The Whole Works of Homer Prince of Poetts: In his Iliads, and Odysses. Translated according to the Greeke. By Geo: Chapman |
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[THE ODYSSES OF HOMER]
TO THE MOST WORTHILY HONORED, MY SINGVLAR GOOD LORD, ROBERT, Earle of Somerset, Lord Chamberlaine, &c.
I Haue aduentured (Right Noble Earle) out of my vtmost, and euer-vowed seruice to your Vertues, to entitle their Merits to the Patronage of Homers English life: whose wisht naturall life, the great Macedon would haue protected, as the spirit of his Empire,
That he to his vnmeasur'd mightie Acts,
Might adde a Fame as vast; and their extracts,
In fires as bright, and endlesse as the starres,
His breast might breathe; and thunder out his warres.
But that great Monarks loue of fame and praise,
Receiues an enuious Cloud in our foule daies:
For since our Great ones, ceasse themselues to do
Deeds worth their praise; they hold it folly too,
To feed their praise in others. But what can
(Of all the gifts that are) be giuen to man,
More precious then Eternitie and Glorie,
Singing their praises, in vnsilenc't storie?
Which No blacke Day, No Nation, nor no Age;
No change of Time or Fortune, Force, nor Rage,
Shall euer race? All which, the Monarch knew,
Where Homer liu'd entitl'd, would ensew:
------Cuius de gurgite viuo
Combibit ar canos vatum omnis turba furores, &c.
From whose deepe Fount of life, the thirstie rout
Of Thespian Prophets, haue lien sucking out
Their sacred rages. And as th' influent stone
Of Father Ioues great and laborious Sonne,
Lifts high the heauie Iron; and farre implies
The wide Orbs; that the Needle rectifies,
In vertuous guide of euery sea-driuen course,
To all aspiring, his one boundlesse force:
So from one Homer, all the holy fire,
That euer did the hidden heate inspire
In each true Muse, came cleerly sparkling downe,
And must for him, compose one flaming Crowne.
Might adde a Fame as vast; and their extracts,
In fires as bright, and endlesse as the starres,
His breast might breathe; and thunder out his warres.
But that great Monarks loue of fame and praise,
Receiues an enuious Cloud in our foule daies:
For since our Great ones, ceasse themselues to do
Deeds worth their praise; they hold it folly too,
To feed their praise in others. But what can
(Of all the gifts that are) be giuen to man,
More precious then Eternitie and Glorie,
Singing their praises, in vnsilenc't storie?
Which No blacke Day, No Nation, nor no Age;
No change of Time or Fortune, Force, nor Rage,
Where Homer liu'd entitl'd, would ensew:
------Cuius de gurgite viuo
Combibit ar canos vatum omnis turba furores, &c.
From whose deepe Fount of life, the thirstie rout
Of Thespian Prophets, haue lien sucking out
Their sacred rages. And as th' influent stone
Of Father Ioues great and laborious Sonne,
Lifts high the heauie Iron; and farre implies
The wide Orbs; that the Needle rectifies,
In vertuous guide of euery sea-driuen course,
To all aspiring, his one boundlesse force:
So from one Homer, all the holy fire,
That euer did the hidden heate inspire
In each true Muse, came cleerly sparkling downe,
And must for him, compose one flaming Crowne.
He, at Ioues Table set, fils out to vs,
Cups that repaire Age, sad and ruinous;
And giues it Built, of an eternall stand,
With his all-sinewie Odyssæan hand.
Shifts Time, and Fate; puts Death in Lifes free state;
And Life doth into Ages propagate.
He doth in Men, the Gods affects inflame;
His fuell Vertue, blowne by Praise and Fame:
And with the high soules, first impulsions driuen,
Breakes through rude Chaos, Earth, the Seas, and Heauen.
The Nerues of all things hid in Nature, lie
Naked before him; all their Harmonie
Tun'd to his Accents; that in Beasts breathe Minds.
What Fowles, what Floods, what Earth, what Aire, what Winds,
What fires Æthereall; what the Gods conclude
In all their Counsels, his Muse makes indude
With varied voices, that euen rockes haue mou'd.
And yet for all this, (naked Vertue lou'd)
Honors without her, he, as abiect, prises;
And foolish Fame, deriu'd from thence, despises.
When from the vulgar, taking glorious bound,
Vp to the Mountaine, where the Muse is crownd;
He sits and laughs, to see the iaded Rabble,
Toile to his hard heights, t'all accesse vnable. &c.
Cups that repaire Age, sad and ruinous;
And giues it Built, of an eternall stand,
With his all-sinewie Odyssæan hand.
Shifts Time, and Fate; puts Death in Lifes free state;
And Life doth into Ages propagate.
He doth in Men, the Gods affects inflame;
His fuell Vertue, blowne by Praise and Fame:
And with the high soules, first impulsions driuen,
Breakes through rude Chaos, Earth, the Seas, and Heauen.
The Nerues of all things hid in Nature, lie
Naked before him; all their Harmonie
Tun'd to his Accents; that in Beasts breathe Minds.
What Fowles, what Floods, what Earth, what Aire, what Winds,
What fires Æthereall; what the Gods conclude
In all their Counsels, his Muse makes indude
With varied voices, that euen rockes haue mou'd.
And yet for all this, (naked Vertue lou'd)
Honors without her, he, as abiect, prises;
And foolish Fame, deriu'd from thence, despises.
When from the vulgar, taking glorious bound,
Vp to the Mountaine, where the Muse is crownd;
Toile to his hard heights, t'all accesse vnable. &c.
And that your Lordship may in his Face, take view of his Mind: the first word of his Iliads, is μηνιν. wrath: the first word of his Odysses, ανδρα, Man: contracting in either word, his each workes Proposition. In one, Predominant Perturbation; in the other, ouer-ruling Wisedome: in one, the Bodies feruour and fashion of outward Fortitude, to all possible height of Heroicall Action; in the other, the Minds inward, constant, and vnconquerd Empire; vnbroken, vnalterd, with any most insolent, and tyrannous infliction. To many most soueraigne praises is this Poeme entitled; but to that Grace in chiefe, which sets on the Crowne, both of Poets and Orators; το τα μικρα, μεγαλως; και τα κοινα καινως: that is, Parua magnè dicere; peruulgata nouè; ieiuna plenè: To speake things litle, greatly; things commune, rarely; things barren and emptie, fruitfully and fully. The returne of a man into his Countrie, is his whole scope and obiect; which, in it selfe, your Lordship may well say, is ieiune and fruitlesse enough; affoording nothing feastfull, nothing magnificent. And yet euen this, doth the diuine inspiration, render vast, illustrous, and of miraculous composure. And for this (my Lord) is this Poeme preferred to his Iliads: for therein much magnificence, both of person and action, giues great aide to his industrie; but in this, are these helpes, exceeding sparing, or nothing; and yet is the Structure so elaborate, and pompous, that the poore plaine Ground worke (considered together) may seeme the naturally rich wombe to it, and produce it needfully. Much wonderd at therefore, is the Censure of Dionysius Longimus (a man otherwise affirmed, graue, and of elegant iudgement) comparing Homer in his Iliads, to the Sunne rising; in his Odysses, to his descent or setting. Or to the Ocean robd of his æsture; many tributorie flouds and riuers of excellent ornament, withheld from their obseruance. When this his worke so farre exceeds the Ocean, with all his Court and concourse; that all his Sea, is onely a seruiceable streame to it. Nor can it be compared to any One power to be named in nature; being an entirely wel-sorted and digested Confluence of all. Where the most solide and graue, is made as nimble and fluent, as the most airie and firie; the nimble and fluent, as firme and well bounded as the most graue and solid. And (taking all together) of so tender impression, and of such Command to the voice of the Muse; that they knocke heauen with her breath, and discouer their foundations as low as hell. Nor is this all-comprising Poesie, phantastique,
Such men, as sideling ride the ambling Muse;
Whose saddle is as frequent as the stuse.
Whose Raptures are in euery Pageant seene;
In euery Wassall rime, and Dancing greene:
When he that writes by any beame of Truth,
Must diue as deepe as he; past shallow youth.
Truth dwels in Gulphs, whose Deepes hide shades so rich,
That Night sits muffl'd there, in clouds of pitch:
More Darke then Nature made her; and requires
(To cleare her tough mists) Heauens great fire of fires;
To whom, the Sunne it selfe is but a Beame.
For sicke soules then (but rapt in foolish Dreame)
To wrestle with these Heau'n-strong mysteries;
What madnesse is it? when their light, serues eies
That are not worldly, in their least aspect;
But truly pure, and aime at Heauen, direct.
Yet these, none like; but what the brazen head
Blatters abroad; no sooner borne, but dead.
Whose saddle is as frequent as the stuse.
Whose Raptures are in euery Pageant seene;
In euery Wassall rime, and Dancing greene:
When he that writes by any beame of Truth,
Must diue as deepe as he; past shallow youth.
Truth dwels in Gulphs, whose Deepes hide shades so rich,
That Night sits muffl'd there, in clouds of pitch:
More Darke then Nature made her; and requires
(To cleare her tough mists) Heauens great fire of fires;
To whom, the Sunne it selfe is but a Beame.
For sicke soules then (but rapt in foolish Dreame)
To wrestle with these Heau'n-strong mysteries;
What madnesse is it? when their light, serues eies
That are not worldly, in their least aspect;
But truly pure, and aime at Heauen, direct.
Yet these, none like; but what the brazen head
Blatters abroad; no sooner borne, but dead.
Holding then in eternal contempt (my Lord) those short-liued Bubbles; eternize your vertue and iudgement with the Grecian Monark; esteeming, not as the least of your New-yeares Presents,
Homer (three thousand yeares dead) now reuiu'd,
Euen from that dull Death, that in life he liu'd;
When none conceited him; none vnderstood,
That so much life, in so much death as blood
Conueys about it, could mixe. But when Death
Drunke vp the bloudie Mist, that humane breath
Pour'd round about him (Pouertie and Spight,
Thickning the haplesse vapor) then Truths light
Glimmerd about his Poeme: the pincht soule,
(Amidst the Mysteries it did enroule)
Brake powrefully abroad. And as we see
The Sunne all hid in clouds, at length'got free,
Through some forc't couert, ouer all the wayes,
Neare and beneath him, shootes his vented rayes
Farre off, and stickes them in some litle Glade;
All woods, fields, riuers, left besides in shade:
So your Apollo, from that world of light,
Closde in his Poems bodie; shot to sight
Some few forc't Beames; which neare him, were not seene,
(As in his life or countrie) Fate and Spleene,
Clouding their radiance; which when Death had clear'd;
To farre off Regions, his free beames appear'd:
In which, all stood and wonderd; striuing which,
His Birth and Rapture, should in right enrich.
Euen from that dull Death, that in life he liu'd;
When none conceited him; none vnderstood,
That so much life, in so much death as blood
Conueys about it, could mixe. But when Death
Drunke vp the bloudie Mist, that humane breath
Pour'd round about him (Pouertie and Spight,
Thickning the haplesse vapor) then Truths light
Glimmerd about his Poeme: the pincht soule,
Brake powrefully abroad. And as we see
The Sunne all hid in clouds, at length'got free,
Through some forc't couert, ouer all the wayes,
Neare and beneath him, shootes his vented rayes
Farre off, and stickes them in some litle Glade;
All woods, fields, riuers, left besides in shade:
So your Apollo, from that world of light,
Closde in his Poems bodie; shot to sight
Some few forc't Beames; which neare him, were not seene,
(As in his life or countrie) Fate and Spleene,
Clouding their radiance; which when Death had clear'd;
To farre off Regions, his free beames appear'd:
In which, all stood and wonderd; striuing which,
His Birth and Rapture, should in right enrich.
Twelue Labours of your Thespian Hercules,
I now present your Lordship: Do but please
To lend Life meanes, till th' other Twelue receaue
Equall atchieuement; and let Death then reaue
My life now lost in our Patrician Loues,
That knocke heads with the herd: in whom there moues
One blood, one soule: both drownd in one set height
Of stupid Enuie, and meere popular Spight.
Whose loues, with no good, did my least veine fill;
And from their hates, I feare as little ill.
Their Bounties nourish not, when most they feed,
But where there is no Merit, or no Need:
Raine into riuers still; and are such showres,
As bubbles spring, and ouerflow the flowres.
Their worse parts, and worst men, their Best subornes,
Like winter Cowes, whose milke runnes to their hornes.
And as litigious Clients bookes of Law,
Cost infinitely; taste of all the Awe,
Bencht in our kingdomes Policie, Pietie, State;
Earne all their deepe explorings; satiate
All sorts there thrust together by the heart,
With thirst of wisedome, spent on either part:
Horrid examples made of Life and Death,
From their fine stuffe wouen: yet when once the breath
Of sentence leaues them, all their worth is drawne
As drie as dust; and weares like Cobweb Lawne:
So these men set a price vpon their worth,
That no man giues, but those that trot it forth,
Through Needs foule wayes; feed Humors, with all cost,
Though Iudgement sterues in them: Rout: State engrost
(At all Tabacco benches, solemne Tables,
Where all that crosse their Enuies, are their fables)
In their ranke faction: Shame, and Death approu'd
Fit Penance for their Opposites: none lou'd
But those that rub them: not a Reason heard,
That doth not sooth and glorifie their preferd
Bitter Opinions. When, would Truth resume
The cause to his hands; all would flie in fume
Before his sentence; since the innocent mind,
Iust God makes good; to whom their worst is wind.
For, that I freely all my Thoughts expresse,
My Conscience is my Thousand witnesses:
And to this stay, my constant Comforts vow;
You for the world I haue, or God for you.
I now present your Lordship: Do but please
To lend Life meanes, till th' other Twelue receaue
Equall atchieuement; and let Death then reaue
My life now lost in our Patrician Loues,
That knocke heads with the herd: in whom there moues
One blood, one soule: both drownd in one set height
Of stupid Enuie, and meere popular Spight.
Whose loues, with no good, did my least veine fill;
And from their hates, I feare as little ill.
Their Bounties nourish not, when most they feed,
But where there is no Merit, or no Need:
Raine into riuers still; and are such showres,
As bubbles spring, and ouerflow the flowres.
Their worse parts, and worst men, their Best subornes,
Like winter Cowes, whose milke runnes to their hornes.
And as litigious Clients bookes of Law,
Cost infinitely; taste of all the Awe,
Bencht in our kingdomes Policie, Pietie, State;
Earne all their deepe explorings; satiate
All sorts there thrust together by the heart,
With thirst of wisedome, spent on either part:
From their fine stuffe wouen: yet when once the breath
Of sentence leaues them, all their worth is drawne
As drie as dust; and weares like Cobweb Lawne:
So these men set a price vpon their worth,
That no man giues, but those that trot it forth,
Through Needs foule wayes; feed Humors, with all cost,
Though Iudgement sterues in them: Rout: State engrost
(At all Tabacco benches, solemne Tables,
Where all that crosse their Enuies, are their fables)
In their ranke faction: Shame, and Death approu'd
Fit Penance for their Opposites: none lou'd
But those that rub them: not a Reason heard,
That doth not sooth and glorifie their preferd
Bitter Opinions. When, would Truth resume
The cause to his hands; all would flie in fume
Before his sentence; since the innocent mind,
Iust God makes good; to whom their worst is wind.
For, that I freely all my Thoughts expresse,
My Conscience is my Thousand witnesses:
And to this stay, my constant Comforts vow;
You for the world I haue, or God for you.
Certaine ancient Greeke Epigrammes
Translated.
[All starres are drunke vp by the firie Sunne]
All starres are drunke vp by the firie Sunne;And in so much a flame, lies shrunke the Moone::
Homers all-liu'd Name, all Names leaues in Death;
Whose splendor onely, Muses Bosomes breath.
Another.
[Heau'ns fires shall first fall darkn'd from his Sphere]
Heau'ns fires shall first fall darkn'd from his Sphere;Graue Night, the light weed of the Day shall weare:
Fresh streames shall chace the Sea; tough Plowes shall teare
Her fishie bottomes: Men, in long date dead,
Shall rise, and liue; before Obliuion shed
Those still-greene leaues, that crowne great Homers head.
Another.
[The great Mæonides doth onely write]
The great Mæonides doth onely write;And to him dictates, the great God of Light.
Another.
[Seuen kingdomes stroue, in which should swell the wombe]
Seuen kingdomes stroue, in which should swell the wombeThat bore great Homer; whom Fame freed from Tombe:
Argos, Chius, Pylos, Smyrna, Colophone;
The learn'd Athenian, and Vlyssean Throne.
Another.
[Art thou of Chius? No. Of Salamine?]
Art thou of Chius? No. Of Salamine?As little. Was the Smyrnean Countrie thine?
Nor so. Which then? Was Cumas? Colophone?
Nor one, nor other. Art thou then of none,
That Fame proclames thee? None. Thy Reason call:
If I confesse of one, I anger all.
1
THE ODYSSES OF HOMER
THE FIRST BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
The Gods in counsaile sit, to callVlysses from Calypso's thrall;
And order their high pleasures, thus;
Gray Pallas, to Telemachus
(In Ithaca) her way addrest;
And did her heauenly lims inuest
In Menta's likenesse; that did raigne
King of the Taphians (in the Maine,
Whose rough waues neare Leucadia runne)
Aduising wise Vlysses sonne
To seeke his father; and addresse
His course to yong Tantalides
That gouern'd Sparta. Thus much said,
She shewd she was Heau'ns martiall Maid,
And vanisht from him. Next to this,
The Banquet of the wooers is.
Another.
The Deities sit;The Man retir'd:
Th' Ulyssean wit,
By Pallas fir'd.
The Man (O Muse) informe, that many a way,
Wound with his wisedome to his wished stay.
That wanderd wondrous farre, when, He, the towne
Of sacred Troy, had sackt, and shiuerd downe.
The cities of a world of nations,
With all their manners, mindes, and fashions
He saw and knew. At Sea felt many woes;
Much care sustaind, to saue from ouerthrowes
Himselfe, and friends, in their retreate for home.
But so, their fates, he could not ouercome,
Though much he thirsted it. O men vnwise,
They perisht by their owne impieties,
That in their hungers rapine would not shunne
The Oxen of the loftie-going Sunne:
Who therefore from their eyes, the day bereft
Of safe returne. These acts in some part left,
Tell vs, as others, deified seed of Ioue.
Wound with his wisedome to his wished stay.
The information or fashion of an absolute man; and necessarie (or fatal) passage through many afflictions (according with the most sacred Letter) to his naturall hauen and countrey; is the whole argument, and scope of this inimitable, and miraculous Poeme. And therefore is the epithete πολυτροπον giuen him in the first verse: πολυτροπος signifying, Homo cuius ingenium velut per multas, & varias vias, vertitur in veram.
That wanderd wondrous farre, when, He, the towne
Of sacred Troy, had sackt, and shiuerd downe.
The cities of a world of nations,
With all their manners, mindes, and fashions
He saw and knew. At Sea felt many woes;
Much care sustaind, to saue from ouerthrowes
Himselfe, and friends, in their retreate for home.
But so, their fates, he could not ouercome,
Though much he thirsted it. O men vnwise,
They perisht by their owne impieties,
That in their hungers rapine would not shunne
The Oxen of the loftie-going Sunne:
2
Of safe returne. These acts in some part left,
Tell vs, as others, deified seed of Ioue.
Now all the rest that austere Death out-stroue
At Troys long siege, at home safe anchor'd are,
Free from the malice both of sea and warre;
Onely Vlysses is denide accesse
To wife and home. The Grace of Goddesses
The reuerend Nymph Calypso did detaine
Him in her Caues: past all the race of men,
Enflam'd to make him her lou'd Lord and Spouse.
And when the Gods had destin'd that his house,
Which Ithaca on her rough bosome beares,
(The point of time wrought out by ambient yeares)
Should be his hauen; Contention still extends
Her enuie to him, euen amongst his friends.
All Gods tooke pitie on him: onely he
That girds Earth in the cincture of the sea,
Diuine Vlysses euer did enuie,
And made the fixt port of his birth to flie.
At Troys long siege, at home safe anchor'd are,
Free from the malice both of sea and warre;
Onely Vlysses is denide accesse
To wife and home. The Grace of Goddesses
The reuerend Nymph Calypso did detaine
Him in her Caues: past all the race of men,
Enflam'd to make him her lou'd Lord and Spouse.
And when the Gods had destin'd that his house,
Which Ithaca on her rough bosome beares,
(The point of time wrought out by ambient yeares)
Should be his hauen; Contention still extends
Her enuie to him, euen amongst his friends.
All Gods tooke pitie on him: onely he
That girds Earth in the cincture of the sea,
Diuine Vlysses euer did enuie,
And made the fixt port of his birth to flie.
But he himselfe solemniz'd a retreate
To th' Æthiops, farre dissunderd in their seate;
(In two parts parted; at the Sunnes descent,
And vnderneath his golden Orient,
The first and last of men) t'enioy their feast
Of buls and lambes, in Hecatombs addrest:
At which he sat, giuen ouer to Delight.
To th' Æthiops, farre dissunderd in their seate;
(In two parts parted; at the Sunnes descent,
And vnderneath his golden Orient,
The first and last of men) t'enioy their feast
Of buls and lambes, in Hecatombs addrest:
At which he sat, giuen ouer to Delight.
The other Gods, in heauens supreamest height
Were all in Councell met: To whom began
The mightie Father, both of God and man,
Discourse, inducing matter, that inclin'd
To wise Vlysses; calling to his mind
Faultfull Ægisthus, who to death was done,
By yong Orestes, Agamemnons sonne.
His memorie to the Immortals then,
Mou'd Ioue thus deeply: O how falsly, men
Accuse vs Gods, as authors of their ill,
When, by the bane their owne bad liues instill,
They suffer all the miseries of their states,
Past our inflictions, and beyond their fates.
As now Ægisthus, past his fate, did wed
The wife of Agamemnon; and (in dread
To suffer death himselfe) to shunne his ill,
Incurr'd it by the loose bent of his will,
In slaughtering Atrides in retreate.
Which, we foretold him, would so hardly set
To his murtherous purpose; sending Mercurie
(That slaughterd Argus) our considerate spie,
To giue him this charge: Do not wed his wife,
Nor murther him; for thou shalt buy his life,
With ransome of thine owne; imposde on thee
By his Orestes; when, in him shall be
Atrides selfe renewd; and but the prime
Of youths spring put abroad; in thirst to clime
His haughtie Fathers throne, by his high acts.
These words of Hermes, wrought not into facts
Ægisthus powres; good counsell he despisde,
And to that Good, his ill is sacrifisde.
Were all in Councell met: To whom began
The mightie Father, both of God and man,
Discourse, inducing matter, that inclin'd
To wise Vlysses; calling to his mind
These notes following, I am inforced to insert, (since the word they containe, differ from all other translations) lest I be thought to erre, out of that ignorance, that may perhaps possesse my deprauer. αμυμονος translated in this place inculpabilis; and made the epithete of Ægisthus; is from the true sence of the word, as it is here to be vnderstood: which is quite contrary. As αντιθεος is to be expounded in some place Diuinus, or Deo similis; but in another (soone after) contrarius Deo. The person to whom the Epithete is giuen, giuing reason to distinguish it. And so ολοφρων, an Epithete giuen to Atlas, instantly following, in one place signifies Mente perniciosus: in the next, qui vniuersa mente gerit.
By yong Orestes, Agamemnons sonne.
His memorie to the Immortals then,
Mou'd Ioue thus deeply: O how falsly, men
Accuse vs Gods, as authors of their ill,
When, by the bane their owne bad liues instill,
They suffer all the miseries of their states,
Past our inflictions, and beyond their fates.
As now Ægisthus, past his fate, did wed
The wife of Agamemnon; and (in dread
To suffer death himselfe) to shunne his ill,
Incurr'd it by the loose bent of his will,
In slaughtering Atrides in retreate.
Which, we foretold him, would so hardly set
3
(That slaughterd Argus) our considerate spie,
To giue him this charge: Do not wed his wife,
Nor murther him; for thou shalt buy his life,
With ransome of thine owne; imposde on thee
By his Orestes; when, in him shall be
Atrides selfe renewd; and but the prime
Of youths spring put abroad; in thirst to clime
His haughtie Fathers throne, by his high acts.
These words of Hermes, wrought not into facts
Ægisthus powres; good counsell he despisde,
And to that Good, his ill is sacrifisde.
Pallas (whose eyes did sparkle like the skies)
Answerd: O Sire! supreame of Deities;
Ægisthus past his Fate, and had desert
To warrant our infliction; and conuert
May all the paines, such impious men inflict
On innocent sufferers; to reuenge as strict,
Their owne hearts eating. But, that Ithacus
(Thus neuer meriting) should suffer thus;
I deeply suffer. His more pious mind
Diuides him from these fortunes. Though vnkind
I, Pietie to him, giuing him a fate,
More suffering then the most infortunate;
So long kept friendlesse, in a sea-girt soile,
Where the seas nauile is a syluarie Ile,
In which the Goddesse dwels, that doth deriue
Her birth from Atlas; who, of all aliue,
The motion and the fashion doth command,
With his wise mind, whose forces vnderstand
The inmost deepes and gulfes of all the seas:
Who (for his skill of things superiour) stayes
The two steepe Columnes that prop earth and heauen.
His daughter tis, who holds this homelesse-driuen,
Still mourning with her. Euermore profuse
Of soft and winning speeches; that abuse
And make so
languishingly, and possest
With so remisse a mind; her loued guest
Manage the action of his way for home.
Where he (though in affection ouercome)
In iudgement yet; more longs to shew his hopes,
His countries smoke leape from her chimney tops,
And death askes in her armes. Yet neuer shall
Thy lou'd heart be conuerted on his thrall,
(Austere Olympius:) did not euer he,
In ample Troy, thy altars gratifie?
And Grecians Fleete make in thy offerings swim?
O Ioue, why still then burnes thy wrath to him?
Answerd: O Sire! supreame of Deities;
Ægisthus past his Fate, and had desert
To warrant our infliction; and conuert
May all the paines, such impious men inflict
On innocent sufferers; to reuenge as strict,
Their owne hearts eating. But, that Ithacus
(Thus neuer meriting) should suffer thus;
I deeply suffer. His more pious mind
Diuides him from these fortunes. Though vnkind
I, Pietie to him, giuing him a fate,
More suffering then the most infortunate;
So long kept friendlesse, in a sea-girt soile,
Where the seas nauile is a syluarie Ile,
In which the Goddesse dwels, that doth deriue
Her birth from Atlas; who, of all aliue,
The motion and the fashion doth command,
With his wise mind, whose forces vnderstand
The inmost deepes and gulfes of all the seas:
Who (for his skill of things superiour) stayes
The two steepe Columnes that prop earth and heauen.
His daughter tis, who holds this homelesse-driuen,
Still mourning with her. Euermore profuse
Of soft and winning speeches; that abuse
And make so
This is thus translated, the rather to expresse and approue the Allegorie driuen through the whole Odysses. Deciphering the intangling of the wisest in his affections: and the torments that breede in euery pious minde: to be thereby hindred to arriue so directly as he desires, at the proper and onely true naturall countrie of euery worthy man, whose hauen is heauen and the next life, to which, this life is but a sea, in continuall æsture and vexation. The words occasioning all this, are μαλακοις, λογοις: signifying, qui languide, & animo remisso rem aliquam gerit: which being the effect of Calypsos sweete words in Vlysses, is here applied passiuely to his owne sufferance of their operation.
With so remisse a mind; her loued guest
Manage the action of his way for home.
Where he (though in affection ouercome)
In iudgement yet; more longs to shew his hopes,
His countries smoke leape from her chimney tops,
4
Thy lou'd heart be conuerted on his thrall,
(Austere Olympius:) did not euer he,
In ample Troy, thy altars gratifie?
And Grecians Fleete make in thy offerings swim?
O Ioue, why still then burnes thy wrath to him?
The Cloud-assembler answerd: What words flie
(Bold daughter) from thy Pale of
Ivorie?
As if I euer could cast from my care
Diuine Vlysses, who exceeds so farre
All men in wisedome? and so oft hath giuen
To all th' Immortals thron'd in ample heauen,
So great and sacred gifts? But his decrees,
That holds the earth in with his nimble knees,
Stand to Vlysses longings so extreme,
For taking from the God-foe Polypheme
His onely eye; a Cyclop, that excell'd
All other Cyclops: with whose burthen swell'd
The Nymph Thoosa; the diuine increase
Of Phorcis seed, a great God of the seas.
She mixt with Neptune in his hollow caues,
And bore this Cyclop to that God of waues.
For whose lost eye, th' Earth-shaker did not kill
Erring Vlysses; but reserues him still
In life for more death. But vse we our powres,
And round about vs cast these cares of ours,
All to discouer how we may preferre
His wisht retreate; and Neptune make forbeare
His sterne eye to him: since no one God can
In spite of all, preuaile, but gainst a man.
(Bold daughter) from thy Pale of
ερκος οδοντων vid. vallum or claustrum dentium: which, for the better sound in our language, is here turned, Pale of Ivorie. The teeth being that rampier or pale, giuen vs by nature in that part, for restraint and compression of our speech, till the imagination, appetite and soule (that ought to rule in their examination, before their deliuerie) haue giuen worthy passe to them. The most graue and diuine Port, teaching therein, that not so much for the necessarie chewing of our sustenance, our teeth are giuen vs, as for their stay of our words, lest we vtter them rashly.
As if I euer could cast from my care
Diuine Vlysses, who exceeds so farre
All men in wisedome? and so oft hath giuen
To all th' Immortals thron'd in ample heauen,
So great and sacred gifts? But his decrees,
That holds the earth in with his nimble knees,
Stand to Vlysses longings so extreme,
For taking from the God-foe Polypheme
His onely eye; a Cyclop, that excell'd
All other Cyclops: with whose burthen swell'd
The Nymph Thoosa; the diuine increase
Of Phorcis seed, a great God of the seas.
She mixt with Neptune in his hollow caues,
And bore this Cyclop to that God of waues.
For whose lost eye, th' Earth-shaker did not kill
Erring Vlysses; but reserues him still
In life for more death. But vse we our powres,
And round about vs cast these cares of ours,
All to discouer how we may preferre
His wisht retreate; and Neptune make forbeare
His sterne eye to him: since no one God can
In spite of all, preuaile, but gainst a man.
To this, this answer made the gray-eyd Maide:
Supreame of rulers, since so well apaide
The blessed Gods are all then, now, in thee
To limit wise Vlysses miserie;
And that you speake, as you referd to me
Prescription for the meanes; in this sort be
Their sacred order: let vs now addresse
With vtmost speed, our swift Argicides,
To tell the Nymph that beares the golden Tresse
In th' ile Ogygia, that tis our will
She should not stay our lou'd Vlysses still;
But suffer his returne: and then will I
To Ithaca, to make his sonne apply
His Sires inquest the more; infusing force
Into his soule, to summon the concourse
Of curld-head Greekes to counsaile: and deterre
Each wooer that hath bene the slaughterer
Of his fat sheepe and crooked-headed beeues,
From more wrong to his mother; and their leaues
Take in such termes, as fit deserts so great.
To Sparta then, and Pylos, where doth beate
Bright Amathus, the flood and epithete
To all that kingdome; my aduice shall send
The spirit-aduanc'd Prince, to the pious end
Of seeking his lost father; if he may
Receiue report from Fame, where rests his stay;
And make, besides, his owne successiue worth,
Knowne to the world; and set in action forth.
Supreame of rulers, since so well apaide
The blessed Gods are all then, now, in thee
To limit wise Vlysses miserie;
And that you speake, as you referd to me
Prescription for the meanes; in this sort be
Their sacred order: let vs now addresse
With vtmost speed, our swift Argicides,
To tell the Nymph that beares the golden Tresse
In th' ile Ogygia, that tis our will
She should not stay our lou'd Vlysses still;
But suffer his returne: and then will I
To Ithaca, to make his sonne apply
His Sires inquest the more; infusing force
Into his soule, to summon the concourse
Of curld-head Greekes to counsaile: and deterre
Each wooer that hath bene the slaughterer
Of his fat sheepe and crooked-headed beeues,
5
Take in such termes, as fit deserts so great.
To Sparta then, and Pylos, where doth beate
Bright Amathus, the flood and epithete
To all that kingdome; my aduice shall send
The spirit-aduanc'd Prince, to the pious end
Of seeking his lost father; if he may
Receiue report from Fame, where rests his stay;
And make, besides, his owne successiue worth,
Knowne to the world; and set in action forth.
This said, her wingd shooes to her feete she tied,
Formd all of gold, and all eternified;
That on the round earth, or the sea, sustaind
Her rauisht substance, swift as gusts of wind.
Then tooke she her strong Lance, with steele made keene,
Great, massie, actiue, that whole hoasts of men
(Though all Heroes) conquers; if her ire
Their wrongs inflame, backt by so great a Sire.
Downe from Olympus tops, she headlong diu'd;
And swift as thought, in Ithaca arriu'd,
Close at Vlysses gates; in whose first court,
She made her stand; and for her breasts support,
Leand on her iron Lance: her forme imprest
With Mentas likenesse, come, as being a guest.
There found she those proud wooers, that were then
Set on those Oxe-hides that themselues had slaine,
Before the gates; and all at dice were playing.
To them the heralds, and the rest obaying,
Fill'd wine and water; some, still as they plaid;
And some, for solemne suppers state, puruaid;
With porous sponges, clensing tables, seru'd
With much rich feast; of which to all they keru'd.
Formd all of gold, and all eternified;
That on the round earth, or the sea, sustaind
Her rauisht substance, swift as gusts of wind.
Then tooke she her strong Lance, with steele made keene,
Great, massie, actiue, that whole hoasts of men
(Though all Heroes) conquers; if her ire
Their wrongs inflame, backt by so great a Sire.
Downe from Olympus tops, she headlong diu'd;
And swift as thought, in Ithaca arriu'd,
Close at Vlysses gates; in whose first court,
She made her stand; and for her breasts support,
Leand on her iron Lance: her forme imprest
With Mentas likenesse, come, as being a guest.
There found she those proud wooers, that were then
Set on those Oxe-hides that themselues had slaine,
Before the gates; and all at dice were playing.
To them the heralds, and the rest obaying,
Fill'd wine and water; some, still as they plaid;
And some, for solemne suppers state, puruaid;
With porous sponges, clensing tables, seru'd
With much rich feast; of which to all they keru'd.
God-like Telemachus, amongst them sat,
Grieu'd much in mind; and in his heart begat
All representment of his absent Sire;
How (come from far-off parts) his spirits would fire
With those proud wooers sight, with slaughter parting
Their bold concourse; and to himselfe conuerting
The honors they vsurpt, his owne commanding.
Grieu'd much in mind; and in his heart begat
All representment of his absent Sire;
How (come from far-off parts) his spirits would fire
With those proud wooers sight, with slaughter parting
Their bold concourse; and to himselfe conuerting
The honors they vsurpt, his owne commanding.
In this discourse, he, first, saw Pallas standing
Vnbidden entrie: vp rose, and addrest
His pace right to her; angrie that a guest
Should stand so long at gate: and coming neare,
Her right hand tooke; tooke in his owne, her speare;
And thus saluted: Grace to your repaire,
(Faire guest) your welcome shall be likewise faire.
Enter, and (chear'd with feast) disclose th' intent
That causde your coming. This said; first he wept,
And Pallas followd. To a roome they came,
Steepe, and of state; the Iauelin of the Dame,
He set against a pillar, vast and hie,
Amidst a large and bright-kept Armorie,
Which was, besides, with woods of Lances grac'd,
Of his graue fathers. In a throne, he plac'd
The man-turnd Goddesse; vnder which was spred
A Carpet, rich, and of deuicefull thred;
A footstoole staying her feete; and by her chaire,
Another seate (all garnisht wondrous faire,
To rest, or sleepe on in the day) he set
Farre from the prease of wooers; lest at meate
The noise they still made, might offend his guest,
Disturbing him at banquet or at rest,
Euen to his combat, with that pride of theirs,
That kept no noble forme in their affaires.
And these he set farre from them, much the rather
To question freely of his absent father.
Vnbidden entrie: vp rose, and addrest
His pace right to her; angrie that a guest
Should stand so long at gate: and coming neare,
Her right hand tooke; tooke in his owne, her speare;
And thus saluted: Grace to your repaire,
(Faire guest) your welcome shall be likewise faire.
Enter, and (chear'd with feast) disclose th' intent
That causde your coming. This said; first he wept,
6
Steepe, and of state; the Iauelin of the Dame,
He set against a pillar, vast and hie,
Amidst a large and bright-kept Armorie,
Which was, besides, with woods of Lances grac'd,
Of his graue fathers. In a throne, he plac'd
The man-turnd Goddesse; vnder which was spred
A Carpet, rich, and of deuicefull thred;
A footstoole staying her feete; and by her chaire,
Another seate (all garnisht wondrous faire,
To rest, or sleepe on in the day) he set
Farre from the prease of wooers; lest at meate
The noise they still made, might offend his guest,
Disturbing him at banquet or at rest,
Euen to his combat, with that pride of theirs,
That kept no noble forme in their affaires.
And these he set farre from them, much the rather
To question freely of his absent father.
A Table fairely polisht then, was spread,
On which a reuerend officer set bread;
And other seruitors, all sorts of meate,
(Salads, and flesh, such as their haste could get)
Seru'd with obseruance in. And then the Sewre,
Prowr'd water from a great and golden Ewre,
That from their hands t'a silver Caldron ran;
Both washt, and seated close; the voicefull man
Fetcht cups of gold, and set by them; and round
Those cups with wine, with all endeuour crownd.
On which a reuerend officer set bread;
And other seruitors, all sorts of meate,
(Salads, and flesh, such as their haste could get)
Seru'd with obseruance in. And then the Sewre,
Prowr'd water from a great and golden Ewre,
That from their hands t'a silver Caldron ran;
Both washt, and seated close; the voicefull man
Fetcht cups of gold, and set by them; and round
Those cups with wine, with all endeuour crownd.
Then rusht in the rude wooers; themselues plac't;
The heralds water gaue; the maids in haste
Seru'd bread from baskets. When, of all prepar'd,
And set before them; the bold wooers shar'd;
Their Pages plying their cups, past the rest.
But lustie wooers must do more then feast;
For now (their hungers and their thirsts allaid)
They call'd for songs, and Dances. Those, they said,
Were th' ornaments of feast. The herald strait
A Harpe, caru'd full of artificiall sleight,
Thrust into Phemius (a learnd singers) hand,
Who, till he much was vrg'd, on termes did stand;
But after, plaid and sung with all his art.
The heralds water gaue; the maids in haste
Seru'd bread from baskets. When, of all prepar'd,
And set before them; the bold wooers shar'd;
Their Pages plying their cups, past the rest.
But lustie wooers must do more then feast;
For now (their hungers and their thirsts allaid)
They call'd for songs, and Dances. Those, they said,
Were th' ornaments of feast. The herald strait
A Harpe, caru'd full of artificiall sleight,
Thrust into Phemius (a learnd singers) hand,
Who, till he much was vrg'd, on termes did stand;
But after, plaid and sung with all his art.
Telemachus, to Pallas then (apart,
His eare inclining close, that none might heare)
In this sort said: My Guest, exceeding deare,
Will you not sit incenst, with what I say?
These are the cares these men take; feast and play:
Which easly they may vse, because they eate,
Free, and vnpunisht, of anothers meate.
And of a mans, whose white bones wasting lie
In some farre region, with th' incessancie
Of showres powr'd downe vpon them; lying ashore;
Or in the seas washt nak'd. Who, if he wore
Those bones with flesh, and life, and industrie;
And these, might here in Ithaca, set eye
On him returnd; they all would wish to be,
Either past other, in celeritie
Of feete and knees; and not contend t'exceed
In golden garments. But his vertues feed
The fate of ill death: nor is left to me
The least hope of his lifes recouerie;
No not, if any of the mortall race
Should tell me his returne; the chearfull face
Of his returnd day, neuer will appeare.
But tell me; and let Truth, your witnesse beare;
Who? and from whence you are? what cities birth?
What parents? In what vessell set you forth?
And with what mariners arriu'd you here?
I cannot thinke you a foote passenger.
Recount then to me all; to teach me well,
Fit vsage for your worth. And if it fell
In chance now first that you thus see vs here,
Or that in former passages you were
My fathers guest? For many men haue bene
Guests to my father. Studious of men,
His sociable nature euer was.
On him againe, the grey-eyd Maide did passe
This kind reply; Ile answer passing true,
All thou hast askt: My birth, his honour drew
From wise Anchialus. The name I beare,
Is Mentas, the commanding Ilander
Of all the Taphians, studious in the art
Of Nauigation. Hauing toucht this part
With ship and men; of purpose to maintaine
Course through the darke seas, t'other languag'd men.
And Temesis sustaines the cities name,
For which my ship is bound; made knowne by fame,
For rich in brasse; which my occasions need;
And therefore bring I shining steele in steed,
Which their vse wants; yet makes my vessels freight;
That neare a plowd field, rides at anchors weight,
Apart this citie, in the harbor calld
Rethrus, whose waues, with Neius woods are walld.
Thy Sire and I, were euer mutuall guests,
At eithers house, still interchanging feasts.
I glorie in it. Aske, when thou shalt see
Laertes, th' old Heroe, these of mee,
From the beginning. He, men say, no more
Visits the Citie; but will needs deplore
His sonnes beleeu'd losse, in a priuate field;
One old maide onely, at his hands to yeeld
Foode to his life, as oft as labour makes
His old limbs faint; which though he creepes, he takes
Along a fruitfull plaine, set all with vines,
Which, husbandman-like (though a King) he proines.
But now I come to be thy fathers guest;
I heare he wanders, while these wooers feast.
And (as th' Immortals prompt me at this houre)
Ile tell thee, out of a prophetique powre,
(Not as profest a Prophet, not cleare seene
At all times, what shall after chance to men)
What I conceiue, for this time, will be true:
The Gods inflictions keepe your Sire from you.
Diuine Vlysses, yet, abides not dead
Aboue earth, nor beneath; nor buried
In any seas, (as you did late conceiue)
But, with the broad sea sieg'd, is kept aliue
Within an Ile, by rude and vp-land men,
That in his spite, his passage home detaine.
Yet long it shall not be, before he tred
His countries deare earth; though solicited.
And held from his returne, with iron chaines.
For he hath wit to forge a world of traines,
And will, of all, be sure to make good one,
For his returne, so much relide vpon.
But tell me, and be true: Art thou indeed
So much a sonne, as to be said the seed
Of Ithacus himselfe? Exceeding much
Thy forehead and faire eyes, at his forme touch:
For oftentimes we met, as you and I
Meete at this houre; before he did apply
His powres for Troy. When other Grecian States,
In hollow ships were his associates.
But since that time, mine eyes could neuer see
Renowmd Vlysses; nor met his with me.
His eare inclining close, that none might heare)
In this sort said: My Guest, exceeding deare,
Will you not sit incenst, with what I say?
These are the cares these men take; feast and play:
Which easly they may vse, because they eate,
Free, and vnpunisht, of anothers meate.
7
In some farre region, with th' incessancie
Of showres powr'd downe vpon them; lying ashore;
Or in the seas washt nak'd. Who, if he wore
Those bones with flesh, and life, and industrie;
And these, might here in Ithaca, set eye
On him returnd; they all would wish to be,
Either past other, in celeritie
Of feete and knees; and not contend t'exceed
In golden garments. But his vertues feed
The fate of ill death: nor is left to me
The least hope of his lifes recouerie;
No not, if any of the mortall race
Should tell me his returne; the chearfull face
Of his returnd day, neuer will appeare.
But tell me; and let Truth, your witnesse beare;
Who? and from whence you are? what cities birth?
What parents? In what vessell set you forth?
And with what mariners arriu'd you here?
I cannot thinke you a foote passenger.
Recount then to me all; to teach me well,
Fit vsage for your worth. And if it fell
In chance now first that you thus see vs here,
Or that in former passages you were
My fathers guest? For many men haue bene
Guests to my father. Studious of men,
His sociable nature euer was.
On him againe, the grey-eyd Maide did passe
This kind reply; Ile answer passing true,
All thou hast askt: My birth, his honour drew
From wise Anchialus. The name I beare,
Is Mentas, the commanding Ilander
Of all the Taphians, studious in the art
Of Nauigation. Hauing toucht this part
With ship and men; of purpose to maintaine
Course through the darke seas, t'other languag'd men.
And Temesis sustaines the cities name,
For which my ship is bound; made knowne by fame,
For rich in brasse; which my occasions need;
And therefore bring I shining steele in steed,
Which their vse wants; yet makes my vessels freight;
That neare a plowd field, rides at anchors weight,
Apart this citie, in the harbor calld
Rethrus, whose waues, with Neius woods are walld.
Thy Sire and I, were euer mutuall guests,
At eithers house, still interchanging feasts.
I glorie in it. Aske, when thou shalt see
Laertes, th' old Heroe, these of mee,
8
Visits the Citie; but will needs deplore
His sonnes beleeu'd losse, in a priuate field;
One old maide onely, at his hands to yeeld
Foode to his life, as oft as labour makes
His old limbs faint; which though he creepes, he takes
Along a fruitfull plaine, set all with vines,
Which, husbandman-like (though a King) he proines.
But now I come to be thy fathers guest;
I heare he wanders, while these wooers feast.
And (as th' Immortals prompt me at this houre)
Ile tell thee, out of a prophetique powre,
(Not as profest a Prophet, not cleare seene
At all times, what shall after chance to men)
What I conceiue, for this time, will be true:
The Gods inflictions keepe your Sire from you.
Diuine Vlysses, yet, abides not dead
Aboue earth, nor beneath; nor buried
In any seas, (as you did late conceiue)
But, with the broad sea sieg'd, is kept aliue
Within an Ile, by rude and vp-land men,
That in his spite, his passage home detaine.
Yet long it shall not be, before he tred
His countries deare earth; though solicited.
And held from his returne, with iron chaines.
For he hath wit to forge a world of traines,
And will, of all, be sure to make good one,
For his returne, so much relide vpon.
But tell me, and be true: Art thou indeed
So much a sonne, as to be said the seed
Of Ithacus himselfe? Exceeding much
Thy forehead and faire eyes, at his forme touch:
For oftentimes we met, as you and I
Meete at this houre; before he did apply
His powres for Troy. When other Grecian States,
In hollow ships were his associates.
But since that time, mine eyes could neuer see
Renowmd Vlysses; nor met his with me.
The wise Telemachus againe replide:
You shall withall I know, be satisfide.
My mother, certaine, sayes I am his sonne:
I know not; nor was euer simply knowne
By any child, the sure truth of his Sire.
But would my veines had tooke in liuing fire
From some man happie, rather then one wise,
Whom age might see seizd, of what youth made prise.
But he, whoeuer of the mortall race
Is most vnblest, he holds my fathers place.
This, since you aske, I answer. She, againe:
You shall withall I know, be satisfide.
My mother, certaine, sayes I am his sonne:
I know not; nor was euer simply knowne
By any child, the sure truth of his Sire.
But would my veines had tooke in liuing fire
From some man happie, rather then one wise,
Whom age might see seizd, of what youth made prise.
But he, whoeuer of the mortall race
Is most vnblest, he holds my fathers place.
9
The Gods sure did not make the future straine
Both of thy race and dayes, obscure to thee,
Since thou wert borne so of Penelope.
The stile may by thy after acts be wonne,
Of so great Sire, the high vndoubted sonne.
Both of thy race and dayes, obscure to thee,
Since thou wert borne so of Penelope.
The stile may by thy after acts be wonne,
Of so great Sire, the high vndoubted sonne.
Say truth in this then: what's this feasting here?
What all this rout? Is all this nuptiall cheare?
Or else some friendly banquet made by thee?
For here no shots are, where all sharers be.
Past measure contumeliously, this crew
Fare through thy house; which should th' ingenuous view
Of any good or wise man come and find,
(Impietie seeing playd in euery kind)
He could not but through euery veine be mou'd.
What all this rout? Is all this nuptiall cheare?
Or else some friendly banquet made by thee?
For here no shots are, where all sharers be.
Past measure contumeliously, this crew
Fare through thy house; which should th' ingenuous view
Of any good or wise man come and find,
(Impietie seeing playd in euery kind)
He could not but through euery veine be mou'd.
Againe Telemachus: My guest much lou'd,
Since you demand and sift these sights so farre;
I grant twere fit, a house so regular,
Rich, and so faultlesse, once in gouernment,
Should still at all parts, the same forme present,
That gaue it glorie, while her Lord was here.
But now the Gods, that vs displeasure beare,
Haue otherwise appointed; and disgrace
My father most, of all the mortall race.
For whom I could not mourne so, were he dead,
Amongst his fellow Captaines slaughtered
By common enemie; or in the hands
Of his kind friends, had ended his commands;
After he had egregiously bestow'd
His powre and order in a warre so vow'd;
And to his tombe, all Greekes their grace had done;
That to all ages he might leaue his sonne
Immortall honor: but now Harpies haue
Digg'd in their gorges his abhorred graue.
Obscure, inglorious, Death hath made his end;
And me (for glories) to all griefes contend.
Nor shall I any more mourne him alone;
The Gods haue giuen me other cause of mone.
For looke how many Optimates remaine
In Samos, or the shoares Dulichian,
Shadie Zacynthus; or how many beare
Rule in the rough browes of this Iland here;
So many now, my mother and this house,
At all parts make defam'd and ruinous.
And she, her hatefull nuptials, nor denies,
Nor will dispatch their importunities:
Though she beholds them spoile still, as they feast,
All my free house yeelds: and the little rest
Of my dead Sire in me, perhaps intend
To bring, ere long, to some vntimely end.
Since you demand and sift these sights so farre;
I grant twere fit, a house so regular,
Rich, and so faultlesse, once in gouernment,
Should still at all parts, the same forme present,
That gaue it glorie, while her Lord was here.
But now the Gods, that vs displeasure beare,
Haue otherwise appointed; and disgrace
My father most, of all the mortall race.
For whom I could not mourne so, were he dead,
Amongst his fellow Captaines slaughtered
By common enemie; or in the hands
Of his kind friends, had ended his commands;
After he had egregiously bestow'd
His powre and order in a warre so vow'd;
And to his tombe, all Greekes their grace had done;
That to all ages he might leaue his sonne
Immortall honor: but now Harpies haue
Digg'd in their gorges his abhorred graue.
Obscure, inglorious, Death hath made his end;
And me (for glories) to all griefes contend.
Nor shall I any more mourne him alone;
The Gods haue giuen me other cause of mone.
For looke how many Optimates remaine
In Samos, or the shoares Dulichian,
Shadie Zacynthus; or how many beare
Rule in the rough browes of this Iland here;
So many now, my mother and this house,
At all parts make defam'd and ruinous.
And she, her hatefull nuptials, nor denies,
Nor will dispatch their importunities:
Though she beholds them spoile still, as they feast,
All my free house yeelds: and the little rest
10
To bring, ere long, to some vntimely end.
This Pallas sigh'd, and answerd: O (said she)
Absent Vlysses is much mist by thee:
That on these shamelesse suiters he might lay
His wreakfull hands. Should he now come, and stay
In thy Courts first gates, armd with helme and shield,
And two such darts as I haue seene him wield,
When first I saw him in our Taphian Court,
Feasting, and doing his deserts disport;
When from Ephyrus he returnd by vs
From Ilius, sonne to Centaure Mermerus;
To whom he traueld through the watrie dreads,
For bane to poison his sharpe arrowes heads,
That death, but toucht, causde; which he would not giue,
Because he fear'd, the Gods that euer liue,
Would plague such death with death; and yet their feare
Was to my fathers bosome not so deare
As was thy fathers loue; (for what he sought,
My louing father found him, to a thought.)
If such as then, Vlysses might but meete
With these proud wooers; all were at his feete
But instant dead men; and their nuptials
Would proue as bitter as their dying galls.
But these things in the Gods knees are reposde,
If his returne shall see with wreake inclosde,
These in his house, or he returne no more.
And therefore I aduise thee to explore
All waies thy selfe, to set these wooers gone;
To which end giue me fit attention;
To morrow into solemne councell call
The Greeke Heroes; and declare to all
(The Gods being witnesse) what thy pleasure is:
Command to townes of their natiuities,
These frontlesse wooers. If thy mothers mind,
Stands to her second nuptials, so enclinde;
Returne she to her royall fathers towers,
Where th' one of these may wed her, and her dowers
Make rich, and such as may consort with grace,
So deare a daughter, of so great a race.
And thee I warne as well, (if thou as well
Wilt heare and follow) take thy best built saile,
With twentie owers mann'd, and haste t'enquire
Where the abode is of thy absent Sire;
If any can informe thee, or thine eare
From Ioue the fame of his retreate may heare;
(For chiefly Ioue giues all that honours men).
Absent Vlysses is much mist by thee:
That on these shamelesse suiters he might lay
His wreakfull hands. Should he now come, and stay
In thy Courts first gates, armd with helme and shield,
And two such darts as I haue seene him wield,
When first I saw him in our Taphian Court,
Feasting, and doing his deserts disport;
When from Ephyrus he returnd by vs
From Ilius, sonne to Centaure Mermerus;
To whom he traueld through the watrie dreads,
For bane to poison his sharpe arrowes heads,
That death, but toucht, causde; which he would not giue,
Because he fear'd, the Gods that euer liue,
Would plague such death with death; and yet their feare
Was to my fathers bosome not so deare
As was thy fathers loue; (for what he sought,
My louing father found him, to a thought.)
If such as then, Vlysses might but meete
With these proud wooers; all were at his feete
But instant dead men; and their nuptials
Would proue as bitter as their dying galls.
But these things in the Gods knees are reposde,
If his returne shall see with wreake inclosde,
These in his house, or he returne no more.
And therefore I aduise thee to explore
All waies thy selfe, to set these wooers gone;
To which end giue me fit attention;
To morrow into solemne councell call
The Greeke Heroes; and declare to all
(The Gods being witnesse) what thy pleasure is:
Command to townes of their natiuities,
These frontlesse wooers. If thy mothers mind,
Stands to her second nuptials, so enclinde;
Returne she to her royall fathers towers,
Where th' one of these may wed her, and her dowers
Make rich, and such as may consort with grace,
So deare a daughter, of so great a race.
And thee I warne as well, (if thou as well
Wilt heare and follow) take thy best built saile,
With twentie owers mann'd, and haste t'enquire
Where the abode is of thy absent Sire;
If any can informe thee, or thine eare
From Ioue the fame of his retreate may heare;
(For chiefly Ioue giues all that honours men).
To Pylos first be thy addression then
To god-like Nestor. Thence, to Sparta, haste
To gold-lockt Menelaus, who was last
Of all the brasse-armd Greekes that saild from Troy.
And trie from both these, if thou canst enioy
Newes of thy Sires returnd life, any where,
Though sad thou sufferst in his search, a yeare.
If of his death thou hear'st, returne thou home;
And to his memorie erect a tombe:
Performing parent-rites, of feast and game,
Pompous, and such as best may fit his fame:
And then thy mother a fit husband giue.
These past, consider how thou maist depriue
Of worthlesse life, these wooers in thy house;
By open force, or proiects enginous.
Things childish fit not thee; th' art so no more:
Hast thou not heard, how all men did adore
Diuine Orestes, after he had slaine
Ægisthus, murthering by a trecherous traine
His famous father? Be then (my most lou'd)
Valiant and manly; euery way approu'd
As great as he. I see thy person fit,
Noble thy mind, and excellent thy wit;
All giuen thee, so to vse and manage here,
That euen past death they may their memories beare.
In meane time Ile descend to ship and men,
That much expect me. Be obseruant then
Of my aduice, and carefull to maintaine
In equall acts thy royall fathers raigne.
11
To gold-lockt Menelaus, who was last
Of all the brasse-armd Greekes that saild from Troy.
And trie from both these, if thou canst enioy
Newes of thy Sires returnd life, any where,
Though sad thou sufferst in his search, a yeare.
If of his death thou hear'st, returne thou home;
And to his memorie erect a tombe:
Performing parent-rites, of feast and game,
Pompous, and such as best may fit his fame:
And then thy mother a fit husband giue.
These past, consider how thou maist depriue
Of worthlesse life, these wooers in thy house;
By open force, or proiects enginous.
Things childish fit not thee; th' art so no more:
Hast thou not heard, how all men did adore
Diuine Orestes, after he had slaine
Ægisthus, murthering by a trecherous traine
His famous father? Be then (my most lou'd)
Valiant and manly; euery way approu'd
As great as he. I see thy person fit,
Noble thy mind, and excellent thy wit;
All giuen thee, so to vse and manage here,
That euen past death they may their memories beare.
In meane time Ile descend to ship and men,
That much expect me. Be obseruant then
Of my aduice, and carefull to maintaine
In equall acts thy royall fathers raigne.
Telemachus replide: You ope (faire Guest)
A friends heart, in your speech; as well exprest,
As might a father serue t'informe his sonne:
All which, sure place haue in my memorie wonne.
Abide yet, though your voyage calls away;
That hauing bath'd; and dignifide your stay
With some more honour; you may yet beside,
Delight your mind, by being gratifide
With some rich Present, taken in your way;
That, as a Iewell, your respect may lay
Vp in your treasurie; bestowd by me,
As free friends vse to guests of such degree.
A friends heart, in your speech; as well exprest,
As might a father serue t'informe his sonne:
All which, sure place haue in my memorie wonne.
Abide yet, though your voyage calls away;
That hauing bath'd; and dignifide your stay
With some more honour; you may yet beside,
Delight your mind, by being gratifide
With some rich Present, taken in your way;
That, as a Iewell, your respect may lay
Vp in your treasurie; bestowd by me,
As free friends vse to guests of such degree.
Detaine me not (said she) so much inclinde
To haste my voyage. What thy loued minde
Commands to giue; at my returne this way,
Bestow on me; that I directly may
Conuey it home; which (more of price to mee)
The more it askes my recompence to thee.
To haste my voyage. What thy loued minde
Commands to giue; at my returne this way,
Bestow on me; that I directly may
Conuey it home; which (more of price to mee)
The more it askes my recompence to thee.
This said, away gray-eyd Minerua flew,
Like to a mounting Larke; and did endue
His mind with strength and boldnesse; and much more
Made him, his father long for, then before.
And weighing better who his guest might be,
He stood amaz'd, and thought a Deitie
Was there descended: to whose will he fram'd
His powres at all parts; and went, so inflam'd
Amongst the wooers; who were silent set,
To heare a Poet sing the sad retreat
The Greekes performd from Troy: which was from thence
Proclaimd by Pallas, paine of her offence.
Like to a mounting Larke; and did endue
12
Made him, his father long for, then before.
And weighing better who his guest might be,
He stood amaz'd, and thought a Deitie
Was there descended: to whose will he fram'd
His powres at all parts; and went, so inflam'd
Amongst the wooers; who were silent set,
To heare a Poet sing the sad retreat
The Greekes performd from Troy: which was from thence
Proclaimd by Pallas, paine of her offence.
When which diuine song, was perceiu'd to beare
That mournfull subiect, by the listning eare
Of wise Penelope (Icarius seed,
Who from an vpper roome had giu'n it heed)
Downe she descended by a winding staire;
Not solely; but the State, in her repaire,
Two Maides of Honour made. And when this Queene
Of women, stoopt so low, she might be seene
By all her wooers. In the doore, aloofe
(Entring the Hall, grac'd with a goodly roofe)
She stood, in shade of gracefull vailes implide
About her beauties: on her either side,
Her honor'd women. When, (to teares mou'd) thus
She chid the sacred Singer: Phemius,
You know a number more of these great deeds,
Of Gods and men (that are the sacred seeds
And proper subiects of a Poets song,
And those due pleasures that to men belong)
Besides these facts that furnish Trois retreate,
Sing one of those to these, that round your seate
They may with silence sit, and taste their wine:
But ceasle this song, that through these eares of mine,
Conuey deseru'd occasion to my heart
Of endlesse sorrowes; of which, the desert
In me, vnmeasur'd is, past all these men;
So endlesse is the memorie I retaine;
And so desertfull is that memorie
Of such a man, as hath a dignitie
So broad, it spreds it selfe through all the pride
Of Greece, and Argos. To the Queene, replide
Inspir'd Telemachus: Why thus enuies
My mother, him that fits societies
With so much harmonie, to let him please
His owne mind, in his will to honor these?
For these
ingenuous, and first sort of men,
That do immediatly from Ioue retaine
Their singing raptures; are by Ioue as well
Inspir'd with choice, of what their songs impell.
Ioues will is free in it; and therefore theirs;
Nor is this man to blame, that the repaires
The Greekes make homeward, sings: for his fresh Muse,
Men still most celebrate, that sings most newes.
That mournfull subiect, by the listning eare
Of wise Penelope (Icarius seed,
Who from an vpper roome had giu'n it heed)
Downe she descended by a winding staire;
Not solely; but the State, in her repaire,
Two Maides of Honour made. And when this Queene
Of women, stoopt so low, she might be seene
By all her wooers. In the doore, aloofe
(Entring the Hall, grac'd with a goodly roofe)
She stood, in shade of gracefull vailes implide
About her beauties: on her either side,
Her honor'd women. When, (to teares mou'd) thus
She chid the sacred Singer: Phemius,
You know a number more of these great deeds,
Of Gods and men (that are the sacred seeds
And proper subiects of a Poets song,
And those due pleasures that to men belong)
Besides these facts that furnish Trois retreate,
Sing one of those to these, that round your seate
They may with silence sit, and taste their wine:
But ceasle this song, that through these eares of mine,
Conuey deseru'd occasion to my heart
Of endlesse sorrowes; of which, the desert
In me, vnmeasur'd is, past all these men;
So endlesse is the memorie I retaine;
And so desertfull is that memorie
Of such a man, as hath a dignitie
So broad, it spreds it selfe through all the pride
Of Greece, and Argos. To the Queene, replide
Inspir'd Telemachus: Why thus enuies
My mother, him that fits societies
With so much harmonie, to let him please
His owne mind, in his will to honor these?
For these
ανδρασιν, αλφηστησιν. Αλφηστησιν is an Epithete proper to Poets, for their first finding out of Arts and documents tending to elocution and gouernment: inspired onely by Ioue; and are here called the first of men: since first they gaue rules to manly life: and haue their informatiō immediatly from Iove; (as Plato in Ιωνε witnesseth) The word deduced from αλφα, which is taken for him, qui primas teneat aliqua in re: And will αλφηστησιν then be sufficiently exprest with ingeniosis? then which, no exposition goes further.
That do immediatly from Ioue retaine
13
Inspir'd with choice, of what their songs impell.
Ioues will is free in it; and therefore theirs;
Nor is this man to blame, that the repaires
The Greekes make homeward, sings: for his fresh Muse,
Men still most celebrate, that sings most newes.
And therefore in his note, your eares employ:
For, not Vlysses onely lost in Troy
The day of his returne; but numbers more,
The deadly ruines of his fortunes bore.
Go you then, In; and take your worke in hand;
Your web, and distaffe, and your maids command
To plie their fit worke. Words, to men are due,
And those reprouing counsels you pursue;
And most, to me, of all men; since I beare
The rule of all things, that are manag'd here.
She went amazd away; and in her heart,
Laid vp the wisedome Pallas did impart
To her lou'd sonne so lately; turnd againe
Vp to her chamber; and no more would raigne
In manly counsels. To her women, she
Applied her sway; and to the wooers, he
Began new orders; other spirits bewraid
Then those, in spite of which, the wooers swaid.
And (whiles his mothers teares, still washt her eies,
Till gray Minerua did those teares surprise
With timely sleepe; and that her woo'rs did rouse
Rude Tumult vp, through all the shadie house,
Disposde to sleepe because their widow was)
Telemachus, this new-giuen spirit did passe
On their old insolence: Ho! you that are
My mothers wooers! much too high ye beare
Your petulant spirits: sit; and while ye may
Enioy me in your banquets: see ye lay
These loud notes downe; nor do this man the wrong,
(Because my mother hath dislikt his song)
To grace her interruption: tis a thing
Honest, and honourd too, to heare one sing
Numbers so like the Gods in elegance,
As this man flowes in. By the mornes first light,
Ile call ye all before me, in a Court,
That I may cleerly banish your resort
With all your rudenesse, from these roofes of mine.
Away; and elsewhere in your feasts combine:
Consume your owne goods, and make mutuall feast
At eithers house. Or if ye still hold best,
And for your humors more suffised fill,
To feed, to spoile (because vnpunisht still)
On other findings: spoile; but here I call
Th' eternall Gods to witnesse, if it fall
In my wisht reach once, to be dealing wreakes,
(By Ioues high bountie) these your present checks,
To what I giue in charge, shall adde more reines
To my reuenge hereafter; and the paines
Ye then must suffer, shall passe all your pride,
Euer to see redrest, or qualifide.
For, not Vlysses onely lost in Troy
The day of his returne; but numbers more,
The deadly ruines of his fortunes bore.
Go you then, In; and take your worke in hand;
Your web, and distaffe, and your maids command
To plie their fit worke. Words, to men are due,
And those reprouing counsels you pursue;
And most, to me, of all men; since I beare
The rule of all things, that are manag'd here.
She went amazd away; and in her heart,
Laid vp the wisedome Pallas did impart
To her lou'd sonne so lately; turnd againe
Vp to her chamber; and no more would raigne
In manly counsels. To her women, she
Applied her sway; and to the wooers, he
Began new orders; other spirits bewraid
Then those, in spite of which, the wooers swaid.
And (whiles his mothers teares, still washt her eies,
Till gray Minerua did those teares surprise
With timely sleepe; and that her woo'rs did rouse
Rude Tumult vp, through all the shadie house,
Disposde to sleepe because their widow was)
Telemachus, this new-giuen spirit did passe
On their old insolence: Ho! you that are
My mothers wooers! much too high ye beare
Your petulant spirits: sit; and while ye may
Enioy me in your banquets: see ye lay
These loud notes downe; nor do this man the wrong,
(Because my mother hath dislikt his song)
To grace her interruption: tis a thing
Honest, and honourd too, to heare one sing
Numbers so like the Gods in elegance,
As this man flowes in. By the mornes first light,
Ile call ye all before me, in a Court,
That I may cleerly banish your resort
With all your rudenesse, from these roofes of mine.
Away; and elsewhere in your feasts combine:
Consume your owne goods, and make mutuall feast
At eithers house. Or if ye still hold best,
And for your humors more suffised fill,
To feed, to spoile (because vnpunisht still)
14
Th' eternall Gods to witnesse, if it fall
In my wisht reach once, to be dealing wreakes,
(By Ioues high bountie) these your present checks,
To what I giue in charge, shall adde more reines
To my reuenge hereafter; and the paines
Ye then must suffer, shall passe all your pride,
Euer to see redrest, or qualifide.
At this, all bit their lips; and did admire
His words sent from him, with such phrase, and fire:
Which so much mou'd them; that Antinous
(Eupytheus sonne) cried out: Telemachus!
The Gods, I thinke, haue rapt thee to this height
Of elocution; and this great conceit
Of selfe-abilitie. We all may pray,
That Ioue inuest not in this kingdomes sway,
Thy forward forces; which I see put forth
A hote ambition in thee, for thy birth.
His words sent from him, with such phrase, and fire:
Which so much mou'd them; that Antinous
(Eupytheus sonne) cried out: Telemachus!
The Gods, I thinke, haue rapt thee to this height
Of elocution; and this great conceit
Of selfe-abilitie. We all may pray,
That Ioue inuest not in this kingdomes sway,
Thy forward forces; which I see put forth
A hote ambition in thee, for thy birth.
Vpon this answer of Telemachus; because it hath so sodain a change; and is so farre let down, frō his late height of heate; altering & tempering so cōmandingly, his affections; I thought not amisse to insert here Spondanus further Annotation, which is this: Prudenter Telemachus ioco, furorem Antinoi ac asperitatē emollijt. Nam ita dictū illius interpretatur vt existimetur censere iocose illa etiam ab Antinoo aduersum se pronunciata. Et primum Ironicè se Regem esse exoptat propter commoda quæ Reges solent comitari. Ne tamen invidiam in se ambitiones concitet, testatur se regnum Ithacæ non ambire, mortuo Vlysse, cum id alij possidere queant se longe præstantiores ac digniores: hoc vnum ait se moliri, vt propriarum ædium & bonorum solus sit dominus, ijs exclusis ac eiectis, qui vi illa occupare ac disperdere conantur.
Shall say, I would assume this emperie,
If Ioue gaue leaue. You are not he that sings,
The rule of kingdomes is the worst of things.
Nor is it ill, at all, to sway a throne:
A man may quickly gaine possession
Of mightie riches; make a wondrous prise
Set of his vertues; but the dignities
That decke a King, there are enough beside
In this circumfluous Ile, that want no pride
To thinke them worthy of; as yong as I,
And old as you are. An ascent so hie,
My thoughts affect not: dead is he that held
Desert of vertue to haue so exceld.
But of these turrets, I will take on me
To be the absolute King; and reigne as free
As did my father, ouer all, his hand
Left here, in this house, slaues to my command.
Eurymachus, the sonne of Polybus,
To this, made this reply: Telemachus!
The Girlond of this kingdome, let the knees
Of deitie runne for: but the faculties,
This house is seasd of, and the turrets here,
Thou shalt be Lord of; nor shall any beare
The least part of, of all thou doest possesse,
As long as this land is no wildernesse,
Nor rul'd by out-lawes). But giue these their passe,
And tell me (best of Princes) who he was
That guested here so late? from whence? and what
In any region bosted he his state?
His race? his countrie? Brought he any newes
Of thy returning Father? Or for dues
Of moneys to him, made he fit repaire?
How sodainly he rusht into the aire?
Nor would sustaine to stay, and make him knowne?
His Port shewd no debaucht companion.
To this, made this reply: Telemachus!
The Girlond of this kingdome, let the knees
Of deitie runne for: but the faculties,
This house is seasd of, and the turrets here,
Thou shalt be Lord of; nor shall any beare
The least part of, of all thou doest possesse,
As long as this land is no wildernesse,
Nor rul'd by out-lawes). But giue these their passe,
And tell me (best of Princes) who he was
15
In any region bosted he his state?
