Translation of: The Odyssey of Homer: Book VIII

ARGUMENT     The Phacians consult on the subject of Ulysses. Preparation is made for his departure. Antinos entertains them at his table. Games follow the entertainment. Demodocus the bard sings, first the loves of Mars and Venus, then the introduction of the wooden horse into Troy. Ulysses, much affected by his song, is questioned by Alcinos, whence, and who he is, and what is the cause of his sorrow.             But when Aurora, daughter of the dawn,             Blush'd in the East, then from his bed arose             The sacred might of the Phacian King.             Then uprose also, city-waster Chief,             Ulysses, whom the King Alcinos             Led forth to council at the ships convened.             There, side by side, on polish'd stones they sat             Frequent; meantime, Minerva in the form             Of King Alcinos' herald ranged the town,             With purpose to accelerate the return             Of brave Ulysses to his native home,             And thus to ev'ry Chief the Goddess spake.                 Phacian Chiefs and Senators, away!             Haste all to council on the stranger held,             Who hath of late beneath Alcinos' roof             Our King arrived, a wand'rer o'er the Deep,             But, in his form, majestic as a God.                 So saying, she roused the people, and at once             The seats of all the senate-court were fill'd             With fast-assembling throngs, no few of whom             Had mark'd Ulysses with admiring eyes.             Then, Pallas o'er his head and shoulders broad             Diffusing grace celestial, his whole form             Dilated, and to the statelier height advanced,             That worthier of all rev'rence he might seem             To the Phacians, and might many a feat             Atchieve, with which they should assay his force.                 When, therefore, the assembly now was full,             Alcinos, them addressing, thus began.                 Phacian Chiefs and Senators! I speak             The dictates of my mind, therefore attend.             This guest, unknown to me, hath, wand'ring, found             My palace, either from the East arrived,             Or from some nation on our western side.             Safe conduct home he asks, and our consent             Here wishes ratified, whose quick return             Be it our part, as usual, to promote;             For at no time the stranger, from what coast             Soe'er, who hath resorted to our doors,             Hath long complain'd of his detention here.             Haste--draw ye down into the sacred Deep             A vessel of prime speed, and, from among             The people, fifty and two youths select,             Approved the best; then, lashing fast the oars,             Leave her, that at my palace ye may make             Short feast, for which myself will all provide.             Thus I enjoin the crew; but as for those             Of sceptred rank, I bid them all alike             To my own board, that here we may regale             The stranger nobly, and let none refuse.             Call, too, Demodocus, the bard divine,             To share my banquet, whom the Gods have blest             With pow'rs of song delectable, unmatch'd             By any, when his genius once is fired.                 He ceas'd, and led the way, whom follow'd all             The sceptred senators, while to the house             An herald hasted of the bard divine.             Then, fifty mariners and two, from all             The rest selected, to the coast repair'd,             And, from her station on the sea-bank, launched             The galley down into the sacred Deep.             They placed the canvas and the mast on board,             Arranged the oars, unfurl'd the shining sail,             And, leaving her in depth of water moor'd,             All sought the palace of Alcinos.             There, soon, the portico, the court, the hall             Were fill'd with multitudes of young and old,             For whose regale the mighty monarch slew             Two beeves, twelve sheep, and twice four fatted brawns.             They slay'd them first, then busily their task             Administ'ring, prepared the joyous feast.             And now the herald came, leading with care             The tuneful bard; dear to the muse was he,             Who yet appointed him both good and ill;             Took from him sight, but gave him strains divine.             For him, Pontonos in the midst disposed             An argent-studded throne, thrusting it close             To a tall column, where he hung his lyre             Above his head, and taught him where it hung.             He set before him, next, a polish'd board             And basket, and a goblet fill'd with wine             For his own use, and at his own command.             Then, all assail'd at once the ready feast,             And when nor hunger more nor thirst they felt,             Then came the muse, and roused the bard to sing             Exploits of men renown'd; it was a song,             In that day, to the highest heav'n extoll'd.             He sang of a dispute kindled between             The son of Peleus, and Laertes'[27] son,             Both seated at a feast held to the Gods.             That contest Agamemnon, King of men,             Between the noblest of Achaia's host             Hearing, rejoiced; for when in Pytho erst             He pass'd the marble threshold to consult             The oracle of Apollo, such dispute             The voice divine had to his ear announced;             For then it was that, first, the storm of war             Came rolling on, ordain'd long time to afflict             Troy and the Greecians, by the will of Jove.                 