Translation Of: The Odyssey Of Homer: Book X Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A B CDEFGHBIJKLMNOPQRSTU VWVVXIYZVVZA2GVVB2C2 VUMD2LVIVD2VE2UVVYUF 2VYVG2VVH2IVI2UJ2D2F VVFVD2VVD2FK2VVUL2FF UL2FFM2VN2NFD2M2K2VV O2FLVUNVFFVFP2UQ2D2V VR2NUVS2VVVVUI2N2VFV D2FVVO2MVT2VFFFVD2FF VD2FFFUD2VVU2VI2UV2F D2FUVVS2UVFVVVD2L2FV FU2FVVW2VVVFUL2D2X2U N2Y2Z2VVUVVVVFA3VMVF D2VTVD2B3IVVL2VMFC3F D2VVUTMUD2UUVFD3L2VU U2FD2VFFUE3F3IFVFFVF FVVVFFFVE3VIVFU2VVVI G3UFVG3FG3D2UUVFVD2L 2UD2FFG3VFH3D2UVUU2G 3VFA3VI3VE3J3LIK2FVT D2FVK3M2MFVG3L3FVU2V M2G3MD2VVVO2UVG3FUFV FUVFG3FM3FFVE3FVFVFV M2FIUFVK2S2VVH3UFVVV VFFVVUV2VU2VVVFIFD2F UD2VD2H3IN3VUVUVN2D2 VO3VUFVFK2VD2M3UVP3V FFFFFVFVUVUVY2FFVC2V UVIJ3VVFVFVVFVUFVID2 P3VVUFL2FUVVID2VVL2G 3VVD2VQ3G3IUVG3TO3FV L2D2FVVLZL2VVFVVUVG3 FR3D2FIVFG3IUD2VUVUU TVVVFIIVUIVFFVD2VVN2 FVVVC2TVE3VVFVFVU2FF FVLVO3VFVVD2UFFFFVIV VVD2UTG3VVVG3D2A3FFV UVD2VFG3VD2VVUVD2J3V VFVS3UVD2VVVVL2FUG3V UVG3VD2L2VVUTFVFVK2F IFD2VT3L2IFVFR3D2UFF VVIFFVFIVU3VVL2VVFFV 3UVD2FIVFFVID2FG3FVV D2G3VD2VL2VD2T3VVI

ARGUMENT	A
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Ulysses in pursuit of his narrative relates his arrival at the island of olus his departure thence and the unhappy occasion of his return thither The monarch of the winds dismisses him at last with much asperity He next tells of his arrival among the L strygonians by whom his whole fleet together with their crews are destroyed his own ship and crew excepted Thence he is driven to the island of Circe By her the half of his people are transformed into swine Assisted by Mercury he resists her enchantments himself and prevails with the Goddess to recover them to their former shape In consequence of Circe's instructions after having spent a complete year in her palace he prepares for a voyage to the infernal regions	B
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We came to the olian isle there dwells	C
olus son of Hippotas belov'd	D
By the Immortals in an isle afloat	E
A brazen wall impregnable on all sides	F
Girds it and smooth its rocky coast ascends	G
His children in his own fair palace born	H
Are twelve six daughters and six blooming sons	B
He gave his daughters to his sons to wife	I
They with their father hold perpetual feast	J
And with their royal mother still supplied	K
With dainties numberless the sounding dome	L
Is fill'd with sav'ry odours all the day	M
And with their consorts chaste at night they sleep	N
On stateliest couches with rich arras spread	O
Their city and their splendid courts we reach'd	P
A month complete he friendly at his board	Q
Regaled me and enquiry made minute	R
Of Ilium's fall of the Achaian fleet	S
And of our voyage thence I told him all	T
But now desirous to embark again	U
I ask'd dismission home which he approved	V
And well provided for my prosp'rous course	W
He gave me furnish'd by a bullock slay'd	V
In his ninth year a bag ev'ry rude blast	V
Which from its bottom turns the Deep that bag	X
Imprison'd held for him Saturnian Jove	I
Hath officed arbiter of all the winds	Y
To rouse their force or calm them at his will	Z
He gave me them on board my bark so bound	V
With silver twine that not a breath escaped	V
Then order'd gentle Zephyrus to fill	Z
Our sails propitious Order vain alas	A2
So fatal proved the folly of my friends	G
Nine days continual night and day we sail'd	V
And on the tenth my native land appear'd	V
Not far remote my Ithacans I saw	B2
Fires kindling on the coast but me with toil	C2
Worn and with watching gentle sleep subdued	V
For constant I had ruled the helm nor giv'n	U
That charge to any fearful of delay	M
Then in close conference combined my crew	D2
Each other thus bespake He carries home	L
Silver and gold from olus received	V
Offspring of Hippotas illustrious Chief	I
And thus a mariner the rest harangued	V
Ye Gods what city or what land soe'er	D2
Ulysses visits how is he belov'd	V
By all and honour'd many precious spoils	E2
He homeward bears from Troy but we return	U
We who the self same voyage have perform'd	V
With empty hands Now also he hath gain'd	V