His race? his countrie? Brought he any newes
Of thy returning Father? Or for dues
Of moneys to him, made he fit repaire?
How sodainly he rusht into the aire?
Nor would sustaine to stay, and make him knowne?
His Port shewd no debaucht companion.
He answerd: The returne of my lou'd Sire,
Is past all hope; and should rude Fame inspire
From any place, a flattring messenger,
With newes of his suruiuall; he should beare
No least beliefe off, from my desperate loue.
Which if a sacred Prophet should approue,
(Calld by my mother for her cares vnrest)
It should not moue me. For my late faire guest,
He was of old my Fathers: touching here
From Sea-girt Taphos; and for name doth beare
Mentas; the sonne of wise Anchialus;
And gouernes all the Taphians, studious
Of Nauigation. This he said: but knew
It was a Goddesse. These againe withdrew
To dances, and attraction of the song.
And while their pleasures did the time prolong,
The sable Euen descended; and did steepe
The lids of all men in desire of sleepe.
Is past all hope; and should rude Fame inspire
From any place, a flattring messenger,
With newes of his suruiuall; he should beare
No least beliefe off, from my desperate loue.
Which if a sacred Prophet should approue,
(Calld by my mother for her cares vnrest)
It should not moue me. For my late faire guest,
He was of old my Fathers: touching here
From Sea-girt Taphos; and for name doth beare
Mentas; the sonne of wise Anchialus;
And gouernes all the Taphians, studious
Of Nauigation. This he said: but knew
It was a Goddesse. These againe withdrew
To dances, and attraction of the song.
And while their pleasures did the time prolong,
The sable Euen descended; and did steepe
The lids of all men in desire of sleepe.
Telemachus, into a roome built hie,
Of his illustrous Court; and to the eie
Of circular prospect; to his bed ascended;
And in his mind, much weightie thought contended.
Before him, Euryclæa (that well knew
All the obseruance of a handmaids due,
Daughter to Opis Pysenorides)
Bore two bright torches. Who did so much please
Laërtes in her prime; that for the price
Of twentie Oxen, he made merchandize
Of her rare beauties; and Loues equall flame
To her he felt, as to his nuptiall Dame.
Yet neuer durst he mixe with her in bed;
So much the anger of his wife he fled.
She, now growne old, to yong Telemachus
Two torches bore; and was obsequious,
Past all his other maids; and did apply
Her seruice to him, from his infancie.
His wel-built chamber, reacht; she op't the dore;
He, on his bed sat. The soft weeds he wore,
Put off; and to the diligent old maid
Gaue all; who fitly all in thicke folds laid,
And hung them on a beame-pin neare the bed;
That round about was rich embrodered.
Then made she haste forth from him; and did bring
The doore together with a siluer ring;
And by a string, a barre to it did pull.
He, laid, and couerd well with curled wooll,
Wouen in silke quilts: all night emploid his minde
About the taske that Pallas had design'd.
Of his illustrous Court; and to the eie
Of circular prospect; to his bed ascended;
And in his mind, much weightie thought contended.
Before him, Euryclæa (that well knew
All the obseruance of a handmaids due,
Daughter to Opis Pysenorides)
Bore two bright torches. Who did so much please
Laërtes in her prime; that for the price
Of twentie Oxen, he made merchandize
Of her rare beauties; and Loues equall flame
To her he felt, as to his nuptiall Dame.
Yet neuer durst he mixe with her in bed;
So much the anger of his wife he fled.
She, now growne old, to yong Telemachus
Two torches bore; and was obsequious,
Past all his other maids; and did apply
Her seruice to him, from his infancie.
His wel-built chamber, reacht; she op't the dore;
He, on his bed sat. The soft weeds he wore,
Put off; and to the diligent old maid
Gaue all; who fitly all in thicke folds laid,
16
That round about was rich embrodered.
Then made she haste forth from him; and did bring
The doore together with a siluer ring;
And by a string, a barre to it did pull.
He, laid, and couerd well with curled wooll,
Wouen in silke quilts: all night emploid his minde
About the taske that Pallas had design'd.
Finis libri primi Hom. Odyss.
17
THE SECOND BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Telemachus to Court doth call:The wooers; and commands them all
To leaue his house: and, taking then
From wise Minerua, ship and men;
And all things fit for him beside,
That Euryclæa could prouide
For sea-rites, till he found his Sire;
He hoists saile, when heauen stoopes his fire.
Another.
The old Maids storeThe voyage cheres;
The ship leaues shore,
Minerua steres.
Now when with rosie fingers, th' early borne,
And, throwne through all the aire, appear'd the morne;
Vlysses lou'd sonne from his bed appeard;
His weeds put on; and did about him gird
His sword, that thwart his shoulders hung; and tied
To his faire feete, faire shooes; and all parts plied
For speedie readinesse; who when he trod
The open earth, to men, shewd like a God.
And, throwne through all the aire, appear'd the morne;
Vlysses lou'd sonne from his bed appeard;
His weeds put on; and did about him gird
His sword, that thwart his shoulders hung; and tied
To his faire feete, faire shooes; and all parts plied
For speedie readinesse; who when he trod
The open earth, to men, shewd like a God.
The Heralds then, he strait charg'd to consort
The curld-head Greekes, with lowd calls to a Court.
They summon'd; th' other came, in vtmost haste;
Who, all assembld, and in one heape plac't;
He likewse came to councell; and did beare
In his faire hand, his iron-headed speare:
Nor came alone; nor with men troopes prepar'd;
But two fleete dogs, made, both his traine, and Guard.
Pallas supplied with her high wisedomes grace,
(That all mens wants supplies) States painted face.
His entring presence, all men did admire;
Who tooke seate in the high throne of his Sire;
To which the graue Peeres gaue him reuerend way.
Amongst whom, an Ægyptian Heroe,
(Crooked with age, and full of skill) begun
The speech to all. Who had a loued sonne,
That with diuine Vlysses did ascend
His hollow fleete to Troy: to serue which end,
He kept faire horse, and was a man at Armes;
And in the cruell Cyclops sterne alarmes,
His life lost by him, in his hollow caue;
Whose entrailes open'd his abhorred graue;
And made of him (of all Vlysses traine)
His latest supper, being latest slaine.
His name was Antiphus. And this old man,
This crooked growne; this wise Ægyptian,
Had three sonnes more; of which, one riotous,
A wooer was, and calld Eurynomus;
The other two, tooke both, his owne wisht course.
Yet, both the best fates, weighd not downe the worse;
But left the old man mindfull still of mone;
Who, weeping, thus bespake the Session:
The curld-head Greekes, with lowd calls to a Court.
They summon'd; th' other came, in vtmost haste;
Who, all assembld, and in one heape plac't;
He likewse came to councell; and did beare
In his faire hand, his iron-headed speare:
Nor came alone; nor with men troopes prepar'd;
But two fleete dogs, made, both his traine, and Guard.
Pallas supplied with her high wisedomes grace,
(That all mens wants supplies) States painted face.
His entring presence, all men did admire;
Who tooke seate in the high throne of his Sire;
To which the graue Peeres gaue him reuerend way.
Amongst whom, an Ægyptian Heroe,
(Crooked with age, and full of skill) begun
The speech to all. Who had a loued sonne,
That with diuine Vlysses did ascend
His hollow fleete to Troy: to serue which end,
18
And in the cruell Cyclops sterne alarmes,
His life lost by him, in his hollow caue;
Whose entrailes open'd his abhorred graue;
And made of him (of all Vlysses traine)
His latest supper, being latest slaine.
His name was Antiphus. And this old man,
This crooked growne; this wise Ægyptian,
Had three sonnes more; of which, one riotous,
A wooer was, and calld Eurynomus;
The other two, tooke both, his owne wisht course.
Yet, both the best fates, weighd not downe the worse;
But left the old man mindfull still of mone;
Who, weeping, thus bespake the Session:
Heare, Ithacensians, all I fitly say;
Since our diuine Vlysses parting day
Neuer was councell calld, nor session;
And now, by whom is this thus vndergone?
Whom did Necessitie so much compell,
Of yong or old? Hath any one heard tell
Of any coming armie; that he thus now
May openly take boldnesse to auow?
First hauing heard it. Or will any here
Some motion for the publicke good preferre?
Some worth of note there is in this command;
And, me thinkes, it must be some good mans hand
That's put to it: that either hath direct
Meanes to assist; or, for his good affect,
Hopes to be happie in the proofe he makes;
And that, Ioue grant, what ere he vndertakes.
Since our diuine Vlysses parting day
Neuer was councell calld, nor session;
And now, by whom is this thus vndergone?
Whom did Necessitie so much compell,
Of yong or old? Hath any one heard tell
Of any coming armie; that he thus now
May openly take boldnesse to auow?
First hauing heard it. Or will any here
Some motion for the publicke good preferre?
Some worth of note there is in this command;
And, me thinkes, it must be some good mans hand
That's put to it: that either hath direct
Meanes to assist; or, for his good affect,
Hopes to be happie in the proofe he makes;
And that, Ioue grant, what ere he vndertakes.
Telemachus (reioycing much to heare
The good hope, and opinion men did beare
Of his yong actions) no longer sat;
But longd t'approue, what this man pointed at;
And make his first proofe, in a cause so good:
And in the Councels chiefe place, vp he stood;
When strait, Pysenor (Herald to his Sire,
And learnd in counsels) felt his heart on fire,
To heare him speake; and put into his hand
The Scepter that his Father did command;
Then (to the old Ægyptian turnd) he spoke:
The good hope, and opinion men did beare
Of his yong actions) no longer sat;
But longd t'approue, what this man pointed at;
And make his first proofe, in a cause so good:
And in the Councels chiefe place, vp he stood;
When strait, Pysenor (Herald to his Sire,
And learnd in counsels) felt his heart on fire,
To heare him speake; and put into his hand
The Scepter that his Father did command;
Then (to the old Ægyptian turnd) he spoke:
Father, not farre he is, that vndertooke
To call this councell; whom you soone shall know.
My selfe, whose wrongs, my griefes will make me show,
Am he that author'd this assembly here;
Nor haue I heard of any armie neare;
Of which, being first told, I might iterate;
Nor for the publicke good, can aught, relate;
Onely mine owne affaires all this procure,
That in my house a double ill endure;
One, hauing lost a Father so renownd,
Whose kind rule once, with your command was crownd:
The other is, what much more doth augment
His weightie losse, the ruine imminent
Of all my house by it, my goods all spent.
And of all this, the wooers, that are sonnes
To our chiefe Peeres, are the Confusions:
Importuning my Mothers mariage
Against her will; nor dares their blouds bold rage
Go to Icarius, her fathers Court,
That, his will askt, in kind and comely sort,
He may endow his daughter with a dowre;
And, she consenting, at his pleasures powre,
Dispose her to a man, that (thus behau'd)
May haue fit grace; and see her honor sau'd;
But these, in none but my house, all their liues
Resolue to spend; slaughtring my sheepe and beeues;
And with my fattest goates, lay feast on feast;
My generous wine, consuming as they list.
A world of things they spoile; here wanting one,
That like Vlysses, quickly, could set gone
These peace-plagues from his house, that spoile like warre.
Whom my powres are vnfit, to vrge so farre,
My selfe immartiall. But had I the powre,
My will should serue me, to exempt this houre
From out my life time. For past patience,
Base deeds are done here, that exceed defence
Of any honor. Falling is my house,
Which you should shame to see so ruinous.
Reuerence the censures, that all good men giue,
That dwell about you; and for feare to liue
Exposde to heauens wrath (that doth euer pay
Paines, for ioyes forfait) euen by Ioue I pray
Or Themis; both which, powres haue to restraine
Or gather Councels; that ye will abstaine
From further spoile; and let me onely waste
In that most wretched griefe I haue embrac't
For my lost Father. And though I am free
From meriting your outrage; yet, if he
(Good man) hath euer, with a hostile heart
Done ill to any Greeke; on me conuert
Your like hostilitie; and vengeance take
Of his ill, on my life; and all these, make
Ioyne in that iustice; but to see abusde
Those goods that do none ill, but being ill vsde,
Exceeds all right. Yet better tis for me,
My whole possessions, and my rents to see
Consum'd by you; then lose my life and all;
For on your rapine a reuenge may fall,
While I liue; and so long I may complaine
About the Citie; till my goods againe
(Oft askt) may be with all amends repaid.
But in the meane space, your mis-rule hath laid
Griefes on my bosome, that can onely speake,
And are denied the instant powre of wreake.
To call this councell; whom you soone shall know.
My selfe, whose wrongs, my griefes will make me show,
Am he that author'd this assembly here;
Nor haue I heard of any armie neare;
Of which, being first told, I might iterate;
Nor for the publicke good, can aught, relate;
19
That in my house a double ill endure;
One, hauing lost a Father so renownd,
Whose kind rule once, with your command was crownd:
The other is, what much more doth augment
His weightie losse, the ruine imminent
Of all my house by it, my goods all spent.
And of all this, the wooers, that are sonnes
To our chiefe Peeres, are the Confusions:
Importuning my Mothers mariage
Against her will; nor dares their blouds bold rage
Go to Icarius, her fathers Court,
That, his will askt, in kind and comely sort,
He may endow his daughter with a dowre;
And, she consenting, at his pleasures powre,
Dispose her to a man, that (thus behau'd)
May haue fit grace; and see her honor sau'd;
But these, in none but my house, all their liues
Resolue to spend; slaughtring my sheepe and beeues;
And with my fattest goates, lay feast on feast;
My generous wine, consuming as they list.
A world of things they spoile; here wanting one,
That like Vlysses, quickly, could set gone
These peace-plagues from his house, that spoile like warre.
Whom my powres are vnfit, to vrge so farre,
My selfe immartiall. But had I the powre,
My will should serue me, to exempt this houre
From out my life time. For past patience,
Base deeds are done here, that exceed defence
Of any honor. Falling is my house,
Which you should shame to see so ruinous.
Reuerence the censures, that all good men giue,
That dwell about you; and for feare to liue
Exposde to heauens wrath (that doth euer pay
Paines, for ioyes forfait) euen by Ioue I pray
Or Themis; both which, powres haue to restraine
Or gather Councels; that ye will abstaine
From further spoile; and let me onely waste
In that most wretched griefe I haue embrac't
For my lost Father. And though I am free
From meriting your outrage; yet, if he
(Good man) hath euer, with a hostile heart
Done ill to any Greeke; on me conuert
Your like hostilitie; and vengeance take
Of his ill, on my life; and all these, make
Ioyne in that iustice; but to see abusde
Those goods that do none ill, but being ill vsde,
Exceeds all right. Yet better tis for me,
20
Consum'd by you; then lose my life and all;
For on your rapine a reuenge may fall,
While I liue; and so long I may complaine
About the Citie; till my goods againe
(Oft askt) may be with all amends repaid.
But in the meane space, your mis-rule hath laid
Griefes on my bosome, that can onely speake,
And are denied the instant powre of wreake.
This said; his Scepter gainst the ground he threw,
And teares still'd from him; which mou'd all the crew:
The Court strooke silent; not a man did dare
To giue a word, that might offend his eare.
Antinous onely, in this sort replied:
And teares still'd from him; which mou'd all the crew:
The Court strooke silent; not a man did dare
To giue a word, that might offend his eare.
Antinous onely, in this sort replied:
High-spoken, and of spirit vnpacified;
How haue you sham'd vs, in this speech of yours?
Will you brand vs, for an offence not ours?
Your mother (first in craft) is first in cause.
Three yeares are past, and neare, the fourth now drawes,
Since first she mocked the Peeres Achaian.
All, she made hope, and promist euery man:
Sent for vs euer; left loues shew in nought;
But in her heart, conceald another thought.
Besides, (as curious in her craft) her loome
She with a web charg'd, hard to ouercome;
And thus bespake vs: Youths that seeke my bed;
Since my diuine Spouse rests among the dead,
Hold on your suites, but till I end, at most
This funerall weed; lest what is done, be lost.
Besides, I purpose, that when th' austere fate
Of bitter death, shall take into his state,
Laertes the Heroe; it shall decke
His royall corse; since I should suffer checke
In ill report, of euery common dame,
If one so rich, should shew in death his shame.
This speech she vsde; and this did soone perswade
Our gentle mindes. But this, a worke she made
So hugely long; vndoing still in night
(By torches) all, she did by dayes broade light;
That three yeares her deceit, diu'd past our view;
And made vs thinke, that all she faind, was true.
But when the fourth yeare came; and those slie houres,
That still surprise at length, Dames craftiest powres;
One of her women, that knew all, disclosde
The secret to vs; that she still vnlosde
Her whole daies faire affaire, in depth of night.
And then, no further she could force her sleight,
But, of necessitie, her worke gaue end.
And thus, by me, doth euery other friend,
Professing loue to her, reply to thee;
That euen thy selfe, and all Greeks else may see,
That we offend not in our stay, but shee.
To free thy house then, send her to her Sire;
Commanding that her choice be left entire
To his election, and one settl'd will.
Nor let her vexe with her illusions still,
Her friends that woo her; standing on her wit;
Because wise Pallas hath giuen wiles to it,
So full of Art; and made her vnderstand
All workes, in faire skill of a Ladies hand.
But (for her working mind) we reade of none
Of all the old world; in which Greece hath showne
Her rarest peeces, that could equall her:
Tyro, Alcmena, and Mycena were
To hold comparison in no degree
(For solide braine) with wise Penelope.
And yet in her delayes of vs, she showes
No profits skill, with all the wit she owes;
For all this time, thy goods and victuals go
To vtter ruine; and shall euer so
While thus the Gods, her glorious mind dispose.
Glorie, her selfe may gaine; but thou shalt lose
Thy longings euen for necessary food;
For we will neuer go, where lies our good;
Nor any other where; till this delay
She puts on all, she quits with th' endlesse stay
Of some one of vs; that to all the rest
May giue free farewell with his nuptiall feast.
How haue you sham'd vs, in this speech of yours?
Will you brand vs, for an offence not ours?
Your mother (first in craft) is first in cause.
Three yeares are past, and neare, the fourth now drawes,
Since first she mocked the Peeres Achaian.
All, she made hope, and promist euery man:
Sent for vs euer; left loues shew in nought;
But in her heart, conceald another thought.
Besides, (as curious in her craft) her loome
She with a web charg'd, hard to ouercome;
And thus bespake vs: Youths that seeke my bed;
Since my diuine Spouse rests among the dead,
Hold on your suites, but till I end, at most
This funerall weed; lest what is done, be lost.
Besides, I purpose, that when th' austere fate
Of bitter death, shall take into his state,
Laertes the Heroe; it shall decke
His royall corse; since I should suffer checke
In ill report, of euery common dame,
If one so rich, should shew in death his shame.
This speech she vsde; and this did soone perswade
Our gentle mindes. But this, a worke she made
So hugely long; vndoing still in night
(By torches) all, she did by dayes broade light;
That three yeares her deceit, diu'd past our view;
And made vs thinke, that all she faind, was true.
But when the fourth yeare came; and those slie houres,
That still surprise at length, Dames craftiest powres;
One of her women, that knew all, disclosde
The secret to vs; that she still vnlosde
Her whole daies faire affaire, in depth of night.
And then, no further she could force her sleight,
But, of necessitie, her worke gaue end.
21
Professing loue to her, reply to thee;
That euen thy selfe, and all Greeks else may see,
That we offend not in our stay, but shee.
To free thy house then, send her to her Sire;
Commanding that her choice be left entire
To his election, and one settl'd will.
Nor let her vexe with her illusions still,
Her friends that woo her; standing on her wit;
Because wise Pallas hath giuen wiles to it,
So full of Art; and made her vnderstand
All workes, in faire skill of a Ladies hand.
But (for her working mind) we reade of none
Of all the old world; in which Greece hath showne
Her rarest peeces, that could equall her:
Tyro, Alcmena, and Mycena were
To hold comparison in no degree
(For solide braine) with wise Penelope.
And yet in her delayes of vs, she showes
No profits skill, with all the wit she owes;
For all this time, thy goods and victuals go
To vtter ruine; and shall euer so
While thus the Gods, her glorious mind dispose.
Glorie, her selfe may gaine; but thou shalt lose
Thy longings euen for necessary food;
For we will neuer go, where lies our good;
Nor any other where; till this delay
She puts on all, she quits with th' endlesse stay
Of some one of vs; that to all the rest
May giue free farewell with his nuptiall feast.
The wise yong Prince replide: Antinous!
I may by no meanes turne out of my house,
Her that hath brought me forth, and nourisht me.
Besides: if quicke or dead my Father be
In any region, yet abides in doubt.
And twill go hard, (my meanes being so runne out)
To tender to Icarius againe
(If he againe, my mother must maintaine
In her retreate) the dowre she brought with her.
And then, a double ill it will conferre,
Both from my Father, and from God, on me;
When (thrust out of her house) on her bent knee,
My Mother shall the horrid Furies raise
With imprecations: and all men dispraise
My part in her exposure. Neuer then
Will I performe this counsell. If your splene
Swell at my courses; once more I command
Your absence from my house. Some others hand
Charge with your banquets. On your owne goods eate;
And either other mutually intreate,
At either of your houses, with your feast.
But if ye still esteeme more sweete and best,
Anothers spoile; so you still wreaklesse liue:
Gnaw (vermine-like) things sacred: no lawes giue
To your deuouring; it remaines that I
Inuoke each euer-liuing Deitie;
And vow if Ioue shall daigne in any date,
Powre of like paines, for pleasures so past rate;
From thenceforth looke, where ye haue reueld so,
Vnwreakt, your ruines, all shall vndergo.
I may by no meanes turne out of my house,
Her that hath brought me forth, and nourisht me.
Besides: if quicke or dead my Father be
In any region, yet abides in doubt.
And twill go hard, (my meanes being so runne out)
To tender to Icarius againe
(If he againe, my mother must maintaine
In her retreate) the dowre she brought with her.
And then, a double ill it will conferre,
Both from my Father, and from God, on me;
When (thrust out of her house) on her bent knee,
My Mother shall the horrid Furies raise
With imprecations: and all men dispraise
My part in her exposure. Neuer then
Will I performe this counsell. If your splene
Swell at my courses; once more I command
Your absence from my house. Some others hand
22
And either other mutually intreate,
At either of your houses, with your feast.
But if ye still esteeme more sweete and best,
Anothers spoile; so you still wreaklesse liue:
Gnaw (vermine-like) things sacred: no lawes giue
To your deuouring; it remaines that I
Inuoke each euer-liuing Deitie;
And vow if Ioue shall daigne in any date,
Powre of like paines, for pleasures so past rate;
From thenceforth looke, where ye haue reueld so,
Vnwreakt, your ruines, all shall vndergo.
Thus spake Telemachus, t'assure whose threat,
Farre-seeing Ioue, vpon their pinions set
Two Eagles from the high browes of a hill;
That, mounted on the winds, together still
Their strokes extended. But arriuing now
Amidst the Councell; ouer euery brow,
Shooke their thicke wings; and (threatning deaths cold feares)
Their neckes and cheekes tore with their eager Seres.
Then, on the Courts right-hand away they flew,
Aboue both Court and Citie: with whose view
And studie what euents they might foretell,
The Councell into admiration fell.
The old Heroe, Halitherses then,
The sonne of Nestor; that of all old men
(His Peeres in that Court) onely could foresee
By flight of fowles, mans fixed destinie;
Twixt them and their amaze, this interposde:
Farre-seeing Ioue, vpon their pinions set
Two Eagles from the high browes of a hill;
That, mounted on the winds, together still
Their strokes extended. But arriuing now
Amidst the Councell; ouer euery brow,
Shooke their thicke wings; and (threatning deaths cold feares)
Their neckes and cheekes tore with their eager Seres.
Then, on the Courts right-hand away they flew,
Aboue both Court and Citie: with whose view
And studie what euents they might foretell,
The Councell into admiration fell.
The old Heroe, Halitherses then,
The sonne of Nestor; that of all old men
(His Peeres in that Court) onely could foresee
By flight of fowles, mans fixed destinie;
Twixt them and their amaze, this interposde:
Heare (Ithacensians) all your doubts disclosde;
The wooers most are toucht in this ostent,
To whom are dangers great and imminent.
For now, not long more shall Vlysses beare
Lacke of his most lou'd; but fils some place neare,
Addressing to these wooers, Fate and Death.
And many more, this mischiefe menaceth
Of vs inhabiting this famous Ile.
Let vs consult yet, in this long forewhile,
How to our selues we may preuent this ill.
Let these men rest secure, and reuell still:
Though they might find it safer, if with vs
They would in time preuent what threats them thus:
Since not without sure triall, I foretell
These coming stormes; but know their issue well.
For to Vlysses, all things haue euent,
As I foretold him; when for Ilion went
The whole Greeke fleete together; and with them,
Th' abundant in all counsels, tooke the streame.
I told him, that when much ill he had past,
And all his men were lost; he should at last,
The twentith yeare turne home; to all vnknowne;
All which effects are to perfection growne.
The wooers most are toucht in this ostent,
To whom are dangers great and imminent.
For now, not long more shall Vlysses beare
Lacke of his most lou'd; but fils some place neare,
Addressing to these wooers, Fate and Death.
And many more, this mischiefe menaceth
Of vs inhabiting this famous Ile.
Let vs consult yet, in this long forewhile,
How to our selues we may preuent this ill.
Let these men rest secure, and reuell still:
Though they might find it safer, if with vs
They would in time preuent what threats them thus:
Since not without sure triall, I foretell
These coming stormes; but know their issue well.
For to Vlysses, all things haue euent,
As I foretold him; when for Ilion went
The whole Greeke fleete together; and with them,
Th' abundant in all counsels, tooke the streame.
23
And all his men were lost; he should at last,
The twentith yeare turne home; to all vnknowne;
All which effects are to perfection growne.
Eurymachus, the sonne of Polybus,
Opposde this mans presage, and answerd thus:
Opposde this mans presage, and answerd thus:
Hence, Great in yeares; go, prophecie at home;
Thy children teach to shun their ils to come.
In these, superiour farre to thee, am I.
A world of fowles beneath the Sunne-beames flie,
That are not fit t'enforme a prophecie.
Besides, Vlysses perisht long ago,
And would thy fates to thee had destin'd so;
Since so, thy so much prophecie had spar'd
Thy wronging of our rights; which for reward
Expected, home with thee, hath summon'd vs
Within the anger of Telemachus.
But this will I presage, which shall be true,
If any sparke of anger, chance t'ensue
Thy much old art, in these deepe Auguries,
In this yong man incensed by thy lies;
Euen to himselfe, his anger shall conferre
The greater anguish; and thine owne ends erre
From all their obiects: and besides, thine age
Shall feele a paine, to make thee curse presage,
With worthy cause, for it shall touch thee neare.
But I will soone giue end to all our feare,
Preuenting whatsoeuer chance can fall,
In my suite to the yong Prince, for vs all
To send his mother to her fathers house,
That he may sort her out a worthy spouse;
And such a dowre bestow, as may befit
One lou'd, to leaue her friends, and follow it.
Before which course be, I beleeue that none
Of all the Greekes will cease th' ambition
Of such a match. For, chance what can to vs,
We, no man feare; no not Telemachus,
Though ne're so greatly spoken. Nor care we
For any threats of austere prophecie
Which thou (old dotard) vantst of so in vaine.
And thus shalt thou in much more hate remaine;
For still the Gods shall beare their ill expence;
Nor euer be disposde by competence,
Till with her nuptials, she dismisse our suites.
Our whole liues dayes shall sow hopes for such fruites.
Her vertues we contend to; nor will go
To any other, be she neuer so
Worthy of vs, and all the worth we owe.
Thy children teach to shun their ils to come.
In these, superiour farre to thee, am I.
A world of fowles beneath the Sunne-beames flie,
That are not fit t'enforme a prophecie.
Besides, Vlysses perisht long ago,
And would thy fates to thee had destin'd so;
Since so, thy so much prophecie had spar'd
Thy wronging of our rights; which for reward
Expected, home with thee, hath summon'd vs
Within the anger of Telemachus.
But this will I presage, which shall be true,
If any sparke of anger, chance t'ensue
Thy much old art, in these deepe Auguries,
In this yong man incensed by thy lies;
Euen to himselfe, his anger shall conferre
The greater anguish; and thine owne ends erre
From all their obiects: and besides, thine age
Shall feele a paine, to make thee curse presage,
With worthy cause, for it shall touch thee neare.
But I will soone giue end to all our feare,
Preuenting whatsoeuer chance can fall,
In my suite to the yong Prince, for vs all
To send his mother to her fathers house,
That he may sort her out a worthy spouse;
And such a dowre bestow, as may befit
One lou'd, to leaue her friends, and follow it.
Before which course be, I beleeue that none
Of all the Greekes will cease th' ambition
Of such a match. For, chance what can to vs,
We, no man feare; no not Telemachus,
Though ne're so greatly spoken. Nor care we
For any threats of austere prophecie
Which thou (old dotard) vantst of so in vaine.
And thus shalt thou in much more hate remaine;
For still the Gods shall beare their ill expence;
Nor euer be disposde by competence,
Till with her nuptials, she dismisse our suites.
Our whole liues dayes shall sow hopes for such fruites.
Her vertues we contend to; nor will go
To any other, be she neuer so
Worthy of vs, and all the worth we owe.
24
He answerd him: Eurymachus! and all
Ye generous wooers, now, in generall;
I see your braue resolues; and will no more
Make speech of these points; and much lesse, implore.
It is enough, that all the Grecians here,
And all the Gods besides, iust witnesse beare,
What friendly premonitions haue bene spent
On your forbearance; and their vaine euent.
Yet with my other friends, let loue preuaile
To fit me with a vessell, free of saile;
And twentie men; that may diuide to me
My readie passage through the yeelding sea.
For Sparta, and Amathoon Pylos shore
I now am bound; in purpose to explore
My long lackt Father; and to trie if Fame
(Or Ioue, most author of mans honourd name)
With his returne and life, may glad mine eare;
Though toild in that proofe, I sustaine a yeare.
If dead, I heare him, nor of more state; here
(Retir'd to my lou'd countrie) I will rere
A Sepulcher to him, and celebrate
Such royall parent-rites, as fits his state.
And then, my mother to a Spouse dispose.
Ye generous wooers, now, in generall;
I see your braue resolues; and will no more
Make speech of these points; and much lesse, implore.
It is enough, that all the Grecians here,
And all the Gods besides, iust witnesse beare,
What friendly premonitions haue bene spent
On your forbearance; and their vaine euent.
Yet with my other friends, let loue preuaile
To fit me with a vessell, free of saile;
And twentie men; that may diuide to me
My readie passage through the yeelding sea.
For Sparta, and Amathoon Pylos shore
I now am bound; in purpose to explore
My long lackt Father; and to trie if Fame
(Or Ioue, most author of mans honourd name)
With his returne and life, may glad mine eare;
Though toild in that proofe, I sustaine a yeare.
If dead, I heare him, nor of more state; here
(Retir'd to my lou'd countrie) I will rere
A Sepulcher to him, and celebrate
Such royall parent-rites, as fits his state.
And then, my mother to a Spouse dispose.
This said, he sat; and to the rest, arose
Mentor, that was Vlysses chosen friend;
To whom, when he set forth, he did commend
His compleate family; and whom he willd
To see the mind of his old Sire fulfild;
All things conseruing safe, till his retreate;
Who (tender of his charge; and seeing so set
In sleight care of their King, his subiects there;
Suffering his sonne, so much contempt to beare)
Thus grauely, and with zeale to him began:
Mentor, that was Vlysses chosen friend;
To whom, when he set forth, he did commend
His compleate family; and whom he willd
To see the mind of his old Sire fulfild;
All things conseruing safe, till his retreate;
Who (tender of his charge; and seeing so set
In sleight care of their King, his subiects there;
Suffering his sonne, so much contempt to beare)
Thus grauely, and with zeale to him began:
No more, let any Scepter-bearing man,
Beneuolent, or milde, or humane be;
Nor in his minde, forme acts of pietie,
But euer feed on blood; and facts vniust
Commit, euen to the full swinge of his lust;
Since of diuine Vlysses, no man now
Of all his subiects, any thought doth show.
All whom, he gouernd; and became to them
(Rather then one that wore a diadem)
A most indulgent father. But (for all
That can touch me) within no enuie fall
These insolent wooers; that in violent kind,
Commit things foule, by th' ill wit of the mind;
And with the hazard of their heads, deuoure
Vlysses house; since his returning houre,
They hold past hope. But it affects me much,
(Ye dull plebeians) that all this doth touch
Your free States nothing; who (strooke dumbe) afford
These wooers, not so much wreake as a word;
Though few, and you, with onely number might
Extinguish to them the prophaned light.
Beneuolent, or milde, or humane be;
Nor in his minde, forme acts of pietie,
But euer feed on blood; and facts vniust
Commit, euen to the full swinge of his lust;
Since of diuine Vlysses, no man now
Of all his subiects, any thought doth show.
All whom, he gouernd; and became to them
(Rather then one that wore a diadem)
A most indulgent father. But (for all
That can touch me) within no enuie fall
These insolent wooers; that in violent kind,
Commit things foule, by th' ill wit of the mind;
And with the hazard of their heads, deuoure
Vlysses house; since his returning houre,
25
(Ye dull plebeians) that all this doth touch
Your free States nothing; who (strooke dumbe) afford
These wooers, not so much wreake as a word;
Though few, and you, with onely number might
Extinguish to them the prophaned light.
Euenors sonne (Liocritus) replide;
Mentor! the railer, made a foole with pride;
What language giu'st thou? that would quiet vs,
With putting vs in storme? exciting thus
The rout against vs? who, though more then we,
Should find it is no easie victorie
To driue men, habited in feast, from feasts;
No not if Ithacus himselfe, such guests
Should come and find so furnishing his Court,
And hope to force them from so sweete a fort.
His wife should little ioy in his arriue,
Though much she want, him: for, where she, aliue
Would hers enioy; there Death should claime his rights:
He must be conquerd, that with many fights.
Thou speakst vnfit things. To their labours then,
Disperse these people; and let these two men
(Mentor and Halitherses) that so boast,
From the beginning to haue gouernd most
In friendship of the Father; to the sonne
Confirme the course, he now affects to runne.
But my mind sayes, that if he would but vse
A little patience; he should here heare newes
Of all things that his wish would vnderstand;
But no good hope for, of the course in hand.
Mentor! the railer, made a foole with pride;
What language giu'st thou? that would quiet vs,
With putting vs in storme? exciting thus
The rout against vs? who, though more then we,
Should find it is no easie victorie
To driue men, habited in feast, from feasts;
No not if Ithacus himselfe, such guests
Should come and find so furnishing his Court,
And hope to force them from so sweete a fort.
His wife should little ioy in his arriue,
Though much she want, him: for, where she, aliue
Would hers enioy; there Death should claime his rights:
He must be conquerd, that with many fights.
Thou speakst vnfit things. To their labours then,
Disperse these people; and let these two men
(Mentor and Halitherses) that so boast,
From the beginning to haue gouernd most
In friendship of the Father; to the sonne
Confirme the course, he now affects to runne.
But my mind sayes, that if he would but vse
A little patience; he should here heare newes
Of all things that his wish would vnderstand;
But no good hope for, of the course in hand.
This said; the Councell rose; when euery Peere
And all the people, in dispersion were
To houses of their owne; the wooers yet
Made to Vlysses house their old retreat.
And all the people, in dispersion were
To houses of their owne; the wooers yet
Made to Vlysses house their old retreat.
Telemachus, apart from all the prease,
Prepar'd to shore; and (in the aged seas,
His faire hands washt) did thus to Pallas pray:
Heare me (O Goddesse) that but yesterday
Didst daigne accesse to me at home; and lay
Graue charge on me, to take ship, and enquire
Along the darke seas for mine absent Sire;
Which all the Greekes oppose; amongst whom, most
Those that are proud still at anothers cost,
Past measure, and the ciuill rights of men,
(My mothers wooers) my repulse maintaine.
Prepar'd to shore; and (in the aged seas,
His faire hands washt) did thus to Pallas pray:
Heare me (O Goddesse) that but yesterday
Didst daigne accesse to me at home; and lay
Graue charge on me, to take ship, and enquire
Along the darke seas for mine absent Sire;
Which all the Greekes oppose; amongst whom, most
Those that are proud still at anothers cost,
Past measure, and the ciuill rights of men,
(My mothers wooers) my repulse maintaine.
Thus spake he praying; when close to him came
Pallas, resembling Mentor, both in frame
Of voice and person; and aduisde him thus:
Pallas, resembling Mentor, both in frame
Of voice and person; and aduisde him thus:
26
Those wooers well might know; Telemachus
Thou wilt not euer weake and childish be;
If to thee be instilld the facultie
Of mind and bodie, that thy Father grac't.
And if (like him) there be in thee enchac't
Vertue to giue words works, and works their end;
This voyage, that to them thou didst commend
Shall not so quickly, as they idly weene,
Be vaine, or giuen vp, for their opposite spleene.
But if Vlysses, nor Penelope
Were thy true parents; I then hope in thee
Of no more vrging thy attempt in hand;
For few, that rightly bred on both sides stand,
Are like their parents; many that are worse;
And most few, better. Those then that the nurse,
Or mother call true borne; yet are not so;
Like worthy Sires, much lesse are like to grow.
But thou shewst now, that in thee fades not quite
Thy Fathers wisedome; and that future light
Shall therefore shew thee farre from being vnwise,
Or toucht with staine of bastard cowardize.
Hope therefore sayes, that thou wilt to the end
Pursue the braue act, thou didst erst intend.
But for the foolish wooers, they bewray
They neither counsell haue, nor soule; since they
Are neither wise nor iust; and so must needs
Rest ignorant, how blacke aboue their heads
Fate houers, holding Death; that one sole day
Will make enough to make them all away.
For thee; the way thou wishest, shall no more
Flie thee a step; I that haue bene before
Thy Fathers friend; thine likewise now will be;
Prouide thy ship my selfe, and follow thee.
Go thou then home, and sooth each wooers vaine;
But vnder hand, fit all things for the Maine;
Wine, in as strong and sweete casks as you can;
And meale, the very marrow of a man;
Which put in good sure lether sacks; and see
That with sweete foode, sweete vessels still agree.
I, from the people, straite will presse for you
Free voluntaries; and (for ships) enow
Sea-circl'd Ithaca containes, both new
And old built; all which, Ile exactly view,
And chuse what one soeuer most doth please;
Which riggd, wee'l strait lanch, and assay the seas.
Thou wilt not euer weake and childish be;
If to thee be instilld the facultie
Of mind and bodie, that thy Father grac't.
And if (like him) there be in thee enchac't
Vertue to giue words works, and works their end;
This voyage, that to them thou didst commend
Shall not so quickly, as they idly weene,
Be vaine, or giuen vp, for their opposite spleene.
But if Vlysses, nor Penelope
Were thy true parents; I then hope in thee
Of no more vrging thy attempt in hand;
For few, that rightly bred on both sides stand,
Are like their parents; many that are worse;
And most few, better. Those then that the nurse,
Or mother call true borne; yet are not so;
Like worthy Sires, much lesse are like to grow.
But thou shewst now, that in thee fades not quite
Thy Fathers wisedome; and that future light
Shall therefore shew thee farre from being vnwise,
Or toucht with staine of bastard cowardize.
Hope therefore sayes, that thou wilt to the end
Pursue the braue act, thou didst erst intend.
But for the foolish wooers, they bewray
They neither counsell haue, nor soule; since they
Are neither wise nor iust; and so must needs
Rest ignorant, how blacke aboue their heads
Fate houers, holding Death; that one sole day
Will make enough to make them all away.
For thee; the way thou wishest, shall no more
Flie thee a step; I that haue bene before
Thy Fathers friend; thine likewise now will be;
Prouide thy ship my selfe, and follow thee.
Go thou then home, and sooth each wooers vaine;
But vnder hand, fit all things for the Maine;
Wine, in as strong and sweete casks as you can;
And meale, the very marrow of a man;
Which put in good sure lether sacks; and see
That with sweete foode, sweete vessels still agree.
I, from the people, straite will presse for you
Free voluntaries; and (for ships) enow
Sea-circl'd Ithaca containes, both new
And old built; all which, Ile exactly view,
And chuse what one soeuer most doth please;
Which riggd, wee'l strait lanch, and assay the seas.
This spake Ioues daughter, Pallas; whose voice heard;
No more Telemachus her charge deferd;
But hasted home; and, sad at heart, did see
Amidst his Hall, th' insulting wooers flea
Goates, and rost swine. Mongst whom, Antinous
Carelesse, (discouering in Telemachus
His grudge to see them) laught; met; tooke his hand,
And said; High spoken! with the mind so mannd;
Come, do as we do; put not vp your spirits
With these low trifles; nor our louing merits,
In gall of any hatefull purpose, sleepe;
But eate egregiously, and drinke as deepe.
The things thou thinkst on, all, at full shall be
By th' Achiues thought on, and performd to thee:
Ship, and choise Oares, that in a trice will land
Thy hastie Fleete, on heau'nly Pylos sand;
And at the fame of thy illustrous Sire.
No more Telemachus her charge deferd;
But hasted home; and, sad at heart, did see
27
Goates, and rost swine. Mongst whom, Antinous
Carelesse, (discouering in Telemachus
His grudge to see them) laught; met; tooke his hand,
And said; High spoken! with the mind so mannd;
Come, do as we do; put not vp your spirits
With these low trifles; nor our louing merits,
In gall of any hatefull purpose, sleepe;
But eate egregiously, and drinke as deepe.
The things thou thinkst on, all, at full shall be
By th' Achiues thought on, and performd to thee:
Ship, and choise Oares, that in a trice will land
Thy hastie Fleete, on heau'nly Pylos sand;
And at the fame of thy illustrous Sire.
He answerd: Men whom Pride doth so inspire,
Are no fit consorts for an humble guest;
Nor are constraind men, merrie at their feast.
Is't not enough, that all this time ye haue
Op't in your entrailes, my chiefe goods a graue?
And while I was a child, made me partake?
My now more growth, more grown my mind doth make:
And (hearing speake, more iudging men then you)
Perceiue how much I was misgouernd now.
I now will trie, if I can bring ye home
An ill Fate to consort you; if it come
From Pylos, or amongst the people, here.
But thither I resolue; and know that there
I shall not touch in vaine. Nor will I stay,
Though in a merchants ship I stere my way:
Which shewes in your sights best; since me ye know
Incapable of ship, or men to row.
Are no fit consorts for an humble guest;
Nor are constraind men, merrie at their feast.
Is't not enough, that all this time ye haue
Op't in your entrailes, my chiefe goods a graue?
And while I was a child, made me partake?
My now more growth, more grown my mind doth make:
And (hearing speake, more iudging men then you)
Perceiue how much I was misgouernd now.
I now will trie, if I can bring ye home
An ill Fate to consort you; if it come
From Pylos, or amongst the people, here.
But thither I resolue; and know that there
I shall not touch in vaine. Nor will I stay,
Though in a merchants ship I stere my way:
Which shewes in your sights best; since me ye know
Incapable of ship, or men to row.
This said; his hand he coily snatcht away
From forth Antinous hand. The rest, the day
Spent through the house with banquets; some with iests,
And some with railings, dignifying their feasts.
To whom, a iest-proud youth, the wit began:
From forth Antinous hand. The rest, the day
Spent through the house with banquets; some with iests,
And some with railings, dignifying their feasts.
To whom, a iest-proud youth, the wit began:
Telemachus will kill vs euery man.
From Sparta, or the very Pylian sand,
He will raise aides to his impetuous hand.
O he affects it strangely! Or he meanes
To search Ephyras fat shores; and from thence
Bring deathfull poisons; which amongst our bow'ls
Will make a generall shipwracke of our soules.
From Sparta, or the very Pylian sand,
He will raise aides to his impetuous hand.
O he affects it strangely! Or he meanes
To search Ephyras fat shores; and from thence
Bring deathfull poisons; which amongst our bow'ls
Will make a generall shipwracke of our soules.
Another said: Alas who knowes, but he
Once gone; and erring like his Sire at sea,
May perish like him, farre from aide of friends?
And so he makes vs worke; for all the ends
Left of his goods here, we shall share; the house
Left to his mother, and her chosen Spouse.
Once gone; and erring like his Sire at sea,
May perish like him, farre from aide of friends?
And so he makes vs worke; for all the ends
Left of his goods here, we shall share; the house
28
Thus they. While he a roome ascended, hie
And large, built by his Father; where did lie
Gold and brasse heapt vp; and in coffers were
Rich robes; great store of odorous oiles; and there
Stood Tuns of sweete old wines, along the wall;
Neate and diuine drinke, kept to cheare withall
Vlysses old heart, if he turnd againe
From labors fatall to him to sustaine.
The doores of Planke were; their close exquisite,
Kept with a double key; and day and night
A woman lockt within; and that was she,
Who all trust had for her sufficiencie.
Old Euryclea, (one of Opis race,
Sonne to Pisenor, and in passing grace
With gray Minerua:) her, the Prince did call;
And said, Nurse! draw me the most sweete of all
The wine thou keepst; next that, which for my Sire,
Thy care reserues, in hope he shall retire.
Twelue vessels fill me forth, and stop them well.
Then into well-sewd sacks, of fine ground meale,
Powre twentie measures. Not to any one
But thou thy selfe, let this designe be knowne.
All this see got together; I, it all
In night will fetch off, when my mother shall
Ascend her high roome, and for sleepe prepare.
Sparta and Pylos, I must see, in care
To find my Father. Out Euryclea cried,
And askt with teares: Why is your mind applied
(Deare sonne) to this course? whither will you go?
So farre off leaue vs? and beloued so?
So onely? and the sole hope of your race?
Royall Vlysses, farre from the embrace
Of his kind countrie; in a land vnknowne
Is dead; and you (from your lou'd countrie gone)
The wooers will with some deceit assay
To your destruction; making then their prey
Of all your goods. Where, in your owne y'are strong,
Make sure abode. It fits not you so yong,
To suffer so much by the aged seas,
And erre in such a waylesse wildernesse.
And large, built by his Father; where did lie
Gold and brasse heapt vp; and in coffers were
Rich robes; great store of odorous oiles; and there
Stood Tuns of sweete old wines, along the wall;
Neate and diuine drinke, kept to cheare withall
Vlysses old heart, if he turnd againe
From labors fatall to him to sustaine.
The doores of Planke were; their close exquisite,
Kept with a double key; and day and night
A woman lockt within; and that was she,
Who all trust had for her sufficiencie.
Old Euryclea, (one of Opis race,
Sonne to Pisenor, and in passing grace
With gray Minerua:) her, the Prince did call;
And said, Nurse! draw me the most sweete of all
The wine thou keepst; next that, which for my Sire,
Thy care reserues, in hope he shall retire.
Twelue vessels fill me forth, and stop them well.
Then into well-sewd sacks, of fine ground meale,
Powre twentie measures. Not to any one
But thou thy selfe, let this designe be knowne.
All this see got together; I, it all
In night will fetch off, when my mother shall
Ascend her high roome, and for sleepe prepare.
Sparta and Pylos, I must see, in care
To find my Father. Out Euryclea cried,
And askt with teares: Why is your mind applied
(Deare sonne) to this course? whither will you go?
So farre off leaue vs? and beloued so?
So onely? and the sole hope of your race?
Royall Vlysses, farre from the embrace
Of his kind countrie; in a land vnknowne
Is dead; and you (from your lou'd countrie gone)
The wooers will with some deceit assay
To your destruction; making then their prey
Of all your goods. Where, in your owne y'are strong,
Make sure abode. It fits not you so yong,
To suffer so much by the aged seas,
And erre in such a waylesse wildernesse.
Be chear'd (lou'd nurse, said he) for not without
The will of God, go my attempts about.
Sweare therefore, not to wound my mothers eares
With word of this; before from heauen appeares
Th' eleuenth or twelfth light; or her selfe shall please
To aske of me; or heares me put to seas;
Lest her faire bodie, with her woe be wore.
The will of God, go my attempts about.
Sweare therefore, not to wound my mothers eares
With word of this; before from heauen appeares
Th' eleuenth or twelfth light; or her selfe shall please
To aske of me; or heares me put to seas;
Lest her faire bodie, with her woe be wore.
29
To this, the great oath of the Gods, she swore;
Which, hauing sworne; and of it, euery due
Performd to full: to vessels, wine she drew;
And into well sewd sacks powr'd foodie meale;
In meane time he (with cunning to conceale
All thought of this from others) himselfe bore
In broade house, with the wooers, as before.
Which, hauing sworne; and of it, euery due
Performd to full: to vessels, wine she drew;
And into well sewd sacks powr'd foodie meale;
In meane time he (with cunning to conceale
All thought of this from others) himselfe bore
In broade house, with the wooers, as before.
Then grey-eyd Pallas, other thoughts did owne;
And (like Telemachus) trod through the Towne;
Commanding all his men, in th' euen to be
Aboord his ship. Againe then question'd she
Normon (fam'd for aged Phronius sonne)
About his ship; who, all things to be done,
Assur'd her freely should. The Sunne then set,
And sable shadowes slid through euery streete,
When forth they lancht; and soone aboord did bring
All Armes, and choice of euery needfull thing,
That fits a well-riggd ship. The Goddesse then
Stood in the Ports extreame part; where, her men
(Nobly appointed) thicke about her came,
Whose euery breast, she did with spirit enflame.
Yet still fresh proiects, laid the grey-eyd Dame.
And (like Telemachus) trod through the Towne;
Commanding all his men, in th' euen to be
Aboord his ship. Againe then question'd she
Normon (fam'd for aged Phronius sonne)
About his ship; who, all things to be done,
Assur'd her freely should. The Sunne then set,
And sable shadowes slid through euery streete,
When forth they lancht; and soone aboord did bring
All Armes, and choice of euery needfull thing,
That fits a well-riggd ship. The Goddesse then
Stood in the Ports extreame part; where, her men
(Nobly appointed) thicke about her came,
Whose euery breast, she did with spirit enflame.
Yet still fresh proiects, laid the grey-eyd Dame.
Strait, to the house she hasted; and sweete sleepe
Powr'd on each wooer; which so laid in steepe
Their drowsie temples, that each brow did nod,
As all were drinking; and each hand his lode
(The cup) let fall. All start vp, and to bed;
Nor more would watch, when sleepe so surfeted
Their leaden ey-lids. Then did Pallas call
Telemachus, (in bodie, voice, and all
Resembling Mentor) from his natiue nest:
And said, that all his arm'd men were addrest
To vse their Oares; and all expected now
He should the spirit of a souldier show.
Come then (said she) no more let vs deferre
Our honor'd action. Then she tooke on her
A rauisht spirit, and led as she did leape;
And he her most haste, tooke out, step by step.
Powr'd on each wooer; which so laid in steepe
Their drowsie temples, that each brow did nod,
As all were drinking; and each hand his lode
(The cup) let fall. All start vp, and to bed;
Nor more would watch, when sleepe so surfeted
Their leaden ey-lids. Then did Pallas call
Telemachus, (in bodie, voice, and all
Resembling Mentor) from his natiue nest:
And said, that all his arm'd men were addrest
To vse their Oares; and all expected now
He should the spirit of a souldier show.
Come then (said she) no more let vs deferre
Our honor'd action. Then she tooke on her
A rauisht spirit, and led as she did leape;
And he her most haste, tooke out, step by step.
Arriu'd at sea, and ship; they found ashore
The souldiers, that their fashiond long haire wore;
To whom, the Prince said: Come, my friends; let's bring
Our voyages prouision: euery thing
Is heapt together in our Court; and none
(No not my mother, nor her maids) but one
Knowes our intention. This exprest; he led;
The souldiers close together followed;
And all together brought aboord their store.
Aboord the Prince went; Pallas still before
Sat at the Sterne: he close to her; the men
Vp, hasted after. He, and Pallas then,
Put from the shore. His souldiers then he bad
See all their Armes fit; which they heard; and had.
The souldiers, that their fashiond long haire wore;
To whom, the Prince said: Come, my friends; let's bring
Our voyages prouision: euery thing
Is heapt together in our Court; and none
(No not my mother, nor her maids) but one
Knowes our intention. This exprest; he led;
The souldiers close together followed;
And all together brought aboord their store.
Aboord the Prince went; Pallas still before
30
Vp, hasted after. He, and Pallas then,
Put from the shore. His souldiers then he bad
See all their Armes fit; which they heard; and had.
A beechen Mast then, in the hollow base
They put, and hoisted; fixt it in his place
With cables; and with well-wreath'd halfers hoise
Their white sailes; which gray Pallas now employes
With full and fore-gales, through the darke deep maine.
The purple waues (so swift cut) roar'd againe
Against the ship sides, that now ranne, and plowd
The rugged seas vp. Then the men bestowd
Their Armes about the ship; and sacrifice
With crownd wine cups, to th' endlesse Deities,
They offerd vp. Of all yet thron'd aboue,
They most obseru'd the grey-eyd seed of Ioue:
Who from the euening, till the morning rose,
And all day long, their voyage did dispose.
They put, and hoisted; fixt it in his place
With cables; and with well-wreath'd halfers hoise
Their white sailes; which gray Pallas now employes
With full and fore-gales, through the darke deep maine.
The purple waues (so swift cut) roar'd againe
Against the ship sides, that now ranne, and plowd
The rugged seas vp. Then the men bestowd
Their Armes about the ship; and sacrifice
With crownd wine cups, to th' endlesse Deities,
They offerd vp. Of all yet thron'd aboue,
They most obseru'd the grey-eyd seed of Ioue:
Who from the euening, till the morning rose,
And all day long, their voyage did dispose.
Finis libri secundi Hom. Odyss.
31
THE THIRD BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Telemachus, and heau'ns wise Dame,That neuer husband had, now came
To Nestor; who, his either guest
Receiu'd at the religious feast
He made to Neptune, on his shore.
And there told, what was done before
The Troian turrets; and the state
Of all the Greekes, since Ilions fate.
This booke, these three of greatest place,
Doth serue with many a varied grace.
(Which past); Minerua takes her leaue.
Whose state, when Nestor doth perceiue;
With sacrifice he makes it knowne,
Where many a pleasing rite is showne.
Which done, Telemachus had gaind
A chariot of him; who ordaind
Pisistratus, his sonne, his guide
To Sparta; and when starrie eyd
The ample heau'n began to be;
All house-rites to affoord them free
(In Pheris) Diocles did please;
His sirname Ortisochides.
Another.
Vlysses sonneWith Nestor lies;
To Sparta gone,
Thence Pallas flies.
The Sunne now left the great and goodly Lake,
And to the firme heau'n, bright ascent did make,
To shine as well vpon the mortall birth,
Inhabiting the plowd life-giuing earth,
As on the euer tredders vpon Death.
And now to Pylos, that so garnisheth
Her selfe with buildings; old Neleus towne,
The Prince and Goddesse come; had strange sights showne;
For on the Marine shore, the people there
To Neptune, that the Azure lockes doth weare;
Beeues that were wholy blacke, gaue holy flame.
Nine seates of State they made to his high name;
And euery Seate set with fiue hundred men;
And each fiue hundred, was to furnish then
With nine blacke Oxen, euery sacred Seate.
These, of the entrailes onely, pleasd to eate;
And to the God enflam'd the fleshie thies.
And to the firme heau'n, bright ascent did make,
To shine as well vpon the mortall birth,
Inhabiting the plowd life-giuing earth,
As on the euer tredders vpon Death.
And now to Pylos, that so garnisheth
Her selfe with buildings; old Neleus towne,
The Prince and Goddesse come; had strange sights showne;
For on the Marine shore, the people there
To Neptune, that the Azure lockes doth weare;
Beeues that were wholy blacke, gaue holy flame.
Nine seates of State they made to his high name;
32
And each fiue hundred, was to furnish then
With nine blacke Oxen, euery sacred Seate.
These, of the entrailes onely, pleasd to eate;
And to the God enflam'd the fleshie thies.
By this time Pallas, with the sparkling eies,
And he she led, within the hauen bore:
Strooke saile, cast anchor, and trod both the shore.
She first; he after. Then said Pallas: Now
No more befits thee the least bashfull brow;
T'embolden which, this act is put on thee
To seeke thy Father, both at shore, and sea:
And learne in what Clime, he abides so close;
Or in the powre of what Fate doth repose.
And he she led, within the hauen bore:
Strooke saile, cast anchor, and trod both the shore.
She first; he after. Then said Pallas: Now
No more befits thee the least bashfull brow;
T'embolden which, this act is put on thee
To seeke thy Father, both at shore, and sea:
And learne in what Clime, he abides so close;
Or in the powre of what Fate doth repose.
Come then; go right to Nestor; let vs see,
If in his bosome any counsell be,
That may informe vs. Pray him not to trace
The common courtship; and to speake in grace
Of the Demander; but to tell the truth:
Which will delight him; and commend thy youth
For such preuention; for he loues no lies;
Nor will report them, being truly wise.
If in his bosome any counsell be,
That may informe vs. Pray him not to trace
The common courtship; and to speake in grace
Of the Demander; but to tell the truth:
Which will delight him; and commend thy youth
For such preuention; for he loues no lies;
Nor will report them, being truly wise.
He answerd: Mentor! how alas shall I
Present my selfe? how greete his grauitie?
My youth by no meanes that ripe forme affords,
That can digest my minds instinct, in words
Wise, and beseeming th' eares of one so sage.
Youth of most hope, blush to vse words with Age.
Present my selfe? how greete his grauitie?
My youth by no meanes that ripe forme affords,
That can digest my minds instinct, in words
Wise, and beseeming th' eares of one so sage.
Youth of most hope, blush to vse words with Age.
She said: Thy mind will some conceit impresse,
And something God will prompt thy towardnesse.
For I suppose, thy birth and breeding too,
Were not in spite of what the Gods could do.
And something God will prompt thy towardnesse.
For I suppose, thy birth and breeding too,
Were not in spite of what the Gods could do.
This said, she swiftly went before, and he
Her steps made guides, and followd instantly.
When soone they reacht the Pylian throngs and seates,
Where Nestor with his sonnes sate; and the meates
That for the feast seru'd; round about them were
Adherents dressing all their sacred cheare,
Being rost and boyld meates. When the Pylians saw
These strangers come: in thrust did all men draw
About their entrie. Tooke their hands, and praid
They both would sit. Their entrie first assaid
By Nestors sonne, Pisistratus. In grace
Of whose repaire, he gaue them honor'd place
Betwixt his Sire, and brother Thrasimed,
Who sate at feast, on soft Fels that were spred
Along the sea sands. Keru'd, and reacht to them
Parts of the inwards; and did make a streame
Of spritely wine, into a golden boule;
Which to Minerua, with a gentle soule
He gaue, and thus spake: Ere you eate, faire guest,
Inuoke the Seas King; of whose sacred feast,
Your trauell hither, makes ye partners now:
When (sacrificing, as becomes) bestow
This boule of sweete wine on your friend, that he
May likewise vse these rites of pietie:
For suppose, his youth doth prayers vse,
Since all men need the Gods. But you I chuse
First in this cups disposure; since his yeares
Seeme short of yours; who more like me appeares.
Thus gaue he her the cup of pleasant wine;
And since a wise and iust man did designe
The golden boule first to her free receit;
Euen to the Goddesse it did adde delight.
Who thus inuokt: Heare thou whose vast embrace
Enspheres the whole earth; nor disdaine thy grace
To vs that aske it, in performing this:
To Nestor first, and these faire sonnes of his,
Vouchsafe all honor: and next them, bestow
On all these Pylians, that haue offerd now
This most renowmed Hecatomb to thee,
Remuneration fit for them, and free;
And lastly daigne Telemachus, and me,
(The worke performd, for whose effect we came)
Our safe returne, both with our ship and fame.
Thus praid she; and her selfe, her selfe obaid;
In th' end performing all for which she praid.
And now to pray, and do as she had done;
She gaue the faire round boule t'Vlysses sonne.
Her steps made guides, and followd instantly.
When soone they reacht the Pylian throngs and seates,
Where Nestor with his sonnes sate; and the meates
That for the feast seru'd; round about them were
Adherents dressing all their sacred cheare,
Being rost and boyld meates. When the Pylians saw
These strangers come: in thrust did all men draw
About their entrie. Tooke their hands, and praid
They both would sit. Their entrie first assaid
By Nestors sonne, Pisistratus. In grace
Of whose repaire, he gaue them honor'd place
Betwixt his Sire, and brother Thrasimed,
Who sate at feast, on soft Fels that were spred
Along the sea sands. Keru'd, and reacht to them
Parts of the inwards; and did make a streame
33
Which to Minerua, with a gentle soule
He gaue, and thus spake: Ere you eate, faire guest,
Inuoke the Seas King; of whose sacred feast,
Your trauell hither, makes ye partners now:
When (sacrificing, as becomes) bestow
This boule of sweete wine on your friend, that he
May likewise vse these rites of pietie:
For suppose, his youth doth prayers vse,
Since all men need the Gods. But you I chuse
First in this cups disposure; since his yeares
Seeme short of yours; who more like me appeares.
Thus gaue he her the cup of pleasant wine;
And since a wise and iust man did designe
The golden boule first to her free receit;
Euen to the Goddesse it did adde delight.
Who thus inuokt: Heare thou whose vast embrace
Enspheres the whole earth; nor disdaine thy grace
To vs that aske it, in performing this:
To Nestor first, and these faire sonnes of his,
Vouchsafe all honor: and next them, bestow
On all these Pylians, that haue offerd now
This most renowmed Hecatomb to thee,
Remuneration fit for them, and free;
And lastly daigne Telemachus, and me,
(The worke performd, for whose effect we came)
Our safe returne, both with our ship and fame.
Thus praid she; and her selfe, her selfe obaid;
In th' end performing all for which she praid.
And now to pray, and do as she had done;
She gaue the faire round boule t'Vlysses sonne.
The meate then drest, and drawne, and seru'd t'each guest;
They celebrated a most sumptuous feast.
When (appetite to wine and food allaid)
Horse-taming Nestor then began, and said:
They celebrated a most sumptuous feast.
When (appetite to wine and food allaid)
Horse-taming Nestor then began, and said:
Now lifes desire is seru'd, as farre as fare;
Time fits me to enquire, what guests these are.
Faire guests, what are ye? and for what Coast tries
Your ship the moist deepes? For fit merchandize,
Or rudely coast ye, like our men of prize?
The rough seas tempting; desperatly erring
The ill of others, in their good conferring?
Time fits me to enquire, what guests these are.
Faire guests, what are ye? and for what Coast tries
Your ship the moist deepes? For fit merchandize,
Or rudely coast ye, like our men of prize?
The rough seas tempting; desperatly erring
The ill of others, in their good conferring?
The wise Prince, now his boldnesse did begin;
For Pallas selfe had hardned him within;
By this deuice of trauell to explore
His absent Father; which two Girlonds wore;
His good, by manage of his spirits; and then
To gaine him high grace, in th' accounts of men.
For Pallas selfe had hardned him within;
By this deuice of trauell to explore
His absent Father; which two Girlonds wore;
His good, by manage of his spirits; and then
To gaine him high grace, in th' accounts of men.
34
O Nestor! still in whom Neleus liues!
And all the glorie of the Greeks suruiues;
You aske, from whence we are; and I relate:
From Ithaca (whose seate is situate
Where Neius the renowmed Mountaine reares
His haughtie forehead; and the honor beares
To be our Sea-marke) we assaid the waues;
The businesse I must tell; our owne good craues,
And not the publicke. I am come t'enquire,
If in the fame that best men doth inspire,
Of my most-suffering Father, I may heare
Some truth of his estate now; who did beare
The name (being ioynd in fight with you alone)
To euen with earth the height of Ilion.
Of all men else, that any name did beare,
And fought for Troy, the seuerall ends we heare;
But his death, Ioue keepes from the world vnknowne;
The certaine fame thereof, being told by none.
If on the Continent, by enemies slaine;
Or with the waues eat, of the rauenous Maine.
For his loue tis, that to your knees I sue;
That you would please, out of your owne cleare view,
T'assure his sad end; or say, if your eare
Hath heard of the vnhappie wanderer,
To too much sorrow, whom his mother bore.
You then, by all your bounties I implore,
(If euer to you, deed or word hath stood,
By my good Father promist, renderd good
Amongst the Troians; where ye both haue tried
The Grecian sufferance) that, in nought applied
To my respect or pitie, you will glose,
But vnclothd Truth, to my desires disclose.
And all the glorie of the Greeks suruiues;
You aske, from whence we are; and I relate:
From Ithaca (whose seate is situate
Where Neius the renowmed Mountaine reares
His haughtie forehead; and the honor beares
To be our Sea-marke) we assaid the waues;
The businesse I must tell; our owne good craues,
And not the publicke. I am come t'enquire,
If in the fame that best men doth inspire,
Of my most-suffering Father, I may heare
Some truth of his estate now; who did beare
The name (being ioynd in fight with you alone)
To euen with earth the height of Ilion.
Of all men else, that any name did beare,
And fought for Troy, the seuerall ends we heare;
But his death, Ioue keepes from the world vnknowne;
The certaine fame thereof, being told by none.
If on the Continent, by enemies slaine;
Or with the waues eat, of the rauenous Maine.
For his loue tis, that to your knees I sue;
That you would please, out of your owne cleare view,
T'assure his sad end; or say, if your eare
Hath heard of the vnhappie wanderer,
To too much sorrow, whom his mother bore.
You then, by all your bounties I implore,
(If euer to you, deed or word hath stood,
By my good Father promist, renderd good
Amongst the Troians; where ye both haue tried
The Grecian sufferance) that, in nought applied
To my respect or pitie, you will glose,
But vnclothd Truth, to my desires disclose.
O my much lou'd, (said he) since you renew
Remembrance of the miseries that grew
Vpon our still-in-strength-opposing Greece,
Amongst Troys people; I must touch a peece
Of all our woes there; either in the men
Achilles brought by sea, and led to gaine
About the Country; or in vs that fought
About the Citie, where to death were brought
All our chiefe men, as many as were there.
There Mars-like Aiax lies; Achilles there;
There the-in-counsell-like-the-Gods; his friend;
There my deare sonne Antilochus tooke end;
Past measure swift of foote, and staid in fight.
A number more, that ils felt infinite:
Of which to reckon all, what mortall man
(If fiue or sixe yeares you should stay here) can
Serue such enquirie? You would backe againe,
Affected with vnsufferable paine,
Before you heard it. Nine yeares siegd we them,
With all the depth and sleight of stratagem
That could be thought. Ill knit to ill, past end:
Yet still they toild vs: nor would yet Ioue send
Rest to our labors: nor will scarcely yet.
But no man liu'd, that would in publicke set
His wisedome, by Vlysses policie,
(As thought his equall) so excessiuely
He stood superiour all wayes. If you be
His sonne indeed; mine eyes euen rauish me
To admiration. And in all consent,
Your speech puts on his speeches ornament.
Nor would one say, that one so yong could vse
(Vnlesse his sonne) a Rhetorique so profuse.
And while we liu'd together; he and I
Neuer in speech maintaind diuersitie:
Nor set in counsell: but (by one soule led)
With spirit and prudent counsell furnished
The Greeks at all houres: that with fairest course,
What best became them, they might put in force.
But when Troys high Towres, we had leueld thus;
We put to sea; and God diuided vs.
And then did Ioue, our sad retreat deuise;
For all the Greeks were neither iust nor wise;
And therefore many felt so sharpe a fate;
Sent from Mineruas most pernicious hate;
Whose mightie Father can do fearfull things.
By whose helpe she, betwixt the brother Kings
Let fall Contention: who in councell met
In vaine, and timelesse; when the Sunne was set;
And all the Greeks calld; that came chargd with wine.
Yet then the Kings would vtter their designe;
And why they summond. Menelaus, he
Put all in mind of home; and cried, To sea.
But Agamemnon stood on contraries;
Whose will was, they should stay and sacrifise
Whole Hecatombs to Pallas; to forgo
Her high wrath to them. Foole, that did not know
She would not so be wonne: for not with ease
Th' eternall Gods are turnd from what they please.
So they (diuided) on foule language stood.
The Greekes, in huge rout rose: their wine-heate bloud,
Two wayes affecting. And that nights sleepe too,
We turnd to studying either others wo.
When Ioue besides, made readie woes enow.
Morne came, we lancht; and in our ships did stow
Our goods, and faire-girt women. Halfe our men
The peoples guide (Atrides) did containe;
And halfe (being now aboord) put forth to sea.
A most free gale gaue all ships prosperous way.
God settld then the huge whale-bearing lake;
And Tenedos we reacht; where, for times sake,
We did diuine rites to the Gods: but Ioue
(Inexorable still) bore yet no loue
To our returne; but did againe excite
A second sad Contention, that turnd quite
A great part of vs backe to sea againe;
Which were th' abundant in all counsels men,
(Your matchlesse Father) who, (to gratifie
The great Atrides) backe to him did flie.
But I fled all, with all that followd me;
Because I knew, God studied miserie,
To hurle amongst vs. With me likewise fled
Martiall Tidides. I, the men he led,
Gat to go with him. Winds our fleete did bring
To Lesbos, where the yellow-headed King
(Though late, yet) found vs; as we put to choise
A tedious voyage; if we saile should hoise
Aboue rough Chius (left on our left hand)
To th' Ile of Psiria; or that rugged land
Saile vnder; and for windie Mimas stere.
We askt of God, that some ostent might cleare
Our cloudie businesse: who gaue vs signe,
And charge, that all should (in a middle line)
The sea cut, for Eubœa; that with speed,
Our long-sustaind infortune might be freed.
Then did a whistling wind begin to rise,
And swiftly flew we through the fishie skies,
Till to Geræstus we in night were brought;
Where (through the broad sea, since we safe had wrought)
At Neptunes altars, many solid thies
Of slaughterd buls, we burnd for sacrifise.
Remembrance of the miseries that grew
Vpon our still-in-strength-opposing Greece,
Amongst Troys people; I must touch a peece
Of all our woes there; either in the men
Achilles brought by sea, and led to gaine
About the Country; or in vs that fought
About the Citie, where to death were brought
All our chiefe men, as many as were there.
There Mars-like Aiax lies; Achilles there;
There the-in-counsell-like-the-Gods; his friend;
There my deare sonne Antilochus tooke end;
Past measure swift of foote, and staid in fight.