So sang the bard illustrious; then his robe             Of purple dye with both hands o'er his head             Ulysses drew, behind its ample folds             Veiling his face, through fear to be observed             By the Phacians weeping at the song;             And ever as the bard harmonious ceased,             He wiped his tears, and, drawing from his brows             The mantle, pour'd libation to the Gods.             But when the Chiefs (for they delighted heard             Those sounds) solicited again the bard,             And he renew'd the strain, then cov'ring close             His count'nance, as before, Ulysses wept.             Thus, unperceiv'd by all, the Hero mourn'd,             Save by Alcinos; he alone his tears,             (Beside him seated) mark'd, and his deep sighs             O'erhearing, the Phacians thus bespake.                 Phacia's Chiefs and Senators, attend!             We have regaled sufficient, and the harp             Heard to satiety, companion sweet             And seasonable of the festive hour.             Now go we forth for honourable proof             Of our address in games of ev'ry kind,             That this our guest may to his friends report,             At home arriv'd, that none like us have learn'd             To leap, to box, to wrestle, and to run.                 So saying, he led them forth, whose steps the guests             All follow'd, and the herald hanging high             The sprightly lyre, took by his hand the bard             Demodocus, whom he the self-same way             Conducted forth, by which the Chiefs had gone             Themselves, for that great spectacle prepared.             They sought the forum; countless swarm'd the throng             Behind them as they went, and many a youth             Strong and courageous to the strife arose.             Upstood Acroneus and Ocyalus,             Elatreus, Nauteus, Prymneus, after whom             Anchialus with Anabeesineus             Arose, Eretmeus, Ponteus, Proreus bold,             Amphialus and Thon. Then arose,             In aspect dread as homicidal Mars,             Euryalus, and for his graceful form             (After Laodamas) distinguish'd most             Of all Phacia's sons, Naubolides.             Three also from Alcinos sprung, arose,             Laodamas, his eldest; Halius, next,             His second-born; and godlike Clytoneus.             Of these, some started for the runner's prize.             They gave the race its limits.[28] All at once             Along the dusty champaign swift they flew.             But Clytoneus, illustrious youth, outstripp'd             All competition; far as mules surpass             Slow oxen furrowing the fallow ground,             So far before all others he arrived             Victorious, where the throng'd spectators stood.             Some tried the wrestler's toil severe, in which             Euryalus superior proved to all.             In the long leap Amphialus prevail'd;             Elatreus most successful hurled the quoit,             And at the cestus,[29] last, the noble son             Of Scheria's King, Laodamas excell'd.             When thus with contemplation of the games             All had been gratified, Alcinos' son             Laodamas, arising, then address'd.                 Friends! ask we now the stranger, if he boast             Proficiency in aught. His figure seems             Not ill; in thighs, and legs, and arms he shews             Much strength, and in his brawny neck; nor youth             Hath left him yet, though batter'd he appears             With num'rous troubles, and misfortune-flaw'd.             Nor know I hardships in the world so sure             To break the strongest down, as those by sea.                 Then answer thus Euryalus return'd.             Thou hast well said, Laodamas; thyself             Approaching, speak to him, and call him forth.                 Which when Alcinos' noble offspring heard,             Advancing from his seat, amid them all             He stood, and to Ulysses thus began.                 Stand forth, oh guest, thou also; prove thy skill             (If any such thou hast) in games like ours,             Which, likeliest, thou hast learn'd; for greater praise             Hath no man, while he lives, than that he know             His feet to exercise and hands aright.             Come then; make trial; scatter wide thy cares,             We will not hold thee long; the ship is launch'd             Already, and the crew stand all prepared.                 To whom replied the wily Chief renown'd             Wherefore, as in derision, have ye call'd             Me forth, Laodamas, to these exploits?             No games have I, but many a grief, at heart,             And with far other struggles worn, here sit             Desirous only of conveyance home,             For which both King and people I implore.                 Then him Euryalus aloud reproach'd.             I well believ'd it, friend! in thee the guise             I see not of a man expert in feats             Athletic, of which various are perform'd             In ev'ry land; thou rather seem'st with ships             Familiar; one, accustom'd to controul             Some crew of trading mariners; well-learn'd             In stowage, pilotage, and wealth acquired             By rapine, but of no gymnastic pow'rs.                 To whom Ulysses, frowning dark, replied.             