 B 2 And
 
 4 ODYSSEY I. 58-83. 
 
 And well he merited the death he found ; 
 
 So perifh all who ihall, like him, offend. 
 
 But with a bofom anguifh-rent I view 
 
 UlyfTeSj haplefs Chief! who from his friends 
 
 Remote, affliction hath long time endured 
 
 In yonder wood-land ifle, the central bofs 
 
 Of Ocean. That retreat a Goddcfs holds. 
 
 Daughter of fapicnt Atlas, who the abyfs 
 
 Knows to its bottom, and the pillars high 
 
 Himfelf upbears which fep'ratc earth from heav'n. 
 
 His daughter, there, the forrowing Chief detains. 
 
 And ever with fmooth fpeech iniidious feeks 
 
 To wean his heart from Ithaca ; mean-time 
 
 Ulyfles, happy might he but behold 
 
 The fmokc afccnding from his native land, 
 
 Death covets. Canft thou not, Olympian Jove ! 
 
 At laft relent ? Hath not Ulyfles oft 
 
 With vi6iims flain amid Achaia's fleet 
 
 Thee gratified while yet at Troy he fought ? 
 
 How, therefore, hath he thus incenfcd thee, Jove ? 
 
 To whom the Sov'rcign of the realms of air. 
 What words, my daughter, have efcaped thy lips ? 
 Can I forget Ulyfles ? Him forget 
 So noble, who in wifdom all mankind 
 Excels, and who hath facrificcd fo oft 
 To us whofe dwelling is the boundlefs heav'n ? 
 
 Earth-
 
 ODYSSEY I. 84—199. 5 
 
 Earth-circling Neptune — He it is whofe wrath 
 
 Purfues him ceafelefs for the Cyclops' fake 
 
 Whom he hath blinded, Polyphcme the valt. 
 
 In flrength fuperiour to his giant kind. 
 
 For Him the fea-nymph, Phorcys' daughter, bore, 
 
 Thoofa, by the Sov'reign of the waves 
 
 Impregnated in caverns of the Deep. 
 
 E'er lince that day, the Shaker of the fhorcs. 
 
 Although he flay him not, yet devious drives 
 
 Ulyfles from his native ifle afar. 
 
 But come — devife we, now, with one confent 
 
 His lafe return, both means and profp'rous end ; 
 
 So Neptune fliall his wrath remit, whofe pow'r 
 
 In conteft with the force of all the Gods 
 
 Kxerted fingle, can but ftrlvc in vain. 
 
 To whom Minerva, Goddefs azure-eyed. 
 Oh Jupiter ! above all Kings enthroned ! 
 If the Immortals ever-bleft ordain 
 That wife Ulyfles to his home return, 
 Difpatch we then Hermes the Argicide, 
 Our mefTenger, to fair Ogygia's ifle, 
 Who fhall inform Calypfo, nymph divine. 
 Of this our purpofe, that Ulyfles, long 
 A fufF'rer, feek, at length, his home again, 
 Myfelf will hence to Ithaca, mean-time. 
 His for) to animate, and with new force 
 
 B 3 Infpire
 
 6 ODYSSEY I. iie-125. 
 
 Infpire him, that (the Greecians all convened 
 In council,) he, at once, may bid depart 
 The fiiitors from his home, who, day by day. 
 His num'rous flocks and fatted herds confumc. 
 And I will fend him thence to Sparta forth, 
 And into fandy Pylus, there to hear 
 (If hear he may) fome tidings of his Sire, 
 And to procure himfelf a glorious name. 
 
 This faid, her golden fandals to her feci 
 She bound, ambrofial, which o'er all the earth 
 And o'er the moill flood waft her fleet as air ; 
 Then, feizing her brafs-pointed fpear robufl:. 
 In length and bulk and weight a matchlefs beam. 
 With which the Jove-born Goddefs levels ranks 
 Of Heroes againft whom her anger burns, 
 From the Olympian fummit down fhe flew 
 To Ithaca*, where, in the veftibule 
 And on the threflnold of Ulyfl^es' hall 
 Grafping her brazen fpear flie flood, in form 
 The hero Mcntcs % hofpitable Chief 
 
 * Trv) y 'ifia'xrj In A«//w — The word a7,[a.ci; is here faid by the 
 Scholiaft to be a proper name, and the name of the place in Ithaca 
 where flood ihe palace of Ulyfles. — B. & C. But Barnes accounts 
 thib interpretation of it an idle dream, for which reafon I have not 
 Ettrnded to it in the tranflation. 
 
 + We aic told that Homer was under obligations to Mentes, who 
 had frequently given him a paflage in his fhip to different countries 
 which he wilhcd to fee, for which reafon he has here immortalized 
 him.
 
 ODYSSEY I. 130— !53. y 
 
 Of Taphos' Ifle * — fhe found the haughty throng 
 The fuitors ; they before the palace gate 
 Sported with iv'ry cubes, recHned on hides 
 Of num'rous oxen which themfelves had (lain. 
 The heralds and the bufy menials there 
 Minifter'd to them ; thefe their mantling cups 
 With water flaked ; with bibulous fponges thofe 
 Made clean the tables, fet the banquet on. 
 And portion'd out to each his plenteous fhare. 
 Long ere the reft Telemachus himfelf 
 Mark'd her, for fad amid them all he fat, 
 Pourtraying in deep thought contemplative 
 His noble Sire, and queftioning if yet 
 Perchance the Hero might return to chafe 
 From all his palace that imperious herd^ 
 To his own honour lord of his own home. 
 Thus mufing there, he fuddenly perceived 
 The Goddefs, and fprang forth, for he abhorr'd 
 To fee a gueft's admittance long delay 'd ; 
 Approaching eager, her right hand he feized. 
 The brazen fpear took from her, and in words 
 With welcome wing'd Minerva thus addrcfs'd. 
 
 Stranger ! Thou (halt be welcome ; ent'ring, fliare 
 The banquet, firftj then tell me thy defire. 
 
 * Taphos was one of the Echinades. iflands of the Ionian fea, 
 and was inhabited by the Telebceans. — B. & C. 
 
 B 4 So
 
 8 ODYSSEY I. 154-177. 
 
 So faying, toward the fpacioiis hall he move(J 
 Follow'd by Pallas, and, arriving foon 
 Beneath the lofty roof, placed her bright fpear 
 Within a pillar's cavity, long time 
 The armoury where many a fpear had (lood. 
 Bright weapons of his own illuftrious Sire. 
 Then, leading her toward a footflool'd throne 
 Magnificent, which firfl he overfpread 
 With linen, there he feated her, apart 
 From that rude throng, and for himfclf difpofed 
 A throne of various colours at her fide ; 
 Lefl^, fi:unn'd with clamour of the lawlcfsband, 
 His guefl fliould fuffer pain, and that himfelf 
 Might afk him tidings of his abfent Sire. 
 And now a maiden charg'd with golden ew'r 
 And with an argent laver, pouring firfl 
 Pure water on their hands, fupplied them, next. 
 With a refplcndent table, which the chafle 
 Dircclrefs of the houfehold heap'd with bread 
 And dainties, remnants of the laft regale. 
 Then, in his turn, the fewer* with fav'ry meats 
 Served them, of delicate and various kinds, 
 And golden cups befide the chargers placed, 
 Which the attendant herald lill'd with wine. 
 
 * Milton ufcs the word — 
 
 ■ — ' " -— Sewers and fenefchals. 
 
 Ere-
 
 ODYSSEY I. 17^-203. g 
 
 Erelong, in rufh'd the fuitors, and the thrones 
 
 And couches occupied, on all whofe hands 
 
 The heralds pourM pure water ; then the maids 
 
 Attended them with bread in baikets heap'd. 
 
 And eager they afTail'd the ready feaft. 
 
 At length, when neither thirfl: nor hunger more 
 
 They felt unfatisfied, to new delights 
 
 Their thoughts they turn'd, to fong and fprightly dance, 
 
 Enliv^ening fequel of the banquet's joys. 
 
 An herald, then, to Phemius' hand confignM 
 
 His beauteous lyre ; he through conftraint regaled 
 
 The fuitors with his fong, and while the chords 
 
 He ftruck in prelude to his pleafant ftrains, 
 
 Tclemachus, in accents whifper'd clofe 
 
 To Pallas ear, the Goddefs thus addrefs'd. 
 
 My inmate and my friend ! far from my lips 
 Be ev'ry word that might difpleafe thine ear ! 
 Song and the fprightly lyre may well engage 
 Thefe wanton feeders at another's cofl, 
 Whofe bones lie weather-bleach' d, we know not where. 
 On foreign ground, or rolling in the Deep. 
 Ah [ could they fee him once to his own ifle 
 Reftored, both gold and raiment they would wifh 
 Far lefs, and nimblenefs of foot inftead. 
 But He, alas ! hath by a wretched fate 
 Paft queftion periih'd, and what news foe'er 
 
 Wc
 
 lO ODYSSEY I. 204-224. 
 
 We hear of his return, no comfort breeds 
 
 In lis, convinced that he returns no more. 
 
 But anfwer undifrcmbling ; tell me true ; 
 
 Who art thou? whence? where Hands thy city? where 
 
 Thy father's manfion ? In what kind of ihip 
 
 Cam'fl thou ? Why fteer'd the mariners their courfe 
 
 To Ithaca, and of what land are they ? 
 
 For that on foot thou found'ft us not, is fure. 
 
 This alfo tell me, hall thou now arrived 
 
 New to our ifle, or waft thou heretofore 
 
 My father's gueft ? Since many to our houfe 
 
 Reforted in thofe happier days, for he 
 
 Drew irrefiftibly the hearts of all. 
 
 Then thus the Goddefs of the azure eyes. 
 I will with all ftmplicity of truth 
 Thy queftions fatisfy*. Behold in me 
 Mcntcs, the offspring of a Chief renown'd 
 In war, Anchialus ; and I rule, myfelf. 
 The Taphians, mariners expert and bold. 
 This day we here arrived, myfelf and crew. 
 Seeking a people of another tongue 
 
 * M<z'x' dr^ixi-jii; — Pallas promifes in thefe emphaticai words tha* 
 fhe will tell him tlie truth, yet begins with a fidion. The promife 
 therefore is iinderftood by fomc to have reference only to the afl'urance 
 file gives him that his father is Hill alive. But others interpret the 
 words here noted as fignifyir-^ no more than circumjianlially. — C. 
 
 Athwarl
 
 ODYSSEY I. 225—246. 1 1 
 
 Athwart the gloomy flood. In queft of brafs 
 
 For which I barter fleel, ploughing the waves 
 
 To Temefa *. My fhip beneath the woods 
 
 Of INeius, at yonder field that fkirts 
 
 Your city, in the haven Rhethrus rides. 
 
 We are hereditary guefts; our Sires 
 
 Were friends long fince ; as, when thou feefl him next. 
 
 The Hero old Laertes will avouch. 
 
 Of whom, I learn, that he frequents no more 
 
 The city now, but in fcquefter'd fcenes 
 
 Dwells forrowful, and by an antient dame 
 
 Oft as flrength fails him, while he creeps and toils 
 
 Among his vines, with food and drink fupplied. 
 
 But I have come drawn hither by report 
 
 Which fpake thy Sire arrived, though flill it feems 
 
 The adverfe Gods his homeward courfe retard. 
 
 For not yet breathlefs lies the noble Chief, 
 
 But in fome ifland of the boundlefs flood 
 
 Refldes a prifoner, by barbarous force 
 
 Of fome rude race detained relu6lant there. 
 
 And I will now forefhow thee what the Gods 
 
 Teach me, and what, though neither augur fkill'd 
 
 * Temefa was, according to fome, a city of Cyprus, but others 
 find it in Italy. — B. & C. Strabo obferves of this lall, that if in 
 Homer's time it was famous for workers in brafs, it has fince ceafed 
 to be fo. — C. 
 
 Nor
 
 12 ODYSSEY I. 247—264. 
 
 Nor prophet, I yet trufi: fliall come to pafs. 
 He iliall not, henceforth, live an exile long 
 From his own fhores ; no, not although in bands 
 Of iron held, but will erelong contrive 
 His own return ; for in expedients, framed 
 With wond'rous ingenuity, he abounds. 
 But tell me true ; art thou, in Itature fuch, 
 Son of himfelf UlylTes ? for thy face 
 And fparkling eyes feem plainly to befpeak 
 UlylTes in thee ; for delights like thefe, 
 "With Him converting, I have oft enjoy'd. 
 Ere yet, with many a gallant Greecian more 
 He fail'd to Troy. But never have I, lince, 
 UlyfTes fcen, nor hath Ulyfles, me. 
 
 To whom Telemachus, difcrete, replied. 
 Stranger 1 The truth is this. My mother Him 
 Affirms my father, and the mother's voice 
 That queftion can, alone, with truth decide *. 
 
 * Euftathius obferves that the legitimacy of a birth Is beft known 
 to the mother; and Ariftotle is of the fame opinion, who cites the 
 cafe of a woman named Peparethia, whofe oath in a difpute at law 
 concerning the legitimacy of her child, was accepted as deciftve. 
 Telemachus therefore does not mean to impeach his mother's chaflity, 
 but merely to affirm his ignorance on a point which (he alone was 
 qualified to determine. — C. 
 
 Among us the child is always given by the Law to him to whom 
 the mother fwears it. 
 
 Would
 
 ODYSSEY I. 263—285. I^ 
 
 Would 1 were offspring of fome happier Sire, 
 Ordain'd in calm pofleffion of his own 
 To reach the verge of life. But now, alas ! 
 I am the rumour'd offspring of a man 
 Of all mankind unhappiefl. Thy demand 
 Was fimplc truth ; thus therefore I reply. 
 
 Then anfwer blue-eyed Pallas thus return'd. 
 From no ignoble race, in future days, 
 The Gods fhall prove thee fprung, whom fo endow'd 
 With ev'ry grace Penelope hath borne. 
 But tell me true.. What feftival is this ? 
 Thisthrong — whence are they ? whereforehaft thouneed 
 Of fuch a multitude ? Behold I here 
 A banquet, or a nuptial feaft ? for thefe ^ 
 
 Meet not by contribution * to regale. 
 With fuch brutality and din they hold 
 Their riotous banquet I a wife man and good 
 Arriving, now, among them, at the fight 
 -Of fuch enormities would much be wroth. 
 
 To whom repHed Telemachus difcrete. 
 Since, flranger ! thou haft afic'd, learn alfo this. 
 
 * "Epavoc, a convivial meeting, at which every man paid his pro- 
 portion, at leail contributed fomething ; — B. Sc C. but it feems to 
 have been a meeting at which ftrift fobriety was obferved, clfe 
 Pallas would not have inferred from thenoife and riot of this, that 
 it was not fuch a one. ' • 
 
 While
 
 l4 O D Y S S E Y I. 2S6-3o:J. ' ' 
 
 While yet UlyfTes with his people dwelt. 
 
 His prcfence warranted the hope that here 
 
 Virtue thonld dwell and opulence ; but heav*n 
 
 Hath cad for us, at length, a difF'rent lot. 
 
 And he is loft, as never man before. 
 
 For I ihould lefs lament his death itfelf, 
 
 Had he among his friends at Ilium faU'n, 
 
 Or in the arms of his companions died, 
 
 Troy's fiege accomplifhM. Then his tomb the Greeks 
 
 Of ev'ry tribe had built, and he had won 
 
 A never-dying name for me ; but now. 
 
 By harpies torn inglorious, beyond reach 
 
 Of eye or ear he lies ; and hath to me 
 
 Grief only, and unceafing fighs bequeathed*. 
 
 Nor mourn I for his fake alone ; the Gods 
 
 Have plann'd for me ftill many a woe befide ; 
 
 For all the rulers of the neighbour ifles, 
 
 Samos, Dulichium, and the foreft-crown'd 
 
 * The Harpies and their place of habita.ion are mentioned by 
 Virgil.— -/En. 3. 1. 210. 
 
 The Strophadts are ifles of Greeclan name 
 Amid the wide Ionian Deep, pofTcfsi'd 
 By dire Celsno and her Harpy brood ; 
 Nor ever, through the anger of the Gods, 
 Emerged a fouler, feller pelt from Hell. 
 The birds have virgin looks, but they annoy 
 The fcent with filthieit ordure ; talons arm 
 Their hands, and famine paicb their ghalUy cheeks. 
 
 Zacynthus,
 
 ODYSSEY I. 334-32;. I^ 
 
 Zacynthus, others alfo, rulers here 
 
 In craggy Ithaca, my mother feek 
 
 In marriage, and my hoiifehold ftores confume. 
 
 But (he nor zdll accept, nor can difmifs 
 
 Their hated fuit, and They, mean-time, devour 
 
 My fubftance, who, myfelf, muft perifh foon. 
 
 To whonj, with deep commiferation pang'd, 
 Pallas replied. Alas ! great need haft thou 
 Of thy long abfent father to avenge 
 Thefe num'rous wrongs ; for could he now appear 
 There, at yon portal, arm'd with helmet, Ihield, 
 And grafping his two fpears, fuch as when firft 
 I faw him drinking joyous at our board. 
 From Ilus Ton of Mermeris, who dwelt 
 In diftant Ephyre*, jufl then return'd, 
 (For thither alfo had Ulyfles gone 
 In his fwift bark, feeking fome pois'nous drug 
 Wherewith to taint his brazen arrows keen ^, 
 Which drug through fear of the eternal Gods 
 Ilus refufed, but readily my Sire 
 Gave to him, for he lov'd him pafl belief) 
 Could now, UlyiTes, clad in arms as then, 
 
 * Ephyre has been already noticed in the firft volume of the Iliad 
 as a city of Thefprotia ; but the Ephyre mentioned by Homer both 
 there and here was probably Elis. 
 
 f The poet, it is obferved, prepares us to fee the fuitors die by a 
 fingle wound of thefe arrows. — B. & G, 
 
 1 Mix
 
 l6 ODYSSEY I. 326—348. 
 
 Mix with thefe fuitors, fhort his date of life. 
 
 To each, and bitter Ihould his nuptials prove. 
 
 But whether, fafe rcftored, he (hall avenge. 
 
 In his own houfe, his wrongs, or whether not, 
 
 Refts, for decition, with the Gods alone. 
 
 Mean-time I counfel thee, thyfelf to think 
 
 By what means likeliefi: thou flialt expel 
 
 Thefe from thy doors. Now mark me : clofe attend. 
 
 To morrow, fummoning the Greecian Chiefs 
 
 To council, fpeak to them, and call the Gods 
 
 To witnefs that folemnity. Bid go 
 
 The fuitors hence, each to his own abode. 
 
 And if thy mother's choice be ftrongly bent 
 
 To marriage, let her to the houle return 
 
 Of her own potent fither, who, himfelf. 
 
 Shall furnifh forth her matrimonial rites. 
 
 And ample dow'r, fuch as it well becomes 
 
 A darling daughter to receive, bcftow. 
 
 But hear me now ; thyfelf I thus advife. 
 
 The prime of all thy fliips preparing, mann*d 
 
 With twenty rowers, voyage hence to leek 
 
 Intelligence of thy long-abfent Sire. 
 
 Some mortal may inform thee, or a word *, 
 
 * "Oacu — a word fpoken, with refpeft to the fpeaker, cafually ; 
 but with reference to the inquirer fuppofed to be fent for his infor- 
 mation by the efpecial appointment and providential favour of the 
 God&. 
 
 Perchance
 
 ODYSSEY i. 349-374. l7> 
 
 I'erchance, by Jove direcSled (fafeft fource 
 
 Of notice to mankind) may reach thine ear. 
 
 Firfl voyaging to Pylus, there enquire 
 
 Of noble Neftor ; thence to Sparta tend, 
 
 To qiieftion Menelaus, lafl: arrived 
 
 Of all the Greecians ; and, if there thou learn 
 
 That ftill thy father lives, and hope obtain 
 
 Of his return, then, fufFer as thou may'ft, 
 
 With patience wait his coming, yet a year. 
 
 But fhould'ft thou learn his death, then, feek again 
 
 Thy native fhores, and, having heap'd his tomb, 
 
 And with due pomp his fun'ral rites perform'd. 
 
 Make thou thy mother^s fpoufals, next, thy care. 
 
 Thefe duties fatisfied, dclib'ratc laft 
 
 Whether thou fhalt thefe troublers of thy houfe 
 
 By ftratagem, or by afTault, dcftroy. 
 
 For thou art now no child, nor may'fl purfue 
 
 The fports of children longer. Has the deed 
 
 Of brave Orcftes never rcach'd thine car. 
 
 Whom all mankind extol ? For he hath flain 
 
 yEgifthus, fly contriver of the death 
 
 Of Agamemnon, his illuftrious fire. 
 
 And Thou, my youthful friend, whofe form robuft 
 
 And f; '■• proportions with delight I view. 
 
 Be Thou brave alfo, that renown like His 
 
 Thou may'fl acquire with ages yet to come. 
 
 VOL. I. c But
 
 j8 O D Y S S E Y I. 375-400. 
 
 But I will to my vefTel now repair. 
 
 And to my mariners, whom, abfent long, 
 
 I may perchance have troubled. Weigh thou well 
 
 My counfel ; let not my advice be loft. 
 
 To whom Telemachus difcrete replied. 
 Stranger ! thy words befpeak thee much my friend. 
 Who, as a father teaches his own fon, 
 Haft taught me what I never will forget. 
 But, though in hafte thy voyage to purfue. 
 Yet ftay, that in the bath refrefhing firft 
 Thy limbs now weary, thou may'ft fprightlier feck 
 Thy gallant bark, charged with fome noble gift 
 Of finifh'd workmandiip, which thou fhalt keep 
 As my memorial ever ; fuch a boon 
 As men confer on guefts whom much they love. 
 
 Then thus Minerva, Goddefs azure-eyed. 
 Retard me not, for go I muft ; the gift 
 Which lib'ral thou delireft to beftow 
 Give me at my return, that I may bear 
 The treafure home ; and, in exchange, thyfelf 
 Expe6l fome gift equivalent from mc. 
 
 She fpake, and as with eagle-wings upborne, 
 Vanifh'd incontinent, but him infpired 
 With daring fortitude, and on his heart 
 Dearer remembrance of his Sire imprefs'd 
 Than ever. Confcious of the mighty change. 
 
 Amazed
 
 ODYSSEY I. 431—426, IQ 
 
 Amazed he flood, and, in his fecret thought 
 Revolving all, believed his guefi: a God. 
 The youthful Hero to the fuitors then 
 Repair'd ; they filent, liften'd to the fong 
 Of the illuftrious Bard ; he the return 
 Deplorable of the Achaian hoft 
 From Ilium bv command of Pallas, fano;. t 
 Penelope, Icarius' daughter, mark'd 
 Mean-time the fong celeftial, where fhe fat 
 In the fuperiour palace ; down iTie came, 
 By all the num'rous fteps of her abode ; 
 Not fole, for two fair handmaids follow'd her. 
 She then, divineft of her fex, arrived 
 In prefencc of that lawlefs throng, beneath 
 The portal of her flately manfion flood. 
 Between her maidens, with her lucid veil 
 Her lovely features mantling. There, profufe 
 She wept, and thus the facred bard befpake. 
 
 Phemius ! for many a forrow-foothing flrain 
 Thou knowTt befide, fuch as exploits record 
 Of Gods and men, the poet's frequent theme ; 
 Give them of thofe a fong, and let themfelves 
 Their wine drink noifelefs ; but this mournful flrain 
 Break off, unfriendly to my bofom's peace. 
 And which of all hearts neareft touches mine. 
 With fuch regret my dearell Lord I mourn, 
 
 c 2 Rememb'ring
 
 20 O D Y S S 'E Y I. 427—446. 
 
 Rememb'ring ftill an hufband praifed from fide 
 To fide, and in the very heart of Greece. 
 
 Then anfvver thus Telemachus return'd. 
 My mother ! leave the tuneful bard unblamed 
 To his own choice. No bard, himfelf, creates 
 The woes of which he fings, but Jove fupplies 
 Each, at hi^ pleafure, with a mournful theme ; 
 And He records Achaia's haplcfs doom 
 Thus fweetly, with good caufe ; for newefi: fi:rains 
 Moft take the lill'ning ear. Of all who fought 
 At Troy, Ulyfles hath not loft, alone. 
 His day of glad return ; but many a Chief 
 Hath perifh'd alfo. Seek thou then again 
 Thy own apartment, fpindle ply and loom. 
 And tafk thy maidens ; management belongs 
 To men of joys convivial, and of men 
 Efpecially to me, chief ruler here*. 
 
 She heard aftonifh'd ; and the prudent fpecch . 
 Repofing of her fon deep in her heart. 
 Again with her attendant maidens fought 
 
 * This part of tlie fpeech of Telemachus has been rejefled by 
 feme critics who contend that xvhatever propriety it may have 
 whgn addrefled by Heflor to Andromache, it has not the fame when 
 addreffed by a fon to his mother. But Telemachus probably ufcs 
 it, not as a reproof to her, but that the fuitors hearing it, may infer 
 from it his determined purpofe to take the management of his fa- 
 mily henceforth into his own hands. To be mafter, in fliort, for the 
 time to come, and a child no longer. — B. 
 
 Her
 
 ODYSSEY I. 447—471. 2 1 
 
 Her upper chamber. There arrived, (he wept 
 Her loft UlyfTes, till Minerva bathed 
 Her weary lids in dewy fleep profound. 
 Then echoed through the gloomy vaults of all 
 The lofty roof, the fuitors' boift'rous roar, 
 For each was hot to (hare the royal bed. 
 Whom thus Telemachus difcnete addrefs'd. 
 
 All ye my mother's fuitors, though addi6l 
 To contumacious wrangling fierce, fufpend 
 Your clamour ; for a courfe to me it feems 
 More decent far, when fuch a bard as this. 
 Godlike for fweetnefs, fmgs, to hear his fong. 
 To morrow meet we in full council all, 
 That I may plainly warn you to depart 
 From this our manfion. Seek ye where ye may 
 Your fcafts ; confume your own, alternate fed 
 Each at the other's coft^ ; but if it fcem 
 Wifelt in your account and beft, to eat 
 Voracious thus the patrimonial goods 
 Of one man, rend'ring no account of all *, 
 Bite to the roots ; but know that I will cry 
 Ceafelefs to the eternal Gods, in hope 
 That Jove, for retribution of the wrong, 
 Shall doom you, where ye have intruded, there 
 To bleed, and of your blood afk no account*. 
 
 * There is in the Original an evident ftrefs laid on the word 
 N»'7r:»vo!, which is ufed in both places. It was a fort of Lex I'alu 
 
 c 3 V. .
 
 22 ODYSSEY I. 472—494. 
 
 He ended, and each gnaw'd his lip, aghaft 
 At his undaunted hardinefs of fpeech. 
 
 Then thus Antinoiis fpake, Enpithcs' fon. 
 Telemachus ! the Gods, methinks, themfelves 
 Teach thee fubhmity, and to pronounce 
 Thy matter fearlefs. Ah forbid it, Jove ! 
 That one fo eloquent fhould with the weight 
 Of kingly cares in Ithaca be charged, 
 A realm, by claim hereditary, thine. 
 
 Then prudent thus Telemachus replied. 
 Although my fpeech, Antinoiis, may, perchance. 
 Provoke thee, know that I am not averfe 
 From kingly cares, if Jove appoint me fuch. 
 Seems it to thee a burthen to be fear'd 
 By men above all others ? truft me, no. 
 There is no ill in royalty j the man 
 So flation'd, waits not long ere he obtain 
 Riches and honour. But I grant that Kings 
 Of the Achaians may no few be found 
 In fca-girt Ithaca both young and old. 
 Of whom fincc great Ulyifcs is no more. 
 Reign whofo may ; but King, myfelf, I am 
 In my own houfc, and over all my own 
 
 which Telemachus hoped might be put in force againft them ; and 
 that Jove would dc'mand no f.iti-ifadion for the lives of thofe, who 
 made Idm none for the vvalle of his property, 
 
 Domeflics.
 
 ODYSSEY I. 495—520. 2 ^ 
 
 Domeftics, by UlyfTes gained for me. 
 
 To whom Eurymachus replied, the Ton 
 Of Polybus. What Greecian Chief fhall reign 
 In fea.-girt Ithaca, mull be referr'd 
 To the Gods' will, Telemachus ! mean-time 
 UlyfTes' rich poffclTions and his hoiife 
 Are doubtlefs thine, and thou art fov'reign here. 
 May never that man on her fliores arrive. 
 While an inhabitant fhall yet be left 
 In Ithaca, who fhall by violence wreft 
 Thine from thee. But permit me, noble Sir ! 
 To alk thee of thy gueft. Whence came the man ? 
 What country claims him ? Where are to be found 
 His kindred and his patrimonial fields ? 
 Brings he glad tidings of thy Sire's approach 
 Homeward ? or came he to receive a debt 
 Due to himfelf ? How fwift he difappear'd ! 
 Nor opportunity to know him gave 
 To thofe who wifh'd it ; for his face and air 
 Him fpeak not of Plebeian birth obfcure. 
 
 Whom anfwer'd thus Telemachus difcrete. 
 Eurymachus 1 my father comes no more. 
 I can no longer credit tidings now. 
 If fuch arrive ; nor heed I more the fong 
 Of footh-fayers whom my mother may confult. 
 But this my gueft hath known in other days 
 
 c 4 My
 
 34 ODYSSEY I. 521—546, 
 
 My father, fea-girt Taphos is his home, 
 Mentes his name, Anchialus his lire, 
 And his control the Taphian race, renown'd 
 For naval fkill, unanimous obey. 
 
 So fpake Tclemachus, but in his heart 
 Knew well his gueft a Goddefs from the Ikies. 
 Then they to dance and heart- enlivening fong 
 Turn'd joyous, waiting the approach of eve ; 
 The dulky evening found them joyous ftill. 
 When each, to his own houfe retiring, fought 
 Needful repofe. Telemachus, the while, 
 In various m tilings occupied, to reft 
 Alfo retired, in his own chamber, built 
 On the hall-roof, confpicuous from afar. 
 Sage Euryclea, bearing in each hand 
 A torch, preceded him ; her lire was Ops, 
 Pifenor's fon, and, in her early prime. 
 At his own coll Laertes made her his, 
 Paying with twenty beeves her purchafe-pricc, 
 Nor in Icfs honour than his fpotlefs wife 
 He held her ever ; but his confort's wrath 
 Fearing, at no time call'd her to his bed. 
 She bore the torches, and with truer heart 
 Loved him than any of the female train. 
 For fhe had nurs'd him in his infant years. 
 He open'd his broad chamber-valves, and fat 
 
 3 On
 
 ODYSSEY I. 547—^58. a/ 
 
 On his couch-fide ; then, putting off his vefi; 
 Of fofteft texture, placed it in the hands 
 Of the attendant dame difcrete, who firft 
 Folding it with exadleft care, befide 
 His bed fufpended it, and, going forth. 
 Drew by its filver ring the portal clofe. 
 And faften'd it with bolt and brace fecure. 
 There lay Telemachus, on fineft wool 
 Repofed, contemplating all night his courfe 
 Prcfcribed by Pallas to the Pylian fhore. 
 
 ARGU-
 
 Q,(f O D Y S S E Y II. I— lo. 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SECOND BOOK. 
 
 Telemachus having convened an alTenibly of the Greecians, pub- 
 lickly calls on the Suitors to relinquilh the houfe of Ulyffes. 
 During the continuance of the Council he has much to fuffer 
 from the petulance of the Suitors, from whom, having informed 
 them of his defign to undertake a voyage in hope to obtain 
 news of Ulyffes, he afks a fhip, with all things neceffary for 
 the purpofe. He is refufed, but is afterwards furnifhed with 
 what he wants by Minerva, in the form of Mentor. He embarks 
 in the evening without the privity of his mother, and the God- 
 defs fails with him. 
 
 B O O K II. 
 
 Aurora, rofy daughter of the dawn, 
 Now ting'd the Eaft, when, habited again, 
 Uprofe UlyfTes' offspring from his bed. 
 Athwart his back his faulchion keen he ilung. 
 His fandals bound to his unfuUicd feet. 
 And, godhke, ifTued from his chamber-door. 
 At once the clear-voiced heralds he enjoin'd 
 To call the Greeks to council ; they aloud 
 Gave forth the fummons, and the throng began. 
 When all were gather' d, and th' aflcmbly full. 
 
 He
 
 ODYSSEY II. 11—29. 27 
 
 He grafp'd his lance, and, fetting forth, repair'd, 
 Himfelf, to council ; nor alone he went. 
 But follow'd by his hounds, a faithful pair. 
 O'er all his form Minerva largely fhed 
 Majcflic grace divine, and, as he moved, 
 The gazing crowd his princely port admired. 
 The feniors gave him place, and down he fat 
 On his paternal throne. Then grave arofe 
 The Hero, old j^Egyptius ; bow'd with age 
 Was he, and by experience deep-inform'd *. 
 His fon had with Ulyfles, godlike Chief, 
 On board his fleet to diflant Ilium gone, 
 The warrior Antiphus, whom in his cave 
 The favage Cyclops flew, and on his flefh 
 At ev'ning made obfcene his lafl: regale. 
 Three fons he had befidc, a fuitor one, 
 Eurynomus ; whofe brothers, day by day. 
 Both ferv'd their antient father in his fields. 
 Yet he forgat not, father as he was 
 
 * Euftathius remarks k as a fymptom that the poet himfelf was 
 alfo an orator, and knew how difficult a young man mufl find it to 
 open a debate by fpeaking firft in the prefence of more experienced 
 perfons, that he configns that part of the bufinefs to ^gyptius, a 
 fpeaker of long practice, who by interrogating the affembly gives 
 Telemachus an opportunity to ar.fwer ; an eafier talk than to intro- 
 duce the fubjeft with nothing to lead to it. The young prince has 
 the fame advantage afforded him in the third book, where Neflor 
 prepares the way for hioi by an enquiry concerning the caufe of 
 his voya2e. — C. 
 
 Of
 
 28 O D Y S S E Y 11. 33-5?, 
 
 or tJiefe, his abfent eldeft, whom be moum'd 
 Ceafelefs, and tbos his fpeech, with tears, began. 
 
 Hear me, ye men of Ithaca, my friends ! 
 Nor council here nor feffion hath been held 
 Since great Ulyfles left his native fhore. 
 Who now convenes us ? what cfpecial need 
 Hath urged him, whether of our youth he be. 
 Or of our fenators by age matured } 
 Have tidings reach'd him of our holt's return, 
 Which here he would divulge r or brings he aught 
 Of publick import on a diff 'rent theme r 
 I deem him, vi-hofoe'er he be, a man 
 Worthy to profper, and may Jove vouchfafe 
 A bleffing on the purpofe of his heart ! 
 
 He ended, and Tciemachus rejoiced 
 In that good omen. Ardent to begin, 
 He fat not long, but, moving to the midfi. 
 Received the fceptre from Pifenor's hand. 
 His prudent herald, and addrelling, next, 
 The hoary Chief ^^^gyptius, thus replied. 
 
 Not far remote, as thou flialt foon thyfelt 
 Perceive, oh venerable Chief ! he {lands, 
 VI' ho hath convened this council. I, am He. 
 { am in chief the fufFVer. '1 idings none 
 Of the returning hoft I have received, 
 Which here I would divulge, nor bring I aught 
 
 Of
 
 ODYSSEY II s6-8t; 29 
 
 Of publick import on a different theme, 
 
 But my own trouble, on my own houfe fairn, 
 
 And two-fold fall'n. One is, that I have loft 
 
 A noble father, who, as flithers rule 
 
 Benign their children, govern'd once yourfelves ; 
 
 The other, and the more alarming ill. 
 
 With ruin threatens my whole houfe, and all 
 
 My patrimony with immediate wafte. 
 
 Suitors, (their children who in this our iile 
 
 Hold highelt rank) importunate befiege 
 
 My mother, though defirous not to wed, 
 
 Dare not fblicit, in that caufe, her Sire 
 
 Icarius, who might give his daughter dowV, 
 
 And portion her to whom he moft approves, 
 
 (A courfe which, only named, moves their difgufi) 
 
 But rather choofe, intruding here, to flay 
 
 My fheep, and beeves, and fatted goats, and drinL 
 
 My fable wine — wafte hard to be fuftain'd. 
 
 For I have no Ulyflcs to relieve 
 
 Me and my family from this abufe, 
 
 Ourfelves are not fufficient ; we, alas ! 
 
 1 oo feeble fhould be found, and yet to learn 
 
 How bed to ufe the little force we own ; 
 
 Elfe, had I powV, I would, myfelf, rcdrefs 
 
 The evil ; for it now furpifles far 
 
 AH fufF'rance, now they ravage uncontroll'd, 
 
 -: Nor
 
 2© O D Y S S E Y II. 8a-9?. 
 
 Nor fhow of decency vouchfafeme more. 
 
 Refent, yourfelves, this outrage ; dread the blame 
 
 Which, elfe, ye mud incur from ev'ry ftate 
 
 Around us, and the anger of the Gods, 
 
 Left they impute thefe impious deeds to you '. 
 
 I, next, adjure you by Olympian Jove, 
 
 By Themis, who convenes and who diftblves 
 
 All councils ^, that ye interpofe, my friends ! 
 
 To check them, and afford to my diftrefs 
 
 A folitary and a filent home. 
 
 But if Ulyftes, my illuftrious Sire, 
 
 Hath injur'd any noble Greecian here, 
 
 Whofe wrongs ye purpofe to avenge on me. 
 
 Then, aid them openly ; for better far 
 
 Were my condition, if yourfelves confumed 
 
 My revenue ^ ; ye fhould compenfate foon 
 
 My fuff' rings at your hands ; for my complaints 
 
 * The reader is to be reminded that this is not an affembly of the 
 fuitors only, but a general one, which affords Telemachus an op- 
 portunity to apply himfelf to the feelings of the Ith:;cans at large. 
 
 f It is faid by fome to have been cullomary with the antients to 
 introduce the image of Themis into all their public affemblies, — C. 
 as the reprefentative of peace and juilice. 
 
 X The word re<vemie is very nearly a literal tranflation of the 
 original word it[iZa.c\v, which Barnes, and Clarke after him, ren- 
 der by the word pro-ventus» This feems the better fenfe of it, 
 though there are others who nnderftand it to fignify mo'veabks, efpe- 
 cially fuch things as ^xt/elf-mo'ved, flieep, oxen, &c. 
 
 4 Should
 
 ODYSSEY ir. 99— I2Z. ^f 
 
 Should roufe all Ithaca to my redrefs. 
 Nor ceafe, till I were fatisfied for all ; 
 But now, conniving at the wrong, ye pierce 
 My foul with anguifli not to be endured. 
 
 He fpake impaffion'd, and to earth caft down 
 His fceptrc, weeping. Pity at that fight 
 Seiz'd all the people ; mute the aflembly fat 
 Long time, none dared with anfwer rough to greet 
 Telemachus, till of them all, at lafl:, 
 Antinoiis, fole ariiing, thus replied, 
 
 Telemachus, intcmp'rate in harangue. 
 High-founding orator ! it is thy drift 
 To make us odious, all ; but the offence 
 Lies not with us the fuitors ; fhe alone 
 Thy mother, who in fubtlcty excels. 
 And deep-wrought fubterfuge, deferves the blame. 
 Three years entire, and, now, well nigh a fourth. 
 She hath beguiled with her delufive arts 
 The Greecians ; mcfliige after mefiage fent 
 Brings hope to each, by turns, and promlfe fair ; 
 But fhe, mean-time, far otherwife intends. 
 Her other arts exhaufled all, fhe framed 
 This flratagem ; a web of amplefl: fize 
 And fubtlefl woof beginning, thus fhe fpake *. 
 
 * The web fhe began was of the largeft dimenfions and of the 
 fineft texture, becaufe a work of that kind proceeding flowly, both 
 
 on
 
 52 O D Y S S E Y II, laj— 14^, 
 
 Princes, my fuitors ! fince the noble Chief 
 
 Ulyfles is no more, prels not as yet 
 
 My nuptials, wait till I (hall finifh, firft, 
 
 A fun'ral robe (left all my threads decay) 
 
 Which for the antient Hero I prepare, 
 
 Laertes, looking for the mournful hour 
 
 When fate (hall fnatch him to eternal reft ; 
 
 Elfe, I the cenfare dread of all my fex. 
 
 Should he, fo wealthy, want at laft a (hroud. 
 
 So fpake the Queen, and unfufpicious, we 
 
 With her requeft complied. Thenceforth, all day 
 
 She wove the ample web, and by the aid 
 
 Of torches ravell'd it again at night. 
 
 Three years by fuch contrivance the deceived 
 
 The Greeciansj but when (three whole years elaps'd) 
 
 The fourth arrived, then, confcious of the fraud, - 
 
 A damfcl of her train told all the truth. 
 
 And wc furprifcd her marring all her work. 
 
 Thus, through ncceftity flie hath, at length, 
 
 Perform'd the talk, and in her own defpitc. 
 
 Therefore, to fatlsfy not thee alone 
 
 But all men here aflcmbled, we reply. 
 
 Difmifs thy mother with a charge to wed 
 
 on account of the fize and the difficulty with which it wouid he 
 performed, the fuitora would the lefs wonder at the time it coll to 
 accomplifn it. — C, 
 
 Whom
 
 ODYSSEY IL. 146-166. 23 
 
 Whom mod Icariiis and herfelf approve. 
 
 But fhould (he ftill torment us with delay. 
 
 Studious alone to merit praife for arts 
 
 By Pallas giv'n her largely ; matchlefs fkill 
 
 To weave the fplcndid web ; fagacious thought; 
 
 And fhrewdnefs, fuch as never fame afcribed 
 
 To any beauteous Greek of antient days. 
 
 Tyro, Mycene, or Alcmena lov'd 
 
 By Jove himfelf, all whom th' accomplilli'd Queen 
 
 Tranfcends in knowledge, ignorant alone 
 
 That wooed long-time fhe (hould, at lad, be won. 
 
 Then know, that while the Gods with adverfe fway 
 
 Thus warp her judgment, ev'ry fuitor, Hill, 
 
 Shall banquet at thy cofl. A glorious name 
 
 She to herfelf infares, but equal woe 
 
 And devaftation of thy wealth to thee ; 
 
 For neither to our proper works at home 
 
 Go we, of that be fure, nor yet elfewhere. 
 
 Till him fhe wed to whom fhe moll inclines '. 
 
 Then prudent, thus, Tclemachus replied. 
 Antinoiis I to thruft the mother forth 
 
 * Some have underftood that Antllochus, in this clofe of his 
 fpeech, produced a prophecy without intending it, becaufe the 
 fuitors in faft did not depart till Ulyfles came, the only perfon of 
 her choice, and flew them. But Clarke judges, and feemingly with 
 good reafon, that the interpretation is a mere fubtlety and of no 
 ▼alue ; though Madame Dacier approves it, 
 
 VOL. I. D Who
 
 34 O D Y S S E Y II. 167-J87. 
 
 Who gave me birth and rear'd me, were a deed 
 Unnat'ral and impoffible to me. 
 Alive or dead, my Sire is far remote. 
 And fhould I, voluntary, hence difmifs 
 My mother to Icarius, I muft much 
 Refund, which hardship were and lofs to me*. 
 So doing, I fhould alfo wrath incur 
 From my offended Sire, and from the Gods 
 Still more ; for (he, departing, would invoke 
 Erynnis to avenge her, and reproach 
 Befide would follow me from all mankind. 
 That word I, therefore, never will pronounce. 
 No, if ye judge your treatment at her hands 
 Injurious to you, go ye forth yourfelves, 
 Forfake my manfion ; feck where elfe ye may 
 Your feails; confume your own ; alternate feed 
 Each at the other's coll. But if it feem 
 Wifeft in your account and befl to eat 
 Voracioufly the patrimonial goods 
 Of one man, rcnd'riug no account of all. 
 Bite (o the rods ; but know that I will cry 
 
 * Tjie coinmentators are here divided in opinion, doubting 
 whetiier Telemaclms means to lay, that//' be fends a^uay his mother 
 he muft refund her dtnicer to Icarius, or if he fends her to Icarius, he 
 mufi incur great evil. — B. & C. The words will bear either fenfe, ac- 
 cording to iheir punftuniion, but Dacier and Clarke both give the 
 preference to that ui ivliich the puflagc is here rendered. 
 
 J Ceafelefs
 
 ODYSSEY II. i88-aio. 
 
 35 
 
 Ceafelels to the eternal Gods, in hope 
 That Jove, in retribution of the wrong, 
 Shall doom you, where ye have intruded, there 
 To bleed, and, of your blood alii no account. 
 So fpake Tclemachus, and while he fpake, 
 The Thund'rer from a lofty mountain-top 
 Turn'd off two eagles ; on the winds, awhile. 
 With outfpread pinions ample tide by tide 
 They floated ; but, erelong, hov 'ring aloft, 
 Right o'er the midll: of the aflembled Chiefs 
 They wheel'd around, clang'd all theirnum'rousplumes. 
 And eyeing with a downward look the throng, 
 Death boded, ominous ; then rending each 
 The other's face and neck, they fprang at once 
 Toward the right, and darted through the town *. 
 Amazement univerfal, at that fight. 
 Seized the afTembly, and with anxious thought 
 Each fcann'd the future; amidfi: whom arofe 
 The Hero Halitherfes, antient Seer, 
 Offspring of Maftor ; for in judgment he 
 Of portents augural, and in forecaft 
 Unerring, hi? coevals all exccll'd. 
 And prudent thus the multitude befpake. 
 
 * Not the faces and necks of the fuitors, as fome have very 
 abfurdly imagined, but each others, for an unaiifvverable rcafoii 
 which the learned reader will find in Clarke. 
 
 D a Hear.
 
 36 o D y s s E y II. iu~J3i. 
 
 Hear, all ye men of Ithaca ! but hear 
 Ye Suitors chiefly, for 1 fpeak of woes 
 Tremendous, by the Gods prepared for you. 
 Ulyfles fhall not from his friends, henceforth. 
 Live abfent long, but, hading to his home. 
 Comes even now, and as he comes, defigns 
 A bloody death for thefe, whofe bitter woes 
 No few fhall (bare, inhabitants with us 
 Of plcafant Ithaca ; but let us frame 
 EfFe6lual means maturely to fupprefs 
 Their violent deeds, or rather let themfelves 
 Repentant c*eafe ; and foonelt fliall be beft. 
 Not inexpert, but well-inform'd I fpeak 
 The future, and the accomplifhment announce 
 Of all which when Ulyiics with the Greeks 
 Embark'd for Troy, I to himfelf foretold. 
 I faid that, after many woes, and lofs 
 Of all his people, in the twentieth year. 
 Unknown to all, he fhould regain his home. 
 And my predi6lion fhall be now fulfill'd. 
 
 Him, then, Eurymachus thus anfwer'd rough 
 The fon of Polybus. Hence, dotard ! Hence 
 To thy own houfe ; there prophefying, warn 
 Thy children of calamities to come. 
 Birds numVous flutter in the beams of day, 
 
 Not
 
 ODYSSEY II. 136-060. 07 
 
 "Not all predi(5live. Death, far hence remote 
 Hath found Ulyfles, and I would to heav'n 
 That, where he died, thyfelf had perith'd too. 
 Then had'ft thou not with thefe prophetic llrains 
 O'erwhelmM us, nor Telcmachus impell'd 
 Already thus incenfed, in hope to win. 
 Perchance, for thine fome favour at his hands. 
 But I to thee foretell, fkilled as thou art 
 In legends old, (nor fhall my threat be vain) 
 That if by artifice thou move to wrath 
 A younger than thyfelf, no matter whom, 
 Thou (halt but plunge him deeper, in his caufe 
 Much enterprifing, and performing nought, 
 And we will charge thyfelf with fuch a fine 
 As thou (halt pay with difficulty, and bear 
 The burthen of it with an aching heart. 
 As for Telcmachus, I him advife, 
 Myfelf, and prefs the meafure on his choice 
 Earnettly, that he fend his mother hence 
 To her own father's houfe, who fhall, himfelf. 
 Set forth her nuptial rites, and fhall endow 
 His daughter fumptuoufly, and as he ought. 
 For this expenfive wooing, as I judge. 
 Till then fhall never ceafe ; fince we regard 
 No man — no— not Telcmachus, although 
 
 D 3 In
 
 2$ O D Y S S E Y II. 2bj-2ts. 
 
 In words exub'rant ; neither fear we aught 
 
 7 hy vain prognoflics, venerable fir ! 
 
 But only hate thee for their fake the more. 
 
 Wafte will continue and diforder foul 
 
 Unremedied, fo long as fhe fhall hold 
 
 The fuitors in fufpenfe, for, day by day. 
 
 Our emulation goads us to the flrifc, 
 
 Xsor fliall we feek, departing hence, to efpoufe 
 
 Each his own confort fuitable elfewhere. 
 
 To whom, difcrete, Telemachus replied. 
 Eurymachus, and ye the fuitor train 
 Illuftrious, I have fpoken ; ye fhall hear 
 No more this fupplication urged by me. 
 The Gods, and all the Greeks, now know the truth. 
 But give me inflantly a gallant bark 
 With twenty rowers, Ikill'd their courfe to win 
 To whatfoever haven ; for I go 
 To fandy Pylus, and fhall haften thence 
 To Lacedemon, tidings to obtain 
 Of my long-abfcnt Sire, or from the lips 
 Of man, or by a word from Jove vouchfafcd 
 Himfelf, befl fource of notice to mankind. 
 If, there inform'd that f^ill my father lives 
 I hope conceive of his return, although 
 Diflrefs'd, I fhall be patient yet a year. 
 
 But
 
 ODYSSEY II. z%~iT0i 29 
 
 But fhould I haply learn that he fiirvives 
 
 No longer, then, returning, I will raifc 
 
 At home his tomb, will with fuch pomp perform 
 
 His fun'ral rites, as his great name demands, 
 
 And give my mother's hand to whom I may. 
 
 This faid, he fat, and after him arofc 
 Mentor, illullrious UlyfTes' friend, 
 To whom, embarking thence, he had confign'd 
 All his concerns, that, under his difcrete 
 And juft control, his houfehold might enjoy 
 Peace and fecurity till his return. 
 Arifing, thus the fenior, fage, began. 
 
 Hear me, ye Ithacans ! be never King 
 From this time forth, benevolent, humane 
 Or righteous, but let every fceptred hand 
 Rule mercilefs, and deal in wrong alone. 
 Since none of all his people, whom he fway'd 
 With fuch paternal gentlencfs and love, 
 Remembers the divine Ulyflcs more ! 
 That the imperious fuitors thus fhould weave 
 The web of mifchief and atrocious wrong, 
 I grudge not ; fince at hazard of their heads 
 They make Ulyfles' property a prey, 
 Perfuaded that the Hero comes no more. 
 But much the people move me ; how ye fit 
 
 D 4 All
 
 j^O O D y S S E Y II. 2ii~3J».' 
 
 All mute, and, though a crowd oppofed to fcw^ 
 Check not the fuitors with a fingle word 1 
 
 Then thus Liocritus, Evenor's Ton. 
 Injurious Mentor ! headlong orator 1 
 How dar'ft thou move the populace againft 
 The fuitors ? Trufl me they fliould find it hard. 
 Numerous as they are, to cope with us, 
 A fcaft the prize. Or (hould the King himfelf 
 Of Ithaca, returning, undertake 
 T* expel the jovial fuitors from his houfe. 
 Much as Penelope his abfence mourns, 
 His prefence fhould afford her little joy ; 
 For fighting fole with many, he fhould meet 
 A dreadful death. Thou, therefore, fpeak'ft amifs. 
 Mentor and Halytherfcs, from their youth 
 His father*s chofen friends, fhall furnifh forth 
 Telemachus ; but likelier far it feems 
 That news fhould reach him here, than that himfelf 
 In fearch of news, fliould reach the Pylian fliorc *. 
 
 Thus faying, Liocritus diflblved in halle 
 
 * The poet, it is obferved by the Scholiaft, reprefents AntinoUs 
 IS a plain and artlefs fpeaker, Eurymachus as vehement and haii^hty, 
 and Liocritus as a man of not niiiny words-, but daring^ and infolent, 
 who not only cxpreffcs himfelf contcmptuoufly when he mentions 
 Ulyffes, but breaks up the council abruptly though he had not con- 
 vened it. — B. & C. Euftathius makes, the fame obfervation.— C. 
 
 The
 
 ODYSSEY II. 331-356. 41 
 
 The council, and the fcattVed concourfe fought 
 Their fcv'ral homes, while all the fuitors flock'd 
 Xhcnce to the palace of their abfent King. 
 Mean-time, Telemachus from all refort 
 Retiring, in the furf of the gray Deep 
 Firft laved his hands, then, thus to Pallas pray'd. 
 
 O Coddefs ! who waft yefterday a gueft 
 Beneath my roof, and didft enjoin me then 
 A voyage o'er the fable Deep in queft 
 Of tidings of my long-regretted Sire ! 
 Behold 1 the Greeks, but, moft of all, the proud 
 Injurious fuitors thwart the whole defign. 
 
 Such pray'r he made j then Pallas, in the form, 
 And with the voice of Mentor, drawing nigh. 
 In accents vving'd, him kindly thus bcfpake. 
 
 Telemachus ! thou (lialt hereafter prove 
 Nor bafe, nor poor in talents. If, in truth, 
 Thou have received from heav'n thy father's force 
 Inftill'd into thee, and refemblcft him 
 In promptnefs both of adlion and of fpecch, 
 Thy voyage fhall not ufclefs be, or vain. 
 But if Penelope produced thee not 
 His fon, I hope not, then, a good effect 
 Of this defign which, ardent, thou purfueft. 
 Few fons their fathers equal ; moft appear 
 Degenerate ; but we find, though rare, fometirrKCS 
 
 A fon
 
 4^ O D f S S E Y II. 357-377. 
 
 A Ton fuperioiir even to his Sire *. 
 And fince thyfelf flialt neither bafe be found 
 .Nor fpiritlefs, nor altogether void 
 Of talents, fuch as in Ulyffes fhone, 
 I therefore hope fuccefs of thy attempt. 
 Heed not the fuitors' proje61s ; neither wife 
 Are they, nor juft, nor aught fufpeS: the doom 
 "Which now approaches them, and in one day 
 Shall overwhelm them all. No long fufpenfe 
 Shall hold thy purpofed enterprife in doubt, 
 Such help from me, of old thy father's friend. 
 Thou fhalt receive, who with a bark well-oar'd 
 Will ferve thee, and myfelf attend thee forth. 
 But hafle, join thou the fuitors, and provide. 
 In fepVate veflels ftow'd, all needful ftores. 
 Wine in thy jars, and flour, the ftrength of man. 
 In ikins clofe-feam'd. I will, mean-time, feledl 
 Such as fhall voluntary (hare thy toils. 
 In fea-girt Ithaca new fhips and old 
 Abound, and I will choofe, myfelf, for thee 
 The prime of all, which without more delay 
 
 * The fentiment is juftifieJ by the opinion of many Antients, 
 ^iius Spartlanus in his life of the Emperor SevtTus fays " It is 
 fufficiently known that hardly any great man has left a fon of much 
 merit or ufe behind him." — The fans of heroes are a nu'tfance, was pro- 
 verbial, anJDemofthcnesobrcrved \.\\aX good and 'valuable men are fo oft en 
 Jucceedcd by a race of trljlersi thai it feems the ej'e^ of fame fatality. — C.
 
 ODYSSEY II. 3T8— 4«3. 43' 
 
 We will launch out into the fpacious Deep. 
 
 So Pallas, progeny of Jove ; nor long, 
 Thus greeted by the voice divine, delay'd 
 Telemachus, but to his palace went 
 Diflrefs'd in heart. He found the fuitors there 
 Goats flaying in the hall, and fatted fwine 
 Roafting ; when with a laugh Antinoiis flew 
 To meet him, faften'd on his hand, and faid, 
 
 Telemachus, in eloquence fublimc, 
 And of a fpirit not to be controU'd ! 
 Give harbour in thy bread on no account 
 To after-grudge or enmity, but eat 
 Rather with cheerfulnefs as thou art wont. 
 And freely drink, committing all thy cares 
 To the Achaians, who fliall furnifh forth 
 A gallant fliip and chofen crew for thee. 
 That thou may'fl: hence to Pylus with all fpeed. 
 Tidings to learn of thy illuflrious Sire. 
 
 To whom Telemachus, difcrete, replied. 
 Antinoiis ! I have no heart to feafl: 
 With guefts fo infolent, nor can indulge 
 The pleafures of a mind ateafe, with you. 
 May it not well fuffice you to have ufcd 
 My noble patrimony as your own 
 While I was yet a child .'' now, grown mature, 
 And competent to underfland the fpcech 
 
 Of
 
 44 o D y s s E Y 11. 404-41J-. 
 
 Of my inftru(^ors, feeling, too, a mind 
 Within me confcious of augmented powVs, 
 I will attempt your ruin, be aflured. 
 Whether at Pylus, or continuing here. 
 I gOj indeed, (nor iliall my voyage prove 
 Of which I fpeak, a fruitlefs one) I go 
 An humble paiTenger, who neither bark 
 Kor rowers have to boaft my own, denied 
 That honour (fo ye judg'd it beft) by you. 
 
 He faid, and from Antinoiis* hand his own 
 Drew foftly. Then their delicate repaft 
 The bufy fuitors on all fides prepared, 
 Still taunting as they toil'd, and with fliarp fpeech 
 Sarcailic wantoning, of whom a youth. 
 Arrogant as his fellows, thus began. 
 
 Our doom is fixt, and we mull all be ilaiii. 
 Either Telemachus will aids procure 
 From fandy Pylus, or will briifig them arm*d 
 From Sparta ; fuch is his tremendous drift. 
 Even to fruitful Ephyrc, perchance, 
 He will proceed, fccking fome baneful herb 
 Which call into our cup, fliall drug us all *. 
 
 * It is as plain in the original as in the tranflation that the fuitors 
 fpeak Ironically, though the Scholiall, much to the aftonifhment of 
 Clarice, underftands them as exprcfling ferious apprehenfions that 
 Telemachus has framed fome fuch projeft. It is indeed hardly pof- 
 fible not to remark with how much labour the commentators fome- 
 limes mifinterprct, efpecially when the true fenfe u obvious.
 
 ODYSSEY II. 426—4^1. 4^ 
 
 Another, in his turn, thus feoff 'd aloud. 
 Who knows but that himfelf, while far remote 
 From all his friends, he roams the dreary Deep, 
 May perifh like Ulyfles ? Whence to us 
 Should double toil enfuc, on whom the charge 
 To parcel out his wealth would then devolve, 
 And to endow his mother with the houfc 
 For his abode whom fhe fhould chance to wed. 
 
 So fported they ; but he, afcending, fought 
 His father's chamber, where his brafs and gold 
 And raiment in capacious chefts he kept. 
 And oils of fragrant fcent, a copious (lore. 
 There many a calk with feafon'd nectar fill'd 
 The grape's pure juice divine, befide the wall 
 Stood waiting, orderly arranged, the hour 
 (Should e'er fuch hour arrive) when, after woes 
 Num'rous, Ulyfles fhould regain his home. 
 Secure that chamber was with folding doors 
 Of mafl)' planks compact, and, night and day. 
 Within it antient Euryclea dwelt. 
 Guardian difcrete of all the trcafures there, 
 Whom, thither call'd, Telemachus addrefs'd. 
 
 Nurfe 1 draw me forth fweet wine into my jars, 
 Delicious next to that which thou referv'lt 
 For our poor wand'rer ; if efcaping death 
 At lad, divine Ulyfles e'er return. 
 
 4 Fill
 
 46 O D Y S S E Y II. 4sa— 472. 
 
 Fill twelve, and flop them clofe ; pour alfo meal 
 Weil-mill'd (full twenty meafurcs) into fldns 
 Clofc-fcam'd, and mention what thou dofl to none *. 
 Place them together ; for at even-tide 
 Soon as the Queen, retiring to her couch 
 Shall feek repofe, I will bcfiow them all 
 On board a bark ; for to the Pylian fhore 
 And Spartan, there to gather, if I may. 
 Some hopes that ftill Ulytfes lives, I go. 
 
 He ended, and in accents fhrill that fpokc 
 Her tender fears, his gentle nurfe exclaim'd. 
 
 My child ! ah, wherefore hath a thought fo radi 
 Poflcfs'd thee ? whither, only and belov'd, 
 Seek'fl thou to ramble, travelling, alas I 
 To diftant climes ? UlyfTes is no more ; 
 Dead lies the Hero in fomc land unknown. 
 And thou no fooner (halt depart, than thefe 
 Will plot to flay thee, and divide thy wealth. 
 No, Itay with us who love thee. Need is none 
 That thou niould'tl on the barren Deep diftrefs 
 Encounter, roaming without hope or end "•■. 
 
 * The SciioliaO; tells us that the Antlents kept their flour in flt'ns 
 and not in facks, which were a fubfcquent invention, and applied 
 the word meafure both to wet and dry. — B.&C. 
 
 + She fpeaki of the death of Ulyffes as a certainty, the more 
 cfTcAuaily to deter Tclemachus from his voyage, though it is plain 
 that the did not in reality confider it as fuch, fince flie kept for him 
 with fo much care the very bell of all the wines entruiled to her.— C»
 
 O D Y S S E Y H. 473-491. 47 
 
 Whom, prudent, thus anfwer'd Telemachus. 
 Take courage, nurfe ! ^for not without confent 
 Of the Immortals I have thus refolved. 
 But fwear, that till eleven days be paft, 
 Or twelve, or, till enquiry made, the learn 
 Herfelf my going, thou wilt nought impart 
 Of this my purpose to my mother's ear. 
 Left all her beauties fade by grief impair'd. 
 
 He ended, and the antient matron fwore 
 Solemnly by the Gods ; which done, fhe lill'd 
 With wine the veflels and the fkins with meal. 
 And he, returning, join'd the throng below*. 
 
 Then Pallas, Goddefs azure-eyed, her thoughts 
 Elfewhere dire<il:ing, all the city ranged 
 In femblance of Telemachus, each man 
 Exhorting, at the dufk of eve, to fcek 
 The gallant (hip, and from Noemon, fon 
 Renown'd of Phronius, aik'd, herfelf, a bark. 
 Which foon as alk'd, he promis'd to fupply ^. 
 
 Now 
 
 * The v;o\<\fivear ferves us for oaths of both kinds, both nega- 
 tive and affirmative ; bat the Greeks had words to dilHnguifh them ; 
 Ino^svvai fignitying to fwear that a ihingJIfalJ be donet avt^w^cu, tljal 
 xijhall not. — C. The latter is the word ufedhere. 
 
 f Both liuftathius and the Scholiaft uiidcrlland here a fecret 
 tneaning, and coniiJer the exhortations given by Minerva in the 
 form of Telemachus, as an allegorical way ©f faying, that the 
 Ithacans being much imprefi'ed and affeded with the remembrance 
 
 of
 
 48 O D Y S S E Y n. ^i-itu 
 
 Now Tet the fun, and twilight dimm'd the ways. 
 When, drawing down his bark into the Deep, 
 He gave her all her furniture, oars, arms 
 And tackle, fuch as well-built galleys bear. 
 Then moorM her in the bottom of the bay. 
 Mean-time, his mariners in hafte repair'd 
 Down to the (bore, for Pallas urged them on. 
 And now, on other purpofes intent. 
 The Goddefs fought the palace, where with dews 
 Of flumber drenching ev'ry fuitor's eye, 
 She fooFd the drunkard multitude, and dafh'd 
 The goblets from their idle hands away. 
 They through the city reeled, all glad to leave 
 The dull caroufal, when the flumbVous iveight 
 Oppreffive on their eyelids once had faH'n. 
 Next, Pallas azure-eyed in Mentor's form 
 And with the voice of Mentor, fummoning 
 Telemachus abroad, him thus befpake. 
 