A number more, that ils felt infinite:
Of which to reckon all, what mortall man
(If fiue or sixe yeares you should stay here) can
35
Affected with vnsufferable paine,
Before you heard it. Nine yeares siegd we them,
With all the depth and sleight of stratagem
That could be thought. Ill knit to ill, past end:
Yet still they toild vs: nor would yet Ioue send
Rest to our labors: nor will scarcely yet.
But no man liu'd, that would in publicke set
His wisedome, by Vlysses policie,
(As thought his equall) so excessiuely
He stood superiour all wayes. If you be
His sonne indeed; mine eyes euen rauish me
To admiration. And in all consent,
Your speech puts on his speeches ornament.
Nor would one say, that one so yong could vse
(Vnlesse his sonne) a Rhetorique so profuse.
And while we liu'd together; he and I
Neuer in speech maintaind diuersitie:
Nor set in counsell: but (by one soule led)
With spirit and prudent counsell furnished
The Greeks at all houres: that with fairest course,
What best became them, they might put in force.
But when Troys high Towres, we had leueld thus;
We put to sea; and God diuided vs.
And then did Ioue, our sad retreat deuise;
For all the Greeks were neither iust nor wise;
And therefore many felt so sharpe a fate;
Sent from Mineruas most pernicious hate;
Whose mightie Father can do fearfull things.
By whose helpe she, betwixt the brother Kings
Let fall Contention: who in councell met
In vaine, and timelesse; when the Sunne was set;
And all the Greeks calld; that came chargd with wine.
Yet then the Kings would vtter their designe;
And why they summond. Menelaus, he
Put all in mind of home; and cried, To sea.
But Agamemnon stood on contraries;
Whose will was, they should stay and sacrifise
Whole Hecatombs to Pallas; to forgo
Her high wrath to them. Foole, that did not know
She would not so be wonne: for not with ease
Th' eternall Gods are turnd from what they please.
So they (diuided) on foule language stood.
The Greekes, in huge rout rose: their wine-heate bloud,
Two wayes affecting. And that nights sleepe too,
We turnd to studying either others wo.
When Ioue besides, made readie woes enow.
Morne came, we lancht; and in our ships did stow
36
The peoples guide (Atrides) did containe;
And halfe (being now aboord) put forth to sea.
A most free gale gaue all ships prosperous way.
God settld then the huge whale-bearing lake;
And Tenedos we reacht; where, for times sake,
We did diuine rites to the Gods: but Ioue
(Inexorable still) bore yet no loue
To our returne; but did againe excite
A second sad Contention, that turnd quite
A great part of vs backe to sea againe;
Which were th' abundant in all counsels men,
(Your matchlesse Father) who, (to gratifie
The great Atrides) backe to him did flie.
But I fled all, with all that followd me;
Because I knew, God studied miserie,
To hurle amongst vs. With me likewise fled
Martiall Tidides. I, the men he led,
Gat to go with him. Winds our fleete did bring
To Lesbos, where the yellow-headed King
(Though late, yet) found vs; as we put to choise
A tedious voyage; if we saile should hoise
Aboue rough Chius (left on our left hand)
To th' Ile of Psiria; or that rugged land
Saile vnder; and for windie Mimas stere.
We askt of God, that some ostent might cleare
Our cloudie businesse: who gaue vs signe,
And charge, that all should (in a middle line)
The sea cut, for Eubœa; that with speed,
Our long-sustaind infortune might be freed.
Then did a whistling wind begin to rise,
And swiftly flew we through the fishie skies,
Till to Geræstus we in night were brought;
Where (through the broad sea, since we safe had wrought)
At Neptunes altars, many solid thies
Of slaughterd buls, we burnd for sacrifise.
The fourth day came, when Tydeus sonne did greete
The hauen of Argos, with his complete Fleete.
But I, for Pylos strait ster'd on my course,
Nor euer left the wind his fore right force,
Since God fore-sent it first. And thus I came
(Deare sonne) to Pylos, vninformd by fame;
Nor know one sau'd by Fate, or ouercome.
Whom I haue heard of since (set here at home)
As fits, thou shalt be taught, nought left vnshowne.
The hauen of Argos, with his complete Fleete.
But I, for Pylos strait ster'd on my course,
Nor euer left the wind his fore right force,
Since God fore-sent it first. And thus I came
(Deare sonne) to Pylos, vninformd by fame;
Nor know one sau'd by Fate, or ouercome.
Whom I haue heard of since (set here at home)
As fits, thou shalt be taught, nought left vnshowne.
The expert speare-men; euery Myrmidon,
(Led by the braue heire of the mightie sould
Vnpeerd Achilles) safe of home got hold.
Safe Philoctetes, Pæans famous seed:
And safe Idomeneus; his men led
To his home, (Crete;) who fled the armed field;
Of whom, yet none, the sea from him withheld.
(Led by the braue heire of the mightie sould
Vnpeerd Achilles) safe of home got hold.
37
And safe Idomeneus; his men led
To his home, (Crete;) who fled the armed field;
Of whom, yet none, the sea from him withheld.
Atrides (you haue both heard, though ye be
His farre off dwellers) what an end had he,
Done by Ægisthus, to a bitter death;
Who miserably paid for forced breath;
Atrides leauing a good sonne, that dide
In bloud of that deceitfull parricide
His wreakfull sword. And thou my friend (as he
For this hath his fame) the like spirit in thee
Assume at all parts. Faire, and great I see
Thou art, in all hope; make it good to th' end;
That after-times, as much may thee commend.
His farre off dwellers) what an end had he,
Done by Ægisthus, to a bitter death;
Who miserably paid for forced breath;
Atrides leauing a good sonne, that dide
In bloud of that deceitfull parricide
His wreakfull sword. And thou my friend (as he
For this hath his fame) the like spirit in thee
Assume at all parts. Faire, and great I see
Thou art, in all hope; make it good to th' end;
That after-times, as much may thee commend.
He answerd: O thou greatest grace of Greece;
Orestes made that wreake, his master peece;
And him the Greeks will giue, a master praise;
Verse finding him, to last all after daies.
And would to God, the Gods would fauour me
With his performance; that my iniurie,
Done by my mothers wooers, (being so foule)
I might reuenge vpon their euery soule.
Who (pressing me with contumelies) dare
Such things as past the powre of vtterance are.
But heauens great Powres, haue grac't my destinie
With no such honor. Both my Sire and I,
Are borne to suffer euerlastingly.
Orestes made that wreake, his master peece;
And him the Greeks will giue, a master praise;
Verse finding him, to last all after daies.
And would to God, the Gods would fauour me
With his performance; that my iniurie,
Done by my mothers wooers, (being so foule)
I might reuenge vpon their euery soule.
Who (pressing me with contumelies) dare
Such things as past the powre of vtterance are.
But heauens great Powres, haue grac't my destinie
With no such honor. Both my Sire and I,
Are borne to suffer euerlastingly.
Because you name those wooers (Friend, said he)
Report sayes, many such, in spite of thee,
(Wooing thy mother) in thy house commit
The ils thou nam'st. But say; proceedeth it
From will in thee, to beare so foule a foile;
Or from thy subiects hate, that wish thy spoile?
And will not aide thee, since their spirits relie
(Against thy rule) on some graue Augurie?
What know they, but at length thy Father may
Come; and with violence, their violence pay?
Or he alone; or all the Greeks with him?
But if Minerua now did so esteeme
Thee, as thy Father, in times past; whom, past
All measure, she, with glorious fauours grac't
Amongst the Troians, where we suffered so;
(O! I did neuer see, in such cleare show,
The Gods so grace a man, as she to him,
To all our eyes, appeard in all her trim)
If so, I say, she would be pleasd to loue,
And that her minds care, thou so much couldst moue,
As did thy Father; euery man of these,
Would lose in death their seeking mariages.
Report sayes, many such, in spite of thee,
(Wooing thy mother) in thy house commit
The ils thou nam'st. But say; proceedeth it
From will in thee, to beare so foule a foile;
Or from thy subiects hate, that wish thy spoile?
And will not aide thee, since their spirits relie
(Against thy rule) on some graue Augurie?
What know they, but at length thy Father may
Come; and with violence, their violence pay?
Or he alone; or all the Greeks with him?
But if Minerua now did so esteeme
Thee, as thy Father, in times past; whom, past
All measure, she, with glorious fauours grac't
Amongst the Troians, where we suffered so;
(O! I did neuer see, in such cleare show,
The Gods so grace a man, as she to him,
To all our eyes, appeard in all her trim)
If so, I say, she would be pleasd to loue,
And that her minds care, thou so much couldst moue,
38
Would lose in death their seeking mariages.
O Father, (answerd he) you make amaze
Seise me throughout. Beyond the height of phrase
You raise expression; but twill neuer be,
That I shall moue, in any Deitie,
So blest an honour. Not by any meanes,
If Hope should prompt me, or blind Confidence,
(The God of Fooles), or euery Deitie
Should will it; for, tis past my destinie.
Seise me throughout. Beyond the height of phrase
You raise expression; but twill neuer be,
That I shall moue, in any Deitie,
So blest an honour. Not by any meanes,
If Hope should prompt me, or blind Confidence,
(The God of Fooles), or euery Deitie
Should will it; for, tis past my destinie.
The burning-eyd Dame answerd: What a speech
Hath past the teeth-guard, Nature gaue to teach
Fit question of thy words before they flie?
God easily can (when to a mortall eie
Hee's furthest off) a mortall satisfie:
And does, the more still. For thy car'd for Sire;
I rather wish, that I might home retire,
After my sufferance of a world of woes;
Farre off; and then my glad eyes might disclose
The day of my returne then strait retire,
And perish standing by my houshold fire.
As Agamemnon did; that lost his life,
By false Ægisthus, and his faller wife.
Hath past the teeth-guard, Nature gaue to teach
Fit question of thy words before they flie?
God easily can (when to a mortall eie
Hee's furthest off) a mortall satisfie:
And does, the more still. For thy car'd for Sire;
I rather wish, that I might home retire,
After my sufferance of a world of woes;
Farre off; and then my glad eyes might disclose
The day of my returne then strait retire,
And perish standing by my houshold fire.
As Agamemnon did; that lost his life,
By false Ægisthus, and his faller wife.
For Death to come at length, tis due to all;
Nor can the Gods themselues, when Fate shall call
Their most lou'd man, extend his vitall breath
Beyond the fixt bounds of abhorred Death.
Nor can the Gods themselues, when Fate shall call
Their most lou'd man, extend his vitall breath
Beyond the fixt bounds of abhorred Death.
Mentor! (said he) let's dwell no more on this,
Although in vs, the sorrow pious is.
No such returne, as we wish, Fates bequeath
My erring Father; whom a present death,
The deathlesse haue decreed. Ile now vse speech
That tends to other purpose; and beseech
Instruction of graue Nestor; since he flowes
Past shore, in all experience; and knowes
The sleights and wisedomes; to whose heights aspire
Others, as well as my commended Sire;
Whom Fame reports to haue commanded three
Ages of men: and doth in sight to me
Shew like th' Immortals. Nestor! the renowne
Of old Neleius; make the cleare truth knowne,
How the most great in Empire, Atreus sonne,
Sustaind the act of his destruction.
Where then was Menelaus? how was it,
That false Ægisthus, being so farre vnfit
A match for him, could his death so enforce?
Was he not then in Argos? or his course
With men so left, to let a coward breathe
Spirit enough, to dare his brothers death?
Although in vs, the sorrow pious is.
No such returne, as we wish, Fates bequeath
My erring Father; whom a present death,
The deathlesse haue decreed. Ile now vse speech
That tends to other purpose; and beseech
Instruction of graue Nestor; since he flowes
Past shore, in all experience; and knowes
The sleights and wisedomes; to whose heights aspire
Others, as well as my commended Sire;
Whom Fame reports to haue commanded three
Ages of men: and doth in sight to me
Shew like th' Immortals. Nestor! the renowne
Of old Neleius; make the cleare truth knowne,
How the most great in Empire, Atreus sonne,
Sustaind the act of his destruction.
Where then was Menelaus? how was it,
That false Ægisthus, being so farre vnfit
A match for him, could his death so enforce?
Was he not then in Argos? or his course
With men so left, to let a coward breathe
39
Ile tell thee truth in all (faire sonne) said he:
Right well was this euent conceiu'd by thee.
If Menelaus in his brothers house,
Had found the idle liuer with his spouse,
(Arriu'd from Troy) he had not liu'd; nor dead
Had the diggd heape powrd on his lustfull head:
But fowles and dogs had torne him in the fields,
Farre off of Argos. Not a Dame it yeelds,
Had giuen him any teare; so foule his fact
Shewd euen to women. Vs Troys warres had rackt
To euery sinewes sufferance; while he
In Argos vplands liu'd; from those workes free.
And Agamemnons wife, with force of word
Flatterd and softn'd; who, at first abhord
A fact so infamous. The heau'nly Dame,
A good mind had; but was in blood too blame.
There was a Poet, to whose care, the King
His Queene committed; and in euery thing
(When he for Troy went) charg'd him to apply
Himselfe in all guard to her dignitie.
But when strong Fate, so wrapt-in her affects,
That she resolu'd to leaue her fit respects;
Into a desart Ile, her Guardian led,
(There left) the rapine of the Vultures fed.
Then brought he willing home his wills wonne prize;
On sacred Altars offerd many Thies:
Hung in the Gods Phanes many ornaments;
Garments and gold; that he the vast euents
Of such a labor, to his wish had brought,
As neither fell into his hope, nor thought.
Right well was this euent conceiu'd by thee.
If Menelaus in his brothers house,
Had found the idle liuer with his spouse,
(Arriu'd from Troy) he had not liu'd; nor dead
Had the diggd heape powrd on his lustfull head:
But fowles and dogs had torne him in the fields,
Farre off of Argos. Not a Dame it yeelds,
Had giuen him any teare; so foule his fact
Shewd euen to women. Vs Troys warres had rackt
To euery sinewes sufferance; while he
In Argos vplands liu'd; from those workes free.
And Agamemnons wife, with force of word
Flatterd and softn'd; who, at first abhord
A fact so infamous. The heau'nly Dame,
A good mind had; but was in blood too blame.
There was a Poet, to whose care, the King
His Queene committed; and in euery thing
(When he for Troy went) charg'd him to apply
Himselfe in all guard to her dignitie.
But when strong Fate, so wrapt-in her affects,
That she resolu'd to leaue her fit respects;
Into a desart Ile, her Guardian led,
(There left) the rapine of the Vultures fed.
Then brought he willing home his wills wonne prize;
On sacred Altars offerd many Thies:
Hung in the Gods Phanes many ornaments;
Garments and gold; that he the vast euents
Of such a labor, to his wish had brought,
As neither fell into his hope, nor thought.
At last, from Troy saild Spartas king and I,
Both, holding her vntoucht. And (that his eie
Might see no worse of her) when both were blowne
To sacred Sunius (of Mineruas towne
The goodly Promontorie) with his shafts seuere
Augur Apollo slue him that did stere
Atrides ship, as he the sterne did guide,
And she the full speed of her saile applide.
He was a man, that nations of men
Exceld in safe guide of a vessell; when
A tempest rusht in on the ruffld seas:
His name was Phrontis Onetorides.
And thus was Menelaus held from home,
Whose way he thirsted so to ouercome;
To giue his friend the earth, being his pursuite,
And all his exequies to execute.
But sailing still the wind-hewd seas, to reach
Some shore for fit performance; he did fetch
The steepe Mount of the Malians; and there
With open voice, offended Iupiter,
Proclaimd the voyage, his repugnant mind;
And powr'd the puffes out of a shreeking wind,
That nourisht billowes, heightned like to hils.
And with the Fleets diuision, fulfils
His hate proclaimd; vpon a part of Creete
Casting the Nauie; where the sea-waues meete
Rough Iardanus; and where the Cydons liue.
Both, holding her vntoucht. And (that his eie
Might see no worse of her) when both were blowne
To sacred Sunius (of Mineruas towne
The goodly Promontorie) with his shafts seuere
Augur Apollo slue him that did stere
Atrides ship, as he the sterne did guide,
And she the full speed of her saile applide.
He was a man, that nations of men
Exceld in safe guide of a vessell; when
A tempest rusht in on the ruffld seas:
His name was Phrontis Onetorides.
And thus was Menelaus held from home,
Whose way he thirsted so to ouercome;
To giue his friend the earth, being his pursuite,
And all his exequies to execute.
But sailing still the wind-hewd seas, to reach
40
The steepe Mount of the Malians; and there
With open voice, offended Iupiter,
Proclaimd the voyage, his repugnant mind;
And powr'd the puffes out of a shreeking wind,
That nourisht billowes, heightned like to hils.
And with the Fleets diuision, fulfils
His hate proclaimd; vpon a part of Creete
Casting the Nauie; where the sea-waues meete
Rough Iardanus; and where the Cydons liue.
There is a Rocke, on which the Sea doth driue;
Bare, and all broken; on the confines set
Of Cortys; that the darke seas likewise fret;
And hither sent the South, a horrid drift
Of waues against the top, that was the left
Of that torne cliffe; as farre as Phastus Strand.
A litle stone, the great seas rage did stand.
The men here driuen, scapt hard the ships sore shocks;
The ships themselues being wrackt against the rocks;
Saue onely fiue, that blue fore-castles bore,
Which wind and water cast on Ægypts shore.
When he (there victling well, and store of gold
Aboord his ships brought) his wilde way did hold,
And t'other languag'd men, was forc't to rome.
Meane space Ægisthus made sad worke at home;
And slue his brother; forcing to his sway,
Atrides subiects; and did seuen yeares lay
His yoke vpon the rich Mycenean State.
But in the eight, (to his affrighting fate)
Diuine Orestes home from Athens came;
And what his royall Father felt, the same
He made the false Ægisthus grone beneath:
Death euermore is the reward of Death.
Bare, and all broken; on the confines set
Of Cortys; that the darke seas likewise fret;
And hither sent the South, a horrid drift
Of waues against the top, that was the left
Of that torne cliffe; as farre as Phastus Strand.
A litle stone, the great seas rage did stand.
The men here driuen, scapt hard the ships sore shocks;
The ships themselues being wrackt against the rocks;
Saue onely fiue, that blue fore-castles bore,
Which wind and water cast on Ægypts shore.
When he (there victling well, and store of gold
Aboord his ships brought) his wilde way did hold,
And t'other languag'd men, was forc't to rome.
Meane space Ægisthus made sad worke at home;
And slue his brother; forcing to his sway,
Atrides subiects; and did seuen yeares lay
His yoke vpon the rich Mycenean State.
But in the eight, (to his affrighting fate)
Diuine Orestes home from Athens came;
And what his royall Father felt, the same
He made the false Ægisthus grone beneath:
Death euermore is the reward of Death.
Thus hauing slaine him; a sepulchrall feast
He made the Argiues, for his lustfull guest,
And for his mother, whom he did detest.
The selfe-same day, vpon him stole the King,
(Good at a martiall shout) and goods did bring,
As many as his freighted Fleete could beare.
But thou (my sonne) too long, by no meanes erre,
Thy goods left free for many a spoilfull guest;
Lest they consume some, and diuide the rest;
And thou (perhaps besides) thy voyage lose.
To Menelaus yet thy course dispose,
I wish and charge thee; who but late arriu'd,
From such a shore, and men; as to haue liu'd
In a returne from them; he neuer thought;
And whom, blacke whirlwinds violently brought
Within a sea so vast, that in a yeare
Not any fowle could passe it any where,
So huge and horrid was it. But go thou
With ship and men (or if thou pleasest now
To passe by land, there shall be brought for thee
Both horse and chariot; and thy guides shall be
My sonnes themselues) to Sparta, the diuine,
And to the King, whose locks like Amber shine.
Intreate the truth of him; nor loues he lies;
Wisedome in truth is; and hee's passing wise.
He made the Argiues, for his lustfull guest,
And for his mother, whom he did detest.
The selfe-same day, vpon him stole the King,
(Good at a martiall shout) and goods did bring,
As many as his freighted Fleete could beare.
But thou (my sonne) too long, by no meanes erre,
Thy goods left free for many a spoilfull guest;
Lest they consume some, and diuide the rest;
And thou (perhaps besides) thy voyage lose.
To Menelaus yet thy course dispose,
I wish and charge thee; who but late arriu'd,
From such a shore, and men; as to haue liu'd
In a returne from them; he neuer thought;
And whom, blacke whirlwinds violently brought
41
Not any fowle could passe it any where,
So huge and horrid was it. But go thou
With ship and men (or if thou pleasest now
To passe by land, there shall be brought for thee
Both horse and chariot; and thy guides shall be
My sonnes themselues) to Sparta, the diuine,
And to the King, whose locks like Amber shine.
Intreate the truth of him; nor loues he lies;
Wisedome in truth is; and hee's passing wise.
This said, the Sunne went downe, and vp rose Night,
When Pallas spake; O Father, all good right
Beare thy directions. But diuide we now
The sacrifises tongues; mixe wine; and vow
To Neptune, and the other euer blest;
That hauing sacrifisd, we may to rest.
The fit houre runnes now; light diues out of date;
At sacred feasts, we must not sit too late.
When Pallas spake; O Father, all good right
Beare thy directions. But diuide we now
The sacrifises tongues; mixe wine; and vow
To Neptune, and the other euer blest;
That hauing sacrifisd, we may to rest.
The fit houre runnes now; light diues out of date;
At sacred feasts, we must not sit too late.
She said: They heard; the Herald water gaue;
The youths crownd cups with wine; and let all haue
Their equall shares; beginning from the cup,
Their parting banquet. All the Tongues cut vp;
The fire they gaue them; sacrifisde, and rose;
Wine, and diuine rites, vsde to each dispose;
Minerua and Telemachus desirde
They might to ship be, with his leaue, retirde.
The youths crownd cups with wine; and let all haue
Their equall shares; beginning from the cup,
Their parting banquet. All the Tongues cut vp;
The fire they gaue them; sacrifisde, and rose;
Wine, and diuine rites, vsde to each dispose;
Minerua and Telemachus desirde
They might to ship be, with his leaue, retirde.
He (mou'd with that) prouokt thus their abodes:
Now Ioue forbid, and all the long-liu'd Gods,
Your leauing me, to sleepe aboord a ship:
As I had drunke of poore Penias whip,
Euen to my nakednesse; and had nor sheete,
Nor couering in my house; that warme nor sweete
A guest, nor I my selfe, had meanes to sleepe;
Where I, both weeds and wealthy couerings keepe
For all my guests: nor shall Fame euer say,
The deare sonne of the man Vlysses, lay
All night a ship boord here; while my dayes shine;
Or in my Court, whiles any sonne of mine
Enioyes suruiuall: who shall guests receiue,
Whom euer, my house hath a nooke to leaue.
Now Ioue forbid, and all the long-liu'd Gods,
Your leauing me, to sleepe aboord a ship:
As I had drunke of poore Penias whip,
Euen to my nakednesse; and had nor sheete,
Nor couering in my house; that warme nor sweete
A guest, nor I my selfe, had meanes to sleepe;
Where I, both weeds and wealthy couerings keepe
For all my guests: nor shall Fame euer say,
The deare sonne of the man Vlysses, lay
All night a ship boord here; while my dayes shine;
Or in my Court, whiles any sonne of mine
Enioyes suruiuall: who shall guests receiue,
Whom euer, my house hath a nooke to leaue.
My much lou'd Father, (said Minerua) well
All this becomes thee. But perswade to dwell
This night with thee thy sonne Telemachus;
For more conuenient is the course for vs,
That he may follow to thy house, and rest.
And I may boord our blacke saile; that addrest
At all parts I may make our men; and cheare
All with my presence; since of all men there
I boast my selfe the senior; th' others are
Youths, that attend in free and friendly care,
Great-sould Telemachus; and are his peeres,
In fresh similitude of forme and yeeres.
For their confirmance, I will therefore now
Sleepe in our blacke Barke. But when Light shall shew
Her siluer forehead; I intend my way
Amongst the Caucons; men that are to pay
A debt to me, nor small, nor new. For this,
Take you him home; whom in the morne dismisse,
With chariot and your sonnes; and giue him horse
Ablest in strength, and of the speediest course.
All this becomes thee. But perswade to dwell
This night with thee thy sonne Telemachus;
For more conuenient is the course for vs,
That he may follow to thy house, and rest.
And I may boord our blacke saile; that addrest
At all parts I may make our men; and cheare
All with my presence; since of all men there
42
Youths, that attend in free and friendly care,
Great-sould Telemachus; and are his peeres,
In fresh similitude of forme and yeeres.
For their confirmance, I will therefore now
Sleepe in our blacke Barke. But when Light shall shew
Her siluer forehead; I intend my way
Amongst the Caucons; men that are to pay
A debt to me, nor small, nor new. For this,
Take you him home; whom in the morne dismisse,
With chariot and your sonnes; and giue him horse
Ablest in strength, and of the speediest course.
This said; away she flew; formd like the fowle
Men call the Ossifrage; when euery soule
Amaze inuaded: euen th' old man admir'd;
The youths hand tooke, and said: O most desir'd;
My hope sayes, thy proofe will no coward show,
Nor one vnskild in warre; when Deities now
So yong attend thee, and become thy guides:
Nor any of the heauen-housde States besides;
But Tritogenias selfe; the seed of Ioue;
The great in prey; that did in honor moue
So much about thy Father; amongst all
The Grecian armie. Fairest Queene, let fall
On me like fauours: giue me good renowne;
Which, as on me; on my lou'd wife, let downe,
And all my children. I will burne to thee
An Oxe right bred, brode headed, and yoke-free,
To no mans hand yet humbled. Him will I
(His hornes in gold hid) giue thy Deitie.
Men call the Ossifrage; when euery soule
Amaze inuaded: euen th' old man admir'd;
The youths hand tooke, and said: O most desir'd;
My hope sayes, thy proofe will no coward show,
Nor one vnskild in warre; when Deities now
So yong attend thee, and become thy guides:
Nor any of the heauen-housde States besides;
But Tritogenias selfe; the seed of Ioue;
The great in prey; that did in honor moue
So much about thy Father; amongst all
The Grecian armie. Fairest Queene, let fall
On me like fauours: giue me good renowne;
Which, as on me; on my lou'd wife, let downe,
And all my children. I will burne to thee
An Oxe right bred, brode headed, and yoke-free,
To no mans hand yet humbled. Him will I
(His hornes in gold hid) giue thy Deitie.
Thus praid he; and she heard; and home he led
His sonnes, and all his heapes of kindered;
Who entring his Court royall; euery one
He marshald in his seuerall seate and throne.
And euery one, so kindly come, he gaue
His sweet-wine cup; which none was let to haue
Before this leuenth yeare, landed him from Troy;
Which now the Butleresse had leaue t'employ.
Who therefore pierst it, and did giue it vent.
Of this, the old Duke did a cup present
To euery guest: made his maid many a praire
That weares the Shield fring'd with his nurses haire;
And gaue her sacrifise. With this rich wine
And food suffisde, Sleepe, all eyes did decline.
And all for home went: but his Court alone,
Telemachus, diuine Vlysses sonne,
Must make his lodging, or not please his heart.
His sonnes, and all his heapes of kindered;
Who entring his Court royall; euery one
He marshald in his seuerall seate and throne.
And euery one, so kindly come, he gaue
His sweet-wine cup; which none was let to haue
Before this leuenth yeare, landed him from Troy;
Which now the Butleresse had leaue t'employ.
Who therefore pierst it, and did giue it vent.
Of this, the old Duke did a cup present
To euery guest: made his maid many a praire
That weares the Shield fring'd with his nurses haire;
And gaue her sacrifise. With this rich wine
And food suffisde, Sleepe, all eyes did decline.
And all for home went: but his Court alone,
Telemachus, diuine Vlysses sonne,
Must make his lodging, or not please his heart.
A bed, all chequerd with elaborate Art,
Within a Portico, that rung like brasse,
He brought his guest to; and his bedfere was
Pisistratus, the martiall guide of men,
That liu'd, of all his sonnes, vnwed till then.
Himselfe lay in a by-roome, farre aboue,
His bed made by his barren wife, his loue.
43
He brought his guest to; and his bedfere was
Pisistratus, the martiall guide of men,
That liu'd, of all his sonnes, vnwed till then.
Himselfe lay in a by-roome, farre aboue,
His bed made by his barren wife, his loue.
The rosie-fingerd morne, no sooner shone,
But vp he rose, tooke aire, and sat vpon
A seate of white, and goodly polisht stone,
That such a glosse as richest ointments wore.
Before his high gates; where the Counsellor
That matcht the Gods (his Father) vsde to sit:
Who now (by Fate forc't) stoopt as low as it.
And here sate Nestor, holding in his hand
A Scepter; and about him round did stand
(As early vp) his sonnes troope; Perseus,
The God-like Thrasimed, and Aretus,
Echephron, Stratius; the sixt and last
Pisistratus; and by him (halfe embrac't
Still as they came) diuine Telemachus;
To these spake Nestor, old Gerenius:
But vp he rose, tooke aire, and sat vpon
A seate of white, and goodly polisht stone,
That such a glosse as richest ointments wore.
Before his high gates; where the Counsellor
That matcht the Gods (his Father) vsde to sit:
Who now (by Fate forc't) stoopt as low as it.
And here sate Nestor, holding in his hand
A Scepter; and about him round did stand
(As early vp) his sonnes troope; Perseus,
The God-like Thrasimed, and Aretus,
Echephron, Stratius; the sixt and last
Pisistratus; and by him (halfe embrac't
Still as they came) diuine Telemachus;
To these spake Nestor, old Gerenius:
Haste (loued sonnes) and do me a desire,
That (first of all the Gods) I may aspire
To Pallas fauour; who vouchsaft to me,
At Neptunes feast, her sight so openly.
Let one to field go; and an Oxe with speed
Cause hither brought; which, let the Heardsman leade;
Another to my deare guests vessell go,
And all his souldiers bring, saue onely two.
A third, the Smith that works in gold, command
(Laertius) to attend; and lend his hand,
To plate the both hornes round about with gold;
The rest remaine here close. But first, see told
The maids within, that they prepare a feast;
Set seates through all the Court: see strait addrest
The purest water; and get fuell feld.
That (first of all the Gods) I may aspire
To Pallas fauour; who vouchsaft to me,
At Neptunes feast, her sight so openly.
Let one to field go; and an Oxe with speed
Cause hither brought; which, let the Heardsman leade;
Another to my deare guests vessell go,
And all his souldiers bring, saue onely two.
A third, the Smith that works in gold, command
(Laertius) to attend; and lend his hand,
To plate the both hornes round about with gold;
The rest remaine here close. But first, see told
The maids within, that they prepare a feast;
Set seates through all the Court: see strait addrest
The purest water; and get fuell feld.
This said; not one, but in the seruice held
Officious hand. The Oxe came led from field;
The Souldiers troopt from ship; the Smith he came,
And those tooles brought, that seru'd the actuall frame,
His Art conceiu'd; brought Anvile, hammers brought,
Faire tongs, and all, with which the gold was wrought.
Minerua likewise came, to set the Crowne
On that kind sacrifice, and mak't her owne.
Officious hand. The Oxe came led from field;
The Souldiers troopt from ship; the Smith he came,
And those tooles brought, that seru'd the actuall frame,
His Art conceiu'd; brought Anvile, hammers brought,
Faire tongs, and all, with which the gold was wrought.
Minerua likewise came, to set the Crowne
On that kind sacrifice, and mak't her owne.
Then th' old Knight Nestor gaue the Smith the gold,
With which he strait did both the hornes infold;
And trimm'd the Offering so, the Goddesse ioyd.
About which, thus were Nestors sonnes employd:
Diuine Echephron, and faire Stratius,
Held both the hornes: the water odorous
In which they washt, what to the rites was vowd,
Aretus (in a caldron, all bestrowd
With herbes and flowres) seru'd in from th' holy roome
Where all were drest; and whence the rites must come.
And after him, a hallowd virgin came,
That brought the barley cake, and blew the flame.
The axe, with which the Oxe should both be feld
And cut forth, Thrasimed stoodby and held.
Perseus the vessell held, that should retaine
The purple licour of the offering slaine.
With which he strait did both the hornes infold;
And trimm'd the Offering so, the Goddesse ioyd.
About which, thus were Nestors sonnes employd:
44
Held both the hornes: the water odorous
In which they washt, what to the rites was vowd,
Aretus (in a caldron, all bestrowd
With herbes and flowres) seru'd in from th' holy roome
Where all were drest; and whence the rites must come.
And after him, a hallowd virgin came,
That brought the barley cake, and blew the flame.
The axe, with which the Oxe should both be feld
And cut forth, Thrasimed stoodby and held.
Perseus the vessell held, that should retaine
The purple licour of the offering slaine.
Then washt, the pious Father: then the Cake
(Of barley, salt, and oile made) tooke, and brake.
Askt many a boone of Pallas; and the state
Of all the offering, did initiate.
In three parts cutting off the haire, and cast
Amidst the flame. All th' inuocation past,
And all the Cake broke; manly Thrasimed
Stood neare, and sure; and such a blow he laid
Aloft the offring; that to earth he sunke,
His neck-nerues sunderd, and his spirits shrunke.
Out shriekt the daughters, daughter in lawes, and wife
Of three-ag'd Nestor, (who had eldest life
Of Clymens daughters) chast Eurydice.
The Oxe on broad earth, then layd laterally,
They held, while Duke Pisistratus, the throte
Dissolu'd and set, the sable blood afflote;
And then the life the bones left. Instantly
They cut him vp; apart flew either Thie;
That with the fat they dubd, with art alone;
The throte-briske, and the sweet-bread pricking on.
Then Nestor broild them on the cole-turnd wood,
Powr'd blacke wine on; and by him yong men stood,
That spits fine-pointed held, on which (when burnd
The solid Thies were) they transfixt, and turnd
The inwards, cut in cantles: which (the meate
Vowd to the Gods, consum'd) they rost and eate.
(Of barley, salt, and oile made) tooke, and brake.
Askt many a boone of Pallas; and the state
Of all the offering, did initiate.
In three parts cutting off the haire, and cast
Amidst the flame. All th' inuocation past,
And all the Cake broke; manly Thrasimed
Stood neare, and sure; and such a blow he laid
Aloft the offring; that to earth he sunke,
His neck-nerues sunderd, and his spirits shrunke.
Out shriekt the daughters, daughter in lawes, and wife
Of three-ag'd Nestor, (who had eldest life
Of Clymens daughters) chast Eurydice.
The Oxe on broad earth, then layd laterally,
They held, while Duke Pisistratus, the throte
Dissolu'd and set, the sable blood afflote;
And then the life the bones left. Instantly
They cut him vp; apart flew either Thie;
That with the fat they dubd, with art alone;
The throte-briske, and the sweet-bread pricking on.
Then Nestor broild them on the cole-turnd wood,
Powr'd blacke wine on; and by him yong men stood,
That spits fine-pointed held, on which (when burnd
The solid Thies were) they transfixt, and turnd
The inwards, cut in cantles: which (the meate
Vowd to the Gods, consum'd) they rost and eate.
In meane space, Polycaste (calld the faire,
Nestors yongst daughter) bath'd Vlysses heire;
Whom, hauing cleansd, and with rich balmes bespred;
She cast a white shirt quickly o're his head,
And then his weeds put on; when, forth he went,
And did the person of a God present.
Came, and by Nestor tooke his honourd seate,
This pastor of the people. Then, the meate
Of all the spare parts rosted; off they drew;
Sate, and fell to. But soone the temperate few,
Rose, and in golden bolles, filld others wine.
Till, when the rest felt thirst of feast decline;
Nestor his sonnes bad, fetch his high-man'd horse,
And them in chariot ioyne, to runne the course
The Prince resolu'd. Obaid, as soone as heard
Was Nestor by his sonnes; who strait prepar'd
Both horse and chariot. She that kept the store,
Both bread and wine, and all such viands more,
As should the feast of Ioue-fed Kings compose;
Pouruaid the voyage. To the rich Coach, rose
Vlysses sonne; and close to him ascended
The Duke Pisistratus; the reines intended,
And scourg'd, to force to field, who freely flew;
And left the Towne, that farre her splendor threw.
Both holding yoke, and shooke it all the day;
But now the Sunne set, darkning euery way,
When they to Pheris came; and in the house
Of Diocles (the sonne t'Ortilochus,
Whom flood Alpheus got) slept all that night:
Who gaue them each due hospitable rite.
But when the rosie-fingerd morne arose,
They went to Coach, and did their horse inclose;
Draue forth the fore-court, and the porch that yeelds
Each breath a sound; and to the fruitfull fields
Rode scourging still their willing flying Steeds;
Who strenuously performd their wonted speeds.
Their iourney ending iust when Sunne went downe;
And shadowes all wayes through the earth were throwne.
Nestors yongst daughter) bath'd Vlysses heire;
Whom, hauing cleansd, and with rich balmes bespred;
She cast a white shirt quickly o're his head,
And then his weeds put on; when, forth he went,
And did the person of a God present.
Came, and by Nestor tooke his honourd seate,
This pastor of the people. Then, the meate
Of all the spare parts rosted; off they drew;
Sate, and fell to. But soone the temperate few,
45
Till, when the rest felt thirst of feast decline;
Nestor his sonnes bad, fetch his high-man'd horse,
And them in chariot ioyne, to runne the course
The Prince resolu'd. Obaid, as soone as heard
Was Nestor by his sonnes; who strait prepar'd
Both horse and chariot. She that kept the store,
Both bread and wine, and all such viands more,
As should the feast of Ioue-fed Kings compose;
Pouruaid the voyage. To the rich Coach, rose
Vlysses sonne; and close to him ascended
The Duke Pisistratus; the reines intended,
And scourg'd, to force to field, who freely flew;
And left the Towne, that farre her splendor threw.
Both holding yoke, and shooke it all the day;
But now the Sunne set, darkning euery way,
When they to Pheris came; and in the house
Of Diocles (the sonne t'Ortilochus,
Whom flood Alpheus got) slept all that night:
Who gaue them each due hospitable rite.
But when the rosie-fingerd morne arose,
They went to Coach, and did their horse inclose;
Draue forth the fore-court, and the porch that yeelds
Each breath a sound; and to the fruitfull fields
Rode scourging still their willing flying Steeds;
Who strenuously performd their wonted speeds.
Their iourney ending iust when Sunne went downe;
And shadowes all wayes through the earth were throwne.
Finis libri tertij Hom. Odyss.
46
THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Receiu'd now, in the Spartan CourtTelemachus, preferres report
To Menelaus, of the throng
Of wooers with him, and their wrong.
Atrides tels the Greekes retreate,
And doth a Prophecie repeate,
That Proteus made; by which he knew
His brothers death; and then doth shew
How with Calypso liu'd the fire
Of his yong guest. The woo'rs conspire
Their Princes death: whose trechery knowne,
Penelope in teares doth drowne.
Whom Pallas by a dreame doth cheare,
And in similitude appeare
Of faire Iphthima, knowne to be
The sister of Penelope.
Another.
Here, of the SireThe Sonne doth heare:
The woo'rs conspire;
The mothers feare.
Λακεδαιμονα κητωσσαν which is expounded Spartam amplam, or μεγαλην magnam: where κητ– signifies properly plurima cere nutrientem.
These two arriu'd, and found at festiuals
(With mightie concourse) the renowmed King,
His sonne and daughter, ioyntly marrying.
Alectors daughter, he did giue his sonne
Strong Megapenthe; who his life begunne
By Menelaus bondmaid; whom he knew
In yeares. When Hellen could no more renew
In issue like diuine Hermione;
Who held in all faire forme, as high degree
As golden Venus. Her he married now
To great Achilles sonne; who was by vow
Betrothd to her at Troy. And thus the Gods
To constant loues, giue nuptiall periods.
Whose state here past, the Myrmidons rich towne
(Of which she shar'd in the Imperiall Crowne)
With horse and chariots he resign'd her to.
Meane space, the high huge house, with feast did flow
47
Amongst whom, did a heauenly Poet sing,
And touch his Harpe. Amongst whom likewise danc't
Two; who in that dumbe motion aduanc't,
Would prompt the Singer, what to sing and play.
All this time, in the vtter Court did stay,
With horse and chariot, Telemachus,
And Nestors noble sonne, Pisistratus.
Whom Eteoneus coming forth, descried,
And, being a seruant to the King, most tried
In care, and his respect; he ranne and cried:
Guests! Ioue-kept Menelaus! two such men,
As are for forme, of high Saturnius straine.
Informe your pleasure, if we shall vnclose
Their horse from coach; or say, they must dispose
Their way to some such house, as may embrace
Their knowne arriuall, with more welcome grace?
He (angry) answerd, Thou didst neuer show
Thy selfe a foole (Beotides) till now;
But now (as if turnd child) a childish speech
Vents thy vaine spirits. We our selues now reach
Our home, by much spent hospitalitie
Of other men; nor know, if Ioue will trie,
With other after wants, our state againe:
And therefore, from our feast, no more detaine
Those welcome guests; but take their Steeds from Coach,
And with attendance guide in their approach.
Thy selfe a foole (Beotides) till now;
But now (as if turnd child) a childish speech
Vents thy vaine spirits. We our selues now reach
Our home, by much spent hospitalitie
Of other men; nor know, if Ioue will trie,
With other after wants, our state againe:
And therefore, from our feast, no more detaine
Those welcome guests; but take their Steeds from Coach,
And with attendance guide in their approach.
This said, he rusht abroad, and calld some more
Tried in such seruice; that together bore
Vp to the guests: and tooke their Steeds that swet
Beneath their yokes, from Coach. At mangers set,
Wheate and white barley gaue them mixt; and plac't
Their Chariot by a wall so cleare, it cast
A light quite thorough it. And then they led
Their guests to the diuine house; which so fed
Their eyes at all parts with illustrous sights,
That Admiration seisd them. Like the lights
The Sunne and Moone gaue; all the Pallace threw
A luster through it. Satiate with whose view,
Downe to the Kings most bright-kept Baths, they went;
Where handmaids did their seruices present:
Bath'd, balmd them; shirts, and well-napt weeds put on,
And by Atrides side, set each his throne.
Then did the handmaid royall, water bring,
And to a Lauer, rich and glittering,
Of massie gold, powr'd: which she plac't vpon
A siluer Caldron; into which, might runne
The water as they washt. Then set she neare
A polisht table; on which, all the cheare
The present could affoord; a reuerend Dame
That kept the Larder, set. A Cooke then came,
And diuers dishes, borne thence, seru'd againe;
Furnisht the boord with bolles of gold; and then
(His right hand giuen the guests) Atrides said,
Eate, and be chearfull; appetite allaid,
I long to aske, of what stocke ye descend;
For not from parents, whose race namelesse end,
We must deriue your ofspring. Men obscure,
Could get none such as you. The pourtraiture
Of Ioue-sustaind, and Scepter-bearing Kings,
Your either person, in his presence brings.
An Oxes fat chine, then they vp did lift,
And set before the guests; which was a gift,
Sent as an honor, to the Kings owne tast.
They saw yet, twas but to be eaten plac't,
And fell to it. But food and wines care past,
Telemachus thus prompted Nestors sonne;
(His eare close laying, to be heard of none)
Tried in such seruice; that together bore
Vp to the guests: and tooke their Steeds that swet
Beneath their yokes, from Coach. At mangers set,
Wheate and white barley gaue them mixt; and plac't
Their Chariot by a wall so cleare, it cast
A light quite thorough it. And then they led
Their guests to the diuine house; which so fed
Their eyes at all parts with illustrous sights,
That Admiration seisd them. Like the lights
The Sunne and Moone gaue; all the Pallace threw
A luster through it. Satiate with whose view,
Downe to the Kings most bright-kept Baths, they went;
Where handmaids did their seruices present:
Bath'd, balmd them; shirts, and well-napt weeds put on,
And by Atrides side, set each his throne.
Then did the handmaid royall, water bring,
And to a Lauer, rich and glittering,
Of massie gold, powr'd: which she plac't vpon
A siluer Caldron; into which, might runne
The water as they washt. Then set she neare
48
The present could affoord; a reuerend Dame
That kept the Larder, set. A Cooke then came,
And diuers dishes, borne thence, seru'd againe;
Furnisht the boord with bolles of gold; and then
(His right hand giuen the guests) Atrides said,
Eate, and be chearfull; appetite allaid,
I long to aske, of what stocke ye descend;
For not from parents, whose race namelesse end,
We must deriue your ofspring. Men obscure,
Could get none such as you. The pourtraiture
Of Ioue-sustaind, and Scepter-bearing Kings,
Your either person, in his presence brings.
An Oxes fat chine, then they vp did lift,
And set before the guests; which was a gift,
Sent as an honor, to the Kings owne tast.
They saw yet, twas but to be eaten plac't,
And fell to it. But food and wines care past,
Telemachus thus prompted Nestors sonne;
(His eare close laying, to be heard of none)
Consider (thou whom most my mind esteemes)
The brasse-worke here, how rich it is in beames;
And how besides, it makes the whole house sound?
What gold, and amber, siluer, ivorie, round
Is wrought about it. Out of doubt, the Hall
Of Iupiter Olympius, hath of all
This state, the like. How many infinites,
Take vp to admiration, all mens sights?
The brasse-worke here, how rich it is in beames;
And how besides, it makes the whole house sound?
What gold, and amber, siluer, ivorie, round
Is wrought about it. Out of doubt, the Hall
Of Iupiter Olympius, hath of all
This state, the like. How many infinites,
Take vp to admiration, all mens sights?
Atrides ouer-heard; and said; Lou'd sonne,
No mortall must affect contention
With Iove, whose dwellings are of endlesse date.
Perhaps (of men) some one may emulate,
(Or none) my house, or me. For I am one,
That many a graue extreme haue vndergone.
Much error felt by sea; and till th' eight yeare,
Had neuer stay; but wanderd farre and neare,
Cyprus, Phœnicia, and Sydonia;
And fetcht the farre off Æthiopia:
Reacht the Erembi of Arabia;
And Lybia, where, with hornes, Ewes yeane their Lambs:
Where euery full yeare, Ewes are three times dams.
Where neither King, nor shepheard; want comes neare
Of cheese, or flesh, or sweete milke. All the yeare
They euer milke their Ewes. And here while I
Errd, gathering meanes to liue: one, murtherously,
Vnwares, vnseene, bereft my brothers life;
Chiefly betraid by his abhorred wife.
So, hold I, (not enioying) what you see.
And of your Fathers (if they liuing be)
You must haue heard this: since my suffrings were
So great and famous. From this Pallace here,
(So rarely-well-built; furnished so well;
And substanced with such a precious deale
Of well-got treasure) banisht by the doome
Of Fate; and erring as I had no home.
And now I haue, and vse it; not to take
Th' entire delight it offers; but to make
Continuall wishes, that a triple part
Of all it holds, were wanting; so my heart
Were easde of sorrowes (taken for their deaths
That fell at Troy) by their reuiued breaths.
And thus sit I here, weeping, mourning still
Each least man lost; and sometimes make mine ill
(In paying iust teares for their losse) my ioy.
Sometimes I breathe my woes; for in annoy,
The pleasure soone admits satietie.
But all these mens wants, wet not so mine eie,
(Though much they moue me) as one sole mans misse;
For which, my sleepe and meate euen lothsome is,
In his renewd thought; since no Greeke hath wonne
Grace, for such labours, as Laërtes sonne
Hath wrought and sufferd: to himselfe, nought else
But future sorrowes forging: to me, hels
For his long absence; since I cannot know
If life or death detaine him: since such woe
For his loue, old Laertes, his wise wife,
And poore yong sonne sustaines; whom new with life,
He left as sirelesse. This speech; griefe to teares
(Powrd from the sonnes lids on the earth) his eares
(Told of the Father) did excite; who kept
His cheekes drie with his red weed, as he wept:
His both hands vsde therein. Atrides then
Began to know him; and did strife retaine,
If he should let, himselfe confesse his Sire,
Or with all fitting circumstance, enquire.
No mortall must affect contention
With Iove, whose dwellings are of endlesse date.
Perhaps (of men) some one may emulate,
(Or none) my house, or me. For I am one,
That many a graue extreme haue vndergone.
Much error felt by sea; and till th' eight yeare,
Had neuer stay; but wanderd farre and neare,
Cyprus, Phœnicia, and Sydonia;
And fetcht the farre off Æthiopia:
Reacht the Erembi of Arabia;
And Lybia, where, with hornes, Ewes yeane their Lambs:
Where euery full yeare, Ewes are three times dams.
Where neither King, nor shepheard; want comes neare
Of cheese, or flesh, or sweete milke. All the yeare
They euer milke their Ewes. And here while I
Errd, gathering meanes to liue: one, murtherously,
Vnwares, vnseene, bereft my brothers life;
Chiefly betraid by his abhorred wife.
So, hold I, (not enioying) what you see.
49
You must haue heard this: since my suffrings were
So great and famous. From this Pallace here,
(So rarely-well-built; furnished so well;
And substanced with such a precious deale
Of well-got treasure) banisht by the doome
Of Fate; and erring as I had no home.
And now I haue, and vse it; not to take
Th' entire delight it offers; but to make
Continuall wishes, that a triple part
Of all it holds, were wanting; so my heart
Were easde of sorrowes (taken for their deaths
That fell at Troy) by their reuiued breaths.
And thus sit I here, weeping, mourning still
Each least man lost; and sometimes make mine ill
(In paying iust teares for their losse) my ioy.
Sometimes I breathe my woes; for in annoy,
The pleasure soone admits satietie.
But all these mens wants, wet not so mine eie,
(Though much they moue me) as one sole mans misse;
For which, my sleepe and meate euen lothsome is,
In his renewd thought; since no Greeke hath wonne
Grace, for such labours, as Laërtes sonne
Hath wrought and sufferd: to himselfe, nought else
But future sorrowes forging: to me, hels
For his long absence; since I cannot know
If life or death detaine him: since such woe
For his loue, old Laertes, his wise wife,
And poore yong sonne sustaines; whom new with life,
He left as sirelesse. This speech; griefe to teares
(Powrd from the sonnes lids on the earth) his eares
(Told of the Father) did excite; who kept
His cheekes drie with his red weed, as he wept:
His both hands vsde therein. Atrides then
Began to know him; and did strife retaine,
If he should let, himselfe confesse his Sire,
Or with all fitting circumstance, enquire.
While this, his thoughts disputed; forth did shine,
(Like to the golden distaffe-deckt diuine)
From her beds high and odoriferous roome,
Hellen. To whom (of an elaborate loome)
Adresta set a chaire: Alcyppe brought
A peece of Tapestrie, of fine wooll wrought.
Philo, a siluer Cabinet conferd:
(Giuen by Alcandra, Nuptially endeard
To Lord Polybius; whose abode in Thebes,
Th' Ægyptian citie was;) where wealth in heapes,
His famous house held: out of which did go
In gift t'Atrides, siluer bath-tubs two;
Two Tripods; and of fine gold, talents ten.
His wife did likewise send to Hellen then,
Faire gifts; a Distaffe that of gold was wrought;
And that rich Cabinet that Phylo brought;
Round, and with gold ribd; now of fine thred, full:
On which extended (crownd with finest wooll,
Of violet glosse) the golden Distaffe lay.
(Like to the golden distaffe-deckt diuine)
From her beds high and odoriferous roome,
Hellen. To whom (of an elaborate loome)
Adresta set a chaire: Alcyppe brought
A peece of Tapestrie, of fine wooll wrought.
Philo, a siluer Cabinet conferd:
(Giuen by Alcandra, Nuptially endeard
To Lord Polybius; whose abode in Thebes,
Th' Ægyptian citie was;) where wealth in heapes,
His famous house held: out of which did go
50
Two Tripods; and of fine gold, talents ten.
His wife did likewise send to Hellen then,
Faire gifts; a Distaffe that of gold was wrought;
And that rich Cabinet that Phylo brought;
Round, and with gold ribd; now of fine thred, full:
On which extended (crownd with finest wooll,
Of violet glosse) the golden Distaffe lay.
She tooke her State-chaire; and a foot-stooles stay
Had for her feete: and of her husband, thus
Askt to know all things: Is it knowne to vs,
(King Menelaus) whom these men commend
Themselues for; that our Court, now takes to friend?
I must affirme, (be I deceiu'd or no)
I neuer yet saw man nor woman so
Like one another, as this man is like
Vlysses sonne. With admiration strike
His lookes, my thoughts; that they should carrie now
Powre to perswade me thus; who did but know,
When newly he was borne, the forme they bore.
But tis his Fathers grace; whom more and more
His grace resembles; that makes me retaine
Thought, that he now, is like Telemachus then:
Left by his Sire, when Greece did vndertake
Troys bold warre, for my impudencies sake.
Had for her feete: and of her husband, thus
Askt to know all things: Is it knowne to vs,
(King Menelaus) whom these men commend
Themselues for; that our Court, now takes to friend?
I must affirme, (be I deceiu'd or no)
I neuer yet saw man nor woman so
Like one another, as this man is like
Vlysses sonne. With admiration strike
His lookes, my thoughts; that they should carrie now
Powre to perswade me thus; who did but know,
When newly he was borne, the forme they bore.
But tis his Fathers grace; whom more and more
His grace resembles; that makes me retaine
Thought, that he now, is like Telemachus then:
Left by his Sire, when Greece did vndertake
Troys bold warre, for my impudencies sake.
He answerd: Now wife, what you thinke, I know,
The true cast of his Fathers eye, doth show
In his eyes order. Both his head and haire,
His hands and feete, his very fathers are.
Of whom (so well rememberd) I should now
Acknowledge for me, his continnall flow
Of cares and perils: yet still patient.
But I should too much moue him, that doth vent
Such bitter teares for that which hath bene spoke;
Which (shunning soft shew) see how he would cloke;
And with his purple weed, his weepings hide.
The true cast of his Fathers eye, doth show
In his eyes order. Both his head and haire,
His hands and feete, his very fathers are.
Of whom (so well rememberd) I should now
Acknowledge for me, his continnall flow
Of cares and perils: yet still patient.
But I should too much moue him, that doth vent
Such bitter teares for that which hath bene spoke;
Which (shunning soft shew) see how he would cloke;
And with his purple weed, his weepings hide.
Then Nestors sonne, Pisistratus replide:
Great Pastor of the people; kept of God!
He is Vlysses sonne; but his abode
Not made before here; and he modest too;
He holds it an indignitie to do
A deed so vaine, to vse the boast of words,
Where your words are on wing; whose voice affords
Delight to vs, as if a God did breake
The aire amongst vs, and vouchsafe to speake.
But me, my father (old Duke Nestor) sent
To be his consort hither; his content,
Not to be heightned so, as with your sight.
In hope that therewith words and actions might
Informe his comforts from you; since he is
Extremely grieu'd and iniur'd, by the misse
Of his great Father; suffering euen at home.
And few friends found, to helpe him ouercome
His too weake sufferance, now his Sire is gone.
Amongst the people, not affoorded one
To checke the miseries, that mate him thus;
And this the state is of Telemachus.
Great Pastor of the people; kept of God!
He is Vlysses sonne; but his abode
Not made before here; and he modest too;
He holds it an indignitie to do
A deed so vaine, to vse the boast of words,
Where your words are on wing; whose voice affords
Delight to vs, as if a God did breake
The aire amongst vs, and vouchsafe to speake.
But me, my father (old Duke Nestor) sent
To be his consort hither; his content,
Not to be heightned so, as with your sight.
51
Informe his comforts from you; since he is
Extremely grieu'd and iniur'd, by the misse
Of his great Father; suffering euen at home.
And few friends found, to helpe him ouercome
His too weake sufferance, now his Sire is gone.
Amongst the people, not affoorded one
To checke the miseries, that mate him thus;
And this the state is of Telemachus.
O Gods (said he) how certaine, now, I see
My house enioyes that friends sonne, that for me
Hath vndergone so many willing fights?
Whom I resolu'd, past all the Grecian Knights,
To hold in loue; if our returne by seas,
The farre-off Thunderer did euer please
To grant our wishes. And to his respect,
A Pallace and a Citie to erect,
My vow had bound me. Whither bringing then
His riches, and his sonne, and all his men
From barren Ithaca, (some one sole Towne
Inhabited about him, batterd downe)
All should in Argos liue. And there would I
Ease him of rule; and take the Emperie
Of all on me. And often here would we
(Delighting, louing eithers companie)
Meete and conuerse; whom nothing should diuide,
Till deaths blacke veile did each all ouer hide.
But this perhaps had bene a meane to take
Euen God himselfe with enuie; who did make
Vlysses therefore onely the vnblest,
That should not reach his loued countries rest.
My house enioyes that friends sonne, that for me
Hath vndergone so many willing fights?
Whom I resolu'd, past all the Grecian Knights,
To hold in loue; if our returne by seas,
The farre-off Thunderer did euer please
To grant our wishes. And to his respect,
A Pallace and a Citie to erect,
My vow had bound me. Whither bringing then
His riches, and his sonne, and all his men
From barren Ithaca, (some one sole Towne
Inhabited about him, batterd downe)
All should in Argos liue. And there would I
Ease him of rule; and take the Emperie
Of all on me. And often here would we
(Delighting, louing eithers companie)
Meete and conuerse; whom nothing should diuide,
Till deaths blacke veile did each all ouer hide.
But this perhaps had bene a meane to take
Euen God himselfe with enuie; who did make
Vlysses therefore onely the vnblest,
That should not reach his loued countries rest.
These woes made euery one with woe in loue;
Euen Argiue Hellen wept, (the seed of Ioue)
Vlysses sonne wept; Atreus sonne did weepe;
And Nestors sonne, his eyes in teares did steepe.
But his teares fell not from the present cloud,
That from Vlysses was exhal'd; but flowd
From braue Antilochus rememberd due,
Whom the renowmd Sonne of the Morning slue.
Which yet he thus excusde: O Atreus sonne!
Old Nestor sayes, There liues not such a one
Amongst all mortals, as Atrides is,
For deathlesse wisedome. Tis a praise of his,
Still giuen in your remembrance; when at home
Our speech concernes you. Since then ouercome
You please to be, with sorrow euen to teares,
That are in wisedome so exempt from peres;
Vouchsafe the like effect in me excuse,
(If it be lawfull) I affect no vse
Of teares thus, after meales; at least, at night:
But when the morne brings forth, with teares, her light,
It shall not then empaire me to bestow
My teares on any worthies ouerthrow.
It is the onely right, that wretched men
Can do dead friends; to cut haire, and complaine.
But Death my brother tooke; whom none could call
The Grecian coward; you best knew of all.
I was not there, nor saw; but men report,
Antilochus exceld the common sort,
For footmanship, or for the Chariot race;
Or in the fight, for hardie hold of place.
Euen Argiue Hellen wept, (the seed of Ioue)
Vlysses sonne wept; Atreus sonne did weepe;
And Nestors sonne, his eyes in teares did steepe.
But his teares fell not from the present cloud,
That from Vlysses was exhal'd; but flowd
From braue Antilochus rememberd due,
Whom the renowmd Sonne of the Morning slue.
Which yet he thus excusde: O Atreus sonne!
Old Nestor sayes, There liues not such a one
Amongst all mortals, as Atrides is,
For deathlesse wisedome. Tis a praise of his,
Still giuen in your remembrance; when at home
Our speech concernes you. Since then ouercome
You please to be, with sorrow euen to teares,
That are in wisedome so exempt from peres;
Vouchsafe the like effect in me excuse,
52
Of teares thus, after meales; at least, at night:
But when the morne brings forth, with teares, her light,
It shall not then empaire me to bestow
My teares on any worthies ouerthrow.
It is the onely right, that wretched men
Can do dead friends; to cut haire, and complaine.
But Death my brother tooke; whom none could call
The Grecian coward; you best knew of all.
I was not there, nor saw; but men report,
Antilochus exceld the common sort,
For footmanship, or for the Chariot race;
Or in the fight, for hardie hold of place.
O friend (said he) since thou hast spoken so,
At all parts, as one wise should say and do;
And like one, farre beyond thy selfe in yeares;
Thy words shall bounds be, to our former teares.
O he is questionlesse a right borne sonne,
That of his Father hath not onely wonne
The person, but the wisedome; and that Sire;
(Complete himselfe) that hath a sonne entire,
Ioue did not onely his full Fate adorne,
When he was wedded; but when he was borne.
As now Saturnius, through his lifes whole date,
Hath Nestors blisse raisd to as steepe a state:
Both in his age to keepe in peace his house;
And to haue children wise and valorous.
At all parts, as one wise should say and do;
And like one, farre beyond thy selfe in yeares;
Thy words shall bounds be, to our former teares.
O he is questionlesse a right borne sonne,
That of his Father hath not onely wonne
The person, but the wisedome; and that Sire;
(Complete himselfe) that hath a sonne entire,
Ioue did not onely his full Fate adorne,
When he was wedded; but when he was borne.
As now Saturnius, through his lifes whole date,
Hath Nestors blisse raisd to as steepe a state:
Both in his age to keepe in peace his house;
And to haue children wise and valorous.
But let vs not forget our rere Feast thus;
Let some giue water here. Telemachus!
The morning shall yeeld time to you and me,
To do what fits; and reason mutually.
This said; the carefull seruant of the King;
(Asphalion) powr'd on, th' issue of the Spring;
And all to readie feast, set readie hand.
But Hellen now, on new deuice did stand;
Infusing strait a medcine to their wine,
That (drowning Cares and Angers) did decline
All thought of ill. Who drunke her cup, could shed
All that day, not a teare; no not if dead
That day his father or his mother were;
Not if his brother, child, or chiefest deare,
He should see murtherd then before his face.
Such vsefull medcines (onely borne in grace,
Of what was good) would Hellen euer haue.
And this Iuyce to her, Polydomma gaue
The wife of Thoon; an Ægyptian borne;
Whose rich earth, herbes of medicine do adorne
In great abundance. Many healthfull are,
And many banefull. Euery man is there
A good Physition, out of natures grace;
For all the nation sprung of Pæons race.
Let some giue water here. Telemachus!
The morning shall yeeld time to you and me,
To do what fits; and reason mutually.
This said; the carefull seruant of the King;
(Asphalion) powr'd on, th' issue of the Spring;
And all to readie feast, set readie hand.
But Hellen now, on new deuice did stand;
Infusing strait a medcine to their wine,
That (drowning Cares and Angers) did decline
All thought of ill. Who drunke her cup, could shed
All that day, not a teare; no not if dead
That day his father or his mother were;
Not if his brother, child, or chiefest deare,
He should see murtherd then before his face.
Such vsefull medcines (onely borne in grace,
Of what was good) would Hellen euer haue.
And this Iuyce to her, Polydomma gaue
The wife of Thoon; an Ægyptian borne;
Whose rich earth, herbes of medicine do adorne
In great abundance. Many healthfull are,
53
A good Physition, out of natures grace;
For all the nation sprung of Pæons race.
When Hellen then her medicine had infusde,
She bad powre wine to it; and this speech vsde:
She bad powre wine to it; and this speech vsde:
Atrides, and these good mens sonnes; great Ioue
Makes good and ill, one after other moue
In all things earthly: for he can do all.
The woes past therefore, he so late let fall;
The comforts he affoords vs, let vs take;
Feast, and with fit discourses, merrie make.
Nor will I other vse. As then our blood
Grieu'd for Vlysses, since he was so good;
Since he was good, let vs delight to heare
How good he was, and what his suffrings were.
Though euery fight, and euery suffring deed,
Patient Vlysses vnderwent; exceed
My womans powre to number, or to name.
But what he did, and sufferd, when he came
Amongst the Troians, (where ye Grecians all
Tooke part with sufferance) I in part can call
To your kind memories. How with ghastly wounds
Himselfe he mangl'd; and the Troian bounds
(Thrust thicke with enemies) aduentured on:
His royall shoulders, hauing cast vpon
Base abiect weeds, and enterd like a slaue.
Then (begger-like) he did of all men craue;
And such a wretch was, as the whole Greeke fleete
Brought not besides. And thus through euery streete
He crept discouering: of no one man knowne.
And yet through all this difference, I alone
Smok't his true person. Talkt with him. But he
Fled me with wiles still. Nor could we agree,
Till I disclaimd him quite. And so (as mou'd
With womanly remorse, of one that prou'd
So wretched an estate, what ere he were)
Wonne him to take my house. And yet euen there;
Till freely I (to make him doubtlesse) swore
A powrefull oath, to let him reach the shore
Of ships and tents, before Troy vnderstood;
I could not force on him his proper good.
But then I bath'd and sooth'd him, and he then
Confest, and told me all. And (hauing slaine
A number of the Troian guards) retirde,
And reacht the Fleete; for slight and force admirde.
Their husbands deaths by him, the Troian wiues
Shriekt for; but I made triumphs for their liues.
For then my heart conceiu'd, that once againe
I should reach home; and yet did still retaine
Woe for the slaughters, Venus made for me:
When both my husband, my Hermione,
And bridall roome, she robd of so much right;
And drew me from my countrie, with her sleight.
Though nothing vnder heauen, I here did need,
That could my Fancie, or my Beautie feed.
Makes good and ill, one after other moue
In all things earthly: for he can do all.
The woes past therefore, he so late let fall;
The comforts he affoords vs, let vs take;
Feast, and with fit discourses, merrie make.
Nor will I other vse. As then our blood
Grieu'd for Vlysses, since he was so good;
Since he was good, let vs delight to heare
How good he was, and what his suffrings were.
Though euery fight, and euery suffring deed,
Patient Vlysses vnderwent; exceed
My womans powre to number, or to name.
But what he did, and sufferd, when he came
Amongst the Troians, (where ye Grecians all
Tooke part with sufferance) I in part can call
To your kind memories. How with ghastly wounds
Himselfe he mangl'd; and the Troian bounds
(Thrust thicke with enemies) aduentured on:
His royall shoulders, hauing cast vpon
Base abiect weeds, and enterd like a slaue.
Then (begger-like) he did of all men craue;
And such a wretch was, as the whole Greeke fleete
Brought not besides. And thus through euery streete
He crept discouering: of no one man knowne.
And yet through all this difference, I alone
Smok't his true person. Talkt with him. But he
Fled me with wiles still. Nor could we agree,
Till I disclaimd him quite. And so (as mou'd
With womanly remorse, of one that prou'd
So wretched an estate, what ere he were)
Wonne him to take my house. And yet euen there;
Till freely I (to make him doubtlesse) swore
A powrefull oath, to let him reach the shore
Of ships and tents, before Troy vnderstood;
I could not force on him his proper good.
But then I bath'd and sooth'd him, and he then
Confest, and told me all. And (hauing slaine
A number of the Troian guards) retirde,
And reacht the Fleete; for slight and force admirde.
Their husbands deaths by him, the Troian wiues
Shriekt for; but I made triumphs for their liues.
For then my heart conceiu'd, that once againe
54
Woe for the slaughters, Venus made for me:
When both my husband, my Hermione,
And bridall roome, she robd of so much right;
And drew me from my countrie, with her sleight.
Though nothing vnder heauen, I here did need,
That could my Fancie, or my Beautie feed.
Her husband said: Wife! what you please to tell,
Is true at all parts, and becomes you well.
And I my selfe, that now may say, haue seene
The minds and manners of a world of men:
And great Heroes, measuring many a ground,
Haue neuer (by these eyes that light me) found
One, with a bosome, so to be belou'd,
As that in which, th' accomplisht spirit, mou'd
Of patient Vlysses. What (braue man)
He both did act, and suffer, when we wan
The towne of Ilion, in the braue-built horse,
When all we chiefe States of the Grecian force,
Were housde together; bringing Death and Fate
Amongst the Troians; you (wife) may relate.
For you, at last, came to vs; God that would
The Troians glorie giue; gaue charge you should
Approch the engine; and Deiphobus
(The god-like) followd. Thrice ye circl'd vs,
With full suruay of it; and often tried
The hollow crafts, that in it were implied.
When all the voices of their wiues in it
You tooke on you; with voice so like, and fit;
And euery man by name, so visited;
That I, Vlysses, and King Diomed,
(Set in the midst, and hearing how you calld)
Tydides, and my selfe, (as halfe appalld
With your remorcefull plaints) would, passing faine
Haue broke our silence; rather then againe
Endure, respectlesse, their so mouing cries.
But, Ithacus, our strongest fantasies
Containd within vs, from the slendrest noise,
And euery man there, sat without a voice.
Anticlus onely, would haue answerd thee:
But, his speech, Ithacus incessantly
With strong hand held in; till (Mineruas call,
Charging thee off) Vlysses sau'd vs all.
Is true at all parts, and becomes you well.
And I my selfe, that now may say, haue seene
The minds and manners of a world of men:
And great Heroes, measuring many a ground,
Haue neuer (by these eyes that light me) found
One, with a bosome, so to be belou'd,
As that in which, th' accomplisht spirit, mou'd
Of patient Vlysses. What (braue man)
He both did act, and suffer, when we wan
The towne of Ilion, in the braue-built horse,
When all we chiefe States of the Grecian force,
Were housde together; bringing Death and Fate
Amongst the Troians; you (wife) may relate.
For you, at last, came to vs; God that would
The Troians glorie giue; gaue charge you should
Approch the engine; and Deiphobus
(The god-like) followd. Thrice ye circl'd vs,
With full suruay of it; and often tried
The hollow crafts, that in it were implied.
When all the voices of their wiues in it
You tooke on you; with voice so like, and fit;
And euery man by name, so visited;
That I, Vlysses, and King Diomed,
(Set in the midst, and hearing how you calld)
Tydides, and my selfe, (as halfe appalld
With your remorcefull plaints) would, passing faine
Haue broke our silence; rather then againe
Endure, respectlesse, their so mouing cries.
But, Ithacus, our strongest fantasies
Containd within vs, from the slendrest noise,
And euery man there, sat without a voice.
Anticlus onely, would haue answerd thee:
But, his speech, Ithacus incessantly
With strong hand held in; till (Mineruas call,
Charging thee off) Vlysses sau'd vs all.
Telemachus replide: Much greater is
My griefe, for hearing this high praise of his.
For all this doth not his sad death diuert;
Nor can, though in him swelld an iron heart.
Prepare, and leade then (if you please) to rest:
Sleepe (that we heare not) will content vs best.