This pledge of friendship from the King of winds	Y
But come be quick search we the bag and learn	U
What stores of gold and silver it contains	F2
So he whose mischievous advice prevailed	V
They loos'd the bag forth issued all the winds	Y
And caught by tempests o'er the billowy waste	V
Weeping they flew far far from Ithaca	G2
I then awaking in my noble mind	V
Stood doubtful whether from my vessel's side	V
Immersed to perish in the flood or calm	H2
To endure my sorrows and content to live	I
I calm endured them but around my head	V
Winding my mantle lay'd me down below	I2
While adverse blasts bore all my fleet again	U
To the olian isle then groan'd my people	J2
We disembark'd and drew fresh water there	D2
And my companions at their galley's sides	F
All seated took repast short meal we made	V
When with an herald and a chosen friend	V
I sought once more the hall of olus	F
Him banqueting with all his sons we found	V
And with his spouse we ent'ring on the floor	D2
Of his wide portal sat whom they amazed	V
Beheld and of our coming thus enquired	V
Return'd Ulysses by what adverse Pow'r	D2
Repuls'd hast thou arrived we sent thee hence	F
Well fitted forth to reach thy native isle	K2
Thy palace or what place soe'er thou would'st	V
So they to whom heart broken I replied	V
My worthless crew have wrong'd me nor alone	U
My worthless crew but sleep ill timed as much	L2
Yet heal O friends my hurt the pow'r is yours	F
So I their favour woo'd Mute sat the sons	F
But thus their father answer'd Hence be gone	U
Leave this our isle thou most obnoxious wretch	L2
Of all mankind I should myself transgress	F
Receiving here and giving conduct hence	F
To one detested by the Gods as thou	M2
Away for hated by the Gods thou com'st	V
So saying he sent me from his palace forth	N2
Groaning profound thence therefore o'er the Deep	N
We still proceeded sorrowful our force	F
Exhausting ceaseless at the toilsome oar	D2
And through our own imprudence hopeless now	M2
Of other furth'rance to our native isle	K2
Six days we navigated day and night	V
The briny flood and on the seventh reach'd	V
The city erst by Lamus built sublime	O2
Proud L strygonia with the distant gates	F
The herdsman there driving his cattle home	L
Summons the shepherd with his flocks abroad	V
The sleepless there might double wages earn	U
Attending now the herds now tending sheep	N
For the night pastures and the pastures grazed	V
By day close border both the city walls	F
To that illustrious port we came by rocks	F
Uninterrupted flank'd on either side	V
Of tow'ring height while prominent the shores	F
And bold converging at the haven's mouth	P2
Leave narrow pass We push'd our galleys in	U
Then moor'd them side by side for never surge	Q2
There lifts its head or great or small but clear	D2
We found and motionless the shelter'd flood	V
Myself alone staying my bark without	V
Secured her well with hawsers to a rock	R2
At the land's point then climb'd the rugged steep	N
And spying stood the country Labours none	U
Of men or oxen in the land appear'd	V
Nor aught beside saw we but from the earth	S2
Smoke rising therefore of my friends I sent	V
Before me two adding an herald third	V
To learn what race of men that country fed	V
Departing they an even track pursued	V
Made by the waggons bringing timber down	U
From the high mountains to the town below	I2
Before the town a virgin bearing forth	N2
Her ew'r they met daughter of him who ruled	V
The L strygonian race Antiphatas	F
Descending from the gate she sought the fount	V
Artacia for their custom was to draw	D2
From that pure fountain for the city's use	F
Approaching they accosted her and ask'd	V
What King reign'd there and over whom he reign'd	V
She gave them soon to know where stood sublime	O2
The palace of her Sire no sooner they	M
The palace enter'd than within they found	V
In size resembling an huge mountain top	T2
A woman whom they shudder'd to behold	V
She forth from council summon'd quick her spouse	F
Antiphatas who teeming came with thoughts	F
Of carnage and arriving seized at once	F
