The Odyssey of Homer


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Or each atone his guilty love with life.  
But of his wish'd return the care resign,  
Be future vengeance to the powers divine.  
My sentence hear: with stern distaste avow'd,  
To their own districts drive the suitor-crowd;  
When next the morning warms the purple east,  
Convoke the peerage, and the gods attest;  
The sorrows of your inmost soul relate;  
And form sure plans to save the sinking state.  
Should second love a pleasing flame inspire,  
And the chaste queen connubial rights require;  
Dismiss'd with honour, let her hence repair  
To great Icarius, whose paternal care  
Will guide her passion, and reward her choice  
With wealthy dower, and bridal gifts of price.  
Then let this dictate of my love prevail:  
Instant, to foreign realms prepare to sail,  
To learn your father's fortunes; Fame may prove,  
Or omen'd voice (the messenger of Jove),  
Propitious to the search. Direct your toil  
Through the wide ocean first to sandy Pyle;  
Of Nestor, hoary sage, his doom demand:  
Thence speed your voyage to the Spartan strand;  
For young Atrides to the Achaian coast  
Arrived the last of all the victor host.  
If yet Ulysses views the light, forbear,  
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15 16 17 18 19

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1 153 306 459 612