Thou hast ill spoken, sir, and like a man             Regardless whom he wrongs. Therefore the Gods             Give not endowments graceful in each kind,             Of body, mind, and utt'rance, all to one.             This man in figure less excels, yet Jove             Crowns him with eloquence; his hearers charm'd             Behold him, while with modest confidence             He bears the prize of fluent speech from all,             And in the streets is gazed on as a God!             Another, in his form the Pow'rs above             Resembles, but no grace around his words             Twines itself elegant. So, thou in form             Hast excellence to boast; a God, employ'd             To make a master-piece in human shape,             Could but produce proportions such as thine;             Yet hast thou an untutor'd intellect.             Thou much hast moved me; thy unhandsome phrase             Hath roused my wrath; I am not, as thou say'st,             A novice in these sports, but took the lead             In all, while youth and strength were on my side.             But I am now in bands of sorrow held,             And of misfortune, having much endured             In war, and buffeting the boist'rous waves.             Yet, though with mis'ry worn, I will essay             My strength among you; for thy words had teeth             Whose bite hath pinch'd and pain'd me to the proof.                 He said; and mantled as he was, a quoit             Upstarting, seized, in bulk and weight all those             Transcending far, by the Phacians used.             Swiftly he swung, and from his vig'rous hand             Sent it. Loud sang the stone, and as it flew             The maritime Phacians low inclined             Their heads beneath it; over all the marks,             And far beyond them, sped the flying rock.             Minerva, in a human form, the cast             Prodigious measur'd, and aloud exclaim'd.                 Stranger! the blind himself might with his hands             Feel out the 'vantage here. Thy quoit disdains             Fellowship with a crowd, borne far beyond.             Fear not a losing game; Phacian none             Will reach thy measure, much less overcast.                 She ceased; Ulysses, hardy Chief, rejoiced             That in the circus he had found a judge             So favorable, and with brisker tone,             As less in wrath, the multitude address'd.                 Young men, reach this, and I will quickly heave             Another such, or yet a heavier quoit.             Then, come the man whose courage prompts him forth             To box, to wrestle with me, or to run;             For ye have chafed me much, and I decline             No strife with any here, but challenge all             Phacia, save Laodamas alone.             He is mine host. Who combats with his friend?             To call to proof of hardiment the man             Who entertains him in a foreign land,             Would but evince the challenger a fool,             Who, so, would cripple his own interest there.             As for the rest, I none refuse, scorn none,             But wish for trial of you, and to match             In opposition fair my force with yours.             There is no game athletic in the use             Of all mankind, too difficult for me;             I handle well the polish'd bow, and first             Amid a thousand foes strike whom I mark,             Although a throng of warriors at my side             Imbattled, speed their shafts at the same time.             Of all Achaia's sons who erst at Troy             Drew bow, the sole who bore the prize from me             Was Philoctetes; I resign it else             To none now nourish'd with the fruits of earth.             Yet mean I no comparison of myself             With men of antient times, with Hercules,             Or with Oechalian Eurytus, who, both,             The Gods themselves in archery defied.             Soon, therefore, died huge Eurytus, ere yet             Old age he reach'd; him, angry to be call'd             To proof of archership, Apollo slew.             But if ye name the spear, mine flies a length             By no man's arrow reach'd; I fear no foil             From the Phacians, save in speed alone;             For I have suffer'd hardships, dash'd and drench'd             By many a wave, nor had I food on board             At all times, therefore I am much unstrung.                 He spake; and silent the Phacians sat,             Of whom alone Alcinos thus replied.                 Since, stranger, not ungraceful is thy speech,             Who hast but vindicated in our ears             Thy question'd prowess, angry that this youth             Reproach'd thee in the presence of us all,             That no man qualified to give his voice             In public, might affront thy courage more;             Now mark me, therefore, that in time to come,             While feasting with thy children and thy spouse,             Thou may'st inform the Heroes of thy land             Even of our proficiency in arts             By Jove enjoin'd us in our father's days.             We boast not much the boxer's skill, nor yet             The wrestler's; but light-footed in the race             Are we, and navigators well-inform'd.             Our pleasures are the feast, the harp, the dance,             Garments for change; the tepid bath; the bed.             