A Greecian whom next moment he devoured	V
With headlong terrour the surviving two	D2
Fled to the ships Then sent Antiphatas	F
His voice through all the town and on all sides	F
Hearing that cry the L strygonians flock'd	V
Numberless and in size resembling more	D2
The giants than mankind They from the rocks	F
Cast down into our fleet enormous stones	F
A strong man's burthen each dire din arose	F
Of shatter'd galleys and of dying men	U
Whom spear'd like fishes to their home they bore	D2
A loathsome prey While them within the port	V
They slaughter'd I the faulchion at my side	V
Drawn forth cut loose the hawser of my ship	U2
And all my crew enjoin'd with bosoms laid	V
Prone on their oars to fly the threaten'd woe	I2
They dreading instant death tugg'd resupine	U
Together and the galley from beneath	V2
Those beetling rocks into the open sea	F
Shot gladly but the rest all perish'd there	D2
Proceeding thence we sigh'd and roamed the waves	F
Glad that we lived but sorrowing for the slain	U
We came to the an isle there dwelt	V
The awful Circe Goddess amber hair'd	V
Deep skill'd in magic song sister by birth	S2
Of the all wise tes them the Sun	U
Bright luminary of the world begat	V
On Perse daughter of Oceanus	F
Our vessel there noiseless we push'd to land	V
Within a spacious haven thither led	V
By some celestial Pow'r We disembark'd	V
And on the coast two days and nights entire	D2
Extended lay worn with long toil and each	L2
The victim of his heart devouring woes	F
Then with my spear and with my faulchion arm'd	V
I left the ship to climb with hasty steps	F
An airy height thence hoping to espie	U2
Some works of man or hear perchance a voice	F
Exalted on a rough rock's craggy point	V
I stood and on the distant plain beheld	V
Smoke which from Circe's palace through the gloom	W2
Of trees and thickets rose That smoke discern'd	V
I ponder'd next if thither I should haste	V
Seeking intelligence Long time I mused	V
But chose at last as my discreter course	F
To seek the sea beach and my bark again	U
And when my crew had eaten to dispatch	L2
Before me others who should first enquire	D2
But ere I yet had reach'd my gallant bark	X2
Some God with pity viewing me alone	U
In that untrodden solitude sent forth	N2
An antler'd stag full sized into my path	Y2
His woodland pastures left he sought the stream	Z2
For he was thirsty and already parch'd	V
By the sun's heat Him issuing from his haunt	V
Sheer through the back beneath his middle spine	U
I wounded and the lance sprang forth beyond	V
Moaning he fell and in the dust expired	V
Then treading on his breathless trunk I pluck'd	V
My weapon forth which leaving there reclined	V
I tore away the osiers with my hands	F
And fallows green and to a fathom's length	A3
Twisting the gather'd twigs into a band	V
Bound fast the feet of my enormous prey	M
And flinging him athwart my neck repair'd	V
Toward my sable bark propp'd on my lance	F
Which now to carry shoulder'd as before	D2
Surpass'd my pow'r so bulky was the load	V
Arriving at the ship there I let fall	T
My burthen and with pleasant speech and kind	V
Man after man addressing cheer'd my crew	D2
My friends we suffer much but shall not seek	B3
The shades ere yet our destined hour arrive	I
Behold a feast and we have wine on board	V
Pine not with needless famine rise and eat	V
I spake they readily obey'd and each	L2
Issuing at my word abroad beside	V
The galley stood admiring as he lay	M
The stag for of no common bulk was he	F
At length their eyes gratified to the full	C3
With that glad spectacle they laved their hands	F
And preparation made of noble cheer	D2
That day complete till set of sun we spent	V
Feasting deliciously without restraint	V
And quaffing generous wine but when the sun	U
Went down and darkness overshadow'd all	T
Extended then on Ocean's bank we lay	M
And when Aurora daughter of the dawn	U
Look'd rosy forth convening all my crew	D2
To council I arose and thus began	U
My fellow voyagers however worn	U
With num'rous hardships hear for neither West	V
Know ye nor East where rises or where sets	F