My griefe, for hearing this high praise of his.
For all this doth not his sad death diuert;
Nor can, though in him swelld an iron heart.
Prepare, and leade then (if you please) to rest:
55
Then Argive Hellen made her handmaid go,
And put faire bedding in the Portico;
Lay purple blankets on, Rugs warme and soft;
And cast an Arras couerlet aloft.
And put faire bedding in the Portico;
Lay purple blankets on, Rugs warme and soft;
And cast an Arras couerlet aloft.
They torches tooke; made haste, and made the bed,
When both the guests were to their lodgings led,
Within a Portico, without the house.
Atrides, and his large-traine-wearing Spouse,
(The excellent of women) for the way,
In a retir'd receit, together lay.
The morne arose; the King rose, and put on
His royall weeds; his sharpe sword hung vpon
His ample shoulders; forth his chamber went,
And did the person of a God present.
When both the guests were to their lodgings led,
Within a Portico, without the house.
Atrides, and his large-traine-wearing Spouse,
(The excellent of women) for the way,
In a retir'd receit, together lay.
The morne arose; the King rose, and put on
His royall weeds; his sharpe sword hung vpon
His ample shoulders; forth his chamber went,
And did the person of a God present.
Telemachus accosts him; who begun
Speech of his iourneys proposition.
Speech of his iourneys proposition.
And what (my yong Vlyssean Heroe)
Prouokt thee on the broad backe of the sea,
To visit Lacedæmon the Diuine?
Speake truth, Some publicke? or onely thine?
Prouokt thee on the broad backe of the sea,
To visit Lacedæmon the Diuine?
Speake truth, Some publicke? or onely thine?
I come (said he) to heare, if any fame
Breath'd of my Father; to thy notice came.
My house is sackt; my fat workes of the field,
Are all destroid: my house doth nothing yeeld
But enemies; that kill my harmlesse sheepe,
And sinewie Oxen: nor will euer keepe
Their steeles without them. And these men are they,
That wooe my Mother; most inhumanely
Committing iniurie on iniurie.
To thy knees therefore I am come, t'attend
Relation of the sad and wretched end,
My erring Father felt: if witnest by
Your owne eyes; or the certaine newes that flie
From others knowledges. For, more then is
The vsuall heape of humane miseries,
His Mother bore him to. Vouchsafe me then
(Without all ruth of what I can sustaine)
The plaine and simple truth of all you know.
Let me beseech so much. If euer vow
Was made, and put in good effect to you
At Troy (where suffrance bred you so much smart)
Vpon my Father, good Vlysses part;
And quit it now to me (himselfe in youth)
Vnfolding onely the vnclosed truth.
Breath'd of my Father; to thy notice came.
My house is sackt; my fat workes of the field,
Are all destroid: my house doth nothing yeeld
But enemies; that kill my harmlesse sheepe,
And sinewie Oxen: nor will euer keepe
Their steeles without them. And these men are they,
That wooe my Mother; most inhumanely
Committing iniurie on iniurie.
To thy knees therefore I am come, t'attend
Relation of the sad and wretched end,
My erring Father felt: if witnest by
Your owne eyes; or the certaine newes that flie
From others knowledges. For, more then is
The vsuall heape of humane miseries,
His Mother bore him to. Vouchsafe me then
(Without all ruth of what I can sustaine)
The plaine and simple truth of all you know.
Let me beseech so much. If euer vow
Was made, and put in good effect to you
At Troy (where suffrance bred you so much smart)
Vpon my Father, good Vlysses part;
And quit it now to me (himselfe in youth)
Vnfolding onely the vnclosed truth.
He (deeply sighing) answerd him: O shame
That such poore vassals should affect the fame,
To share the ioyes of such a Worthies Bed!
As when a Hinde (her calues late farrowed
To giue sucke) enters the bold Lions den:
He, rootes of hils, and herbie vallies then
For food (there feeding) hunting: but at length
Returning to his Cauerne; giues his strength
The liues of both the mother and her brood,
In deaths indecent; so the wooers blood
Must pay Vlysses powres, as sharpe an end.
O would to Ioue, Apollo, and thy friend,
(The wise Minerua) that thy Father were
As once he was, when he his spirits did rere
Against Philomelides, in a fight
Performd in well-built Lesbos; where, downe-right
He strooke the earth with him; and gat a shout
Of all the Grecians. O, if now, full out
He were as then; and with the wooers cop't,
Short-liu'd they all were; and their nuptials, hop't
Would proue as desperate. But for thy demand,
Enforc't with prayrs; Ile let thee vnderstand
The truth directly; nor decline a thought;
Much lesse deceiue, or sooth thy search in ought.
But what the old, and still-true-spoken God,
That from the sea breathes oracles abroad,
Disclosde to me; to thee Ile all impart,
Nor hide one word from thy sollicitous heart.
That such poore vassals should affect the fame,
To share the ioyes of such a Worthies Bed!
60
To giue sucke) enters the bold Lions den:
He, rootes of hils, and herbie vallies then
For food (there feeding) hunting: but at length
Returning to his Cauerne; giues his strength
The liues of both the mother and her brood,
In deaths indecent; so the wooers blood
Must pay Vlysses powres, as sharpe an end.
O would to Ioue, Apollo, and thy friend,
(The wise Minerua) that thy Father were
As once he was, when he his spirits did rere
Against Philomelides, in a fight
Performd in well-built Lesbos; where, downe-right
He strooke the earth with him; and gat a shout
Of all the Grecians. O, if now, full out
He were as then; and with the wooers cop't,
Short-liu'd they all were; and their nuptials, hop't
Would proue as desperate. But for thy demand,
Enforc't with prayrs; Ile let thee vnderstand
The truth directly; nor decline a thought;
Much lesse deceiue, or sooth thy search in ought.
But what the old, and still-true-spoken God,
That from the sea breathes oracles abroad,
Disclosde to me; to thee Ile all impart,
Nor hide one word from thy sollicitous heart.
I was in Ægypt; where a mightie time,
The Gods detaind me: though my naturall clime,
I neuer so desir'd; because their homes
I did not greete, with perfect Hecatomes.
For they will put men euermore in mind,
How much their masterly commandments bind.
The Gods detaind me: though my naturall clime,
I neuer so desir'd; because their homes
I did not greete, with perfect Hecatomes.
For they will put men euermore in mind,
How much their masterly commandments bind.
There is (besides) a certaine Iland, calld
Pharos, that with the high-wau'd sea is walld;
Iust against Ægypt; and so much remote,
As in a whole day, with a fore-gale smote,
A hollow ship can saile. And this Ile beares
A Port, most portly; where sea-passengers
Put in still for fresh water, and away
To sea againe. Yet here the Gods did stay
My Fleete, full twentie dayes: the winds (that are
Masters at sea) no prosprous puffe would spare,
To put vs off: and all my victles here,
Had quite corrupted; as my mens minds were;
Had not a certaine Goddesse giuen regard,
And pittide me in an estate so hard:
And twas Edothea, honourd Proteus seed,
That old sea-farer. Her mind I made bleed
With my compassion, when (walkt all alone,
From all my souldiers, that were euer gone
About the Ile on fishing, with hookes bent;
Hunger, their bellies, on her errand sent)
She came close to me; spake; and thus began:
Pharos, that with the high-wau'd sea is walld;
Iust against Ægypt; and so much remote,
As in a whole day, with a fore-gale smote,
A hollow ship can saile. And this Ile beares
A Port, most portly; where sea-passengers
Put in still for fresh water, and away
To sea againe. Yet here the Gods did stay
My Fleete, full twentie dayes: the winds (that are
Masters at sea) no prosprous puffe would spare,
To put vs off: and all my victles here,
Had quite corrupted; as my mens minds were;
Had not a certaine Goddesse giuen regard,
And pittide me in an estate so hard:
And twas Edothea, honourd Proteus seed,
That old sea-farer. Her mind I made bleed
With my compassion, when (walkt all alone,
57
About the Ile on fishing, with hookes bent;
Hunger, their bellies, on her errand sent)
She came close to me; spake; and thus began:
Of all men, thou art the most foolish man,
Or slacke in businesse; or stayst here of choice;
And doest in all thy suffrances reioyce;
That thus long liu'st detaind here; and no end
Canst giue thy tarriance. Thou doest much offend
The minds of all thy fellowes. I replied:
Or slacke in businesse; or stayst here of choice;
And doest in all thy suffrances reioyce;
That thus long liu'st detaind here; and no end
Canst giue thy tarriance. Thou doest much offend
The minds of all thy fellowes. I replied:
Who euer thou art of the Deified,
I must affirme, that no way with my will,
I make abode here: but, it seemes, some ill
The Gods, inhabiting broad heauen, sustaine
Against my getting off. Informe me then,
(For Godheads all things know) what God is he
That stayes my passage, from the fishie sea?
I must affirme, that no way with my will,
I make abode here: but, it seemes, some ill
The Gods, inhabiting broad heauen, sustaine
Against my getting off. Informe me then,
(For Godheads all things know) what God is he
That stayes my passage, from the fishie sea?
Stranger (said she) Ile tell thee true: there liues
An old Sea-farer in these seas, that giues
A true solution of all secrets here.
Who, deathlesse Proteus is, th' Ægyptian Peere:
Who can the deepes of all the seas exquire;
Who Neptunes Priest is; and (they say) the Sire
That did beget me. Him, if any way
Thou couldst inveagle, he would cleare display
Thy course from hence; and how farre off doth lie
Thy voyages whole scope through Neptunes skie.
Informing thee (O God preseru'd) beside
(If thy desires would so be satisfide)
What euer good or ill hath got euent,
In all the time, thy long and hard course spent,
Since thy departure from thy house. This said;
Againe I answerd: Make the sleights displaid,
Thy Father vseth; lest his foresight see,
Or his foreknowledge taking note of me,
He flies the fixt place of his vsde abode;
Tis hard for man to countermine with God.
An old Sea-farer in these seas, that giues
A true solution of all secrets here.
Who, deathlesse Proteus is, th' Ægyptian Peere:
Who can the deepes of all the seas exquire;
Who Neptunes Priest is; and (they say) the Sire
That did beget me. Him, if any way
Thou couldst inveagle, he would cleare display
Thy course from hence; and how farre off doth lie
Thy voyages whole scope through Neptunes skie.
Informing thee (O God preseru'd) beside
(If thy desires would so be satisfide)
What euer good or ill hath got euent,
In all the time, thy long and hard course spent,
Since thy departure from thy house. This said;
Againe I answerd: Make the sleights displaid,
Thy Father vseth; lest his foresight see,
Or his foreknowledge taking note of me,
He flies the fixt place of his vsde abode;
Tis hard for man to countermine with God.
She strait replide: Ile vtter truth in all;
When heauens supremest height, the Sunne doth skall;
The old Sea-tell-truth leaues the deepes, and hides
Amidst a blacke storme, when the West wind chides;
In caues still sleeping. Round about him sleepe
(With short feete swimming forth the fomie deepe)
The Sea-calues (louely Halosydnes calld)
From whom a noisome odour is exhalld,
Got from the whirle-pooles, on whose earth they lie.
Here, when the morne illustrates all the skie,
Ile guide, and seate thee, in the fittest place,
For the performance thou hast now in chace.
In meane time, reach thy Fleete; and chuse out three
Of best exploit, to go as aides to thee.
When heauens supremest height, the Sunne doth skall;
The old Sea-tell-truth leaues the deepes, and hides
Amidst a blacke storme, when the West wind chides;
In caues still sleeping. Round about him sleepe
(With short feete swimming forth the fomie deepe)
The Sea-calues (louely Halosydnes calld)
From whom a noisome odour is exhalld,
Got from the whirle-pooles, on whose earth they lie.
Here, when the morne illustrates all the skie,
Ile guide, and seate thee, in the fittest place,
58
In meane time, reach thy Fleete; and chuse out three
Of best exploit, to go as aides to thee.
But now Ile shew thee all the old Gods sleights;
He first will number, and take all the sights
Of those, his guard, that on the shore arriues.
When hauing viewd, and told them forth by fiues;
He takes place in their midst, and there doth sleepe,
Like to a shepheard midst his flocke of sheepe.
In his first sleepe, call vp your hardiest cheare,
Vigor and violence, and hold him there,
In spite of all his striuings to be gone.
He then will turne himselfe to euery one
Of all things that in earth creepe and respire,
In water swim, or shine in heauenly fire.
Yet still hold you him firme; and much the more
Presse him from passing. But when, as before
(When sleepe first bound his powres) his forme ye see,
Then ceasse your force, and th' old Heroe free;
And then demand, which heauen-borne it may bee
That so afflicts you, hindring your retreate,
And free sea-passage to your natiue seate.
He first will number, and take all the sights
Of those, his guard, that on the shore arriues.
When hauing viewd, and told them forth by fiues;
He takes place in their midst, and there doth sleepe,
Like to a shepheard midst his flocke of sheepe.
In his first sleepe, call vp your hardiest cheare,
Vigor and violence, and hold him there,
In spite of all his striuings to be gone.
He then will turne himselfe to euery one
Of all things that in earth creepe and respire,
In water swim, or shine in heauenly fire.
Yet still hold you him firme; and much the more
Presse him from passing. But when, as before
(When sleepe first bound his powres) his forme ye see,
Then ceasse your force, and th' old Heroe free;
And then demand, which heauen-borne it may bee
That so afflicts you, hindring your retreate,
And free sea-passage to your natiue seate.
This said, she diu'd into the wauie seas;
And I my course did to my ships addresse,
That on the sands stucke; where arriu'd, we made
Our supper readie. Then th' Ambrosian shade
Of night fell on vs; and to sleepe we fell.
Rosie Aurora rose; we rose as well;
And three of them, on whom I most relied,
For firme at euery force; I chusde, and hied
Strait to the many-riuer-serued seas.
And all assistance, askt the Deities.
And I my course did to my ships addresse,
That on the sands stucke; where arriu'd, we made
Our supper readie. Then th' Ambrosian shade
Of night fell on vs; and to sleepe we fell.
Rosie Aurora rose; we rose as well;
And three of them, on whom I most relied,
For firme at euery force; I chusde, and hied
Strait to the many-riuer-serued seas.
And all assistance, askt the Deities.
Meane time Edothea, the seas broad brest
Embrac't; and brought for me, and all my rest,
Foure of the sea-calues skins, but newly flead,
To worke a wile, which she had fashioned
Vpon her Father. Then (within the sand
A couert digging) when these Calues should land,
She sate expecting. We came close to her:
She plac't vs orderly; and made vs weare
Each one his Calues skin. But we then must passe
A huge exploit. The sea-calues sauour was
So passing sowre (they still being bred at seas)
It much afflicted vs: for who can please
To lie by one of these same sea-bred whales?
But she preserues vs; and to memorie calls
A rare commoditie: she fetcht to vs
Ambrosia, that an aire most odorous
Beares still about it; which she nointed round
Our either nosthrils; and in it quite drownd
The nastie whale-smell. Then the great euent,
The whole mornes date, with spirits patient
We lay expecting. When bright Noone did flame
Forth from the sea, in Sholes the sea-calues came,
And orderly, at last, lay downe and slept
Along the sands. And then th' old sea-god crept
From forth the deepes; and found his fat calues there:
Suruaid, and numberd; and came neuer neare
The craft we vsde; but told vs fiue for calues.
His temples then diseasd, with sleepe he salues;
And in rusht we, with an abhorred crie:
Cast all our hands about him manfully,
And then th' old Forger, all his formes began:
First was a Lion, with a mightie mane;
Then next a Dragon; a pide Panther then;
A vast Boare next; and sodainly did straine
All into water. Last, he was a tree,
Curld all at top, and shot vp to the skie.
Embrac't; and brought for me, and all my rest,
Foure of the sea-calues skins, but newly flead,
To worke a wile, which she had fashioned
Vpon her Father. Then (within the sand
A couert digging) when these Calues should land,
She sate expecting. We came close to her:
She plac't vs orderly; and made vs weare
Each one his Calues skin. But we then must passe
A huge exploit. The sea-calues sauour was
So passing sowre (they still being bred at seas)
It much afflicted vs: for who can please
To lie by one of these same sea-bred whales?
But she preserues vs; and to memorie calls
A rare commoditie: she fetcht to vs
Ambrosia, that an aire most odorous
59
Our either nosthrils; and in it quite drownd
The nastie whale-smell. Then the great euent,
The whole mornes date, with spirits patient
We lay expecting. When bright Noone did flame
Forth from the sea, in Sholes the sea-calues came,
And orderly, at last, lay downe and slept
Along the sands. And then th' old sea-god crept
From forth the deepes; and found his fat calues there:
Suruaid, and numberd; and came neuer neare
The craft we vsde; but told vs fiue for calues.
His temples then diseasd, with sleepe he salues;
And in rusht we, with an abhorred crie:
Cast all our hands about him manfully,
And then th' old Forger, all his formes began:
First was a Lion, with a mightie mane;
Then next a Dragon; a pide Panther then;
A vast Boare next; and sodainly did straine
All into water. Last, he was a tree,
Curld all at top, and shot vp to the skie.
We, with resolu'd hearts, held him firmly still,
When th' old one (held to streight for all his skill,
To extricate) gaue words, and questiond me:
When th' old one (held to streight for all his skill,
To extricate) gaue words, and questiond me:
Which of the Gods, O Atreus sonne, (said he)
Aduisde and taught thy fortitude this sleight,
To take and hold me thus, in my despight?
What asks thy wish now? I replide: Thou knowst:
Why doest thou aske? What wiles are these thou showst?
I haue within this Ile, bene held for winde
A wondrous time; and can by no meanes find
An end to my retention. It hath spent
The very heart in me. Giue thou then vent
To doubts thus bound in me, (ye Gods know all)
Which of the Godheads, doth so fowly fall
On my addression home, to stay me here?
Auert me from my way? The fishie cleare,
Barr'd to my passage? He replide: Of force
(If to thy home, thou wishest free recourse)
To Ioue, and all the other Deities,
Thou must exhibite solemne sacrifice;
And then the blacke sea for thee shall be cleare,
Till thy lou'd countries settl'd reach. But where
Aske these rites thy performance? Tis a fate
To thee and thy affaires appropriate,
That thou shalt neuer see thy friends, nor tred
Thy Countries earth; nor see inhabited
Thy so magnificent house; till thou make good
Thy voyage backe to the Ægyptian flood,
Whose waters fell from Ioue: and there hast giuen
To Ioue, and all Gods, housd in ample heauen,
Deuoted Hecatombs; and then free wayes
Shall open to thee; cleard of all delayes.
Aduisde and taught thy fortitude this sleight,
To take and hold me thus, in my despight?
What asks thy wish now? I replide: Thou knowst:
Why doest thou aske? What wiles are these thou showst?
I haue within this Ile, bene held for winde
A wondrous time; and can by no meanes find
An end to my retention. It hath spent
The very heart in me. Giue thou then vent
To doubts thus bound in me, (ye Gods know all)
Which of the Godheads, doth so fowly fall
On my addression home, to stay me here?
Auert me from my way? The fishie cleare,
Barr'd to my passage? He replide: Of force
(If to thy home, thou wishest free recourse)
To Ioue, and all the other Deities,
Thou must exhibite solemne sacrifice;
And then the blacke sea for thee shall be cleare,
Till thy lou'd countries settl'd reach. But where
Aske these rites thy performance? Tis a fate
To thee and thy affaires appropriate,
That thou shalt neuer see thy friends, nor tred
Thy Countries earth; nor see inhabited
Thy so magnificent house; till thou make good
Thy voyage backe to the Ægyptian flood,
60
To Ioue, and all Gods, housd in ample heauen,
Deuoted Hecatombs; and then free wayes
Shall open to thee; cleard of all delayes.
This told he; and me thought, he brake my heart,
In such a long and hard course to diuert
My hope for home; and charge my backe retreat,
As farre as Ægypt. I made answer yet:
In such a long and hard course to diuert
My hope for home; and charge my backe retreat,
As farre as Ægypt. I made answer yet:
Father, thy charge Ile perfect; but before,
Resolue me truly, if their naturall shore,
All those Greeks, and their ships, do safe enioy,
That Nestor and my selfe left, when from Troy
We first raisde saile? Or whether any died
At sea a death vnwisht? Or (satisfied)
When warre was past, by friends embrac't, in peace
Resign'd their spirits? He made answer: Cease
To aske so farre; it fits thee not to be
So cunning in thine owne calamitie.
Nor seeke to learne; what learnd, thou shouldst forget;
Mens knowledges haue proper limits set,
And should not prease into the mind of God.
But twill not long be (as my thoughts abode)
Before thou buy this curious skill with teares.
Many of those, whose states so tempt thine eares,
Are stoopt by Death; and many left aliue:
One chiefe of which, in strong hold doth suruiue,
Amidst the broad sea. Two, in their retreate,
Are done to death. I list not to repeate,
Who fell at Troy; thy selfe was there in fight.
But in returne, swift Aiax lost the light,
In his long-oard ship. Neptune yet a while,
Saft him vnwrackt: to the Gyræan Ile,
A mightie Rocke remouing from his way.
And surely he had scapt the fatall day,
In spite of Pallas, if to that foule deed,
He in her Phane did, (when he rauished
The Troian Prophetesse) he had not here
Adioynd an impious boast: that he would beare
(Despite the Gods) his ship safe through the waues
Then raisde against him. These his impious braues,
When Neptune heard; in his strong hand he tooke
His massie Trident; and so soundly strooke
The rocke Gyræan, that in two it cleft:
Of which, one fragment on the land he left;
The other fell into the troubld seas;
At which, first rusht Aiax Oileades,
And split his ship: and then himselfe aflote
Swum on the rough waues of the worlds vast mote;
Till hauing drunke a salt cup for his sinne,
There perisht he. Thy brother yet did winne
The wreath from Death, while in the waues they stroue,
Afflicted by the reuerend wife of Ioue.
But when the steepe Mount of the Malean shore,
He seemd to reach; a most tempestuous blore,
Farre to the fishie world, that sighes so sore,
Strait rauisht him againe; as farre away,
As to th' extreme bounds where the Agrians stay;
Where first Thirstes dwelt: but then his sonne
Ægisthus Thiestiades liu'd. This done,
When his returne vntoucht appeard againe;
Backe turnd the Gods the wind; and set him then
Hard by his house. Then, full of ioy, he left
His ship; and close t'his countrie earth he cleft;
Kist it, and wept for ioy: powrd teare on teare,
To set so wishedly his footing there.
But see: a Sentinell that all the yeare,
Craftie Ægisthus, in a watchtowre set
To spie his landing; for reward as great
As two gold talents; all his powres did call
To strict remembrance of his charge; and all
Discharg'd at first sight; which at first he cast
On Agamemnon; and, with all his hast,
Informd Ægisthus. He, an instant traine
Laid for his slaughter: Twentie chosen men
Of his Plebeians, he in ambush laid.
His other men, he charg'd to see puruaid
A Feast: and forth, with horse and chariots grac't,
He rode t'inuite him: but in heart embrac't
Horrible welcomes: and to death did bring,
With trecherous slaughter, the vnwary King.
Receiu'd him at a Feast; and (like an Oxe
Slaine at his manger) gaue him bits and knocks.
No one left of Atrides traine; nor one
Sau'd to Ægisthus; but himselfe alone:
All strowd together there, the bloudie Court.
This said: my soule he sunke with his report:
Flat on the sands I fell: teares spent their store;
I, light abhord: my heart would liue no more.
Resolue me truly, if their naturall shore,
All those Greeks, and their ships, do safe enioy,
That Nestor and my selfe left, when from Troy
We first raisde saile? Or whether any died
At sea a death vnwisht? Or (satisfied)
When warre was past, by friends embrac't, in peace
Resign'd their spirits? He made answer: Cease
To aske so farre; it fits thee not to be
So cunning in thine owne calamitie.
Nor seeke to learne; what learnd, thou shouldst forget;
Mens knowledges haue proper limits set,
And should not prease into the mind of God.
But twill not long be (as my thoughts abode)
Before thou buy this curious skill with teares.
Many of those, whose states so tempt thine eares,
Are stoopt by Death; and many left aliue:
One chiefe of which, in strong hold doth suruiue,
Amidst the broad sea. Two, in their retreate,
Are done to death. I list not to repeate,
Who fell at Troy; thy selfe was there in fight.
But in returne, swift Aiax lost the light,
In his long-oard ship. Neptune yet a while,
Saft him vnwrackt: to the Gyræan Ile,
A mightie Rocke remouing from his way.
And surely he had scapt the fatall day,
In spite of Pallas, if to that foule deed,
He in her Phane did, (when he rauished
The Troian Prophetesse) he had not here
Adioynd an impious boast: that he would beare
(Despite the Gods) his ship safe through the waues
Then raisde against him. These his impious braues,
When Neptune heard; in his strong hand he tooke
His massie Trident; and so soundly strooke
The rocke Gyræan, that in two it cleft:
Of which, one fragment on the land he left;
The other fell into the troubld seas;
At which, first rusht Aiax Oileades,
And split his ship: and then himselfe aflote
Swum on the rough waues of the worlds vast mote;
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There perisht he. Thy brother yet did winne
The wreath from Death, while in the waues they stroue,
Afflicted by the reuerend wife of Ioue.
But when the steepe Mount of the Malean shore,
He seemd to reach; a most tempestuous blore,
Farre to the fishie world, that sighes so sore,
Strait rauisht him againe; as farre away,
As to th' extreme bounds where the Agrians stay;
Where first Thirstes dwelt: but then his sonne
Ægisthus Thiestiades liu'd. This done,
When his returne vntoucht appeard againe;
Backe turnd the Gods the wind; and set him then
Hard by his house. Then, full of ioy, he left
His ship; and close t'his countrie earth he cleft;
Kist it, and wept for ioy: powrd teare on teare,
To set so wishedly his footing there.
But see: a Sentinell that all the yeare,
Craftie Ægisthus, in a watchtowre set
To spie his landing; for reward as great
As two gold talents; all his powres did call
To strict remembrance of his charge; and all
Discharg'd at first sight; which at first he cast
On Agamemnon; and, with all his hast,
Informd Ægisthus. He, an instant traine
Laid for his slaughter: Twentie chosen men
Of his Plebeians, he in ambush laid.
His other men, he charg'd to see puruaid
A Feast: and forth, with horse and chariots grac't,
He rode t'inuite him: but in heart embrac't
Horrible welcomes: and to death did bring,
With trecherous slaughter, the vnwary King.
Receiu'd him at a Feast; and (like an Oxe
Slaine at his manger) gaue him bits and knocks.
No one left of Atrides traine; nor one
Sau'd to Ægisthus; but himselfe alone:
All strowd together there, the bloudie Court.
This said: my soule he sunke with his report:
Flat on the sands I fell: teares spent their store;
I, light abhord: my heart would liue no more.
When drie of teares; and tir'd with tumbling there;
Th' old Tel-truth thus my danted spirits did cheare:
Th' old Tel-truth thus my danted spirits did cheare:
No more spend teares nor time, ô Atreus sonne;
With ceaslesse weeping, neuer wish was wonne.
Vse vttermost assay to reach thy home,
And all vnwares vpon the murtherer come,
(For torture) taking him thy selfe, aliue;
Or let Orestes, that should farre out-striue
Thee in fit vengeance, quickly quit the light
Of such a darke soule: and do thou the right
Of buriall to him, with a Funerall feast.
With ceaslesse weeping, neuer wish was wonne.
Vse vttermost assay to reach thy home,
And all vnwares vpon the murtherer come,
(For torture) taking him thy selfe, aliue;
Or let Orestes, that should farre out-striue
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Of such a darke soule: and do thou the right
Of buriall to him, with a Funerall feast.
With these last words, I fortifide my breast;
In which againe, a generous spring began,
Of fitting comfort, as I was a man;
But, as a brother, I must euer mourne.
Yet forth I went; and told him the returne
Of these I knew: but he had nam'd a third,
Held on the broad sea; still with life inspir'd;
Whom I besought to know, though likewise dead,
And I must mourne alike. He answered:
In which againe, a generous spring began,
Of fitting comfort, as I was a man;
But, as a brother, I must euer mourne.
Yet forth I went; and told him the returne
Of these I knew: but he had nam'd a third,
Held on the broad sea; still with life inspir'd;
Whom I besought to know, though likewise dead,
And I must mourne alike. He answered:
He is Laertes sonne; whom I beheld
In Nymph Calypsos Pallace; who compeld
His stay with her: and since he could not see
His countrie earth, he mournd incessantly.
For he had neither ship, instruct with oares,
Nor men to fetch him from those stranger shores.
Where, leaue we him; and to thy selfe descend;
Whom, not in Argos, Fate nor Death shall end;
But the immortall ends of all the earth,
So rul'd by them, that order death by birth,
(The fields Elisian) Fate to thee will giue:
Where Rhadamanthus rules; and where men liue
A neuer-troubld life: where snow, nor showres,
Nor irksome Winter spends his fruitlesse powres;
But from the Ocean, Zephyre still resumes
A constant breath, that all the fields perfumes.
Which, since thou marriedst Hellen, are thy hire;
And Ioue himselfe, is by her side thy Sire.
In Nymph Calypsos Pallace; who compeld
His stay with her: and since he could not see
His countrie earth, he mournd incessantly.
For he had neither ship, instruct with oares,
Nor men to fetch him from those stranger shores.
Where, leaue we him; and to thy selfe descend;
Whom, not in Argos, Fate nor Death shall end;
But the immortall ends of all the earth,
So rul'd by them, that order death by birth,
(The fields Elisian) Fate to thee will giue:
Where Rhadamanthus rules; and where men liue
A neuer-troubld life: where snow, nor showres,
Nor irksome Winter spends his fruitlesse powres;
But from the Ocean, Zephyre still resumes
A constant breath, that all the fields perfumes.
Which, since thou marriedst Hellen, are thy hire;
And Ioue himselfe, is by her side thy Sire.
This said; he diu'd the deepsome watrie heapes;
I, and my tried men, tooke vs to our ships;
And worlds of thoughts, I varied with my steps.
I, and my tried men, tooke vs to our ships;
And worlds of thoughts, I varied with my steps.
Arriu'd and shipt, the silent solemne Night,
And Sleepe bereft vs of our visuall light.
At morne, masts, sailes reard, we sate; left the shores,
And beate the fomie Ocean with our oares.
And Sleepe bereft vs of our visuall light.
At morne, masts, sailes reard, we sate; left the shores,
And beate the fomie Ocean with our oares.
Againe then we, the Ioue-falne flood did fetch,
As farre as Ægypt: where we did beseech
The Gods with Hecatombs; whose angers ceast;
I toomb'd my brother, that I might be blest.
As farre as Ægypt: where we did beseech
The Gods with Hecatombs; whose angers ceast;
I toomb'd my brother, that I might be blest.
All rites performd; all haste I made for home;
And all the prosprous winds about were come;
I had the Pasport now of euery God,
And here closde all these labours period.
And all the prosprous winds about were come;
I had the Pasport now of euery God,
And here closde all these labours period.
Here stay then, till th' eleuenth or twelfth daies light;
And Ile dismisse thee well; gifts exquisite
Preparing for thee: Chariot, horses three;
A Cup of curious frame to serue for thee,
To serue th' immortall Gods with sacrifice;
Mindfull of me, while all Sunnes light thy skies.
And Ile dismisse thee well; gifts exquisite
Preparing for thee: Chariot, horses three;
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To serue th' immortall Gods with sacrifice;
Mindfull of me, while all Sunnes light thy skies.
He answerd: Stay me not too long time here;
Though I could sit, attending all the yeare:
Nor should my house, nor parents, with desire,
Take my affections from you; so on fire
With loue to heare you, are my thoughts: but so;
My Pylian friends, I shall afflict with wo,
Who mourne euen this stay. Whatsoeuer be
The gifts your Grace is to bestow on me;
Vouchsafe them such, as I may beare and saue,
For your sake euer. Horse, I list not haue,
To keepe in Ithaca: but leaue them here,
To your soiles dainties; where the broad fields beire
Sweet Cypers grasse; where men-fed Lote doth flow;
Where wheate-like Spelt; and wheate it selfe doth grow;
Where Barley, white, and spreading like a tree:
But Ithaca, hath neither ground to be
(For any length it comprehends) a race
To trie a horses speed: nor any place
To make him fat in: fitter farre to feed
A Cliffe-bred Goate, then raise or please a Steed.
Of all Iles, Ithaca doth least prouide,
Or meades to feed a horse, or wayes to ride.
Though I could sit, attending all the yeare:
Nor should my house, nor parents, with desire,
Take my affections from you; so on fire
With loue to heare you, are my thoughts: but so;
My Pylian friends, I shall afflict with wo,
Who mourne euen this stay. Whatsoeuer be
The gifts your Grace is to bestow on me;
Vouchsafe them such, as I may beare and saue,
For your sake euer. Horse, I list not haue,
To keepe in Ithaca: but leaue them here,
To your soiles dainties; where the broad fields beire
Sweet Cypers grasse; where men-fed Lote doth flow;
Where wheate-like Spelt; and wheate it selfe doth grow;
Where Barley, white, and spreading like a tree:
But Ithaca, hath neither ground to be
(For any length it comprehends) a race
To trie a horses speed: nor any place
To make him fat in: fitter farre to feed
A Cliffe-bred Goate, then raise or please a Steed.
Of all Iles, Ithaca doth least prouide,
Or meades to feed a horse, or wayes to ride.
He, smiling said: Of good bloud art thou (sonne):
What speech, so yong? what obseruation
Hast thou made of the world? I well am pleasde
To change my gifts to thee; as being confessd
Vnfit indeed: my store is such, I may.
Of all my house-gifts then, that vp I lay
For treasure there, I will bestow on thee
The fairest, and of greatest price to me.
I will bestow on thee a rich caru'd Cup
Of siluer all: but all the brims wrought vp
With finest gold: it was the onely thing
That the Heroicall Sydonian King
Presented to me, when we were to part
At his receit of me; and twas the Art
Of that great Artist, that of heauen is free;
And yet euen this, will I bestow on thee.
What speech, so yong? what obseruation
Hast thou made of the world? I well am pleasde
To change my gifts to thee; as being confessd
Vnfit indeed: my store is such, I may.
Of all my house-gifts then, that vp I lay
For treasure there, I will bestow on thee
The fairest, and of greatest price to me.
I will bestow on thee a rich caru'd Cup
Of siluer all: but all the brims wrought vp
With finest gold: it was the onely thing
That the Heroicall Sydonian King
Presented to me, when we were to part
At his receit of me; and twas the Art
Of that great Artist, that of heauen is free;
And yet euen this, will I bestow on thee.
This speech thus ended; guests came, and did bring
Muttons (for Presents) to the God-like King:
And spirit-prompting wine, that strenuous makes.
Their Riband-wreathed wiues, brought fruit and cakes.
Muttons (for Presents) to the God-like King:
And spirit-prompting wine, that strenuous makes.
Their Riband-wreathed wiues, brought fruit and cakes.
Thus, in this house, did these their Feast apply:
And in Vlysses house, Actiuitie
The wooers practisde: Tossing of the Speare;
The Stone, and hurling: thus delighted, where
They exercisde such insolence before:
Euen in the Court, that wealthy pauements wore.
Antinous did still their strifes decide;
And he that was in person deifide
Eurymachus; both ring-leaders of all;
For in their vertues they were principall.
And in Vlysses house, Actiuitie
The wooers practisde: Tossing of the Speare;
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They exercisde such insolence before:
Euen in the Court, that wealthy pauements wore.
Antinous did still their strifes decide;
And he that was in person deifide
Eurymachus; both ring-leaders of all;
For in their vertues they were principall.
These, by Noemon (sonne to Phromius)
Were sided now; who made the question thus:
Were sided now; who made the question thus:
Antinous! does any friend here know,
When this Telemachus returnes? or no,
From sandie Pylos? He made bold to take
My ship with him: of which, I now should make
Fit vse my selfe; and saile in her as farre
As spacious Elis; where, of mine, there are
Twelue delicate Mares; and vnder their sides, go
Laborious Mules, that yet did neuer know
The yoke, nor labour: some of which should beare
The taming now, if I could fetch them there.
This speech, the rest admir'd; nor dreamd that he
Neleian Pylos, euer thought to see;
But was at field about his flocks suruay:
Or thought, his heardsmen held him so away.
Eupitheus sonne, Antinous, then replied:
When went he? or with what Traine dignified
Of his selected Ithaceusian youth?
Prest men, or Bond men were they? Tell the truth.
Could he effect this? let me truly know:
To gaine thy vessell, did he violence show,
And vsde her gainst thy will? or had her free,
When fitting question, he had made with thee?
When this Telemachus returnes? or no,
From sandie Pylos? He made bold to take
My ship with him: of which, I now should make
Fit vse my selfe; and saile in her as farre
As spacious Elis; where, of mine, there are
Twelue delicate Mares; and vnder their sides, go
Laborious Mules, that yet did neuer know
The yoke, nor labour: some of which should beare
The taming now, if I could fetch them there.
This speech, the rest admir'd; nor dreamd that he
Neleian Pylos, euer thought to see;
But was at field about his flocks suruay:
Or thought, his heardsmen held him so away.
Eupitheus sonne, Antinous, then replied:
When went he? or with what Traine dignified
Of his selected Ithaceusian youth?
Prest men, or Bond men were they? Tell the truth.
Could he effect this? let me truly know:
To gaine thy vessell, did he violence show,
And vsde her gainst thy will? or had her free,
When fitting question, he had made with thee?
Noemon answerd: I did freely giue
My vessell to him; who deserues to liue,
That would do other? when such men as he,
Did in distresse aske? he should churlish be,
That would denie him: Of our youth, the best
Amongst the people; to the interest
His charge did challenge in them; giuing way,
With all the tribute, all their powres could pay.
Their Captaine (as he tooke the ship) I knew;
Who Mentor was, or God. A deities shew,
Maskt in his likenesse. But to thinke twas he,
I much admire; for I did clearly see,
But yester morning, God-like Mentor here;
Yet, th' other euening, he tooke shipping there,
And went for Pylos. Thus went he for home,
And left the rest, with enuie ouercome:
Who sate; and pastime left. Eupitheus sonne
(Sad, and with rage, his entrailes ouerrunne)
His eyes like flames; thus interposde his speech.
Strange thing; an action of how proud a reach,
Is here committed by Telemachus?
A boy, a child; and we, a sort of vs,
Vowd gainst his voyage; yet admit it thus,
With ship, and choise youth of our people too?
But let him on; and all his mischiefe do;
Ioue shall conuert vpon himselfe his powres,
Before their ill presum'd, he brings on ours.
Prouide me then a ship, and twentie men
To giue her manage; that against again
He turnes for home; on th' Ithacensian seas,
Or Cliffie Samian; I may interprease;
Way-lay, and take him; and make all his craft,
Saile with his ruine, for his Father saf't.
My vessell to him; who deserues to liue,
That would do other? when such men as he,
Did in distresse aske? he should churlish be,
That would denie him: Of our youth, the best
Amongst the people; to the interest
His charge did challenge in them; giuing way,
With all the tribute, all their powres could pay.
Their Captaine (as he tooke the ship) I knew;
Who Mentor was, or God. A deities shew,
Maskt in his likenesse. But to thinke twas he,
I much admire; for I did clearly see,
But yester morning, God-like Mentor here;
Yet, th' other euening, he tooke shipping there,
And went for Pylos. Thus went he for home,
And left the rest, with enuie ouercome:
Who sate; and pastime left. Eupitheus sonne
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His eyes like flames; thus interposde his speech.
Strange thing; an action of how proud a reach,
Is here committed by Telemachus?
A boy, a child; and we, a sort of vs,
Vowd gainst his voyage; yet admit it thus,
With ship, and choise youth of our people too?
But let him on; and all his mischiefe do;
Ioue shall conuert vpon himselfe his powres,
Before their ill presum'd, he brings on ours.
Prouide me then a ship, and twentie men
To giue her manage; that against again
He turnes for home; on th' Ithacensian seas,
Or Cliffie Samian; I may interprease;
Way-lay, and take him; and make all his craft,
Saile with his ruine, for his Father saf't.
This, all applauded; and gaue charge to do;
Rose, and to greete Vlysses house, did go.
But long time past not, ere Penelope
Had notice of their far-fetcht trecherie.
Medon the Herald told her; who had heard
Without the Hall, how they within conferd:
And hasted strait, to tell it to the Queene:
Who from the entrie, hauing Medon seene
Preuents him thus: Now Herald; what affaire
Intend the famous woo'rs, in your repaire?
To tell Vlysses maids, that they must ceasse
From doing our worke, and their banquets dresse?
I would to heauen, that (leauing wooing me,
Nor euer troubling other companie)
Here might the last Feast be, and most extreme,
That euer any shall addresse for them.
They neuer meete, but to consent in spoile,
And reape the free fruites of anothers toile.
O did they neuer, when they children were,
What to their Fathers, was Vlysses, heare?
Who neuer did gainst any one proceed,
With vniust vsage, or in word or deed?
Tis yet with other Kings, another right,
One to pursue with loue, another spight;
He still yet iust; nor would, though might deuoure;
Nor to the worst, did euer taste of powre.
But their vnruld acts, shew their minds estate:
Good turnes receiu'd once, thanks grow out of date.
Rose, and to greete Vlysses house, did go.
But long time past not, ere Penelope
Had notice of their far-fetcht trecherie.
Medon the Herald told her; who had heard
Without the Hall, how they within conferd:
And hasted strait, to tell it to the Queene:
Who from the entrie, hauing Medon seene
Preuents him thus: Now Herald; what affaire
Intend the famous woo'rs, in your repaire?
To tell Vlysses maids, that they must ceasse
From doing our worke, and their banquets dresse?
I would to heauen, that (leauing wooing me,
Nor euer troubling other companie)
Here might the last Feast be, and most extreme,
That euer any shall addresse for them.
They neuer meete, but to consent in spoile,
And reape the free fruites of anothers toile.
O did they neuer, when they children were,
What to their Fathers, was Vlysses, heare?
Who neuer did gainst any one proceed,
With vniust vsage, or in word or deed?
Tis yet with other Kings, another right,
One to pursue with loue, another spight;
He still yet iust; nor would, though might deuoure;
Nor to the worst, did euer taste of powre.
But their vnruld acts, shew their minds estate:
Good turnes receiu'd once, thanks grow out of date.
Medon, the learn'd in wisedome, answerd her:
I wish (O Queene) that their ingratitudes were
Their worst ill towards you: but worse by farre,
And much more deadly their endeuours are;
Which Ioue will faile them in. Telemachus
Their purpose is (as he returnes to vs)
To giue their sharpe steeles in a cruell death:
Who now is gone to learne, if Fame can breathe
Newes of his Sire; and will the Pylian shore,
And sacred Sparta, in his search explore.
I wish (O Queene) that their ingratitudes were
Their worst ill towards you: but worse by farre,
And much more deadly their endeuours are;
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Their purpose is (as he returnes to vs)
To giue their sharpe steeles in a cruell death:
Who now is gone to learne, if Fame can breathe
Newes of his Sire; and will the Pylian shore,
And sacred Sparta, in his search explore.
This newes dissolu'd to her both knees and heart,
Long silence held her, ere one word would part:
Her eyes stood full of teares; her small soft voice,
All late vse lost; that yet at last had choice
Of wonted words; which briefly thus she vsde:
Long silence held her, ere one word would part:
Her eyes stood full of teares; her small soft voice,
All late vse lost; that yet at last had choice
Of wonted words; which briefly thus she vsde:
Why left my sonne his mother? why refusde
His wit the solid shore, to trie the seas,
And put in ships the trust of his distresse?
That are at sea to men vnbridld horse,
And runne, past rule, their farre-engaged course,
Amidst a moisture, past all meane vnstaid?
No need compeld this: did he it, afraid
To liue and leaue posteritie his name?
His wit the solid shore, to trie the seas,
And put in ships the trust of his distresse?
That are at sea to men vnbridld horse,
And runne, past rule, their farre-engaged course,
Amidst a moisture, past all meane vnstaid?
No need compeld this: did he it, afraid
To liue and leaue posteritie his name?
I know not (he replide) if th' humor came
From current of his owne instinct, or flowd
From others instigations; but he vowd
Attempt to Pylos; or to see descried
His Sires returne, or know what death he died.
From current of his owne instinct, or flowd
From others instigations; but he vowd
Attempt to Pylos; or to see descried
His Sires returne, or know what death he died.
This said; he tooke him to Vlysses house
After the wooers; the Vlyssean Spouse
(Runne through with woes) let Torture seise her mind;
Nor, in her choice of state-chaires, stood enclin'd
To take her seate; but th' abiect threshold chose
Of her faire chamber, for her loth'd repose;
And mournd most wretch like. Round about her fell
Her handmaids, ioynd in a continuate yell.
From euery corner of the Pallace, all
Of all degrees, tun'd to her comforts fall
Their owne deiections: to whom, her complaint
She thus enforc't: The Gods beyond constraint
Of any measure, vrge these teares on me;
Nor was there euer Dame of my degree,
So past degree grieu'd. First, a Lord, so good,
That had such hardie spirits in his blood.
That all the vertues was adornd withall;
That all the Greeks did their Superiour call,
To part with thus, and lose. And now a sonne
So worthily belou'd, a course to runne
Beyond my knowledge; whom rude tempests haue
Made farre from home, his most inglorious graue.
Vnhappie wenches, that no one of all,
(Though in the reach of euery one, must fall
His taking ship) sustaind the carefull mind,
To call me from my bed; who, this designd,
And most vowd course in him, had either staid,
(How much soeuer hasted) or dead laid
He should haue left me. Many a man I haue,
That would haue calld old Dolius my slaue,
(That keepes my Orchard, whom my Father gaue
At my departure) to haue runne, and told
Laertes this; to trie if he could hold
From running through the people; and from teares,
In telling them of these vowd murtherers;
That both diuine Vlysses hope, and his,
Resolue to end in their conspiracies.
After the wooers; the Vlyssean Spouse
(Runne through with woes) let Torture seise her mind;
Nor, in her choice of state-chaires, stood enclin'd
To take her seate; but th' abiect threshold chose
Of her faire chamber, for her loth'd repose;
And mournd most wretch like. Round about her fell
Her handmaids, ioynd in a continuate yell.
From euery corner of the Pallace, all
Of all degrees, tun'd to her comforts fall
Their owne deiections: to whom, her complaint
She thus enforc't: The Gods beyond constraint
Of any measure, vrge these teares on me;
Nor was there euer Dame of my degree,
So past degree grieu'd. First, a Lord, so good,
That had such hardie spirits in his blood.
That all the vertues was adornd withall;
That all the Greeks did their Superiour call,
To part with thus, and lose. And now a sonne
So worthily belou'd, a course to runne
Beyond my knowledge; whom rude tempests haue
Made farre from home, his most inglorious graue.
Vnhappie wenches, that no one of all,
(Though in the reach of euery one, must fall
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To call me from my bed; who, this designd,
And most vowd course in him, had either staid,
(How much soeuer hasted) or dead laid
He should haue left me. Many a man I haue,
That would haue calld old Dolius my slaue,
(That keepes my Orchard, whom my Father gaue
At my departure) to haue runne, and told
Laertes this; to trie if he could hold
From running through the people; and from teares,
In telling them of these vowd murtherers;
That both diuine Vlysses hope, and his,
Resolue to end in their conspiracies.
His Nurse then, Euryclæas made reply:
Deare Soueraigne, let me with your owne hands die;
Or cast me off here; Ile not keepe from thee,
One word of what I know: He trusted me
With all his purpose; and I gaue him all
The bread and wine, for which he pleasd to call.
But then a mightie oath he made me sweare,
Not to report it to your royall eare,
Before the twelfth day either should appeare,
Or you should aske me, when you heard him gone.
Empaire not then your beauties with your mone,
But wash, and put vnteare-staind garments on:
Ascend your chamber, with your Ladies here;
And pray the seed of Goat-nurst Iupiter,
(Diuine Athenia) to preserue your sonne;
And she will saue him from confusion.
Th' old King, to whom your hopes stand so inclin'd,
For his graue counsels, you perhaps may find
Vnfit affected, for his ages sake.
But heauen-kings waxe not old; and therefore make
Fit pray'rs to them; for my thoughts neuer will
Beleeue the heauenly powres conceit so ill,
The seed of righteous Arcesiades,
To end it vtterly; but still will please
In some place euermore, some one of them
To saue; and decke him with a Diadem:
Giue him possession of erected Towres,
And farre-stretcht fields, crownd all of fruits and flowres.
This easd her heart, and dride her humorous eies,
When hauing washt, and weeds of sacrifise:
(Pure, and vnstaind with her distrustfull teares)
Put on; (with all her women-ministers)
Vp to a chamber of most height, she rose;
And cakes of salt and barly did impose
Within a wicker basket; all which broke
In decent order; thus she did inuoke:
Deare Soueraigne, let me with your owne hands die;
Or cast me off here; Ile not keepe from thee,
One word of what I know: He trusted me
With all his purpose; and I gaue him all
The bread and wine, for which he pleasd to call.
But then a mightie oath he made me sweare,
Not to report it to your royall eare,
Before the twelfth day either should appeare,
Or you should aske me, when you heard him gone.
Empaire not then your beauties with your mone,
But wash, and put vnteare-staind garments on:
Ascend your chamber, with your Ladies here;
And pray the seed of Goat-nurst Iupiter,
(Diuine Athenia) to preserue your sonne;
And she will saue him from confusion.
Th' old King, to whom your hopes stand so inclin'd,
For his graue counsels, you perhaps may find
Vnfit affected, for his ages sake.
But heauen-kings waxe not old; and therefore make
Fit pray'rs to them; for my thoughts neuer will
Beleeue the heauenly powres conceit so ill,
The seed of righteous Arcesiades,
To end it vtterly; but still will please
In some place euermore, some one of them
To saue; and decke him with a Diadem:
Giue him possession of erected Towres,
And farre-stretcht fields, crownd all of fruits and flowres.
This easd her heart, and dride her humorous eies,
When hauing washt, and weeds of sacrifise:
(Pure, and vnstaind with her distrustfull teares)
Put on; (with all her women-ministers)
Vp to a chamber of most height, she rose;
And cakes of salt and barly did impose
Within a wicker basket; all which broke
68
Great Virgin of the Goat-preserued God;
If euer the inhabited abode
Of wise Vlysses, held the fatted Thies
Of sheepe and Oxen, made thy sacrifice
By his deuotion; heare me; nor forget
His pious seruices; but safe see set
His deare sonne, on these shores; and banish hence
These wooers, past all meane in insolence.
If euer the inhabited abode
Of wise Vlysses, held the fatted Thies
Of sheepe and Oxen, made thy sacrifice
By his deuotion; heare me; nor forget
His pious seruices; but safe see set
His deare sonne, on these shores; and banish hence
These wooers, past all meane in insolence.
This said, she shriekt; and Pallas heard her praire.
The wooers broke with tumult all the aire
About the shadie house; and one of them,
Whose pride, his youth had made the more extreme,
Said; Now the many-wooer-honourd Queene,
Will surely satiate her delayfull spleene,
And one of vs, in instant nuptials take.
Poore Dame, she dreames not, what designe we make,
Vpon the life and slaughter of her sonne.
The wooers broke with tumult all the aire
About the shadie house; and one of them,
Whose pride, his youth had made the more extreme,
Said; Now the many-wooer-honourd Queene,
Will surely satiate her delayfull spleene,
And one of vs, in instant nuptials take.
Poore Dame, she dreames not, what designe we make,
Vpon the life and slaughter of her sonne.
So said he; but so said, was not so done;
Whose arrogant spirit, in a vaunt so vaine,
Antinous chid; and said; For shame containe
These brauing speeches; who can tell who heares?
Are we not now in reach of others eares?
If our intentions please vs, let vs call
Our spirits vp to them, and let speeches fall.
By watchfull Danger, men must silent go:
What we resolue on, let's not say, but do.
This said; he chusde out twentie men, that bore
Best reckning with him; and to ship and shore,
All hasted; reacht the ship, lancht, raisd the mast;
Put sailes in; and with leather loopes made fast
The oares; Sailes hoisted; Armes their men did bring;
All giuing speed, and forme to euery thing.
Then to the high-deepes, their riggd vessell driuen,
They supt; expecting the approching Euen.
Whose arrogant spirit, in a vaunt so vaine,
Antinous chid; and said; For shame containe
These brauing speeches; who can tell who heares?
Are we not now in reach of others eares?
If our intentions please vs, let vs call
Our spirits vp to them, and let speeches fall.
By watchfull Danger, men must silent go:
What we resolue on, let's not say, but do.
This said; he chusde out twentie men, that bore
Best reckning with him; and to ship and shore,
All hasted; reacht the ship, lancht, raisd the mast;
Put sailes in; and with leather loopes made fast
The oares; Sailes hoisted; Armes their men did bring;
All giuing speed, and forme to euery thing.
Then to the high-deepes, their riggd vessell driuen,
They supt; expecting the approching Euen.
Meane space, Penelope her chamber kept,
And bed, and neither eate, nor dranke, nor slept;
Her strong thoughts wrought so on her blamelesse sonne;
Still in contention, if he should be done
To death; or scape the impious wooers designe.
Looke how a Lion, whom men-troopes combine
To hunt, and close him in a craftie ring;
Much varied thought conceiues; and feare doth sting
For vrgent danger: So far'd she, till sleepe,
All iuncture of her ioynts, and nerues did steepe
In his dissoluing humor. When (at rest)
Pallas her fauours varied; and addrest
An Idoll, that Iphthima did present
In structure of her euery lineament;
Great-sould Icarius daughter: whom, for Spouse
Eumelus tooke, that kept in Pheris house.
This, to diuine Vlysses house she sent,
To trie her best meane, how she might content
Mournfull Penelope; and make Relent
The strict addiction in her to deplore.
This Idoll (like a worme, that lesse or more,
Contracts or straines her) did it selfe conuey,
Beyond the wards, or windings of the key,
Into the chamber; and aboue her head,
Her seate assuming, thus she comforted
Distrest Penelope. Doth sleepe thus sease
Thy powres, affected with so much disease?
The Gods, that nothing troubles, will not see
Thy teares nor griefes, in any least degree,
Sustaind with cause; for they will guard thy sonne,
Safe to his wisht, and natiue mansion;
Since he is no offender of their States;
And they to such, are firmer then their Fates.
And bed, and neither eate, nor dranke, nor slept;
Her strong thoughts wrought so on her blamelesse sonne;
Still in contention, if he should be done
To death; or scape the impious wooers designe.
Looke how a Lion, whom men-troopes combine
To hunt, and close him in a craftie ring;
Much varied thought conceiues; and feare doth sting
For vrgent danger: So far'd she, till sleepe,
All iuncture of her ioynts, and nerues did steepe
In his dissoluing humor. When (at rest)
Pallas her fauours varied; and addrest
An Idoll, that Iphthima did present
69
Great-sould Icarius daughter: whom, for Spouse
Eumelus tooke, that kept in Pheris house.
This, to diuine Vlysses house she sent,
To trie her best meane, how she might content
Mournfull Penelope; and make Relent
The strict addiction in her to deplore.
This Idoll (like a worme, that lesse or more,
Contracts or straines her) did it selfe conuey,
Beyond the wards, or windings of the key,
Into the chamber; and aboue her head,
Her seate assuming, thus she comforted
Distrest Penelope. Doth sleepe thus sease
Thy powres, affected with so much disease?
The Gods, that nothing troubles, will not see
Thy teares nor griefes, in any least degree,
Sustaind with cause; for they will guard thy sonne,
Safe to his wisht, and natiue mansion;
Since he is no offender of their States;
And they to such, are firmer then their Fates.
The wise Penelope receiu'd her thus;
(Bound with a slumber most delicious,
And in the Port of dreames) O sister, why
Repaire you hither? since so farre off lie
Your house and houshold? You were neuer here
Before this houre; and would you now giue cheare
To my so many woes and miseries?
Affecting fitly all the faculties
My soule and mind hold: hauing lost before
A husband, that of all the vertues bore
The Palme amongst the Greeks; and whose renowne
So ample was, that Fame the sound hath blowne
Through Greece and Argos, to her very heart.
And now againe; a sonne that did conuert
My whole powres to his loue, by ship is gone.
A tender Plant, that yet was neuer growne
To labours taste, nor the commerce of men;
For whom, more then my husband I complaine;
And lest he should at any sufferance touch
(Or in the sea, or by the men so much
Estrang'd to him, that must his consorts be)
Feare and chill tremblings, shake each ioynt of me.
Besides: his danger sets on, foes profest
To way-lay his returne; that haue addrest
Plots for his death. The scarce-discerned Dreame,
Said: Be of comfort; nor feares so extreme,
Let thus dismay thee; thou hast such a mate
Attending thee, as some at any rate
Would wish to purchase; for her powre is great;
Minerua pities thy delights defeate:
Whose Grace hath sent me to foretell thee theese.
(Bound with a slumber most delicious,
And in the Port of dreames) O sister, why
Repaire you hither? since so farre off lie
Your house and houshold? You were neuer here
Before this houre; and would you now giue cheare
To my so many woes and miseries?
Affecting fitly all the faculties
My soule and mind hold: hauing lost before
A husband, that of all the vertues bore
The Palme amongst the Greeks; and whose renowne
So ample was, that Fame the sound hath blowne
Through Greece and Argos, to her very heart.
And now againe; a sonne that did conuert
My whole powres to his loue, by ship is gone.
A tender Plant, that yet was neuer growne
To labours taste, nor the commerce of men;
For whom, more then my husband I complaine;
And lest he should at any sufferance touch
(Or in the sea, or by the men so much
Estrang'd to him, that must his consorts be)
Feare and chill tremblings, shake each ioynt of me.
Besides: his danger sets on, foes profest
To way-lay his returne; that haue addrest
Plots for his death. The scarce-discerned Dreame,
Said: Be of comfort; nor feares so extreme,
Let thus dismay thee; thou hast such a mate
Attending thee, as some at any rate
70
Minerua pities thy delights defeate:
Whose Grace hath sent me to foretell thee theese.
If thou (said she) be of the Goddesses,
And heardst her tell thee these; thou mayst as well
From her, tell all things else; daigne then to tell,
If yet the man, to all misfortunes borne,
(My husband) liues; and sees the Sunne adorne
The darksome earth; or hides his wretched head
In Plutos house, and liues amongst the dead?
And heardst her tell thee these; thou mayst as well
From her, tell all things else; daigne then to tell,
If yet the man, to all misfortunes borne,
(My husband) liues; and sees the Sunne adorne
The darksome earth; or hides his wretched head
In Plutos house, and liues amongst the dead?
I will not (she replide) my breath exhale,
In one continude, and perpetuall tale;
Liues he, or dies he. Tis a filthy vse,
To be in vaine and idle speech profuse.
This said; she through the key-hole of the dore
Vanisht againe into the open blore.
Icarius daughter started from her sleepe,
And Ioyes fresh humor, her lou'd brest did steepe:
When now so cleare, in that first watch of night,
She saw the seene dreame vanish from her fight.
In one continude, and perpetuall tale;
Liues he, or dies he. Tis a filthy vse,
To be in vaine and idle speech profuse.
This said; she through the key-hole of the dore
Vanisht againe into the open blore.
Icarius daughter started from her sleepe,
And Ioyes fresh humor, her lou'd brest did steepe:
When now so cleare, in that first watch of night,
She saw the seene dreame vanish from her fight.
The wooers (shipt) the seas moist waues did plie;
And thought the Prince, a haughtie death should die.
There lies a certaine Iland in the sea,
Twixt rockie Samos and rough Ithaca,
That cliffie is it selfe, and nothing great;
Yet holds conuenient hauens, that two wayes let
Ships in and out; calld Asteris: and there
The wooers hop't to make their massakere.
And thought the Prince, a haughtie death should die.
There lies a certaine Iland in the sea,
Twixt rockie Samos and rough Ithaca,
That cliffie is it selfe, and nothing great;
Yet holds conuenient hauens, that two wayes let
Ships in and out; calld Asteris: and there
The wooers hop't to make their massakere.
Finis libri quarti Hom, Odyss.
71
THE FIFTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
A Second Court, on Ioue attends;Who, Hermes to Calypso sends;
Commanding her to cleare the wayes
Vlysses sought; and she obayes.
When Neptune saw Vlysses free,
And, so in safetie, plow the sea;
Enrag'd, he ruffles vp the waues,
And splits his ship. Leucothea saues
His person yet; as being a Dame,
Whose Godhead gouernd in the frame
Of those seas tempers. But the meane
By which she curbs dread Neptunes splene,
Is made a Iewell; which she takes
From off her head; and that she makes
Vlysses on his bosome weare,
About his necke, she ties it there:
And when he is with waues beset,
Bids weare it as an Amulet;
Commanding him, that not before
He toucht vpon Phæacias shore,
He should not part with it; but then
Returne it to the sea agein,
And cast it from him. He performes;
Yet after this, bides bitter stormes;
And in the rockes, sees Death engrau'd;
But on Phæacias shore is sau'd.
Another.
Vlysses buildsA ship; and gaines
The Gassie fields;
Payes Neptune paines.
Avrora
rose from high-borne Tithons Bed,
That men and Gods might be illustrated:
And then the Deities sate. Imperiall Ioue,
That makes the horrid murmure beate aboue,
Tooke place past all; whose height for euer springs
And from whom flowes th' eternall powre of things.
That men and Gods might be illustrated:
And then the Deities sate. Imperiall Ioue,
That makes the horrid murmure beate aboue,
Tooke place past all; whose height for euer springs
And from whom flowes th' eternall powre of things.
Then Pallas (mindfull of Vlysses) told
The many Cares, that in Calypsos hold,
He still sustaind; when he had felt before,
So much affliction, and such dangers more.
The many Cares, that in Calypsos hold,
He still sustaind; when he had felt before,
So much affliction, and such dangers more.
72
O Father, (said she) and ye euer blest;
Giue neuer King hereafter, interest
In any aide of yours, by seruing you;
By being gentle, humane, iust; but grow
Rude, and for euer scornfull of your rights;
All iustice ordring by their appetites.
Since he that rul'd, as it in right behou'd,
That all his subiects, as his children lou'd,
Finds you so thoughtlesse of him, and his birth.
Thus men begin to say, ye rule in earth;
And grudge at what ye let him vndergo;
Who yet the least part of his sufferance know:
Thralld in an Iland; shipwrackt in his teares;
And in the fancies that Calypso beares,
Bound from his birthright; all his shipping gone;
And of his souldiers, not retaining one.
And now his most-lou'd Sonnes life doth inflame
Their slaughterous enuies; since his Fathers fame
He puts in pursuite; and is gone as farre
As sacred Pylos; and the singular
Dame-breeding Sparta. This, with this reply,
The Cloud-assembler answerd: What words flie
Thine owne remembrance (daughter?) hast not thou
The counsell giuen thy selfe, that told thee how
Vlysses shall with his returne addresse
His wooers wrongs? And, for the safe accesse,
His Sonne shall make to his innatiue Port,
Do thou direct it, in as curious sort,
As thy wit serues thee: it obeys thy powers;
And in their ship returne the speedlesse wowers.
Giue neuer King hereafter, interest
In any aide of yours, by seruing you;
By being gentle, humane, iust; but grow
Rude, and for euer scornfull of your rights;
All iustice ordring by their appetites.
Since he that rul'd, as it in right behou'd,
That all his subiects, as his children lou'd,
Finds you so thoughtlesse of him, and his birth.
Thus men begin to say, ye rule in earth;
And grudge at what ye let him vndergo;
Who yet the least part of his sufferance know:
Thralld in an Iland; shipwrackt in his teares;
And in the fancies that Calypso beares,
Bound from his birthright; all his shipping gone;
And of his souldiers, not retaining one.
And now his most-lou'd Sonnes life doth inflame
Their slaughterous enuies; since his Fathers fame
He puts in pursuite; and is gone as farre
As sacred Pylos; and the singular
Dame-breeding Sparta. This, with this reply,
The Cloud-assembler answerd: What words flie
Thine owne remembrance (daughter?) hast not thou
The counsell giuen thy selfe, that told thee how
Vlysses shall with his returne addresse
His wooers wrongs? And, for the safe accesse,
His Sonne shall make to his innatiue Port,
Do thou direct it, in as curious sort,
As thy wit serues thee: it obeys thy powers;
And in their ship returne the speedlesse wowers.
Then turnd he to his issue Mercurie,
And said: Thou hast made good our Ambassie
To th' other Statists; To the Nymph then now,
On whose faire head a tuft of gold doth grow;
Beare our true-spoken counsell; for retreat
Of patient Vlysses; who shall get
No aide from vs, nor any mortall man;
But in a patcht-vp skiffe, (built as he can,
And suffering woes enow) the twentith day
At fruitfull Scheria, let him breathe his way,
With the Phæacians, that halfe Deities liue;
Who like a God will honour him; and giue
His wisedome clothes, and ship, and brasse, and gold,
More then for gaine of Troy he euer told;
Where, at the whole diuision of the prey,
If he a sauer were, or got away
Without a wound (if he should grudge) twas well;
But th' end shall crowne all; therefore Fate will deale
So well with him; to let him land, and see
His natiue earth, friends, house and family.
And said: Thou hast made good our Ambassie
To th' other Statists; To the Nymph then now,
On whose faire head a tuft of gold doth grow;
Beare our true-spoken counsell; for retreat
Of patient Vlysses; who shall get
No aide from vs, nor any mortall man;
But in a patcht-vp skiffe, (built as he can,
And suffering woes enow) the twentith day
At fruitfull Scheria, let him breathe his way,
With the Phæacians, that halfe Deities liue;
Who like a God will honour him; and giue
His wisedome clothes, and ship, and brasse, and gold,
More then for gaine of Troy he euer told;
Where, at the whole diuision of the prey,
If he a sauer were, or got away
Without a wound (if he should grudge) twas well;
But th' end shall crowne all; therefore Fate will deale
73
His natiue earth, friends, house and family.
Thus charg'd he; nor Argicides denied;
But to his feete, his faire wingd shooes he tied;
Ambrosian, golden; that in his command,
Put either sea, or the vnmeasur'd land,
With pace as speedie as a puft of wind.
Then vp his Rod went; with which he declin'd
The eyes of any waker, when he pleasd,
And any sleeper, when he wisht, diseasd.
But to his feete, his faire wingd shooes he tied;
Ambrosian, golden; that in his command,
Put either sea, or the vnmeasur'd land,
With pace as speedie as a puft of wind.
Then vp his Rod went; with which he declin'd
The eyes of any waker, when he pleasd,
And any sleeper, when he wisht, diseasd.
This tooke; he stoopt Pierea; and thence
Glid through the aire; and Neptunes Confluence
Kist as he flew; and checkt the waues as light
As any Sea-mew, in her fishing flight,
Her thicke wings soucing in the sauorie seas.
Like her, he past a world of wildernesse;
But when the far-off Ile, he toucht; he went
Vp from the blue sea, to the Continent,
And reacht the ample Cauerne of the Queene;
Whom he within found; without, seldome seene.
A Sun-like fire vpon the harth did flame;
The matter precious, and diuine the frame;
Of Cedar cleft, and Incense was the Pile,
That breath'd an odour round about the Ile.
Her selfe was seated in an inner roome,
Whom sweetly sing he heard; and at her loome,
About a curious web; whose yarne she threw
In, with a golden shittle. A Groue grew
In endlesse spring about her Cauerne round;
With odorous Cypresse, Pines, and Poplars crownd,
Where Haulks, Sea-owles, and long-tongu'd Bittours bred;
And other birds their shadie pinions spred.
All Fowles maritimall; none roosted there,
But those whose labours in the waters were.
A Vine did all the hollow Caue embrace;
Still greene, yet still ripe bunches gaue it grace.
Foure Fountaines, one against another powrd
Their siluer streames; and medowes all enflowrd
With sweete Balme-gentle, and blue Violets hid,
That deckt the soft brests of each fragrant Mead.
Should any one (though he immortall were)
Arriue and see the sacred obiects there;
He would admire them, and be ouer-ioyd;
And so stood Hermes rauisht powres employd.
Glid through the aire; and Neptunes Confluence
Kist as he flew; and checkt the waues as light
As any Sea-mew, in her fishing flight,
Her thicke wings soucing in the sauorie seas.
Like her, he past a world of wildernesse;
But when the far-off Ile, he toucht; he went
Vp from the blue sea, to the Continent,
And reacht the ample Cauerne of the Queene;
Whom he within found; without, seldome seene.
A Sun-like fire vpon the harth did flame;
The matter precious, and diuine the frame;
Of Cedar cleft, and Incense was the Pile,
That breath'd an odour round about the Ile.
Her selfe was seated in an inner roome,
Whom sweetly sing he heard; and at her loome,
About a curious web; whose yarne she threw
In, with a golden shittle. A Groue grew
In endlesse spring about her Cauerne round;
With odorous Cypresse, Pines, and Poplars crownd,
Where Haulks, Sea-owles, and long-tongu'd Bittours bred;
And other birds their shadie pinions spred.
All Fowles maritimall; none roosted there,
But those whose labours in the waters were.
A Vine did all the hollow Caue embrace;
Still greene, yet still ripe bunches gaue it grace.
Foure Fountaines, one against another powrd
Their siluer streames; and medowes all enflowrd
With sweete Balme-gentle, and blue Violets hid,
That deckt the soft brests of each fragrant Mead.
Should any one (though he immortall were)
Arriue and see the sacred obiects there;
He would admire them, and be ouer-ioyd;
And so stood Hermes rauisht powres employd.
But hauing all admir'd, he enterd on
The ample Caue; nor could be seene vnknowne
Of great Calypso, (for all Deities are
Prompt in each others knowledge; though so farre
Seuerd in dwellings) but he could not see
Vlysses there within. Without was he
Set sad ashore; where twas his vse to view
Th' vnquiet sea; sigh'd, wept, and emptie drew
His heart of comfort. Plac't here in her throne
(That beames cast vp, to Admiration)
Diuine Calypso, question'd Hermes thus:
The ample Caue; nor could be seene vnknowne
Of great Calypso, (for all Deities are
Prompt in each others knowledge; though so farre
74
Vlysses there within. Without was he
Set sad ashore; where twas his vse to view
Th' vnquiet sea; sigh'd, wept, and emptie drew
His heart of comfort. Plac't here in her throne
(That beames cast vp, to Admiration)
Diuine Calypso, question'd Hermes thus:
For what cause (deare, and much-esteem'd by vs,
Thou golden-rod-adorned Mercurie)
Arriu'st thou here? thou hast not vsde t'apply
Thy passage this way. Say, what euer be
Thy hearts desire, my mind commands it thee,
If in my meanes it lie, or powre of fact.
