s: Aurora look'd abroad, forth went the hounds,


s: And, with the hounds Ulysses, and the youths,


s: Arrived at the Parnassian mount, they climb'd


s: His bushy sides, and to his airy heights


s: Ere long attain'd. It was the pleasant hour


s: When from the gently-swelling flood profound


s: The sun, emerging, first smote on the fields.


s: The hunters reach'd the valley; foremost ran,


s: Questing, the hounds; behind them, swift, the sons


s: The illustrious Prince Ulysses, pressing close


s: The hounds, and brandishing his massy spear.


s: There, hid in thickest shades, lay an huge boar.


s: That covert neither rough winds blowing moist


s: Could penetrate, nor could the noon-day sun


s: Smite through it, or fast-falling show'rs pervade,


s: So thick it was, and underneath the ground


s: With litter of dry foliage strew'd profuse.


s: Hunters and dogs approaching him, his ear


s: The sound of feet perceived; upridging high


s: His bristly back and glaring fire, he sprang


s: Forth from the shrubs, and in defiance stood


s: Near and right opposite. Ulysses, first,


s: Ardent to wound him; but, preventing quick


s: His foe, the boar gash'd him above the knee.


s: Much flesh, assailing him oblique, he tore


s: With his rude tusk, but to the Hero's bone


s: Pierced not; Ulysses _his_ right shoulder reach'd;


s: And with a deadly thrust impell'd the point


s: Of his bright spear through him and far beyond.


s: Loud yell'd the boar, sank in the dust, and died.


s: Throng'd of Autolycus; expert they braced


s: The wound of the illustrious hunter bold,


s: With incantation staunched the sable blood,


s: And sought in haste their father's house again,


s: Whence, heal'd and gratified with splendid gifts


s: They sent him soon rejoicing to his home,


s: Themselves rejoicing also. Glad their son


s: Enquired, where giv'n, and how? He told them all,


s: How to Parnassus with his friends he went,


s: A boar had gash'd him with his iv'ry tusk.


s: That scar, while chafing him with open palms,


s: The matron knew; she left his foot to fall;


s: Down dropp'd his leg into the vase; the brass


s: Rang, and o'ertilted by the sudden shock,


s: Poured forth the water, flooding wide the floor.


s: _Her_ spirit joy at once and sorrow seized;


s: Tears fill'd her eyes; her intercepted voice


s: Died in her throat; but to Ulysses' beard


s: Her hand advancing, thus, at length, she spake.


s: I knew thee not, till I had touch'd the scar.


s: But she, nor eye nor ear for aught that pass'd


s: Minerva had engaged. Then, darting forth


s: His arms, the Hero with his right-hand close


s: Compress'd her throat, and nearer to himself


s: Drawing her with his left, thus caution'd her.


s: Why would'st thou ruin me? Thou gav'st me milk


s: Thyself from thy own breast. See me return'd


s: After long suff'rings, in the twentieth year,


s: To my own land. But since (some God the thought


s: Suggesting to thee) thou hast learn'd the truth,


s: Silence! lest others learn it from thy lips.


s: For this I say, nor shall the threat be vain;


s: The haughty suitors, when I shall inflict


s: Although my nurse, thyself shalt also die.


s: Thou know'st, and even now shalt prove me firm


s: But hear and mark me well. Should'st thou prevail,


s: The haughty suitors, I will then, myself,


s: Give thee to know of all the female train


s: Who have dishonour'd thee, and who respect.


s: My nurse, it were superfluous; spare thy tongue


s: That needless task. I can distinguish well


s: Myself, between them, and shall know them all;


s: But hold thy peace. Hush! leave it with the Gods.


s: So he; then went the ancient matron forth,


s: That she might serve him with a second bath,


s: For the whole first was spilt. Thus, laved at length,


s: And smooth'd with oil, Ulysses nearer pull'd


s: His seat toward the glowing hearth to enjoy


s: More warmth, and drew his tatters o'er the scar.


s: One question, stranger, I shall yet propound,


s: Though brief, for soon the hour of soft repose


s: Whom gentle sleep forsakes not, will arrive.


s: Assigns,--whose sole delight is to consume


s: My days in sighs, while here retired I sit,


s: Watching my maidens' labours and my own;


s: But (night return'd, and all to bed retired)


s: As when at spring's first entrance, her sweet song


s: Daughter of Pandarus; within the grove's


s: Thick foliage perch'd, she pours her echoing voice


s: Now deep, now clear, still varying the strain


s: With which she mourns her Itylus, her son


s: By royal Zethus, whom she, erring, slew,


s: Toss'd ever, muse if I shall here remain


s: A faithful guardian of my son's affairs,


s: My husband's bed respecting, and not less


s: My own fair fame, or whether I shall him


s: Who noblest seems, and offers richest dow'r.


s: My son while he was infant yet, and own'd


s: An infant's mind, could never give consent


s: That I should wed and leave him; but at length,


s: Since he hath reached the stature of a man,


s: But I have dream'd. Hear, and expound my dream.


s: My geese are twenty, which within my walls


s: I feed with sodden wheat; they serve to amuse


s: Sometimes my sorrow. From the mountains came


s: An eagle, huge, hook-beak'd, brake all their necks,


s: And slew them; scatter'd on the palace-floor


s: They lay, and he soar'd swift into the skies.


s: Till all my maidens, gather'd by my voice,


s: Arriving, found me weeping still, and still


s: Slain all my geese. But, to the palace-roof


s: Stooping again, he sat, and with a voice


s: Of human sound, forbad my tears, and said--


s: Icarius! no vain dream thou hast beheld,


s: But, in thy sleep, a truth. The slaughter'd geese


s: Thy husband, who have now, at last, return'd,


s: Death, horrid death designing for them all.


s: He said; then waking at the voice, I cast


s: An anxious look around, and saw my geese


s: Beside their tray, all feeding as before.


s: Thy dream's plain import, since Ulysses' self


s: Hath told thee the event; thy suitors all


s: Must perish; not one suitor shall escape.


s: And oft-times mere delusions that receive


s: No just accomplishment. There are two gates


s: Through which the fleeting phantoms pass; of horn


s: As through the thin-leaf'd iv'ry portal come


s: Sooth, but perform not, utt'ring empty sounds;


s: But such as through the polish'd horn escape,


s: Prove faithful witnesses, and are fulfill'd.


s: But through those gates my wond'rous dream, I think,


s: Came not; thrice welcome were it else to me


s: And to my son. Now mark my words; attend.


s: This is the hated morn that from the house


s: This day, the rings for trial to them all


s: To plant twelve spikes, all regular arranged


s: Like galley-props, and crested with a ring,


s: Then standing far remote, true in his aim


s: He with his whizzing shaft would thrid them all.


s: To prove the suitors; him, who with most ease


s: Shall bend the bow, and shoot through all the rings,


s: Leaving, so fair, so fill'd with ev'ry good,


s: Though still to love it even in my dreams.


s: Postpone not this contention, but appoint


s: Will sure arrive, ere they, (his polish'd bow


s: Long tamp'ring) shall prevail to stretch the nerve,


s: And speed the arrow through the iron rings.


s: Would'st thou with thy sweet converse, O my guest!


s: Here sooth me still, sleep ne'er should influence


s: These eyes the while; but always to resist


s: Sleep's pow'r is not for man, to whom the Gods


s: And there will lay me down on my sad couch,


s: For such it hath been, and with tears of mine


s: Ceaseless bedew'd, e'er since Ulysses went


s: There will I sleep; but sleep thou here below,


s: Either, thyself, preparing on the ground


s: Thy couch, or on a couch by these prepared.


s: So saying, she to her splendid chamber thence


s: Retired, not sole, but by her female train


s: Attended; there arrived, she wept her spouse,


s: A gaberdine is a shaggy cloak of coarse but warm materials. Such


s: She intended to slay the son of her husband's brother Amphion,


s: The translation here is somewhat pleonastic for the sake of


s: On a bull's-hide undress'd, o'er which he spread


s: The fleece of many a sheep slain by the Greeks,


s: And, cover'd by the household's governess


s: With a wide cloak, composed himself to rest.


s: Issuing all mirth and laughter, in his soul


s: A tempest raised of doubts, whether at once


s: As growls the mastiff standing on the start


s: For battle, if a stranger's foot approach


s: Her cubs new-whelp'd--so growl'd Ulysses' heart,


s: While wonder fill'd him at their impious deeds.


s: But, smiting on his breast, thus he reproved


s: Heart! bear it. Worse than this thou didst endure


s: The Cyclops thy illustrious friends devour'd.


s: Thy patience then fail'd not, till prudence found


s: Deliv'rance for thee on the brink of fate.


s: Which, tractable, endured the rigorous curb,


s: And patient; yet he turn'd from side to side.


s: As when some hungry swain turns oft a maw


s: Unctuous and sav'ry on the burning coals,


s: So he from side to side roll'd, pond'ring deep


s: How likeliest with success he might assail


s: Those shameless suitors; one to many opposed.


s: Then, sudden from the skies descending, came


s: Above his head she took, and thus she spake.


s: Why sleep'st thou not, unhappiest of mankind?


s: Thou art at home; here dwells thy wife, and here


s: Thy son; a son, whom all might wish their own.


s: O Goddess! true is all that thou hast said,


s: Those shameless suitors who frequent my courts


s: Daily; and always their whole multitude.


s: Should I, with Jove's concurrence and with thine


s: Prevail to slay them, how shall I escape,


s: Myself, at last? oh Goddess, weigh it well.


s: Oh faithless man! a man will in his friend


s: Confide, though mortal, and in valour less


s: I tell thee plainly. Were we hemm'd around


s: By fifty troops of shouting warriors bent


s: To slay thee, thou should'st yet securely drive


s: But yield to sleep's soft influence; for to lie


s: All night thus watchful, is, itself, distress.


s: Fear not. Deliv'rance waits, not far remote.


s: So saying, she o'er Ulysses' eyes diffused


s: Soft slumbers, and when sleep that sooths the mind


s: And nerves the limbs afresh had seized him once,


s: But his chaste spouse awoke; she weeping sat


s: On her soft couch, and, noblest of her sex,


s: Satiate at length with tears, her pray'r address'd


s: I would that with a shaft this moment sped


s: Into my bosom, thou would'st here conclude


s: My mournful life! or, oh that, as it flies,


s: Snatching me through the pathless air, a storm


s: Would whelm me deep in Ocean's restless tide!


s: So, when the Gods their parents had destroy'd,


s: Storms suddenly the beauteous daughters snatch'd


s: Venus with curds, with honey and with wine


s: All women in the charms of face and mind,


s: With graceful stature eminent the chaste


s: Illustrious, Pallas taught them to excel.


s: But when the foam-sprung Goddess to the skies


s: A suitress went on their behalf, to obtain


s: Blest nuptials for them from the Thund'rer Jove,


s: (For Jove the happiness, himself, appoints,


s: Those virgins, gave them to the Furies Three,


s: That they might serve them. O that me the Gods


s: From human eyes for ever, or bright-hair'd


s: Diana pierce me with a shaft, that while


s: My days concluded, I might 'scape the pain


s: To sorrow giv'n) the mourner sleeps at night;


s: For sleep, when it hath once the eyelids veil'd,


s: Both good and ill; but me the Gods afflict


s: Not seldom ev'n in dreams, and at my side,


s: This night again, one lay resembling him;


s: While thus she spake, in orient gold enthroned


s: Came forth the morn; Ulysses, as she wept,


s: Heard plain her lamentation; him that sound


s: Alarm'd; he thought her present, and himself


s: Known to her. Gath'ring hastily the cloak


s: His cov'ring, and the fleeces, them he placed


s: But bore the bull's-hide forth into the air.


s: Then, lifting high his hands to Jove, he pray'd.


s: Ye have with good-will sped me to my home


s: After much suff'ring, grant me from the lips


s: Vouchsafe me still some other sign abroad.


s: Such pray'r he made, and Jove omniscient heard.