 Telemachus ! already at their oars 
 Sit all thy fellow-voyagers, and wait 
 Thy coming ; linger not, but hafic away. 
 
 of what had pafled in council, fecming ftill to have the figure of Te- 
 lemachus before their eyes, and convinced that he had required only 
 what was rcafonable and juft, though they accounted it too dan- 
 gerous an enterprife to engage publickly on his fide, had yet no un- 
 v/illingncfs to accommodate him with a (hip, or even to fornifli him 
 from amonjr themfelvcs with mariners. — B. f-: C. 
 
 This
 
 ODYSSEY II. JIJ-S3?. 49 
 
 This faid, Minerva led him thence, whom he 
 With nimble fteps piirfued, and, on the ihore 
 Arrived, found all his mariners prepared. 
 Whom thus the princely voyager addrefsM. 
 
 Hafte ye, my friends ! and from the palace bring 
 The flores, which all {land ready ; but the Queen 
 Of this my purpofed voyage nothing knows, 
 Nor the Queen's women aught, fave One alone. 
 
 He fpake, and led them ; they, obedient, brought 
 All down, and, as Ulyfles' fon enjoin 'd. 
 Within the gallant bark the charge bellow'd. 
 
 Then, led by Pallas, went the prince on board. 
 Where down they fat, the Goddefs in the ftern, 
 And at her fide Telemachus. The crew 
 Call loofe the hawfers, and, embarking, fiU'd 
 The benches. Blue-eyed Pallas from the Weft 
 Call'd forth propitious breezes ; frefli they curled 
 The fable Deep, and, founding, fvvept the waves. 
 He loud-exhorting them, his people bade 
 Hand, brilk, the tackle ; they, obedient, reared 
 The pine-tree maft, which in its focket deep 
 They lodg'd, then flrain'd the cordage, and with thongs 
 Well-twifted, drew the fhining fall aloft. 
 A land-breeze fill'd the canvas, and the flood 
 Roar'd as fhe went againft the fteady bark 
 That ran with even courfe her liquid way, 
 
 VOL. in. 'e The
 
 go O D Y S S E Y II. 539-544. 
 
 The rigging, thus, of all the galley {et, 
 
 Their beakers crowning high with wine, they hail'd 
 
 The ever-living Gods, but above all 
 
 Minerva, daughter azure-eyed of Jove. 
 
 Thus, all night long the galley, and till dawn 
 
 Had brighten'd into day, cleaved fwift the flood *. 
 
 * Scaliger comparing the two lines of Homer 
 
 tx^riaiv avffAof [jt,iCTov jriov* afA^i oe x.v(jua, 
 
 with the following two of Virgil 
 
 Tendunt vela Noti; fugimus fpumantlbus undls 
 Qua curfum ventufque gubernatorque vocabant, 
 
 Is enraptured with the laft of Virgil's, and for the fake cf it gives 
 him the preference. But, as Clarke juftly obferves, the learned 
 Critick forgot himfelf a little, for the line that charms him to fuch 
 a degree is almoft a literal verfion of a line found in the eleventh 
 book of the OdyfTey. 
 
 ARGU-
 
 ODYSSEY III. 1-7. ^l 
 
 AR GUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 THIRD BOOK. 
 
 Telemachus arriving at Pylus, enquires of Neftor concerning 
 UlyfTes. Neftor relates to him all that he knows or has heard 
 of the Greecians fince their departure from Troy, but not being 
 able to give him any fatisfadlory account of UiyfTes, refers him 
 to Menelaus. At evening Minerva quits Telemachus, but dif- 
 covers herfclf in going. Neilor facrifices to the Goddefs, and 
 the folemnity ended) Telemachus fets forth for Sparta in one of 
 Neftor's chariots, and accompanied by Neftor's fon Pififtratus. 
 
 BOOK III. 
 
 1 HE fun, emerging from the lucid waves, 
 Afcended now the brazen vault with light 
 For the inhabitants of earth and heav'n, 
 When in their bark at Pylus they arrived. 
 City of Neleus, On the (hore they found 
 The people facrificing ; bulls they flew 
 Black, without fpot, to Neptune azure-hair'd *. 
 
 * On the fouthern fide of Pylus ftood a town called Lepreos, at 
 the dlftance of forty fcadia from the fea. In the midway between 
 Lepreos and Annios Hood the temple of Samian Nepiune, diftant an 
 hundred ftadia from each. At tliat temple it was that Telemachus 
 found the Pylians perfarraing facrifice.— C. 
 
 E 2 On
 
 52 ODYSSEY III. 8-2S. 
 
 On ranges nine of feats they fat ; each range 
 Received five hundred, and to each they made 
 Allotment equal of nine fable bulls*. 
 The feaft was now begun ; thefe tafting^ fat 
 The entrails, thofe flood ofFring to the God 
 The thighs, his portion, when the Ithacans 
 Pufli'd right afhore, and, furling clofe the fails. 
 And making fail their moorings, difembark'd. 
 Forth came Telemachus by Pallas led. 
 Whom thus the Goddefs azure-eyed addrefs'd. 
 
 Telemachus ! there is no longer room 
 For bafhful fear, fince thou haft crofs'd the flood 
 With purpofe to enquire what land conceals 
 Thy father, and what fate hath followed him. 
 Advance at once to the equeftrian Chief 
 Neftor, within whofe bofom lies, perhaps. 
 Advice well worthy of thy fearch ; entreat 
 An anfvver at his lips fincere and true, 
 Who will not lye, for he is pafling wife. 
 
 To whom Telemachus difcrete replied. 
 Ah Mentor ! how can I advance, how greet 
 
 * In Pylns were nine citicj^ and each city had a feat or bench 
 appropriated to it. — B. Sc C. 
 
 f They are faid to t^Jfe them only, becaufe they were a great 
 multitude, and the entrails would not afford more than a laile for 
 each.— C. 
 
 A
 
 ODYSSEY III. 29-55. 53 
 
 A Chief like him, unpra6lisM as I am 
 
 In manag'd phrafe ? Shame bids the youth beware 
 
 How he accolls the man of many years. 
 
 But thus the blue-eyed Goddefs in return. 
 Telemachus ! Thou wilt, in part, thyfelf 
 Fit fpeech devife, and heav'n will give the rell : 
 For thou waft neither born, nor haft been train'd 
 To manhood, under unpropitious Pow'rs. 
 
 So faying, Minerva led him thence, whom he 
 With nimble fteps attending, foon arrived 
 Among the multitude. There Neftor fat. 
 And Neftor's fons, while, bufily the feaft 
 Tending, his num'rous followers roaftcd, fome. 
 The viands, fome, transfix'd them with the fpits. 
 They feeing guefts arrived, together all 
 Advanced, and, grafping courteoufly their hands. 
 Invited them to fit ; but firft, the fon 
 Of Neftor, young Piftftratus, approach'd. 
 Who, faft'ning on the hands of both, befide 
 The banquet placed them, where the beach was fpread 
 With fleeces, and where Thrafymedes fat 
 His brother, and the hoary Chief his Sire^ 
 To each, a portion of the inner parts 
 He gave, then fiU'd a golden cup with wine, 
 Whicbj tafted firft, he to the daughter bore 
 
 E 3 Of
 
 ^4- ODYSSEY III. 54-72. 
 
 Of Jove the ThundVer, and her thus befpake. 
 Now, Granger ! worfhip Neptune ; for the feafi:. 
 
 As it hath chanced, which ye arrive to fhare 
 
 Is facred to the Sov'reign of the waves ; 
 
 Libation therefore, firft, thyfclf perform. 
 
 And fupplication, as thy duty bids, 
 
 Then give the goblet of delicious wine 
 
 To this thy fellow- voyager, that He 
 
 Pour forth libation alfo ; for I deem 
 
 Him wont to pray ; fince all of ev'ry land 
 
 Need fuccour from the Gods. But he is young; 
 
 Coeval with my felf; and, for that caufe, 
 
 I fhall prefent the goblet firft to Thee. 
 
 He ceas'd, and to her hand confign'd the cup, 
 
 Which Pallas gladly from a youth received 
 
 So jufl and wife, who to herfelf had firft 
 
 The golden cup prefented *. Then fhe pray'd. 
 
 And thus the Sov'reign of the Seas adored. 
 Hear, earth-encircler Neptune ! O vouchfafe 
 
 * Plutarch obferves that Minerva rejoices in Pififtratus neither 
 becaufc he is rich, nor becaufe he is beautiful, nor becaufe he is 
 ftrong, but becaufe he is prudent and judicious. The fame joy is 
 exprefled in the Pythian Oracle cited by Barnes. 
 
 Ejo'E^/aiv di ^foToT? ydvviA.cn roaovf ocaov 'C\vi/,'rr0^ — C» 
 Heav'n is not more my joy, than pious men. 
 
 To
 
 ODYSSEY III. 73-96. rC 
 
 To US thy fuppllants the deflred efFedl 
 
 Of this our voyage ; glory, firfl, beftow 
 
 On Neflor and his offspring both, then grant 
 
 To all the Pylians fuch a gracious boon 
 
 As fhall requite their noble off 'ring well. 
 
 Grant alfo to Telemachus and me 
 
 To voyage hence, poflefs'd of what we fought 
 
 When hither in our fable bark we came. 
 
 So Pallas pray'd, and her own pray'r herfclf 
 Accomplifh'd. To Telemachus fhe gave 
 The fplendid goblet next, and in his turn 
 His pray'r Ulyfles' offspring alfo made. 
 And now (the banquet from the fpits withdrawn) 
 They, next, diftributed fufficient fhare 
 To each, and all were fumptuoufly regaled. 
 At length (both hunger fatisfied and thirft) 
 Thus Neftor, the Gerenian Chief, began. 
 
 Now with more feemlinefs we may enquire. 
 
 After repaft, what guefls we have received. 
 
 Our guefts ! who are ye ? Whence have ye the waves 
 
 Plough'd hither ? Come ye to tranfa6l concerns 
 
 Commercial, or at random roam the Deep 
 
 Like pirates, who with mifchief charged and woe 
 
 To foreign States, oft hazard life themfelves * ? 
 
 Him 
 
 * The Antients, it is obferved by the Scholiafl:, accounted piracy no 
 
 dilhonourable occupation.— B.&C. And Thucydides fays. The Gree- 
 
 f E 4. cians
 
 ^6 ODYSSEY III. 97-iir. 
 
 Him anfwer'd, bolder now, but fllU difcretc, 
 Telemachns. For Pallas had his heart 
 With manly courage arm'd, that he might afk 
 From Neilor tidings of his abfent Sire, 
 And win, himfelf, diftin6lion and renown. 
 
 Oh Neftor, Neleus' fon, glory of Greece ! 
 Thou alkeft whence we are. I tell thee whence. 
 From Ithaca, by the umbrageous woods 
 Of Neritus o'erhung, by private need. 
 Not publick, urged, we come. Defire to learn 
 The mighty deeds of my illuftrious Sire 
 UlyfTes, if I may, me prompted forth ; 
 For Fame reports him, by thy prudent aid, 
 Long fincethe conqu'ror of imperial Troy. 
 Full well we know, where all befides, who fought 
 
 cians forrrerly, and the Barbarians alfo, as well tliofe who inhabited 
 the fhores oi the continent as the iflanders, foon as they became fuffi- 
 ciently flcilled in navigation to pafs over to each other, inclined to 
 piracy, and were conduced in their expeditions of that fort by the 
 principal men of their country, animated by a defire to enrich them- 
 felves and to procure fulknance for the weaker. They invaded the 
 inhabitants of unwalled cities and villages, and plundered them, and 
 fubfifted chiefly by fuch adls of rapine, accounting them by no means 
 difgraceful, but rather honourable. To this very day there are 
 fome who dwell on the continent of the fame opinion ; and in the 
 works of the anticnt poets mariners are univerfally afked — if they 
 are pirates ? the enquirer accouniing it no uncivil queftion, and the 
 anfwerer never refeniing it. — C. 
 
 At
 
 ODYSSEY III. 1IS-13N 57 
 
 At Ilium, found a miferable end. 
 
 But of UlyfTes' fate Saturnian Jove 
 
 Denies us knowledge ; for enquiry gains 
 
 No clear report from any, where He died. 
 
 If on the continent in battle llain. 
 
 Or overwhelm'd by billows of the Deep. 
 
 Now, therefore, whether thou beheld' ft, thyfelf, 
 
 Ulyfles' death, or at fome wand'rer's lips 
 
 Haft learn'd it, fuppliant at thy knees I beg 
 
 The fad recital ; for no common woes 
 
 Were his allotted portion from the womb. 
 
 Neither through pity, or o'erftrain'd refpe(5l 
 
 Flatter me, but explicit all relate 
 
 Which thou haft witnefs'd. If my noble Sire 
 
 E'er gratified thee by performance juft 
 
 Of word or deed at Ilium, where ye fell 
 
 So numerous ftain in fight, oh, recolle6l 
 
 Now his fidelity, and tell me true. 
 
 Then Neftor thus Gerenian Hero old. 
 Young friend ! fince thou remind'ft me, by thy fuit 
 Of all the woes which on thofe hoftile fhores 
 We Greecians with fuch fortitude endured. 
 Both when, in qucft of fpoil, we roam'd the Deep 
 Achilles leading us, and in the ftege 
 Of Priam's royal city, learn the truth — 
 Then, all the chief Achaians bled and died. 
 
 There '
 
 ^8 ODYSSEY III. 13S-155. 
 
 There warlike Ajax lies, there Peleus' Ion ; 
 
 There, too, Patroclus, like the Gods themfelves 
 
 In council, and my Ton beloved there. 
 
 Brave, virtuous, fwift of foot, and bold in fight, 
 
 Antilochus. Nor are thefe forrows all ; 
 
 What tongue of mortal man could all relate ? 
 
 Should'lt thou, abiding here, five years employ 
 
 Or fix, enquiring of the woes endured 
 
 By the Achaians, ere thou fhould'fi: have learned 
 
 All, thou vvould'fl leave us, weary of the tale. 
 
 For firatagems of cvVy kind nine years 
 
 We framed againft them, and Saturnian Jove 
 
 Scarce crown'd the difiicult attempt at laft: *. 
 
 There, no competitor in wiles wcll-plann'd 
 
 Ulyires found, fo far were all furpafs'd 
 
 In llirevvd invention by thy noble Sire, 
 
 If thou indeed art his, as fure thou art, 
 
 Whofc fight breeds wonder in me, and thy fpeech 
 
 His fpeech refembles more than might be deem'd 
 
 Within the feope of years fo green as thine. 
 
 There, never in opinion, or in voice 
 
 Illufirious Ulyfl^es and myfclf 
 
 * Longiaus has obferved that Homer Introducing Into hisOdyfley 
 a variety of fa6\s fubfequent to the conclufion of the Iliad, as io 
 many cplfodes arifing out of the war of Troy and its confequences, 
 has rendered it a fort of epilogue to that poem, of which it may 
 ■ftith the llrideft propriety be termed a fecond part. — C. 
 
 Divided
 
 ODYSSEY III. 160—171, ^^ 
 
 Divided were, but, one in heart, contrived 
 As beft we might, the benefit of all *. 
 But when, Troy's lofty tow'rs in afhes laid, 
 We thence embark'd, and, by the will of heav'n. 
 With difunited minds, then Jove ordain'd 
 Our forrowful return ; for neither wife 
 Were all, nor righteous, therefore many found 
 A fate difaft'rous through the vengeful ire 
 Of Jove-born Pallas, who between the fons 
 Of Atreus fharp contention interpofed ^ 
 They, unadvifedly, nor lefs againft 
 Jufl order^ fummoning by night + the Greeks 
 
 To 
 
 * It is a remark of Euftathius that Neftor having firfl: afcribed 
 to Ulyfles the honour of furpafling all the Greeks in fubdety and 
 ingenuity of contrii-ance, and following this praife of him with an 
 afTertion that they never differed in opinion, compliments, by im- 
 plication, himfelf, as much as the hero he celebrates. — C. 
 
 + The vi^rath of Pallas was occafioned, as I believe has been al- 
 ready noted, by the rape which Ajax the Locrian perpetrated on 
 CaiTandra in the temple of that Goudefs ; and flie avenged it on all 
 the Greecians, becaufe, permitting the offender to go unpuniihed, 
 they had all alike connived at the enormity. — B. & C. 
 
 J Spondanus obferves that councils were regularly con\ ened in the 
 morning, and that the poet therefore condemns this, becaufe it was 
 convened at night. — C. But Euftathius, with whom Clarke agrees, 
 is of a different opinion, and alleges that many of Homer's councils, 
 as well as others mentioned by hiftorians, were held, and very pro- 
 perly too, at as late an hour, and that the fault therefore was not 
 that_they met at an undue feafon, but that they met in a ftate of in- 
 toxication.
 
 6q ODYSSEY 111. ira-igr. 
 
 To council, of whom many came with wine 
 Opprefs'd, promulgated the caufe for which 
 'J hey had convened the people. Then it was 
 . That Menelaus bade the general hoft 
 Their thoughts bend homeward o'er the facred Deep, 
 Which Agamemnon in no fort approved. 
 His counfel was to ftay them yet at Troy, 
 That fo he might afTuage the dreadful wratb 
 Of Pallas, firft, by facrifice and pray V. 
 Vain hope ! he little thought how ill fliould fpeed 
 That fond attempt ; for, once })rovok'd, the Gods 
 Are not with eafe conciliated again. 
 Thus ftood the brothers, altercation hot 
 Maintaining, till at lengthy uprofe the Greeks 
 With deafniug clamours, and with difF'ring minds. 
 We flept the night, but teeming with difguft 
 Mutual, for Jove great woe prepar'd for all. 
 At dawn of day we drew our gallies down 
 Into the fea, and, hafty, put on board 
 The fpoils and female captives. Half the hofl 
 
 toxicalion. But though it might be lawful in a cafe of emergency 
 to affemble in the evening or even in the night, may not the poet 
 cenfure them for having done it on this occafion, when, for aught 
 that appears, there was no emergency to juflify it? If it were law- 
 ful to differ from two fuch authorities, I fhould not hefitate to fay 
 that Spcndanus is in the right. Jn time of battle commanders may 
 be fuppofed lube; at any hour, but not in an evening when there is 
 no enemy to diflurb them. 
 
 With
 
 ODYSSEY III; 192—217. 6t 
 
 With Agamemnon, fon of Atreus, chief 
 
 Commander, tarried, and, embarking, half 
 
 Pufli'd forth. Swift courfe we made, for God before 
 
 Our gallant barks made fmooth the monftrous Deep. 
 
 At T'enedos arriv'd, we there perform'd 
 
 Oblation to the Gods, ardent to reach 
 
 Our nativ-e land ; but unpropitious Jove, 
 
 Not yet defigning our arrival there, 
 
 Involv'd us in diflention yet again. 
 
 For all the crews attendant on the King 
 
 Thy noble Sire, to gratify our Chief, 
 
 The fon of Atreus, chofe a dilF'rent courfe, 
 
 And fteer'd their oary barks again to Troy. 
 
 But I, afTured that evil from the Gods 
 
 Impended, gath'ring all my gallant fleet. 
 
 Fled thence in hafte, and warlike Diomede 
 
 Exhorting his attendants, alfo fled. 
 
 At length, the Hero Mcnelaus join'd 
 
 Our fleets at Lefbos ; there he found us held 
 
 In deep deliberation on the length 
 
 Of way before us, whether we fliould fl:eer 
 
 Above the craggy Chios to the iflc 
 
 Pfyria, that ifland holding on our lefl:. 
 
 Or under Chios by the wind-fwept heights 
 
 Of Mimas. Then we alk'd from Jove a flgn,. 
 
 And by a fign vouchfafed he bade us cut 
 
 The
 
 6z ODYSSEY III. 215-237; 
 
 The wide Tea to Euboea fheer athwart. 
 So foonefl to efcape the threat'ned harm. 
 Shrill fang the rifing gale, and with fwift prows 
 Cleaving the fiihy flood, we reach'd by night 
 Geraeilus ; where arrived, we burn'd the thighs 
 Of num'roLis bulls to Neptune, who had fafe 
 Conducted us through all our perilous courfe. 
 The fleet of Diomede in fafety moor'd 
 On the fourth day at Argos ; but myfelf 
 Held on my courfe to Pylus, nor the wind 
 One moment thwarted us, or died away. 
 When Jove had once commanded it to blow *. 
 
 Thus, uninform'd, I have arrived, my fon ! 
 Nor of the Greecians, who are faved have heard. 
 Or who have perifli'd ; but what news foe'er 
 I have obtaln'd fince my return, with truth 
 I will relate, nor aught conceal from thee. 
 
 The warlike Myrmidons, as rumour fpeaks. 
 By Neoptolemus, illuftrious fon 
 Of brave Achilles led, have fafe arrived ; 
 
 * Lefbos was a Trojan ifland in vvhicli were five cities — Pyrrha, 
 Ercflus, Mitylcne, Methymna, and AntifTa. Chios lay betweea 
 Pfyiix and Mimas. Pfyria was a fmall narrow ifland at no great 
 diftance from Chios, and had an harbour where fliips that had fuf- 
 fcied in the yL.ean fca took fhelter. Mimas was a promontory op- 
 pofite to Chios, which had its name from Mimas one of the Giants; 
 ami (jerxftus was a port of Euboe3,~B. & C. 
 
 I Safe
 
 ODYSSEY III. 238-263.' ^ , 
 
 Safe, Philo6letes alfo, fon renown 'd 
 
 Of Paeas ; and Idomeneus at Crete 
 
 Hath landed all his followers who furvive 
 
 The bloody war ; the waves have fwallow'd none. 
 
 Ye have yourfelves doubtlefs, although remote, 
 
 Of Agamemnon heard, how he returned, 
 
 And how ^Egifthiis cruelly contrived 
 
 For him a bloody welcome, but himfelf 
 
 Hath with his own life paid the murth'rous deed. 
 
 Good, therefore, is it, when, the father llain, 
 
 A fon furvives him ; lince, although a youth, 
 
 Oreftes hath avenged his glorious Sire, 
 
 Slaying ^(Egifthus by whofe arts he died. 
 
 And Thou, my youthful friend, whofe form robuft 
 
 And fair proportions with delight I view. 
 
 Be Thou brave alfo, that renown like His 
 
 Thou may'ft acquire with ages yet to come. 
 
 To whom Telemachus, difcretc, replied. 
 Oh Neftor ! Neleus' fon ! The pride of Greece ! 
 And righteous was that vengeance ; his renown 
 Achaia's fons (liall far and wide diffufe. 
 To future times tranfmitting it in fong. 
 Ah ! would that fuch ability the Gods 
 Would grant to me, that I, as well, the deeds 
 Might punifh of our fuitors, whofe excefs 
 Enormous, and whofe bitter taunts I feel 
 
 Continual,
 
 64 ODYSSEY III. 264-48^ 
 
 Continual, obje6l of their fubtle hate. 
 But not for me fuch happinefs the Gods 
 Have twined into my thread ; no, not for me 
 Or for my father. Patience is our part. 
 
 To whom Gerenian Neflor thus replied. 
 Young friend ! (fince thou remind'ft me of that theme) 
 Fame here reports that numVous fuitors hauni 
 Thy palace for thy mother's fake, and there 
 Much evil perpetrate in thy defpite. 
 But fay, endur'ft thou willingly their a6\s 
 Imperious, or becaufe the people, fway'd 
 By fome refponfe oracular, incline 
 Againft thee ? But who knows ? the time may come 
 When to his home reftored, either alone. 
 Or aided by the force of all the Greeks, 
 Ulyfles may avenge the wrong ; at leaft. 
 Would Pallas thee fo favour as, of late, 
 Ulyfles, in the fatal field of Troy ; 
 (For never fuch apparent aid I faw 
 Giv'n by the Gods, as to thy Father there) 
 Would but the Goddefs to thyfelf extend 
 Like fond folicitude, fome few of thofe 
 Should dream, perchance, of wedlock never more. 
 
 Then anfwer thus Telemachus return'd. 
 Oh Neftor ! never fhall I fee fulfiU'd 
 That word of thine ; it pallcs all belief, 
 
 AH
 
 ODYSSEY III. 290—311. ^r 
 
 All hope, and overwhelms me with amaze ; 
 No — ^were I confcious that the Gods themfelves 
 Such Good defign'd me, I fhould yet defpair. 
 
 Bat him the blue-eyed Goddefs thus reproved. 
 Telemachus ! what word was that which leap'd 
 The iv'ry guard that fhould have fenced it in * ? 
 A God, fo willing, could with utmoft eafe 
 Save any man, howe'er remote. Myfelf 
 Par happier fhould efleem a late return 
 After much forrow, to my native home. 
 Than to arrive there only to be flain. 
 Like Agamemnon, whom his faithlefs wife 
 And her adult' rer flew ; but mortal man 
 Once feized by Fate, mufl perifh ; nor the Gods 
 Themfelves can fave him, love him as they may. 
 
 To whom Telemachus, difcrete, replied, 
 Howe'er it interefl us, let us leave 
 This queflion. Mentor ! He, I am afTured, 
 Returns no more, but hath already found 
 A fad, fad fate by the decree of heav'n. 
 But I would now interrogate again 
 Neflor, and on a different theme, for him 
 
 * "EfKOi oJovTtfv. Prior alluding to this expreffion, ludicroufly ren« 
 dera it 
 
 " When words like thefe in vocaFbreath 
 *' Burft from his twofold hedge ol teeth." 
 
 VOL. iTi. . p In
 
 66 ODYSSEY III. 3i2-3sd. 
 
 In human rights I judge, and laws expert. 
 And in all knowledge beyond other men ; 
 For he hath govern'd, as report proclaims. 
 Three generations ; therefore in my eyes 
 He wears the awful imprefs of a God. 
 Oh Neftor, fon of Neleus, tell me true ; 
 The means, the manner of Atrides' death — 
 Relate them — Where, in that tremendous hour. 
 Was Menclaus ? By what cruel flroke 
 Contrived iRgiQhus, fubtle as he was. 
 To flay fo much a nobler than hrmfelf ? 
 Had not the brother of the Monarch reach'd 
 Achaian Argos yet, but, wand'ring frill 
 In other climes, by his long abfence gave 
 iEgilthus courage for that bloody deed * ? 
 
 Whom anfwer'd the Gerenian Chief renown'd. 
 My fon ! I will inform thee true ; mean-time 
 Thy own fufpicions border on the fa6l. 
 Had MenelauSj Hero amber-hair'd, 
 
 * Eullathius, remarking on tl\L pafTage, f.iys that you cannot 
 gfittify an old man more than by alking him many quellions, even 
 uhen ycu feel yourfelf but lltde interefted in his anfwers ; and Ma- 
 crohius, making the fame obfervation, quotes this paflage in fupport 
 of it, to wliich he adds another from Virgil, where iEneas, to flatter 
 the aiiticiu Kraiuler't propenfuy to talk, is as inquifitive as Tele- 
 maclius hej'0. 
 
 Cngiila laetiis 
 
 Exijuirl'.qvjf, aiiditquf vnion tuonuDjenta priorum. — C. 
 
 iEgifthus
 
 ODYSSEY III. 33i-347i 6/ 
 
 ^vgifthus found alive at his return 
 
 From Ilium, never on his bones the Greeks 
 
 Had heap'd a tomb, but dogs and rav'ning fowls 
 
 Had torn him lying in the open field 
 
 Far from the town, nor him had woman wept 
 
 Of all in Greece, for heinous was his crime*. 
 
 But we, in many an arduous tafk engaged. 
 
 Lay before Ilium -, he, the while, fecure 
 
 Within the green retreats of Argos, found 
 
 Occafion apt by flatt'ry to delude 
 
 The fpoufe of Agamemnon ; fhe, at firfl-, 
 
 (The royal Clytemneftra) firm refufed 
 
 The deed difnonourable (for fhe bore 
 
 A virtuous mind, and at her fide a bard 
 
 Attended ever, whom the King, to Troy 
 
 Departing, had appointed to the charge ^^J) 
 
 But when the Gods, that he might pcrifh, form'd 
 
 • We learn from Xenophon that the Athenians had a law among 
 them according to which no traitor or perfon guilty of facrilege, 
 once duly convifted, was allowed the rites of burial. — C. 
 
 f The poets of antient times, fays Athenaeus, were not oaly 
 efteenied as fuch, but as philofophers alfo. Therefore, Agamemnon 
 at his departure for Troy, entrufted his wife to the care of fuch a 
 one, whofe office it was to infpire her with an ambition to excel in 
 the performance of all female duties, and to divert her attention 
 from trivial and criminal topicks by ftrains of pleafiint and inflructive 
 poetry. Nor could ^gifthus with all his fedudtive praililices prevail 
 to alienate Clytemneltra from the p.iths of virtue and honoui, till he 
 had lirl}; difp;)fcd of the bard bybanilhinghim to adcfart ifland. — C. 
 
 F a The
 
 68 ODYSSEY III. 34S-373i 
 
 The fnare which caught ^gifthas, he convey*d 
 
 The bard into a defart ille remote, 
 
 Where leaving him to rav'nous birds a prey. 
 
 The Queen he led, not willing lefs than he. 
 
 To his own manlion. Num'rous thighs heburn'd 
 
 On all their hallow'd altars to the Gods, 
 
 And hung with tap'flry, images, and gold 
 
 Their (brines, his great exploit pad hope achicv'd. 
 
 We (Menelaus and myfelf ) had failed 
 
 From Troy together, but when we approach'd 
 
 Sunium, headland of th' Athenian fhore, 
 
 There Phoebus, fudden, with his gentle (hafts 
 
 Slew Menelaus' pilot while he fteer'd 
 
 The volant bark, Phrontis, Onetor's fon, 
 
 A mariner paft all expert, whom none 
 
 In fteerage match'd, what time the tempeft roar'd. 
 
 Here, therefore, Menelaus was detained. 
 
 Giving his friend due burial, and his rites 
 
 Funereal celebrating, though in hade 
 
 Still to proceed. But when, with all his fleet 
 
 The wide fca traverfmg, he reach' d at length 
 
 Malca's lofty foreland in his eourfe. 
 
 Rough paffage, then, and perilous he found. 
 
 Shrill blails the Thund'rer pour'd into his fails. 
 
 And wild waves fent him mountainous. His (liips 
 
 There feattcr'd, fome to the Cydonian coaft 
 
 A . Of
 
 ODYSSEY III. 374-39S* 69 
 
 Of Crete he pufh'cl, near where the Jardan flows. 
 Befide the confines ofGortyna Hands, 
 Amid the gloomy flood, a fmooth rock, fteep 
 Toward the fea, againft whofe leftward point 
 Phaellus, the Southwind rolls the fea amain, 
 Whofe mighty furf the rock, though fmall, repels*. 
 Hither with part he came, and fcarce the crews 
 Themfelves efcaped, while the huge billows broke 
 Their fhips againft the rocks; but five were driv'n 
 By winds and waves to the Egyptian fliore. 
 
 Thus he, provifion gath'ring as he went 
 And gold abundant, roam'd to diftant lands 
 And nations of another tongue. Mean-time, 
 ^gifthus thefe enormities at home 
 Devifing, flew Atrides, and fupreme 
 Ruled the fubjedled land ; fev'n years he reign'd 
 In opulent Mycenae, but the next. 
 To Him an evil year, from Athens brought 
 Oreftcs home, and young Oreftes flew 
 (Glorious revenge !) the flayer of his Sire, 
 Oreftes, therefore, the funereal rites 
 Performing to his fhamelefs mother's fhade 
 
 * The waves excited by the South would have deprived Phaflus 
 of its haven, had not the rock here mentioned made the water 
 Imooth within, receiving the billows firft and breaking the force of 
 them.— B. &C. 
 
 P 3 And
 
 -jrA ODYSSEY 111. 396-411. 
 
 And to her luftfiil paramour, a feall 
 Gave to the Arglves ; on which felf-fame day 
 The warlike Menclaus, with his fhips 
 All treafure-laden to the brink, arrived. 
 
 And thou, young friend 1 from thy forfaken home 
 Rove not long time remote, thy treafures left 
 W ith inmates proud as they ; left, much confumed, 
 'J'hey fliare the remnant, and thy voyage thence 
 In qucft of tidings prove a fruitlefs toil. 
 But hence to Menclaus is the courfe 
 To which 1 counfel thee ; for he hath come 
 Of late from diftant lands, Avhence none could hope 
 A fafc return, whom ftorms had firft compell'd 
 To plough the billows of fo wide a fea ; 
 A gnlph fo vaft, that not the birds of heav*n 
 From fide to lide might pafs it in a year. 
 Go, then, with fhip and fliipmates, or if more 
 The land delight thee, fteeds thou fhalt not want 
 Or chariot, and my fons (hall be thy guides 
 To noble Laccdemon, the abode 
 Of Menclaus ; alk from him the truth, 
 Who will not lye, for he is pafling wife. 
 
 While thus he fpake, the fun declined, and night 
 Approaching, blue-eyed Pallas interpofed. 
 
 Oh antient King ! well haft thou fpoken all. 
 Eut now delay not. Cut ye forth the tongues, 
 
 I And
 
 ODVSSEY III, 4"— 4«« ^1 
 
 And mingle wine, that (Neptune firft invoked 
 With due libation, and the other Gods) 
 We may repair to reft ; for even now 
 The fun is funk, and it becomes us not 
 To make a banquet facred to the Gods 
 Exceed the limits of a fober hour*. 
 
 So fpake Jove's daughter ; they obedient heard. 
 The heralds, then, pour'd water on their hands. 
 And, filling high the cups, attendant youths 
 Served them from right to left. Next all the tpngues 
 They caft into the fire, and ev'ry gueft 
 Arifing, pour'd. libation to the Gods. 
 Libation made, and all with wine fufliced. 
 Godlike Telemachus and Pallas both 
 Would have return'd, incontinent, on board. 
 But Neftor urged them flill to be his guefts. 
 
 Jove and the Gods forbid that ye fliould feek 
 Your galley now, me leaving as a wretch 
 Neceflitous and wanting couch-attire. 
 Rugs and warm mantles for the foft repofe 
 Of me and of my guefts, for I poftcfs 
 Large ftoresof each ; nor fliall Ulyftes' fon 
 
 * It ts faid to have been cuftomary in the days of Homer, when 
 the Greeks retired Irom a banquet to their beds, to cut out the 
 tongues of the vidims, and offer them to the Gods in particular 
 who prefided over converfation. — B. Sc C. 
 
 F 4 Hcnca
 
 y2r ODYSSEY III. 444— 46f. 
 
 Hence to a galley's deck for fleep retire 
 While Neftor lives ; and, dying, may I leave 
 An offspring ever prompt to entertain 
 The worthy gueft, come hither whofo may. 
 
 To whom the Goddels of the azure eyes. 
 Old Chief! thou haft well faid, and reafon bids 
 Telemachus thy kind commands obey. 
 Let hhn attend thee hence, that he may fleep 
 Beneath thy roof i but I return on board 
 Myfelf, to inftru6l my people, and to give 
 All needful orders ; for among them none 
 Is old as I, but they are youths alike. 
 Coevals of Telemachus, with whom 
 They have embark'd for friendfhip's fake alone, 
 I therefore will repofe myfelf on board 
 This night, and to the Caucons* bold in arms 
 Will fail tomorrow, to demand arrears 
 Long time unpaid, and of no fmall amount. 
 But, fincc he is become thy gueft, afford 
 My friend a chariot, and a fon of thine 
 Who fliall dirc61; his way, nor let him want 
 Of all thy ftecds the fwiftcfl and the beft. 
 
 The Goddels faid, and, in an eagle's form 
 Flew fwiftly thence. Amazement at the fight 
 
 * According to the Scholiaft a people ofArcadin, — B..S:C. but ac- 
 cording to Strabo apeople dwelling in the country of the Epcans. — C. 
 
 - " Seized
 
 ODYSSEY III. 46S— 493. 'h'} 
 
 Seized all beholders ; hoary Neflor, fill'd 
 With wonder, gazed, and grafping, as he ftood^ 
 The hand of young Telemachus, exclaim'd. 
 
 Nor fordid thou, my friend ! nor prone to fear 
 Shalt prove hereafter, whonm the Gods attend 
 Thus early ; for of all th' Olympian Pow'rs 
 None other, now, than Pallas have we feen, 
 Jove's awfu"! daughter, who with honour crown'd. 
 So oft, thy father, where the Greecians fought. 
 
 But thou, O Queen ! companionate us all, 
 Myfelf, my fons, my confort ; give to each 
 A glorious name, and I to thee will give 
 For facrifice an heifer of the year. 
 Untamed, gall'd never by the pond'rous yoke. 
 And will incafe her horns with hammer'd gold. 
 
 So Neftor pray'd, whom Pallas gracious heard. 
 Then the Gerenian warrior old, before 
 His fons and fons-in-law, to his abode 
 Magnificent proceeded ; they (arrived 
 Within the fplendid palace of the King) 
 On thrones and couches fat in order ranged. 
 Whom Neftor welcom'd, charging high the cup 
 With wine of richefl fort, which fhe who kept 
 That treafure, now, in the eleventh year 
 Firft broach'd, unfealing the delicious juicC. 
 With this the hoary Senior fill'd a cup. 
 
 And
 
 ^4- ODYSSEY III. 494-S'8. 
 
 And to the daughter of Jove 3cgis-arm'd 
 Pouring libation, offer'd fervent pray'r. 
 
 When all had made libation, and no wifli 
 Remain'd of more, then each to reft retired. 
 And Neftor the Gerenian warrior old 
 To a carved couch led forth UlyiTes' fon 
 In his own founding portico prepared. 
 Befide him he bade fleep the fpearman bold, 
 Pififtratus, a gallant youth, the fole 
 Unwedded in his houfe of all his fons. 
 Himfelf in the interiour palace lay. 
 Where couch and fplendid cov'ring for his ufe 
 Provided by the con fort Queen he found. 
 
 But when Aurora, daughter of the dawn,. 
 Had tinged the Eaft, arifmg from his bed, 
 Gerenian Neftor ilTued forth, and fat 
 Before his palace-gate on the white flones 
 Refplcndent as with oil, on which of old 
 His father Neleus had been wont to fit. 
 In council like a God ; but he had fought. 
 By deftiny difmifs'd long (ince, the fliades. 
 On thofe ftones therefore, guardian of the Greeks 
 - Sat Neftor now, his fceptre in his hand. 
 And thither from their chambers alfo came, 
 'i' encircle him around, his num'rous fons, 
 
 Aretus,
 
 ODYSSEY III. 5'9-S43. 75 
 
 Aretus, Stratius, Perfeus, Echepliron, 
 And godlike Thrafymcdcs ; after whom 
 Came, fixth and laft, Pififtratus. Befidc 
 Their antient Sire, Telemachus they placed. 
 And the Gerenian Hero thus began. 
 
 Be quick, my fons ! to ferve me ; for in hafic 
 I would propitiate of all Pow'rs above 
 Minerva firil, of whofe arrival here 
 To {hare our hallow'd feaft, no doubt remains. 
 Seek, One, in hafte the pafture, and command 
 The herdfman that he drive an heifer home ; 
 Another — from his bark bring all the friends 
 Of young Telemachus, fave only two ; 
 And let a third find, inftantly, the fmith 
 Laerceus, that he come to enwrap with gold 
 The vidim's horns. Abide ye here, the rell. 
 And bid my female train (for I intend 
 A banquet) with all diligence provide 
 Seats, ftorcs of wood, and water from the rock, 
 oL He faid, whom inftant all obey'd. The ox 
 Came from the field, and from the gallant fhip 
 The Ihip-mates of the brave Telemachus ; 
 Next, charged with all his implements of art. 
 His mallet, anvil, pincers, came the fmith 
 To give the horns their gilding ^ alfo came 
 
 Pallas
 
 y6 ODYSSEY III. 544-56i. 
 
 Pallas herfclf to her own facred rites *. 
 Then Neftor, hoary warrior, fiirniHi'd golcf. 
 Which, hammer'd thin, the artift wrapp'd around 
 
 oL The vi6tim's horns, that feeing him attired 
 So coftly, Pallas might the more be plcafcd. 
 Stratiiis and brave Echephron introduced 
 
 $L The vi6lim by his horns ; Aretus brought 
 A laver, in one hand, with flowVs embofs'd. 
 And in his other hand a baiket ftored 
 With cakes, Avhile warlike Thraf)'medes, arm^d 
 With his long-bafted axe, prepared to fmite 
 The ox, and Pcrfcus to receive the bloocL 
 The hoary Neftor confccrated firll 
 Both cakes and water, and with earnefl: pray'f 
 To Pallas, gave the forelock to the flames. 
 
 When all had pray 'd, and flrew'd with crumbled cakes 
 The heifer o*cr, then, hafting to his work. 
 The godlike Thrafymcdcs with his axe 
 
 oL- Her tough neck-tendons fever' d, and fhe fell. 
 
 * The Antlents obfcived it ns a conftant pradlce, to make an 
 offering to the Gods at the beginning of a feaft, and to pour liba- 
 tion at the end of it, that the company pcrfuaded that the 
 Godis, though unfeen, were perfonally prefent, might abftain from 
 all thofe outrages into which the occafion might otherwife betray 
 them. — C. At thofe tables of ours where Grace is faid, the elFeft 
 is much better infurcd, if it be not ufed merely as an unmeaning 
 ceremony. 
 
 At
 
 ODYSSEY III. 563— 5S7. 27 
 
 At once, the daughters of the Pylian King, 
 His Tons' fair conlbrts, and the confort Queens 
 Daughter firfl-born of Clymenus, the chafte 
 Eurydice, with mingled voices thrill 
 Upfent their fuppliant wailings to the ikies. 
 The royal youths then raifing from the ground 
 The heifer's head, fuftain'd it, while llie pour'd 
 
 QL Her ebbing life's laft current, in the throat 
 Pierced by Piliftratus, the Prince of men. 
 Soon as the fable blood had ceafcd, and life 
 
 c^ Had left the vidlim, fpreading him abroad. 
 With nice addrefs they parted at the joint 
 His^ thighs, and wrapp'd them in the double cawl, 
 Which with crude flices thin they overfpread. 
 The hoary King, himfelf, with incenfe ftrew'd 
 The flaming brands, and pour'd libation forth 
 Of fable wine, while, ranged on cither fide. 
 The Princes held the fpits. The thighs confunicd. 
 They ate the interiour part, then, flicing thin 
 The remnant, pierced and held it to the lire. 
 Mean-time the youngcfl of the daughters fair 
 Of Neftor, beauteous Polycafle, laved. 
 Anointed, and in vcft and tunick clothed 
 Telemachus, who, fo refrefh'd, ftepp'd forth 
 From the bright lavcr graceful as a God,
 
 7.8 ODYSSEY III. 588-607. 
 
 And took his feat at antient Neftor's fide *. 
 The viands drefs'd, and from the fpits withdrawn. 
 They fat to fhare the feafl, and princely youths 
 Arifing, gave them wine in cups of gold. 
 When neither hunger now nor thirft remain'd 
 Unfated, thus Gerenian Neftor fpake. 
 
 My fons, arife ! lead forth the fprightly fieeds. 
 And yoke them, that Telemachus may go. 
 
 So fpake the Chief, to whofe command his fons 
 Obedient, yoked in hafte the rapid fteeds. 
 And flie who held in charge his houfehold llores. 
 Within the chariot wine and bread difpofed. 
 With viands, fuch as regal ftate requires. 
 Telemachus into the chariot firft 
 Afcended, and befide him, next, his place 
 Pififtratus the fon of Neftor took. 
 Then feiz'd the reins, and lafh'd the courfers on. 
 They, nothing loth, fprang fvviftly forth, and foon 
 The lofty tow'rs of Pylus left remote. 
 Thus, journeying, they (hook on cither fide 
 
 * Thr ftilfl morality and modedy of the Antlenf; may be fairly 
 enOLigh inferred from the cuftom of employing ycung women to 
 perform this office for llrangers young as themfjlvcs. Had the 
 coufcquences been fuch as we lliould have reafon to apprehend from 
 the fame pradlicc here, it would either never hav^ obtained fo uni- 
 vcrfally as it did in Greece, or would quickly have been difcon- 
 tinued. 
 
 The
 
 ODYSSEY III. 6oX-«2i. 
 
 The yoke all day, and when the fetting fun 
 To dulky evening had refign'd the roads. 
 At Pherae they arrived, and at the hoiife 
 Where dwelt Diocles, whofe illuftrious Sire 
 Orfilochus from Alpheus fprang, repofed. 
 
 But when Aurora, daughter of the dawn, 
 Look'd rofy forth, then, binding to the yoke 
 Their fteeds again, they mounted. Neflior's Ton 
 Urged through the veftibule and founding porch 
 His courfers, of themfelves not flack to go. 
 A corn-in vefted land* receiv'd them next, 
 And there they brought their journey to a clofe, 
 So rapidly they fped ; and now the fun 
 Went down, and even-tide dimm'd all the ways. 
 
 * Lacedsemon. 
 
 79 
 
 ARGU-
 
 8a O D Y S S E V IV. s-8. 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FOURTH BOOK. 
 
 Telemachus, with Pififtratus, arrives at the palace of Menelaus, 
 from whom he receives fome frefh information concerning the 
 return of the Greeclans, and is in particular told on the autho- 
 rity of Proteus, that his father is detained by Calypfo. The 
 fuitors, plotting againft the life of Telemachus, lie in wait to 
 intercept him in his return to Ithaca. Penelope being informed 
 of his departure, and of their defigns to flay him, becomes 
 inconfolable, but is relieved by a dream fent to her from 
 Minerva. 
 
 BOOK IV. 
 
 In hollow Lacedaemon's fpacious vale 
 
 Arriving, to the refidence they drove 
 
 Of royal Menelaus ; him they found 
 
 In his own palace, all his num'rous friends 
 
 Regaling at a nuptial banquet giv'n 
 
 Both for his daughter and the prince his fon. 
 
 His daughter to renown'd Achilles heir 
 
 He fent, to whom he had at Troy engaged 
 
 To
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 9-31. gj 
 
 To give her, and the Gods now made her his. 
 With chariots and with fleeds he fent her forth 
 To Phthia*s glorious city, where he reign'd. 
 But to his fon he gave a Spartan fair, 
 Ale(9:or*s daughter ; from an handmaid fprang 
 That fon to Menelaus in his age. 
 Brave Megapenthes ; for the Gods vouchfafcd 
 1^0 child to Helen, after Her who vied 
 With Venus' felf in charms, Hermione *. 
 
 Thus all the neighbour princes and the friends 
 Of noble Menelaus, feafting fat 
 Within his fpacious palace, among whom 
 -A facred bard (ling fweetly to his harp, 
 While, in the midtl, two dancers fmote the ground 
 With meafur'd Heps rcfponfive to his fong. 
 
 Sudden, within the veftibule appeared 
 Thofe two, Telemachus, illullrious youth. 
 And Neftor's fon. Them, ilTuing from the hall. 
 The noble Eteoneus of the train 
 Of Menelaus, faw j at once he ran 
 Acrofs the palace to report the news 
 To his Lord's ear, and, ftanding at his fide. 
 With eager hafte his tidings thus declared. 
 
 Oh Menelaus ! Heav'n-defcended Chief I 
 
 • From an handmaid called Teridae, by whom he had alfo a Con. 
 sained Nicoi^iatus.— B» &9' 
 
 YOU in. o Two
 
 Sz O D Y S S E Y IV. J3_jj, 
 
 Two guefts arrive, both Grangers, but alike 
 Refcmbling in their form the Tons of Jove. 
 Say, lliall we loofe, ourfclves, their rapid flecds^ 
 Or hence difmifs them to fom& Other hofl ? 
 
 But Menelaiis, Hero golden-hait'd. 
 Indignant anfwer'd him. Boethc's Ton ! 
 ^hou Vvaft notj Eteoneus, heretofore, 
 A babbler, who now prateft as a child. 
 We have ourfelves arrived indebted much 
 To hofpitality of other men, 
 If Jove fhall, even here, fome paufe at laft 
 Of woe afford lis. Therefore loofe, at once^ 
 Their fteeds, and introduce them to the fcalt. 
 
 He faid, and, iilliing, Eteoneus call'd 
 The brilk attendants to his aid, with whom 
 He loos'd their foaming courfers from the yoke. 
 Them firfl they bound to mangers, which with oats 
 And mingled barley they fupplied, then thrufl 
 The chariot fidelong to the fplendid wall *. 
 Themfelves he, next, into the royal houfe 
 Condu6led, who with wonder viewM the abode 
 Of the illuftrious Chief; for on all fides 
 As witli the fpletidour of the fun or moon 
 
 • Hcfychius tells us, that the Greecians ornamented with much 
 attention the front wall of their courts for the admiration of paf- 
 fengers, 
 
 the
 
 ODYSSEY IV. sS~7£: gj 
 
 The lofty dome of Menclans blazed *. 
 Satiate, at length, with wonder at that fight. 
 They enter'd each a bath, and by the hands 
 Of maidens laved, and oil'd, and cloth'd again 
 With fhaggy mantles and refplendent vefis. 
 Sat both enthroned at Menclans' fide. 
 And now a maiden charged with golden ew'r. 
 And with argent lavcr, pouring firil 
 Pure water on their hands, fupplied them next 
 With a bright table, which the maiden, chief 
 In office, furnifh'd plentcoufly with bread 
 And dainties, remnants of the laft regale. 
 Then came the few'r, who with delicious meats 
 Of all kinds, ferv'd them, and with cups of gold, 
 And Menelaus, greeting each, began. 
 
 Eat and rejoice, and when ye fliall have (hared 
 Our nuptial banquet, we will, then, inquire 
 Who are ye both ; for, certain, not from thofe 
 Whofe generation perithes are ye. 
 But rather of fome race of fccptred Chiefs 
 
 * It is remarked by Athenxus that whoever goes to be enter- 
 tained at another's table, ihould not, like a glutton and a wine- 
 bibber, immediately on his entrance take his place in the lympo- 
 fium or banquetting room, but (hould firft employ a reafonable time, 
 in viewing and giving due commendation to the houfe and furni- 
 ture. A point of good breeding in which it appears that Ttlema- 
 chus and his friend were no: deficient. — C.
 
 8^ O D Y S S E Y IV. 76-89, 
 
 Heav'n-born ; the bafe have never fons like you. 
 
 So faying, he lifted from the board his own 
 Diftinguifh'd portion *, and the fatted chine 
 Gave to his guefts ; the ready viands placed 
 Before them, they with willing hands aflail'd. 
 And when nor hunger, more, nor thirft they felt^ 
 Telemachus, his head inclining clofe 
 To Neflor's fon, thus whifper'd his amaze. 
 
 Deareft Pififtratus, obfcrve, my friend ! 
 How all the echoing palace with the light 
 Of brafs, and gold of brighteft luftre, thines % 
 Silver and ivory + ! for radiance fuch 
 Th' interior manlion of Olympian Jove 
 1 deem. What wealth, how various, how immenfe 
 
 * Kings and Chiefs and important perfonages were cuftomarily 
 ferved with a larger portion than others, not on a fuppofuion that 
 they could eat or had occafion to eat more than guefls of inferiour 
 rank, but that they might have opportunity to compliment whom 
 tht-y pleafed with a part of it. — C. 
 
 f This line is thus altered, and the amber difcarded from it, in 
 conformity to the learned remark of the Analytical Reviewer, who 
 appeals to Pliny for the exiftence in thofe days of fuch a mixt 
 metal as was called Eledrum, or gold containing a fifth part of filyer. 
 But we have no Englirti term by which to exprefs fuch a metal ; I 
 l-.ave therefore given the gold the attribute of fuperiour brilliancy 
 afcribed by Pliny to that mixture, and could devife no better ex- 
 pedicnt. 
 
 J Jvory was well known to Homer, but he nowhere mentions the 
 elephant. 
 
 I*
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 93-154. 85 
 
 Is here ! aftonifh'd I furvcy the fight ' ! 
 
 But Menelaus, whifper'd as they were, 
 His words heard not the lefs, and thus replied. 
 
 No mortal man, my children ! may pretend 
 Comparifon with Jove ; His palace Hands 
 For ever, and His treafures ne'er decay ; 
 But mine, fmall need hath any man to praife 
 Or much admire ; for, after num'rous toils 
 And perilous wand'rings o'er the flormy Deep, 
 In the eighth year, at laft I brought them home. 
 Cyprus, Phoenicia, Sidon, and the (hores 
 Of Egypt, roaming without hope, I reach'd, 
 In diftant Ethiopia thence arrived, 
 And Lybia, where the lambs their foreheads fhow 
 With budding horns defended, foon as yean'd ■•■. 
 
 ♦ Young perfons, who have feen little, are frequently aftonjfhed 
 at that which their feniors view wiih indifFerence. The wonder 
 expreffed by Telemachus is therefore perfeftly natural, nor lefs 
 natural was the contempt for fuch things expreffed by Diogenes 
 and even by Socrates, who profefled that the fight of fo many labour- 
 ed and ufelefs bawbles, rather moved their laughter than their admi- 
 ration. — C. Neither to admire however, nor to defpifc, feems to be 
 the point at which the judgment ought to (land ; foi as there is no- 
 thing in fplendour that ought to captivate or confound the beholder, 
 fo there is nothing in fuitabic and well-placed ornaments that can 
 in reality be ridiculous. 
 
 + On account of the heat of the climate their horns are faid to 
 produce themfelves immediately— C. 
 
 G 3 There,
 
 86 ODYSSEY IVt T05-I25. 
 
 There, thrice within the year the flocks produce ; 
 
 Nor mafler, there, nor fhephcrd ever feels 
 
 A dearth of cheefe, of flefh, or of fweet milk 
 
 Delicious, drawn from udders never dry. 
 
 While thus I roam'd coUeding wealth from all 
 
 Thofe fhores, another, aided by the arts 
 
 Of his pernicious fpoufe, of life bereavM 
 
 My brother treacheroufly and when lead 
 
 He fear'd to lofe it. Therefore little joy 
 
 To me refults from all that I poffels. 
 
 Your fathers (be thofe fathers who they may) 
 
 Thefe things have doubtlefs told you ; for immenl^ 
 
 Have been my fufF'rings, and I have deflroy'd 
 
 A palace well Inhabited and ftored 
 
 With precious furniture in ev'ry kind * ; 
 
 Such, that I would to heav'n ! I ownM at home 
 
 Though but the third of it, and that the Greeks 
 
 Who perifh'd then, beneath the walls of Troy 
 
 Remote from fertile Argos, fiill furvived. 
 
 Yet while, fequefter'd here, full oft I mourn 
 
 My flaughtcr'd friends, by turns I footh my foul 
 
 • Doubts have heen entertained whether Menelaus does not 
 rather mean to fay that he has confumed his own wealth, than that 
 he has deitrcyed the wealth of Priam, Eultathius, whom Barnes 
 follows, inclines to the former fenfe, but Madame Dacier deems 
 the latter, whicVi is given here, fo plainly intended, that the pafTage 
 is not in the Icaft degrc-f^ ambiguous, — C. 
 
 With
 
 ODYSSEY IV. il&-i4% 8/ 
 
 With tears flicd for them, and by turns I ceafe. 
 Yet {hort, alas ! and tranfient is the paiife. 
 But more than all, though forrowful for all, 
 I one deplore, rememb'ring whom, I loathe 
 My ^vontcd food, nor lleep's foft influence lefs. 
 For, of the Greeks, in fuff'rings or in toils 
 None match'd UlyfTcs ; but the doom of \voc 
 Was his, and eeafelefs forrow for his fake 
 Thus long a wand'rer, mine ; nor have we learnM 
 If dill he lives, or have already died. 
 Ilim doubtlefs^ old Laertes mourns, and him 
 Pifcrete Penelope, nor lefs his fon 
 Telemachus, born newly when he failVI. 
 
 So faying, he kindled in him ftrong defire 
 To mourn his father j at his father's name 
 Fail fell his tears to ground, and with both hands 
 He fprcad his purple cloak before his eyes ; 
 Which Menelaus marking, doubtful fat 
 If he (hould leave him to lament his Sire, 
 Or qucflion him, an,d tell him all at large *. 
 
 While thus he doubted, Helen (as it chxinced) 
 Leaving her fragrant chamber, camCj augull 
 
 * The poet's powers of giving variety to fimilar mclJents are 
 here iioticed by Euftathius. Nellor Itarns his guefts by interroga- 
 tion, but Menelaus by inference, concluding fuoin the tears fhed by 
 the young ftranger at the mention of his o.iine, that he can be no 
 ptiaer than the fon of Ulyfles.-^C. 
 
 G 4 As
 
 ^S D Y S S E Y IV. i4S-i7ji 
 
 As Dian, goddefs of the golden bow. 
 
 Adrafta, for her ufe, fet forth a throne, 
 
 Alcippe with foft arras cover'd it. 
 
 And Philo brought her filver balket, gift 
 
 Of fair Alcandra, wife of Polybus, 
 
 Whofe manfion in Egyptian Thebes is rich 
 
 In untold treafure, and who gave, himfelf. 
 
 Ten golden talents, and two lilver baths 
 
 With two bright tripods to the Spartan prince, 
 
 Befides what Helen from his fpoufe receivM. 
 
 A golden fpindle, and a balket wheel'd, 
 
 Itfelf of lilver, and its lip of gold. 
 
 That balket Philo, her own handmaid, placed 
 
 At Helen's lide, with fiend' reft thread replete. 
 
 On which infolded thick with purple wool 
 
 The fpindle lay. Pier foot-ftool'd throne fhe prefs'd. 
 
 And, foon as feated, of her fpoufe enquired. 
 
 Know we, my Menelaus, dear to Jove ! 
 Thefe guefts of ours, and whence they have arrived ? 
 Erroneous I may fpeak, yet fpeak I muft ; 
 In man or woman never have I Cecn 
 Such likenefs to another (wonder-fixt 
 I gaze) as in this flranger to the fon 
 Of brave Ulylics, whom that Hero left 
 New-born at home, when (fliarnclefs as I was) 
 For my unworthy lake the Greecians failed 
 
 1 T<i
 
 ODYSSEY IV. I74--J95. 89 
 
 To Ilium, with fierce rage of battle fired*. 
 
 Then Menelaus, thus, the golden-hair'd. 
 Such Hkenefs in him of Laertes' fon 
 Myfelf perceive ; hands, feet, cxpreffive eyes, 
 Fair open brows, and looks of kindred hue. 
 And, even now, when, calling him to mind, 
 I fpake of brave UlyfTes, and his toils 
 Endured for me, his ftarting tears I mark'd, 
 Which with his purple cloak he fought to hide. 
 
 To whom the fon of Neftor thus replied. ; 
 
 Atrides ! Menelaus ! Chief renown'd ! 
 He is in truth his fon, as thou haft faid ; 
 But he is modeft, and would much himfelf 
 Condemn, if, at his firft arrival here. 
 He fhould loquacious feem and bold to thee. 
 To whom we liften, captived by thy voice. 
 As if fome God had fpoken. As for me, 
 Keftor, my father, the Gerenian Chief 
 Bade me condu6l him hither, for he wifli'd 
 To fee thee, that fome word or deed of thine 
 Might footh his forrow ; for what grief foe'er 
 The fan fuftains, who finds not at his home 
 
 • Gataker in his Adnjer/aria Mi/cellanea fuppofes tliat Helen 
 calling herfeU 'K.wu'Tn^a rather means to difclaim all pretenfions to 
 beauty, than to modcfty, for that it is not to be imagined that uny 
 woman would acknowledge herfelf impudent and Ihamelcfo. But 
 Clarke difapproves the critkilm. 
 
 Father
 
 90 O D V S S E Y IV. ?36^22i» 
 
 Father o'* friend to fuccour hiirij with fueh 
 Telemachus is charged ; His father roams. 
 And none hath he t' avenge him in his flead. 
 
 To whom th'^ Hero amber-hair'd replied. 
 Ye Gods : the offspring of indeed a friend 
 Hath reach d my houfe, of one who hath endured 
 Ful] ni'v^j an arduous conflidl for my fake 5 
 And much I purpos'd, had Olympian Jove 
 Vouehfafed us profp'rous paffage o'er the Deep,, 
 To have receiv'd him with fuch fnendfl)ip here 
 As none befide. In Argos I had then 
 Founded a city for him, and had rais'd 
 A palace for himfelf ; I would have brought 
 The Hero hither, and his fan, with all 
 His people, and with all his wealth, fome iowix 
 Evacuating for his fakc^ of thofe 
 Ruled by myfelf, and nearcfi: to my own^ 
 Thus fituate, we had often interchanged 
 Sweet converfe, nor had other cauCe at laft 
 Our friendrhip terminated or our joys. 
 Than death's black cloud o'erfhadowing him or mc. 
 But plcafures pure as thofe, had c\\\y moved 
 In Jove himleh ; wlio, of Acliaia's fons, 
 Hath intercepted from his native iliorcs 
 The haplefs Laertiades alone. 
 
 So faying, he kindled the d^fire to weep 
 
 In
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 222-241, ^1 
 
 In ev*ry bofom. Argive Helen wept, 
 jove's daughter ; wept Telemachus as fail 
 And Menelaus ; nor with tearlefs eyes 
 Pifiliratus remain'd, who cail'd to mind 
 Antilochus by the illuftrlous fon 
 Of bright Aurora flain, remcmb'ring whom 
 His fpeech to Menelaus thus he turn'd *. 
 Atrides ! antient Neftor, when of late 
 Converting with him we rcnicmber'd thee. 
 Pronounced thee wife beyond all human-kind- 
 Kovv therefore, let not even uiy advice 
 Difpleafe thee. It affords me no delight 
 To intermingle tears with my repafi. 
 And foon, Aurora, daughter of the dawn. 
 Will tinge the orient. Not that I account 
 The mourner, whomfoever he lament. 
 Blame worthy, fince, to flicer the locks and weep, 
 Is all we can for the unhappy dead. 
 I alfo have my forrow, cail'd to mourn 
 One, not the meanctl of Achaia'5 fons ^, 
 
 * Antilochus was h's brother. The for. of Aurora, «.vho ilew 
 Aritilochus, was Memnon. — B. & C. 
 
 + This negative manner of prainng ii not what it Teems to br, 
 a flight and moderate eulogium, but intends the higheft, and with 
 that intention has been ufed by poets and rhetoricians in all ages. 
 So Homer, in another place, fpeaking of Heftor bruifed by Ajax 
 with a ftone, afcribes the greatell poflible force to the latter when 
 he calls hiox—— not the feebleft of the fons of Greece. 
 
 3 ^ly
 
 q'X O D Y S S E Y IV. 244-ifo. 
 
 My brother ; him I cannot but fuppofe 
 
 To thee well-known, although unknown to me 
 
 Who faw him never* ; but report proclaims 
 
 Antilochus fuperiour to the moft. 
 
 In Ipeed iuperiour, and in feats of arms. 
 
