The Poetical Works of Elijah Fenton/The Eleventh Book of Homer's Odyssey. Translated from the Greek. In Milton's style
TRANSLATIONS, &c.
THE ELEVENTH BOOK OF
HOMER'S ODYSSEY.
TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK,
IN MILTON'S STYLE.
To th' Orphean lyre
He sung of Chaos and eternal Night,
Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down
The dark descent, and up to re-ascend,
Tho' hard and rare.
PARADISE LOST, B. iii.
He sung of Chaos and eternal Night,
Taught by the heav'nly Muse to venture down
The dark descent, and up to re-ascend,
Tho' hard and rare.
PARADISE LOST, B. iii.
When speeding sea-ward to the fleet we came
That anchor'd nigh the coast, we launch'd our ship
Into the sacred deep: the mast up-rear'd
Bore ev'ry sail expanded; whilst aboard
We stow'd devoted victims, and ascend 5
The vessel, inly griev'd, and silent showers
Fell from our drooping eyes. A friendly wind
Circe the fair, of human race divine,
Propitious sent; to ply the struggling oar
Small need remain'd, the fresh'ning gale suffic'd 10
Each bellying canvass. On with speed we fare
Prosperous; and when the sun careering prone
Sunk to the western isles, and dewy shade
Sabled the pole, we, tilting o'er the waves
On ocean's utmost bound, approach the realms 15
Unbless'd, where the Cimmerians darkling dwell,
(A lamentable race!) of heav'nly light
Unvisited, and the sun's gladsome ray.
Mooring the vessel on that dreary beach
We take the destin'd sheep, and slow sojourn 20
Along the marish, till the fated place
We found which Circe will'd we should explore.
Eurylochus and Perimedes guard
The holy offerings; I mean-time unsheath
My falchion, and prepare t' intrench the ground
A cubit square, and there oblations pour 26
To reconcile the Shades; infusing milk,
With honey temper'd sweet, and bowls of must
Pure from the mellowest grape, with added store
Of water, and with flow'r of wheat bestrow 30
The mix'd ingredients; to the feeble ghosts
Then vow'd, if Heav'n to my dear native land
Should favour my return, a barren cow
Of stateliest growth, and to th' oraculous seer[1]
A ram of sable fleece, the leading pride 35
Of all my flocks. These solemn rites perform'd,
And vows preferr'd, the destin'd sheep I flew;
Forth gush'd the vital purple, and surcharg'd
The hollow'd trench; when, lo! from the dun verge
Of Erebus the ghosts promiscuous troop 40
Unnumber'd, youths and maidens immature
Cropt in their spring, who, wand'ring pensive, wail'd
The shortness of their date: trembling, and hoar
With age, some slowly pace; others, more fierce,
Array'd in arms, ensanguin'd o'er with wounds 45
Receiv'd in battle, clamorous approach
To drink the reeking gore. Shudd'ring and pale
I stood astounded, but with quick dispatch
Bade burn the sacrifice, a grateful steam
To Proserpine, who there with Dis divides 50
The regency of night: sudden I wav'd
My glitt'ring falchion, from the sanguine pool
Driving th' unbody'd host that round me swarm'd,
Nor deign'd to let them sip, before I saw
Th' oraculous seer. Foremost of all the crowd 55
Elpenor came, whose unregarded corse
We left behind in Circe's sumptuous dome,
Unwept, unbury'd, eager to pursue
Our voyage. Strait to tender pity mov'd,
With words dissolv'd in tears, I cry'd, “Relate, 60
"Elpenor, how these rueful shades you reach'd
"Sooner than I full-sail'd." He thus reply'd,
In accents of much dolour; "Me, O King!
"The minister of adverse Fate malign'd,
"Unweeting of mishap, and wrought me doom, 65
"Drench'd with excess of wine: prone from the top
"Of Circe's tower I fell, and the neck-bones
"Disjointing dy'd. But to your pious care
"Suppliant, I beg by those endearing names
Of parent, wife, and son, (tho' distant, dear 70
"To your remembrance) when you're-ascend
"To Circe's blissful isle, to my remains
"Discharge funereal rites; nor let me lie
"Unwept, unbury'd there, lest Heav'n avenge
"The dire neglect. While the devouring flames 75
"Consume my earthy, on the flagrant pile
"My armour cast complete; then raise a tomb
"For my memorial on the foamy strand,
"And on it place that oar which erst I ply'd
"With my associates." Pensive I rejoin, 80
"Poor Shade! I'll pay the decent rites you crave."
While with the friendly phantom I maintain'd
Such melancholy parley, with brandish'd steel
Guarding the goary pool, I thro' th' obscure
My mother[2] view'd: her lineage she deriv'd 85
From Maia's wingy son, and ceas'd to breathe
This vital air since I my legions led
To war on Ilium. From my pitying eyes
Abundant sorrow stream'd; but tho' regret
Wither'd my resolution, from the pool 90
I made the dear maternal form recede,
Till I should learn from the grave Theban seer
The sum of fate. The sage at length advanc'd,
Bearing a golden sceptre, and began:
"Son of Laertes! what misfortunes dire 95
"Compel your progress from th' all-cheering sun,
"And heav'nly azure, in this seat of woe
"To roam among the dead? but from the pool
"Withdraw, and sheath your falchion, while I taste
"That bloody beverage, then the Fate's decree 100
"Instant I'll utter." Sudden I withdrew,
Sheathing my falchion whilst he drank the gore;
Then thus the seer pronounc'd the Fates' decree.
"What means may best befit your wish'd return,
"Illustrious Greek! you'd know. The sov'reign pow'r
"Whose strong earth-shaking mace the floods revere,
"Insidious waits a time to wreak revenge 107
"For Polypheme his son, whose visual orb
"You late eclips'd with ever-during shade.
"Howe'er you safe may voyage, and avoid 110
"Disasters various, if your mates refrain
"From sacrilegious spoil, when safe they tread
"Trinacria's herby soil; for there the flocks
"And herds of Phœbus o'er the verd'rous lawn 114
"Browze fatt'ning pasture, (he, the world's great eye,
"Views all below his orient beam, nor ought
"Can shun his wakeful ear) with evil hand
"If them they seize, unerring I foretell
"An hideous wreck. Unequal to the storm
"Your ship, deep in the nether waves ingulf'd, 120
"Shall perish with her crew: you shall regain
"The dry without surviving friend to cheer
"Your pilgrim steps; however late and hard,
"You shall revisit your lov'd natal shore,
"Transported in a vessel not your own. 125
"Much of domestic damage and misrule
"Will sadden your return; for in your court
"Suitors voluptuous swarm, with am'rous wiles
"Studious to win your consort, and seduce
"Her from chaste fealty to joys impure, 130
"In bridal pomp; vain efforts! but they soon
"By stratagem, or your puissant arm,
"To ruin are fore-doom'd. Then to a race
"Remote from ocean, who with savoury salt
"Ne'er season their repast, nor vessel view'd 135
"Furrowing the foamy flood with painted prow,
"And all her tackle trim, with speed repair
"Carrying a taper oar: way-faring thus,
"One journeying obvious will misname that oar
"A corn van; fix it there, and victims slay 140
"To Neptune rev'rent; from the fleecy fold
"A ram select, and from the beeves and swine
"The choicest male entire of either herd:
"Thence homeward haste, and hecatombs prepare
"For the bright order of the gods, who reign 145
"Spher'd in empyreal splendours. White with years,
"The balm of life evaporating slow,
"At length, when Neptune points the dart of death[3],
"Without a pang you'll die, and leave your land
"With fair abundance bless'd. In these fix'd laws
"Of Fate repose affiance, and beware." 151
I thus reply'd: "In this authentic will
"Of Fate, O Seer! I acquiesce; but, lo!
"Pensive, and silent, by the goary pool
"Abides my mother's shade, nor me vouchsafes 155
Language or look benign: oh! tell me how
"She here may recognize me." He rejoin'd;
"Whatever ghost by your permission sips
"That sacred purple, will to all your quest
"Without deceit reply; the rest withdraw 160
"At your stern interdict." This said, the seer
To the high capital of Dis retir'd:
Mean-time I firm abode, till the dear shade
Had sipp'd the sacred purple, then her son
Instant she knew, and wailing thus began: 165
"My Son! how reach'd you these Tartarean hounds,
"Corporeal? Many a river interfus'd,
"And gulfs unvoyageable, from access
"Debar each living wight; besides th' expanse
"Of ocean wide to sail. Are you from Troy 170
"With your associate peers but now return'd,
"Erroneous from your wife and kingdom still?"
