The Odyssey of Homer


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Their prize escaped the faithless pirates mourn'd;  
But deem'd inquiry vain, and to their ships return'd.  
Screen'd by protecting gods from hostile eyes,  
They led me to a good man and a wise,  
To live beneath thy hospitable care,  
And wait the woes Heaven dooms me yet to bear."  
"Unhappy guest! whose sorrows touch my mind!  
(Thus good Eumaeus with a sigh rejoin'd,)  
For real sufferings since I grieve sincere,  
Check not with fallacies the springing tear:  
Nor turn the passion into groundless joy  
For him whom Heaven has destined to destroy.  
Oh! had he perish'd on some well-fought day,  
Or in his friend's embraces died away!  
That grateful Greece with streaming eyes might raise  
Historic marbles to record his praise;  
His praise, eternal on the faithful stone,  
Had with transmissive honours graced his son.  
Now, snatch'd by harpies to the dreary coast,  
Sunk is the hero, and his glory lost!  
While pensive in this solitary den,  
Far from gay cities and the ways of men,  
I linger life; nor to the court repair,  
But when my constant queen commands my care;  
Or when, to taste her hospitable board,  
365  


Page
363 364 365 366 367

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612