The Odyssey (Wisehouse Classics Edition). Homer

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СКАЧАТЬ now, Diocleus’ stately seat

      (Of Alpheus’ race), the weary youths retreat.

      His house affords the hospitable rite,

      And pleased they sleep (the blessing of the night).

      But when Aurora, daughter of the dawn,

      With rosy lustre purpled o’er the lawn,

      Again they mount, their journey to renew,

      And from the sounding portico they flew.

      Along the waving fields their way they hold

      The fields receding as their chariot roll’d;

Then slowly sunk the ruddy globe of light, And o’er the shaded landscape rush’d the night. ,.

Book IV.

       Argument.

THE CONFERENCE WITH MENELAUS.

      Telemachus with Pisistratus arriving at Sparta, is hospitably received by Menelaus to whom he relates the cause of his coming, and learns from him many particulars of what befell the Greeks since the destruction of Troy. He dwells more at large upon the prophecies of Proteus to him in his return; from which he acquaints Telemachus that Ulysses is detained in the island of Calypso.

      In the meantime the suitors consult to destroy Telemachus on the voyage home. Penelope is apprised of this; but comforted in a dream by Pallas, in the shape of her sister Iphthima.

      And now proud Sparta with their wheels resounds,

      Sparta whose walls a range of hills surrounds;

      At the fair dome the rapid labour ends;

      Where sate Atrides ‘midst his bridal friends,

      With double vows invoking Hymen’s power,

      To bless his son’s and daughter’s nuptial hour.

      That day, to great Achilles son resign’d,

      Hermione, the fairest of her kind,

      Was sent to crown the long-protracted joy,

      Espoused before the final doom of Troy;

      With steeds and gilded cars, a gorgeous train

      Attend the nymphs to Phthia’s distant reign.

      Meanwhile at home, to Megapentha’s bed

      The virgin choir Alector’s daughter led.

      Brave Megapenthas From a stolen amour

      To great Atrides’ age his handmaid bore;

      To Helen’s bed the gods alone assign

      Hermione, to extend the regal line;

      On whom a radiant pomp oh Graces wait,

      Resembling Venus in attractive state.

      While this gay friendly troop the king surround,

      With festival and mirth the roofs resound;

      A bard amid the joyous circle sings

      High airs attemper’d to the vocal strings;

      Whilst warbling to the varied strain, advance

      Two sprightly youths to form the bounding dance,

      ’Twas then, that issuing through the palace gate,

      The splendid car roll’d slow in regal state:

      On the bright eminence young Nestor shone,

      And fast beside him great Ulysses’ son;

      Grave Eteoneous saw the pomp appear,

      And speeding, thus address’d the royal ear;

      “Two youths approach, whose semblant features prove

      Their blood devolving from the source of Jove

      Is due reception deign’d, or must they bend

      Their doubtful course to seek a distant friend?”

      “Insensate! (with a sigh the king replies,)

      Too long, misjudging, have I thought thee wise

      But sure relentless folly steals thy breast,

      Obdurate to reject the stranger-guest;

      To those dear hospitable rites a foe,

      Which in my wanderings oft relieved my woe;

      Fed by the bounty of another’s board,

      Till pitying Jove my native realm restored —

      Straight be the coursers from the car released,

      Conduct the youths to grace the genial feast.”

      The seneschal, rebuked, in haste withdrew;

      With equal haste a menial train pursue:

      Part led the coursers, from the car enlarged,

      Each to a crib with choicest grain surcharged;

      Part in a portico, profusely graced

      With rich magnificence, the chariot placed;

      Then to the dome the friendly pair invite,

      Who eye the dazzling roofs with vast delight;

      Resplendent as the blaze of summer noon,

      Or the pale radiance of the midnight moon.

      From room to room their eager view they bend

      Thence to the bath, a beauteous pile, descend;

      Where a bright damsel train attends the guests

      With liquid odours, and embroider’d vests.

      Refresh’d, they wait them to the bower of state,

      Where, circled with his pears, Atrides sate;

      Throned next the king, a fair attendant brings

      The purest product of the crystal springs;

      High on a massy vase of silver СКАЧАТЬ