s: Sudden he thunder'd from the radiant heights


s: Olympian; glad, Ulysses heard the sound.


s: Hard by, where all the palace-mills were wrought,


s: Twelve maidens, day by day, toil'd at the mills,


s: Meal grinding, some, of barley, some, of wheat,


s: Marrow of man. The rest (their portion ground)


s: All slept; she only from her task as yet


s: Ceas'd not, for she was feeblest of them all;


s: She rested on her mill, and thus pronounced


s: Jove, Father, Governor of heav'n and earth!


s: Loud thou hast thunder'd from the starry skies


s: By no cloud veil'd; a sign propitious, giv'n


s: To whom I know not; but oh grant the pray'r


s: Of a poor bond-woman! appoint their feast


s: This day, the last that in Ulysses' house


s: The suitors shall enjoy, for whom I drudge,


s: With aching heart and trembling knees their meal


s: Grinding continual. Feast they here no more!


s: She ended, and the list'ning Chief received


s: With equal joy both signs; for well he hoped


s: That he should punish soon those guilty men.


s: Th' unwearied blaze; then, godlike from his couch


s: Athwart his shoulders his bright faulchion slung,


s: Bound his fair sandals to his feet, and took


s: His sturdy spear pointed with glitt'ring brass;


s: Advancing to the portal, there he stood,


s: Nurse! have ye with respectful notice serv'd


s: Our guest? or hath he found a sordid couch


s: E'en where he might? for, prudent though she be,


s: Treats kindly, and the better sends away.


s: Blame not, my son! who merits not thy blame.


s: The guest sat drinking till he would no more,


s: And ate, till, question'd, he replied--Enough.


s: But when the hour of sleep call'd him to rest,


s: She gave commandment to her female train


s: To spread his couch. Yet he, like one forlorn,


s: And, through despair, indiff'rent to himself,


s: Both bed and rugs refused, and in the porch


s: On skins of sheep and on an undress'd hide


s: Reposed, where we threw cov'ring over him.


s: She ceas'd, and, grasping his bright-headed spear,


s: Forth went the Prince attended, as he went,


s: By his fleet hounds; to the assembled Greeks


s: Pisenor's son, call'd to the serving-maids.


s: Haste ye! be diligent! sweep the palace-floor


s: And sprinkle it; then give the sumptuous seats


s: Their purple coverings. Let others cleanse


s: With sponges all the tables, wash and rince


s: The beakers well, and goblets rich-emboss'd;


s: Run others to the fountain, and bring thence


s: Water with speed. The suitors will not long


s: So she; whom all, obedient, heard; forth went


s: While in their sev'ral provinces the rest


s: Bestirr'd them brisk at home. Then enter'd all


s: The suitors, and began cleaving the wood.


s: Meantime, the women from the fountain came,


s: Whom soon the swine-herd follow'd, driving three


s: His fattest brawns; them in the spacious court


s: Approaching, courteously bespake the Chief.


s: Guest! look the Greecians on thee with respect


s: At length, or still disdainful as before?


s: Then, answer thus Ulysses wise return'd.


s: Yes--and I would that vengeance from the Gods


s: Might pay their insolence, who in a house


s: Unseemly projects, shameless as they are!


s: Thus they conferr'd; and now Melanthius came


s: The goat-herd, driving, with the aid of two


s: His fellow-swains, the fattest of his goats


s: To feast the suitors. In the sounding porch


s: The goats he tied, then, drawing near, in terms


s: How, stranger? persever'st thou, begging, still


s: To vex the suitors? wilt thou not depart?


s: Scarce shall we settle this dispute, I judge,


s: Till we have tasted each the other's fist;


s: Here always--have the Greeks no feasts beside?


s: Return'd, but shook his brows, and, silent, framed


s: Terrible purposes. Then, third, approach'd


s: Chief o'er the herds, Philœtius; fatted goats


s: He for the suitors brought, with which he drove


s: An heifer; (ferry-men had pass'd them o'er,


s: Carriers of all who on their coast arrive)


s: He tied them in the sounding porch, then stood


s: Beside the swine-herd, to whom thus he said.


s: So lately? from what nation hath he come?


s: What parentage and country boasts the man?


s: Royalty in him. Heav'n will surely plunge


s: The race of common wand'rers deep in woe,


s: He ceas'd; and, with his right hand, drawing nigh,


s: Prosp'rous at least hereafter, who art held


s: At present in the bonds of num'rous ills.


s: Thou, Jupiter, of all the Gods, art most


s: Severe, and spar'st not to inflict distress


s: I had no sooner mark'd thee, than my eyes


s: Swam, and the sweat gush'd from me at the thought


s: And see the sun, such tatters, I suppose,


s: And they have now encreas'd to such a store


s: As only care like mine could have produced.


s: These, by command of others, I transport


s: For their regale, who neither heed his son,


s: And share the substance of our absent Lord.


s: Me, therefore, this thought occupies, and haunts


s: My mind not seldom; while the heir survives


s: It were no small offence to drive his herds


s: Yet here to dwell, suff'ring oppressive wrongs


s: While I attend another's beeves, appears


s: And I had served some other mighty Chief


s: Long since, (for patience fails me to endure


s: My present lot) but that I cherish still


s: Some hope of my ill-fated Lord's return,


s: To rid his palace of those lawless guests.


s: Herdsman! since neither void of sense thou seem'st,


s: Hear therefore, for I swear! bold I attest


s: Jove and this hospitable board, and these


s: The Lares of the noble Chief, whose hearth


s: Protects me now, that, ere thy going hence,


s: Ulysses surely shall have reach'd his home,


s: And thou shalt see him, if thou wilt, thyself,


s: Slaying the suitors who now lord it here.


s: Him answer'd then the keeper of his beeves.


s: Oh stranger! would but the Saturnian King


s: Perform that word, thou should'st be taught (thyself


s: His home again. Thus mutual they conferr'd.


s: Meantime, in conf'rence close the suitors plann'd


s: Death for Telemachus; but while they sat


s: Consulting, on their left the bird of Jove


s: An eagle soar'd, grasping a tim'rous dove.


s: Then, thus, Amphinomus the rest bespake.


s: Oh friends! our consultation how to slay


s: So spake Amphinomus, whose counsel pleased.


s: Then, all into the royal house repaired,


s: And on the thrones and couches throwing off


s: Their mantles, slew the fatted goats, the brawns,


s: The sheep full-sized, and heifer of the herd.


s: The roasted entrails first they shared, then fill'd


s: The beakers, and the swine-herd placed the cups,


s: Philœtius, chief intendant of the beeves,


s: Served all with baskets elegant of bread,


s: While all their cups Melanthius charged with wine,


s: And they assail'd at once the ready feast.


s: Meantime Telemachus, with forecast shrewd,


s: Fast by the marble threshold, but within


s: The spacious hall his father placed, to whom


s: Before him, fill'd a golden goblet high,


s: And thus, in presence of them all, began.


s: There seated now, drink as the suitors drink.


s: I will, myself, their biting taunts forbid,


s: Possess'd it, and my right from him descends.


s: Suitors! controul your tongues, nor with your hands


s: Offend, lest contest fierce and war ensue.


s: He ceas'd: they gnawing, sat, their lips, aghast


s: With wonder that Telemachus in his speech


s: Such boldness used. Then spake Eupithes' son,


s: Antinoüs, and the assembly thus address'd.


s: Let pass, ye Greeks! the language of the Prince,


s: Harsh as it is, and big with threats to us.


s: Although thus eloquent, ere now had ceased.


s: Heard unconcern'd. And now the heralds came


s: In solemn pomp, conducting through the streets


s: The assembled Greecians met. The sav'ry roast


s: Finish'd, and from the spits withdrawn, each shared


s: His portion of the noble feast, and such


s: As they enjoy'd themselves the attendants placed


s: But Pallas (that they might exasp'rate more


s: To banquet, guiltless of heart-piercing scoffs


s: Malign. There was a certain suitor named


s: Was he and profligate, but, in the wealth


s: The haughty suitors thus that man address'd.


s: Ye noble suitors, I would speak; attend!


s: The guest is served; he hath already shared


s: It were nor decent, that a guest, received


s: His portion of the feast. Come then--myself


s: To her who laved him in the bath, or else


s: So saying, he from a basket near at hand


s: Heav'd an ox-foot, and with a vig'rous arm


s: Hurl'd it. Ulysses gently bow'd his head,


s: Shunning the blow, but gratified his just


s: Of dread significance. He smote the wall.


s: Struck not the stranger, for he shunn'd the blow;


s: Else, I had surely thrust my glitt'ring lance


s: Right through thee; then, no hymenæal rites


s: Of thine should have employ'd thy father here,


s: But thy funereal. No man therefore treat


s: For though of late a child, I can discern


s: Now, and distinguish between good and ill.


s: Slaughter'd, our bread consumed, our stores of wine


s: Wasted; for what can one to all opposed?


s: To slay me, pause not. It were better far


s: Than thus to witness your atrocious deeds


s: Day after day; to see our guests abused,


s: With blows insulted, and the women dragg'd


s: From side to side of all this fair abode.


s: He said, and all sat silent, till at length


s: My friends! let none with contradiction thwart


s: And rude reply, words rational and just;


s: Assault no more the stranger, nor of all


s: May it but please them. While the hope survived


s: So long good reason was that she should use


s: For had Ulysses come, that course had proved


s: Wisest and best; but that he comes no more


s: Appears, now, manifest. Thou, therefore, Prince!


s: The noblest, and who offers richest dow'r,


s: That thou, for thy peculiar, may'st enjoy


s: I swear by Jove, and by my father's woes,


s: Who either hath deceased far from his home,


s: No hindrance to her nuptials. Let her wed


s: Who offers most, and even whom she will.


s: The suitors with delirium; wide they stretch'd


s: Their jaws with unspontaneous laughter loud;


s: Their meat dripp'd blood; tears fill'd their eyes, and dire


s: Presages of approaching woe, their hearts.


s: That takes you now? night wraps itself around


s: Your faces, bodies, limbs; the palace shakes


s: With peals of groans--and oh, what floods ye weep!


s: I see the walls and arches dappled thick


s: With gore; the vestibule is throng'd, the court


s: On all sides throng'd with apparitions grim


s: Of slaughter'd men sinking into the gloom


s: From heav'n, and midnight whelms you premature.


s: He said, they, hearing, laugh'd; and thus the son


s: This wand'rer from a distant shore hath left


s: His wits behind. Hoa there! conduct him hence


s: Into the forum; since he dreams it night


s: Already, teach him there that it is day.


s: To lead me hence, for I have eyes and ears,


s: These shall conduct me forth, for well I know


s: That evil threatens you, such, too, as none


s: Shall 'scape of all the suitors, whose delight


s: He said, and, issuing from the palace, sought


s: Telemachus the more, fleer'd at his guests.


s: Guests such as thine. Witness, we know not who,


s: This hungry vagabond, whose means of life


s: Are none, and who hath neither skill nor force


s: To earn them, a mere burthen on the ground.


s: I counsel wisely; send them both on board


s: Thus shall they somewhat profit thee at last.


s: Heard unconcern'd, and, silent, look'd and look'd


s: Toward his father, watching still the time


s: When he should punish that licentious throng.


s: Meantime, Icarius' daughter, who had placed


s: Her splendid seat opposite, heard distinct


s: Their taunting speeches. They, with noisy mirth,


s: Than, soon, the Goddess and the warrior Chief


s: Should furnish for them, none shall ever share.


s: Of which their crimes had furnish'd first the cause.


s: That is, how shall I escape the vengeance of their kindred?


s: μυελον ανδρων.


s: He is often called--πατηρ ανδρων τε θεων τε.


s: Household Gods who presided over the hearth.


s: Prompted Icarius' daughter, the discrete


s: First, taking in her hand the brazen key


s: Well-forged, and fitted with an iv'ry grasp,


s: She sought her inmost chamber, the recess


s: In which she kept the treasures of her Lord,


s: His brass, his gold, and steel elaborate.


