The Whole Works of Homer Prince of Poetts: In his Iliads, and Odysses. Translated according to the Greeke. By Geo: Chapman |
 |
 |
|
|
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| 3. |
| 4. |
| 5. |
| 6. | THE SIXTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. |
| 7. |
| 8. |
| 9. |
| 10. |
| 11. |
| 12. |
| 13. |
| 14. |
| 15. |
| 16. |
| 17. |
| 18. |
| 19. |
| 20. |
| 21. |
| 22. |
| 23. |
| 24. |
 | The Whole Works of Homer |  |
86
THE SIXTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Minerua in a vision standsBefore Nausicas; and commands
She to the flood her weeds should beare,
For now her Nuptiall day was neare.
Nausicas her charge obayes;
And then with other virgins playes.
Their sports make wak't Vlysses rise;
Walke to them, and beseech supplies
Of food and clothes. His naked sight
Puts th' other Maids, afraid, to flight.
Nausicas onely boldly stayes,
And gladly his desire obayes.
He (furnisht with her fauours showne)
Attends her, and the rest, to Towne.
Another.
Here Oliue leauesT'hide shame, began.
The Maide receiues
The naked man.
The much-sustaining, patient, heauenly Man,
Whom Toile and Sleepe had worne so weake and wan;
Thus wonne his rest. In meane space Pallas went
To the Phæacian citie; and descent
That first did broad Hyperias lands diuide,
Neare the vast Cyclops, men of monstrous pride.
That preyd on those Hyperians, since they were
Of greater powre; and therefore longer there
Diuine Nausithous dwelt not; but arose,
And did for Scheria, all his powres dispose:
Farre from ingenious Art-inuenting men.
But there did he erect a Citie then.
First, drew a wall round; then he houses builds;
And then a Temple to the Gods; the fields
Lastly diuiding. But he (stoopt by Fate)
Diu'd to th' infernals: and Alcinous sate
In his command: a man, the Gods did teach,
Commanding counsels. His house held the reach
Of grey Mineruas proiect; to prouide,
That great-sould Ithacus might be supplide
With all things fitting his returne. She went
Vp to the chamber, where the faire descent
Of great Alcinous slept. A maid, whose parts
In wit and beautie, wore diuine deserts.
Well deckt her chamber was: of which, the dore
Did seeme to lighten; such a glosse it bore
Betwixt the posts: and now flew ope, to find
The Goddesse entrie. Like a puft of wind
She reacht the Virgin bed. Neare which, there lay
Two maids; to whom, the Graces did conuay,
Figure, and manners. But aboue the head
Of bright Nausicaa, did Pallas tred
The subtle aire; and put the person on
Of Dymas daughter; from comparison
Exempt in businesse Nauall. Like his seed,
Minerua lookt now; whom one yeare did breed,
With bright Nausicaa; and who had gaind
Grace in her loue; yet on her thus complaind:
Whom Toile and Sleepe had worne so weake and wan;
Thus wonne his rest. In meane space Pallas went
To the Phæacian citie; and descent
That first did broad Hyperias lands diuide,
Neare the vast Cyclops, men of monstrous pride.
That preyd on those Hyperians, since they were
Of greater powre; and therefore longer there
Diuine Nausithous dwelt not; but arose,
And did for Scheria, all his powres dispose:
Farre from ingenious Art-inuenting men.
But there did he erect a Citie then.
First, drew a wall round; then he houses builds;
And then a Temple to the Gods; the fields
Lastly diuiding. But he (stoopt by Fate)
Diu'd to th' infernals: and Alcinous sate
In his command: a man, the Gods did teach,
Commanding counsels. His house held the reach
Of grey Mineruas proiect; to prouide,
That great-sould Ithacus might be supplide
87
Vp to the chamber, where the faire descent
Of great Alcinous slept. A maid, whose parts
In wit and beautie, wore diuine deserts.
Well deckt her chamber was: of which, the dore
Did seeme to lighten; such a glosse it bore
Betwixt the posts: and now flew ope, to find
The Goddesse entrie. Like a puft of wind
She reacht the Virgin bed. Neare which, there lay
Two maids; to whom, the Graces did conuay,
Figure, and manners. But aboue the head
Of bright Nausicaa, did Pallas tred
The subtle aire; and put the person on
Of Dymas daughter; from comparison
Exempt in businesse Nauall. Like his seed,
Minerua lookt now; whom one yeare did breed,
With bright Nausicaa; and who had gaind
Grace in her loue; yet on her thus complaind:
Nausicca! why bred thy mother one
So negligent, in rites so stood vpon
By other virgins? Thy faire garments lie
Neglected by thee; yet thy Nuptials nie.
When, rich in all attire, both thou shouldst be,
And garments giue to others honoring thee,
That leade thee to the Temple. Thy good name
Growes amongst men for these things; they enflame
Father, and reuerend Mother with delight.
Come; when the Day takes any winke from Night,
Let's to the riuer, and repurifie
Thy wedding garments: my societie
Shall freely serue thee, for thy speedier aid,
Because thou shalt no more stand on the Maid.
The best of all Phæacia wooe thy Grace,
Where thou wert bred, and ow'st thy selfe a race.
Vp, and stirre vp to thee thy honourd Sire,
To giue thee Mules and Coach; thee and thy tire;
Veiles, girdles, mantles, early to the flood,
To beare in state. It suites thy high-borne blood;
And farre more fits thee, then to foote so farre;
For far from towne thou knowst the Bath-founts are.
So negligent, in rites so stood vpon
By other virgins? Thy faire garments lie
Neglected by thee; yet thy Nuptials nie.
When, rich in all attire, both thou shouldst be,
And garments giue to others honoring thee,
That leade thee to the Temple. Thy good name
Growes amongst men for these things; they enflame
Father, and reuerend Mother with delight.
