Swift as she ask'd, the ready sailors swore.
She then proceeds: Now let our compact inade
Be nor by signal nor by word betray'd,
Nor near me any of your crew descried,
By road frequented, or by fountain side.

Be silence still our guard. The monarch's spies
(For watchful age is ready to surmise)
Are still at hand; and this, reveal'd, must be
Death to yourselves, eternal chains to me.
Your vessel loaded, and your traffic past,
Dispatch a wary messenger with haste:
Then gold and costly treasures will I bring,
And more, the infant offspring of the king.
Him, child-like wandering forth, I lead away
(A noble prize!) and to your ship convey.

480

His deathful pounces tore a trembling dove;
The clotted feathers, scatter'd from above,
Between the hero and the vessel pour
Thick plumage, mingled with a sanguine shower.
The observing augur took the prince aside,
Seized by the hand, and thus prophetic cried.
Yon bird that dexter cuts the aërial road,
Rose ominous, nor flies without a god:
No race but thine shall Ithaca obey,

485 To thine, for ages, heaven decrees the sway.
Succeed the omens, gods! (the youth rejoin'd);
Soon shall my bounties speak a grateful mind,
And soon each envied happiness attend
The inan, who calls Teleinachus his friend.
Then to Peniæus-Thou whom time has proved
A faithful servant, by thy prince beloved!
Till we returning shall our guest demand,
Accept this charge with honour, at our hand
To this Peiræus: Joyful I obey,

490

Thus spoke the dame, and homeward took the road.
A year they traffic, and their vessel load.
Their stores complete, and ready now to weigh,
A spy was sent their summions to convey:
An artist to my father's palace came,
With gold and amber chains, elaborate frame:
Each female eye the glittering links employ;
They turn, review, and cheapen every toy.
He took the occasion, as they stood intent,
Gave her the sign, and to his vessel went.

She straight pursued, and seized my willing arm;
I follow'd smiling, innocent of harm
Three golden goblets in the porch she found
(The guests not enter'd, but the table crown'd);
Hid in her fraudful bosom these she bore:
Now set the sun, and darken'd all the shore.
Arriving then, where tilting on the tides
Prepared to launch the freighted vessel rides,

Aboard they heave us, mount their decks, and sweep
With level oar along the glassy deep

495 Well pleased the hospitable rites to pay.
The presence of thy guest shall best reward
(If long thy stay) the absence of my lord.
With that, their anchors he commands to weigh,
Mount the tall bark, and launch into the sea.
500 Al with obedient haste forsake the shores.
And placed in order, spread their equal oars.
Then from the deck the prince his sandals takes;
Poised in his hand the pointed javelin shakes.
They part; while, lessening from the hero's view,
505 Swift to the town the well-row'd galley flew:
The hero trod the margin of the main,

And reach'd the mansion of his faithful swain.

57

575

580

585

590

595

510

Six calmy days, and six smooth nights we sail,
And constant Jove supplied the gentle gale.

The seventh, the fraudful wretch (no cause descried),
Touch'd by Diana's vengeful arrow, died.
Down dropp'd the caitiff-corse, a worthless load,
Down to the deep; there roll'd, the future food
Of fierce sea-wolves, and monsters of the flood.

515

An helpless infant I remain'd behind;

Thence borne to Ithaca by wave and wind;
Sold to Laërtes by divine command,

620

And now adopted to a foreign land.

To him the king. Reciting thus thy cares,

My secret soul in all thy sorrow shares ;

But one choice blessing (such is Jove's high will)
Has sweeten'd all thy bitter draught of ill:
Torn from thy country to no hapless end,

525

The Discovery of Ulysses to Telemachus. Telemachus arriving at the lodge of Eumaas, sends him to carry Penelope the news of his return. Minerva appearing to Ulysses, commands him to discover himself to his son. The princes, who had lain in ambush to intercept Telemachus in his way, their project being defeated, return to Ithaca.

The gods have, in a master, given a friend.
Whatever frugal nature needs is thine
(For she needs little), daily bread and wine.
While I, so many wanderings past, and woes,
Live but on what thy poverty bestows.

