The Odyssey of Homer


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Deep in the dire Cyclopean den you lay,  
Yet safe return'd--Ulysses led the way.  
Learn courage hence, and in my care confide;  
Lo! still the same Ulysses is your guide.  
Attend my words! your oars incessant ply;  
Strain every nerve, and bid the vessel fly.  
If from yon jostling rocks and wavy war  
Jove safety grants, he grants it to your care.  
And thou, whose guiding hand directs our way,  
Pilot, attentive listen and obey!  
Bear wide thy course, nor plough those angry waves  
Where rolls yon smoke, yon tumbling ocean raves;  
Steer by the higher rock; lest whirl'd around  
We sink, beneath the circling eddy drown'd.'  
While yet I speak, at once their oars they seize,  
Stretch to the stroke, and brush the working seas.  
Cautious the name of Scylla I suppress'd;  
That dreadful sound had chill'd the boldest breast.  
"
Meantime, forgetful of the voice divine,  
All dreadful bright my limbs in armour shine;  
High on the deck I take my dangerous stand,  
Two glittering javelins lighten in my hand;  
Prepared to whirl the whizzing spear I stay,  
Till the fell fiend arise to seize her prey.  
Around the dungeon, studious to behold  
315  


Page
313 314 315 316 317

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612