Come, ye Phacians, beyond others skill'd             To tread the circus with harmonious steps,             Come, play before us; that our guest, arrived             In his own country, may inform his friends             How far in seamanship we all excel,             In running, in the dance, and in the song.             Haste! bring ye to Demodocus his lyre             Clear-toned, left somewhere in our hall at home.                 So spake the godlike King, at whose command             The herald to the palace quick return'd             To seek the charming lyre. Meantime arose             Nine arbiters, appointed to intend             The whole arrangement of the public games,             To smooth the circus floor, and give the ring             Its compass, widening the attentive throng.             Ere long the herald came, bearing the harp,             With which Demodocus supplied, advanced             Into the middle area, around whom             Stood blooming youths, all skilful in the dance.             With footsteps justly timed all smote at once             The sacred floor; Ulysses wonder-fixt,             The ceaseless play of twinkling[30] feet admired.                 Then, tuning his sweet chords, Demodocus             A jocund strain began, his theme, the loves             Of Mars and Cytherea chaplet-crown'd;             How first, clandestine, they embraced beneath             The roof of Vulcan, her, by many a gift             Seduced, Mars won, and with adult'rous lust             The bed dishonour'd of the King of fire.             The sun, a witness of their amorous sport,             Bore swift the tale to Vulcan; he, apprized             Of that foul deed, at once his smithy sought,             In secret darkness of his inmost soul             Contriving vengeance; to the stock he heav'd             His anvil huge, on which he forged a snare             Of bands indissoluble, by no art             To be untied, durance for ever firm.             The net prepared, he bore it, fiery-wroth,             To his own chamber and his nuptial couch,             Where, stretching them from post to post, he wrapp'd             With those fine meshes all his bed around,             And hung them num'rous from the roof, diffused             Like spiders' filaments, which not the Gods             Themselves could see, so subtle were the toils.             When thus he had encircled all his bed             On ev'ry side, he feign'd a journey thence             To Lemnos, of all cities that adorn             The earth, the city that he favours most.             Nor kept the God of the resplendent reins             Mars, drowsy watch, but seeing that the famed             Artificer of heav'n had left his home,             Flew to the house of Vulcan, hot to enjoy             The Goddess with the wreath-encircled brows.             She, newly from her potent Sire return'd             The son of Saturn, sat. Mars, ent'ring, seiz'd             Her hand, hung on it, and thus urg'd his suit.                 To bed, my fair, and let us love! for lo!             Thine husband is from home, to Lemnos gone,             And to the Sintians, men of barb'rous speech.                 He spake, nor she was loth, but bedward too             Like him inclined; so then, to bed they went,             And as they lay'd them down, down stream'd the net             Around them, labour exquisite of hands             By ingenuity divine inform'd.             Small room they found, so prison'd; not a limb             Could either lift, or move, but felt at once             Entanglement from which was no escape.             And now the glorious artist, ere he yet             Had reach'd the Lemnian isle, limping, return'd             From his feign'd journey, for his spy the sun             Had told him all. With aching heart he sought             His home, and, standing in the vestibule,             Frantic with indignation roar'd to heav'n,             And roar'd again, summoning all the Gods.--             Oh Jove! and all ye Pow'rs for ever blest!             Here; hither look, that ye may view a sight             Ludicrous, yet too monstrous to be borne,             How Venus always with dishonour loads             Her cripple spouse, doating on fiery Mars!             And wherefore? for that he is fair in form             And sound of foot, I ricket-boned and weak.             Whose fault is this? Their fault, and theirs alone             Who gave me being; ill-employ'd were they             Begetting me, one, better far unborn.             See where they couch together on my bed             Lascivious! ah, sight hateful to my eyes!             Yet cooler wishes will they feel, I ween,             To press my bed hereafter; here to sleep             Will little please them, fondly as they love.             But these my toils and tangles will suffice             To hold them here, till Jove shall yield me back             Complete, the sum of all my nuptial gifts             Paid to him for the shameless strumpet's sake             His daughter, as incontinent as fair.                 He said, and in the brazen-floor'd abode             Of Jove the Gods assembled. Neptune came             Earth-circling Pow'r; came Hermes friend of man,             And, regent of the far-commanding bow,             Apollo also came; but chaste reserve             Bashful kept all the Goddesses at home.             The Gods, by whose beneficence all live,             Stood in the portal; infinite arose             The laugh of heav'n, all looking down intent             On that shrewd project of the smith divine,             And, turning to each other, thus they said.                 Bad works speed ill. The slow o'ertakes the swift.             