So pass'd in pleasing dialogue away

The night; then down to short repose they lay;
Till radiant rose the messenger of day
While in the port of Ithaca the band

535

Of

young Telemachus approach'd the land;

Their sails they loosed, they lash'd the mast aside,
And cast their anchors, and the cables tied:

When thus the prince; Now each his course pursue:
I to the fields, and to the city you.
Long absent hence, I dedicate this day
My swains to visit, and the works survey.
Expect me with the morn, to pay the skies
Our debt of safe return in feast and sacrifice.

Then Theoelymenus. But who shall lend,
Meantime, protection to thy stranger friend?
Straight to the queen and palace shall I fly,
Or yet more distant, to some lord apply?

The prince return'd. Renown'd in days of yore
Has stood our father's hospitable door;
No other roof a stranger should receive,
Nor other hands than ours the welcome give.
But in my absence riot fills the place,
Nor bears the modest queen a stranger's face;
From noiseful revel far remote she flies.
But rarely seen, or seen with weeping eyes.
No-let Eurymachus receive my guest,
Of nature courteous, and by far the best;
He wooes the queen with more respectful flame,
And emulates her former husband's fame:
With what success, 'tis Jove's alone to know,
And the hoped nuptials turn to joy or woe,

Thus speaking, on the right up-soar'd in air
The hawk, Apollo's swift-wing'd messenger:

While yet he spoke, the prince advancing drew
Nigh to the lodge, and now appear'd in view.
Transported from his seat Eumæus sprung,

15

20

3)

35

But, lost to every joy, she wastes the day
In tedious cares, and weeps the night away.
He ended, and (receiving as they pass
The javelin, pointed with a star of brass),
They reach'd the dome; the dome with marble shined;
His seat Ulysses to the prince resign'd.

Not so-(exclaim'd the prince, with decent grace)
For me, this house shall find an humbler place;
To usurp the honours due to silver hairs
And reverend strangers, modest youth forbears.
Instant the swain the spoils of beasts supplies,
And bids the rural throne with oziers rise.
There sate the prince; the feast Eumæus spread,
And heap'd the shining canisters with bread.
Thick o'er the board the plenteous viands lay,
The frugal remnants of the former day.
Then in a bowl he tempers generous wines,
Around whose verge a mimic ivy twines,
And now, the rage of thirst and hunger fled,
Thus young Ulysses to Eumæus said:

Whence, father, from what shore this stranger, say?
What vessel bore him o'er the watry way?
To human step our land impervious lies,
And round the coast circumfluent oceans rise.

The s'vain returns. A tale of sorrows hear:
In spacious Crete he drew his natal air;
Long doom'd to wander o'er the land and main,
For heaven has wove his thread of life with pain.
Half breathless 'scaping to the land he flew
From Thesprot mariners, a murderous crew.
To thee, my son, the suppliant I resign;
I gave him my protection, grant him thine.
Hard task, he cries, thy virtue gives thy friend,
Willing to aid, unable to defend.

Can strangers safely in the court reside,
Midst the swell'd insolence of lust and pride?
Even I unsafe: the queen in doubt to wed,
Or pay due honours to the nuptial bed?
Perhaps she weds regardless of her fame,
Deaf to the mighty Ulyssean name:
However, stranger! from our grace receive
Such honours as befit a prince to give ;
Sandals, a sword and robes, respect to prove,
And safe to sail with ornaments of love,
Till then, thy guest amid the rural train,
Far from the court, from danger far, detain.
"Tis mine with food the hungry to supply,
And clothe the naked from the inclement sky.
Here dwell in safety from the suitors' wrongs,
And the rude insults of ungovern'd tongues.
For shouldst thou suffer, powerless to relieve,
I must behold it, and can only grieve.
The brave encompass'd by an hostile train,
O'erpower'd by numbers, is but brave in vain.
To whom, while anger in his bosom glows,
With warmth replies the man of mighty woes:
Since audience mild is deign'd, permit my tongue
At once to pity and resent thy wrong.
My heart weeps blood to see a soul so brave
Live to base insolence of power a slave.
But tell me, dost thou, prince, dost thou behold,
And hear their midnight revels uncontroll❜d ?
Say, do thy subjects in bold faction rise,
Or priests in fabled oracles advise?