The all enlight'ning sun But let us think	D3
If thought perchance may profit us of which	L2
Small hope I see for when I lately climb'd	V
Yon craggy rock plainly I could discern	U
The land encompass'd by the boundless Deep	U2
The isle is flat and in the midst I saw	F
Dun smoke ascending from an oaken bow'r	D2
So I whom hearing they all courage lost	V
And at remembrance of Antiphatas	F
The L strygonian and the Cyclops' deeds	F
Ferocious feeder on the flesh of man	U
Mourn'd loud and wept but tears could nought avail	E3
Then numb'ring man by man I parted them	F3
In equal portions and assign'd a Chief	I
To either band myself to these to those	F
Godlike Eurylochus This done we cast	V
The lots into the helmet and at once	F
Forth sprang the lot of bold Eurylochus	F
He went and with him of my people march'd	V
Twenty and two all weeping nor ourselves	F
Wept less at separation from our friends	F
Low in a vale but on an open spot	V
They found the splendid house of Circe built	V
With hewn and polish'd stones compass'd she dwelt	V
By lions on all sides and mountain wolves	F
Tamed by herself with drugs of noxious pow'rs	F
Nor were they mischievous but as my friends	F
Approach'd arising on their hinder feet	V
Paw'd them in blandishment and wagg'd the tail	E3
As when from feast he rises dogs around	V
Their master fawn accustom'd to receive	I
The sop conciliatory from his hand	V
Around my people so those talon'd wolves	F
And lions fawn'd They terrified that troop	U2
Of savage monsters horrible beheld	V
And now before the Goddess' gates arrived	V
They heard the voice of Circe singing sweet	V
Within while busied at the loom she wove	I
An ample web immortal such a work	G3
Transparent graceful and of bright design	U
As hands of Goddesses alone produce	F
Thus then Polites Prince of men the friend	V
Highest in my esteem the rest bespake	G3
Ye hear the voice comrades of one who weaves	F
An ample web within and at her task	G3
So sweetly chaunts that all the marble floor	D2
Re echoes human be she or divine	U
I doubt but let us call that we may learn	U
He ceas'd they call'd soon issuing at the sound	V
The Goddess open'd wide her splendid gates	F
And bade them in they heedless all complied	V
All save Eurylochus who fear'd a snare	D2
She introducing them conducted each	L2
To a bright throne then gave them Pramnian wine	U
With grated cheese pure meal and honey new	D2
But medicated with her pois'nous drugs	F
Their food that in oblivion they might lose	F
The wish of home She gave them and they drank	G3
When smiting each with her enchanting wand	V
She shut them in her sties In head in voice	F
In body and in bristles they became	H3
All swine yet intellected as before	D2
And at her hand were dieted alone	U
With acorns chestnuts and the cornel fruit	V
Food grateful ever to the grovelling swine	U
Back flew Eurylochus toward the ship	U2
To tell the woeful tale struggling to speak	G3
Yet speechless there he stood his heart transfixt	V
With anguish and his eyes deluged with tears	F
Me boding terrours occupied At length	A3
When gazing on him all had oft enquired	V
He thus rehearsed to us the dreadful change	I3
Renown'd Ulysses as thou bad'st we went	V
Through yonder oaks there bosom'd in a vale	E3
But built conspicuous on a swelling knoll	J3
With polish'd rock we found a stately dome	L
Within some Goddess or some woman wove	I
An ample web carolling sweet the while	K2
They call'd aloud she issuing at the voice	F
Unfolded soon her splendid portals wide	V
And bade them in Heedless they enter'd all	T
But I remain'd suspicious of a snare	D2
Ere long the whole band vanish'd none I saw	F
Thenceforth though seated there long time I watch'd	V
He ended I my studded faulchion huge	K3
Athwart my shoulder cast and seized my bow	M2
Then bade him lead me thither by the way	M
Himself had gone but with both hands my knees	F
He clasp'd and in wing'd accents sad exclaim'd	V
My King ah lead me not unwilling back	G3
But leave me here for confident I judge	L3
That neither thou wilt bring another thence	F
Nor come thyself again Haste fly we swift	V