So Vulcan, tardy as he is, by craft             Hath outstript Mars, although the fleetest far             Of all who dwell in heav'n, and the light-heel'd             Must pay the adult'rer's forfeit to the lame.                 So spake the Pow'rs immortal; then the King             Of radiant shafts thus question'd Mercury.                 Jove's son, heaven's herald, Hermes, bounteous God!             Would'st _thou_ such stricture close of bands endure             For golden Venus lying at thy side?                 Whom answer'd thus the messenger of heav'n             Archer divine! yea, and with all my heart;             And be the bands which wind us round about             Thrice these innumerable, and let all             The Gods and Goddesses in heav'n look on,             So I may clasp Vulcan's fair spouse the while.                 He spake; then laugh'd the Immortal Pow'rs again.             But not so Neptune; he with earnest suit             The glorious artist urged to the release             Of Mars, and thus in accents wing'd he said.                 Loose him; accept my promise; he shall pay             Full recompense in presence of us all.                 Then thus the limping smith far-famed replied.             Earth-circler Neptune, spare me that request.             Lame suitor, lame security.[31] What bands             Could I devise for thee among the Gods,             Should Mars, emancipated once, escape,             Leaving both debt and durance, far behind?                 Him answer'd then the Shaker of the shores.             I tell thee, Vulcan, that if Mars by flight             Shun payment, I will pay, myself, the fine.                 To whom the glorious artist of the skies.             Thou must not, canst not, shalt not be refused.                 So saying, the might of Vulcan loos'd the snare,             And they, detain'd by those coercive bands             No longer, from the couch upstarting, flew,             Mars into Thrace, and to her Paphian home             The Queen of smiles, where deep in myrtle groves             Her incense-breathing altar stands embow'r'd.             Her there, the Graces laved, and oils diffused             O'er all her form, ambrosial, such as add             Fresh beauty to the Gods for ever young,             And cloath'd her in the loveliest robes of heav'n.                 Such was the theme of the illustrious bard.             Ulysses with delight that song, and all             The maritime Phacian concourse heard.                 Alcinos, then, (for in the dance they pass'd             All others) call'd his sons to dance alone,             Halius and Laodamas; they gave             The purple ball into their hands, the work             Exact of Polybus; one, re-supine,             Upcast it high toward the dusky clouds,             The other, springing into air, with ease             Received it, ere he sank to earth again.             When thus they oft had sported with the ball             Thrown upward, next, with nimble interchange             They pass'd it to each other many a time,             Footing the plain, while ev'ry youth of all             The circus clapp'd his hands, and from beneath             The din of stamping feet fill'd all the air.                 Then, turning to Alcinos, thus the wise             Ulysses spake: Alcinos! mighty King!             Illustrious above all Phacia's sons!             Incomparable are ye in the dance,             Ev'n as thou said'st. Amazement-fixt I stand!                 So he, whom hearing, the imperial might             Exulted of Alcinos, and aloud             To his oar-skill'd Phacians thus he spake.                 Phacian Chiefs and Senators, attend!             Wisdom beyond the common stint I mark             In this our guest; good cause in my account,             For which we should present him with a pledge             Of hospitality and love. The Chiefs             Are twelve, who, highest in command, controul             The people, and the thirteenth Chief am I.             Bring each a golden talent, with a vest             Well-bleach'd, and tunic; gratified with these,             The stranger to our banquet shall repair             Exulting; bring them all without delay;             And let Euryalus by word and gift             Appease him, for his speech was unadvised.                 He ceas'd, whom all applauded, and at once             Each sent his herald forth to bring the gifts,             When thus Euryalus his Sire address'd.                 Alcinos! o'er Phacia's sons supreme!             I will appease our guest, as thou command'st.             This sword shall be his own, the blade all steel.             The hilt of silver, and the unsullied sheath             Of iv'ry recent from the carver's hand,             A gift like this he shall not need despise.                 So saying, his silver-studded sword he gave             Into his grasp, and, courteous, thus began.                 Hail, honour'd stranger! and if word of mine             Have harm'd thee, rashly spoken, let the winds             Bear all remembrance of it swift away!             May the Gods give thee to behold again             Thy wife, and to attain thy native shore,             Whence absent long, thou hast so much endured!                 To whom Ulysses, ever-wise, replied.             Hail also thou, and may the Gods, my friend,             Grant thee felicity, and may never want             Of this thy sword touch thee in time to come,             By whose kind phrase appeas'd my wrath subsides!                 