Come; when the Day takes any winke from Night,
Let's to the riuer, and repurifie
Thy wedding garments: my societie
Shall freely serue thee, for thy speedier aid,
Because thou shalt no more stand on the Maid.
The best of all Phæacia wooe thy Grace,
Where thou wert bred, and ow'st thy selfe a race.
Vp, and stirre vp to thee thy honourd Sire,
To giue thee Mules and Coach; thee and thy tire;
Veiles, girdles, mantles, early to the flood,
To beare in state. It suites thy high-borne blood;
And farre more fits thee, then to foote so farre;
For far from towne thou knowst the Bath-founts are.
This said; away blue-eyd Minerua went
Vp to Olympus: the firme Continent,
That beares in endlesse being, the deified kind;
That's neither souc't with showres, nor shooke with wind;
Nor chilld with snow; but where Serenitie flies,
Exempt from clouds; and euer-beamie skies
Circle the glittering hill. And all their daies,
Giue the delights of blessed Deitie praise.
And hither Pallas flew; and left the Maid,
When she had all that might excite her, said.
Strait rose the louely Morne, that vp did raise
Faire-veild Nausicaa; whose dreame, her praise
To Admiration tooke. Who no time spent
To giue the rapture of her vision vent,
To her lou'd parents: whom she found within.
Her mother set at fire, who had to spin
A Rocke, whose tincture with sea-purple shin'd;
Her maids about her. But she chanc't to find
Her Father going abroad: to Counsell calld
By his graue Senate. And to him, exhald
Her smotherd bosome was. Lou'd Sire (said she)
Will you not now command a Coach for me?
Stately and complete? fit for me to beare
To wash at flood, the weeds I cannot weare
Before repurified? Your selfe it fits
To weare faire weeds; as euery man that sits
In place of counsell. And fiue sonnes you haue;
Two wed; three Bachelors; that must be braue
In euery dayes shift, that they may go dance;
For these three last, with these things must aduance
Their states in mariage: and who else but I
Their sister, should their dancing rites supply.
Vp to Olympus: the firme Continent,
That beares in endlesse being, the deified kind;
That's neither souc't with showres, nor shooke with wind;
Nor chilld with snow; but where Serenitie flies,
Exempt from clouds; and euer-beamie skies
Circle the glittering hill. And all their daies,
Giue the delights of blessed Deitie praise.
88
When she had all that might excite her, said.
Strait rose the louely Morne, that vp did raise
Faire-veild Nausicaa; whose dreame, her praise
To Admiration tooke. Who no time spent
To giue the rapture of her vision vent,
To her lou'd parents: whom she found within.
Her mother set at fire, who had to spin
A Rocke, whose tincture with sea-purple shin'd;
Her maids about her. But she chanc't to find
Her Father going abroad: to Counsell calld
By his graue Senate. And to him, exhald
This familiar & neare wanton carriage of Nausicaa to her father, ioyned with that virgin modestie exprest in her after, is much prais'd by the grauest of Homers expositors; with her fathers louing allowance of it; knowing her shamefastnes and iudgement, would not let her exceed at any part. Which note in here inserted, not as if this were more worthy the obseruation than other euery where strewd flowers of precept; but because this more generally pleasing subiect may perhaps finde more fitnesse for the stay of most Readers.
Will you not now command a Coach for me?
Stately and complete? fit for me to beare
To wash at flood, the weeds I cannot weare
Before repurified? Your selfe it fits
To weare faire weeds; as euery man that sits
In place of counsell. And fiue sonnes you haue;
Two wed; three Bachelors; that must be braue
In euery dayes shift, that they may go dance;
For these three last, with these things must aduance
Their states in mariage: and who else but I
Their sister, should their dancing rites supply.
This generall cause she shewd; and would not name
Her mind of Nuptials to her Sire, for shame.
He vnderstood her yet; and thus replide:
Daughter! nor these, nor any grace beside,
I either will denie thee, or deferre,
Mules, nor a Coach, of state and circular,
Fitting at all parts. Go; my seruants shall
Serue thy desires, and thy command in all.
Her mind of Nuptials to her Sire, for shame.
He vnderstood her yet; and thus replide:
Daughter! nor these, nor any grace beside,
I either will denie thee, or deferre,
Mules, nor a Coach, of state and circular,
Fitting at all parts. Go; my seruants shall
Serue thy desires, and thy command in all.
The seruants then (commanded) soone obaid;
Fetcht Coach, and Mules ioynd in it. Then the Maid
Brought from the chamber her rich weeds, and laid
All vp in Coach: in which, her mother plac't
A maund of victles, varied well in taste,
And other iunkets. Wine she likewise filld
Within a goat-skin bottle, and distilld
Sweete and moist oile into a golden Cruse,
Both for her daughters, and her handmaids vse;
To soften their bright bodies, when they rose
Clensd from their cold baths. Vp to Coach then goes
Th' obserued Maid: takes both the scourge and raines;
And to her side, her handmaid strait attaines.
Nor these alone, but other virgins grac't
The Nuptiall Chariot. The whole Beuie plac't;
Nausicaa scourgd to make the Coach Mules runne;
That neigh'd, and pac'd their vsuall speed; and soone,
Both maids and weeds, brought to the riuer side;
Where Baths for all the yeare, their vse supplide.
Whose waters were so pure, they would not staine;
But still ran faire forth; and did more remaine
Apt to purge staines; for that purg'd staine within,
Which, by the waters pure store, was not seen.
Fetcht Coach, and Mules ioynd in it. Then the Maid
Brought from the chamber her rich weeds, and laid
All vp in Coach: in which, her mother plac't
A maund of victles, varied well in taste,
And other iunkets. Wine she likewise filld
Within a goat-skin bottle, and distilld
Sweete and moist oile into a golden Cruse,
Both for her daughters, and her handmaids vse;
To soften their bright bodies, when they rose
Clensd from their cold baths. Vp to Coach then goes
Th' obserued Maid: takes both the scourge and raines;
And to her side, her handmaid strait attaines.