With these for we at least may yet escape	U2
So he to whom this answer I return'd	V
Eurylochus abiding here eat thou	M2
And drink thy fill beside the sable bark	G3
I go necessity forbids my stay	M
So saying I left the galley and the shore	D2
But ere that awful vale ent'ring I reach'd	V
The palace of the sorceress a God	V
Met me the bearer of the golden wand	V
Hermes He seem'd a stripling in his prime	O2
His cheeks cloath'd only with their earliest down	U
For youth is then most graceful fast he lock'd	V
His hand in mine and thus familiar spake	G3
Unhappy whither wand'ring o'er the hills	F
Stranger to all this region and alone	U
Go'st thou Thy people they within the walls	F
Are shut of Circe where as swine close pent	V
She keeps them Comest thou to set them free	F
I tell thee never wilt thou thence return	U
Thyself but wilt be prison'd with the rest	V
Yet hearken I will disappoint her wiles	F
And will preserve thee Take this precious drug	G3
Possessing this enter the Goddess' house	F
Boldly for it shall save thy life from harm	M3
Lo I reveal to thee the cruel arts	F
Of Circe learn them She will mix for thee	F
A potion and will also drug thy food	V
With noxious herbs but she shall not prevail	E3
By all her pow'r to change thee for the force	F
Superior of this noble plant my gift	V
Shall baffle her Hear still what I advise	F
When she shall smite thee with her slender rod	V
With faulchion drawn and with death threat'ning looks	F
Rush on her she will bid thee to her bed	V
Affrighted then beware Decline not thou	M2
Her love that she may both release thy friends	F
And may with kindness entertain thyself	I
But force her swear the dreaded oath of heav'n	U
That she will other mischief none devise	F
Against thee lest she strip thee of thy might	V
And quenching all thy virtue make thee vile	K2
So spake the Argicide and from the earth	S2
That plant extracting placed it in my hand	V
Then taught me all its pow'rs Black was the root	V
Milk white the blossom Moly is its name	H3
In heav'n not easily by mortal man	U
Dug forth but all is easy to the Gods	F
Then Hermes through the island woods repair'd	V
To heav'n and I to Circe's dread abode	V
In gloomy musings busied as I went	V
Within the vestibule arrived where dwelt	V
The beauteous Goddess staying there my steps	F
I call'd aloud she heard me and at once	F
Issuing threw her splendid portals wide	V
And bade me in I follow'd heart distress'd	V
Leading me by the hand to a bright throne	U
With argent studs embellish'd and beneath	V2
Footstool'd magnificent she made me sit	V
Then mingling for me in a golden cup	U2
My bev'rage she infused a drug intent	V
On mischief but when I had drunk the draught	V
Unchanged she smote me with her wand and said	V
Hence seek the sty There wallow with thy friends	F
She spake I drawing from beside my thigh	I
My faulchion keen with death denouncing looks	F
Rush'd on her she with a shrill scream of fear	D2
Ran under my rais'd arm seized fast my knees	F
And in wing'd accents plaintive thus began	U
Who whence thy city and thy birth declare	D2
Amazed I see thee with that potion drench'd	V
Yet uninchanted never man before	D2
Once pass'd it through his lips and liv'd the same	H3
But in thy breast a mind inhabits proof	I
Against all charms Come then I know thee well	N3
Thou art Ulysses artifice renown'd	V
Of whose arrival here in his return	U
From Ilium Hermes of the golden wand	V
Was ever wont to tell me Sheath again	U
Thy sword and let us on my bed reclined	V
Mutual embrace that we may trust thenceforth	N2
Each other without jealousy or fear	D2
The Goddess spake to whom I thus replied	V
O Circe canst thou bid me meek become	O3
And gentle who beneath thy roof detain'st	V
My fellow voyagers transform'd to swine	U
And fearing my escape invit'st thou me	F
Into thy bed with fraudulent pretext	V
Of love that there enfeebling by thy arts	F
My noble spirit thou may'st make me vile	K2
No trust me never will I share thy bed	V
Till first O Goddess thou consent to swear	D2
The dread all binding oath that other harm	M3
