The Odyssey of Homer


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'Midst roaring whirlpools, and absorbs the main;  
Thrice in her gulfs the boiling seas subside,  
Thrice in dire thunders she refunds the tide.  
Oh, if thy vessel plough the direful waves,  
When seas retreating roar within her caves,  
Ye perish all! though he who rules the main  
Lends his strong aid, his aid he lends in vain.  
Ah, shun the horrid gulf! by Scylla fly.  
'Tis better six to lose, than all to die.'  
"
I then: 'O nymph propitious to my prayer,  
Goddess divine, my guardian power, declare,  
Is the foul fiend from human vengeance freed?  
Or, if I rise in arms, can Scylla bleed?'  
"Then she: 'O worn by toils, O broke in fight,  
Still are new toils and war thy dire delight?  
Will martial flames for ever fire thy mind,  
And never, never be to Heaven resign'd?  
How vain thy efforts to avenge the wrong!  
Deathless the pest! impenetrably strong!  
Furious and fell, tremendous to behold!  
E'en with a look she withers all the bold!  
She mocks the weak attempts of human might;  
Oh, fly her rage! thy conquest is thy flight.  
If but to seize thy arms thou make delay,  
310  


Page
308 309 310 311 312

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612