Or are thy brothers, who should aid thy power,
Turn'd mean deserters in the needful hour?
O that 1 were from great Ulysses sprung,
Or that these wither'd nerves like thine were strung!
Or, heavens might he return! and soon appear
(He shall, I trust; a hero scorns despair):
Might he return, Í yield my life a prey

To my worst foe, if that avenging day
Be not their last: but should I lose my life
Oppress'd by numbers in the glorious strife,
I choose the nobler part, and yield my breath,
Rather than bear dishonour worse than death;
Than see the hand of violence invade

The reverend stranger, and the spotless maid;
Than see the wealth of kings consumed in waste,
The drunkards revel, and the gluttons feast.
Thus he, with anger flashing from his eye;
Sincere the youthful hero made reply,
Nor leagued in factious arms my subjects rise,
Nor priests in fabled oracles advise ;

Nor are my brothers, who should aid my power,
Turn'd mean deserters in the needful hour.

Ah me! 1 boast no brother; heaven's dread king
Gives from our stock an only branch to spring:
Alone Laërtes reign'd Arcesius' heir,

Alone Ulysses drew the vital air,
And I alone the bed connubial graced,

An unbless'd offspring of a sire unbless'd!

40

Each neighbouring realm, conducive to our woe,
Sends forth her peers, and every peer a foe:
The court proud Samos and Dulichium fills,
And lofty Zacinth crown'd with shady hills.
Even Ithaca and all her lords invade
The imperial sceptre, and the regal bed.
The queen, averse to love, yet awed by power,
Seems half to yield, yet flies the bridal hour:
45 Meantime their licence uncontroll'd I bear;
Even now they envy me the vital air:
But heaven will sure revenge, and gods there are.
But go, Eumæus! to the queen impart
Our safe return, and ease a mother's heart.

50 Yet secret go: for numerous are my foes,
And here at least I may in peace repose.

55

To whom the swain. I hear, and I obey:
But old Laertes weeps his life away,

And deems thee lost: shall I my speed employ
To bless his age, a messenger of joy?
The mournful hour that tore his son away,
Sent the sad sire in solitude to stray;
Yet busied with his slaves, to ease his woe,
He dress'd the vine, and bade the garden blow,
60 Nor food nor wine refused: but since the day
That you to Pylos plough'd the watry way,
Nor wine nor food he tastes; but sunk in woes,
Wild springs the vine, no more the garden blows:
Shut from the walks of men, to pleasure lost,
65 Pensive and pale he wanders, half a ghost.

Wretched old man! (with tears the prince returns)
Yet cease to go-what man so bless'd but mourns?
Were every wish indulged by favouring skies,
This hour would give Ulysses to my eyes.

70 But to the queen with speed dispatchful bear
Our safe return, and back with speed repair;
And let some handmaid of her train resort
To good Laërtes in his rural court.
While yet he spoke, impatient of delay,

130

135

40

145

150

155

160

165

75 He braced his sandals on, and strode away:

Then from the heavens the martial goddess flies,
Through the wide fields of air and cleaves the skies:
In form, a virgin in soft beauty's bloom,
Skill'd in the illustrious labours of the loom.

179

80 Alone to Ithaca she stood display'd,
But unapparent as a viewless shade
Escaped Telemachus (the powers above,
Seen or unseen, o'er earth at pleasure move);
The dogs intelligent confess'd the tread

175

85 Of power divine, and howling, trembling fled.

The goddess, beckoning, waves her deathless hands:
Dauntless the king before the goddess stands.
Then why (she said) O favour'd of the skies!
Why to thy godlike son this long disguise?