s: Here lay his stubborn bow, and quiver fill'd


s: With num'rous shafts, a fatal store. That bow


s: He had received and quiver from the hand


s: From all that land; for a Messenian fleet


s: Had borne from Ithaca three hundred sheep,


s: With all their shepherds; for which cause, ere yet


s: Adult, he voyaged to that distant shore,


s: Twelve mares and twelve mule colts which he had lost,


s: A search that cost him soon a bloody death.


s: The valiant task-performing son of Jove,


s: He perish'd there, slain by his cruel host


s: Who, heedless of heav'n's wrath, and of the rights


s: Of his own board, first fed, then slaughter'd him;


s: For in _his_ house the mares and colts were hidden.


s: He, therefore, occupied in that concern,


s: Which, erst, huge Eurytus had borne, and which


s: Himself had from his dying sire received.


s: A spear and sword, pledges of future love


s: They met each other at the friendly board,


s: For, ere that hour arrived, the son of Jove


s: Slew his own guest, the godlike Iphitus.


s: Which, never in his gallant barks he bore


s: To battle with him, (though he used it oft


s: In times of peace) but left it safely stored


s: At that same chamber, with her foot she press'd


s: The oaken threshold bright, on which the hand


s: Of no mean architect had stretch'd the line,


s: The posts on which the splendid portals hung,


s: She loos'd the ring and brace, then introduced


s: The key, and aiming at them from without,


s: Struck back the bolts. The portals, at that stroke,


s: Sent forth a tone deep as the pastur'd bull's,


s: And flew wide open. She, ascending, next,


s: That held her own fragrant apparel stood,


s: With lifted hand aloft took down the bow


s: In its embroider'd bow-case safe enclosed.


s: Then, sitting there, she lay'd it on her knees,


s: Weeping aloud, and drew it from the case.


s: Till satiate, at the last, with grief and tears,


s: Descending by the palace steps she sought


s: Replete with pointed shafts, a deadly store.


s: Her maidens, as she went, bore after her


s: A coffer fill'd with prizes by her Lord,


s: Much brass and steel; and when at length she came,


s: Loveliest of women, where the suitors sat,


s: Pausing, before her beauteous face she held


s: Her lucid veil, and by two matrons chaste


s: This palace of a Chief long absent hence,


s: Whose substance ye have now long time consumed,


s: Nor palliative have yet contrived, or could,


s: Attend this game to which I call you forth.


s: Now suitors! prove yourselves with this huge bow


s: Easiest the bow, and who his arrow sends


s: Through twice six rings, he takes me to his home,


s: And I must leave this mansion of my youth


s: Plenteous, magnificent, which, doubtless, oft


s: Before them, and the twice six rings of steel.


s: He wept, received them, and obey'd; nor wept


s: The herdsman less, seeing the bow which erst


s: His Lord had occupied; when at their tears


s: Ye rural drones, whose purblind eyes see not


s: Beyond the present hour, egregious fools!


s: Why weeping trouble ye the Queen, too much


s: Or else go weep abroad, leaving the bow,


s: That stubborn test, to us; for none, I judge,


s: None here shall bend this polish'd bow with ease,


s: None like Ulysses, whom myself have seen


s: He said, but in his heart, meantime, the hope


s: Cherish'd, that he should bend, himself, the bow,


s: And pass the rings; yet was he destin'd first


s: Of brave Ulysses' shaft, whom in that house


s: He had so oft dishonour'd, and had urged


s: Amidst them, then, the sacred might arose


s: Saturnian Jove questionless hath deprived


s: For wisdom as she is, makes known to all


s: And follow a new mate, while, heedless, I


s: Trifle and laugh as I were still a child.


s: But come, ye suitors! since the prize is such,


s: Of black Epirus; and since this yourselves


s: Know also, wherefore should I speak her praise?


s: Come then, delay not, waste not time in vain


s: Excuses, turn not from the proof, but bend


s: The bow, that thus the issue may be known.


s: And should I bend the bow, and pass the rings,


s: Then shall not my illustrious mother leave


s: So saying, he started from his seat, cast off


s: His purple cloak, and lay'd his sword aside,


s: Then fix'd, himself, the rings, furrowing the earth


s: By line, and op'ning one long trench for all,


s: And stamping close the glebe. Amazement seized


s: All present, seeing with how prompt a skill


s: Then, hasting to the portal, there he stood.


s: Thrice, struggling, he essay'd to bend the bow,


s: And thrice desisted, hoping still to draw


s: The bow-string home, and shoot through all the rings.


s: And now the fourth time striving with full force


s: He had prevail'd to string it, but his sire


s: Then thus the royal youth to all around--


s: Gods! either I shall prove of little force


s: Or I am yet too young, and have not strength


s: To quell the aggressor's contumely. But come--


s: (For ye have strength surpassing mine) try ye


s: The bow, and bring this contest to an end.


s: He ceas'd, and set the bow down on the floor,


s: Reclining it against the shaven pannels smooth


s: That lined the wall; the arrow next he placed,


s: Leaning against the bow's bright-polish'd horn,


s: And to the seat, whence he had ris'n, return'd.


s: Then thus Eupithes' son, Antinoüs spake.


s: My friends! come forth successive from the right,


s: So spake Antinoüs, and his counsel pleased.


s: Then, first, Leiodes, Œnop's son, arose.


s: Were odious, and, with indignation fired,


s: He then took foremost up the shaft and bow,


s: And, station'd at the portal, strove to bend


s: But bent it not, fatiguing, first, his hands


s: He ceased, and the assembly thus bespake.


s: My friends, I speed not; let another try;


s: Bereave, since death more eligible seems,


s: Far more, than loss of her, for whom we meet


s: Continual here, expecting still the prize.


s: Some suitor, haply, at this moment, hopes


s: That he shall wed whom long he hath desired,


s: Among the long-stoled Princesses of Greece,


s: This Princess leaving his, whose proffer'd gifts


s: Shall please her most, and whom the Fates ordain.


s: He said, and set the bow down on the floor,


s: Reclining it against the shaven pannels smooth


s: That lined the wall; the arrow, next, he placed,


s: Leaning against the bow's bright-polish'd horn,


s: And to the seat whence he had ris'n return'd.


s: Then him Antinoüs, angry, thus reproved.


s: Hath scap'd thy lips? I hear it with disdain.


s: Shall this bow fatal prove to many a Prince,


s: Because thou hast, thyself, too feeble proved


s: To bend it? no. Thou wast not born to bend


s: The unpliant bow, or to direct the shaft,


s: But here are nobler who shall soon prevail.


s: He said, and to Melanthius gave command,


s: The goat-herd. Hence, Melanthius, kindle fire;


s: Beside it place, with fleeces spread, a form


s: Of length commodious; from within procure


s: A large round cake of suet next, with which


s: When we have chafed and suppled the tough bow


s: To bend it, and decide the doubtful strife.


s: Beside it placed, with fleeces spread, a form


s: Of length commodious; next, he brought a cake


s: With which they chafed the bow, then tried again


s: To bend, but bent it not; superior strength


s: To theirs that task required. Yet two, the rest


s: Then went the herdsman and the swine-herd forth


s: Together; after whom, the glorious Chief


s: Himself the house left also, and when all


s: Without the court had met, with gentle speech


s: Ulysses, then, the faithful pair address'd.


s: Herdsman! and thou, Eumæus! shall I keep


s: A certain secret close, or shall I speak


s: Outright? my spirit prompts me, and I will.


s: What welcome should Ulysses at your hands


s: Some God his guide; would ye the suitors aid,


s: Then thus the chief intendant of his herds.


s: Would Jove but grant me my desire, to see


s: Once more the Hero, and would some kind Pow'r,


s: Restore him, I would shew thee soon an arm


s: Strenuous to serve him, and a dauntless heart.


s: The Gods in pray'r, that they would render back


s: Ulysses to his home. He, then, convinced


s: After long suff'rings in the twentieth year!


s: Of all my train I come, for I have heard


s: I therefore tell you truth; should heav'n subdue


s: Each at my hands a bride, with lands and house


s: Near to my own, and ye shall be thenceforth


s: Dear friends and brothers of the Prince my son.


s: That ye may know and trust me. View it here.


s: (Where with the sons I hunted of renown'd


s: So saying, he stripp'd his tatters, and unveil'd


s: The whole broad scar; then, soon as they had seen


s: And surely recognized the mark, each cast


s: And press'd him to his bosom, kissing oft


s: His brows and shoulders, who as oft their hands


s: And foreheads kiss'd, nor had the setting sun


s: Cease now from tears, lest any, coming forth,


s: Mark and report them to our foes within.


s: Not all at once, I foremost, then yourselves,


s: And this shall be the sign. Full well I know


s: But thou, (proceeding with it to my seat)


s: Eumæus, noble friend! shalt give the bow


s: The massy doors, and should they hear a groan


s: Within the hall, let none set step abroad,


s: Thy charge, my good Philœtius! key it fast


s: Without a moment's pause, and fix the brace.


s: Resumed his seat; nor stay'd his servants long


s: Without, but follow'd their illustrious Lord.


s: The sprightly blaze, but, after all, could find


s: No pow'r to bend it. Disappointment wrung


s: A groan from his proud heart, and thus he said.


s: But grieve for all. Nor, though I mourn the loss


s: Of such a bride, mourn I that loss alone,


s: (For lovely Greecians may be found no few


s: Can bend his bow, we are for ever shamed.


s: This day his own. Who then, on such a day,


s: Would strive to bend it? Let it rather rest.


s: And should we leave the rings where now they stand,


s: I trust that none ent'ring Ulysses' house


s: Will dare displace them. Cup-bearer, attend!


s: Serve all with wine, that, first, libation made,


s: Command ye too Melanthius, that he drive


s: Hither the fairest goats of all his flocks


s: At dawn of day, that burning first, the thighs


s: New trial, and decide, at length, the strife.


s: So spake Antinoüs, and his counsel pleased.


s: The heralds, then, pour'd water on their hands,


s: While youths crown'd high the goblets which they bore


s: From right to left, distributing to all.


s: When each had made libation, and had drunk


s: Till well sufficed, then, artful to effect


s: Hear, O ye suitors of the illustrious Queen,


s: My bosom's dictates. But I shall entreat


s: Chiefly Eurymachus and the godlike youth


s: Tamper no longer with the bow, but leave


s: The matter with the Gods, who shall decide


s: The strife to-morrow, fav'ring whom they will.


s: Meantime, grant _me_ the polish'd bow, that I


s: As erst, or whether wand'ring and defect


s: He said, whom they with indignation heard


s: Extreme, alarm'd lest he should bend the bow,


s: Esteem'st it not distinction proud enough


s: To feast with us the nobles of the land?


s: None robs thee of thy share, thou witnessest


s: Our whole discourse, which, save thyself alone,


s: Thou art befool'd by wine, as many have been,


s: Wide-throated drinkers, unrestrain'd by rule.


s: He drank to drunkenness, and being drunk,


s: Pirithoüs' roof, and such as fill'd with rage


s: The Hero-guests; who therefore by his feet


s: Dragg'd him right through the vestibule, amerced


s: Of nose and ears, and he departed thence


s: Provoked to frenzy by that foul disgrace,


s: And the bold Centaurs--but he first incurred


s: This people, but we will dispatch thee hence


s: From whom is no escape. Drink then in peace,


s: And contest shun with younger men than thou.


s: Nor just, to maim or harm whatever guest


s: Canst thou expect, that should he even prove


s: Stronger than ye, and bend the massy bow,


s: He will conduct me hence to his own home,


s: And make me his own bride? No such design


s: His heart conceives, or hope; nor let a dread


s: Who banquets here, since it dishonours me.


s: Offspring of Polybus. O matchless Queen!


s: Icarius' prudent daughter! none suspects


s: That thou wilt wed with him; a mate so mean


s: Should ill become thee; but we fear the tongues


s: With him whose wife they seek! to bend his bow


s: Pass'd all their pow'r, yet this poor vagabond,


s: Arriving from what country none can tell,


s: Bent it with ease, and shot through all the rings.


