them there no old man is but I The company t' encourage that expect Telemachus Not with Authority But my advise they 'll follow for respect The next day with the Caucons I must be About an old and not a little debt And then that he may Menelaus see With strong swift horses on his way him set This said the Goddess Pallas went away In likeness of an Eagle to the Skies The people star'd and knew not what to say And Nestor wondring saw it with his eyes And took Telemachus by th' hand and said A good man you will be Telemachus And valiant that are by a God convoy'd And this same God that guided you to us Is none but Pallas daughter of great Jove That did at Troy your Father always guide Let me and mine O Goddess have your love And amongst men a Noble Fame and wide A Heifer on your Altar shall be laid That ne'r bare yoke a yearling from the field And gilt shall be her horns So Nestor prai'd And Pallas heaâ—ing to his Pray'r did yield And Nestor to his house then led them all Both Sons and Sons-in-Law and being there They sat on Chairs and Couches in the Hall Then Nestor bids one fill the Temperer With Wine that aged was eleven year From out a Vessel first uncover'd then And when the Wine and water mixed were Then Nestor pray'd and offered And when The Offrings to the Goddess ended were The rest unto their lodgings went away Telemachus by Nestor stai'd was there And in a soft and costly bed he lay And near unto him lay Pisistratus Who of the Sons of Nestor was the last And Nestor in the inmost part of th' house Where by the Queen his wife his bed was plaâ—… Soon as Aurera did the day restore The old Knight Nestor rose up from his bed And sat upon the Bench before the door Oâ—… marble white and smooth that glistered His Father used to sit there before King Neleus but that since he was dead And that King Nestor now the Scepter bore There sat he now and to him gathered Were all his Sons Echephron Stratius Perseus Aretus Godlike Thrasymed Pisistratus Dead was Antilochus Along with them Telemachus they led Then to his Children Nestor spake and said Do quickly Sons what you shall from me hear A Vow I made to Pallas must be paid Who did to me so visibly appear Let one of you unto the Pastures hie And bid a Herdsman bring a Heifer home One to Telemachus his Ship quickly And bid his Mates save two all hither come Another bid the Gilder hither come To gild the sacred Heifers horns with speed The rest stay here to look to things at home That all things may be ready that we need Seats dry wood and fair water So said he Then busie were they all The Heifer came And all Telemachus his Company The Gilder came Laerces was his name And every tool that to his Art belongs And necessary is had in his hands His Anvil and his Hammer and his Tongs And Pallas also now amongst them stands Then fell the man to work on Nestors Gold And so elaborate it was when done That it might please the Goddess to behold Then came in Stratius and Echephron And by the horns they led the Heifer in The Bason and the Ewre and Barly white Aretus brought and with an Axe full keen Stood Thrasymed ready the Beast to sâ—ite Then Nestor prai'd and from the Heifers head Cut off some hair and into th' fire it threw Then prai'd the rest and Barly sprinkled Upon the fire and Thrasymed then slew The Heifer with his Axe and cut in twain The tendons of the neck and down she fell And Nestor's Wife and Daughters shout amain To see the sacred act performed well Pisistratus then cuts the Victims throat And up they held it to let out the blood Into a Pail which Perseus thither brought And to that purpose ready with it stood The life together with the blood outâ—lies Then from the Body they the Bowels draw And next cut off the Shoulders and the Thighs As is of Sacrifice the Riâ—ual Law And them slit into two parts they display And cover them all over with sweet fat Shoulder on Shoulder Thigh on Thigh they lay And Nestor on the Altar burneth that And with it on the fire black wine he poured By him a spit was ready with five points The fire the Thighs the men th' Entrails devoured The rest divided was in smaller joynts To rost on Spits Telemachus the while Into the Bath retired and was there Well bathed and anointed with sweet Oyl By Pâ—lycaste Nestor's daughter dear And in a Robe and Coat clad gloriously And came as if no mortal he had been Into the Hall and sat down Nestor by The meat now ready straightway was brought in Then in the young men came to fill them wine When they with flesh and wine were satisfi'd Then to his Sons said Nestor Children mine The Horses to the Coach see quickly ti'd Away they go and to â—he Coach they set The Horses swift and in it bread and wine A Maid laid in and with it choiâ—est meat Which none but God-fed Kings eat when they dine Up to the Seat then went Telemachus The Seat was large and capable of two And after him went up Pisistratus And Whip and Reins he took his hands into Toucht with the Whip the Horses take the way And all the day long made their Harness shake The Sun went down dark were the Streets Then they At Pherae were And there their rest they take There Diocles Orsilochus his Son Son of Alphaeus them did entertain And with fair Gifts presented them each one But soon as Morning did appear again Their Horses to the Coach again they tie And from the Porch drive them into the way Toucht with the Whip again away they fly The Sun now down and ended was the day LIB IV. ANd then to Lacedaemon come were they And drove up to the House of Menelaus At home they found him For there on that day A double Wedding celebrated was One of his Daughter fair Hermione Whom he before at Troy had promised Of Neoptolemus the Wiâ—e should be And on this day the same accomplished And her he sent unto the Myrmidons Where reigned he To Pthia she was brought And then the second Wedding was his Son's Whom on a woman bond he had begot And Megapenthes nam'd For Helens bed Fruitless was after fair Hermione And he Alector's daughter married Of Lacedaemon Citizen was he And now they merry sat that bidden were Making good chear and hearing Voice and Fiddle And wondring at two Tumblers that were there That moving to the time stood in the middle Mean while by th'Horses th'utter Gate without Telemachus stood and Pisistratus Then Eteâ—neus by chance came out A careful Servant of Menelaus And having seen them in he went agen And being near to where his Master sate O King said he there are
on one mans substance all And ruine his estate go on and feast While I upon the Gods for vengeance call O that the mighty Jove would so ordain That all mens actions might be repaid As they deserve Then should you all be slain Within my doors After he this had said The Suiters bit their lips and silent mused At the strange boldness of Telemachus And at the Language which the Youngman used To which none answer'd but Antinous The Gods quoth he have taught you a high straiâ— Of Language and undaunted Oratory But if their meaning were that you should reign Here o'r us all I should be very sorry Telemachus repli'd Think what you will If Jove consent why should not I be King What harm is it with wealth my house to fill Besides the honour it will with it bring In Ithaca there many Princes be You 'll say would be as glad to rule as I. No matter whosoe'r be King not he But I am King in my own Family Who said Eurymachus shall have the hap To reign in Ithaca is hard to guess It lies yet folded up within Joves lap None shall Telemachus you dispossess Of house or land or goods by violence As long as there in Ithaca be men But tell me who that was that now went hence Where he was born and where he dwells and then His errand whether business of his own Or some news from Ulysses brought perchance And went so soon away t' avoid being known He was no mean man by his countenance Then said Telemachus My Father 's dead We never shall again see one another With Messengers I trouble not my head Nor Soothsayers that do but sooth my Mother The man my Fathers old acquaintance was Mentes Anchialides and his Town Taphos and he thereof the ruling has His people for their Trade by Sea well known Thus said he though he doubted not at all But 't was some God Mean while the Suiters staying For th'evenings coming on to dancing fall Or listen to the minstrel's Song and playing The evening came the Suiters went away Telemachus went also to his bed In a warm stately Chamber where he lay Ranging the many cares he had in 's head Euryclea a Torch before him bore Daughter of Ops now old but at the time Laertes did her purchase heretofore For twenty Oxen she was in her prime He honour'd her as if sh 'had been his wife But from her bed perpetually forbore T' avoid suspition and domestick strife Sh 'had nurst Telemachus and lov'd him more Than did the other Maids and now she stands To light him He unlocks the door goes in Takes off his Coat puts it into her hands She foldeth brusheth hangs it on a pin Then forth she went and by a silver ring Pulls to the door And there all night he lay Remembring Pallas words and pondering Upon the business of the following day LIB II. SOon as the Rosie Morning did appear Telemachus himself array'd and shod Puts on his Sword and takes in hand his Spear And out he went appearing like a God And streight unto the Cryers gave command To call the People to the Publike place The People met And then with Spear in hand He to them takes his way and followed was By two white Dogs Then takes his Fathers Throne His Elders gave him way all on him gaze For why