But first, what hospitable rights exact,
Come yet more neare, and take. This said, she set
A Table forth, and furnisht it with meate,
Such as the Gods taste; and seru'd in with it,
Vermilion Nectar. When with banquet, fit
He had confirmd his spirits; he thus exprest
His cause of coming: Thou hast made request
(Goddesse of Goddesses) to vnderstand
My cause of touch here: which thou shalt command,
And know with truth: Ioue causd my course to thee,
Against my will; for who would willingly
Lackey along so vast a lake of Brine?
Neare to no Citie; that the powres diuine
Receiues with solemne rites and Hecatombs?
But Ioues will euer, all law ouercomes;
No other God can crosse or make it void.
And he affirmes, that one, the most annoid
With woes and toiles, of all those men that fought
For Priams Citie; and to end hath brought
Nine yeares in the contention; is with thee.
For in the tenth yeare, when roy Victorie
Was wonne, to giue the Greeks the spoile of Troy;
Returne they did professe, but not enioy,
Since Pallas they incenst; and she, the waues
By all the winds powre, that blew ope their graues.
And there they rested. Onely this poore one,
This Coast, both winds and waues haue cast vpon:
Whom now forthwith he wils thee to dismisse;
Affirming that th' vnalterd destinies,
Not onely haue decreed, he shall not die
Apart his friends; but of Necessitie
Enioy their sights before those fatall houres,
His countrie earth reach, and erected Towres.
Thou golden-rod-adorned Mercurie)
Arriu'st thou here? thou hast not vsde t'apply
Thy passage this way. Say, what euer be
Thy hearts desire, my mind commands it thee,
If in my meanes it lie, or powre of fact.
But first, what hospitable rights exact,
Come yet more neare, and take. This said, she set
A Table forth, and furnisht it with meate,
Such as the Gods taste; and seru'd in with it,
Vermilion Nectar. When with banquet, fit
He had confirmd his spirits; he thus exprest
His cause of coming: Thou hast made request
(Goddesse of Goddesses) to vnderstand
My cause of touch here: which thou shalt command,
And know with truth: Ioue causd my course to thee,
Against my will; for who would willingly
Lackey along so vast a lake of Brine?
Neare to no Citie; that the powres diuine
Receiues with solemne rites and Hecatombs?
But Ioues will euer, all law ouercomes;
No other God can crosse or make it void.
And he affirmes, that one, the most annoid
With woes and toiles, of all those men that fought
For Priams Citie; and to end hath brought
Nine yeares in the contention; is with thee.
For in the tenth yeare, when roy Victorie
Was wonne, to giue the Greeks the spoile of Troy;
Returne they did professe, but not enioy,
Since Pallas they incenst; and she, the waues
By all the winds powre, that blew ope their graues.
And there they rested. Onely this poore one,
This Coast, both winds and waues haue cast vpon:
Whom now forthwith he wils thee to dismisse;
Affirming that th' vnalterd destinies,
Not onely haue decreed, he shall not die
Apart his friends; but of Necessitie
Enioy their sights before those fatall houres,
His countrie earth reach, and erected Towres.
This strook, a loue-checkt horror through her powres;
When (naming him) she this reply did giue:
Insatiate are ye Gods, past all that liue,
In all things you affect; which still conuerts
Your powres to Enuies. It afflicts your hearts,
That any Goddesse should (as you obtaine
The vse of earthly Dames) enioy the men:
And most in open mariage. So ye far'd,
When the delicious-fingerd Morning shar'd
Orions bed: you easie-liuing States,
Could neuer satisfie your emulous hates;
Till in Ortygia, the precise-liu'd Dame
(Gold-thron'd Diana) on him rudely came,
And with her swift shafts slue him. And such paines,
(When rich-haird Ceres pleasd to giue the raines
To her affections; and the grace did yeeld
Of loue and bed amidst a three-cropt field,
To her Iasion) he paid angrie Ioue;
Who lost, no long time, notice of their loue;
But with a glowing lightning, was his death.
And now your enuies labour vnderneath
A mortals choice of mine; whose life, I tooke
To liberall safetie; when his ship, Ioue strooke
With red-hote flashes, peece-meale in the seas,
And all his friends and souldiers, succourlesse
Perisht but he. Him, cast vpon this coast
With blasts and billowes; I (in life giuen lost)
Preseru'd alone; lou'd, nourisht, and did vow
To make him deathlesse; and yet neuer grow
Crooked, or worne with age, his whole life long.
But since no reason may be made so strong,
To striue with Ioues will, or to make it vaine;
No not if all the other Gods should straine
Their powres against it; let his will be law;
So he affoord him fit meanes to withdraw,
(As he commands him) to the raging Maine:
But meanes from me, he neuer shall obtaine,
For my meanes yeeld, nor men, nor ship, nor oares,
To set him off, from my so enuied shores.
But if my counsell and goodwill can aide
His safe passe home, my best shall be assaid.
When (naming him) she this reply did giue:
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In all things you affect; which still conuerts
Your powres to Enuies. It afflicts your hearts,
That any Goddesse should (as you obtaine
The vse of earthly Dames) enioy the men:
And most in open mariage. So ye far'd,
When the delicious-fingerd Morning shar'd
Orions bed: you easie-liuing States,
Could neuer satisfie your emulous hates;
Till in Ortygia, the precise-liu'd Dame
(Gold-thron'd Diana) on him rudely came,
And with her swift shafts slue him. And such paines,
(When rich-haird Ceres pleasd to giue the raines
To her affections; and the grace did yeeld
Of loue and bed amidst a three-cropt field,
To her Iasion) he paid angrie Ioue;
Who lost, no long time, notice of their loue;
But with a glowing lightning, was his death.
And now your enuies labour vnderneath
A mortals choice of mine; whose life, I tooke
To liberall safetie; when his ship, Ioue strooke
With red-hote flashes, peece-meale in the seas,
And all his friends and souldiers, succourlesse
Perisht but he. Him, cast vpon this coast
With blasts and billowes; I (in life giuen lost)
Preseru'd alone; lou'd, nourisht, and did vow
To make him deathlesse; and yet neuer grow
Crooked, or worne with age, his whole life long.
But since no reason may be made so strong,
To striue with Ioues will, or to make it vaine;
No not if all the other Gods should straine
Their powres against it; let his will be law;
So he affoord him fit meanes to withdraw,
(As he commands him) to the raging Maine:
But meanes from me, he neuer shall obtaine,
For my meanes yeeld, nor men, nor ship, nor oares,
To set him off, from my so enuied shores.
But if my counsell and goodwill can aide
His safe passe home, my best shall be assaid.
Vouchsafe it so, (said heauens Ambassador)
And daigne it quickly. By all meanes abhorre
T'incense Ioues wrath against thee; that with grace
He may hereafter, all thy wish embrace.
And daigne it quickly. By all meanes abhorre
T'incense Ioues wrath against thee; that with grace
He may hereafter, all thy wish embrace.
Thus tooke the Argus-killing God, his wings.
And since the reuerend Nymph, these awfull things
Receiu'd from Ioue; she to Vlysses went:
Whom she ashore found, drownd in discontent;
His eyes kept neuer drie, he did so mourne,
And waste his deare age, for his wisht returne.
Which still without the Caue he vsde to do,
Because he could not please the Goddesse so.
At night yet (forc't) together tooke their rest,
The willing Goddesse, and th' vnwilling Guest.
But he, all day in rockes, and on the shore
The vext sea viewd; and did his Fate deplore.
Him, now, the Goddesse (coming neare) bespake:
And since the reuerend Nymph, these awfull things
Receiu'd from Ioue; she to Vlysses went:
Whom she ashore found, drownd in discontent;
His eyes kept neuer drie, he did so mourne,
76
Which still without the Caue he vsde to do,
Because he could not please the Goddesse so.
At night yet (forc't) together tooke their rest,
The willing Goddesse, and th' vnwilling Guest.
But he, all day in rockes, and on the shore
The vext sea viewd; and did his Fate deplore.
Him, now, the Goddesse (coming neare) bespake:
Vnhappie man; no more discomfort take,
For my constraint of thee; nor waste thine age;
I now will passing freely disengage
Thy irksome stay here. Come then, fell thee wood,
And build a ship, to saue thee from the flood.
Ile furnish thee with fresh waue; bread and wine,
Ruddie and sweet, that will the Piner pine;
Put garments on thee; giue thee winds foreright;
That euery way thy home-bent appetite
May safe attaine to it; if so it please
At all parts, all the heauen housd Deities!
That more in powre are, more in skill then I;
And more can iudge, what fits humanitie.
For my constraint of thee; nor waste thine age;
I now will passing freely disengage
Thy irksome stay here. Come then, fell thee wood,
And build a ship, to saue thee from the flood.
Ile furnish thee with fresh waue; bread and wine,
Ruddie and sweet, that will the Piner pine;
Put garments on thee; giue thee winds foreright;
That euery way thy home-bent appetite
May safe attaine to it; if so it please
At all parts, all the heauen housd Deities!
That more in powre are, more in skill then I;
And more can iudge, what fits humanitie.
He stood amaz'd, at this strange change in her;
And said: O Goddesse! thy intents preferre
Some other proiect, then my parting hence;
Commanding things of too high consequence
For my performance. That my selfe should build
A ship of powre, my home assaies to shield
Against the great Sea, of such dread to passe;
Which not the best-built ship that euer was,
Will passe exulting; when such winds as Ioue
Can thunder vp, their trims and tacklings proue.
But could I build one, I would ne're aboord,
(Thy will opposde) nor (won) without thy word,
Giuen in the great oath of the Gods to me,
Not to beguile me in the least degree.
And said: O Goddesse! thy intents preferre
Some other proiect, then my parting hence;
Commanding things of too high consequence
For my performance. That my selfe should build
A ship of powre, my home assaies to shield
Against the great Sea, of such dread to passe;
Which not the best-built ship that euer was,
Will passe exulting; when such winds as Ioue
Can thunder vp, their trims and tacklings proue.
But could I build one, I would ne're aboord,
(Thy will opposde) nor (won) without thy word,
Giuen in the great oath of the Gods to me,
Not to beguile me in the least degree.
The Goddesse smilde; held hard his hand, and said:
O y'are a shrewdone; and so habited
In taking heed; thou knowst not what it is
To be vnwary; nor vse words amisse.
How hast thou charmd me, were I ne're so slie?
Let earth know then; and heauen, so broad, so hie;
And th' vnder-sunke waues of th' infernall streame;
(Which is an oath, as terribly supreame,
As any God sweares) that I had no thought,
But stood with what I spake; nor would haue wrought,
Nor counseld any act, against thy good;
But euer diligently weighd, and stood
On those points in perswading thee; that I
Would vse my selfe in such extremitie.
For my mind simple is, and innocent;
Not giuen by cruell sleights to circumuent;
Nor beare I in my breast a heart of steele,
But with the Sufferer, willing sufferance feele.
This said; the Grace of Goddesses led home;
He tract her steps; and (to the Cauerne come)
In that rich Throne, whence Mercurie arose,
He sate. The Nymph her selfe did then appose
For food and beuridge to him; all best meate
And drinke, that mortals vse to taste and eate.
Then sate she opposite; and for her Feast,
Was Nectar and Ambrosia addrest
By handmaids to her. Both, what was prepar'd,
Did freely fall to. Hauing fitly far'd,
The Nymph Calypso this discourse began:
O y'are a shrewdone; and so habited
In taking heed; thou knowst not what it is
To be vnwary; nor vse words amisse.
How hast thou charmd me, were I ne're so slie?
Let earth know then; and heauen, so broad, so hie;
And th' vnder-sunke waues of th' infernall streame;
(Which is an oath, as terribly supreame,
As any God sweares) that I had no thought,
But stood with what I spake; nor would haue wrought,
Nor counseld any act, against thy good;
But euer diligently weighd, and stood
On those points in perswading thee; that I
75
For my mind simple is, and innocent;
Not giuen by cruell sleights to circumuent;
Nor beare I in my breast a heart of steele,
But with the Sufferer, willing sufferance feele.
This said; the Grace of Goddesses led home;
He tract her steps; and (to the Cauerne come)
In that rich Throne, whence Mercurie arose,
He sate. The Nymph her selfe did then appose
For food and beuridge to him; all best meate
And drinke, that mortals vse to taste and eate.
Then sate she opposite; and for her Feast,
Was Nectar and Ambrosia addrest
By handmaids to her. Both, what was prepar'd,
Did freely fall to. Hauing fitly far'd,
The Nymph Calypso this discourse began:
Ioue-bred Vlysses! many-witted man!
Still is thy home so wisht? so soone, away?
Be still of cheare, for all the worst I say;
But if thy soule knew what a summe of woes
For thee to cast vp, thy sterne Fares impose,
Ere to thy country earth thy hopes attaine;
Vndoubtedly thy choice would here remaine;
Keepe house with me, and be a liuer euer.
Which (me thinkes) should thy house and thee disseuer;
Though for thy wife there, thou art set on fire;
And all thy dayes are spent in her desire;
And though it be no boast in me to say,
In forme and mind, I match her euery way.
Nor can it fit a mortall Dames compare,
T'affect those termes with vs, that deathlesse are.
Still is thy home so wisht? so soone, away?
Be still of cheare, for all the worst I say;
But if thy soule knew what a summe of woes
For thee to cast vp, thy sterne Fares impose,
Ere to thy country earth thy hopes attaine;
Vndoubtedly thy choice would here remaine;
Keepe house with me, and be a liuer euer.
Which (me thinkes) should thy house and thee disseuer;
Though for thy wife there, thou art set on fire;
And all thy dayes are spent in her desire;
And though it be no boast in me to say,
In forme and mind, I match her euery way.
Nor can it fit a mortall Dames compare,
T'affect those termes with vs, that deathlesse are.
The great in counsels, made her this reply:
Renowm'd, and to be reuerenc'd Deitie!
Let it not moue thee, that so much I vow
My comforts to my wife; though well I know
All cause my selfe, why wise Penelope
In wit is farre inferiour to thee;
In feature, stature, all the parts of show;
She being a mortall; an Immortall thou;
Old euer growing, and yet neuer old.
Yet her desire, shall all my dayes see told;
Adding the sight of my returning day,
And naturall home. If any God shall lay
His hand vpon me, as I passe the seas;
Ile beare the worst of what his hand shall please;
As hauing giuen me such a mind, as shall
The more still rise, the more his hand lets fall.
In warres and waues, my sufferings were not small.
I now haue sufferd much; as much before;
Hereafter let as much result, and more.
Renowm'd, and to be reuerenc'd Deitie!
Let it not moue thee, that so much I vow
My comforts to my wife; though well I know
All cause my selfe, why wise Penelope
In wit is farre inferiour to thee;
In feature, stature, all the parts of show;
She being a mortall; an Immortall thou;
Old euer growing, and yet neuer old.
Yet her desire, shall all my dayes see told;
Adding the sight of my returning day,
And naturall home. If any God shall lay
His hand vpon me, as I passe the seas;
Ile beare the worst of what his hand shall please;
As hauing giuen me such a mind, as shall
The more still rise, the more his hand lets fall.
In warres and waues, my sufferings were not small.
78
Hereafter let as much result, and more.
This said; the Sunne set; and earth shadowes gaue;
When these two (in an in-roome of the Caue,
Left to themselues) left Loue no rites vndone.
The early Morne vp; vp he rose; put on
His in and out-weed. She, her selfe inchaces
Amidst a white robe, full of all the Graces;
Ample, and pleated, thicke, like fishie skales.
A golden girdle then, her waste empales;
Her head, a veile decks; and abroad they come;
And now began Vlysses to go home.
When these two (in an in-roome of the Caue,
Left to themselues) left Loue no rites vndone.
The early Morne vp; vp he rose; put on
His in and out-weed. She, her selfe inchaces
Amidst a white robe, full of all the Graces;
Ample, and pleated, thicke, like fishie skales.
A golden girdle then, her waste empales;
Her head, a veile decks; and abroad they come;
And now began Vlysses to go home.
A great Axe, first she gaue, that two wayes cut;
In which a faire wel-polisht helme was put,
That from an Oliue bough receiu'd his frame:
A plainer then. Then led she till they came
To loftie woods, that did the Ile confine.
The Firre tree, Poplar, and heauen-scaling Pine,
Had there their ofspring. Of which, those that were
Of driest matter, and grew longest there,
He chusde for lighter saile. This place, thus showne,
The Nymph turnd home. He fell to felling downe;
And twentie trees he stoopt, in litle space;
Plaind, vsde his Plumb; did all with artfull grace.
In meane time did Calypso wimbles bring.
He bor'd, closde, naild, and orderd euery thing;
And tooke how much a ship-wright will allow
A ship of burthen; (one that best doth know
What fits his Art) so large a Keele he cast.
Wrought vp her decks, and hatches, side-boords, mast;
With willow watlings armd her, to resist
The billowes outrage; added all she mist;
Sail-yards, and sterne for guide. The Nymph then brought
Linnen for sailes; which, with dispatch, he wrought.
Gables, and halsters, tacklings. All the Frame
In foure dayes space, to full perfection came.
The fift day, they dismist him from the shore;
Weeds, neate, and odorous gaue him; victles store;
Wine, and strong waters, and a prosperous wind.
To which, Vlysses (fit to be diuin'd)
His sailes exposd, and hoised. Off he gat;
And chearfull was he. At the Sterne he sat,
And ster'd right artfully. No sleepe could seise
His ey-lids: he beheld the Pletades;
The Beare, surnam'd the Waine, that round doth moue
About Orion; and keepes still aboue
The billowie Ocean. The slow-setting starre,
Bootes calld, by some, the Waggonar.
In which a faire wel-polisht helme was put,
That from an Oliue bough receiu'd his frame:
A plainer then. Then led she till they came
To loftie woods, that did the Ile confine.
The Firre tree, Poplar, and heauen-scaling Pine,
Had there their ofspring. Of which, those that were
Of driest matter, and grew longest there,
He chusde for lighter saile. This place, thus showne,
The Nymph turnd home. He fell to felling downe;
And twentie trees he stoopt, in litle space;
Plaind, vsde his Plumb; did all with artfull grace.
In meane time did Calypso wimbles bring.
He bor'd, closde, naild, and orderd euery thing;
And tooke how much a ship-wright will allow
A ship of burthen; (one that best doth know
What fits his Art) so large a Keele he cast.
Wrought vp her decks, and hatches, side-boords, mast;
With willow watlings armd her, to resist
The billowes outrage; added all she mist;
Sail-yards, and sterne for guide. The Nymph then brought
Linnen for sailes; which, with dispatch, he wrought.
Gables, and halsters, tacklings. All the Frame
In foure dayes space, to full perfection came.
The fift day, they dismist him from the shore;
Weeds, neate, and odorous gaue him; victles store;
Wine, and strong waters, and a prosperous wind.
To which, Vlysses (fit to be diuin'd)
His sailes exposd, and hoised. Off he gat;
And chearfull was he. At the Sterne he sat,
And ster'd right artfully. No sleepe could seise
His ey-lids: he beheld the Pletades;
The Beare, surnam'd the Waine, that round doth moue
About Orion; and keepes still aboue
The billowie Ocean. The slow-setting starre,
Bootes calld, by some, the Waggonar.
79
Calypso warnd him, he his course should stere
Still to his left hand. Seuenteene dayes did cleare
The cloudie Nights command, in his moist way;
And by the eighteenth light, he might display
The shadie hils of the Phæacian shore;
For which, as to his next abode, he bore.
The countrie did a pretie figure yeeld,
And lookt from off the darke seas, like a shield.
Still to his left hand. Seuenteene dayes did cleare
The cloudie Nights command, in his moist way;
And by the eighteenth light, he might display
The shadie hils of the Phæacian shore;
For which, as to his next abode, he bore.
The countrie did a pretie figure yeeld,
And lookt from off the darke seas, like a shield.
Imperious Neptune (making his retreate
From th' Æthiopian earth; and taking seate
Vpon the mountaines of the Solymi;
From thence, farre off discouering) did descrie
Vlysses, his fields plowing. All on fire
The sight strait set his heart; and made desire
Of wreake runne ouer, it did boile so hie.
When (his head nodding) O impietie
(He cried out) now, the Gods inconstancie
Is most apparent; altring their designes
Since I the Æthiops saw: and here confines
To this Vlysses fate, his misery.
The great marke, on which all his hopes rely,
Lies in Phæacia. But I hope he shall
Feele woe at height, ere that dead calme befall.
This said; he (begging) gatherd clouds from land;
Frighted the seas vp; snatcht into his hand,
His horrid Trident; and aloft did tosse
(Of all the winds) all stormes he could engrosse.
All earth tooke into sea with clouds; grim Night
Fell tumbling headlong from the cope of Light.
The East and South winds iustld in the aire;
The violent Zephire, and North-making faire,
Rould vp the waues before them: and then, bent
Vlysses knees; then all his spirit was spent.
In which despaire, he thus spake: Woe is me!
What was I borne to? man of miserie?
Feare tels me now, that all the Goddesse said,
Truths selfe will author; that Fate would be paid
Griefes whole summe due from me, at sea, before
I reacht the deare touch of my countries shore.
With what clouds Ioue, heauens heightned forehead binds?
How tyrannize the wraths of all the winds?
How all the tops, he bottomes with the deepes?
And in the bottomes, all the tops he steepes?
Thus dreadfull is the presence of our death.
Thrice foure times blest were they that sunke beneath
Their Fates at Troy; and did to nought contend,
But to renowme Atrides with their end?
I would to God, my houre of death, and Fate,
That day had held the power to terminate;
When showres of darts, my life bore vndeprest,
About diuine Æacides deceast.
Then had I bene allotted to haue died,
By all the Greeks, with funerals glorified;
(Whence Death, encouraging good life, had growne)
Where now I die, by no man mournd, nor knowne.
From th' Æthiopian earth; and taking seate
Vpon the mountaines of the Solymi;
From thence, farre off discouering) did descrie
Vlysses, his fields plowing. All on fire
The sight strait set his heart; and made desire
Of wreake runne ouer, it did boile so hie.
When (his head nodding) O impietie
(He cried out) now, the Gods inconstancie
Is most apparent; altring their designes
Since I the Æthiops saw: and here confines
To this Vlysses fate, his misery.
The great marke, on which all his hopes rely,
Lies in Phæacia. But I hope he shall
Feele woe at height, ere that dead calme befall.
This said; he (begging) gatherd clouds from land;
Frighted the seas vp; snatcht into his hand,
His horrid Trident; and aloft did tosse
(Of all the winds) all stormes he could engrosse.
All earth tooke into sea with clouds; grim Night
Fell tumbling headlong from the cope of Light.
The East and South winds iustld in the aire;
The violent Zephire, and North-making faire,
Rould vp the waues before them: and then, bent
Vlysses knees; then all his spirit was spent.
In which despaire, he thus spake: Woe is me!
What was I borne to? man of miserie?
Feare tels me now, that all the Goddesse said,
Truths selfe will author; that Fate would be paid
Griefes whole summe due from me, at sea, before
I reacht the deare touch of my countries shore.
With what clouds Ioue, heauens heightned forehead binds?
How tyrannize the wraths of all the winds?
How all the tops, he bottomes with the deepes?
And in the bottomes, all the tops he steepes?
Thus dreadfull is the presence of our death.
Thrice foure times blest were they that sunke beneath
Their Fates at Troy; and did to nought contend,
But to renowme Atrides with their end?
I would to God, my houre of death, and Fate,
78
When showres of darts, my life bore vndeprest,
About diuine Æacides deceast.
Then had I bene allotted to haue died,
By all the Greeks, with funerals glorified;
(Whence Death, encouraging good life, had growne)
Where now I die, by no man mournd, nor knowne.
This spoke; a huge waue tooke him by the head,
And hurld him o're-boord: ship and all it laid
Inuerted quite amidst the waues; but he
Farre off from her sprawld, strowd about the sea:
His Sterne still holding, broken off; his Mast
Burst in the midst: so horrible a blast
Of mixt winds strooke it. Sailes and saile-yards fell
Amongst the billowes; and himselfe did dwell
A long time vnder water: nor could get
In haste his head out: waue with waue so met
In his depression; and his garments too,
(Giuen by Calypso) gaue him much to do,
Hindring his swimming; yet he left not so
His drenched vessell, for the ouerthrow
Of her nor him; but gat at length againe
(Wrestling with Neptune) hold of her; and then
Sate in her Bulke, insulting ouer Death;
Which (with the salt streame, prest to stop his breath)
He scap't, and gaue the sea againe; to giue
To other men. His ship so striu'd to liue,
Floting at randon, cufft from waue to waue;
As you haue seene the Northwind when he draue
In Autumne, heapes of thorne-fed Grashoppers,
Hither and thither; one heape this way beares,
Another that; and makes them often meete
In his confusde gales; so Vlysses fleete,
The winds hurl'd vp and downe: now Boreas
Tost it to Notus, Notus gaue it passe
To Eurus; Eurus, Zephire made it pursue
The horrid Tennis. This sport calld the view
Of Cadmus daughter, with the narrow heele;
(Ino Leucothea) that first did feele
A mortall Dames desires; and had a tongue.
But now had th' honor to be nam'd among
The marine Godheads. She, with pitie saw
Vlysses iustl'd thus, from flaw to flaw;
And (like a Cormorand, in forme and flight)
Rose from a whirl-poole: on the ship did light,
And thus bespeake him: Why is Neptune thus
In thy pursuite extremely furious,
Oppressing thee with such a world of ill,
Euen to thy death? He must not serue his will,
Though tis his studie. Let me then aduise,
As my thoughts serue; thou shalt not be vnwise
To leaue thy weeds and ship, to the commands
Of these rude winds; and worke out with thy hands,
Passe to Phæacia; where thy austere Fate,
Is to pursue thee with no more such hate.
Take here this Tablet, with this riband strung,
And see it still about thy bosome hung;
By whose eternall vertue, neuer feare
To suffer thus againe, nor perish here.
But when thou touchest with thy hand the shore,
Then take it from thy necke, nor weare it more;
But cast it farre off from the Continent,
And then thy person farre ashore present.
And hurld him o're-boord: ship and all it laid
Inuerted quite amidst the waues; but he
Farre off from her sprawld, strowd about the sea:
His Sterne still holding, broken off; his Mast
Burst in the midst: so horrible a blast
Of mixt winds strooke it. Sailes and saile-yards fell
Amongst the billowes; and himselfe did dwell
A long time vnder water: nor could get
In haste his head out: waue with waue so met
In his depression; and his garments too,
(Giuen by Calypso) gaue him much to do,
Hindring his swimming; yet he left not so
His drenched vessell, for the ouerthrow
Of her nor him; but gat at length againe
(Wrestling with Neptune) hold of her; and then
Sate in her Bulke, insulting ouer Death;
Which (with the salt streame, prest to stop his breath)
He scap't, and gaue the sea againe; to giue
To other men. His ship so striu'd to liue,
Floting at randon, cufft from waue to waue;
As you haue seene the Northwind when he draue
In Autumne, heapes of thorne-fed Grashoppers,
Hither and thither; one heape this way beares,
Another that; and makes them often meete
In his confusde gales; so Vlysses fleete,
The winds hurl'd vp and downe: now Boreas
Tost it to Notus, Notus gaue it passe
To Eurus; Eurus, Zephire made it pursue
The horrid Tennis. This sport calld the view
Of Cadmus daughter, with the narrow heele;
(Ino Leucothea) that first did feele
A mortall Dames desires; and had a tongue.
But now had th' honor to be nam'd among
The marine Godheads. She, with pitie saw
Vlysses iustl'd thus, from flaw to flaw;
And (like a Cormorand, in forme and flight)
Rose from a whirl-poole: on the ship did light,
And thus bespeake him: Why is Neptune thus
In thy pursuite extremely furious,
Oppressing thee with such a world of ill,
81
Though tis his studie. Let me then aduise,
As my thoughts serue; thou shalt not be vnwise
To leaue thy weeds and ship, to the commands
Of these rude winds; and worke out with thy hands,
Passe to Phæacia; where thy austere Fate,
Is to pursue thee with no more such hate.
Take here this Tablet, with this riband strung,
And see it still about thy bosome hung;
By whose eternall vertue, neuer feare
To suffer thus againe, nor perish here.
But when thou touchest with thy hand the shore,
Then take it from thy necke, nor weare it more;
But cast it farre off from the Continent,
And then thy person farre ashore present.
Thus gaue she him the Tablet; and againe
(Turnd to a Cormorand) diu'd past sight the Maine.
(Turnd to a Cormorand) diu'd past sight the Maine.
Patient Vlysses sighd at this; and stucke
In the conceit of such faire-spoken Lucke:
And said; Alas I must suspect euen this;
Lest any other of the Deities
Adde sleight to Neptunes force; to counsell me
To haue my vessell, and so farre off see
The shore I aime at. Not with thoughts too cleare
Will I obey her: but to me appeare
These counsels best; as long as I perceiue
My ship not quite dissolu'd, I will not leaue
The helpe she may affoord me; but abide,
And suffer all woes, till the worst be tride.
When she is split, Ile swim: no miracle can
Past neare and cleare meanes, moue a knowing man.
In the conceit of such faire-spoken Lucke:
And said; Alas I must suspect euen this;
Lest any other of the Deities
Adde sleight to Neptunes force; to counsell me
To haue my vessell, and so farre off see
The shore I aime at. Not with thoughts too cleare
Will I obey her: but to me appeare
These counsels best; as long as I perceiue
My ship not quite dissolu'd, I will not leaue
The helpe she may affoord me; but abide,
And suffer all woes, till the worst be tride.
When she is split, Ile swim: no miracle can
Past neare and cleare meanes, moue a knowing man.
While this discourse emploid him, Neptune raisd
A huge, a high, and horrid sea, that seisd
Him and his ship, and tost them through the Lake;
As when the violent winds together take
Heapes of drie chaffe, and hurle them euery way;
So his long woodstacke, Neptune strooke astray.
A huge, a high, and horrid sea, that seisd
Him and his ship, and tost them through the Lake;
As when the violent winds together take
Heapes of drie chaffe, and hurle them euery way;
So his long woodstacke, Neptune strooke astray.
Then did Vlysses mount on rib, perforce,
Like to a rider of a running horse,
To stay himselfe a time, while he might shift
His drenched weeds, that were Calypsos gift.
When putting strait, Leucotheas Amulet
About his necke; he all his forces set
To swim; and cast him prostrate to the seas.
When powrefull Neptune saw the ruthlesse prease
Of perils siege him thus; he mou'd his head,
And this betwixt him and his heart, he said:
Like to a rider of a running horse,
To stay himselfe a time, while he might shift
His drenched weeds, that were Calypsos gift.
When putting strait, Leucotheas Amulet
About his necke; he all his forces set
To swim; and cast him prostrate to the seas.
When powrefull Neptune saw the ruthlesse prease
Of perils siege him thus; he mou'd his head,
And this betwixt him and his heart, he said:
So, now feele ils enow, and struggle so,
Till to your Ioue-lou'd Ilanders you row.
But my mind sayes, you will not so auoid
This last taske too, but be with sufferance cloid.
72
But my mind sayes, you will not so auoid
This last taske too, but be with sufferance cloid.
This said: his rich-man'd horse he mou'd; and reacht
His house at Ægas. But Minerua fetcht
The winds from sea; and all their wayes but one
Barrd to their passage; the bleake North alone
She set to blow; the rest, she charg'd to keepe
Their rages in; and bind themselues in sleepe.
But Boreas still flew high, to breake the seas,
Till Ioue-bred Ithacus, the more with ease,
The nauigation-skild Phæacian States
Might make his refuge; Death, and angrie Fates,
At length escaping. Two nights yet, and daies,
He spent in wrestling with the sable seas;
In which space, often did his heart propose
Death to his eyes. But when Aurora rose,
And threw the third light from her orient haire;
The winds grew calme, and cleare was all the aire;
Not one breath stirring. Then he might descrie
(Raisd by the high seas) cleare, the land was nie.
And then, looke how to good sonnes that esteeme
Their fathers life deare, (after paines extreame,
Felt in some sicknesse, that hath held him long
Downe to his bed; and with affections strong,
Wasted his bodie; made his life his lode;
As being inflicted by some angrie God)
When on their praires, they see descend at length
Health from the heauens, clad all in spirit and strength;
The sight is precious: so, since here should end,
Vlysses toiles; which therein should extend
Health to his countrie, (held to him, his Sire)
And on which, long for him, Disease did tire.
And then besides, for his owne sake to see
The shores, the woods so neare; such ioy had he,
As those good sonnes for their recouerd Sire.
Then labourd feete and all parts, to aspire
To that wisht Continent; which, when as neare
He came, as Clamor might informe an eare;
He heard a sound beate from the sea-bred rocks,
Against which gaue a huge sea horrid shocks,
That belcht vpon the firme land, weeds and some;
With which were all things hid there; where no roome
Of fit capacitie was for any port;
Nor (from the sea) for any mans resort;
The shores, the rocks, and cliffes so prominent were.
O (said Vlysses then) now Iupiter
Hath giuen me sight of an vnhop't for shore,
(Though I haue wrought these seas so long, so sore)
Of rest yet, no place shewes the slendrest prints;
The rugged shore so bristl'd is with flints:
Against which, euery way the waues so flocke;
And all the shore shewes as one eminent rocke.
So neare which, tis so deepe, that not a sand
Is there, for any tired foote to stand:
Nor flie his death-fast following miseries,
Lest if he land, vpon him fore-right flies
A churlish waue, to crush him gainst a Cliffe;
Worse then vaine rendring, all his landing strife.
And should I swim to seeke a hauen elsewhere,
Or land, lesse way-beate; I may iustly feare
I shall be taken with a gale againe,
And cast a huge way off into the Maine.
And there, the great Earth-shaker (hauing seene
My so neare landing; and againe, his spleene
Forcing me to him) will some Whale send out,
(Of which a horrid number here about,
His Amphitrite breeds) to swallow me.
I well haue prou'd, with what malignitie
He treds my steps. While this discourse he held;
A curst Surge, gainst a cutting rocke impeld
His naked bodie, which it gasht and tore;
And had his bones broke, if but one sea more
Had cast him on it. But she prompted him,
That neuer faild; and bad him no more swim
Still off and on; but boldly force the shore,
And hug the rocke, that him so rudely tore.
Which he, with both hands sigh'd and claspt; till past
The billowes rage was; which seap't; backe, so fast
The rocke repulst it, that it reft his hold
Sucking him from it, and farre backe he rould.
And as the Polypus, that (forc't from home
Amidst the soft sea; and neare rough land come
For shelter gainst the stormes that beate on her
At open sea, as she abroad doth erre)
A deale of grauill, and sharpe little stones,
Needfully gathers in her hollow bones:
So he forc't hither, (by the sharper ill,
Shunning the smoother) where he best hop't, still
The worst succeeded: for the cruell friend,
To which he clingd for succour, off did rend
From his broad hands, the soken flesh so sore,
That off he fell, and could sustaine no more.
Quite vnder water fell he; and, past Fate,
Haplesse Vlysses, there had lost the state
He held in life; if (still the grey-eyd Maid,
His wisedome prompting) he had not assaid
Another course; and ceast t'attempt that shore;
Swimming, and casting round his eye, t'explore
Some other shelter. Then, the mouth he found
Of faire Callicoes flood; whose shores were crownd
With most apt succors: Rocks so smooth, they seemd
Polisht of purpose: land that quite redeemd
With breathlesse couerts, th' others blasted shores.
The flood he knew; and thus in heart implores:
King of this Riuer! heare; what euer name
Makes thee inuokt: to thee I humbly frame
My flight from Neptunes furies; Reuerend is
To all the euer-liuing Deities,
What erring man soeuer seekes their aid.
To thy both flood and knees, a man dismaid
With varied sufferance sues. Yeeld then some rest
To him that is thy suppliant profest.
His house at Ægas. But Minerua fetcht
The winds from sea; and all their wayes but one
Barrd to their passage; the bleake North alone
She set to blow; the rest, she charg'd to keepe
Their rages in; and bind themselues in sleepe.
But Boreas still flew high, to breake the seas,
Till Ioue-bred Ithacus, the more with ease,
The nauigation-skild Phæacian States
Might make his refuge; Death, and angrie Fates,
At length escaping. Two nights yet, and daies,
He spent in wrestling with the sable seas;
In which space, often did his heart propose
Death to his eyes. But when Aurora rose,
And threw the third light from her orient haire;
The winds grew calme, and cleare was all the aire;
Not one breath stirring. Then he might descrie
(Raisd by the high seas) cleare, the land was nie.
And then, looke how to good sonnes that esteeme
Their fathers life deare, (after paines extreame,
Felt in some sicknesse, that hath held him long
Downe to his bed; and with affections strong,
Wasted his bodie; made his life his lode;
As being inflicted by some angrie God)
When on their praires, they see descend at length
Health from the heauens, clad all in spirit and strength;
The sight is precious: so, since here should end,
Vlysses toiles; which therein should extend
Health to his countrie, (held to him, his Sire)
And on which, long for him, Disease did tire.
And then besides, for his owne sake to see
The shores, the woods so neare; such ioy had he,
As those good sonnes for their recouerd Sire.
Then labourd feete and all parts, to aspire
To that wisht Continent; which, when as neare
He came, as Clamor might informe an eare;
He heard a sound beate from the sea-bred rocks,
Against which gaue a huge sea horrid shocks,
That belcht vpon the firme land, weeds and some;
With which were all things hid there; where no roome
Of fit capacitie was for any port;
Nor (from the sea) for any mans resort;
The shores, the rocks, and cliffes so prominent were.
O (said Vlysses then) now Iupiter
Hath giuen me sight of an vnhop't for shore,
83
Of rest yet, no place shewes the slendrest prints;
The rugged shore so bristl'd is with flints:
Against which, euery way the waues so flocke;
And all the shore shewes as one eminent rocke.
So neare which, tis so deepe, that not a sand
Is there, for any tired foote to stand:
Nor flie his death-fast following miseries,
Lest if he land, vpon him fore-right flies
A churlish waue, to crush him gainst a Cliffe;
Worse then vaine rendring, all his landing strife.
And should I swim to seeke a hauen elsewhere,
Or land, lesse way-beate; I may iustly feare
I shall be taken with a gale againe,
And cast a huge way off into the Maine.
And there, the great Earth-shaker (hauing seene
My so neare landing; and againe, his spleene
Forcing me to him) will some Whale send out,
(Of which a horrid number here about,
His Amphitrite breeds) to swallow me.
I well haue prou'd, with what malignitie
He treds my steps. While this discourse he held;
A curst Surge, gainst a cutting rocke impeld
His naked bodie, which it gasht and tore;
And had his bones broke, if but one sea more
Had cast him on it. But she prompted him,
That neuer faild; and bad him no more swim
Still off and on; but boldly force the shore,
And hug the rocke, that him so rudely tore.
Which he, with both hands sigh'd and claspt; till past
The billowes rage was; which seap't; backe, so fast
The rocke repulst it, that it reft his hold
Sucking him from it, and farre backe he rould.
And as the Polypus, that (forc't from home
Amidst the soft sea; and neare rough land come
For shelter gainst the stormes that beate on her
At open sea, as she abroad doth erre)
A deale of grauill, and sharpe little stones,
Needfully gathers in her hollow bones:
So he forc't hither, (by the sharper ill,
Shunning the smoother) where he best hop't, still
The worst succeeded: for the cruell friend,
To which he clingd for succour, off did rend
From his broad hands, the soken flesh so sore,
That off he fell, and could sustaine no more.
Quite vnder water fell he; and, past Fate,
Haplesse Vlysses, there had lost the state
He held in life; if (still the grey-eyd Maid,
84
Another course; and ceast t'attempt that shore;
Swimming, and casting round his eye, t'explore
Some other shelter. Then, the mouth he found
Of faire Callicoes flood; whose shores were crownd
With most apt succors: Rocks so smooth, they seemd
Polisht of purpose: land that quite redeemd
With breathlesse couerts, th' others blasted shores.
The flood he knew; and thus in heart implores:
King of this Riuer! heare; what euer name
Makes thee inuokt: to thee I humbly frame
My flight from Neptunes furies; Reuerend is
To all the euer-liuing Deities,
What erring man soeuer seekes their aid.
To thy both flood and knees, a man dismaid
With varied sufferance sues. Yeeld then some rest
To him that is thy suppliant profest.
This (though but spoke in thought) the Godhead heard;
Her Current strait staid; and her thicke waues cleard
Before him, smooth'd her waters; and iust where
He praid, halfe drownd; entirely sau'd him there.
Her Current strait staid; and her thicke waues cleard
Before him, smooth'd her waters; and iust where
He praid, halfe drownd; entirely sau'd him there.
Then forth he came, his both knees faltring; both
His strong hands hanging downe; and all with froth
His cheeks and nosthrils flowing. Voice and breath
Spent to all vse; and downe he sunke to Death.
The sea had soakt his heart through: all his vaines,
His toiles had rackt, t'alabouring womans paines.
Dead wearie was he. But when breath did find
A passe reciprocall; and in his mind,
His spirit was recollected: vp he rose,
And from his necke did th' Amulet unlose
That Ino gaue him; which he hurld from him
To sea. It sounding fell; and backe did swim
With th' ebbing waters; till it strait arriu'd,
Where Inos faire hand, it againe receiu'd.
Then kist he th' humble earth; and on he goes,
Till bulrushes shewd place for his repose;
Where laid, he sigh'd, and thus said to his soule:
O me, what strange perplexities controule
The whole skill of thy powres, in this euent?
What feele I? if till Care-nurse Night be spent,
I watch amidst the flood; the seas chill breath,
And vegetant dewes, I feare will be my death:
So low brought with my labours. Towards day,
A passing sharpe aire euer breathes at sea.
If I the pitch of this next mountaine scale,
And shadie wood; and in some thicket fall
Into the hands of Sleepe: though there the cold
May well be checkt; and healthfull slumbers hold
Her sweete hand on my powres; all care allaid,
Yet there will beasts deuoure me. Best appaid
Doth that course make me yet; for there, some strife,
Strength, and my spirit, may make me make for life.
Which, though empaird, may yet be fresh applied,
Where perill, possible of escape is tried.
But he that fights with heauen, or with the sea,
To Indiscretion, addes Impietie.
His strong hands hanging downe; and all with froth
His cheeks and nosthrils flowing. Voice and breath
Spent to all vse; and downe he sunke to Death.
The sea had soakt his heart through: all his vaines,
His toiles had rackt, t'alabouring womans paines.
Dead wearie was he. But when breath did find
A passe reciprocall; and in his mind,
His spirit was recollected: vp he rose,
And from his necke did th' Amulet unlose
That Ino gaue him; which he hurld from him
To sea. It sounding fell; and backe did swim
With th' ebbing waters; till it strait arriu'd,
Where Inos faire hand, it againe receiu'd.
Then kist he th' humble earth; and on he goes,
Till bulrushes shewd place for his repose;
Where laid, he sigh'd, and thus said to his soule:
O me, what strange perplexities controule
The whole skill of thy powres, in this euent?
What feele I? if till Care-nurse Night be spent,
I watch amidst the flood; the seas chill breath,
And vegetant dewes, I feare will be my death:
So low brought with my labours. Towards day,
A passing sharpe aire euer breathes at sea.
If I the pitch of this next mountaine scale,
And shadie wood; and in some thicket fall
Into the hands of Sleepe: though there the cold
85
Her sweete hand on my powres; all care allaid,
Yet there will beasts deuoure me. Best appaid
Doth that course make me yet; for there, some strife,
Strength, and my spirit, may make me make for life.
Which, though empaird, may yet be fresh applied,
Where perill, possible of escape is tried.
But he that fights with heauen, or with the sea,
To Indiscretion, addes Impietie.
Thus to the woods he hasted; which he found
Not farre from sea; but on farre-seeing ground;
Where two twin vnder-woods, he enterd on;
With Oliue trees, and oile-trees ouergrowne:
Through which, the moist force of the loud-voic't wind,
Did neuer beate; nor euer Phœbus shin'd;
Nor showre beate through; they grew so one in one;
And had, by turnes, their powre t'exclude the Sunne.
Here enterd our Vlysses; and a bed
Of leaues huge, and of huge abundance spred
With all his speed. Large he made it; for there,
For two or three men, ample Couerings were;
Such as might shield them from the Winters worst;
Though steele it breath'd; and blew as it would burst.
Not farre from sea; but on farre-seeing ground;
Where two twin vnder-woods, he enterd on;
With Oliue trees, and oile-trees ouergrowne:
Through which, the moist force of the loud-voic't wind,
Did neuer beate; nor euer Phœbus shin'd;
Nor showre beate through; they grew so one in one;
And had, by turnes, their powre t'exclude the Sunne.
Here enterd our Vlysses; and a bed
Of leaues huge, and of huge abundance spred
With all his speed. Large he made it; for there,
For two or three men, ample Couerings were;
Such as might shield them from the Winters worst;
Though steele it breath'd; and blew as it would burst.
Patient Vlysses ioyd, that euer day
Shewd such a shelter. In the midst he lay,
Store of leaues heaping high on euery side.
And as in some out-field, a man doth hide
A kindld brand, to keepe the seed of fire;
No neighbour dwelling neare; and his desire
Seru'd with selfe store; he else would aske of none;
But of his fore-spent sparks, rakes th' ashes on:
So this out-place, Vlysses thus receiues;
And thus nak't vertues seed, lies hid in leaues.
Yet Pallas made him sleepe, as soone as men
Whom Delicacies, all their flatteries daine.
And all that all his labours could comprise,
Quickly concluded, in his closed eies.
Shewd such a shelter. In the midst he lay,
Store of leaues heaping high on euery side.
And as in some out-field, a man doth hide
A kindld brand, to keepe the seed of fire;
No neighbour dwelling neare; and his desire
Seru'd with selfe store; he else would aske of none;
But of his fore-spent sparks, rakes th' ashes on:
So this out-place, Vlysses thus receiues;
And thus nak't vertues seed, lies hid in leaues.
Yet Pallas made him sleepe, as soone as men
Whom Delicacies, all their flatteries daine.
And all that all his labours could comprise,
Quickly concluded, in his closed eies.
Finis libri quinti Hom. Odyss.
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.
98
THE SEVENTH BOOK OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Nausicaa arriues at Towne;And then Vlysses. He makes knowne
His suite to Arete: who, view
Takes of his vesture, which she knew;
And asks him, from whose hands it came.
He tels, with all the haplesse frame
Of his affaires, in all the while,
Since he forsooke Calypsos Ile.
Another.
The honord minds,And welcome things.
Vlysses finds,
In Scherias Kings.
Thus praid the wise, and God-obseruing Man.
The Maid, by free force of her Palfreys, wan
Accesse to Towne; and the renowmed Court,
Reacht of her Father; where, within the Port,
She staid her Coach; and round about her came
Her Brothers, (made as of immortall frame.)
Who yet disdaind not, for her loue, meane deeds;
But tooke from Coach her Mules, brought in her weeds.
And she ascends her chamber; where puruaid
A quicke fire was, by her old chamber-maid
Eurymedusa, th' Aperæan borne;
And brought by sea, from Aperæ, t'adorne
The Court of great Alcinous; because
He gaue to all, the blest Phæacians lawes;
And, like a heauen-borne Powre in speech, acquir'd
The peoples eares. To one then so admir'd,
Eurymedusa was esteemd no worse,
Then worth the gift: yet now growne old, was Nurse
To Ivory-armd Nausicaa; gaue heare
To all her fires, and drest her priuie meate.
The Maid, by free force of her Palfreys, wan
Accesse to Towne; and the renowmed Court,
Reacht of her Father; where, within the Port,
She staid her Coach; and round about her came
Her Brothers, (made as of immortall frame.)
Who yet disdaind not, for her loue, meane deeds;
But tooke from Coach her Mules, brought in her weeds.
And she ascends her chamber; where puruaid
A quicke fire was, by her old chamber-maid
Eurymedusa, th' Aperæan borne;
And brought by sea, from Aperæ, t'adorne
The Court of great Alcinous; because
He gaue to all, the blest Phæacians lawes;
And, like a heauen-borne Powre in speech, acquir'd
The peoples eares. To one then so admir'd,
Eurymedusa was esteemd no worse,
Then worth the gift: yet now growne old, was Nurse
To Ivory-armd Nausicaa; gaue heare
To all her fires, and drest her priuie meate.
Then rose Vlysses, and made way to Towne;
Which ere he reacht, a mightie mist was throwne
By Pallas round about him; in her Care,
Lest in the sway of enuies popular,
Some proud Phæacian might foule language passe,
Iustle him vp, and aske him what he was.
Which ere he reacht, a mightie mist was throwne
By Pallas round about him; in her Care,
Lest in the sway of enuies popular,
Some proud Phæacian might foule language passe,
Iustle him vp, and aske him what he was.
99
Entring the louely Towne yet: through the cloud
Pallas appeard; and like a yong wench showd
Bearing a pitcher; Stood before him so,
As if obiected purposely to know
What there he needed; whom he questiond thus:
Pallas appeard; and like a yong wench showd
Bearing a pitcher; Stood before him so,
As if obiected purposely to know
What there he needed; whom he questiond thus:
Know you not (daughter) where Alcinous,
That rules this Towne, dwels: I, a poore distrest
Meere stranger here; know none I may request,
To make this Court knowne to me. She replied:
That rules this Towne, dwels: I, a poore distrest
Meere stranger here; know none I may request,
To make this Court knowne to me. She replied:
Strange Father; I will see you satisfied.
In that request: my Father dwels, iust by
The house you seeke for; but go silently;
Nor aske, nor speake to any other; I
Shall be enough to shew your way: the men
That here inhabite, do not entertain:
With ready kindnesse, strangers; of what worth,
Or state soeuer: nor haue taken forth
Lessons of ciuill vsage, or respect
To men beyond them. They (vpon their powres
Of swift ships building) top the watry towres:
And Ioue hath giuen them ships, for saile so wrought,
They cut a fether, and command a thought.
In that request: my Father dwels, iust by
The house you seeke for; but go silently;
Nor aske, nor speake to any other; I
Shall be enough to shew your way: the men
That here inhabite, do not entertain:
With ready kindnesse, strangers; of what worth,
Or state soeuer: nor haue taken forth
Lessons of ciuill vsage, or respect
To men beyond them. They (vpon their powres
Of swift ships building) top the watry towres:
And Ioue hath giuen them ships, for saile so wrought,
They cut a fether, and command a thought.
This said; she vsherd him; and after, he
Trod in the swift steps of the Deitie.
The free-saild sea-men could not get a sight
Of our Vlysses, yet: though he foreright,
Both by their houses and their persons past:
Pallas about him, such a darknesse cast,
By her diuine powre, and her reuerend care,
She would not giue the Towne-borne, cause to stare.
Trod in the swift steps of the Deitie.
The free-saild sea-men could not get a sight
Of our Vlysses, yet: though he foreright,
Both by their houses and their persons past:
Pallas about him, such a darknesse cast,
By her diuine powre, and her reuerend care,
She would not giue the Towne-borne, cause to stare.
He wonderd, as he past, to see the Ports;
The shipping in them; and for all resorts,
The goodly market steds; and Iles beside
For the Heroes; walls so large and wide;
Rampires so high, and of such strength withall;
It would with wonder, any eye appall.
The shipping in them; and for all resorts,
The goodly market steds; and Iles beside
For the Heroes; walls so large and wide;
Rampires so high, and of such strength withall;
It would with wonder, any eye appall.
At last they reacht the Court; and Pallas said:
Now, honourd stranger; I will see obaid
Your will, to shew our Rulers house; tis here;
Where you shall find, Kings celebrating cheare;
Enter amongst them; nor admit a feare;
More bold a man is, he preuailes the more;
Though man nor place, be euer saw before.
Now, honourd stranger; I will see obaid
Your will, to shew our Rulers house; tis here;
Where you shall find, Kings celebrating cheare;
Enter amongst them; nor admit a feare;
More bold a man is, he preuailes the more;
Though man nor place, be euer saw before.
Your first shall find the Queene in Court, whose name
Is Arete: of parents borne, the same
That was the King her Spouse: their Pedigree
I can report: the great Earth-shaker, he
Of Peribœa, (that her sex out-shone,
And yongest daughter was, t'Eurymedon;
Who of th' vnmeasur'd-minded Giants, swaid
Th' Imperiall Scepter; and the pride allaid
Of men so impious, with cold death; and died
Himselfe soone after) got the magnified
In mind, Nausithous; who the kingdomes state
First held in supreame rule. Nausithous gat
Rhexenor, and Alcinous, now King:
Rhexenor (whose seed did no male fruite spring;
And whom the siluer-bow-glac't Phœbus slue
Yong in the Court) his shed blood did renew
In onely Arete; who now is Spouse
To him that rules the kingdome, in this house,
And is her Vnkle; King Alcinous.
Who honors her, past equall. She may boast
More honor of him, then the honord most
Of any wife in earth, can of her Lord;
How many more soeuer, Realmes affoord,
That keepe house vnder husbands. Yet no more
Her husband honors her, then her blest store
Of gracious children. All the Citie cast
Eyes on her, as a Goddesse; and giue taste
Of their affections to her, in their praires,
Still as she decks the streets. For all affaires,
Wrapt in contention, she dissolues to men.
Whom she affects, she wants no mind to deigne
Goodnesse enough. If her heart stand inclin'd
To your dispatch; hope all you wish to find;
Your friends, your longing family, and all,
That can within your most affections fall.
Is Arete: of parents borne, the same
That was the King her Spouse: their Pedigree
I can report: the great Earth-shaker, he
Of Peribœa, (that her sex out-shone,
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Who of th' vnmeasur'd-minded Giants, swaid
Th' Imperiall Scepter; and the pride allaid
Of men so impious, with cold death; and died
Himselfe soone after) got the magnified
In mind, Nausithous; who the kingdomes state
First held in supreame rule. Nausithous gat
Rhexenor, and Alcinous, now King:
Rhexenor (whose seed did no male fruite spring;
And whom the siluer-bow-glac't Phœbus slue
Yong in the Court) his shed blood did renew
In onely Arete; who now is Spouse
To him that rules the kingdome, in this house,
And is her Vnkle; King Alcinous.
Who honors her, past equall. She may boast
More honor of him, then the honord most
Of any wife in earth, can of her Lord;
How many more soeuer, Realmes affoord,
That keepe house vnder husbands. Yet no more
Her husband honors her, then her blest store
Of gracious children. All the Citie cast
Eyes on her, as a Goddesse; and giue taste
Of their affections to her, in their praires,
Still as she decks the streets. For all affaires,
Wrapt in contention, she dissolues to men.
Whom she affects, she wants no mind to deigne
Goodnesse enough. If her heart stand inclin'd
To your dispatch; hope all you wish to find;
Your friends, your longing family, and all,
That can within your most affections fall.
This said; away the grey-eyd Goddesse flew
Along th' vntamed sea. Left the louely hew,
Scheria presented. Out flew Marathon,
And ample-streeted Athens lighted on.
Where, to the house that casts so thicke a shade,
Of Erectheus; she ingression made.
Along th' vntamed sea. Left the louely hew,
Scheria presented. Out flew Marathon,
And ample-streeted Athens lighted on.
Where, to the house that casts so thicke a shade,
Of Erectheus; she ingression made.
Vlysses, to the loftie-builded Court
Of King Alcinous, made bold resort;
Yet in his heart cast many a thought, before
The brazen pauement of the rich Court, bore
His enterd person. Like heauens two maine Lights,
The roomes illustrated, both daies and nights.
On euery side stood firme a wall of brasse,
Euen from the threshold to the inmost passe;
Which bore a roofe vp, that all Saphire was;
The brazen thresholds both sides, did enfold
Siluer Pilasters, hung with gates of gold;
Whose Portall was of siluer; ouer which
A golden Cornish did the front enrich.
On each side, Dogs of gold and siluer fram'd,
The houses Guard stood; which the Deitie (lam'd)
With knowing inwards had inspir'd; and made,
That Death nor Age, should their estates inuade.
Of King Alcinous, made bold resort;
Yet in his heart cast many a thought, before
The brazen pauement of the rich Court, bore
His enterd person. Like heauens two maine Lights,
The roomes illustrated, both daies and nights.
On euery side stood firme a wall of brasse,
Euen from the threshold to the inmost passe;
Which bore a roofe vp, that all Saphire was;
The brazen thresholds both sides, did enfold
Siluer Pilasters, hung with gates of gold;
Whose Portall was of siluer; ouer which
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On each side, Dogs of gold and siluer fram'd,
The houses Guard stood; which the Deitie (lam'd)
With knowing inwards had inspir'd; and made,
That Death nor Age, should their estates inuade.
Along the wall, stood euery way a throne;
From th' entry to the Lobbie: euery one,
Cast ouer with a rich-wrought-cloth of state.
Beneath which, the Phæacian Princes sate
At wine and food; and feasted all the yeare.
Youths forg'd of gold, at euery table there,
Stood holding flaming torches; that, in night
Gaue through the house, each honourd Guest, his light.
From th' entry to the Lobbie: euery one,
Cast ouer with a rich-wrought-cloth of state.
Beneath which, the Phæacian Princes sate
At wine and food; and feasted all the yeare.
Youths forg'd of gold, at euery table there,
Stood holding flaming torches; that, in night
Gaue through the house, each honourd Guest, his light.
And (to encounter feast with houswifry)
In one roome fiftie women did apply
Their seuerall tasks. Some, apple-colourd corne
Ground in faire Quernes; and some did spindles turne.
Some worke in loomes: no hand, least rest receiues;
But all had motion, apt, as Aspen leaues.
And from the weeds they woue, (so fast they laid,
And so thicke thrust together, thred by thred)
That th' oile (of which the wooll had drunke his fill)
Did with his moisture, in light dewes distill.
In one roome fiftie women did apply
Their seuerall tasks. Some, apple-colourd corne
Ground in faire Quernes; and some did spindles turne.
Some worke in loomes: no hand, least rest receiues;
But all had motion, apt, as Aspen leaues.
And from the weeds they woue, (so fast they laid,
And so thicke thrust together, thred by thred)
That th' oile (of which the wooll had drunke his fill)
Did with his moisture, in light dewes distill.
As much as the Phæacian men exceld
All other countrimen, in Art to build
A swift-saild ship: so much the women there,
For worke of webs, past other women were.
Past meane, by Pallas meanes, they vnderstood
The grace of good works; and had wits as good.
All other countrimen, in Art to build
A swift-saild ship: so much the women there,
For worke of webs, past other women were.
Past meane, by Pallas meanes, they vnderstood
The grace of good works; and had wits as good.
Without the Hall, and close vpon the Gate,
A goodly Orchard ground was situate,
Of neare ten Acres; about which, was led
A loftie Quickset. In it flourished
High and broad fruit trees, that Pomegranats bore;
Sweet Figs, Peares, Oliues, and a number more
Most vsefull Plants, did there produce their store.
Whose fruits, the hardest Winter could not kill;
Nor hotest Summer wither. There was still
Fruite in his proper season, all the yeare.
Sweet Zephire breath'd vpon them, blasts that were
Of varied tempers: these, he made to beare
Ripe fruites: these blossomes: Peare grew after Peare;
Apple succeeded apple; Grape, the Grape;
Fig after Fig came; Time made neuer rape,
Of any daintie there. A spritely vine
Spred here his roote; whose fruite, a hote sun-shine
Made ripe betimes. Here grew another, greene.
Here, some were gathering; here, some pressing seene.
A large-allotted seuerall, each fruite had;
And all th' adornd grounds, their apparance made,
In flowre and fruite, at which the King did aime,
To the precisest order he could claime.
A goodly Orchard ground was situate,
Of neare ten Acres; about which, was led
A loftie Quickset. In it flourished
High and broad fruit trees, that Pomegranats bore;
Sweet Figs, Peares, Oliues, and a number more
Most vsefull Plants, did there produce their store.
Whose fruits, the hardest Winter could not kill;
Nor hotest Summer wither. There was still
Fruite in his proper season, all the yeare.
Sweet Zephire breath'd vpon them, blasts that were
Of varied tempers: these, he made to beare
Ripe fruites: these blossomes: Peare grew after Peare;
Apple succeeded apple; Grape, the Grape;
Fig after Fig came; Time made neuer rape,
Of any daintie there. A spritely vine
Spred here his roote; whose fruite, a hote sun-shine
Made ripe betimes. Here grew another, greene.
Here, some were gathering; here, some pressing seene.
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And all th' adornd grounds, their apparance made,
In flowre and fruite, at which the King did aime,
To the precisest order he could claime.
Two Fountaines grac't the garden; of which, one
Powrd out a winding streame, that ouer-runne
The grounds for their vse chiefly: th' other went
Close by the loftie Pallace gate; and lent
The Citie his sweet benefit: and thus
The Gods the Court deckt of Alcinous.
Powrd out a winding streame, that ouer-runne
The grounds for their vse chiefly: th' other went
Close by the loftie Pallace gate; and lent
The Citie his sweet benefit: and thus
The Gods the Court deckt of Alcinous.
Patient Vlysses stood a while at gaze;
But (hauing all obseru'd) made instant pace
Into the Court; where all the Peeres he found,
And Captaines of Phæacia; with Cups crownd,
Offring to sharp-eyd Hermes: to whom, last
They vsde to sacrifise; when Sleepe had cast
His inclination through their thoughts. But these,
Vlysses past; and forth went; nor their eies
Tooke note of him: for Pallas stopt the light
With mists about him; that, vnstaid, he might
First to Alcinous, and Arete,
Present his person; and, of both them, she
(By Pallas counsell) was to haue the grace
Of foremost greeting. Therefore his embrace,
He cast about her knee. And then off flew
The heauenly aire that hid him. When his view,
With silence and with Admiration strooke
The Court quite through: but thus he silence broake:
But (hauing all obseru'd) made instant pace
Into the Court; where all the Peeres he found,
And Captaines of Phæacia; with Cups crownd,
Offring to sharp-eyd Hermes: to whom, last
They vsde to sacrifise; when Sleepe had cast
His inclination through their thoughts. But these,
Vlysses past; and forth went; nor their eies
Tooke note of him: for Pallas stopt the light
With mists about him; that, vnstaid, he might
First to Alcinous, and Arete,
Present his person; and, of both them, she
(By Pallas counsell) was to haue the grace
Of foremost greeting. Therefore his embrace,
He cast about her knee. And then off flew
The heauenly aire that hid him. When his view,
With silence and with Admiration strooke
The Court quite through: but thus he silence broake:
Diuine Rhexenors ofspring, Arete;
To thy most honourd husband, and to thee,
A man whom many labours haue distrest,
Is come for comfort; and to euery guest:
To all whom, heauen vouchsafe delightsome liues;
And after, to your issue that suruiues,
A good resignement of the Goods ye leaue;
With all the honor that your selues receiue
Amongst your people. Onely this of me,
Is the Ambition; that I may but see
(By your vouchsaft meanes; and betimes vouchsaft)
My country earth; since I haue long bin left
To labors, and to errors, barrd from end;
And farre from benefit of any friend.
To thy most honourd husband, and to thee,
A man whom many labours haue distrest,
Is come for comfort; and to euery guest:
To all whom, heauen vouchsafe delightsome liues;
And after, to your issue that suruiues,
A good resignement of the Goods ye leaue;
With all the honor that your selues receiue
Amongst your people. Onely this of me,
Is the Ambition; that I may but see
(By your vouchsaft meanes; and betimes vouchsaft)
My country earth; since I haue long bin left
To labors, and to errors, barrd from end;
And farre from benefit of any friend.
He said no more; but left them dumbe with that;
Went to the harth, and in the ashes sat,
Aside the fire. At last their silence brake;
And Echinaus, th' old Heroe spake.
A man that all Phæacians past in yeares,
And in perswasiue eloquence, all the Peeres;
Knew much, and vsde it well; and thus spake he:
Went to the harth, and in the ashes sat,
Aside the fire. At last their silence brake;
And Echinaus, th' old Heroe spake.
A man that all Phæacians past in yeares,
And in perswasiue eloquence, all the Peeres;
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Alcinous! it shewes not decently;
Nor doth your honor, what you see, admit;
That this your guest, should thus abiectly fit:
His chaire the earth; the harth his cushion;
Ashes, as if apposde for food: a Throne
Adornd with due rites, stands you more in hand
To see his person plac't in; and command
That instantly your Heralds fill in wine;
That to the God that doth in lightnings shine,
We may do sacrifice: for he is there,
Where these his reuerend suppliants appeare.
Let what you haue within, be brought abroad,
To sup the stranger. All these would haue showd
This fit respect to him; but that they stay
For your precedence, that should grace the way.
Nor doth your honor, what you see, admit;
That this your guest, should thus abiectly fit:
His chaire the earth; the harth his cushion;
Ashes, as if apposde for food: a Throne
Adornd with due rites, stands you more in hand
To see his person plac't in; and command
That instantly your Heralds fill in wine;
That to the God that doth in lightnings shine,
We may do sacrifice: for he is there,
Where these his reuerend suppliants appeare.
Let what you haue within, be brought abroad,
To sup the stranger. All these would haue showd
This fit respect to him; but that they stay
For your precedence, that should grace the way.
When this had added to the well-inclin'd,
And sacred order of Alcinous mind;
Then, of the great in wit, the hand he seisd;
And from the ashes, his faire person raisd;
Aduanc't him to a well-adorned Throne;
And from his seate raisd his most loued sonne,
(Laodamas, that next himselfe was set)
To giue him place. The handmaid then did get
An Ewre of gold, with water fild; which plac't
Vpon a Caldron, all with siluer grac't)
She powrd out on their hands. And then was spred
A Table, which the Butler set with bread;
As others seru'd with other food, the boord;
In all the choise, the present could affoord.
Vlysses, meate and wine tooke; and then thus;
The King the Herald calld: Pontonous!
Serue wine through all the house; that all may pay
Rites to the Lightner, who is still in way
With humble suppliants; and them pursues,
With all benigne, and hospitable dues.
And sacred order of Alcinous mind;
Then, of the great in wit, the hand he seisd;
And from the ashes, his faire person raisd;
Aduanc't him to a well-adorned Throne;
And from his seate raisd his most loued sonne,
(Laodamas, that next himselfe was set)
To giue him place. The handmaid then did get
An Ewre of gold, with water fild; which plac't
Vpon a Caldron, all with siluer grac't)
She powrd out on their hands. And then was spred
A Table, which the Butler set with bread;
As others seru'd with other food, the boord;
In all the choise, the present could affoord.
Vlysses, meate and wine tooke; and then thus;
The King the Herald calld: Pontonous!
Serue wine through all the house; that all may pay
Rites to the Lightner, who is still in way
With humble suppliants; and them pursues,
With all benigne, and hospitable dues.
Pontonous, gaue act to all he willd,
And hony sweetnesse-giuing-minds- wine filld;
Disposing it in cups for all to drinke.
All hauing drunke, what eithers heart could thinke
Fit for due sacrifice; Alcinous said:
Heare me, ye Dukes, that the Phæacians leade;
And you our Counsellors; that I may now
Discharge the charge, my mind suggests to you,
For this our guest: Feast past, and this nights sleepe;
Next morne (our Senate summond) we will keepe
Iusts, sacred to the Gods; and this our Guest
Receiue in solemne Court, with fitting Feast:
Then thinke of his returne; that vnder hand
Of our deduction; his naturall land
(Without more toile or care; and with delight;
And that soone giuen him; how farre hence dissite
Soeuer it can be) he may ascend;
And in the meane time, without wrong attend,
Or other want; fit meanes to that ascent.
What, after, austere Fates, shall make th' euent
Of his lifes thred (now spinning, and began
When his paind mother, freed his roote of man)
He must endure in all kinds. If some God,
Perhaps abides with vs, in his abode;
And other things will thinke vpon then we;
The Gods wils stand: who euer yet were free
Of their appearance to vs; when to them
We offerd Hecatombs, of fit esteem.
And would at feast sit with vs; euen where we
Orderd our Session. They would likewise be
Encountrers of vs, when in way, alone
About his fit affaires, went any one.
Nor let them cloke themselues in any care,
To do vs comfort; we as neare them are,
As are the Cyclops; or the impious race,
Of earthy Giants, that would heauen outface.
And hony sweetnesse-giuing-minds- wine filld;
Disposing it in cups for all to drinke.
All hauing drunke, what eithers heart could thinke
Fit for due sacrifice; Alcinous said:
Heare me, ye Dukes, that the Phæacians leade;
And you our Counsellors; that I may now
Discharge the charge, my mind suggests to you,
For this our guest: Feast past, and this nights sleepe;
Next morne (our Senate summond) we will keepe
Iusts, sacred to the Gods; and this our Guest
Receiue in solemne Court, with fitting Feast:
104
Of our deduction; his naturall land
(Without more toile or care; and with delight;
And that soone giuen him; how farre hence dissite
Soeuer it can be) he may ascend;
And in the meane time, without wrong attend,
Or other want; fit meanes to that ascent.
What, after, austere Fates, shall make th' euent
Of his lifes thred (now spinning, and began
When his paind mother, freed his roote of man)
He must endure in all kinds. If some God,
Eustathius will haue this comparison of the Phæacians with the Giants and Cyclops, to proceede out of the inueterate virulency of Antinous to the Cyclops, who were cause (as is before said) of their remoue from their country; & with great endeuour labors the approbation of it: but (vnder his peace) from the purpose: for the sence of the Poet is cleer, that the Cyclops & Giants being in part the issue of the Gods, and yet afterward their defiers, (as Polyp. hereafter dares professe) Antinous (out of bold and manly reason, euen to the face of one that might haue bin a God, for the past manly appearance he made there) would tell him, and the rest in him, that if they graced those Cyclops with their open appearance, that, thogh descended from them, durst yet denie them; they might much more do them the honor of their open presence that adored them.