s: So will they speak, and so shall we be shamed.


s: The house dishonour, and consume the wealth


s: Of such a Chief. Why shame ye thus _yourselves_?


s: The guest is of athletic frame, well form'd,


s: And large of limb; he boasts him also sprung


s: From noble ancestry. Come then--consent--


s: Give him the bow, that we may see the proof;


s: For thus I say, and thus will I perform;


s: Shall be his meed from me, a javelin keen


s: To guard him against men and dogs, a sword


s: Of double edge, and sandals for his feet,


s: And I will send him whither most he would.


s: Mother--the bow is mine; and, save myself,


s: No Greek hath right to give it, or refuse.


s: Dominion, none in the steed-pastured isles


s: His own for ever, should that choice controul.


s: Spindle and loom, thy province, and enjoin


s: Is man's concern alone, and shall be mine


s: She heard astonish'd, and the prudent speech


s: Withdrew; then mounting with her female train


s: With balmy dews of sleep her weary lids.


s: And now the noble swine-herd bore the bow


s: The suitors, clamorous, reproved the deed,


s: Of whom a youth, thus, insolent exclaim'd.


s: Thou clumsy swine-herd, whither bear'st the bow,


s: Delirious wretch? the hounds that thou hast train'd


s: Ere long, let but Apollo prove, at last,


s: Propitious to us, and the Pow'rs of heav'n.


s: So they, whom hearing he replaced the bow


s: Where erst it stood, terrified at the sound


s: Friend! forward with the bow; or soon repent


s: That thou obey'dst the many. I will else


s: With huge stones drive thee, younger as I am,


s: Back to the field. My strength surpasses thine.


s: I would to heav'n that I in force excell'd


s: So would I soon give rude dismission hence


s: He ceased, whose words the suitors laughing heard.


s: And, for their sake, in part their wrath resign'd


s: Against Telemachus; then through the hall


s: Consign'd the bow; next, summoning abroad


s: The ancient nurse, he gave her thus in charge.


s: The doors; and should you hear, perchance, a groan


s: Within the hall, let none look, curious, forth,


s: But she, incontinent, shut fast the doors.


s: Then, noiseless, sprang Philœtius forth, who closed


s: Lay in the vestibule; with that he braced


s: The doors securely, and re-entring fill'd


s: Again his seat, but watchful, eyed his Lord.


s: He, now, assaying with his hand the bow,


s: And turn'd it on all sides, lest haply worms


s: Had in its master's absence drill'd the horn.


s: Then thus a suitor to his next remark'd.


s: He hath an eye, methinks, exactly skill'd


s: In bows, and steals them; or perhaps, at home,


s: Hath such himself, or feels a strong desire


s: Adept in mischief, shifts it to and fro!


s: On this same bow, which he shall never bend.


s: Unlab'ring strains the chord to a new lyre,


s: His own huge bow, and with his right hand play'd


s: The nerve, which in its quick vibration sang


s: Clear as the swallow's voice. Keen anguish seized


s: The suitors, wan grew ev'ry cheek, and Jove


s: Gave him his rolling thunder for a sign.


s: Lay ready drawn; but in his quiver's womb


s: The rest yet slept, by those Achaians proud


s: To be, ere long, experienced. True he lodg'd


s: And, occupying still his seat, drew home


s: Nerve and notch'd arrow-head; with stedfast sight


s: He aimed and sent it; right through all the rings


s: From first to last the steel-charged weapon flew


s: Issuing beyond, and to his son he spake.


s: Thou need'st not blush, young Prince, to have received


s: A guest like me; neither my arrow swerved,


s: Nor labour'd I long time to draw the bow;


s: My strength is unimpair'd, not such as these


s: Calls us to supper, after which succeeds


s: With all that heightens and adorns the feast.


s: He said, and with his brows gave him the sign.


s: At once the son of the illustrious Chief


s: Slung his keen faulchion, grasp'd his spear, and stood


s: Arm'd bright for battle at his father's side.


s: The δεσμὸς seems to have been a strap designed to close the only


s: Ulysses, with some little assistance from Telemachus, Eumæus and


s: Then, girding up his rags, Ulysses sprang


s: With bow and full-charged quiver to the door;


s: Loose on the broad stone at his feet he pour'd


s: His arrows, and the suitors, thus, bespake.


s: This prize, though difficult, hath been atchieved.


s: Struck yet, but I will strike it if I may,


s: Both hands advanced toward the golden cup


s: Twin-ear'd, nor aught suspected death so nigh.


s: For who, at the full banquet, could suspect


s: Should plan his death, and execute the blow?


s: Full in the throat, and through his neck behind


s: Started the glitt'ring point. Aslant he droop'd;


s: Down fell the goblet, through his nostrils flew


s: The spouted blood, and spurning with his foot


s: The board, he spread his viands in the dust.


s: Confusion, when they saw Antinoüs fall'n,


s: Seized all the suitors; from the thrones they sprang,


s: Flew ev'ry way, and on all sides explored


s: The palace-walls, but neither sturdy lance


s: As erst, nor buckler could they there discern,


s: Then, furious, to Ulysses thus they spake.


s: Thy arrow, stranger, was ill-aimed; a man


s: Is no just mark. Thou never shalt dispute


s: For thou hast slain a Prince noblest of all


s: Various their judgments were, but none believed


s: That he had slain him wittingly, nor saw


s: Th' infatuate men fate hov'ring o'er them all.


s: Then thus Ulysses, louring dark, replied.


s: O dogs! not fearing aught my safe return


s: From Ilium, ye have shorn my substance close,


s: Lain with my women forcibly, and sought,


s: While yet I lived, to make my consort yours,


s: But death is on the wing; death for you all.


s: He said; their cheeks all faded at the sound,


s: And each with sharpen'd eyes search'd ev'ry nook


s: With truth the crimes committed by the Greeks


s: Frequent, both in thy house and in thy field.


s: Lies slain, Antinoüs; he thy palace fill'd


s: Far diff'rent framing, which Saturnian Jove


s: Hath baffled all; to rule, himself, supreme


s: But he is slain. Now therefore, spare thy own,


s: Shall sure be thine, and to appease thy wrath


s: For all the waste that, eating, drinking here


s: We have committed, we will yield thee, each,


s: Full twenty beeves, gold paying thee beside


s: And brass, till joy shall fill thee at the sight,


s: To whom Ulysses, frowning stern, replied,


s: Still add beside, ye should not, even so,


s: These hands of mine bribe to abstain from blood,


s: Ye have your choice. Fight with me, or escape


s: But ye all perish, if my thought be true.


s: He ended, they with trembling knees and hearts


s: All heard, whom thus Eurymachus address'd.


s: To your defence, my friends! for respite none


s: But, arm'd with bow and quiver, will dispatch


s: Shafts from the door till he have slain us all.


s: Therefore to arms--draw each his sword--oppose


s: The tables to his shafts, and all at once


s: Rush on him; that, dislodging him at least


s: From portal and from threshold, we may give


s: So shall this archer soon have shot his last.


s: Thus saying, he drew his brazen faulchion keen


s: In that same moment through his bosom driv'n


s: Transfix'd his liver, and down dropp'd his sword.


s: Both food and wine; his forehead smote the floor;


s: Woe fill'd his heart, and spurning with his heels


s: His vacant seat, he shook it till he died.


s: Then, with his faulchion drawn, Amphinomus


s: Advanced to drive Ulysses from the door,


s: And fierce was his assault; but, from behind,


s: A brazen lance, and urged it through his breast.


s: Full on his front, with hideous sound, he fell.


s: Back flew Telemachus, lest, had he stood


s: Drawing it forth, some enemy, perchance,


s: Should either pierce him with a sudden thrust


s: Oblique, or hew him with a downright edge.


s: Swift, therefore, to his father's side he ran,


s: Whom reaching, in wing'd accents thus he said.


s: My father! I will now bring thee a shield,


s: An helmet, and two spears; I will enclose


s: Run; fetch them, while I yet have arrows left,


s: Lest, single, I be justled from the door.


s: He said, and, at his word, forth went the Prince,


s: Seeking the chamber where he had secured


s: The armour. Thence he took four shields, eight spears,


s: With four hair-crested helmets, charged with which


s: And, arming first himself, furnish'd with arms


s: His two attendants. Then, all clad alike


s: In splendid brass, beside the dauntless Chief


s: Lay at his foot, right-aiming, ever pierced


s: Some suitor through, and heaps on heaps they fell.


s: But when his arrows fail'd the royal Chief,


s: Against the palace-wall, he slung, himself,


s: A four-fold buckler on his arm, he fix'd


s: A casque whose crest wav'd awful o'er his brows


s: On his illustrious head, and fill'd his gripe


s: With two stout spears, well-headed both, with brass.


s: Into a narrow street, but barr'd secure.


s: Ulysses bade his faithful swine-herd watch


s: That egress, station'd near it, for it own'd


s: Exhorting all the suitors, thus exclaim'd.


s: Oh friends, will none, ascending to the door


s: So shall this archer soon have shot his last.


s: That may not be. The postern and the gate


s: Neighbour too near each other, and to force


s: One valiant man might thence repulse us all.


s: But come--myself will furnish you with arms


s: Fetch'd from above; for there, as I suppose,


s: Have hidden them, and there they shall be found.


s: So spake Melanthius, and, ascending, sought


s: Ulysses' chambers through the winding stairs


s: And gall'ries of the house. Twelve bucklers thence


s: He took, as many spears, and helmets bright


s: As many, shagg'd with hair, then swift return'd


s: And gave them to his friends. Trembled the heart


s: Of brave Ulysses, and his knees, at sight


s: And shaking each his spear; arduous indeed


s: Now seem'd his task, and in wing'd accents brief


s: Either some woman of our train contrives


s: Hard battle for us, furnishing with arms


s: The suitors, or Melanthius arms them all.


s: Father, this fault was mine, and be it charged


s: Unbarr'd, which, more attentive than myself,


s: Their spy perceived. But haste, Eumæus, shut


s: The chamber-door, observing well, the while,


s: This deed, or whether, as I more suspect,


s: Melanthius, Dolius' son, have giv'n them arms.


s: Thus mutual they conferr'd; meantime, again


s: Mark'd him, and to Ulysses' thus he spake.


s: Behold, the traytor, whom ourselves supposed,


s: Seeks yet again the chamber! Tell me plain,


s: Shall I, should I superior prove in force,


s: Slay him, or shall I drag him thence to thee,


s: That he may suffer at thy hands the doom


s: Against thee, here, even in thy own house?


s: Then answer thus Ulysses shrewd return'd.


s: The lordly suitors close, rage as they may.


s: Ye two, the while, bind fast Melanthius' hands


s: And feet behind his back, then cast him bound


s: Into the chamber, and (the door secured)


s: Pass underneath his arms a double chain,


s: Till he approach the rafters, there to endure,


s: Living long time, the mis'ries he hath earned.


s: He spake; they prompt obey'd; together both


s: They sought the chamber, whom the wretch within


s: Heard not, exploring ev'ry nook for arms.


s: They watching stood the door, from which, at length,


s: Forth came Melanthius, bearing in one hand


s: A casque, and in the other a broad shield


s: Time-worn and chapp'd with drought, which in his youth


s: Long time neglected it had lain, till age


s: Had loosed the sutures of its bands. At once


s: Both, springing on him, seized and drew him in


s: Forcibly by his locks, then cast him down


s: Prone on the pavement, trembling at his fate.


s: With painful stricture of the cord his hands


s: They bound and feet together at his back,


s: As their illustrious master had enjoined,


s: Then weigh'd him with a double chain aloft


s: Now, good Melanthius, on that fleecy bed


s: Reclined, as well befits thee, thou wilt watch


s: All night, nor when the golden dawn forsakes


s: The ocean stream, will she escape thine eye,


s: The fattest goats, a banquet for thy friends.


s: So saying, he left him in his dreadful sling.