He ended, and athwart his shoulders threw             The weapon bright emboss'd. Now sank the sun,             And those rich gifts arrived, which to the house             Of King Alcinos the heralds bore.             Alcinos' sons receiv'd them, and beside             Their royal mother placed the precious charge.             The King then led the way, at whose abode             Arrived, again they press'd their lofty thrones,             And to Areta thus the monarch spake.                 Haste, bring a coffer; bring thy best, and store             A mantle and a sumptuous vest within;             Warm for him, next, a brazen bath, by which             Refresh'd, and viewing in fair order placed             The noble gifts by the Phacian Lords             Conferr'd on him, he may the more enjoy             Our banquet, and the bard's harmonious song.             I give him also this my golden cup             Splendid, elaborate; that, while he lives             What time he pours libation forth to Jove             And all the Gods, he may remember me.                 He ended, at whose words Areta bade             Her maidens with dispatch place o'er the fire             A tripod ample-womb'd; obedient they             Advanced a laver to the glowing hearth,             Water infused, and kindled wood beneath             The flames encircling bright the bellied vase,             Warm'd soon the flood within. Meantime, the Queen             Producing from her chamber-stores a chest             All-elegant, within it placed the gold,             And raiment, gifts of the Phacian Chiefs,             With her own gifts, the mantle and the vest,             And in wing'd accents to Ulysses said.                 Now take, thyself, the coffer's lid in charge;             Girdle it quickly with a cord, lest loss             Befall thee on thy way, while thou perchance             Shalt sleep secure on board the sable bark.                 Which when Ulysses heard, Hero renown'd,             Adjusting close the lid, he cast a cord             Around it which with many a mazy knot             He tied, by Circe taught him long before.             And now, the mistress of the household charge             Summon'd him to his bath; glad he beheld             The steaming vase, uncustom'd to its use             E'er since his voyage from the isle of fair             Calypso, although, while a guest with her,             Ever familiar with it, as a God.             Laved by attendant damsels, and with oil             Refresh'd, he put his sumptuous tunic on             And mantle, and proceeding from the bath             To the symposium, join'd the num'rous guests;             But, as he pass'd, the Princess all divine             Beside the pillars of the portal, lost             In admiration of his graceful form,             Stood, and in accents wing'd him thus address'd.                 Hail, stranger! at thy native home arrived             Remember me, thy first deliv'rer here.                 To whom Ulysses, ever-wise, replied.             Nausicaa! daughter of the noble King             Alcinos! So may Jove, high-thund'ring mate             Of Juno, grant me to behold again             My native land, and my delightful home,             As, even there, I will present my vows             To thee, adoring thee as I adore             The Gods themselves, virgin, by whom I live!                 He said, and on his throne beside the King             Alcinos sat. And now they portion'd out             The feast to all, and charg'd the cups with wine,             And introducing by his hand the bard             Phacia's glory, at the column's side             The herald placed Demodocus again.                 Then, carving forth a portion from the loins             Of a huge brawn, of which uneaten still             Large part and delicate remain'd, thus spake             Ulysses--Herald! bear it to the bard             For his regale, whom I will soon embrace             In spite of sorrow; for respect is due             And veneration to the sacred bard             From all mankind, for that the muse inspires             Herself his song, and loves the tuneful tribe.                 He ended, and the herald bore his charge             To the old hero who with joy received             That meed of honour at the bearer's hand.             Then, all, at once, assail'd the ready feast,             And hunger now, and thirst both satisfied,             Thus to Demodocus Ulysses spake.                 Demodocus! I give thee praise above             All mortals, for that either thee the muse             Jove's daughter teaches, or the King, himself,             Apollo; since thou so record'st the fate,             With such clear method, of Achaia's host,             Their deeds heroic, and their num'rous toils,             As thou hadst present been thyself, or learnt             From others present there, the glorious tale.             Come, then, proceed; that rare invention sing,             The horse of wood, which by Minerva's aid             Epeus framed, and which Ulysses erst             Convey'd into the citadel of Troy             With warriors fill'd, who lay'd all Ilium waste.             These things rehearse regular, and myself             Will, instant, publish in the ears of all             Thy fame, reporting thee a bard to whom             Apollo free imparts celestial song.                 He ended; then Apollo with full force             Rush'd on Demodocus, and he began             What time the Greeks, first firing their own camp             Steer'd all their galleys from the shore of Troy.             