the Goddess Pallas of her own Had let Authority upon his Face The first that spake was old Aegyptius Stooping with age of great experience One Son of his whose name was Antiphus Went to the Siege of Troy but coming thence He died in the Savage Cyclops jaws When with Ulysses he was in his den Euronymus one of the Suiters was The others with their Father dwelled then But still he grieved was for Antiphus The tears ran down his cheeks and weeping he Rose up and said unto th' Assembly thus Ye men of Ithaca I pray hear me Since we to Ulysses sent with Ships We ne'r convoked were to Parliament What need have young or old men of our Lips And who is he that now doth us convent Has he informed been of some Invasion And unto us the same would first report Or on some other Publike great occasion Would give us Counsel The Gods bless him for 't Telemachus then presently up stands Though well contented with his Fathers praise The Crier puts the Scepter in his hands And to Aegyptius first he speaks and says Here am I that the people have convok'd Nor do I any news or counsel bring But by my private suffrings am provok'd Which here I offer t' your considering Is it not grief enough my Fathers loss That ruled like a Father to us all But that I must yet bear a greater cross To see his house to utter ruine fall My Mothers house the Suiters daily fill And of the best of you they Children are She wedded must be with her Fathers will But to her Father go they do not dare But in my house continually they stay And Sacrifice my Beeves and Goats and Sheep My wine exhaust and much they cast away For why Ulysses lost is on the deep And I my self unable to defend But shall I so be still or once be able To bring upon these men unjust their end Whose injuries no more are tolerable Take it to heart Think how 't will taken be By other States Fear from the Gods some change That are not pleas'd with such iniquity And may in closer order make you range By Jove I you adjure and Themis who Convokes Assemblies and revokes again Forbear these evil deeds your selves to do And of your Sons the liberty restrain Leave me to suffer misery alone Hurt none but me Unless my Father have In hatred of you some great evil done And for revenge these men such power you gave But better 't were for me that you than they Should spend my Treasure and my comings in For if among so many men it lay Begging I might from them the value win But for my case no help can now be found So said Telema hus in choler high And from him threw the Scepter to the ground Nor could fotbear to left fall tears and sigh The People piti'd him but silent sat None but Antinous durst answer make Telemachus said he too passionate You are and too much liberty you take The Peoples hatred you would very fain Draw to the Suiters and procure them shame But from your Mother cometh all your pain And therefore her not us you ought to blame Three years are gone and past the fourth is this Since she her Suiters baffled has with Art Putting each one in hope by Messages And Promises that he had gain'd her heart Moreover setting up a Beam to weave Suiters said she since dead Ulysses is Stay yet a little while and give me leave To make an end but of one business I must for old Laertes make a Cloath Which in his Sepulchre he is to wear T'
offend the wives of Greece I should be loath For to accuse me they will not forbear But say I very hasty was to wed If I go hence and not provide a shroud Wherein Laertes may be buried Out of such wealth that might have been allow'd Her Suiters all were well content And then All day she wove but ere she went to bed What she had wov'n she ravell'd out agen Three years her Suiters thus she frustrated In the fourth year her women her betraid And in we came whilst she the web undid And then to end it she could not avoid Since now her purpose could no more be hid To your complaint the Suiters answer thus Take notice of it you and all the rest Send back your Mother to Icarius There let her marry whom they both think best But if she think to vex us longer yet Caring for nothing but for Pallas Gifts To have the reputation for wit And skilfulness in curious work and shifts Wherein the Achaean wives she doth excel Both old and young Trro Alcmen ' Micen ' Although with us she hath not dealed well But if to use us so she longer mean So much the longer with you we shall eat Which to Penelope will be a glory But we consume shall so much of your meat If long we stay there that you will be sorry For so long as she dodges with us thus No whither from your house will we depart Then to him answered Telemachus Antinous I ne'r shall have the heart To send my Mother hence against her will Abroad my Father is alive or dead That I her Father should repay were ill For forcing her to leave her husbands bed And from the Furies I shall suffer worse For if I force her from my house to go Whether she will or not she will me curse And men will of me be revenged too If it displease you that she stayeth here You have your remedy you may go home And ev'ry one make all the rest good chear By turns and into my house never come But if you needs will feed on me alone I can but to the Gods for vengeance call And reparation for what is done Which may enough be to destroy you all This said two Eagles coming were in fight And when they were the Market-place just o'r Th'Assembled heads surveying stopt their flight And on their broad and levell'd wings they soar Then having torn themselves both neck and cheek They to their right wing rise and fly away What this should mean th' Assembly was to seek And to them thus did Alitherses say Hear me ye men of Ithaca said he And you the Suiters that are most concern'd Destruction is rouling toward ye Although it be not by your selves discern'd Ulysses from his Friends will not be long And now from Ithaca far off is not Seeing what daily done is in the throng And how to kill the Suiters lays his plot Nay many more beside the Suiters may Of their misfortune chance to have their part If they desist not soon and come away I speak not this at random but on Art For all must come to pass I told him then When with the Argive Lords he went to Troy That after twenty years he should agen Return with pain his men all cast away Then said Eurymachus Old man go home And there to your own Children prophesie Lest to them any harm hereafter come A better Prophet for these things am I. Under the Sun be many Birds that fly And yet not all of them do fortunes tell Ulysses far hence dead is certainly I know not where I would thou wert as well For then you would give over to enflame Telemachus who but too angry is In hope to get some Present for the same If you will give it But I tell you this If any old man with his wisdom dare To set against us any young man here He shall be sure himself the worse to fare And when 't is done he shall be ne'r the near We 'll set a Fine upon your head so wise Which you to pay will not be well content I my self will Telemachus advise His Mother may be to her Father sent To make the match and on the Dower agree Such as becomes him to his Daughter dear Till that be done no hope at all I see The Suiters should desist For they not fear Telemachus as haughty as he is And full of words and much less do they care For such deceitful Prophesies as this For which you only the more hated are Mean while Telemachus his Goods decay And he shall never make them up again While she persists her Suiters to delay And make us all expect her love in vain And 't is her vertue makes us thus to strive Amongst our selves who shall her favour win For many other Ladies we could wive And be sufficiently delighted in Then said Telemachus No more will I This matter to you press or to the Woo'rs You and the Gods know all I do not lie But I demand a Bark of twenty Oars For I intend to travel for a while To hear what men can of my Father say To Lacedamon I will go and Pyle Or seek from Jove some notice of his way And if alive he be and coming home Though to my cost I 'll stay another year If dead he be then back again I 'll come And Rites of burial will give him here Splendid and well becoming his estate And let my Mother her own liking take Having thus spoken down again he sate And then Ulysses old friend Mentor spake With whom Ulysses left his house in trust Hear me Ye Ithacesians said he Let no King ever be hereafter just Nor to his People soft and gentle be Since you Ulysses have so soon forgot That ever rul'd us like a Father kind But I the Suiters so much accuse not Although on force and fraud they set their mind For 'gainst Ulysses goods which they devour They stake their heads in hope he 'll ne'r come As you that many are and have the pow'r home To check them sit as if you all were dumb And then rose up Leocritus and spake Mentor said he more busie much than wise That would about a Supper quarrel make Ulysses were he here I 'd not advise To seek by force the Suiters to remove For though he much be wish'd for by his wife She would not of his coming well approve But he the sooner be depriv'd of life And you the people now may hence retire Mentor and Alitherses will provide A Bark for what place ever he 'll desire And if at Ithaca he mean t' abide No news he will hear of him a great while But never t'Ithaca shall come agen If he to Lacedaemon go or Pyle This said dismiss'd and scatter'd were the men And to Ulysses house the Suiters went Telemachus to the Sea-side and pray'd O God that gavest me Commandement To pass the Seas canst not now be obey'd I am both