s: Then, arming both, and barring fast the door,


s: Those four, by numbers in the interior house


s: When Pallas, in the form and with the voice


s: Beheld, and joyful at the sight, exclaim'd.


s: Help, Mentor! help--now recollect a friend


s: And benefactor, born when thou wast born.


s: The suitors fill'd with menaces the dome,


s: In accents harsh rebuked the Goddess thus.


s: Beware, oh Mentor! that he lure thee not


s: To oppose the suitors and to aid himself,


s: Both slain, in vengeance of thy purpos'd deeds


s: Against us, we will slay _thee_ next, and thou


s: With thy own head shalt satisfy the wrong.


s: Your force thus quell'd in battle, all thy wealth


s: Whether in house or field, mingled with his,


s: We will confiscate, neither will we leave


s: Or son of thine, or daughter in thy house


s: Alive, nor shall thy virtuous consort more


s: He ended, and his words with wrath inflamed


s: Minerva's heart the more; incensed, she turn'd


s: Towards Ulysses, whom she thus reproved.


s: Thou neither own'st the courage nor the force,


s: Ulysses, now, which nine whole years thou showd'st


s: For high-born Helen, and in horrid fight


s: At last lay'd Priam's bulwark'd city low.


s: And substance, mourn'st thou want of pow'r t'oppose


s: The suitors? Stand beside me, mark my deeds,


s: A valiant friend, and mindful of thy love.


s: Entire his own, proving the valour, first,


s: Both of the sire and of his glorious son,


s: But, springing in a swallow's form aloft,


s: Perch'd on a rafter of the splendid roof.


s: The suitors, whom Eurynomus also roused,


s: Of all the suitor-chiefs who now survived


s: And fought for life were these. The bow had quell'd


s: And shafts, in quick succession sent, the rest.


s: We soon shall tame, O friends, this warrior's might,


s: Themselves alone. Dismiss not therefore, all,


s: Your spears together, but with six alone


s: Assail them first; Jove willing, we shall pierce


s: With ease the rest; their force is safely scorn'd.


s: He ceas'd; and, as he bade, six hurl'd the spear


s: A devious flight; one struck a column, one


s: The planks of the broad portal, and a third


s: Flung right his ashen beam pond'rous with brass


s: Against the wall. Then (ev'ry suitor's spear


s: Now friends! I counsel you that ye dismiss


s: Your spears at _them_, who, not content with past


s: He said, and with unerring aim, all threw


s: Their glitt'ring spears. Ulysses on the ground


s: Lay grinding with their teeth the dusty floor.


s: Back flew the suitors to the farthest wall,


s: On whom those valiant four advancing, each


s: Recover'd, quick, his weapon from the dead.


s: Then hurl'd the desp'rate suitors yet again


s: Their glitt'ring spears, but Pallas gave to each


s: A frustrate course; one struck a column, one


s: Flung full his ashen beam against the walăl.


s: Yet pierced Amphimedon the Prince's wrist,


s: But slightly, a skin-wound, and o'er his shield


s: Ctesippus reach'd the shoulder of the good


s: O'erflew the mark, and fell. And now the four,


s: Ulysses, dauntless Hero, and his friends


s: All hurl'd their spears together in return,


s: And in his breast the keeper of the beeves


s: Ctesippus, glorying over whom, he cried.


s: Hath been to taunt and jeer, never again


s: Thy tongue, since they are mightier far than thou.


s: Take this--a compensation for thy pledge


s: Which while he roam'd the palace, begging alms,


s: So gloried he; then, grasping still his spear,


s: Ulysses pierced Damastor's son, and, next,


s: Sheer through his bowels and his back, transpierced


s: Leiocritus, he prostrate smote the floor.


s: Then, Pallas from the lofty roof held forth


s: Her host-confounding Ægis o'er their heads,


s: With'ring their souls with fear. They through the hall


s: Fled, scatter'd as an herd, which rapid-wing'd


s: Of beeves, when vernal suns shine hot and long.


s: But, as when bow-beak'd vultures crooked-claw'd


s: Stoop from the mountains on the smaller fowl;


s: Terrified at the toils that spread the plain


s: The flocks take wing, they, darting from above,


s: Strike, seize, and slay, resistance or escape


s: Is none, the fowler's heart leaps with delight,


s: So they, pursuing through the spacious hall


s: The suitors, smote them on all sides, their heads


s: Sounded beneath the sword, with hideous groans


s: The palace rang, and the floor foamed with blood.


s: Which clasping, in wing'd accents thus he cried.


s: My suit, and spare me! Never have I word


s: Attempted 'gainst the women of thy house,


s: But others, so transgressing, oft forbad.


s: Yet they abstain'd not, and a dreadful fate


s: Due to their wickedness have, therefore, found.


s: But I, their soothsayer alone, must fall,


s: Is that thy boast? Hast thou indeed for these


s: The seer's high office fill'd? Then, doubtless, oft


s: Thy pray'r hath been that distant far might prove


s: And that my consort might thy own become


s: To bear thee children; wherefore thee I doom


s: To a dire death which thou shalt not avoid.


s: So saying, he caught the faulchion from the floor


s: Leiodes, while he kneel'd, athwart his neck


s: So suddenly, that ere his tongue had ceased


s: To plead for life, his head was in the dust.


s: But Phemius, son of Terpius, bard divine,


s: Who, through compulsion, with his song regaled


s: The suitors, a like dreadful death escaped.


s: Fast by the postern, harp in hand, he stood,


s: Doubtful if, issuing, he should take his seat


s: Where oft Ulysses offer'd, and his sire,


s: Fat thighs of beeves, or whether he should haste,


s: An earnest suppliant, to embrace his knees.


s: That course, at length, most pleased him; then, between


s: He grounded his sweet lyre, and seizing fast


s: The Hero's knees, him, suppliant, thus address'd.


s: My suit, and spare me. Thou shalt not escape


s: Me, charmer of the woes of Gods and men.


s: Self-taught am I, and treasure in my mind


s: Themes of all argument from heav'n inspired,


s: Ah, then, behead me not. Put ev'n the wish


s: Can witness, that not drawn by choice, or driv'n


s: By stress of want, resorting to thine house


s: So he; whose words soon as the sacred might


s: His father, thus, humane, he interposed.


s: Hold, harm not with the vengeful faulchion's edge


s: This blameless man; and we will also spare


s: Unless Philœtius have already slain him,


s: He spake, whom Medon hearing (for he lay


s: Beneath a throne, and in a new-stript hide


s: Enfolded, trembling with the dread of death)


s: Sprang from his hiding-place, and casting off


s: His knees, and in wing'd accents thus exclaim'd.


s: Thine own, and pacify thy father's wrath,


s: That he destroy not me, through fierce revenge


s: His wealth, and, in their folly scorn'd his son.


s: Smiling complacent. Fear not; my own son


s: Hath pleaded for thee. Therefore (taught thyself


s: That truth) teach others the superior worth


s: But go ye forth, thou and the sacred bard,


s: From all this carnage, while I give command,


s: He ceas'd; they going forth, took each his seat


s: Beside Jove's altar, but with careful looks


s: Suspicious, dreading without cease the sword.


s: Meantime Ulysses search'd his hall, in quest


s: Welt'ring in dust and blood; num'rous they lay


s: Like fishes when they strew the sinuous shore


s: Of Ocean, from the grey gulph drawn aground


s: In nets of many a mesh; they on the sands


s: Lie spread, athirst for the salt wave, till hot


s: The gazing sun dries all their life away;


s: So lay the suitors heap'd, and thus at length


s: The prudent Chief gave order to his son.


s: Quickly, the nurse, to whom I would impart


s: He said; obedient to his sire, the Prince


s: Smote on the door, and summon'd loud the nurse.


s: Our female menials, and come forth; attend


s: My father; he hath somewhat for thine ear.


s: For, throwing wide the portal, forth she came,


s: With blood defiled and dust; dread he appear'd


s: With gory drops and his broad cheeks are hung,


s: Tremendous spectacle! such seem'd the Chief,


s: Blood-stain'd all over. She, the carnage spread


s: On all sides seeing, and the pools of blood,


s: That wond'rous triumph; but her Lord repress'd


s: The shout of rapture ere it burst abroad,


s: And in wing'd accents thus his will enforced.


s: Shout not, be still. Unholy is the voice


s: Of loud thanksgiving over slaughter'd men.


s: Their own atrocious deeds and the Gods' will


s: Have slain all these; for whether noble guest


s: Arrived or base, they scoff'd at all alike,


s: And for their wickedness have, therefore, died.


s: Have scorn'd me, and whom find'st thou innocent?


s: My son! I will declare the truth; thou keep'st


s: The fleece, and to perform whatever task.


s: Of these, twice six have overpass'd the bounds


s: Nor yet the Queen; and thy own son, adult


s: But I am gone, I fly with what hath pass'd


s: To the Queen's ear, who nought suspects, so sound


s: Then answer, thus, Ulysses wise returned.


s: Hush, and disturb her not. Go. Summon first


s: Those wantons, who have long deserved to die.


s: He ceas'd; then issued forth the ancient dame


s: To summon those bad women, and, meantime,


s: Those women also to your help; then cleanse


s: With bibulous sponges and with water all


s: The seats and tables; when ye shall have thus


s: Set all in order, lead those women forth,


s: And in the centre of the spacious court,


s: Smite them with your broad faulchions till they lose


s: In death the mem'ry of their secret loves


s: Indulged with wretches lawless as themselves.


s: All forth, lamenting, and with tepid tears


s: Show'ring the ground; with mutual labour, first,


s: Bearing the bodies forth into the court,


s: They lodged them in the portico; meantime


s: Ulysses, stern, enjoin'd them haste, and, urged


s: With sponges and with water, next, they cleansed


s: The thrones and tables, while Telemachus


s: Aiding him and the keeper of the beeves,


s: And those twelve damsels bearing forth the soil.


s: Thus, order giv'n to all within, they, next,


s: Led forth the women, whom they shut between


s: The scull'ry and the outer-wall in close


s: Durance, from which no pris'ner could escape,


s: Reproach on mine and on my mother's head,


s: And held lewd commerce with the suitor-train.


s: He said, and noosing a strong galley-rope


s: That none with quiv'ring feet might reach the floor.


s: As when a flight of doves ent'ring the copse,


s: Or broad-wing'd thrushes, strike against the net


s: Within, ill rest, entangled, there they find,


s: All in one line together. Death abhorr'd!


s: With restless feet awhile they beat the air,


s: Then ceas'd. And now through vestibule and hall


s: They led Melanthius forth. With ruthless steel


s: They pared away his ears and nose, pluck'd forth


s: His parts of shame, destin'd to feed the dogs,


s: And, still indignant, lopp'd his hands and feet.


s: Then, laving each his feet and hands, they sought


s: Bring blast-averting sulphur, nurse, bring fire!


s: My son! thou hast well said; yet will I first


s: Serve thee with vest and mantle. Stand not here


s: In thy own palace cloath'd with tatters foul


s: Not so. Bring fire for fumigation first.


s: Longer delay'd, but sulphur brought and fire,


s: The vestibule, the court. Ranging meantime


s: His house magnificent, the matron call'd


s: The women to attend their Lord in haste,


s: And they attended, bearing each a torch.


s: Then gather'd they around him all, sincere


s: Welcoming his return; with close embrace


s: Enfolding him, each kiss'd his brows, and each


s: His shoulders, and his hands lock'd fast in hers.


s: If the ancients found it difficult to ascertain clearly the


s: In this simile we seem to have a curious account of the ancient


s: manner of fowling. The nets (for νεφεα is used in that sense by


s: Joy braced her knees, with nimbleness of youth


s: She stepp'd, and at her ear, her thus bespake.


s: With thy own eyes thy daily wish fulfill'd.


s: Ulysses is arrived; hath reach'd at last


s: His native home, and all those suitors proud


s: Hath slaughter'd, who his family distress'd,


s: His substance wasted, and controul'd his son.


