Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Homer -- Translations into English; Odysseus, King of Ithaca (Mythological character)
the water brought me nigh your coast. Then as I strove to land upon the
shore, the wave had overwhelmed me, dashing me against the great rocks
and a desolate place, but at length I gave way and swam back, till I
came to the river, where the place seemed best in mine eyes, smooth of
rocks, and withal there was a shelter from the wind. And as I came out
I sank down, gathering to me my spirit, and immortal night came on.
Then I gat me forth and away from the heaven-fed river, and laid me to
sleep in the bushes and strewed leaves about me, and the god shed over
me infinite sleep. There among the leaves I slept, stricken at heart,
all the night long, even till the morning and mid-day. And the sun sank
when sweet sleep let me free. And I was aware of the company of thy
daughter disporting them upon the sand, and there was she in the midst
of them like unto the goddesses. To her I made my supplication, and she
showed no lack of a good understanding, behaving so as thou couldst not
hope for in chancing upon one so young; for the younger folk lack
wisdom always. She gave me bread enough and red wine, and let wash me
in the river and bestowed on me these garments. Herein, albeit in sore
distress, have I told thee all the truth.”
And Alcinous answered again, and spake saying: “Sir, surely this was no
right thought of my daughter, in that she brought thee not to our house
with the women her handmaids, though thou didst first entreat her
grace.”
And Odysseus of many counsels answered, and said unto him: “My lord,
chide not, I pray thee, for this the blameless maiden. For indeed she
bade me follow with her company, but I would not for fear and very
shame, lest perchance thine heart might be clouded at the sight; for a
jealous race upon the earth are we, the tribes of men.”
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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