180

90 Stand forth reveal'd; with him thy cares employ
Against thy foes; be valiant and destroy:
Lo! I descend in that avenging hour,
To combat by thy side, thy guardian power.
She said, and o'er him waves Ler wand of gold:

185

95 Imperial robes his manly limbs infold;

At once with grace divine his form improves,
At once with majesty enlarged he moves:
Youth flush'd his reddening cheek, and from his brows
A length of hair in sable ringlets flows;

191

110 Lo! gifts of labour'd gold adorn thy shrine,
To win thy grace: O save us power diviue!
Few are my days, Ulysses made reply,
Nor I, alas! descendant of the sky.
I am thy father. O my son! my son!
115 That father, for whose sake thy days have run
One scene of woe; to endless cares consign'd,
And outraged by the wrongs of base mankind.
Then rushing to his arms, he kiss'd his boy
With the strong raptures of a parent's joy.

120 Tears bathe his cheek, and tears the ground bedew:
He strain'd him close, as to his breast he grew.
Ah me! (exclaims the prince with fond desire)
Thou art not-no, thou canst not be my sire.
Heaven such illusion only can impose,

125 By the false joy to aggravate my woes.

Who but a god can change the general doom,
And give to wither'd age a youthful bloom.

II

200

205

210

215

Late, worn with years, in weeds obscene you trod;
Now, cloth'd in majesty, you move a god!

Forbear, he cried: for heaven reserve that name,
Give to thy father but a father's claim:
Other Ulysses shalt thou never see,

I am Ulysses, I, my son, am he,
Twice ten sad years o'er earth and ocean tost,
"Tis given at length to view my native coast.
Pallas, unconquer'd maid, my
frame snrrounds
With grace divine; her power admits no bounds:
She o'er my limbs old age and wrinkles shed;
Now strong as youth, magnificent 1 tread.
The gods with ease frail man depress or raise,
Exalt the lowly, or the proud debase.

225 Ye rush to arms, and stain the feast with blood:
Oft ready swords in luckless hour incite
The hand of wrath, and arm it for the fight."
Such be the plea, and by the plea deceive;
For Jove infatuates all, and all believe.

315

230 Yet leave for each of us a sword to wield,
A pointed javelin, and a fenceless shield.
But by my blood that in my bosom glows,
By that regard a son his father owes;
The secret, that thy father live, retain
Lock'd in thy bosom from the household train;
Hide it from all; even from Eumæus hide,
From my dear father, and my dearer bride
One care remains, to note the loyal few
Whose faith yet lasts among the menial crew;

He spoke, and sate. The prince with transport flew,
Hung round his neck, while tears his cheek bedew: 235
Nor less the father pour'd a social flood:
They wept abundant, and they wept aloud.
As the bold eagle with fierce sorrow stung,
Or parent vulture, mourns her ravish'd young;

They ery, they scream, their unfledged brood a prey 240 And noting, ere we rise in vengeance, prove

To some rude churl, and borne by stealth away:

320

325

I tell thee all, my child, my only joy!

Phæacians bore me to the port assign'd,
A nation ever to the stranger kind;

Wrapp'd in the embrace of sleep, the faithful train
O'er seas convey'd me to my native reign:
Embroider'd vestures, gold, and brass, are laid
Conceal'd in caverns in the sylvan shade.
Hither, intent the rival route to slay,

And plan the scene of death, I bend my way;
So Pallas wills-but thou, my son, explain
The names and numbers of the audacious train;
"Tis mine to judge if better to employ.
Assistant force, or singly to destroy.

O'er earth (returns the prince) resounds thy name,
Thy well-tried wisdom, and thy martial fame,
Yet at thy words I start, in wonder lost;
Can we engage, not decads, but an host?
Can we alone in furious battle stand,
Against that numerous and determined band?
Hear then their numbers: from Dulichium came
Twice twenty-six, all peers of mighty name,
Six are their menial train: twice twelve the boast
Of Samos; twenty from Zacynthus' coast;
And twelve our country's pride; to these belong
Medon and Phemius skill'd in heavenly song.
Two sewers from day to day the revels wait,
Exact of taste, and serve the feast in state.
With such a foe the unequal fight to try,
Were by false courage unrevenged to die,
Then what assistant powers you boast, relate,
Ere yet we mingle in the stern debate.