without two men Like Great mens Sons with their Coach at the Gate Shall I take out their Horses Or shall I Tell them where they may lodged be elsewhere At this Atrides grieved made reply Eteoneus sure once you wiser were Have we not oft by strangers heretofore In our necessity relieved been And I pray God it may be so no more Go loose the Horses and the men bring in This said he went again with Servants more Takes out the Horses Ties them to the Mangers And throws before them Provender good store Sets up the Coach and then brings in the strangers Who at the beauty of the house amazed For bright it shined as the Moon or Sun And when they had sufficiently gazed To where the Bathing-room was walked on After they were well washed and anointed And cloathed with soft nappy Cloak and Coat That they should near him sit the King appointed And near unto his Throne their Chairs were brought A Maid the Golden Bason and the Ewre To wash their hands over a Caldron brings The Caldron also was of silver pure Another on the Table laid good things Another Bread The Carver also cuts Of every sort of meat the choicest bits And them on trenchers on the Table puts And Menelaus pointing to it sits And heartily invites them to fall to Eat now said he we shall have time enough When you have supp'd to ask you where and who Your Ancestors are not obscure I know Such Children are not got by wretched men And as he spake he took from his own Mess As much as both his hands could comprehend Of good Chine-beef and gave it to these Guests And then they laid their hands upon their meat But when their hunger and their thirst was gone Telemachus that near sat to his seat Whisper'd Pisistratus You Nestors Son Do you not mark the splendour in this house Of Brass Gold Amber Silver Ivory Such sure the house is of Olympius So many and so glorious things I see But Menelaus heard him Let said he No mortal man with Jupiter compare His house decays not nor goods wasted be What men compare with me I do not care For why my Goods I paid for very dear With pain and peril in my coming home And wandring up and down at Sea eight year Before I could into my Country come I was in Cyprus and Phoeaicia Came to the Cydoâ—s and Erembians To Aegypt and to Ethiopia And to the sertile grounds o' th' Libyans Where ev'ry year the Sheep three times do breed And all the Lambs fall horned from the Dam. Nor master nor his man there stands in need Of Cheese or Milk or tender flesh of Lamb. While I my Goods amongst them wandring got I lost my Brother by his Wife betrai'd And therefore in my riches glory not And all this to you have your Fathers said Absent I lost my house and much rich stuff Had I my fellows sav'd I led to Troy I 'd been content with the third part thereof So all to all I 've little cause of joy For all my Friends at Troy lost griev'd was I And sometimes wept yet sometimes also not For quick of tears is the satiety But one there is when he is in my thought I neither food nor sleep desire to take For all the while we were besieging Troy None suffer'd so much for the Argives sake As did Ulysses nor so oft did pray And more perhaps he is to suffer yet Long stays he and whether alive or dead He be I can from no man notice geâ— Nor from my sorrow be delivered Mean while as for a Son of life berest Laâ—rtes weeps So does Penelope Telemachus whom young Ulysses left Spends his best age in pain and misery This said Telemachus before his eyes Held up his Purple Robe the tears to hide Drawn from him by his Fathers Miseries And Menelaus when he that espi'd Consider'd whether best it were or no To tell him first what he had heard or seen About his Father or what he would know To let him ask But Helen then came in Like to Diana in great Majesty Adreste came in with her with a Chair Alcippe a soft Carpet layed nigh Her Basket brought in was by Phylo fair Aâ— Thebes in Aeâ—ypt it was given her By Polybus his wife Alcandre when King Menelaus travelling was there And Polybus gave to him Talents ten Of Gold and Lavers two of Silver fine And two three-sooted Caldrons of good Brass Then by Alcandre t'Helena Divine A silver brim guilt Basket given was With fine and curiously-spun thred prest full With Distaff on it more thred yet to spin Beady invested with soft Purple wool This was the Basket Phylo then brought in Then Helen sat and by her Husband told What thitherto had past I know said she King Menelaus now I them behold The Guests that are come to you who they be But shall I tell you what I think or no I 'll tell you true I never yet saw one So like another as this man is to Telemachus Ulysses only Son Whom when with other Greeks to Ilium He went to setch away this Monky me By bloody War he left a Child at home Then Menelaus spake Since you said he Have put it in my mind I think so too His eyes his feet his hands his head his hair Are like Ulysses his who I 'd tell you now What mâ—sery for me he suffer'd there But that it makes him weep and hide his eyes Then to Atrides said Pisistratus The truth to you O King I 'll not disguise This is Ulysses Son Telemachus But jealous of his tongue and fearful is Before a man experienced and wise Lest he should say something at first amiss And lay his weakness open to your eyes Nestor sent me along with him for guide Because he so much longed you to see And hear what of his Father was betide And by you holpen and instructed be Unhappy is the Child whose Father 's gone And this is now Telemachus his case For of Ulysses news he can hear none Who to defend him left none in his place How how then said Atrides I have here The Son of one that I esteemed most And for my sake suffer'd and did more there Than any other in the Argive Host. To whom I meant had we come safely home To shew more kindness than to any-one Of all the Greeks Assoon as we were come I had to Argos brought him and his Son Built them a City made both but one State And laid the Cities round about us waste And often there with one another safe And only death our friendship had displac't But by the Gods these thoughts are rendred vain They have Ulysses from his Country kept This said from tears they could no more abstain Joves Daughter Argive Helena then wept And Menelaus and Telemachus Nor could Pisistratus his tears restrain But on his Brother thought Antilochus That by the fair Aurora's Son was slain And him remembring
to Atrides spake Atrides oft have I heard Nestor tell As oft as we did of you mention make That you 'mongst men in wisdom do excel I pray you think not I take any pleasure To act at Supper-time the rites of mourning For that another time we shall have leisure Unless we look no more to see the Morning Not that I weeping for the dead condemn Or cutting off of hair It is a debt We owe to our dead friends And one of them My Brother is whom I cannot forget He was not of the Greeks the meanest man For swift he was of foot and bold in fight Which you than I much better witness can To kill his Foe in battle or in flight Dear friend Atrides answer'd you have said What might an older man have well beseemed To say and do and Nestor's stock bewrayed Whose wisdom is of all mens most esteemed 'T is easie to discern the race of one To whom a happy life the Gods shall grant As unto Noble Nestor they have done Long life and Sons discreet and valiant Let 's put off for the present tales of sorrow And to our meat again our minds apply Bring water for our hands Betimes to morrow We 'll talk of this Telemachus and 〈◊〉 This said Asphalion came in with water They wash'd on the meat their hands they lai'd But in the mean time Helena Joves Daughter An Antidote into the wine convei'd An Antidote that vertue had to keep The man that drank it mixed with his wine So as for all that day he should not weep Nor for what ever should befal him whine No though his Father or his Mother di'd Or Friend or Brother slain were in his sight By cruel enemies that them envi'd Such was of Helens Medicine the might Which t' her in Aegypt Thon's wife given had Where many Drugs of wondrous vertue grow Some here some there and some good and some bad For all men there the Art of Physique know For why from Paean sprung are all those men The Antidote put in she bad the wine Be born about And then she said agen King Menelaus offspring of Gods divine Descended from the Gods are also these And Jove good fortune gives sometimes to one And sometimes to another as he please For he can do whatever can be done Feast then and merrily together sit And please your selves with Stories I 'll tell one And which as to the time is not unfit Of what at Troy was by Ulysses done I will not tell you all the pranks he plaid But only how he came into the Town With canvas Mantle o'r his shoulders laid Bloody with stripes from no hand but his own 〈◊〉 And by the name of Dectes there did pass And as a slave went freely up and down When such man in the Fleet at all none was And was to every one but me unknown I question'd him and he at first was shy But when I bath'd him and anointed had And cloth'd and tane an Oath of secresie He told me what designe the Argives had Then having gotten much Intelligence And many of the Trojan people slain He safely to the Fleet departed thence Leaving their Wives lamenting there in vain But I was glad For changed was my mind And griev'd by Venus t' have been made so mad To leave my Child Hermione behind And my good Husband when no cause I had Then Menâ—laus said Your Story Wife Is to the purpose Countries I have seen Many and oft