Nor these alone, but other virgins grac't
The Nuptiall Chariot. The whole Beuie plac't;
Nausicaa scourgd to make the Coach Mules runne;
89
Both maids and weeds, brought to the riuer side;
Where Baths for all the yeare, their vse supplide.
Whose waters were so pure, they would not staine;
But still ran faire forth; and did more remaine
Apt to purge staines; for that purg'd staine within,
Which, by the waters pure store, was not seen.
These (here arriu'd,) the Mules vncoacht, and draue
Vp to the gulphie riuers shore, that gaue
Sweet grasse to them. The maids from Coach then tooke
Their cloaths, and steept them in the sable brooke.
Then put them into springs, and trod them cleane,
With cleanly feet; aduentring wagers then,
Who should haue soonest, and most cleanly done.
When hauing throughly cleansd, they spred them on
The floods shore, all in order. And then, where
The waues the pibbles washt, and ground was cleare,
They bath'd themselues; and all with glittring oile,
Smooth'd their white skins: refreshing then their toile
With pleasant dinner, by the riuers side.
Yet still watcht when the Sunne, their cloaths had dride.
Till which time (hauing din'd) Nausicae
With other virgins, did at stool-ball play;
Their shoulder-reaching head-tires laying by.
Nausicae (with the wrists of Ivory)
The liking stroke strooke; singing first a song;
(As custome orderd) and amidst the throng,
Made such a shew; and so past all was seene;
As when the Chast-borne, Arrow-louing Queene,
Along the mountaines gliding; either ouer
Spartan Taygetus, whose tops farre discouer;
Or Eurymanthus; in the wilde Bores chace;
Or swift-hou'd Hart; and with her, Ioues faire race
(The field Nymphs) sporting. Amongst whom, to see
How farre Diana had prioritie
(Though all were faire) for fairnesse; yet of all,
(As both by head and forhead being more tall)
Latona triumpht; since the dullest sight,
Might easly iudge, whom her paines brought to light;
Nausicaa so (whom neuer husband tam'd),
Aboue them all, in all the beauties flam'd.
But when they now made homewards, and araid;
Ordring their weeds, disorderd as they plaid;
Mules and Coach ready; then Minerua thought,
What meanes to wake Vlysses, might be wrought,
That he might see this louely sighted maid,
Whom she intended, should become his aid:
Bring him to Towne; and his returne aduance.
Her meane was this, (though thought a stool-ball chance)
The Queene now (for the vpstroke) strooke the ball
Quite wide off th' other maids; and made it fall
Amidst the whirlpooles. At which, out shriekt all;
And with the shrieke, did wise Vlysses wake:
Who, sitting vp, was doubtfull who should make
That sodaine outcrie; and in mind, thus striu'de
On what a people am I now arriu'd?
At ciuill hospitable men, that feare
The Gods? or dwell iniurious mortals here?
Vniust, and churlish? like the female crie
Of youth it sounds. What are they? Nymphs bred hie,
On tops of hils? or in the founts of floods?
In herbie marshes? or in leauy woods?
Or are they high-spoke men, I now am neare?
Ile proue, and see. With this, the wary Peere
Crept forth the thicket; and an Oliue bough
Broke with his broad hand; which he did bestow
In couert of his nakednesse; and then,
Put hastie head out: Looke how from his den,
A mountaine Lion lookes, that, all embrewd
With drops of trees; and weather-beaten hewd;
(Bold of his strength) goes on; and in his eye,
A burning fornace glowes; all bent to prey
On sheepe, or oxen; or the vpland Hart;
His belly charging him; and he must part
Stakes with the Heards-man, in his beasts attempt,
Euen where from rape, their strengths are most exempt:
So wet, so weather-beate, so stung with Need,
Euen to the home-fields of the countries breed,
Vlysses was to force forth his accesse,
Though meerly naked; and his sight did presse
The eyes of soft-haird virgins. Horrid was
His rough appearance to them: the hard passe
He had at sea, stucke by him. All in flight
The Virgins scatterd, frighted with this fight,
About the prominent windings of the flood.
All but Nausicaa fled; but she fast stood:
Pallas had put a boldnesse in her brest;
And in her faire lims, tender Feare comprest.
And still she stood him, as resolu'd to know
What man he was; or out of what should grow
His strange repaire to them. And here was he
Put to his wisedome; if her virgin knee,
He should be bold, but kneeling, to embrace;
Or keepe aloofe, and trie with words of grace,
In humblest suppliance, if he might obtaine
Some couer for his nakednes; and gaine
Her grace to shew and guide him to the Towne.
The last, he best thought, to be worth his owne,
In weighing both well: to keepe still aloofe,
And giue with soft words, his desires their proofe;
Lest pressing so neare, as to touch her knee,
He might incense her maiden modestie.
This faire and fil'd speech then, shewd this was he.
Vp to the gulphie riuers shore, that gaue
Sweet grasse to them. The maids from Coach then tooke
Their cloaths, and steept them in the sable brooke.
Then put them into springs, and trod them cleane,
With cleanly feet; aduentring wagers then,
Who should haue soonest, and most cleanly done.
When hauing throughly cleansd, they spred them on
The floods shore, all in order. And then, where
The waues the pibbles washt, and ground was cleare,
They bath'd themselues; and all with glittring oile,
Smooth'd their white skins: refreshing then their toile
With pleasant dinner, by the riuers side.
Yet still watcht when the Sunne, their cloaths had dride.
Till which time (hauing din'd) Nausicae
With other virgins, did at stool-ball play;
Their shoulder-reaching head-tires laying by.
