The Odyssey of Homer Part 8

With both hands suddenly he seized the rock, And, groaning, clench'd it till the billow pa.s.s'd.

So baffled he that wave; but yet again The refluent flood rush'd on him, and with force Resistless dash'd him far into the sea.

As pebbles to the hollow polypus 520 Extracted from his stony bed, adhere, So he, the rough rocks clasping, stripp'd his hands Raw, and the billows now whelm'd him again.

Then had the hapless Hero premature Perish'd, but for sagacity inspired By Pallas azure-eyed. Forth from the waves Emerging, where the surf burst on the rocks, He coasted (looking landward as he swam) The sh.o.r.e, with hope of port or level beach.

But when, still swimming, to the mouth he came 530 Of a smooth-sliding river, there he deem'd Safest th' ascent, for it was undeform'd By rocks, and shelter'd close from ev'ry wind.

He felt the current, and thus, ardent, pray'd.

O hear, whate'er thy name, Sov'reign, who rul'st This river! at whose mouth, from all the threats Of Neptune 'scap'd, with rapture I arrive.

Even the Immortal G.o.ds the wand'rer's pray'r Respect, and such am I, who reach, at length, Thy stream, and clasp thy knees, after long toil. 540 I am thy suppliant. Oh King! pity me.

He said; the river G.o.d at once repress'd His current, and it ceas'd; smooth he prepared The way before Ulysses, and the land Vouchsafed him easy at his channel's mouth.

There, once again he bent for ease his limbs Both arms and knees, in conflict with the floods Exhausted; swoln his body was all o'er, And from his mouth and nostrils stream'd the brine.

Breathless and speechless, and of life well nigh 550 Bereft he lay, through dreadful toil immense.

But when, revived, his dissipated pow'rs He recollected, loosing from beneath His breast the zone divine, he cast it far Into the brackish stream, and a huge wave Returning bore it downward to the sea, Where Ino caught it. Then, the river's brink Abandoning, among the rushes p.r.o.ne He lay, kiss'd oft the soil, and sighing, said, Ah me! what suff'rings must I now sustain, 560 What doom, at last, awaits me? If I watch This woeful night, here, at the river's side, What hope but that the frost and copious dews, Weak as I am, my remnant small of life Shall quite extinguish, and the chilly air Breath'd from the river at the dawn of day?

But if, ascending this declivity I gain the woods, and in some thicket sleep, (If sleep indeed can find me overtoil'd And cold-benumb'd) then I have cause to fear 570 Lest I be torn by wild beasts, and devour'd.

Long time he mused, but, at the last, his course Bent to the woods, which not remote he saw From the sea-brink, conspicuous on a hill.

Arrived, between two neighbour shrubs he crept, Both olives, this the fruitful, that the wild; A covert, which nor rough winds blowing moist Could penetrate, nor could the noon-day sun Smite through it, or unceasing show'rs pervade, So thick a roof the ample branches form'd 580 Close interwoven; under these the Chief Retiring, with industrious hands a bed Collected broad of leaves, which there he found Abundant strew'd, such store as had sufficed Two travellers or three for cov'ring warm, Though winter's roughest blasts had rag'd the while.

That bed with joy the suff'ring Chief renown'd Contemplated, and occupying soon The middle s.p.a.ce, hillock'd it high with leaves.

As when some swain hath hidden deep his torch 590 Beneath the embers, at the verge extreme Of all his farm, where, having neighbours none, He saves a seed or two of future flame Alive, doom'd else to fetch it from afar, So with dry leaves Ulysses overspread His body, on whose eyes Minerva pour'd The balm of sleep copious, that he might taste Repose again, after long toil severe.

FOOTNOTES:

[21] The Solymi were the ancient inhabitants of Pisidia in Asia-Minor.

[22] The Translator finding himself free to chuse between ??d??ssa and ?d??ssa, has preferred the latter.

BOOK VI

ARGUMENT

Minerva designing an interview between the daughter of Alcinous and Ulysses, admonishes her in a dream to carry down her clothes to the river, that she may wash them, and make them ready for her approaching nuptials. That task performed, the Princess and her train amuse themselves with play; by accident they awake Ulysses; he comes forth from the wood, and applies himself with much address to Nausicaa, who compa.s.sionating his distressed condition, and being much affected by the dignity of his appearance, interests himself in his favour, and conducts him to the city.

