The Odyssey of Homer


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"Stranger, arise! the sun rolls down the day.  
Lo, to the palace I direct thy way;  
Where, in high state, the nobles of the land  
Attend my royal sire, a radiant band  
But hear, though wisdom in thy soul presides,  
Speaks from thy tongue, and every action guides;  
Advance at distance, while I pass the plain  
Where o'er the furrows waves the golden grain;  
Alone I reascend--With airy mounds  
A strength of wall the guarded city bounds;  
The jutting land two ample bays divides:  
Full through the narrow mouths descend the tides;  
The spacious basons arching rocks enclose,  
A sure defence from every storm that blows.  
Close to the bay great Neptune's fane adjoins;  
And near, a forum flank'd with marble shines,  
Where the bold youth, the numerous fleets to store,  
Shape the broad sail, or smooth the taper oar:  
For not the bow they bend, nor boast the skill  
To give the feather'd arrow wings to kill;  
But the tall mast above the vessel rear,  
Or teach the fluttering sail to float in air.  
They rush into the deep with eager joy,  
Climb the steep surge, and through the tempest fly;  
A proud, unpolish'd race--To me belongs  
The care to shun the blast of slanderous tongues;  
160  


Page
158 159 160 161 162

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612