The Odyssey

“Curious to view the kings of ancient days, The mighty dead that live in endless praise, Resolved I stand; and haply had survey’d The godlike Theseus, and Pirithous’ shade; But swarms of spectres rose from deepest hell, With bloodless visage, and with hideous yell. They scream, they shriek; and groans and dismal sounds Stun my scared ears, and pierce hell’s utmost bounds. No more my heart the dismal din sustains, And my cold blood hangs shivering in my veins; Lest Gorgon, rising from the infernal lakes, With horrors arm’d, and curls of hissing snakes, Should fix me stiffen’d at the monstrous sight, A stony image, in eternal night! Straight from the direful coast to purer air I speed my flight, and to my mates repair. My mates ascend the ship; they strike their oars; The mountains lessen, and retreat the shores; Swift o’er the waves we fly; the freshening gales Sing through the shrouds, and stretch the swelling sails.”