I thus: "By strong necessity constrain'd,
"Down to these nether realms I have presum'd,
"An earthly guest, to hear my doom disclos'd 175
"By sage Tiresias; for since I led
"Auxiliar bands, with Agamemnon leagu'd
"To war on Ilium, traversing the main
"Thro' various perils, I have voyag'd far
"Estrang'd from Greece. But say by what disease,
"By slow consumption, thro' the gates of Death 181
"Prone did you pass? or by Diana's dart
"Transfix'd, a sudden fate? My hoary sire,
"Survives he? Is my bloomy son possess'd
"Of my domain? or groans it now beneath 185
"Usurping pow'rs, who lord it uncontroll'd,
"Thoughtless of my return? My consort dear,
"Abides she with my son, of all his rights
"A guardian regent? or, no longer mine,
"Hath she been won to plight connubial vows?" 190
The venerable shade thus answer'd mild:
"Still in your regal dome your spouse abides
"Disconsolate, with ever-flowing eyes
"Wailing your absence; and your son, possess'd
"Of principality, with his compeers, 195
"Bounteous of soul, free intercourse maintains
"Of social love. Beneath a sylvan lodge,
"Far from the cheerful steps of men, your fire
"Lives inconsolable, on gorgeous beds,
"With rich embroidery spread, and purple palls, 200
"No more indulging sweet repose; but, clad
"In coarse attire, couch'd with his village hinds,
"On the warm hearth he sleeps when winter reigns
"Inclement, till the circling months return
"New-rob'd in flow'ring verdure; then the vines
"High interwove a green pavilion form, 206
"Where, pillow'd on the leaves, he mourns for you
"Nocturnal, to th' unfriendly damp of age
"Adding corrosive anguish and despair.
"So perish'd I with slow-consuming pine! 210
"Me nor the silver-shafted goddess slew
"Nor racking malady; but anxious love
"Of my Ulysses on my vitals prey'd,
"And sunk my age with sorrow to the grave."
She ceas'd: I thrice with filial fondness strove 215
T' embrace the much-lov'd forth, and thrice it fled,
Delusive as a dream. Anew with grief
Heart-chill'd I spake; "Why, Mother, will you fly
"Your son's encircling arms? O here permit
"My duteous love, and let our sorrows flow, 220
"Mingling in one full stream! Or has the queen,
"Whose frown the shades revere, to work me woe,
"A guileful image form'd?" She thus replies:
"Of all mankind, O most to grief inur'd!
"Deem not that aught of guile by phantoms vain
"Is here intended; but the essence pure 226
"Of separate souls is of all living touch
"Impassive: here no gross material frame
"We wear, with flesh incumber'd, nerves, and bone;
"They 're calcin'd on the pile: but when we cease
"To draw the breath of life, the soul on wing 231
"Fleets like a dream, from elemental dross
"Disparted and refin'd. Now to the realms
"Illumin'd with the sun's enliv'ning beam,
"Hence journeying upward, to your consort dear
"Disclose the secrets of our state below." 236
Thus we alternate, till a beauteous train
Of nobless near advance their steps, enlarg'd
By radiant Proserpine, daughters and wives
To kings and heroes old: the goary pool 240
The fair assembly thick surround, to sip
The tasteful liquid: I the fates of each
Desirous to hear storied, wave my sword
In airy circles, while they singly fate
Their appetites; then curious ask of each 245
Her ancestry, which all in order told.
Tyro first audience claim'd, the daughter fair
Of great Salmoneus; she with Cretheus shar'd
Connubial love, but long in virgin bloom
Enamour'd of Enipeus, inly pin'd; 250
Enipeus, swift from whose reclining urn
Rolls a delicious flood. His lovely form
Neptune assum'd, and the bright nymph beguil'd,
Wand'ring, love-pensive, near his amber stream:
Them plunging in the slopy flood receiv'd 255
Redounding; and to screen his am'rous theft,
On either side the parted waves up-rear'd
A crystal mound. Potent of rapt'rous joy,
And sated, thus he spake: "Hail, royal fair!
"Thy womb shall teem with twins, (a god's embrace
"Is ever fruitful) and those pledges dear 261
"Of our sweet casual bliss nurture and tend
"With a fond mother's care: hence homeward speed,
"And from all human ken our am'rous act
"Conceal: so Neptune bids thee now farewell." 265
He ceas'd, and diving, sudden was ingulf'd
Deep in the gurgling eddy. Two fair sons
Th' appointed months discharg'd, by supreme Jove
Both scepter'd: Pelias first his empire wide
Stretch'd o'er Iölcos, whose irriguous vales 270
His gazing folds o'erfleec'd; her younger birth,
Neleus, was honour'd thro' the sandy realm
Of Pylus. She by Cretheus then espous'd,
A fair increase, Æson and Pheres, bore,
And great Amythaon, who with fiery steeds 275
Oft' disarray'd the foes in battle rang'd.
The daughter of Asopus next I view'd,
Antiope, boastful that she, by Jove
Impregnate, had the sam'd Amphion born,
And Zethus, founders of imperial Thebes, 280
Stately with seven large gates, and bulwark'd strong
Against invading pow'rs. Alcmena fair,
Amphitryon's consort, then advanc'd to view,
To heav'n's supreme who bore Alcides, bold
And lion-hearted. Next that lovely shade 285
Stood Megara, of Creon's royal race,
By great Alcides spous'd. To her succeeds
The sheeny form of Epicaste, woo'd
By Oedipus her son, to whom she deign'd
Spousal embraces, thoughtless of misdeed; 290
He having too (ill-starr'd!) destroy'd his sire,
His lineage with incestuous mixture soil'd,
Blinded by Destiny; but the just gods
Disclos'd th' unnatʼral scene. In Thebes he sway'd,
With various ills by Heav'n's afflictive rod 295
Discomfited; but she thro' fell despair
Self-strangled, from the stings of mortal life
Fled to the shades, and her surviving son
With delegated furies fierce pursu'd.
An amiable image next appear'd, 300
Bright Chloris, of Amphion's lofty stem
The youngest bud: in sweet attractive pomp
On her the Graces ever-waiting smit
The heart of Neleus, whom the Pylian tribes
Homag'd with fealty: from their wedded love 305
Sprung Nestor, Chromius, and the boastful pow'r
Of Periclymenus, besides a nymph,
Pero, of form divine: her virgin vows
By many a prince were sought, but Neleus deign'd
To none her bed but him whose prowess'd arm 310
Should force from Phylace a furious herd
Of wild Thessalian beeves, t' avenge the dow'r
Which Iphiclus detain'd. This bold emprise
A seer accepted; but, in combat foil'd,
In thrall for twelve revolving moons he lay 315
Deep in a dungeon close immur'd, till found
Divine of Fate, by solving problems quaint
Which Iphiclus propos'd, who straight dismiss'd
The captive; so was Jove's high will complete.
Then Leda, spous'd by Tyndarus, I saw, 320
Mother of the fam'd Twins; Castor, expert
To tame the steed, and Pollux, far renown'd
On lifted fields for conflict; who from Jove
Receiv'd a grateful boon like gods to live,
Mounting alternate to this upper orb. 325
Next Iphimedia glides in view, the wife
Of great Alöeus, who in love compress'd
By Neptune, bore (so she the fact avow'd)
Otus and Ephialtes, whom the Fates
Cut short in early prime: their infant years 330
Nurtur'd by earth, enormous both attain'd
Gigantic stature, and for manly grace
Were next Orion rank'd; for in the course
Of nine swift circling years nine cubits broad
Their shoulders measur'd, and nine ells their height.
Improvident of soul, they vainly dar'd 336
The gods to war, and on Olympus hoar
Rear'd Ossa, and on Ossa Pelion pil'd,
Torn from the base with all its woods, by scale
T' assault heav'ns battlements; and had their date
To manhood been prolong'd had sure achiev'd 341
Their ruinous aim; but by the silver dart
Of Phœbus sheer transfix'd, ere springing down
Shaded their rosy youth, they both expir'd.