Nausicae (with the wrists of Ivory)
The liking stroke strooke; singing first a song;
(As custome orderd) and amidst the throng,
Made such a shew; and so past all was seene;
As when the Chast-borne, Arrow-louing Queene,
Along the mountaines gliding; either ouer
Spartan Taygetus, whose tops farre discouer;
Or Eurymanthus; in the wilde Bores chace;
Or swift-hou'd Hart; and with her, Ioues faire race
(The field Nymphs) sporting. Amongst whom, to see
How farre Diana had prioritie
(Though all were faire) for fairnesse; yet of all,
(As both by head and forhead being more tall)
Latona triumpht; since the dullest sight,
Might easly iudge, whom her paines brought to light;
Nausicaa so (whom neuer husband tam'd),
Aboue them all, in all the beauties flam'd.
But when they now made homewards, and araid;
Ordring their weeds, disorderd as they plaid;
Mules and Coach ready; then Minerua thought,
What meanes to wake Vlysses, might be wrought,
That he might see this louely sighted maid,
Whom she intended, should become his aid:
Bring him to Towne; and his returne aduance.
90
The Queene now (for the vpstroke) strooke the ball
Quite wide off th' other maids; and made it fall
Amidst the whirlpooles. At which, out shriekt all;
And with the shrieke, did wise Vlysses wake:
Who, sitting vp, was doubtfull who should make
That sodaine outcrie; and in mind, thus striu'de
On what a people am I now arriu'd?
At ciuill hospitable men, that feare
The Gods? or dwell iniurious mortals here?
Vniust, and churlish? like the female crie
Of youth it sounds. What are they? Nymphs bred hie,
On tops of hils? or in the founts of floods?
In herbie marshes? or in leauy woods?
Or are they high-spoke men, I now am neare?
Ile proue, and see. With this, the wary Peere
Crept forth the thicket; and an Oliue bough
Broke with his broad hand; which he did bestow
In couert of his nakednesse; and then,
Put hastie head out: Looke how from his den,
A mountaine Lion lookes, that, all embrewd
With drops of trees; and weather-beaten hewd;
(Bold of his strength) goes on; and in his eye,
A burning fornace glowes; all bent to prey
On sheepe, or oxen; or the vpland Hart;
His belly charging him; and he must part
Stakes with the Heards-man, in his beasts attempt,
Euen where from rape, their strengths are most exempt:
So wet, so weather-beate, so stung with Need,
Euen to the home-fields of the countries breed,
Vlysses was to force forth his accesse,
Though meerly naked; and his sight did presse
The eyes of soft-haird virgins. Horrid was
His rough appearance to them: the hard passe
He had at sea, stucke by him. All in flight
The Virgins scatterd, frighted with this fight,
About the prominent windings of the flood.
All but Nausicaa fled; but she fast stood:
Pallas had put a boldnesse in her brest;
And in her faire lims, tender Feare comprest.
And still she stood him, as resolu'd to know
What man he was; or out of what should grow
His strange repaire to them. And here was he
Put to his wisedome; if her virgin knee,
He should be bold, but kneeling, to embrace;
Or keepe aloofe, and trie with words of grace,
In humblest suppliance, if he might obtaine
Some couer for his nakednes; and gaine
91
The last, he best thought, to be worth his owne,
In weighing both well: to keepe still aloofe,
And giue with soft words, his desires their proofe;
Lest pressing so neare, as to touch her knee,
He might incense her maiden modestie.
This faire and fil'd speech then, shewd this was he.
Let me beseech (O Queene) this truth of thee;
Are you of mortall, or the deified race?
If of the Gods, that th' ample heauens embrace;
I can resemble you to none aboue,
So neare as to the chast-borne birth of Ioue,
The beamie Cynthia. Her you full present,
In grace of euery God-like lineament;
Her goodly magnitude; and all th' addresse
You promise of her very perfectnesse.
If sprong of humanes, that inhabite earth;
Thrice blest are both the authors of your birth;
Thrice blest your brothers, that in your deserts,
Must, euen to rapture, beare delighted hearts;
To see so like the first trim of a tree,
Your forme adorne a dance. But most blest, he
Of all that breathe, that hath the gift t'engage
Your bright necke in the yoke of mariage;
And decke his house with your commanding merit.
I haue not seene a man of so much spirit.
Nor man, nor woman, I did euer see,
At all parts equall to the parts in thee.
T'enioy your sight, doth Admiration seise
My eie, and apprehensiue faculties.
Lately in Delos (with a charge of men
Arriu'd, that renderd me most wretched then,
Now making me thus naked) I beheld
The burthen of a Palme, whose issue sweld
About Apollos Phane; and that put on
A grace like thee; for Earth had neuer none
Of all her Syluane issue so adorn'd:
Into amaze my very soule was turnd,
To giue it obseruation; as now thee
To view (O Virgin) a stupiditie
Past admiration strikes me; ioynd with feare
To do a suppliants due, and prease so neare,
As to embrace thy knees. Nor is it strange;
For one of fresh and firmest spirit, would change
T'embrace so bright an obiect. But, for me,
A cruell habite of calamitie,
Prepar'd the strong impression thou hast made:
For this last Day did flie Nights twentith shade
Since I, at length, escapt the sable seas;
When in the meane time, th' vnrelenting prease
Of waues and sterne stormes, tost me vp and downe,
From th' Ile Ogygia: and now God hath throwne
My wracke on this shore; that perhaps I may
My miseries vary here: for yet their stay,
I feare, heauen hath not orderd: though before
These late afflictions, it hath lent me store.
O Queene, daine pitie then, since first to you
My Fate importunes my distresse to vow.
No other Dame, nor man, that this Earth owne,
And neighbour Citie, I haue seene or knowne.
The Towne then shew me; giue my nakednes
Some shroud to shelter it, if to these seas,
Linnen or woollen, you haue brought to clense.
God giue you, in requitall, all th' amends
Your heart can wish: a husband, family,
And good agreement: Nought beneath the skie,
More sweet, more worthy is, then firme consent
Of man and wife, in houshold gouernment.