There then the n.o.ble suff'rer lay, by sleep Oppress'd and labour; meantime, Pallas sought The populous city of Phaeacia's sons.

They, in old time, in Hypereia dwelt The s.p.a.cious, neighbours of a giant race The haughty Cyclops, who, endued with pow'r Superior, troubled them with frequent wrongs.

G.o.dlike Nausithous then arose, who thence To Scheria led them, from all nations versed In arts of cultivated life, remote; 10 With bulwarks strong their city he enclosed, Built houses for them, temples to the G.o.ds, And gave to each a portion of the soil.

But he, already by decree of fate Had journey'd to the shades, and in his stead Alcinous, by the G.o.ds instructed, reign'd.

To his abode Minerva azure-eyed Repair'd, neglecting nought which might advance Magnanimous Ulysses' safe return.

She sought the sumptuous chamber where, in form 20 And feature perfect as the G.o.ds, the young Nausicaa, daughter of the King, reposed.

Fast by the pillars of the portal lay Two damsels, one on either side, adorn'd By all the Graces, and the doors were shut.

Soft as a breathing air, she stole toward The royal virgin's couch, and at her head Standing, address'd her. Daughter she appear'd Of Dymas, famed for maritime exploits, Her friend and her coeval; so disguised 30 Caerulean-eyed Minerva thus began.

Nausicaa! wherefore hath thy mother borne A child so negligent? Thy garments share, Thy most magnificent, no thought of thine.

Yet thou must marry soon, and must provide Robes for thyself, and for thy nuptial train.

Thy fame, on these concerns, and honour stand; These managed well, thy parents shall rejoice.

The dawn appearing, let us to the place Of washing, where thy work-mate I will be 40 For speedier riddance of thy task, since soon The days of thy virginity shall end; For thou art woo'd already by the prime Of all Phaeacia, country of thy birth.

Come then--solicit at the dawn of day Thy royal father, that he send thee forth With mules and carriage for conveyance hence Of thy best robes, thy mantles and thy zones.

Thus, more commodiously thou shalt perform The journey, for the cisterns lie remote. 50 So saying, Minerva, G.o.ddess azure-eyed, Rose to Olympus, the reputed seat Eternal of the G.o.ds, which never storms Disturb, rains drench, or snow invades, but calm The expanse and cloudless shines with purest day.

There the inhabitants divine rejoice For ever, (and her admonition giv'n) Caerulean-eyed Minerva thither flew.

Now came Aurora bright-enthroned, whose rays Awaken'd fair Nausicaa; she her dream 60 Remember'd wond'ring, and her parents sought Anxious to tell them. Them she found within.

Beside the hearth her royal mother sat, Spinning soft fleeces with sea-purple dyed Among her menial maidens, but she met Her father, whom the n.o.bles of the land Had summon'd, issuing abroad to join The ill.u.s.trious Chiefs in council. At his side She stood, and thus her filial suit preferr'd.

Sir![23] wilt thou lend me of the royal wains 70 A sumpter-carriage? for I wish to bear My costly cloaths but sullied and unfit For use, at present, to the river side.

It is but seemly that thou should'st repair Thyself to consultation with the Chiefs Of all Phaeacia, clad in pure attire; And my own brothers five, who dwell at home, Two wedded, and the rest of age to wed, Are all desirous, when they dance, to wear Raiment new bleach'd; all which is my concern. 80 So spake Nausicaa; for she dared not name Her own glad nuptials to her father's ear, Who, conscious yet of all her drift, replied.

I grudge thee neither mules, my child, nor aught That thou canst ask beside. Go, and my train Shall furnish thee a sumpter-carriage forth High-built, strong-wheel'd, and of capacious size.

So saying, he issued his command, whom quick His grooms obey'd. They in the court prepared The sumpter-carriage, and adjoin'd the mules. 90 And now the virgin from her chamber, charged With raiment, came, which on the car she placed, And in the carriage-chest, meantime, the Queen, Her mother, viands of all kinds disposed, And fill'd a skin with wine. Nausicaa rose Into her seat; but, ere she went, received A golden cruse of oil from the Queen's hand For unction of herself, and of her maids.