with Heroes in my life In Councels sitten but was never in The place where any like Ulysses sat I' th' Wooden Horse I 'll tell you what he did No man did ever such a thing as that The Princes of the Army there lay hid Death and destruction bearing into Troy Some Daemon then that was no friend to us Made you come forth our Counsel to destroy And with you also came Deiphobus And thrice about the Wooden Horse you went And called to us ev'ry man by name And our Wives voices so did represent As not to be discerned from the same I' th' midst Ulysses Diomed and I Heard well your call as we together sat And ready were to go forth or reply But by Ulysses hindred were of that But Anticlus had answered certainly Had not Ulysses when he heard her call Laid hand upon his mouth immediately And held till you were gone That sav'd us all 'T was much then said Telemachus but this Was not enough the man alive to keep Though made of steel whose end determin'd is But now O King the time is come for sleep Then Helen to her women order gave To see their Beds made ready and lay on Fair Puâ—ple Rugs and under them to have Soft Blankets and fine Coverlids upon Before the house in Chambers o'r the Gate But in the Inmost of the Palace lay King Menâ—laus with his Royal Mate And rose again together with the day And when he had himself attir'd and shod And hung his trusty sword had by his side Out of his Chamber came he like a God And to Telmachus himself appli'd Telemachus said he what bringeth you To Lacedaemon o'r thé Sea so wide Publike or private bus'ness Tell me true Telemaâ—hus unto him then repli'd To you King Menelâ—â— I am come T' enquire what of my Father is beâ—ide My house is full of Enemies at home That me consume and there resolve t' abide I' th' fields they fruitless make my husbandry My stâ—â—k they eat and would my Mother wed This made me come to know the certainty Whether my Father be alive or dead Whether you saw him after he left Troy Wandring abroad For he was born to woe Or of him any thing heard others say Let tenderness hide nothing that you know If in the Argive Host he useful were Iâ— Counsel or in Battle when need was Tell me the truth be 't never so severe To this much griev'd answer'd Menelaus Yes yes said he there many enter'd be Into a strong mans house while he 's away And are in hope to dwell there constantly Though not so valiant as he be they As when a Stag and Hind entring the Den Of th' absent Lion lulls his whelps with tales Of Hills and Dales the Lion comes agen And tears them into pieces with his nails So shall Ulysses all those Suiters slay Oh that the Gods Apollo Pallas Jove Amongst the Suiters set him would one day Such as when with Philomeâ—id he strove And threw him flat and made the Argives glad If such as then Ulysses should be there Short would their lives be and their wedding bad But to the matter whereof you would hear I can say nothing upon certainty And my own knowledge But what I was told By Proteus And tell I will no lie Nor any thing of what he said with-hold Before the Land of Aegypt Pharos lies An Island and therein a Haven good Against whatever wind shall chance to rise And ready to depart my ships there
and be one But when the Wind has broken it in pieces I 'll swim since better counsel I have none While with himself consulting was Ulysses Neptune with wind the Water sets upright Into a high and formidable wave And threw it on the Raft with all his might Which all the parts thereof asunder drave Just as the wind scatters a cock of hay So scatter'd was Ulysses Raft of Trees Whilst he on one of them astride did stay And of his Garments there himself he frees Then Ino's Scarf applies he to his breast And on the troubled Sea himself he laid With open arms To Swim he now thought best Which Neptune seeing thus unto him said Go wander now upon the Sea in woe And do not make account that this is all This said away to â—…ae did he go Where many men that need him on him call When he was gone Pallas the Winds did lay All but a lusty gale of Boreas And broke the Waves before him all the way That to Phaeacia he might safely pass Two nights and days perpetâ—al he â—wam And was of drownâ—ng all the while afraid But when the morning of the third day came The Air was calm and all the Winds allai'd And now unto the Iâ—le he was so righ That from a high Wave he could see the shore And glad he was As when about to die â—…'n has a man long time by sickness sore Is by the Gods recover'd suddenly Glad aâ—e his Children So Ulysses was To see the so-much wish'd-for Land so nigh And thither made what haste he could to pass When he was gotten so near to the shore That one might hear another when he calls Torn by the Rocks he heard the water rore Loud is the Sea when on hard rocks it falls There neither haven was nor place to Land But upright Banks and Cliffs and Brows of stone And every where too deep it was to stand And now again quite was his courage gone And speaking to himself he said Ay me This is the Island Jove has brought me to 't That what must help me only I might see But not upon it ever set my foot There is no landing here Rocks high and steep And unaccessible are all about The Sea below so â—ugged is and deep That from it there will be no getting out If I'should cry some mighty wave I fear Against some rugged Rock will carry me And make me find but woful landing there Amongst so many sharp stones as there be But if I swim aâ—ong the Coast to find Some Port or Beach though stormy to land on I fear I shall again by some great Wind Far off from shore into the Sea be blown And there by some great Fish devoured be For many such are fed by Aâ—phitrite Which Neptune may command to swallow me For well I am acquainted with his spite While he thus doubted came a mighty wave That cast him to the Bank amongst sharp stones But for the Counsel Pallas to him gave He torn his skin and broken had his bones A Rocher with his arms he then imbrac't And held it till the wave roll'd back again And thought the danger of it now was past But then the same wave bore him to the Main As looks a Polypus when he is drag'd From out his hole stuck full of stone and sands So when Ulysses left his hold were shag'd With broken skin all over both his hands And now had not Athena giv'n him wit He perisht had For up his head he puts Above the briny Sea and having spit He with his stretched arms the water cuts And swam along the shore but kept his eye Continually upon the Land to see If any landing place he could espy At last before a Rivers mouth came he And knew it was a Rivers mouth For there Within the Land smooth water might be seen And 'twixt the Rocks a pause there did appear And here Ulysses thought fit to go in And in his mind unto the River spake Hear me O King from Neptunes rage I fly And of a Man distrest some pity take That at your knee and Stream here prostrate lie Th' Immortal Gods their Suppliants respect When they before them humbly lay their want What e'r your name be do not me neglect That am afflicted and your Suppliant This said the Stream stood still and sav'd the man But weary were his knees and arms And Brine Abundance from his Mouth and Nostrils ran And all his body swell'd was And in fine Speechless and breathless was he like one dead But when he came unto himself again The Scarf he to the Stream delivered Which carried it again into the Main And Ino took it then into her hand Then on a Bulrush-bed himself he laid And glad he had escaped kiss't the Land But fearing still unto himself he said Ay me what will become of me at length For in the Riveâ— if I spend the night So much already wasted is my strength With Frost and Dew I shall be killed quite If up the Hill I go into the Wood And in some Thicket there lie warm and sleep I fear I shall for Beasts and Fowls be food At last concludes into some wood to creep A Wood there was unto the River nigh Two Thickets in it were of Olive one The other was of Phylia close by So â—win'd they were together that nor Sun Nor Wind nor Rain to th'ground could find a way Between them of dry leaves a bed made he And over head and ears there close he lay For leaves there were enough for two or three To keep them warm although cold weather ' t were As when a man takes up a brand of fire In Country-house few neighbours dwelling near To warm himself withal if need require So buri'd in dry leaves Ulysses lay And then Athena closed up his eyes With sound and gentle sleep to take away Sad thoughts suggested by his miseries LIB VI. THere slept Ulysses But Athena went Unto the people of Phaeacia Who once dwelt near a Nation insolent The great Cyclopses in Hyperia And by the odds of strength were there opprest But by Nausithous transplanted were To Scheria that they might live at rest Who built them Houses and a City there And fortifi'd the same with strong Walls round And Temples built and gave them shares of land But he departed was and under ground And now Alcinous had the Command His house it was the Goddess went unto And int'a Chamber gay where lay abed A Godlike Maid asleep with less ado Than could a gentle wind have entered This the Kings Daughter was Nausicaa Within the door shut close on each side one Two of her Waiting-maids asleep she saw And as the Graces fair to look upon Then standing at Nausicaa's Beds-head In form of Dymas Daughter there she stai'd Who of her age was and most favoured And to Nausicaa she spake and said Careless Nausicaa what do you mean When to your Wedding-day you are so near To