It ioyes their wishers well; their enemies wounds;
But to themselues, the speciall good redounds.
Are you of mortall, or the deified race?
If of the Gods, that th' ample heauens embrace;
I can resemble you to none aboue,
So neare as to the chast-borne birth of Ioue,
The beamie Cynthia. Her you full present,
In grace of euery God-like lineament;
Her goodly magnitude; and all th' addresse
You promise of her very perfectnesse.
If sprong of humanes, that inhabite earth;
Thrice blest are both the authors of your birth;
Thrice blest your brothers, that in your deserts,
Must, euen to rapture, beare delighted hearts;
To see so like the first trim of a tree,
Your forme adorne a dance. But most blest, he
Of all that breathe, that hath the gift t'engage
Your bright necke in the yoke of mariage;
And decke his house with your commanding merit.
I haue not seene a man of so much spirit.
Nor man, nor woman, I did euer see,
At all parts equall to the parts in thee.
T'enioy your sight, doth Admiration seise
My eie, and apprehensiue faculties.
Lately in Delos (with a charge of men
Arriu'd, that renderd me most wretched then,
Now making me thus naked) I beheld
The burthen of a Palme, whose issue sweld
About Apollos Phane; and that put on
A grace like thee; for Earth had neuer none
Of all her Syluane issue so adorn'd:
Into amaze my very soule was turnd,
To giue it obseruation; as now thee
To view (O Virgin) a stupiditie
Past admiration strikes me; ioynd with feare
To do a suppliants due, and prease so neare,
As to embrace thy knees. Nor is it strange;
For one of fresh and firmest spirit, would change
T'embrace so bright an obiect. But, for me,
A cruell habite of calamitie,
Prepar'd the strong impression thou hast made:
For this last Day did flie Nights twentith shade
92
When in the meane time, th' vnrelenting prease
Of waues and sterne stormes, tost me vp and downe,
From th' Ile Ogygia: and now God hath throwne
My wracke on this shore; that perhaps I may
My miseries vary here: for yet their stay,
I feare, heauen hath not orderd: though before
These late afflictions, it hath lent me store.
O Queene, daine pitie then, since first to you
My Fate importunes my distresse to vow.
No other Dame, nor man, that this Earth owne,
And neighbour Citie, I haue seene or knowne.
The Towne then shew me; giue my nakednes
Some shroud to shelter it, if to these seas,
Linnen or woollen, you haue brought to clense.
God giue you, in requitall, all th' amends
Your heart can wish: a husband, family,
And good agreement: Nought beneath the skie,
More sweet, more worthy is, then firme consent
Of man and wife, in houshold gouernment.
It ioyes their wishers well; their enemies wounds;
But to themselues, the speciall good redounds.
She answerd: Stranger! I discerne in thee,
Not Sloth, nor Folly raignes; and yet I see,
Th' art poore and wretched. In which I conclude,
That Industry not wisedome make endude
Men with those gifts, that make them best to th' eie;
Ioue onely orders mans felicitie.
To good and bad, his pleasure fashions still,
The whole proportion of their good and ill.
And he perhaps hath formd this plight in thee,
Of which, thou must be patient, as he, free.
But after all thy wandrings, since thy way,
Both to our Earth, and neare our Citie, lay,
As being exposde to our cares to relieue;
Weeds, and what else, a humane hand should giue,
To one so suppliant, and tam'd with woe;
Thou shalt not want. Our Citie, I will show;
And tell our peoples name: This neighbor Towne,
And all this kingdome, the Phæacians owne.
And (since thou seemdst so faine, to know my birth;
And mad'st a question, if of heauen or earth)
This Earth hath bred me; and my Fathers name
Alcinous is; that in the powre and frame
Of this Iles rule, is supereminent.
Not Sloth, nor Folly raignes; and yet I see,
Th' art poore and wretched. In which I conclude,
That Industry not wisedome make endude
Men with those gifts, that make them best to th' eie;
Ioue onely orders mans felicitie.
To good and bad, his pleasure fashions still,
The whole proportion of their good and ill.
And he perhaps hath formd this plight in thee,
Of which, thou must be patient, as he, free.
But after all thy wandrings, since thy way,
Both to our Earth, and neare our Citie, lay,
As being exposde to our cares to relieue;
Weeds, and what else, a humane hand should giue,
To one so suppliant, and tam'd with woe;
Thou shalt not want. Our Citie, I will show;
And tell our peoples name: This neighbor Towne,
And all this kingdome, the Phæacians owne.
And (since thou seemdst so faine, to know my birth;
And mad'st a question, if of heauen or earth)
This Earth hath bred me; and my Fathers name
Alcinous is; that in the powre and frame
Of this Iles rule, is supereminent.
Thus (passing him) she to the Virgins went.
And said: Giue stay, both to your feet and fright;
Why thus disperse ye, for a mans meere sight?
Esteeme you him a Cyclop, that long since
Made vse to prey vpon our Citizens?
This man, no moist man is; (nor watrish thing,
That's euer flitting; euer rauishing
All it can compasse; and, like it, doth range
In rape of women; neuer staid in change)
This man is truly manly, wise, and staid;
In soule more rich; the more to sense decaid.
Who, nor will do, nor suffer to be done,
Acts leud and abiect; nor can such a one
Greete the Phæacians, with a mind enuious;
Deare to the Gods they are; and he is pious.
Besides, diuided from the world we are;
The outpart of it; billowes circulate
The sea reuoluing, round about our shore;
Nor is there any man, that enters more
Then our owne countrimen, with what is brought
From other countries. This man, minding nought
But his reliefe: a poore vnhappie wretch,
Wrackt here; and hath no other land to fetch.
Him now we must prouide for; from Ioue come
All strangers, and the needie of a home.
Who any gift, though ne're so small it be,
Esteeme as great, and take it gratefully.