 To whom, the Hero of the yellow locks. 
 Ah my young friend ! fince nought which thou haft faid 
 Or recommended now, would have difgraced 
 A man of years maturer far than thine, 
 (For wife thy father is, and fuch art thou. 
 And ealy is it to difcern the fon 
 Of fuch a father, whom Saturnian Jove 
 In marriage both and at his birth ordain'd 
 To great felicity ^; for he hath giv'n 
 To Neflor gradually to fink at home 
 Into old age, and, while he lives, to fee 
 His fons pair others wife, and fkill'd in arms) 
 The grief which feized us fuddenly, (hall ceafe. 
 Come therefore — now to our repaft again — 
 
 * Becaufe Pififtratus was born after Antilochus had failed t» 
 Troy. 
 
 f Ic is the opinion of Dlonyrras Halicarn' that Homer confidered 
 virtue alone as infufficicnt to happinefs ; for having rcprefcnted 
 Neftor and UlyiTcs as alike in prudence, in fortitvide and eloquence, 
 but diffimilar in their lot, Neftor being bleft with greit profperity 
 and Ulyfies an affllAed wanderer, he calls the former happy, and 
 the latter, with all his mental accomplifhments and with all his 
 patience, unfortunate and wretched.— C, 
 
 Pour
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 261— 28r. 03 
 
 Pour water on our hands, for we (liall find, 
 (Telemachus and I) no dearth of themes 
 For mutual converfe when the morrow comes. 
 
 He ended ; then, AfphaHon, at his word. 
 Servant of glorious Mcnelaus, poured 
 Pure water on their hands, and they the feaft 
 Before them with keen appetite aflail'd. 
 But Helen, Jove's fair daughter^ to compofe 
 Their troubled fpirits, with a fudden hand 
 Infufed into the wine of which they drank. 
 A drug moft potent to fupprefs or grief 
 Or anger, and oblivion to induce 
 Of all paft evil *. Whofoe'er his wine 
 So medicated drinks, he will not bathe 
 His cheek all day with trickling tears, although 
 His father and his mother both were dead. 
 Nor even though his brother or his fon 
 Had fall'n in battle, and before his eyes. 
 Such drugs of fovVcign ufe had Helen brought 
 Erewhile to Sparta, Polydamna's gift. 
 Wife of ^Egyptian Thone ; for .^gpyt teems 
 
 • Plutarch, Macrobius, and Euftathius, were all of opinion that 
 by this drug we are to underfland not what the word imports, a 
 medicine, but the dircourfe of Helen fo admirably calculated to 
 intereft and to confole Telemachus.— C. But how fiie can be faid to 
 have fetched that difcourfe fom ^gypt, thefe learned exrjofitcrs 
 '^ ^^ ^°^'^^^ ^' *^^^ory have jJftUold us. 7?^ ^ it^J '^'^'^/x^corm^
 
 ^4 O D Y S S E Y lY. 2Sz-jo5. 
 
 With drugs o{ various po\v*rs ; falubrious Tome 
 With wine received, and Ibme of deadlieft kind. 
 Nor dwells on earth a race that may pretend, 
 in healing arts equality with them. 
 For they are genuine Tons of Paeon, all *, 
 That drug infufed, (lie bade her fervant pour 
 The bevVage forth, and thus her fpeech refumed. 
 
 Atrides 1 Menelaus 1 dear to Jove ! 
 Thefe guclls of ours are alfo nobly born. 
 But good or evil is the lot of man 
 As Jove ordains, fole arbiter of each. 
 Now therefore, fcafting at your eafe reclined, 
 Lillen with pleafurc, for myfelf, the while. 
 Will matter feafonable interpofe. 
 I cannot all rehearfe, nor even name, 
 (Omitting none) the conflicfls and exploits 
 Of brave Ulyfles ; but with what addrefs 
 Succefsful, one achievement he perform'd 
 At Ilium, where Achaia*s fons endured 
 Such hardfliip, will I fpeak. Infliding wounds 
 Difhonourable on himfelf, he took 
 A tatter'd garb, and like a ferving-man 
 
 * Pccon was the phyfician of the Gods, and not the fame witTi 
 Apollo, as Hefiod teftifics. 
 
 *H durli riaiwv, Sj dirdfTU}! ^a'pftaxa ol$tv,-—B» 8c C. 
 
 ♦ * Enter' d
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 304-32W J)^ 
 
 EnterM the fpacious city of our foes * 
 So clad, although of nobler port than He 
 Might none be found, when in the camp of Greece, 
 Some mendicant he feem'd. In fuch difguife 
 He enter'd Ilium's gate. There, all alike 
 Mifdeem'd him ; me alone he not deceived 
 Who challeng'd him, but, threwd, he turn'd away. 
 But bathed, at length, anointed and attired 
 At my command, and by a folemn oath 
 Of mine afTured, that not a Trojan there 
 Should learn him for Ulylfes, taught by me. 
 Till he had reach'd, fccurc, the camp again^ 
 He told me all the counfcl of the Greeks. 
 Thus, many a Trojan llaughter'd, he rejoin'd 
 Achaia's hoft, full-fraught, for future ufe. 
 With wife remark on all that he had feen ■*■. 
 Then, wail'd the Trojan women, but delight 
 My bofom fill'd, for with an alter'd heart 
 
 * Some fay that he engaged in this enterprife to procure himl'elf 
 an opportunity to meaiure the walls of I'roy, others, that he might 
 perfuade Helen to cooperate -.viih the Greecians. — B. 6c C. 
 
 + He might inform the Greeks, according to Euftathiiis, of his 
 fucccTs with Helen, how he had prevailed to vvjn her to their in- 
 terefts, of the Trojan counfels alfo, and of the dimenfions of the 
 walls, efpecially of the gate to which he intended to adapt the fize 
 of the wooden horfc. It is not improbable likewife that on this 
 occafion he contrived to carry off the Palladium. — C. 
 
 ^fit.r is tranflated here in the fenfe given it by Dacier. — Ct 
 
 I,
 
 ^6 O D Y S S E Y IV. 322-341. 
 
 I, now, regretted my forfaken home. 
 And mourn'd the fatal crime, to which impeird 
 By Venus, I had fought a diftant ihore. 
 Leaving my daughter, and my rightful Lord, 
 Although in feature, form, and mind, a Prince 
 Uncenfurable, and from blemifh free. 
 
 Her anfwer'd then the Hero golden-hair'd. 
 Helen ! thou haft well fpoken. All is true, 
 I have the talents fathom'd and the minds 
 Of num'rous Heroes, and have travell'd far. 
 Yet never faw I with thefe eyes in man 
 Such firmnefs as the calm Ulyfles own*d ; 
 I*^one fuch as in the hollow horfe he proved. 
 Where all our braveft fat, defigning woe 
 And bloody havock for the fons of Troy *. 
 Thou thither cam' ft, incited, as it feemM, 
 By fome Divinity, propitious more 
 To Troy than to the Greeks, and on thy fteps 
 Waited Deiphobus ^. Thrice round about 
 Thou did'lt encompafs, and with curious hand 
 
 * Homer, fays Quintilian, when he tells us that the Greecians 
 fat in the horfe, gives us in one word an idea of its magnitude, as 
 Virgil does of iis height, when he tells us that they Ui them/elves 
 down from it by a rcpc.—Q, 
 
 ■J- Deiphobus is faid to have accompanied her, that if any one 
 fpoke to her from within the horfe, he might know it j not choofing 
 to truft Her for the difcovery of it.— C. 
 
 Try
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 34^2-367. ^J 
 
 Try the huge ambufh, founding foith, the while. 
 
 The names of all our Leaders, with the voice 
 
 Well counterfeited of the wife of each. 
 
 Tydides, and Ulyffes, and myfelf 
 
 Among the midmoft feated, heard the call. 
 
 We, flarthig both, had either left at once 
 
 Our clofe concealment, or, at lead, replied. 
 
 But more difcrete UlyfTes interpofed 
 
 Firm hindVance, and controU'd the rath defire. 
 
 Now, therefore, all were quiet, fave alone 
 
 Anticlus, Hill impatient to reply. 
 
 But, prelling with both hands his op'ning lips 
 
 "Ulyires faved us ; for the clofe conflraint 
 
 He ftill enforced, till Pallas led thee thence. 
 
 Then thus, difcrete, Telemachus replied. 
 Atridcs ! Menelaus ! prince renown'd ! 
 Hard was his lot, whom thefe rare qualities 
 Preferved not, neither had his dauntlefs heart 
 Been iron, had he Ycaped his cruel doom. 
 But halte, and with difmiffion to repofe 
 Now needful, gratify my friend and me. 
 
 He ceas'd ; then Argive Helen gave command 
 To her attendant maidens to prepare 
 Beds in the portico with purpL' rugs 
 Refplendent, and with arras, oveifpread. 
 And cover'd warm with cloaks of fhag^y pile. 
 
 VOL. III. H Forth
 
 gj^ <?D V S 3 E Y V. 368-391. 1 
 
 Forth went the maidens, bearing each a torch_^ 
 And in the veflibule their beds prepar'd. 
 Then came an herald who conducted forth 
 The weary guefls, and, there, the noble fon 
 Of Neflor flept, and, there, his youthful friend 
 Telemachus ; but in the interiour houfe 
 Atrides, with the lovelieft of her fex 
 Befide him, Helen of the fweeping Hole. 
 But when Aurora, daughter of the dawn, 
 Glow'd in the Eaft, then from his couch arofe 
 The warlike Menelaus, frefh attired ; 
 His faulchion o'er his (houlders flung, he bound 
 His fandals fair to his unfullied feet. 
 And, godlike, iiTuing from h"is chamber, fat 
 Befide Telemachus, and thus began. 
 
 Hero ! Telemachus ! what urgent caufe 
 Hath hither led thee, to the land far-famed 
 Of Lacedaemon o'er the fpacious Deep ? 
 Publick concern or private ? Tell me true *. 
 
 To whom Telemachus difcrete replied. 
 Atrides ! Menelaus ! prince renown'd ! 
 News feeking of my Sire, I have arrived. 
 My houfehold is devour'd, my fruitful fields 
 Are defolated, and my palace fill'd 
 
 * Menelaus puts this queftion to Telemachus, knowing that Pifi- 
 Ilratus came only as his companion. — C, 
 
 4 With
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 394-417. 
 
 99 
 
 With enemies, who while they mutual wage 
 Proud competition for my mother's love, 
 My flocks unfparing flaughter, and my beeves. 
 Now, therefore, whether thou beheld'ft, thyfelf, 
 Ulyfles' death, or at fome wand'rer's lips 
 Haft learn 'd it, fuppliant at thy knees I beg 
 The fad recital ; for no common woes 
 Were his allotted portion from the womb. 
 Neither through pity or o'erftrain'd refpedl 
 Flatter me, but explicit all relate 
 Which thou haft witnefs'd. If my noble Sire 
 E'er gratified thee by performance juft 
 Of word or deed at Ilium, where ye fell 
 So num'rous flain in fight, oh recolledl 
 Now his fidelity, and tell me true ! 
 
 Then Meneiaus, fighing deep, replied. 
 Gods ! their ambition is to reach the bed 
 Of a brave man, how^ever bafe themfelves. 
 But as it chances, when the hart hath lay'd 
 Her fawns new-yean'd and fucklings yet, to reft 
 Within fome dreadful lion's gloomy den. 
 She roams the hills, and in the grafly vales 
 Feeds heedlefs, till the lion, to his lair 
 Returning, rends them both ; with fuch a force 
 Refiftlefs fhall UlyfTes them deftroy. 
 Jove, Pallas and Apollo ! oh that fuch 
 
 H 2 As
 
 100 ODYSSEY IV. 4i8-4J> 
 
 As erfl: in well-built Lefbos, where he threw 
 Phllomelides in a wreflllng-match 
 With mighty force, when all the Greeks rejoiced. 
 Such, now, UlyfTes might atTail them all ! 
 Short life and bitter nuptials fhould be theirs*. 
 But now, fuch anfwer as with earnefl fuit 
 Thou haft implored, diredl and true, receive; 
 For I will nought conceal, but will impart 
 All that the antient Prophet of the Deep'*' 
 Hath taught me, with exadleft truth to Thee. 
 
 The Gods, refenting my negle6l to pile 
 Their altars high with hecatombs, detain'd 
 Me ftill in ^gypt, anxious to return. 
 For juft obfervance of their high behefts 
 Alone can pleafe the Gods. There is an ifle 
 Amid the billowy flood, Pharos by name, 
 In front o{ Algypt, diftant from her fliore 
 Far as a vefTel by a fprightly gale 
 
 * By Phllomelides fome have rather abfurdly fuppofed Patroclus, 
 whole mother's name was Philomela, to be intended. But Homer 
 never forms his patronymies from the mother's fide, and why fiiould 
 the Greeks exult in the fall of an amiable man whom all relpefttd. 
 The perfon in queftion is therefore more probably affirmed by others 
 to have been the King of Lclbos, whofe cuftom being to challenge 
 ■all comer?, he challenged, on their arrival in his illand, the Greecians 
 alfo. — C. 
 
 f Froieus* 
 
 Lnpeird,
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 436-4Sff» lOI 
 
 ImpeU'd, may pufh her voyage in a day *. 
 It owns a quiet port, and many a fhip 
 Finds wat'ring there from riv'lets on the coail:. 
 There me the Gods kept twenty days, no breeze 
 Propitious granting, that might fvveep the waves. 
 And ufher to her home the flying bark. 
 And now had our provifion, all confumed. 
 Left us exhaufted, but a certain nymph 
 Pitied and faved me. Daughter fair was (he 
 Of mighty Proteus, Antient of the Deep, 
 Idothea named ; her mod my forrows moved ; 
 She found me wandering alone, remote 
 From all my followers, who around the ille 
 The fifhes fnaring roamed, by famine urged. 
 And ftanding at my fide, me thus befpake ^. 
 
 Stranger ! Thou, fure, art childifh, or of heart 
 Dull and infenlible, or thy delight 
 Is in diftrefs and mis'ry. Wherefore, elfe, 
 "Within thefe ifland-limits art thou pent 
 Thus long, nor end haft found of ling'ring here. 
 Where famine wafies thy people day by day ? 
 
 * In the heroick ages the diftance might be fuch ; though now by 
 the accumulation of foil from the mouth of the Nile, it is united to 
 the land, or nearly (o. — B. & C. 
 
 + Idothea is faid to have been enamoured of Canobus, the pilot 
 oi Menelaus. — Bi 
 
 H 3 So
 
 lOa O D'Y S S E Y IV. 457-47«; 
 
 So fpake the Goddefs, and I thus replied. 
 I tell thee, whofoever of the Pow'rs 
 Divine thou art, that I am prifon'd here 
 Not willingly, but muft have, doubtlefs, finn*(3 
 Againfl the deathlefs tenants of the Ikies. 
 Yet fay (for the Immortals all things know) 
 What God detains me, and my courfe forbids 
 Hence to my country o'er the fifhy Deep ? 
 
 I fpake ; when thus the Goddefs all-divine 
 Hear me, for all that I relate is true. 
 A faithful feer, the intient of the Deep, 
 Immortal Proteus, the -Egyptian, haunts 
 Thefe ihores, familiar with all Ocean's gulphs, 
 Neptune's attendant ever, and efteem'd 
 My father. Him if thou art able once 
 To feize and bind, he will prefcribe the courfe 
 With all its meafured diftances, by which 
 Thou (halt regain fecure thy native fhores. 
 He will, moreover, at thy fuit declare, 
 1 hou favour'd of the ikies ! what good, what ill 
 Hath in thine houfe befalln, while abfent thou 
 1 hy voyage difficult perform'ft and long *. 
 
 She 
 
 * 'O, tIi t I if fAiystpoKTi xxKov T yyet^ot rt rervKTse.!. 
 
 What good and what evil hath befallen thee in thy houfe. 
 Socrates a^ ( eliius fays, accounted this line of Homer his deareft 
 and bell treafurc, and declared that it comprifes the fu n total of 
 
 philofophy.
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 479-49S* IO3 
 
 She fpake, and I replied — Thy felf reveal 
 By what efFe6lual bands I may fecure 
 The antient Deity marine, lefl, warn'd 
 Of my approach, he (him me and efcape. 
 Hard talk for mortal hands to bind a God I 
 
 Then thus Idothea anfwer'd all-divine. 
 I will inform thee true. Soon as the fun 
 Hath climb'd the middle heav'ns, the prophet old. 
 Emerging while the breezy zephyr blows. 
 And cover'd with the fcum of ocean, feeks 
 His fpacious cove, in which outftretch'd he lies.. 
 The phocae * alfo, rifing from the waves. 
 Offspring of beauteous Halofydna, fleep 
 Around him, numerous, the fithy fcent 
 Exhaling rank of the unfathom'd flood +. 
 Thither condu6ling thee at early dawn 
 I will difpofe thee in fome fafe recefs, 
 
 philofophy. — C. The line, however, muft be detached from the con- 
 text and have a new fenfe given it before it can ferve the ufes to 
 which he applied it. For Homer means limply to fay by it, that 
 Proteus would inform Menelaus of all that had happened in his ab- 
 fence ; whereas Socrates found in it a hint not to fuiFer his curiofity 
 to tempt him aftray in queft of knowledge more fpecious than ufeful, 
 but rather to attend to what was paffing at home and in his own 
 heart. — An excellent leflbn certainly, but not found here or any 
 where elfe in Homer. 
 
 * Seals, or fea-calves. 
 
 f According to JElizn no animal flceps fo found.— B. 
 
 H 4 But
 
 104 O D Y S S E Y IV. 49&-521. 
 
 But from among thy followers thou flialt ciroofe 
 
 The braved three in all thy gallant fleet. 
 
 And now the artifices underftand 
 
 Of the old prophet of the fea. His herd 
 
 Of phocae numb'ring firft, he will pafs through 
 
 And fum them all by fives, then lying down 
 
 Will flecp as fleeps the fliepherd with his flock. 
 
 When ye fliall fee him flretch'd, then call to mind 
 
 That moment all your prowefs, and prevent, 
 
 Ilowe'er he ftrive impatient, his efcape. 
 
 All changes trying, ev'ry reptiles form 
 
 On earth he will adopt, and he will {tcm 
 
 A river now, and now devouring Are ; 
 
 But ye, the more he flrives, with added force 
 
 Strive alfo, and conftrain him flill the more. 
 
 And when himfelf fliall queflion you, rcflored 
 
 To his own form in which ye found him firft 
 
 Repofing, then from farther force abflain ; 
 
 Then, Hero ! loofe the Antient of the Deep, 
 
 And aflc him what Divinity impedes 
 
 Thy voyage homeward o'er the fifliy flood. 
 
 So faying, flie plunged into the billowy wafle. 
 I then, in various mufings loft, my fhips 
 Along the fca-bcach flation'd, fought again. 
 And when I rcach'd my galley on the fliore 
 Wc fupp'd, and, at the fall of dewy night. 
 
 On
 
 ODYSSEY IV. <;:2— 547. IO5 
 
 On Oceana's fide extended, took repofc. 
 
 But when Aurora, daughter of the dawn, 
 
 Look'd rofy forth, befide the fpacious Deep 
 
 Proceeding, firfl I importuned the Gods 
 
 With fervent pray'r, then chofe the fitteft three 
 
 For bold aflault, and worthieft of my trult. 
 
 Mean-while the Goddefs deep into the gulphs 
 
 Of Ocean plunging, from the bottom brought 
 
 Four hides, the fkins of Phocae newly flain, 
 
 Forecafting to deceive her antient Sire. 
 
 Four cradles in the fea-fand, next, flie fcoop'd. 
 
 Then waited our approach. We foon arrived; 
 
 When, tide by fide, flie lodg'd us, and a ikln 
 
 Caft over each. But terrible we found 
 
 Our ambufh, there, fo rancid was the fcent 
 
 And noifome to us all ; for who could reft 
 
 Extended at a foul fca-monfter's fide ? 
 
 But fhe a potent remedy devifed 
 
 Herfelf to fave us, who applied beneath 
 
 Our noflrils fweeted odours of divine 
 
 Ambrofia, which the fifhy fcent fubdued. 
 
 All morning, patient watchers, there we lay ; 
 
 And now the num'rous phocfe from the Deep 
 
 Emerging, flept along the fliore, and he 
 
 At noon came alfo, and perceiving there 
 
 His fatted monllers, through the flock his courfe 
 
 1 Took
 
 J06 O D Y S S E Y IV. 548—573, 
 
 Took regular, and fumm'd them ; with the lirft 
 He number'd us, fufpicion none of fraud 
 Conceiving, then couch'd alfo. We, at once, 
 Loud-fhouting flew on him, and in our arms 
 Conflrain'd him fafl ; nor the fea-prophet old 
 Call'd not incontinent his fhifts to mind. 
 Firft he became a long-maned lion grim, 
 A dragon then, a panther, an huge boar, 
 A limpid ftream, and an o'erfhadowing tree. 
 We perfevering held him, till at length 
 The fubtle Sage, his inefFeclual arts 
 Refigning weary, queftion'd me, and faid. 
 
 Say, fon of Atreus \ what confed'rate PowV 
 Ailifled thy contrivance to enfnare 
 And thus conftrain me ? what is thy defirc ? 
 
 So He ; to whom thus anfvver I return'd. 
 Oh antient Prophet ! guile alone fuggefts 
 Thefe queftions, for thyfelf already knovvTt. 
 Within thefe iiland-limits have I dwelt 
 Long time, no means difcov'ring of efcape. 
 Though famine wafies my people day by day. 
 Yet fay (for the Immortals all things know) 
 What God detains me, and my courfe forbids 
 Hence to my country o'er the fifhy Deep ? 
 
 So I ; when thus the old one of the waves. 
 
 Bui
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 573---?94- lO'J 
 
 * But thy plain duty was to have adored 
 
 Jove, firft, in facrifice, and all the Gods, 
 
 That then embarking, by propitious gales 
 
 Impell'd, thou might'ft have reach'd thy country foon. 
 
 For thou art deitin'd ne'er to fee again 
 
 Thy friends, thy palace, or thy native fhores. 
 
 Till thou have reach d once more the hallow'd flood 
 
 Of iEgypt, and with hecatombs adgred 
 
 Devout, the deathlcfs tenants of the ikies. 
 
 Then will they fpeed thee whither thou defir'lt. 
 
 He ceafed. 1 liften'd with a broken heart. 
 Thus bidden o'er the gloomy waves again 
 To uiEgypt ; voyage long and hard to achieve ! 
 Yet, though in forrow wheim'd, I thus prefumcd. 
 
 Old prophet ! I will all thy will perform. 
 But tell me, and the truth without difguifc. 
 Have the Achaians with their fhips arrived 
 All fafe, whom Neftor left and I, at Troy ? 
 Hath none of all our heroes, lince the fiege. 
 Died prematurely, or, on board his bark. 
 Or in th' embraces of his friends at home ? 
 
 I fpake, when anfwer thus the God return'd. 
 
 • From the abruptnefs of this beginning, Virgil, probably, who 
 has copied the Hory, took the hint of his admired exordium 
 
 Nam quis te, juvenum confidentiflTime, noftras 
 Eglt adire domes ? 
 
 Atrides,
 
 I08 O D Y S S E Y IV, 595-609, 
 
 Atridcs, \vhy thcfe queftions ? Better far 
 Were igqorancc for thee ; iince, knowing all. 
 Thou wilt not long, I judge, from tears abftain *. 
 No few have died, and many fiill furvive 
 Of thofe Achaian Chiefs ; but Two alone 
 In their return have perifh'd, and a third 
 Still lives, imprifon'd in the boundlefs Deep. 
 
 Ajax, furrounded by his galleys, died'*'. 
 Him Neptune, firfi:, againft the bulky rocks 
 The Gyras, drove, but faved him from the Deep ; 
 Nor had he perifh'd, hated as he was 
 By Pallas, but for his prefumptuous boafl; 
 That Him the Gods themfelves fhould llrive in vain 
 To overwhelm in Ocean's gulphy flood +. 
 Neptune that fpeech vain-glorious hearing, grafp'd ■ 
 
 * Here, it is obferved, the poet condemns an importunate curi- 
 ofity concerning the Future. — B. Certainly it is one of the chief 
 mercies of God to man that he hides it from him. 
 
 f Pallas perfccuted the Greccians on their return for the reafon 
 already mentioned, the rape of Caffandra by the Locrian Ajax. 
 Nor was Ihe even fo appcafed, but, during a period of a thoufand 
 years, compelled the Locrians to fend annually a certain number of 
 virgins chofen by lot, to Ilium.— B. & C. 
 
 Pliny takes notice of a pldure the work of Apollodorus the Athe- 
 nian, which he had fcen at Pergamus, and the fubje<f^ of which was 
 the Ajax here mentioned ftruck with thunder. — B. & C. 
 
 X The Gyraj were rocks fituatcd very near to the ifland Myco- 
 nos, and were fo called becaufc they threw the water into whirl- 
 pools.— B. & C. 
 
 His
 
 ODYSSEY IV. €10-630. 109 
 
 His trident, and the huge Gyraean rock 
 
 Smiting indignant, dafli'd it half away ; 
 
 Part ftood, and part, on which the boafter fat 
 
 When, fiill:, the brainfick fury feiz'd him_, fell. 
 
 Bearing him with it down into the gulphs 
 
 Of Ocean, where he drank the brine, and died*. 
 
 But thy own brother in his barks efcaped 
 
 That fate, by Juno faved ; yet when, at length. 
 
 He Hiould have gain'd Malea's craggy fhore. 
 
 Then, by a fudden tempcll: caught, he flew 
 
 With many a groan far o'er the lidiy Deep 
 
 To the land's utmofl: point, where once his home 
 
 Thyeftes had, but where Thyeftes' fon 
 
 Dwelt then, iEgifthus. There, the Gods appeafed 
 
 The ftormy blaft, and, deeming molt fecure 
 
 His paflage to Mycenae thence by land. 
 
 He difembark'd. With calm delight he trod 
 
 The fhore of Argos, kifs'd his native foil. 
 
 And, at a fight fo welcome, wept for joy. 
 
 But not unfcen he landed ; for a fpy. 
 
 One whom the Ihrewd iEgifthus had feduced 
 
 * Homer literally intjrpreted fays— ^/o there he died, nvhen he had 
 drunk /alt iva/er.— A line which, according to Euftatliius, had place 
 in none of the aniient editions, being rejected as too fimple, and 
 even trivial. — C. It was once however well chofen for his motto by 
 aphyCcian who wrats a treatifs againfl the internal ufe Oi fea-water. 
 
 By
 
 liO O D Y S S E Y IV. 631— 656, 
 
 By promife of two golden talents, mark'd 
 His coming from a rock where he had watch'd 
 The year complete, left, paffing unperceived, 
 The King fhould reaflcrt his right in arms. 
 Swift flew the fpy with tidings to his Lord, 
 And He, incontinent, this proje6l framed 
 Infidious. Twenty men, the boldeft hearts 
 Of all the people, from the reft he chofe. 
 Whom he in ambufh placed, and others charged 
 With diligence to fpread the feftal board. 
 With horfes, then, and chariots forth he drove 
 Fall-fraught with mifchief, and, inviting home 
 The unfufpicious King, amid the feaft 
 Slew him, as at his crib men flay an ox. 
 Nor of Atrides' or ^Egifihus' train 
 A man efcapcd ; all perifh d by the fword. 
 
 He ceas'd, I heard him with a broken heart. 
 And on the fands fat weeping ; life itfelf 
 Now fail'd to pleafe me, and the light of day. 
 Long time I wept and roll'd me in the duft, 
 But, fated', ceafed at length ; when thus his fpeech 
 The anticnt Prophet of the Deep refumed. 
 
 Atridcs ! fit not weeping without end 
 Or meafure here, fince remedy thy grief 
 Will yield thee none, but with thy beft difpatch 
 Strive for deliv'rance and to reach again 
 
 Thy
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 6,-7-678. I r I 
 
 Thy native home ; for thou {halt either find 
 iEgifthus living, or, if haply, firft, 
 Oreftes have avenged his father's death, 
 At leafl fhalt witnefs his funereal fires. 
 
 He ceas'd, and I, affli(?l:ed as I was, 
 Yet felt my fpirit at that word refrefli'd, 
 And in wing'd accents anfvver thus return'd. 
 
 Of thefe I am informed ; but name the third 
 Who, dead or living, in the boundlefs Deep 
 Is flill detain'd ; I dread, yet with to hear. 
 
 So I; to whom thus Proteus in return. 
 Laertes' fon, the Lord of Ithaca — 
 Him in an ifland weeping I beheld, 
 Guefl of the nymph Calypfo, by conftraint 
 Her gueft, and from his native land withheld 
 By fad neceflity ; for fliips well-oar'd. 
 Or faithful followers hath he none, whofe aid 
 Might fpeed him fafely o'er the fpacious flood. 
 But, Menelaus ! not for Thee thy doom 
 Has death prepared in Argos — Thee the Gods 
 Have deftin'd to the blefl Elyfian ifles *, 
 Earth's utmofl bound'ries ; (Rhadamanthus there 
 
 * The abode of Heroes after death, fo named either from EluiTos 
 of Eleuther^, a perfon of uncommon piety, or becaufc the inhabi- 
 tants fuffer no more diflblution. They were called the happy iflcs, 
 or the ifles of the bleffed.— B. & C. 
 
 For
 
 112 O D Y S S E Y TV. 679—704, 
 
 For ever reigns, and there the human kind 
 Enjoy the catieit life ; no fnow is there. 
 No biting winter, and no drenching fhowV, 
 But zephyr always gently from the fea 
 Breathes on them, to rcfrefli the happy race) 
 Becaufe that Helen is thy wife, and thee 
 They deem, for her fake, near allied to Jove. 
 
 So faying, he plunged into the billowy wafte. 
 I then, with my brave comrades to the fleet 
 RcturnVl, deep-mufing as I went, and fad. 
 No fooner had 1 reach'd my fhip betide 
 The ocean, and we all had fupp'd, than night 
 From hcav'n fell on us, and, at eafe repofcd 
 Along the margin of the fea, we flept. 
 But when Aurora, daughter of the dawn, 
 Look'd rofy forth, drawing our galleys down 
 Into the facred Deep, wc rear'd again 
 'J he maft, unfurled the fail, and to our feats 
 On board returning, threfh'd the foamy flood. 
 Once more, at length, within the hallow'd flream 
 Of /Egypt mooring, on the fliore I flew 
 Whole hecatombs, and (the difplcafure thus 
 Of the Immortal Gods appeafcd) I reared 
 '^J'o Agamemnon's never-dying fame 
 A tomb, and (inilhing it, fail'd again 
 With fuch a gale from heaven vouchfafcd, as font 
 
 My
 
 ODYSSEY TV. 705-727. 113 
 
 My fiiips rwift-fcudding to the (horcs of Greece. 
 But come — eleven days wait here, or twelve 
 A gaefl: with me, when I will fend thee hence 
 Kobly, and honour'd with illuftrioiis gifts, 
 "With fplendid chariot, with three princely ftceds. 
 And with a gorgeous cup, that to the Gods 
 Libation pouring ever while thou liv'fl 
 From that fame cup, thou mayTt remember me. 
 
 Him, prudent, then anfvver d Trlemachus, 
 Atrides ! fpare to prefs my longer (lay. 
 For, willing, To delightful is the found 
 Of thy recital, I could lift'ning fit 
 The year entire, rememb'ring neither home 
 Nor parents more; but my companions, left 
 In Pylus, deem already my return 
 Too long delay'd, whom thou would ft flill detain. 
 What boon foe'er thou giv'il me, be it fuch 
 As I may treafur'd keep ; for I will take 
 No Heed's to Ithaca, where glory none 
 They can achieve, as here, for thee, they may. 
 For thou art Lord of an extenfive plain. 
 Where lotus, herbage of all favours, wheat, 
 Pulfe, and white barley clothe the fruitful foil*. 
 
 But 
 
 * Herodotus fays that when the Nile overflows, many lilies crow 
 
 in the water of a kind winch the Egyptians name Lotus j gathering 
 
 thefe, they dry them in the fun, and make the fruit iuto bread 
 
 VOL, in. J whicJi
 
 114 O D Y S S E Y IV. 718-746, 
 
 But Ithaca no level champaign owns, 
 A nurfery of goats, and yet a land 
 Fairer than richeft paftures in mine eye. 
 But none of all our rugged illes affords 
 Large growth of herbs, or level fpace to run. 
 And Ithaca the rudeft is of all. 
 
 He faid ; the Hero Menelaus fmiled. 
 And (Iroaking tenderly his cheek, replied. 
 Dear youth ! thy fpcech proclaims thy noble blood. 
 I can with eafe fupply thee from within 
 With what fhall fuit thee better, and the gift 
 Of all that I poflefs which mofl excels 
 In beauty, and the noblefl (liall be thine. 
 I give thee, wrought elaborate, a cup 
 Itfelf all fiLvcr, bound with lip of gold. 
 It is the work of Vulcan, which to me 
 The Hero Phasdimus prefented. King 
 Of the Sidonians, when on my return 
 His houfe received me. That (hall be thy own *. 
 
 Thus 
 
 which they eat toafted. The root likewlfe is eatable, has an agree* 
 able fweetnefs, is round and of the fize of an apple.— C. 
 
 But according to the Scholiaft there was a tree called Lotut, aitd 
 afpecies of grafs alfo, — B. & C. 
 
 • It is doubted whether Phaedimus is here a proper name or an 
 
 epithet fignifying illujlrious. They who underftand it in the latter 
 
 fenfe affirm this illuftrious hero, the King of Sidon, to have been 
 
 Solomon ; in fupport of which opinion Barnes cites the following 
 
 pafTage from Clemens Alexandrinus. 
 
 ** Iranms
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 747-7^9' 1 1^ 
 
 Thus they conferr'd ; and now the bufy train 
 Of menials culinary, at the gate 
 Of Menelaus, glorious Chief, appear'd *. 
 They brought him Iheep, with heart-ennobling wine. 
 While all their wives, their brows with frontlets bound. 
 Came charg'd with bread. Thus bufy they prepared 
 A banquet in the manlion of the King. 
 
 Mean-time, before Ulyfles' palace gate 
 The fuitors fported with the quoit and fpear 
 On the fmooth area, cuflomary fcene 
 Of all their flrife and angry clamour loud ^. 
 There fat Antinoiis, and the godlike youth 
 Eurymachus, fuperiour to the reft 
 
 " Iramus or Hiram gave his daughter to Solomon at the time 
 when Menelaus returning from the fiege of Troy arrived at 
 PhcEnice." 
 
 Sidon was a city of that country. 
 
 * AenTviA-uv — generally fignifies the founder of a feaft; but we are 
 taught by Euftathius to underlland by it, in this place, the perfons 
 employed in preparing it. — C. 
 
 The fame commentator underftands thefe preparations to be made 
 not in the palace of Menelaus but of UlyfTes, It is however in the 
 beginning of the next paragraph, and not before, that the poet con- 
 dufts us back to Ithaca. This is noticed by Barnes, who terms it a 
 pardonable errour indeed, but ftill worthy to be cenfured as an errour, 
 left the authority of fo learned a critic Ibould miflead the reader. 
 
 + The quoit was commonly a ftone, but was fometimes made of 
 iron, and had a thong tied about the middle of it, by which they 
 fwung and caft it. What the tranflation calls a fpear was rather a 
 ^javelin, fuch as was ufed in goat-hunting, — C. 
 
 I 1 And
 
 Il6 ODVSSEYIV. 76o-7St. 
 
 And Chiefs among them, to whom Phronius* Ton 
 Noemon drawing nigh, with anxious mien 
 Qiieftiou'd Antinoiis, and thus began. 
 
 Know we, Antinous 1 or know we not. 
 When to expecfl Telemachus at home 
 Again from Fylus ? In my fhip he went, 
 Which now I need, that I may crofs the fea 
 To El is, on whofe fpacious plain I feed 
 Twelve marcs, each fuckling a mule-colt as yet 
 Unbroken, but of which I. purpofe one 
 To ferry thence, and break him into ufe. 
 
 He fpake, whom they aftonifli'd heard j for him 
 They deem'd not to ISIeleian Pylus gone, 
 But, likelieft, to the field, his num'rous flocks 
 To vifit, or the fleward of his fwinc. 
 Then thus, Eupithcs' fon, Antinous, fpake. 
 
 Say true. When fail'd he forth ? of all our youth. 
 Whom chofe he for his followers ? his own train 
 Of flaves and hirelings ? Hath he pow'r to effect 
 This alfo ? Tell me too, for I would learn — 
 Took he perforce thy fable bark away, 
 Or gav'fl it to him at his firft demand * ? 
 
 To 
 
 • The queflion of Antinous, fays Barnes, feems to be afked with 
 a malicious intention- to betray Noemon into a falfe accufation of 
 TeLMvachus, a modeft and virtuous prince, whom he afFefts to con- 
 fider as one like himfslf> according to the manner of fuch profligates 
 
 . . as
 
 ODYSSEY IVi 782-8Q4J xi^ 
 
 To whom Noemon, Phronius' Ton, replied. 
 I gave it voluntary ; what could'ft thou, 
 Should fuch a prince petition for thy bark 
 In fuch diftrcfs ? Hard were it to rcfafe. 
 A band, infcriour to yourfclves alone 
 Attends him forth ; and with them I obferved 
 Mentor embarking, ruler o'er them all. 
 Or, if not him, a God ; for fuch he feem'd. 
 But this much moves my wonder. Yefter-mora 
 I faw, at day break, noble Mentor here, 
 V\ horn (liipp'd tor Pylus I had feen before. 
 
 He ceas'd ; and to his father's houfe returnM ; 
 They, hearing, fat aghalt. Their games mean-timie 
 Finifh'd, the fuitors on their feats repofed. 
 To whom Eupithes' fon, Antinoiis, next, 
 Much troubled fpake ; a black ftorm overcharged 
 His bofom, and his vivid eyes flafh'd fire. 
 ' Ye Gods, a proud exploit is here achieved. 
 This voyage of Teiemachus, by us 
 Pronounced impra61ieable ; yet the boy 
 In rafh defiance of us all, is gone. 
 With a fwift bark, and with a chofen crew. 
 He foon will prove more niifchievous, whofe pow'r 
 
 as he. But Noem n anfwers honellly and boldly, doing juflice to 
 the Ion of die King nis mafter, and tacitly condemning the fuitors* 
 jnic^uitous treatment of hiin. 
 
 1 3 Jove
 
 Il8 ODYSSEY IV. to^—tiA, 
 
 Jove wither, ere we fufFer Its effects ! 
 But, be ye quick, launch alfo forth for mc 
 A bark with twenty rowers ; clofe conceal'd 
 Within the narrow frith that fep'rates thefe 
 From the rough fhores of Samos, will I lurk. 
 And watch his coming, who fhall dearly rue 
 That e'er he roam'd to leek his wand' ring Sire. 
 
 He ceafed, and loud applaufe heard in reply. 
 With warm encouragement. Then, rifing all. 
 Into UlyfTes' houfe at once they throng'd. 
 Kor was Penelope left uninformed 
 Long time of their clandefline plottings deep. 
 For herald Medon told her all, whofe ear 
 Their councils caught while in the outer-court 
 He flood, and they that project framed within. 
 Swift to Penelope the tale he bore, 
 Who as he pafs'd the gate, him thus addrefs'd. 
 
 Why, herald ! thus in hafle ? With what command 
 Charged by the fuitors ? That Ulyfles' maids 
 Their talks refign, to furnilb, at his coft. 
 The board for them ? Here end, for ever end 
 Their tedious wooing ! May ye * never hence 
 
 • This tranfuion from the third to tlie fecond perfon belongs to 
 the original, and is confidered as a fine ftroke of art in the poet, 
 who reprefeius Penelope in the warmth ofher refentment, forgetting 
 where fhe i$, and addreffing the fuitors as if prefent« 
 
 Efcape
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 827-851. 119 
 
 Efcape t* aflemble at the feftive board 
 
 Elfewhere, as, here aflembling, day by day 
 
 Ye have devour'd the fubftance of my Ton 
 
 The Prince Telemachus ! Ye never, fure. 
 
 When children, from your parents learn' d, how kind 
 
 UlyfTes, in their days, had ever been. 
 
 No wrongs committing, criminating none 
 
 Before the people, as the pradlice is 
 
 Of mighty chiefs, who favour without caufe, 
 
 And without caufe difcount'nance whom they pleafe. 
 
 He no man wrong'd at any tin^ ; but ye 
 
 Proclaim your own ingratitude, and prove 
 
 His kindnefs to your parents lofl on you. 
 
 Then Medon anfwer thus, prudent, return'd. 
 Grant Heav'n, oh Queen, that this woe prove the Vv^orft I 
 But greater far and heavier ills than this 
 The fuitors plan, whofe counfels Jove confound ! 
 Their bafe defire and purpofe are to flay 
 Telemachus on his return ; for he. 
 To gather tidings of his Sire is gone 
 To Pylus, or to Sparta's land divine. 
 
 He faid ; and where fhe flood, her trembling knees 
 Fail'd under her, and all her fpirits went. 
 Speechlefs fhe long remain'd, tears filFd her eyes. 
 And inarticulate in its paffage died 
 Her utt'rance^ till at laft with pain the fpake. 
 
 I 4 Herald i
 
 I20 ODYSSEY IV. S53-S69. 
 
 Herald ! why went my Ton ? he hath no need 
 On board fwift (hips to ride, which are to man 
 His fteeds that bear him over feas remote*. 
 Went he refolved on death, and that his name. 
 Sunk with himfclf, thould be pronounced no more^ 
 
 Then anfwer, thus, Medon the wife return' d, 
 I know not whether him fome God impcU'd 
 Or his own heart to Pylus, there to hear 
 ]News of his Sire's return, or by what fate 
 At leail he died, if he return no niore. 
 
 He faid, and traverfing UlyfTcs' courts, 
 Departed ; fl:e, with heart-confuming woe 
 O'erwhehii'd, no longer could endure to take 
 llepofe on any of hei: num'rous feats. 
 But on the thrcfhold of her chamber-door 
 Lamenting fat, while all her female train 
 Around her moan'd, the antient and the young, 
 
 * Literally, nvhich are the 7!iariner\ horfes. The mqtaphor itfelf 
 is admired by Euflathius, but not the ufe of it by Pcntrlope in her 
 prefent circumftunces, Diibeffcd as ihe is, fhe ought not to be fup- 
 pofed to have leifure for poetical fancies and the exercifc of in- 
 gL^nuity. Virgil errs in like manner, as is obferved by Fulviusi 
 Urfinus, introducirg into the fpeech of Venus w. i!e flie laments the 
 fufferings of yiin.as, an cpiibdical defcription of Timavus. 
 
 — ^ et fontem fupeiarc Tiniavi j 
 
 Undt per 01 a novtm vafto cum nuirmuie mentis 
 Jt mare proiuptvmi, et pelago prcinit aiva fonanti. 
 
 yEn. I. 248.— C. 
 
 % Whoui
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 870-%, %Zt 
 
 Whom, fobbing, thus, Penelope befpake. 
 
 Hear me, ye maidens ! for of woman born 
 Coeval with me, none hath e'er received 
 Such plenteous forrow from the Gods as I, 
 Who firfl my noble hufband lofl, endued 
 With courage lion-like, of all the Greeks 
 The Chief with ev'ry virtue mod adorn'd, 
 A prince all-excellent, whofe glorious praife 
 Through Hellas and all Argos flew difFufed, 
 And now, my darling fon, — -him dorms have fnatch'd 
 Far hence inglorious, and I knew it not. 
 Ah treach'rous fervants ! confcious as ye were 
 Of his delign, not one of you the thought 
 Conceived to wake me when he went on board. 
 For had I known his purpofe to depart. 
 He either had not gone (how much foe'er 
 He wilb'd to leave me) or had left me dead. 
 But hade ye, — bid my antient fervant come, 
 Polion (whom when I left my father's houfe 
 He gave me, and whofe office is to attend 
 My num'rous garden-plants' that he may feek 
 At once Laertes, and may tell him all ; 
 He may, perchance, fome remedy devife. 
 And, vv ecping, move the people to withdand 
 Thefe cruel men, who purpofe to dcdroy 
 My on^ fole ofl'spring of his godlike Sire. 
 
 ThcQ
 
 J2^ ODYSSEY IV. Sg^-^tu 
 
 Then thus the gentle Euryclea fpake, 
 Nurfe of Telemachus. Alas ! my Queen ! 
 Slay me, or fpare, deal with me as thou wilt, 
 I will confcfs the truth. I knew it all. 
 I gave him all that he required from me. 
 Both wine and bread, and, at his bidding, fwore 
 To tell thee naught in twelve whole days to come. 
 Or till, inquiry made, thou fhould'ft thyfelf 
 Learn his departure ; left thou fhould'ft: impair 
 Thy lovely features with excefs of grief. 
 But lave thyfelf, and, frefh attired, afcend 
 To thy own chamber, there, with all thy train. 
 To worfhip Pallas, who fhall fave, thenceforth. 
 Thy fon from death, what ills foe'er he meet. 
 Add not frefh forrows to the prefent woes 
 Of the old King, for I believe not yet 
 Arcefias' race reje6led by the Gods 
 Wholly, but truft that there fhall ft ill be found 
 Among them, who fhall, undifturb'd, poftcfs 
 This palace, with its diftant fair domain. 
 
 So faying, fhe hufh'd her forrow, and her eyes 
 No longer ftream'd. Then, bathed and frefh attired, 
 Penelope afccnded with her train 
 The upper palace, and a baftcct ftored 
 With hallowd cakes to I'allas oft''ring, pray'd. 
 
 Hear matchlefs daughter of Jove a^gis-arm'd i 
 
 If
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 9aa-9.i4# t2^ 
 
 f 
 
 If ever wife Ulyfles ofFer'd here 
 
 The thighs of fatted kine or fheep to thee^ 
 
 Now mindful of his piety, preferve 
 
 His darling fon, and friiftrate with a frown 
 
 The cruelty of thefe imperious guefts ! 
 
 She faid, and with fhrill voice melodious pray'd. 
 Whom Pallas heard. And now the fpacious hall 
 And gloomy paflages with tumult rang 
 And clamour of that throng, when thus, a youth 
 Infolent as his fellows, dared to fpeak. 
 
 Much woo'd and long, the Queen at length prepares 
 To choofe another mate, and nought fufpedis 
 The bloody death to which her fon we doom *, 
 
 So He ; but of his doom they little knew. 
 And, cautious, thus Antinoiis replied. 
 
 Sirs ! one and all, I counfel you, beware 
 Of fuch bold boafting unadvifed ; left one 
 Overhearing you, report your words within. 
 No — rather thus, in filence, let us move 
 To an exploit fo pleafant to us all. 
 
 He faid, and twenty chofe, the braveft there, 
 With whom he fought the galley on the fhore. 
 Which haling down to fea, with maft and fails 
 
 * Miftaking, perhaps, the found of her voice, and imagining that 
 fhe fang. — B, 
 
 -They
 
 1 24 O D Y S S E Y IV. 945-965, 
 
 They farnlfh'd, and, adjufting, next, their oars 
 
 Each to its groove with fmootheft leather lined. 
 
 Unfurl d their (liining canvas to the gale*. 
 
 Their bold attendants brought them then their arms 
 
 And thrufting forth the galley till the fwam, 
 
 They moor'd her faft, then went themfelves on board. 
 
 And Tupping, waited for the diifk of eve. 
 
 But when Penelope, the palace ftairs 
 Kcmounting, had her upper chamber reach'd, 
 There, unrefreOi'd with either food or wine. 
 She lay'd her down, her noble fon the theme 
 Of all her mulings, whether he fhould 'fcape 
 His impious foes, or perifh by their hands. 
 INuin'rous as are the lion's thoughts, who fees. 
 Not without fear, a multitude with toils 
 Encircling him around, fuch num'rous thoughts 
 Her bofom occupied, till fleep at length 
 Invading her, flie drnk in foft rcpofe. 
 
 Then Pallas, teeming with a new defign. 
 Set forth an airy phantom in the form 
 Of fair Iphthima, daughter of the brave 
 
 * The Scholiall afks, Why do they fet up the mad if they pur- 
 pofe to ufe their oars? and concluJes it to be only that the vefTel 
 may make ihe better appearance. But Cj.,rkeaflis, why might they 
 not ufe both ? 
 
 What is here called the groo've, the watermen on the Thames 
 call the thole, 
 
 Icarius,
 
 ODYSSEY IV. 966—989, 12^ 
 
 Icanus, and Eumelus' wedded wife 
 In Pheras *. Shaped like her the drdam fhe feat 
 Into the mandon of the gadlike Chief 
 Ulyfles, with kind purpofe to abate 
 The fighs and tears of fad Penelope. 
 Ent'ring the chamber-portal where the bolt 
 Secured it, at her head the image flood, 
 And thus Jn terms companionate, began. 
 
 Sleep'ft thou, diftrefs'd Penelope ? The Gods, 
 Happy in evcrlafting reft themfelves, 
 Forbid thy forrows. Thou fnalt yet behold 
 Thy fon again, who bath by no ofrence 
 Incurr'd at any time the wrath of heav'n. 
 
 To whom, fweet-flumbVing in the fhadowj gate 
 By which dreams pafs, Penelope replied^ 
 
 What caufe, my fifter, brings thee, who art feeri 
 Unfrequent here, for that thou dwelTfl remote ? 
 And thOu enjoin'fl me a cefilition too 
 From forrows num'roirs^ and which, fretting, wear 
 My heart continual ; firft, my fpoufe I loft 
 With courage lion-like endow'd, a prince 
 All-excellent, whofe never-dying praife 
 Through Hellas and all Argos flew diffufcd j 
 And now my only fon, new to the toils 
 
 • A cxty of Tlvefialy, fa named from Pheres the founder of 5^ — "B, 
 
 And
 
 126 O D Y S S E Y IV. 990-Moi. 
 
 And hazards of the fea, nor lefs untaught 
 ^he arts of traffick, in a fhip is gone 
 Par hence, for whofe dear caufe I forrow more 
 Than for his Sire himfelf, and even fhake 
 With terrour, left he perifh by their hands 
 To whom he goes, or in the ftovmy Deep j 
 For num'rous are his foes, and all intent 
 To flay him, ere he reach his home again *. 
 
 Then anfwer thus the fhcdowy form retarn'd. 
 Take courage ; fufFer noi exceffive dread 
 To overwhelm thee, for fecur'd he goes 
 By Pallas j a prote6lrefs fuch as all 
 Would with to gain ; for harm can ne'er betide 
 
 * Spondanus, though ready to grant every thing to maternal 
 love, accounts the afFedlion fhown by Penelope to her hufband, in 
 this inftance,lnferiour to the requifitions of the Divine Law as they 
 arc urged on us. Yet he allows (but it is an allowance not called 
 for) that the grief of Penelope on account of Ulyffes is, if not 
 almoll obliterated by time, yet certainly much abated. But there 
 are many rcafons, as Barnes obferves, to juftify her deeper con- 
 cern for Telemachus on the prefent occafion, to which, though the 
 poet hr-.s mentioned them, Spondanus was not attentive. Telema- 
 chus wanted experience, but UlyfTes in that refpeft, as well as in 
 point of uncommon natural fagacity, was eminently qualified to 
 encounter danger. Ulyflbs, when he went to Troy, was aware of 
 all the hazard of the enterprife, but his fon is ignorant that an 
 ambufti is fet for his life, from which he can hardly efcape but bj 
 a miracle. And, after all, fays Barnes, whether greater conjugal 
 afFcftion than Penelope manifells is required of us or not, certain it 
 is that we fee few inltances of any like it. 
 
 Whom
 
 ODYSSEY IV. tooi-roH. 12y 
 
 Whom {he defends. In pity of thy woes 
 
 She urged me forth, and charged me thus to fpeak. 
 
 Then thus Penelope the wife replied. 
 Oh ! if thou art a Goddefs, and haft heard 
 A Goddefs* voice, rehearfe to me the lot 
 Of that unhappy one, if yet he live 
 Spe6lator of the cheerful beams of day. 
 Or if, already dead, he dwell below. 
 
 Then anfwer thus the fading form returned. 
 Vain words are evil. Whether he be dead. 
 Or ftill alive, reft uninform'd by me *. 
 
 So faying, her egrefs fwift befide the bolt 
 She made, and melted into air. Upfprang 
 From deep Icarius' daughter, and her heart 
 Felt heal'd within her, by that dream imprefs'd 
 Diftin6lly in the noifelefs night ferene. 
 
 Mean-time the fuitors urged their wat'ry way. 
 To inftant death devoting in their hearts 
 Telemachus. There is a rocky ifle 
 In the mid fea, Samos the rude between 
 And Ithaca, not large, named Afteris, 
 
 * This anfwer of the phantom, fays Euftathlus, is dexteroufl/ 
 managed ; for to have proceeded to tell the whole truth and to 
 have informed her that UlyfTes was flill alive, would have been 
 incompatible with the fcquel, to which it is effcrntial that UlyiTes at 
 his return (hould be unknown to al'j but efpecially to Penelope.-. C, 
 
 It
 
 128 ODYSSEY IV, 1024—1026. 
 
 It hath commodious havens, into which 
 
 A pafTage clear opens on either fide, 
 
 And there the ambufhd Greeks his coming watchM*. 
 
 • The conclurlini; lines of this Book have been altered, but, by 
 an overfigTit of the Tratiflator. fo altered that, for an obvious rea- 
 fon, the Editor is obliged to give them in a Note, or not at all; 
 
 Midway between the rugged Samian -f- (bore 
 And Iihaca there lies, not large, an ifle 
 Kamed Adeiis J, witli ports at either end 
 Acccflihie ; among the rrcks conceal'd 
 There lay the fuicors, watching his return. 
 
 •f- Or Cephallenian ; — B &C. for Cephallenia is fometimes called 
 by Homer, Same or Samos from a town in it of that name. 
 
 J Apoliodorus fays that the ir.?nd continued in his time fuch 
 as Homer de( ribes it, and had a fmall city in it, on that fide ne:it 
 to the continent, called Alalcomene. But Strabo is fo much at a 
 lofs about it. that he thinks Homer muil have mifreprefentcd the 
 place either for want of fuflicient acquaintance with it, or for the 
 lake of his fable. — C. 
 
 ARGU.
 
 ODYSSEY V. 1-7. 1^9 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 FIFTH BOOK. 
 
 Mercury bears to Calypfo a command from Jupiter that (he dif- 
 mifs Ulyffes, She, afcer fome remonftrances, promii'es obe- 
 dience and furniihes him with implements and materials, with 
 which he conftrufts a raft. He quits Calypfo's ifland ; is per- 
 fecuted by Neptune with dreadful tempefts, but by the afllftance 
 of a fea nymph, after having loft his raft, is enabled to fwim 
 to Phxacia. 
 
 BOOK V. 
 
 Aurora from befide her glorious mate 
 
 Tithonus now arofe, difpeniing light 
 
 Through earth and heav'n, when the aflembled Gods 
 
 In council fat, o'er whom high-thund'ring Jove 
 
 Prefided, mightieft of the Pow'rs above^ 
 
 Amid them, Pallas all Ulyfles' woes 
 
 Enumerated, whom with grief Ihe faw 
 
 VOL. Ill* K Detain d
 
 t^O ODYSSEY V. g'-zf. 1 
 
 Detained ftill pris'ner in Calypfo's ifTe *. 
 
 Jove, and ye bleil inhabitants of heav'n ? 
 Be never King, hereafter, Hb'ral, kind, 
 Or righteous, but let ev'ry fceptred band 
 Rule mercilefs, and deal in wrong alone, 
 Since n-one o': all his people whom be fway'd 
 Witb foch paternal gentlenefs and love 
 Kemembers, now, divine Ulyflcs more. 
 He, in yon diftafjt iile a fiifF'rer lies 
 Of hopelefs farrow, through conflraint the gueft 
 Still of tbe nymph Calypfo, without means 
 Or pow'r to reach his native (bores again. 
 Alike of gallant barks and friends deprived. 
 Who might cond«6i him o^er the fpacioas Deep, 
 Nor this is all, bat enemies combine 
 To flay his fon ere yet he can return 
 From Pylus, whither he hath gone to leam 
 There, or in Sparta, tidings of his Sire. 
 
 To whom the Sov'reign of the Ikies replied. 
 -What words are thcfc which now have pafs'd thy lips 
 
 ♦ Tithonus, fon of Laomeuon, brother of Priam, hufband of 
 Aurora, is called Endytnion alio. As Endymion, he is mate of the 
 Moon, and as Tithonus, of the Morning. As Endymion, he is 
 fabled to be a hunter and to fleep in the night only, devoting the j| 
 day tf) the labours of the chafe ; but as Tithonus, he is an alho- M 
 nomer and fleeps in the day, watching all the night that he may 
 Qbferve the ilars. — B. & C, 
 
 3 My
 
 Odyssey v. 28— 4J, 13 1 
 
 My daughter ? Hafl: thou not, thyfelf, decreed 
 A fafe return and vengeance on his foes 
 To brave UlyfTes ? Thou haft alfo IkiU 
 To guide uninjur'd to his native home 
 Telemachus his fort, and can'ft with eafc 
 Send back the fnitors vcxt at his efcapc. 
 
 He ccas'd, and thus to Hermes fpake, his Ton. 
 Hermes ! (for thou art herald of our will 
 At all times) to yon beauteous nymph convey 
 Our fixt refolve, that brave UlyfTes thence 
 Depart, uncompanied by God or man. 
 Borne on a corded raft, and fuff 'ring woe 
 Extreme, he on the twentieth day fhall reach, 
 Not fooner, Scherie the deep-foil'd, poffefs'd 
 By the Phaeacians, kinfmen of the Gods *. 
 They, as a God (hall reverence the Chief 
 And in a bark of theirs fhall fend him thence 
 To his own home, much treafure, brafs and gold 
 And raiment giving him, to an amount 
 Surpaffing all that, had he fafe return'd, 
 He (hould by lot have fhared of Ilium's fpoil. 
 
 * Scherie, the ifland of the Phsacians, has fince been called 
 Corcyra, but its moll antient name was Drepane. They are faid 
 to be aVx'6-^o* or to have affinity with the Gods, either on ac« 
 count of their King's defcent from Neptune, or becaufe they were 
 a happy people, or becaufe the Gods occafionally viHted them and 
 Ihared their banquets. — B. & C. 
 
 K a Thus
 
 J32 ODYSSEY V. 49-74- ♦ 
 
 Thus Fate appoints Ulyfles to regain 
 
 His native {hore, his palace and his friends. 
 
 He ended, nor the Argicide refufed, 
 MefTenger of the Ikies ; his fandals fair, 
 Ambrofial, golden, to his feet he bound. 
 Which o'er the moift wave, rapid as the wind. 
 Bear him, and o'er th' illimitable earth. 
 Then took his rod with which, at will, all eyes 
 He foftly (huts, or opens them again. 
 So arm'd, forth flew the valiant Argicide. 
 Alighting on Pieria, down he ftoop'd 
 To Ocean, and the billows lightly ikimm'd 
 In form a fea-mew, fuch as in the bays 
 Tremendous of the barren Deep her food 
 Seeking, dips oft in brine her ample wing. 
 In fuch difguife o'er many a wave he rode. 
 But reaching, now, that ifle remote, forfook 
 The azure Deep, and at the fpacious grot. 
 Where dwelt the amber-trefled nymph, arrived. 
 Found her within. A fire on all the hearth 
 Blazed fprightly, and, afar-diffufed, the fcent 
 Of fmooth-fplit cedar and of cyprefs-wood 
 Odorous, burning, cheer'd the happy ifle. 
 She, bufied at the loom, and plying faft 
 Her golden fhuttle, with melodious voice 
 Sat chaunting there ; a grove on either fide, 
 
 4 Alder
 
 ODYSSEY V. 7J-98. 123 
 
 Alder and poplar, and the redolent branch 
 
 Of cyprefs hemm'd the dark retreat around. 
 
 There many a bird of broadeft pinion built 
 
 Secure her neft, the owl, the kite, and daw 
 
 Long-tongued, frequenter of the fandy fhores. 
 
 A garden-vine luxuriant on all fides 
 
 Mantled the fpacious cavern, clufter-hung 
 
 Profufe ; four fountains of fereneft lymph 
 
 Their finuous courfe purfuing fide by fide. 
 
 Stray 'd all around, and ev'ry where appear'd 
 
 Meadows of foftefi: verdure, purpled o'er 
 
 With violets ; it was a fcenc to fill 
 
 A God from heav'n with wonder and delight. 
 
 Hermes, Heav'n's mefiTenger, admiring fiood 
 
 That fight, and having all furvey'd, at length 
 
 Enter'd the grotto ; nor the lovely nymph 
 
 Him knew not foon as feen, for not unknown 
 
 Each to the other the Immortals are. 
 
 How far foever fcp'rate their abodes. 
 
 Yet found he not within the mighty Chief 
 
 UlyfiTes ; he fat weeping on the fhore. 
 
 Forlorn ; for there his cuftom was with groans 
 
 Of fad regret t' affli6l his breaking heart. 
 
 Looking continual o'er the barren Deep *. 
 
 Then 
 
 • The poet is fuppofed to fequefler Ulyfles on tMs occafioa, 
 that ignorant of the conftraint under which Calypfo a6led, he might 
 
 It 3 imagine
 
 134 O D Y S S E Y V. 99-121. 
 
 Then thus Calypfo, lovelied nymph divine. 
 
 Of Hermes, from her dazzling throne, enquired. 
 
 Hermes, fwift bearer of the golden rod ! 
 Whom I refpedl and love, thou art a gueft 
 Unfrequent here — fay, wherefore haft thou come ? 
 Speak thy defire ; I grant it, if thou afk; 
 Things pofTible, and poffible to me. 
 Stay not, but entVing farther, at my board 
 Due rites of hofpitality receive. 
 
 So faying, the Goddefs with ambrollal food 
 Her table coverM, and with rofy juice 
 Neelareous charged the cup. Then ate and drank 
 The Argicide and herald of the ikies. 
 And when, divinely banquetted, be felt 
 Jlis heart refrefh'd, his meflage thus declared. 
 
 Queftioneft thou, a Goddefs, me -a God? 
 I tell thee truth, lince fuch is thy demand. 
 Not willing, but by Jove conftrain'd, I come, 
 for who would, voluntary, fuch a breadth 
 Enormous rneafure of the fait expanfe. 
 Where city none is feen in which the Gods 
 Are ferv'd with chofen hecatombs and pray'r ? 
 But ng divinity may the defigns 
 
 imagine her conrent to his departure and the means with which 
 |he furnifhed him to conftrudl his raft, the efFeds of kindnefs merely^ 
 and hold himfelf evefLiftin^ly indebted to her. — C. 
 
 fllud^i
 
 gOYSSEY V. 122-146. Z7^ 
 
 Elude, or contravert, of Jove fupreme. 
 He faith, that here thou hold'ft the moil dlHrefi: 
 Of all thofe warriors who nine years affail'd 
 The city of Priam, and, (that city fack'd) 
 Departed in the tenth ; bat, going thence. 
 Offended Pallas, who with adverfc winds 
 Oppofed their voyage, and with boift'rous wave?. 
 Then perilh'd ail his gallant friends, but him 
 Billows and ftorms drove hither ; Jove commands 
 That thou difmifs him hence without delay, 
 For fate ordains him not to perifh* here 
 From all his friends remote, but he is doom'd 
 To fee them yet again, and to arrive 
 At his own palace in his native land. 
 
 He faid ; divine Calypfo at the found 
 Shuddcr'd, and in wing'd accents thus replied. 
 
 Ye are nnjufl, ye Gods, and envious paft 
 All others, grudging if a Goddefi choofe 
 A mortal hufband, and avow the choice. 
 So, when the rofy-pabn'd Aurora chofe 
 Orion, even in your blctl abodes 
 Ye reded not, till, in Ortygia, pierced 
 By fair Diana's gentle fliafts he died. 
 So when the beauteous Ceres, in a deep 
 Thricc-labour'd fallow, fway'd by foft defire, 
 
 K 4 Infolded
 
 136 ODYSSEY V. 147-166, 
 
 Infolded young lalion in her arms. 
 