must contented be to suffer it But seeing to this place arriv'd you are You shall have Rayment and what else is fit The City I will shew you and the name The people of this Isle are called by Phaeacians they are call'd And I am Daughter of him that has th' Authority Alcinous the King And then she cri'd Aloud unto the Maids to make them stay Why said she run you so away and hide D' ye think the man will carry you away For why no Enemy can come in hither The Gods so with the Sea have wall'd us in Nor stranger dwells here But by evil weather To come to land this man hath forced been Let 's do him good From Jove come Beggars all And welcome to them is what e'r they get Our givings to him will be very small Go therefore set before him Wine and Meat And wash him in the River in such part As cover'd is from wind And then they did When they had given one another heart Set him in such a place as they were bid And gave him th'Oyl to scour his skin withal And by him a good Cloak and Coat they laid And then they bad him to his washing fall Ulysses answer'd then and to them said Stand further off I pray fair Maids for I My body naked am asham'd to show Then stand they off and tell their Mistress why For washing he must have put off his bough Then washed he his head andshoulders wide And with his hand from 's head stroak'd down the brine And with the Cloathes that laid were by his side Arrai'd himself that comely were and fine Then Pallas to him came and made him look Taller and broader than he was before And from his Hair the colour gray she took And made it like the Hyacynthine flower As one by Vulcan or Athena taught Gold upon Silver skilfully had spread So Pallas on Ulysses beauty wrought And graceful Majesty upon his head Then sat he on the Sands Nausicaa Then said unto her Maidens Do you hear How poor he look'd the first time we him saw And now how like a God he does appear And by the Gods it may be he was sent To dwell amongst the people of this place With such a Husband I could be content If he would stay and think it no disgrace Go Maids and set before him Wine and Meat Away they went and did as she them bad And he fell to and heartily did eat For long before he nothing eaten had Then harnessed the Mules and set them to And folded and put up the Garments all Nausicaa went up with Maidens two And then unto Ulysses did she call Rise Stranger to the City let us go That I may send you to my Fathers house Where all the best Phaeacians you 'll know But hear you for I think you cautelous Whilst in the Fields the Coach is on the way Amongst my Maidens follow it apace But when you see it near the City stay And that you may well understand the place A Tow'r there is you 'll see it for 't is high There 'twixt two Havens is a narrow way You 'll see it by the Masts for Ships there lie Near it the people meet o' th' Market-day And there a Temple fair of Neptune stands Of free-stone from the Quarry hewn and fit For the Phaeacians imploy their hands On Shipping and no other Art but it For Bows and Arrows they care not a pin But for such things as serve to pass the Seas Ships Cordage Oars they take their pleasure in And spend their time and labour upon these I am afraid these men will censure me And say for Censurers are many here This handsome and tall fellow who is he That 's with Nausicaa from God knows where Where did she find him Must he marry her From some far Country he is landed here Wandring by Fortune or a Traveller For sure I am no such man dwelleth near May be some God from Heav'n descended is And to live with her always hither come So then to wed a Stranger better 't is Since she thinks none is good enough at home For many seek her and the best men here So will they say and 't will to be my shame For if another that had done it 't were I should my self condemn her for the same For 't is unseemly a sair Maid to see That subject is t' her Parents Government Converse with any man unless she be First married or their Parents give consent And therefore Stranger if you mean to be Convoyed by my Father to your home Do as I tell you Near the way you 'll see A Grove of Poplars When you thither come You 'll find my Father's Vineyard from the Town As far as one that Holla's heard can be And when you thither come there sit you down Till at my Fathers house you think are we Then to the City go ask where does dwell Alcinous For you shall meet with none Though but a Child but can inform you well So well his house is known to every one And there go in and on until you find My Mother Whom you 'll by the fire side see Spinning and Maids at the same work â—â—hind The Pillar under which sits working she My Fathers Chair by the same Pillar stands Where when he drinketh like a God he is Pass by it to my Mother and your hands If you mean to get home lay on her knees If once her favour you can but obtain You need not fear but you your friends shall see And to your house and Country come again This said her Whip upon the Mules laid she The Mules start swiftly from the Rivers side For nimble was the motion of their feet But she for those who went asoot did guide The swiftness of their pace as she thought meet When they were come t'Athena's Sacred Grove The Sun went down and there Ulysses stai'd And to the Goddess Daughter of Great Jove That he might good reception find he prai'd Hear me Jove's Virgin-Daughter hear me now Since still you did refuse to help me then When Neptune sought at Sea my overthrow Grant that I may be welcome to these men Thus prai'd he and was by Athena heard Though to him face to face she would not come But of her Unkle Neptune was afear'd That ne'r forgave him till he was at home LIB VII WHilst there he pray'd Nausicaa went on And stai'd her Coach the utter Gate without And like to Gods her Brothers came each one From out the house her stood round about The Mules they freed th' Apparel they took in Nausicaa streight to her Chamber went Euryâ—edusa made a fire therein Who ta'ne by Rovers on the Continent Was given to the King Alcinous That like a God was honour'd by â—he Nation Of the Phaeacians at home And thus She of Nausicaa had the Education A fire she made her and her Supper brought Ulysses then into the City went Pallas of Air made him such
a Coat As he could not be seen lest insolent And sturdy Towns-men should him mock and jeaâ— Or ask him Questions who what or why But when he was unto the Gate come near Pallas appeared to him openly Like a young Maid with Pail upon her head Ulysses then spake to her and said thus Sweet pretty Girl will you be pleas'd to lead Me to the house of King Alcinous For I a stranger come and no man know Nor ever in my life was here before Yes then said Pallas I will you it show For 't is the next unto my Fathers door Go softly thus and I will lead the way For our folk Strangers do not well indure But in good Ships their honour wholly lay And the wide Sea to pass themselves enure For Neptune given to them has this gift That their good Ships fly like to thought or wind This said the Goddess led with motion swift And on her steps he treading went behind And through the people so he past unseen For why the Goddess allas for good will A wondrous mist of Air had wrapt him in Then looking at the House he there stood still The Havens and the Ships he wondred at The Market-place and Walls so thick and high Then Pallas said Alcinâ—us house is that There sup the King and Queen now merrily Though you a Stranger be fear not go in The bold than fearful always better speed And first of all the House you 'l find the Queen Arete is her name Both from one seed Descended are she and Alcinous In Periboea Child of Eurimedon The God o' th' Seas begot Nausithous Who two Sons had Alcinous was one The other was Rexenor who no Son But one fair Daughter only left behind Arete was her name Besides her none Alcinous and she in Wedlock joyn'd And he to her so much respect doth bear As no man living to a Wife bears more And honour'd is by all her Children dear The people like a Goddess her adore And bless her when she comes into the street And loving to them all is also she For a wise woman is she and discreet When they fall out she makes them to agree If you her favour can but once obtain You need not fear but you your friends shall see And safely to your Country come again And when she this had said away went she O'r Sea to Marathon in Attica T'Erectheus house And he now was to enter Into the house But long he laid the Law U to himself before he would adventure Entring he saw the Walls lin'd round with brass And fring'd about with colour of the sky The door within golden all over was And all â—ppear'd like Heaven to the eye The Door-posts Silver gâ—…â—…hold The Lintle-tree upon them silver too The Sill was bâ—ass the Ring to pull it Gold And by the Door great Dogs were standing two Of silver one the other was of Gold As Watch before the Royal Gate to stay Immortal Dogs that never can grow old And round about them all Thrones every way All cover'd with a dainty Stuff and fine The work of Womens hands There us'd to eat The King and Lords and drink and make good cheâ—â— His Riches was a never-dying Teat About the Altar were set Boys of Gold That to the Guests assoon as it was night With burning Torches they the Light might hold For now the Sun had born away his light Fifty Maid-servants were at work within Some at the Mill were grinding wheat for bread And others with their Distaves sate to Spin And others Cloth were weaving with the thread Like to the Leaves of a high Aspen-tree