Then, seizing scourge and reins, she lash'd the mules.

They trampled loud the soil, straining to draw 100 Herself with all her vesture; nor alone She went, but follow'd by her virgin train.

At the delightful rivulet arrived Where those perennial cisterns were prepared With purest crystal of the fountain fed Profuse, sufficient for the deepest stains, Loosing the mules, they drove them forth to browze On the sweet herb beside the dimpled flood.

The carriage, next, light'ning, they bore in hand The garments down to the unsullied wave, 110 And thrust them heap'd into the pools, their task Dispatching brisk, and with an emulous haste.

When they had all purified, and no spot Could now be seen, or blemish more, they spread The raiment orderly along the beach Where dashing tides had cleansed the pebbles most, And laving, next, and smoothing o'er with oil Their limbs, all seated on the river's bank, They took repast, leaving the garments, stretch'd In noon-day fervour of the sun, to dry. 120 Their hunger satisfied, at once arose The mistress and her train, and putting off Their head-attire, play'd wanton with the ball, The princess singing to her maids the while.

Such as shaft-arm'd Diana roams the hills, Taygetus sky-capt, or Erymanth, The wild boar chasing, or fleet-footed hind, All joy; the rural nymphs, daughters of Jove, Sport with her, and Latona's heart exults; She high her graceful head above the rest 130 And features lifts divine, though all be fair, With ease distinguishable from them all; So, all her train, she, virgin pure, surpa.s.s'd.

But when the hour of her departure thence Approach'd (the mules now yoked again, and all Her elegant apparel folded neat) Minerva azure-eyed mused how to wake Ulysses, that he might behold the fair Virgin, his destin'd guide into the town.

The Princess, then, casting the ball toward 140 A maiden of her train, erroneous threw And plunged it deep into the dimpling stream.

All shrieked; Ulysses at the sound awoke, And, sitting, meditated thus the cause.

Ah me! what mortal race inhabit here?

Rude are they, contumacious and unjust?

Or hospitable, and who fear the G.o.ds?

So shrill the cry and feminine of nymphs Fills all the air around, such as frequent The hills, clear fountains, and herbaceous meads. 150 Is this a neighbourhood of men endued With voice articulate? But what avails To ask; I will myself go forth and see.

So saying, divine Ulysses from beneath His thicket crept, and from the leafy wood A spreading branch pluck'd forcibly, design'd A decent skreen effectual, held before.

So forth he went, as goes the lion forth, The mountain-lion, conscious of his strength, Whom winds have vex'd and rains; fire fills his eyes, 160 And whether herds or flocks, or woodland deer He find, he rends them, and, adust for blood, Abstains not even from the guarded fold, Such sure to seem in virgin eyes, the Chief, All naked as he was, left his retreat, Reluctant, by necessity constrain'd.

Him foul with sea foam horror-struck they view'd, And o'er the jutting sh.o.r.es fled all dispersed.

Nausicaa alone fled not; for her Pallas courageous made, and from her limbs, 170 By pow'r divine, all tremour took away.

Firm she expected him; he doubtful stood, Or to implore the lovely maid, her knees Embracing, or aloof standing, to ask In gentle terms discrete the gift of cloaths, And guidance to the city where she dwelt.

Him so deliberating, most, at length, This counsel pleas'd; in suppliant terms aloof To sue to her, lest if he clasp'd her knees, The virgin should that bolder course resent. 180 Then gentle, thus, and well-advised he spake.

Oh Queen! thy earnest suppliant I approach.

Art thou some G.o.ddess, or of mortal race?

For if some G.o.ddess, and from heaven arrived, Diana, then, daughter of mighty Jove I deem thee most, for such as hers appear Thy form, thy stature, and thy air divine.

But if, of mortal race, thou dwell below, Thrice happy then, thy parents I account, And happy thrice thy brethren. Ah! the joy 190 Which always for thy sake, their bosoms fill, When thee they view, all lovely as thou art, Ent'ring majestic on the graceful dance.

But him beyond all others blest I deem, The youth, who, wealthier than his rich compeers, Shall win and lead thee to his honour'd home.