And other things will thinke vpon then we;
The Gods wils stand: who euer yet were free
Of their appearance to vs; when to them
We offerd Hecatombs, of fit esteem.
And would at feast sit with vs; euen where we
Orderd our Session. They would likewise be
Encountrers of vs, when in way, alone
About his fit affaires, went any one.
Nor let them cloke themselues in any care,
To do vs comfort; we as neare them are,
As are the Cyclops; or the impious race,
Of earthy Giants, that would heauen outface.
Vlysses answerd; Let some other doubt
Employ your thoughts, then what your words giue out;
Which intimate a kind of doubt, that I
Should shadow in this shape, a Deitie.
I beare no such least semblance; or in wit,
Vertue, or person. What may well befit
One of those mortals, whom you chiefly know,
Beares vp and downe, the burthen of the woe
Appropriate to poore man; giue that to me;
Of whose mones I sit, in the most degree;
And might say more; sustaining griefes that all
The Gods consent to: no one twixt their fall
And my vnpitied shoulders, letting downe
The least diuersion. Be the grace then showne,
To let me taste your free-giuen food, in peace:
Through greatest griefe, the belly must haue ease.
Worse then an enuious belly, nothing is.
It will command his strict Necessities,
Of men most grieu'd in body or in mind,
That are in health, and will not giue their kind,
A desperate wound. When most with cause I grieue,
It bids me still, Eate man, and drinke, and liue;
And this makes all forgot. What euer ill
I euer beare; it euer bids me fill.
But this ease is but forc't, and will not last,
Till what the mind likes, be as well embrac't;
And therefore let me wish you would partake
In your late purpose; when the Morne shall make
Her next appearance; daigne me but the grace,
(Vnhappie man) that I may once embrace
My country earth: though I be still thrust at,
By ancient ils; yet make me but see that;
And then let life go. When (withall) I see
My high-rooft large house, lands and family.
Employ your thoughts, then what your words giue out;
Which intimate a kind of doubt, that I
Should shadow in this shape, a Deitie.
I beare no such least semblance; or in wit,
Vertue, or person. What may well befit
One of those mortals, whom you chiefly know,
Beares vp and downe, the burthen of the woe
Appropriate to poore man; giue that to me;
Of whose mones I sit, in the most degree;
And might say more; sustaining griefes that all
The Gods consent to: no one twixt their fall
And my vnpitied shoulders, letting downe
The least diuersion. Be the grace then showne,
To let me taste your free-giuen food, in peace:
Through greatest griefe, the belly must haue ease.
Worse then an enuious belly, nothing is.
It will command his strict Necessities,
Of men most grieu'd in body or in mind,
That are in health, and will not giue their kind,
A desperate wound. When most with cause I grieue,
It bids me still, Eate man, and drinke, and liue;
And this makes all forgot. What euer ill
I euer beare; it euer bids me fill.
105
Till what the mind likes, be as well embrac't;
And therefore let me wish you would partake
In your late purpose; when the Morne shall make
Her next appearance; daigne me but the grace,
(Vnhappie man) that I may once embrace
My country earth: though I be still thrust at,
By ancient ils; yet make me but see that;
And then let life go. When (withall) I see
My high-rooft large house, lands and family.
This, all approu'd; and each, willd euery one;
Since he hath said so fairly; set him gone.
Since he hath said so fairly; set him gone.
Feast past, and sacrifice; to sleepe, all vow
Their eies at eithers house. Vlysses now,
Was left here with Alcinous, and his Queene,
The all-lou'd Arete. The handmaids then
The vessell of the Banquet, tooke away.
When Arete set eye on his array;
Knew both his out, and vnderweed, which she
Made with her maids; and musde by what meanes he
Obtaind their wearing: which she made request
To know; and wings gaue to these speeches: Guest!
First let me aske, what, and from whence you are?
And then, who grac't you with the weeds you weare?
Said you not lately, you had err'd at seas?
And thence arriu'd here? Laertides
To this, thus answerd: Tis a paine (O Queene)
Still to be opening wounds wrought deepe and greene;
Of which, the Gods haue opened store in me;
Yet your will must be seru'd: Farre hence, at sea,
There lies an Ile, that beares Ogygias name;
Where Atlas daughter, the ingenious Dame,
Faire-haird Calypso liues: a Goddesse graue,
And with whom, men, nor Gods, societie haue.
Yet I (past man vnhappie) liu'd alone,
By heau'ns wrath forc't) her house companion.
For Ioue had with a feruent lightning cleft
My ship in twaine; and farre at blacke sea left
Me and my souldiers; all whose liues I lost.
I, in mine armes the keele tooke, and was tost
Nine dayes together vp from waue to waue.
The tenth grim Night, the angry Deities draue
Me and my wracke, on th' Ile, in which doth dwell
Dreadfull Calypso; who exactly well
Receiu'd and nourisht me; and promise made,
To make me deathlesse: nor should Age inuade
My powres with his deserts, through all my dayes.
All mou'd not me; and therefore, on her stayes,
Seuen yeares she made me lie: and there spent I
The long time; steeping in the miserie
Of ceaslesse teares, the Garments I did weare
From her faire hand. The eight reuolued yeare,
(Or by her chang'd mind; or by charge of Ioue)
She gaue prouokt way to my wisht remoue;
And in a many-ioynted ship, with wine,
(Daintie in sauour) bread, and weeds diuine;
Sign'd with a harmlesse and sweet wind, my passe.
Then, seuenteene dayes at sea, I homeward was;
And by the eighteenth, the darke hils appeard,
That your Earth thrusts vp. Much my heart was cheard;
(Vnhappie man) for that was but a beame;
To shew I yet, had agonies extreame,
To put in sufferance: which th' Earth-shaker sent;
Crossing my way, with tempests violent;
Vnmeasur'd seas vp-lifting: nor would giue
The billowes leaue, to let my vessell liue
The least time quiet: that euen sigh'd to beare
Their bitter outrage: which, at last, did teare
Her sides in peeces, set on by the winds.
I yet, through-swomme the waues, that your shore binds,
Till wind and water threw me vp to it;
When, coming forth, a ruthlesse billow smit
Against huge rocks, and an acceslesse shore
My mangl'd body. Backe againe I bore,
And swom till I was falne vpon a flood,
Whose shores, me thought, on good aduantage stood,
For my receit: rock-free, and fenc't from wind.
And this I put for, gathering vp my mind.
Then the diuine Night came; and tredding Earth,
Close by the flood, that had from Ioue her birth.
Within a thicket I reposde; when round
I ruffld vp falne leaues in heape; and found
(Let fall from heauen) a sleepe interminate.
And here, my heart (long time excruciate)
Amongst the leaues I rested all that night;
Euen till the morning and meridian light.
The Sunne declining then; delightsome sleepe,
No longer laid my temples in his steepe;
But forth I went, and on the shore might see
Your daughters maids play. Like a Deitie
She shin'd aboue them; and I praid to her:
And she, in disposition did prefer
Noblesse, and wisedome, no more low then might
Become the goodnesse of a Goddesse height.
Nor would you therefore hope (supposde distrest
As I was then, and old) to find the least
Of any Grace from her; being yonger farre.
With yong folkes, Wisedome makes her commerce rare.
Yet she in all abundance did bestow,
Both wine (that makes the blood in humanes grow)
And food; and bath'd me in the flood; and gaue
The weeds to me, which now ye see me haue.
This, through my griefes I tell you; and tis true.
Their eies at eithers house. Vlysses now,
Was left here with Alcinous, and his Queene,
The all-lou'd Arete. The handmaids then
The vessell of the Banquet, tooke away.
When Arete set eye on his array;
Knew both his out, and vnderweed, which she
Made with her maids; and musde by what meanes he
Obtaind their wearing: which she made request
To know; and wings gaue to these speeches: Guest!
First let me aske, what, and from whence you are?
And then, who grac't you with the weeds you weare?
Said you not lately, you had err'd at seas?
And thence arriu'd here? Laertides
To this, thus answerd: Tis a paine (O Queene)
Still to be opening wounds wrought deepe and greene;
Of which, the Gods haue opened store in me;
Yet your will must be seru'd: Farre hence, at sea,
There lies an Ile, that beares Ogygias name;
Where Atlas daughter, the ingenious Dame,
Faire-haird Calypso liues: a Goddesse graue,
And with whom, men, nor Gods, societie haue.
Yet I (past man vnhappie) liu'd alone,
By heau'ns wrath forc't) her house companion.
For Ioue had with a feruent lightning cleft
My ship in twaine; and farre at blacke sea left
Me and my souldiers; all whose liues I lost.
I, in mine armes the keele tooke, and was tost
Nine dayes together vp from waue to waue.
The tenth grim Night, the angry Deities draue
Me and my wracke, on th' Ile, in which doth dwell
Dreadfull Calypso; who exactly well
Receiu'd and nourisht me; and promise made,
To make me deathlesse: nor should Age inuade
My powres with his deserts, through all my dayes.
All mou'd not me; and therefore, on her stayes,
106
The long time; steeping in the miserie
Of ceaslesse teares, the Garments I did weare
From her faire hand. The eight reuolued yeare,
(Or by her chang'd mind; or by charge of Ioue)
She gaue prouokt way to my wisht remoue;
And in a many-ioynted ship, with wine,
(Daintie in sauour) bread, and weeds diuine;
Sign'd with a harmlesse and sweet wind, my passe.
Then, seuenteene dayes at sea, I homeward was;
And by the eighteenth, the darke hils appeard,
That your Earth thrusts vp. Much my heart was cheard;
(Vnhappie man) for that was but a beame;
To shew I yet, had agonies extreame,
To put in sufferance: which th' Earth-shaker sent;
Crossing my way, with tempests violent;
Vnmeasur'd seas vp-lifting: nor would giue
The billowes leaue, to let my vessell liue
The least time quiet: that euen sigh'd to beare
Their bitter outrage: which, at last, did teare
Her sides in peeces, set on by the winds.
I yet, through-swomme the waues, that your shore binds,
Till wind and water threw me vp to it;
When, coming forth, a ruthlesse billow smit
Against huge rocks, and an acceslesse shore
My mangl'd body. Backe againe I bore,
And swom till I was falne vpon a flood,
Whose shores, me thought, on good aduantage stood,
For my receit: rock-free, and fenc't from wind.
And this I put for, gathering vp my mind.
Then the diuine Night came; and tredding Earth,
Close by the flood, that had from Ioue her birth.
Within a thicket I reposde; when round
I ruffld vp falne leaues in heape; and found
(Let fall from heauen) a sleepe interminate.
And here, my heart (long time excruciate)
Amongst the leaues I rested all that night;
Euen till the morning and meridian light.
The Sunne declining then; delightsome sleepe,
No longer laid my temples in his steepe;
But forth I went, and on the shore might see
Your daughters maids play. Like a Deitie
She shin'd aboue them; and I praid to her:
And she, in disposition did prefer
Noblesse, and wisedome, no more low then might
Become the goodnesse of a Goddesse height.
Nor would you therefore hope (supposde distrest
As I was then, and old) to find the least
107
With yong folkes, Wisedome makes her commerce rare.
Yet she in all abundance did bestow,
Both wine (that makes the blood in humanes grow)
And food; and bath'd me in the flood; and gaue
The weeds to me, which now ye see me haue.
This, through my griefes I tell you; and tis true.
Alcinous answerd: Guest! my daughter knew
Least of what most you giue her; nor became
The course she tooke, to let, with euery Dame,
Your person lackey; nor hath with them brought
Your selfe home to; which first you had besought.
Least of what most you giue her; nor became
The course she tooke, to let, with euery Dame,
Your person lackey; nor hath with them brought
Your selfe home to; which first you had besought.
O blame her not (said he) Heroicall Lord;
Nor let me heare, against her worth, a word.
She faultlesse is; and wisht I would haue gone
With all her women home: but I alone
Would venture my receit here; hauing feare
And reuerend aw of accidents that were
Of likely issue: both your wrath to moue,
And to inflame the common peoples loue,
Of speaking ill: to which they soone giue place;
We men are all a most suspicious race.
Nor let me heare, against her worth, a word.
She faultlesse is; and wisht I would haue gone
With all her women home: but I alone
Would venture my receit here; hauing feare
And reuerend aw of accidents that were
Of likely issue: both your wrath to moue,
And to inflame the common peoples loue,
Of speaking ill: to which they soone giue place;
We men are all a most suspicious race.
My guest (said he) I vse not to be stird
To wrath too rashly; and where are preferd
To mens conceits, things that may both waies faile;
The noblest euer should the most preuaile.
Would Ioue our Father, Pallas, and the Sunne,
That (were you still as now, and could but runne
One Fate with me) you would my daughter wed,
And be my son-in-law; still vowd to leade
Your rest of life here. I, a house would giue,
And houshold goods; so freely you would liue,
Confin'd with vs: but gainst you will, shall none
Containe you here; since that were violence done
To Ioue our Father. For your passage home,
That you may well know, we can ouercome
So great a voyage; thus it shall succeed:
To morrow shall our men take all their heed
(While you securely sleepe) to see the seas
In calmest temper; and (if that will please)
Shew you your Country and your house ere night;
Though farre beyond Eubœa be that fight.
And this Eubœa (as our subiects say,
That haue bin there, and seene) is farre away
Farthest from vs, of all the parts they know.
And made the triall, when they helpt to row
The gold-lockt Rhadamanth; to giue him view
Of Earth-borne Tityus: whom their speeds did shew
(In that far-off Eubœa) the same day
They set from hence; and home made good their way,
With ease againe, and him they did conuay.
Which, I report to you, to let you see
How swift my ships are; and how matchlesly
My yong Phæacians, with their oares preuaile,
To beate the sea through, and assist a saile.
To wrath too rashly; and where are preferd
To mens conceits, things that may both waies faile;
The noblest euer should the most preuaile.
Would Ioue our Father, Pallas, and the Sunne,
That (were you still as now, and could but runne
One Fate with me) you would my daughter wed,
And be my son-in-law; still vowd to leade
Your rest of life here. I, a house would giue,
And houshold goods; so freely you would liue,
Confin'd with vs: but gainst you will, shall none
Containe you here; since that were violence done
To Ioue our Father. For your passage home,
That you may well know, we can ouercome
So great a voyage; thus it shall succeed:
To morrow shall our men take all their heed
(While you securely sleepe) to see the seas
In calmest temper; and (if that will please)
Shew you your Country and your house ere night;
Though farre beyond Eubœa be that fight.
And this Eubœa (as our subiects say,
That haue bin there, and seene) is farre away
Farthest from vs, of all the parts they know.
And made the triall, when they helpt to row
The gold-lockt Rhadamanth; to giue him view
Of Earth-borne Tityus: whom their speeds did shew
108
They set from hence; and home made good their way,
With ease againe, and him they did conuay.
Which, I report to you, to let you see
How swift my ships are; and how matchlesly
My yong Phæacians, with their oares preuaile,
To beate the sea through, and assist a saile.
This cheard Vlysses; who in priuate praid:
I would to Ioue our Father, what he said,
He could performe at all parts; he should then
Be glorified for euer; and I gaine
My naturall Country. This discourse they had;
When faire-armd Arete, her handmaids bad
A bed make in the Portico; and plie
With cloaths; the Couering Tapestrie;
The Blankets purple. Wel-napt Wastcoates too,
To weare for more warmth. What these had to do,
They torches tooke, and did. The Bed puruaid;
They mou'd Vlysses for his rest; and said:
I would to Ioue our Father, what he said,
He could performe at all parts; he should then
Be glorified for euer; and I gaine
My naturall Country. This discourse they had;
When faire-armd Arete, her handmaids bad
A bed make in the Portico; and plie
With cloaths; the Couering Tapestrie;
The Blankets purple. Wel-napt Wastcoates too,
To weare for more warmth. What these had to do,
They torches tooke, and did. The Bed puruaid;
They mou'd Vlysses for his rest; and said:
Come Guest, your Bed is fit; now frame to rest.
Motion of sleepe, was gracious to their Guest;
Which now he tooke profoundly; being laid
Within a loop-hole Towre, where was conuaid
The sounding Portico. The King tooke rest
In a retir'd part of the house; where drest
The Queene her selfe, a Bed, and Trundlebed;
And by her Lord, reposde her reuerend head.
Motion of sleepe, was gracious to their Guest;
Which now he tooke profoundly; being laid
Within a loop-hole Towre, where was conuaid
The sounding Portico. The King tooke rest
In a retir'd part of the house; where drest
The Queene her selfe, a Bed, and Trundlebed;
And by her Lord, reposde her reuerend head.
Finis libri septimi Hom. Odyss.
109
THE EIGHTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
The Peeres of the Phæacian State,A Councell call, to consolate
Vlysses, with all meanes for Home.
The Councell to a Banquet come.
Inuited by the king: which done;
Assaies for hurling of the stone,
The Youths make with the stranger king.
Demodecus, at feast, doth sing
Th' Adulterie of the God of Armes
With her that rules, in Amorous charmes.
And after, sings the entercourse
Of Acts about th' Epæan Horse.
Another.
The Councels frame,At fleete applied;
In strifes of Game,
Vlysses tried.
Now when the Rosie-fingerd morne arose;
The sacred powre Alcinous did dispose
Did likewise rise; and like him, left his Ease,
The Cittie-racer Laertiades.
The Councell at the Nauie was design'd;
To which Alcinous, with the sacred mind,
Came first of all. On polisht stones they sate
Neare to the Nauie. To increase the state,
Minerua tooke the heralds forme on her
That seru'd Alcinous; studious to prefer
Vlysses Suite for home. About the towne
She made quicke way; and fild with the renowne
Of that designe, the eares of euery man:
Proclaiming thus; Peers Phæacensian!
And men of Councell: all haste to the Court;
To heare the stranger that made late resort
To king Alcinous: long time lost at Sea;
And is in person, like a Deitie.
The sacred powre Alcinous did dispose
Did likewise rise; and like him, left his Ease,
The Cittie-racer Laertiades.
The Councell at the Nauie was design'd;
To which Alcinous, with the sacred mind,
Came first of all. On polisht stones they sate
Neare to the Nauie. To increase the state,
Minerua tooke the heralds forme on her
That seru'd Alcinous; studious to prefer
Vlysses Suite for home. About the towne
She made quicke way; and fild with the renowne
Of that designe, the eares of euery man:
Proclaiming thus; Peers Phæacensian!
And men of Councell: all haste to the Court;
To heare the stranger that made late resort
To king Alcinous: long time lost at Sea;
And is in person, like a Deitie.
This, all their powres set vp; and spirit instild;
And straight the Court and seas, with men were fild.
The whole State wonderd at Laertes Son
When they beheld him. Pallas put him on
A supernaturall, and heauenly dresse;
Enlarg'd him with a height, and goodlinesse
In breast, and shoulders; that he might appeare
Gracious, and graue, and reuerend; and beare
A perfect hand on his performance there,
In all the trials they resolu'd t'impose.
And straight the Court and seas, with men were fild.
The whole State wonderd at Laertes Son
When they beheld him. Pallas put him on
110
Enlarg'd him with a height, and goodlinesse
In breast, and shoulders; that he might appeare
Gracious, and graue, and reuerend; and beare
A perfect hand on his performance there,
In all the trials they resolu'd t'impose.
All met; and gatherd in attention close;
Alcinous thus bespake them: Dukes, and Lords;
Heare me digest, my hearty thoughts in words:
This Stranger here whose trauels found my Court;
I know not; nor can tell if his resort
From East or West comes: But his suite is this;
That to his Countrey earth we would dismis
His hither-forced person; and doth beare
The minde to passe it vnder euery Peere:
Whom I prepare, and stirre vp; making knowne
My free desire of his deduction.
Nor shall there euer, any other man
That tries the goodnesse Phæacensian,
In me, and my Courts entertainement; stay
Mourning for passage, vnder least delay.
Come then; A ship into the sacred seas,
New-built, now lanch we; and from out our prease;
Chuse two and fiftie Youths; of all, the best
To vse an oare. All which, see straight imprest;
And in their Oare-bound seates. Let others hie
Home to our Court; commanding instantly
The solemne preparation of a feast;
In which, prouision may for any guest
Be made at my charge. Charge of these low things,
I giue our Youth. You Scepter-bearing kings,
Consort me home; and helpe with grace to vse
This guest of ours: no one man shall refuse.
Alcinous thus bespake them: Dukes, and Lords;
Heare me digest, my hearty thoughts in words:
This Stranger here whose trauels found my Court;
I know not; nor can tell if his resort
From East or West comes: But his suite is this;
That to his Countrey earth we would dismis
His hither-forced person; and doth beare
The minde to passe it vnder euery Peere:
Whom I prepare, and stirre vp; making knowne
My free desire of his deduction.
Nor shall there euer, any other man
That tries the goodnesse Phæacensian,
In me, and my Courts entertainement; stay
Mourning for passage, vnder least delay.
Come then; A ship into the sacred seas,
New-built, now lanch we; and from out our prease;
Chuse two and fiftie Youths; of all, the best
To vse an oare. All which, see straight imprest;
And in their Oare-bound seates. Let others hie
Home to our Court; commanding instantly
The solemne preparation of a feast;
In which, prouision may for any guest
Be made at my charge. Charge of these low things,
I giue our Youth. You Scepter-bearing kings,
Consort me home; and helpe with grace to vse
This guest of ours: no one man shall refuse.
Some other of you, haste, and call to vs
The sacred singer, graue Demodocus;
To whom hath God giuen, song that can excite
The heart of whom he listeth with delight.
This said, he led. The Scepter-bearers lent
Their free attendance; and with all speede, went
The herald for the sacred man in song.
Youths two and fiftie; chosen from the throng
Went, as was willd, to the vntam'd seas-shore;
Where come; they lancht the ship: the Mast it bore
Aduanc't, sailes hoised; euery seate, his Ore
Gaue with a lether thong: the deepe moist then
They further reacht. The drie streets flowd with men;
That troup't vp to the kings capacious Court.
Whose Porticos, were chok't with the resort:
Whose wals were hung with men: yong, old, thrust there,
In mighty concourse; for whose promist cheere
Alcinous slue twelue Sheepe; eight white-toothd Swine:
Two crook-hancht Beeues; which flead, and drest, diuine
The show was of so many a iocund Guest
All set together, at so set a feast.
To whose accomplisht state, the Herald then
The louely Singer led; Who past all mean
The Muse affected; gaue him good, and ill;
His eies put out; but put in soule at will.
His place was giuen him, in a chaire, all grac't
With siluer studs, and gainst a Pillar plac't;
Where, as the Center to the State, he rests;
And round about, the circle of the Guests.
The Herald, on a Pinne, aboue his head
His soundfull harpe hung: to whose height, he led
His hand for taking of it downe at will.
A Boord set by, with food; and forth did fill
A Bowle of wine, to drinke at his desire.
The rest then, fell to feast; and when the fire
Of appetite was quencht: the Muse inflam'd
The sacred Singer. Of men highliest fam'd,
He sung the glories; and a Poeme pend,
That in applause, did ample heauen ascend.
Whose subiect was, the sterne contention
Betwixt Vlysses, and Great Thetis Sonne;
As, at a banket, sacred to the Gods
In dreadfull language, they exprest their ods.
When Agamemnon, sat reioyc't in soule
To heare the Greeke Peeres iarre, in termes so foule;
For Augur Phœbus, in presage had told
The king of men, (desirous to vnfold
The wars perplexed end; and being therefore gone
In heauenly Pythia, to the Porch of stone,)
That then the end, of all griefes should begin,
Twixt Greece, and Troy; when Greece (with strife to winne
That wisht conclusion) in her kings should iarre;
And pleade, if force, or wit must end the warre.
The sacred singer, graue Demodocus;
To whom hath God giuen, song that can excite
The heart of whom he listeth with delight.
This said, he led. The Scepter-bearers lent
Their free attendance; and with all speede, went
The herald for the sacred man in song.
Youths two and fiftie; chosen from the throng
Went, as was willd, to the vntam'd seas-shore;
Where come; they lancht the ship: the Mast it bore
Aduanc't, sailes hoised; euery seate, his Ore
Gaue with a lether thong: the deepe moist then
They further reacht. The drie streets flowd with men;
That troup't vp to the kings capacious Court.
Whose Porticos, were chok't with the resort:
111
In mighty concourse; for whose promist cheere
Alcinous slue twelue Sheepe; eight white-toothd Swine:
Two crook-hancht Beeues; which flead, and drest, diuine
The show was of so many a iocund Guest
All set together, at so set a feast.
To whose accomplisht state, the Herald then
The louely Singer led; Who past all mean
The Muse affected; gaue him good, and ill;
His eies put out; but put in soule at will.
His place was giuen him, in a chaire, all grac't
With siluer studs, and gainst a Pillar plac't;
Where, as the Center to the State, he rests;
And round about, the circle of the Guests.
The Herald, on a Pinne, aboue his head
His soundfull harpe hung: to whose height, he led
His hand for taking of it downe at will.
A Boord set by, with food; and forth did fill
A Bowle of wine, to drinke at his desire.
The rest then, fell to feast; and when the fire
Of appetite was quencht: the Muse inflam'd
The sacred Singer. Of men highliest fam'd,
He sung the glories; and a Poeme pend,
That in applause, did ample heauen ascend.
Whose subiect was, the sterne contention
Betwixt Vlysses, and Great Thetis Sonne;
As, at a banket, sacred to the Gods
In dreadfull language, they exprest their ods.
When Agamemnon, sat reioyc't in soule
To heare the Greeke Peeres iarre, in termes so foule;
For Augur Phœbus, in presage had told
The king of men, (desirous to vnfold
The wars perplexed end; and being therefore gone
In heauenly Pythia, to the Porch of stone,)
That then the end, of all griefes should begin,
Twixt Greece, and Troy; when Greece (with strife to winne
That wisht conclusion) in her kings should iarre;
And pleade, if force, or wit must end the warre.
This braue contention did the Poet sing;
Expressing so the spleene of either king;
That his large purple weede, Vlysses held
Before his face, and eies; since thence distilld
Teares vncontaind; which he obscur'd, in feare
To let th' obseruing Presence, note a teare.
But when his sacred song the meere Diuine
Had giuen an end; a Goblet crownd with wine
Vlysses (drying his wet eies) did seise;
And sacrifisde to those Gods that would please
T'inspire the Poet with a song so fit
To do him honour, and renowme his wit.
His teares then staid. But when againe began
(By all the kings desires) the mouing man;
Againe Vlysses, could not chuse but yeeld
To that soft passion: which againe, withheld,
He kept so cunningly from sight; that none
(Except Alcinous himselfe, alone)
Discern'd him mou'd so much. But he sat next;
And heard him deeply sigh. Which, his pretext
Could not keepe hid from him. Yet he conceal'd
His vtterance of it; and would haue it held
From all the rest. Brake off the song, and this
Said to those Ore-affecting Peeres of his:
Expressing so the spleene of either king;
That his large purple weede, Vlysses held
Before his face, and eies; since thence distilld
Teares vncontaind; which he obscur'd, in feare
To let th' obseruing Presence, note a teare.
But when his sacred song the meere Diuine
Had giuen an end; a Goblet crownd with wine
Vlysses (drying his wet eies) did seise;
And sacrifisde to those Gods that would please
112
To do him honour, and renowme his wit.
His teares then staid. But when againe began
(By all the kings desires) the mouing man;
Againe Vlysses, could not chuse but yeeld
To that soft passion: which againe, withheld,
He kept so cunningly from sight; that none
(Except Alcinous himselfe, alone)
Discern'd him mou'd so much. But he sat next;
And heard him deeply sigh. Which, his pretext
Could not keepe hid from him. Yet he conceal'd
His vtterance of it; and would haue it held
From all the rest. Brake off the song, and this
Said to those Ore-affecting Peeres of his:
Princes, and Peeres! we now are satiate
With sacred song, that fits a feast of state:
With wine, and food. Now then, to field, and try;
In all kinds our approu'd actiuity;
That this our Guest, may giue his friends to know
In his returne: that we, as little owe
To fights, and wrestlings, leaping, speede of race,
As these our Court-rites; and commend our grace
In all, to all superiour. Foorth he led
The Peeres and people, troup't vp to their head:
Nor must Demodocus be left within;
Whose harpe, the Herald hung vpon the pinne;
His hand, in his tooke; and abroad he brought
The heauenly Poet: out, the same way wrought
That did the Princes: and what they would see
With admiration, with his companie
They wisht to honour. To the place of Game
These throng'd; and after, routs of other came,
Of all sort, infinite. Of Youths that stroue,
Many, and strong, rose to their trials loue.
Vp rose Acroneus, and Ocyalus;
Elatreus, Prymneus, and Anchyalus;
Nanteus, Eretmeus, Thoon, Proreus;
Pontaus, and the strong Amphialus,
Sonne to Tectonides, Polinius.
Vp rose to these, the great Euryalus;
In action like the homicide of warre.
Naubolides, that was for person farre
Past all the rest: but one he could not passe;
Nor any thought improue; Laodamas.
Vp Anabesinzus then arose;
And three sonnes of the Scepter state, and those;
Were Halius, and fore-praisde Laodamas;
And Clytonaus, like a God in grace.
These first the foote-game tride; and from the lists
Tooke start together. Vp the dust, in mists
They hurld about; as in their speede, they flew;
But Clytoneus, first, of all the crew
A Stiches length in any fallow field
Made good his pace; when where the Iudges yeeld
The prise, and praise, his glorious speed arriu'd.
Next, for the boistrous wrestling Game they striu'd;
At which, Euryalus, the rest outshone.
At leape, Amphialus. At the hollow stone
Elatreus exceld. At buffets, last,
Laodamas, the kings faire sonne surpast.
With sacred song, that fits a feast of state:
With wine, and food. Now then, to field, and try;
In all kinds our approu'd actiuity;
That this our Guest, may giue his friends to know
In his returne: that we, as little owe
To fights, and wrestlings, leaping, speede of race,
As these our Court-rites; and commend our grace
In all, to all superiour. Foorth he led
The Peeres and people, troup't vp to their head:
Nor must Demodocus be left within;
Whose harpe, the Herald hung vpon the pinne;
His hand, in his tooke; and abroad he brought
The heauenly Poet: out, the same way wrought
That did the Princes: and what they would see
With admiration, with his companie
They wisht to honour. To the place of Game
These throng'd; and after, routs of other came,
Of all sort, infinite. Of Youths that stroue,
Since the Phæacians were not only dwellers by sea, but studious also of sea qualities: their names seeme to vsurpe their faculties therein. All consisting of sea-faring signification, except Laodamas. As Acroneus, sūma seu extrema Navis pars. Ocyalus velox in mari. Elatreus, or Ελατηρ ελατηρος Remex. &c.
Vp rose Acroneus, and Ocyalus;
Elatreus, Prymneus, and Anchyalus;
Nanteus, Eretmeus, Thoon, Proreus;
Pontaus, and the strong Amphialus,
Sonne to Tectonides, Polinius.
Vp rose to these, the great Euryalus;
In action like the homicide of warre.
Naubolides, that was for person farre
Past all the rest: but one he could not passe;
Nor any thought improue; Laodamas.
Vp Anabesinzus then arose;
And three sonnes of the Scepter state, and those;
Were Halius, and fore-praisde Laodamas;
And Clytonaus, like a God in grace.
113
Tooke start together. Vp the dust, in mists
They hurld about; as in their speede, they flew;
But Clytoneus, first, of all the crew
A Stiches length in any fallow field
Made good his pace; when where the Iudges yeeld
The prise, and praise, his glorious speed arriu'd.
Next, for the boistrous wrestling Game they striu'd;
At which, Euryalus, the rest outshone.
At leape, Amphialus. At the hollow stone
Elatreus exceld. At buffets, last,
Laodamas, the kings faire sonne surpast.
When all had striu'd in these assaies their fill;
Laodamas said; Come friends; let's proue what skill
This Stranger hath attaind to, in our sport;
Me thinks, he must be of the actiue sort.
His calues, thighs, hands, and well-knit shoulders show,
That Nature disposition did bestow
To fit with fact their forme. Nor wants he prime.
But sowre Affliction, made a mate with Time,
Makes Time the more seene. Nor imagine I,
A worse thing to enforce debilitie,
Then is the Sea: though nature ne're so strong
Knits one together. Nor conceiue you wrong,
(Replied Euryalus) but proue his blood
With what you question. In the midst then stood
Renowm'd Laodamas, and prou'd him thus;
Laodamas said; Come friends; let's proue what skill
This Stranger hath attaind to, in our sport;
Me thinks, he must be of the actiue sort.
His calues, thighs, hands, and well-knit shoulders show,
That Nature disposition did bestow
To fit with fact their forme. Nor wants he prime.
But sowre Affliction, made a mate with Time,
Makes Time the more seene. Nor imagine I,
A worse thing to enforce debilitie,
Then is the Sea: though nature ne're so strong
Knits one together. Nor conceiue you wrong,
(Replied Euryalus) but proue his blood
With what you question. In the midst then stood
Renowm'd Laodamas, and prou'd him thus;
Come (stranger Father) and assaie with vs
Your powrs in these contentions: If your show
Be answerd with your worth, tis fit that you
Should know these conflicts: nor doth glorie stand
On any worth more, in a mans command,
Then to be strenuous, both of foote and hand:
Come then, make proofe with vs; discharge your mind
Of discontentments: for not farre behind
Comes your deduction. Ship is ready now;
And men, and all things. Why (said he) dost thou
Mocke me Laodamas! and these strifes bind
My powrs to answer? I am more inclind
To cares, then conflict. Much sustaind I haue;
And still am suffering. I come here to craue
In your assemblies, meanes to be dismist,
And pray, both Kings, and subiects to assist.
Your powrs in these contentions: If your show
Be answerd with your worth, tis fit that you
Should know these conflicts: nor doth glorie stand
On any worth more, in a mans command,
Then to be strenuous, both of foote and hand:
Come then, make proofe with vs; discharge your mind
Of discontentments: for not farre behind
Comes your deduction. Ship is ready now;
And men, and all things. Why (said he) dost thou
Mocke me Laodamas! and these strifes bind
My powrs to answer? I am more inclind
To cares, then conflict. Much sustaind I haue;
And still am suffering. I come here to craue
In your assemblies, meanes to be dismist,
And pray, both Kings, and subiects to assist.
Euryalus, an open brawle began;
And said: I take you Sir, for no such man
As fits these honord strifes. A number more
Strange men there are, that I would chuse before.
To one that loues to lie a ship-boord much;
Or is the Prince of sailours; or to such
As traffique farre and neare, and nothing minde
But freight, and passage, and a foreright winde;
Or to a victler of a ship: or men
That set vp all their powrs for rampant Gaine,
I can compare, or hold you like to be:
But, for a wrestler, or of qualitie
Fit for contentions noble; you abhor
From worth of any such competitor.
Vlysses (frowning) answerd; Stranger! farre
Thy words are from the fashions regular
Of kinde, or honour. Thou art in thy guise
Like to a man, that authors iniuries.
I see, the Gods to all men, giue not all
Manly addiction; wisedome; words that fall
(Like dice) vpon the square still. Some man takes
Ill forme from parents; but God often makes
That fault of forme vp, with obseru'd repaire
Of pleasing speech: that makes him held for faire;
That makes him speake securely: makes him shine
In an assembly, with a grace diuine.
Men take delight, to see how euenly lie
His words asteepe, in honey modestie.
Another then, hath fashion like a God;
But in his language, he is foule, and broad:
And such art thou. A person faire is giuen;
But nothing else is in thee, sent from heauen.
For in thee lurkes, a base, and earthy soule
And t'hast compelld me, with a speech most foule
To be thus bitter. I am not vnseene
In these faire strifes, as thy words ouerweene:
But in the first ranke of the best I stand.
At least, I did, when youth and strength of hand
Made me thus confident: but now am worne
With woes, and labours; as a humane borne
To beare all anguish. Sufferd much I haue.
The warre of men, and the inhumane waue
Haue I driuen through at all parts: but with all
My waste in sufferance: what yet may fall
In my performance, at these strifes Ile trie;
Thy speech hath mou'd, and made my wrath runne hie.
And said: I take you Sir, for no such man
As fits these honord strifes. A number more
Strange men there are, that I would chuse before.
To one that loues to lie a ship-boord much;
114
As traffique farre and neare, and nothing minde
But freight, and passage, and a foreright winde;
Or to a victler of a ship: or men
That set vp all their powrs for rampant Gaine,
I can compare, or hold you like to be:
But, for a wrestler, or of qualitie
Fit for contentions noble; you abhor
From worth of any such competitor.
Vlysses (frowning) answerd; Stranger! farre
Thy words are from the fashions regular
Of kinde, or honour. Thou art in thy guise
Like to a man, that authors iniuries.
I see, the Gods to all men, giue not all
Manly addiction; wisedome; words that fall
(Like dice) vpon the square still. Some man takes
Ill forme from parents; but God often makes
That fault of forme vp, with obseru'd repaire
Of pleasing speech: that makes him held for faire;
That makes him speake securely: makes him shine
In an assembly, with a grace diuine.
Men take delight, to see how euenly lie
His words asteepe, in honey modestie.
Another then, hath fashion like a God;
But in his language, he is foule, and broad:
And such art thou. A person faire is giuen;
But nothing else is in thee, sent from heauen.
For in thee lurkes, a base, and earthy soule
And t'hast compelld me, with a speech most foule
To be thus bitter. I am not vnseene
In these faire strifes, as thy words ouerweene:
But in the first ranke of the best I stand.
At least, I did, when youth and strength of hand
Made me thus confident: but now am worne
With woes, and labours; as a humane borne
To beare all anguish. Sufferd much I haue.
The warre of men, and the inhumane waue
Haue I driuen through at all parts: but with all
My waste in sufferance: what yet may fall
In my performance, at these strifes Ile trie;
Thy speech hath mou'd, and made my wrath runne hie.
This said; with robe, and all, he graspt a stone,
A little grauer then was euer throwne
By these Phæacians, in their wrestling rout;
More firme, more massie; which (turnd round about)
He hurried from him, with a hand so strong
It sung, and flew: and ouer all the throng
(That at the others markes stood) quite it went:
Yet downe fell all beneath it; fearing spent
The force that draue it flying from his hand,
As it a dart were, or a walking wand.
And, farre past all the markes of all the rest
His wing stole way. When Pallas straight imprest
A marke at fall of it; resembling then
One of the nauy-giuen Phæacian men;
And thus aduanc't Vlysses: One, (though blinde)
(O stranger!) groping, may thy stones fall finde;
For not amidst the rout of markes it fell,
But farre before all. Of thy worth, thinke well;
And stand in all strifes: no Phæacian here,
This bound, can either better or come nere.
Vlysses ioyd, to heare that one man yet
Vsde him benignly; and would Truth abet
In those contentions. And then, thus smooth
He tooke his speech downe: Reach me that now Youth,
You shall (and straight I thinke) haue one such more;
And one beyond it too. And now, whose Core
Stands sound, and great within him (since ye haue
Thus put my splene vp) come againe and braue
The Guest ye tempted, with such grosse disgrace:
At wrestling, buffets, whirlbat, speed of race.
At all, or either, I except at none,
But vrge the whole State of you; onely one
I will not challenge, in my forced boast,
And that's Laodamas; for hee's mine Host.
And who will fight, or wrangle with his friend?
Vnwise he is, and base, that will contend
With him that feedes him, in a forreigne place;
And takes all edge off, from his owne sought grace.
None else except I here; nor none despise;
But wish to know, and proue his faculties,
That dares appeare now. No strife ye can name
Am I vnskilld in; (reckon any game
Of all that are, as many as there are
In vse with men) for Archerie I dare
Affirme my selfe not meane. Of all a troupe
Ile make the first foe with mine arrow stoupe;
Though, with me ne're so many fellowes bend
Their bowes at markt men, and affect their end;
Onely was Philoctetes with his bow
Still my superiour; when we Greekes would show
Our Archerie against our foes of Troy:
But all that now by bread, fraile life enioy,
I farre hold my inferiours. Men of old
None now aliue, shall witnesse me so bold
To vant equality with such men as these;
Occhalian, Euritus, Hercules;
Who with their bowes, durst with the Gods contend.
And therefore caught Eurytus soone his end.
Nor did at home, in age, a reuerend man;
But by the Great incensed Delphian
Was shot to death, for daring competence
With him, in all an Archers excellence.
A Speare Ile hurle as farre, as any man
Shall shoote a shaft. How at a race I can
Bestirre my feete; I onely yeeld to Feare,
And doubt to meete with my superiour here.
So many seas, so too much haue misusde
My lims for race; and therefore haue diffusde
A dissolution through my loued knees.
A little grauer then was euer throwne
By these Phæacians, in their wrestling rout;
More firme, more massie; which (turnd round about)
He hurried from him, with a hand so strong
It sung, and flew: and ouer all the throng
(That at the others markes stood) quite it went:
115
The force that draue it flying from his hand,
As it a dart were, or a walking wand.
And, farre past all the markes of all the rest
His wing stole way. When Pallas straight imprest
A marke at fall of it; resembling then
One of the nauy-giuen Phæacian men;
And thus aduanc't Vlysses: One, (though blinde)
(O stranger!) groping, may thy stones fall finde;
For not amidst the rout of markes it fell,
But farre before all. Of thy worth, thinke well;
And stand in all strifes: no Phæacian here,
This bound, can either better or come nere.
Vlysses ioyd, to heare that one man yet
Vsde him benignly; and would Truth abet
In those contentions. And then, thus smooth
He tooke his speech downe: Reach me that now Youth,
You shall (and straight I thinke) haue one such more;
And one beyond it too. And now, whose Core
Stands sound, and great within him (since ye haue
Thus put my splene vp) come againe and braue
The Guest ye tempted, with such grosse disgrace:
At wrestling, buffets, whirlbat, speed of race.
At all, or either, I except at none,
But vrge the whole State of you; onely one
I will not challenge, in my forced boast,
And that's Laodamas; for hee's mine Host.
He names Laodamas onely for all the other brothers; since in his exception, the others enuies were curbd: for brothers either are or should be of one acceptation in all fit things. And Laodamas, he calles his host, being eldest son to Alcinous: the heire being euer the yong master; nor might he conueniently prefer Alcinous in his exception, since he stood not in competition at these contentions.
And who will fight, or wrangle with his friend?
Vnwise he is, and base, that will contend
With him that feedes him, in a forreigne place;
And takes all edge off, from his owne sought grace.
None else except I here; nor none despise;
But wish to know, and proue his faculties,
That dares appeare now. No strife ye can name
Am I vnskilld in; (reckon any game
Of all that are, as many as there are
In vse with men) for Archerie I dare
Affirme my selfe not meane. Of all a troupe
Ile make the first foe with mine arrow stoupe;
Though, with me ne're so many fellowes bend
Their bowes at markt men, and affect their end;
Onely was Philoctetes with his bow
Still my superiour; when we Greekes would show
Our Archerie against our foes of Troy:
But all that now by bread, fraile life enioy,
I farre hold my inferiours. Men of old
None now aliue, shall witnesse me so bold
To vant equality with such men as these;
116
Who with their bowes, durst with the Gods contend.
And therefore caught Eurytus soone his end.
Nor did at home, in age, a reuerend man;
But by the Great incensed Delphian
Was shot to death, for daring competence
With him, in all an Archers excellence.
A Speare Ile hurle as farre, as any man
Shall shoote a shaft. How at a race I can
Bestirre my feete; I onely yeeld to Feare,
And doubt to meete with my superiour here.
So many seas, so too much haue misusde
My lims for race; and therefore haue diffusde
A dissolution through my loued knees.
This said, he stilld all talking properties;
Alcinous onely answerd: O my Guest
In good part take we, what you haue bene prest
With speech to answer. You would make appeare
Your vertues therefore, that will still shine where
Your onely looke is. Yet must this man giue
Your worth ill language; when, he does not liue
In sort of mortals (whence so ere he springs
That iudgement hath to speake becoming things)
That will depraue your vertues. Note then now
My speech, and what, my loue presents to you;
That you may tell Heroes, when you come
To banquet with your Wife, and Birth at home,
(Mindfull of our worth) what deseruings Ioue
Hath put on our parts likewise; in remoue
From Sire to Sonne, as an inherent grace
Kinde, and perpetuall. We must needs giue place
To other Countreymen; and freely yeeld
We are not blamelesse, in our fights of field;
Buffets, nor wrestlings: but in speede of feete;
And all the Equipage that fits a fleete,
We boast vs best. I or table euer spred
With neighbour feasts, for garments varied;
For Poesie, Musique, Dancing, Baths, and Beds.
And now, Phæacians, you that beare your heads
And feete with best grace, in enamouring dance;
Enflame our guest here; that he may aduance
Our worth past all the worlds, to his home friends;
As well for the vnmatcht grace, that commends
Your skills in footing of a dance; as theirs
That flie a race best. And so, all affaires,
At which we boast vs best; he best may trie;
As Sea-race, Land-race, Dance, and Poesie.
Some one, with instant speede to Court retire,
And fetch Demodocus, his soundfull lyre.
Alcinous onely answerd: O my Guest
In good part take we, what you haue bene prest
With speech to answer. You would make appeare
Your vertues therefore, that will still shine where
Your onely looke is. Yet must this man giue
Your worth ill language; when, he does not liue
In sort of mortals (whence so ere he springs
That iudgement hath to speake becoming things)
That will depraue your vertues. Note then now
My speech, and what, my loue presents to you;
That you may tell Heroes, when you come
To banquet with your Wife, and Birth at home,
(Mindfull of our worth) what deseruings Ioue
Hath put on our parts likewise; in remoue
From Sire to Sonne, as an inherent grace
Kinde, and perpetuall. We must needs giue place
To other Countreymen; and freely yeeld
We are not blamelesse, in our fights of field;
Buffets, nor wrestlings: but in speede of feete;
And all the Equipage that fits a fleete,
We boast vs best. I or table euer spred
With neighbour feasts, for garments varied;
For Poesie, Musique, Dancing, Baths, and Beds.
And now, Phæacians, you that beare your heads
And feete with best grace, in enamouring dance;
Enflame our guest here; that he may aduance
Our worth past all the worlds, to his home friends;
As well for the vnmatcht grace, that commends
Your skills in footing of a dance; as theirs
That flie a race best. And so, all affaires,
At which we boast vs best; he best may trie;
As Sea-race, Land-race, Dance, and Poesie.
Some one, with instant speede to Court retire,
117
This said, the God-grac't king, and quicke resort
Pontonous made, for that faire harpe, to Court.
Pontonous made, for that faire harpe, to Court.
Nine of the lot-chusde publique Rulers rose,
That all in those contentions did dispose;
Commanding a most smooth ground, and a wide,
And all the people, in faire game, aside.
That all in those contentions did dispose;
Commanding a most smooth ground, and a wide,
And all the people, in faire game, aside.
Then with the rich harpe, came Pontonous;
And in the midst, tooke place Demodocus.
About him then stood foorth, the choise yong men,
That on mans first youth, made fresh entrie then:
Had Art to make their naturall motion sweete
And shooke a most diuine dance from their feete;
That twinckld Star-like; mou'd as swift, and fine,
And beate the aire so thinne, they made it shine.
Vlysses wonderd at it; but amazd
He stood in minde, to heare the dance so phras'd.
For, as they danc't; Demodocus did sing,
The bright-crownd Venus loue, with Battailes king;
As first they closely mixt, in t'house of fire.
What worlds of gifts, wonne her to his desire;
Who then, the night-and-day-bed did defile
Of good king Vulcan. But in little while
The Sunne their mixture saw; and came, and told.
The bitter newes, did by his eares take hold
Of Vulcans heart. Then to his Forge he went;
And in his shrewd mind, deepe stuffe did inuent.
His mightie Anuile, in the stocke he put;
And forg'd a net, that none could loose, or cut;
That when it had them, it might hold them fast.
Which, hauing finisht, he made vtmost haste
Vp to the deare roome, where his wife he wowd:
And (madly wrath with Mars) he all bestrowd
The bed, and bed-posts: all the beame aboue
That crost the chamber; and a circle stroue,
Of his deuice, to wrap in all the roome.
And twas as pure, as of a Spiders loome,
The woofe before tis wouen. No man nor God
Could set his eie on it: a sleight so odde,
His Art shewd in it. All his craft bespent
About the bed: he faind, as if he went
To well-built Lemnos; his most loued towne,
Of all townes earthly. Nor left this vnknowne
To golden-bridle-vsing Mars; who kept
No blinde watch ouer him: but, seeing stept
His riuall so aside, he hasted home
With faire-wreath'd Venus loue stung; who was come
New from the Court of her most mightie Sire.
Mars enterd; wrung her hand; and the retire
Her husband made to Lemnos told; and said;
Now (Loue) is Vulcan gone; let vs to bed,
Hee's for the barbarous Sintians. Well appaid
Was Venus with it; and afresh assaid
Their old encounter. Downe they went; and straight
About them clingd, the artificiall sleight
Of most wise Vulcan; and were so ensnar'd,
That neither they could stirre their course prepar'd,
In any lim about them; nor arise.
And then they knew, they could no more disguise
Their close conueiance; but lay, forc't, stone still.
Backe rusht the Both foote cook't; but straight in skill,
From his neare skout-hole turnd; nor euer went
To any Lemnos; but the sure euent
Left Phœbus to discouer, who told all.
Then, home hopt Vulcan, full of griefe, and gall;
Stood in the Portall, and cried out so hie;
That all the Gods heard. Father of the skie
And euery other deathlesse God (said he)
Come all, and a ridiculous obiect see;
And yet not sufferable neither; Come,
And witnesse, how when still I step from home,
(Lame that I am) Ioues daughter doth professe
To do me all the shamefull offices;
Indignities, despites, that can be thought;
And loues this all-things-making-come to nought
Since he is faire forsooth; foote-sound, and I
Tooke in my braine a little; leg'd awrie;
And no fault mine; but all my parents fault,
Who should not get, if mocke me, with my halt.
But see how fast they sleepe, while I, in mone,
Am onely made, an idle looker on.
One bed their turne serues; and it must be mine;
I thinke yet, I haue made their selfe-loues shine.
They shall no more wrong me, and none perceiue:
Nor will they sleepe together, I beleeue
With too hote haste againe. Thus both shall lie
In craft, and force; till the extremitie
Of all the dowre, I gaue her Sire (to gaine
A dogged set-fac't Girle, that will not staine
Her face with blushing, though she shame her head)
He paies me backe: She's faire, but was no maide.
And in the midst, tooke place Demodocus.
About him then stood foorth, the choise yong men,
That on mans first youth, made fresh entrie then:
Had Art to make their naturall motion sweete
And shooke a most diuine dance from their feete;
That twinckld Star-like; mou'd as swift, and fine,
And beate the aire so thinne, they made it shine.
Vlysses wonderd at it; but amazd
He stood in minde, to heare the dance so phras'd.
For, as they danc't; Demodocus did sing,
The bright-crownd Venus loue, with Battailes king;
As first they closely mixt, in t'house of fire.
What worlds of gifts, wonne her to his desire;
Who then, the night-and-day-bed did defile
Of good king Vulcan. But in little while
The Sunne their mixture saw; and came, and told.
The bitter newes, did by his eares take hold
Of Vulcans heart. Then to his Forge he went;
And in his shrewd mind, deepe stuffe did inuent.
His mightie Anuile, in the stocke he put;
And forg'd a net, that none could loose, or cut;
That when it had them, it might hold them fast.
Which, hauing finisht, he made vtmost haste
Vp to the deare roome, where his wife he wowd:
And (madly wrath with Mars) he all bestrowd
The bed, and bed-posts: all the beame aboue
That crost the chamber; and a circle stroue,
Of his deuice, to wrap in all the roome.
And twas as pure, as of a Spiders loome,
The woofe before tis wouen. No man nor God
Could set his eie on it: a sleight so odde,
His Art shewd in it. All his craft bespent
About the bed: he faind, as if he went
To well-built Lemnos; his most loued towne,
Of all townes earthly. Nor left this vnknowne
To golden-bridle-vsing Mars; who kept
No blinde watch ouer him: but, seeing stept
His riuall so aside, he hasted home
With faire-wreath'd Venus loue stung; who was come
New from the Court of her most mightie Sire.
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Her husband made to Lemnos told; and said;
Now (Loue) is Vulcan gone; let vs to bed,
Hee's for the barbarous Sintians. Well appaid
Was Venus with it; and afresh assaid
Their old encounter. Downe they went; and straight
About them clingd, the artificiall sleight
Of most wise Vulcan; and were so ensnar'd,
That neither they could stirre their course prepar'd,
In any lim about them; nor arise.
And then they knew, they could no more disguise
Their close conueiance; but lay, forc't, stone still.
Backe rusht the Both foote cook't; but straight in skill,
From his neare skout-hole turnd; nor euer went
To any Lemnos; but the sure euent
Left Phœbus to discouer, who told all.
Then, home hopt Vulcan, full of griefe, and gall;
Stood in the Portall, and cried out so hie;
That all the Gods heard. Father of the skie
And euery other deathlesse God (said he)
Come all, and a ridiculous obiect see;
And yet not sufferable neither; Come,
And witnesse, how when still I step from home,
(Lame that I am) Ioues daughter doth professe
To do me all the shamefull offices;
Indignities, despites, that can be thought;
And loues this all-things-making-come to nought
Since he is faire forsooth; foote-sound, and I
Tooke in my braine a little; leg'd awrie;
And no fault mine; but all my parents fault,
Who should not get, if mocke me, with my halt.
But see how fast they sleepe, while I, in mone,
Am onely made, an idle looker on.
One bed their turne serues; and it must be mine;
I thinke yet, I haue made their selfe-loues shine.
They shall no more wrong me, and none perceiue:
Nor will they sleepe together, I beleeue
With too hote haste againe. Thus both shall lie
In craft, and force; till the extremitie
Of all the dowre, I gaue her Sire (to gaine
A dogged set-fac't Girle, that will not staine
Her face with blushing, though she shame her head)
He paies me backe: She's faire, but was no maide.
While this long speech was making, all were come
To Vulcans wholie-brazen-founded home.
Earth-shaking Neptune; vsefull Mercurie,
And far-shot Phœbus. No She Deitie
For shame, would show there: all the giue-good Gods
stood in the Portall; and past periods
Gaue length to laughters; all reioyc't to see
That which they said; that no impietie
Finds good successe at th' end. And now (said one)
The slow outgoes the swift. Lame Vulcan, knowne
To be the slowest of the Gods; outgoes
Mars the most swift; And this is that, which growes
To greatest iustice; that Adulteries sport
Obtain'd by craft, by craft of other sort,
(And lame craft too) is plagu'd, which grieues the more,
That sound lims turning lame; the lame, restore.
To Vulcans wholie-brazen-founded home.
Earth-shaking Neptune; vsefull Mercurie,
And far-shot Phœbus. No She Deitie
For shame, would show there: all the giue-good Gods
119
Gaue length to laughters; all reioyc't to see
That which they said; that no impietie
Finds good successe at th' end. And now (said one)
The slow outgoes the swift. Lame Vulcan, knowne
To be the slowest of the Gods; outgoes
Mars the most swift; And this is that, which growes
To greatest iustice; that Adulteries sport
Obtain'd by craft, by craft of other sort,
(And lame craft too) is plagu'd, which grieues the more,
That sound lims turning lame; the lame, restore.
This speech amongst themselues they entertaind
When Phæbus, thus askt Hermes: Thus enchaind
Would'st thou be Hermes, to be thus disclosde?
Though, with thee, golden Venus were repos'de?
When Phæbus, thus askt Hermes: Thus enchaind
Would'st thou be Hermes, to be thus disclosde?
Though, with thee, golden Venus were repos'de?
He soone gaue that an answer: O (said he
Thou king of Archers) would twere thus with me.
Though thrice so much shame; nay, though infinite
Were powrd about me; and that euery light
In great heauen shining, witnest all my harmes,
So golden Venus slumberd in mine Armes.
Thou king of Archers) would twere thus with me.
Though thrice so much shame; nay, though infinite
Were powrd about me; and that euery light
In great heauen shining, witnest all my harmes,
So golden Venus slumberd in mine Armes.
The Gods againe laught; euen the watry state
Wrung out a laughter: But propitiate
Was still for Mars, and praid the God of fire
He would dissolue him; offering the desire
He made to Ioue, to pay himselfe; and said,
All due debts, should be, by the Gods repaid.
Wrung out a laughter: But propitiate
Was still for Mars, and praid the God of fire
He would dissolue him; offering the desire
He made to Ioue, to pay himselfe; and said,
All due debts, should be, by the Gods repaid.
Pay me, no words (said he) where deeds lend paine;
Wretched the words are, giuen for wretched men.
How shall I binde you in th' Immortals sight
If Mars be once loos'd; nor will pay his right?
Wretched the words are, giuen for wretched men.
How shall I binde you in th' Immortals sight
If Mars be once loos'd; nor will pay his right?
Vulcan (said he) if Mars should flie, nor see
Thy right repaid, it should be paid by me:
Your word, so giuen, I must accept (said he)
Which said; he loosd them: Mars then rusht from skie
And stoop't cold Thrace. The laughing Deity
For Cyprus was, and tooke her Paphian state
Where, She a Groue, ne're cut, hath consecrate:
All with Arabian odors fum'd; and hath
An Altar there, at which the Graces bathe,
And with immortall Balms besmooth her skin;
Fit for the blisse, Immortals solace in;
Deckt her in to-be-studied attire,
And apt to set beholders hearts on fire.
Thy right repaid, it should be paid by me:
Your word, so giuen, I must accept (said he)
Which said; he loosd them: Mars then rusht from skie
And stoop't cold Thrace. The laughing Deity
For Cyprus was, and tooke her Paphian state
Where, She a Groue, ne're cut, hath consecrate:
All with Arabian odors fum'd; and hath
An Altar there, at which the Graces bathe,
And with immortall Balms besmooth her skin;
Fit for the blisse, Immortals solace in;
Deckt her in to-be-studied attire,
And apt to set beholders hearts on fire.
This sung the sacred Muse, whose notes and words
The dancers feete kept; as his hands his cords.
Vlysses, much was pleased, and all the crew:
The dancers feete kept; as his hands his cords.
Vlysses, much was pleased, and all the crew:
This would the king haue varied with a new
And pleasing measure; and performed by
Two, with whom none would striue in dancerie.
And those, his sonnes were; that must therefore dance
Alone; and onely to the harp aduance,
Without the words; And this sweete couple, was
Yong Halius, and diuine Laodamas:
Who danc't a Ball dance. Then the rich-wrought Ball,
(That Polybus had made, of purple all)
They tooke to hand: one threw it to the skie,
And then danc't backe; the other (capring hie)
Would surely catch it, ere his foote toucht ground;
And vp againe advanc't it; and so found
The other, cause of dance; and then did he
Dance lofty trickes; till next it came to be
His turne to catch; and serue the other still.
When they had kept it vp to eithers will;
They then danc't ground tricks; oft mixt hand in hand;
And did so gracefully their change command;
That all the other Youth that stood at pause,
With deafning shouts, gaue them the great applause.
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Two, with whom none would striue in dancerie.
And those, his sonnes were; that must therefore dance
Alone; and onely to the harp aduance,
Without the words; And this sweete couple, was
Yong Halius, and diuine Laodamas:
Who danc't a Ball dance. Then the rich-wrought Ball,
(That Polybus had made, of purple all)
They tooke to hand: one threw it to the skie,
And then danc't backe; the other (capring hie)
Would surely catch it, ere his foote toucht ground;
And vp againe advanc't it; and so found
The other, cause of dance; and then did he
Dance lofty trickes; till next it came to be
His turne to catch; and serue the other still.
When they had kept it vp to eithers will;
They then danc't ground tricks; oft mixt hand in hand;
And did so gracefully their change command;
That all the other Youth that stood at pause,
With deafning shouts, gaue them the great applause.
Then said Vlysses; O past all men here
Cleare, not in powre, but in desert as clere,
You said your dancers, did the world surpasse;
And they performe it, cleare, and to amaze.
Cleare, not in powre, but in desert as clere,
You said your dancers, did the world surpasse;
And they performe it, cleare, and to amaze.
This wonne Alcinous heart; and equall prise
He gaue Vlysses; saying; Matchlesse wise
(Princes, and Rulers) I perceiue our guest;
And therefore let our hospitable best
In fitting gifts be giuen him: twelue chiefe kings
There are that order all the glorious things
Of this our kingdome; and the thirteenth, I
Exist, as Crowne to all: let instantly
Be thirteene garments giuen him: and, of gold
Precious, and fine, a Talent. While we hold
This our assembly; be all fetcht, and giuen;
That to our feast prepar'd, as to his heauen
One guest may enter. And that nothing be
Left vnperformd, that fits his dignity;
Euryalus shall here conciliate
Himselfe, with words and gifts; since past our rate
He gaue bad language. This did all commend
And giue in charge; and euery king did send
His Herald for his gift. Euryalus
(Answering for his part) said; Alcinous!
Our chiefe of all; since you command, I will
To this our guest, by all meanes reconcile;
And giue him this entirely mettald sword:
The handle massie siluer; and the bord
That giues it couer, all of Ivorie,
New, and in all kinds, worth his qualitie.
He gaue Vlysses; saying; Matchlesse wise
(Princes, and Rulers) I perceiue our guest;
And therefore let our hospitable best
In fitting gifts be giuen him: twelue chiefe kings
There are that order all the glorious things
Of this our kingdome; and the thirteenth, I
Exist, as Crowne to all: let instantly
Be thirteene garments giuen him: and, of gold
Precious, and fine, a Talent. While we hold
This our assembly; be all fetcht, and giuen;
That to our feast prepar'd, as to his heauen
One guest may enter. And that nothing be
Left vnperformd, that fits his dignity;
Euryalus shall here conciliate
Himselfe, with words and gifts; since past our rate
He gaue bad language. This did all commend
And giue in charge; and euery king did send
His Herald for his gift. Euryalus
(Answering for his part) said; Alcinous!
Our chiefe of all; since you command, I will
To this our guest, by all meanes reconcile;
And giue him this entirely mettald sword:
The handle massie siluer; and the bord
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New, and in all kinds, worth his qualitie.
This put he strait into his hand, and said:
Frolicke, O Guest and Father; if words, fled,
Haue bene offensiue; let swift whirlwinds take,
And rauish them from thought. May all Gods make
Thy wifes sight good to thee; in quicke retreate
To all thy friends, and best-lou'd breeding seate;
Their long misse quitting with the greater ioy;
In whose sweet, vanish all thy worst annoy.
Frolicke, O Guest and Father; if words, fled,
Haue bene offensiue; let swift whirlwinds take,
And rauish them from thought. May all Gods make
Thy wifes sight good to thee; in quicke retreate
To all thy friends, and best-lou'd breeding seate;
Their long misse quitting with the greater ioy;
In whose sweet, vanish all thy worst annoy.
And frolicke thou, to all height, Friend (said he)
Which heauen confirme, with wisht felicitie.
Nor euer giue againe desire to thee,
Of this swords vse, which with affects so free,
In my reclaime, thou hast bestowd on me.
Which heauen confirme, with wisht felicitie.
Nor euer giue againe desire to thee,
Of this swords vse, which with affects so free,
In my reclaime, thou hast bestowd on me.
This said; athwart his shoulders he put on
The right faire sword; and then did set the Sunne.
When all the gifts were brought; which backe againe
(With King Alcinous, in all the traine)
Were by the honourd Heralds borne to Court;
Which his faire sonnes tooke; and from the resort
Laid by their reuerend Mother. Each his throne
Of all the Peeres (which yet were ouershone
In King Alcinous command) ascended:
Whom he, to passe as much in gifts contended;
And to his Queene, said: Wife! see brought me here
The fairest Cabinet I haue; and there
Impose a well-cleansd, in, and vtter weed;
A Caldron heate with water, that with speed
Our Guest well bath'd, and all his gifts made sure,
It may a ioyfull appetite procure
To his succeeding Feast; and make him heare
The Poets Hymne, with the securer eare.
To all which, I will adde my boll of gold,
In all frame curious, to make him hold
My memory alwaies deare; and sacrifise
With it at home, to all the Deities.
The right faire sword; and then did set the Sunne.
When all the gifts were brought; which backe againe
(With King Alcinous, in all the traine)
Were by the honourd Heralds borne to Court;
Which his faire sonnes tooke; and from the resort
Laid by their reuerend Mother. Each his throne
Of all the Peeres (which yet were ouershone
In King Alcinous command) ascended:
Whom he, to passe as much in gifts contended;
And to his Queene, said: Wife! see brought me here
The fairest Cabinet I haue; and there
Impose a well-cleansd, in, and vtter weed;
A Caldron heate with water, that with speed
Our Guest well bath'd, and all his gifts made sure,
It may a ioyfull appetite procure
To his succeeding Feast; and make him heare
The Poets Hymne, with the securer eare.
To all which, I will adde my boll of gold,
In all frame curious, to make him hold
My memory alwaies deare; and sacrifise
With it at home, to all the Deities.
Then Arete, her maids charg'd to set on
A well-siz'd Caldron quickly. Which was done;
Cleare water powr'd in, flame made so entire,
It gilt the brasse, and made the water fire.
In meane space, from her chamber brought the Queene
A wealthy Cabinet, where (pure and cleane)
She put the garments, and the gold bestowd
By that free State: and then, the other vowd
By her Alcinous, and said: Now Guest
Make close and fast your gifts, lest when you rest
A ship-boord sweetly, in your way you meet
Some losse, that lesse may make your next sleepe sweet.
A well-siz'd Caldron quickly. Which was done;
Cleare water powr'd in, flame made so entire,
It gilt the brasse, and made the water fire.
In meane space, from her chamber brought the Queene
A wealthy Cabinet, where (pure and cleane)
She put the garments, and the gold bestowd
By that free State: and then, the other vowd
By her Alcinous, and said: Now Guest
Make close and fast your gifts, lest when you rest
A ship-boord sweetly, in your way you meet
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This when Vlysses heard; all sure he made;
Enclosde and bound safe; for the sauing trade,
The Reuerend for her wisedome (Circe) had
In foreyeares taught him. Then the handmaid bad
His worth to bathing; which reioyc't his heart.
For since he did with his Calypso part,
He had no hote baths. None had fauourd him;
Nor bin so tender of his kingly lim.
But all the time he spent in her abode,
He liu'd respected, as he were a God.
Enclosde and bound safe; for the sauing trade,
The Reuerend for her wisedome (Circe) had
In foreyeares taught him. Then the handmaid bad
His worth to bathing; which reioyc't his heart.
For since he did with his Calypso part,
He had no hote baths. None had fauourd him;
Nor bin so tender of his kingly lim.
But all the time he spent in her abode,
He liu'd respected, as he were a God.
Cleansd then and balmd; faire shirt, and robe put on;
Fresh come from bath, and to the Feasters gone;
Nausicaa, that from the Gods hands tooke
The soueraigne beautie of her blessed looke,
Stood by a well-caru'd Columne of the roome,
And through her eye, her heart was ouercome
With admiration of the Port imprest
In his aspect; and said: God saue you Guest!
Be chearfull, as in all the future state,
Your home will shew you, in your better Fate.
But yet, euen then, let this rememberd be,
Your lifes price, I lent, and you owe it me.
Fresh come from bath, and to the Feasters gone;
Nausicaa, that from the Gods hands tooke
The soueraigne beautie of her blessed looke,
Stood by a well-caru'd Columne of the roome,
And through her eye, her heart was ouercome
With admiration of the Port imprest
In his aspect; and said: God saue you Guest!
Be chearfull, as in all the future state,
Your home will shew you, in your better Fate.
But yet, euen then, let this rememberd be,
Your lifes price, I lent, and you owe it me.
The varied in all counsels gaue reply:
Nausicaa! flowre of all this Empery!
So Iunos husband, that the strife for noise
Makes in the clouds, blesse me with strife of Ioyes,
In the desir'd day, that my house shall show,
As I, as I to a Goddesse, there shall vow,
To thy faire hand, that did my Being giue;
Which Ile acknowledge euery houre I liue.
Nausicaa! flowre of all this Empery!
So Iunos husband, that the strife for noise
Makes in the clouds, blesse me with strife of Ioyes,
In the desir'd day, that my house shall show,
As I, as I to a Goddesse, there shall vow,
To thy faire hand, that did my Being giue;
Which Ile acknowledge euery houre I liue.
This said; Alcinous plac't him by his side;
Then tooke they feast, and did in parts diuide
The seuerall dishes; filld out wine, and then
The striu'd-for, for his worth, of worthy men,
And reuerenc't of the State; Demodocus
Was brought in by the good Pontonous.
In midst of all the guests, they gaue him place,
Against a loftie Pillar; when, this grace
The grac't with wisedome did him. From the Chine
That stood before him of a white-tooth'd Swine,
(Being farre the daintiest ioynt) mixt through with fat,
He caru'd to him, and sent it where he sat,
By his old friend, the Herald; willing thus:
Herald! reach this to graue Demodocus;
Say, I salute him; and his worth embrace.
Poets deserue past all the humane race,
Reuerend respect and honor; since the Queene
Of knowledge, and the supreme worth in men
(The Muse) informes them; and loues all their race.
Then tooke they feast, and did in parts diuide
The seuerall dishes; filld out wine, and then
The striu'd-for, for his worth, of worthy men,
And reuerenc't of the State; Demodocus
Was brought in by the good Pontonous.
In midst of all the guests, they gaue him place,
Against a loftie Pillar; when, this grace
The grac't with wisedome did him. From the Chine
That stood before him of a white-tooth'd Swine,
(Being farre the daintiest ioynt) mixt through with fat,
He caru'd to him, and sent it where he sat,
By his old friend, the Herald; willing thus:
Herald! reach this to graue Demodocus;
Say, I salute him; and his worth embrace.
Poets deserue past all the humane race,
Reuerend respect and honor; since the Queene
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(The Muse) informes them; and loues all their race.
This, reacht the Herald to him; who, the grace
Receiu'd encourag'd: which, when feast was spent,
Vlysses amplified to this ascent:
Receiu'd encourag'd: which, when feast was spent,
Vlysses amplified to this ascent:
Demodocus! I must preferre you farre,
Past all your sort; if, or the Muse of warre,
Ioues daughter prompts you; (that the Greeks respects)
Or if the Sunne, that those of Troy affects.