 Not long remain'd Jove ignorant, who fmote 
 
 With his bright bolt and flew the favour'd fwain *, 
 
 So alfo, O ye Gods, ye envy me 
 
 T he mortal man, my confort. Him I faved 
 
 Myfelf, while folitary on his keel 
 
 He rode, for with his fulph'rous arrow Jove 
 
 Had cleft his bark amid the fable Deep. 
 
 THen perifhM all his gallant friends, but him 
 
 Billows ^nd (iorms drove hither, whom I lov'd 
 
 Sincere, aad fondly deftin'd to a life 
 
 Immortal, unobnoxious to decay. 
 
 But fince no Deity may the defigns 
 
 Elude or controvert of Jove fupreme. 
 
 Hence with him to a death abhorr'd, if fuch 
 
 The Sov'reign's will and fuch his ftern command. 
 
 But undifmifs'd he goes by me, who fhips 
 
 Mylelf well-oar'd and mariners have none 
 
 To fend with him athwart the fpacious flood ; 
 
 Yet wiU I counfel him, nor fhall he want 
 
 • He was the fon of Jupiter and Eledra the daughter of Atlas, 
 and by his amour with Ceres became the father of i*lutus.— B. & C. 
 Thi^ amour, however, was probably an allegorical one, as the Scho- 
 lialt ohiervcs, and the truth of his hillory amounted to no more 
 (ha. thic h'. wdk a ucrfon fkilful in agriculture, and profiting 
 nmcJi by his art, grew rich in confe(juence. — C 
 
 Such
 
 ODYSSEY V. 167-192. 137 
 
 Such means of fiirthVance to his native ifle 
 As my beft help can furnilli for his ufe. 
 
 Then Hermes thus, the meiienger of heav'n. 
 So fend him hence, and quickly, through refpedl 
 For the command of Jove ; whofe fiery wrath. 
 If thou delay, thou may'fl, thyfelf, incur. 
 
 So faying, the dauntlefs Argicide withdrew. 
 And (he (Jove s mandate heard) all-graceful went. 
 Seeking the brave Ulyfies ; on the fhore 
 She found him feated ; tears that never ceas'd 
 His cheek bedew'd, and, fince the lovely nymph 
 Had loft her powV to charm him, he refign'd 
 All thought of blifs befides, and in the pang3 
 Of hopelefs exile pafs'd his happieft hours. 
 Yet, through conftraint, and lifllefs to return 
 Her fond embraces, in her arch'd recefs 
 He flept the night befide her, and, by day, 
 Reclining on the rocks that lined the Ihore, 
 And viewing wiftfully the barren Deep, 
 Wept, groan'd, dcfpondcd, figh'd, and wept again. 
 Then, drawing near, thus fpake the nymph divine. 
 
 Unhappy ! weep not here, nor life confume 
 In anguifh ; go ; thou haft my glad confent. 
 Arife, and hewing from the trunks of trees 
 Long planks, with bolts of iron form a raft 
 Of needful breadth, which clofely floor'd above. 
 
 Stall
 
 JjS O D Y S S E Y V. m-xr^. 
 
 Shall hence convey thee o'er the gloomy Deep. 
 Bread, water, and the red grape's cheering juice 
 Myfclf will put on board, which fhall preferve 
 Thy life from famine ; I will alfo give 
 !New raiment for thy limbs, and will difpatch 
 Winds after thee to waft thee home unharm'd. 
 If fuch the pleafure of the Gods who dwell 
 In yonder boundlefs heav'n, to whom belongs 
 Unerring fkill to judge, and not to me. 
 
 She fpake ; Ulyfles fhudder'd at the found. 
 And thus th' affli6led Hero, quick, replied. 
 
 Ah ! other thoughts than of my fafe return 
 Employ thee, Goddefs, now, who bid' ft me pafs 
 The perilous gulph of Ocean on a raft, 
 That wild expanfe, which even gallant fliips 
 Fafs not, though form'd to cleave their way with eafCj, 
 And joyful in propitious winds from Jove*. 
 JSFo — let me never, in defpite of thee, 
 Embark on board a raft, nor till thou fwear. 
 Oh Goddefs ! the inviolable oath. 
 That future mifchief thou intend'ft me none. 
 
 He faid ; Calypfo, beauteous Goddefs, {Iroak'd 
 
 * 'AyaMo/ttEvai. Homer, as Ariflotle has obfeived, frequently 
 afcribes life tp inanimate things, and endues them with a meta- 
 phorical fenfibility. — C. 
 
 His
 
 ODYSSEY V, 215—235, 129 
 
 His wan, wet cheek, and^ fmiling, thus replied. 
 
 Thou doft afperfe me rudely, and excufe 
 Of ignorance haft none, far better taught ; 
 What words were thefe ? How could'ft thou thus reply? 
 Kow hear me Earth, and the wide Heav'n above i 
 Hear, too, ye wa'^ers of the Stygian ftream 
 Under the earth, (by which the blefled Gods 
 Swear trembling, and revere the awful oath !) 
 That future mifchief I intend thee none *. 
 No, my defigns concerning thee are fuch 
 As, in an exigence refembiing thine, 
 Myfeif, moft fure, fhould for myfelf conceive, 
 I have a mind more equal, not of fteel 
 My heart is forra'd, but much to pity inclined. 
 
 So faying, the lovely Goddefs with fwift pace 
 Led on, whofe footfteps he as fwift purfued. 
 Within the vaulted cavern they arrived. 
 The Goddefs and the man ; on the fame throne 
 Ulyires fat, whence Hermes had aris'n. 
 Where all refrefliments, fuch as mortals ufe, 
 Calypfo placed before him, drink and meats 
 
 * The water of Styx, according to Paufmlas, dripped from a 
 fountain near to Nonacris a town of Arcadia, and fell iato the 
 hollow of a lofty rock through which it pafTed into the river 
 Cfatis. He ad4s that it was fatal to every animal that drank it.- C. 
 
 Of
 
 I40 « D Y S S E Y V. 136-26*. 
 
 Of various kinds, then, oppofite rcpofed. 
 Was ferved, herfelf, by her attendant train 
 With nedar and ambrofia. They their hands 
 Stretch'd forth together to the ready feaft, 
 And when nor hunger more nor thirft remainM 
 Unfated, thus the beauteous nymph began. 
 
 Laertes' godlike fon, for wiles renown'd ! 
 Can'fl: thou refolve thus fuddenly to feek 
 Thy native fhores ? — I wifh thee, not the lefs. 
 All joy — but knew'ft thou to what num'rous woes 
 Thy fate ordains thee, in thy voyage hence. 
 This calm retirement and immortal life 
 Enjoy'd with me, would win thee to remain. 
 Ardent and ceafclcfs as thy wifhcs are 
 To fee Penelope ; for, whether face 
 Or form engage thee, well may I prefume 
 Mine fcarce inferiour, fincc immortal charms, 
 Compared with mortal merely, mufl excel. 
 
 To whom Ulyfles, ever-wife, replied. 
 Dread Goddcfs 1 bear with me. Myfelf, I know 
 That my Penelope, alike, in form 
 And ftature altogether yields to thee. 
 For fhe is mortal, and immortal thou, 
 From age exempt ; yet not the lefs I wifh 
 My native home, and languifh till the day 
 
 That
 
 ODYSSEY V, 461—277, 141 
 
 That fees my fafe arrival, (hall arlfe. 
 
 But fhould fome God amid the fable Deep 
 
 Dafh me again into a wreck, my loul 
 
 Shall never, ev'n for fuch a caufc, renounce 
 
 Her wonted fortitude ; for I have borne 
 
 In ftorms and battle much ; now, therefore, come 
 
 This evil alfo, following all the reft* ! 
 
 He ended, and the finking fun refignM 
 The earth to darknefs. Then in a recefs 
 Interiour of the cavern, fide by fide 
 Repofed, they took their amorous dc'.ight. 
 But when Aurora, daughter of the dawn, 
 Look'd rofy forth, Ulyfics then in hafte 
 Put on his veft and mantle, and, the nymph 
 Her fnovi'y vefture of tranfparent woof. 
 Graceful, redundant ; to her waift fhe bound 
 Her golden zone, and veil'd her beauteous head^ 
 
 * Maximus Tyrius confiders the refufal ofUIyfles to become Im- 
 mortal, exempt from all infirmity, and to dwell for ever with Ca. 
 lypfo attended by beautiful Nymphs and enjoying perpetual plea- 
 fure, as an argument that he was of a dull and grols nature, and (a 
 deflitute of all virtue, that but for his misfortunes and fufierings he 
 would fion be utterly forgotten.— C. But furely he inverts the con- 
 clufion which the premifes naturally fuggeft ; and the hero may much 
 more jaflly be faid, when he prefers the barren Ithaca, becaufe it is 
 his proper home, to the delightful ifisnJ of Calypfo, to exi.ibit 
 proof of the moft corfummate virtue. There feems no reaf-n to doubt 
 that Homer defigned it as his highert eulogium. 
 
 'J l^en,
 
 14* ODYSSEV V. 4t2-2^9» 
 
 'I'hcnj mufing, plann'd the noble Chief's return* 
 
 She gave him, fitted to the grafp, an axe 
 
 Cfiron, pond'roiis, double edg'd, with hail 
 
 Of olive-wood, inferted firm, and wrought 
 
 With curious art. Then, placing in his hand 
 
 A polifh'd adze, fhe led, herfelf, the way 
 
 To her ifle's utmoll verge, where loftiefl flood 
 
 The alder, poplar, and cloud-piercing fir. 
 
 Though faplefs, found, and fittcft for his ufe 
 
 As buoyant moll. To that once verdant grove 
 
 His fieps, the beauteous Nymph Calypfo led. 
 
 And fought her home again. Then flcpt not He, 
 
 But, fwinging with both hands the axe, his talk 
 
 Soon finifh'd ; trees full twenty to the ground 
 
 He call, which, dext'rous, with his adze he fmooth'd^ 
 
 The knotted furface chipping by a line. 
 
 Mean-time the lovely Goddefs to his aid 
 
 Sharp augres brought, with which he bored thebeams^ 
 
 Then placed them fide by fide, adapting each 
 
 To other, and the feams with wadding clofed *. 
 
 Broad as an artill, Ikill'd in naval works. 
 
 The bottom of a fhip of burthen fpreads. 
 
 * This, according to Euftathius, is the probable meaning of 
 apf/oi't'vjjrui afYifm, He fuppcfes the «p/*onu to be a fort of tow made 
 from vegetables, and applied by the antients to naval ufes, as hemp 
 among us,— C. 
 
 Such
 
 ODYSSEY V. 306-325. 14^ 
 
 Such breadth UlyfTes to his raft affign'd. 
 He dcck'd her over with long planks, upborn 
 On mafi}' beams; He made the mail, to which 
 He added fuitable the yard ; — he framed 
 Rudder and hchn to regulate her courfe, 
 With wicker-work he border'd all her length 
 For fafety, and much ballaft fiow'd within. 
 Mean-time, Calypfo brought him for a fail 
 Fitteft materials, which he alfo fhaped. 
 And to his fail due furniture annex'd 
 Of cordage ftrong, foot-ropes and ropes aloft. 
 Then heav'd her down with levers to the Deep. 
 He finifh'd all his work on the foarlh day. 
 And on the fifth, Calypfo, nymph divine, 
 Difmifs'd him from her ifle, but laved him firlt. 
 And cloth'd him in fweet-fcented garments new. 
 Two Ikins the Goddefs alfo placed on board. 
 One charg'd with crimfon wine, and ampler one 
 With water ; nor a bag with food replete 
 Forgot, nutritious, grateful to the taile. 
 Nor yet, her lateit gift, a gentle gale 
 And manageable, which Ulytres fpread. 
 Exulting, all his canvas to receive. 
 Befide the helm he fat, fleering expert. 
 Nor fleep fell ever on his eyes that watch'd 
 Intent the Pleiads, tardy in decline 
 
 Bootes^
 
 144 ODYSSEY V. 326— 346< 
 
 Bootes^ and the Bear, calFd elfe the Wain, 
 Which, in his polar prifon circling, looks 
 Dired toward Orion, and alone 
 Of thefe finks never to the briny Deep*. 
 That flar the lovely Goddefs bade him hold 
 Continual on his left through all his conrfe. 
 Ten days and fcv'n, he, navigating, cleav'd 
 The brine, and on the eighteenth day, at length 
 The fhadowy mountains of Phaeacia's land 
 Defcried, where neareft to his courfe it lay 
 Like a broad buckler on the waves afloat. 
 
 But Neptune, traverfing, in his return 
 From Ethiopia's Tons, the mountain-heights 
 Of Solyme, defcried him frotn afar 
 Born on the fmooth expanfe'''. His fiery wrath 
 Redoubling at the fight, his brows he fhook, 
 And thus within himfelf, indignant, fpake. 
 
 So then — while I with i^thiopia's fons 
 Have dwelt fecurc, Ulyfl^s, as it feems. 
 Hath found the Gods lefs adverfe. He beholds 
 Phscacia nigh, where he is doom'd to leap ,«^ 
 
 • That Homer had an accurate knowledge of aftfonomy, fays 
 Dionyfius Hal. is cvid'.nt, and if he has not given us in his poems 
 the wholy theory of the heavens, as Aratus, or any other profefled 
 sftronomer may have done, it is only becaufe liis fubjeft did not call 
 him to if. — C. 
 
 -)• 'I'he Solymi were a people on the confines of Lycia. Their 
 couniry was alfo called Pifidia.— C. 
 
 The
 
 ODYSSEY V. 347-37*. 1 45 
 
 The boundVy of his woes ; yet fuch diftrefs 
 As I can caufe, he ihall not want the while. 
 
 He fpake, and grafping his huge trident, call'd - 
 Storms from all quarters, covVing earth and fea 
 With blacked clouds, and night rufh'd down from heav'n. 
 The Ead, the South, the heavy-blowing Well, 
 And the cold North-wind clear, aflail'd at once 
 The raft, and heav'd on high the billowy flood. 
 All hope, all courage, in that moment, lofl. 
 The Hero thus within himfelf complain'd. 
 
 Wretch that I am, what deftiny at laft 
 Attends me ! much I fear the Goddefs' words 
 All true, which threaten'd me with num'rous ills 
 On the wide fea, ere I fliould reach my home. 
 Behold them all fulfill'd 1 with what a ftorm 
 Jove hangs the heav'ns, and agitates the Deep ! 
 Swift comes the tempeft on ; the gather'd winds 
 All rage at once, and there is no cfcape. 
 Thrice bleft, and more than thrice, Achaia's fons 
 At Ilium flain for the Atridae' fake ! 
 Oh that contending with the Trojan hofl 
 For flain Achilles, when a thonfand fpears 
 Aflail'd me, I had died ! Achaia's fons 
 Had then, with founding fliields, and folemn march. 
 And drains funereal compafs'd me around. 
 Whom ruthlefs Fate now dooms to perifh here. 
 
 VOL. iTi. L A billow.
 
 t^S ODYSSEY V; 373-39S. 
 
 A billow, at that word, with dreadful fvvcep 
 RoH'd o'er his head, and whirl'd the raft around. 
 DaftiM from the fteerage o'er the vefTel's fide, 
 He plunged remote ; the guft of mingling winds 
 Snapp'd fhort the maft, and fail and fail-yard bore 
 Afar into the Deep. Long time beneath 
 The whelming waves he lay, nor could emerge 
 With fudden force, for furious was the fhock. 
 And his apparel, fair Calypfo's gift, 
 Opprefs'd him forely ; but, at length, he rofe. 
 And, rifing, fpatter'd from his lips the brine 
 Which trickling left his brows in many a flream. 
 Nor, though diflrefs'd, unmindful to regain 
 His raft was he, but, buffeting the waves 
 Purfued, and, wellnigh at his dying gafp 
 Recover'd it, and in the centre fat. 
 She, by the billows tofs'd, at random roll'd. 
 As when, in autumn, Boreas o'er the plain 
 Before him drives a mafs of matted thorns. 
 They, tangled, to each other clofe adhere. 
 So her the winds drove wild about the Deep. 
 By turns, the South conflgn'd her, as in fport. 
 To the rude North-wind, and the Weft, by turns. 
 Received her from the intermitting Eaft. 
 Him Cadmus' daughter, Ino named of old. 
 But now Leucothea, faw. She, lovely Nymph, 
 
 Oncfe
 
 ODYSSEY V. 399-4«« I47 
 
 Once mortal, trod the ground*, but in the gulphs 
 Of Ocean fhares immortal honours now. 
 Her pity, tempeft-tofs'd and worn with toil 
 tllyfles moved, and in a fea-mew^s form 
 Emerging, with broad wing fhe fkimm'd the waves. 
 And perching on the raft, him thus addrefs'd. 
 
 Alas ! unhappy ! how haft thou incenfed 
 So terribly the Shaker of the iliores. 
 That he purfues thee with fuch numVous ills ? 
 Sink thee he cannot, wifh it as he may. 
 Thus do (for I account thee not unwife) 
 Thy garments putting off, let drive thy raft 
 As the winds will ; then, fwimming, ftrive to reach 
 Phseacia, where thy doom is to efcape. 
 Take this. This riband bind beneath thy breaft, 
 Celeftial texture. Thenceforth every fear 
 Of death difmifs, and, laying once thy hands 
 On the firm continent, unbind the zone. 
 Which thou (halt caft far diftant from the fhore 
 Into the Deep ; but turn thy face away. 
 
 So faying, the Goddefs gave into his hand 
 The wond'rous zone, and, fea-mew ftill in form, 
 Plunged from his fight beneath the rolling ilood, 
 But ftill th' affliaed hero fat perplex'd, 
 
 • The Tranflator finding himfelf free to chook between uvhi(rff» 
 aad i}T)ias-a.f has preferred the latter. 
 
 L 3 And
 
 148 ODYSSEY V. 423-44S. 
 
 And with his noble heart thus communed fad. 
 
 Alas ! This counfel to forfake the raft— 
 I fear it — left fome Deity defign 
 Another fnare for me ; nor fliall I yield 
 Obedience foon ; for I beheld the land 
 Of my foretold deliv'rance far remote. 
 Thus, therefore, will I do, for fuch appears 
 My wifer courfe. While yet the planks fuftain 
 This tempeft undisjoin'd, I will abide 
 A fuff'rer on the raft ; but when the weaves 
 Shall once have (liatter'd it, I will eflay 
 This girdle then — my fole expedient left. 
 While thus he mufed, the God of ocean heav'd 
 A mountainous and overwhelming wave 
 And hurl'd it at the raft. As when the wind 
 Tempeft uous, falling on fome ftubble-heap, 
 The arid ft raws difperfes ev'ry way, 
 So flew the timbers. He, a finglc beam 
 Bcftriding, oar'd it onward with his feet. 
 As he had urged an horfe. Then putting off 
 Calypfo's gift, his drench'd attire, he bound 
 His girdle on, and prone into the fca 
 With wide-fpread palms prepar'd for fwimming, fell. 
 The God of ocean eyed him ; in difdain 
 He (hook his brows, and in his heart he faid, 
 
 Thus, fuft'ring many mis'ries roam the ilood. 
 
 Till
 
 ODYSSEY V, 449—4721 14^ 
 
 Till thou {halt mingle with a race of men 
 Heav'n's fpecial favourites ; yet even there 
 Fear not that thou (halt feel thy forrows light. 
 
 He faid, and fcourging his bright Heeds, arrived 
 At ^Egae, where his glorious palace (lands *. 
 
 But other thoughts Minerva's mind employ'd 
 Jove's daughter ; binding ev'ry wind befide. 
 She lull'd them, and enjoin'd them all to lleep. 
 But roufed fwift Boreas, and the billows bade 
 Subfide before him, till the noble Chief, 
 From death deliver'd and the grafp of fate. 
 Should mingle with Phaeacia's fons, fecurc. 
 
 Two nights of terrour and two dreadful days 
 Bewilder'd in the Deep, and many a time 
 Foreboding death, he roam'd ; but when, at length. 
 The third bright morn appear'd, the wind, aiTuaged, 
 Blew foftly, and a breathlefs calm enfued. 
 Then, calling from a billow's height a look 
 Of anxious heed, he faw Phaeacia nigh. 
 
 Precious as to his children feems the life 
 Of fome fond father, who hath long endured 
 His adverfe demon's rage, by flow difeafe 
 And ceafelefs anguiih wailed, till the Gods 
 Difpel at length their fears, and he revives, 
 
 * An ifland in front of Euboea, facred to Neptunp.— B. & C. 
 
 L 3 So
 
 I^O ODYSSEY V. 473-4S*- 
 
 So grateful to Ul}'lles' fight appear d 
 Foreils and hills. Impatient with his feci 
 To prefs the fhore, he fwam ; but when within 
 Such diftance as a fhout may reach, he came. 
 The thunder of the fea againft the rocks 
 Then fmote his ear ; for hoarfe the billows roar*d 
 On the firm land, belch'd horrible abroad. 
 And the fait fpr^y dimm'd all things to his view. 
 For neither port for fhips nor fhelt'ring cove 
 Was there, but the rude coafi: a headland bluff 
 Prefented, rocks and craggy mafles huge. 
 All hope and ftrength then failing him, he heav'd 
 A deep long groan, and in his heart he faid-^ 
 Alas ! though Jove hath given me to behold, 
 Unhoped, the land again, and I have pafs'd. 
 Furrowing my way, thefe num'rous waves, there feems 
 No egrefs fron» the hoary flood for me. 
 Sharp ftones hem in the waters ; wild the furge 
 Raves ev'rywhere ; and fmooth the rocks arife ; 
 Deep alfo is the fhore, on which my feet 
 No landing gain, or chance of fafe efcape. 
 What if fome billow catch me from the Deep 
 Emerging, and againfi: the pointed rocks 
 Pafli me conflidling with its force in vain ? 
 But (hould I, fwimming, trace the coafl in fearcb 
 Of Hoping beach, haven or ihelter'd creek, 
 
 I fear
 
 ODYSSEY V. 499-5*4. 1 5 1 
 
 I fear left, groaning, I be fnatch'd again 
 By ftormy gufts into the fifliy Deep, 
 Or left fome monfter of the flood receive 
 Command to feize me, of the many fuch 
 By the illuftrious Amphitrite bred ; 
 For that the mighty Shaker of the fhores 
 Hates me implacable, too well I know. 
 
 While fuch difcourfe within himfelf he held, 
 A huge wave heav'd him on the rugged coafl. 
 Where flay'd his flefh had been, and all his bones 
 Broken together, but for the infufed 
 Good counfel of Minerva azure-eyed. 
 With both hands fuddenly he feized the rock. 
 And, groaning, clench'd it till the billow pafs'd. 
 So baffled he that wave ; but yet again 
 The refluent flood rufli'd on him, and with force 
 Reflftlcfs dafli'd him far into the fea. 
 As when the Polypus, enforced, forfakes 
 His rough recefs, in his contra<5^ed claws 
 He gripes the pebbles, ftill, to which he clung, 
 So hcj within his lacerated grafp 
 The crumbled ftone retain'd, when from his hold 
 The huge wave forced him, and he fank again. 
 Then had not Fate herfelf prevail'd to fave 
 Haplcfs Ulyfl^es, but that he purfued, 
 Admonifli'd by the Goddcfs moft his friend, 
 
 L 4 A courfc
 
 152 ODYSSEY V. 515—541. 
 
 A courfe more prudent *. From the foamy flood 
 Emerging, where the billows dafh'd the fhore. 
 He fwam behind them, with a landward look 
 For fome fafe fhelter open'd by the waves. 
 Bat when, ftill fwimming, to the mouth he came 
 Of a fill ooth -Aiding river, there he deem'd 
 Safeft th' afcent, for it was undeform'd 
 JBy rocks, and fhelter'd clofe from ev'ry wind. 
 He felt the current, and thus, ardent, pray'd. 
 
 Oh King ! whate'er thy name, whofe welcome courfe, 
 Efcaping Neptune's menaces, I reach. 
 Propitious hear my pray'r ! the Gods themfelves 
 Rcfpect the fugitive forlorn as I, 
 Who now, long-time a fuff 'rer, flrft behold 
 Thy gentle ftream, and feek thy gracious aid. 
 Oh hear thy fuppliant ! Pity my diflrefs ! 
 
 He faid ; the river-God at once reprefs'd 
 
 * PJutarch vindicating Homer againft fome who charged him witk 
 making mere machines of his heroes, who, as they alleged, perform 
 arduous and inCicJible things not by efforts and exertions of their 
 own, but by a divine irrefilVible impulfe, obfcrves that on new and 
 extraordinary emergencies, fuch as demand uncommon animation 
 and exertion, the poet does not introduce his Deities to fuperfede, 
 but merely to dired the will, not to force into aftion, but to fuggeft 
 fuch ideas as may determine the agent, and by the en^edl of which 
 he moves, not necclTarily, but rationally and from a principle of 
 free choice, with the additional advantage of frelli hope and 
 tourage. — C 
 
 His
 
 ODYSSEY V. 542— 55?. I tf 1 
 
 His current, and it ceas'd ; then fmooth he made 
 
 The way before UlyfTes, and the land 
 
 VoLichilifed him eafy at his channel's mouth. 
 
 There, once again he bent for eafe his limbs 
 
 Both arms and knees, in conflict with the floods 
 
 Exhaufled ; fwoln his body was all o'er. 
 
 And from his mouth and noftrils ftream'd the brine*, 
 
 Breathlefs and fpeechlefs, and of life wellnigh 
 
 Bereft he lay, through dreadful toil immenfe. 
 
 But when, revived, his diffipated pow'rs 
 
 He recollected, loofing from beneath 
 
 His bread the zone divine, he caft it far 
 
 Into the brackifh llream, and a huge wave 
 
 Returning bore it downward to the fea. 
 
 Where Ino caught it^. Then, the river's brink 
 
 Abandoning, among the ruthes prone 
 
 He lay, kifs'd oft the foil, and flghing, faid, 
 
 * In the judgment of Euftatbius UlyfTes bends his limbs for a 
 philofophical reafon, and left the mufclcs having been kept on the 
 ftretch many days, his limbs (hould become ftifF and ufelefs. But 
 Dacier thinking the l.ero at prefent in no condition to philofophize, 
 fuppofes rather that he let fall his limbs through wearinefs. Clarke 
 however obferves juftly that to let fall is by no means the fenfe of 
 iKxii.' i, nd underftands therefore that he bent ms legs and his 
 arms, not philofophically, but fimply to relieve them. 
 
 •(• The poet takes no notice of his obedience to the command of 
 Ino to turn his face another way when he fhould caft the zone into 
 the water, but leaves us to take it for granted that the ceremony 
 was not neglefted. 
 
 Ah
 
 154- ODYSSEY V. «9-sS4. 
 
 Ah me ! what fufF 'rings muH I now fuflain. 
 What doom, at lad, awaits me ? Should I watch 
 The long fad night befide the river's brink, 
 I fear left fpiritlcfs and overtoil'd 
 I perifh by the froft and chilling dews. 
 For cold o'er water comes the morning air. 
 But (hould I reach yon dulky woods that crowr* 
 Thefe floping hills, and make my couch beneath 
 Their thickcft boughs, if even there, at eafe, 
 Kepoling and from cold fecure, 1 yield 
 To fleep's foft influence, may I not be torn 
 By fome voracious prowler of the wild ? 
 
 Long time he mufed, but, at the lail, his courle 
 Bent to the woods, which near the river-lide 
 He faw, encompafs'd by an open lawn. 
 Arrived, between two neighbour fhrubs he crept, 
 Both olives, this the fruitful, that the wild ; 
 A covert, which nor rough winds blowing moift 
 Could penetrate, nor could the noon-day fun 
 Smite through it, or uncealing fhow'rs pervade. 
 So thick a roof the ample branches form'd 
 Clofe interwoven ; under thefe the Chief 
 Retiring, with induftrious hands amafs'd 
 An ample couch, for fallen leaves he found. 
 Abundant there, fuch ft ore as had fufficed 
 I'wo ti-avcllcrs or three for covVing warm, 
 
 ThougU
 
 ODYSSEY V. 585-597. 15^ 
 
 Though winter's rougheft blalts had rag*d the while. 
 
 That bed with joy the fufF'ring Chief renown'd 
 
 Contemplated, and occupying foon 
 
 The middle fpace, heap'd higher ftill the leaves. 
 
 As when fome Twain hath hidden deep his torch 
 
 Beneath the embers, at the verge extreme 
 
 Of all his farm, where, having neighbours none. 
 
 He faves a feed or two of future flame 
 
 Alive, doom'd elfe to fetch it from afar. 
 
 So with dry leaves UlyfTes overfpread 
 
 His body, on whofe eyes Minerva pour'd 
 
 The balm of ileep, and eager to reftore 
 
 His wafted ftrength, foon clofed their weary lids *. 
 
 • Hornet {&ys ffviffA.a tvjIi;, and Virgil >after hixm—femi/ja ^amma .»^Q > 
 
 ARGU-
 
 1^6 0T> y S S E Y VI. 1-W4. 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SIXTH BOOK. 
 
 Minerva defigning an interview between the daughter of Alcinous 
 and UlyfTes, admoniflies her in a dream to carry down her clothes 
 to the liver, that i'ae may wafh them, and make them ready for 
 her approaching nuptials. That tafk performed, the Princefs and 
 her train amufe themfelves with play ; by accident they awake 
 UlyfTes ; he comes forth from the wood, and applies himfelf with 
 much addrefs to Nauficaa, who compafllonating his diftrefTed con- 
 dition, and being much affedled by the dignity of his appearahce» 
 jnterefts herfelf in his favour, and condudts him to the city. 
 
 BOOK VI. 
 
 W HiLE thus by fleep and wearinefs fubdued, 
 The brave UlyfTes lay, Minerva fought 
 The city of Phaeacia *. In old time 
 Phaeacia's fons poflefs'd the fruitful plains 
 
 * It is a remark of Ei flathius that the poet, having laid Ulyfles 
 afleep, interweaves with his fubjecl this ftiort hillory of the firft 
 Pha:acians, merely to cn.iven his matter, and to relieve it from an 
 appearance of famenefs.— C. 
 
 Of
 
 ODYSSEY VI. 5-3«. l^J 
 
 Of Hypereia, bord'ring on the fierce 
 
 Cyclopean race, from whofe fuperiour might 
 
 They fufFer'd num'rous wrongs. iVt length arofe 
 
 Godlike Naufithoiis ; he, their leader thence. 
 
 In Scheria placed them, an unneighbour'd ifle, 
 
 And far from all refort of bufy man. 
 
 He circkd round their city with a wall. 
 
 Their houfes, and the temples of the Gods 
 
 He built, and made divifion of the foil. 
 
 But, vi6lim of his fate, in Hades dwelt 
 
 Naufithoiis now, and, in his ftead, endued 
 
 With wifdom by the Gods, Alclnoiis reign'd. 
 
 To his abode Minerva azure-eyed 
 
 Repair'd, negle<^ing nought which might advance 
 
 Magnanimous Ulytres' fafe return. 
 
 She fought the fumptuous chamber where, in form 
 
 And feature perfect as the Gods, the young 
 
 Nauficaa, daughter of the King, rcpofed. 
 
 Faft by the pillars of the portal lay 
 
 Two damfels, one on either fide, adorn'd 
 
 By all the Graces, and the doors were fhut. 
 
 Soft as a breathing air, (he ftolc toward 
 
 The virgin's couch, and, ftanding at her head 
 
 In form of her companion dearly loved 
 
 The daughter of a mariner renown'd 
 
 For Ikill and courage, Dymas^ thus began. 
 
 I Nauficaa !
 
 158 O D Y S S E Y VI. 3I-5J. 
 
 Nauficaa ! wherefore hath thy mother borne 
 A child fo negligent ? Thy garments fhare. 
 Thy mod magnificent, no thought of thine. 
 Yet thou muft marry foon, and muft provide 
 Robes for thyfclf, and for thy nuptial train *. 
 Thy fame, on thefe concerns, and honour ftand ; 
 Thefe managed well, thy parents fhall rejoice. 
 The dawn appearing, let us to the place 
 Of wafhing, where thy work-mate I will be 
 For fpeedier riddance of thy tafk, fince foon 
 The days of thy virginity fhall end ; 
 For thou art woo'd already by the prime 
 Of all Phaeacia, country of thy birth. 
 Come then — folicit at the dawn of day 
 Thy royal father, that he fend thee forth 
 With mules and carriage for conveyance hence 
 Of thy bell robes, thy mantles and thy zones. 
 Thus, more commodioufly thou (halt perform 
 The journey, for the cifterns lie remote. 
 
 So faying, the Goddefs ceas'd, and fought at once 
 Olympus, by repute th' eternal feat 
 Of the ethereal Pow'rs, which never ilorms 
 Dillurb, rains drench, or fnow invades, but calm 
 
 * It is faid to liave been the cuftom for the bride to furnlfti the 
 friends of the bridegroom with the apparel ^n which it was proper 
 that thev (hould attend the nuptials. — C. 
 
 4 The
 
 ODYSSEY VI. 54-73. l^f 
 
 The expanfe and cloudlefs fhlnes with purefl: dajr. 
 There the inhabitants divine rejoice 
 For ever, and, the damfel thus advifed. 
 Thither the blue-eyed Deity repair'd*. 
 
 Now came bright-charioted Aurora forth 
 And waken'd fair Nauficaa ; fhc her dream 
 RememberM wond'ring, and her parents fought 
 Anxious to tell them. Them (he found within. 
 Betide the hearth her royal mother fat. 
 Spinning foft fleeces with fea-purple dyed 
 Among her menial maidens ; but fhe met 
 Her father, whom the Nobles of the land 
 Had fummon'd, iflliing abroad to join 
 The Illuftrious Chiefs in council. At his fide 
 She flood, and thus her filial fuit preferr'd. 
 
 Sir^ ! wilt thou lend me of the royal wains 
 A fumpter-carriage ? for our coftly robes 
 All fullied now, the cleanfing flream require i 
 And thine, efpecially, when thou appear'fl 
 In council with the princes of the land, 
 
 * Ariftotle, giving the etymology of Olympas, derives it froni 
 iAoXat/xTr; — all-fplefidid. For it is a region, he fays, exei^opt from 
 obfcurity, and fecure from thofe irregular commotions which ilorms 
 and various other caufes produce below. — ^C. 
 
 f. In the Original, Ihe calls him, pappa ! a more natural ftile of 
 addrefs, and more endearing. But antient as this appellative is, it 
 is alfo fo familiar in modern ufe, that the Tranflatof feared to hazard 
 it. 
 
 Had
 
 l6o ODYSSEY VI. 74-99 , 
 
 Had need be pure. Thy fons are alfo five. 
 Two wedded, and the reft of age to wed, 
 Who go not to the dance unlefs adorn'd 
 With frefh attire — all which is my concern. 
 
 So fpake Nauficaa ; for (he dared not name 
 Her own glad nuptials to her father's ear. 
 Who, confcious yet of all her drift, replied. 
 
 I grudge thee neither mules, my child, nor aught 
 That thou canft aHz. betide. Go, and my train 
 Shall furnifli thee a fumpter-carriage forth 
 High-built, ftrong-wheel'd, and of capacious fize. 
 
 So faying, he iffued his command, whom quick 
 His grooms obey'd. They in the court prepared 
 The fumpter-carriage, and adjoin'd the mules. 
 And now the virgin from her chamber, charged 
 With raiment, came, which on the car fhe placed,. 
 And in the carriage-chefl, mean-time, the Queen, 
 Her mother, viands of all flavours heap'd, 
 And fill'd a goatlkin with delicious wine. 
 This done, the damfel mounted, but received 
 For un6lion of herfelf and of her maids 
 From the Queen's hand a golden cruife of oil 
 Ere yet (he went. Then, feizing on the fcourge 
 And on the fplcndid reins, flic Lifli'd the mules. 
 They, ftraining, ftamp'd the foil, hard tafk'd to draw 
 ;;1Princcfs and raiment both ; nor fole flie went. 
 
 But
 
 ODYSSEY VI. loo— iloi l6l 
 
 But othe»*s alfo, maidens of her train *, 
 
 At the delightful rivulet arrived 
 
 Where thofc perennial cifterns were prepared 
 
 With pureft cryflal of the fountain fed 
 
 Profufe, fufficient for the deepeft ftains, 
 
 Loofing the mules, they drove them forth to browfe 
 
 On the fweet herb belide the dimpled flood. 
 
 Light'ning the carriage, next, they bore in hand 
 
 The garments down to the unfullied wave. 
 
 And thruft them heap'd into the pools, their tafk 
 
 Difpatching brifk, and with an emulous hade. 
 
 When all were purified, and neither fpot 
 
 Could be perceived or blemifh more, they fpread 
 
 The raiment orderly along the beach 
 
 Where dafhing tides had cleanfed the pebbles mof?:. 
 
 And laving, next, and fmoothing o'er with oil 
 
 Their limbs, all feated on the river's bank. 
 
 They took repafl, while flretch'd the garments lay 
 
 In noon-day fervour of the fun, to dry. 
 
 Their hunger fatisfied, at once arofe 
 
 The miflrefs and her train, and putting off 
 
 • Paufanias fays there was an antient picture to be feen In his 
 time, reprefenting two virgins drawn by mules, one holding the 
 reins, the other attired in a veil. They were fuppofed to be Nau- 
 ficaa and her maid driving to the cifterns or canals where they 
 waftied their linen. — C. 
 
 VOL. III. M Their
 
 1 6a O D Y S S E Y VI. xai-139. 
 
 Their head-attire, playM wanton with the ball. 
 The princefs finging to her maids the while. 
 As fhaft-arm'd Dian o'er the mountains moves, 
 Taygetus or Erymanth fublime, 
 The wild boar chafing or the tim'rous deer. 
 The rural nymphs, Jove's daughters, the delight 
 Share alfo, and Latona's bofom fwells 
 With fecret joy ; for though the Nymphs be fair. 
 In DIan's fairer form and ftatelier mien 
 The Goddefs fhines, apparent from afar, 
 So, all her train, fhe, virgin pure, excell'd *. 
 But when the hour of her departure thence 
 Approach'd (the mules now yoked again, and all 
 Her elegant apparel folded neat) 
 Then Pallas means devifed from Heep to roufe 
 Ulyfies, and to fhow him, ere flie went. 
 His future fair condu6lrefs to the town. 
 The Princefs call the ball, but miffing Her 
 At whom (he caft it, plunged it in the flood. 
 
 * The reader, if he will confult Clarke, will find in his anno- 
 tations a curious extraft from Gellius, in which he gives us the esti- 
 mate made by Valerius Probus of the comparative merits of this 
 fimile as it ftands in Homer with Virgil's imitation of it. The 
 preference is given to Homer's, and for the beft reafons. — The ex- 
 traft is too long to have place here. 
 
 Taygetus was a mountain of Laconla, at fmall dillance from the 
 fea, lofty and upright, and adjoined on its northern fide to the bot- 
 tom of the Arcadian mountains. 
 
 Loud
 
 ODYSSEY VI. 140-164. 163 
 
 Loud fhriek'd the damfels. Startled at the found 
 UlyfTes fat ere6l, and thus he mufed. 
 
 Ah me ! what mortal race inhabit here ? 
 Rude are they, contumacious and unjuft ? 
 Or hofpitable, and who fear the Gods ? 
 How piercing was that cry ! the voice it feemM 
 Of nymphs who wanton on aerial-heights, 
 Beiide clear fountains, or in graft}' vales. 
 Is this a neighbourhood of men endued 
 With voice articulate ? But what avails 
 Self-queftioning ? I will go forth and fee. 
 
 So faying, divine UlyfTes from beneath 
 His thicket crept, and from the leafy wood 
 A fpreading branch pluck'd forcibly, defign'd 
 A decent Ikreen efFedtual, held before. 
 Like an huge mountain-lion forth he went. 
 Whom winds have vex'd and rains ; fire fills his eyes. 
 And whether herds or flocks, or woodland deer 
 He find, he rends them, and, aduft for blood, 
 Abflains not even from the guarded fold. 
 Such fure to feem in virgin eyes, the Chief, 
 All naked as he was, his covert left, 
 Relu6lant, by neceffity conftrain'd. 
 To them, with weeds and briny foam defiled 
 All terrible he fecm'd, and to the land's 
 
 M 2 Remoteft
 
 1 6i O D Y S S E Y VI. 165-.1S1. 
 
 Remoteft points difpers'd at once they flew *. 
 Nauficaa alone fled not ; for her 
 Pallas courageous made, and from her limbs. 
 By pow'r divine, all tremour took away. 
 Firm fhe expelled him ; he doubtful flood 
 Or to implore the lovely maid, her knees 
 Embracing, or, at diftance due, to aflc 
 In fuppliant terms apparel, and the boon 
 Of guidance to the city where {he dwelt. 
 Him fo deliberating, moft, at length. 
 This counfel pleasM ; in fuppliant terms aloof 
 To fue to her, lefl if he clafp'd her knees. 
 The virgin fhould that bolder courfe refent. 
 Then gentle, thus, and well-advifed he fpake. 
 
 Oh Queen ! thy earn eft fuppliant I approach. 
 Art thou fome Goddefs, or of mortal race ? 
 For if fome Goddefs, and from heaven arrived, 
 
 * Some have deemed Ulyfles fo lately exhaufted with fatigue no 
 proper fubjeft of comparifon with a lion. But Euftathius judges 
 that the force of the comparifon confifts in the appearance he could 
 not fail to make in the eyes of the timorous maidens, the attendants 
 on Nauficaa. His ftrength, his bulk, the intrepidity with which 
 he comes forth, are, in his opinion, by no means the circumftances 
 which the poet means to illuftrate by the Simile, but their aflonifli- 
 ment only, which was fuch that at the firft glimpfe of him they fled, 
 as a flock of fheep, or as deer before a lion.— C. 
 
 Polygnotus, we are told, made choice of this fcene for the fub- 
 jeftofone of his paintings. — C« 
 
 Then,
 
 ODYSSEY VI. i82-i99i l5tf 
 
 Then, Dian, daughter of all-povvVful Jove 
 
 I deem thee moll, for fuch as hers appear 
 
 Thy form, thy ftature, and thy air divine. 
 
 But, if, of mortal race, thou dwell below. 
 
 Thrice happy then, thy parents I account. 
 
 And happy thrice thy brethren. Ah ! the joy 
 
 Which always, for thy fake, their bofoms fills. 
 
 When thee they view, all lovely as thou art, 
 
 Ent'ring majeftic on the graceful dance. 
 
 But him beyond all others bleft I deem. 
 
 The youth, who, wealthier than his rich compeers. 
 
 Shall win and lead thee to his honour'd home *. 
 
 For never with thefe eyes a mortal form 
 
 Beheld I comparable aught to thine. 
 
 In man or woman. Wonder-rapt I gaze. 
 
 Such erft, in Delos, I beheld a palm 
 
 Befide the altar of Apollo, tall, 
 
 And growing ftill + ; (for thither too I fail'd, 
 
 * Thus Euftathius interprets the expreflion — -"o? xt a U^toia-t i9pk<r«« 
 —The youth, fays he, who fhall furpafs his competitors in the mul- 
 titude of his nuptial prefents, and (hall therefore win thee. The 
 word fffio-oii, he adds, is a metaphor taken from things that prepon- 
 derate in the fcale.— C. 
 
 f Cicero fays that the palm here mentioned by Ulyfles was (hown 
 as a curiofity in his time. It was fabled to have rifen fuddenly out 
 of the ground for the ufe of Latona, that (he might fupport herfelf 
 either by grafping or leaning againft it when ftie brought forth 
 Apollo.— B.&C. 
 
 M 3 And.
 
 ^66 O D Y S S E Y VI. 2oo-a*s. 
 
 And num'rous were my followers in a voyage 
 
 Ordain'd my ruin) and as then I view'd 
 
 That palm long time amazed, for never grew 
 
 So ftrait a (haft, fo lovely from the ground. 
 
 So, Princefs ! thee with wonder I behold, 
 
 Charm'd into fixt aflonifhment, by awe 
 
 Alone forbidden to embrace thy knees. 
 
 For I am one on whom much woe hath fall'n. 
 
 Yefterday I efcaped (the twentieth day 
 
 Of my diftrefs by fea) the dreary Deep ; 
 
 For, all thofe days, the waves and rapid florms 
 
 Bore me along, impetuous, from the ille 
 
 Ogygia ; till at length the will of heav'n 
 
 Caft me, that I might alfo here futlain 
 
 Affliction, on your fhore ; for relt, I think,. 
 
 Is not for me. No. The immortal Gods 
 
 Have much to aecomplifh ere that day arrive. 
 
 But, oh Queen, pity me ! who after long 
 
 Calamities endured, of all who live 
 
 Thee firft approach, nor mortal know befide 
 
 Of the inhabitants of all the land. 
 
 Shew me your city ; give me, although coarfe, 
 
 Some cov'ring (if coarfe cov'ring thou canft give) 
 
 And may the Gods thy largcft wiflies grant, 
 
 Houfe, hufband, concord ! for of all the gifts 
 
 Of heav'n, more precious none I deem, than peace 
 
 Twixt
 
 O D Y S S E Y VI, 425 244; l6j 
 
 *Twixt wedded pair, and union undifTolved ; 
 
 Envy torments their enemies, but joy 
 
 Fills ev'ry virtuous breaft^ and moft their own *. 
 
 To whom Naulicaa the fair replied. 
 Stranger ! thou feem'fl not worthlefs or unwife. 
 But Jove whofe fovVeign hand to bad men oft 
 Appoints the happier lot, to thee affigns 
 Affliction, which thy part it is t' endure j 
 And fincc the waves have caft thee on our ifle 
 Nor garment thou (halt want, nor aught befide 
 Due to a fuppliant guefl like thee forlorn. 
 I will both (how thee where our city flands. 
 And who dwell here. Phaeacia's fons pofTefs 
 This land ; but I am daughter of their King 
 The brave Alcinoiis, on whofe fway depends 
 For ftrcngth and wealth the whole Phasacian race. 
 
 She faid, and to her beauteous maidens gave 
 Inftant commandment — My attendants, Itay ! 
 Why flee ye thus, and whither, from the light 
 
 • Phocylides, as quoted by Clarke, has beautifully exprefled 
 the fame fentiment. 
 
 "Ti yoif r^Svrtfot Ko.) aftio>. 
 
 H orav cctafi yvp-^ (pfcrsn) <piXx yrifuo^ ^XSh 
 
 What lovelier fpeflacle, than wedded pair 
 Reciprocally kind from youth to age, 
 Ard keeping perfeft concord to the laft? 
 
 M 4 Of
 
 l68 ODYSSEY VI. 245—170. 
 
 Of a mere mortal ? Seems he in your eyes 
 Some enemy of ours ? The heart beats not. 
 Nor (hall it beat hereafter, which fl:iall come 
 An enemy to the Phaeacian (hores. 
 So dear to the immortal Gods are we. 
 Remote, amid the billowy Deep, we hold 
 Our dwelling, utmoft of all human-kind. 
 And free from mixture with a foreign race. 
 This man, a mifcrable wand'rer comes. 
 Whom we are bound to cherifh, for the poor 
 And ftranger are from Jove, and trivial gifts 
 To fuch are welcome. Bring ye therefore food 
 And wine, my maidens, for the guefl's regale. 
 And lave him where the ftream is fhelter'd moft. 
 
 She fpake ; they flood, and by each other's words 
 Encouraged, placed Ulyfles where the bank 
 O'erhung the ftream, as fair INauficaa bade. 
 Daughter of King Alcinoiis the renown'd. 
 Apparel alfo at his fide they fpread. 
 Mantle and veft, and, next, the limpid oil 
 Prefenting to him in the golden cruile. 
 Exhorted him to bathe. The noble Chief 
 Ulyffes then the maidens thus befpake. 
 
 Ye maidens, fland apart, that I may cleanfe, 
 Myfelf, my fhoulders from the briny furf. 
 And give them oil which they have wanted long. 
 
 Eut
 
 ODYSSEY VI. 271— 29«, 16^ 
 
 But in your prefence I bathe not, afhamed 
 T'appear uncover d in a woman's fight. 
 
 He faid ; they went, and to Nauficaa told 
 His anfwer ; then the Hero in the ftream 
 His fhoulders laved and loins incrulled rough 
 With the fait fpray, and with his hands the fcum 
 Of the wild ocean from his locks exprefs'd*. 
 Thus wafh'd all over, and refrefh'd with oil. 
 He put the garments on, Nauficaa's gift. 
 Then Pallas, progeny of Jove, his form 
 Dilated more, and from his head difFufed 
 His curling locks like hyacinth ine flowers. 
 As when fome artift, by Minerva made 
 And Vulcan wife to execute all talks 
 Ingenious, binding with a golden verge 
 Bright lilver, finidies a graceful work. 
 Such grace the Goddefs o'er his ample cheft 
 Copious difFufed, and o'er his manly brows. 
 Retiring, on the beach he fat, with 'grace 
 And dignity illumed, where, viewing him. 
 The virgin Princefs with amazement mark'd 
 His beauty, and her damfels thus befpake. 
 
 * When a perfon newly emerged from the fea ftands in the fun, 
 the water is foon dried from his body by the heat, but the faline 
 particles condenfed will continue to adhere to his fkin, tiil they are 
 wafhed away with a lotion of fome other kind. — Plutarch Sympofiac. 
 L, I. Problem 9. — C. 
 
 My
 
 lyO ODYSSEY VI. 293-3tz. 
 
 My lovely maidens, liflen to my voice ! 
 Not hated, fure, by all above, this man 
 Among Phaeacia's godlike fons arrives. 
 At firft I deem'd him of plebeian fort 
 Diflionourable, but he now aiTumes 
 A near rcfcmblance to the Gods above. 
 Oh that myfelf were his, and that he dwelt 
 And would confent to dwell for ever here ! 
 Give him, my maidens, food, and give him wine *. 
 
 She fpake, at whofc command, her maidens placed 
 With prompt alacrity both wine and food 
 Before Ulyfles ; he rapacious ate 
 And drank with eager lips, for he had lived 
 From tafte of aliment long time eflranged. 
 
 On other thoughts mean-time intent, her charge 
 Of folded veflments neat the Princefs placed 
 Within the" royal wain, then yoked the mules. 
 And to her feat herfelf afcending, call'd 
 UlyfTes to depart, and thus fhe fpake. 
 
 Up, ilianger ! feek the city. I will lead 
 
 * If Nauficia, now marriageable and expelling foon to be 
 married, prates thus to her maidens merely becaufe (he has, like 
 Calypfo, conceived a paflion for the ilranger, her boldnefs and 
 want of delicacy are much to be cenfured. But if, inferring his 
 Tank from his expreflion, and his good fenfe from his manner of ad- 
 dreffing her, Ihe prefers an union with fuch a man, rather than 
 with any of the rich or the darxers of her own city, Ihe is entiiled 
 then to our admiration, — Plutarch, de audiendis Foai . — C. 
 
 Ihy
 
 ODYSSEY VI. 3T3-33« . 171 
 
 Thy (leps toward my royal Father's houfe. 
 
 Where all Phaeacia's Nobles thou (halt fee. 
 
 But thou (for I account thee not unvvife) 
 
 This courfe purfue. While through the fields we pafs. 
 
 And labours of the rural hind, fo long 
 
 With my attendants follow fad the mules 
 
 And fumpter-carriage. I will be thy guide. 
 
 But, once the fummit gain'd, on which is built 
 
 Our city with proud bulwarks fenced around. 
 
 And laved on both fides by its pleafant port 
 
 Of narrow entrance, where our gallant barks 
 
 Line all the road, each ftationM in her place, 
 
 And where, adjoining to the fplendid fane 
 
 Of Neptune, ftands the forum with huge ftones 
 
 From quarries thither drawn, confiru6\cd ftrofig. 
 
 In which the rigging of their barks they keep 
 
 Sail-cloth and cordage, and make fmoolh their oars ; 
 
 (For bow and quiver the Phaeacian race 
 
 Heed not, but mafts and oars, and fliips wcll-poifed. 
 
 With which exulting they divide the flood) 
 
 Then, cautious, I would fliun their bitlcr taunts 
 
 Difguftful, left they mock me as 1 pafs ; 
 
 For of the meaner people fome are coarfc 
 
 In the extreme, and it may chance that one, 
 
 'I he bafeft there, fliall, feeing us, exclaim — 
 
 What handfome firanger of athletic form 
 
 Attends
 
 1^2 O D Y S S E Y VI. 339-353* 
 
 Attends the Princcfs ? Where had fhe the chance 
 To find him ? We iliall fee them wedded foon. 
 Either (he hath received fome vagrant guefl 
 From diftant lands, (for no land neighbours ours) 
 Or fome Divinity for v;hom fhe pined. 
 And whofe embrace with ceafelefs pray'r fhe fought 
 Hath left the heav'ns to be for ever hers. 
 'Tis well if, fearching, fhe have found at lafl 
 An hufband for herfelf, fince fhe accounts 
 All her Phseacian wooers nothing worth 
 However noble. Thus fhall 1 be fcorn'd *. 
 And I fhould blame, myfelf, a virgin much. 
 Who, heedlefs how fhe might difplcafe and grieve 
 Her parents, were familiar with a man 
 Ere celebration of her fpoufal rites ■''. 
 
 • It is well obferved by Euftathius, that this contrivance of 
 Nauficaa to reveal to Ulyfles the love Ihe felt for him by a fuppofed 
 remark of another, is truly admirable. Had fhe made the difcovery 
 to him fpeaking in her own perfon, as he adds, her behaviour would 
 have been infufFerable. — C. Neither ought it to be forgotten that 
 her morning-dream which fpoke her nuptials near, connefted with the 
 arrival of Ulyfles, would naturally feem to her to point out him as 
 the man to whom fhe was dellined. 
 
 MrjM fill/ (i';^p» ya.[/.uv irfo ^o^oj» o^S-oiai Iciarn, 
 
 Phocylides, TroivifAa vv^trmlv, ver. 203. — C, 
 
 See that your virgin's chamber door (hut faft> 
 Nor let her, till (he wed, be fecn abroad. 
 
 But
 
 ODYSSEY VI. 354-37?. 1 73 
 
 But mark me, firanger ! following my advice. 
 Thou fbalt the fooner at my father's hands 
 Obtain fafe condu6t and conveyance home. 
 Sacred to Pallas a delightful grove 
 Of poplars Ikirts the road, which we (hall reach 
 Erelong ; within that grove a fountain flows. 
 And meads encircle it ; my father's farm 
 Is there, and his luxuriant garden-plot ; 
 A fhout might reach it from the city-walls. 
 There wait, till in the town arrived, we gain 
 My father's palace ; and when reafon bids 
 Suppofe us there, then ent'ring thou the town, 
 Afk where Alcinoiis dwells, my valiant Sire. 
 His houfe is eafily difcern'd ; a child 
 May lead thee to it ; for Phaeacia's fons 
 Poflefs not houfes equalling in aught 
 The manfion of Alcinoiis the King. 
 Within the court arrived, with hafty fteps 
 Advancing, paufe not till thou reach the Queen 
 My mother ; fhe before the blazing hearth 
 And at a column's bafe, fits twifting wool 
 Tinged with fea-purple, and behind her fit, 
 Their talk a wond'rous web, her bufy maids. 
 There alfo Hands my father's throne, on which 
 Seated, he drinks and banquets like a God. 
 
 Pafs
 
 1 74 O D Y S S E Y VI. 379-403. 
 
 Pafs that ; then fuppHant clafp my mother's knees. 
 So fhalt thou quickly fee the joyful clay 
 Of thy return, though diftant far from home. 
 Yes — if fhe favour thee, thou may'ft indulge 
 The hope thenceforth to fee again thy friends, 
 Thy manfion, and to tread thy native fhores. 
 
 So faying, fhe with her fplendid fcourgc the mules 
 Lafh'd onward. They (the ftream foon left behind) 
 With even footfteps graceful fmote the ground ; 
 But fo fhe ruled them, managing with art 
 The fcourge, as not to leave afar, although 
 Following on foot, Ulyfles and her train. 
 The fun had rcach'd the Weft, when in that grove 
 To Pallas confecrated they arrived. 
 In which UlyfTes fat, and fervent thus 
 Sued to the daughter of Jove aegis-arm'd. 
 
 Daughter invincible of Jove fupreme ! 
 Oh, hear me ! Hear me now, becaufe when erft 
 The mighty Shaker of the fiiores incenfed 
 Tofs'd me from wave to wave, thou hcard'fime not. 
 Grant me, among Phaeacia's fons, to find 
 Benevolence and pity of my woes ! 
 
 Hefpake,whofcpray'r well-pleas'd the Goddefs heard. 
 Yet would not, ere he rcach'd his native home. 
 Afford him open aid, thiough fear t'ofFcnd 
 
 The
 
 ODYSSEY VI; 4<'4-4aJ. I J$ 
 
 The Brother of her Sire *, who flill purfued 
 Godlike UlyfTes with a boundlefs hate *. 
 
 • Neptune. 
 
 + This is the fenfe in which Barnes underftands the concluding 
 lines of the book, and it feems the bell fenfe. Others conneft vsif«e 
 V* ycticcY »xiVS«j with ETTi^aipfXwj fAtnaiuv, but they conneft themfelves 
 much more properly with iVw tpocive-r' ivxvrlov, for Neptune occafioned 
 no impediment to the laft voyage of Ulyfles, from Phaeacia to Ithaca, 
 and cannot therefore be faid to have perfecuted him till he arrived 
 at home. 
 
 According to this interpretation, the words 
 
 Uidita yoif ^oc. 
 
 fliould be enclofed in a parenthefis. 
 
 ARGU.
 
 1^6 ODYSSEY VII. 1-8. 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 SEVENTH BOOK. 
 
 Nauficaa returns from the river, whom Ulyfles follows. He halts, 
 by her diredion, at a fmall diftance from the palace, which at a 
 convenient time he enters. He is well received by Alcinoiis and 
 his Queen ; and having related to them the manner of his being 
 call on the fhore of Scheria, and received from Alcinous the pro- 
 mife of fafe conduft home, retires to reft. 
 
 BOOK VII. 
 
 »bO pray'd UlylTes in the grove ; mean-time 
 Drawn by her Hurdy mules the royal maid 
 The city reach'd, and at her Father's houfe 
 Magnificent arrived, the fumpter-wain 
 Stopp'd in the vefiibule ; her brothers five. 
 All godlike youths, aflembling quick around, 
 Rcleafed the mules, and bore the raiment in. 
 Mean-time, to her own chamber fhe returned, 
 
 4 Where
 
 ODYSSEY Vri. 9_3», lyy 
 
 Where, foon as fhe arrived, an antient dame 
 
 Eurymediifa, by peculiar charge 
 
 Attendant on that fervice, kindled fire. 
 
 Sea-rovers her had from Epirus brought 
 
 Long fince, and to Alcinoiis fhe had fall'n 
 
 By public gift, for that he govern'd all 
 
 Phseacia, and as oft as he harangued 
 
 The multitude, was rev'renced as a God *. 
 
 She waited on the fair Nauficaa, fhe 
 
 Her fuel kindled, and her food prepared. 
 
 And now UlyfTcs from his feat arofe 
 
 To feek the city, whom his heav'nly friend 
 
 Minerva in impenetrable mid 
 
 Involved, left fome Phaeacian fhould Infult 
 
 His ear with queflions — ^\\^ho, and whence were He ? 
 
 Then, when within few paces he arrived 
 
 Of that fair city, meeting him, in form 
 
 A little maid, bearing her pitcher forth. 
 
 She ftood before him, and the noble Chief, 
 
 Unconfcious of the Goddefs thus enquired. 
 
 Child ! wilt thou not condudl me to the houfj; 
 Of great Alcinoiis, Sov'reign of the land ? 
 
 * It is Clarke's opinion that fhe had neither been captived In 
 war (for the Phseacians waged no wars) nor obtained by purchafe, 
 but fei2ed by pirates according to the conimon praftice of the 
 Antients. 
 
 \0L. III'. N For
 
 178 ODYSSEY Vn. 3t-s«« 
 
 For I arrive a flranger here, forlorn. 
 
 And from a diftant (hore, and all who dwell 
 
 In all this country are unknown to me. 
 
 To whom the Goddefs of the azure-eyes. 
 My ftranger-friend ! the manfion of thy fearch 
 Myfelf will fhow thee ; for not diftant dwells 
 Alcinoiis from my father's own abode : 
 But hufh ! be iilent — I will lead the way ; 
 Mark no man ; queftion no man ; for the fight 
 Of Grangers is unufual here, and cold 
 The welcome by this people fhown to fuch *. 
 They, trufting in fwift fiiips, by the free grant 
 Of Neptune traverfe his wide waters, borne 
 As if on wings, or with the fpeed of thought. 
 
 So fpake the Goddefs, and with nimble pace 
 Led on, whofe footfteps he, as quick, purfued. 
 But ftill the feaman-throng through whom he pafs*d 
 Perceiv'd him not ; Minerva, Goddefs dread, 
 That fight forbidding them, whofe eyes (he dimmM 
 With darknefs fhed miraculous around 
 Her iiivVite Chief. Ulyiles, wondering, mark'd 
 
 • How comes it then to pafs that tliey are reprefented as fo ex- 
 tremely hofpitable in the fequel ? Perhaps the vulgar only are in- 
 tended in this dcfcripcion ; or n,ore probably, as the Scholiaft ob- 
 ferves, Minerva gives them this charafter to guard UlyfTes againft 
 the danger of troublefome and impertinent enquiry, to which he 
 would be cxpofed ihould he make any enquiries himfelf. — -B. Sc C. 
 
 Their
 
 ODYSSEY VII. 51-74. 175 
 
 Their port, their (hips, their forum the refort 
 Of Heroes, and their battlements fublime 
 Fenced with iharp ftakes around, a glorious fhow ! 
 But when the King's auguft abode he reach'd. 
 Then Pallas thus inftru6led him again. 
 
 My father ! thou behold'ft the houfe to which 
 Thou bad'fl me lead thee. Thou fhalt find our Chiefs 
 And high-born Princes banquetting within. 
 But enter fearing nought, for boldeft men 
 Speed ever bed, come whencefoe'er they may *. 
 Firft thou fhalt find the Queen, Areta named. . 
 Lineal in her defcent is (he from thofe 
 Who gave Alcinoiis birth, her royal fpoufc. 
 Neptune begat Naufithoiis, at the firil. 
 On Peribaea, loveliefl of her fex, 
 Latefl-born daughter of Eurymedon, 
 Heroic King of the proud giant race, 
 Who, lofing all his impious people, fhared 
 The fame dread fate himfelf. Her Neptune lov'd 
 To whom the bore a fon, the mighty prince 
 Naufithoiis, King of the Phaeacian race. 
 Naufithoiis himfelf two fons begat, 
 Rhexenor and Alcinoiis. Phoebus flew 
 
 ♦ The fame fentiment is found in a fragment of Menander. 
 
 Ovx ECTt ToX/!A*){ l^o^toy l*li^Ot 0tti. 
 
 The beft viaticum through life is courage.— C. 
 
 N 2 Rhexenor
 
 l8o ODYSSEY VII. 75_8S, 
 
 Rhexenor at his home, a bridegroom yet, 
 
 Who, father pf no fon, one daughter left, 
 
 Areta, wedded to Alcinoiis now. 
 
 And whom the Sov'reign in fuch honour holds. 
 