For never with these eyes a mortal form Beheld I comparable aught to thine, In man or woman. Wonder-wrapt I gaze.

Such erst, in Delos, I beheld a palm 200 Beside the altar of Apollo, tall, And growing still; (for thither too I sail'd, And num'rous were my followers in a voyage Ordain'd my ruin) and as then I view'd That palm long time amazed, for never grew So strait a shaft, so lovely from the ground, So, Princess! thee with wonder I behold, Charm'd into fixt astonishment, by awe Alone forbidden to embrace thy knees, For I am one on whom much woe hath fall'n. 210 Yesterday I escaped (the twentieth day Of my distress by sea) the dreary Deep; For, all those days, the waves and rapid storms Bore me along, impetuous from the isle Ogygia; till at length the will of heav'n Cast me, that I might also here sustain Affliction on your sh.o.r.e; for rest, I think, Is not for me. No. The Immortal G.o.ds Have much to accomplish ere that day arrive.

But, oh Queen, pity me! who after long 220 Calamities endured, of all who live Thee first approach, nor mortal know beside Of the inhabitants of all the land.

Shew me your city; give me, although coa.r.s.e, Some cov'ring (if coa.r.s.e cov'ring _thou_ canst give) And may the G.o.ds thy largest wishes grant, House, husband, concord! for of all the gifts Of heav'n, more precious none I deem, than peace 'Twixt wedded pair, and union undissolved; Envy torments their enemies, but joy 230 Fills ev'ry virtuous breast, and most their own.

To whom Nausicaa the fair replied.

Since, stranger! neither base by birth thou seem'st, Nor unintelligent, (but Jove, the King Olympian, gives to good and bad alike Prosperity according to his will, And grief to thee, which thou must patient bear,) Now, therefore, at our land and city arrived, Nor garment thou shalt want, nor aught beside Due to a suppliant guest like thee forlorn. 240 I will both show thee where our city stands, And who dwell here. Phaeacia's sons possess This land; but I am daughter of their King The brave Alcinous, on whose sway depends For strength and wealth the whole Phaeacian race.

She said, and to her beauteous maidens gave Instant commandment--My attendants, stay!

Why flee ye thus, and whither, from the sight Of a mere mortal? Seems he in your eyes Some enemy of ours? The heart beats not, 250 Nor shall it beat hereafter, which shall come An enemy to the Phaeacian sh.o.r.es, So dear to the immortal G.o.ds are we.

Remote, amid the billowy Deep, we hold Our dwelling, utmost of all human-kind, And free from mixture with a foreign race.

This man, a miserable wand'rer comes, Whom we are bound to cherish, for the poor And stranger are from Jove, and trivial gifts To such are welcome. Bring ye therefore food 260 And wine, my maidens, for the guest's regale, And lave him where the stream is shelter'd most.

She spake; they stood, and by each other's words Encouraged, placed Ulysses where the bank O'erhung the stream, as fair Nausicaa bade, Daughter of King Alcinous the renown'd.

Apparel also at his side they spread, Mantle and vest, and, next, the limpid oil Presenting to him in the golden cruse, Exhorted him to bathe in the clear stream. 270 Ulysses then the maidens thus bespake.

Ye maidens, stand apart, that I may cleanse, Myself, my shoulders from the briny surf, And give them oil which they have wanted long.

But in your presence I bathe not, ashamed To show myself uncloath'd to female eyes.

He said; they went, and to Nausicaa told His answer; then the Hero in the stream His shoulders laved, and loins incrusted rough With the salt spray, and with his hands the sc.u.m 280 Of the wild ocean from his locks express'd.

Thus wash'd all over, and refresh'd with oil, He put the garments on, Nausicaa's gift.

Then Pallas, progeny of Jove, his form Dilated more, and from his head diffused His curling locks like hyacinthine flowers.

As when some artist, by Minerva made And Vulcan wise to execute all tasks Ingenious, binding with a golden verge Bright silver, finishes a graceful work, 290 Such grace the G.o.ddess o'er his ample chest Copious diffused, and o'er his manly brows.

Retiring, on the beach he sat, with grace And dignity illumed, where, viewing him, The virgin Princess, with amazement mark'd His beauty, and her damsels thus bespake.

My white-arm'd maidens, listen to my voice!