330

245

Who loves his prince; for sure you merit love.
To whom the youth: To emulate I aim
The brave and wise, and my great father's fame.
But re-consider, since the wisest err,
Vengeance resolved, 'tis dangerous to defer.
What length of time must we consume in vain,
Too curious to explore the menial train?
While the proud foes, industrious to destroy
Thy wealth, in riot the delay enjoy.

335

250

340

To mark the damsels that attend the throne:
Dispersed the youth reside; their faith to prove
Jove grants henceforth, if thou hast spoke from Jove.
While in debate they waste their hours away,

345

260

155 The associates of the prince repass'd the bay:
With speed they guide the vessel to the shores;
With speed debarking land the naval stores:
Then, faithful to their charge, to Clytius bear,
And trust the presents to his friendly care.
Swift to the queen a herald flies to impart
Her son's return, and ease a parent's heart;
Lest a sad prey to ever-musing cares,
Pale grief destroy what time awhile forbears.
The uncautious herald with impatience burns,
265 And cries aloud: Thy son, oh queen, returns:
Eumæus sage approach'd the imperial throne,
And breath'd his mandate to her ear alone,
Then measured back the way-The suitor band,
Stung to the soul, abash'd, connfounded stand:
270 And issuing from the dome, before the gate,
With clouded looks, a pale assembly sate.

350

355

360

At length Eurymachus. Our hopes are vain;
Telemachus in triumph sails the main.
Haste, rear the mast, the swelling shroud display;
175 Haste, to our ambush'd friends the news convey!
Scarce had he spoke, when, turning to the strand,
Amphinomus survey'd the associate band;
Full to the bay within the winding shores
With gather'd sails they stood, and lifted oars.
280 O friends! he cried, elate with rising joy,
See to the port secure the vessel fly!
Some god has told them, or themselves survey
The bark escaped; and measure back their way.
Swift at the word descending to the shores,
285 They moor the vessel and unlade the stores:
Then moving from the strand, apart they sate,
And full and frequent form'd a dire debate.
Lives then the boy? he lives (Antinous cries),
The care of gods and favourite of the skies.
All night we watch'd, till with her orient wheels
Aurora flamed above the eastern hills,
And from the lofty brow of rocks by day
Took in the ocean with a broad survey:
Yet safe he sails! the powers celestial give
To shun the hidden snares of death, and live.
But die he shall, and thus condemn'd to bleed,
Be now the scene of instant death decreed.
Hope ye success? undaunted crush the foe,
Is he not wise? know this, and strike the blow.
Wait ye, till he to arms in council draws
The Greeks, adverse too justly to our cause?
Strike, ere, the states convened, the foe betray
Our murderous ambush on the watry way.
Or choose ye vagrant from their rage to fly
Outcasts of earth, to breathe an unknown sky?
The brave prevent misfortune; then be brave,
And bury future danger in his grave.
Returns he? ambush'd we'll his walk invade,
Or where he hides in solitude and shade;
And give the palace to the queen a dower,
Or him she blesses in the bridal hour.

365

370

375

380

385

390

395

400

Mark well my voice, Ulysses straight replies:
What need of aids, if favour'd by the skies?
If shielded to the dreadful fight we move,
By mighty Pallas, and by thundering Jove?
Sufficient they (Telemachus rejoin'd)
Against the banded powers of all mankind:
They, high enthroned above the rolling clouds,
Wither the strength of man, and awe the gods.
Such aids expect, he cries, when strong in might
We rise terrific to the task of fight.
But thou, when morn salutes the aërial plain,
The court revisit and the lawless train:
Me thither in disguise Eumæus leads,
An aged mendicant in tatter'd weeds.
There, if base scorn insult my reverend age,
Bear it, my son! repress thy rising rage.
If outraged, cease that outrage to repel:
Bear it, my son! howe'er thy heart rebel.
Yet strive by prayer and counsel to restrain
Their lawless insults, though thou strive in vain ;
For wicked ears are deaf to wisdom's call,
And vengeance strikes whom heaven has doom'd to fall.
Once more attend: when she* whose power inspires
The thinking mind, my soul to vengeance fires;
I give the sign: that instant, from beneath,