 As woman none enjoys of all the earth 
 
 Whofe houfe is fubje6l to an hulband's pow'r '. 
 
 Such honours have attended long, and flilt 
 
 Attend her, from her children, from himfelf 
 
 Alcinoiis, and from all Phaeacia's race, 
 
 Who, gazing on her as (he were divine, 
 
 Shout when fhe moves in progrefs through the town* 
 
 For fhe no wifdom wants, but fits, hcrfelf, 
 
 Arbitrefs of fuch conteils as arife 
 
 Between her fav'rites, and decides aright ■''. 
 
 * Alcinoiis therefore was the uncle of his wife, and we have 
 feen more than one inftance in the Iliad of a man wedded to hia, 
 niece. This double relationihip was not uncommon among the 
 Greecians.— B, 
 
 f Barnes, referring his reader to Onomacritus and ApoIIonlus 
 Rhodius, gives the following inftance of Areta afling in her judicial 
 capacity. When the ambafladors of JEeta., in the name of their 
 mafter, demanded from Alcinoiis that his daughter Medea, who 
 had forfaken him and fled to Phasacia with Jafon, fhould be re- 
 llored to him, and Alcinoiis was willing to comply, confidering 
 the condition as a reafonable one, his Queen imrr.ediiitely inter- 
 pofed this condition — If ftie were Ilill a virgin, fhe might go; 
 ctherwife (he was Jafon's wife, and they ought not to be feparated. 
 Jafon, being privately informed of the terms, inftantly qualified the 
 fugitive to claim hiin as her hulband, and flie was proteded ac- 
 cordingly. 
 
 If
 
 ODYSSEY VII. «9— lu. l8l 
 
 If (he once favour thee, thou may'fl indulge 
 The hope, thenceforth, to fee again thy friends. 
 Thy manfion, and to tread thy native fhore. 
 So faying, the Goddefs of the azure-eyes 
 From pleafant Scheria o'er the barren Deep 
 GHded to Marathon, which left afar, 
 In fpacious Athens fhe arrived, and found. 
 Beneath Eredlheus' glorious roof, her home *. 
 UlyfTes, then, toward the palace moved 
 Of King Alcinoiis, but immerfed in thought ~T 
 
 Stood, firfl, and paufed, ere with his foot he prefs'd 
 The brazen threfhold ; for a light he faw 
 As of the futi or moon illuming clear 
 The palace of Phaeacia's mighty King. 
 Walls plated bright with brafs, on either fide 
 Stretch'd from the portal to th' interiour houfe, 
 With azure cornice crown 'd ; the doors were gold 
 Which filut the palace fail: ; filver the pods 
 Rear'd on a brazen threfhold, and above. 
 The lintels, filver, architraved with gold. 
 MaftifFs, in gold and filver, lined the approach 
 On either fide, with art celefiial framed 
 By Vulcan, guardians of Alcinous' gate 
 
 * Marathon was a place fo named in Attica ; and when Pallas is 
 faid to enter the houfe of Ereftheus, the meaning is that fhe entered 
 her own temple, in which Eredlheus had his education.— B. & C. 
 
 N 3 For
 
 l82 ODYSSEY VII. ii»-.i3». 
 
 For ever, imobnoxious to decay *. 
 
 Sheer from the thrcfhold to the inner houfe 
 
 Fixt thrones the walls, through all their length, adorn*d. 
 
 With mantles overfpread of fubtleft warp 
 
 Tranfparent, work of many a female hand. 
 
 On thefe the princes of Phaeacia fat 
 
 Holding perpetual feafls, while golden youths 
 
 On all the fumptuous altars ftood, their hands 
 
 With burning torches charg'd, which, night by nighty 
 
 Shed radiance over all the fefiive throng. 
 
 Full fifty female menials ferv'd the King 
 
 In houfehold offices ; the rapid mills 
 
 Thefe turning, pulverize the mellow*d grain, 
 
 Thofe, feated orderly, the purple fleece 
 
 Wind off, or ply the loom, reftlefs as leaves 
 
 Of lofty poplars fluttering in the breeze ; 
 
 Bright as with oil the new-wrought texture fljone *. 
 
 Far as Ph^acian mariners all elfe 
 
 Surpafs, the fwift fliip urging through the floods, 
 
 • Some affirm that thefe maftives were given by Juno to Nepturte 
 as the price of his afliftance againft Jupiter, and that from Neptun« 
 ihey had pafled to Alcinoiis, — B. & C. 
 
 Pope has given no tranflation of this line in the text of his work, 
 but has tranilated it in a note. It is varioully interpreted by com* 
 mentators ; the fenfe which is here given of it is that recommended 
 
 by EulUtliiuv 
 
 So
 
 ODVSSHY vn. iji-ijs. 183 
 
 So far in tifTue-work the women pafs 
 All others, by Minerva's felf endow'd 
 With richeft fancy and fuperiour Ikill. 
 Without the court, and to the gates adjoin'd 
 A fpacious garden lay, fenced all around 
 Secure, four acres meafuring complete. 
 There grew luxuriant many a lofty tree. 
 Pomegranate, pear, the apple blufhing bright. 
 The honied fig, and uqdluous olive fmooth. 
 Thofe fruits, nor winter's cold nor fummer's heat 
 Fear ever, fail not, wither not, but hang 
 Perennial, while unceafing zephyr breathe* 
 Gently on all, enlarging thefe, and thofe 
 Maturing genial ; in an endlefs courfe 
 Pears after pears to full dimenfions fwell. 
 Figs follow figs, grapes cluft'ring grow again 
 Where clufters grew, and (ev'ry apple ftript) 
 The boughs foon tempt the gath'rer as before. 
 There too, well-rooted, and of fruit profufe. 
 His vineyard grows ; part, wide-extended, balks 
 In the fun*s beams ; the arid level glows ; 
 In part they gather, and in part they tread 
 The wine-prefs, while, before the eye, the grapes 
 Here put their blofTom forth, there, gather fafl 
 Their blacknefs. On the garden's verge extreme 
 
 N ^ Flow'rs
 
 184 ODYSSEY VII. 156-17J. 
 
 Flow'rs of all hues fmile all the year, arranged 
 
 With neateft art judicious, and amid 
 
 The lovely fcene two fountains welling forth, 
 
 One vifits, into evVy part difFufed, 
 
 The garden-ground, the other foft beneath 
 
 The threfhold fteals into the palace-court. 
 
 Whence ev'ry citizen his vafe fupplies. 
 
 Such were the ample bleffings on the houfe 
 Of King Alcinoiis by the Gods beflow'd. 
 
 Ulyffes wondVmg flood, and when, at lengthy 
 Silent he had the whole fair fccne admired, 
 Enter'd with hafty ftep the royal gate. 
 The Chiefs he found and Senators within 
 Libation pouring to the vigilant fpy 
 Mercurius, whom with wine they worfhipp'd la^ 
 Of all the Gods, and at the hour of reft *. 
 UlyfTcs, circumfufed with thickefl fhadcs 
 By Pallas flill, pafs'd on, till he arrived 
 Where King Alcinoiis and Areta fat. 
 Around Areta's knees his arms he caft, 
 
 * Becaufc Mercury gave fleep by the touch of his rod, and be- 
 caufe he delivered his mefiages in dreams and vifions of the night; 
 but chiefly, according to Plutarch, becaufe he of all the Gods was 
 mofl attentive to the diffourfe that palTed on convivial occalions, 
 and moll concerned in the infpiraticn of fuchas was agreeable. — C. 
 
 This lail libation was called the 'AycM A«(|aovo? Tofta.— B. 
 
 And
 
 ODYSSEY VII. 176—20!. igr 
 
 And, in that moment, the m} itciious cloud 
 Which veil'd his godhke form, all broke away. 
 Amazement feized the guefts ; in mute fufpcnre 
 They eyed the Chief, who thus his fuit prefcrrVl. 
 
 Areta, daughter of the Godlike Prince 
 Rhexenor ! after num'rous woes fufniin'd, 
 Behold me here a fuppliant at thy knees. 
 Imploring thee, the King, and thefe your gueft^ 
 (To whom heav'n grant abundance, and to leave 
 Their children in pofTeffion of the wealth 
 And all the well-earn'd honours, now their own) 
 That ye vouchfafe me fwift conveyance hence 
 To my regretted home, which, tempeft-tofs'd 
 And wretched, I have fought long time in vain. 
 
 Such fuit he made, and in the afhcs fat 
 At the hearth-tide ; they mute long time rcmain'd, 
 Till, at the lafl, the antient Hero fpake 
 Echeneus, eldeft of Phaeacia's fons, 
 With eloquence beyond the reft cndow'd. 
 Rich in traditionary lore, and wife 
 In all, who thus, benevolent,- began. 
 
 Not honourable to thyfclf, O King ! 
 Is fuch a fight, a ftranger on the ground. 
 Seated befide the hearth, and in the duft. 
 Mean-time, thy guefls, expcding thy command. 
 Move not ; thou therefore raifing by his hand 
 
 4 The
 
 lt6 ODYSSEY VII. i«2— ssj. 
 
 The fuppHant, lead him to a feat, and bid 
 The heralds mingle wine, that we may pour 
 Libation forth to thunder-bearing Jove, 
 Dread guardian of the fuppliant flranger's rights ; 
 Then bid the fewer fpread for his regale 
 A plenteous board, with viands now within. 
 
 Soon as thofe words Alcinoiis heard, the King, 
 Upraiiing by his hand the prudent Chief 
 Ulyfles from the hearth, he made him lit 
 On a bright throne, difplacing for his fake 
 Laodamas his fon, the virtuous youth 
 Who fat betide him, and whom moft he lov'd. 
 And now, a maiden charg'd with golden ew'r 
 And with an argent laver, pouring, firft. 
 Pure water on his hands, before him placed 
 A polifhd table, which the matron, charged 
 With fervice of the guefts, with bread fupplied 
 And viands largely, from her prefent {lores *. 
 Then ate the Hero toil-inured, and drank> 
 And to his herald thus Alcinoiis fpake. 
 
 Pontonoiis ! mingle wine, and bear it round 
 To cv'ry guetl in turn, that we may pour 
 
 * It is remarked that Uly/Tes in this poem walhes his hands ere 
 he eats, which rcither he nor any other hero does in the Iliad. 
 The reafon ot :lie diiFerence, fays Athena^us, is, that in the Odyf- 
 fey we have the culloiiii. that belong -d to a time of peace, wheH 
 there was leifure for neatnefs and felf-indulgence. — C 
 
 To
 
 ODYSSEY VII. 124-J49, 187- 
 
 To thunder-bearer Jove, the ftranger's friend. 
 And guardian of the fuppliant's facred rights. 
 
 He ended, and Pontonoiis, as he bade. 
 Mingling delicious wine, the cups difpenfed 
 With diftribution regular to all. 
 When each had made libation, and had drunk 
 Sufficient, then, Alcinous thus began. 
 
 Phaeacian Chiefs and Senators, attend 
 While I pronounce the didlates of my heart 1 
 Ye all have feafted — To your homes and fleep. 
 We will aflcmble at the dawn of day 
 More fenior Chiefs, that we may entertain 
 The ftranger here, and to the Gods perform 
 Due facrifice ; the convoy that he alks 
 Shall next engage our thoughts, that free from pain 
 And from vexation, by our friendly aid 
 He may revilit, joyful and with fpeed, 
 His native fhore, however far remote. 
 No inconvenience let him feel or harm. 
 Ere his arrival ; but, arrived, thenceforth 
 He muft endure whatever lot the Fates 
 Spun for him in the moment of his birth. 
 But fliould he prove fome Deity from heav'n 
 Defcendcd, then the Immortals have in view 
 Deligns not yet apparent ; for the Gods 
 Have deign'd not feldom, from of old, to mix 
 
 In
 
 l88 ODYSSEY VII. 250-279. 
 
 In our ibiemnities ; have fill'd a feat 
 
 Where Wc have fat, and made our banquet theirs. 
 
 And even if a fingle traveller 
 
 Of the Pha^acians meet them, all referve 
 
 They lay afide ; for with the Gods we boaft 
 
 As near affinity as do themfelves 
 
 The Cyclops, or the Giant race profane *. 
 
 To whom UlyfTes, ever-wifc, replied. 
 Alcinous i think not fo. Refemblance none 
 In figure or in lineaments I bear 
 To the immortal tenants of the fkies. 
 But to the fons of earth ; if ye have known 
 A man afflided with a weight of woe 
 Peculiar, let mc be with him compared ; 
 Woes even paffing his could I relate. 
 And all infli6ted on me by the Gods. 
 But let me eat, comfortlefs as I am. 
 Uninterrupted ; for no call is loud 
 As that of hunger in the ears of man ; 
 Importunate, unreasonable, it conftrains 
 His notice, more than all his woes befide. 
 
 * The Scholiall explains the palTage thus — We refemble the 
 Cods in righteoufnefs as much as the Cyclops and Giants refembled 
 each other in impiety. — B.& C. But in this fenfe of it there is fome- 
 thing intricate, and contrary to Homer's manner. We have feen that 
 they derived themfelves from Neptune, which fufiiciently juftifies 
 the above interpretation. 
 
 So
 
 ODYSSEY VII. 271-2SS. 189 
 
 So, I much forrow feel, yet not the lels 
 Hear I the blatant appetite demand 
 Due fuftenance, and with a voice that drowns 
 E'en all my AifF'rings, till itfelf be fill'd'. 
 But expedite ye at the dawn of day 
 My fafe return into my native land. 
 After much mis'ry ; and let life itfelf 
 Forfake me, may I but once more behold 
 My fair pofTeffions, my domeftic train. 
 And the high-vaulted roof my former home'. 
 
 He fpake, whom all applauded, and advifcd. 
 Unanimous, the gueft's conveyance home, 
 Who had fo fitly fpoken. When, at length. 
 All had libation made, and were fufficed, 
 Departing to his houfc, each fought repoie. 
 But flill UlyfTes in the hall remain'd, 
 Alcinoiis and Areta at his fide ; 
 And while their bufy menials clear'd the board, 
 
 * Athenaeas reproaches Ulyfles with gluttony on this occafion, 
 and obferves that however hungry he migljt be, his hunger afforded 
 noexcufefor want of civility. — B.&C. But when Athena;uswas thus 
 rigorous in his demand of good manners, his patience probably had 
 not been exercifed with a faftof many days. Ulyfles indeed had lately 
 eaten by the bounty of Nauficaa ; but feamen who haye been re- 
 duced to rhort allowance, or for fome time to abfolute fixmine, well 
 know that the return of appetite even after a plentiful meal, is 
 almoft immediate. The Heroes of Homer may not always be 
 polite, but they always behave naturally. 
 
 Arcta
 
 190 ODYSSEY VII. atj-jij. 
 
 Areta (for his mantle and his veft 
 
 Wrought by her women and herfelf, fhe knew) 
 
 In accents wing'd with eager haile began. 
 
 Stranger ! the firft inquiry (hall be mine ; 
 Who art,and whence ? From whom receiv'dft thouthefe ? 
 Saidft not — I came a wand'rer o'er the Deep ? 
 
 To whom UlylTes, evcr-wife, replied. 
 Oh Queen ! the tafk were difficult to unfold 
 In all its length the ftory of my woes. 
 For I have num'rous from the Gods receivM ; 
 But I will anfwer thee as beft I may. 
 There is a certain ifle, Ogygia, placed 
 Far diftant in the Deep ; there dwells, by man 
 Alike unvifited, and by the Gods, 
 Calyptb, lovely nymph, but deeply Ikill'd 
 In artifice, and terrible in pow'r, 
 Daughter of Atlas. Me alone my fat<5 
 Her miferable inmate made, when Jove 
 Had riv'n afunder with his candent bolt 
 My bark in the mid-fea. 1 here perifli'd all 
 The valiant partners of my toils, and I 
 My veflcrs keel embracing day and night 
 With folded arms, nine day^ was borne along. 
 But on the tenth dark night, as pleas'd the Gods, 
 They drove mc to Ogygia's ifland, where 
 
 Calypfo,
 
 ODYSSEY VII, 3»4-3>«. I9I 
 
 Calypfo, dread Divinity, refides*. 
 She refcued, cherifh'd, fed me, and her wi(h 
 Was to confer on me immortal life. 
 Exempt for ever from the fap of age. 
 But me her ofFer'd boon fvvayM not. Sev'n years 
 I there abode continual, with my tears 
 Bedewing ceafelefs my ambrofial robes, 
 Calypfo's gift divine ; but when, at length, 
 (Sev'n years elapsM) the circling eighth arrived. 
 She then, herfelf, my quick departure thence 
 Advifed, by Jove's own mandate overaw'd, 
 Which even her had influenced to a change. 
 Borne on a well-join'd raft (he fent me forth 
 With numVous prefents ; bread the put and wine 
 On board, and cloth'd me in immortal robes ; 
 
 * Longinus confiders this ten-days diftrefs of Ulyfies, during which 
 he had neither reft nor fuftenance, as a fymptom of the declcnfiotv 
 of Homer's genius, and as a proof that he began to dream. — B. &C. 
 Barnes vindicates the poet againft the charge by alleging that he is 
 to be underftood in a qualified fenfe, not ?s reprefenting UlylTes 
 deftitute entirely of all fultcnance, but of his ufual diet onlv. — B.. 
 But what fuftenance could he procure, or how could lie poifibly 
 preferve any while he clung to the keel of his veflel ? 
 
 The Scholiaft's is therefore the bell juftification of the pafTage 
 who fays — It is unreafonable to afk how he fubfifted — for does not 
 Minerva in the 20th book inform him 
 
 *£> irccnta-ffi "jToion^i. " • ■ 1— B. S: C. 
 
 ■ But I, v^ho kepp 
 
 Thee in all difficulties, ara divine. 
 
 I She
 
 192 ODYSSEY VII. 329—354. 
 
 She fent before me alfo a fair wind 
 Frefh-blowing, but not dang'rous. Sev'nteen days 
 I fail'd the flood, and, on the eighteenth, favv 
 Your lofty mountain- tops with forefts crown'd. 
 And feeing them rejoiced ; but premature 
 Was that delight, and foon by Neptune changed 
 To deepeft woe ; for he with adverfe winds 
 My courfe refifted, and with billows huge 
 Shatt'ring my raft, conftrain'd me fore diftrefs'd 
 And groaning, to divide with wearied arms 
 This vafl abyfs of ocean, till the winds 
 And mighty waters cafl: me on your fliore. 
 Me there emerging, had the temped driv'n 
 Full on the land, where, incommodious mod. 
 The fhore prefented only rougheft rocks, 
 But, leaving it, I fwam the Deep again, 
 Until at laft a river's gentle ftream 
 Receiv'd me, by no rocks deform'd, and where 
 No violent winds the fhelter'd bank annoy 'd. 
 I flung myfclf on fhore, exhaufted, weak, 
 Needing rcpofe ; then came the filcnt night. 
 And from the Jove-defceiided ftream withdrawn, 
 I in a thicket lay'd me down on leaves 
 Which I had heap'd together, and the Gods 
 O'erwhclm'd my eye-lids with a flood of fleep. 
 There under withei-'d leaves, forlorn, I llept 
 
 AH
 
 ODYSSEY VII. 3SS-376.- 1 93 
 
 All the long night, the morning and the noon ; 
 But balmy fleep, at the decline of day, 
 Broke from me ; then, your daughter's train I heard 
 Sporting, with whom fhe alfo fported, fair 
 And graceful as the Gods*. To her I kneel'd. 
 She fwerved not from the didlates of a mind 
 Moft pure, but pafs'd in her behaviour all 
 Which even ye could from an age like hers 
 Have hoped ; for youth is ever indifcrete. 
 She gave me plenteous food, with richeft wine 
 Refrefh'd my fpirit, taught me where to bathe. 
 And cloth'd me as thou fee'ft ; thus, though a prey 
 To many forrows, I have told thee truth. 
 
 To whom Alcinoiis anfwer thus return'd. 
 Stranger ! my daughter overlook'd at lead 
 One rule of decent manners ; for although 
 She firft receiv'd thee fuppliant, the return'd 
 With all her women, and thee left to find 
 Thefe doors, unfriended, and without a guide. 
 
 Then anfwer, thus, the wary Chief return'd. 
 Blame not, O Hero, for fo flight a caufe 
 Thy faultlefs child ; fhe bade me follow them, 
 
 * Euftathius deemed it worthy of remark that Ulyfles makes no 
 mention of their daughter's finging and toffing the ball, left he 
 (hould feem to accufe her of levity. But he exprefsly fays that 
 her women amufed themfelves with play, and that fhe was among 
 them.—C. 
 
 VOL. Ill, o But
 
 f 94 ODYSSEY Vir. 37r^3^f. 
 
 But I refufed, by fear and av/e reftrain'd. 
 Left thou fhould'fi feel difpleafure at that fight 
 Thyfelf ; for we are all, in ev'ry clime, 
 Sufpicious, and to worft conftructions prone. 
 So fpake UlyfTes, to whom thus the King, 
 1 bear notj llranger ! in my bread an heart 
 Much giv'n to caufclefs wrath, yet due refpe<5l 
 To decency's demands require from all. 
 And Jove, Apollo, and Minerva know 
 How fervent is my wilb, that being fuch. 
 And of fuch kindred feiitimcnts with mine, 
 Thou would'ft accept my daughter, would'fl become 
 My fon-in-law, and dwell contented here *. 
 Uoufe would I give thee, and poflefiions too, 
 Were fuch thy choice j elfc, if thou choofe it not. 
 No man in all Pha3acia (hall by force 
 Detain thee. Jqve would difapprove the deed. 
 For proof, I will appoint thee convoy hence 
 To-moiTOw ; and while thou by fleep fubdued 
 
 * Tlie Scliollaft judges that Alcinoiis makes this ofFtr merely as 
 a trial and ted of the veracity of Ulyffes. If he had refufed 
 Calypfo, he would of courfe refufe his daughter, but if he accepted 
 his daughter, it could not then be true that he had refufed Calypfo. 
 — B.&C. But Clarke affirms that the remark is groundlefs, fince 
 we are affured by Euftathius that it Was cullomary with the Antients 
 to give their daughters, not to people of their own country by pre- 
 ference, but rather, if they had opportunity, to fome accompliflied 
 ftranger, 
 
 Shalt
 
 Odyssey vii. 39^— va* 105 
 
 Shalt prefs thy bed, my people with their oars 
 
 Shall briifh the placid flood, till thou arrive 
 
 At home, or at what place foe'er thou woiild'll. 
 
 Though far more dillant than Eubcea lies, 
 
 Remotefl: ifle from as, by the report 
 
 Of ours^ who faw it when they thither bore 
 
 Sage Rhadamanthus of the golden locks 
 
 To vifit earth-born Tityus *. To that ifle 
 
 They went J they reach'dit,and they brought him thence 
 
 Back to Phasacia, in one day, with cafe. 
 
 Thou alfo {halt be taught what fliips I boaft 
 
 Unmatch'd in fwiftnefsj and how far my crews 
 
 Excel, upturning with their oars the brine. 
 
 He ended, whom Ulyires in his heart 
 Exulting heardj and^ praying, thus replied. 
 
 Eternal Father ! may the King perform 
 
 His whole kind promife ! grant him in all lands 
 
 A never-dying name, and grant to me 
 
 To vifit fafe my native fliores again ^ 1 
 
 Thus 
 
 • Jupiter being enamoured of Elora daughter of Orchomenus, 
 or as others fay, of Minos, to avoid thejealouly of Juno, concealed 
 her underground. There Ihe bore him this moit extraordinary fon, 
 named Ticyus, who was beloved by Latona and (hot by Apollo. — 
 Rhadamanthus is fuppofed to have made this vifit to I'ityus on a 
 charitable account, and, being himfelf a juft man, for the fake of 
 inftruAing him.— B. & C. 
 
 f Ulyfies gives not a dire£l anfwer to the obliging propofal of 
 Alcinoiis to bellow on him his daughter, bccaufe it would have 
 
 o 2 feemed
 
 in6 ODYSSEY VII. 415-431. 
 
 Thus they conferr'd ; and now Areta bade 
 Her fair attendants drefs a fleecy couch 
 Beneath the portico, with purple rugs 
 Refplendent, and with arras fpread beneath. 
 And over all with cloaks of Ihaggy pile. 
 Forth went the maidens, bearing each a torch, 
 And, as fhe bade, prepared in hafte a couch 
 Of depth commodious ; then, returning, gave 
 Ulyiles welcome fummons to repofe. 
 
 Rife, llrangcr ! all is ready ; come to reft. 
 So they ; thrice welcome to Ulyfles feem'd 
 Their invitation, and his fculptur'd couch 
 Beneath the founding portico prepared 
 With willing feet the toil-worn Hero fought ; 
 But far within th' interiour palace flept 
 Alcinoiis, and, lodg'd in royal ftate. 
 The Queen, his virtuous confort, at his fide. 
 
 feemed harfh to refufe her, Hw prayer, expreffive as it is of his Im.. 
 patience to return, and of his gracitude to the perfon who furnifhes 
 him with means of doing fo, is an indireft indeed, but a delicate 
 and fufficient anfwer. — Dacier, 
 
 ARGU-
 
 O D y S S E Y Vlll. v-9, 1^7 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 EIGHTH BOOK. 
 
 The Phsacians confult on the fubjeft of UlyfTes. Preparation is 
 made for hit departure. Antinoiis entertains them at his table. 
 Games follow the entertainment. Demodocus the bard, fings, 
 iirft the loves of Mars and Venus, then the introdudtion of the 
 wooden horfe into Troy. UlyfTes, much afFefted by his fong, is 
 queftioned by Alcinoiis, whence, and who he is, and what is the 
 caufe of his forrow. 
 
 BOOK VIII. 
 
 oooN as Aurora, daughter of the dawn 
 Look'd forth, apfprang Phaeacia's mighty King, 
 And from his couch the town-deflroying Chief 
 UlyfTes hailed, whom Alcinoiis led 
 To early council at the fhips convened. 
 Arriving, fide by fide on polifh'd fiones 
 They fat j mean-time, Minerva in the form 
 Of King Alcinoiis* herald ranged the town. 
 With purpofe to accelerate the return 
 
 03 Of
 
 1^8 ODYSSEY VIII. IO-16, 
 
 Of brave Ulyfles to his native home. 
 
 And thus to ev'ry Chief the Goddefs fpake *« 
 
 Phaeacian Chiefs and Senators, away ! 
 To council hafting, hear a Granger's tale, 
 A gueft of King Alcinoqs, new-arrived, 
 A Ihipwreck'd wand'rer hither, of a form 
 Superiour, and majellic as a God. 
 
 So faying, the roufed the people, and at onc^ 
 The feats of all the fenate-court were fiU'd 
 With faft-aficmbling throngs, no few of whom 
 Had mark'd Ulyffes with admiring eyes. 
 Then, Pallas o'er his head and fhouldcrs broacj 
 DifFufing grace ccleflial, his whole form 
 Dilated, and to ilatelier height advanced, 
 That worthier of all rev'rence he might feen^ 
 To the Phaeacians, and might many a feat 
 Achieve, with which they fhould his force aflay *, 
 
 * By Minerva we are to underftand here, either a rumour that 
 a very intelligent flranger had arrived in their country, on whofe 
 account they are called together, or that the Phaeacians by their 
 natural difcernment finding Ulyffcs to be a perfon of that de- 
 fcription, a rarity among themselves, aflemble for fatiifadion of 
 their curiofity and tp prpve if the account of him be a true one.-— 
 Euftathius.— C. 
 
 + The poet pluralizes the fingle effort with the difcus, probably 
 becaufe, though Ulyfles perforiped no feat befide, he offered him^ 
 felf to a trial in many others, excepting againft the fopc-race only, 
 Minerva therefore thus improves his figure, that it may evidence 
 iLp juflnefi of hi'^ p;etcnfions. 
 
 Wheq
 
 ODYSSEY VIII. VS^ Z99 
 
 When, therefore, the aflembly now was full, 
 Alcinous, thus addrefling them, began. 
 
 Phaeacian Chiefs and Senators attend, 
 That I may fpcak as my beft judgment bids. 
 This guefl-, unknown to me, hath, wand'ring, found 
 My palace, either from the Eaft arrived. 
 Or from fome nation on our weftern fide. 
 Safe condudl home he allcs, and our confent 
 Here wirties ratified, whofe quick return 
 Be it our part, as ufual, to promote ; 
 For at no time the Granger, from what coaft 
 Soc'er, who hath reforted to our doors, 
 Hath lon^ complain d of his detention here. 
 Haftc — draw ye down into the facrcd Deep 
 A vcilel of prime fpecd, and, from among 
 The people, fifty and two youths fele6l. 
 Approved the beft ; then, lathing fad the oars. 
 Leave her, that at my palace ye may make 
 Short fcaft, for which myfclf will all provide. 
 Thus I enjoin the crew ; but as for thofe 
 Of fccptred rank, I bid them all alike 
 To my own board, that here we may regale 
 The fi:ranger nobly, and let none rjfufe. 
 Call^ too, Demodocus, the bard divine. 
 To (hare my banquet, whom the Gods have bleft 
 With pow'rs of fong delc61able, what theme 
 
 o 4 Soc'er
 
 200 ODYSSEY VIII. 53-74, 
 
 Soe'er his animated fancy choofe. 
 
 He ceas'd, and led the way, whom follow'd all 
 The fceptred fenators, and at his houfe 
 Mean-time an herald fought the bard divine. 
 Then, fifty mariners and two, from all 
 The reft*fele6led, to the coafl repair'd, 
 And, from her ftation on the fea-bank, launched 
 The galley down into the facred Deep. 
 They placed the canvas and the mafl on board. 
 Arranged the oars, unfurl'd the fhining fail. 
 And, leaving her in depth of water moor'd, 
 Reforted to the Sov'reign's grand abode. 
 There, foon, the portico, the court, the hall 
 Were fill'd with multitudes of young and old. 
 For whofe regale the mighty monarch flew 
 Two beeves, twelve flieep, and twice four fatted brawns. 
 They flay'd them firil, then bufily their talk 
 AdminiftVing, prepared the joyous feaft. 
 And now the herald thither led with care 
 The tuneful bard ; him partially the Mufe 
 And dearly lov'd, yet gave him good and ill ; 
 She quench'd his light, but gave him flrains divine *. 
 
 For 
 
 * As In the Iliad, fays Eudathius, the poet deals out good and 
 evil froii; his two cafks refpi 'iTiivcIy, To here he rcprefents the Mufe 
 asdifpenfing the fame mixture to Demodocus. And it was the opi- 
 
 nron
 
 ODYSSEY VIII. 75...S8. 201 
 
 For him, Pontonoiis in the midfl difpofed 
 An argent-ftudded throne, thrulting it clofe 
 To a tall column, where he hung his lyre 
 Above his head, and taught him where it hung. 
 He fet before him, next, a polifh'd board 
 And bafket, and a goblet fill'd with wine 
 For his own ufe, and at his own command *. 
 Then, all aflail'd at once the ready feaft. 
 And when nor hunger more nor thirfl: they felt. 
 Then came the mufe, and roufed the bard to fing 
 Exploits of men renown'd ; it was a fong, 
 In that day, to the highefl heav'n extoll'd ^. 
 He fang the fierce difpute which at a feafl 
 In honour of the Gods at Ilium, chanced 
 
 nion of Maximus Tyrius that Homer, in this fhort hilloryofthe 
 Phajacian bard, gives us in reality his own — C. 
 
 The Scholiaft afks, if the Mufe deprived him of fight, how then 
 can fhe be faid to have loved him ? A queflion which he anfwers 
 by obferving that the Blind being difqiialitled for other employ- 
 ments, have the more leifure for poetry. — B. 8c C. 
 
 * Clarke on this fentence quotes an epiT;ram of the Anthologia, 
 Lib. II. 47. 
 
 The happiefi, always is the glafs 
 V^hich we are free to drink or pafs. 
 
 f The poet is here fcppofed by Euftathius to allude to the Iliad. — C. 
 
 Between
 
 ao* ODYSSEY VIII. 89-107, 
 
 Between Achilles and Laertes' fon. 
 
 That conteft, Agamemnon, King of men, 
 
 Between thofe Princes of his hoft, rcmark.*d 
 
 With filent joy ; for when in Pytho * erfl 
 
 He pafs'd the marble threfhold to confult 
 
 The oracle of Apollo, fuch difpute 
 
 The voice divine had to his ear announced ; 
 
 For then it was that, firft, the ftorm of war 
 
 Came rolling on, ordain'd long time to affli(5l 
 
 Troy and the Grcecians, by the will of Jove \ 
 
 So fang the bard illuftrious ; then his robe 
 Of purple dye with both hands o'er his head 
 Ulyfies drew, behind its ample folds 
 Veiling his face, through fear to be obferved 
 By the Phaeacians weeping at the fong ; 
 And ever as the bard harmonious ccafcd, 
 He wiped his tears, and, drawing from his brows 
 The mantle, pour'd libation to the Gods. 
 ]3ut when the Chiefs (for they delighted heard 
 
 ■* A city of Phocis named alfo Delphos, famous fcr the temple 
 and oracle of Pythian Apollo. 
 
 f Agamemnon having enquired at Delphos, at what time the 
 Trojan war fhi^uld ead, was anfwercd, tiiat the conclulion of it 
 Hiould happen at a time when a difpute Ihould arif^' between two of 
 bis pfincip:il commanders. That difpute occurred at the time licre 
 alluded to, Acliillcs recommending force at moil likely to reduce 
 thfi city, pnd Ul^fTes <lr;»agetn. — 13, & C,> 
 
 Ibofe
 
 ODYSSEY VIII. ioS-133. 20$ 
 
 Thofe founds) follcitcd again the bard. 
 
 And he renew'd the ftrain, then cov'ring clofe 
 
 His count'nance, as before, UlyfTes wept. 
 
 Thus, unperceiv'd by all, the Hero mourn'd. 
 
 Save by Alcinoiis ; he alone his tears 
 
 (Bpfide hiin feated) mark'd, and his deep figha 
 
 O'erhcaring, the Phaoacians thus befpake. 
 
 Phaeacia's Chiefs and Senators, attend ! 
 We have long time fat feafting, and long time 
 Sat liiVning to the lyre, companion fweet 
 And feafonable of the feftive hour. 
 Now go we forth for honourable proof 
 Of our addrefs in games of ev'ry kind. 
 That this pur guefl may to his friends report. 
 At home arrived, that none like us have learn 'd 
 To leap, to box, to yvreftle, and to run. 
 
 So faying, he led them forth, whofe (tejis the guella 
 All follow'd, and the herald hanging high 
 The fprightly lyre, took gently by his hand 
 Demodocus, and leading hini abroad 
 Follow'd Phacacia's Princes to the games. 
 They fought the forum j countlefs fwarm'd the throng' 
 Behind them as they went, and many a youth 
 Strong and courageous to the Itrite ai'ofe, 
 Upitood Acroneus and Ocyalus, 
 pylatreus, Nauteus, Prymncus, after whom 
 
 Anchialus
 
 204 ODYSSEY VITI. 134-153. 
 
 Anchialus with Anabeefineus 
 Arofe, Eretmeus, Ponteus, Proreus bold, 
 Amphialus and Thoon *. Then arofe. 
 In afpedl dread as homicidal Mars, 
 Euryalus, and for his graceful form 
 (After Laodamas) diftinguifh'd moil 
 Of all Phaeacia's fons, Naubolides. 
 Three alfo from Alcinoiis fprung, arofe, 
 Laodamas, his eldeft ; Halius, next. 
 His fecond-born ; and godlike Clytoneus. 
 Of thefe, fome Hartcd for the runner's prize. 
 They gave the race its limits ^. All at once 
 Along the diifly champaign fwift they flew. 
 Eut Clytoneus, illuflrious youth, outftripp'd 
 All competition ; far as mules furpafs 
 Slow oxen furrowing the fallow ground. 
 So far before all others he arrived 
 Vidlorious, where the thrOng'd fpe6lators Hood. 
 Some tried the wreftler's toil fevcre, in which 
 Euryalus fupcriour proved to all. 
 
 * The Phasacians being a maritime people, thefe names are all 
 derived from maritime fubjeds. — C. 
 
 + ToTcr^y cItto ivWr? n'raro ^p^'/Ao? — This expreffion is by the com- 
 mentators generally underftood to be figniiicant of the effort which, 
 they made at flarting, but it is not improbable that it relates merely 
 to the meafurement of the courfc, o!.lierwile, Xi5^f7r«^ifA«? tTrfVovTo — 
 ■will bs traitologous, 
 
 I«
 
 ODYSSEY VIII. 154-175. aO< 
 
 In the long leap Amphialus prevail'd ; 
 Elatreus moft fuccefsful hurl'd the quoit. 
 And at the ceftus, lail, the noble Ton 
 Of Scheria's King, Laodamas exceU'd *. 
 When thus with contemplation of the games. 
 All had been gratified, Alcinoiis' fon 
 Laodamas, arifing, them addrefs'd ^. 
 
 Friends ! afk we now the ftranger, if he boaft 
 Proficiency in aught. His figure fecms 
 Not ill ; in thighs, and legs, and arms he lliews 
 Much flrength, and in his brawny neck ; nor youth 
 Hath left him yet, though batter'd he appears 
 With num'rous troubles, and misfortune-flaw'd. 
 Nor know I harddiips in the world fo fure 
 lb break the flrongefl down, as thofe by fea. 
 
 Then anfwerthus Euryalus return'd. 
 Thou haft well faid, Laodamas ; thyfclf 
 Approaching, fpeak to him, and call him forth. 
 
 Which when Alcinoiis' noble offspring heard, 
 Advancing from his leat, amid them all 
 He flood, and to UlyfTes thus began. 
 
 Stand forth, oh guefl, thou alfo ; prove thy fkill 
 
 • In boxing. 
 
 f The poet having already given us a defcription at large of 
 limilar contefts at the funeral of P.itroclus, judiciyufly fpeaks of 
 thefe in the moft fummary mann:r. — C. 
 
 (If
 
 206 O D Y S S E V VIII, i7^i9». 
 
 (If any fuch thou boaft) in games like ours. 
 Which, likdiefl:, thou haft learn'd ; for greater praife 
 Hath no man, while he lives, than that he know 
 His feet to exercife and hands aright *. 
 Come, then ; make trial ; fcatter wide thy cares ; 
 We will not hold thee long ; the fhip is launch'd 
 Already, and the crew ftand all prepared. 
 
 To whom replied the v^'ily Chief renown'd* 
 Wherefore, as in derifion, have ye call'd 
 Me forth, Laodanias, to thefe exploits ? 
 No games have I, but many a grief, at hearty 
 And with far other ftruggles worn, here lit 
 Defirous only of conveyance home^ 
 For which both King and people I implore^ 
 
 Then him Euryalus aloud rcproach'tl, 
 I well believed it, friend ! in thee the guife 
 
 * Exa(5\Iy the fame fentiment is found in Pindar* Pythior. Od X. 
 ver. 34, a very natural one in an age when the mofl enviable public 
 ijonours were beliowed on preeminent force und agility. 
 
 VfjCvnToi BTOi 
 
 Kf«.T*jcrt, Toc {/.iyn atby^uy iXuiv 
 Ti^Xfjioc. Ti Jtai <rS«V(i.— C. 
 
 The praifes of the wife Ins toils repay. 
 
 Who, whether hand or foot be tried. 
 
 With tbrce and valour on his fide 
 Excels, and bears the nobleft prize away. 
 
 I fee
 
 ODYSSEY VIII; 191—^08. aoy 
 
 I fee not of a man expert in feats 
 Athletic, of which various arc performM 
 In evVy land ; thou rather feem'ft with iliips 
 Familiar ; one, accuftom'd to control 
 Some crew of trading mariners ; well^learn'd 
 In ftowage, pilotage, and wealth acquired 
 By rapine, but of no gymnaflic powVg. 
 
 To whom Ulyflcs, frowning dark, replied. 
 Thou haft ill fpoken, fir, and like a man 
 Regardlefs whom he wi*ongs. Thus heav'n, it fecms. 
 Imparts not, all to one, the various gifts 
 And ornaments of body^, mind and fpeech*. 
 This Hian in figure lefs excels, yet Jove 
 Crowns him with eloquence ; his hearers charmed 
 Behold him, while with unalTuming tone 
 Tie bears the prize of jfluent fpeech from all, 
 And, when he walks the city, as they pafs, 
 
 Zt jiASy p,3.';^i5-.?3t», T»,- at ^v7\.=vih» xat'SZ",* 
 
 E iripkles. Rhef. ver. 106 — CJ. 
 Each li:!th his taient ; of the human race 
 None e'er was born to tiniverCal ikill ; 
 Thou fliin'ft in battle, but in council they. 
 
 In like manner Maharbal in Livy, Book 22. 5. 51. 
 •* The Gods impart not every thing to any. You, Annibal, 
 know how to conquer, bat arc ignorant in the ufe of WiJtory." 
 
 <k AH
 
 208 ODYSSEY VIII. 209-229, 
 
 All turn and gaze as they had pafs'd a God *. 
 
 Another, form'd with lymmetry divine. 
 
 Yet wants the graec that twines itfelf around 
 
 The lift'ning hearers' hearts. Such deem I thee. 
 
 Thy form is excellent. Not Jove himfelf 
 
 Could mend it. But thy mind is nothing worth. 
 
 Thou much haft moved me ; thy unhandfome phrafe 
 
 Hath roufed my wrath ; I am not, as thou fay'fl, 
 
 A novice in thefe fports, but took the lead 
 
 In all, while youth and ftrength were on my fide. 
 
 But I am now in bands of forrovv held. 
 
 And of misfortune, having much endured 
 
 In war, and buffetting the boifi'rous waves. 
 
 Yet, though with mis'ry worn, I will efiay 
 
 My ftrength among you ; for thy words had teeth 
 
 Whofe bite hath pinch'd and pain'd me to the proof. 
 
 He faid ; and mantled as he was, fprang forth 
 And feized a quoit in bulk and weight all thofe 
 Tranfcending far, by the Phseacians ufed. 
 Swiftly he fwung, and from his vig'rous hand 
 Difmifs'd it. Sang the ftone, and as it flew , 
 
 * So Cicero de Oraiore, L.iii. ^". 14. 
 
 •• Jn whole prefence do men lliake wltli awe ? Whom, whfie 
 he fpeaks, do they contemplate with aftonilhment ? Whom do they 
 applaud with exclamations? and confidcr, if I may (o fay, as a 
 God among them ? The man who is diiUadl both in his words and 
 matter, cle^r, abLnd-.nt, luminou:."— C. 
 
 A The
 
 ODYSSEY VIII. 430-255. 209 
 
 The maritime Phaeacians low inclined 
 Their heads beneath it ; over all the marks 
 It flew with eafe, and ftruck the ground beyond. 
 Minerva in a human form, the cafl 
 Prodigious meafur'd, and aloud exclaim*d. 
 
 Stranger ! the blind himfelf might with his hands 
 Feel out the Vantage here, fo far thy quoit 
 Hath left its bed competitors behind. 
 This prize, be fure, is thine ; for, of us all. 
 Thy meafure none will reach, much lefs exceed. 
 
 She ceafed ; Ulyfles, hardy Chief, rejoiced 
 That in the circus he had found a judge 
 So favourable, and with brifker tone. 
 As lefs in wrath, the multitude addrefs'd. 
 
 Young men reach this, and I will quickly heave 
 Another fuch, or yet a heavier quoit. 
 Then, come the man whofe courage prompts him forth 
 To box, to wreftle with me, or to run ; 
 For ye have chafed me much, and I decline 
 No ftrife with any here, but challenge all 
 Pheeacia, fave Laodamas alone. 
 He is mine hoft. Who combats with his friend ? 
 To call to proof of hardiment the man 
 Who entertains him in a foreign land. 
 Would but evince the challenger a fool, 
 Who, fo, fhould cripple his own intereft there. 
 
 VOL. HI. p As
 
 110 ODYSSEY VIII. 256-273; 
 
 iVs for the reft, I none refule, fcorn none. 
 But wi(h for trial of you, and to match 
 In oppofition fair my force with yours. 
 There is no game athletic in the ufe 
 Of all mankind, too difficult for me ; 
 I handle well the polifh'd bow, and firft 
 Amid a thoufand foes ftrike whom I mark. 
 Although a band of warriors on my lide 
 At the fame foe their num'rous arrows aim *• 
 Of all the Greecians who at Ilium erft 
 Drew bow, the fole fuperiour to myfelf 
 Was Philodetes ; and of all mankind 
 Now living, I will yield to none belides. 
 Yet will 1 not profefs myfelf expert 
 As fome of antient times, as Hercules, 
 Or as Oechalian Eurytus, who durft 
 The Gods themfelves in archery defy. 
 Soon, therefore, died huge Eurytus, ere yet 
 
 * So Euftathius underftands the pafTage who thus obferves on 
 it — UlylTes is celebrated Jiere as an expeditious archer, fo quick» 
 that though he were one among many fhooting at the fame time, 
 his arrow would be the firlt to ftrike the enemy. But Dacier fup- 
 pofes the (xa'xa 7ro^^o* to refer to the advcrfe holl, and Ulyffes to 
 affirm that though a multitude were prepared to fhoot at Him, he 
 would be nimbler than they, and fend his arrow to the mark before 
 them. 
 
 The former, however, of thefe two fenfes, is preferred by Clarke, 
 jmd is certainly the more probable. 
 
 Old
 
 ODYSSEY Vin. 274-292. ail 
 
 Old age he reach'd ; him, angry to be call'd 
 
 To proof of archerfhip, Apollo flew. 
 
 But if ye name the fpear, mine flies a length 
 
 By no man's arrow reach'd ; nor fear I foil 
 
 From the Phreacians, fave in fpeed alone ; 
 
 For I have fufFer'd hardfhips, dafh'd and drench'd 
 
 By many a wave, nor had I food on board 
 
 At all times, therefore am I much unftrung *• 
 
 He fpake, and filent the Phaeacians fat. 
 Of whom alone Alcinoiis thus replied. 
 
 Since, ftranger, not ungraceful is thy fpeech. 
 Who haft but vindicated in our ears 
 Thy queftion'd provvefs, angry that this youth 
 Reproach'd thee in the prefence of us all. 
 That no man qualified to give his voice 
 In public, might affront thy courage more ; 
 Now mark me, therefore, that in time to come, 
 While feafling with thy children and thy fpoufe. 
 Thou may 'ft inform the Heroes of thy land 
 
 * By this, according to the Scholiaft, he muft be underftood to 
 mean, not that while his raft could fwim he wanted mftenanje, but 
 after the wreck of it ; yet Barnes underflands the pafTage as a general 
 obfervation only on the fcanty fare of a mariner. An interpreta- 
 tion which Clarke rejefts as unreafonable, becaufe his vefTel is faid 
 exprefsly to have been abund.mtly Itored by Calypfo with all things 
 neceffary; fo that, till it was wrecked, he could not pollibly feel a 
 want of provifions. 
 
 p 2 That
 
 212 ODYSSEY VIII. ig^^iit. 
 
 That even we fome Ikill can boaft in arts 
 
 By Jove enjoinM us in our fathers' days. 
 
 We boaft not much the boxer's Ikill, nor yet 
 
 The wreftlcr's ; but light-footed in the race 
 
 Are we, and navigators well -informed. 
 
 Our pleafures are the feaft, the harp, the dance, 
 
 Garments for change ; the tepid bath ; the bed. 
 
 Come, ye Phaeacians, beyond others taught 
 
 To tread the circus with harmonious fteps. 
 
 Come, play before us ; that our gueft, arrived 
 
 In his own country, may inform his friends 
 
 How far in feamanfhip we all excel. 
 
 In running, in the dance, and in the fong. 
 
 Hence, therefore, herald 1 Bring the tuneful bard 
 
 His lyre, left fomewhere in our hall at home. 
 
 So fpake the godlike King, at whofe command 
 The herald to the palace quick return'd 
 To feek the charming lyre. Mean-time arofe 
 Nine public umpires, officed to correal 
 All rude difturbance of the games, to fmooth 
 The circus, to reprefs the curious throng, 
 And give the narrow'd ring an ampler round. 
 Then came the herald fent to feek the lyre. 
 With which fupplied, Demodocus advanced 
 Into the middle area, where a band 
 Of blooming youths, all pratSlis'd in the dance 
 
 Encircled
 
 ODYSSEY VIII. 3i9-33(^. llj 
 
 Encircled him. With nimble fteps they fmote 
 The facred floor, Co fwift, that with amaze 
 Ul} ffcs eyed them, dazzled at the fight. 
 
 And now Demodocas his tuneful chords 
 Adapted to a fprightlier flrain, the loves 
 Of Mars and Cytherea chaplet crown'd ; 
 How flrft, clandeftine, they embraced beneath 
 The roof of Vulcan ; her, by many a gift 
 Seduced, Mars won, and with adult'rous luft 
 The bed difhonour'd of the King of fire *. 
 The fun, a witnefs of their amorous fport. 
 Bore fwift the tale to Vulcan ; he, apprized 
 Of that foul deed, at once his fmithy fought. 
 In fecret darknefs of his inmoft foul 
 Contriving vengeance ; to the flock he heav'd 
 His anvil huge, on which he forged a fnare 
 Of bands indiffbluble, by no art 
 To be untied, durance for ever firm. 
 
 * The Phaeacians being a licentious and effeminate people, are 
 entertained by Demodocus with a fong fuited to their charader. 
 Plato condemned it as having a tendency to debauch the morals, but 
 Plutarch vindicates it as an intended lefibn to the reader, that the 
 fare way to become Phaeacians in heart, is to be fuch in pradice, 
 and that lewd fongs accompanied with fuitable mufic, will make a 
 light and a lafcivious hearer. — C. 
 
 Dionyfius Hal. thinks it probable that this ludicrous epifode fur- 
 aiflied the firii hint for Comedy — C. 
 
 p 3 The
 
 ai4 ODYSSEY VIII. 337-361, 
 
 The net prepared, he bore li, fiery-wroth. 
 
 To his own chamber and his nuptial couch, 
 
 Where, flretching them from port to port, he wra])pM 
 
 With thofe fine mcfhes all his bed around, 
 
 And hung them num'rous fi-oin the roof, diftafed 
 
 Like fpiders' filaments, which not the Gods 
 
 Themfelves could fee, fo fubtle were the toils. . 
 
 When thus he had encircled all his bed 
 
 On ev'ry fide, he feign'd a journey thence 
 
 To Lemnos, of all cities that adorn 
 
 The earth, the city that he favours mofl. 
 
 Nor Mars, who reins with gold his fiery fieeds, 
 
 Kept drowf)' watch, but mark'd the going-forth 
 
 Of the illuftrious artifi^ from his home. 
 
 And thither flew, impatient to enjoy 
 
 The Goddefs with the wreath-encircled brows. 
 
 She, newly from her potent Sire return'd 
 
 The fon of Saturn, fat. Mars, ent'ring, feiz'd 
 
 Her fnow-white hand, which grafping, thus he faid. 
 
 To bed, my fair, and let us love ! for lo ! 
 Thine hufband is from home, to Lemnos gone. 
 And to the Sintians, men of barb'rous fpeech. 
 
 He fpake, nor fhc was loth, but bedvvard too 
 Like him inclined ; fo then, to bed they went, 
 And as they lay'd them down, down fiream'd the net 
 
 a Around
 
 Odyssey viii. 362—387. ai^ 
 
 Around them, labour exquifite of hands 
 
 By ingenuity divine inform'd. - 
 
 Small room they found, fo prifon'd ; not a limb 
 
 Could either lift, or move, but felt at once 
 
 Entanglement from which was no efcape. 
 
 And now, ere he had reach'd the Lemnian ifle. 
 
 Returning, (for his faithful fpy the Sun 
 
 Had told him all) with aching heart approach 'd 
 
 The limping Deity. Refentment boil'd 
 
 Within him ; in his veftibule he flood. 
 
 And roar'd tremendous to the Pow'rs of heav'n. 
 
 Oh Jove ! and all ye Pow'rs for ever bleft ! 
 Look forth, and witnefs with your eyes a light 
 Both ludicrous and not to be endured. 
 Behold how Venus, for my lamenefs' fake, 
 Diflionours me, and loves the fiery Mars ! 
 And wherefore ? for that he is fair in form 
 And found of foot, but feeble I and lame. 
 Whofe fault is this ? Their fault, and theirs alone 
 Who gave me being ; ill-employed were they 
 Begetting me, one, better far unborn. 
 See where they couch together on my bed 
 Lafcivious ! ah, fight hateful to my eyes ! 
 Yet cooler wifhes will they feel, I ween. 
 To prefs my bed hereafter ; here to fleep 
 Will little pleafe them, fondly as they love. 
 
 p 4 But
 
 2l6 ODYSSEY VIII. 388-413. 
 
 But thefe my toils and tangles will fuffice 
 To hold them here, till Jove fhall yield me back 
 Complete, the fum of all my nuptial gifts 
 Paid to him for the (hamelefs ftrumpet's fake 
 His daughter, as incontinent as fair. 
 
 He faid, and in the brazen-floor'd abode 
 Of Jove the Gods aflembled. Neptune came 
 Earth-circling Pow'r ; came Hermes friend of man. 
 And, regent of the far-commanding bow, 
 Apollo alfo came ; but coy referve 
 Forbade the Goddefles to (hare the fcene. 
 The Gods, by u'hofe beneficence all live. 
 Stood in the portal ; infinite arofe 
 The laugh of heav'n, all looking dovi^n intent 
 On that fhrewd projedl of the fmith divine. 
 And, turning to each other, thus they faid. 
 
 Bad works fpeed ill. The flow o'ertakes the fwift. 
 So Vulcan, tardy as he is, by craft 
 Hath outfiript Mars, although the fleetefi: far 
 Of all who dwell in heav'n, and the light-heel'd 
 Muft pay the adult'rer's forfeit to the lame. 
 
 So fpake the Gods ; and thus in Hermes' ear 
 The King of radiant fhafts, Apollo, next. 
 
 Jove's fon, heav'n's herald, Hermes, bounteous God ! 
 Would'ft thou fuch ftridlure clofe of bands endure 
 For golden Venus lying at thy fide ? 
 
 Whom
 
 ODYSSEY VIII, 414— 43J. 2l7 
 
 Whom anfwer'd thus the mefTcngcr of heav'n. 
 Archer divine! yea, and with all my heart; 
 And be the bands which wind us round about 
 Thrice thefe, innumerable, and let all 
 The Gods and Goddefles in heaven look on. 
 So I may lovely Venus clafp the while. 
 
 He fpake ; then laughM the Immortal pow'rs again. 
 But not fo Neptune -, he with earneft fuit 
 The glorious artift urged to the releafe 
 Of Mars, and thus in accents wing'd he faid. 
 
 Loofe him ; accept my promife ; he (hall pay 
 Full recompenle in prefence of us all. 
 
 To whom the glorious Artift of the fkies. 
 Earth-circling Neptune ! Spare me that demand. 
 Jl«ame fuitor, lame fecurity *. What fnare3 
 Could I contrive that fhould imprifon thee 
 In prefence of the Gods, were Mars releas'd, 
 And free to leave both debt and bands behind? 
 
 Him anfwer'd then the Shaker of the fhores. 
 I tell thee, Vulcan, that if Mars by flight 
 
 * The original line has received fuch a variety of interpretations, 
 that a Tranflator feems free to chooie. It has, however, a pro- 
 verbial turn, which I have endeavoured to preferve, and have 
 adopted that ienfe of the words which appears beft to accord with 
 what immediately follows. Vulcan pleads his own inability to en- 
 force the demand, as a circumftance that made Neptune's promife 
 unacceptable. 
 
 Shun
 
 ai8 ODYSSEY VIII. 434-459* 
 
 Shun payment, I will pay, myfelf, the fine* 
 
 To whom the glorious artifl of the Ikies, 
 Thou muft not, canft not, fhalt not be refufed. 
 
 So faying, the might of Vulcan loos'd the fnare. 
 And they, detain'd by thofc coercive bands 
 No longer, from the couch upftarting, flew. 
 Mars into Thrace, and to her Paphian home 
 The Queen of fmiles, where deep in myrtle groves 
 Her incenfe-breathing altar flands embow'r'd, 
 Her there, the Graces laved, and oils difFufed 
 O'er all her form, ambrofial, fuch as add 
 Frefh beauty to the Gods for ever young, 
 And cloth'd her in the lovelieft robes of heav'n> 
 
 Such was the theme of the illuftrious bard. 
 Ulyfles with delight that fong, and all 
 The maritime Ph^eacian concourfe heard. 
 
 Alcinoiis, then, (for in the dance they pafs'd 
 All others) call'd his fons to dance alone, 
 Halius and Laodamas ; they gave 
 The purple ball into their hands, the work 
 Exa61 of Polybus ; one, re-fupine, 
 Upcafi it high toward the dulky clouds. 
 The other, fpringing into air, with cafe 
 Rccciv d it, ere he fank to earth again. 
 When thus they oft had fported with the ball 
 Thrown upward, next, with nimble interchange 
 
 1 They
 
 OT3YSSEY VIII. 460-48?. ai9 
 
 They pafs'd it to each other many a time, 
 Footing the plain, while every youth aroand 
 The circus clapp'd his hands, and from beneath 
 The din of ftamping feet fill'd all the air. 
 
 Then, turning to Alcinoiis, thus the wife 
 Ulyfles fpake. Alcinoiis! mighty King! 
 Illuftrious above all Phaeacia's fons ! 
 Incomparable are ye in the dance^ 
 Ev n as thou faid'ft. Aftonifh'd I behold 
 J'eats unperform'd but by yourfelves alone. 
 
 His praife the King Alcinoiis with delight 
 Receiv'd, and the Pha^acians thus befpake, 
 
 PhsBacian Chiefs and Senators, attend ! 
 Wifdom beyond the common ftint 1 mark 
 In this our gueft ; good caufe in my account. 
 For which we fhould prefent him with a pledge 
 Of bofpitality and love. The Chiefs 
 Are twelve, who, higheft in command, control 
 The people, and the thirteenth Chief am I. 
 Bring each a golden talent, with a veil: 
 Wei 1-bl each 'd, and tunick ; gratified with thcte, 
 The ftranger to our banquet fhall repair 
 Exulting ; bring them all without delay ; 
 And let Euryalus by word and gift 
 Appeafe him, for his fpeech was unadvifed. 
 
 He ceas'd, whom all applauded, and at once 
 
 Eadj
 
 2 20 ODYSSEY VIII. 4S6-511. 
 
 Each fent his herald forth to bring the gifts. 
 When thus Euryalus the King addrefs'd. 
 
 Alcinoiis ! o'er Phaeacia's fons fupreme ! 
 I will appeafe^the ftranger, as thou bidd'ft. 
 This fword fhall be his own, the blade all fteel. 
 The hilt of filver, and the unfullied fheath 
 Of ivVv recent from the carver's hand. 
 A gift like this he fhall not need defpife. 
 
 So faying, his lilver-itudded fword he gave 
 Into his grafp, and, courteous, thus began. 
 
 Hail, honour'd flranger! and if word of mine 
 Have harm'd thee, rafhly fpoken, let the winds 
 Bear all remembrance of it fwift away ! 
 May the Gods give thee to behold again 
 Thy wife, and to attain thy native ihorc, 
 Whence abfent long, thou haft fo much endured ! 
 
 To whom Ulyfles, ever-wife, replied. 
 Hail alfo thou, and may the Gods, my friend. 
 Grant thee felicity, and may never want 
 or this thy fword touch thee in time to come, 
 By whofe kind phrafe appeas'd my wrath fubfides ! 
 
 So fpake Ulyfles, and the glitt'ring fword 
 Athwart his fhoulders flung. Now fank the fun. 
 And thofc rich gifts arrived, which to the houfe 
 Of King Alcinoiis the heralds bore. 
 Alcinoiis' fons receiv'd them, and befide 
 
 Their
 
 ODYSSEY VIII. 5'2-537. 221 
 
 Their royal mother placed the precious charge. 
 The King then led the way, at vvhofe abode 
 Arrived, again they prefs'd their lofty thrones. 
 And to Areta thus the monarch fpake. 
 
 Hafte, bring a coffer ; bring thy bed, and ftore 
 A mantle and a fumptuous veil within j 
 Warm for him, next, a brazen bath, by which 
 Refrefh'd, and viewing in fair order placed 
 The noble gifts by the Phaeacian Lords 
 Conferr'd on him, he may the more enjoy 
 Our banquet, and the bard's harmonious fong. 
 I give him alfo this my golden cup 
 Splendid, elaborate ; that, while he lives, 
 What time he pours libation forth to Jove 
 And all the Gods, he may remember me. 
 
 He ended, at whofe words Areta bade 
 Her maidens with difpatch place o'er the fire 
 An ample tripod ; they, at her command, 
 A tripod o'er the glowing embers placed. 
 Water infufed, and kindled wood beneath. 
 The flames, encircling bright the bellied vafe, 
 Warm'd foon the flood within. Mean-time, the Queen 
 Prdducing from her chamber-ftores a cheft 
 All-elegant, within it placed the gold 
 And raiment, gifts of the Phaeacian Chiefs, 
 With her own gifts, the mantle and the vefl. 
 
 And
 
 222 ODYSSEY VIII. Sj8-559# 
 
 And In wing'd accents to Ulyfles faid. 
 
 Now take, thyfelf, the coffer's lid in charge ; 
 Girdle it quickly with a cord, left lofs 
 Befall thee on thy way, while thou perchance 
 Shalt fleep fecure on board the fable bark*. 
 
 Which when illuftrious Ulylles heard, 
 Clofing the cheft, he girded it around. 
 And with a knot moft intricate, erewhile 
 By Circe taught him, made the cord fecure. 
 And now, the miftrefs of the houfehold charge 
 Summon'd him to his bath ; he gliad beheld 
 The fteaming vafe, uncuftom'd to its ufe 
 E'er fince he left Ogygia, where he knew 
 No want of aught, attended like a God. 
 Now, therefore, once again by female hands 
 Laved and anointed, and with rich attire 
 Both veft and mantle ferved, he left the bath 
 With fprigbtlier fteps, and fought the focial hall 
 To ihare the feafl of wine ; but, as be pafs'd, 
 Naulicaa, to whom the Gods had giv'n 
 SurpalTing beauty, faw him, where (he ftood 
 Bclidc the portal, with admiring eyes. 
 
 * Portable property was antiently fecured by cords, the only 
 prafticable mode of guarding it till locks were invented.---C. But 
 it was precarious, and therefore probably gave occafion to the exer- 
 cife of much ingenuity in the art of knot-making. 
 
 And
 
 . ODYSSEY Vril. s6o-S«J« 21^ 
 
 And in wing'd accents thus the Chief addrefs'd. 
 
 Hail, ftranger ! at thy native home arrived 
 Remember me, thy firfl: deliverer here. 
 
 To whom Ulyfles, ever-wife, replied. 
 Nauficaa 1 daughter of the noble King 
 Alcinous ! So may Jove, high-thund'ring mate 
 Of Juno, grant me to behold again 
 My native land, and my delightful home, 
 As, even there, I will prefent my vows 
 To thee, adoring thee as I adore 
 The Gods themfelves, virgin, by whom I live ! 
 
 He faid, and on his throne befide the King 
 Alcinoiis fat. And now they portion'd out 
 The feaft to all, and charged the cups with wine. 
 And introducing by his hand the bard 
 Phaeacia's glory, at the column's fide 
 The herald placed Demodocus again. 
 