Ill-fated Phædra then with Procris came, 345
And Ariadne, who them both surpass'd
In goddess-like demeanor: from her sire
Minos, the rigid arbiter of right,
Theseus of old convey'd her, with intent
At Athens, link'd in love, with her to reign: 350
But stern Diana, by the guileful plea
Of Bacchus won, dissever'd soon their joys,
And caus'd the lovely nymph to fall forlorn
In Dia, with circumfluous seas ingirt,
Of nuptial rights defrauded. Next advance 355
Mæra and Clymenè, a beauteous pair;
And Eriphyle, whose once radiant charms
A cloud of sorrow dimm'd; for she, devoid
Of duteous love, for gold betray'd her lord.—
Here let me cease narration, nor relate 360
What other objects fair, daughters and wives
Of heroes old, I saw; for now the night
In clouded majesty has journey'd far,
Admonishing to rest, which with my mates,
Or here with you, my wearied nature craves; 365
Mean-time affianc'd in the gods and you
To speed my voyage to my native realm.
He ceas'd: a while th' attentive audience sat
In silent rapture; his persuasive tongue,
Mellifluous, so with eloquence had charm'd 370
Their still insatiate ears: at length thus spake
The queen Arete, graceful and humane.
"Think ye, Phæacians! that the godlike form,
"The port, the wisdom, of this wand'rer, claim
"Aught of regard? Peculiar him my guest 375
"I style; but since the honour he vouchsafes
"Delighted ye partake, give not too soon
"Him signal of departure, but prepare,
"With no penurious hand, proportion'd gifts,
"Vying in bounteous deeds, since Heav'n hath show'r'd 380
"Your peerage with abundant favours boon.”
Up rose Echeneus then, whose wavy locks,
Silver'd with age, adorn'd his rev'rend brow,
Fraught with maturest counsel, and began
Addressing his compeers: "Rightful and wise 385
"The queen's proposal is; let none demur
"Obedience to her will: Alcinous best
"By fair ensample may prescribe the rule."
Alcinous from his bed of state reply'd,
With aspect bland: "While here I live enthron'd,
"Jove's delegate of empire, and this hand 391
"Sways the Phæacian sceptre, will I cheer
"Th' erroneous and afflicted with meet acts
"Of regal bounty; but our princely guest
"Must, tho' impatient, for a time defer 395
"His voyage, that with due munificence
"Our gifts may be prepar'd. Let all accord
"Benevolent, and free to furnish stores
"Worthy acceptance; me you shall confess
"The first in bounty as the first in pow'r." 400
He ended, and Ulysses answer'd blithe:
"O thou! by kingly virtues justly rais'd
"To this imperial eminence; by thee
"Were I detain'd till the revolving sun
"Completes his annual circle, in thy will 405
"I acquiesce obedient, till meet stores
"For my return be rais'd; then at my realm
"With royal largesses arriving grac'd,
"And gay retinue, straight the wond'ring Greeks 409
"Will dear respect and prompter homage yield."
To whom Alcinous: "Your distinguish'd worth
"Too plain is character'd in all your port
"To doubt you of those vagrant clans who roam
"Fallacious, and with copious legend take
"The credulous ear; you, with severest truth 415
"Rob'd in rich eloquence, instruct and please:
"When (like some bard, vers'd in heroic theme
"Attemper'd to the lyre) you sweetly tell
"Whate'er in Grecian story was of old
"Recorded eminent, or when you speak 420
"Your own disastrous fate. But now proceed;
"Say affable, if while you low sojourn'd
"In gross Tartarean gloom, the mighty shades
"Of those brave warring Greeks appear'd who fell
"By doom of battle; for the ling'ring night 425
"Hath yet much space to measure, and the hour
"Of sleep is far to come: I can attend,
"With ravishment, to hear the pleasing tale,
"Fruitful of wonders, till the roseate Morn
"Purples the east." Ulysses thus reply'd: 430
"Due time, O King! for converse and repose
"Is still remaining; nor will I refuse,
"With coy denial, what the sacred ear
"Of Majesty with audience deigns to grace.
“Hear next how my associate warriors fell, 435
"O'erwhelm'd with huge afflictions, and oppress'd
"In their own realms by feminine deceit,
"To them more fatal than the prowess'd foe.
"When, by imperious Proserpine recall'd,
"The lady-train dispers'd, the pensive form 440
"Of Agamemnon came, with those begirt
"Whom, in one common fate involv'd, of life
Ægysthus had bereav'd. Sipping the gore,
"He recogniz'd me instant, and outstretch'd
"His unsubstantial arms, exhausted now 445
"Of all their vital vigour; with shrill plaints
"Piercing the doleful region far: mine eyes,
"Sore wounded with the piteous object dear,
"Effus'd a flood of tears, while thus I spake:
"O king of Hosts! O ever-honour'd son 450
"Of Atreus! say to what severe decree
"Of destiny you bow'd. By Neptune's wrath
"Tempesting th' ocean, did you there expire,
"Whelm'd in the wat'ry abyss? or fell you arm'd,
"Making fierce inroad on some hostile coast, 455
"To ravage herds and flocks? or in assault
"Of some imperial fortress, thence to win
"Rich spoils and beauteous captives, were you slain,
"Defeated of your seizure?" He replied:
"I perish'd not, my Friend! by Neptune's wrath,
"Whelm'd in the ocean wave; nor dy'd in arms, 461
"Heroic deeds attempting; but receiv'd,
"From base Ægysthus and my baser queen,
"Irreparable doom whilst I partook
"Refreshment, and at supper jovial sat, 465
"Slain like an ox that 's butcher'd at the crib,
"A death most lamentable! Round me lay
"An hideous carnage of my breathless friends,
"Like beasts new slaughter'd for the bridal board
"Of some luxurious noble, or devote 470
"To solemn festival. On well-fought fields
"You various scenes of slaughter have survey'd,
"And in fierce tournament; yet had it quell'd
"Your best of man to view us on the floor
"Rolling in death, with viands round us spread, 475
"And pond'rous vases bruis'd, while human gore
"Flooded the pavement wide. With shrilling cries
"Cassandra pierc'd my ear, whom at my side
"False Clytemnestra flew. T' avenge her wrong,
"I with a dying grasp my sabre seiz'd; 480
"But the curs'd assassin withdrew, nor clos'd
"My lips and eyes. O Woman! Woman! none
"Of Nature's savage train have less remorse
"In perpetrating crimes: to kill her mate
"What beast was e'er a complice? I return'd, 485
"Hopeful in affluence of domestic joy
"To reign, encircled with my offspring dear,
"And court-retinue; but my traitress wife
"On female honour hath diffus'd a stain
"Indelible; and her pernicious arts, 490
"Recorded for reproach on all the sex,
"Shall wound soft Innocence with touch of blame.”
I answer'd; "O ye Pow'rs! by women's wiles
"Jove works sure bane to all th' imperial race
"Of Atreus still; for Helen's vagrant lust 495
"Greece mourns her states dispeopled; and you fell
"By your adult'ress!" Plaintive he reply'd:
"By my disasters warn'd, to woman's faith
"Unbosom nought momentuous; tho' she peal
"Your ear, (by nature importune to know) 500
"Unlock not all your secrets. But your wife,
"Of prudent meek deport, no train of ills
"Will meditate for you by force or guile:
"Her, when we led th' embattled Greeks to Troy,
"We left in blooming beauty fresh; your son 505
"Then hanging on her breast, who now to man
"Full grown, with men associates; your approach
"With rapture he will meet, and glad his fire
"With filial duty dear; a bliss to me
"Not deign'd; my son I saw not ere I fell 510
"A victim to my wife! Then, timely warn'd,
"Trust not to woman's ken the time prefix'd
"For your return to Greece. But say sincere,
“Aught have you heard where my Orestes bides?
"In rich Orchomenus or sandy Pyle? 515
"Or with my brother lives he more secure
"In spacious Sparta? for of this dark realm
"He's not inhabitant." I thus rejoin'd:
"Vain is your quest, Atrides. Whether Fate
"Permits your son to draw the breath of heav'n, 520
Friendly to life, or whether in these shades
"He roams a ghost, I know not; nor with speech
"False or ambiguous will beguile your ear."
While mournful thus we talk'd, suffus'd with tears
Of tender sympathy, young Peleus came, 525
With his associates most in life belov'd,
Faithful Patroclus, and th' egregious son[4]
Of Nestor, great in arms; with them (conjoin'd
In amicable converse, ev'n by death
Uncancell'd) walk'd the tall illustrious shade 530
Of Ajax, with attractive grace adorn'd
And prowess, paragon'd for both to none
But great Achilles; me the goddess-born
Ey'd curious, and at length thus sad began:
"What cause, Ulysses! moves thy mind, expert 535
"Of warlike machinations; what emprise
"Hath aught of such importance as to tempt
"This dire descent, where we in dolorous night,
"Frail incorporeal forms, are doom'd abode?"
