The Odyssey

And now, declining with his sloping wheels, Down sunk the sun behind the western hills The goddess shoved the vessel from the shores, And stow’d within its womb the naval stores, Full in the openings of the spacious main It rides; and now descends the sailor-train,

Next, to the court, impatient of delay. With rapid step the goddess urged her way; There every eye with slumberous chains she bound, And dash’d the flowing goblet to the ground. Drowsy they rose, with heavy fumes oppress’d, Reel’d from the palace, and retired to rest. Then thus, in Mentor’s reverend form array’d, Spoke to Telemachus the martial maid. “Lo! on the seas, prepared the vessel stands, The impatient mariner thy speed demands.” Swift as she spoke, with rapid pace she leads; The footsteps of the deity he treads. Swift to the shore they move along the strand; The ready vessel rides, the sailors ready stand.

He bids them bring their stores; the attending train Load the tall bark, and launch into the main, The prince and goddess to the stern ascend; To the strong stroke at once the rowers bend. Full from the west she bids fresh breezes blow; The sable billows foam and roar below. The chief his orders gives; the obedient band With due observance wait the chief’s command; With speed the mast they rear, with speed unbind The spacious sheet, and stretch it to the wind. High o’er the roaring waves the spreading sails Bow the tall mast, and swell before the gales; The crooked keel the parting surge divides, And to the stern retreating roll the tides. And now they ship their oars, and crown with wine The holy goblet to the powers divine: Imploring all the gods that reign above, But chief the blue-eyed progeny of Jove.