Neritus, leaf-shaking,[1] very conspicuous; and around it there are many islands very near to one another. Dulichium, and Samos, and woody Zacynthus; but it lies low, the highest[2] in the sea towards the west, (but those that are separated from it [lie] towards the east and the sun,) craggy, but a good nourisher of youths; I cannot at all behold anything else sweeter than this island. Certainly, indeed, Calypso, divine one of goddesses, kept me away from thence [in her hollow caves, desiring that I should be her husband];[3] so in like manner did Ææan Circe, crafty, detain me in her palace, desiring that I should be her husband; but they did not at all persuade the mind in my breast. Since nothing is sweeter than one's own country and one's parents, although one should inhabit a wealthy house at a distance, in a foreign land, far from one's parents. But come, I will tell also of my very toilsome return, which Jove sent upon me when I went from Troy.
"The wind bearing me from Ilium made me approach the Ciconians in Ismarus; and there I laid waste the city, and destroyed them.[4] And taking their wives and many possessions out of the city, we divided them, that no one might go deprived of an equal share. Then indeed I ordered that we should fly with a moist foot;[5] but they very foolish did not obey me. There they drank much wine, and slew many sheep near the shore, and beeves curve-footed, bent-horn. But in the mean time the Ciconians going called upon the Ciconians, who were their neighbours, both more in number, and braver, who inhabit the continent, knowing how to fight with men from horses, and, when there is need, being on foot. Then they came in the morning, as many in number as are the leaves and flowers in spring; then at length evil fate from Jove stood over ill-fated us, that we should suffer many griefs. And having placed themselves [in array], they engaged in battle
- ↑ i. e. woody.
- ↑ πανυπερτάτη is to be explained by the fact that the sea at a distance seems to rise; hence the island farthest seemed higher than the nearest. Strabo, x. p. 454, quoted by Eustath., had a glimpse of the meaning. See my note on Phil. 513, and Arnold on Thucyd. i. 112. G. Burges.
- ↑ A very doubtful verse.
- ↑ The Ciconians.
- ↑ There are different ways of explaining this word; the most probable way of taking it seems to be that chosen by the Scholiast, with a moist foot, metaphorically for in a ship. Old Transl. The same view is adopted by Loewe and Ernesti.