Their fingers went So much they did excel In all the works that taught by Pallas be The Women that in other places dwell As do these men all other men surpass In all things that belong to Navigation For Wit and Art more Pallas given has To them than Women of another Nation Close by the House a dainty Orchard is Four-square and senc'd with hedge and pale about Of Pear Pomegranate Apple Olive-trees And Fig-trees For the season ne'r goes out Summer nor Winter for by Zephyrs some Are made put forth and others ripened Pears after Pears Apples to Apples come Grapes are by Grapes Figs by Figs followed And in it was the Vineyard of the King Grapes in some places by the Sun were dri'd In others stai'd till Vintage ripening Upon some Vines no flower yet was spi'd And Grapes on some to blacken now began Green beds of Herbs there were on ev'ry side And through it from two Springs the water ran And to and fro the one did winding glide The other to the House his stream did bear And under ground was to the Town convey'd And rose a Fountain for the people there And when Ulysses had all this survey'd Then went he in and found them in the Hall Sitting at Supper and to Mercury There offring up of Wine Which last of all At Bed-time men do offer usually And on he went up to the King and Queen And both his hands upon her knee did lay Pallas had kept him in the Mist unseen But thither come the Mist streight fell away Amaz'd they were when first they saw the Man And like to men that had been stricken dumb Ulysses then â—'Arete thus began O Queen Arete to your knee I come And to the King and those that with you sit May the Gods grant you all much happiness Long life and your Possessions to transmit T' your Children and your Honours still possess And may you me send presently away Unto my House Long absent I have been This said he sat down by the fire And they Said nothing such amazement they were in At last old Echineus spake that knew Both what in former times and now was fit O King Alcinous is 't good think you To let the Stranger in the Ashes sit We silent sat to see what was your will Pray make him rise and to a Chair him bring And bid the Squire to temper Wine and fill That we to Jove may make our Offering Who with poor strangers keepeth Company And bid the Maid before him set such meat As she within has in her custody This said Alcinous rose from his seat T'Ulysses went and took him by the hand And to a Chair him led where sat his Son Lâ—â—daâ—as to whom he gave Command To give him place although he loved none So dearly as he lov'd Laodamas Who next unto him us'd to sit at meat Then by a Maid brought in a Bason was And Ewr of Gold to wash ere he did eat Another Maid before him layed bread And other good things on his Table laid And heartily thereon Ulysses fed Alcinous then to the Squire said Temper the Wine Pontonous that we Wine-Offering to Jove may offer up In whose protection all Suppliants be And round about presented be the Cup. Then went about the Wine from one to one And when the Sacred Offering was over Then said
Alcinous Since we have done Let 's go to bed and soon as we discover Aurora rising hither come again And make unto the Gods a Sacrifice And this our Stranger farther entertain And how to send him to his house advise That safely he may go and joyfully And swiftly to the place where he would be How far soever hence his dwelling lie Nor on the Sea delay or trouble see Until his Native Country he be at But what his Fate is after he is there Bâ—t good or evil he must suffer that But if it be some God that sitteth here 'T is only our Devotion t' approve For to that end Gods let themselves be spi'd To sit with men at Holy Feasts they love And not themselves in Caves like Gyants hide To this Ulysses said O King lay by That thought of yours With Gods I 'll not compare For Body or for Mind Of Misery If man can boast to boast 'mong them I dare For I more Tokens can produce of Wo Than any man that shall with me contend Though all I tell not that I can Yet so I fain would of my Supper make an end No Creature is so fierce as is the Gut And so loud barketh when it is forgot That out of mind it never can be put But will be heard whether one will or not So 't is with me that am afflicted sore Yet still my belly bids me eat and drink And forget all I had endur'd before And on my misery no more to think And so since now I hunger to go home Forget not with a Ship me to supply To morrow For were I once thither come I could be well contented there to die When this was said he was by all commended He speaks discreetly let him then said they A speedy conduct have When all was ended The rest unto their Houses went away Only Ulysses staid and by him sate The King and Queen Tables removed were And all that to the Supper did relate The Queen then mark'd what Garments he did wear And that she and her Maids had made them knew Stranger said she Who are you Whence and more The Garments you have on of whom had you Had you them on then when you came ashore Grievous said he O Queen is your Command That calls again when past it is my pain Yet will I answer make to this demand An Island lieth far hence in the Main â—gygia 'tis call'd Calypso there The Daughter fair of Atlas lives alone Nor God nor Man she has to dwell with her And I by Fate upon that Isle was thrown â—or Jove my good Ship had with Thunder split My fellows in the Sea all perished â—â—t I the Rudder had and held by it And thus nine days and nights I wandered And thrown was on that Isle the tenth at night Calypso there received me and fed â—â—d Immortality have had I might If I had with her there inhabited 〈◊〉 I to that would never give consent Yet there by force I stayed seven years â—or want of Ship and Men in discontent Washing the Clothes she gave me with my tears 〈◊〉 eighth year come she did my going press Whether by Joves command I cannot say Or whether 't were because she lov'd me less Then on a Raft of Trees I came away Bread and sweet Wine upon the Deck she laid And Garments gave me fair and a good Wind. And good for seventeen days the weather stai'd On th'eighteenth near your Coast my self I find And glad I was though still unfortunate For more I was to suffer by and by For Neptune rai'sd against me in his hate A Storm of Winds with furious Waves and high And then I forced was the Raft to quit The Trees asunder floated here and there The Storm so broken had and scatter'd it Then swam I. Gainst the rocks the waves me beâ— And falling off they cast me back again Again I swam and to the River came And there I saw the landing smooth and plain And from the Wind defended was the same There landed I half dead and now 't was night Then up I went and in a Thicket lay Cover'd with leaves abundance dry and light And slept till almost spent was the next day For then the Sun was setting There I hear The Voice of Women playing by the Brook And going out I saw your Daughter there That like a Goddess come from heav'n did look To her I made my Pray'r in this distress Wisely she answer'd and beyond her age For th'younger commonly consider less And gave me food my hunger to asswage Of her I had the Garments I have on Nay stranger answered Alcinous 'T was in my Child an indiscretion That she not brought you with her to my house To this Ulysses answered and said 'T was not her fault we came not both together She bad me I would not but was afraid What you and they would think that saw me 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 For jealous and mistrustful mortals be To this again Alcinous repli'd â—rom such ill thoughts I always have been free O Jove and Pallas make you here abide Such are you and our thoughts so well agree That you Nausicaa should have for Bride â—f you would with me live here willingly And for you House and Wealth I would provide â—ut 'gainst your will I will not make you stay From such iniquity the Gods me keep To morrow shall be ready your Convey And till then go you to your bed and sleep And here be men that when the Wind shall fail Can row you on how far soe'r you 'll go Their hands can do as much as any Sail Although beyond Euboea they must row For farther no Phaeacian ever went But thither once they carri'd Rhadamant Of Tityus to see the punishment Son of the Earth that terrible Giant Yet that long Voyage cost them but a day Going and coming all the way at ease But you your self when you are on the way Will see how stoutly our men plough the Seas This said Ulysses joyful was and prai'd Make all this good O Father Jove said he The Glory of the King will be displai'd And quickly in my Country I shall be Whilst they together thus discoursing stai'd Arete bad the Maids to make his bed And see fair purple Rugs upon it laid And under them soft woolly Blankets spred Then went away the Maids into the Porch And made his Bed and soon came back agen And stood before Ulysses with a Torch Come Stranger said they all is ready Then Ulysses to his Bed went willingly Alcinous in a room lay far within Where formerly he used was to lie That was prepared for him by the Queen LIB VIII SOon as Aurora was again espi'd The King Alcinous rose from his bed Up rose Ulysses and came to his side And to the Publike place the King him led To sit in Councel with his Princes there And being there they lat together nigh Pallas the while that did great favour bear T' Ulysses welfare