Already, in the horse conceal'd, his band             Around Ulysses sat; for Ilium's sons             Themselves had drawn it to the citadel.             And there the mischief stood. Then, strife arose             Among the Trojans compassing the horse,             And threefold was the doubt; whether to cleave             The hollow trunk asunder, or updrawn             Aloft, to cast it headlong from the rocks,             Or to permit the enormous image, kept             Entire, to stand an off'ring to the Gods,             Which was their destined course; for Fate had fix'd             Their ruin sure, when once they had received             Within their walls that engine huge, in which             Sat all the bravest Greecians with the fate             Of Ilium charged, and slaughter of her sons.             He sang, how, from the horse effused, the Greeks             Left their capacious ambush, and the town             Made desolate. To others, in his song,             He gave the praise of wasting all beside,             But told how, fierce as Mars, Ulysses join'd             With godlike Menelaus, to the house             Flew of Deiphobus; him there engaged             In direst fight he sang, and through the aid             Of glorious Pallas, conqu'ror over all.                 So sang the bard illustrious, at whose song             Ulysses melted, and tear after tear             Fell on his cheeks. As when a woman weeps,             Her husband, who hath fallen in defence             Of his own city and his babes before             The gates; she, sinking, folds him in her arms             And, gazing on him as he pants and dies,             Shrieks at the sight; meantime, the enemy             Smiting her shoulders with the spear to toil             Command her and to bondage far away,             And her cheek fades with horror at the sound;             Ulysses, so, from his moist lids let fall,             The frequent tear. Unnoticed by the rest             Those drops, but not by King Alcinos, fell             Who, seated at his side, his heavy sighs             Remark'd, and the Phacians thus bespake.                 Phacian Chiefs and Senators attend!             Now let Demodocus enjoin his harp             Silence, for not alike grateful to all             His music sounds; during our feast, and since             The bard divine began, continual flow             The stranger's sorrows, by remembrance caused             Of some great woe which wraps his soul around.             Then, let the bard suspend his song, that all             (As most befits th' occasion) may rejoice,             Both guest and hosts together; since we make             This voyage, and these gifts confer, in proof             Of hospitality and unfeign'd love,             Judging, with all wise men, the stranger-guest             And suppliant worthy of a brother's place.             And thou conceal not, artfully reserv'd,             What I shall ask, far better plain declared             Than smother'd close; who art thou? speak thy name,             The name by which thy father, mother, friends             And fellow-citizens, with all who dwell             Around thy native city, in times past             Have known thee; for of all things human none             Lives altogether nameless, whether good             Or whether bad, but ev'ry man receives             Ev'n in the moment of his birth, a name.             Thy country, people, city, tell; the mark             At which my ships, intelligent, shall aim,             That they may bear thee thither; for our ships             No pilot need or helm, as ships are wont,             But know, themselves, our purpose; know beside             All cities, and all fruitful regions well             Of all the earth, and with dark clouds involv'd             Plough rapid the rough Deep, fearless of harm,             (Whate'er betide) and of disast'rous wreck.             Yet thus, long since, my father I have heard             Nausithos speaking; Neptune, he would say,             Is angry with us, for that safe we bear             Strangers of ev'ry nation to their home;             And he foretold a time when he would smite             In vengeance some Phacian gallant bark             Returning after convoy of her charge,             And fix her in the sable flood, transform'd             Into a mountain, right before the town.                 So spake my hoary Sire, which let the God             At his own pleasure do, or leave undone.             But tell me truth, and plainly. Where have been             Thy wand'rings? in what regions of the earth             Hast thou arrived? what nations hast thou seen,             What cities? say, how many hast thou found             Harsh, savage and unjust? how many, kind             To strangers, and disposed to fear the Gods?             Say also, from what secret grief of heart             Thy sorrows flow, oft as thou hear'st the fate             Of the Achaians, or of Ilium sung?             That fate the Gods prepared; they spin the thread             Of man's destruction, that in after days             The bard may make the sad event his theme.             Perish'd thy father or thy brother there?             Or hast thou at the siege of Ilium lost             Father-in-law, or son-in-law? for such             Are next and dearest to us after those             Who share our own descent; or was the dead             Thy bosom-friend, whose heart was as thy own?             For worthy as a brother of our love             The constant friend and the discrete I deem.