For I haue heard you, since my coming, sing
The Fate of Greece, to an admired string.
How much our sufferance was; how much we wrought;
How much the actions rose to, when we fought.
So liuely forming, as you had bin there;
Or to some free relator, lent your eare.
Forth then, and sing the woodden horses frame,
Built by Epeus; by the martiall Dame,
Taught the whole Fabricke; which, by force of sleight,
Vlysses brought into the Cities height;
When he had stuft it with as many men,
As leueld loftie Ilion with the Plaine.
With all which, if you can as well enchant,
As with expression quicke and elegant,
You sung the rest; I will pronounce you cleare,
Inspir'd by God, past all that euer were.
Past all your sort; if, or the Muse of warre,
Ioues daughter prompts you; (that the Greeks respects)
Or if the Sunne, that those of Troy affects.
For I haue heard you, since my coming, sing
The Fate of Greece, to an admired string.
How much our sufferance was; how much we wrought;
How much the actions rose to, when we fought.
So liuely forming, as you had bin there;
Or to some free relator, lent your eare.
Forth then, and sing the woodden horses frame,
Built by Epeus; by the martiall Dame,
Taught the whole Fabricke; which, by force of sleight,
Vlysses brought into the Cities height;
When he had stuft it with as many men,
As leueld loftie Ilion with the Plaine.
With all which, if you can as well enchant,
As with expression quicke and elegant,
You sung the rest; I will pronounce you cleare,
Inspir'd by God, past all that euer were.
This said; euen stird by God vp, he began;
And to his Song fell, past the forme of man;
Beginning where, the Greeks a ship-boord went,
And euery Chiefe, had set on fire his Tent.
When th' other Kings, in great Vlysses guide,
In Troys vast market place, the horse did hide:
From whence, the Troians, vp to Ilion drew
The dreadfull Engine. Where (sate all arew)
Their Kings about it: many counsels giuen,
How to dispose it. In three waies were driuen
Their whole distractions: first, if they should feele
The hollow woods heart, (searcht with piercing steele)
Or from the battlements (drawne higher yet)
Deiect it headlong; or, that counterfet,
So vast and nouell, set on sacred fire;
Vowd to appease each angerd Godheads ire.
On which opinion, they, thereafter, saw,
They then should haue resolu'd: th' vnalterd law
Of Fate presaging; that Troy then should end,
When th' hostile horse, she should receiue to friend;
For therein should the Grecian Kings lie hid,
To bring the Fate and death, they after did.
And to his Song fell, past the forme of man;
Beginning where, the Greeks a ship-boord went,
And euery Chiefe, had set on fire his Tent.
When th' other Kings, in great Vlysses guide,
In Troys vast market place, the horse did hide:
From whence, the Troians, vp to Ilion drew
The dreadfull Engine. Where (sate all arew)
Their Kings about it: many counsels giuen,
How to dispose it. In three waies were driuen
Their whole distractions: first, if they should feele
The hollow woods heart, (searcht with piercing steele)
Or from the battlements (drawne higher yet)
Deiect it headlong; or, that counterfet,
So vast and nouell, set on sacred fire;
Vowd to appease each angerd Godheads ire.
On which opinion, they, thereafter, saw,
They then should haue resolu'd: th' vnalterd law
Of Fate presaging; that Troy then should end,
When th' hostile horse, she should receiue to friend;
For therein should the Grecian Kings lie hid,
To bring the Fate and death, they after did.
He sung besides, the Greeks eruption
From those their hollow crafts; and horse forgone;
And how they made Depopulation tred
Beneath her feete, so high a Cities head.
In which affaire, he sung in other place,
That of that ambush, some man else did race
The Ilion Towres, then Laertiades;
But here he sung, that he alone did seise
(With Menelaus) the ascended roofe
Of Prince Deiphobus; and Mars-like proofe
Made of his valour: a most dreadfull fight,
Daring against him. And there vanquisht quite,
In litle time (by great Mineruas aid)
All Ilions remnant, and Troy leuell laid.
This the diuine Expressor, did so giue
Both act and passion, that he made it liue;
And to Vlysses facts did breathe a fire,
So deadly quickning, that it did inspire
Old death with life; and renderd life so sweet,
And passionate, that all there felt it fleet;
Which made him pitie his owne crueltie,
And put into that ruth, so pure an eie
Of humane frailtie; that to see a man
Could so reuiue from Death; yet no way can
Defend from death; his owne quicke powres it made
Feele there deaths horrors: and he felt life fade
In teares, his feeling braine swet: for in things
That moue past vtterance, teares ope all their springs.
Nor are there in the Powres, that all life beares,
More true interpreters of all, then teares.
124
And how they made Depopulation tred
Beneath her feete, so high a Cities head.
In which affaire, he sung in other place,
That of that ambush, some man else did race
The Ilion Towres, then Laertiades;
But here he sung, that he alone did seise
(With Menelaus) the ascended roofe
Of Prince Deiphobus; and Mars-like proofe
Made of his valour: a most dreadfull fight,
Daring against him. And there vanquisht quite,
In litle time (by great Mineruas aid)
All Ilions remnant, and Troy leuell laid.
This the diuine Expressor, did so giue
Both act and passion, that he made it liue;
And to Vlysses facts did breathe a fire,
So deadly quickning, that it did inspire
Old death with life; and renderd life so sweet,
And passionate, that all there felt it fleet;
Which made him pitie his owne crueltie,
And put into that ruth, so pure an eie
Of humane frailtie; that to see a man
Could so reuiue from Death; yet no way can
Defend from death; his owne quicke powres it made
Feele there deaths horrors: and he felt life fade
In teares, his feeling braine swet: for in things
That moue past vtterance, teares ope all their springs.
Nor are there in the Powres, that all life beares,
More true interpreters of all, then teares.
And as a Ladie mournes her sole-lou'd Lord,
That falne before his Citie, by the sword,
Fighting to rescue from a cruell Fate,
His towne and children; and, in dead estate
Yet panting, seeing him; wraps him in her armes,
Weeps, shriekes, and powres her health into his armes;
Lies on him, striuing to become his shield
From foes that still assaile him: speares impeld
Through backe and shoulders; by whose points embrude,
They raise and leade him into seruitude,
Labor and languor: for all which, the Dame
Eates downe her cheekes with teares, and feeds lifes flame
With miserable sufferanc: So this King,
Of teare-swet anguish, op't a boundlesse spring:
Nor yet was seene to any one man there,
But King Alcinous, who sate so neare,
He could not scape him: sighs (so chok't) so brake
From all his tempers, which the King did take
Both note, and graue respect of, and thus spake:
Heare me, Phæacian Counsellers and Peeres;
And ceasse, Demodocus; perhaps all eares
Are not delighted with his song; for, euer
Since the diuine Muse sung, our Guest hath neuer
Containd from secret mournings. It may fall,
That something sung, he hath bin grieu'd withall,
As touching his particular. Forbeare;
That Feast may ioyntly comfort all hearts here;
And we may cheare our Guest vp; tis our best,
In all due honor. For our reuerend Guest,
Is all our celebration, gifts, and all,
His loue hath added to our Festiuall.
A Guest, and suppliant too; we should esteeme
Deare as our brother; one that doth but dreame
He hath a soule; or touch but at a mind
Deathlesse and manly; should stand so enclin'd.
Nor cloke you, longer, with your curious wit,
(Lou'd Guest) what euer we shall aske of it.
It now stands on your honest state to tell;
And therefore giue your name; nor more conceale,
What of your parents, and the Towne that beares
Name of your natiue; or of forreiners
That neare vs border, you are calld in fame.
There's no man liuing, walkes without a name;
Noble nor base; but had one from his birth;
Imposde as fit, as to be borne. What earth,
People, and citie, owne you? Giue to know:
Tell but our ships all, that your way must show;
For our ships know th' expressed minds of men;
And will so most intentiuely retaine
Their scopes appointed, that they neuer erre;
And yet vse neuer any man to stere:
Nor any Rudders haue, as others need.
They know mens thoughts; and whither tends their speed.
And there will set them. For you cannot name
A Citie to them; nor fat Soile, that Fame
Hath any notice giuen; but well they know,
And will flie to them, though they ebbe and flow,
In blackest clouds and nights; and neuer beare
Of any wracke or rocke, the slendrest feare.
But this I heard my Sire Nausithous say
Long since, that Neptune seeing vs conuay
So safely passengers of all degrees,
Was angry with vs; and vpon our seas,
A well-built ship we had (neare habor come,
From safe deduction of some stranger home)
Made in his flitting billowes, sticke stone still;
And dimm'd our Citie, like a mightie hill,
With shade cast round about it. This report,
The old King made; in which miraculous sort,
If God had done such things, or left vndone;
At his good pleasure be it. But now, on,
And truth relate vs; both whence you errd;
And to what Clime of men would be transferrd;
With all their faire Townes; be they, as they are;
If rude, vniust, and all irregular;
Or hospitable, bearing minds that please
The mightie Deitie. Which one of these
You would be set at, say; and you are there;
And therefore what afflicts you? why, to heare
The Fate of Greece and Ilion, mourne you so?
The Gods haue done it; as to all, they do
Destine destruction; that from thence may rise
A Poeme to instruct posterities.
Fell any kinsman before Ilion?
Some worthy Sire-in-law, or like-neare sonne?
Whom next our owne blood, and selfe-race we loue?
Or any friend perhaps, in whom did moue
A knowing soule, and no vnpleasing thing?
Since such a good one, is no vnderling
To any brother: for, what fits true friends,
True wisedome is, that blood and birth transcends.
That falne before his Citie, by the sword,
Fighting to rescue from a cruell Fate,
His towne and children; and, in dead estate
Yet panting, seeing him; wraps him in her armes,
Weeps, shriekes, and powres her health into his armes;
Lies on him, striuing to become his shield
From foes that still assaile him: speares impeld
Through backe and shoulders; by whose points embrude,
They raise and leade him into seruitude,
Labor and languor: for all which, the Dame
Eates downe her cheekes with teares, and feeds lifes flame
With miserable sufferanc: So this King,
Of teare-swet anguish, op't a boundlesse spring:
Nor yet was seene to any one man there,
But King Alcinous, who sate so neare,
He could not scape him: sighs (so chok't) so brake
From all his tempers, which the King did take
Both note, and graue respect of, and thus spake:
125
And ceasse, Demodocus; perhaps all eares
Are not delighted with his song; for, euer
Since the diuine Muse sung, our Guest hath neuer
Containd from secret mournings. It may fall,
That something sung, he hath bin grieu'd withall,
As touching his particular. Forbeare;
That Feast may ioyntly comfort all hearts here;
And we may cheare our Guest vp; tis our best,
In all due honor. For our reuerend Guest,
Is all our celebration, gifts, and all,
His loue hath added to our Festiuall.
A Guest, and suppliant too; we should esteeme
Deare as our brother; one that doth but dreame
He hath a soule; or touch but at a mind
Deathlesse and manly; should stand so enclin'd.
Nor cloke you, longer, with your curious wit,
(Lou'd Guest) what euer we shall aske of it.
It now stands on your honest state to tell;
And therefore giue your name; nor more conceale,
What of your parents, and the Towne that beares
Name of your natiue; or of forreiners
That neare vs border, you are calld in fame.
There's no man liuing, walkes without a name;
Noble nor base; but had one from his birth;
Imposde as fit, as to be borne. What earth,
People, and citie, owne you? Giue to know:
Tell but our ships all, that your way must show;
For our ships know th' expressed minds of men;
This τερατολογια or affirmation of miracles, how impossible soeuer in these times assured, yet in those ages they were neither absurd nor strāge. Those inanimate things hauing (it seemd) certain Genij, in whose powers, they supposed, their ships faculties. As others haue affirmed Okes to haue sence of hearing: and so the ship of Argos was said to haue a Mast made of Dodoneæn Oke, that was vocall, and could speake.
And will so most intentiuely retaine
Their scopes appointed, that they neuer erre;
And yet vse neuer any man to stere:
Nor any Rudders haue, as others need.
They know mens thoughts; and whither tends their speed.
And there will set them. For you cannot name
A Citie to them; nor fat Soile, that Fame
Hath any notice giuen; but well they know,
And will flie to them, though they ebbe and flow,
In blackest clouds and nights; and neuer beare
Of any wracke or rocke, the slendrest feare.
But this I heard my Sire Nausithous say
Long since, that Neptune seeing vs conuay
So safely passengers of all degrees,
Was angry with vs; and vpon our seas,
A well-built ship we had (neare habor come,
From safe deduction of some stranger home)
Made in his flitting billowes, sticke stone still;
And dimm'd our Citie, like a mightie hill,
126
The old King made; in which miraculous sort,
If God had done such things, or left vndone;
At his good pleasure be it. But now, on,
And truth relate vs; both whence you errd;
And to what Clime of men would be transferrd;
With all their faire Townes; be they, as they are;
If rude, vniust, and all irregular;
Or hospitable, bearing minds that please
The mightie Deitie. Which one of these
You would be set at, say; and you are there;
And therefore what afflicts you? why, to heare
The Fate of Greece and Ilion, mourne you so?
The Gods haue done it; as to all, they do
Destine destruction; that from thence may rise
A Poeme to instruct posterities.
Fell any kinsman before Ilion?
Some worthy Sire-in-law, or like-neare sonne?
Whom next our owne blood, and selfe-race we loue?
Or any friend perhaps, in whom did moue
A knowing soule, and no vnpleasing thing?
Since such a good one, is no vnderling
To any brother: for, what fits true friends,
True wisedome is, that blood and birth transcends.
Finis libri octaui Hom. Odyss.
127
THE NINTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Vlysses here, is first made knowne;Who tels the sterne contention,
His powres did gainst the Cicons trie;
And thence to the Lotophagie
Extends his conquest: and from them,
Assayes the Cyclop Polypheme;
And by the crafts, his wits apply,
He puts him out his onely eye.
Another.
The strangely fedLotophagie.
The Cicons fled.
The Cyclops eye.
Vlysses
thus resolu'd the Kings demands.
Alcinous! (in whom this Empire stands)
You should not of so naturall right disherit
Your princely feast, as take from it the spirit.
To heare a Poet, that in accent brings
The Gods brests downe; and breathes them as he sings,
Is sweet, and sacred; nor can I conceiue,
In any common weale, what more doth giue
Note of the iust and blessed Empery,
Then to see Comfort vniuersally
Cheare vp the people. When in euery roofe,
She giues obseruers a most humane proofe
Of mens contents. To see a neighbours Feast
Adorne it through; and thereat, heare the breast
Of the diuine Muse; men in order set;
A wine-page waiting. Tables crownd with meate;
Set close to guests, that are to vse it skilld;
The Cup-boords furnisht; and the cups still filld.
This shewes (to my mind) most humanely faire.
Nor should you, for me, still the heauenly aire,
That stirrd my soule so; for I loue such teares,
As fall from fit notes; beaten through mine eares,
With repetitions of what heauen hath done;
And breake from heartie apprehension
Of God and goodnesse, though they shew my ill.
And therefore doth my mind excite me still,
To tell my bleeding mone; but much more now,
To serue your pleasure; that, to ouer-flow
My teares with such cause, may by sighs be driuen;
Though ne're so much plagu'd, I may seeme by heauen.
Alcinous! (in whom this Empire stands)
You should not of so naturall right disherit
Your princely feast, as take from it the spirit.
To heare a Poet, that in accent brings
The Gods brests downe; and breathes them as he sings,
Is sweet, and sacred; nor can I conceiue,
In any common weale, what more doth giue
Note of the iust and blessed Empery,
Then to see Comfort vniuersally
Cheare vp the people. When in euery roofe,
She giues obseruers a most humane proofe
Of mens contents. To see a neighbours Feast
Adorne it through; and thereat, heare the breast
Of the diuine Muse; men in order set;
A wine-page waiting. Tables crownd with meate;
Set close to guests, that are to vse it skilld;
The Cup-boords furnisht; and the cups still filld.
This shewes (to my mind) most humanely faire.
Nor should you, for me, still the heauenly aire,
That stirrd my soule so; for I loue such teares,
As fall from fit notes; beaten through mine eares,
With repetitions of what heauen hath done;
And breake from heartie apprehension
Of God and goodnesse, though they shew my ill.
And therefore doth my mind excite me still,
128
To serue your pleasure; that, to ouer-flow
My teares with such cause, may by sighs be driuen;
Though ne're so much plagu'd, I may seeme by heauen.
And now my name; which, way shall leade to all
My miseries after: that their sounds may fall
Through your eares also; and shew (hauing fled
So much affliction) first, who rests his head
In your embraces; when (so farre from home)
I knew not where t'obtaine it resting roome.
My miseries after: that their sounds may fall
Through your eares also; and shew (hauing fled
So much affliction) first, who rests his head
In your embraces; when (so farre from home)
I knew not where t'obtaine it resting roome.
I am Vlysses Laertiades;
The feare of all the world for policies;
For which, my facts as high as heauen resound.
I dwell in Ithaca, Earths most renownd:
All ouer-shadow'd with the Shake-leafe hill
Tree-fam'd Neritus; whose neare confines fill
Ilands a number, well inhabited,
That vnder my obseruance taste their bread.
Dulichius, Samos, and the full-of-food
Zacynthus, likewise grac't with store of wood.
But Ithaca, (though in the seas it lie)
Yet lies she so aloft, she casts her eye
Quite ouer all the neighbour Continent.
Farre Norward situate; and (being lent
But litle fauour of the Morne, and Sunne)
With barren rocks and cliffes is ouer-runne.
And yet of hardie youths, a Nurse of Name.
Nor could I see a Soile, where ere I came,
More sweete and wishfull. Yet, from hence was I
Withheld with horror, by the Deitie
Diuine Calypso, in her cauie house;
Enflam'd to make me her sole Lord and Spouse.
Circe Ææa too, (that knowing Dame,
Whose veines, the like affections did inflame)
Detaind me likewise. But to neithers loue,
Could I be tempted; which doth well approue;
Nothing so sweete is as our countries earth,
And ioy of those, from whom we claime our birth.
Though roofes farre richer, we farre off possesse,
Yet (from our natiue) all our more, is lesse.
The feare of all the world for policies;
For which, my facts as high as heauen resound.
I dwell in Ithaca, Earths most renownd:
All ouer-shadow'd with the Shake-leafe hill
Tree-fam'd Neritus; whose neare confines fill
Ilands a number, well inhabited,
That vnder my obseruance taste their bread.
Dulichius, Samos, and the full-of-food
Zacynthus, likewise grac't with store of wood.
But Ithaca, (though in the seas it lie)
Yet lies she so aloft, she casts her eye
Quite ouer all the neighbour Continent.
Farre Norward situate; and (being lent
But litle fauour of the Morne, and Sunne)
With barren rocks and cliffes is ouer-runne.
And yet of hardie youths, a Nurse of Name.
Nor could I see a Soile, where ere I came,
More sweete and wishfull. Yet, from hence was I
Withheld with horror, by the Deitie
Diuine Calypso, in her cauie house;
Enflam'd to make me her sole Lord and Spouse.
Circe Ææa too, (that knowing Dame,
Whose veines, the like affections did inflame)
Detaind me likewise. But to neithers loue,
Could I be tempted; which doth well approue;
Nothing so sweete is as our countries earth,
And ioy of those, from whom we claime our birth.
Though roofes farre richer, we farre off possesse,
Yet (from our natiue) all our more, is lesse.
To which, as I contended, I will tell
The much-distrest-conferring-facts, that fell
By Ioues diuine preuention; since I set,
From ruin'd Troy, my first foote in retreat.
The much-distrest-conferring-facts, that fell
By Ioues diuine preuention; since I set,
From ruin'd Troy, my first foote in retreat.
From Ilion, ill winds cast me on the Coast
The Cicons hold; where I emploid mine hoast
For Ismarus, a Citie, built iust by
My place of landing; of which, Victory
Made me expugner. I depeopl'd it,
Slue all the men, and did their wiues remit,
With much spoile taken; which we did diuide,
That none might need his part. I then applide
All speed for flight: but my command therein,
(Fooles that they were) could no obseruance win
Of many souldiers, who with spoile fed hie,
Would yet fill higher; and excessiuely
Fell to their wine; gaue slaughter on the shore,
Clouen-footed beeues and sheepe, in mightie store.
In meane space, Cicons did to Cicons crie;
When, of their nearest dwellers, instantly
Many and better souldiers made strong head,
That held the Continent, and managed
Their horse with high skill: on which they would fight,
When fittest cause seru'd; and againe alight,
(With soone seene vantage) and on foote contend.
Their concourse swift was, and had neuer end;
As thicke and sodaine twas, as flowres and leaues
Darke Spring discouers, when she Light receaues.
And then began the bitter Fate of Ioue
To alter vs vnhappie; which, euen stroue
To giue vs suffrance. At our Fleet we made
Enforced stand; and there did they inuade
Our thrust vp Forces: darts encountred darts,
With blowes on both sides: either making parts
Good vpon either, while the Morning shone,
And sacred Day her bright increase held on;
Though much out-matcht in number. But as soone
As Phœbus Westward fell, the Cicons wonne
Much hand of vs; sixe proued souldiers fell
(Of euery ship) the rest they did compell
To seeke of Flight escape from Death and Fate.
The Cicons hold; where I emploid mine hoast
For Ismarus, a Citie, built iust by
My place of landing; of which, Victory
129
Slue all the men, and did their wiues remit,
With much spoile taken; which we did diuide,
That none might need his part. I then applide
All speed for flight: but my command therein,
(Fooles that they were) could no obseruance win
Of many souldiers, who with spoile fed hie,
Would yet fill higher; and excessiuely
Fell to their wine; gaue slaughter on the shore,
Clouen-footed beeues and sheepe, in mightie store.
In meane space, Cicons did to Cicons crie;
When, of their nearest dwellers, instantly
Many and better souldiers made strong head,
That held the Continent, and managed
Their horse with high skill: on which they would fight,
When fittest cause seru'd; and againe alight,
(With soone seene vantage) and on foote contend.
Their concourse swift was, and had neuer end;
As thicke and sodaine twas, as flowres and leaues
Darke Spring discouers, when she Light receaues.
And then began the bitter Fate of Ioue
To alter vs vnhappie; which, euen stroue
To giue vs suffrance. At our Fleet we made
Enforced stand; and there did they inuade
Our thrust vp Forces: darts encountred darts,
With blowes on both sides: either making parts
Good vpon either, while the Morning shone,
And sacred Day her bright increase held on;
Though much out-matcht in number. But as soone
As Phœbus Westward fell, the Cicons wonne
Much hand of vs; sixe proued souldiers fell
(Of euery ship) the rest they did compell
To seeke of Flight escape from Death and Fate.
Thence (sad in heart) we saild: and yet our State
Was something chear'd; that (being ouer-matcht so much
In violent number) our retreate was such,
As sau'd so many. Our deare losse the lesse,
That they suruiu'd; so like for like successe.
Yet left we not the Coast, before we calld
Home to our country earth, the soules exhald,
Of all the friends, the Cicons ouercame.
Thrice calld we on them, by their seuerall name,
And then tooke leaue. Then from the angry North,
Cloud-gathering Ioue, a dreadfull storme calld forth
Against our Nauie; couerd shore and all,
With gloomie vapors. Night did headlong fall
From frowning Heauen. And then hurld here and there
Was all our Nauie; the rude winds did teare,
In three, in foure parts, all their sailes; and downe
Driuen vnder hatches were we, prest to drowne.
Vp rusht we yet againe; and with tough hand
(Two daies, two nights entoild) we gat nere land;
Labours and sorrowes, eating vp our minds.
The third cleare day yet, to more friendly winds
We masts aduanc't, we white sailes spred, and sate.
Forewinds, and guides, againe did iterate,
Our ease and home-hopes; which we cleare had reacht;
Had not, by chance, a sodaine North-wind fetcht,
With an extreame sea, quite about againe,
Our whole endeuours; and our course constraine
To giddie round; and with our bowd sailes greete
Dreadfull Maleia; calling backe our fleete,
As farre forth as Cythæra. Nine dayes more,
Aduerse winds tost me; and the tenth, the shore,
Where dwell the blossome-fed Lotophagie,
I fetcht: fresh water tooke in; instantly
Fell to our food aship-boord; and then sent
Two of my choice men to the Continent,
(Adding a third, a Herald) to discouer,
What sort of people were the Rulers ouer
The land next to vs. Where, the first they met,
Were the Lotophagie; that made them eate
Their Country diet; and no ill intent,
Hid in their hearts to them: and yet th' euent,
To ill conuerted it; for, hauing eate
Their daintie viands; they did quite forget
(As all men else, that did but taste their feast)
Both country-men and country; nor addrest
Any returne, t'informe what sort of men
Made fixt abode there; but would needs maintaine,
Abode themselues there; and eate that food euer.
I made out after; and was faine to seuer
Th' enchanted knot; by forcing their retreate;
That striu'd, and wept, and would not leaue their meate
For heauen it selfe. But, dragging them to fleete;
I wrapt in sure bands, both their hands and feete,
And cast them vnder hatches; and away
Commanded all the rest, without least stay;
Lest they should taste the Lote too; and forget
With such strange raptures, their despisde retreate.
Was something chear'd; that (being ouer-matcht so much
In violent number) our retreate was such,
As sau'd so many. Our deare losse the lesse,
That they suruiu'd; so like for like successe.
Yet left we not the Coast, before we calld
Home to our country earth, the soules exhald,
Of all the friends, the Cicons ouercame.
Thrice calld we on them, by their seuerall name,
And then tooke leaue. Then from the angry North,
Cloud-gathering Ioue, a dreadfull storme calld forth
Against our Nauie; couerd shore and all,
With gloomie vapors. Night did headlong fall
From frowning Heauen. And then hurld here and there
Was all our Nauie; the rude winds did teare,
136
Driuen vnder hatches were we, prest to drowne.
Vp rusht we yet againe; and with tough hand
(Two daies, two nights entoild) we gat nere land;
Labours and sorrowes, eating vp our minds.
The third cleare day yet, to more friendly winds
We masts aduanc't, we white sailes spred, and sate.
Forewinds, and guides, againe did iterate,
Our ease and home-hopes; which we cleare had reacht;
Had not, by chance, a sodaine North-wind fetcht,
With an extreame sea, quite about againe,
Our whole endeuours; and our course constraine
To giddie round; and with our bowd sailes greete
Dreadfull Maleia; calling backe our fleete,
As farre forth as Cythæra. Nine dayes more,
Aduerse winds tost me; and the tenth, the shore,
Where dwell the blossome-fed Lotophagie,
I fetcht: fresh water tooke in; instantly
Fell to our food aship-boord; and then sent
Two of my choice men to the Continent,
(Adding a third, a Herald) to discouer,
What sort of people were the Rulers ouer
The land next to vs. Where, the first they met,
Were the Lotophagie; that made them eate
Their Country diet; and no ill intent,
Hid in their hearts to them: and yet th' euent,
To ill conuerted it; for, hauing eate
Their daintie viands; they did quite forget
(As all men else, that did but taste their feast)
Both country-men and country; nor addrest
Any returne, t'informe what sort of men
Made fixt abode there; but would needs maintaine,
Abode themselues there; and eate that food euer.
I made out after; and was faine to seuer
Th' enchanted knot; by forcing their retreate;
That striu'd, and wept, and would not leaue their meate
For heauen it selfe. But, dragging them to fleete;
I wrapt in sure bands, both their hands and feete,
And cast them vnder hatches; and away
Commanded all the rest, without least stay;
Lest they should taste the Lote too; and forget
With such strange raptures, their despisde retreate.
All then aboord, we beate the sea with Ores;
And still with sad hearts saild by out-way shores;
Till th' out-lawd Cyclops land we fetcht; a race
Of proud-liu'd loiterers, that neuer sow,
Nor put a plant in earth, nor vse a Plow;
But trust in God for all things; and their earth,
(Vnsowne, vnplowd) giues euery of-spring birth,
That other lands haue. Wheate, and Barley; Vines
That beare in goodly Grapes, delicious wines;
And Ioue sends showres for all: no counsels there,
Nor counsellers, nor lawes; but all men beare
Their heads aloft on mountaines, and those steepe,
And on their tops too: and there, houses keepe
In vaultie Caues; their housholds gouernd all
By each mans law, imposde in seuerall;
Nor wife, nor child awd; but as he thinks good.
None for another caring. But there stood
Another litle Ile, well stor'd with wood,
Betwixt this and the entry; neither nie
The Cyclops Ile, nor yet farre off doth lie.
Mens want it sufferd; but the mens supplies,
The Goates made with their inarticulate cries.
Goates beyond number, this small Iland breeds,
So tame, that no accesse disturbs their feeds.
No hunters (that the tops of mountaines scale,
And rub through woods with toile) seeke them at all.
Nor is the soile with flocks fed downe, nor plowd;
Nor euer in it any seed was sowd.
Nor place the neighbour Cyclops their delights,
In braue Vermilion prow-deckt ships; nor wrights
Vsefull and skilfull, in such works, as need
Perfection to those trafficks, that exceed
Their naturall confines: to flie out and see
Cities of men; and take in, mutually
The prease of others; To themselues they liue,
And to their Iland, that enough would giue
A good inhabitant; and time of yeare
Obserue to all things Art could order there.
There, close vpon the sea, sweet medowes spring,
That yet of fresh streames want no watering
To their soft burthens: but of speciall yeeld,
Your vines would be there; and your common field,
But gentle worke make for your plow; yet beare
A loftie haruest when you came to sheare.
For passing fat the soile is. In it lies
A harbor so opportune, that no ties,
Halsers, or gables need; nor anchors cast.
Whom stormes put in there, are with stay embrac't;
Or to their full wils safe; or winds aspire
To Pilots vses their more quicke desire.
At entry of the hauen, a siluer foord
Is from a rock-impressing fountaine powr'd,
All set with sable Poplars; and this Port
Were we arriu'd at, by the sweet resort
Of some God guiding vs: for twas a night
So gastly darke, all Port was past our sight,
Clouds hid our ships, and would not let the Moone
Affoord a beame to vs; the whole Ile woune,
By not an eye of ours. None thought the Blore
That then was vp, shou'd waues against the shore,
That then to an vnmeasur'd height put on.
We still at sea esteemd vs, till alone
Our fleet put in it selfe. And then were strooke
Our gatherd sailes: our rest ashore we tooke,
And day expected. When the Morne gaue fire,
We rose, and walkt, and did the Ile admire.
The Nymphs, Ioues daughters, putting vp a heard
Of mountaine Goates to vs, to render cheard
My fellow souldiers. To our Fleet we flew;
Our crooked bowes tooke, long-pil'd darts, and drew
Our selues in three parts out; when, by the grace
That God vouch-saft, we made a gainfull chace.
Twelue ships we had, and euery ship had nine
Fat Goates allotted; ten onely mine.
Thus all that day, euen till the Sunne was set,
We sate and feasted; pleasant wine and meate,
Plenteously taking; for we had not spent
Our ruddie wine aship-boord: supplement
Of large sort, each man to his vessell drew,
When we the sacred Citie ouerthrew,
That held the Cicons. Now then saw we neare,
The Cyclops late-praisd Iland; and might heare
The murmure of their sheepe and goates; and see
Their smokes ascend. The Sunne then set, and we
(When Night succeeded) tooke our rest ashore.
And when the world the Mornings fauour wore,
I calld my friends to councell; charging them
To make stay there, while I tooke ship and streame,
With some associates; and explor'd what men
The neighbour Ile held: if of rude disdaine,
Churlish and tyrannous, or minds bewraid
Pious and hospitable. Thus much said,
I boorded, and commanded to ascend
My friends and souldiers, to put off, and lend
Way to our ship. They boorded, sate, and beate
The old sea forth, till we might see the seate,
The greatest Cyclop held for his abode;
Which was a deepe Caue, neare the common rode
Of ships that toucht there; thicke with Lawrels spred,
Where many sheepe and goates lay shadowed:
And neare to this, a Hall of torne-vp stone,
High built with Pines, that heauen and earth attone;
And loftie-fronted Okes: in which kept house,
A man in shape, immane, and monsterous,
Fed all his flocks alone; nor would affoord
Commerce with men; but had a wit abhord;
His mind, his body answering. Nor was he
Like any man, that food could possibly
Enhance so hugely; but (beheld alone)
Shewd like a steepe hils top, all ouergrowne
With trees and brambles; litle thought had I
Of such vast obiects. When, arriu'd so nie;
Some of my lou'd friends, I made stay aboord,
To guard my ship; and twelue with me I shor'd,
The choice of all. I tooke besides along,
A Goat-skin flagon of wine, blacke and strong,
That Maro did present; Euantheus sonne,
And Priest to Phœbus; who had mansion
In Thracian Ismarus (the Towne I tooke)
He gaue it me; since I (with reuerence strooke,
Of his graue place, his wife and childrens good)
Freed all of violence. Amidst a wood
Sacred to Phœbus, stood his house; from whence
He fetcht me gifts of varied excellence;
Seuen talents of fine gold; a boll all fram'd
Of massie siluer. But his gift, most fam'd,
Was twelue great vessels, filld with such rich wine,
As was incorruptible, and diuine.
He kept it as his iewell, which none knew
But he himselfe, his wife, and he that drew.
It was so strong, that neuer any filld
A cup, where that was but by drops instilld,
And drunke it off; but twas before allaid
With twentie parts in water; yet so swaid
The spirit of that litle, that the whole,
A sacred odour breath'd about the boll.
Had you the odour smelt, and sent it cast,
It would haue vext you to forbeare the taste.
But then (the taste gaind too) the spirit it wrought,
To dare things high, set vp an end my thought.
And still with sad hearts saild by out-way shores;
Till th' out-lawd Cyclops land we fetcht; a race
Of proud-liu'd loiterers, that neuer sow,
Nor put a plant in earth, nor vse a Plow;
But trust in God for all things; and their earth,
131
That other lands haue. Wheate, and Barley; Vines
That beare in goodly Grapes, delicious wines;
And Ioue sends showres for all: no counsels there,
Nor counsellers, nor lawes; but all men beare
Their heads aloft on mountaines, and those steepe,
And on their tops too: and there, houses keepe
In vaultie Caues; their housholds gouernd all
By each mans law, imposde in seuerall;
Nor wife, nor child awd; but as he thinks good.
None for another caring. But there stood
Another litle Ile, well stor'd with wood,
Betwixt this and the entry; neither nie
The Cyclops Ile, nor yet farre off doth lie.
Mens want it sufferd; but the mens supplies,
The Goates made with their inarticulate cries.
Goates beyond number, this small Iland breeds,
So tame, that no accesse disturbs their feeds.
No hunters (that the tops of mountaines scale,
And rub through woods with toile) seeke them at all.
Nor is the soile with flocks fed downe, nor plowd;
Nor euer in it any seed was sowd.
Nor place the neighbour Cyclops their delights,
In braue Vermilion prow-deckt ships; nor wrights
Vsefull and skilfull, in such works, as need
Perfection to those trafficks, that exceed
Their naturall confines: to flie out and see
Cities of men; and take in, mutually
The prease of others; To themselues they liue,
And to their Iland, that enough would giue
A good inhabitant; and time of yeare
Obserue to all things Art could order there.
There, close vpon the sea, sweet medowes spring,
That yet of fresh streames want no watering
To their soft burthens: but of speciall yeeld,
Your vines would be there; and your common field,
But gentle worke make for your plow; yet beare
A loftie haruest when you came to sheare.
For passing fat the soile is. In it lies
A harbor so opportune, that no ties,
Halsers, or gables need; nor anchors cast.
Whom stormes put in there, are with stay embrac't;
Or to their full wils safe; or winds aspire
To Pilots vses their more quicke desire.
At entry of the hauen, a siluer foord
Is from a rock-impressing fountaine powr'd,
All set with sable Poplars; and this Port
Were we arriu'd at, by the sweet resort
132
So gastly darke, all Port was past our sight,
Clouds hid our ships, and would not let the Moone
Affoord a beame to vs; the whole Ile woune,
By not an eye of ours. None thought the Blore
That then was vp, shou'd waues against the shore,
That then to an vnmeasur'd height put on.
We still at sea esteemd vs, till alone
Our fleet put in it selfe. And then were strooke
Our gatherd sailes: our rest ashore we tooke,
And day expected. When the Morne gaue fire,
We rose, and walkt, and did the Ile admire.
The Nymphs, Ioues daughters, putting vp a heard
Of mountaine Goates to vs, to render cheard
My fellow souldiers. To our Fleet we flew;
Our crooked bowes tooke, long-pil'd darts, and drew
Our selues in three parts out; when, by the grace
That God vouch-saft, we made a gainfull chace.
Twelue ships we had, and euery ship had nine
Fat Goates allotted; ten onely mine.
Thus all that day, euen till the Sunne was set,
We sate and feasted; pleasant wine and meate,
Plenteously taking; for we had not spent
Our ruddie wine aship-boord: supplement
Of large sort, each man to his vessell drew,
When we the sacred Citie ouerthrew,
That held the Cicons. Now then saw we neare,
The Cyclops late-praisd Iland; and might heare
The murmure of their sheepe and goates; and see
Their smokes ascend. The Sunne then set, and we
(When Night succeeded) tooke our rest ashore.
And when the world the Mornings fauour wore,
I calld my friends to councell; charging them
To make stay there, while I tooke ship and streame,
With some associates; and explor'd what men
The neighbour Ile held: if of rude disdaine,
Churlish and tyrannous, or minds bewraid
Pious and hospitable. Thus much said,
I boorded, and commanded to ascend
My friends and souldiers, to put off, and lend
Way to our ship. They boorded, sate, and beate
The old sea forth, till we might see the seate,
The greatest Cyclop held for his abode;
Which was a deepe Caue, neare the common rode
Of ships that toucht there; thicke with Lawrels spred,
Where many sheepe and goates lay shadowed:
And neare to this, a Hall of torne-vp stone,
High built with Pines, that heauen and earth attone;
133
A man in shape, immane, and monsterous,
Fed all his flocks alone; nor would affoord
Commerce with men; but had a wit abhord;
His mind, his body answering. Nor was he
Like any man, that food could possibly
Enhance so hugely; but (beheld alone)
Shewd like a steepe hils top, all ouergrowne
With trees and brambles; litle thought had I
Of such vast obiects. When, arriu'd so nie;
Some of my lou'd friends, I made stay aboord,
To guard my ship; and twelue with me I shor'd,
The choice of all. I tooke besides along,
A Goat-skin flagon of wine, blacke and strong,
That Maro did present; Euantheus sonne,
And Priest to Phœbus; who had mansion
In Thracian Ismarus (the Towne I tooke)
He gaue it me; since I (with reuerence strooke,
Of his graue place, his wife and childrens good)
Freed all of violence. Amidst a wood
Sacred to Phœbus, stood his house; from whence
He fetcht me gifts of varied excellence;
Seuen talents of fine gold; a boll all fram'd
Of massie siluer. But his gift, most fam'd,
Was twelue great vessels, filld with such rich wine,
As was incorruptible, and diuine.
He kept it as his iewell, which none knew
But he himselfe, his wife, and he that drew.
It was so strong, that neuer any filld
A cup, where that was but by drops instilld,
And drunke it off; but twas before allaid
With twentie parts in water; yet so swaid
The spirit of that litle, that the whole,
A sacred odour breath'd about the boll.
Had you the odour smelt, and sent it cast,
It would haue vext you to forbeare the taste.
But then (the taste gaind too) the spirit it wrought,
To dare things high, set vp an end my thought.
Of this, a huge great flagon full I bore,
And in a good large knapsacke, victles store;
And longd to see this heape of fortitude,
That so illiterate was, and vpland rude,
That lawes diuine nor humane he had learnd.
With speed we reacht the Cauerne, nor discernd
His presence there. His flocks he fed at field.
And in a good large knapsacke, victles store;
And longd to see this heape of fortitude,
That so illiterate was, and vpland rude,
That lawes diuine nor humane he had learnd.
With speed we reacht the Cauerne, nor discernd
His presence there. His flocks he fed at field.
Entring his den; each thing beheld, did yeeld
Our admiration: shelues with cheeses heapt;
Sheds stuft with Lambs and Goates, distinctly kept;
Distinct the biggest; the more meane distinct;
Distinct the yongest. And in their precinct
(Proper and placefull) stood the troughs and pailes,
In which he milkt; and what was giuen at meales,
Set vp a creaming: in the Euening still,
All scouring bright, as deaw vpon the hill.
Our admiration: shelues with cheeses heapt;
Sheds stuft with Lambs and Goates, distinctly kept;
134
Distinct the yongest. And in their precinct
(Proper and placefull) stood the troughs and pailes,
In which he milkt; and what was giuen at meales,
Set vp a creaming: in the Euening still,
All scouring bright, as deaw vpon the hill.
Then were my fellowes instant to conuay
Kids, cheeses, lambs, aship boord; and away
Saile the salt billow. I thought best, not so,
But better otherwise; and first would know,
What guest-gifts he would spare me. Little knew
My friends, on whom they would haue preyd: his view
Prou'd after, that his inwards were too rough
For such bold vsage: we were bold enough,
In what I sufferd; which was there to stay;
Make fire and feed there, though beare none away.
There sate we, till we saw him feeding come,
And on his necke a burthen lugging home,
Most highly huge of Sere-wood; which the pile
That fed his fire, supplide all supper while.
Downe by his den he threw it; and vp rose
A tumult with the fall. Afraid, we close
Withdrew our selues, while he into a Caue
Of huge receit, his high-fed cattell draue,
All that he milkt; the males he left without
His loftie roofes, that all bestrowd about
With Rams and buck-goates were. And then a rocke
He lift aloft, that damd vp to his flocke,
The doore they enterd: twas so hard to wield,
That two and twentie Waggons, all foure-wheeld,
(Could they be loaded, and haue teames that were
Proportion'd to them) could not stirre it there.
Thus, making sure, he kneeld and milkt his Ewes,
And braying Goates, with all a milkers dues.
Then let in all their yong: then, quicke did dresse,
His halfe milke vp for cheese, and in a presse
Of wicker prest it; put in bolls the rest,
To drinke, and eate, and serue his supping feast.
Kids, cheeses, lambs, aship boord; and away
Saile the salt billow. I thought best, not so,
But better otherwise; and first would know,
What guest-gifts he would spare me. Little knew
My friends, on whom they would haue preyd: his view
Prou'd after, that his inwards were too rough
For such bold vsage: we were bold enough,
In what I sufferd; which was there to stay;
Make fire and feed there, though beare none away.
There sate we, till we saw him feeding come,
And on his necke a burthen lugging home,
Most highly huge of Sere-wood; which the pile
That fed his fire, supplide all supper while.
Downe by his den he threw it; and vp rose
A tumult with the fall. Afraid, we close
Withdrew our selues, while he into a Caue
Of huge receit, his high-fed cattell draue,
All that he milkt; the males he left without
His loftie roofes, that all bestrowd about
With Rams and buck-goates were. And then a rocke
He lift aloft, that damd vp to his flocke,
The doore they enterd: twas so hard to wield,
That two and twentie Waggons, all foure-wheeld,
(Could they be loaded, and haue teames that were
Proportion'd to them) could not stirre it there.
Thus, making sure, he kneeld and milkt his Ewes,
And braying Goates, with all a milkers dues.
Then let in all their yong: then, quicke did dresse,
His halfe milke vp for cheese, and in a presse
Of wicker prest it; put in bolls the rest,
To drinke, and eate, and serue his supping feast.
All works dispatcht thus; he began his fire;
Which blowne, he saw vs; and did thus enquire:
Which blowne, he saw vs; and did thus enquire:
Ho! Guests! what are ye? whence saile ye these seas?
Trafficke, or roue ye? and like theeues oppresse
Poore strange aduenturers; exposing so
Your soules to danger, and your liues to wo?
Trafficke, or roue ye? and like theeues oppresse
Poore strange aduenturers; exposing so
Your soules to danger, and your liues to wo?
This vtterd he; when Feare front our hearts tooke
The very life; to be so thunder-strooke
With such a voice, and such a monster see.
But thus I answerd: Erring Grecians we,
From Troy were turning homewards; but by force
Of aduerse winds, in far-diuerted course,
Such vnknowne waies tooke, and on rude seas tost,
(As Ioue decreed) are cast vpon this Coast.
Of Agamemnon (famous Atreus sonne)
We boast our selues the souldiers; who hath wonne
Renowme that reacheth heauen; to ouerthrow
So great a Citie, and to ruine so,
So many nations. Yet at thy knees lie
Our prostrate bosomes; forc't with praires to trie,
If any hospitable right, or Boone
Of other nature, (such as haue bin wonne
By lawes of other houses) thou wilt giue.
Reuerence the Gods, thou greatst of all that liue.
We suppliants are; and hospitable Ioue
Poures wreake on all, whom praires want powre to moue:
And with their plagues, together will prouide,
That humble Guests shall haue their wants supplide.
The very life; to be so thunder-strooke
With such a voice, and such a monster see.
But thus I answerd: Erring Grecians we,
135
This his relation of Agamemnon, and his glory & theirs for Troyes sacke, with the pietie of suppliants receit, to him that was so barbarous and impious, must be intended spoken by Vlysses, with supposition that his hearers wold note, still as he spake; how vaine they would shew to the Cyclops: who respected litle Agamemnon, or their valiant exploit against Troy, or the Gods themselues. For otherwise, the serious obseruatiō of the words (though good & graue, if spoken to another) want their intentional sharpnesse and life.
Of aduerse winds, in far-diuerted course,
Such vnknowne waies tooke, and on rude seas tost,
(As Ioue decreed) are cast vpon this Coast.
Of Agamemnon (famous Atreus sonne)
We boast our selues the souldiers; who hath wonne
Renowme that reacheth heauen; to ouerthrow
So great a Citie, and to ruine so,
So many nations. Yet at thy knees lie
Our prostrate bosomes; forc't with praires to trie,
If any hospitable right, or Boone
Of other nature, (such as haue bin wonne
By lawes of other houses) thou wilt giue.
Reuerence the Gods, thou greatst of all that liue.
We suppliants are; and hospitable Ioue
Poures wreake on all, whom praires want powre to moue:
And with their plagues, together will prouide,
That humble Guests shall haue their wants supplide.
He cruelly answerd: O thou foole (said he)
To come so farre, and to importune me
With any Gods feare, or obserued loue;
We Cyclops care not for your Goat-fed Ioue;
Nor other Blest ones; we are better farre.
To Ioue himselfe, dare I bid open warre;
To thee, and all thy fellowes, if I please.
But tell me: where's the ship, that by the seas
Hath brought thee hither? If farre off, or neare;
Informe me quickly. These his temptings were.
But I, too much knew, not to know his mind;
And craft, with craft paid; telling him the wind
(Thrust vp from Sea, by him that shakes the Shore)
Had dasht our ships against his rocks, and tore
Her ribs in peeces, close vpon his Coast;
And we from high wracke sau'd; the rest were lost.
To come so farre, and to importune me
With any Gods feare, or obserued loue;
We Cyclops care not for your Goat-fed Ioue;
Nor other Blest ones; we are better farre.
To Ioue himselfe, dare I bid open warre;
To thee, and all thy fellowes, if I please.
But tell me: where's the ship, that by the seas
Hath brought thee hither? If farre off, or neare;
Informe me quickly. These his temptings were.
But I, too much knew, not to know his mind;
And craft, with craft paid; telling him the wind
(Thrust vp from Sea, by him that shakes the Shore)
Had dasht our ships against his rocks, and tore
Her ribs in peeces, close vpon his Coast;
And we from high wracke sau'd; the rest were lost.
He answerd nothing; but rusht in, and tooke
Two of my fellowes vp from earth, and strooke
Their braines against it. Like two whelps they flew
About his shoulders; and did all embrew
The blushing earth. No mountaine Lion tore
Two Lambs so sternly; lapt vp all their gore,
Gusht from their torne-vp bodies; lim by lim,
(Trembling with life yet) rauisht into him.
Both flesh and marrow-stuffed bones he eate,
And euen th' vncleansed entrails made his meate.
We weeping, cast our hands to heauen, to view,
A sight so horrid. Desperation flew
With all our after liues, to instant death,
In our beleeu'd destruction. But when breath,
The fury of his appetite had got,
Because the gulfe his belly, reacht his throte;
Mans flesh, and Goates milke, laying laire on laire,
Till neare chokt vp, was all the passe for aire.
Along his den, amongst his cattell, downe
He rusht, and streakt him. When my mind was growne
Desperate, to step in; draw my sword, and part
His bosome, where the strings about the heart
Circle the Liuer, and adde strength of hand.
But that rash thought, More staid, did countermand;
For there we all had perisht, since it past
Our powres to lift aside a log so vast,
As barrd all outscape; and so sigh'd away
The thought all Night, expecting actiue Day.
Which come, he first of all, his fire enflames,
Then milks his Goates and Ewes; then to their dams
Lets in their yong; and wondrous orderly,
With manly haste, dispatcht his houswifery.
Then to his Breakfast, to which, other two
Of my poore friends went: which eate; out then go
His heards and fat flocks; lightly putting by
The churlish barre, and closde it instantly;
For both those works, with ease, as much he did,
As you would ope and shut your Quiuer lid.
Two of my fellowes vp from earth, and strooke
Their braines against it. Like two whelps they flew
About his shoulders; and did all embrew
The blushing earth. No mountaine Lion tore
Two Lambs so sternly; lapt vp all their gore,
Gusht from their torne-vp bodies; lim by lim,
(Trembling with life yet) rauisht into him.
Both flesh and marrow-stuffed bones he eate,
And euen th' vncleansed entrails made his meate.
We weeping, cast our hands to heauen, to view,
A sight so horrid. Desperation flew
With all our after liues, to instant death,
In our beleeu'd destruction. But when breath,
136
Because the gulfe his belly, reacht his throte;
Mans flesh, and Goates milke, laying laire on laire,
Till neare chokt vp, was all the passe for aire.
Along his den, amongst his cattell, downe
He rusht, and streakt him. When my mind was growne
Desperate, to step in; draw my sword, and part
His bosome, where the strings about the heart
Circle the Liuer, and adde strength of hand.
But that rash thought, More staid, did countermand;
For there we all had perisht, since it past
Our powres to lift aside a log so vast,
As barrd all outscape; and so sigh'd away
The thought all Night, expecting actiue Day.
Which come, he first of all, his fire enflames,
Then milks his Goates and Ewes; then to their dams
Lets in their yong; and wondrous orderly,
With manly haste, dispatcht his houswifery.
Then to his Breakfast, to which, other two
Of my poore friends went: which eate; out then go
His heards and fat flocks; lightly putting by
The churlish barre, and closde it instantly;
For both those works, with ease, as much he did,
As you would ope and shut your Quiuer lid.
With stormes of whistlings then, his flocks he draue
Vp to the mountaines; and occasion gaue
For me to vse my wits; which to their height,
I striu'd to skrew vp; that a vengeance might
By some meanes fall from thence; and Pallas now
Affoord a full eare to my neediest vow.
This then, my thoughts preferd: a huge club lay
Close by his milk-house, which was now in way
To drie, and season; being an Oliue tree
Which late he feld; and being greene, must be
Made lighter for his manage. Twas so vast,
That we resembl'd it to some fit Mast,
To serue a ship of burthen, that was driuen
With twentie Ores; and had a bignesse giuen,
To beare a huge sea. Full so thicke, so tall
We iudg'd this club; which I, in part, hewd small,
And cut a fathome off. The peece I gaue
Amongst my souldiers, to take downe, and shaue;
Which done, I sharpn'd it at top, and then
(Hardn'd in fire) I hid it in the den,
Within a nastie dunghill reeking there,
Thicke, and so moist, it issude euery where.
Then made I lots cast, by my friends to trie,
Whose fortune seru'd to dare the bor'd out eie
Of that man-eater: and the lot did fall
On foure I wisht to make my aid, of all;
And I, the fift made, chosen like the rest.
Vp to the mountaines; and occasion gaue
For me to vse my wits; which to their height,
I striu'd to skrew vp; that a vengeance might
By some meanes fall from thence; and Pallas now
Affoord a full eare to my neediest vow.
This then, my thoughts preferd: a huge club lay
Close by his milk-house, which was now in way
To drie, and season; being an Oliue tree
Which late he feld; and being greene, must be
Made lighter for his manage. Twas so vast,
That we resembl'd it to some fit Mast,
To serue a ship of burthen, that was driuen
With twentie Ores; and had a bignesse giuen,
To beare a huge sea. Full so thicke, so tall
We iudg'd this club; which I, in part, hewd small,
And cut a fathome off. The peece I gaue
Amongst my souldiers, to take downe, and shaue;
Which done, I sharpn'd it at top, and then
(Hardn'd in fire) I hid it in the den,
Within a nastie dunghill reeking there,
Thicke, and so moist, it issude euery where.
Then made I lots cast, by my friends to trie,
Whose fortune seru'd to dare the bor'd out eie
137
On foure I wisht to make my aid, of all;
And I, the fift made, chosen like the rest.
Then came the Euen; and he came from the feast
Of his fat cattell; draue in all; nor kept
One male abroad: if, or his memory slept
By Gods direct will; or of purpose was
His driuing in of all then, doth surpasse
My comprehension. But he closde againe
The mightie barre; milkt, and did still maintaine
All other obseruation, as before.
His worke, all done; two of my souldiers more,
At once he snatcht vp; and to supper went.
Then dar'd I words to him, and did present
A boll of wine, with these words: Cyclop! take
A boll of wine from my hand, that may make
Way for the mans flesh thou hast eate; and show
What drinke our ship held; which in sacred vow,
I offer to thee; to take ruth on me
In my dismission home. Thy rages be
Now no more sufferable. How shall men
(Mad and inhumane that thou art) againe
Greet thy abode, and get thy actions grace,
If thus thou ragest, and eatst vp their race.
Of his fat cattell; draue in all; nor kept
One male abroad: if, or his memory slept
By Gods direct will; or of purpose was
His driuing in of all then, doth surpasse
My comprehension. But he closde againe
The mightie barre; milkt, and did still maintaine
All other obseruation, as before.
His worke, all done; two of my souldiers more,
At once he snatcht vp; and to supper went.
Then dar'd I words to him, and did present
A boll of wine, with these words: Cyclop! take
A boll of wine from my hand, that may make
Way for the mans flesh thou hast eate; and show
What drinke our ship held; which in sacred vow,
I offer to thee; to take ruth on me
In my dismission home. Thy rages be
Now no more sufferable. How shall men
(Mad and inhumane that thou art) againe
Greet thy abode, and get thy actions grace,
If thus thou ragest, and eatst vp their race.
He tooke, and drunke; and vehemently ioyd
To taste the sweet cup; and againe employd
My flagons powre; entreating more, and said:
Good Guest, againe affoord my taste thy aid;
And let me know thy name; and quickly now;
That in thy recompence I may bestow
A hospitable gift on thy desert;
And such a one as shall reioyce thy heart;
For to the Cylops too, the gentle Earth
Beares generous wine; and Ioue augments her birth,
In store of such, with showres. But this rich wine,
Fell from the riuer that is meere diuine,
Of Nectar and Ambrosia. This againe
I gaue him; and againe; nor could the foole abstaine,
But drunke as often. When the noble Iuyce
Had wrought vpon his spirit; I then gaue vse
To fairer language; saying: Cylop! now
As thou demandst, Ile tell thee my name; do thou
Make good thy hospitable gift to me;
My name is No-Man; No-Man, each degree
Of friends, as well as parents, call my name.
He answerd, as his cruell soule became:
No-Man! Ile eate thee last of all thy friends;
And this is that, in which so much amends
I vowd to thy deseruings; thus shall be
My hospitable gift, made good to thee.
This said; he vpwards fell; but then bent round
His fleshie necke; and Sleepe (with all crownes, crownd)
Subdude the Sauage. From his throte brake out
My wine, with mans flesh gobbets, like a spout;
When loded with his cups, he lay and snor'd.
And then tooke I the clubs end vp, and gor'd
The burning cole-heape, that the point might heate.
Confirmd my fellowes minds, lest Feare should let
Their vowd assay, and make them flie my aid.
Strait was the Oliue Leuer, I had laid
Amidst the huge fire, to get hardning, hot;
And glowd extremely, though twas greene; (which got
From forth the cinders) close about me stood
My hardie friends: but that which did the good,
Was Gods good inspiration, that gaue
A spirit beyond the spirit they vsde to haue:
Who tooke the Oliue sparre, made keene before,
And plung'd it in his eye: and vp I bore,
Bent to the top close; and helpt poure it in,
With all my forces: And as you haue seene
A ship-wright bore a nauall beame; he oft
Thrusts at the Augurs Froofe; works still aloft;
And at the shanke, helpe others; with a cord
Wound round about, to make it sooner bor'd;
All plying the round still: So into his eye,
The firie stake, we labourd to imply.
Out gusht the blood that scalded; his eye-ball
Thrust out a flaming vapour, that scorcht all
His browes and eye-lids; his eye-strings did cracke,
As in, the sharpe and burning rafter brake.
And as a Smith to harden any toole,
(Broad Axe, or Mattocke) in his Trough doth coole
The red-hote substance, that so feruent is,
It makes the cold waue strait to seethe and hisse:
So sod, and hizd his eye about the stake.
He roar'd withall; and all his Cauerne brake
In claps like thunder. We, did frighted flie,
Disperst in corners. He from forth his eie,
The fixed stake pluckt: after which, the blood
Flowd freshly forth; and, mad, he hurl'd the wood
About his houill. Out he then did crie
For other Cyclops, that in Cauernes by,
Vpon a windie Promontorie dwelld;
Who hearing how impetuously he yelld,
Rusht euery way about him; and enquir'd,
What ill afflicted him, that he expir'd
Such horrid clamors; and in sacred Night,
To breake their sleepes so? Askt him, if his fright
Came from some mortall, that his flocks had driuen?
Or if by craft, or might, his death were giuen?
He answerd from his den; By craft, nor might,
No man hath giuen me death. They then said right;
If no man hurt thee, and thy selfe alone;
That which is done to thee, by Ioue is done.
And what great Ioue inflicts, no man can flie;
Pray to thy Father yet, a Deitie;
And proue, from him, if thou canst helpe acquire.
To taste the sweet cup; and againe employd
My flagons powre; entreating more, and said:
Good Guest, againe affoord my taste thy aid;
And let me know thy name; and quickly now;
That in thy recompence I may bestow
A hospitable gift on thy desert;
And such a one as shall reioyce thy heart;
For to the Cylops too, the gentle Earth
Beares generous wine; and Ioue augments her birth,
In store of such, with showres. But this rich wine,
Fell from the riuer that is meere diuine,
Of Nectar and Ambrosia. This againe
I gaue him; and againe; nor could the foole abstaine,
But drunke as often. When the noble Iuyce
Had wrought vpon his spirit; I then gaue vse
To fairer language; saying: Cylop! now
As thou demandst, Ile tell thee my name; do thou
Make good thy hospitable gift to me;
My name is No-Man; No-Man, each degree
Of friends, as well as parents, call my name.
He answerd, as his cruell soule became:
No-Man! Ile eate thee last of all thy friends;
And this is that, in which so much amends
138
My hospitable gift, made good to thee.
This said; he vpwards fell; but then bent round
His fleshie necke; and Sleepe (with all crownes, crownd)
Subdude the Sauage. From his throte brake out
My wine, with mans flesh gobbets, like a spout;
When loded with his cups, he lay and snor'd.
And then tooke I the clubs end vp, and gor'd
The burning cole-heape, that the point might heate.
Confirmd my fellowes minds, lest Feare should let
Their vowd assay, and make them flie my aid.
Strait was the Oliue Leuer, I had laid
Amidst the huge fire, to get hardning, hot;
And glowd extremely, though twas greene; (which got
From forth the cinders) close about me stood
My hardie friends: but that which did the good,
Was Gods good inspiration, that gaue
A spirit beyond the spirit they vsde to haue:
Who tooke the Oliue sparre, made keene before,
And plung'd it in his eye: and vp I bore,
Bent to the top close; and helpt poure it in,
With all my forces: And as you haue seene
A ship-wright bore a nauall beame; he oft
Thrusts at the Augurs Froofe; works still aloft;
And at the shanke, helpe others; with a cord
Wound round about, to make it sooner bor'd;
All plying the round still: So into his eye,
The firie stake, we labourd to imply.
Out gusht the blood that scalded; his eye-ball
Thrust out a flaming vapour, that scorcht all
His browes and eye-lids; his eye-strings did cracke,
As in, the sharpe and burning rafter brake.
And as a Smith to harden any toole,
(Broad Axe, or Mattocke) in his Trough doth coole
The red-hote substance, that so feruent is,
It makes the cold waue strait to seethe and hisse:
So sod, and hizd his eye about the stake.
He roar'd withall; and all his Cauerne brake
In claps like thunder. We, did frighted flie,
Disperst in corners. He from forth his eie,
The fixed stake pluckt: after which, the blood
Flowd freshly forth; and, mad, he hurl'd the wood
About his houill. Out he then did crie
For other Cyclops, that in Cauernes by,
Vpon a windie Promontorie dwelld;
Who hearing how impetuously he yelld,
Rusht euery way about him; and enquir'd,
What ill afflicted him, that he expir'd
139
To breake their sleepes so? Askt him, if his fright
Came from some mortall, that his flocks had driuen?
Or if by craft, or might, his death were giuen?
He answerd from his den; By craft, nor might,
No man hath giuen me death. They then said right;
If no man hurt thee, and thy selfe alone;
That which is done to thee, by Ioue is done.
And what great Ioue inflicts, no man can flie;
Pray to thy Father yet, a Deitie;
And proue, from him, if thou canst helpe acquire.
Thus spake they, leauing him. When all on fire,
My heart with ioy was; that so well my wit,
And name deceiu'd him; whom now paine did split;
And groning vp and downe, he groping tride,
To find the stone, which found, he put aside;
But in the doore sate, feeling if he could
(As his sheepe issude) on some man lay hold;
Esteeming me a foole, that could deuise
No stratageme to scape his grosse surprise.
But I, contending what I could inuent,
My friends and me, from death so imminent,
To get deliuerd: all my wiles I woue,
(Life being the subiect) and did this approue;
Fat fleecie Rams, most faire, and great, lay there,
That did a burthen like a Violet beare.
These (while this learn'd in villanie did sleepe)
I yokt with Osiers cut there, sheepe to sheepe;
Three in a ranke; and still the mid sheepe bore
A man about his belly: the two more,
Marcht on his each side for defence. I then,
Chusing my selfe the fairest of the den,
His fleecie belly vnder-crept; embrac't
His backe, and in his rich wooll wrapt me fast
With both my hands, arm'd with as fast a mind.
And thus each man hung, till the Morning shin'd;
Which come, he knew the houre, and let abroad
His male-flocks first: the females, vnmilkt stood
Bleating and braying; their full bags so sore,
With being vnemptied; but their shepheard more,
With being vnsighted; which was cause, his mind
Went not a milking. He (to wreake enclin'd)
The backs felt as they past, of those male dams:
(Grosse foole) beleeuing, we would ride his Rams.
Nor euer knew, that any of them bore
Vpon his belly, any man before.
The last Ram came to passe him, with his wooll,
And me together, loded to the full:
For there did I hang: and that Ram he staid;
And me withall had in his hands; my head
Troubl'd the while, not causlesly, nor least.
This Ram he grop't, and talkt to: Lazie beast!
Why last art thou now? thou hast neuer vsde
To lag thus hindmost: but still first hast brusde
The tender blossome of a flowre; and held
State in thy steps, both to the flood and field:
First still at Fold, at Euen; now last remaine?
Doest thou not wish I had mine eye againe,
Which that abhord man No-Man did put out,
Assisted by his execrable rout,
When he had wrought me downe with wine? but he
Must not escape my wreake so cunningly.
I would to heauen thou knewst, and could but speake,
To tell me where he lurks now; I would breake
His braine about my Caue, strewd here and there,
To ease my heart of those foule ils, that were
Th' inflictions of a man, I prisde at nought.
My heart with ioy was; that so well my wit,
And name deceiu'd him; whom now paine did split;
And groning vp and downe, he groping tride,
To find the stone, which found, he put aside;
But in the doore sate, feeling if he could
(As his sheepe issude) on some man lay hold;
Esteeming me a foole, that could deuise
No stratageme to scape his grosse surprise.
But I, contending what I could inuent,
My friends and me, from death so imminent,
To get deliuerd: all my wiles I woue,
(Life being the subiect) and did this approue;
Fat fleecie Rams, most faire, and great, lay there,
That did a burthen like a Violet beare.
These (while this learn'd in villanie did sleepe)
I yokt with Osiers cut there, sheepe to sheepe;
Three in a ranke; and still the mid sheepe bore
A man about his belly: the two more,
Marcht on his each side for defence. I then,
Chusing my selfe the fairest of the den,
His fleecie belly vnder-crept; embrac't
His backe, and in his rich wooll wrapt me fast
With both my hands, arm'd with as fast a mind.
And thus each man hung, till the Morning shin'd;
Which come, he knew the houre, and let abroad
His male-flocks first: the females, vnmilkt stood
Bleating and braying; their full bags so sore,
With being vnemptied; but their shepheard more,
With being vnsighted; which was cause, his mind
Went not a milking. He (to wreake enclin'd)
The backs felt as they past, of those male dams:
(Grosse foole) beleeuing, we would ride his Rams.
Nor euer knew, that any of them bore
Vpon his belly, any man before.
The last Ram came to passe him, with his wooll,
And me together, loded to the full:
140
And me withall had in his hands; my head
Troubl'd the while, not causlesly, nor least.
This Ram he grop't, and talkt to: Lazie beast!
Why last art thou now? thou hast neuer vsde
To lag thus hindmost: but still first hast brusde
The tender blossome of a flowre; and held
State in thy steps, both to the flood and field:
First still at Fold, at Euen; now last remaine?
Doest thou not wish I had mine eye againe,
Which that abhord man No-Man did put out,
Assisted by his execrable rout,
When he had wrought me downe with wine? but he
Must not escape my wreake so cunningly.
I would to heauen thou knewst, and could but speake,
To tell me where he lurks now; I would breake
His braine about my Caue, strewd here and there,
To ease my heart of those foule ils, that were
Th' inflictions of a man, I prisde at nought.
Thus let he him abroad; when I (once brought
A litle from his hold) my selfe first losde,
And next, my friends. Then draue we, and disposde,
His strait-leggd fat fleece-bearers ouer land,
Euen till they all were in my ships command;
And to our lou'd friends, shewd our praid-for sight,
Escap't from death. But for our losse, outright
They brake in teares; which with a looke I staid,
And bad them take our Boote in. They obaid;
And vp we all went; sate, and vsde our Ores,
But hauing left as farre the sauage shores,
As one might heare a voice; we then might see
The Cyclop at the hauen; when instantly
I staid our Ores, and this insultance vsde:
Cyclop! thou shouldst not haue so much abusde
Thy monstrous forces, to oppose their least,
Against a man immartiall, and a guest;
And eate his fellowes: thou mightst know there were
Some ils behind (rude swaine) for thee to beare;
That feard not to deuoure thy goests, and breake
All lawes of humanes: Ioue sends therefore wreake,
And all the Gods, by me. This blew the more
His burning furie; when the top he tore
From off a huge Rocke; and so right a throw
Made at our ship, that iust before the Prow,
It ouerflew and fell: mist Mast and all
Exceeding litle; but about the fall,
So fierce a waue it raisd, that backe it bore
Our ship so farre, it almost toucht the shore.
A bead-hooke then (a far-extended one)
I snatcht vp, thrust hard, and so set vs gone
Some litle way; and strait commanded all
To helpe me with their Ores; on paine to fall
Againe on our confusion. But a signe,
I with my head made; and their Ores were mine,
In all performance. When we off were set,
(Then first, twice further) my heart was so great,
It would againe prouoke him: but my men
On all sides rusht about me, to containe;
And said: Vnhappie! why will you prouoke
A man so rude; that with so dead a stroke,
Giuen with his Rock-dart, made the sea thrust backe
Our ship so farre; and neare hand forc't our wracke?
Should he againe, but heare your voice resound,
And any word reach; thereby would be found
His Darts direction; which would, in his fall,
Crush peece-meale vs, quite split our ship and all;
So much dart weilds the monster. Thus vrg'd they
Impossible things, in feare; but I gaue way
To that wrath, which so long I held deprest,
(By great Necessitio conquerd) in my brest.
A litle from his hold) my selfe first losde,
And next, my friends. Then draue we, and disposde,
His strait-leggd fat fleece-bearers ouer land,
Euen till they all were in my ships command;
And to our lou'd friends, shewd our praid-for sight,
Escap't from death. But for our losse, outright
They brake in teares; which with a looke I staid,
And bad them take our Boote in. They obaid;
And vp we all went; sate, and vsde our Ores,
But hauing left as farre the sauage shores,
As one might heare a voice; we then might see
The Cyclop at the hauen; when instantly
I staid our Ores, and this insultance vsde:
Cyclop! thou shouldst not haue so much abusde
Thy monstrous forces, to oppose their least,
Against a man immartiall, and a guest;
And eate his fellowes: thou mightst know there were
Some ils behind (rude swaine) for thee to beare;
That feard not to deuoure thy goests, and breake
All lawes of humanes: Ioue sends therefore wreake,
And all the Gods, by me. This blew the more
His burning furie; when the top he tore
From off a huge Rocke; and so right a throw
Made at our ship, that iust before the Prow,
It ouerflew and fell: mist Mast and all
Exceeding litle; but about the fall,
So fierce a waue it raisd, that backe it bore
Our ship so farre, it almost toucht the shore.
141
I snatcht vp, thrust hard, and so set vs gone
Some litle way; and strait commanded all
To helpe me with their Ores; on paine to fall
Againe on our confusion. But a signe,
I with my head made; and their Ores were mine,
In all performance. When we off were set,
(Then first, twice further) my heart was so great,
It would againe prouoke him: but my men
On all sides rusht about me, to containe;
And said: Vnhappie! why will you prouoke
A man so rude; that with so dead a stroke,
Giuen with his Rock-dart, made the sea thrust backe
Our ship so farre; and neare hand forc't our wracke?