"O peerless Chief!" I cry'd, "of all the Greeks 540
"The foremost name! I hither am constrain'd,
"From the wise Theban oracle to hear
"Best means reveal'd how to revisit safe
"My native realm: by rigid Fate repell'd,
"I'm exil'd yet, with troops of various ills 545
"Surrounded. But the gods, to your high worth
"Ever propitious, crown their fav'rite chief
"With choicer blessings than the eye of time
"Yet saw conferr'd, or future shall behold:
"On earth you equal honours with the gods 550
"From us receiv'd; nor by the stroke of Fate
"Sink with diminish'd lustre, but supreme
"Reign o'er the shades." He solemn sad reply'd:
"Reign here supreme! deem not thy eloquence
"Can aught console my doom: rather on earth 555
"A village slave I'd be than titled here
"Imperial and august. But say me true,
"Or did my son illustrate his descent
"First in the files of war, or fled he pale
“A recreant from the fight? Do all our tribes 560
"In Phthia still revere my father's throne?
"Or lives he now, of regal pow'r despoil'd,
"A weak contemn'd old man, wanting my arm
"To hold his sceptre firm? that arm! which erst 564
"Warring for Greece, bestrew'd the Phrygian plains
"With many a prowess knight! Would Heav'n restore
"The same puissant form, I'd soon avenge
"His injur'd age, and re-assert his claim."
He ceasing, I reply'd: "Of Peleus' state
"Fame hath to me been silent; but attend 570
"While I th' achievements of thy glorious son
"Blazon, as truth shall dictate. Him to Troy
"From Scyros o'er the Ægean safe I bore
"To join th' embattled Greeks: whene'er we sat
"In council, to mature some high design, 575
"First of the peerage, with persuasive speech
"His sentence he disclos'd, by all confess'd
"The third from Nestor: but whene'er we mov'd
"In battailous array, and the Thrill clang
"Of onset sounded, he, with haughty strides, 580
"Advancing in the van the foremost chief,
"Pierc'd thro' the adverse legions, nor was deem'd
"Not equal to the best. Each hardy deed,
"Which in his country's cause the youth achiev'd,
"Were long to tell; but by his jav'lin dy'd 585
"Eurypylus, of all th' auxiliar bands
"Fam'd after Memnon first, with many a peer
"Of Pergameian race, around him strown.
"When in the wooden horse, by Epeus form'd,
"Selected heroes lay, aghast and pale 590
"The rest, shudd'ring with fear, let round big drops
"Roll from their drooping eyes, he sole abode
"Undaunted, undismay'd; no chilling doubt
"Frosted his damask cheek, nor silent tear
"Cours'd from its crystal sluice, but grasping fierce
"His spear and falchion, for the combat grew 596
"Impatient, menacing decisive rout
"To Troy's opponent pow'rs; and when the height
"Of Ilion had receiv'd the final stroke
"From Grecian valour, with barbaric spoil, 600
"To his high same proportion'd, he return'd,
"Unmark'd with hostile wound, tho' round him Mars
"With tenfold rage oft' made the battle burn."
I ended: joy ineffable possess'd
The great paternal shade; his steps he rais'd 605
With more majestic portance o'er the mead
Vernant with asphodel, elate to hear
His son's exploits emblazon'd fair by Fame.
The rest, a pensive circle, round await
Reciting various dooms, to mortal ear 610
Calamitous and sad! from these apart
The Telamonian hero, whom I foil'd
In contest for Achilles' arms, abode
Sullen with treasur'd wrath: the fatal strife
By Thetis was propos'd, and ev'ry judge 615
Instinct by Pallas, to my claim declar'd
The prize of right. O! why was I constrain'd
By honour to prevail, and cause to die
Ajax, the chief with manly grace adorn'd,
And prowess; paragon'd for both to none 620
But the great son of Pelcus! him with speech
Lenient of wrath I thus accosted mild:
"Ajax! let this oblivious gloom deface
"The memory of those arms which Heav'n decreed
"Pernicious to the Greeks, who lost in thee 625
"Their tow'r of strong defence: to mourn thy fall
"The voice of Grief along the tented shore
"Was heard, as loud as when the flow'r of war,
"Divine Achilles, dy'd: nor deem that aught
"Of human interpos'd to urge thy doom, 630
"But ireful Jove, to punish all our host,
"Cut off its darling hope. O royal Shade!
"Approach, and affable to me vouchsafe
"Mild audience, calming thy tempestuous rage."
Vain was my suit! for with th' unbody'd troop
Of spectres, fleeting to th' interior shade 636
Of Erebus, he to my friendly speech
Disdain'd reply; yet to that dark recess
Had I pursu'd his flight, he must have borne
Unwilling correspondence, forc'd by Fate, 640
Impassion'd as he was; but I refrain'd,
For other visions drew my curious eye.
Intent I saw, with golden sceptre, grave
Minos, the son of Jove, to the pale ghosts
Dispensing equity; with faded looks 645
They thro' the wide Plutonian hall appear'd
Frequent and full, and argu'd each his cause
At that tribunal, trembling whilst he weigh'd
Their pleaded reason. Of portentous size
Orion next I view'd; a brazen mace 650
Invincible he bore, in fierce pursuit
Of those huge mountain savages he flew
While habitant of earth, whose grizzly forms
He urg'd in chase the flow'ry mead along.
Nor unobserv'd lay stretch'd upon the marle 655
Tityus earth-born, whose body, long and large,
Cover'd nine acres: there two vultures sat
Of appetite insatiate, and with beaks
For ravine bent, unintermitting gor'd
His liver, pow'rless he to put to flight 660
The fierce devourers! to this penance judg'd
For rape intended on Latona fair,
The paramour of Jove, as she sojourn'd
To Pytho o'er the Panopeian lawns,
Delicious landscape!—In a limpid lake 665
Next Tantalus a doleful lot abides;
Chin-deep he stands, yet with afflictive drought
Incessant pines, while ever as he bows
To sip refreshment, from his parching thirst
The guileful water glides. Around the pool 670
Fruit-trees of various kinds umbrageous spread
Their pamper'd boughs; racy the olive green,
The ripe pomegranate, big with vinous pulp,
The luscious fig sky-dy'd, the tasteful pear
Vermilion'd half, and apples mellowing sweet 675
In burnish'd gold, luxuriant o'er him wave,
Exciting hunger, and fallacious hope
Of food ambrosial:—when he tries to seize
The copious fruitage fair, a sudden gust
Whirls it aloof amid th' incumbent gloom. 680
Then Sisyphus, the nearest mate in woe,
Drew my regard; he with distended nerves
Aye rolls a pond'rous stone up a rugg'd rock;
Urg'd up the steep cliff slow with hand and foot
It mounts; but bordering on the cloudy peak, 685
Precipitous adown the slopy side
The rapid orb devolving back renews
Eternal toil, which he, with dust besmear'd,
And dew'd with smoaking sweat, incessant plies.
I last the visionary semblance view'd 690
Of Hercules, a shadowy form; for he,
The real son of Jove, in heav'n's high court
Abides, associate with the gods, and shares
Celestial banquets; where, with soft disport
Of love, bright Hebe in her radiant dome 695
Treats him nocturnal. With terrific clang.
Surrounding ghosts, like fowl, the region wing
Vexatious, while the threat'ning image stands
Gloomy as night, from his bent battle-bow
In act to let th' aërial arrow fly. 700
Athwart his breast a military zone
Dreadful he wore, where grinn'd in fretted gold
Grim woodland savages, with various scenes
Of war, fierce jousting knights, and havoc dire,
With matchless art portray'd; me straight he knew,
And, piteous of my state, address'd me thus: 706
"O exercis'd in grief! illustrious son
"Of good Laertes, fam'd for warlike wiles!
"Fated thou art (like me, what time I breath'd
"Ethereal draught) beneath unnumber'd toils 710
"To groan oppress'd: ev'n I, the feed of Jove,
"Combated various ills, and was adjudg'd
"By an inferior wretch (what could he more?)
"To drag to light the triple-crested dog
"That guards hell's massy portal: I achiev'd 715
"The task enjoin'd thro' the propitious aid
"Of Mercury and Pallas, who vouchsaf'd
"Their friendly guidance;" then without reply
To Pluto's court majestic he retir'd.