 Then, carving forth a portion from the loins 
 Of a huge brawn, of which uneaten ftill 
 Large part and delicate remained, thus fpake 
 UlyiTes — Herald ! bear it to the bard 
 For his regale, whom I will foon embrace 
 In fpite of forrow ; for refpe6l is due 
 And veneration to the facred bard 
 From all mankind, for that the mufe infpires 
 Herfclf his fong, and loves the tuneful tribe. 
 
 He
 
 224 ODYSSEY VIII. 586-599* 
 
 He ended, and the herald bore his charge 
 To the old Hero, who with joy received 
 That meed of honour at the bearer's hand. 
 Then, all, at once, afTail'd the ready feaft. 
 And when nor hunger more nor thirft they felt. 
 Thus to Demodocus Ulyfles fpake. 
 
 Demodocus ! I give thee praife above 
 All mortal men ; lince either thee the Mufe 
 Jove's tuneful daughter, or the fon of Jove 
 Apollo prompts ; for, of Achaia's hoft. 
 Their glorious deeds and arduous toils, thou fing'ft 
 As thou hadft prefent been thyfelf, or learnt 
 From others prefent there, the mournful tale *. 
 Come, then, proceed ; that rare invention ling, 
 
 • Maximus Tyiius in his fixteenth Differtation, not far from the 
 beginning of it, Tpeaks thus — Having fallen on the meniion of 
 Homer, and being unqualified myfelf to praife him worthily, I will 
 entreat him to accommodate me with an expreflion of his own, that 
 I may not feem to depreciate him by mine — 
 
 The application however is not very happy, for it totally fpoils 
 the verfe. 
 
 It is evident, Euflathius obferves, that the poet here had an eye 
 to himfelf, who feems indeed to have been iufpired. With fuch 
 fcanty materials has he framed fo beautiful a llory, interweaving 
 them with incidents fo various and with fuch an air of tru.h, that 
 knowing he was not prefent nor had converfed with others who 
 were, we arc ready to conclude that the Mufe mufl have taught 
 him all. — C. 
 
 The
 
 ODYSSEY VIII. 600—625. 225 
 
 The horfe of wood, which by Minerva's aid 
 
 Epeiis framed, and which Ulyffes erll - 
 
 Convey'd into the citadel of Troy 
 
 With warriors fill'd, who lay'd all Ilium waf^e. 
 
 Sing but this theme as fweetly, and, thenceforth, 
 
 I will proclaim thee in all ears, a bard 
 
 Of pow'rs divine, and by the Gods infpired. 
 
 He ended ; then Apollo with full force 
 Rufh'd on Demodocus, and he began 
 What time the Greeks, firfl firing their own camp, 
 Steer'd all their galleys from the fliore of Troy. 
 Already, in the horfe conceal'd, his band 
 Around UlyfTes fat ; for Ilium's fons 
 Had drawn it to the citadel themfelves. 
 And there the mifchief Hood. Then, flrife arofe 
 Among the Trojans compafling the horfe. 
 And threefold was the doubt ; whether to cleave 
 The hollow trunk afunder, or updrawn 
 Aloft, to caft it headlong from the rocks, 
 Or to permit the enormous image, kept 
 Entire, to ftand an off'ring to the Gods, 
 Which was their dellined courfe ; for Fate had fix'd 
 Their ruin fure, when once they had received 
 Within their walls that engine huge, in which 
 Sat all the braved Greecians with the fate 
 Of Ilium charged, and flaughter of her fons. 
 
 VOL. III. a He
 
 226 ODYSSEY VIII. 626-«4«, 
 
 He fang, howf from the horfc efFufed, the Greeks 
 Left their capacious ambufh, and the town 
 Made defolate. To others, in his fong. 
 He gave the praife of wafting all beiidcj 
 But told how, fierce as Mars, Ulyfles join'd 
 With godlike Menelaus, in his houfe 
 Aflail'd Deiphobus ; him there engaged 
 In direft fight he fang, and through the aid 
 Of glorious Pallas, conqu'ror over all *. 
 
 So fang the bard illuftrious, at whofe fong 
 Ulytles melted, and tear following tear 
 Fell on his cheeks. As when a woman weeps. 
 Her hufband fall'n in battle for her fake 
 And for his children' fake, before the gate 
 Of his own city ; finking to his fide 
 She rlofe infolds him with a laft embrace. 
 And, gazing on him as he pants and dies, 
 Shrieks at the fight ; mean-time, the ruthlefs foe 
 Smiting her fhoulders with the fpear, to toil 
 Command her and to bondage far away. 
 And her cheek fades with horrour at the found ; 
 Ulyfies, fo, from his moift lids let fall 
 The frequent tear. Unnoticed by the reft 
 
 * Hflcti, after the death of Paris, is faid to have been married 
 to Deiphobus.— B. & C. The tradition aiFoids at leaft a piobable 
 reafon for tlie afiauk of his iioufe in particular. 
 
 Thofo
 
 ODYSSEY VIII. 649— 67.. £27 
 
 Thofe drops, but not by King Alcinous, fell, 
 Who, feated at his lide, his heavy fighs 
 Remark'd, and the Phaeacians thus befpake *. 
 
 Phaeacian Chiefs and Senators attend ! 
 Now bid the bard withhold his Ikilful hand, 
 Since not alike delightful to us all 
 Is this new theme, which hearing, (while ourfelves 
 Have fupp'd and liften'd to the noble ftrain 
 Well-pleas'.) the Granger hath not ceas'd from tears 
 And lamentation, by remembrance caufed 
 Of fome great woe which wraps his foul around. 
 Bid, therefore, ceafe the bard, that all alike 
 Be gratified, the ftranger and ourfelves, 
 As is moft feemly ; for his conduct hence 
 To his own home, and thefe our lib'ral gifts 
 Prove that we prize him, as the foul that feels. 
 Though in the leaft degree, will ever prize 
 And as a brother love the fuppliant-gueft. 
 And thou conceal not, artfully refervM, 
 What I fhall afk, far better plain declared 
 Than fmother'd clofe ; who art thou ? fpeak thy name. 
 The name by which thy father, mother, friends 
 
 * The ftory of the Trojan horfe is artfully introduced, that 
 Ulyffes weeping at the recital of it, anJ being quciiioned concern- 
 ing the caufe of his tears, an eafy and natural introdudion may be 
 afforded to the narrative of his adventures.— C. 
 
 a 2 And
 
 228 ODYSSEY VIII. 671-693. 
 
 And fellow-citizens, with all who dwell 
 
 Around thy native city, in times paft 
 
 Have known thee ; for of all things human none 
 
 Lives altogether namelefs, whether bafe 
 
 By birth, or noble, but each man receives 
 
 Ev'n in the moment of his birth, a name*. 
 
 Thy country, people, city, tell ; the mark 
 
 At which my (hips, intelligent, fhall aim. 
 
 That they may bear thee thither ; for our fhips 
 
 No pilot need or helm, as ihips are wont. 
 
 But know, themfelves, our purpofe ; know belide 
 
 All cities, and all fruitful regions well 
 
 Of all the earth, and, though in clouds involved. 
 
 Skim the rude billows, fearing neither wreck 
 
 Nor inj'ry, rage the temped as it may. 
 
 Yet thus, long fince, my father I have heard 
 
 Naufithoiis fpeaking ; Neptune, he would fay. 
 
 Is angry with us, for that fafe we bear 
 
 Strangers of evVy nation to their home ; 
 
 And he foretold a time when he would break 
 
 In pieces fome Phaeacian gallant bark 
 
 Returning after convoy of her charge. 
 
 And that, behind a mountain huge conceal'd 
 
 • The parents had by law not only a power to name their child, 
 but alfo to give him a new name afterward, proclaiming it by the 
 publick crier. — C. 
 
 Our
 
 ODYSSEY Vin. 694-716. 229 
 
 Our city fliould, thenceforth, be found no more. 
 
 So fpake my hoary Sire, which let the God 
 At his own pleafure do, or leave undone. 
 But tell me truth, and plainly. Where have been 
 Thy wand' rings ? in what regions of the earth 
 Haft thou arrived ? what nations haft thou feen. 
 What cities ? fay, how many haft thou found 
 Harfh, favage and unjuft ? how many, kind 
 To ftrangers, and difpofed to fear the Gods ? 
 Say alfo, from what fecret grief of heart 
 Thy forrows flow, oft as thou hear'ft the fate 
 Of the Achaians, or of Ilium fung ? 
 That fate the Gods prepared ; they fpin the thread 
 Of man's deftrucSlion, that in after days 
 The bard may make the fad event his theme. 
 Perifti'd thy father or thy brother there ? 
 Or haft thou at the fiege of Ilium loft 
 Father-in-law, or fon-in-law ? for fuch 
 Are next and deareft to us after thofe 
 Who fhare our own defcent ; or was the dead 
 Thy bofom-friend, whofe heart was as thy own ? 
 For worthy as a brother of our love 
 The conftant friend and the difcrete I deem. 
 
 ft 3 ARGU-
 
 230 ODYSSEY IX. 1-9. 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 NINTH BOOK. 
 
 UlyfTes difcovers himfelf to the Phseacians, and begins the hiftory 
 of his adventures. He deftroys Ifmarus, city of the Ciconians ; 
 arrives among the Lotophagi; and afterwards at the land of the 
 Cyclops. He is impriloned by Polypheme in his cave, who de- 
 vours fix of his companions ; intoxicates the monfter with wine, 
 blinds him while he fleeps, and efcapes from hirai 
 
 BOOK IX. 
 
 1 HEN anfvvcr, thus, Ulyfies wife returnM, 
 Alcinolis ! o'er Phaeacia's Tons fupreme ! 
 Pleafant it is to liften while a bard 
 Like This, melodious as Apollo, fings. 
 The world, in my account, no fight affords 
 More gratifying, than a people bleft 
 With cheerful nefs and peace, a palace throng'd 
 With guefls in order feated and regaled 
 With harp and fong, while plenteous viands fleam 
 
 On
 
 ODYSSEY IX. to-i8. 231 
 
 On ev'ry table, and the cups, with wine 
 From brimming beakers fiU'cl, pafs brilt around. 
 No lovelier fight know I *. But thou, it feems, 
 Thy thoughts haft turn'd to alk me whence my groans 
 And tears, that I may forrow fiill the more+. 
 What firft, what next, what laft Ihall I rehearfe. 
 On whom the Gods have fhow'r'd fuch various woes ? 
 Learn firft my name, that even in this land 
 Remote I may be known, and that, efcaped 
 
 * Lucian ludicroufly confiders it as a demonflrative proof that 
 the life of a parafite, or of one who fubfifcs at another's table, is fu. 
 premely happy, that Homer, the wifeil of poets, introduces the 
 wife Ulyffes admiring the fpedacle here defcribed as the pleafanteft 
 that the earth aiFords. But Plato is very angry with Homer on ac- 
 count of this fentiment, and, aflcing if this be a leffon of temperance 
 fit for a youth to ftudy, fwears by Jupiter that in his opinion it is 
 not. His indignation however feems rather unreafonable ; fince it 
 is plainly a fpeech of complaifance merely, and defigned to gratify 
 Akinous, the King of a voluptuous people. Thus Megaclides 
 and Hermogenes confidered it, and thus Euftathius; and, thus un- 
 derftood, it is a ilrong inftance of the poet's attention to charadler, 
 who fo often extols the prudence of Ulyfles. — C. 
 
 •j- So Sophocles in Oedipus Colon : ver. 501. 
 
 A;(»oif (*tv To TTa^sct xEijM.eiov T,ori xaxov, 
 
 'ft li"", iTiEyi'ifmi,— —— 
 
 O gueft ! 'tis hard to wake a fleeping woe ! 
 
 And fo Plutarch in his Sympofiacs obferves — We Ihould be careful 
 how we afk from others an account of their fufFerings ; for whether 
 they have fufFered by afts of injuftice, or by the deaths of children, 
 or by unfuccefsful trading either by land or fea, the recital cofts 
 them pain. — C, 
 
 Q 4 From
 
 e^Z ODYSSEY IX. 19— 4J, 
 
 From all advcrfity, I may requite 
 
 Hereafter, this your hofpitable care 
 
 At my own home, though diftant far from yours. 
 
 I am UlyiTes, fear'd in all the earth 
 
 For fubtleft wifdom, and renown'd to heaven, 
 
 Thfe offspring of Laertes ; my abode 
 
 Is fun-burnt Ithaca ; there flands, his boughs 
 
 Waving, the mountain Neritus fublime, 
 
 And it is neighbour'd clofe by cluft'ring ifles 
 
 All populous ; thence Samos is beheld, 
 
 Dulichium, and Zacynthus foreft-clad. 
 
 Flat on the Deep flie lies, fartheft removed 
 
 Toward the Well, while, fituate apart. 
 
 Her lifter illands face the riling day ; 
 
 Rugged fhe is, but fruitful nurfe of fons 
 
 Magnanimous ; nor fhall thefe eyes behold, 
 
 Elfe\«» here, an obje6l dear and fweet as llie. 
 
 Calypfo, beauteous Goddefs, in her grot 
 
 Detain'd me, wifliing me her own efpoufed ; 
 
 JILxan * Circe alfo, deej)ly Ikill'd 
 
 In fubtleft arts, within her palace long 
 
 Detain'd me, wilhing me her own efpoufed ; 
 
 But never could they warp my conftant mind. 
 
 So much our parents and our native foil 
 
 Attra6l us moft, and even though our lot 
 
 * So called from Aia a cty of Cokliis. — B, & C. 
 
 Be
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 44-68. 225 
 
 Be fair and plenteous in a foreign land. 
 But come — my painful voyage, fuch as Jove 
 Gave me from Ilium, I will now relate. 
 
 From Troy to Thracian Ifmarus I fail'd. 
 City of the Ciconians ; them I ftew, 
 And laid their city wafte * ; whence bringing forth 
 Much fpoil with all their wives, I portion'd it 
 With equal hand, and each received a fliare. 
 Next, I exhorted to immediate flight 
 My people ; but in vain ; they madly fcornM 
 My fober counfel, and much wine they drank, 
 And flicep and beeves flew num'rous on the fliore. 
 Mean-time, Ciconians to Ciconians call'd, 
 Their neighbours fummoning, a mightier hoft 
 And braver, dwelling diftant from the fliore. 
 And Ikilful, either mounted, to maintain 
 Fierce fight, or if occafion bade, on foot. 
 Num'rous they came as leaves, or vernal tiow'rs 
 At day-fpring. Then, by the decree of Jove, 
 Misfortune found us. At the fliips we Hood 
 Piercing each other with the brazen fpear. 
 And till the morning brighten'd into noon. 
 Few as we were, we yet with flood them all ; 
 But, when the fun verged weft ward, then the Greeks 
 Fell back, and the Ciconian hoft prevail'd. 
 
 • Becaufe they had been allies of Priam,— B, & C. 
 
 Six
 
 234 ODYSSEY IX. 6g-S6. 
 
 Six warlike Greecians from each galley's crew 
 Perifh'd in that dread field ; the reft efcapcd *. 
 
 Thus, after lofs of many, we purfued 
 Our courfe, yet, difficult as was our flight. 
 Went not till firft we had invoked by name 
 Our friends, whom the Ciconians had deftroy'd "*'. 
 But, ether's SovVeign, Jove, aflail'd us foon 
 With a tempeftuous North-wind ; earth alike 
 And fea with ftorms he overhung, and night 
 Fell faft from heav'n. Their heads deep-plunging oft 
 Our gallies flew, and rent, and rent again 
 Our tatter'd fail-cloth crackled in the wind. 
 We, fearing inftant death, within the barks 
 Our canvas lodg'd, and, toiling flrenuous, reach'd 
 At length the continent. Two nights we lay 
 Continual there, and two long days, confumed 
 With toil and grief; but when the beauteous morn 
 Had brought, at length, the third day to a clofe^, 
 
 * The whole number of the flain was 72, for it appears afterward 
 that his barks were 12. — B. 
 
 + It was cuftomary when any died in a foreign land, for the fur- 
 vivor , ufing certain ceremonies at the fame time, to invoke them 
 by name, that they might thus feem, even though their bodies were 
 left behind, to have them flill in their company. — B. & C. 
 
 J A7\K' ore oij TfiroK YifA-xf I'v'Try^oJioiiA'Oi; TtXta tjuCf 
 Or it may fignify. on the morning of the third day^ for tihiu) has a 
 double fenfe, importing not only to iinifli but to make or bring to 
 pafs. As in that line — 
 
 1 (Our
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 87—106. ^35 
 
 (Our mafts ere6led, and white fails unfurl'd) 
 Again wc fat on board; mean-time, the winds 
 Well managed by the fteerfman, urged us on. 
 And now, all danger pafs'd, I had attain'd 
 My native fliore, but, doubling in my courfe 
 Malea, waves and currents and North-winds 
 Conftrain'd me devious to Cythera's ifle *. 
 Nine days by cruel florms I thence was borne 
 Athwart the fifhy Deep, but on the tenth 
 Reach'd the Lotophagi, a race fuflain'd 
 On fweeteft fruit alone ^, There quitting fhip, 
 We landed and drew water, and the crews 
 Befide the vefTels took their ev'ning cheer. 
 When, hafty, we had thus our ftrcngth renewed, 
 I order'd forth my people to inquire 
 (Two I fcle6led from the reft, with whom 
 I join'd an herald, third) what race of men 
 Might there inhabit. They, departing, mix'd 
 With the Lotophagi ; nor hoftile aught 
 Or favage the Lotophagi devifed 
 
 * Malea was a promontory and Cythera an ifland of Laconia.— 
 B. &C. 
 
 f Meninx is fuppofed to have been the land of the Lotophagi 
 mentioned by Homer. Some indications of it are fhown there, fuch 
 as the altar built by Ulyffes and the very fruit he found; for it 
 abounds with a fort of tree w hich the inhabitants call tl e Lotus, the 
 fruit of which has the moft agreeable flavour. Scrabo Geog: B. 
 XVil. — It is alfo faid that they made wine of it. — C 
 
 Againft
 
 2.36 O D Y S S E Y IX. 107-1*7. 
 
 Againft our friends, but offcr'd to their tade 
 
 1'he lotus ; of which fruit what man foc'er 
 
 Once tafted, no dcfire felt he to come 
 
 With tidings back, or feek his country more, 
 
 But rather wifli'd to feed on lotus ft ill 
 
 With the Lotophagi, and to renounce 
 
 All thoughts of home. Them, therefore, I conilrain'd 
 
 Weeping on board, and dragging each beneath 
 
 The benches, bound him there. 1 hen, all in hafte, 
 
 I urged my people to afcend again 
 
 Their hollow barks, left others alfo, fed 
 
 V/ith fruit of lotus, fhould forget their home. 
 
 'J hey quick embark'd, and on the benches ranged 
 
 In order, thrcih'd with oars the foamy flood. 
 
 Thence, o'er the Deep proceeding fad, we reach 'd 
 'I he land at length, where, giant-fized * and free 
 From all conftraint of law, the Cyclops dwell. 
 TJicy, trufting to the Gods, plant not, or plough. 
 But earth unfow'd, untill'd, brings forth for them 
 All fruits, wheat, barley, and the vinous grape 
 Large-clufler'di nourilh'd by the fliow'rs of Jove'*. 
 
 * So the Scholium interprets in this place, the woid vwEpfpiaXcj.-* 
 B. S: C. 
 
 f They truftcd, as Clarke obfervcs, not in a religiour fenfe, for 
 it appearb in the fequcl that they accounted the Gods inferiour to 
 tlicinfclves, hut in an economical one ; depending in faft on their 
 foil and climate, and leading a life of cafe and inadivity. 
 
 No
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 128—153. 237 
 
 No councils they convene, no laws contrive. 
 
 But caverns deep inhabit on the heads 
 
 Of lofty mountains, judging each, his own, - 
 
 And heedlefs of the welfare of the reft. 
 
 In front of the Cyclopean haven lies 
 
 Is or clofc nor yet remote, an ifland, fmall 
 
 And cloth'd with woods. There, wild-goats, undifturb'd. 
 
 Breed numberlefs ; for never huntfman there. 
 
 Inured to toil and hard(hip while he roams 
 
 The dreary woodland heights, their track, purfues ; 
 
 No fleecy flocks dwell there, nor plough is known. 
 
 But the unfeeded and unfurrow'd foil. 
 
 Year after year a wildernefs by man 
 
 Untrodden, food for blatant goats fupplies. 
 
 For crimfou galleys none the Cyclops own, 
 
 Nor naval artift, whofc induftrious hand 
 
 Might build them barks for intcrcourfe by fea 
 
 With diftant cities, as the praclice is. 
 
 For mutual Vantage' fake, of wifer man, 
 
 Elfe, man might people and improve their ifie 
 
 Not flcril in itfelf, but apt to yield, 
 
 In their due feafon, fruits of cv'ry kind. 
 
 For (tretch'd bcfide the hoary ocean lie 
 
 Green meadows moift, where vines would never fail ; 
 
 Light is tJie land, and they might yearly reap 
 
 The tailed crops, fo unduous is the glebe.
 
 238 ODYSSEY IX. 154-179. 
 
 Safe is its haven alfo, where no need 
 
 Of cable is or anchor, or to la(h 
 
 The hawfer f. ft afhore, but pufhing in 
 
 His bark, the mariner might there abide 
 
 Till rifing gales ihould tempt him forth again. 
 
 At bottom of the bay clear water runs, 
 
 Iftuing from a cove hemm d all around 
 
 With poplars ; down into that bay we fteer'd 
 
 Amid the darknefs of the night, fome God 
 
 Condu6ling us ; for all unfeen it lay, 
 
 Such gloom involved the fleet, nor fhone the moo» 
 
 From heav'n to light us, veil'd by pitchy clouds. 
 
 Hence, neither ifland, we, nor lofty furge 
 
 Rolling toward the beach defcried, or ere 
 
 Our veflels ftruck the ground; but when they ftruckj, 
 
 Then, low'ring all our fails, we difembark'd. 
 
 And on the fca-beach flept till dawn appear'd. 
 
 Soon as Aurora, daughter of the dawn, 
 
 Look'd rofy forth, we with admiring eyes 
 
 The ifle furveying, roam'd it wide around. 
 
 Meantime, thenymphs,Jovc'sdaughters,roufedthegoats 
 
 Bred on the mountains, to fupply with food 
 
 The partners of my toils ; then, bringing forth 
 
 Bows and long-pointed javelins from the ships. 
 
 Divided all into three fcp'rate bands 
 
 Wc ftruck them, and the Gods requited foon 
 
 Our
 
 ODYSSEY IX. i8o— Zoji 239 
 
 Our fkill, fo frequent on all fides they fell. 
 Twelve (hips attended me, and ev'ry (hip 
 Nine goats received by lot ; myfelf alone 
 Sele6ted ten. All day, till fet of fun, 
 We, fealting largely, fat, and drinking wine 
 Delicious, without ftint ; for dearth was none 
 Of ruddy wine on board, but much remain'd, 
 For much we found at Ifmarus, where each 
 His veflel fill'd, when we dcfpoil'd the town. 
 Thence looking to the near Cyclopean fhore 
 We faw fmoke rifing, and a mingled din 
 Of fheep and goats and of their owners heard. 
 ISlow fank the fun, and (night o'erfhadowing all) 
 We flept along the fhore ; but when again 
 The rofy-finger'd daughter of the dawn 
 LookM forth, my crews convened, I thus began. 
 
 My friends ! reft here, while, feeking yonder coaft 
 With my own bark and people, I inquire 
 If the inhabitants be wild, unjuft. 
 And to contention giv'n, or well difpofed 
 To ftrangers, and a race who fear the Gods. 
 
 So faying, I climb'd my bark and bade my crew 
 Cafting her hawfers loofc, attend me thence. 
 Obedient they foon enter'd, and with oars 
 Well-timed and even thrcfh'd the foamy fiopd. 
 Erelong, arriving on the coaft, we found 
 
 At
 
 240 ODYSSEY IX. 206-231. 
 
 At its extremity, faft by the fea, 
 
 A cavern, lofty, and dark-brow'd above 
 
 With laurels ; in that cavern llumb'ring lay 
 
 Much cattle, flieep and goats, and a broad court 
 
 Enclofed it, fenced with flones from quarries hewn. 
 
 With fpiry firs, and oaks of ample bough. 
 
 Here dwelt a giant vafl, who far remote 
 
 His flocks fed folitary, converfe none 
 
 Dcfiring, fullen, favage, and unjuft. 
 
 Monfter, in truth, he was, hideous in form, 
 
 Far lefs refembling man by bread fuftain'd. 
 
 Than fome huge mountain-fummit, tufted thick 
 
 Witli trees and ilirubs, and tovv'ring o*er the reft. 
 
 Enjoining, then, my people to abide 
 
 Faft by the fhip which they fhould clofely guard, ^ 
 
 I went ; but not without a goat-lkin fill'd 
 
 With richeft wine, tVom Maron erfl: received. 
 
 The oflspring of Evanthes, and the prieft 
 
 Of Phoebus, whom in Ifmarus I faved. 
 
 And, with himfclf, his children and his wife, 
 
 Through rcv'rcnce of Apollo; for he dwelt 
 
 y\mid the laurels facrcd to his God. 
 
 He gave me, therefore, noble gifts ; from him 
 
 Sev'n talents I receiv'd of beaten gold, 
 
 A beaker, argent all, and after thefc 
 
 No fewer than twelve jars with wine replete,
 
 ODYSSEY IX, 232-2J7. 2ult 
 
 Rich, unaciult'rate, drink for Gods ; nor knew 
 One fervant, male or female, of that wine 
 In all his houfe ; none knew it, fave himfelf^ 
 His wife, and the intcndant of his ftores. 
 Oft as they drank that lufcious juice, he flaked 
 A fingle cup with twenty from the ftream. 
 And, even then, the beaker brealh'd abroad 
 A fcent celeftial, which whoever fmelt, 
 Thenceforth no pleafure found it to abftain. 
 Charged with an a-nple goat-fkin of this wine 
 I went, and with providon in a bag, 
 But felt a fudden prefage in my foul 
 That, haply, with terrifick force endued. 
 Some favage would appear, untaught the laws 
 That guard the focial rites of human-kind. 
 We fearlefs enter'd his abode, but Him 
 Found not, then pafturing his flocks abroad. 
 With curious eyes his cavern we explored 
 From fide to fide ; his flrainers hung with cheefe 
 Diftended, and with lambs and kids his pens 
 Were crowded clofe, all forted by their age 
 In fep'rate folds ; the fullefl-fized apart. 
 Apart from thefe the fmaller, and the leafl 
 Alfo apart. His pails and bowls with whey 
 Swam all, neat veflels into which he milk'd. 
 Me then my friends firft importuned to take 
 
 VOL. III. R A portion 
 
 A-4-^^K^ 
 
 <:3-^-i, .
 
 24^ ODYSSEY IX. 25S-279. 
 
 A portion of his cheefes, then to drive 
 
 Forth from the fheep-cotes to the rapid bark 
 
 His kids and lambs, and plough the brine again. 
 
 But me they moved not, happier had they moved t 
 
 I wi{h*d to fee him, and to gain, perchance. 
 
 Some pledge of hofpitality from One, 
 
 No pleafant hoft, when he fhould once appear. 
 
 Then, kindling fire, we ofFer'd to the Gods, 
 
 And of his chcefes eating, patient fat 
 
 Till home he trudgM from pafture *. Charged he came 
 
 With dry wood bundled, an enormous load. 
 
 Fuel by which to fup. Loud cralh'd the thorns 
 
 Which down he caft before the cavern's mouth. 
 
 To whofe interiour nooks we trembling flew. 
 
 At once he drove into his fpacious cave 
 
 His batten'd flock, all thofe which gave him milk^ 
 
 But left the males, both rams and goats, abroad. 
 
 And with a rock (uplifting it with eafe) 
 
 Shut clofe his cavern's mouth. It was a load 
 
 Which all the teams of twenty and two wains 
 
 Of amplefl fize, had toil'd in vain to move. 
 
 Such was the crag that ferved him as a door 
 
 * Athenseus takes particular notice of it as aninftance of tlie piety 
 of Homer, that he reprefents Ulyffes as fcrupuloufiy attentive to thia 
 religious duty, even in the cave of the Cyclops. — C. But the pious 
 aft had certainly this defedl in it, that he oflfered what was not his 
 own ; a defeft which Barnes has noticed. 
 
 4 For
 
 ODYSSEY IX. a8c-3o5. 243 
 
 For his capacious cave. Then, down he fat, 
 And milking, one by one, his goats and ewes, 
 Applied her yeanling to the teats of each. 
 And thick'ning half with rennet, thruft the curd 
 Into his wicker lievcs, but ftored the reft 
 In pans and bowls — his cuftomary drink. 
 His labours thus perform'd, he kindled, lad, 
 •His fuel, and difcerning us, enquired, 
 
 Friends,fpeak your names,andanfwer,whenceye come? 
 Plough ye the Deep for traffick, or, at large. 
 As pirates, rove, who, fearing nought themfelves. 
 Alarm and terrour bear to foreign fhores ? 
 
 He ceas'd. We, ftruck with horrour, heard the growl 
 Of his big voice, and view'd his form uncouth, 
 To whom, though fore-appall'd, I thus replied. 
 
 Of Greece are we, and, bound from Ilium home, 
 Have wander'd wide the expanfe of ocean, fport 
 For every wind, and, driven from our courfe, 
 (Such was the will of Jove) have landed here. 
 We boaft ourfelves of Agamemnon's train. 
 The fon of Atreus, at this hour the Chief 
 Beyond all others under heav'n renown'd. 
 So great a city he hath fack'd, and flaiii 
 Such numVous foes ; but fince we reach^ at laft. 
 Thy knees, we beg fuch hofpitable fare. 
 Or other gift, as guefts are wont to obtain. 
 
 R 2, lUuHrious
 
 244 O D Y S S E Y IX. soft-jafi. 
 
 Illuftnous lord 1 refpedl the Gods, and us 
 Thy fuitors 5 fuppliants are the care of Jove 
 ^he hofpitable ; he their wrongs refents. 
 And where the ftranger rojourns, there is he. 
 
 I ceas'd, when anfwer thus he, fierce, return* d. 
 Friend ! either thou art fool, or haft arrived 
 Indeed from far, who bidd'lt me fear the Gods 
 Left they be wroth. The Cyclops little heeds 
 Jove cCgis-arm'd, or all the Powers of heav'n *. 
 Our race is mightier far ; nor fhall I fpare. 
 Through fear of Jove's hoftility, thyfelf 
 Or thy companions, be not fuch my choice. 
 But tell me now. Where touched thy gallant bark 
 Our country, on thy firft arrival here ? 
 Remote, or nigh ? for I would learn the truth* 
 
 So fpake he, tempting me ; but, artful, thus 
 I anlwerM, penetrating his intent. 
 
 My veflcl, NeptunCj Shaicer of the fhores, 
 At yonder utmoft promontory daOi'd 
 In pieces, hurling her againft the rocks 
 With winds that blew right thither from the fea^ 
 
 • So the Cyclops of Euripides fays, 
 
 O'J^' olo'' oVk Zit); if' s/xa xftiacruv Gfo'j. — C, 
 
 I qnake not at the tlmnderholt of Jove 
 
 O gucft, nor know him more a God than L 
 
 And
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 3J7-3J*i 245 
 
 And I, with tbefe alone, efcaped alive. 
 
 So I, to whom, relentlefs, anfwer none 
 He deign'd, but, with his arms extended, fprang 
 Toward my people, of whom two at once 
 Seizing, like whelps againft his cavern-floor 
 He dafhVl them, and their brains fpread all around. 
 Thefe, piece-meal hewn, for fiipper he prepared. 
 And, like a mountain-lion, neither flclh 
 Nor entrails left, nor yet their marrowy bones. 
 We, viewing that tremendous light, upraifed 
 Our hands to Jove, all hope and courage loft. 
 When thus the Cyclops had with human flefli 
 Fiird his capacious belly, and had quaff'd 
 Much undiluted milk, among his flocks 
 Qutftrctch'd immenfe, heprefs'd his cavern-floor. 
 Mcj then, my courage prompted to approach 
 The monfter with my glitt'ring faulchion drawn. 
 And to transfix hinr; where the vitals wrap 
 The liver ; but maturer thoughts forbade. 
 For fq, we alfo. had incurr'd a death 
 Tremendous, wanting pow'r to thruft afidc 
 The rocky mafs that clofed his cavern-mouth 
 3y force of hand alone. Thus many a Ugh 
 Heaving, we watch'd the dawn. But when, at lengthy, 
 Aurora, day-fpring's daughter rofy-palm'd 
 j^Qok'd forth, then, kindling fire, his flocks he milk'd 
 
 R 3 Irt
 
 246 ODYSSEY IX. 353~3T* 
 
 In order, and her yeanling kid or lamb 
 
 Thruft under each. When thus he had performM 
 
 His wonted taflc, two feizing, as before. 
 
 He flew them for his next obfcene regale. 
 
 His breakfaft ended, from the cave he drove 
 
 His fatted flocks abroad, moving with eafe 
 
 That pond'rous barrier, and replacing it 
 
 As he had only clofed a quiver's lid. 
 
 Then, hiffing them along, he drove his flocks 
 
 Toward the mountain, and me left, the while 
 
 Contemplating how befl: I might avenge 
 
 My friends, and by the aid of Pallas win 
 
 Deathlefs renown. This counfel pleas'd me mofl:, 
 
 Eefide the flieep-cote lay a mafly club 
 
 Hewn by the Cyclops from an olive flock. 
 
 Green, but which dried, fliould fervc him for a flaff. 
 
 To us confid'ring it, that flafFappear'd 
 
 Tall as the maft of a huge trading bark, 
 
 Impell'd by twenty rowers o'er the Deep. 
 
 Such, in our eyes, its length and bulk appeared. 
 
 From this I fever'd, at its tap'ring end, 
 
 A fathom's length, and bade my people fliave 
 
 The fcantling fmooth. They fmooth'd it, and,thewhi!e, 
 
 1 gave it point, then feer'd it in the fire. 
 
 And cover'd it with ordure of the flocks 
 
 With which the cavern-floor lay thick befpread. 
 
 And
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 37^39». 247 
 
 And now, commandment for the lots I gave, 
 Who fhould, with me, the pointed brand enforce 
 When fleep fhould feize him next, into his eye, 
 And grind the pupil out. They (liook the lots, 
 And four were chofen, in my own efteem 
 The worthieft, and myfelf was chofen fifth *. 
 At even-tide he came, his fleecy flocks 
 AfTembling homeward, and compell'd them all 
 Into his cavern, leaving none abroad, 
 Eithpr through fome f.irmife, or fo inclined 
 By influence, haply, of the Gods themfelves. 
 The huge rock pull'd into its place again 
 
 * It was neceflary to choofe them by lot, left thofe whom he left, 
 had he chofen his affillants otherwife, fhould have thought them- 
 felves undervalued, or thofe whom he had taken, have complained 
 of being feleded for a fervice of fo much danger. 
 
 Spondanus, as both Barnes and Clarke obferve, has much foolifh 
 fpeculation here, on the queftion why Ulyfles did not kill the Cy- 
 clops at once. Is he fatisfied, fays he, with fuch flight revenge for 
 the lofs of his fix companions ? I deny that it was flight. To blind 
 him was a feverer puniftiment than to flay him. By deprivation of 
 fight his life is made more bitter to him than a thoufand deaths. 
 And I am not afraid to affirm that this was the very confideration 
 which determined Ulyfl'es to aft as he did, though the poet has not 
 mentioned it. The learned critick, fays Clarke, was wonderfully 
 blind himfelf, for the true reafon of the hero's conduft could not 
 have been more plainly given than it is in that line, 
 At/Ta yap XI Kccl oiyii*.i^ diiu ^ofAsO', &C. 
 
 The mouth of the cave being clofed with a rock which they could 
 not move, they mull infallibly have periflied, had not Llyflies fpared 
 khe life of Polyphcme that he nr.ight difplace it for then-. 
 
 R 4 At
 
 248 ODYSSEY iX. 391—410. 
 
 At the cave's mouthj he, fitting, mi'k'd his fheep 
 
 And goats in order, and her kid or lamb 
 
 Thruft under each ; thus, all his work difpatch'd. 
 
 Two more he feiz'd, and to his fupper fell. 
 
 I then, prefenling to his hand a bowl 
 
 Of ivy-wood replete with ruddy wine. 
 
 Before the Cyclops flood, and thus began. 
 
 Lo, Cyclops ! this is wine*. Take this and drinl^j 
 After thy meal of man's flefh. Taftc and leara 
 What precious liquor our lofl: veflel bore. 
 1 brought it for libation, and in hope 
 That, moved to pity by that faered rite. 
 Thou would'ft difmifs us home ; but limits none 
 Thy fury knows ; what man of all mankind 
 Shall, after deeds thus lawlefs, vifit Thee? 
 
 I ceas'd. He took and drank, and hugely ^ pleas'^ 
 With that delicious bev'rage, thus enquired. 
 
 Give me again, and fpare not. Tell me^ too^ 
 Thy name, incontinent, that I may make 
 Requital, gratifying alfo thep 
 
 • Hierocjes being brought before the judge, he fentcnced him to 
 be beaten with rods, when filling the hollow of his hand with the 
 blood that flreamed from him, he fcattered it over the magiftrate, 
 
 faying 
 
 Vide Suidam in voce Hierocles.— B. & C, 
 
 With
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 411— 42Si 24^ 
 
 With fomewhat to thy talle. We Cyclops own 
 A bounteous foil, which yields iis alfo wine 
 From clufters nouriih'd by the fhow'rs of Jove ; 
 But this — oh this is from above — a ftream 
 Of ne6lar and ambrolia, all divine ! 
 
 He ended, and received a fecond draught. 
 Like meafure. Thrice I bore it to his hand. 
 And, foolilh, thrice he drank. But when the fumes 
 Began to play around the Cyclops' brain. 
 With (how of amity I thus replied. 
 
 Cyclops I thou haft my noble name enquired^, 
 
 Which I will tell thee. Give me, in return, 
 
 The promifed boon, fome hofpitable pledge. 
 
 My name is Outis * ; Outis I am call'd 
 
 At home, abroad, wherever I am known. 
 
 So 
 
 • Clarke, who has preferved this name in his marginal verGon, 
 contends ftrenuouily, and with great reafon, that O'jiis ought nc^ 
 to be tranflated ; and in a pall'age which he quotes from the Acia 
 eruditoruvn, vye fee much fault found with Giphanius and other inter- 
 preters of Homer for having tranflated it. it is certain that in 
 Homer the word is declined not as «T4;-Tkvo--j which fignitiesno man, 
 but as aTv,'-T.o'a?, makiag arjv in the accafative, conlequently as a 
 proper name. It is fufHcient that the ambiguity was fuch as to de- 
 ceive the friends of the Cyclops. Outis is faid by fome {perhaps 
 iibfur4Iy) to have been a name givea to Ulyffes on account of his 
 having larger ears than common. 
 
 The Oendeman who honoured this work with fome very learned 
 ^nd acute criticifms in the Analytical Review for January 1793, 
 and to wliofe remarks the Tranllator with pleafure acknowledges 
 .himfelf indebted fpr feveral improvements, is ftill of opinion againil 
 
 Qarke
 
 250 O D Y S S E Y IX. 426-42S. 
 
 So I; to whom he, favage, thus replied. 
 Cutis, when I have eaten all his friends. 
 Shall be my lafl: regale*. Be that thy boon. 
 
 Clarke and the writer quoted by Clarke from the ASla eruditorum, 
 that OuTis ought to be tranflated. But in all that he alleges to 
 that purpofe there feems to be no fufRcient reafon for it. 
 
 Outis, though a name of expedience only, and invented merely 
 for the fake of its confequences, is as much a name as that which 
 really belonged to the inventor ; and names are never tranflated. 
 No, not even when our clear apprehenfion of a pafiage, depends on 
 our knowledge of their meaning. And for this plain reafon. Be- 
 caufe a name tranflated is a new name, and not that which the per- 
 fon bore or chofe to affume. In all fuch cafes, therefore, the reader's 
 poflible ignorance is overlooked in the text, and fuch information 
 as he may want is given him in the margin. 
 
 Thus, in the firft book of Samuel, where Abigail fpeaking 
 of her hufband fays, Nabal is his name and folly is with him, 
 it is fufRcient that in the margin the tranflators of the Bible inform 
 us that Nabal fignifies_/o//v. And again, when the mother of Ruth 
 favs, call me no longer Naomi, but call me Mara, for the Lord 
 hath dealt very ^'//^*/y with me, the reader unlkilled in Hebrew, 
 is enlightened by a marginal reference, which teaches him that Naomj 
 Lgnldss /ilea/ant , and Mara Bitter. 
 
 Other proofs might be given, and one in particular from the 19th 
 book of this very Poem, where the reafon why Autolycus named 
 tV.Q hero of it Ulyffts, or rather OAT2SEY2;, is afligned, and where 
 it would neverthelefs be wrong, and even prepofterous, to convey to 
 the Eng'iih reader the information he needs, by a tranflation of the 
 name in the context. 
 
 * Homer feems to have been the inventor of the terrible Graces, 
 one of which is that fpeech of the Cyclops — Ovnv tyu 7rt/'/xaTo» 
 t%f/,a.i — I will eat Outis lall. — Such was the favour fliown by the 
 monfler to Ulyfies. Nor does he appear fo dreadful while he de- 
 vours two Greeclans. nor from the rock with which he clofes up 
 his cavern, nor from his club, as in this inftance of favage urbanity, 
 Pemctrius Phalcreus Trsp* 'Eiuiviia,:, — C 
 
 He
 
 O D Y S S E Y IX. 429-453. 25 I 
 
 He fpake, and, downward fway'd, fell refuplne. 
 With his huge neck aflant. All-conqu'ring fleep 
 Soon feized him. From his gullet gufh'd the wine 
 "VVith human morfels mingled, many a blaft 
 Sonorous ifluing from his glutted maw. 
 Then, thrufling far the fpike of olive-wood 
 Into the embers glowing on the hearth, 
 I heated it, and cheer'd my friends, the while. 
 Left any fhould, through fear, decline his part. 
 But when that ftake of olive-wood, though green. 
 Should foon have flamed, for it was glowing hot, 
 I bore it to his fide. Then all my aids 
 Around me gathered, and the Gods infufed 
 Heroic fortitude into our hearts. 
 They, grafping the (harp ftake of olive-wood 
 Infix'd it in his eye ; myfelf, advanced 
 To a fuperiour ftand, twirl'd it about. 
 As when a fhipwright with his wimble bores 
 Tough oaken timber, placed on either fide 
 Below, his fellow-artifts ftrain the thong 
 Alternate, and the reftlefs iron fpins, 
 So, grafping hard the fiery-pointed ftake. 
 We twirl'd it in his eye ; the bubbling blood 
 Boil'd round about the brand; his pupil fent 
 A fcalding vapour forth that fmged his brow. 
 
 And
 
 ^^2 O P Y S S E Y IX. 454-^478. 
 
 And all his eye-roots crackled in the flame. 
 As when the fmith an hatchet or laro-e axcr 
 
 o 
 
 Temp' ring, immerges all the hifling blade 
 Deep in cold water, (whence the ftrength of ftcel) 
 So hifs'd his eye around the olive-wood. 
 The howling moniler with his outcry ^11*4 
 The hollow rock, and I, with all my aids. 
 Fled terrified. He, plucking forth the fpik© 
 From his burnt fo^ket, mad with anguifh, ca{\ 
 The implement all bloody far away. 
 Theiij bellowing, he founded forth the name 
 Of ev'ry Cyclops dwelling in the caves 
 Around him, on the wind-fwcpt mountain-tops;^ 
 They, flocking at his cry from evVy part. 
 Circled his den, and of his ail inquired. 
 
 What ail'fl thou, Poiypheine, with hideous crie^ 
 Troubling the peaceful night, and our repofe ? 
 FearTt thou to periln, or to lofe thy flocks 
 By force or fraud of rovers o'er the Deep ? 
 
 Whom thiis the Cyclops anfwer'd from within. 
 My friends ! By fraud of Cutis here furprifed, 
 Py force of Qutis here fubdued, I die. 
 
 Then thus with accents wing'd his friends without^ 
 Jf no man harm thee, but thou art alone, 
 ^nd licknefs fecl'fl, it is the ftroke of Joye^ 
 
 And
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 479-i='t. 253 
 
 And thou muft bear it ; yet invoke for aid 
 Thy father Neptune, Sov'reign of the floods *, 
 
 So fayingj they went, and in my heart I laugh'd 
 That by the ticlion only of a name, 
 Slight ftratagem 1 I had deceived them all. 
 
 Then groan'd the Cyclops wrung with paid and grief. 
 And, fumbling with ftretch'd hands, removed the rock 
 From his cave's mouth ; which done, he fat him down 
 Spreading his arms athwart the pafs, to flop 
 Our egrefs with his flocks abroad : fo dull. 
 It fcems, he held me, and fo ill-advifed. 
 I, pondering what means might fittcfl prove 
 To fave from inflant death, (if fave I might) 
 IVTy people and myfelf, to ev'ry fliift 
 Inclined, and various counfels framed, as one 
 Who flrove for life, with inflant death in view. 
 To me, thus meditating, this appear'd 
 The likelieft courfe. The rams well-thriven were, 
 Thick-fleeced, full-fized, with wool of lable hue, 
 Thefe, filently, with ofler twigs on v.hich 
 The Cyclops, hideous monfter, flept, I bound, 
 Three in one leafli ; the intermediate rams 
 Bore each a man, whom the exteriour two 
 
 * Outis, ?.s a Tiame, couH only denote him svho bore it ; but as a 
 novn, it fignifies no iw^zr, which accounts fuff»cientiy for the ludicrous 
 jnirtake of his brethren. 
 
 3 Prefer vcdj"
 
 254 ODYSSEY IX. 5o2-s«. 
 
 Preferved, concealing him on either fide. 
 Thus each was borne by three, and I, at laff, 
 The curl'd back feizing of a ram, (for one 
 I had referv'd far ftatelieft of them all) 
 Slipp'd underneath his belly, and both hands 
 Infolding faft in his exub'rant fleece, 
 Hung by that hold and prefs'd the floor fupine *. 
 All thus difpofed, we watch'd with many a figh 
 The facred dawn ; but when, at length, aris'n, 
 Aurora, day-fpring's daughter rofy-palm'd 
 Again appear'd, the males of all his flocks 
 Rufh'd forth to pafture, and his ewes, the while, 
 Stood bleating, unrelieved from the diflrefs 
 Of udders overcharged. He, rack'd with pain 
 Intolerable, handled, as they fl:ood, 
 The backs of all, but, in his folly, left 
 Their bofoms, where we clung, ftill unexplored. 
 x\nd now (none left befide) the ram approach'd 
 With his own wool encumber'd and with me, 
 Whom many a fear moled ed. Polypheme 
 The giant fl:roked him as he fat, and faid, 
 
 * Here again Spondanus makes a difcovery. Namely, that 
 Ulyffes referving the ram to himfclf, which was the largeft of the 
 whole flock, dlfcovered by doing fo, more folicitude for his owtt 
 fafety than for that of his companions. As if it was not plainly 
 impolfible that he fhould bind himfelf as he had bound them.— C. 
 In fadl he was much lefs fecure than they, having no ram on either 
 fide to conceal him. 
 
 My
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 523—543. 2^^ 
 
 My darling ram ! why, lateft of the flock 
 Com'Il thou, whom never, heretofore, my flicep 
 Could leave behind, but ftalking at their head. 
 Thou firft waft wont to crop the tender grafs, 
 Firft to arrive at the clear ftream, and firft 
 With ready will to feek my (heep-cote here 
 At evening ; but thou com'ft, now, laft of all. 
 Is forrow for thy mafter's eye the caufe 
 Pierced by the leader of a worthlefs crew 
 Vile as himfelf, who vanquiih'd me with wine^ 
 The vagrant Outis ? Him I ftill believe 
 Imprifon'd here, and could'ft thou but affift 
 Thy mafter's fearch, and tell me with a voice 
 Articulate in what recefs conceal'd 
 He 'fcapes my fury now, from fide to fide 
 His fcatter'd brain fhould fpread my cavern-floor. 
 And lighter I fhould feel my wrong received 
 From Outis, bafely named and nothing worth *. 
 
 So faying, he left him to purfue the flock. 
 When, thus drawn forth, we had, at length, efcaped 
 
 * Polyphemum Homerus cum immanem ferumqae finxifTcf, cu.'it 
 arlete etiam coUoquentem facit, ejufque laudare fortiina-, quod, 
 qua vellet, ingredi poflet ; ec, qua: veKet, atcingere. — Cic. I'uic. 
 Difp. Lib. v.— C. 
 
 Homer, having reprefented Polypheme as a fierce and lavage 
 Being, makes him alfo hold difcourfe with his ram, which he ac- 
 counts a happy creature, becaufe he can go whera he will, and find 
 *yhat his occafions require. 
 
 Few
 
 fi^6 O D Y S S £ Y IX. 543-55^; 
 
 Few paces from the cavern and the court, 
 M)Tclf rcleafing firft, my friends I loos'd. 
 Then, turning feaward many a thriven ewe 
 Sharp-hoof 'dj we drove them fwiftly to the fliip. 
 With joyful hearts my people us received 
 Who had efcaped, but rtiuch they mourn'd the dead* 
 I fuffcr'd not their tears, but filent fhook 
 My brows, by figns commanding them to Hft 
 The tlieep on board, and infiant plow the main. 
 "J hey, quick embarking, on the benches fat 
 Well-ranged, and tlircflf d with oars the foamy flood ; 
 l^ut when my dillance from the ftiore was fuch 
 As a loud voice may fly, with bitter taunts 
 Infuliing then the Cyclops, I cxclaim'd* 
 
 Cyclops ! when thou devoured'll in thy cave 
 With brutal force my followers, thou devour' d'll 
 'J he followers of no timid Chief, or bafe. 
 Vengeance was fare to recompenfc that deed 
 Atrocious. Montter ! who waft not afraid 
 To eat the tlrangcr houfcd beneath thy roof! 
 Therefore the Gods have well requited thee. 
 
 I ended ; he, exafp'rate, raged the more. 
 And rending from its hold a mountain-top, 
 Hurl'd it toward us ; at our vefTel's ftern 
 Down came the mafs, nigh fwecping in its fall 
 The rudder's head. The ocean at the plunge 
 
 Of
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 569-589. 25^ 
 
 Of that huge rock, high on its refluent flood 
 HeavM, irrefiftible, the fliip to land. 
 I feizing, quick, our longeft pole on board. 
 Back thruft her from the coafl:, and by a nod 
 In fllence given, enjoin'd my crew to ply 
 Their oars in hafte, that {o we might efcape. 
 Procumbent *, each obey'd, and when the bark 
 Had twice her former diftance interpofed ^, 
 Again I greeted him, although my friends 
 Earnefl: diflliaded me on ev'ry fide. 
 
 Ah, rafli Ulyfl^es 1 why with taunts provoke 
 The favage more, who hath this moment hurl'd 
 A weapon, fuch as heav'd the fliip again 
 To land, where death feem*d certain to us all ? 
 For had he heard a cry, or but the voice 
 Of one man fpeaking, he had all our heads 
 With fome fliarp rock, and all our timbers crufli*d 
 Together, fuch vaft force is in his arm. 
 
 So they, but my courageous heart remain'd 
 Unmoved, and thus again, incenfed, I fpake. 
 
 Cyclops ! fliould any man hereafter aflc 
 
 * nTSQiriaivrt;. 
 
 Olli certamlne fummo 
 
 Procumbunt. ViRGIL. 
 
 f The feeming incongruity of this line with 555, is reconciled 
 by fuppofing tha: Ulyfles exerted his voice, naturally loud, in aa 
 extraordinary manner on this fecond occafion, — C. 
 
 VOL. III. s Who
 
 258 ODYSSEY IX. 59o-6rs, 
 
 Who caufed thy fliameful blindnefsj thus reply — 
 
 Laertes' fon of Ithaca, rcnown'd 
 
 For cities fackt, Ulyflcs claims the praife. 
 
 I ceas'd, and with a groan thus he replied. 
 Ah me ! an antient oracle I feci 
 Accomplidrd. Here abode a prophet erft, 
 A man of noblefl form, and in his art 
 Unrivall'd, Telemus Eurymedes. 
 He, prophefying to the Cyclops-race, 
 Grew old among us, and prefaged my lofs 
 Of fight, in future, by Ulyfles' hand. 
 I therefore watch'd for the arrival here, 
 Always, of fome great Chief, for ftature, bulk 
 And beauty prais'd, and cloth'dwith wond'rous might. 
 But now, a puny dwarf, a wretch beneath 
 All prudent fear, fubdued me firft with wine, 
 Then blinded me. Come hither, O my gueft ! 
 Return, Ulyffes ! hofpitable cheer 
 Awaits thee, and my pray'rs I will prefer 
 To glorious Neptune for thy profp'rous courfe ; 
 For I am Neptune's offspring, and the God 
 Is proud to be my Sire ; he, if he pleafe, 
 And he alone can heal me ; none bcfide 
 Of Pow'rs Immortal, or of men below. 
 
 He fpake, to whom I anfwer thus return'd. 
 I would that of thy life amerced as fure 
 
 I could
 
 ODYSSEY IX. 616-6411 259 
 
 I could dirmifs thee to the (hades, as none — 
 Not Neptune's felf fhall fight reftore to Thee. 
 
 So I ; then pray'd the Cyclops to his Sire, 
 With hands uprais'd toward the ftarry heav'n. 
 
 Hear, Ocean's Sov' reign ! Neptune azure-hair'd ! 
 If I indeed am thine, and if thou boaft 
 Thyfelf my father, grant that never more 
 Laertes' fon of Ithaca, renown'd 
 For cities fackt, Ulyflcs, reach his home. 
 But fhould the fates ordain that he behold 
 Once more his home, his country and his friends, 
 Late, in diftrefs, on board a foreign bark. 
 All his companions loft, may he arrive, 
 Nor find his mis'ries ended even there. 
 
 He fpake, whofe imprecation Neptune heard. 
 Then lifting from the fliore a ftone of fize 
 Still more unwieldy, with enormous force 
 He whirl d it round, and launch'd it from his hand. 
 Behind my fable bark the burthen fell, 
 Threat'ning the rudder's head. Huge rofe the waves 
 Under concuflion of the plunging rock, 
 And wellnigh wafted us at once to land. 
 
 But when we reached the ifle where we had left 
 Our num'rous barks, and where my people fat 
 Watching with ceafelefs forrow our return. 
 We thrufl our vefTel to the fandy fhore, 
 
 s a Then
 
 260 O D Y S S E Y IX. 642-««I. 
 
 Then difembark'd, and of the Cyclops' (heep 
 
 Gave equal (hare to all. To me alone 
 
 My fellow-voyagers the ram confign'd 
 
 In diftribution, my peculiar meed. 
 
 Him to the cloud-girt Sov'reign over all 
 
 Devoting, on the fhore his thighs I burn'd. 
 
 But adverfe Jove, defigning, even then, 
 
 The wreck of all my galleys, and the death 
 
 Of all my followers, heeded not the gift. 
 
 Thus, feafting largely, on the fliore we fat 
 
 Till even-tide, and quaffing gen'rous wine ; 
 
 But when the fun was fet and darknefs fell, 
 
 Then, on the fhore we flept ; and when again 
 
 Aurora, rofy daughter of the Dawn, 
 
 Look'd forth, I bade my people, catting loofe 
 
 Without delay their moorings, climb the barks. 
 
 They, all obedient, took their feats on board 
 
 Well-ranged, and threfh'd with oars the foamy flood. 
 
 Thus, happy to efcape, though fad for thofe 
 
 W^hom we had loft, we roam'd the Deep again. 
 
 ARGU'
 
 / J .f * ODYSSEY X. I— J, %6t 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TENTH BOOK. 
 
 Ul/flcs, in purfuit of his narrative, relates his arrival at the ifiand 
 of iEolus, his departure thence, and the unhappy occafion of 
 his return thither. The monarch of the winds difmiffes him 
 at laft with much afperity. He next tells of his arrival among 
 the Laellrygonians, by whom his whole fleet, together with their 
 crews, are deftroyed, his own fhip and crew excepted. Thence 
 he is driven to the ifland of Circe. By her the ha'f of his people 
 are transformed into fwine. AlBfted by Mercury, he refills her en- 
 chantments hirafelf, and prevails with the Goddefs to recover 
 them to their former Ihape. In confequence of Circe's inftruc- 
 tions, after having fpent a complete year in her palace, he pre- 
 pares for a voyage to the infernal regions. 
 
 BOOK X. 
 
 \\e came to the ^olian ille ; there dwells 
 .^Solus, fon of Hippotas, belov'd 
 By the Immortals, in an iile afloat *. 
 
 • The iEolian ifles, commonly fo called, virere in the Tyrrhene 
 fea, and not far from Sicily. But whether one of thofe is here in- 
 tended, or a diftinft one, perhaps of the poet's creation, is doubted 
 by the commentators. 
 
 Heraclides Ponticus fuppofes ^olus himfelf an allegorical perfon, 
 reprefenting the year, and his fix fons and fix daughters the twelve 
 months of it.<— B. & C* 
 
 S3 A brazen
 
 a6a ODYSSEY x. 4—49. 
 
 A brazen wall force-proof, and fmootheft rocks 
 
 Of fleep afcent, environ it around. 
 
 Twelve are his children in his palace born, 
 
 Six fons, fix daughters ; and his daughters fix 
 
 To his fix fons by nuptial rites he join'd. 
 
 They with their father hold perpetual feaft 
 
 And with their royal mother, ftill fupplied 
 
 With dainties numberlefs ; the founding dome 
 
 Is fill'd with fav'ry odours all the day. 
 
 And with their conforts chafte at night they fleep 
 
 On ftatelieft couches with rich arras fpread. 
 
 Their city and their fplendid courts we reach'd. 
 
 A month complete he, friendly, at his board 
 
 Regaled me, and inquiry made minute 
 
 Of Ilium's fall, of the Achaian fleet, 
 
 And of our voyage thence. I told him all. 
 
 But now, defirous to embark again, 
 
 I afk'd difmifTion home, which he approved. 
 
 And well provided for my profp'rous courfe. 
 
 He gave me, furnifh'd by a bullock flay'd 
 
 In his ninth year, a bag ; ev'ry rude blafl 
 
 Which from its bottom turns the Deep, that bag 
 
 Imprifon'd held ; for him Saturnian Jove 
 
 Hath officed arbiter of all the winds. 
 
 To roufe their force, or calm them, at his will. 
 
 He gave me them on board my bark, fo bound 
 
 I With 
 
 I
 
 ODYSSEY X. 30-49. C63 
 
 With filver twine that not a breath efcaped, 
 Then order'd gentle Zephyrus abroad 
 To fpeed us homeward. Order vain, alas ! 
 So fatal proved the folly of my friends *. 
 
 Nine days continual, night and day we fail'd, 
 And on the tenth my native land appear'd. 
 Not far remote my Ithacans I fliw 
 Fires kindling on the coaft ^ ; but worn with toil 
 And watchful care me gentle fleep fubdued ; 
 For conftant I had raled the helm, nor giv'n 
 That charge to any, fearful of delay. 
 Then, in clofe conference my crew befpake 
 Each other, and he carries home, they faid, 
 Silver and gold from jEoIus received. 
 Son of the valiant Hippotas ; and thus 
 A feaman murmuring, the reft harangued. 
 
 Ye Gods ! what city or what lands foe'er 
 Ulyfles vifits, how is he belov'd 
 By all, and honour'd ! many precious fpoils 
 He homeward bears from Troy ; but we return, 
 
 * The poet is fuppofed to have bound thefe bags with (ilver 
 twine, that the millake of the mariners who imagined them filled 
 with treafure, might feem more probable. — B. & C. 
 
 f They kindled fires on the coaft for the information of navi- 
 gators, the fire itfelf ferving them as a fignal by night, and the 
 fmoke by day. This was the fmoke which UlyfTes while detained 
 by Calypfo, fo ardently wilhed to fee. — C, 
 
 s 4 Partners
 
 264 ODYSSEY X. s>-7S. ^ 
 
 Partners of all his perils by the way, 
 With thriftlefs hands. Now alfo he hath gain'd 
 This pledge of friendfhip from the King of winds. 
 But come — be quick — fearch we the bag, and learn 
 What (lores of gold and filver it contains. 
 
 So he, whofe mifchievous advice prevailed. 
 They loos'd the bag ; forth ifTued all the winds. 
 And, rapt by tempefts back, with fruitlefs tears 
 They mourn'd their native country loft again. 
 Juft then awaking, in my troubled mind 
 I doubted, whether from the veiTel's fide 
 To plunge and perith, or, with patient mind, 
 To fufFer and to live. 1 he fufF'rer's part 
 At length I chofe, and, refolute, furvived. 
 But, with my mantle wrapt around my brows, 
 I lay'd me down, till, hurried by the blaft. 
 We, groaning, reach'd again th' ^olian ifle. 
 
 Firft, from refrefhing ftreams our barks we ftored^^ 
 Then, my companions at their galley's fides 
 All feated, took repaft ; (hort meal we made. 
 When, with an herald and a chofen friend, 
 The hall of -^olus once more I fought. 
 Him banquetting with all his fons we found. 
 And with his confort. Ent'ring, down we fat 
 All on the threihold, whom afionifli'd they 
 BcheJd, and of our coming thus enquired. 
 
 Returned ?
 
 ODYSSEY X. 76-98. 265 
 
 ReturnM ? Ulyfles ! by what adverfe Pow'r 
 Repuls'd haft thou arrived ? W6 fent thee forth 
 Well-fitted to regain thy native ifle, 
 Or foon to reach what port foe'er thou would'ft. 
 
 So they — to whom, heart-broken, I replied. 
 My bafe companions and the traitor. Sleep 
 Alike are culpable ; but, Oh my friends ! 
 Redrefs the mifchief, for the pow'r is yours. 
 
 So I their favour woo'd. Mute fat the fons. 
 But thus their father anfwer'd. Hence — be gone — 
 Thou worft of men ! I may not entertain 
 Or give fafe condu<5l homeward to a wretch 
 Abhorr'd by all in heav'n. Hafte — leave the ifle, 
 For hated by the Gods haft thou arrived. 
 
 He faid, and fent me forrowing from the gate. 
 Thence, therefore, wearied at the toilfome oar 
 Through our own folly, and with mournful hearts 
 We ploughed the Deep, no longer hoping aid 
 From i^olus, of winds to waft us home. 
 Six days we navigated, day and night. 
 The briny flood, and on the fevcnth arrived 
 At lofty Laeftrigonia, city built 
 By Lamus, for its diftant gates renown'd *. 
 
 * The diftant gates are mentioned as a datum from which to efti- 
 inate the extent of the city. — -J, & C, 
 
 The
 
 2,66 ODYSSEY X. 99-ijS. 
 
 The herrlTman, there, his cattle driving home. 
 
 Calls toiih the fhepherd ; there, th' indullrious fwain, 
 
 Remu cing lleep, may double wages earn 
 
 Attending both ; for when the flocks forfake 
 
 At even-tide the pattures which they range 
 
 1 hroLighoLit tne fervid da}^, the cooler hours 
 
 No6liirnal to the grazing herds belong *. 
 
 To that capacious port we came, by rocks 
 
 Uninterrupted flank'd on either fide 
 
 Of tow'ring height, while prominent the fhores 
 
 And bold, converging at the haven's mouth 
 
 Leave narrow pafs"*". We pufh'd our galleys in. 
 
 Then moor'd them fide by fide ; for never furge 
 
 There lifts its head, or great or fmall, but clear 
 
 We found, and motionlefs, the fhelter'd flood. 
 