s: Dear nurse! the Gods have surely ta'en away


s: Thy judgment; they transform the wise to fools,


s: And fools conduct to wisdom, and have marr'd


s: Thy intellect, who wast discrete before.


s: Why wilt thou mock me, wretched as I am,


s: Those slumbers sweet that seal'd so fast mine eyes?


s: For such sweet slumbers have I never known


s: Down instant to thy place again--begone--


s: Disturb my sleep with tidings wild as these,


s: More roughly; but thine age excuses _thee_.


s: I mock thee not, my child; no--he is come--


s: That stranger, object of the scorn of all.


s: To insure the more the suitors' punishment.


s: And springing from the bed, wrapp'd in her arms


s: The ancient woman shedding tears of joy,


s: And in wing'd accents ardent thus replied.


s: Ah then, dear nurse inform me! tell me true!


s: Hath he indeed arriv'd as thou declar'st?


s: Of shameless ones, for ever swarming here?


s: Groans of the wounded; in th' interior house


s: We trembling sat, and ev'ry door was fast.


s: Thus all remain'd till by his father sent,


s: Thy own son call'd me forth. Going, I found


s: Ulysses compass'd by the slaughter'd dead.


s: They cover'd wide the pavement, heaps on heaps.


s: It would have cheer'd thy heart to have beheld


s: Thy husband lion-like with crimson stains


s: Of slaughter and of dust all dappled o'er;


s: Heap'd in the portal, at this moment, lie


s: Their bodies, and he fumigates, meantime,


s: The house with sulphur and with flames of fire,


s: And hath, himself, sent me to bid thee down.


s: Follow me, then, that ye may give your hearts


s: To gladness, both, for ye have much endured;


s: But the event, so long your soul's desire,


s: Is come; himself hath to his household Gods


s: Alive return'd, thee and his son he finds


s: Unharm'd and at your home, nor hath he left


s: This dang'rous triumph. Thou art well apprized


s: How welcome his appearance here would prove


s: To all, but chief, to me, and to his son,


s: Fruit of our love. But these things are not so;


s: Some God, resentful of their evil deeds,


s: Hath slain those proud; for whether noble guest


s: Arrived or base, alike they scoff'd at all,


s: And for their wickedness have therefore died.


s: From Greece hath perish'd, and returns no more.


s: What word my daughter had escaped thy lips,


s: Who thus affirm'st thy husband, now within


s: And at his own hearth-side, for ever lost?


s: Canst thou be thus incredulous? Hear again--


s: I give thee yet proof past dispute, his scar


s: Myself, to tell thee, but he, ever-wise,


s: Compressing with both hands my lips, forbad.


s: Come, follow me. My life shall be the pledge.


s: If I deceive thee, kill me as thou wilt.


s: Ah, dearest nurse, sagacious as thou art,


s: Thou little know'st to scan the counsels wise


s: The suitors dead, and him by whom they died.


s: So saying, she left her chamber, musing much


s: At once, his hands with kisses and his brows.


s: O'erpassing light the portal-step of stone


s: By the hearth's sprightly blaze, and close before


s: Downcast, till viewing him, his noble spouse


s: Should speak to him; but she sat silent long,


s: And, seeing him so foul attired, by turns


s: She recognized him not; then spake her son


s: Telemachus, and her silence thus reprov'd.


s: Shunn'st thou my father, neither at his side


s: Sitting affectionate, nor utt'ring word?


s: Such distance from her husband new-return'd


s: To his own country in the twentieth year,


s: After much hardship; but thy heart is still


s: Is stunn'd within me; pow'r to speak to him


s: He be Ulysses, and have reach'd his home,


s: I shall believe it soon, by proof convinced


s: She said; then smiled the Hero toil-inured,


s: And in wing'd accents thus spake to his son.


s: To sift and prove me; she will know me soon


s: And squalid now; therefore she shews me scorn,


s: But we have need, thou and myself, of deep


s: Yet, flying, he forsakes both friends and home;


s: But we have slain the noblest Princes far


s: Depended; therefore, I advise thee, think!


s: Proclaims _thee_ shrewdest of mankind, with whom


s: Lead thou; to follow thee shall be our part


s: With prompt alacrity; nor shall, I judge,


s: Seems this. First wash yourselves, and put ye on


s: Your tunics; bid ye, next, the maidens take


s: Their best attire, and let the bard divine


s: Harping melodious play a sportive dance,


s: That, whether passenger or neighbour near,


s: So shall not loud report that we have slain


s: Our woods and fields, where, once arriv'd, such plans


s: We will devise, as Jove shall deign to inspire.


s: He spake, and all, obedient, in the bath


s: First laved themselves, then put their tunics on;


s: The damsels also dress'd, and the sweet bard,


s: Harping melodious, kindled strong desire


s: In all, of jocund song and graceful dance.


s: Remurmur'd to the feet of sportive youths


s: And cinctured maidens, while no few abroad,


s: The Queen with many wooers, weds at last.


s: Of her first Lord, and wait for his return.


s: So spake the people; but they little knew


s: With bath and unction serv'd the illustrious Chief


s: With added amplitude, and pour'd his curls


s: Like hyacinthine flow'rs down from his brows.


s: Such grace the Goddess o'er his ample chest


s: Copious diffused, and o'er his manly brows.


s: He, godlike, stepping from the bath, resumed


s: Of all thy sex, the most obdurate heart.


s: Such distance from her husband new-return'd


s: To his own country in the twentieth year,


s: After such hardship. But prepare me, nurse,


s: Since she is iron, and feels not for me.


s: Though my remembrance perfectly retains,


s: On board his bark from Ithaca--Go, nurse,


s: Prepare his bed, but not within the walls


s: Of his own chamber built with his own hands.


s: Spread it without, and spread it well with warm


s: Mantles, with fleeces, and with richest rugs.


s: So spake she, proving him, and not untouch'd


s: With anger at that word, thus he replied.


s: Who hath displaced my bed? The task were hard


s: None might with ease remove it; as for man,


s: Of youth, to heave it to a different spot.


s: Around this tree I built, with massy stones


s: Cemented close, my chamber, roof'd it o'er,


s: I lopp'd the ample foliage and the boughs,


s: And sev'ring near the root its solid bole,


s: Smooth'd all the rugged stump with skilful hand,


s: And wrought it to a pedestal well squared


s: And modell'd by the line. I wimbled, next,


s: The frame throughout, and from the olive-stump


s: Beginning, fashion'd the whole bed above


s: Till all was finish'd, plated o'er with gold,


s: With silver, and with ivory, and beneath


s: Close interlaced with purple cordage strong.


s: Such sign I give thee. But if still it stand


s: Unmoved, or if some other, sev'ring sheer


s: The olive from its bottom, have displaced


s: My bed--that matter is best known to thee.


s: He ceas'd; she, conscious of the sign so plain


s: Giv'n by Ulysses, heard with flutt'ring heart


s: And fault'ring knees that proof. Weeping she ran


s: Direct toward him, threw her arms around


s: The Hero, kiss'd his forehead, and replied.


s: Thou, who at other times hast ever shewn


s: Superior wisdom! all our griefs have flow'd


s: From the Gods' will; they envied us the bliss


s: Through life, from early youth to latest age.


s: That I embraced thee not as soon as seen,


s: My soul, lest some false alien should, perchance,


s: Beguile me, for our house draws num'rous such.


s: Jove's daughter, Argive Helen, ne'er had given


s: Free entertainment to a stranger's love,


s: Of Greece would bring her to her home again.


s: Who never, else, had even in her thought


s: But now, since evident thou hast described


s: Though hard to be convinced, at last I yield.


s: His blameless consort beautiful, he wept.


s: Welcome as land appears to those who swim,


s: Whose gallant bark Neptune with rolling waves


s: And stormy winds hath sunk in the wide sea,


s: The foamy flood, and, swimming, reach the land,


s: All rough, but oh, how glad to climb the coast!


s: Around whose neck winding her snowy arms,


s: She clung as she would loose him never more.


s: Thus had they wept till rosy-finger'd morn


s: Had found them weeping, but Minerva check'd


s: Night's almost finish'd course, and held, meantime,


s: The golden dawn close pris'ner in the Deep,


s: Forbidding her to lead her coursers forth,


s: To all the earth, and join them to the yoke.


s: My love; we have not yet attain'd the close


s: Of all our sufferings, but unmeasured toil


s: Arduous remains, which I must still atchieve.


s: Inform'd me, on that day, when to enquire


s: I journey'd down to Pluto's drear abode.


s: Tranquil repose. My love, make no delay.


s: Thy soul desires, since the immortal Gods


s: But, thou hast spoken from the seer of Thebes


s: Of arduous toils yet unperform'd; declare


s: What toils? Thou wilt disclose them, as I judge,


s: Hereafter, and why not disclose them now?


s: Ah conversant with woe! why would'st thou learn


s: That tale? but I will tell it thee at large.


s: Thou wilt not hear with joy, nor shall myself


s: With joy rehearse it; for he bade me seek


s: A shapely oar, till I shall find, at length,


s: Food salted; they trim galley crimson-prow'd


s: Have ne'er beheld, nor yet smooth-shaven oar


s: With which the vessel wing'd scuds o'er the waves.


s: Which I will tell thee. In what place soe'er


s: I chance to meet a trav'ler who shall name


s: The oar on my broad shoulder borne, a van;


s: He bade me, planting it on the same spot,


s: So shall I die, at length, the gentlest death


s: Remote from Ocean; it shall find me late,


s: More tranquil, hope thence springs of thy escape


s: Some future day from all thy threaten'd woes.


s: Such was their mutual conf'rence sweet; meantime


s: Their bed by light of the clear torch, and when


s: Dispatchful they had spread it broad and deep,


s: The ancient nurse to her own bed retired.


s: The chambers appertain'd, and with a torch


s: The happy pair, and went; transported they


s: And now recover'd, gave themselves again.


s: Meantime, the Prince, the herdsman, and the good


s: Ceased from the dance; they made the women cease


s: At length, with conjugal endearment both


s: The sweets of mutual converse. She rehearsed,


s: Beneath that roof sustain'd, while she beheld


s: Who in their wooing had consumed his herds


s: And fatted flocks, and drawn his vessels dry;


s: While brave Ulysses, in his turn, to her


s: And his afflictions also; he told her all;


s: She listen'd charm'd, nor slumber on his eyes


s: Fell once, or ere he had rehearsed the whole.


s: Beginning, he discoursed, how, at the first


s: He conquer'd in Ciconia, and thence reach'd


s: The Cyclops' deeds he told her next, and how


s: He well avenged on him his slaughter'd friends


s: Whom, pitiless, the monster had devour'd.


s: Who welcom'd him and safe dismiss'd him thence,


s: His native land; for o'er the fishy deep


s: Loud tempests snatch'd him sighing back again.


s: Town of the Læstrygonians, who destroyed


s: His ships with all their mariners, his own


s: Of guileful Circe too he spake, deep-skill'd


s: With sails and oars the squalid realms of death,


s: Theban Tiresias, and how there he view'd


s: All his companions, and the mother bland


s: Who bare him, nourisher of his infant years.


s: How, next he heard the Sirens in one strain


s: All chiming sweet, and how he reach'd the rocks


s: Then, how the partners of his voyage slew


s: The Sun's own beeves, and how the Thund'rer Jove


s: Hurl'd down his smoky bolts into his bark,


s: Whose dreadful fate he yet, himself, escaped.


s: How to Ogygia's isle he came, where dwelt


s: The nymph Calypso, who, enamour'd, wish'd


s: To espouse him, and within her spacious grot


s: Detain'd, and fed, and promis'd him a life


s: But him moved not. How, also, he arrived


s: And whence, enriching him with brass and gold,


s: And costly raiment first, they sent him home.


s: At this last word, oblivious slumber sweet


s: On other thoughts intent, soon as she deem'd


s: And with sweet sleep, at once from Ocean rous'd


s: To illumine earth. Then from his fleecy couch


s: The Hero sprang, and thus his spouse enjoined.