Mean-time for others of heroic note 720
I waited, in the lifts of ancient fame
Enroll'd illustrious; and had haply seen
Great Theseus, and Perithous his compeer,
The race of gods; but at the hideous scream
Of spectres issuing from the dark profound 725
I wax'd infirm of purpose, sore dismay'd
Left Proserpine should send Medusa, curl'd
With snaky locks, to fix me in her realm
Stiff with Gorgonian horror. To the ship
Retreating speedy thence, I bade my mates 730
To shove from more: joyous they straight began
To stem the tide, and brush'd the whitening seas
Till the fresh gales reliev'd the labʼring oar. 733
That anchor'd nigh the coast, we launch'd our ship
Into the sacred deep: the mast up-rear'd
Bore ev'ry sail expanded; whilst aboard
We stow'd devoted victims, and ascend 5
The vessel, inly griev'd, and silent showers
Fell from our drooping eyes. A friendly wind
Circe the fair, of human race divine,
Propitious sent; to ply the struggling oar
Small need remain'd, the fresh'ning gale suffic'd 10
Each bellying canvass. On with speed we fare
Prosperous; and when the sun careering prone
Sunk to the western isles, and dewy shade
Sabled the pole, we, tilting o'er the waves
On ocean's utmost bound, approach the realms 15
Unbless'd, where the Cimmerians darkling dwell,
(A lamentable race!) of heav'nly light
Unvisited, and the sun's gladsome ray.
Mooring the vessel on that dreary beach
We take the destin'd sheep, and slow sojourn 20
Along the marish, till the fated place
We found which Circe will'd we should explore.
Eurylochus and Perimedes guard
The holy offerings; I mean-time unsheath
My falchion, and prepare t' intrench the ground
A cubit square, and there oblations pour 26
To reconcile the Shades; infusing milk,
With honey temper'd sweet, and bowls of must
Pure from the mellowest grape, with added store
Of water, and with flow'r of wheat bestrow 30
The mix'd ingredients; to the feeble ghosts
Then vow'd, if Heav'n to my dear native land
Should favour my return, a barren cow
Of stateliest growth, and to th' oraculous seer[1]
A ram of sable fleece, the leading pride 35
Of all my flocks. These solemn rites perform'd,
And vows preferr'd, the destin'd sheep I flew;
Forth gush'd the vital purple, and surcharg'd
The hollow'd trench; when, lo! from the dun verge
Of Erebus the ghosts promiscuous troop 40
Unnumber'd, youths and maidens immature
Cropt in their spring, who, wand'ring pensive, wail'd
The shortness of their date: trembling, and hoar
With age, some slowly pace; others, more fierce,
Array'd in arms, ensanguin'd o'er with wounds 45
Receiv'd in battle, clamorous approach
To drink the reeking gore. Shudd'ring and pale
I stood astounded, but with quick dispatch
Bade burn the sacrifice, a grateful steam
To Proserpine, who there with Dis divides 50
The regency of night: sudden I wav'd
My glitt'ring falchion, from the sanguine pool
Driving th' unbody'd host that round me swarm'd,
Nor deign'd to let them sip, before I saw
Th' oraculous seer. Foremost of all the crowd 55
Elpenor came, whose unregarded corse
We left behind in Circe's sumptuous dome,
Unwept, unbury'd, eager to pursue
Our voyage. Strait to tender pity mov'd,
With words dissolv'd in tears, I cry'd, “Relate, 60
"Elpenor, how these rueful shades you reach'd
"Sooner than I full-sail'd." He thus reply'd,
In accents of much dolour; "Me, O King!
"The minister of adverse Fate malign'd,
"Unweeting of mishap, and wrought me doom, 65
"Drench'd with excess of wine: prone from the top
"Of Circe's tower I fell, and the neck-bones
"Disjointing dy'd. But to your pious care
"Suppliant, I beg by those endearing names
Of parent, wife, and son, (tho' distant, dear 70
"To your remembrance) when you're-ascend
"To Circe's blissful isle, to my remains
"Discharge funereal rites; nor let me lie
"Unwept, unbury'd there, lest Heav'n avenge
"The dire neglect. While the devouring flames 75
"Consume my earthy, on the flagrant pile
"My armour cast complete; then raise a tomb
"For my memorial on the foamy strand,
"And on it place that oar which erst I ply'd
"With my associates." Pensive I rejoin, 80
"Poor Shade! I'll pay the decent rites you crave."
While with the friendly phantom I maintain'd
Such melancholy parley, with brandish'd steel
Guarding the goary pool, I thro' th' obscure
My mother[2] view'd: her lineage she deriv'd 85
From Maia's wingy son, and ceas'd to breathe
This vital air since I my legions led
To war on Ilium. From my pitying eyes
Abundant sorrow stream'd; but tho' regret
Wither'd my resolution, from the pool 90
I made the dear maternal form recede,
Till I should learn from the grave Theban seer
The sum of fate. The sage at length advanc'd,
Bearing a golden sceptre, and began:
"Son of Laertes! what misfortunes dire 95
"Compel your progress from th' all-cheering sun,
"And heav'nly azure, in this seat of woe
"To roam among the dead? but from the pool
"Withdraw, and sheath your falchion, while I taste
"That bloody beverage, then the Fate's decree 100
"Instant I'll utter." Sudden I withdrew,
Sheathing my falchion whilst he drank the gore;
Then thus the seer pronounc'd the Fates' decree.
"What means may best befit your wish'd return,
"Illustrious Greek! you'd know. The sov'reign pow'r
"Whose strong earth-shaking mace the floods revere,
"Insidious waits a time to wreak revenge 107
"For Polypheme his son, whose visual orb
"You late eclips'd with ever-during shade.
"Howe'er you safe may voyage, and avoid 110
"Disasters various, if your mates refrain
"From sacrilegious spoil, when safe they tread
"Trinacria's herby soil; for there the flocks
"And herds of Phœbus o'er the verd'rous lawn 114
"Browze fatt'ning pasture, (he, the world's great eye,
"Views all below his orient beam, nor ought
"Can shun his wakeful ear) with evil hand
"If them they seize, unerring I foretell
"An hideous wreck. Unequal to the storm
"Your ship, deep in the nether waves ingulf'd, 120
"Shall perish with her crew: you shall regain
"The dry without surviving friend to cheer
"Your pilgrim steps; however late and hard,
"You shall revisit your lov'd natal shore,
"Transported in a vessel not your own. 125
"Much of domestic damage and misrule
"Will sadden your return; for in your court
"Suitors voluptuous swarm, with am'rous wiles
"Studious to win your consort, and seduce
"Her from chaste fealty to joys impure, 130
"In bridal pomp; vain efforts! but they soon
"By stratagem, or your puissant arm,
"To ruin are fore-doom'd. Then to a race
"Remote from ocean, who with savoury salt
"Ne'er season their repast, nor vessel view'd 135
"Furrowing the foamy flood with painted prow,
"And all her tackle trim, with speed repair
"Carrying a taper oar: way-faring thus,
"One journeying obvious will misname that oar
"A corn van; fix it there, and victims slay 140
"To Neptune rev'rent; from the fleecy fold
"A ram select, and from the beeves and swine
"The choicest male entire of either herd:
"Thence homeward haste, and hecatombs prepare
"For the bright order of the gods, who reign 145
"Spher'd in empyreal splendours. White with years,
"The balm of life evaporating slow,
"At length, when Neptune points the dart of death[3],
"Without a pang you'll die, and leave your land
"With fair abundance bless'd. In these fix'd laws
"Of Fate repose affiance, and beware." 151
I thus reply'd: "In this authentic will
"Of Fate, O Seer! I acquiesce; but, lo!
"Pensive, and silent, by the goary pool
"Abides my mother's shade, nor me vouchsafes 155
Language or look benign: oh! tell me how
"She here may recognize me." He rejoin'd;
"Whatever ghost by your permission sips
"That sacred purple, will to all your quest
"Without deceit reply; the rest withdraw 160
"At your stern interdict." This said, the seer
To the high capital of Dis retir'd:
Mean-time I firm abode, till the dear shade
Had sipp'd the sacred purple, then her son
Instant she knew, and wailing thus began: 165
"My Son! how reach'd you these Tartarean hounds,
"Corporeal? Many a river interfus'd,
"And gulfs unvoyageable, from access
"Debar each living wight; besides th' expanse
"Of ocean wide to sail. Are you from Troy 170
"With your associate peers but now return'd,
"Erroneous from your wife and kingdom still?"