always had an eye In likeness of Alcinous his Squire Who by his Office did the Councel call Their favour for Ulysses to acquire Went through the Streets and there unto them all Said one by one Make haste To Councel go A Stranger new come to the King you 'll see That like a God Immortal is in show This said unto the Councel-House they flee And filled was the House and ev'ry Sear And of his person all admir'd the Grace For Pallas made him had more tall and great And laid more Majesty upon his face To make him welcome to those men she meant And gain him honour at their Exercises When they should put him to experiment Alcinous unto them then arises Hear said he Princes of Pheacia This Man who 't is or whence I cannot say Cast here ashore till then I never saw Since 't is our Custome grant him a Convoy For no man yet unto my house did come By force of weather wandring on the Main Lamenting and desiring to go home That can affirm he sought our help in vain Come then let 's launch a good new Ship and chuse Out two and fifty lusty Youths to row And let them ready have their Oars to use And to my House when that 's done let them go And you the Princes thither come with me That we may well the stranger entertain And let the Singer too sent thither be To give us sometimes of his Art a Strain This said the Princes to his house he led The Squire unto the House the Singer sent The fifty two as they were ordered Down to the Haven where the Ship lay went The Ship they launch and up they set the Mast And then the Yards and Sails they hoised high Their Oars where they be placed should they plac't This done they let her in the water lie Then also to the House went these men up The Porches Court and Rooms with men were fill'd Some old some young The King to make them sup Two Kine eight Swine twice six fat Sheep kill'd These flay'd and dress'd and to the Tables brought Came in the Singer whom the Muses kind Had taught to sing divinely But could not Or would not him preserve from being blind Pontonous the Squire then led him in And set him by a Pillar in the Hall And hung his Fiddle o'r him on a Pin And how to reach it shewed him withal Sets him a Table and a Basket by And a great Bowl of Wine before him plac't To drink as often as he should be dry And when their thirst and hunger was displac't The Singer sung the Song in most request How once Ulysses and Achilles great In high and bitter Language did contest When at a Sacred Feast they sat at Meat And how King Agamemnon pleased was To see the two best of the Greeks fall out For Phoebus told him so 't would come to pass When he at Pythos asked him about The Issue of the Fleet design'd for Troy This Song Demodocus sung to them then Which to Ulysses was of little joy But he his tears to hide before those men Before his eyes his Cloak of Purple drew And when the Singer ceas'd his eyes he dri'd And from before his face his Cloak withdrew And of the Wine perform'd the Sacrifice And when the Lords call'd for the Song anew For they to hear him took no small delight His Cloak again before his eyes he drew And as before again he sob'd and sigh'd Alcinous none else observed it And well enough could hear him sigh and groan For he the nearest there did to him sit And would not to the Princes makeit known But speaking to them all said only this Since you with feasting are well satisfi'd And Musick which to Feasts annexed is Let now our mens activity be tri'd That when the Stranger is where he doth dwell He to his Friends and Countrymen may tell How much we do all other men excel At Wrestling Buffets Leaping Running well Then went the King and Princes out a door The Squire then took the Singer by the hand And hung the Fiddle where it hung before And him led out amongst the rest to stand Unto the Place they went and follow'd were By people numberless the sport to see And many lusty Youths amongst them there Stood out to shew their great ability Out stood Elatreus and Acroneus Eretmeus Thoon Nautes and Prymneus Ambasineus and Amphialus Proteus and Ponteus and Anchialus Ocyalus warlike Euryalus And he that of them most their eye did please Except the first Son of Alcinous For Countenance and Shape Nauholides And then Alcinous his three Sons rise Laodamas Halius Clytoneus And first they all contended for the Prize Of who at Running could his Feet best use Then start they all at once and swiftly run As if they flew And here the Victory The Kings Son Noble Clytoneus won And past them all a lands length very nigh Euryalus at Wrestling was the best Amphialus at Leaping Victor was Elatreus surpassed all the rest To throw the Stone At Cuffs Laodamas When all was done Laodamas up stood Come friends said he let us the Stranger try If he at any of these Games be good For in his person no defect Iâ—…py His Thighs his Knees his Arms his Neck are strongâ—… Nor over-aged yet he seems to me Only he hath indur'd the Sea so long As for that cause he may excused be For than the Sea nothing more potent is To break a man how strong soe'r he be Go said Euryalus 't is not amiss T' invite him to it and his mind to see Then to Ulysses said Laodamas Come Stranger Father Pray your vertue shoâ—… 'T is no dishonour for you in this place To shew your skill at any Game you know As long as Feet and Hands continue strong Come try and cast your careful thoughts away Your Convoy ready is 'T will not be long Before you shall be set upon your way Laodamas then said Ulysses why To these your Games invite you me in scorn Upon whose heart so many sorrows lie And am to nothing with much haraship worn And publikely a uppliant now sit And to the King and People grief profess Think you that Pastimes for such men are fit As from their Country wander in distress Then spake Euryalus uncivilly No no said he I do not think you are Much us'd to Pastimes of Activity But rather one that of a Ship takes care That Merchant-men from place to place convays And mindful of your fraught are and can tell Which are to sudden wealth the nearest ways What Merchandize will not and what will sell And in such boisterous Games has little skill Ulysses frowning on him then repli'd My friend such words are indiscreet and ill The Gods their Gifts as they think fit divide To one of Beauty they deny the grace But give him Language steddy and discreet Whereby he honour'd is i' th' Publike Place And men gaze on him going in the
estate With you my women you compell'd to lie And would have wedded whilst I liv'd my Mate No â—ear you had neither of Gods on high Nor of revenge from any mortal man But now a vengeance to you all is nigh At this they frighted were and looked wan And each one peept about what way to take To save his own life if he could by flight None but Eurymachus 〈◊〉 ' Ulysses spake If you Ulysses be you say but right Much harm is done you both in house and field But this Antinous Author was of 't all He set us on and here lies justly kill'd For wedding of your wife his care was small His care was how to make himself here King Which Jove not suffer'd him to bring to pass And to destruction how your Son to bring He chiefly thinking and designing was And since that he deservedly is stain Spare your own people we 'll repair what 's done And what is spent we will make up again And recompence with twenty Cows each one And Brass and Gold till you be satisfi'd If not there 's no man can your anger blame To this Ulysses with a â—our look repli'd Your whole estates and added to the same How much soever you can elsewhere get Too little is to bind me to desist Until the Suiters shall have paid their debt Two ways before you lie take which you list To fight or flie if you will death avoid But fly I think you cannot So said he Eurymachus then to the Suiters said The man will not lay down his Bowe you see But since 't is in his hand and Arrows by And stands upon the threshold of the door His shafts will fly at us continually And till we all be slain will not give o're Let 's therefore take up Tables for defence Against his shafts and Sword in hand run all Unto the door at once and drive him thence And people of the Town together call This said his Sword with double edge he drew And thunder'd him with words But howsoever A deadly shaft first from Ulysses â—lew That enter'd at his brest and stuck in 's liver Down fell his Sword he turns himself quite round And throws his blood about him every way â—icks down the Table meat and Cup to th'ground And with his brow beating the floor he lay And sprawling made the Seat shake with his feet And endless darkness lay upon his eye Then rose Amphinomus and death did meet He thought from thence to make Ulysses fly But by Telemachus prevented was That slew him with his Spear upon the place From back to brest the well-thrown Spear did pass Down with a thump he falls upon his face Telemachus i' th' body left the Spear For why he had good reason to mistrust Amongst so many Swords if he staid there He might be killed by some blow or thrust Then to his Father as he by him stood To fetch down Arms said he 'T will do no harm Two Spears a Buckler and a Helmet good And both Philoetius and Eumaeus arm Run quickly said Ulysses while there be Arrows remaining leâ—t they force me shou'd To quit the door Then quickly up ran he Unto the room wherein the Armour stood Eight Spears four Bucklers and four Helmets good He took and to his Father came again And first he arm'd himself and ready stood The two good Servants themselves armed then Ulysses Arrows till they all were gone Kill'd each his man and one by one they fall But when they all were spent and left was none He sets his Bowe to lean against the wall Over his shoulder he his Buckleâ— cast