And therefore Virgins, giue the stranger food,
And wine; and see ye bath him in the flood;
Neare to some shore, to shelter most enclin'd;
To cold Bath-bathers, hurtfull is the wind.
Not onely rugged making th' outward skin,
But by his thin powres, pierceth parts within.
And said: Giue stay, both to your feet and fright;
Why thus disperse ye, for a mans meere sight?
93
Made vse to prey vpon our Citizens?
This man, no moist man is; (nor watrish thing,
διερος βροτος. Cuivitalis vel sensualis humiditas inest. βροτος vt dicatur quasi ροτος.i.e. ον ροηων, quod nihil sit magis fluxum quam homo. ανηρ virili animo præditus, fortis, magnanimus. Nor are those affirmed to be men; qui seruile quidpiam & abiectum faciunt; vel, facere sustinent: according to this of Herodutos in Poly: πολλοι μεν ανθρωποι ειεν, ολιγοι δ' ανδρες. Many mens formes sustaine, but few are men.
That's euer flitting; euer rauishing
All it can compasse; and, like it, doth range
In rape of women; neuer staid in change)
This man is truly manly, wise, and staid;
In soule more rich; the more to sense decaid.
Who, nor will do, nor suffer to be done,
Acts leud and abiect; nor can such a one
Greete the Phæacians, with a mind enuious;
Deare to the Gods they are; and he is pious.
Besides, diuided from the world we are;
The outpart of it; billowes circulate
The sea reuoluing, round about our shore;
Nor is there any man, that enters more
Then our owne countrimen, with what is brought
From other countries. This man, minding nought
But his reliefe: a poore vnhappie wretch,
Wrackt here; and hath no other land to fetch.
Him now we must prouide for; from Ioue come
All strangers, and the needie of a home.
Who any gift, though ne're so small it be,
Esteeme as great, and take it gratefully.
And therefore Virgins, giue the stranger food,
And wine; and see ye bath him in the flood;
Neare to some shore, to shelter most enclin'd;
To cold Bath-bathers, hurtfull is the wind.
Not onely rugged making th' outward skin,
But by his thin powres, pierceth parts within.
This said; their flight in a returne they set;
And did Vlysses with all grace entreate:
Shewd him a shore, wind-proofe, and full of shade:
By him a shirt, and vtter mantle laid.
A golden Iugge of liquid oile did adde;
Bad wash; and all things as Nausicaa bad.
And did Vlysses with all grace entreate:
Shewd him a shore, wind-proofe, and full of shade:
By him a shirt, and vtter mantle laid.
A golden Iugge of liquid oile did adde;
Bad wash; and all things as Nausicaa bad.
Diuine Vlysses would not vse their aid;
But thus bespake them: Euery louely maid,
Let me entreate to stand a litle by;
That I alone the fresh flood may apply,
To clense my bosome of the sea-wrought brine.
And then vse oile; which long time did not shine
On my poore shoulders. Ile not wash in sight
Of faire-haird maidens. I should blush outright,
To bathe all bare by such a virgin light.
But thus bespake them: Euery louely maid,
Let me entreate to stand a litle by;
That I alone the fresh flood may apply,
He taught their youths modestie, by his aged iudgment. As receiuing the custome of maids then vsed to that entertainment of men: not withstanding the modestie of that age, could not be corrupted inwardly, for those outward kind obseruation of guests and strangers, and was therefore priuiledged. It is easie to auoide shew: and those that most curiously auoid the outward construction, are euer most tainted with the inward corruption.
To clense my bosome of the sea-wrought brine.
And then vse oile; which long time did not shine
On my poore shoulders. Ile not wash in sight
Of faire-haird maidens. I should blush outright,
To bathe all bare by such a virgin light.
They mou'd, and musde, a man had so much grace;
And told their Mistris, what a man he was.
And told their Mistris, what a man he was.
He clensd his broad-soild-shoulders; backe and head
Yet neuer tam'd. But now, had fome and weed,
Knit in the faire curles. Which dissolu'd; and he
Slickt all with sweet oile: the sweet charitie,
The vntoucht virgin shewd in his attire,
He cloth'd him with. Then Pallas put a fire,
More then before, into his sparkling eies;
His late soile set off, with his soone fresh guise.
His locks (clensd) curld the more; and matcht (in power
To please an eye) the Hyacinthian flower.
And as a workman, that can well combine
Siluer and gold; and make both striue to shine;
As being by Vulcan, and Minerua too,
Taught how farre either may be vrg'd to go,
In strife of eminence; when worke sets forth
A worthy soule, to bodies of such worth;
No thought reprouing th' act, in any place;
Nor Art no debt to Natures liueliest grace:
So Pallas wrought in him, a grace as great,
From head to shoulders; and ashore did seate
His goodly presence. To which, such a guise
He shewd in going, that it rauisht eies.
All which (continude) as he sate apart;
Nausicaas eye strooke wonder through her heart;
Who thus bespake her consorts: Heare me, you
Faire-wristed Virgins; this rare man (I know)
Treds not our country earth, against the will
Of some God, thron'd on the Olympian hill.
He shewd to me, till now, not worth the note;
But now he lookes, as he had Godhead got.
I would to heauen, my husband were no worse;
And would be calld no better; but the course
Of other husbands pleasd to dwell out here:
Obserue and serue him, with our vtmost cheare.
94
Knit in the faire curles. Which dissolu'd; and he
Slickt all with sweet oile: the sweet charitie,
The vntoucht virgin shewd in his attire,
He cloth'd him with. Then Pallas put a fire,
More then before, into his sparkling eies;
His late soile set off, with his soone fresh guise.
His locks (clensd) curld the more; and matcht (in power
To please an eye) the Hyacinthian flower.