But if submissive you resign the sway,
Slaves to a boy, go, flatter and obey.
Retire we instant to our native reign,
Nor be the wealth of kings consumed in vain!
Then wed whom choice approves; the queen be given
To some blest prince, the prince decreed by heaven.
Abash'd, the suitor train his voice attends;
Till from his throne Amphinomus ascends,
Who o'er Dulychum stretch'd his spacious reign,
A land of plenty, bless'd with every grain;
Chief of the numbers who the queen address'd,
And though displeasing, yet displeasing least,
Soft were his words! his actions wisdom sway'd;
Graceful awhile he paused, then mildly said:

When near he drew, the prince breaks forth: Proclaim
What tidings, friend? what speaks the voice of fame?
Say, if the suitors measure back the main,
Or still in ambush thirst for blood in vain ?
Whether, he cries, they measure back the flood,
Or still in ambush thirst in vain for blood,
Escaped my care: where lawless suitors sway,
Thy mandate borne, my soul disdain'd to stay,
But from the Hermean height I cast a view,
Where to the port a bark high-bounding flew;

(Replied the prince); nor be our fates deplored,
From death and treason to thy arms restored.
Go bathe, and, robed in white, ascend the towers
With all thy handmaid's thank the immortal powers;
To every god vow hecatombs to bleed,
And call Jove's vengeance on the guilty deed:
While to the assembled council I repair;
A stranger sent by heaven attends me there;
My new accepted guest I haste to find,
Now to Peiræus' honour'd charge consign'd.

The matron heard, nor was his word in vain,
She bathed; and robed in white with all her train,
To every god vow'd hecatombs to bleed,

And call'd Jove's vengeance on the guilty deed.
Arm'd with his lance, the prince then pass'd the gate;
Two dogs behind, a faithful guard, await;
Pallas his form with grace divine improves :
The gazing crowd admires him as he moves:
Him, gathering round, the haughty suitors greet
With semblance fair, but inward deep deceit
Their false addresses generous he denied,
Pass'd on, and sate by faithful Mentor's side;
With Antiphus, and Halitherses sage
(His father's counsellors revered for age).
Of his own fortunes, and Ulysses' fame,
Much ask'd the seniors; till Peiræus came.
The stranger-guest pursued him close behind?
Whom when Telemachus beheld, he joined.
He (when Peiræus ask'd for slaves to bring
The gifts and treasures of the Spartan king)

Thus thoughtful answer'd: Those we shall not move,
Dark and unconscious of the will of Jove:
We know not yet the full event of all:
Stabb'd in his palace if your prince must fall,
Us, and our house, if treason must o'erthrow,
Better a friend possess them than a fee;

If death to these and vengeance heaven decree,
Riches are welcome then, not else, to me.
Till then, retain the gifts.-The hero said,
And in his hand the willing stranger led,
Then disarray'd, the shining bath they sought,
(With ungents smooth) of polish'd marble wrought;
Obedient handmaids with assistant toil
Supply the limpid wave and fragrant oil:
Then o'er their limbs refulgent robes they threw,
And fresh from bathing to their seats withdrew,
The golden ewer a nymph attendant brings,
Replenish'd from the pure translucent springs;
With copious streams that golden ewer supplies
A silver laver of capacious size.

They wash the table, in fair order spread,
Is piled with viands and the strength of bread.
Full opposite, before the folding gate,
The pensive mother sits in humble state;
Lowly she sate, and with dejected view
The fleecy threads her ivory fingers drew.
The prince and stranger shared the genial feast,
Till now the rage of thirst and hunger ceased.

When thus the queen. My son! my only friend!
Say, to my mournful couch shall I ascend?
(The couch deserted now a length of years;
The couch for ever water'd with my tears);
Say, wilt thou not (ere yet the suitor crew
Return, and riot shakes our walls anew),
Say, wilt thou not the least account afford?
The least glad tidings of my absent lord?