Against myself thou wilt imagine none	U
I spake She swearing as I bade renounced	V
All evil purpose and her solemn oath	P3
Concluded I ascended next her bed	V
Magnificent Meantime four graceful nymphs	F
Attended on the service of the house	F
Her menials from the fountains sprung and groves	F
And from the sacred streams that seek the sea	F
Of these one cast fine linen on the thrones	F
Which next with purple arras rich she spread	V
Another placed before the gorgeous seats	F
Bright tables and set on baskets of gold	V
The third an argent beaker fill'd with wine	U
Delicious which in golden cups she served	V
The fourth brought water which she warm'd within	U
An ample vase and when the simm'ring flood	V
Sang in the tripod led me to a bath	Y2
And laved me with the pleasant stream profuse	F
Pour'd o'er my neck and body till my limbs	F
Refresh'd all sense of lassitude resign'd	V
When she had bathed me and with limpid oil	C2
Anointed me and cloathed me in a vest	V
And mantle next she led me to a throne	U
Of royal state with silver studs emboss'd	V
And footstool'd soft beneath then came a nymph	I
With golden ewer charged and silver bowl	J3
Who pour'd pure water on my hands and placed	V
The polish'd board before me which with food	V
Various selected from her present stores	F
The cat'ress spread then courteous bade me eat	V
But me it pleas'd not with far other thoughts	F
My spirit teem'd on vengeance more intent	V
Soon then as Circe mark'd me on my seat	V
Fast rooted sullen nor with outstretch'd hands	F
Deigning to touch the banquet she approach'd	V
And in wing'd accents suasive thus began	U
Why sits Ulysses like the Dumb dark thoughts	F
His only food loaths he the touch of meat	V
And taste of wine Thou fear'st as I perceive	I
Some other snare but idle is that fear	D2
For I have sworn the inviolable oath	P3
She ceas'd to whom this answer I return'd	V
How can I eat what virtuous man and just	V
O Circe could endure the taste of wine	U
Or food till he should see his prison'd friends	F
Once more at liberty If then thy wish	L2
That I should eat and drink be true produce	F
My captive people let us meet again	U
So I then Circe bearing in her hand	V
Her potent rod went forth and op'ning wide	V
The door drove out my people from the sty	I
In bulk resembling brawns of the ninth year	D2
They stood before me she through all the herd	V
Proceeding with an unctuous antidote	V
Anointed each and at the wholesome touch	L2
All shed the swinish bristles by the drug	G3
Dread Circe's former magic gift produced	V
Restored at once to manhood they appear'd	V
More vig'rous far and sightlier than before	D2
They knew me and with grasp affectionate	V
Hung on my hand Tears follow'd but of joy	Q3
And with loud cries the vaulted palace rang	G3
Even the awful Goddess felt herself	I
Compassion and approaching me began	U
Laertes' noble son for wiles renown'd	V
Hence to the shore and to thy gallant bark	G3
First hale her safe aground then hiding all	T
Your arms and treasures in the caverns come	O3
Thyself again and hither lead thy friends	F
So spake the Goddess and my gen'rous mind	V
Persuaded thence repairing to the beach	L2
I sought my ship arrived I found my crew	D2
Lamenting miserably and their cheeks	F
With tears bedewing ceaseless at her side	V
As when the calves within some village rear'd	V
Behold at eve the herd returning home	L
From fruitful meads where they have grazed their fill	Z
No longer in the stalls contain'd they rush	L2
With many a frisk abroad and blaring oft	V
With one consent all dance their dams around	V
So they at sight of me dissolved in tears	F
Of rapt'rous joy and each his spirit felt	V
With like affections warm'd as he had reach'd	V
Just then his country and his city seen	U
Fair Ithaca where he was born and rear'd	V
Then in wing'd accents tender thus they spake	G3
Noble Ulysses thy appearance fills	F
Our soul with transports such as we should feel	R3
Arrived in safety on our native shore	D2
Speak say how perish'd our unhappy friends	F
So they to whom this answer mild I gave	I
Hale we our vessel first ashore and hide	V