And as a workman, that can well combine
Siluer and gold; and make both striue to shine;
As being by Vulcan, and Minerua too,
Taught how farre either may be vrg'd to go,
In strife of eminence; when worke sets forth
A worthy soule, to bodies of such worth;
No thought reprouing th' act, in any place;
Nor Art no debt to Natures liueliest grace:
So Pallas wrought in him, a grace as great,
From head to shoulders; and ashore did seate
His goodly presence. To which, such a guise
He shewd in going, that it rauisht eies.
All which (continude) as he sate apart;
Nausicaas eye strooke wonder through her heart;
Who thus bespake her consorts: Heare me, you
Faire-wristed Virgins; this rare man (I know)
Treds not our country earth, against the will
Of some God, thron'd on the Olympian hill.
He shewd to me, till now, not worth the note;
But now he lookes, as he had Godhead got.
I would to heauen, my husband were no worse;
And would be calld no better; but the course
Of other husbands pleasd to dwell out here:
Obserue and serue him, with our vtmost cheare.
She said; they heard, and did. He drunke and eate
Like to a Harpy; hauing toucht no meate
A long before time. But Nausicaa now
Thought of the more grace, she did lately vow:
Had horse to Chariot ioynd; and vp she rose:
Vp chear'd her guest, and said: Guest, now dispose
Your selfe for Towne; that I may let you see
My Fathers Court; where all the Peeres will be
Of our Phæacian State. At all parts then,
Obserue to whom, and what place y'are t'attain;
Though I need vsher you with no aduice,
Since I suppose you absolutely wise.
While we the fields passe, and mens labours there;
So long (in these maids guides) directly beare
Vpon my Chariot (I must go before,
For cause that after comes: to which, this more
Be my induction) you shall then soone end
Your way to Towne; whose Towres you see ascend
To such a steepnesse. On whose either side,
A faire Port stands; to which is nothing wide
An enterers passage: on whose both hands ride
Ships in faire harbors; which, once past, you win
The goodly market place, (that circles in
A Phane to Neptune, built of curious stone,
And passing ample) where munition,
Gables, and masts men make, and polisht oares;
For the Phæacians are not conquerors
By bowes nor quiuers; Oares, masts, ships they are,
With which they plow the sea, and wage their warre.
And now the cause comes, why I leade the way,
Not taking you to Coach. The men that sway
In worke of those tooles, that so fit our State,
Are rude Mechanicals; that rare and late
Worke in the market place; and those are they
Whose bitter tongues I shun; who strait would say,
(For these vile vulgars are extreamly proud,
And fouly languag'd) What, is he allowd
To coach it with Nausicaa? so large set,
And fairely fashiond? where were these two met?
He shall be sure her husband. She hath bene
Gadding in some place; and (of forraine men,
Fitting her fancie) kindly brought him home
In her owne ship. He must, of force, become
From some farre region; we haue no such man.
It may be (praying hard, when her heart ran
On some wisht husband) out of heauen, some God
Dropt in her lap; and there lies she at rode,
Her complete life time. But, in sooth, if she
Ranging abroad, a husband such as he,
Whom now we saw, laid hand on; she was wise,
For none of all our Nobles, are of prise
Enough for her: he must beyond-sea come,
That wins her high mind, and will haue her home.
Of our Peeres, many haue importun'd her,
Yet she will none. Thus these folks will conferre
Behind my backe; or (meeting) to my face,
The foule-mouth rout dare put home this disgrace.
And this would be reproches to my fame;
For euen my selfe, iust anger would enflame,
If any other virgin I should see
(Her parents liuing) keepe the companie
Of any man; to any end of loue,
Till open Nuptials should her act approue.
And therefore heare me guest; and take such way,
That you your selfe may compasse, in your stay,
Your quicke deduction, by my Fathers grace;
And meanes to reach the roote of all your race.
Like to a Harpy; hauing toucht no meate
A long before time. But Nausicaa now
Thought of the more grace, she did lately vow:
Had horse to Chariot ioynd; and vp she rose:
Vp chear'd her guest, and said: Guest, now dispose
Your selfe for Towne; that I may let you see
My Fathers Court; where all the Peeres will be
Of our Phæacian State. At all parts then,
Obserue to whom, and what place y'are t'attain;
Though I need vsher you with no aduice,
Since I suppose you absolutely wise.
While we the fields passe, and mens labours there;
So long (in these maids guides) directly beare
Vpon my Chariot (I must go before,
95
Be my induction) you shall then soone end
Your way to Towne; whose Towres you see ascend
To such a steepnesse. On whose either side,
A faire Port stands; to which is nothing wide
An enterers passage: on whose both hands ride
Ships in faire harbors; which, once past, you win
The goodly market place, (that circles in
A Phane to Neptune, built of curious stone,
And passing ample) where munition,
Gables, and masts men make, and polisht oares;
For the Phæacians are not conquerors
By bowes nor quiuers; Oares, masts, ships they are,
With which they plow the sea, and wage their warre.
And now the cause comes, why I leade the way,
Not taking you to Coach. The men that sway
In worke of those tooles, that so fit our State,
Are rude Mechanicals; that rare and late
Worke in the market place; and those are they
Whose bitter tongues I shun; who strait would say,
(For these vile vulgars are extreamly proud,
And fouly languag'd) What, is he allowd
To coach it with Nausicaa? so large set,
And fairely fashiond? where were these two met?
He shall be sure her husband. She hath bene
Gadding in some place; and (of forraine men,
Fitting her fancie) kindly brought him home
In her owne ship. He must, of force, become
From some farre region; we haue no such man.
It may be (praying hard, when her heart ran
On some wisht husband) out of heauen, some God
Dropt in her lap; and there lies she at rode,
Her complete life time. But, in sooth, if she
Ranging abroad, a husband such as he,
Whom now we saw, laid hand on; she was wise,
For none of all our Nobles, are of prise
Enough for her: he must beyond-sea come,
That wins her high mind, and will haue her home.