To her the youth. We reach'd the Pylian plains,
Where Nestor shepherd of his people reigns.
All arts of tenderness to him are known,
Kind to Ulysses' race as to his own;
No father with a fonder grasp of joy
Strains to his bosom his long-absent boy.
But all unknown, if yet Ulysses breathe,
Or glide a spectre in the realms beneath;
For farther search, his rapid steeds transport
My lengthen'd journey to the Spartan court.
There Argive Helen I beheld, whose charms
(So heaven decreed) engaged the great in arms.
My cause of coming told, he thus rejoin'd;
And still his words live perfect in my mind.
Heavens! would a soft inglorious dastard train
An absent hero's nuptial joys profane!
So with her young, amid the woodland shades,
A. timorous hind the lion's court invades,
Leaves in that fatal lair her tender fawns,
And climbs the cliff, or feeds along the lawns;
Meantime returning, with remorseless sway
The monarch savage rends the panting prey;
With equal fury and with equal fame,
Shall great Ulysses re assert his claim.

60

10 Jove! supreme! whom men and gods revere;
And thou whose lustre gilds the rolling sphere.
With power congenial join'd, propitious aid
The chief adopted by the martial maid!
Such to our wish the warrior soon restore,
As when, contending on the Lesbian shore,
His prowess, Philomelides confest,

65 And loud acclaiming Greeks the victor blest:
Then soon the invaders of his bed, and throne,
Their love presumptuous shall by death atone.
Now what you question of my ancient friend,
With truth I answer; thou the truth attend.
70 Learn what I heard the sea-born seer* relate,
Whose eye can pierce the dark recess of fate.
Sole in an isle imprison'd by the main,
The sad survivor of his numerous train,
Ulysses lies: detain'd by magic charms,
75 And prest unwilling in Calypso's arms.
No sailors there, no vessels to convey,
Nor oars to cut the immeasurable way.-
This told Atrides, and he told no more,
Then safe I voyaged to my native shore.

80

150

155

160

165

He ceased; nor made the pensive queen reply,
But droop'd her head, and drew a secret sigh.

170

When Theoclymenus the seer began;

O suffering consort of the suffering man!

What human knowledge could, those kings might tell:

85 But I the secrets of high heaven reveal.

Before the first of gods be this delared,

Before the board whose blessings we have shared;
Witness the genial rites, and witness all

90

This house holds sacred in her ample wall!
Even now this instant, great Ulysses laid
At rest, or wandering in his country's shade,
Their guilty deeds, in hearing, and in view,
Secret revolves! and plans the vengeance due.
Of this sure auguries the gods bestow'd,

95 When first our vessel anchor'd in your road.
Succeed those omens, heaven! (the queen rejoin'd)
So shall our bounties speak a grateful mind;

And every envied happiness attend

100

115

The man who calls Penelope his friend.

Thus communed they: while in the marble court 190
(Scene of their insolence) the lords resort;
Athwart the spacious square each tries his art
To whirl the disk, or aim the missile dart.
Now did the hour of sweet repast arrive,
105 And from the field the victim flocks they drive:
Medon the herald (one who pleased them best,
And honour'd with a portion of their feast)
To bid the banquet, interrupts their play:
Swift to the hall they haste; aside they lay
110 Their garments, and succinct the victims slay.
Then sheep, and goats, anl bristly porkers bled,
And the proud steer was o'er the marble spread.
While thus the copious banquet they provide;
Along the road conversing side by side,
Proceed Ulysses and the faithful swain:
When thus Eumæus, generous and humane:
To town, observant of our lord's behest,
Now let us speed; my friend, no more my guest!
Yet like myself I wish thee here preferr'd,
120 Guard of the flock, or keeper of the herd.
But much to raise my master's wrath I fear;
The wrath of princes ever is severe.
Then heed his will, and be our journey made
While the broad beams of Phoebus are display'd,
Or ere brown evening spreads her chilly shade.
Just thy advice, (the prudent chief rejoin'd)
And such as suits the dictate of my mind.
Lead on: but help me to some staff to stay
My feeble step, since rugged is the way.
Across his shoulders then the scrip he flung,
Wide-patch'd, and fasten'd by a twisted thong.
A staff Eumæus gave. Along the way
Cheerly they fare: behind, the keepers stay;
These with their watchful dogs (a constant guard)
135 Supply his absence and attend the herd.