s: Oh consort dear! already we have striv'n


s: Against our lot, till wearied with the toil,


s: My painful absence, thou with ceaseless tears


s: Withheld reluctant from my native shores


s: By Jove and by the other pow'rs of heav'n.


s: But since we have in this delightful bed


s: Met once again, watch thou and keep secure


s: I will replace my num'rous sheep destroy'd


s: By those imperious suitors, and the Greeks


s: Shall add yet others till my folds be fill'd.


s: Continual; as for thee, my love, although


s: I know thee wise, I give thee thus in charge.


s: The sun no sooner shall ascend, than fame


s: Shall wide divulge the deed that I have done,


s: Thou, therefore, with thy maidens, sit retired


s: Nor question ask, nor, curious, look abroad.


s: He said, and cov'ring with his radiant arms


s: His shoulders, called Telemachus; he roused


s: All take their martial weapons in their hand.


s: Put armour on, and issued from the gates


s: Ulysses at their head. The earth was now


s: Led forth into the fields, unseen by all.


s: The proof consisted in this--that the bed being attached to the


s: See the note on the same passage, Book XI.


s: The golden wand of pow'r to seal all eyes


s: He drove them gibb'ring down into the shades,


s: As when the bats within some hallow'd cave


s: Flit squeaking all around, for if but one


s: Fall from the rock, the rest all follow him,


s: So, after bounteous Mercury, the ghosts,


s: Troop'd downward gibb'ring all the dreary way.


s: The Ocean's flood and the Leucadian rock,


s: The Sun's gate also and the land of Dreams


s: They pass'd, whence, next, into the meads they came


s: Of Asphodel, by shadowy forms possess'd,


s: Simulars of the dead. They found the souls


s: Of brave Pelides there, and of his friend


s: These waited on Achilles. Then, appear'd


s: Of Atreus, compass'd by the ghosts of all


s: Who shared his fate beneath Ægisthus' roof,


s: And him the ghost of Peleus' son bespake.


s: Thee dearest to the Gods, for that thy sway


s: At Ilium, scene of sorrow to the Greeks.


s: But Fate, whose ruthless force none may escape


s: Of all who breathe, pursued thee from the first.


s: Thou should'st have perish'd full of honour, full


s: Had rais'd thy tomb, and thou hadst then bequeath'd


s: Great glory to thy son; but Fate ordain'd


s: Blest son of Peleus, semblance of the Gods,


s: At Ilium, far from Argos, fall'n! for whom


s: Of Greece died also, while in eddies whelm'd


s: Of dust thy vastness spread the plain, nor thee


s: The chariot aught or steed could int'rest more!


s: All day we waged the battle, nor at last


s: Desisted, but for tempests sent from Jove.


s: At length we bore into the Greecian fleet


s: Thy body from the field; there, first, we cleansed


s: With tepid baths and oil'd thy shapely corse,


s: Then placed thee on thy bier, while many a Greek


s: Around thee wept, and shore his locks for thee.


s: On the salt flood; a panic seized the Greeks,


s: That moment, had not Nestor, ancient Chief,


s: His counsels, ever wisest, wisest proved


s: Then also, and he thus address'd the host.


s: Sons of Achaia; fly not; stay, ye Greeks!


s: The Greeks fled not. Then, all around thee stood


s: The daughters of the Ancient of the Deep,


s: Mourning disconsolate; with heav'nly robes


s: They clothed thy corse, and all the Muses nine


s: Deplored thee in full choir with sweetest tones


s: Responsive, nor one Greecian hadst thou seen


s: Dry-eyed, such grief the Muses moved in all.


s: Full sev'nteen days we, day and night, deplored


s: Thy death, both Gods in heav'n and men below,


s: But, on the eighteenth day, we gave thy corse


s: Its burning, and fat sheep around thee slew


s: Num'rous, with many a pastur'd ox moon-horn'd.


s: We burn'd thee clothed in vesture of the Gods,


s: With honey and with oil feeding the flames


s: Both horse and foot, encompassing thy pile,


s: Clash'd on their shields, and deaf'ning was the din.


s: But when the fires of Vulcan had at length


s: Consumed thee, at the dawn we stored thy bones


s: Twin-ear'd, which she profess'd to have received


s: From Bacchus, work divine of Vulcan's hand.


s: Within that vase, Achilles, treasured lie


s: Thine and the bones of thy departed friend


s: Of all thy friends at Ilium shared thy love


s: And thy respect, thy friend Patroclus slain.


s: Who live, and who shall yet be born, may view


s: Thy record, even from the distant waves.


s: Then, by permission from the Gods obtain'd,


s: When, on the death of some great Chief, the youths


s: Girding their loins anticipate the prize,


s: But sight of those with wonder fill'd me most,


s: So glorious past all others were the games


s: For thou wast ever favour'd of the Gods.


s: Thus, hast thou not, Achilles! although dead,


s: My warfare closed? for whom, at my return,


s: Jove framed such dire destruction by the hands


s: Of fell Ægisthus and my murth'ress wife.


s: Thus, mutual, they conferr'd; meantime approach'd,


s: Swift messenger of heav'n, the Argicide,


s: Conducting thither all the shades of those


s: Both moved toward them. Agamemnon's shade


s: And thus the spirit of Atreus' son began.


s: Distinguish'd all, descend ye to the Deeps?


s: For not the chosen youths of a whole town


s: Should form a nobler band. Perish'd ye sunk


s: Amid vast billows and rude tempests raised


s: By Neptune's pow'r? or on dry land through force


s: Of hostile multitudes, while cutting off


s: Beeves from the herd, or driving flocks away?


s: Or fighting for your city and your wives?


s: Resolve me? I was once a guest of yours.


s: That we might win Ulysses with his fleet


s: To follow us to Troy? scarce we prevail'd


s: And, after all, consumed a whole month more


s: The wide sea traversing from side to side.


s: All this I bear in mind, and will rehearse


s: Meantime his wife; she our detested suit


s: But, planning for us a tremendous death,


s: Of slend'rest thread, and of a length and breadth


s: Unusual, thus the suitors she address'd.


s: Princes, my suitors! since the noble Chief


s: My nuptials; wait till I shall finish first


s: A fun'ral robe (lest all my threads decay)


s: When fate shall snatch him to eternal rest;


s: Else, I the censure dread of all my sex,


s: Should he so wealthy, want at last a shroud.


s: So spake the Queen; we, unsuspicious all,


s: With her request complied. Thenceforth, all day


s: Three years she thus by artifice our suit


s: Eluded safe, but when the fourth arrived,


s: And fleeting days, return'd, a damsel then


s: Of her attendants, conscious of the fraud,


s: Reveal'd it, and we found her pulling loose


s: The splendid web. Thus, through constraint, at length,


s: She finish'd it, and in her own despight.


s: But when the Queen produced, at length, her work


s: Finish'd, new-blanch'd, bright as the sun or moon,


s: Of his own fields, in which his swine-herd dwells;


s: From sandy Pylus borne; they, plotting both


s: A dreadful death for all the suitors, sought


s: Conducted by his swine-herd, and attired


s: Time-worn, and halted on a staff. So clad,


s: And we reviled and smote him; he although


s: Beneath his own roof smitten and reproach'd,


s: With patience suffer'd it awhile, but roused


s: At length, in concert with his son convey'd


s: To his own chamber his resplendent arms,


s: There lodg'd them safe, and barr'd the massy doors


s: Between the hapless suitors, whence ensued


s: Slaughter to all. No suitor there had pow'r


s: To overcome the stubborn bow that mock'd


s: All our attempts; and when the weapon huge


s: At length was offer'd to Ulysses' hands,


s: With clamour'd menaces we bade the swain


s: Withhold it from him, plead he as he might;


s: Bade give it him, and the illustrious Chief


s: Receiving in his hand the bow, with ease


s: Bent it, and sped a shaft through all the rings.


s: Then, springing to the portal steps, he pour'd


s: The arrows forth, peer'd terrible around,


s: His deadly darts, pierced others after him,


s: Till in one common carnage heap'd we lay.


s: Some God, as plain appear'd, vouchsafed them aid,


s: Such ardour urged them, and with such dispatch


s: They slew us on all sides; hideous were heard


s: The groans of dying men fell'd to the earth


s: With head-strokes rude, and the floor swam with blood.


s: By which we perish'd, all whose bodies lie


s: For tidings none have yet our friends alarm'd


s: And kindred, who might cleanse from sable gore


s: Our clotted wounds, and mourn us on the bier,


s: Which are the rightful privilege of the dead.


s: Him answer'd, then, the shade of Atreus' son.


s: Ulysses! matchless valour thou hast shewn


s: Recov'ring thus thy wife; nor less appears


s: Not such was Clytemnestra, daughter vile


s: Of Tyndarus; she shed her husband's blood,


s: Even the virtuous of her sex are shamed.


s: Thus they, beneath the vaulted roof obscure


s: Of Pluto's house, conferring mutual stood.


s: Meantime, descending from the city-gates,


s: Follow'd, arrived at the delightful farm


s: Which old Laertes had with strenuous toil


s: Himself long since acquired. There stood his house


s: Encompass'd by a bow'r in which the hinds


s: Who served and pleased him, ate, and sat, and slept.


s: There also, who in that sequester'd spot


s: Then thus Ulysses to his followers spake.


s: Haste now, and, ent'ring, slay ye of the swine


s: The best for our regale; myself, the while,


s: Will prove my father, if his eye hath still


s: Have worn the knowledge of me from his mind.


s: He said, and gave into his servants' care


s: His arms; they swift proceeded to the house,


s: And to the fruitful grove himself as swift


s: To prove his father. Down he went at once


s: Into the spacious garden-plot, but found


s: Or servants; they were occupied elsewhere,


s: And, with the ancient hind himself, employ'd


s: Collecting thorns with which to fence the grove.


s: Mended unseemly; leathern were his greaves,


s: Thong-tied and also patch'd, a frail defence


s: Against sharp thorns, while gloves secured his hands


s: From briar-points, and on his head he bore


s: A goat-skin casque, nourishing hopeless woe.


s: Saw him age-worn and wretched, than he paused


s: Beneath a lofty pear-tree's shade to weep.


s: There standing much he mused, whether, at once,


s: Kissing and clasping in his arms his sire,


s: To tell him all, by what means he had reach'd


s: His native country, or to prove him first.


s: At length, he chose as his best course, with words


s: Of seeming strangeness to accost his ear,


s: And, with that purpose, moved direct toward him.


s: He, stooping low, loosen'd the earth around


s: A garden-plant, when his illustrious son


s: Now, standing close beside him, thus began.


s: Old sir! thou art no novice in these toils


s: Of culture, but thy garden thrives; I mark


s: In all thy ground no plant, fig, olive, vine,


s: Pear-tree or flow'r-bed suff'ring through neglect.


s: That thou neglect'st thyself, at the same time


s: Oppress'd with age, sun-parch'd and ill-attired.


s: Thy master slights thee thus, nor speaks thy form


s: In thee, but thou resemblest more a King.


s: Yes--thou resemblest one who, bathed and fed,


s: Should softly sleep; such is the claim of age.


s: But tell me true--for whom labourest thou,


s: And whose this garden? answer me beside,


s: For I would learn; have I indeed arrived


s: Ev'n now assured me, but who seem'd a man


s: My questions, and to answer when I ask'd


s: And friend, if he have still his being here,


s: Or have deceas'd and journey'd to the shades.


s: For I will tell thee; therefore mark. Long since


s: A stranger reach'd my house in my own land,


s: Whom I lov'd more. He was by birth, he said,


s: Beneath my roof, I entertain'd him well,


s: And proved by gifts his welcome at my board.


s: I gave him seven talents of wrought gold,


s: A goblet, argent all, with flow'rs emboss'd,


s: Twelve single cloaks, twelve carpets, mantles twelve


s: Of brightest lustre, with as many vests,


s: And added four fair damsels, whom he chose


s: Himself, well born and well accomplish'd all.


s: Then thus his ancient sire weeping replied.