Of our Peeres, many haue importun'd her,
Yet she will none. Thus these folks will conferre
Behind my backe; or (meeting) to my face,
The foule-mouth rout dare put home this disgrace.
And this would be reproches to my fame;
For euen my selfe, iust anger would enflame,
If any other virgin I should see
(Her parents liuing) keepe the companie
Of any man; to any end of loue,
Till open Nuptials should her act approue.
96
That you your selfe may compasse, in your stay,
Your quicke deduction, by my Fathers grace;
And meanes to reach the roote of all your race.
We shall, not farre out of our way to Towne,
A neuer-felld Groue find, that Poplars crowne;
To Pallas sacred, where a fountaine flowes;
And round about the Groue, a Medow growes;
In which, my Father holds a Mannor house;
Deckt all with Orchards, greene, and odorous;
As farre from Towne, as one may heare a shout.
There stay, and rest your foote paines; till full out
We reach the Citie. Where, when you may guesse
We are arriu'd, and enter our accesse
Within my Fathers Court: then put you on
For our Phæacian State; where, to be showne
My Fathers house, desire. Each infant there
Can bring you to it; and your selfe will cleare
Distinguish it from others: for no showes,
The Citie buildings make; compar'd with those
That King Alcinous seate doth celebrate.
In whose roofes, and the Court, (where men of state,
And suiters sit and stay) when you shall hide:
Strait passe it, entring further: where abide
My Mother, with her withdrawne houswiferies;
Who still sits in the fire-shine, and applies
Her Rocke, all purple, and of pompous show:
Her Chaire plac't gainst a Pillar: all arow
Her maids behind her set; and to her here,
My Fathers dining Throne lookes. Seated where
He powres his choice of wine in, like a God.
This view once past; for th' end of your abode,
Addresse suite to my Mother; that her meane,
May make the day of your redition seene.
And you may frolicke strait, though farre away
You are in distance from your wished stay.
For if she once be won to wish you well,
Your Hope may instantly your Pasport seale;
And thenceforth sure abide to see your friends,
Faire house, and all, to which your heart contends.
A neuer-felld Groue find, that Poplars crowne;
To Pallas sacred, where a fountaine flowes;
And round about the Groue, a Medow growes;
In which, my Father holds a Mannor house;
Deckt all with Orchards, greene, and odorous;
As farre from Towne, as one may heare a shout.
There stay, and rest your foote paines; till full out
We reach the Citie. Where, when you may guesse
We are arriu'd, and enter our accesse
Within my Fathers Court: then put you on
For our Phæacian State; where, to be showne
My Fathers house, desire. Each infant there
Can bring you to it; and your selfe will cleare
Distinguish it from others: for no showes,
The Citie buildings make; compar'd with those
That King Alcinous seate doth celebrate.
In whose roofes, and the Court, (where men of state,
And suiters sit and stay) when you shall hide:
Strait passe it, entring further: where abide
My Mother, with her withdrawne houswiferies;
Who still sits in the fire-shine, and applies
Her Rocke, all purple, and of pompous show:
Her Chaire plac't gainst a Pillar: all arow
Her maids behind her set; and to her here,
My Fathers dining Throne lookes. Seated where
He powres his choice of wine in, like a God.
This view once past; for th' end of your abode,
Addresse suite to my Mother; that her meane,
May make the day of your redition seene.
And you may frolicke strait, though farre away
You are in distance from your wished stay.
For if she once be won to wish you well,
Your Hope may instantly your Pasport seale;
And thenceforth sure abide to see your friends,
Faire house, and all, to which your heart contends.
This said; she vsde her shining scourge, and lasht
Her Mules, that soone the shore left, where she washt;
And (knowing well the way) their pace was fleet,
And thicke they gatherd vp their nimble feet.
Which yet she temperd so; and vsde her scourge
With so much skill; as not to ouer-vrge
The foote behind; and make them straggle so,
From close societie. Firme together go
Vlysses and her maids. And now the Sunne
Sunke to the waters; when they all had wonne
The neuer-feld, and sound-exciting wood,
Sacred to Pallas: where the God-like good
Vlysses rested; and to Pallas praid:
Her Mules, that soone the shore left, where she washt;
And (knowing well the way) their pace was fleet,
And thicke they gatherd vp their nimble feet.
Which yet she temperd so; and vsde her scourge
With so much skill; as not to ouer-vrge
The foote behind; and make them straggle so,
From close societie. Firme together go
97
Sunke to the waters; when they all had wonne
The neuer-feld, and sound-exciting wood,
Sacred to Pallas: where the God-like good
Vlysses rested; and to Pallas praid:
Heare me, of Goate-kept Ioue, th' vnconquerd Maid;
Now throughly heare me; since in all the time
Of all my wracke, my pray'rs could neuer clime
Thy far-off eares; when noisefull Neptune tost
Vpon his watry brissels, my imbost
And rock torne body: heare yet now, and daine
I may of the Phæacian State obtaine
Pitie, and grace. Thus praid he; and she heard:
By no meanes yet (exposde to fight) appear'd,
For feare t'offend her Vnkle; the supreme
Of all the Sea-Gods; whose wrath still extreme
Stood to Vlysses; and would neuer cease,
Till with his Country shore, he crownd his peace.
Now throughly heare me; since in all the time
Of all my wracke, my pray'rs could neuer clime
Thy far-off eares; when noisefull Neptune tost
Vpon his watry brissels, my imbost
And rock torne body: heare yet now, and daine
I may of the Phæacian State obtaine
Pitie, and grace. Thus praid he; and she heard:
By no meanes yet (exposde to fight) appear'd,
For feare t'offend her Vnkle; the supreme
Of all the Sea-Gods; whose wrath still extreme
Stood to Vlysses; and would neuer cease,
Till with his Country shore, he crownd his peace.
Finis libri sexti Hom. Odyss.
| The Whole Works of Homer | |