I thus: "By strong necessity constrain'd,
"Down to these nether realms I have presum'd,
"An earthly guest, to hear my doom disclos'd 175
"By sage Tiresias; for since I led
"Auxiliar bands, with Agamemnon leagu'd
"To war on Ilium, traversing the main
"Thro' various perils, I have voyag'd far
"Estrang'd from Greece. But say by what disease,
"By slow consumption, thro' the gates of Death 181
"Prone did you pass? or by Diana's dart
"Transfix'd, a sudden fate? My hoary sire,
"Survives he? Is my bloomy son possess'd
"Of my domain? or groans it now beneath 185
"Usurping pow'rs, who lord it uncontroll'd,
"Thoughtless of my return? My consort dear,
"Abides she with my son, of all his rights
"A guardian regent? or, no longer mine,
"Hath she been won to plight connubial vows?" 190
The venerable shade thus answer'd mild:
"Still in your regal dome your spouse abides
"Disconsolate, with ever-flowing eyes
"Wailing your absence; and your son, possess'd
"Of principality, with his compeers, 195
"Bounteous of soul, free intercourse maintains
"Of social love. Beneath a sylvan lodge,
"Far from the cheerful steps of men, your fire
"Lives inconsolable, on gorgeous beds,
"With rich embroidery spread, and purple palls, 200
"No more indulging sweet repose; but, clad
"In coarse attire, couch'd with his village hinds,
"On the warm hearth he sleeps when winter reigns
"Inclement, till the circling months return
"New-rob'd in flow'ring verdure; then the vines
"High interwove a green pavilion form, 206
"Where, pillow'd on the leaves, he mourns for you
"Nocturnal, to th' unfriendly damp of age
"Adding corrosive anguish and despair.
"So perish'd I with slow-consuming pine! 210
"Me nor the silver-shafted goddess slew
"Nor racking malady; but anxious love
"Of my Ulysses on my vitals prey'd,
"And sunk my age with sorrow to the grave."
She ceas'd: I thrice with filial fondness strove 215
T' embrace the much-lov'd forth, and thrice it fled,
Delusive as a dream. Anew with grief
Heart-chill'd I spake; "Why, Mother, will you fly
"Your son's encircling arms? O here permit
"My duteous love, and let our sorrows flow, 220
"Mingling in one full stream! Or has the queen,
"Whose frown the shades revere, to work me woe,
"A guileful image form'd?" She thus replies:
"Of all mankind, O most to grief inur'd!
"Deem not that aught of guile by phantoms vain
"Is here intended; but the essence pure 226
"Of separate souls is of all living touch
"Impassive: here no gross material frame
"We wear, with flesh incumber'd, nerves, and bone;
"They 're calcin'd on the pile: but when we cease
"To draw the breath of life, the soul on wing 231
"Fleets like a dream, from elemental dross
"Disparted and refin'd. Now to the realms
"Illumin'd with the sun's enliv'ning beam,
"Hence journeying upward, to your consort dear
"Disclose the secrets of our state below." 236
Thus we alternate, till a beauteous train
Of nobless near advance their steps, enlarg'd
By radiant Proserpine, daughters and wives
To kings and heroes old: the goary pool 240
The fair assembly thick surround, to sip
The tasteful liquid: I the fates of each
Desirous to hear storied, wave my sword
In airy circles, while they singly fate
Their appetites; then curious ask of each 245
Her ancestry, which all in order told.
Tyro first audience claim'd, the daughter fair
Of great Salmoneus; she with Cretheus shar'd
Connubial love, but long in virgin bloom
Enamour'd of Enipeus, inly pin'd; 250
Enipeus, swift from whose reclining urn
Rolls a delicious flood. His lovely form
Neptune assum'd, and the bright nymph beguil'd,
Wand'ring, love-pensive, near his amber stream:
Them plunging in the slopy flood receiv'd 255
Redounding; and to screen his am'rous theft,
On either side the parted waves up-rear'd
A crystal mound. Potent of rapt'rous joy,
And sated, thus he spake: "Hail, royal fair!
"Thy womb shall teem with twins, (a god's embrace
"Is ever fruitful) and those pledges dear 261
"Of our sweet casual bliss nurture and tend
"With a fond mother's care: hence homeward speed,
"And from all human ken our am'rous act
"Conceal: so Neptune bids thee now farewell." 265
He ceas'd, and diving, sudden was ingulf'd
Deep in the gurgling eddy. Two fair sons
Th' appointed months discharg'd, by supreme Jove
Both scepter'd: Pelias first his empire wide
Stretch'd o'er Iölcos, whose irriguous vales 270
His gazing folds o'erfleec'd; her younger birth,
Neleus, was honour'd thro' the sandy realm
Of Pylus. She by Cretheus then espous'd,
A fair increase, Æson and Pheres, bore,
And great Amythaon, who with fiery steeds 275
Oft' disarray'd the foes in battle rang'd.
The daughter of Asopus next I view'd,
Antiope, boastful that she, by Jove
Impregnate, had the sam'd Amphion born,
And Zethus, founders of imperial Thebes, 280
Stately with seven large gates, and bulwark'd strong
Against invading pow'rs. Alcmena fair,
Amphitryon's consort, then advanc'd to view,
To heav'n's supreme who bore Alcides, bold
And lion-hearted. Next that lovely shade 285
Stood Megara, of Creon's royal race,
By great Alcides spous'd. To her succeeds
The sheeny form of Epicaste, woo'd
By Oedipus her son, to whom she deign'd
Spousal embraces, thoughtless of misdeed; 290
He having too (ill-starr'd!) destroy'd his sire,
His lineage with incestuous mixture soil'd,
Blinded by Destiny; but the just gods
Disclos'd th' unnatʼral scene. In Thebes he sway'd,
With various ills by Heav'n's afflictive rod 295
Discomfited; but she thro' fell despair
Self-strangled, from the stings of mortal life
Fled to the shades, and her surviving son
With delegated furies fierce pursu'd.
An amiable image next appear'd, 300
Bright Chloris, of Amphion's lofty stem
The youngest bud: in sweet attractive pomp
On her the Graces ever-waiting smit
The heart of Neleus, whom the Pylian tribes
Homag'd with fealty: from their wedded love 305
Sprung Nestor, Chromius, and the boastful pow'r
Of Periclymenus, besides a nymph,
Pero, of form divine: her virgin vows
By many a prince were sought, but Neleus deign'd
To none her bed but him whose prowess'd arm 310
Should force from Phylace a furious herd
Of wild Thessalian beeves, t' avenge the dow'r
Which Iphiclus detain'd. This bold emprise
A seer accepted; but, in combat foil'd,
In thrall for twelve revolving moons he lay 315
Deep in a dungeon close immur'd, till found
Divine of Fate, by solving problems quaint
Which Iphiclus propos'd, who straight dismiss'd
The captive; so was Jove's high will complete.
Then Leda, spous'd by Tyndarus, I saw, 320
Mother of the fam'd Twins; Castor, expert
To tame the steed, and Pollux, far renown'd
On lifted fields for conflict; who from Jove
Receiv'd a grateful boon like gods to live,
Mounting alternate to this upper orb. 325
Next Iphimedia glides in view, the wife
Of great Alöeus, who in love compress'd
By Neptune, bore (so she the fact avow'd)
Otus and Ephialtes, whom the Fates
Cut short in early prime: their infant years 330
Nurtur'd by earth, enormous both attain'd
Gigantic stature, and for manly grace
Were next Orion rank'd; for in the course
Of nine swift circling years nine cubits broad
Their shoulders measur'd, and nine ells their height.
Improvident of soul, they vainly dar'd 336
The gods to war, and on Olympus hoar
Rear'd Ossa, and on Ossa Pelion pil'd,
Torn from the base with all its woods, by scale
T' assault heav'ns battlements; and had their date
To manhood been prolong'd had sure achiev'd 341
Their ruinous aim; but by the silver dart
Of Phœbus sheer transfix'd, ere springing down
Shaded their rosy youth, they both expir'd.
Ill-fated Phædra then with Procris came, 345
And Ariadne, who them both surpass'd
In goddess-like demeanor: from her sire
Minos, the rigid arbiter of right,
Theseus of old convey'd her, with intent
At Athens, link'd in love, with her to reign: 350
But stern Diana, by the guileful plea
Of Bacchus won, dissever'd soon their joys,
And caus'd the lovely nymph to fall forlorn
In Dia, with circumfluous seas ingirt,
Of nuptial rights defrauded. Next advance 355
Mæra and Clymenè, a beauteous pair;
And Eriphyle, whose once radiant charms
A cloud of sorrow dimm'd; for she, devoid
Of duteous love, for gold betray'd her lord.—
Here let me cease narration, nor relate 360
What other objects fair, daughters and wives
Of heroes old, I saw; for now the night
In clouded majesty has journey'd far,
Admonishing to rest, which with my mates,
Or here with you, my wearied nature craves; 365
Mean-time affianc'd in the gods and you
To speed my voyage to my native realm.
