The Odysseys of Homer, together with the shorter poemsHomer
General
The Odysseys of Homer, together with the shorter poems
Homer
Epic poetry, Greek -- Translations into English; Odysseus, King of Ithaca (Mythological character) -- Poetry
[7] This his relation of Agamemnon, and his glory and theirs for
Troy’s sack, with the piety of suppliants’ receipt, to him that was so
barbarous and impious, must be intended spoken by Ulysses, with
supposition that his hearers would note, still as he spake, how vain
they would show to the Cyclops; who respected little Agamemnon, or
their valiant exploit against Troy, or the Gods themselves. For
otherwise, the serious observation of the words (though good and
grave, if spoken to another) want their intentional sharpness and
life.
[8] Wool of a violet colour.
[9] Ulysses’ continued insolence, no more to repeat what he said to
the Cyclop, than to let his hearers know epithets, and estimation in
the world.
[10] No occasion let pass to Ulysses’ piety in our Poet’s singular wit
and wisdom.
THE TENTH BOOK OF HOMER’S ODYSSEYS
THE ARGUMENT
Ulysses now relates to us
The grace he had with Æolus,
Great Guardian of the hollow Winds;
Which in a leather bag he binds,
And gives Ulysses; all but one,
Which Zephyr was, who fill’d alone
Ulysses’ sails. The bag once seen,
While he slept, by Ulysses’ men,
They thinking it did gold enclose,
To find it, all the winds did loose,
Who back flew to their Guard again.
Forth sail’d he; and did next attain
To where the Læstrygonians dwell.
Where he eleven ships lost, and fell
On the Ææan coast, whose shore
He sends Eurylochus t’ explore,
Dividing with him half his men.
Who go, and turn no more again,
All, save Eurylochus, to swine
By Circe turn’d. Their stays incline
Ulysses to their search; who got
Of Mercury an antidote,
Which moly was, ’gainst Circe’s charms,
And so avoids his soldiers’ harms.
A year with Circe all remain,
And then their native forms regain.
On utter shores a time they dwell,
While Ithacus descends to hell.
ANOTHER ARGUMENT
_Κάππα._
Great Æolus,
And Circe, friends
Finds Ithacus;
And hell descends.
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