And puts his well-made Helmet on his head The two Spears with his hand he griped fast And then his posture he considered There was i' th' wall a certain window high By th' Sâ—lâ— whereof a way lay to the Street To which he â—ad Eumaeus have an eye And near it stand But one way was to it Then Agelaus to the Suiters said Why does not some man to that window hast And to the people cry aloud for aid That so this Shooter may have shot his last Then said Meldntheus No no t is in vain The street-door and the Court-gate stand so close That one good man the place may well maintain Against how many s'ever them oppose But well I 'll fetch you Armour â—o put on And weapâ—…s I will bring you out of hand For where they by Ulysses aâ—d his Son Were laid I know the room and where they stand Then up he went Twâ—…ve Bucklâ—rs he brings thence As many Speâ—â—s as many Helmets too The Suâ—â—ers then prepar'd for â—heir defence And now Ulyssâ—s knew not what to do But to â—elemaâ—hus he turn'd and said Th'â—ll women sure oâ— else Melanthâ—us has For th'Wooers gotten Arms and us betrai'd No Father answer'd he my fault it was The door I left uâ—…kt and but put to Which some body observ'd Eumâ—…us now Go lock â—t fast Wâ—thal consider who The women or Melanthâ—â—s serv'd us so Whâ—… thus they talk Melantheus went once more To fetch down Arm◠〈◊〉 saw him then And told Ulysses â—im we thought before To be the man is 〈◊〉 go 〈◊〉 aâ—en Shall I go now and kill him if so be I can or bring him hither to you to endure What you think fit for all his villany Then said Uâ—ysses We two will be sure Telemachus and I to keep these men From going out and therefore go you two And bind his hands and feet together Then Betwixt his body and his legs put through A Rope and at his back tie boards And so Close to a Pillar hoise him up on high Unto the beams of th' house that he may know His fault and feel his pain before he die Then up they went and stood without the door On each side one Melantheus was within At the far end looking for Armour more And after there he long enough had been Out with a Helmet in one hand he came A Buckler in the other great but torn Laâ—rtes in his youth had born the same But now with lying it was mouldy worn As he came out they seiz'd him suddenly And in again they drag'd him by the hair And then his hands unto his feet they tie And up they hoise him as they bidden were This done Eumaeus said unto him jeering In that soft bed Melantheus easily You will observe the Mornings first appearing That for the Woo'rs your Goats may ready be Then armed both and locking up the Door And breathing courage to Ulysses come So that upon the threshold there were four But many were the Suiters in the room Then down unto Ulysses Pallas came In Mentor's shape to whom Ulysses said You are my friend and our age is the same For old acquaintance let me have your aid Though thus he said he thought it Pallas still The Suiters clamor'd Agelaus spake Mentor beware the course you take is ill Against us all Ulysses part to take For 't
the dead away And those that out of Ithaca had liv'd To Fishermen they gave to carry home And staying on the place though sorely griev'd Amongst themselves they into counsel come Eupeithes Father of Antinous That first of all slain by Ulysses was Spake first and weeping for his Son said thus See how much mischief this man done us has He carried hence our Ships and ablest men And lost them all as one that had design'd Our utter ruine Coming back agen He killed hath those whom he left behind Come then let 's to him quickly lest mean while He should pass over the wide Sea and get Protection at Elis or at Pyle And we so sham'd as we were never yet 'T will be a scorn to our Posterity To let the murder of our Children so Stay unreveng'd and put up cowardly For my part to my Grave I 'd rather go Come quickly then lest we prevented be This said the people for him pity had Then came in Medon who had scaped free And Phemius that scap'd to â—â—and was glad And Medon to th' Assembly spake and said Ulysses of himself could not have done This mighty deed without th' Immortals aid I saw when present I was looking on A God stand by that him encouraged In Mentors shape he plainly did appear And then about the room the Suiters fled And fell before Ulysses in their fear Next him spake Alitherses who alone Saw Fore and Aft. Hear me you men said he Of this great slaughter I accuse can none But ev'n your selves that gave no ear to me Nor yet to Mentor We you counselled The licence of your Children to take down That spent the Substance and dishonoured The Wife of him that was of such renown My counsel therefore to you now is this Not to proceed lest on your selves you bring More mischief yet and of your purpose miss So said he then but little profiting For more than half with alalaes up start And cry aloud To Arms go on proceed But quietly sat still the lesser part That with Eupeithes Judgment disagreed When they had clad themselves in glist'ning brass Without the Town they came to Randezvouze In open field Eupeithes Leader was Seeking revenge where he his life shall lose Then Pallas to her Father came and said O Father King of Kings what do you mean The War shall last between them or be staid To this her Father answer'd her agen Child why d' ye ask me that 't was your request The Suiters for their Insolence should pay Do what you please but yet I think it best When you have done that Peace for ever stay And ever reign Ulysses and his race Which to confirm Oblivion I 'll send Of former Acts the image to deface Then gladly Pallas did from Heaven descend When now Ulysses and his Company Removed had their hunger with good chear Ulysses said Some one go forth and see Whether the Ithacesians be near And then one of the young men standing there Went forth and saw them as he past the Sill And turning back Arm said he they are here And then they all put on their Arms of Steel Ulysses and his Son and Servants four Six Sons of Dolius And the old men Laertes were and Dolius two more Aged they were but necessary then Then arm'd Ulysses leading out they go And Pallas both in person and in voice Resembling Mentor in came to them too Ulysses seeing her did much rejoyce And looking on Telemachus he said Telemachus this Battle will declare Who Courage has who not Be not afraid That you dishonour not your stock beware Father said he you shall see by and by You need not be ashamed of your Son Laertes this discourse heard joyfully And to the Gods cri'd out in passion O ye kind Gods and happy day is this O joy My Son and Grandson are at strife Which of the two the most Courageous is And ready to buy Honour with his life Then Pallas to Laertes said My Friend Son of Arcesius whom the Gods do love With all your force your Spear now from you send But pray first unto Pallas and to Jove He praid and threw his Spear which th'Helmet smot Of old Eupeithes and went into 's head Down dead he fell the Helmet sav'd him not His Armour rattled and his spirit fled And then fell on Ulysses and his Son Upon the foremost both with Sword and Spear And surely had destroy'd them ev'ry one Had not Jove's Daughter Pallas then been there She to the People call'd aloud and said Hold Ithacesians The Quarrel may Without more blood be ended They afraid Of th' Heavenly voice began to run away Ulysses yet not ceased to pursue The Captains of his foes till from above In Thunder Jove his sooty Bolt down threw Then Pallas said Beware offend not Jove And glad was then Ulysses to give o're By Pallas were propounded terms of Peace In Meutor's shape and each part to them swore And thus it was agreed the War should cease FINIS THE CONTENTS LIB I. IN a Council of the Gods Neptune absent Pallas procureth an Order for the restitution of Ulysses And appearing to his Son Telemachus in humane shape adviseth him to complain of the Suiters before the Council of the Lords and then to go to Pylus and Sparta to enquire about his Father LIB II. Telemachus complains in vain and borrowing a Ship goes secretly to Pyle by night And how he was there received LIB III. Nestor entertains him at Pyle and tells him how the Greeks departed from Troy and sends him for further information to Sparta LIB IV. His entertainment at Sparta where Menelaus tells him what befel many of the Greeks in their return that Ulysses was with Calypso in the Islâ— Ogygia as he was told by Proteus LIB V. The Gods in Council command Calypso by Mercury to send away Ulysses on a Raft of Trees and Neptune returning from Aethiopia and seeing him on the Coast of Phaeacia scattered his Raft and how by the help of Ino he swam ashore and slept in a beap of dry leaves till the next day LIB VI. Nausicaa going to a River near that place to wash the Clothes of her Father Mother and Brethren while the Clothes were drying played with her Maids at Ball and Ulysses coming forth is fed and cloath'd and led to the house of her Father King Alcinous where being received the Queen after Supper taking notice of his Garments gave him occasion to relate his Passage thither on the Raft LIB VII Alcinous entertains him and grants him a Convoy and both he and the Lords give him Presents LIB VIII The next days entertainment of Ulysses where he sees them contend in Wrestling and other Exercises and upon provocation took up a greater stone than that which they were throwing and over-threw them all And how the King asked his name his Country and his Adventure LIB IX Ulysses relates first what befel him amongst the Cicones at