He ceas'd: a while th' attentive audience sat
In silent rapture; his persuasive tongue,
Mellifluous, so with eloquence had charm'd 370
Their still insatiate ears: at length thus spake
The queen Arete, graceful and humane.
"Think ye, Phæacians! that the godlike form,
"The port, the wisdom, of this wand'rer, claim
"Aught of regard? Peculiar him my guest 375
"I style; but since the honour he vouchsafes
"Delighted ye partake, give not too soon
"Him signal of departure, but prepare,
"With no penurious hand, proportion'd gifts,
"Vying in bounteous deeds, since Heav'n hath show'r'd 380
"Your peerage with abundant favours boon.”
Up rose Echeneus then, whose wavy locks,
Silver'd with age, adorn'd his rev'rend brow,
Fraught with maturest counsel, and began
Addressing his compeers: "Rightful and wise 385
"The queen's proposal is; let none demur
"Obedience to her will: Alcinous best
"By fair ensample may prescribe the rule."
Alcinous from his bed of state reply'd,
With aspect bland: "While here I live enthron'd,
"Jove's delegate of empire, and this hand 391
"Sways the Phæacian sceptre, will I cheer
"Th' erroneous and afflicted with meet acts
"Of regal bounty; but our princely guest
"Must, tho' impatient, for a time defer 395
"His voyage, that with due munificence
"Our gifts may be prepar'd. Let all accord
"Benevolent, and free to furnish stores
"Worthy acceptance; me you shall confess
"The first in bounty as the first in pow'r." 400
He ended, and Ulysses answer'd blithe:
"O thou! by kingly virtues justly rais'd
"To this imperial eminence; by thee
"Were I detain'd till the revolving sun
"Completes his annual circle, in thy will 405
"I acquiesce obedient, till meet stores
"For my return be rais'd; then at my realm
"With royal largesses arriving grac'd,
"And gay retinue, straight the wond'ring Greeks 409
"Will dear respect and prompter homage yield."
To whom Alcinous: "Your distinguish'd worth
"Too plain is character'd in all your port
"To doubt you of those vagrant clans who roam
"Fallacious, and with copious legend take
"The credulous ear; you, with severest truth 415
"Rob'd in rich eloquence, instruct and please:
"When (like some bard, vers'd in heroic theme
"Attemper'd to the lyre) you sweetly tell
"Whate'er in Grecian story was of old
"Recorded eminent, or when you speak 420
"Your own disastrous fate. But now proceed;
"Say affable, if while you low sojourn'd
"In gross Tartarean gloom, the mighty shades
"Of those brave warring Greeks appear'd who fell
"By doom of battle; for the ling'ring night 425
"Hath yet much space to measure, and the hour
"Of sleep is far to come: I can attend,
"With ravishment, to hear the pleasing tale,
"Fruitful of wonders, till the roseate Morn
"Purples the east." Ulysses thus reply'd: 430
"Due time, O King! for converse and repose
"Is still remaining; nor will I refuse,
"With coy denial, what the sacred ear
"Of Majesty with audience deigns to grace.
“Hear next how my associate warriors fell, 435
"O'erwhelm'd with huge afflictions, and oppress'd
"In their own realms by feminine deceit,
"To them more fatal than the prowess'd foe.
"When, by imperious Proserpine recall'd,
"The lady-train dispers'd, the pensive form 440
"Of Agamemnon came, with those begirt
"Whom, in one common fate involv'd, of life
Ægysthus had bereav'd. Sipping the gore,
"He recogniz'd me instant, and outstretch'd
"His unsubstantial arms, exhausted now 445
"Of all their vital vigour; with shrill plaints
"Piercing the doleful region far: mine eyes,
"Sore wounded with the piteous object dear,
"Effus'd a flood of tears, while thus I spake:
"O king of Hosts! O ever-honour'd son 450
"Of Atreus! say to what severe decree
"Of destiny you bow'd. By Neptune's wrath
"Tempesting th' ocean, did you there expire,
"Whelm'd in the wat'ry abyss? or fell you arm'd,
"Making fierce inroad on some hostile coast, 455
"To ravage herds and flocks? or in assault
"Of some imperial fortress, thence to win
"Rich spoils and beauteous captives, were you slain,
"Defeated of your seizure?" He replied:
"I perish'd not, my Friend! by Neptune's wrath,
"Whelm'd in the ocean wave; nor dy'd in arms, 461
"Heroic deeds attempting; but receiv'd,
"From base Ægysthus and my baser queen,
"Irreparable doom whilst I partook
"Refreshment, and at supper jovial sat, 465
"Slain like an ox that 's butcher'd at the crib,
"A death most lamentable! Round me lay
"An hideous carnage of my breathless friends,
"Like beasts new slaughter'd for the bridal board
"Of some luxurious noble, or devote 470
"To solemn festival. On well-fought fields
"You various scenes of slaughter have survey'd,
"And in fierce tournament; yet had it quell'd
"Your best of man to view us on the floor
"Rolling in death, with viands round us spread, 475
"And pond'rous vases bruis'd, while human gore
"Flooded the pavement wide. With shrilling cries
"Cassandra pierc'd my ear, whom at my side
"False Clytemnestra flew. T' avenge her wrong,
"I with a dying grasp my sabre seiz'd; 480
"But the curs'd assassin withdrew, nor clos'd
"My lips and eyes. O Woman! Woman! none
"Of Nature's savage train have less remorse
"In perpetrating crimes: to kill her mate
"What beast was e'er a complice? I return'd, 485
"Hopeful in affluence of domestic joy
"To reign, encircled with my offspring dear,
"And court-retinue; but my traitress wife
"On female honour hath diffus'd a stain
"Indelible; and her pernicious arts, 490
"Recorded for reproach on all the sex,
"Shall wound soft Innocence with touch of blame.”
I answer'd; "O ye Pow'rs! by women's wiles
"Jove works sure bane to all th' imperial race
"Of Atreus still; for Helen's vagrant lust 495
"Greece mourns her states dispeopled; and you fell
"By your adult'ress!" Plaintive he reply'd:
"By my disasters warn'd, to woman's faith
"Unbosom nought momentuous; tho' she peal
"Your ear, (by nature importune to know) 500
"Unlock not all your secrets. But your wife,
"Of prudent meek deport, no train of ills
"Will meditate for you by force or guile:
"Her, when we led th' embattled Greeks to Troy,
"We left in blooming beauty fresh; your son 505
"Then hanging on her breast, who now to man
"Full grown, with men associates; your approach
"With rapture he will meet, and glad his fire
"With filial duty dear; a bliss to me
"Not deign'd; my son I saw not ere I fell 510
"A victim to my wife! Then, timely warn'd,
"Trust not to woman's ken the time prefix'd
"For your return to Greece. But say sincere,
“Aught have you heard where my Orestes bides?
"In rich Orchomenus or sandy Pyle? 515
"Or with my brother lives he more secure
"In spacious Sparta? for of this dark realm
"He's not inhabitant." I thus rejoin'd:
"Vain is your quest, Atrides. Whether Fate
"Permits your son to draw the breath of heav'n, 520
Friendly to life, or whether in these shades
"He roams a ghost, I know not; nor with speech
"False or ambiguous will beguile your ear."
While mournful thus we talk'd, suffus'd with tears
Of tender sympathy, young Peleus came, 525
With his associates most in life belov'd,
Faithful Patroclus, and th' egregious son[4]
Of Nestor, great in arms; with them (conjoin'd
In amicable converse, ev'n by death
Uncancell'd) walk'd the tall illustrious shade 530
Of Ajax, with attractive grace adorn'd
And prowess, paragon'd for both to none
But great Achilles; me the goddess-born
Ey'd curious, and at length thus sad began:
"What cause, Ulysses! moves thy mind, expert 535
"Of warlike machinations; what emprise
"Hath aught of such importance as to tempt
"This dire descent, where we in dolorous night,
"Frail incorporeal forms, are doom'd abode?"