s: Stranger! thou hast in truth attain'd the isle


s: By a rude race, and lawless. Vain, alas!


s: Were all thy num'rous gifts; yet hadst thou found


s: Answer and true. How many have been the years


s: Since thy reception of that hapless guest


s: My son? for mine, my own dear son was he.


s: But him, far distant both from friends and home,


s: Have eaten, or wild beasts and fowls of prey,


s: Nor I, or she who bare him, was ordain'd


s: To bathe his shrouded body with our tears,


s: Nor his chaste wife, well-dow'r'd Penelope


s: To close her husband's eyes, and to deplore


s: His doom, which is the privilege of the dead.


s: But tell me also thou, for I would learn,


s: Who art thou? whence? where born? and sprung from whom?


s: The bark in which thou and thy godlike friends


s: Arrived, where is she anchor'd on our coast?


s: Another's bark, who landed thee and went?


s: Where in much state I dwell, son of the rich


s: That skirts your city, I have moor'd my bark.


s: Five years have pass'd since thy Ulysses left,


s: Unhappy Chief! my country; yet the birds


s: And to exchange once more pledges of love.


s: Involved Laertes; gath'ring with both hands


s: The dust, he pour'd it on his rev'rend head


s: With many a piteous groan. Ulysses' heart


s: Commotion felt, and his stretch'd nostrils throbb'd


s: With agony close-pent, while fixt he eyed


s: His father; with a sudden force he sprang


s: Toward him, clasp'd, and kiss'd him, and exclaim'd.


s: Absent these twenty years at last return'd.


s: But bid thy sorrow cease; suspend henceforth


s: (And the occasion bids me briefly tell thee)


s: I have slain all the suitors at my home,


s: And all their taunts and injuries avenged.


s: Then answer thus Laertes quick return'd.


s: View, first, the scar which with his iv'ry tusk


s: A wild boar gave me, when at thy command


s: Seeking the gifts which, while a guest of yours,


s: He promis'd should be mine. Accept beside


s: This proof. I will enum'rate all the trees


s: Which, walking with thee in this cultured spot


s: (Boy then) I begg'd, and thou confirm'dst my own.


s: We paced between them, and thou mad'st me learn


s: The name of each. Thou gav'st me thirteen pears,


s: Ten apples, thirty figs, and fifty ranks


s: Didst promise me of vines, their alleys all


s: Corn-cropp'd between. There, oft as sent from Jove


s: Grapes of all hues and flavours clust'ring hang.


s: He said; Laertes, conscious of the proofs


s: With fault'ring knees and fault'ring heart both arms


s: Drew to his bosom close his fainting sire,


s: Who, breath recov'ring, and his scatter'd pow'rs


s: Of intellect, at length thus spake aloud.


s: Ye Gods! oh then your residence is still


s: At last hath seized on those flagitious men.


s: But terrour shakes me, lest, incensed, ere long


s: Swift messengers with these dread tidings charged


s: Courage! fear nought, but let us to the house


s: So they conferr'd, and to Laertes' house


s: Pass'd on together; there arrived, they found


s: Those three preparing now their plenteous feast,


s: And mingling sable wine; then, by the hands


s: Was bathed, anointed, and attired afresh,


s: His limbs, and gave his whole majestic form


s: Encrease of amplitude. He left the bath.


s: Alighted newly from the skies, exclaim'd.


s: My father! doubtless some immortal Pow'r


s: Hath clothed thy form with dignity divine.


s: Jove! Pallas! Phœbus! oh that I possess'd


s: With my brave Cephallenians! oh that such


s: And arm'd as then, I yesterday had stood


s: Those suitors proud, then had I strew'd the floor


s: With num'rous slain, to thy exceeding joy.


s: Such was their conference; and now, the task


s: Set forth, on couches and on thrones they sat,


s: And, ranged in order due, took each his share.


s: Then, ancient Dolius, and with him, his sons


s: Summon'd, their cat'ress, and their father's kind


s: Wond'ring, when thus Ulysses with a voice


s: Of some reproof, but gentle, them bespake.


s: Old servant, sit and eat, banishing fear


s: And mute amazement; for, although provoked


s: By appetite, we have long time abstain'd,


s: Sprang right toward Ulysses, seized his hand,


s: Kiss'd it, and in wing'd accents thus replied.


s: Oh master ever dear! since thee the Gods


s: Themselves in answer to our warm desires,


s: Hail, and be happy, and heav'n make thee such!


s: But say, and truly; knows the prudent Queen


s: Ourselves an herald with the joyful news?


s: My ancient friend, thou may'st release thy mind


s: From that solicitude; she knows it well.


s: Return'd, and all his sons gath'ring around


s: Ulysses, welcom'd him and grasp'd his hand,


s: Then sat beside their father; thus beneath


s: Laertes' roof they, joyful, took repast.


s: But Fame with rapid haste the city roam'd


s: The suitors' horrid fate. No sooner heard


s: The multitude that tale, than one and all


s: Ulysses' gates. Bringing the bodies forth,


s: They buried each his friend, but gave the dead


s: By fishermen on board their rapid barks.


s: All hasted then to council; sorrow wrung


s: Their hearts, and, the assembly now convened,


s: Sat heavy on his soul, grief for the loss


s: Foremost of all, whom mourning, thus he said.


s: My friends! no trivial fruits the Greecians reap


s: Of this man's doings. _Those_ he took with him


s: On board his barks, a num'rous train and bold,


s: Then lost his barks, lost all his num'rous train,


s: And _these_, our noblest, slew at his return.


s: Come therefore--ere he yet escape by flight


s: Of our own sons and brothers, farewell then


s: Henceforth shall be to mingle with the shades.


s: Oh then pursue and seize them ere they fly.


s: Thus he with tears, and pity moved in all.


s: Then, Medon and the sacred bard whom sleep


s: Had lately left, arriving from the house


s: The throng they stood; all wonder'd seeing them,


s: The deed that ye deplore. I saw, myself,


s: In semblance just of Mentor; now the God,


s: From side to side of all the palace, urged


s: To flight the suitors; heaps on heaps they fell.


s: He said; then terrour wan seiz'd ev'ry cheek,


s: Knew past, and future, prudent, thus began.


s: Attentive hear! by your own fault, my friends,


s: This deed hath been perform'd; for when myself


s: And noble Mentor counsell'd you to check


s: The sin and folly of your sons, ye would not.


s: Great was their wickedness, and flagrant wrong


s: They wrought, the wealth devouring and the wife


s: Whom they deem'd destined never to return.


s: But hear my counsel. Go not, lest ye draw


s: Disaster down and woe on your own heads.


s: He ended; then with boist'rous roar (although


s: Part kept their seats) upsprang the multitude,


s: For Halitherses pleased them not, they chose


s: To arms they flew, and clad in dazzling brass


s: Before the city form'd their dense array.


s: To meet his doom, and to return no more.


s: Declare the purpose hidden in thy breast.


s: To whom the cloud-assembler God replied.


s: Why asks my daughter? didst thou not design


s: Should slay those profligates? act as thou wilt,


s: But thus I counsel, since the noble Chief


s: Hath slain the suitors, now let peace ensue


s: The slaughter of their brethren and their sons


s: To strike from their remembrance, shall be ours.


s: Unite them, and let wealth and peace abound.


s: Minerva prompt before, and from the heights


s: And thirst were sated) thus address'd his hinds.


s: Look ye abroad, lest haply they approach.


s: He said, and at his word, forth went a son


s: Of Dolius; at the gate he stood, and thence


s: In accents wing'd thus to Ulysses spake.


s: They come--they are already arrived--arm all!


s: Ulysses with his three, and the six sons


s: Arm'd and Laertes, although silver-hair'd,


s: Warriors perforce. When all were clad alike


s: In radiant armour, throwing wide the gates


s: Then Jove's own daughter Pallas, in the form


s: And with the voice of Mentor, came in view,


s: Now, oh my son! thou shalt observe, untold


s: By me, where fight the bravest. Oh shame not


s: Thine ancestry, who have in all the earth


s: Thou shalt behold thy son, as thou hast said,


s: What sun hath ris'n to-day? oh blessed Gods!


s: To the old King, thus counsell'd him. Oh friend


s: Whom most I love, son of Arcesias! pray'r


s: And to her father Jove, delay not, shake


s: Thy lance in air, and give it instant flight.


s: So saying, the Goddess nerved his arm anew.


s: He sought in pray'r the daughter dread of Jove,


s: And, brandishing it, hurl'd his lance; it struck


s: Eupithes, pierced his helmet brazen-cheek'd


s: That stay'd it not, but forth it sprang beyond,


s: And with loud clangor of his arms he fell.


s: With faulchion and with spear of double edge


s: To the assault, and of them all had left


s: None living, none had to his home return'd,


s: But that Jove's virgin daughter with a voice


s: Of loud authority thus quell'd them all.


s: The field remains undeluged with your blood.


s: So she, and fear at once paled ev'ry cheek.


s: All trembled at the voice divine; their arms


s: Escaping from the grasp fell to the earth,


s: His voice abroad, and with an eagle's force


s: Sprang on the people; but Saturnian Jove,


s: Cast down, incontinent, his smouldring bolt


s: At Pallas' feet, and thus the Goddess spake.


s: Forbear; abstain from slaughter; lest thyself


s: Incur the anger of high thund'ring Jove.


s: Then faithful covenants of peace between


s: Both sides ensued, ratified in the sight


s: In voice and form, the Mentor known to all.


s: Τρίζουσαι--τετριγῦιαι--the ghosts


s: Did squeak and gibber in the Roman streets.


s: θάνατος δέ τοι ἐξ ἁλὸς αὐτῷ


s: ἀβληχρὸς μάλα τοῖος ἐλεύσεται.


s: _Anonymous works are given under titles._


s: _Anthologies, etc., are arranged at the end of the list._


s: Green's Short History of the English People, 727, 728. The cloth


s: edition is in 2 vols. or 1 vol. All other editions are in 1 vol.


s: "         An Inland Voyage, Travels with a Donkey, and Silverado


s: NOTE--The following numbers are at present out of print:


s: Knowing within myself the manner in which this Poem has been


s: produced, it is not without a feeling of regret that I make it


s: books, and indeed the two last, I feel sensible are not of such


s: This may be speaking too presumptuously, and may deserve a


s: necessarily taste in going over the following pages.


s: Page 108, line 4 from the bottom, for "her" read "his."


s: Pass into nothingness; but still will keep


s: Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing.


s: Therefore, on every morrow, are we wreathing


s: Spite of despondence, of the inhuman dearth


s: Of all the unhealthy and o'er-darkened ways


s: Made for our searching: yes, in spite of all,


s: Some shape of beauty moves away the pall


s: From our dark spirits. Such the sun, the moon,


s: Trees old and young, sprouting a shady boon


s: For simple sheep; and such are daffodils


s: With the green world they live in; and clear rills


s: That for themselves a cooling covert make


s: 'Gainst the hot season; the mid forest brake,


s: Rich with a sprinkling of fair musk-rose blooms:


s: And such too is the grandeur of the dooms


s: All lovely tales that we have heard or read:


s: Pouring unto us from the heaven's brink.


s: For one short hour; no, even as the trees


s: Dear as the temple's self, so does the moon,


s: Haunt us till they become a cheering light


s: Unto our souls, and bound to us so fast,


s: That, whether there be shine, or gloom o'ercast,


s: Therefore, 'tis with full happiness that I


s: Now while the early budders are just new,


s: About old forests; while the willow trails


s: Bring home increase of milk. And, as the year


s: Grows lush in juicy stalks, I'll smoothly steer


s: With streams that deepen freshly into bowers.


s: Before the daisies, vermeil rimm'd and white,


s: Hide in deep herbage; and ere yet the bees


s: Hum about globes of clover and sweet peas,


s: See it half finished: but let Autumn bold,


s: There let its trumpet blow, and quickly dress


s: My uncertain path with green, that I may speed


s: Easily onward, thorough flowers and weed.


s: A mighty forest; for the moist earth fed