The Odyssey of Homer


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In marble urns received it from above,  
And shaded with a green surrounding grove;  
Where silver alders, in high arches twined,  
Drink the cool stream, and tremble to the wind.  
Beneath, sequester'd to the nymphs, is seen  
A mossy altar, deep embower'd in green;  
Where constant vows by travellers are paid,  
And holy horrors solemnize the shade.  
Here with his goats (not vow'd to sacred fame,  
But pamper'd luxury) Melanthias came:  
Two grooms attend him. With an envious look  
He eyed the stranger, and imperious spoke:  
"
The good old proverb how this pair fulfil!  
One rogue is usher to another still.  
Heaven with a secret principle endued  
Mankind, to seek their own similitude.  
Where goes the swineherd with that ill-look'd guest?  
That giant-glutton, dreadful at a feast!  
Full many a post have those broad shoulders worn,  
From every great man's gate repulsed with scorn:  
To no brave prize aspired the worthless swain,  
'
Twas but for scraps he ask'd, and ask'd in vain.  
To beg, than work, he better understands,  
Or we perhaps might take him off thy hands.  
432  


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430 431 432 433 434

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612