"O peerless Chief!" I cry'd, "of all the Greeks 540
"The foremost name! I hither am constrain'd,
"From the wise Theban oracle to hear
"Best means reveal'd how to revisit safe
"My native realm: by rigid Fate repell'd,
"I'm exil'd yet, with troops of various ills 545
"Surrounded. But the gods, to your high worth
"Ever propitious, crown their fav'rite chief
"With choicer blessings than the eye of time
"Yet saw conferr'd, or future shall behold:
"On earth you equal honours with the gods 550
"From us receiv'd; nor by the stroke of Fate
"Sink with diminish'd lustre, but supreme
"Reign o'er the shades." He solemn sad reply'd:
"Reign here supreme! deem not thy eloquence
"Can aught console my doom: rather on earth 555
"A village slave I'd be than titled here
"Imperial and august. But say me true,
"Or did my son illustrate his descent
"First in the files of war, or fled he pale
“A recreant from the fight? Do all our tribes 560
"In Phthia still revere my father's throne?
"Or lives he now, of regal pow'r despoil'd,
"A weak contemn'd old man, wanting my arm
"To hold his sceptre firm? that arm! which erst 564
"Warring for Greece, bestrew'd the Phrygian plains
"With many a prowess knight! Would Heav'n restore
"The same puissant form, I'd soon avenge
"His injur'd age, and re-assert his claim."
He ceasing, I reply'd: "Of Peleus' state
"Fame hath to me been silent; but attend 570
"While I th' achievements of thy glorious son
"Blazon, as truth shall dictate. Him to Troy
"From Scyros o'er the Ægean safe I bore
"To join th' embattled Greeks: whene'er we sat
"In council, to mature some high design, 575
"First of the peerage, with persuasive speech
"His sentence he disclos'd, by all confess'd
"The third from Nestor: but whene'er we mov'd
"In battailous array, and the Thrill clang
"Of onset sounded, he, with haughty strides, 580
"Advancing in the van the foremost chief,
"Pierc'd thro' the adverse legions, nor was deem'd
"Not equal to the best. Each hardy deed,
"Which in his country's cause the youth achiev'd,
"Were long to tell; but by his jav'lin dy'd 585
"Eurypylus, of all th' auxiliar bands
"Fam'd after Memnon first, with many a peer
"Of Pergameian race, around him strown.
"When in the wooden horse, by Epeus form'd,
"Selected heroes lay, aghast and pale 590
"The rest, shudd'ring with fear, let round big drops
"Roll from their drooping eyes, he sole abode
"Undaunted, undismay'd; no chilling doubt
"Frosted his damask cheek, nor silent tear
"Cours'd from its crystal sluice, but grasping fierce
"His spear and falchion, for the combat grew 596
"Impatient, menacing decisive rout
"To Troy's opponent pow'rs; and when the height
"From Grecian valour, with barbaric spoil, 600
"To his high same proportion'd, he return'd,
"Unmark'd with hostile wound, tho' round him Mars
"With tenfold rage oft' made the battle burn."
I ended: joy ineffable possess'd
The great paternal shade; his steps he rais'd 605
With more majestic portance o'er the mead
Vernant with asphodel, elate to hear
His son's exploits emblazon'd fair by Fame.
The rest, a pensive circle, round await
Reciting various dooms, to mortal ear 610
Calamitous and sad! from these apart
The Telamonian hero, whom I foil'd
In contest for Achilles' arms, abode
Sullen with treasur'd wrath: the fatal strife
By Thetis was propos'd, and ev'ry judge 615
Instinct by Pallas, to my claim declar'd
The prize of right. O! why was I constrain'd
By honour to prevail, and cause to die
Ajax, the chief with manly grace adorn'd,
And prowess; paragon'd for both to none 620
But the great son of Pelcus! him with speech
Lenient of wrath I thus accosted mild:
"Ajax! let this oblivious gloom deface
"The memory of those arms which Heav'n decreed
"Pernicious to the Greeks, who lost in thee 625
"Their tow'r of strong defence: to mourn thy fall
"The voice of Grief along the tented shore
"Was heard, as loud as when the flow'r of war,
"Divine Achilles, dy'd: nor deem that aught
"Of human interpos'd to urge thy doom, 630
"But ireful Jove, to punish all our host,
"Cut off its darling hope. O royal Shade!
"Approach, and affable to me vouchsafe
"Mild audience, calming thy tempestuous rage."
Vain was my suit! for with th' unbody'd troop
Of spectres, fleeting to th' interior shade 636
Of Erebus, he to my friendly speech
Disdain'd reply; yet to that dark recess
Had I pursu'd his flight, he must have borne
Unwilling correspondence, forc'd by Fate, 640
Impassion'd as he was; but I refrain'd,
For other visions drew my curious eye.
Intent I saw, with golden sceptre, grave
Minos, the son of Jove, to the pale ghosts
Dispensing equity; with faded looks 645
They thro' the wide Plutonian hall appear'd
Frequent and full, and argu'd each his cause
At that tribunal, trembling whilst he weigh'd
Their pleaded reason. Of portentous size
Orion next I view'd; a brazen mace 650
Invincible he bore, in fierce pursuit
Of those huge mountain savages he flew
While habitant of earth, whose grizzly forms
He urg'd in chase the flow'ry mead along.
Nor unobserv'd lay stretch'd upon the marle 655
Tityus earth-born, whose body, long and large,
Cover'd nine acres: there two vultures sat
Of appetite insatiate, and with beaks
For ravine bent, unintermitting gor'd
His liver, pow'rless he to put to flight 660
The fierce devourers! to this penance judg'd
For rape intended on Latona fair,
The paramour of Jove, as she sojourn'd
To Pytho o'er the Panopeian lawns,
Delicious landscape!—In a limpid lake 665
Next Tantalus a doleful lot abides;
Chin-deep he stands, yet with afflictive drought
Incessant pines, while ever as he bows
To sip refreshment, from his parching thirst
The guileful water glides. Around the pool 670
Fruit-trees of various kinds umbrageous spread
Their pamper'd boughs; racy the olive green,
The ripe pomegranate, big with vinous pulp,
The luscious fig sky-dy'd, the tasteful pear
Vermilion'd half, and apples mellowing sweet 675
In burnish'd gold, luxuriant o'er him wave,
Exciting hunger, and fallacious hope
Of food ambrosial:—when he tries to seize
The copious fruitage fair, a sudden gust
Whirls it aloof amid th' incumbent gloom. 680
Then Sisyphus, the nearest mate in woe,
Drew my regard; he with distended nerves
Aye rolls a pond'rous stone up a rugg'd rock;
Urg'd up the steep cliff slow with hand and foot
It mounts; but bordering on the cloudy peak, 685
Precipitous adown the slopy side
The rapid orb devolving back renews
Eternal toil, which he, with dust besmear'd,
And dew'd with smoaking sweat, incessant plies.
I last the visionary semblance view'd 690
Of Hercules, a shadowy form; for he,
The real son of Jove, in heav'n's high court
Abides, associate with the gods, and shares
Celestial banquets; where, with soft disport
Of love, bright Hebe in her radiant dome 695
Treats him nocturnal. With terrific clang.
Surrounding ghosts, like fowl, the region wing
Vexatious, while the threat'ning image stands
Gloomy as night, from his bent battle-bow
In act to let th' aërial arrow fly. 700
Athwart his breast a military zone
Dreadful he wore, where grinn'd in fretted gold
Grim woodland savages, with various scenes
Of war, fierce jousting knights, and havoc dire,
With matchless art portray'd; me straight he knew,
And, piteous of my state, address'd me thus: 706
"O exercis'd in grief! illustrious son
"Of good Laertes, fam'd for warlike wiles!
"Fated thou art (like me, what time I breath'd
"Ethereal draught) beneath unnumber'd toils 710
"To groan oppress'd: ev'n I, the feed of Jove,
"Combated various ills, and was adjudg'd
"By an inferior wretch (what could he more?)
"To drag to light the triple-crested dog
"That guards hell's massy portal: I achiev'd 715
"The task enjoin'd thro' the propitious aid
"Of Mercury and Pallas, who vouchsaf'd
"Their friendly guidance;" then without reply
To Pluto's court majestic he retir'd.
Mean-time for others of heroic note 720
I waited, in the lifts of ancient fame
Enroll'd illustrious; and had haply seen
Great Theseus, and Perithous his compeer,
The race of gods; but at the hideous scream
Of spectres issuing from the dark profound 725
I wax'd infirm of purpose, sore dismay'd
Left Proserpine should send Medusa, curl'd
With snaky locks, to fix me in her realm
Stiff with Gorgonian horror. To the ship
Retreating speedy thence, I bade my mates 730
To shove from more: joyous they straight began
To stem the tide, and brush'd the whitening seas
Till the fresh gales reliev'd the labʼring oar. 733