In caverns all our treasures and our arms	F
Then hasting hence follow me and ere long	G3
Ye shall behold your friends beneath the roof	I
Of Circe banqueting and drinking wine	U
Abundant for no dearth attends them there	D2
So I whom all with readiness obey'd	V
All save Eurylochus he sought alone	U
To stay the rest and eager interposed	V
Ah whither tend we miserable men	U
Why covet ye this evil to go down	U
To Circe's palace she will change us all	T
To lions wolves or swine that we may guard	V
Her palace by necessity constrain'd	V
So some were pris'ners of the Cyclops erst	V
When led by rash Ulysses our lost friends	F
Intruded needlessly into his cave	I
And perish'd by the folly of their Chief	I
He spake whom hearing occupied I stood	V
In self debate whether my faulchion keen	U
Forth drawing from beside my sturdy thigh	I
To tumble his lopp'd head into the dust	V
Although he were my kinsman in the bonds	F
Of close affinity but all my friends	F
As with one voice thus gently interposed	V
Noble Ulysses we will leave him here	D2
Our vessel's guard if such be thy command	V
But us lead thou to Circe's dread abode	V
So saying they left the galley and set forth	N2
Climbing the coast nor would Eurylochus	F
Beside the hollow bark remain but join'd	V
His comrades by my dreadful menace awed	V
Meantime the Goddess busily employ'd	V
Bathed and refresh'd my friends with limpid oil	C2
And clothed them We arriving found them all	T
Banqueting in the palace there they met	V
These ask'd and those rehearsed the wond'rous tale	E3
And the recital made all wept aloud	V
Till the wide dome resounded Then approach'd	V
The graceful Goddess and address'd me thus	F
Laertes' noble son for wiles renown'd	V
Provoke ye not each other now to tears	F
I am not ignorant myself how dread	V
Have been your woes both on the fishy Deep	U2
And on the land by force of hostile pow'rs	F
But come Eat now and drink ye wine that so	F
Your freshen'd spirit may revive and ye	F
Courageous grow again as when ye left	V
The rugged shores of Ithaca your home	L
For now through recollection day by day	V
Of all your pains and toils ye are become	O3
Spiritless strengthless and the taste forget	V
Of pleasure such have been your num'rous woes	F
She spake whose invitation kind prevail'd	V
And won us to her will There then we dwelt	V
The year complete fed with delicious fare	D2
Day after day and quaffing gen'rous wine	U
But when the year fulfill'd the circling hours	F
Their course resumed and the successive months	F
With all their tedious days were spent my friends	F
Summoning me abroad thus greeted me	F
Sir recollect thy country if indeed	V
The fates ordain thee to revisit safe	I
That country and thy own glorious abode	V
So they whose admonition I receiv'd	V
Well pleas'd Then all the day regaled we sat	V
At Circe's board with sav'ry viands rare	D2
And quaffing richest wine but when the sun	U
Declining darkness overshadow'd all	T
Then each within the dusky palace took	G3
Custom'd repose and to the Goddess' bed	V
Magnificent ascending there I urged	V
My earnest suit which gracious she receiv'd	V
And in wing'd accents earnest thus I spake	G3
O Circe let us prove thy promise true	D2
Dismiss us hence My own desires at length	A3
Tend homeward vehement and the desires	F
No less of all my friends who with complaints	F
Unheard by thee wear my sad heart away	V
So I to whom the Goddess in return	U
Laertes' noble son Ulysses famed	V
For deepest wisdom dwell not longer here	D2
Thou and thy followers in my abode	V
Reluctant but your next must be a course	F
Far diff'rent hence departing ye must seek	G3
The dreary house of Ades and of dread	V
Persephone there to consult the Seer	D2
Theban Tiresias prophet blind but blest	V
With faculties which death itself hath spared	V
To him alone of all the dead Hell's Queen	U
Gives still to prophesy while others flit	V
Mere forms the shadows of what once they were	D2
She spake and by her words dash'd from my soul	J3
All courage weeping on the bed I sat	V
Reckless of life and of the light of day	V
