The Odyssey (Wisehouse Classics Edition). Homer

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      The realms of Pyle and Sparta to explore,

      And seek my royal sire from shore to shore;

      If, or to fame his doubtful fate be known,

      Or to be learn’d from oracles alone,

      If yet he lives, with patience I forbear,

      Till the fleet hours restore the circling year;

      But if already wandering in the train

      Of empty shades, I measure back the main,

      Plant the fair column o’er the mighty dead,

      And yield his consort to the nuptial bed.”

      He ceased; and while abash’d the peers attend,

      Mentor arose, Ulysses’ faithful friend:

      (When fierce in arms he sought the scenes of war,

      “My friend (he cried), my palace be thy care;

      Years roll’d on years my godlike sire decay,

      Guard thou his age, and his behests obey.”)

      Stern as he rose, he cast his eyes around,

      That flash’d with rage; and as spoke, he frown’d,

      “O never, never more let king be just,

      Be mild in power, or faithful to his trust!

      Let tyrants govern with an iron rod,

      Oppress, destroy, and be the scourge of God;

      Since he who like a father held his reign,

      So soon forgot, was just and mild in vain!

      True, while my friend is grieved, his griefs I share;

      Yet now the rivals are my smallest care:

      They for the mighty mischiefs they devise,

      Ere long shall pay — their forfeit lives the price.

      But against you, ye Greeks! ye coward train!

      Gods! how my soul is moved with just disdain!

      Dumb ye all stand, and not one tongue affords

      His injured prince the little aid of words.”

      While yet he spoke, Leocritus rejoined:

      “O pride of words, and arrogance of mind!

      Would’st thou to rise in arms the Greeks advise?

      Join all your powers? in arms, ye Greeks, arise!

      Yet would your powers in vain our strength oppose.

      The valiant few o’ermatch a host of foes.

      Should great Ulysses stern appear in arms,

      While the bowl circles and the banquet warms;

      Though to his breast his spouse with transport flies,

      Torn from her breast, that hour, Ulysses dies.

      But hence retreating to your domes repair.

      To arm the vessel, Mentor! be thy care,

      And Halitherses! thine: be each his friend;

      Ye loved the father: go, the son attend.

      But yet, I trust, the boaster means to stay

      Safe in the court, nor tempt the watery way.”

      Then, with a rushing sound the assembly bend

      Diverse their steps: the rival rout ascend

      The royal dome; while sad the prince explores

      The neighbouring main, and sorrowing treads the shores.

      There, as the waters o’er his hands he shed,

      The royal suppliant to Minerva pray’d:

      “O goddess! who descending from the skies

      Vouchsafed thy presence to my wondering eyes,

      By whose commands the raging deeps I trace,

      And seek my sire through storms and rolling seas!

      Hear from thy heavens above, O warrior maid!

      Descend once more, propitious to my aid.

      Without thy presence, vain is thy command:

      Greece, and the rival train, thy voice withstand.”

      Indulgent to his prayer, the goddess took

      Sage Mentor’s form, and thus like Mentor spoke:

      “O prince, in early youth divinely wise,

      Born, the Ulysses of thy age to rise

      If to the son the father’s worth descends,

      O’er the wide wave success thy ways attends

      To tread the walks of death he stood prepared;

      And what he greatly thought, he nobly dared.

      Were not wise sons descendant of the wise,

      And did not heroes from brave heroes rise,

      Vain were my hopes: few sons attain the praise

      Of their great sires, and most their sires disgrace.

      But since thy veins paternal virtue fires,

      And all Penelope thy soul inspires,

      Go, and succeed: the rivals’ aims despise;

      For never, never wicked man was wise.

      Blind they rejoice, though now, ev’n now they fall;

      Death hastes amain: one hour o’erwhelms them all!

      And lo, with speed we plough the watery way;

      My power shall guard thee, and my hand convey:

      The winged vessel studious I prepare,

      Through seas and realms companion of thy care.

      Thou to the СКАЧАТЬ