 I only, ftationing my bark without. 
 
 Secured her well with hawfers to a rock 
 
 At the land's point, then climb'd the rugged fleep. 
 
 And flooj to fpy the country. Labours none 
 
 Of men or oxen in the land appear'd, 
 
 * It is fuppofed by Eullathius that the paftures being infcfted by 
 gad-flies and o.her noxious infedts in the day-time, they drove their 
 flicep a-ficld in the morning, whi.h by their wool were defended 
 from tliem, and their cattle in t'le evening, when the infefts had 
 withdrawn — B. & C. It is one of the few paffages in Homer that 
 muil lie at the mercy of conjeclure. 
 
 f Which accounts for the deflrjdlion of the fleet, the difficulty 
 of the cgrcfs rendering their efcape impradicable. — C. 
 
 Nor
 
 ODYSSEY X. 119-144; 267 
 
 Nor aught befide faw we, but from the earth 
 
 Smoke rifing ; therefore of my friends I fent 
 
 Two well-fele6led, with an herald, third, 
 
 To learn what race of men that country fed. 
 
 Departing, they an even track purfucd 
 
 Made by the waggons bringing timber down 
 
 From the high mountains to the town below. 
 
 Ere yet they reach'd the city, on the way 
 
 A damfel met them bearing forth an ew'r. 
 
 The daughter of Antiphatas, the King, 
 
 Defcending to the chryftal fountain named 
 
 Artacia, whence the city was fupplied. 
 
 Approaching they accofted her, and alk'd 
 
 What King reign'd there, and over whom he reign'd. 
 
 She, prompt and pleafed, foon taught them how to find. 
 
 Her father's houfe, where ent'riug, they beheld. 
 
 And (hudder'd at the fight, a woman, huge 
 
 And hideous, like a mountain's tow'ring head. 
 
 She, feeing them, from council, inftant, calfd 
 
 Her fpoufe Antiphatas, who teeuiing came 
 
 With dreadful purpofes, and of the Three 
 
 Seized one, whom crufli'd and broken he devour'do 
 
 With headlong terrour the furviving two 
 
 Fled to the fliips. 'I hen fent the ruthlefs King 
 
 Loud proclamation forth, and, at the found. 
 
 From fide to fide of ail the city, fierce 
 
 And
 
 268 ODYSSEY X. i45-:66. 
 
 And countlefs, ftalk'd the Laef^rigonian hoft. 
 Gigantic forms, not human. From the rocks 
 Hage iloncs, a ftrong man's burthen each, they caft. 
 And terrible, at once, a mingled found 
 Of fhatter'd fhips and dying men arofe. 
 Whom fpear'd like fifhes to their home they bore, 
 A loathfome prey. While them within the port 
 Q'hey fliughter'd, I, (the faalchion at my fide 
 Drawn forth) cut loofe the hawfers of my (hip. 
 And all my crew enjoin'd with bofoms laid 
 Prone on their oars, to fly the threaten'd woe. 
 They, dreading inftant death, tugg'd refupine 
 Together, and my galley from beneath 
 Thofe beetling * rocks into the open fea 
 Shot gladly ; but the reft all perifh'd there. 
 
 Proceeding thence, we figh'd, and roam'd the waves. 
 Glad that we lived, but forrowing for the ilain. 
 Wc came to the ^aean ifle ; there dwelt 
 Circe, dread Goddefs, Ikill d in magic fong, 
 Sifter of fage i^aetes ; them the Sun, 
 Bright luminary of the world, begat 
 On Perfe, daughter of Oceanus ■*■. 
 
 * The word has the authority of Shakefpear, and fignifies over- 
 hanging. 
 
 f i£a:tes was king of Colchis and father of Medea. — B. & C. 
 
 Our 
 
 I
 
 ODYSSEY X, 167—189, 269 
 
 Our veiTel filently * we grounded there 
 
 Within a fpacious haven, thither led 
 
 By fome celeftial Pow'r. We difembark'd. 
 
 And on the coaft two days and nights entire 
 
 Extended lay, with labour worn, and each 
 
 The vi6lim of his heart-devouring woes. 
 
 Then, with my fpear and with my faulchion armM, 
 
 I left the (hip to climb with hafty fteps 
 
 An airy height, thence, hoping to efpy 
 
 Some works of man, or hear, perchance, a voice. 
 
 Exalted on a rough rock's craggy point 
 
 I flood, and on the diftant plain, beheld 
 
 Smoke which from Circe's palace through the gloom 
 
 Of trees and thickets rofe. 1 hat fmoke difcern'd, 
 
 I ponder'd next if thither I fhould hade. 
 
 Seeking intelligence. Long time I mufed. 
 
 But chofe at laft, as my difcreter courfe. 
 
 To fcek the fea-beach and my bark again, 
 
 And, when my crew had eaten, to difpatch 
 
 Before me, others, who fhould firft enquire. 
 
 But, ere I yet had reach'd my gallant bark, 
 
 Some God with pity viewing me alone 
 
 In that untrodden folitude, fent forth 
 
 * Being made extremely cautious by the mifchiefs they had fuf- 
 fered both from the Cyclops and the LEeftrigonians, — C. 
 
 An
 
 270 ODYSSEY X. i9o~2ij. 
 
 An antler'd flag full-fized into my way. 
 
 ,His woodland paftures left, he fought the ftream. 
 
 For he was thirfty and already parch'd 
 
 By the fun's heat. Him iflliing from his haunt. 
 
 Sheer through the back beneath his middle fpine 
 
 I wounded, and the lance fprang forth beyond. 
 
 Moaning he fell, and in the duft expired. 
 
 I'hen, treading on his breathlefs trunk, I pluck'd 
 
 My weapon forth, which leaving there reclined, 
 
 I tore away the ofiers with my hands 
 
 And fallows green, and to a fathom's length 
 
 Twifting the gather'd twigs into a band. 
 
 Bound faft the feet of my enormous prey. 
 
 And, flinging him athwart my neck, repair'd 
 
 Toward my fable bark, propp'd on my lance. 
 
 Which now to carry (lioulder'd as before 
 
 Surpafs'd my pow'r, fo bulky was the load. 
 
 Arriving at the (hip, I there let fall 
 
 My burthen, and, aiTembling on the beach 
 
 My people, thus their drooping fpirits cheer'd. 
 
 Rejoice, my friends ! We fhall not, though diftrefs'd. 
 Seek Pluto's realm till thither fent by Fate. 
 Come — \vc will banquet now, not die confumed 
 \\ ith famine, wanting neither food nor wine. 
 
 I fpakc ; at once obedient, from the ground. 
 Their folded brows unmantling, all arofe. 
 
 And
 
 ODYSSEY X. 216—241. ay I 
 
 And with admiring eyes (for of a bulk. 
 To be admired was he) the (lag fiirvey'd, 
 Till having gazed their fill, their hands they laved, 
 And preparation made of noble cheer. 
 That day complete, till fet of fun, we fpent 
 Feafting delicioufly without redraint, 
 And quaffing gen'rous wine ; but when the fun 
 Went down, and darknefs overfhadow'd all, 
 "Extended, then, on Ocean's bank we lay ; 
 And when Aurora, daughter of the dawn, 
 LookM rofy forth, convening all my crew 
 To council, I arofe, and thus began. 
 My fellow-voyagers, however worn 
 With num'rous hardlhips, hear ! for neither Weft 
 Know we, nor Eaft, where rifes, or where fets 
 The all-enlight'ning fun. But let us think. 
 If thought perchance may profit us, of which 
 Small hope 1 fee ; for when I lately climb'd 
 Yon craggy rock, I faw that we had reach'd 
 An ifle encircled by the boundlcfs Deep ; 
 Flat lies the land, and in the midft I mark'd 
 Dun fmoke afccnding from an oaken bow'r. 
 
 I fpake, whom they with hearts half-broken heard. 
 Recalling fell Antiphatas to mind 
 1 he Lsef^rygonian, and the Cyclops' deeds. 
 Ferocious feeder on the fiefh of man. 
 
 Aloud
 
 2^2 ODYSSEY X. 244-157. 
 
 Aloud they wept ; faft flow'd the tears of each ; 
 
 But neither tears nor cries availM them aught. 
 
 Then, fcparating all my valiant friends 
 
 In equal portions, I affign'd a Chief 
 
 To either tand, myfelf to thefe, to thofe 
 
 Godlike Eurylochus. This done, we cafl \ 
 
 The lots into the helmet, and at once 
 
 Forth fprang the lot of bold Eurylochus. 
 
 He went, and with him of my people march'd 
 
 Twenty and two ; they forrowing to depart. 
 
 Nor we lefs mourning to be left behind. 
 
 Low in a vale, but on an open fpot. 
 
 They found the fplendid houfe of Circe, built 
 
 With polilh'd fiones, and compafs'd all around 
 
 By lions on all fides and mountain-v/olves 
 
 Tamed by herfelf with drugs of noxious powVs*. 
 
 Nor 
 
 • Hinc exaudiri gemltus, irasque leonum 
 Vincia recufantum, et feia lub no6\e rudentum : 
 Setigeiique fues, atque i)i prxiepibus urfi 
 Sxvire, ac formae magrc nun iiliilare hipornm : 
 Qn^os hominum ex facie Dea fteva potentibus herbis 
 Induerat Circe In vultua ac terga ferariim. JEn. VII. ij. 
 
 Hence groans were heard, and the vext lion's voice 
 Scorning his chain, and growling through the Dark, 
 And bridly boats, and at the manger bound 
 Bears murmuring, and huge wolves howling loud. 
 Whom, human once, with drugs of mighty pow'r 
 The forccieis had changed to brutal forms. 
 
 The pafluges are not exactly parallel ; Homer Jefcribes wild beads 
 
 tamed.
 
 ODYSSEY X. 258—880. 273 
 
 Nor were they mlfchievous, but as my friends 
 Approach'd, ariling on their hinder feet, 
 Paw'd them in blandifliment, and wagg'd the tail. 
 Asj when from feaft he rifes, dogs around 
 Their inaftcr fawn, accuQom'd to receive 
 Some foothing gift from his familiar hand, 
 Around my people, fo, thofe talon'd wolves 
 And lions fawn'd. They, terrified, that troop 
 Of favage monfters horrible beheld. 
 And now, before the Goddefs' gates arrived. 
 They heard the voice of Circe tinging fweet 
 Within, while, bufied at the loom, the wove 
 An ample web immortal, fuch a work 
 Tranfparent, graceful, and of bright defign 
 As hands of Goddetles alone produce. 
 Thus then Polites, Prince of men, the friend 
 Highcfl in my etleem, the reft befpake. 
 
 My friends ! fome damfel or fome Goddefs weaves 
 An ample web within, and ftrikes, the while, 
 With fuch melodious ftrains the marble walls. 
 That all the palace rings. Hafte — Call aloud. 
 
 He ceas'd ; they call'd ; foon iffuing at the found. 
 The Goddefs open'd wide her fplendid gates, 
 
 tamed, and Virgil men transformed to be^fts, There is no 
 room, therefore, for the comparifon made by Scaliger, or for the 
 preference which he gives to Virgil. — See Clarice. 
 
 VOL. III. T And
 
 2^4 ODYSSEY X. 281-302. 
 
 And bade them in ; they, heedlefs, all complied. 
 All fave Enrylochus, who fear'd a fnare *. 
 She, intrdoucing them, condu6led each 
 To a bright throne, then gave them Pramnian wine. 
 With grated cheefe, pure meal, and honey new. 
 But medicated with her pois'nous drugs 
 Their food, that in oblivion they might lofe 
 The wifh of home. She gave them, and they drank,— 
 When, fmiting each with her enchanting wand. 
 She fhut them in her fties. In head, in voice. 
 In body, and in briftles they became 
 All fwine, yet intelledled as before. 
 There Circe fhut them all, who weeping fed 
 On acorns, chefnuts, and the cornel-fruit. 
 Food grateful ever to the groveling fwine. 
 Back flew Eurylochus toward the thip. 
 To tell the woful tale ; ftrnggling to fpcak, ' 
 Yet fpeechlefs, there he ftood, his heart transfixt 
 With anguilh, and his eyes with tears replete. 
 Me boding terrours occupied. At length. 
 When, gazing on him, all had oft enquired. 
 He thus rehears'd to us the dreadful change. 
 
 * He feared a fnare from the fingularlty of all that he obferved ; 
 wild hearts trainable as fpaniels, and a perfon, woman in appearance 
 and all alone, inviting lo many men unknown to her, without dif- 
 covering the fmallell apprehenfion.— B* & C. 
 
 Renown'd
 
 ODYSSEY X. 3o3-324« 275 
 
 Renown 'd Ulyfles ! as thou bad' ft, we went 
 Through yonder oaks ; imbofom'd in a vale^ 
 But built confpicuous on a fvvelling knoll 
 With poli(h'd rock, we found a ftately dome *. 
 Within, fome Goddefs or fome woman wove . 
 An ample web, and caroU'd fweet the while. 
 They call'd aloud ; fhe, ifliiing at the voice, 
 Unfolded, foon, her fplendid portals wide. 
 And bade them in. Heedlefs they enter' d, all. 
 But I remain'd, fufpicious of a fnare. 
 Erelong the whole band vanifh'd, none I faw 
 Thenceforth, though, feated there, long time I watch 'd. 
 
 He ended ; I my ftudded faulchion huge 
 Athwart my fhoulder caft, and feized my bow. 
 Then bade him lead me thither by the way 
 Himfelf had gone ; but with both hands my knees 
 He clafp'd, and in wing'd accents fad exclaim'd. 
 
 My King ! ah lead me not unwilling back. 
 But leave me here ; for confident I judge 
 That neither thou wilt bring another thence, 
 Nor come thyfelf again. Hade — fly we fvvift 
 With thefe, for we, at leaft, may yet efcape. 
 
 
 The omiflion of the conjunftive x«» is admired by Dionyfius Hal:. 
 as a great beauty, the effeft of it being not only rapidity but em- 
 phafis. — C. 
 
 T 2 So
 
 17^ ODYSSEY X. 32J--KO. 
 
 So he, to whom this anfwer I returnM. 
 Eurylochus ! abiding here, eat thou 
 And (h'ink thy fill befide the fable bark ; 
 1 go ; neccflity forbids my Itay. 
 
 So faying, I left the galley and the {bore* 
 But ere yet, travelling that gloomy vale, 
 t reach'd the palac^e where th' enchantrefs dwelt, 
 J^Iermes, pofTcflbr of the golden wand. 
 Met me. Some tripling in his prime he feem'd 
 His checks cloth 'd newly with their earlieft down, 
 For youth is then moft graceful ; fafl he lock'd 
 His hand in mine, and thus, familiar, fpake. 
 
 Unhappy! whither, wand'ring o'er the hills. 
 Stranger to all this region, and alone, 
 Go'fl thou ? Thy people are within the walls 
 Of Circe prifon'd, where as fwine in fties 
 She keeps them. Com'il thou to releafe thy friends? 
 I tell thee, never wilt thou thence return 
 Thyfelf, but wilt be prifon'd with the rcfl. 
 Yet hearken — I will difappbint her wiles. 
 And will prefcrve thee. Take this precious drug ; 
 This holding, enter thou the Goddcfs' houfe 
 Boldly, for it fliall fave thy life from harm. 
 Lo ! I reveal to thee the cruel arts 
 Of Circe ; learn them. She will mix for thee 
 A potion, and will alfo drug thy food 
 
 3 With
 
 ODYSSEY X. 311-369, 277 
 
 With noxious herbs ; but flie fhall not prevail 
 By all her pow'r to ehange thee ; for the foree 
 Superiour of this noble plant, my gift. 
 Shall baffle her. Hear ilill what I advife. 
 When fhe Ihall fmite thee with her flender rod. 
 With faulchion drawn and with death-threat'ning looks 
 Rufh on her , terrified, to her embrace 
 She will invite thee ; neither thou refufe 
 The Goddefs' ofter'd love, fecure to win 
 Deliv'rauce for thy friends, and for thyfelf 
 Reeeption kind and bounteous in return. 
 But force her fwear the dreaded oath of hcav'n 
 That (he will other mifehlef none devife 
 Againft thee, left {he tlrip thee of thy might, 
 And, quenching all thy virtue, make thee vile *. 
 
 So fpake propitious Hermes, and the drug 
 Pluck d from the foil tp my j)oflclIio.n gave, 
 With knowledge of its pow'rs. I'he root was black, 
 Milk-whiie the bloUom ; Moly is its name 
 
 -Circes pocula ncfli j 
 
 Qus ll cum fociis llulius cnpiduiquc bibiilct. 
 Sub doming luerttiice (uiiiet turpi* tt excois; 
 Vixillet canis unmuiidus, vei arnica luto lus. 
 
 Hor. tpis : Lib. I, 2, 23. — C, 
 
 '^ — ' I 1^ — -thcu haft heard ot Cuce's cup ; 
 
 Whicii drinking, like the greedy tools his triends. 
 He had become an harlot's hcartlels drudge i 
 A filthy cur had lived, or hlthier i'wiiic. 
 
 T ^ In
 
 2^8 ODYSSEY X. 370-353- 
 
 In heav'n ; not eafily by mortal man 
 
 Dug forth, but all is eafy to the Gods *. 
 
 Then, Hermes through the ifland-woods repair'd 
 
 To heav'n^ and I to Circe's dread abode. 
 
 In gloomy mufings bulled as I went. 
 
 Within the veftibule arrived, where dwelt 
 
 The beauteous Goddefs, flaying there myfteps, 
 
 I call'd aloud ; (he, fudden, at the voice 
 
 Appearing, threw the fplendid portals wide 
 
 And bade me in ; I, forrowful, obey'd. 
 
 She placed me on an argent-ftudded throne 
 
 Foot-ftool'd beneath, and for my drink prepared 
 
 The Pramnian mixture in a golden cup. 
 
 Impregnating, on my deflrucftion bent. 
 
 With noxious herbs the draught. I drain'd fecure 
 
 And unimpair'd the goblet, when, incenfed, 
 
 She fmote me with her wand, and thus exclaim'd— 
 
 Now feek the fly. There wallow with thy friends. 
 She fpake ; I drawing from befide my thigh 
 My faulchion keen, with death-denouncing looks 
 Rufh'd on her ; flie with fcreams of terrour ran 
 Beneath my lifted arm, feized faft my knees. 
 And in wing'd accents plaintive thus began. 
 
 Who ? whence ? thy city and thy birth declare. 
 
 * Mercury was the God of inftruftion, and Moly is an allegori- 
 cal plant by which inftruftion or falutary difcipline is intended.— B. 
 
 I Amazed
 
 ODYSSEY X. 394— 4I9« ^^^ 
 
 Amazed I fee thee with that potion drench'd, 
 
 Yet uninchanted ; never man before 
 
 Once pafs'd it through his lips, and liv'd the fame ; 
 
 But in thy breaft a mind inhabits, proof 
 
 Againft all charms. Come then — I know thee well. 
 
 Thou art Ulyfles verfatile and fhrewd. 
 
 Of whofe arrival here in his return 
 
 From Ilium, Hermes of the golden wand 
 
 Was ever wont to tell me. Sheath again 
 
 Thy fword, and let us, on my bed reclined, 
 
 Mutual embrace, that we may truft thenceforth 
 
 Each other, without jealoufy or fear. 
 
 The Goddefs fpake, to whom I thus replied. 
 O Circe ! canft thou bid me meek become 
 And gentle, who beneath thy roof detain'ft 
 My fellow- voyagers transform'd to fwine ? 
 And, fearing my efcape, invit'fl thou me 
 To (hare thy couch, with fraudulent defign 
 Firft to unarm, and to unman me, next ? 
 No — truft me — never will I (hare thy bed 
 Till firft, oh Goddefs, thou confent to fwear 
 The dread all-binding oath, that other harni 
 Againft myfelf thou wilt imagine none. 
 
 I fpake, and, undclaying, fhe complied. 
 When, therefore, nought of all her folemn oath 
 Unfworn remaind, I climb'd her ftately bed, 
 
 T 4 Four
 
 a8o ODYSSEY X. 42c— 44S, 
 
 Four graceful nymphs, mean-time, their houfhold truf\ 
 
 Adminift'ringj the palace brilkly paced. 
 
 Her menials, from the fountains fprung and groves. 
 
 And from the facred ftreams that feek the fca. 
 
 Of thefc, one cafi: fine linen on the thrones. 
 
 Which, next, with purple arras rich (he fpread ; 
 
 Bright filver ftands with, golden diflies charged 
 
 Before the gorgeous thrones another placed. 
 
 The third, an argent beaker fill'd with wine 
 
 Delicious, which in golden cups fhe ferved ; 
 
 The fourth brought water, which fhe warm'd within 
 
 An ample vafe, and when the lamm'ring flood 
 
 Sang in the tripod, led me to a bath, 
 
 And laved me with the plefifant ftream profufe 
 
 Pour'd o'er my neck and body, till my limbs 
 
 Refrelbd all fenfe of laflitude refign'd. 
 
 When (he had biithe4 nie, and with limpid oil 
 
 Anointed me, and clothed nie in a veil 
 
 And mantle, next, fhe led me to a throne 
 
 Of royal Hate, with fllver fluds emhofs'd. 
 
 And footftool'd foft beneath; then came a nymph 
 
 With golden ewer charged and filver bowl. 
 
 Who pour d piue water on my hands, and placed 
 
 The ihining ftand before mc, which with food 
 
 Various, fcle6ted from her prcfent ftores. 
 
 The cat'refs fpread ; then, courteous^ hadq. me eat, 
 
 3ut
 
 ODYSSEY X. 446-467. 281 
 
 But me it pleas'd not ; with far other thoughts 
 My fpirit teem'd, on vengeance more intent. 
 Soon, then, as Circe mark'd me on my feat 
 Fad-rooted, fullen, nor with outftreteh'd hands 
 Deigning to touch the banquet, flie approached, 
 And in wing'd accents fuafive thus began. 
 
 Why fits Ulyfles Hke the Dumb, dark thoughts 
 His only food ? loathes he the touch of meat. 
 And tafte of wine ? Thou fear' ft, as I perceive. 
 Some other fnare, but idle is that fear, 
 For I have fworn the inviolable oath. 
 
 She ceasMj to whom this anfwer I return'd. 
 How can I eat ? what virtuous man and juit 
 O Circe ! could endure the tafte of wine 
 Or food, till he fhould fee his prifon'd friends 
 Once more at liberty ? If then thy wifli 
 That I fhould eat and drink be true, reftore 
 My loved companions to thefe eyes again *. 
 
 So I ; then Circe, bearing in her hand 
 Her potent rod, went forth, and op'njng wide 
 The fty, drove thence my friends, none fmaller-Hzed 
 Than, after nine years growth, the pamper'd brawn. 
 
 ♦ Xenocrates airlving at the court of Antipater, in the office of 
 an ambaffador employed to lulicit the releal'e of Atheniano whom he 
 had taken prifoners, and being invited to his table, anlVcred the 
 invitation in thefe lines. The conqueror was fo well plea(ed with 
 ^e application that he relcafcd the captives immediately,— C. 
 
 They
 
 282 ODYSSEY X. 468-495. 
 
 They flood before me ; fhe through all the herd 
 Proceeding, each anointed with a charm 
 Of other pow'rs, and at the wholefome touch 
 All fhed the fwinifh briftles by the drug 
 Dread Circe's former magic gift, produced. 
 Reflored at once to manhood, they appear'd 
 More vig'rous far, and fightlier than before. 
 Confcious of me, they feized with tender grafp 
 Their leader's hand. Tears follow'd, but of joy» 
 And with loud cries the vaulted palace rang. 
 Even the awful Goddefs felt, herfelf. 
 Companion, and, approaching me, begaa. 
 
 Laertes' noble fon, for wiles renown'd ! 
 Hence to the fhore, and to thy gallant bark ; 
 Firft, hale her fafe aground, then, hiding all 
 Your arms and treafures in the caverns, come 
 Thyfelf again, and hither lead thy friends. 
 
 So fpake the Goddefs, and my gen'rous mind 
 Pcrfuaded ; thence repairing to the beach, 
 I fought my (hip j arrived, I found my crew 
 Lamenting miferably, and their cheeks 
 With tears bedewing ceafelefs at her fide. 
 As when the calves within fome village rear'd 
 Behold, at eve, the herd returning home 
 From fruitful meads where they have grazed their fill. 
 Forth rulbing from the iiall, they blare and fport 
 
 Around
 
 ODYSSEY X. 494-Sr9i 28^ 
 
 Around their mothers with a ceafelefs joy, 
 Such joy, at fight of me, diflblved in tears 
 My grateful friends, and each his fpirit felt 
 With like affecSlions warm'd as he had reach'd 
 At length his country, and his city feen, 
 Fair Ithaca, where he was born and rear'd. 
 Then in wing'd accents tender thus they fpake. 
 
 Noble Ulyfles ! thy appearance fills 
 Our foul with tranfports, fuch as we fhould feel 
 Arrived in fafety on our native ihore. 
 But fpeak — how perifh'd our unhappy friends ? 
 
 So they ; when, cheering them, I thus replied. 
 Hale ye the vefiel firfi: alhore, and hide 
 In caverns all our treafures and our arms ; 
 Then hafie to follow me, and ye (hall foon 
 Behold your happy friends, beneath the roof 
 Of Circe banquetting and drinking wine, 
 For dearth of nought with her they feel or fear. 
 
 So I ; whom all with readinefs obey'd, 
 All fave Eurylochus ; he fought alone 
 To fl:ay the refl:, and, eager, intcrpofed. 
 
 Ah whither tend we, miferable men ? 
 Why covet ye this evil, to go down 
 To Circe's palace ? (he will change us all 
 To lions, wolves, or fwine, that we may guard 
 Her palace ? by necefiity conftrain'd. 
 
 So
 
 284 ODYSSEY X. 520—54;. 
 
 So fome were pris'ncrs of the Cyclops erft. 
 When, led by rafli Ulyffes, our loft friends 
 Intruded ncedlefsiy into his cave, 
 And perifh'd by the folly of their Chief. 
 
 He fpake ; whom hearing, half refolv'd I ftood 
 With my keen faulchion from belide me drawn, 
 To tumble his lopp'd head into the duft. 
 Although he were my kinfman in the bonds 
 Of clofe afBnity ; but all my friends 
 As with one voice, thus gently interpofed. 
 
 Our noble Chief! Command that he remain 
 Our vellel s guard, while we thy fteps attend 
 That fhall condu6l us where the Goddefs dwells. 
 
 So faying, they left the galley, and fet forth 
 Climbing the coafl 3 nor would Eurylochus 
 Belide the hollow bark remain, but join'd 
 His comrades, by my dreadful menace awed, 
 Circe, the while, my friends, her happy gueds 
 Had nought neglc(?tcd, but to each had giv'n 
 Warm bath, fmooth un6\ion, veft and fleecy cloxik^ 
 And feafling, when we came, we found them all. 
 They met, they greeted, and the wond'rous tale 
 Of transformation told, all wept aloud 
 Till the wide dome rcfounded. Then approach'd 
 The graceful Goddefs, and addrcfs'd me thus. 
 
 Laertes' noble fon, for wiles renown'd ! 
 
 Provokb
 
 ODYSSEY X. 546-570. 28^ 
 
 Provoke ye not each other, now, to tears. 
 
 I am not ignorant, myfclf, how dread 
 
 Have been your woes, both on the fifhy Deep, 
 
 And on the land by force of hoftile pow'rs. 
 
 But come — Eat m\v, and drink ye wine, that fo 
 
 Your frefhcnM fpirit may revive, and ye 
 
 Like courage feel again, as when ye left 
 
 The rugged fhores of Ithaca, your home. 
 
 For now, through recollection, day by day. 
 
 Of all your pains and toils, ye are become 
 
 Exhauftcd, ftrengthlefs, and a cheerful mind 
 
 Know never, fuch have been your num'rous woes. 
 
 She fpakc, whofe invitation kind prevail'd. 
 And won us to her will. There, then, we dwelt 
 The year complete, with fav'ry viands fed 
 Day after day, and quaffing gen'rous vrine. 
 But when the year, with all its waning moons 
 And tedious days, fulfill'd, another year 
 Its circling courfe began, my faithful friends 
 Then fummon'd me abroad, and thus they faid. 
 
 Sir ! recol]e(5l thy country, if indeed 
 Propitious fate ordain thee to behold 
 Thy native fhores and high-built home again. 
 
 So they ; whofe admonition I rcceiv'd 
 Well-plcas'd. Then, all the the day, regaled we iat 
 
 At
 
 a86 ODYSSEY X. 57I-J95. 
 
 At Circe's board with fav'ry viands rare, 
 And quaffing richeft wine ; but when, the fun 
 Declining, darknefs overfhadow'd all. 
 Then, each within the dufky palace took 
 Cuflom'd repofe, and to the Goddefs' bed 
 Magnificent afcending, there I urged 
 My earneft fuit, which gracious fhe receiv'd. 
 And in wing'd accents earnefl thus I fpake. 
 
 O Circe ! let us prove thy promife true ; 
 Difmifs us hence. My own delires, at length. 
 Tend homeward vehement, and the delires 
 No Icfs of all my friends, who with complaints 
 By thee unwitnefs'd, wear my heart away. 
 
 So I ; to whom the Goddefs in return. 
 Laertes' noble fon, Ulyfles famed 
 For deepefl wifdom ! dwell not longer here. 
 Thou and thy followers, in my abode 
 Relu6lant ; but your next muft be a courfe 
 Far diff 'rent ; hence departing, ye mud feek 
 The dreary houfc of Adcs and of dread 
 Perfcphonc, that ye may there confult 
 Thcban Tirefias, prophet blind, but blefl: 
 With faculties which death itfelf hath fpared. 
 On whom alone Ferfcphone beflows 
 A mind prophetick, while all others flit 
 
 Merc
 
 ODYSSEY X. 596—614. 287 
 
 Mere forms, the (hadows of what once they were*. 
 
 She fpake ; whofe awful tidings I received 
 Heart-broken ; weeping on the bed I fat, 
 Recklcfs of life and of the light of day. 
 But when, with tears and rolling to and fro 
 Satiate, I felt relief, I thus replied. 
 
 Circe ! with what guide fhall I perform 
 This voyage, unperform'd by living man ? 
 
 1 fpake, when inftantly the Goddefs thus — 
 Brave Laertiades ! let not the fear 
 
 To want a guide diftrefs thee. Once on board. 
 Your mall ere6led, and your (hining fail 
 Unfurl'd, lit thou; the breathing North fhall waft 
 Thy veflel on. But when ye fhall have crofs'd 
 The broad expanfe of Ocean, and fhall reach 
 The oozy fhore, where grow the poplar groves 
 And fruitlefs willows wan of Proferpine, 
 Pufh thither through the gulphy Deep thy bark, 
 And, landing, hafte to Pluto's murky abode. 
 
 * A curious ftory, but unfit for trandation, is related by the 
 Scholiaft concerning the caufe of his blindnefs. — B, & C. 
 
 Hauta, the daughter of I'irefias, rivalled her father in prophetick 
 fkill, and, refiding at Delphos, carried the art to a much greater 
 degree of pcrfeftion. PoffefTed of wonderful natural talents, llie 
 compofed moft of her oracular refponfes in verfe of different llruc- 
 tures, and many of her linos Homer is faid to have appropriated 
 and to have applied them to the embellKhment of his poems. 
 
 Diod. Sic. Hif. lib. iv.— C. 
 
 Th 
 
 ere
 
 288 ODYSSEY X. 615-637; 
 
 There, into Acheron runs not alone 
 Dread Pyfiphlegethon, but Cocytiis loud. 
 From Styx derived ; there alfo Hands a rock. 
 At whofc broad bafe the roaring rivers meet*. 
 There, thruiling, as I bid, thy bark afhore, 
 O Hero I fcoop a trench, in length and breadth 
 A meafured cubit and libation pour 
 Around, for all the nations of the Dead ; 
 Firft, milk with honey mixt, then lufcious wine. 
 Then water, fprinkling, laft, meal over all. 
 Next, offer fupplication to the forms 
 And (hadows of the Dead, and vow to flay 
 In thy own palace, fhouklYt thou fafe return. 
 An heifer, faireft of thy numVous herds. 
 And to enrich unfparingly the pyre 
 With delicacies fuch as plcafe the fhades ; 
 But, in peculiar, to Tirefias vow 
 A ram all fable, and of nobleft fize. 
 When thus thou haft propitiated with pray'r 
 All the illuftrious nations of the dead. 
 Slay for them, next, in facrifice a ram 
 And fable ewe, turning the face of each 
 Right toward Erebus, and look thyfelf, 
 
 * Acheron fignifies the river of woe, Pyriphlegethon, the river 
 that burns with fire, Cocytus the river of wailing, and Styx, of 
 hatred. 
 
 Mean-time,
 
 ODYSSEY X. 632— 6S^ 289 
 
 M'8iail-time, alkance toward the river's courfe. 
 Souls num'rous, foon, of the departed dead 
 Will thither flock ; then, ftrenuous urge thy friends. 
 Flaying the victims which thy ruthlefs fteel 
 Hath flain, to burn thein, and to footh by pray'r 
 Illuftrious Pluto and dread Proferpine. 
 V/hile thus is done, thou feated at the fofs, 
 Faulchion in hand, chafe thence the airy forms 
 Afar, nor fuffer them to approach the blood. 
 Till with Tirelias thou havx firft conferr'd. 
 Then, glorious Chief! the Prophet fhall himfelf 
 Appear^ who will inftru6l thee, and thy courfe 
 Delineate, meafuring from place to place 
 Thy whole return athwart the fidiy flood. 
 
 While thus fhe fpake, the golden dawn arofe, 
 When, putting on rnc my attire, the nymph 
 Next, cloth d hcrlcif, and girding to her waift 
 With an embroider'd zone her fnowy robe 
 Graceful, rccundant, veiFd her beauteous head. 
 Then, ranging the wide palace, I aroufed 
 My followers, ftanding at the fide of each — 
 
 Up ! fleep no longer ! let us quick depart^ 
 For thus the Goddefs hath, herfelf, advifed. 
 
 So I, whofe early fummons my brave friends 
 With readinefs obey'd. Yet even thence 
 I brought not all my crew. There was a youth, 
 
 "VOL. III. u, Youngefl
 
 290 ODYSSEY X. 664-68^ 
 
 Youngeft of all my train, Elpenor ; one 
 
 Not much in eftimation for defert 
 
 In arms, nor prompt in iinderftanding more, 
 
 Wrio, feeking cooler air, which overcharged 
 
 With wine he needed, on the palace-roof 
 
 Of Circe llept, apart from all the reft, 
 
 Awaken'd by the clamour of my friends 
 
 Newly arifen, he alfo fprang to rife. 
 
 And, in his hafte, forgetful where to find 
 
 The deep-defcending flairs, plunged through the roof. 
 
 That fhock his neck-bone, parting at the joint, 
 
 Suflain'd not, and his fpirit fought the fhades. 
 
 Then, thus to my afTembling friends I fpake. 
 Ye think, I doubt not, of an homeward courfe. 
 But Circe points me to the drear abode 
 Of Proferpine and Pluto, to confult 
 The fpirit of Tirefias, Theban feer, 
 
 I ceafed, and they thofe awful tidings heard 
 Heart-broken ; down they fat, lamenting loud 
 Their mournful lot, and plucking each his hair; 
 Yet profit none of all their forrow found. 
 
 But while we fought my galley on the beach^ 
 With aching hearts and ever-flowing tears, 
 Circe, the while, defcendcd to the fliore. 
 That fhe might bind befide the bark a ram 
 And fable ewe, but pafs'd us unperceivcd ; 
 
 For 
 
 i 
 
 I
 
 ODYSSEY X. 690-691. 2^1 
 
 For who, when they confent not to be feen. 
 Can (ee the Gods^ what way foe'er they move*? 
 
 a^E TK avTo* 
 
 Ela-ofet» BuriTuyj auTe; ^e ye walvrui; 5f*Ta». 
 
 Orpheus apud Clem. Alex. — C. 
 
 • — —- ___ who fees, 
 
 Himfelf inviflble, all human-kind. 
 
 V a ARGU-
 
 3^2 ODYSSEY XI. i-f. 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 ELEVENTH BOOK* 
 
 U!vfl*es relates to Alcinoiis his voyage to the Infernal regions, his 
 conference there with the prophet Tirefias concerning his return 
 to Ithaca, and gives him an account of the heroes, heroines, and 
 others whom he faw there. 
 
 BOOK XI. 
 
 vV E reached the fliip, which haling downward, firft 
 Into the facred Deep^ we placed on board 
 Her maft and fails, the ram and fable ewe, 
 Then enter'd weeping and diftrefs'd, ourfelves. 
 And now, melodious Circe, nymph divine. 
 Sent after us a canvas-llretching breeze, 
 Plcafant companion of our courfe, and wc 
 (The tackle once adjufted) on the feats 
 I^cpofing, needed but the pilot's aid, 
 
 AH
 
 ODYSSEY XI. io-a6, 293 
 
 All day, with fails diftended, o'er the Deep 
 
 She flew, and when the fun, at length, declined. 
 
 And twilight dim had (hadow'd all the ways, 
 
 Approach'd the bourn of Ocean's vail profound. | 
 
 The city, there, of the Cimmerians ftands 
 
 With clouds and darknefs veil'd, on whom the fun 
 
 Deigns not to look with his beam- darting eye. 
 
 Or when he climbs the ftarry arch, or when 
 
 Earthward he flopcs again his well 'ring wheels *, 
 
 But fad night canopies the woful race"*". 
 
 Wc haled the bark aground, and, landing there 
 
 The ram and fable ewe, belide the brink 
 
 Of Ocean journey'd whither Circe bade, 
 
 Eurylochus and Perimedes here 
 
 The vidlims held, while with my faulchion drawn 
 
 I fcoop'd an hollow trench in meafur'd length 
 
 And breadth, a cubit, and libation pour'd, 
 
 * Milton, 
 
 •f A people who Inhabited the fliore of the Pofphoru;, where 
 they ^re faid to have dwelt in excavaiions of the e.irth, communi- 
 cating with each other by fubterran-ous paflages. Strabo fays that 
 they fubfifted partly by mining for metals and partly by prophecy ; 
 they had an oracle at a great depth un ier-g-ound, and thofe of 
 them whofe bufxnefs it was in pa,rticular to attend it, never faw the 
 fun, emerging from their caverns only in the night. — C, 
 
 7 he night is called vv^ CXori, becaufe it was an unnatural one. To 
 the proper night Homer generally gives the epithet a^^fserii;.'— C. 
 
 u 3 Around
 
 2C)4 ODYSSEY XI. 47-51. 
 
 Around for all the nations of the Dead, 
 
 Firft, milk with honey mixt, then lufcious wine. 
 
 Then water; fprinkling, laft, meal over all. 
 
 This done, adoring the unreal forms 
 
 And fliadows of the dead, I vow'd to flay. 
 
 In my own palace, (hould I fafe return. 
 
 An heifer, faireft of my numerous herds. 
 
 And to enrich unfparingly the pyre 
 
 With delicacies, fuch as pleafe the fhades. 
 
 But, in peculiar, to the Theban feer 
 
 I vow'd, in flze fuperiour to the reft 
 
 A fable ram. When thus I had implored 
 
 With vows and prayV the nations of the dead. 
 
 Piercing the vidlims next, I turn'd them both 
 
 To bleed into the trench ; then fwarming came 
 
 From Erebus the fhades of the deceafed. 
 
 Brides, youths un wedded, feniors who had lived 
 
 Long time familiar with oppreffive cares. 
 
 And girls, affli6led never till they died. 
 
 Came alfo num'rous warriors by the fpear 
 
 In battle pierced, with armour gore-diftain'd. 
 
 And flalk d in multitudes around the fofs 
 
 With dreadful clamours ; me pale horrour feized. 
 
 Then, all in hade, I importuned my friends 
 
 JFIaying the vidlims which myfelf had (lain. 
 
 To
 
 ODYSSEY XI. 52-74. 295 
 
 To burn them, and to fupplicate in pray'r 
 Illuftrious Pluto and dread Profcrpine*. 
 I fat the while, and with my faulchion drawn 
 Forbade the thronging ghofls to approach the blood. 
 Till with Tireiias I fhould firft confer. 
 
 The fpirit, firft, of my companion came, 
 Elpenor ; for no burial honours yet 
 Had he received, but we had left his corfe 
 In Circe's palace, tomblefs, undeplored, 
 Ourfelves by prefflire urged of other cares. 
 Him feeing, with compaffion touch'd I wept. 
 And in wing'd accents of his fate enquired. 
 
 Elpenor ! how cam'ft thou into the realms 
 Of darknefs ? Haft thou, though on foot, fo far 
 Outftripp'd my fpeed, who in my bark arrived ? 
 
 So I, to whom with tears he thus replied. 
 Laertes' noble fon, for wiles renown'd ! 
 Fool'd by fome demon and the intempVate bowl,. 
 I perifh'd in the houfe of Circe ; there 
 Forgetful of the deep-defcending fleps 
 I fell precipitated from the roof. 
 That fhock my neck-bone, parting at the joint, 
 Suftain'd not, and my fpirit fought the fhades. 
 
 * Becaufe Ulyfles himfelf departed not from the trench he had 
 opened, but ftood guarding the blood continually, according to the 
 inftruftion given hira by Circe — B. & C. 
 
 u 4 But
 
 296 ODYSSEY XI. 75^96. 
 
 But now, by thofe whom thou haft left at homej. 
 By thy Penelope, and by thy fire. 
 The gentle guardian of thine infant years^ 
 And by thy only fon Telemachus '.] 
 
 I now adjure thee, for full well I know- 
 That from the houfe of Pluto fafe return'd, ; 
 Thou (halt erelong thy gallant vellel moor 
 At the ^aean ifle. Ah ! there arrived "• 
 Remember me, nor leave me undeplored 
 And uninhumed, left vengeance, for my fake. 
 Attend thee from the Gods ; but burn my corfo' 
 With whatfoever arms I left, and raife 
 A kind memorial of me on the fhore, 
 Heap'd high with earth ; that an unhappy mai^ 
 May yet enjoy an unforgotten name. 
 Thus do at my requcft, and on my hill 
 Funereal fix ere6l the polifti'd oar. 
 With which among my friends I lately row'd*. 
 
 He fpake, to whom thus anfwer I return'd. 
 Poor youth ! 1 will perform thy v/hole defire. 
 
 Thus we, there fitting, doleful converfe heldj, 
 I, ftretching my bright faulchion o'er the blood;, 
 
 * It was n pre/alent opinion among the Greeks, that the fhades 
 of the unburied ikad were no: permitted to rnix with the fhades of 
 others. /he Sciioiiaft obferves that he faw not thofe who had 
 been devouicd by the Cyclops or the Lasftrigon ans, becaufe they* 
 however horrible their fepulture, had yet a toir.b, — C. 
 
 ■x And
 
 ODYSSEY XI. 97— I2B. 2q7 
 
 And my companion's fhadovvy femblance fad 
 With earned fpeech difcourling me the while, 
 The foul of my departed mother, next, 
 PfAnticleia, daughter of the brave 
 Autolycus approach'd, whom going forth 
 To Ilium, I had hving left at home*. 
 Her feeing, with compaflion touch'd, I wept ; 
 Yet even her, (although it pain'd my foul) 
 Forbade, relentlefs, to approach the blood. 
 Till with Tirefias I fltould firft confer. 
 Then came the fpirit of the Thcban feer 
 Himfelf, his golden fceptre in his hand. 
 Who knew me, and, enquiring, thus began. 
 
 Why,\vretched man ! the fun's bright beams renounced, 
 Com'ft thou to vifit in this joylefs place 
 The {hades of men departed ? Leave the trench. 
 And turn thy faulchion's glitt'ring edge away, 
 That I may drink the blood, and tell thee truth. 
 
 He fpake ; I thence receding, deep infix'd 
 My glitt'ring faulchion in the flieath again. 
 And when the prophet from the crimfon pool 
 JIad drawn till fatisfied, he thus began. 
 
 Thou feek'ft a pleafant voyage home again, 
 Kenown'd Ulyffes 1 but a God will make 
 
 * The tradition is, that, unable to endure the long abfence of her 
 fon^ (he hanged hcrfelfo— B. & C. 
 
 That
 
 298 ODYSSEY XI. 121— TS91. 
 
 That voyage difficult ; for, as I judge. 
 
 Thou wilt not pafs by Neptune unperceiv'd, 
 
 Whofe anger ftill purfues thee, for the fake 
 
 Of Polypheme his fon, made blind by thee. 
 
 At length, however, after num'rous woes. 
 
 Thou may'ft attain, perchance, thy native ifle. 
 
 If thy own appetite thou wilt control 
 
 And theirs who follow thee, what time thy bark 
 
 Well-built, fhall at Thrinacia's fhore arrive, 
 
 Efcapcd from perils of the gloomy Deep *. 
 
 There grazing ye fhall find the flocks and herds 
 
 Of the all-feeing and all-hearing Sun, 
 
 Which, if attentive to thy fafe return. 
 
 Thou leave unharm'd, though after num'rous woes. 
 
 Ye may at length your Ithaca regain ^. 
 
 But if thou violate them, I denounce 
 
 De{lru6lion on thy (liip and all thy band. 
 
 And though thyfelf efcape, thou fhalt arrive 
 
 Late and affiidied, all thy people loft, 
 
 * The ftiore of Sicily, commonly called Trinacria, but Euphonies 
 by Homer, Thrinacia. It took this name from its three promon- 
 tories, Pelorus, Pachynus, and Lilybieum. — B. & C. 
 
 ■\ It is plain that Komer, notwithftanding he fays more than 
 once, Aioi ^' ereAfiETo /3<iXr, was not in the ftrJA fenfe of the word a 
 Fatalift, but underftood Man to be a Free Agent, and to have an 
 option refpefling all thofe points of his conduit with which his fu- 
 ture happinefs or mifcry was conneded. — C 
 
 * And
 
 ODYSSEY XI. 140—160. 299 
 
 And in a foreign bark. Diftrefs, befides, 
 
 Awaits thee there, for thou fhalt find within 
 
 Proud fuitors of thy noble wife, who wafte 
 
 Thy fubftance, and with promis'd fpoufal gifts 
 
 Ceafelefs folicit her to wed ; yet well 
 
 Shalt thou avenge all their injurious deeds. 
 
 That once perform 'd, and ev'ry fuitor Ilain 
 
 Either by ftratagem^ or face to face 
 
 In thy own palace, bearing, as thou go'fl. 
 
 An oar, ceafe not to journey till thou find 
 
 A people who the fea know not, nor eat 
 
 Food falted ; they trim galley crimfon-prow'd 
 
 Have ne'er beheld, nor yet fmooth-fhaven oar. 
 
 With which the vefTel wing'd feuds o'er the waves *, 
 
 Well thou fhalt know them ; this fhall be the lign — 
 
 When thou fhalt meet a trav'ller, who fhall name 
 
 The oar on thy broad fhoulder borne, a van % 
 
 There, deep infixing it within the foil, 
 
 Worfhip the King of Ocean with a ball, 
 
 A ram, and a lafcivious boar ; then feek 
 
 Thy home again, and facrifice at home 
 
 * Evidently with a view to appeafe and propitiate Neptune, %vIio 
 would thus fee a nation, lately ignorant of the fea and of all mari- 
 time affairs, inftruded in them by UlyfTes, fuddenly become his 
 votaries. 
 
 f Miftaking the oar for a corn- van. A fure indication of his 
 ignorance of maritime concerns. 
 
 4 An
 
 900 ODYSSEY XI. i«i— 175, 
 
 An hecatomb to the Immortal Gods, 
 Adoring duly each, and in his coarfe. 
 So flialt thou die in peace a gentle death. 
 Remote from Ocean ; it fhall find thee late, 
 Jn foft ferenity of age, the Chief 
 Of a bleft people. — I have told thee truth *. 
 
 So fpake the fecr, to whom I thus replied — ■ 
 The Gods themfelves, Tirefias ! have ordain'd 
 My fufF'rings fuch. But tell me, for I need 
 Thy fage inftru6lion ftill, and tell me true. 
 Sullen and mute and with averted looks 
 Here fits, befide the trench, my mother's fhade— ■ 
 ^ow (hail (he know me once fo dearly loved ? 
 
 So I ; when anfwer thus the feer return' d. 
 The means are eafy ; learn them ; they are thefe. 
 What fhade foe'er, by leave from thee obtain'd. 
 Shall tafle the blood, that fhade will tell the truth i 
 The reft, prohibited, will all retire. 
 
 When thus the fpirit of the royal Scey 
 
 * It is doubtful whether ©a'i/«To? l^ aAo? fignifies a death that {houJd 
 reach him iy means of the fea, or at a dijiance from it. They who 
 ehoofe the former fenfe, fay that Ulyflcs was flain by his fon Tele- 
 gonus whom he had by Circe. He liad wandered far in quell of 
 his father, when arriving a;; Ithaca and not being permitted to 
 land, he fought with his oppofers who knew him not, and killed 
 UlyfTes. But this interpretation but very ill accords with the epi- 
 thet 'A«^>;%f»?, gentle, peaceful^ more X^^^Jleep than death, -^^.ScC* 
 
 Had
 
 ODYSSEY XI, i8»— 2o5» 301 
 
 Had his prophetic mind reveal'd, again 
 He cnter'd Pluto's gates ; but I unmoved 
 Still waited till my mother's fhade approach'd ; 
 She drank the blood, then knew me, and in words 
 Wing'd with affe6lion, plaintive, thus began. 
 
 How, Oh my Ton ! ftill living, haft thou reach'd 
 This darkfome region ? Arduous is the tafk 
 For living man to mingle with the Dead. 
 Broad rivers roll, and awful floods between. 
 And Ocean wider ftill, whofc gulphs forbid 
 All accefs, fave to well-built barks alone. 
 Is this fad fhore the firft, where, thou and thine 
 After long wand'ring from the fhores of Troy 
 Have difembark'd ? And haft thou not beheld 
 Thy con fort yet, nor reach'd thy native home ? 
 
 She fpake, to whom this anfwer I return'd. 
 My mother ! me neceffity conftrain'd 
 "To Pluto's dwelling, anxious to confult 
 Theban Tirefias ; for I have not yet 
 Approach'd Achaia, nor have touch'd the coait 
 Of Ithaca, but have been evermore 
 A woful wand'rcr, ftnce I follow'd ftrft 
 King Agamemnon to the war of Troy. 
 But fpeak, my mother, and the truth alone ; 
 What ftroke of fate Ilcw thee? FellTt thou a prey 
 To fome flow malady ? or by the fliafts 
 
 Of
 
 202 ODYSSEY XI. 2o6-2a6. 
 
 Of gentle Dian faddenly fubdued * ? 
 
 Speak alfo of my Hre, and of my fon ; 
 
 Share they fuch honours, as, allied to me. 
 
 They JLiftly claim ? Or have the people crown*d 
 
 Some other, through defpair of my return ? 
 
 What views have influeneed, and what counfels moft 
 
 The condudl of my wife ? Perfifts the ftill 
 
 Difcharging tenderly the mother's part. 
 
 And wifely managing her home-concerns ? 
 
 Or hath the wander'd to another mate, 
 
 And wedded with the nobleft of the Greeks ? 
 
 I ceas'd, when thus the venerable (hade. 
 Not fo ; {he faithful flill and patient dwells 
 Beneath thy roof; but dwells a mourner there. 
 With w^eeping anguifli wafted night and day. 
 Thy dignities and fair pofTeffions ftill 
 Continue thine ; Telemachus, thy fon. 
 Tills, undifturb'd, thy land, and fits a gueft 
 At many a noble banquet, fuch as well 
 Befeems the fplendour of his princely ftate. 
 For all invite him ^. At his faiTn retired 
 
 ♦ Death by ajloiu malady, or death by the J^a/ts of Diana are 
 fct in oppofition to each other ; a fudden death being always fignified 
 by the latter. — C. 
 
 + The death of Anticlca feems to have happened prior to the intra- 
 fion of the fuitors and the havock they made of his fubftance. — C, 
 
 It appears to have been cuftomary with the antients to invite 
 their princes and judges to all their publick entertainments.— C. 
 
 Thy
 
 ODYSSEY Xr. 2127—447. 305 
 
 Thy father dwells, nor to the city comes 
 
 For aught ; nor bed, nor fiirriitiire of bed, 
 
 Furr'd cloaks or fplendid arras he enjoys. 
 
 But, with his fervile hinds all winter fleeps 
 
 In afhes and in dud befide the fire, 
 
 Coarfely apparellM, and when fummer comes, 
 
 Or genial autumn, on the fallen leaves 
 
 In any nook, not curious where, he finds 
 
 An humble couch among his fruitful vines. 
 
 There, flretch'd forlorn, indulging hopelefs grief. 
 
 And worn with age, thy fortune he deplores. 
 
 So periOi'd I ; fuch fate I alfo found * ; 
 
 Me, neither from above Diana pierced. 
 
 Right-aiming arch'refs, with her gentle fhafts. 
 
 Nor any dread difl:emper, fuch as waftes 
 
 And fiowly withers life, extinguilli'd mine. 
 
 But dear remembrance of thy filial love 
 
 And kindnefs that fhould never footh me more, 
 
 Thefe, my Ulyfies ! fatal proved to me. 
 
 She faid ; I, ardent wifh'd to clafp the (hade 
 Of my departed mother ; thrice I fprang 
 
 • The comparlfon is between her grief and that of Laertes, not 
 between the effefts of it. His grief enfeebles and wears him out 
 gradually; hers impelled her at once to an aft of defperation. She 
 is filent, however, concerning the manner of her diath, on account 
 of the guilty nature of it, which would have fliocked her fon had (he 
 owned it. 
 
 Toward
 
 ^04 ODYSSEY XI. 24S-270. 
 
 Toward her, by delire impetuous urged, 
 
 And thrice fhe flitted from between my arms^. 
 
 Light as a paffing fhadow or a dream. 
 
 Then, pierced by keener grief, in accents wing'd 
 
 With fihal earneftnefs I thus replied^ 
 
 My mother, why elud'fl thou my attempt 
 To clafp thee, that ev'n here, in Pluto's reahn^ 
 We might to full fatiety indulge 
 Our grief, infolded in each Other's arms ? 
 Hath Proferpine, offended, fent me forth 
 An empty fhade, t' aftliA me ftill the more 1 
 
 Then, inflant, thus the venerable form. 
 Ah, fon ! thou moft afflicted of mankind ! 
 On thee, Jove's daughter, Proferpine, obtrudes 
 No vain illulion, but a fixt decree 
 Such renders, once deceafed, all human-kind. 
 Thenceforth, no mufcular fupport they need, 
 Divefted, by the fierce funereal fires, 
 Of flefh and bones ; and when the mind expell'd 
 Hath left the limbs all lifelefs, like a dream 
 The unfubfl:antial foul, then, flits aWay. 
 But hafte thou back to light, and, taught thyfelf 
 Thcfe facred truths, hereafter teach thy fpoufe ** 
 
 Thtw 
 
 • Muretus nnderftood this precept given to tllyfles by his mother 
 in a fenfe fimilar to the fenfe of Virgil's— portac[ue cmittit eburnV- 
 
 that
 
 ODYSSEY XI. 271-289. 205 
 
 Thus mutual we conferr'd. Then, thither came. 
 Sent from beneath by Proferpine, the (hades 
 Of num'rous women, wives and daughters, all, 
 Of Kings and Heroes. Clofe around the trench, 
 Eager to drink the crimfon pool they flood. 
 But I, coniid'ring fat, how I might each 
 Interrogate, and thus refolv'd. My fword 
 Forth drawing from befide my fturdy thigh, 
 -Firm I prohibited the ghofts to drink 
 The blood together; they fucceilive came; 
 Each told her own diftrcfs ; I qucftion'd all. 
 
 There, firfl, the high-born Tyro 1 beheld ; 
 She claim'd Salmoneus* as her lire, and her 
 Had Cretheus, fon of tEoIus, efpoufed. 
 EnamourM of Enipeus, itream divine, 
 Lovelieft of all that water earth, befide 
 His limpid current flie was wont to ftray^ 
 When Ocean's God, (Enipeus' form afTumed ^) 
 Within the eddy-whirling river's mouth 
 
 that is to fay, as a concealed infinuation of the contempt which the 
 poet fel: for the fuperftition on which his ftor/ was founded. 
 
 Plutarch alfo obferves that Homer has done well to treat this 
 conference of Ulyffcs with the (hades of the deceafed, as a tale cre- 
 dible only by credulous women. — C, 
 
 * Whom for counterfeiting his thunders Jove ftruck with a 
 thunderboIt,-^B. &C. 
 
 f Enipeus was a fiver of Elis which alfo ran through Theflal /. — 
 B.&C. 
 
 VOL. III. X Embraced
 
 2o6 ODYSSEY XI. Jjo-SJi, 
 
 Embraced her ; there, while the o'er-arching flood, 
 
 Uplifted mountainous, conceal'd the God 
 
 And his fair human bride, her virgin zone 
 
 He loos'd, and o'er her eyes fvveet fleep difFufed. 
 
 His am'rous purpofe fatisfied, he grafp'd 
 
 Her hand, affe6lionate, and thus he faid. 
 
 Rejoice in this my love, and when the year 
 Shall tend to confummation of its courfe, 
 Ilkiftrious twins produce ; for love divine 
 Is never fruitlefs. With afFedion due 
 Suflain and cherifli them, and well beware 
 That, going hence, thou boaft not my embrace. 
 For I am Neptune, fov'reign of the Deep. 
 
 -He faid, and, whelm'd in ocean, difappearM. 
 She Pelias bore and Neleus, heroes, both. 
 And fceptre-fwaying delegates of Jove. 
 ,Pelias the plains of laolchus own'd. 
 Of num'rous flocks poflefs'd ; but his abode 
 Amid the fands of Pylus Neleus chofe. 
 To Crctheus wedded next, the lovely nymph 
 Yet other fons, iEfon and Pheres bore, g 
 
 And Amythaon of cquefirian fame. I 
 
 I, next, the daughter of Afopus Hiw, ■ 
 
 Antiope ; fhe gloried to have known 
 Th' embrace of Jove himfclf, to whom ftie brought ■ 
 A double progeny, Amphion named 
 
 And 
 
 I
 
 ODYSSEY XI. 316-337. 307 
 
 And Zethus ; they the firft foundations layM 
 And built the tow'rs of feven-gated Thebes, 
 For that, though valiant both, in fpacious Thebes 
 Unfenced by tow'rs, they could not dwell fecure '. 
 
 Alcmena, next, Amphitryon's wife I faw. 
 By Jove's embrace made mother of the bold 
 And lion-hearted Hercules ; with Her 
 Came alfo Megara from Creon fprung, 
 And by th' unconquer'd Hercules efpoufed. 
 
 The beauteous Epicafte faw I then. 
 Mother of Oedipus, who guilt incurr'd 
 Enormous, fatally deceiv'd and match'd 
 With her own fon ; he, firft, his father llew. 
 Then wedded her, which foon the Gods divulged^. 
 He, under vengeance of offended heav'n. 
 In pleafant Thebes dwelt miferable, King 
 Of the Cadmean race ; fhe to the gates 
 Of Ades brazen-barr'd defpairing went, 
 Self-ftrangled by a cord made fail aloft 
 To her own palace-roof, and woes bequeath'd 
 (Such as the Fury lifters execute 
 Innumerable) to her guilty fon. 
 
 * Homer takes no notice of the ftory of Amphion building the 
 walls of Thebes by the magick influence of his lyre. — C» Itwa?. 
 probably therefore invented fince, 
 
 f By the Tragedians called — Jocafta. 
 
 X 2 There
 
 3oS Odyssey xi. 338-^60. 
 
 There alfo lovely Chlorls I beheld, 
 Amphlon's laft-born daughter, and the bride 
 OfNeleus, chofen for her beauties' fake, 
 And gifted, at his hands, with countlefs dow'r. 
 Neleus fupreme in fandy Pylus reign'd 
 Andin Orchomenus, and fire became 
 Of an illuftrious offspring ; for ^e bore^ 
 Firft, Neftor ; Chromius, fecond ; after whom 
 Undaunted Periclymenus, and, lafl 
 His daughter Pero, wonder of all eyes. 
 Whom ev'ry neighbour of the Pylian, realm 
 In rfiarriage fought, but none might hope to win 
 From Neleus, fave alone who fliould prevail 
 To drive from Phylace the guarded herds 
 Of King Iphickis. Of them all, alone, 
 'Mclampus undertook that arduous taflc. 
 The Prophet ; but by Fate's fcvere decree, 
 The herdfmen bound and held him prisoner there. 
 At length (the year, with all its months and days 
 Concluded, and the new-born year begun) 
 The King Iphiclus, for his wifdom' fake, 
 And grateful for myfterious fayings folved, 
 llclcafed him, and the will of Jove was done *. 
 
 * Iphicles haxl been informed by the Oracles, that he (hould 
 have no children till inllrufled by a. prophet how to obtain them ; a 
 fcrvice which Melampus had the good fortune to render Jiim. — B. 
 
 Next
 
 ODYSSEY XI. 3Gr— 379»' 309 
 
 Next, Leda, wife of Tyndarus I faw, 
 Who bore to Tyndarus a noble pair, 
 Caftor the bold, and Pollux ccftus-faincd. 
 Though pris'ners in the fertile womb of earth, 
 They ftill furvive, and honour even there 
 From Jove obtain ; by turns they die, they live, 
 Nor lefs than Gods in earth are deem'd or heav'n \ 
 
 The confort of Aloeus, next, I view'd, 
 Iphimedia. She to Neptune bore, 
 For Him fhe call'd their Father, a fhort-lived 
 But godlike Pair of never dying fame, 
 Otus and Ephialtes. Such for height. 
 And fuch for beauty, never by the fruits 
 Of earth were nourifh'd, fince Orion died. 
 Nine cubits were the breadth, nine ells the length. 
 At nine years growth, of each. The Gods themfclves 
 They menaced, and preparing to diflurb 
 With all-confounding war the realms above. 
 On the Olympian fummit thought to fix 
 
 f 
 
 , * Caltor being flain by Melcager, or by Polynlces, dtr.d PoIIa:? 
 being immortal, the latter enireated Jupiter tliat his brother might 
 fhare his immortality with him, and that they might alternately 
 aicend to Olympns and fink into the Ihades. Thus the Alytholo- 
 gifts allegorized the alternate appearance and difappearance of the 
 two ftars named Caftor and i'ollux, one of which dtclines into the 
 fouthern Hemifphere, while the other is feen in ours. — C. 
 
 X 3 Huge
 
 310 ODYSSEY XI. 380-396. 
 
 Huge Ofla, and on Ofla's tow'ring head 
 
 Pel ion with all his forefts ; fo to climb. 
 
 By mountains heap'd on mountains, to the llcies *. 
 
 Nor had they failed, to full-grown youth matured. 
 
 But by the Ton ^ of fair Latona flain 
 
 Both perifh'd, ere the cheeks of either yet 
 
 The fleecy down of blooming manhood wore. 
 
 Phaedra I alfo there, and Procris faw, 
 And Ariadne for her beauty praifed, 
 Whofe fire was all-wife Minos. Thefeus her 
 From Crete toward the fruitful region bore 
 Of facred Athens, but enjoy'd not there ; 
 For, firft, fhe perifli'd by Diana's fhafts 
 In Dia, Bacchus witneffingher crime*. 
 
 Maera and Clymene I faw befide. 
 And odious Eriphyle, who received 
 The price in gold of her own hufband's life^. 
 
