The Odyssey of Homer


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His blooming offspring, or his beauteous wife!  
In verdant meads they sport; and wide around  
Lie human bones that whiten all the ground:  
The ground polluted floats with human gore,  
And human carnage taints the dreadful shore  
Fly swift the dangerous coast: let every ear  
Be stopp'd against the song! 'tis death to hear!  
Firm to the mast with chains thyself be bound,  
Nor trust thy virtue to the enchanting sound.  
If, mad with transport, freedom thou demand,  
Be every fetter strain'd, and added band to band.  
"'These seas o'erpass'd, be wise! but I refrain  
To mark distinct thy voyage o'er the main:  
New horrors rise! let prudence be thy guide,  
And guard thy various passage through the tide.  
"'High o'er the main two rocks exalt their brow,'  
The boiling billows thundering roll below;  
Through the vast waves the dreadful wonders move,  
Hence named Erratic by the gods above.  
No bird of air, no dove of swiftest wing,  
That bears ambrosia to the ethereal king,  
Shuns the dire rocks: in vain she cuts the skies;  
The dire rocks meet, and crush her as she flies:  
Not the fleet bark, when prosperous breezes play,  
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Page
305 306 307 308 309

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612