The Odyssey of Homer


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Deaf to Heaven's voice, the social rites transgress'd;  
And for the beauteous mares destroy'd his guest.  
He gave the bow; and on Ulysses' part  
Received a pointed sword, and missile dart:  
Of luckless friendship on a foreign shore  
Their first, last pledges! for they met no more.  
The bow, bequeath'd by this unhappy hand,  
Ulysses bore not from his native land;  
Nor in the front of battle taught to bend,  
But kept in dear memorial of his friend.  
Now gently winding up the fair ascent,  
By many an easy step the matron went;  
Then o'er the pavement glides with grace divine  
(
With polish'd oak the level pavements shine);  
The folding gates a dazzling light display'd,  
With pomp of various architrave o'erlaid.  
The bolt, obedient to the silken string,  
Forsakes the staple as she pulls the ring;  
The wards respondent to the key turn round;  
The bars fall back; the flying valves resound;  
Loud as a bull makes hill and valley ring,  
So roar'd the lock when it released the spring.  
She moves majestic through the wealthy room,  
Where treasured garments cast a rich perfume;  
There from the column where aloft it hung,  
526  


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524 525 526 527 528

Quick Jump
1 153 306 459 612