 But 
 
 * Ofla and Pelion were mountains of ThefHily. Olympus was a 
 mountain of Macedonia. — E. Sc C. 
 
 f Apollo. 
 
 X Pha;dra was the daughter of Minos and \\ Ife of Thefeus ; 
 Procris was the daughter of Ereftheus. — Dia was an ifland near to 
 Crete, and was afterward called Naxos. Jt was facred to Bacchus. 
 Bacchus, therefore, accufed her to Diana of having received the 
 embraces of Thefeus in his temple there, and the Goddefs punifhed 
 her with death. — B. & C. 
 
 § Ma-ra was the daughter of Proetus and Anteia, and died a 
 virgin. Clyn.ene was tiie daughter of Minyus fon of Neptune and 
 
 of
 
 ODYSSEY XI. 397-41^ 3 1 1 
 
 But all the wives of Heroes whom I faw. 
 And all their daughters can I not relate ; 
 Night, firft, would fail ; and even now the hour 
 Calls me to flumber either in my bark 
 Or here ; mean-time, I in yourfelves confide. 
 And in the Gods to fhape my condu6l home. 
 
 He ceafed, and through the gloomy manfion all 
 Sat filent, charm'd to rapture, till, at length, 
 The beauteous Queen, Areta, thus began. 
 
 Phasacians ! how appears he in your eyes 
 This ftranger, graceful as he is in port, 
 In flature noble, and in mind difcrete ? 
 He is my gueft ; an honour which alike 
 All here partake ; him, therefore, fend not hence 
 With urgent hafte, nor fcantily impart 
 To one fo deftitute ; for ye are rich. 
 And by kind heav'n with rare pofleffions blell. 
 
 The Hero, next, Echeneus fpake, a Chief 
 "Now antient, eldeft of Phxacia's fons. 
 
 Wifely, my friends, and not below the praife 
 
 of Euryanafla, and was married to Pliylacus. Eriphyle was the 
 daughter of Iphis ; bribed by a golden ornament which (he re- 
 ceived either from Polynices or Adraftus, fhe betrayed her huf- 
 band. Knowing as a prophet the event, he feared to go to the 
 fiege of Thebesj and, in confequence of her treachery, was con- 
 ftrained to go. His name was Amphiaraiis. — B. Sc C. 
 
 X 4 Which
 
 312 ODYSSEY XI; 4i7-44a. 
 
 Which all her prudent counfels ever claim 
 The Queen hath now advifed, and, if it pleafe 
 Alcinolis alfoj thus will we perforin. 
 
 To whom the King Alcinoiis replied. 
 As furely as I live, and as I reign. 
 So fhall be done ; I ratify the word. 
 Then let the guefl, though anxious to depart. 
 Wait till the morrow, that I may complete 
 The whole donation. His fafe condu6l horn* 
 Shall be the gen'ral care, but mine in chief. 
 To whom dominion o'er the reft belongs. 
 
 Him anfvver'd, then, Ulyfies ever-wife. 
 Alcinoiis 1 Prince ! exalted high o'er all 
 Phseacia's fons ! fhould ye folicit, kind. 
 My ftay throughout the year, preparing ft ill 
 My condu6l home, and with illuftrious gifts 
 Enriching me the while, ev'n that requeft 
 Should pleafe me ; for the 'vantage all were mine. 
 I fhould return ftill wealthier, and, arrived 
 In Ithaca, fhould readier welcome find, 
 And rcv'rcnce more profound obtain from all. 
 
 To whom Alcinoiis anfwer thus return'd, 
 XJlyftcs ! viewing thee, no fears we feel 
 Left thou, at length, fome falfe pretender prove,. 
 Or fubtle hypocrite, of whom no few 
 Dificminatcd o'er its face the earth 
 
 Suftains^
 
 ODYSSEY Xr. -}43-4^S- 3 15 
 
 Suftalns, adepts in fi61ionj and who frame 
 Fables^ where fables could be leaft furmifed. 
 Thy phrafe well turn'd, and thy ingenuous mind 
 Proclaim thee difF'rent far, who hail in ftrains 
 Harmonious, like a tuneful bard, rehears'd 
 The woes of all thy Greecians, and thy own. 
 But fa}^ and tell me true. Beheld'ft thou there 
 None of thy followers to the walls of Troy 
 Slain in that warfare ? Lo ! the night is long— « 
 A night of utmoft length ; nor yet the hour 
 Invites to ileep *. Tell me thy wond'rous deeds. 
 For I could watch till facred dawn, could'ft thou 
 So long endure to tell me of thy toils. 
 
 Then thus Ulyffcs, ever-wife, replied, 
 Alcinoiis ! high exalted over all 
 Phseacia's fons ! the time fufficcs yet 
 For converfe and for Ileep ; and if thou wi(li 
 To hear Hill more, I fhall not fpare to unfold 
 More pitiable ftill, the woful end 
 Of other Greecians, after mine, deftroy'd. 
 Who 'fcaped, indeed, unflaughter'd from the field 
 Of Ilium, but, who reach'd their native fhores 
 Only to perifh, vi6lims, at the laft, 
 
 * This circumftance, according to Euilathius, is meutioned by 
 the poet in order to afcertainthe time, — C. which mufthave been in 
 the winter, for at the end of the fourteenth book it is evidently a 
 winter-night which UlyfTes ipends with Eumxus. 
 
 Of
 
 ^I^ ODYSSEY XI. 466-4«7. 
 
 Of a perfidious woman's dark defigns*. 
 
 Now, when chafte Proferpine had wide difpers'd 
 Thofe female fhades, the mournful fpirit, next. 
 Of Agamemnon, Atreus' fon, appear'd ; 
 Encircled by a throng, he came ; by all 
 Who with himfelf beneath ^gifthus' roof 
 Their fate fulfilling, perifh'd by the fword. 
 He knew me quickly, foon as he had drunk 
 The crimfon pool j with lamentations loud 
 He pierced the gloom ; tears tricklingbathed his cheeks. 
 And with fpread palms, through ardour of defire. 
 He fought to infold me fafl, but vigour none. 
 Or force, as erfi, his agile limbs inform'd. 
 I wept for pity at that fight, and thus 
 In words by friendfliip wing'd his fliade addrefs*d. 
 
 Ah glorious fon of Atreus, King of men ! 
 By what dire flroke of deftiny fubdued 
 Becam'fl thou prisoner here ? By cruel force 
 Of overbearing ftorms that whelm'd thy barks 
 Beneath the waves, at Neptune's dread command ? 
 Or flain at home by robbers arm'd to fcize 
 Thy flocks and herds + ; Or fighting to fecure 
 
 * Clytemneftra. 
 
 t Having attempted himfelf the fame thing at Ifmarus, but un- 
 fuccefsfully, and with the lofs of many of his companions, he natu- 
 rally fufpeds that Agamemnon might have fallen in a fimilar enter- 
 
 prife, — B. & C. 
 
 From
 
 ODYSSEY XI, 4SS-5'3. 3I5 
 
 From hoftile pow'rs your city and your wives ? 
 
 I ceafed, when Agamemnon thus replied. 
 UlyfTes, noble Chief, Laertes' Ton 
 For wifdom famed ! I neither died by force 
 Of overbearing ftorms that whelm'd my barks 
 Beneath the waves, at Neptune's dread command. 
 Nor yet by fpoilers of my flocks and herds, 
 But by the bafe ^gifthus. He, combined 
 with my perfidious wife, the fatal ftroke 
 Contrived for me ; he bade me to his houfe. 
 And ilew me at his board, as at his crib 
 Men flay an ox. Thus miferably died 
 I and my friends around me, flaughter'd, all. 
 As at the nuptials of fome wealthy Chief 
 Or other banquet, bleed the fatted boars 
 Bright-tufli'd, for fervice of his numerous guefts. 
 Thou hafl: already witnefs'd many a field 
 With warriors overfpread, flain one by one ; 
 But that dire fcene had moft thy pity moved ; 
 For we, with brimming beakers at our fide. 
 And underneath full tables, bleeding lay. 
 Blood floated all the pavement. Then the criea 
 Of Priam's daughter founded in my ears 
 Moft pitiable of all, Caflandra's cries. 
 Whom Clytemncflra clofe befide me flew. 
 Expiring as I lay, I yet eflliy'd 
 
 4 To
 
 3 I 6 O D Y S S E Y XI. 5:14—532. 
 
 To grafp my faulchion, but the trait'refs quick 
 Withdrew herfelf, nor would vouchfafe to clofe 
 iMy languid eyes, or prop my drooping chin 
 Ev'n in the moment when I fought the fhades. 
 So that the thing breathes not^ ruthlefs and fell 
 As woman once refolv'd on fuch a deed 
 Deteftable as my bafe wife contrived. 
 The murlher of the hulband of her youth *. 
 I thought to have gladden'd by my fafe return 
 My children, and the maidens of mine houfe. 
 Eat fhe, pail meafure profligate, hath poured 
 Shame on herfelf, on women yet unborn. 
 And even on the virtuous of her fex. 
 
 He ceasVl, to whom, thus, anfwcr I returned. 
 Gods ! hov/ fcverely hath the Thund'rer plagued 
 The houfe of Atrcus, even from the firfl^ 
 By female counfels ! we for Helen's fake 
 Have num'rous died, and Ciytempeflra framed 
 While thou wail tar remote, this fnare for thee ! 
 
 * Homer more than once te!!s us that Clytemneftra was ncvey 
 iTiariicd till to />ganiemnon, but Euripides, fays Euflathius, knevv 
 the contrary, w!;o aiFirms that (he was married firft to Tantalus* In 
 his Iphigenia in Aulis he introduces her faying 
 
 Tcy wfiffBiv oliSfOi 'Td,v~a,>.ov y.cna.n.roDiut. — C. 
 
 ^. gainft my will thou took'ft me, and by force, 
 Whtn thou hadft (lain my firlt mate Tantalus, 
 
 I So
 
 ODYSSEY XI. i3S-ij2. - 3 1 7 
 
 So 1, to whom Atrides thus replied. 
 
 'Thou, therefore, be not pliant overmuch 
 
 To woman ; truft her not with all thy minr^^ 
 
 But half difclofe to her, and half conceal *. 
 
 Yet, from thy confort's hand no bloody death, 
 
 My friend, haft thou to fear ; for paffing wife 
 
 Icarius' daughter is, far other thoughts. 
 
 Intelligent, and other plans, to frame. 
 
 Her, going to the wars, we left a bride 
 
 New-wedded, nourifhing her infant boy, 
 
 Who, man himfelf, conforts ere now with men 
 
 A profpVous youth ; his father, fafe reflored 
 
 To his own Ithaca, fhall fee him foon. 
 
 And he (hall clafp his father in his arms 
 
 As nature bids ; but mc, my cruel one 
 
 Indulged not with the dear delight to gaze 
 
 On my Oreftes, for fhe flew me firft. 
 
 Yet deep repofe this counfel in thy brcaft. 
 
 Steer fccret to thy native ifle ; avoid 
 
 Notice ; for woman merits truft no more ^. 
 
 Now 
 
 * And yet, not becaufe (he was a woman, but becaufe (he was a 
 wicked one, Clytemneftra thus dealt with her hufha'id. a^d woman 
 IS not on her account to be deemed lefs worthy of truft than man. 
 But It is natural to look, with a fufpicious eye to the quarter 
 whence canie the mifchief by which we ourfelves have fulF(5fed, and 
 to caution others againft it. — Dio, Orat. 74. — C. 
 
 f This is, furely, one of the moft natural llrokes to be found in 
 any poet. Convinced, for a moment, by the virtues of Penelope, 
 
 he
 
 2 l8 O D Y S S t Y Xh S53-f7$. 
 
 Now tell me truly. Know ye by report 
 
 That ftill my fon furvives ? where dwells he, fay ? 
 
 With antient Neftor at his Pylian home. 
 
 Or in Orchomenos, or elfe beneath 
 
 My brother's roof in Sparta's wide domain ? 
 
 For my Oreftes is not yet a fhade. 
 
 So he, to whom I apfwer thus returned. 
 Atrides, aflc not me, for of his life 
 Or of his death I know not ; words alone 
 Are empty founds, and better far fupprefs'd. 
 
 Thus we difcourfing mutual flood, and tears 
 Shedding difconfolate. Achilles' fhade 
 Mean-time approach'd me, Peleus' mighty fon ; 
 Patroclus alfo, and Antilochus 
 Appear'd, with Ajax, for proportion juft 
 And ftature tall, (Pelidcs fole except) 
 Diftinguifh'd above all Achaia's fons. 
 The foul of fwift ^Eacides at once 
 Knew me, and in wing'd accents thus began. 
 
 Brave Laertiades, for wiles renown'd ! 
 What bolder deed than this wilt thou devife ? 
 How haft thou dared defcend into the gloom 
 Of Hades, where the (hadows of the Dead, 
 
 he mentions her with refpeft ; but, recollefting himfelf fuddenly, 
 involves even her in his general ill opinion of the fex, begotten in 
 him by the crimes of Clytecmeilra. 
 
 Forms
 
 ODYSSEY XI. s?^^''. 319 
 
 Forms without inteHe(9:, alone refide * ? 
 
 So fpake the Chief, whom anfwering thus I fajd. 
 O Peleus' Ton ! Achilles ! bravell far 
 Of all Achaia's race ? I here arrived 
 Seeking Tireflas, from his lips to learn 
 By what means I may reach the rugged coaft 
 Of Ithaca ; for, tofs'd by ceafelefs ftorms. 
 Never have I approach'd Achaia's fhore. 
 Or touch'd my country yet, from day to day 
 Still feeking it in vain. But as for Thee, 
 Felicity like thine, Achilles ! none 
 Hath known, or fhall hereafter ; for the Greeks 
 Th6e living honoured ever as a God, 
 And thy control is even here fupreme 
 0*er all thy fellovv-fhades ; indulge not then, 
 Achilles, caufelefs grief that thou haft died. 
 
 I ceafed, and anfwer thus at once received. 
 Renown'd Ulyfles ! think not death a theme 
 Of confolation ; I had rather live 
 The fervile hind for hire, and cat the bread 
 Of fome man fcantily himfelf fuftain^'d, 
 
 * This is plainly the import of the word 'A(pfaJ/j?, fince none 
 of them knew Ulyfles, or could articulate, till they had drunk at 
 the trench ; after which they were infplred by Proferpine and enabled 
 to converfe with hrn. 
 
 Than
 
 320 O D Y S S E Y XI. 597-610. 
 
 Than fov'reign empire hold o'er all the fliades *, 
 
 But come — fpeak to me of my noble boy ; 
 
 Proceeds he, as he promls'd, brave in arms, 
 
 Orfhuns he war ? Say alfo, haft thou heard 
 
 Of royal Peleus ? fhares he fiill rcfpedl 
 
 Among his num'rous Myrmidons, or fcorn 
 
 In Hellas and in Phthia, for that age 
 
 Predominates in his enfeebled limbs ? 
 
 For help is none in me ; the glorious fun 
 
 No longer fees me fuch, as when in aid 
 
 Of the Achaians I o'erfpread the field 
 
 Of fpacious Troy with all their braveft flain. 
 
 Oh might I, vigorous as then, repair 
 
 For one fhort moment to my father's houfe, 
 
 * It feems plain, and fo the anfwer of Achilles was underftoocl 
 by Dionyfius Kalicarn; that the abhorrence in which he holds the 
 flate of the Dead, and the emphacical preference he gives to Life 
 when compared with it, arofe from his dcfire of flill greater glory, 
 and from his inability to endure the wearifomenefs of a condition fo 
 inaftive. Therefore ^^ is that, always confident with himfelf, he 
 had rather toil fot" lenn wages and eat fcanty bread, than be the 
 fupreme in authority over all below. In the fame ftile of complaint 
 h? adds in the fequel 
 
 Ou yccf lyut iiretouyo;, ScC* 
 
 For help is none in me, the glorious Sun 
 
 No lorg r fees nie luch ■ .. — 
 
 what advantage have we, fays the Critick abovementioned, from the 
 pofTcflion of virtue, where we have no room to exert it?— C. 
 
 They
 
 D p Y S S E Y XI. 6ii-€3o» 221 
 
 They all fliould tremble j I would (how an arm. 
 Such as fhould daunt the fierceft who prefumes 
 To injure him,eor to defpife his age *. 
 
 Achilles fpake, to whom I thus replied. 
 Of noble Peleus have I nothing heard ; 
 But I will tell thee, as thou bidd'ft, the truth 
 Unfeign'd of Neoptolemus thy fon ; 
 For him, myfelf, on board my hollow bark. 
 From Scyros to. Achaia's hoft convey'd ^. 
 Oft as in council under Ilium's walls 
 Our Chiefs affembled, foremoU he pronounced 
 His mind, and ever prudently ; by none. 
 Save godlike Neflor and myfelf, excell'd. 
 Oft, too, as we with battle hemm*d around 
 Troy's bulwarks, from among the mingled crowd 
 Thy fon fprang foremoft into martial a6t. 
 Emulous always of fuperiour fame. 
 Beneath him num'rous fell the fons of Troy 
 In dreadful fight , nor have I pow'r to name 
 Diflin(^ly all, who by his glorious arm 
 
 * Another moft beautiful ftroke of nature. Ere yet Ulv/Tes hat 
 had opportunity to anfwer, the very thought that Peleus may 
 poflibly be infulted, fires him, and he takes the whole for granted. 
 Thus is the impetuous charader of Achilles fuftained to the laft 
 moment ! 
 
 + This Ulyfles did after the death of Achilles, for while he lived 
 his fon was not among the befiegers. — C. Scyros was a city of 
 Dolopia.— B. & C. 
 
 , VOL. III. r Exerted
 
 32a U D Y S S E Y XI, 631-651. ZJi 
 
 Exerted in the caufe of Greece, expired. 
 
 Yet will I name Eurypylus, the Ton 
 
 Of Telephus, an Hero whom his fword 
 
 Of life bereaved, and all around him flrew'd 
 
 The plain with his Cetean warriors, won 
 
 To Ilium's fide by bribes to women giv'n *. 
 
 Save noble Memnon only, I beheld 
 
 No Chief at Ilium beautiful as he. 
 
 Again, when all our braveil to the horfe 
 
 Of wood afcended, by Epeiis framed. 
 
 And I was charged to open or to (hut 
 
 The hollow fraud ; then, many a Greecian Chief 
 
 And Senator the tear in filence wiped 
 
 From his wan cheek, and trembled ev'ry limb ; 
 
 But never faw 1 changed to terrour's hue 
 
 His ruddy cheek, no tears wiped he away. 
 
 But oft he prefs'd me to go forth, his fuit 
 
 With pray'rs enforcing, griping hard his hilt 
 
 And his brafs-burthen'd fpear, and dire revenge 
 
 Denouncing, ardent, on the race of Troy. 
 
 At length, when we had fack'd the lofty town 
 
 ♦ Tvva'u¥ i'mKct Sufcot — Priam is faid to have influenced by gifts 
 the wife and mother of Eurypylus, to perfuade him to the afllftance 
 of Troy, he being himfelf unwilling to engage. — B.& C. The paf- 
 fage through defeft of hillory has long been dark, and commentators 
 have adapted different fenfes to it, all conjedlural. 
 
 The Ceteans were a people of Myfia, and Telephus was their 
 King.— B. &C. 
 
 Of
 
 ODYSSEY XI. 658-468. 323 
 
 Of Priam, laden with abundant fpoils 
 He fafe embark'd, nor pierced by fhaft or fpear 
 Sent from afar, nor fmitten by the fword. 
 As oft in war befalls, where wounds are dealt 
 Promifcuous, at the will of fiery Mars. 
 
 T fpake, whofe praifes of his fon, the ghoft 
 Of fwift jiEacides exulting heard, 
 And meafuring with larger ftrides, for joy. 
 The meadow gray with afphodel, retired *. 
 
 Thus, many a mournful ghoft belide me flood 
 Rehearfing, each, his forrows, and, alone. 
 The ghoft of Ajax eyed me from afar. 
 Indignant that Achilles' armour left 
 By Thetis to the worthieft at the fhips^ 
 Troy and Minerva judges of the flrife. 
 Not to himfelf had fallen, but to me "''. 
 Fatal award ! and which 1 now deplore, 
 
 • K*T* et<r^o^iho» Xfif*wva — Afphodel was planted on the graves, 
 and around the tombs of the deceafed, and hence the fuppofition, 
 that the Stygian plain was clothed with afphodel. F* 
 
 f Agamemnon, defirous not to feem partial to either of the com- 
 ,petitors for the armour of Achilles, aflembling the Trojan captives 
 afked them whether Ajax or Ulyffes had occafioned moft lamenta- 
 tion in their city. They replied that their city had fufFered moft by 
 UlyfTes. When taking that as a juft criterion of their refpeftive 
 merits, to Ulyffes he gave the armour. — B. & C. The confequence 
 to Ajax was fuch infupportable difappointment and mortification 
 that ^e flew himfelf. 
 
 X 2 Since
 
 324. <> D Y s s: E r xr. 669-694, 
 
 Since Ajax (favc Achilles) in his form 
 And martial exploits foremoft of the Greeks, 
 Now lies fepultured for that armour' fake ! 
 I, feeking to appeafe hiro, thus began. 
 
 Ajax, fon of glorious Telamon ! 
 Canft thou remember, even after death. 
 Thy wrath againft me^ kindled for the fake 
 
 Of thofe pernicious arms ? arms which the Gods 
 Ordain'd of fuch dire confequence to Greece, 
 Which^caufed thy death, our bulwark ! Thee we mourn 
 With grief perpetual, nor the death lament 
 Of Peleus' fon, Achilles, more than thine. 
 Yet none is blamable ; Jove evermore 
 With bitt'reft hate purfued Achaia's hoft. 
 And he ordain*d thy death. Hero ! approach, 
 That thou may'ft hear the words with which I feek 
 To footh thee; let .thy long difpleafure ceafe! - 
 Quell all refentment in thy gen'rous breafl: ! 
 
 1 fpake; nought anfwcr'd he, but fullen join*d 
 His fellow ghofts ; yet, ft ill I had eflay'd 
 
 To move the angry Chief to fome reply. 
 But for the wifti that in my foul I felt 
 .To view the fad eflate of others there. 
 • There faw I Minos, offiipring famed of Jove j 
 His golden fceptre in his hand, he fat 
 , Judge of the dead ; they pleaded each in turn ; ., , 
 ^■- ^ • V Some
 
 Some flood; 'fonie fat, furrounding on his throne 
 The King whofe ample doors are never clofed. 
 
 Orion next, huge ghoft, engaged my view, 
 Droves urging o'er the grafly mead, of beafts 
 Which he had llain, himfelf, on the wild hills. 
 With ftrong club arm'd of ever-during brafs. 
 
 There alfo Tityus on the ground I faw 
 Extended, offspring of the glorious earth ; 
 Nine acres he o'erfpread, and, at his tide 
 Station'd, two vultures on his liver prey'd. 
 Scooping his entrails ; nor his hands were free 
 To chafe them thence ; for he had fought to force 
 Latona, glorious concubine of Jove, 
 What time through pleafant Panope * fhe pafs'd 
 A lonely trav'ller to the Pythian dome. 
 
 Next, fuff 'ring grievous torments, I beheld 
 Tantalus ; in a pool he flood, his chin 
 Wafh'd by the wave ; thirft-parch'd he feem'd, but found 
 Nought to affuage his thirft ; for when he bow'd 
 His hoary head and ftrove to drink, the flood 
 Vaniih'd abforb'd, and, at his feet, aduft 
 The foil appear'd, dried, inftant, by the Gods. 
 Tall trees, fruit-laden, with infle6led heads 
 Stoop'd to him, pears, pomegranates, apples bright^ 
 
 • AcityofPhocis.— B.cVC, 
 
 > Y 3 The
 
 326 ODYSSEY XI. 715-755. 
 
 The liircious fig, and undluous olive fmooth ; 
 Which when with fudden grafp he would have feized. 
 Winds whirl'd them high into the dulky clouds*. 
 
 There, too, the hard-talk'd Sifyphus I faw, 
 Thrufting before him an enormous rock "*■. 
 With hands and feet ftruggling, he fhoved the Hone 
 Up to a hill-top ; but the fteep wellnigh 
 VanquifhM, by fome great force repulfed, the mafs 
 Rufh'd again, obftinate, down to the plain ^. 
 Again, ftretch'd prone, he toil'd; fweat bathed his limbs. 
 And thick the dufl around his brows arofe. 
 
 The might of Hercules I, next, furvey'd ; 
 His femblance ; for himfelf their banquet fharcs 
 With the Immortal Gods, and in his arms 
 Infolds neat-footed Hebe, daughter fair 
 Of Jove, and of his golden-fandall'd fpoufe. 
 Around him, clamorous as birds, the dead 
 
 * The off^jnce of Tantalus was infatiable greedinefs ; for not con- 
 tented to b.^nquet with the Gods himfelf, he alfo dole their neftar 
 and ambrofia, and gave them to his companions. — ^B.&C. 
 
 f Bar«^ovT« mull have this fenfe interpreted by what follows. 
 To attempt to make the Englifh numbers expreffive as the Greek, is 
 a labour like that of Sifyphus. The Tranflator has done what he 
 could. 
 
 X h is now, perhaps, impofllble to afcertain withprecifion what 
 Homer meant by the word xf aratu?, which lie ufes only here, and in 
 the next book, where it is the name of Scylla's dam. — Some under- 
 ftanU it in this place to be an adverb only, formed in the fame man- 
 ner as the adverb Aixpfij.— B, & C. 
 
 Swarm'd
 
 ODYSSEY XI; 736-759. 527 
 
 SwarmM turbulent ; he, gloomy-brow'd as night. 
 
 With uncafed bow and arrow on the ftring 
 
 Peer'd terrible from fide to fide, as one 
 
 Ever in adl to fhoot , a dreadful belt 
 
 He bore athwart his bofom, thong'd with gold *. 
 
 There broider'd, many a form ftupendous fhone. 
 
 Bears, wild-boars, lions with fire-flafhing eyes. 
 
 Fierce combats, battles, bloodfhed, homicide. 
 
 The matchlefs artift who that belt devifed 
 
 And wrought thofe various forms, ne'er fram'd the like 
 
 Before or after. Soon as he beheld 
 
 He knew me, and in forrow thus began. 
 
 Laertes' noble fon, for wiles renown*d ! 
 Ah, haplefs Hero ! thou art, doubtlefs, charged. 
 Thou alfo, with fome arduous labour, fuch 
 As in the realms of day I once endured. 
 Son of Saturnian Jove, I yet fuftain'd 
 Enormous toils, fubjeded to a man 
 In worth and might inferiour far to me. 
 For whom much arduous fervice I perform'd. 
 He even bade me on a time lead hence 
 The dog, that talk believing above all 
 Impradicable ; yet from Ades him 
 I dragg'd relu6lant into light, by aid 
 
 * A thong was attached to the belt, and the fword was fufpended 
 by it.— B. & C. 
 
 Y 4 Of
 
 ^28 ODYSSEY XI. 760—777. 
 
 Of Hermes, and of Pallas azure-eyed. * 
 
 So faying, he penetrated deep again 
 The abode of Pluto ; but I ftill unmoved 
 There flood expe6ling, curious, other {hades 
 To fee of Heroes in old time deceafed. 
 And Thefeus and Pirithoiis had beheld 
 Famed offspring of the Gods, with other Chiefs 
 Of old renown, and even whom I would ; 
 But nations countlefs of the {hadowy Dead 
 Kow gath'ring fafl around me rent the air 
 With hideous outcry ; me pale horrour feized. 
 Left awful Proferpine fhould thither fend 
 The Gorgon-head from Ades, fight abhorr'd ! 
 Thence, therefore, hafting to the (bore, I bade 
 My crew caft loofe their moorings and embark. 
 Obedient they their feats on board refumed. 
 And down th' Oceanus with oars we won 
 Our paffage, firft, then fann'd by pleafant gales*. 
 
 * The two firft lines of the following book feem to afcertain the 
 true meaning of the conclufion of this, and to prove fufHciently that, 
 by i.xE.iKji; here, ho.ner could not poflibly intend any other than a 
 river. In thofe lines he tells us in the plaineft terras, that the Jhip 
 Itft the Jiream of the ri'ver Oceanus, and arrived in the open fea, Dio* 
 dorus Siculus II foims 115, that 'f2xe»tef had been a name anciently 
 ^iven to t le Nile, — C. \ 
 
 ARGU.
 
 ODYSSEY XII. 1-6, 329 
 
 ARGUMENT 
 
 OF THE 
 
 TWELFTH BOOK* 
 
 Ulyfles, purfuing his narrative, relates his return from the fludes 
 to Circe's ifland, the precautions given him by that Goddefs, his 
 cfcape from the Sirens, and from Scylla and Charybdis; his 
 arrival in Sici?y, where his companions, having flain and eaten 
 the oxen of the Sun, are afterward fhipwreck'd and loft ; and con- 
 cludes the whole with an account of his arrival, alonci on the 
 jnaft of his veiTel, at the ifland of Calypfo. 
 
 BOOK XIL 
 
 W HEN down the fmooth Oceanus impeU'd 
 By profp'rous gales, my galley, once again. 
 Cleaving the billows of the fpacious Deep 
 Had reach'd th' JF^dan ifle, where f])rightly Morn 
 Comes dancing forth, and Phoebus firft appears. 
 We thruft her to the fands, and, going forth. 
 
 Slept
 
 33 O ©DYSSEY Xir. 7-21. ^^ 
 
 Slept on the beach till ruddy dawn arofe '. 
 But foon as day-fpring's daughter rofy-paIm*d 
 Look'd forth again, fending my friends before, 
 I bade them bring Elpenor's body down 
 From the abode of Circe to the fhore. 
 Then, on the utmoft headland of the coaft 
 We timber fell'd, and, forrowing o*er the dead, 
 Water'd his fun'ral rites with many tears. 
 The dead confumed, and with the dead his arms. 
 We heap'd his tomb, and the fepulchral pod 
 Eredling, fix'd his fhapely oar aloft. 
 
 Thus, pun6lual, we perform'd ; nor our return 
 From Ades knew not Circe, but attired 
 In hatte, erelong arrived, with whom appeared 
 Her female train with plenteous viands charged. 
 And bright wine rofy-rcd. Amidfl us all 
 Standing, the beauteous Goddefs thus began. 
 
 Unhappy travelers, who have fought, alive. 
 The houfe of Hades, deftin'd twice to die. 
 While all befides, once dying, die no more ! 
 Come — take ye food ; drink wine ; and on the beach 
 All day regale, for ye fliall hence again 
 
 * According to the opinion of the Scholiaft, the poet means not 
 ro fay that the ^a;an ifle is the place where Aurora adually firft 
 rifes, but merely to call it a land of day-light. And it feems na- 
 tural that Ulyfles, who had fo lately left the gloomy city of th.e 
 Cimmerians, Ihould fo dillinguifh it. — B. & C. 
 
 At
 
 © D Y S S E Y Xn. 29-4I 2^1 
 
 At day-fprlng o'er the Deep ; but I will mark 
 Myfelf your future courfe, nor uninform'd 
 Leave you in aught, left, through fome dire miilake. 
 By Tea or land new mis'ries ye incur. 
 
 The Goddefs fpake, whofe invitation kind 
 We glad accepted ; thus we feafting l^t 
 Till {et of fun, and quaffing richeft wine ; 
 But when the fun was fet and darknefs fell. 
 My crew befide the hawfers flept ; while me 
 The Goddefs leading by the hand apart, 
 Firft bade me fit, then, feated oppofite. 
 Inquired, minute, of all that I had feen ; 
 And I, from firft to laft, recounted all. 
 Then, thus the awful Goddefs in return. 
 
 Thus far thy toils are finifh'd. Now attend ! 
 Hear what the Gods themfelves, I know, will bring 
 To thy remembrance in the needful hour. 
 Firft fhalt thou reach the Sirens ; they the hearts 
 Enchant of all who on their coaft arrive *. 
 The wretch, who unforewarn'd approaching, hears 
 
 * The Sirens, according to many, were the daughters of Ache- 
 loiis and Sterope, but others call them the daughters of Acheloiis 
 and Terpfichore, one of the Mufes. Choofing to live virgins they 
 were hated by Venus, and, having wings, flew to Anthemufa an. 
 ifland of the Tyrrhene fea. Their names were Aghophema, 
 Thelxiepia, and Pifinoe ; but Homer allows only two, mentioning 
 them in the Dual number,— B, Si C. 
 
 The
 
 33* ©DYSSEY XII. 49- 7K ? 
 
 The Sirens' voice, his tvife and little-ones 
 
 Ne'er fly to gratulate his glad return ; 
 
 But him the Sirens fitting in the meads 
 
 Charm with mellifluous fong, although he fee 
 
 Bones heap'd around them, and the mould'ring fkiDS 
 
 Of haplefs men, whofc bodies have decay 'd. 
 
 But, pafs them thou, and, left thy people hear 
 
 Thofe warblings, erie thou yet approach, with wax 
 
 Moulded between thy palms fill all their ears^ 
 
 But as for thee — thou hear them if thou wilt. 
 
 Yet let thy people, compafling around 
 
 Thy feet and arms with cordage of the {h,ip> 
 
 Clofe bind thee to the focket of the mad ; 
 
 So fhalt thou, raptur'd, hear the Sirens* fong. .. ; 
 
 But if thou fupplicate to be releafcd. 
 
 Or give fuch order, then, with added cords 
 
 Let thy companions bind thee ftill the more. 
 
 When thus thy people fhall have fafely pafs'd 
 
 The Sirens, think not, taught by me, to learn 
 
 What courfe thou next (hall fteer; no — choofe thyfelf 
 
 The bell of two, which I fhall now dcfcribc. 
 
 Here vaulted rocks impend, for ever daili'd 
 
 By the hoarfc billows of the azure Dcepj 
 
 The blefTcd Gods thofe rocks, Erratic, call *. 
 
 Not 
 
 * Thcfc rocks arc undenlood to be thofe called the Cyanean or 
 Syrpplegades from o■yf*7»■^y>o■nl' which fignifies to dap togeiber. For, 
 
 Handing
 
 ODYSSEY Xir. 73-88. 333 
 
 Not even birds can pafs them ; not the birds 
 Themfelves which his ambrofia bear to Jove, 
 But even of thofe doves the flipp'ry rock 
 Proves fatal dill to one, for which the God 
 Supplies another, left the number fail *. 
 Ship never yet, arriving there, efcaped. 
 But planks and mariners are whelmM at once, 
 Or, caught by fiery tempeds, fwept away. 
 The Argo only from the Colchian fhore 
 Pafs'd fafely, furthered by the vows of all ; 
 And even her perhaps rude winds had driv'n 
 Againft thofe bulky rocks, but Juno's aid 
 Vouchfafed to Jafon fent her fafe along. 
 Thefe rocks are two ; one lifts his fummit (harp 
 High as the fpacious heav'ns, in diifky clouds 
 Enveloped, which nor autumn fees difpers'd 
 
 (landing at fmall diflance from each other, to thofe who approacheJ. 
 them in a right line, they appeared two, but, feen in an oblique 
 direflion, had the appearance of approximation till at laft they 
 feemed to meet. They were therefore fabuloufly faid to clafh, arvd 
 were denominated The rocks of coUifion. For the fame rcafon evi- 
 dently it is that Homer calls them TTXayKTai or Erratic. — C. 
 
 ♦ While Jupiter was an infant a cave in Crete was his nurfery, 
 where he was attended by doves who brought him ambrofia in their 
 bills, and by a valt eagle which fupplied him in the fame place with 
 redar. The God, having fubdued and tamed the latter, afligned 
 him an abode in heaven, and the doves he made . his harbingers to 
 announce the approach of fummer and winter.— See Byzanl. Mero 
 cited by Barnes. — B. « C. ' .^ . . . - » 
 
 Nor
 
 334 ODYSSEY XIl. 89-i»4, 
 
 Nor fummer, for the fun fhines never there; 
 No mortal man, with twice ten feet fupplied. 
 And were his hands as num'rous, might attain 
 Its tow'ring head, or to its bafe defcend. 
 For fmoothnefs fuch it (hows, as if by Ikill 
 Of fome nice artift polifh'd all around. 
 Full in the centre of its weftern fide, 
 TurnM toward Erebus, a cavern yawns 
 Gloomy and deep ; beneath it ye fhall ileer 
 Ulyfles, glorious Chief! your flying bark. 
 No youth could fend an arrow from on board 
 High as its horrid mouth. There Scylla dwells, 
 And like a wild-beaft's whelp of late renounced 
 By its fierce dam, with hungry whinings fills 
 Her deep recefs, a monfter to be view'd 
 With terrour even by the Gods themfelves. ' 
 Her feet are twelve, all fore-feet ; fix her necks 
 Of hideous length, each clubb'd into a head 
 I'errifick, arm'd with fangs in triple row. 
 Thick-planted, and with carnage fill'd between. 
 Plunged to her middle in the hollow den 
 She lurks, protruding from the black abyfs 
 Her heads, with which the rav'ning monfler dives 
 In queft of dolphins, dog-fifli, or of prey 
 More bulky, fuch as in the roaring gulphs 
 Of Amphitrite without end abounds. 
 
 4 None
 
 ODYSSEY XII. iis-13*. 335 
 
 None ever boafted yet that he had pafs'd 
 
 Her cavern fafely, for with evVy mouth 
 
 She bears upcaught a mariner away *. 
 
 The other rock, Uiyfles, thou (halt find 
 
 Humbler, a bow-fhot only from the firft ; 
 
 On this a wild fig grows broad-leav'd, and here 
 
 Charybdis dire ingulphs the fable flood ■*■, 
 
 Each day (he thrice diigorges, and again 
 
 Thrice drinks, infatiable, the deluge down. 
 
 Ah, fear her Then ! for fhould thy bark approach 
 
 What time {he drinks the billows, not the pow'r 
 
 Of Neptune' felf could refcue thee and thine. 
 
 Steer, therefore, clofe to Scylla, and thy bark 
 
 Urge fwiftly on, lince lofs of fix alone 
 
 Is better far than Ihipwreck made of all. 
 
 So Circe fpake, to whom I thus replied. 
 Oh Goddefs 1 tell me tme. Should I efcape. 
 Perchance, the dread Charybdis, may I ftrikc 
 
 * The hiftory of Scylla diverted of the fable, according to Palae. 
 phatus was fimply this. A three-bank'd galley belonging to an 
 ifland in the Tyrrhene fea, and named Scylla, with the aid of a« 
 many Ihips as (he could precure to affiil her, plundered the coafts of 
 Sicily and of the bay of Ionia fo frequently, that (he caufed in thofe 
 parts much talk and general confternation. Ulyffes, by the help of 
 a ftrong and fair wind, had the good fortune to efcape when this 
 galley chafed him. — C. 
 
 t The fig-tree is mentioned here becaufe it will ipon be wanted 
 ibr the pr^fervation of the hero. — B. SiC. 
 
 In
 
 336 ODYSSEY Xir. I33~i53>> 
 
 In their defence whom Scylla would annoy ? 
 
 I faid, and quick the Goddefs in return. 
 Wretch ! may no toils thy thirft of battle quell, 
 Nor even Pow'rs immortal move thy fear ? 
 For fuch is Scylla ; that enormous peft 
 Defies all force ; retreats not ; cannot die. 
 Defence is vain ; flight is thy fole refource *. 
 For fhouldft thou linger putting on thy arms 
 Befide the rock, beware, lefl darting forth 
 Her numerous heads, fhe feize with ev'ry mouth 
 A Grcccian, and with others, even thee. 
 Pafs therefore fwiftly, and aloud invoke 
 Crata'is, mother of this plague of man. 
 Who will forbid her to aflail thee more''". 
 Thou next fhalt reach Thrinacia^s ifle ; there graze 
 The num'rous fheep and oxen of the Sun ; 
 Sev'n herds ; as many flocks of fnowy fleece ; 
 Fifty in each ; they breed not, neither die. 
 No fhepherds them, but GoddefTes attend, 
 Lampetia fair, and Phaethufa, both 
 By nymph Neacra to Hyperion borne. 
 
 • Barnes on this pafTage cites a punning epigram, exprefllve of 
 the fame fendment ; underftanding Scylla as a type of Luft. 
 Quid fades, facies Veneris cum veneris ante? 
 Ne fedeas, fed tas j nc pereas, per eas. 
 
 f Otliexs make Scylla the daughter of Phorcysaod Hecate. — B.&C. 
 
 Them,
 
 O D V S S E Y Xtl. I54-T7$; 337 
 
 Them, foon as fhe had train'd them to an age 
 
 Proportion'd to that charge, their mother fent 
 
 Into Thrinacia, there to dwell and keep 
 
 Inviolate their father's flocks and herds. 
 
 If, anxious for a fafe return, thou fpare 
 
 Thofe herds and flocks, though after much endured^ 
 
 Ye may at lafl: your Ithaca regain ; 
 
 But fliould'ft thou violate them, I foretell 
 
 Deftrudlion of thy fliip and of thy crew ; 
 
 And though thyfelf efcape, thou flialt return 
 
 Late, in ill plight, with not a follower left. 
 
 She ended, and the golden morning dawn'd. 
 Then, all-divine, her graceful fleps flie turn'd 
 Back through the ifle, and, at the beach arrived^ 
 I fummon'd all my followers, bade them call 
 My vefl^el loofe, and climb her fldes again ; 
 Obedient they embark'd, the benches fill'd. 
 And threfli'd with well-timed oars the foamy Deep* 
 And now, melodious Circe, nymph divine, 
 Sent after us a canvas-llretching breeze, 
 Pleafant companion of our courfe, and we 
 (The tackle all adjufted) to the gale 
 Refign'd the bark, and to the pilot's care. 
 And, pierced With heart-felt forrow, thus I faid. 
 
 Oh friends ! it much imports you to be taught 
 (Not one but all) fuch tidings as myfelf 
 
 TOL. nr. z Have
 
 33^ ODYSSEY XII. t%o-2i>s. 
 
 Have learn'd from Circe, prophetefs divine. 
 That fhould we perifh, we may perifh arm'd 
 With like foreknowledge, both yourfelves anci I, 
 Firfl, we mud pafs the Sirens tinging fweet 
 In flow'ry meads, of whofe enticing firairis 
 She bids us all beware, and me alone 
 With open ears receive them ; me with cords 
 Bind, therefore, ye, fo furely to the maft 
 That fixt eredl and movelefs at its foot 
 I may perforce remain ; and (hould I fue 
 In gentle fort, or feek with ftern commands 
 T'obtain deliv' ranee, bind me ftill the more. 
 
 Thus with diftin^l precaution I prepared 
 My people ; rapid in her courfe, mean-time. 
 My gallant bark approach'd the Sirens' ifle. 
 For brilk and favourable blew the wind. 
 Then, all at once, a breathlefs calm enfued. 
 And the waves ilumber'd, luU'd by powV divine; 
 Up-fprang my people, and the folded fails 
 Bellowing fafe below, with all their oars 
 Timed in juft meafure, fwept the whitening flood. 
 Myfelf, the while, diflev'ring with my knife 
 A waxen cake, the num'rous portions chafed 
 Between my palms ; erelong the dudile mafs 
 Grew warm, obedient to that ccafelefs force, 
 Afliiled by the fun's all-piercing beam. 
 
 4 With
 
 ODYSSEY XII, 2o6-22«. 
 
 339 
 
 With that foft liniment I fill'd the ears 
 
 Of my companions, man by man, and they 
 
 My feet and arms with flrong coercion bound 
 
 Of cordage to the mafl-foot well fecured. 
 
 Then down they fat, and, rowing, threfh'd the brine. 
 
 But when with rapid courfe we had arrived 
 
 Within fach diftance as a voice may reach, 
 
 Not unperceiv'd by them the gliding bark. 
 
 Approach'd, and, thus, harmonious they began. 
 
 Achaia's boail ! Ulyfles ! glorious Chief! 
 Oh hither guide thy bark, that thou may'fl: hear 
 The Sirens' voice ! thefe fhores none ever pafs'd 
 Till happier, firft, and wifer he became 
 Lift'ning awhile to our melodious fong. 
 For all the woes inflided by the Gods 
 On Ilium's fons, and on Achaia's hoft. 
 And all events wherever elfe, we know *. 
 
 So 
 
 * The following tranfcript of a Latin verfion of this famous fong 
 by Cicero, may perhaps gratify the curious reader. 
 
 O decus Argolicum ! quin puppim fleflis, UlyfTcs, 
 Aurlbus ut noftros poflis agnofcere cantus ! 
 Nam nemo haec unquam eft tranfveflus cserula curfu, 
 Qu^in prius adftiteric, vocum dulcedine captus ; 
 Poft, variis avido fatiatus peftore mufis, 
 Doft'ior ad patrias lapfus pervenerlt oras. 
 Nos grave certamen belli, clademque tenemus 
 Graecia quam Trojae divino numine vexit» 
 Omnia^ue c latls rerum reftlgia terris. 
 
 « a To
 
 340 ODYSSEY XII. 223—249. 
 
 So tbey with voices fweet their mufick poured 
 On my delighted ear, winning with eafe 
 My heart's defire to liilen, and by figns 
 I bade my people, inflant, fet me free. 
 But they more flrenuous row'd, and from their feats 
 £iirylochus and Perimedes fprang 
 With added cords to bind me flill the more, 
 trhis danger paft, and when the Sirens' voice. 
 Now left remote, had loll its pow'r to charm. 
 Then, my companions freeing from the wax 
 Their ears, deliver'd me from my rellraint. 
 The ifland left afar, I foon difcern'd 
 Huge waves, and fmoke, and horrid thund'rings heard. 
 All fat aghaft ; forth flew at once the oars 
 From ev*ry hand, and with a clafh the waves 
 Smote all together ; check'd, the galley Hood, 
 By billow-fweeping oars no longer urged. 
 And I, throughout the vellel, man by man 
 
 To thefc lines of Cicero it mny not be improper to aJd his opinion 
 of the fubjeft. — "The Sirens, he fays, feem to have arrefted the 
 paffenger not only by the novelty or variety of their fong, but by 
 the knowledge they profefled and promifed to communicate ; fuch; 
 *s men would even cling to their rocks to hear. Homer faw plainly 
 that to reprefent (q great a man detained by a ditty only, would 
 make his llory incredible. The fonglbefles therefore offer him 
 knowledge nlfo, which if a man, ardently dcfirous of wifdom, had 
 preferred even to his native country, it had been no wonder. 
 
 Addreffing
 
 ODYSSEY XII. 141—262. 341 
 
 AddrefTing all, encouraged thus my crew. 
 
 We meet not, now, my friends, our fir ft dlftrefs. 
 This evil is not greater than we found 
 When the huge Cyclops in his den by force 
 Imprifon'd us, yet even thence we 'fcaped. 
 My intrepidity and fertile thought 
 Opening the way ; and we fhall recollect 
 Thefe dangers alfo, in due time, with joy '. 
 Come, then — purfue my counfel. Ye your feats 
 Still occupying, fmite the furrow'd flood 
 With well' timed flrokes, that by the will of Jove 
 We may efcape, perchance, this death, fecure. 
 To thee the pilot thus I fpeak, (my words 
 Mark, thou, for at thy touch the rudder moves) 
 Shunning yon fmoke and thofe tumultuous waves, 
 Clofe by this rock dire6l thy wary courfe 
 And fear to leave it ; left the veflel flide 
 Into the current's force, and all be loft. 
 
 So I , with whofe advice all, quick, complied. 
 But Scylla I as yet named not, (that woe 
 Without a cure) left, terrified, my crew 
 Should all renounce their oars, and crowd below. 
 
 * UlyfTes affumes to himfelf the honour of their deliverance front 
 the Cyclops, not in the fpirit of felf-praife and vain-glory, but to- 
 confirm their confidence in him the more. For confidence in their 
 leader is often the falvation of his followers. — C. 
 
 Z 3 Jufl
 
 342 ODYSSEY XII. 463-188. 
 
 Juft then, forgetful of the ftri6t command 
 Of Circe to forbear, I cloth'd my limbs 
 In radiant armour, grafp'd two quiv'ring fpearSj 
 And to the deck afcended at the prow. 
 Expelling earlieft notice there, what time 
 The rock-bred Scylla fhould annoy my friends. 
 But I difcern'd her not, nor could, although 
 To wearinefs of fight the dulky rock 
 I vigilant explored. Thus, many a groan 
 Heaving, we navigated fad the flreight. 
 For here flood Scylla, while Charybdis there 
 With hoarfe throat deep abforb'd the briny flood. 
 Oft as flie vomited the deluge forth. 
 Like water cauldron'd o'er a furious fire 
 The whirling Deep all murmur'd, and the fpray 
 On both thofe rocky fummits fell in fliow'rs. 
 But when flie fuck'd the fait wave down again. 
 Then, all the pool appear'd wheeling about 
 Within, the rock rebellow'd, and the fea 
 Drawn ofl^ into that gulph clifclofed to view 
 The oozy bottom. Us pale horror feized. 
 Thus, dreading death, with faft-fet eyes we watch'd 
 Charybdis ; mean-time, Scylla from the bark 
 Caught fix away, the braveft of my friends ; 
 , And as I watching flood the galley's courfc 
 And them within, uplifted high in air 
 
 Their
 
 ODYSSEY XIU 289-3 1». 343 
 
 Their legs and arms I favv. My name aloud 
 Pronouncing in their agony, they went. 
 My name, and never to pronounce it more. 
 As when from Tome bold point among the rocks 
 The angler, with his taper rod in hand, 
 Cafts forth his bait to fnare the fmaller fry, 
 He fwings away remote his guarded line *, 
 Then jerks aground at once the ftruggling prey. 
 So Scylla them raifed ftruggling to the rock. 
 And at her cavern's mouth devour'd them all. 
 Shrieking and flretching forth to me their arms 
 In fign of hopelefs misVy. Ne'er beheld 
 Thefe eyes in all the feas that I have roam'd, 
 A light fo piteous, nor in all my toils. 
 
 Thefe rocks thus paft, Charybdis, and the den 
 Of dreadful Scylla, to the fruitful ifle 
 Where graze the fatted flocks and fpotlefs herds 
 Of bright Hyperion, fuddenly we came. 
 Ere yet we reach'd the coaft, the bleat of fheep 
 And lowings loud of oxen in the flail 
 Came o'er mine ear. Then dropp'd into my mind 
 The charge enjoin'd me by the 1 heban feer 
 Tireflas, nor by Circe lefs enforced, 
 That 1 Ibould leave afar with trembling awe 
 
 * They pafied the line through a pipe of horn, to fecurc it 
 againft the fifhes' bite. — B. & C, 
 
 z 4 The
 
 244 ODYSSEY XII. in-sih 
 
 The Ifland of the all-enlivening Sun, 
 And to my people, forrowing, thus I faid. 
 
 Receive, my friends, however fore diflrefs'd. 
 The charge prophetick of the Theban feer 
 Tirefias, and by Circe much enforced, 
 lb fhun this ifland facred to the God 
 Of all-enliv'ning day ; for deadlieft woes 
 She faid, would meet us there. Ye, therefore, pafs 
 A coafl fo dang'rous fwiftly as ye may. 
 
 I ceafed ; they me with confternation heard, 
 And harfhly thus Eurylochus replied. 
 
 Ulylles, ruthlefs Chief! no toils impair 
 Thy ftrength, of fenfelefs iron thou art form'd. 
 Who thy companions weary and o'erwatch'd 
 Forbidd'ft to difembark on this fair ille, 
 Where now, at lail, we might with cafe regale. 
 Thou, rafh, command ft us, leaving it afar. 
 To roam all night the Ocean's dreary wafte ; 
 But winds to fliips injurious fpring by night. 
 And how fhall we efcape a dreadful death 
 If, chance, a fuddcn guft from South arifc 
 Or ftormy Weft, that dafti in pieces oft 
 The vcffel, even in the Gods defpite ? 
 Prepare we rather now, as night enjoins. 
 Our evening fare befide the fable bark. 
 In whl(;h at peep of day we may again 
 
 Launcb
 
 ODYSSEY XI I. 339-364. 345 
 
 Launch forth fecure into the boundlcfs flood. 
 
 He ceas'd, whom all applauded. Then I knew 
 That forrow by the will of adverfe hcav'n 
 Approach'd, and in wingM accents thus replied, 
 
 I fuffer force, Eurylochus ! and yield 
 O'er-ruled by numbers. Come, then, fwear ye all 
 A folemn oath, that (hould we find an herd 
 Or numVous flock, none here fhall either Iheep 
 Or bullock flay, by appetite prophane 
 Seduced, but fliall the viands eat content 
 Which from immortal Circe we received. 
 
 I fpake ; they readily a folemn oath 
 Sware all, and when their oath was fully fworn. 
 Within a creek where a frefh fountain rofe 
 They moor'd the bark, and, ifliiing, began 
 Briflc preparation of their evening cheer. 
 But when nor hunger more nor thirft remained 
 Unfated, recollecSling, then, their friends 
 By Scylla feized and at her cave devour'd. 
 They mourn'd, nor ceafed to mourn them, till they flept. 
 The night's third portion come, when now the ftars. 
 Had travers'd the mid flcy, ethereal Jove 
 ' Call'd forth a vehement wind with tempeft charged. 
 Menacing earth and fea with pitchy clouds 
 Tremendous, and the night fell dark from heav'n. 
 But when Aurora, daughter of the day, 
 
 Look'd
 
 246 ODYSSEY XII. z^i-3<p- 
 
 Look'd rofy forth, we thruft the threaten'd fhip 
 For fafety far within a deep recefs 
 Umbrageous, whither oft the nymphs retired 
 For fport and for repofe, and gath'ring, there. 
 My gallant friends around me, thus I faid. 
 
 My friends ! food fails us not, but bread is yet 
 And wine on board. Abftain we from the herds. 
 Left harm enfue ; for ye behold the flocks 
 And herds of a moft potent God, the Sun ! 
 Whofe eye and watchful ear may none elude. 
 
 So faying, I fway'd the gen'rous minds of all. 
 A month complete the South wind ceafelefs blew, 
 Nor other wind blew next, fave Eaft and South ; 
 Yet they, while neither food nor rofy wine 
 Fail'd them, the herds harm'd not, through fear to die. 
 But when, at length, provifion none remain'd, 
 
 Neceflity, then, fent them forth to roam 
 In queft of prey, with pointed hooks to snare 
 Fifhcs, or birds, and even what they might. 
 By famine urged. I folirary roam'd 
 Mean-time the ifle and pray'd, with hope to move 
 Some God to fhow us a deliv'rance thence. 
 When, roving thus the iflc, I had at length 
 Left all my crew remote, 1 laved my hands 
 Where fhelter warm from ev'ry blaft I found. 
 And fupplicatcd all the Pow'rs above 5 
 
 But
 
 ODYSSEY XIL 391-416. 24y 
 
 But they my eyes with {lumber whelm'd, and thus 
 Eurylochus feduccd my crew the while. 
 
 My friends ! affli<9:ed as ye are, yet hear 
 A fellow-fufF'rer. Death, however caufed. 
 Abhorrence moves in miferable man. 
 But death by famine is a fate of all 
 Mofl to be fear'd. Come, drive me to the fhore 
 The beft and fairefl oxen of the Sun, 
 For facrifice to the Immortal Pow'rs, 
 Refolving thus — that foon as we (liall reach 
 Our native Ithaca, we will eredl 
 To bright Hyperion an illuftrious fane. 
 Which with magnificent and num'rous gifts 
 We will enrich. But (hould he choofe to fink 
 Our veflel, for his {lately beeves incenled. 
 And fliould, with him, all heav'n refent the deed, 
 I rather had with open mouth, at once. 
 Meeting the billows, perifh, than by flow 
 And pining mis'ry in this dcfert ifle. 
 
 So fpake Eurylochus, whom all approved. 
 Then, driving all the fatteft of the herd 
 Few paces only, (for the facred beeves 
 Grazed rarely diftant from the bark) they tlood 
 Encircling them around, and, grafping each 
 Green foliage newly pluck'd from faplings tall, 
 (For barley none in all our bark remain'd) 
 
 Worfliipp'd
 
 248 ODYSSEY XII. 417—439. 
 
 Worfhipp'd the Gods in prayV *. Pray'r made, they flew 
 
 And flay'd them, and the thighs with double fat 
 
 Inverting, fpread them o'er with flices crude. 
 
 No wine had they with which to confecrate 
 
 The blazing rites, but with libation poor 
 
 Of water hallow'd the interiour parts. 
 
 Now, when the thighs were burnt, and each had fharcd 
 
 His portion of the maw, and when the reft 
 
 AH flafh'd and fcored hung roafting at the fire. 
 
 Sleep, in that moment, fuddenly my eyes 
 
 Forfaking, to the fhore I bent my way. 
 
 But ere the ftation of our bark I reach'd. 
 
 The fav'ry vapour met me. At the fcent 
 
 I groan'd aloud, and to the Gods exclaimed. 
 
 Oh Jupiter, and all ye Pow'rs above ! 
 With cruel flcep and fatal ye have lull'd 
 My cares to reft, fuch horrible offence 
 Mean-time my rafh companions have devifed. 
 
 Then, flew long-ftoled Lampetia to the Sua 
 At once with tidings of his ftaughter d beeves. 
 And he, incenfcd, the Immortals thus addrefs'd. 
 
 Jove^ and ye everlafting Pow'rs divine ! 
 Avenge me inftant on the crew profane 
 
 * They might encircle them either becaufe the ceremonial re# 
 tjuircd tncm to do fo, or to confine and keep tkem together. — C. 
 
 Of
 
 ODYSSEY XII. 44o-4«i. 349 
 
 Of Laertlades ; Ulyfles' friends 
 Have dared to flay my beeves, which I with joy 
 Beheld, both when I climb'd the Harry heav'ns. 
 And when to earth I llop'd my " weftering wheels ;^ 
 They fhall requite the wrong, or I renounce 
 Henceforth the Ikies, and give the ghofts my beams. 
 
 Then, thus the Ruler of the realms of air. 
 Sun ! fhine thou ilill on the Immortal pow'rs. 
 And on the teeming earth, frail man's abode. 
 My can dent bolts can fhiver at a ftroke 
 Their flying bark amid the billowy Deep. 
 
 Thefe things Calypfo, taught them, as flie faid, 
 Herfelf by Mercury, made known to me. 
 
 But when, defcending to the fliore, I reach'd 
 At length my bark, with look and tone fcvere 
 I reprimanded them, yet no redrefs 
 Could frame, or remedy —the beeves were dead. 
 3oon follow'd figns portentous fent from heav'n. 
 The fkins all crept, and on the fpits the flcfli 
 But crude and roafted, moan'd as with the voice 
 Of living beeves. Thus my devoted friends 
 Driving the fatteft oxen of the Sun, 
 Feafled fix days entire ; but when the fev'nth 
 By mandate of Saturnian Jove appeared. 
 The ftorm then ceafed to rage, and we, again 
 Embarking, launch'd our galley, reared the maft. 
 
 And
 
 350 ODYSSEY Xir. 4«6-^9r. 
 
 And gave our unfarl'd canvas to the wind. 
 
 The ifland left afar, and other land 
 Appearing none, but fky alone and fea. 
 Right o'er the hollow bark Saturnian Jove 
 A blue cloud liation'd, dark'ning all the Deep. 
 Not long my vefTel ran, for, blowing wild. 
 Now came fhrill Zcphyrus ; a ftormy guft 
 Snapp'd (heer the fhrouds on both fides ; backward fell 
 The maft, and with loofe tackle ftrew'd the hold ; 
 Sriking the pilot in the ftern, it crufb'd 
 His fcull together ; he a diver's plunge 
 Made downward, and his noble fpirit fled. 
 Then Jove, ftill thundVing, hurl'd into the fhip 
 His candent bolts ; fhe, quaking all her length. 
 With fulphur rcek'd, and o'er her fhatter'd fides 
 My people, plunging, on the boifii'rous waves 
 Like fea-mews rode, forbidden by that flroke 
 Of wrath divine to hope their country more. 
 But I, the vefTel flill paced to and fro. 
 Till fever'd by the fiorm her planks and ribs 
 Forfook the keel now left to 'float alone. 
 Snapp'd where it join'd the keel the mafl had fairn. 
 But fell encircled with a leathern brace. 
 Which it retain'd J binding with this the maft 
 And keel together, on them both I fat. 
 Borne helplcfs onward by the dreadful gale. 
 
 And
 
 ODYSSEY XII. 492-514. 351 
 
 And now the Weft ftiblided, and the South 
 
 Arofe inftead, with mis'ry charged for me. 
 
 That I might meafure back my courfe again 
 
 To dire Charybdis. All night long I drove. 
 
 And when the fun arofe, at Scylla's rock 
 
 Once more, and at Charybdis' gulph arrived. 
 
 It was the fearful time when fhe abforb'd 
 
 The briny flood, but by a wave upborne 
 
 I feized the branches of the wild-fig fail *, 
 
 To which, bat-like, I clung ; yet where to Ak. 
 
 My foot fecure found not, or where to afcend. 
 
 For diflant lay the roots, and diftant fhot 
 
 The largeft arms ere6l into the air, 
 
 O'erfhadowing all Charybdis ; therefore hard 
 
 1 clench'd the boughs, till (he difgorg'd again 
 
 Both keel and maft. Not undefired by mc 
 
 They came, though late ; for at what hour the JudgCj 
 
 After decifion made of num'rous ftrifes 
 
 Between young candidates for honour, leaves 
 
 The forum for refrefhment' fake at home. 
 
 Then was it that the mafi: and keel emerged ^. 
 
 Deliver'd to a voluntary fall, 
 
 Faft by thofe beams I dafh'd into the flood. 
 
 •* See line izo. 
 
 t He had therefore held by the fig-tree from fun- rife till after- 
 noon. 
 
 And
 
 352 O D Y S S £ Y Xll. 5r5-sa$» 
 
 And feated on them both, with oary palms 
 ImpeU'd them ; nor the Sire of Gods and men 
 Permitted Scylla to dil(:ern me more, 
 Elfe, in that moment, had I furely died '. 
 Kine days I floated, and the Gods, at length. 
 On the tenth night, the beams which I beftrode 
 Drove to Ogygia, where the beauteous Nymph 
 Calypfo dwells ; fhe pitied and fupplied 
 My want of all things. — But let this fuffice. 
 Whate'er enfued, thy royal fpoufe and thou 
 Learn 'd yefterday ; and, to rehearfe a talc 
 So lately told, were wearifome and vain ^. 
 
 * Strabo contends that Circe mifiiiformed Uiyffes ; for (lie aflured 
 Kim that if he arrived at Charybdis at the time when fhe ingulphed 
 the water, Neptune hinifelf could not deliver him. He arrives 
 there, however, at that very time, and neverthelefs efcapes. Bu6 
 Circe gave him that caution, on a fuppofition that if he arrived 
 there at all it mull be in his ihip, and his efcape by means of the 
 wild fig when the timbers on which he had floated thither were 
 alually fwallowcd up, is no impeachment of the truth of her in- 
 telligence, — C, 
 
 + Hence it is plain, fays Euftathius, that none of Homer's repe- 
 titions are made without a reafon, or efcape him through mere gar- 
 rulity. And Plutarch fays, obferving on this paflage. Of all that 
 can be faid of poets nothing is fo true as that Homer alone, always 
 new, always beautiful, may bid defiance to the moft faftidious reader. 
 Leading us, as he does, from fubjed to fubje6l he never cloys, bujE 
 is fure to prefent fome novelty or other to our relief before fatiety 
 can seize us — C. 
 
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