But when with tears and rolling to and fro	F
Satiate I felt relief thus I replied	V
O Circe with what guide shall I perform	S3
This voyage unperform'd by living man	U
I spake to whom the Goddess quick replied	V
Brave Laertiades let not the fear	D2
To want a guide distress thee Once on board	V
Your mast erected and your canvas white	V
Unfurl'd sit thou the breathing North shall waft	V
Thy vessel on But when ye shall have cross'd	V
The broad expanse of Ocean and shall reach	L2
The oozy shore where grow the poplar groves	F
And fruitless willows wan of Proserpine	U
Push thither through the gulphy Deep thy bark	G3
And landing haste to Pluto's murky abode	V
There into Acheron runs not alone	U
Dread Pyriphlegethon but Cocytus loud	V
From Styx derived there also stands a rock	G3
At whose broad base the roaring rivers meet	V
There thrusting as I bid thy bark ashore	D2
O Hero scoop the soil op'ning a trench	L2
Ell broad on ev'ry side then pour around	V
Libation consecrate to all the dead	V
First milk with honey mixt then luscious wine	U
Then water sprinkling last meal over all	T
Next supplicate the unsubstantial forms	F
Fervently of the dead vowing to slay	V
Return'd to Ithaca in thy own house	F
An heifer barren yet fairest and best	V
Of all thy herds and to enrich the pile	K2
With delicacies such as please the shades	F
But in peculiar to Tiresias vow	I
A sable ram noblest of all thy flocks	F
When thus thou hast propitiated with pray'r	D2
All the illustrious nations of the dead	V
Next thou shalt sacrifice to them a ram	T3
And sable ewe turning the face of each	L2
Right toward Erebus and look thyself	I
Meantime askance toward the river's course	F
Souls num'rous soon of the departed dead	V
Will thither flock then strenuous urge thy friends	F
Flaying the victims which thy ruthless steel	R3
Hath slain to burn them and to sooth by pray'r	D2
Illustrious Pluto and dread Proserpine	U
While thus is done thou seated at the foss	F
Faulchion in hand chace thence the airy forms	F
Afar nor suffer them to approach the blood	V
Till with Tiresias thou have first conferr'd	V
Then glorious Chief the Prophet shall himself	I
Appear who will instruct thee and thy course	F
Delineate measuring from place to place	F
Thy whole return athwart the fishy flood	V
While thus she spake the golden dawn arose	F
When putting on me my attire the nymph	I
Next cloath'd herself and girding to her waist	V
With an embroider'd zone her snowy robe	U3
Graceful redundant veil'd her beauteous head	V
Then ranging the wide palace I aroused	V
My followers standing at the side of each	L2
Up sleep no longer let us quick depart	V
For thus the Goddess hath herself advised	V
So I whose early summons my brave friends	F
With readiness obey'd Yet even thence	F
I brought not all my crew There was a youth	V3
Youngest of all my train Elpenor one	U
Not much in estimation for desert	V
In arms nor prompt in understanding more	D2
Who overcharged with wine and covetous	F
Of cooler air high on the palace roof	I
Of Circe slept apart from all the rest	V
Awaken'd by the clamour of his friends	F
Newly arisen he also sprang to rise	F
And in his haste forgetful where to find	V
The deep descending stairs plunged through the roof	I
With neck bone broken from the vertebr	D2
Outstretch'd he lay his spirit sought the shades	F
Then thus to my assembling friends I spake	G3
Ye think I doubt not of an homeward course	F
But Circe points me to the drear abode	V
Of Proserpine and Pluto to consult	V
The spirit of Tiresias Theban seer	D2
I ended and the hearts of all alike	G3
Felt consternation on the earth they sat	V
Disconsolate and plucking each his hair	D2
Yet profit none of all their sorrow found	V
But while we sought my galley on the beach	L2
With tepid tears bedewing as we went	V
Our cheeks meantime the Goddess to the shore	D2
Descending bound within the bark a ram	T3
And sable ewe passing us unperceived	V
For who hath eyes that can discern a God	V
Going or coming if he shun the view	I

William Cowper

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