The Odyssey of Homer


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To whom appeased: "No more I urge delay;  
When Neptune sues, my part is to obey."  
Then to the snares his force the god applies;  
They burst; and Mars to Thrace indignant flies:  
To the soft Cyprian shores the goddess moves,  
To visit Paphos and her blooming groves,  
Where to the Power an hundred altars rise,  
And breathing odours scent the balmy skies;  
Concealed she bathes in consecrated bowers,  
The Graces unguents shed, ambrosial showers,  
Unguents that charm the gods! she last assumes  
Her wondrous robes; and full the goddess blooms.  
Thus sung the bard: Ulysses hears with joy,  
And loud applauses read the vaulted sky.  
Then to the sports his sons the king commands,  
Each blooming youth before the monarch stands,  
In dance unmatch'd! A wondrous ball is brought  
(
The work of Polypus, divinely wrought);  
This youth with strength enormous bids it fly,  
And bending backward whirls it to the sky;  
His brother, springing with an active bound,  
At distance intercepts it from the ground.  
The ball dismissed, in dance they skim the strand,  
Turn and return, and scarce imprint the sand.  
200  


Page
198 199 200 201 202

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612