The Odyssey of Homer


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He whirl'd it round: it sung across the main;  
It fell, and brush'd the stern: the billows roar,  
Shake at the weight, and refluent beat the shore.  
With all our force we kept aloof to sea,  
And gain'd the island where our vessels lay.  
Our sight the whole collected navy cheer'd.  
Who, waiting long, by turns had hoped and fear'd.  
There disembarking on the green sea side,  
We land our cattle, and the spoil divide;  
Of these due shares to every sailor fall;  
The master ram was voted mine by all;  
And him (the guardian of Ulysses' fate)  
With pious mind to heaven I consecrate.  
But the great god, whose thunder rends the skies,  
Averse, beholds the smoking sacrifice;  
And sees me wandering still from coast to coast,  
And all my vessels, all my people, lost!  
While thoughtless we indulge the genial rite,  
As plenteous cates and flowing bowls invite;  
Till evening Phoebus roll'd away the light;  
Stretch'd on the shore in careless ease we rest,  
Till ruddy morning purpled o'er the east;  
Then from their anchors all our ships unbind,  
And mount the decks, and call the willing wind.  
Now, ranged in order on our banks we sweep.  
With hasty strokes the hoarse-resounding deep;  
237  


Page
235 236 237 238 239

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612