Should he againe, but heare your voice resound,
And any word reach; thereby would be found
His Darts direction; which would, in his fall,
Crush peece-meale vs, quite split our ship and all;
So much dart weilds the monster. Thus vrg'd they
Impossible things, in feare; but I gaue way
To that wrath, which so long I held deprest,
(By great Necessitio conquerd) in my brest.
Cyclop! if any aske thee, who imposde
Th' vnsightly blemish that thine eye enclosde;
Say that Vlysses (old Laertes sonne,
Whose seate is Ithaca; and who hath wonne
Surname of Citie-racer) bor'd it out.
Th' vnsightly blemish that thine eye enclosde;
Say that Vlysses (old Laertes sonne,
Whose seate is Ithaca; and who hath wonne
Surname of Citie-racer) bor'd it out.
At this, he braid so loud, that round about
He draue affrighted Ecchoes through the Aire;
And said: O beast! I was premonisht faire,
By aged Prophecie, in one that was
A great, and good man; this should come to passe;
And how tis prou'd now? Augur Telemus,
Surnam'd Eurymedes (that spent with vs
His age in Augurie; and did exceed
In all presage of Truth) said all this deed,
Should this euent take; author'd by the hand
Of one Vlysses; who I thought was mand
With great and goodly personage; and bore
A vertue answerable: and this shore
Should shake with weight of such a conqueror,
When now a weakling came, a dwarfie thing,
A thing of nothing; who yet wit did bring,
That brought supply to all; and with his wine,
Put out the flame, where all my light did shine.
Come, land againe, Vlysses! that my hand,
May Guest-rites giue thee; and the great command,
That Neptune hath at sea, I may conuert
To the deduction, where abides thy heart,
With my sollicitings; whose Sonne I am;
And whose fame boasts to beare my Fathers name.
Nor thinke my hurt offends me; for my Sire
Can soone repose in it the visuall fire,
At his free pleasure; which no powre beside
Can boast: of men, or of the Deifide.
He draue affrighted Ecchoes through the Aire;
And said: O beast! I was premonisht faire,
By aged Prophecie, in one that was
A great, and good man; this should come to passe;
And how tis prou'd now? Augur Telemus,
Surnam'd Eurymedes (that spent with vs
His age in Augurie; and did exceed
In all presage of Truth) said all this deed,
Should this euent take; author'd by the hand
Of one Vlysses; who I thought was mand
With great and goodly personage; and bore
A vertue answerable: and this shore
Should shake with weight of such a conqueror,
When now a weakling came, a dwarfie thing,
A thing of nothing; who yet wit did bring,
That brought supply to all; and with his wine,
Put out the flame, where all my light did shine.
Come, land againe, Vlysses! that my hand,
May Guest-rites giue thee; and the great command,
That Neptune hath at sea, I may conuert
142
With my sollicitings; whose Sonne I am;
And whose fame boasts to beare my Fathers name.
Nor thinke my hurt offends me; for my Sire
Can soone repose in it the visuall fire,
At his free pleasure; which no powre beside
Can boast: of men, or of the Deifide.
I answerd: Would to God I could compell
Both life and soule from thee; and send to hell
Those spoiles of nature. Hardly Neptune then
Could cure thy hurt, and giue thee all again.
Both life and soule from thee; and send to hell
Those spoiles of nature. Hardly Neptune then
Could cure thy hurt, and giue thee all again.
Then flew fierce vowes to Neptune; both his hands
To starre-borne heauen cast: O thou that all lands
Girdst in thy ambient Circle; and in aire
Shak'st the curld Tresses of thy Saphire haire;
If I be thine, or thou maist iustly vant,
Thou art my Father: heare me now, and grant
That this Vlysses (old Laertes sonne,
That dwels in Ithaca; and name hath wonne
Of Citie-ruiner) may neuer reach
His naturall region. Or if to fetch,
That, and the sight of his faire roofes and friends,
Be fatall to him; let him that Amends
For all his miseries, long time and ill,
Smart for, and faile of: nor that Fate fulfill,
Till all his souldiers quite are cast away
In others ships. And when, at last, the day
Of his sole-landing, shall his dwelling show,
Let Detriment prepare him wrongs enow.
To starre-borne heauen cast: O thou that all lands
Girdst in thy ambient Circle; and in aire
Shak'st the curld Tresses of thy Saphire haire;
If I be thine, or thou maist iustly vant,
Thou art my Father: heare me now, and grant
That this Vlysses (old Laertes sonne,
That dwels in Ithaca; and name hath wonne
Of Citie-ruiner) may neuer reach
His naturall region. Or if to fetch,
That, and the sight of his faire roofes and friends,
Be fatall to him; let him that Amends
For all his miseries, long time and ill,
Smart for, and faile of: nor that Fate fulfill,
Till all his souldiers quite are cast away
In others ships. And when, at last, the day
Of his sole-landing, shall his dwelling show,
Let Detriment prepare him wrongs enow.
Thus praid he Neptune; who, his Sire appeard;
And all his praire, to euery syllable heard.
But then a Rocke, in size more amplified
Then first, he rauisht to him; and implied
A dismall strength in it; when (wheeld about)
He sent it after vs; nor flew it out
From any blind aime; for a litle passe
Beyond our Fore-decke, from the fall there was:
With which the sea, our ship gaue backe vpon,
And shrunke vp into billowes from the stone;
Our ship againe repelling, neare as neare
The shore as first. But then our Rowers were
(Being warnd, more armd) and stronglier stemd the flood
That bore backe on vs, till our ship made good
The other Iland, where our whole Fleet lay;
In which our friends lay mourning for our stay;
And euery minute lookt when we should land.
Where (now arriu'd) we drew vp to the sand;
The Cyclops sheepe diuiding, that none there
(Of all our priuates) might be wrung, and beare
Too much on powre. The Ram yet was alone,
By all my friends, made all my portion,
Aboue all others; and I made him then,
A sacrifice for me, and all my men,
To cloud-compelling Ioue, that all commands.
To whom I burnd the Thighs: but my sad hands,
Receiu'd no grace from him; who studied how
To offer, men and fleete to Ouerthrow.
And all his praire, to euery syllable heard.
But then a Rocke, in size more amplified
Then first, he rauisht to him; and implied
A dismall strength in it; when (wheeld about)
He sent it after vs; nor flew it out
From any blind aime; for a litle passe
Beyond our Fore-decke, from the fall there was:
With which the sea, our ship gaue backe vpon,
And shrunke vp into billowes from the stone;
Our ship againe repelling, neare as neare
The shore as first. But then our Rowers were
(Being warnd, more armd) and stronglier stemd the flood
That bore backe on vs, till our ship made good
The other Iland, where our whole Fleet lay;
In which our friends lay mourning for our stay;
And euery minute lookt when we should land.
Where (now arriu'd) we drew vp to the sand;
The Cyclops sheepe diuiding, that none there
143
Too much on powre. The Ram yet was alone,
By all my friends, made all my portion,
Aboue all others; and I made him then,
A sacrifice for me, and all my men,
To cloud-compelling Ioue, that all commands.
To whom I burnd the Thighs: but my sad hands,
Receiu'd no grace from him; who studied how
To offer, men and fleete to Ouerthrow.
All day, till Sun-set yet, we sate and eate;
And liberall store tooke in, of wine and meate.
The Sunne then downe, and place resign'd to shade,
We slept; Morne came, my men I raisd, and made
All go aboord; weigh Anker, and away.
They boorded, sate and beate the aged sea;
And forth we made saile; sad for losse before,
And yet had comfort, since we lost no more.
And liberall store tooke in, of wine and meate.
The Sunne then downe, and place resign'd to shade,
We slept; Morne came, my men I raisd, and made
All go aboord; weigh Anker, and away.
They boorded, sate and beate the aged sea;
And forth we made saile; sad for losse before,
And yet had comfort, since we lost no more.
Finis libri noni Hom. Odyss.
144
THE TENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Vlysses now relates to vs.The grace he had with AEolus,
Great Guardian of the hollow winds:
Which in a leather bag he binds,
And giues Vlysses; all but one,
Which Zephyre was; who filld alone
Vlysses sailes. The Bag once seene
(While he slept) by Vlysses men;
They thinking, it did gold inclose;
To find it all the winds did lose.
Who backe flew to their guard againe.
Forth saild he; and did next attaine
To where the Læstrigonians dwell.
Where he eleuen ships lost; and fell
On the AEæan coast; whose shore
He sends Eurylochus t'explore,
Diuiding with him halfe his men:
Who go, and turne no more againe;
(All saue Eurylochus, to swine
By Circe turnd.) Their stayes encline
Vlysses to their search; who got
Of Mercurie an Antidote,
(Which Moly was) gainst Circes charmes,
And so auoids his souldiers harmes.
A yeare with Circe all remaine,
And then their natiue formes regaine.
On vtter shores, a time they dwell,
While Ithacus descends to hell.
Another.
Great AEolusAnd Circe, friends,
Finds Ithacus;
And Hell descends.
To the Æolian Iland we attaind,
That swumme about still on the sea; where raign'd
The God-lou'd Æolus Hippotydes.
A wall of steele it had; and in the seas,
A waue-beat-smooth-rocke, mou'd about the wall.
Twelue children, in his house imperiall,
Were borne to him: of which, sixe daughters were,
And sixe were sonnes, that youths sweet flowre did beare.
His daughters, to his sonnes he gaue, as wiues;
Who spent in feastfull comforts all their liues;
Close seated by their Sire, and his graue Spouse.
Past number were the dishes, that the house
Made euer sauour; and still full the Hall;
As long as day shin'd; in the night-time, all
Slept with their chaste wiues. Each his faire caru'd bed
Most richly furnisht; and this life they led.
That swumme about still on the sea; where raign'd
The God-lou'd Æolus Hippotydes.
A wall of steele it had; and in the seas,
A waue-beat-smooth-rocke, mou'd about the wall.
Twelue children, in his house imperiall,
Were borne to him: of which, sixe daughters were,
And sixe were sonnes, that youths sweet flowre did beare.
145
Who spent in feastfull comforts all their liues;
Close seated by their Sire, and his graue Spouse.
Past number were the dishes, that the house
Made euer sauour; and still full the Hall;
As long as day shin'd; in the night-time, all
Slept with their chaste wiues. Each his faire caru'd bed
Most richly furnisht; and this life they led.
We reacht the Cittie, and faire roofes of these;
Where, a whole moneths time; all things that might please
The King vouchsaf't vs. Of great Troy enquir'd,
The Grecian fleete, and how the Greekes retir'd:
To all which, I gaue answer, as behou'd.
Where, a whole moneths time; all things that might please
The King vouchsaf't vs. Of great Troy enquir'd,
The Grecian fleete, and how the Greekes retir'd:
To all which, I gaue answer, as behou'd.
The fit time come; when I dismission mou'd;
He nothing would denie me, but addrest
My passe with such a bountie, as might best
Teach me contentment. For he did enfold
Within an Oxe hide, flead at nine yeares old,
All th' airie blasts, that were of stormie kinds.
Saturnius made him Steward of his winds;
And gaue him powre, to raise and to asswage;
And these he gaue me, curbd thus of their rage.
Which in a glittering siluer band I bound
And hung vp in my ship: enclosd so round,
That no egression, any breath could find.
Onely he left abroad the Westerne wind;
To speede our ships and vs, with blasts secure.
But our securities, made all vnsure:
Nor could he consummate our course alone,
When all the rest had got egression.
Which thus succeeded. Nine whole daies and nights
We saild in safetie; and the tenth, the lights
Borne on our Countrey earth, we might descrie:
So neere we drew, and yet euen then fell I
(Being ouerwatcht) into a fatall sleepe:
For I would suffer no man else to keepe
The foote that rul'd my vessels course; to leade
The faster home. My friends then Enuy fed,
About the bag I hung vp; and supposde,
That gold, and siluer, I had there enclosde,
As gift from Æolus. And said, O heauen!
What grace, and graue price, is by all men giuen
To our Commander? Whatsoeuer coast
Or towne, he comes to, how much he engrost
Of faire and precious prey, and brought from Troy?
We the same voiage went; and yet enioy
In our returne, these emptie hands for all.
This bag now, Æolus was so liberall
To make a Guest-gift to him. Let vatrie
Of what consists, the faire-bound Treasurie;
And how much gold, and siluer it containes.
Ill counsaile, present approbation gaines.
“They op't the bag, and out the vapours brake;
When instant tempest did our vessell take,
That bore vs backe to Sea; to mourne anew
Our absent Countrey. Vp amazd I flew,
And desperate things discourst; if I should cast
My selfe to ruine in the seas; or taste
Amongst the liuing more mone, and sustaine?
Silent, I did so; and lay hid againe
Beneath the hatches: while an ill winde tooke
My ships, backe to Æolia: my men strooke
With woe enough. We pumpt and landed then;
Tooke foode, for all this; and (of all my men,)
I tooke a Herald to me, and away
Went to the Court of Æolus; Where they
Were feasting still: he, wife and children set
Together close. We would not (at their meate)
Thrust in; but humbly on the threshold sat.
He then, amazd, my presence wonderd at;
And calld to me: Vlysses! how, thus backe
Art thou arriu'd here? what foule spirit brake
Into thy bosome to retire thee thus?
We thought we had deduction, curious
Giuen thee before; to reach thy shore and home:
Did it not like thee? I (euen ouercome
With worthy sorrow) answerd: My ill men
Haue done me mischiefe; and to them hath bene
My sleepe th' vnhappie motiue. But do you
(Dearest of friends) daigne succour to my vow:
Your powres command it. Thus endeuord I
With soft speech to repaire my misery.
The rest, with ruth, sat dumbe: but thus spake he;
Auant; and quickly quit my land of thee,
Thou worst of all that breathe; it fits not me
To conuoy, and take in, whom heauens expose.
Away, and with thee go, the worst of woes,
That seek'st my friendship, and the Gods thy foes.
He nothing would denie me, but addrest
My passe with such a bountie, as might best
Teach me contentment. For he did enfold
Within an Oxe hide, flead at nine yeares old,
All th' airie blasts, that were of stormie kinds.
Saturnius made him Steward of his winds;
And gaue him powre, to raise and to asswage;
And these he gaue me, curbd thus of their rage.
Which in a glittering siluer band I bound
And hung vp in my ship: enclosd so round,
That no egression, any breath could find.
Onely he left abroad the Westerne wind;
To speede our ships and vs, with blasts secure.
But our securities, made all vnsure:
Nor could he consummate our course alone,
When all the rest had got egression.
Which thus succeeded. Nine whole daies and nights
We saild in safetie; and the tenth, the lights
Borne on our Countrey earth, we might descrie:
So neere we drew, and yet euen then fell I
(Being ouerwatcht) into a fatall sleepe:
For I would suffer no man else to keepe
The foote that rul'd my vessels course; to leade
The faster home. My friends then Enuy fed,
About the bag I hung vp; and supposde,
That gold, and siluer, I had there enclosde,
As gift from Æolus. And said, O heauen!
What grace, and graue price, is by all men giuen
To our Commander? Whatsoeuer coast
Or towne, he comes to, how much he engrost
Of faire and precious prey, and brought from Troy?
We the same voiage went; and yet enioy
In our returne, these emptie hands for all.
This bag now, Æolus was so liberall
146
Of what consists, the faire-bound Treasurie;
And how much gold, and siluer it containes.
Ill counsaile, present approbation gaines.
“They op't the bag, and out the vapours brake;
When instant tempest did our vessell take,
That bore vs backe to Sea; to mourne anew
Our absent Countrey. Vp amazd I flew,
And desperate things discourst; if I should cast
My selfe to ruine in the seas; or taste
Amongst the liuing more mone, and sustaine?
Silent, I did so; and lay hid againe
Beneath the hatches: while an ill winde tooke
My ships, backe to Æolia: my men strooke
With woe enough. We pumpt and landed then;
Tooke foode, for all this; and (of all my men,)
I tooke a Herald to me, and away
Went to the Court of Æolus; Where they
Were feasting still: he, wife and children set
Together close. We would not (at their meate)
Thrust in; but humbly on the threshold sat.
He then, amazd, my presence wonderd at;
And calld to me: Vlysses! how, thus backe
Art thou arriu'd here? what foule spirit brake
Into thy bosome to retire thee thus?
We thought we had deduction, curious
Giuen thee before; to reach thy shore and home:
Did it not like thee? I (euen ouercome
With worthy sorrow) answerd: My ill men
Haue done me mischiefe; and to them hath bene
My sleepe th' vnhappie motiue. But do you
(Dearest of friends) daigne succour to my vow:
Your powres command it. Thus endeuord I
With soft speech to repaire my misery.
The rest, with ruth, sat dumbe: but thus spake he;
Auant; and quickly quit my land of thee,
Thou worst of all that breathe; it fits not me
To conuoy, and take in, whom heauens expose.
Away, and with thee go, the worst of woes,
That seek'st my friendship, and the Gods thy foes.
Thus he dismist me, sighing; foorth we saild,
At heart afflicted: and now wholy faild
The minds my men sustaind: so spent they were
With toiling at their oares; and worse did beare
Their growing labours; that they causd their grought,
By selfe-willd follies; nor now, euer thought
To see their Countrey more. Six nights and daies
We saild; the seuenth, we saw faire Lamos raise
Her loftie Towres (The Lastrigonian State)
That beares her Ports, so farre disterminate.
Where
Shepheard, Shepheard calls out; he at home
Is calld out by the other that doth come
From charge abroad; and then goes he to sleepe,
The other issuing. He whose turne doth keepe
The Night obseruance, hath his double hire;
Since Day and Night, in equall length expire,
About that Region; and the Nights watch weigh'd
At twice the Daies ward; since the charge thats laid
Vpon the Nights-man (besides breach of sleepe)
Exceeds the Daies-mans: for one, oxen keepe,
The other sheepe. But when the hauen we found,
(Exceeding famous; and enuirond round
With one continuate rocke: which, so much bent,
That both ends almost met; so prominent
They were; and made, the hauens mouth passing streight)
Our whole fleete, in we got; in whole receipt
Our Ships lay anchord close: nor needed we
Feare harme on any staies; Tranquillitie
So purely sate there: that waues great, nor small
Did euer rise to any height at all.
And yet would I, no entrie make; but staid
Alone without the hauen; and thence suruaid
From out a loftie watch-towre raised there,
The Countrie round about: nor any where
The worke of man or beast, appeard to me;
Onely a smoke from earth breake, I might see.
I then made choice of two; and added more,
A Herald for associate, to explore
What sort of men liu'd there. They went, and saw
A beaten way, through which, carts vsde to draw
Wood from the high hils, to the Towne; and met
A maid without the Port; about to get
Some neare spring-water. She, the daughter was
Of mightie Lastrigonian, Antiphas:
And to the cleare spring, cald Artacia, went;
To which the whole Towne, for their water sent.
To her they came, and askt who gouernd there?
And what the people, whom he orderd were?
She answerd not, but led them through the Port,
As making haste, to shew her fathers Court:
Where, enterd; they beheld (to their affright)
A woman like a mountaine top, in height.
Who rusht abroad; and from the Counsaile place
Cald home her horrid husband Antiphas.
Who (deadly minded) straight he snatcht vp one,
And fell to supper. Both the rest were gone;
And to the fleete came. Antiphas, a crie
Draue through the Citie; (which heard,) instantly
This way, and that, innumerable sorts,
Not men, but Gyants, issued through the Ports;
And mightie flints from rocks tore; which they threw
Amongst our ships; through which, an ill noise flew,
Of shiuerd ships, and life-expiring men,
That were, like fishes, by the monsters slaine,
And borne to sad feast. While they slaughterd these,
That were engag'd in all th' aduantages,
The close-mouth'd, and most dead-calme hauen could giue;
I (that without lay) made some meanes to liue;
My sword drew; cut my gables; and to oares
Set all my men; and, from the plagues, those shores
Let flie amongst vs, we made haste to flie;
My men, close working, as men loth to die.
My ship flew freely off; but theirs that lay
On heapes in harbors, could enforce no way
Through these sterne fates, that had engag'd them there.
Forth our sad remnant saild; yet still retaind,
The ioyes of men, that our poore few remaind,
At heart afflicted: and now wholy faild
The minds my men sustaind: so spent they were
With toiling at their oares; and worse did beare
Their growing labours; that they causd their grought,
By selfe-willd follies; nor now, euer thought
To see their Countrey more. Six nights and daies
We saild; the seuenth, we saw faire Lamos raise
147
That beares her Ports, so farre disterminate.
Where
This place suffers different construction, in all the Commentors, (in which all erre from the mind of the Poet: as in a hundred other places (which yet I want time to approue) especially about εγγυς γαρ νυκτος, &c. Prope enim noctis & diei sunt viæ; (or similiter which εγγυς signifies) which they will haue to be vnderstood, that the daies in that region are long and the nights short; where Hom. intends, that the Equinoctiall is there: (for how else is the course of day and night neare or equall?) But therefore the nights-man hath his double hire, being as long about his charge as the other: and the night being more dangerous, &c. And if the day were so long, why should the nights man, be preferred in wages?
Is calld out by the other that doth come
From charge abroad; and then goes he to sleepe,
The other issuing. He whose turne doth keepe
The Night obseruance, hath his double hire;
Since Day and Night, in equall length expire,
About that Region; and the Nights watch weigh'd
At twice the Daies ward; since the charge thats laid
Vpon the Nights-man (besides breach of sleepe)
Exceeds the Daies-mans: for one, oxen keepe,
The other sheepe. But when the hauen we found,
(Exceeding famous; and enuirond round
With one continuate rocke: which, so much bent,
That both ends almost met; so prominent
They were; and made, the hauens mouth passing streight)
Our whole fleete, in we got; in whole receipt
Our Ships lay anchord close: nor needed we
Feare harme on any staies; Tranquillitie
So purely sate there: that waues great, nor small
Did euer rise to any height at all.
And yet would I, no entrie make; but staid
Alone without the hauen; and thence suruaid
From out a loftie watch-towre raised there,
The Countrie round about: nor any where
The worke of man or beast, appeard to me;
Onely a smoke from earth breake, I might see.
I then made choice of two; and added more,
A Herald for associate, to explore
What sort of men liu'd there. They went, and saw
A beaten way, through which, carts vsde to draw
Wood from the high hils, to the Towne; and met
A maid without the Port; about to get
Some neare spring-water. She, the daughter was
Of mightie Lastrigonian, Antiphas:
And to the cleare spring, cald Artacia, went;
To which the whole Towne, for their water sent.
To her they came, and askt who gouernd there?
And what the people, whom he orderd were?
She answerd not, but led them through the Port,
As making haste, to shew her fathers Court:
Where, enterd; they beheld (to their affright)
A woman like a mountaine top, in height.
Who rusht abroad; and from the Counsaile place
Cald home her horrid husband Antiphas.
Who (deadly minded) straight he snatcht vp one,
And fell to supper. Both the rest were gone;
148
Draue through the Citie; (which heard,) instantly
This way, and that, innumerable sorts,
Not men, but Gyants, issued through the Ports;
And mightie flints from rocks tore; which they threw
Amongst our ships; through which, an ill noise flew,
Of shiuerd ships, and life-expiring men,
That were, like fishes, by the monsters slaine,
And borne to sad feast. While they slaughterd these,
That were engag'd in all th' aduantages,
The close-mouth'd, and most dead-calme hauen could giue;
I (that without lay) made some meanes to liue;
My sword drew; cut my gables; and to oares
Set all my men; and, from the plagues, those shores
Let flie amongst vs, we made haste to flie;
My men, close working, as men loth to die.
My ship flew freely off; but theirs that lay
On heapes in harbors, could enforce no way
Through these sterne fates, that had engag'd them there.
Forth our sad remnant saild; yet still retaind,
The ioyes of men, that our poore few remaind,
Then to the Ile Ææa we attaind;
Where faire-haird, dreadfull, eloquent Circe raignd;
Æætas sister, both by Dame and Sire;
Both daughters to heauens man-enlightning fire;
And Perse, whom Oceanus begat.
The ship-fit Port here, soone we landed at:
Some God directing vs. Two daies; two nights,
We lay here pining in the fatall spights
Of toile and sorrow. But the next third day.
When faire Aurora had informd; quicke way
I made out of my ships my sword and lance
Tooke for my surer guide; and made aduance
Vp to a prospect, I assay to see
The works of men; or heare mortalitie
Expire a voice. When I had climb'd a height
Rough and right hardly accessible; I might
Behold from Circes house (that in a groue
Set thicke with trees, stood; a bright vapor moue.
I then grew curious in my thought to trie
Some fit enquirie; when so spritely flie
I saw the yeallow smoke. But my discourse,
A first retiring to my ship gaue force
To giue my men their dinner, and to send,
(Before th' aduenture of my selfe) some friend.
Being neare my ship; of one so desolate
Some God had pittie, and would recreate
My woes a little, putting vp to me
A great and high-palmd Hart; that (fatallie,
Iust in my way it selfe, to taste a flood)
Was then descending: the Sunne heate had sure
Importun'd him, besides the temperature
His naturall heate gaue. Howsoeuer, I
Made vp to him, and let my Iauelin flie,
That strooke him through the mid-part of his chine;
And made him (braying) in the dust confine
His flying forces. Forth his spirit flew;
When I stept in, and from the deaths wound drew
My shrewdly-bitten lance; there let him lie
Till I, of cut-vp Osiers, did imply,
A With; a fathome long, with which, his feete
I made together, in a sure league meete;
Stoop't vnder him, and to my necke, I heau'd
The mightie burthen; of which, I receau'd
A good part on my lance: for else I could
By no meanes, with one hand alone, vphould
(Ioynd with one shoulder) such a deathfull lode.
And so, to both my shoulders, both hands stood
Needfull assistents: for it was a Deare
Goodly-wel-growne: when (coming something neare
Where rode my ships) I cast it downe, and rer'd
My friends with kind words; whom, by name I cheer'd,
In note particular, and said; See friends,
We will not yet to Plutos house, our ends
Shall not be hastend, though we be declind
In cause of comfort; till the day design'd
By Fates fixt finger. Come, as long as food
Or wine lasts in our ship; lets spirit our blood
And quit our care and hunger, both in one.
Where faire-haird, dreadfull, eloquent Circe raignd;
Æætas sister, both by Dame and Sire;
Both daughters to heauens man-enlightning fire;
And Perse, whom Oceanus begat.
The ship-fit Port here, soone we landed at:
Some God directing vs. Two daies; two nights,
We lay here pining in the fatall spights
Of toile and sorrow. But the next third day.
When faire Aurora had informd; quicke way
I made out of my ships my sword and lance
Tooke for my surer guide; and made aduance
Vp to a prospect, I assay to see
The works of men; or heare mortalitie
Expire a voice. When I had climb'd a height
Rough and right hardly accessible; I might
Behold from Circes house (that in a groue
Set thicke with trees, stood; a bright vapor moue.
I then grew curious in my thought to trie
Some fit enquirie; when so spritely flie
I saw the yeallow smoke. But my discourse,
A first retiring to my ship gaue force
To giue my men their dinner, and to send,
(Before th' aduenture of my selfe) some friend.
Being neare my ship; of one so desolate
Some God had pittie, and would recreate
My woes a little, putting vp to me
149
Iust in my way it selfe, to taste a flood)
Was then descending: the Sunne heate had sure
Importun'd him, besides the temperature
His naturall heate gaue. Howsoeuer, I
Made vp to him, and let my Iauelin flie,
That strooke him through the mid-part of his chine;
And made him (braying) in the dust confine
His flying forces. Forth his spirit flew;
When I stept in, and from the deaths wound drew
My shrewdly-bitten lance; there let him lie
Till I, of cut-vp Osiers, did imply,
A With; a fathome long, with which, his feete
I made together, in a sure league meete;
Stoop't vnder him, and to my necke, I heau'd
The mightie burthen; of which, I receau'd
A good part on my lance: for else I could
By no meanes, with one hand alone, vphould
(Ioynd with one shoulder) such a deathfull lode.
And so, to both my shoulders, both hands stood
Needfull assistents: for it was a Deare
Goodly-wel-growne: when (coming something neare
Where rode my ships) I cast it downe, and rer'd
My friends with kind words; whom, by name I cheer'd,
In note particular, and said; See friends,
We will not yet to Plutos house, our ends
Shall not be hastend, though we be declind
In cause of comfort; till the day design'd
By Fates fixt finger. Come, as long as food
Or wine lasts in our ship; lets spirit our blood
And quit our care and hunger, both in one.
This said; they frolikt, came, and lookt vpon
With admiration, the huge bodied beast;
And when their first-seru'd eyes, had done their feast;
They washt, and made a to-be-striu'd-for meale,
In point of honour. On which all did dwell
The whole day long. And, to our venzons store,
We added wine till we could wish no more.
With admiration, the huge bodied beast;
And when their first-seru'd eyes, had done their feast;
They washt, and made a to-be-striu'd-for meale,
In point of honour. On which all did dwell
The whole day long. And, to our venzons store,
We added wine till we could wish no more.
Sunne set, and darknesse vp; we slept, till light
Put darknesse downe: and then did I excite
My friends to
counsaile, vttering this: Now, friends,
Affoord vnpassionate eare; though ill Fate lends,
So good cause to your passion; no man knowes
The reason whence, and how, the darknesse growes;
The reason, how the Morne is thus begunne:
The reason, how the Man-enlightning Sunne
Diues vnder earth: the reason how againe
He reres his golden head. Those counsailes then
That passe our comprehension, we must leaue
To him that knowes their causes; and receaue
Direction from him, in our acts, as farre
As he shall please to make them regular;
And stoope them to our reason. In our state,
What then behoues vs? Can we estimate
With all our counsailes, where we are? or know
(Without instruction, past our owne skils) how
(Put off from hence) to stere our course the more?
I thinke we can not. We must then explore
These parts for information; in which way
We thus farre are: last Morne I might display
(From off a high-raisd cliffe) an Iland lie
Girt with th' vnmeasur'd Sea; and is so nie
That in the midst I saw the smoke arise
Through tufts of trees. This rests then to aduise,
Who shall explore this. This strooke dead their hearts,
Remembring the most execrable parts
That Lastrigonian Antiphas had plaid:
And that foule Cyclop, that their fellowes braid
Betwixt his iawes; which mou'd them so; they cried.
But idle teares, had neuer wants supplied.
I, in two parts diuided all; and gaue
To either part his Captaine: I must haue
The charge of one; and one of God-like looke,
Eurylochus, the other. Lots we shooke,
(Put in a
caske 
together,) which of vs
Should leade th' attempt; and twas Eurylochus.
He freely went; with two and twenty more:
All which, tooke leaue with teares; and our eyes wore
The same wet badge, of weake humanity.
These, in a dale, did Circes house descrie;
Of bright stone built, in a conspicuous way:
Before her gates; hill-wolues, and Lyons lay;
Which with her virtuous drugs, so tame she made;
That Wolfe, nor Lyon, would one man inuade
With any violence; but all arose;
Their huge long tailes wagd; and in fawnes would close,
As louing dogs, when masters bring them home
Relicks of feast; in all obseruance, come
And sooth their entries, with their fawnes and bounds;
All guests, still bringing, some scraps for their hounds:
So, on these men, the Wolues, and Lyons rampt;
Their horrid paws set vp. Their spirits were dampt
To see such monstrous kindnesse; staid at gate,
And heard within, the Goddesse eleuate
A voice diuine, as at her web, she wrought,
Subtle, and glorious, and past earthly thought;
As all the houswiferies of Deities are.
To heare a voice, so rauishingly rare;
Polites (one exceeding deare to me,
A Prince of men; and of no meane degree
In knowing vertue; in all Acts, whose mind
Discreete cares all wayes, vsde to turne, and wind)
Was yet surprisd with it; and said; O friends,
Some one abides within here, that commends
The place to vs; and breathes a voice diuine;
As she some web wrought; or her spindles twine
She cherisht with her song: the pauement rings
With imitation of the tunes she sings;
Some woman, or some Goddesse tis; Assay
To see with knocking. Thus said he; and they
Both knockt, and calld; and straight her shining gates
She opened, issuing: bade them in, to cates.
Led, and (vnwise) they follow'd; all, but one
Which was Eurylochus; who stood alone
Without the gates; suspicious of a sleight;
They enterd, she made sit; and her deceit
She cloakt with Thrones; and goodly chaires of State;
Set hearby honey, and the delicate
Wine brought from Smyrna, to them; meale and cheese;
But harmefull venoms, she commixt with these;
That made their Countrey vanish from their thought.
Which, eate; she toucht them, with a rod that wrought
Their transformation, farre past humane wunts;
Swines snowts, swines bodies, tooke they, bristles, grunts;
But still retaind the soules they had before;
Which made them mourne their bodies change the more.
She shut them straight in sties; and gaue them meate
Oke-mast, and beech, and Cornell fruite, they eate,
Groueling like swine on earth, in fowlest sort.
Eurylochus, straight hasted the report
Of this his fellowes most remorcefull fate.
Came to the ships; but so excruciate
Was with his woe; he could not speake a word:
His eyes stood full of teares; which shew'd how stor'd,
His mind with mone remaind. We all admir'd;
Askt what had chanc't him, earnestly desir'd
He would resolue vs. At the last, our eyes,
Enflam'd in him, his fellowes memories:
And out his griefe burst thus; You wild; we went
Through those thicke woods you saw; when, a descent
Shew'd vs a faire house, in a lightsome ground,
Where (at some worke) we heard a heauenly sound
Breath'd from a Goddesse, or a womans brest:
They knockt, she op't her bright gates; each, her guest
Her faire inuitement made: nor would they stay,
(Fooles that they were) when she once led the way.
I enterd not, suspecting some deceit.
When all together vanisht; nor the sight
Of any one, (though long I lookt) mine eye
Could any way discouer. Instantly,
(My sword, and bow reacht) I bad shew the place,
When, downe he fell; did both my knees embrace,
And praid with teares thus; O thou kept of God,
Do not thy selfe lose; nor to that aboad
Leade others rashly; both thy selfe, and all
Thou ventur'st thither, I know well, must fall
In one sure ruine: with these few then flie;
We yet may shunne the others destinie.
Put darknesse downe: and then did I excite
My friends to
ερικυδεα δαιτα. The whole end of this counsaile was to perswade his souldiers to explore those parts: which he knew would proue a most vnpleasing motion to them: for their fellowes terrible entertainement with Antiphas, and Polyph and therefore he prepares the little he hath to say, with this long circumstance: implying a necessitie of that seruice, and necessary resolution to adde the triall of the euent, to their other aduentures.
Affoord vnpassionate eare; though ill Fate lends,
So good cause to your passion; no man knowes
The reason whence, and how, the darknesse growes;
The reason, how the Morne is thus begunne:
The reason, how the Man-enlightning Sunne
Diues vnder earth: the reason how againe
He reres his golden head. Those counsailes then
150
To him that knowes their causes; and receaue
Direction from him, in our acts, as farre
As he shall please to make them regular;
And stoope them to our reason. In our state,
What then behoues vs? Can we estimate
With all our counsailes, where we are? or know
(Without instruction, past our owne skils) how
(Put off from hence) to stere our course the more?
I thinke we can not. We must then explore
These parts for information; in which way
We thus farre are: last Morne I might display
(From off a high-raisd cliffe) an Iland lie
Girt with th' vnmeasur'd Sea; and is so nie
That in the midst I saw the smoke arise
Through tufts of trees. This rests then to aduise,
Who shall explore this. This strooke dead their hearts,
Remembring the most execrable parts
That Lastrigonian Antiphas had plaid:
And that foule Cyclop, that their fellowes braid
Betwixt his iawes; which mou'd them so; they cried.
But idle teares, had neuer wants supplied.
I, in two parts diuided all; and gaue
To either part his Captaine: I must haue
The charge of one; and one of God-like looke,
Eurylochus, the other. Lots we shooke,
(Put in a
caske together,) which of vs
Should leade th' attempt; and twas Eurylochus.
He freely went; with two and twenty more:
All which, tooke leaue with teares; and our eyes wore
The same wet badge, of weake humanity.
These, in a dale, did Circes house descrie;
Of bright stone built, in a conspicuous way:
Before her gates; hill-wolues, and Lyons lay;
Which with her virtuous drugs, so tame she made;
That Wolfe, nor Lyon, would one man inuade
With any violence; but all arose;
Their huge long tailes wagd; and in fawnes would close,
As louing dogs, when masters bring them home
Relicks of feast; in all obseruance, come
And sooth their entries, with their fawnes and bounds;
All guests, still bringing, some scraps for their hounds:
So, on these men, the Wolues, and Lyons rampt;
Their horrid paws set vp. Their spirits were dampt
To see such monstrous kindnesse; staid at gate,
And heard within, the Goddesse eleuate
A voice diuine, as at her web, she wrought,
Subtle, and glorious, and past earthly thought;
151
To heare a voice, so rauishingly rare;
Polites (one exceeding deare to me,
A Prince of men; and of no meane degree
In knowing vertue; in all Acts, whose mind
Discreete cares all wayes, vsde to turne, and wind)
Was yet surprisd with it; and said; O friends,
Some one abides within here, that commends
The place to vs; and breathes a voice diuine;
As she some web wrought; or her spindles twine
She cherisht with her song: the pauement rings
With imitation of the tunes she sings;
Some woman, or some Goddesse tis; Assay
To see with knocking. Thus said he; and they
Both knockt, and calld; and straight her shining gates
She opened, issuing: bade them in, to cates.
Led, and (vnwise) they follow'd; all, but one
Which was Eurylochus; who stood alone
Without the gates; suspicious of a sleight;
They enterd, she made sit; and her deceit
She cloakt with Thrones; and goodly chaires of State;
Set hearby honey, and the delicate
Wine brought from Smyrna, to them; meale and cheese;
But harmefull venoms, she commixt with these;
That made their Countrey vanish from their thought.
Which, eate; she toucht them, with a rod that wrought
Their transformation, farre past humane wunts;
Swines snowts, swines bodies, tooke they, bristles, grunts;
But still retaind the soules they had before;
Which made them mourne their bodies change the more.
She shut them straight in sties; and gaue them meate
Oke-mast, and beech, and Cornell fruite, they eate,
Groueling like swine on earth, in fowlest sort.
Eurylochus, straight hasted the report
Of this his fellowes most remorcefull fate.
Came to the ships; but so excruciate
Was with his woe; he could not speake a word:
His eyes stood full of teares; which shew'd how stor'd,
His mind with mone remaind. We all admir'd;
Askt what had chanc't him, earnestly desir'd
He would resolue vs. At the last, our eyes,
Enflam'd in him, his fellowes memories:
And out his griefe burst thus; You wild; we went
Through those thicke woods you saw; when, a descent
Shew'd vs a faire house, in a lightsome ground,
Where (at some worke) we heard a heauenly sound
Breath'd from a Goddesse, or a womans brest:
They knockt, she op't her bright gates; each, her guest
152
(Fooles that they were) when she once led the way.
I enterd not, suspecting some deceit.
When all together vanisht; nor the sight
Of any one, (though long I lookt) mine eye
Could any way discouer. Instantly,
(My sword, and bow reacht) I bad shew the place,
When, downe he fell; did both my knees embrace,
And praid with teares thus; O thou kept of God,
Do not thy selfe lose; nor to that aboad
Leade others rashly; both thy selfe, and all
Thou ventur'st thither, I know well, must fall
In one sure ruine: with these few then flie;
We yet may shunne the others destinie.
I answerd him: Eurylochus! stay thou
And keepe the ship then; eate and drinke: I now
Will vndertake th' aduenture; there is cause
In great Necessities vnalterd lawes.
This said, I left both ship and seas; and on
Along the sacred vallies all alone
Went in discouery: till at last I came
Where, of the maine-medcine-making Dame
I saw the great house: where, encounterd me,
The golden-rod sustaining Mercurie;
Euen entring Circes doores. He met me in
A yong mans likenesse, of the first-flowr'd chin,
Whose forme hath all the grace, of one so yong:
He first cald to me: then my hand, he wrung,
And said; Thou no-place-finding-for repose;
Whither, alone, by these hill-confines, goes
Thy erring foote? Th' art entring Circes house,
Where, (by her medcines, blacke, and sorcerous)
Thy souldiers all are shut, in well-armd sties,
And turnd to swine. Art thou arriu'd with prise
Fit for their ransomes? Thou com'st out no more
If once thou enterst. Like thy men before
Made to remaine here; But Ile guard thee free;
And saue thee in her spite: receiue of me
This faire and good receipt; with which, once arm'd;
Enter her roofes; for th' art to all proofe charm'd
Against the ill day: I will tell thee all
Her banefull counsaile. With a festiuall
Sheele first receiue thee; but will spice thy bread
With flowrie poysons: yet vnaltered
Shall thy firme forme be; for this remedy
Stands most approu'd, gainst all her Sorcery.
Which, thus particularly shunne: When she
Shall with her long rod strike thee; instantly
Draw from thy thigh thy sword; and flie on her
As to her slaughter. She, (surprisde with feare
And loue) at first, will bid thee to her bed;
Nor say the Goddesse nay; that welcomed
Thou maist with all respect be; and procure
Thy fellowes freedomes. But before, make sure
Her fauours to thee; and the great oath take
With which the blessed Gods, assurance make
Of all they promise: that no preiudice
(By stripping thee of forme, and faculties)
She may so much as once attempt on thee.
This said, he gaue his Antidote to me;
Which from the earth he pluckt; and told me all
The vertue of it: With what Deities call
The name it beares. And Moly they impose
For name to it. The roote is hard to loose
From hold of earth, by mortals: but Gods powre
Can all things do. Tis blacke, but beares a flowre
As white as milke. And thus flew Mercurie
Vp to immense Olympus, gliding by
The syluan Iland. I, made backe my way
To Circes house: my mind, of my assay
Much thought reuoluing. At her gates I staid
And cald: she heard, and her bright doores displaid;
Inuited, led; I followed in: but tract
With some distraction. In a Throne she plac't
My welcome person. Of a curious frame
Twas, and so bright; I sate as in a flame.
A foote-stoole added. In a golden boule
She then subornd a potion: in her soule,
Deformd things thinking: for amidst the wine
She mixt her man-transforming medicine:
Which when she saw I had deuourd; she then,
No more obseru'd me with her soothing vaine;
But strooke me with her rod, and, To her Sty,
Bad; out, away, and with thy fellowes lie.
I drew my sword, and charg'd her, as I ment
To take her life. When out she cri'd, and bent
Beneath my sword, her knees; embracing mine;
And (full of teares) said, Who? of what high line
Art thou the issue? whence? what shores sustaine
Thy natiue Citie? I amaz'd remaine
That drinking these my venomes, th' art not turnd.
Neuer drunke any this cup; but he mournd
In other likenesse; if it once had past
The iuorie bounders of his tongue, and taste.
All but thy selfe, are brutishly declind:
Thy breast holds firme yet, and vnchang'd thy mind:
Thou canst be therefore, none else but the man
Of many virtues: Ithacensian,
Deepe-soul'd Vlysses: who, I oft was told,
By that slie God, that beares the rod of gold,
Was to arriue here, in retreat from Troy.
Sheath then thy sword, and let my bed enioy
So much a man; that when the bed we proue,
We may beleeue in one anothers loue.
And keepe the ship then; eate and drinke: I now
Will vndertake th' aduenture; there is cause
In great Necessities vnalterd lawes.
This said, I left both ship and seas; and on
Along the sacred vallies all alone
Went in discouery: till at last I came
Where, of the maine-medcine-making Dame
I saw the great house: where, encounterd me,
The golden-rod sustaining Mercurie;
Euen entring Circes doores. He met me in
A yong mans likenesse, of the first-flowr'd chin,
Whose forme hath all the grace, of one so yong:
He first cald to me: then my hand, he wrung,
And said; Thou no-place-finding-for repose;
Whither, alone, by these hill-confines, goes
Thy erring foote? Th' art entring Circes house,
Where, (by her medcines, blacke, and sorcerous)
Thy souldiers all are shut, in well-armd sties,
And turnd to swine. Art thou arriu'd with prise
Fit for their ransomes? Thou com'st out no more
If once thou enterst. Like thy men before
Made to remaine here; But Ile guard thee free;
And saue thee in her spite: receiue of me
This faire and good receipt; with which, once arm'd;
Enter her roofes; for th' art to all proofe charm'd
Against the ill day: I will tell thee all
Her banefull counsaile. With a festiuall
Sheele first receiue thee; but will spice thy bread
With flowrie poysons: yet vnaltered
Shall thy firme forme be; for this remedy
Stands most approu'd, gainst all her Sorcery.
Which, thus particularly shunne: When she
Shall with her long rod strike thee; instantly
153
As to her slaughter. She, (surprisde with feare
And loue) at first, will bid thee to her bed;
Nor say the Goddesse nay; that welcomed
Thou maist with all respect be; and procure
Thy fellowes freedomes. But before, make sure
Her fauours to thee; and the great oath take
With which the blessed Gods, assurance make
Of all they promise: that no preiudice
(By stripping thee of forme, and faculties)
She may so much as once attempt on thee.
This said, he gaue his Antidote to me;
Which from the earth he pluckt; and told me all
The vertue of it: With what Deities call
The name it beares. And Moly they impose
For name to it. The roote is hard to loose
From hold of earth, by mortals: but Gods powre
Can all things do. Tis blacke, but beares a flowre
As white as milke. And thus flew Mercurie
Vp to immense Olympus, gliding by
The syluan Iland. I, made backe my way
To Circes house: my mind, of my assay
Much thought reuoluing. At her gates I staid
And cald: she heard, and her bright doores displaid;
Inuited, led; I followed in: but tract
With some distraction. In a Throne she plac't
My welcome person. Of a curious frame
Twas, and so bright; I sate as in a flame.
A foote-stoole added. In a golden boule
She then subornd a potion: in her soule,
Deformd things thinking: for amidst the wine
She mixt her man-transforming medicine:
Which when she saw I had deuourd; she then,
No more obseru'd me with her soothing vaine;
But strooke me with her rod, and, To her Sty,
Bad; out, away, and with thy fellowes lie.
I drew my sword, and charg'd her, as I ment
To take her life. When out she cri'd, and bent
Beneath my sword, her knees; embracing mine;
And (full of teares) said, Who? of what high line
Art thou the issue? whence? what shores sustaine
Thy natiue Citie? I amaz'd remaine
That drinking these my venomes, th' art not turnd.
Neuer drunke any this cup; but he mournd
In other likenesse; if it once had past
The iuorie bounders of his tongue, and taste.
All but thy selfe, are brutishly declind:
Thy breast holds firme yet, and vnchang'd thy mind:
156
Of many virtues: Ithacensian,
Deepe-soul'd Vlysses: who, I oft was told,
By that slie God, that beares the rod of gold,
Was to arriue here, in retreat from Troy.
Sheath then thy sword, and let my bed enioy
So much a man; that when the bed we proue,
We may beleeue in one anothers loue.
I then: O Circe, why entreat'st thou me
To mixe in any humane league with thee;
When thou, my friends hast beasts turnd? and thy bed
Tenderst to me; that I might likewise leade
A beasts life with thee; softn'd, naked stript;
That in my blood, thy banes, may more be steept.
I neuer will ascend thy bed, before
I may affirme; that in heauens sight you swore
The great oath of the Gods; that all attempt
To do me ill, is from your thoughts exempt.
To mixe in any humane league with thee;
When thou, my friends hast beasts turnd? and thy bed
Tenderst to me; that I might likewise leade
A beasts life with thee; softn'd, naked stript;
That in my blood, thy banes, may more be steept.
I neuer will ascend thy bed, before
I may affirme; that in heauens sight you swore
The great oath of the Gods; that all attempt
To do me ill, is from your thoughts exempt.
I said; she swore: when, all the oath-rites said,
I then ascended her adorned bed;
But thus prepar'd: foure handmaids seru'd her there;
That daughters to her siluer fountaines were,
To her bright-sea-obseruing sacred floods;
And to her vncut consecrated woods.
One deckt the Throne-tops, with rich clothes of state;
And did, with silkes, the foote-pace, consecrate.
Another, siluer tables set before
The pompous Throne; and golden dishes store
Seru'd in with seuerall feast. A third fild wine;
The fourth brought water, and made fewell shine
In ruddy fires; beneath a wombe of brasse.
Which heat, I bath'd; and odorous water was
Disperpled lightly, on my head, and necke;
That might my late, heart-hurting sorrowes checke
With the refreshing sweetnesse; and, for that,
Men sometimes, may be something delicate.
Bath'd, and adorn'd; she led me to a Throne
Of massie siluer; and of fashion.
Exceeding curious. A faire foote-stoole set;
Water apposde, and euery sort of meate
Set on th' elaborately polisht boord.
She wisht my taste emploid; but not a word
Would my eares taste, of taste: my mind had food
That must digest; eye meate would do me good.
Circe (obseruing, that I put no hand
To any banquet; hauing countermand
From weightier cares; the light cates could excuse)
Bowing her neare me; these wing'd words did vse:
I then ascended her adorned bed;
But thus prepar'd: foure handmaids seru'd her there;
That daughters to her siluer fountaines were,
To her bright-sea-obseruing sacred floods;
And to her vncut consecrated woods.
One deckt the Throne-tops, with rich clothes of state;
And did, with silkes, the foote-pace, consecrate.
Another, siluer tables set before
The pompous Throne; and golden dishes store
Seru'd in with seuerall feast. A third fild wine;
The fourth brought water, and made fewell shine
In ruddy fires; beneath a wombe of brasse.
Which heat, I bath'd; and odorous water was
Disperpled lightly, on my head, and necke;
That might my late, heart-hurting sorrowes checke
With the refreshing sweetnesse; and, for that,
Men sometimes, may be something delicate.
Bath'd, and adorn'd; she led me to a Throne
Of massie siluer; and of fashion.
Exceeding curious. A faire foote-stoole set;
Water apposde, and euery sort of meate
Set on th' elaborately polisht boord.
She wisht my taste emploid; but not a word
Would my eares taste, of taste: my mind had food
That must digest; eye meate would do me good.
Circe (obseruing, that I put no hand
To any banquet; hauing countermand
From weightier cares; the light cates could excuse)
Bowing her neare me; these wing'd words did vse:
155
Why sits Vlysses, like one dumbe? his mind
Lessening with languors? Nor to food enclind;
Nor wine? Whence comes it? out of any feare
Of more illusion? You must needs forbeare
That wrongfull doubt, since you haue heard me sweare.
Lessening with languors? Nor to food enclind;
Nor wine? Whence comes it? out of any feare
Of more illusion? You must needs forbeare
That wrongfull doubt, since you haue heard me sweare.
O Circe! (I replied) what man is he,
Awd with the rights of true humanitie,
That dares taste food or wine; before he sees
His friends redeem'd from their deformities?
If you be gentle, and indeed incline
To let me taste the comfort of your wine;
Dissolue the charmes, that their forc't formes encheine
And shew me here, my honord friends, like men.
Awd with the rights of true humanitie,
That dares taste food or wine; before he sees
His friends redeem'd from their deformities?
If you be gentle, and indeed incline
To let me taste the comfort of your wine;
Dissolue the charmes, that their forc't formes encheine
And shew me here, my honord friends, like men.
This said, she left her Throne, and tooke her rod;
Went to her Stie, and let my men abroad,
Like swine of nine yeares old. They opposite stood;
Obseru'd their brutish forme; and look't for food;
When, with another medicine, (euery one
All ouer smeer'd) their bristles all were gone,
Produc't by malice of the other bane;
And euery one, afresh, lookt vp a man.
Both yonger then they were; of stature more;
And all their formes, much goodlier then before.
All knew me; clingd about me, and a cry
Of pleasing mourning, flew about so hie,
The horrid roofe resounded; and the Queene
Her selfe, was mou'd, to see our kinde so keene.
Who bad me now; bring ship and men ashore;
Our armes, and goods, in caues hid; and restore
My selfe to her, with all my other men.
I granted, went, and op't the weeping veine
In all my men; whose violent ioy to see
My safe returne, was passing kindly free
Of friendly teares, and miserably wept.
You haue not seene yong Heiffers (highly kept;
Filld full of daisies at the field, and driuen
Home to their houels; all so spritely giuen
That no roome can containe them; but about,
Bace by the Dams, and let their spirits out
In ceasselesse bleating) of more iocund plight
Then my kind friends, euen crying out with sight
Of my returne so doubted. Circl'd me
With all their welcomes, and as cheerfully
Disposde their rapt minds, as if there they saw
Their naturall Countrie, cliffie Ithaca;
And euen the roofes where they were bred and borne.
And vowd as much, with teares: O your returne
As much delights vs; as in you had come
Our Countrie to vs, and our naturall home.
But what vnhappie fate hath reft our friends?
I gaue vnlookt for answer; That amends
Made for their mourning, bad them first of all.
Our ship ashore draw; then in Cauerns stall
Our foodie cattell, hide our mutuall prise;
And then (said I) attend me, that your eies,
In Circes sacred house, may see each friend,
Eating and drinking, banquets out of end.
Went to her Stie, and let my men abroad,
Like swine of nine yeares old. They opposite stood;
Obseru'd their brutish forme; and look't for food;
When, with another medicine, (euery one
All ouer smeer'd) their bristles all were gone,
Produc't by malice of the other bane;
And euery one, afresh, lookt vp a man.
Both yonger then they were; of stature more;
And all their formes, much goodlier then before.
All knew me; clingd about me, and a cry
Of pleasing mourning, flew about so hie,
The horrid roofe resounded; and the Queene
Her selfe, was mou'd, to see our kinde so keene.
Who bad me now; bring ship and men ashore;
Our armes, and goods, in caues hid; and restore
My selfe to her, with all my other men.
I granted, went, and op't the weeping veine
In all my men; whose violent ioy to see
My safe returne, was passing kindly free
Of friendly teares, and miserably wept.
You haue not seene yong Heiffers (highly kept;
Filld full of daisies at the field, and driuen
Home to their houels; all so spritely giuen
That no roome can containe them; but about,
Bace by the Dams, and let their spirits out
In ceasselesse bleating) of more iocund plight
Then my kind friends, euen crying out with sight
Of my returne so doubted. Circl'd me
With all their welcomes, and as cheerfully
Disposde their rapt minds, as if there they saw
Their naturall Countrie, cliffie Ithaca;
And euen the roofes where they were bred and borne.
And vowd as much, with teares: O your returne
As much delights vs; as in you had come
156
But what vnhappie fate hath reft our friends?
I gaue vnlookt for answer; That amends
Made for their mourning, bad them first of all.
Our ship ashore draw; then in Cauerns stall
Our foodie cattell, hide our mutuall prise;
And then (said I) attend me, that your eies,
In Circes sacred house, may see each friend,
Eating and drinking, banquets out of end.
They soone obeid; all but Eurylochus;
Who needes would stay them all; and counselld thus;
Who needes would stay them all; and counselld thus;
O wretches! whither will ye? why are you
Fond of your mischiefs? and such gladnesse show
For Circes house; that will transforme ye all
To Swine, or Wolues, or Lions? Neuer shall
Our heads get out; if once within we be,
But stay compelld by strong Necessitie.
So wrought the Cyclop, when t'his caue, our friends
This bold one, led on, and brought all their ends
By his one indiscretion. I, for this
Thought with my sword (that desperate head of his
Hewne from his necke) to gash vpon the ground
His mangld bodie, though my blood was bound
In neare alliance to him. But the rest
With humble suite containd me, and request,
That I would leaue him, with my ship alone;
And to the sacred Pallace leade them on.
Fond of your mischiefs? and such gladnesse show
For Circes house; that will transforme ye all
To Swine, or Wolues, or Lions? Neuer shall
Our heads get out; if once within we be,
But stay compelld by strong Necessitie.
So wrought the Cyclop, when t'his caue, our friends
This bold one, led on, and brought all their ends
By his one indiscretion. I, for this
Thought with my sword (that desperate head of his
Hewne from his necke) to gash vpon the ground
His mangld bodie, though my blood was bound
In neare alliance to him. But the rest
With humble suite containd me, and request,
That I would leaue him, with my ship alone;
And to the sacred Pallace leade them on.
I led them; nor Eurylochus would stay,
From their attendance on me: Our late fray
Strooke to his heart so. But meane time, my men,
In Circes house, were all, in seuerall baine
Studiously sweetn'd, smugd with oile, and deckt
With, in, and outweeds: and a feast secret
Seru'd in before them: at which, close we found
They all were set, cheer'd, and carousing round.
When (mutuall sight had, and all thought on) then
Feast was forgotten; and the mone againe
About the house flew, driuen with wings of ioy.
But then spake Circe; Now, no more annoy:
I know my selfe, what woes by sea, and shore,
And men vniust, haue plagu'd enough before
Your iniur'd vertues: here then, feast as long;
And be as cheerfull, till ye grow as strong,
As when ye first forsooke your Countrie earth.
Ye now fare all, like exiles; not a mirth
Flasht in amongst ye, but is quericht againe
With still-renewd teares: though the beaten vaine
Of your distresses, should (me thinke) be now
Benumb with sufferance. We did well allow
Her kind perswasions; and the whole yeare staid
In varied feast with her. When, now arraid
The world was with the Spring; and orbie houres
Had gone the round againe, through herbs and flowres,
The moneths absolu'd in order; till the daies
Had runne their full race, in Apollos raies;
My friends rememberd me of home; and said,
If euer Fate would signe my passe; delaid
It should be now no more. I heard them well;
Yet that day, spent in feast, till darknesse fell;
And sleepe, his virtues, through our vapours shed.
When I ascended, sacred Circes bed;
Implor'd my passe; and her performed vow
Which now, my soule vrg'd; and my souldiers now
Afflicted me with teares to get them gone.
All these I told her; and she answerd these;
Much-skilld Vlysses Laertiades!
Remaine no more, against your wils with me:
But take your free way: onely this must be
Perform'd before you stere your course for home;
You must the way to Pluto ouercome;
And sterne Persephone, to forme your passe,
By th' aged Theban Soule Tiresias;
The dark-browd Prophet: whose soule yet can see
Clearely, and firmely: graue Persephone,
(Euen dead) gaue him a mind; that he alone
Might sing Truths solide wisedome, and not one
Proue more then shade, in his comparison.
From their attendance on me: Our late fray
Strooke to his heart so. But meane time, my men,
In Circes house, were all, in seuerall baine
Studiously sweetn'd, smugd with oile, and deckt
With, in, and outweeds: and a feast secret
Seru'd in before them: at which, close we found
They all were set, cheer'd, and carousing round.
When (mutuall sight had, and all thought on) then
Feast was forgotten; and the mone againe
About the house flew, driuen with wings of ioy.
But then spake Circe; Now, no more annoy:
I know my selfe, what woes by sea, and shore,
And men vniust, haue plagu'd enough before
Your iniur'd vertues: here then, feast as long;
And be as cheerfull, till ye grow as strong,
As when ye first forsooke your Countrie earth.
Ye now fare all, like exiles; not a mirth
Flasht in amongst ye, but is quericht againe
With still-renewd teares: though the beaten vaine
Of your distresses, should (me thinke) be now
157
Her kind perswasions; and the whole yeare staid
In varied feast with her. When, now arraid
The world was with the Spring; and orbie houres
Had gone the round againe, through herbs and flowres,
The moneths absolu'd in order; till the daies
Had runne their full race, in Apollos raies;
My friends rememberd me of home; and said,
If euer Fate would signe my passe; delaid
It should be now no more. I heard them well;
Yet that day, spent in feast, till darknesse fell;
And sleepe, his virtues, through our vapours shed.
When I ascended, sacred Circes bed;
Implor'd my passe; and her performed vow
Which now, my soule vrg'd; and my souldiers now
Afflicted me with teares to get them gone.
All these I told her; and she answerd these;
Much-skilld Vlysses Laertiades!
Remaine no more, against your wils with me:
But take your free way: onely this must be
Perform'd before you stere your course for home;
You must the way to Pluto ouercome;
And sterne Persephone, to forme your passe,
By th' aged Theban Soule Tiresias;
The dark-browd Prophet: whose soule yet can see
Clearely, and firmely: graue Persephone,
(Euen dead) gaue him a mind; that he alone
Might sing Truths solide wisedome, and not one
Proue more then shade, in his comparison.
This broke my heart; I sunke into my bed;
Mourn'd, and would neuer more be comforted
With light, nor life. But hauing now exprest
My paines enough to her, in my vnrest,
That so I might prepare her ruth; and get
All I held fit, for an affaire so great;
I said; O Circe, who shall stere my course
To Plutos kingdome? Neuer ship had force
To make that voiage. The diuine in voice,
Said, Seeke no guide, raise you your Mast, and hoice
Your ships white sailes; and then, sit you at peace;
The fresh North spirit, shall waft ye through the seas.
But, hauing past th' Ocean, you shall see;
A little shore, that to Persephone
Puts vp a consecrated wood; where growes,
Tall Firres, and Sallowes, that their fruits soone loose:
Cast anchor in the gulphes: and go, alone
To Plutos darke house, where, to Acheron
Cocytus runnes, and Pyriphlegiton:
Cocytus borne of Styx, and where a Rocke
Of both the met floods, beares the roring shocke,
The darke Heroe, (great Tiresias)
Now coming neare, (to gaine propitious passe)
Dig (of a cubit euery way) a pit;
And powre (to all that are deceast) in it
A solemne sacrifice. For which; first take
Honey and wine, and their commixtion make:
Then sweete wine, neate; and thirdly; water powre;
And lastly, adde to these, the whitest flowre:
Then vow to all the weake necks of the dead,
Offerings a number: and when thou shalt tread
The Ithacensian shore; to sacrifice
A Heifer neuer tam'd, and most of prise;
A pyle of all thy most-esteemed goods
Enflaming to the deare streames of their bloods:
And, in secret Rites, to Tiresias vow
A Ram cole blacke, at all parts, that doth flow
With fat, and fleece; and all thy flockes doth leade:
When the all-calling nation of the dead
Thou thus hast praid to; offer on the place,
A Ram and Ewe all blacke: being turn'd in face
To dreadfull Erebus; thy selfe aside
The floods shore walking. And then, gratified
With flocks of Soules, of Men, and Dames deceast,
Shall all thy pious Rites be. Straight, addrest
See then the offering that thy fellowes slew;
Flayd, and imposde in fire; and all thy Crew,
Pray to the state of either Deitie,
Graue Pluto, and seuere Persephone.
Then draw thy sword, stand firme; nor suffer one
Of all the faint shades, of the dead and gone,
T'approch the blood, till thou hast heard their king,
The wise Tiresias: who, thy offering
Will instantly do honour: thy home wayes,
And all the measure of them, by the seas
Amply vnfolding. This the Goddesse told;
And then, the morning in her Throne of gold,
Suruaid the vast world; by whose orient light,
The Nymph adorn'd me with attires as bright;
Her owne hands putting on, both shirt and weede,
Robes fine, and curious; and vpon my head,
An ornament that glitterd like a flame:
Girt me in gold; and forth betimes I came
Amongst my souldiers; rousd them all from sleepe;
And bad them now; no more obseruance keepe
Of ease, and feast; but straight, a shipboard fall,
For now the Goddesse had inform'd me all:
Their noble spirits agree'd; nor yet so cleare
Could I bring all off; but Elpenor there
His heedlesse life left: he was yongest man
Of all my company, and one that wanne
Least fame for armes; as little for his braine;
Who (too much steept in wine, and so made faine;
To get refreshing by the coole of sleepe;
Apart his fellowes; plung'd in vapors deepe;
And they as high in tumult of their way)
Sodainly wak't, and (quite out of the stay
A sober mind had giuen him) would descend
A huge long Ladder, forward; and an end
Fell from the very roofe; full pitching on
The dearest ioynt, his head was plac't vpon;
Which (quite dissolu'd,) let loose his soule to hell.
I, to the rest; and Circes meanes did tell
Of our returne (as crossing cleane the hope
I gaue them first) and said; You thinke the scope
Of our endeuours now, is straight for home,
No: Circe otherwise design'd; whose doome
Enioynd vs first, to greet the dreadfull house
Of Austere Pluto, and his glorious spouse;
To take the counsaile of Tiresias
(The reuerend Theban) to direct our passe.
Mourn'd, and would neuer more be comforted
With light, nor life. But hauing now exprest
My paines enough to her, in my vnrest,
That so I might prepare her ruth; and get
All I held fit, for an affaire so great;
I said; O Circe, who shall stere my course
To Plutos kingdome? Neuer ship had force
To make that voiage. The diuine in voice,
Said, Seeke no guide, raise you your Mast, and hoice
Your ships white sailes; and then, sit you at peace;
The fresh North spirit, shall waft ye through the seas.
But, hauing past th' Ocean, you shall see;
A little shore, that to Persephone
Puts vp a consecrated wood; where growes,
Tall Firres, and Sallowes, that their fruits soone loose:
Cast anchor in the gulphes: and go, alone
To Plutos darke house, where, to Acheron
Cocytus runnes, and Pyriphlegiton:
158
Of both the met floods, beares the roring shocke,
The darke Heroe, (great Tiresias)
Now coming neare, (to gaine propitious passe)
Dig (of a cubit euery way) a pit;
And powre (to all that are deceast) in it
A solemne sacrifice. For which; first take
Honey and wine, and their commixtion make:
Then sweete wine, neate; and thirdly; water powre;
And lastly, adde to these, the whitest flowre:
Then vow to all the weake necks of the dead,
Offerings a number: and when thou shalt tread
The Ithacensian shore; to sacrifice
A Heifer neuer tam'd, and most of prise;
A pyle of all thy most-esteemed goods
Enflaming to the deare streames of their bloods:
And, in secret Rites, to Tiresias vow
A Ram cole blacke, at all parts, that doth flow
With fat, and fleece; and all thy flockes doth leade:
When the all-calling nation of the dead
Thou thus hast praid to; offer on the place,
A Ram and Ewe all blacke: being turn'd in face
To dreadfull Erebus; thy selfe aside
The floods shore walking. And then, gratified
With flocks of Soules, of Men, and Dames deceast,
Shall all thy pious Rites be. Straight, addrest
See then the offering that thy fellowes slew;
Flayd, and imposde in fire; and all thy Crew,
Pray to the state of either Deitie,
Graue Pluto, and seuere Persephone.
Then draw thy sword, stand firme; nor suffer one
Of all the faint shades, of the dead and gone,
T'approch the blood, till thou hast heard their king,
The wise Tiresias: who, thy offering
Will instantly do honour: thy home wayes,
And all the measure of them, by the seas
Amply vnfolding. This the Goddesse told;
And then, the morning in her Throne of gold,
Suruaid the vast world; by whose orient light,
The Nymph adorn'd me with attires as bright;
Her owne hands putting on, both shirt and weede,
Robes fine, and curious; and vpon my head,
An ornament that glitterd like a flame:
Girt me in gold; and forth betimes I came
Amongst my souldiers; rousd them all from sleepe;
And bad them now; no more obseruance keepe
Of ease, and feast; but straight, a shipboard fall,
For now the Goddesse had inform'd me all:
159
Could I bring all off; but Elpenor there
His heedlesse life left: he was yongest man
Of all my company, and one that wanne
Least fame for armes; as little for his braine;
Who (too much steept in wine, and so made faine;
To get refreshing by the coole of sleepe;
Apart his fellowes; plung'd in vapors deepe;
And they as high in tumult of their way)
Sodainly wak't, and (quite out of the stay
A sober mind had giuen him) would descend
A huge long Ladder, forward; and an end
Fell from the very roofe; full pitching on
The dearest ioynt, his head was plac't vpon;
Which (quite dissolu'd,) let loose his soule to hell.
I, to the rest; and Circes meanes did tell
Of our returne (as crossing cleane the hope
I gaue them first) and said; You thinke the scope
Of our endeuours now, is straight for home,
No: Circe otherwise design'd; whose doome
Enioynd vs first, to greet the dreadfull house
Of Austere Pluto, and his glorious spouse;
To take the counsaile of Tiresias
(The reuerend Theban) to direct our passe.
This brake their hearts, and griefe made teare their haire
But griefe was neuer good, at great affaire.
It would haue way yet. We went wofull on
To ship and shore, where, was arriu'd as soone
Circe vnseene; a blacke Ewe, and a Ram,
Binding for sacrifice; and as she came
Vanisht againe, vnwitnest by our eyes;
Which grieu'd not vs, nor checkt our sacrifice;
For who would see God, loath to let vs see?
This way, or that bent; still his waies are free.
But griefe was neuer good, at great affaire.
It would haue way yet. We went wofull on
To ship and shore, where, was arriu'd as soone
Circe vnseene; a blacke Ewe, and a Ram,
Binding for sacrifice; and as she came
Vanisht againe, vnwitnest by our eyes;
Which grieu'd not vs, nor checkt our sacrifice;
For who would see God, loath to let vs see?
This way, or that bent; still his waies are free.
Finis decimi libri Hom. Odyss.
160
THE XI. BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Vlysses way to Hell appeares;Where he, the graue Tiresias heares;
Enquires his owne, and others fates.
His mother sees, and th' after states,
In which, were held, by sad Decease
Heroes, and Heroesses;
A number, that at Troy wag'd warre;
As Aiax that was still at iarre
With Ithacus, for th' armes be lost;
And with the great Achilles Ghost.
Another.
Vlysses hereInuokes the dead;
The liues appeare,
Hereafter led.
Arriu'd now at our ship; we lancht, and set
Our Mast vp, put forth saile; and in did get
Our late-got Cattell. Vp our sailes, we went;
My wayward fellowes mourning now th' euent.
A good companion yet, a foreright wind;
Circe, (the excellent vtterer of her mind)
Supplied our murmuring consorts with, that was
Both speed, and guide to our aduenturous passe.
All day our sailes stood to the winds; and made
Our voiage prosprous. Sunne then set, and shade
All wayes obscuring: on the bounds we fell
Of deepe Oceanus; where people dwell
Whom a perpetuall cloud obscures outright:
To whom the cheerfull Sunne lends neuer light;
Nor when he mounts the star-sustaining heauen;
Nor when he stoopes earth, and sets vp the Euen:
But Night holds fixt wings, fetherd all with Banes,
Aboue those most vnblest Cimmerianes.
Here drew we vp our ship: our sheepe with-drew;
And walkt the shore till we attaind the view
Of that sad region Circe had foreshow'd;
And then the sacred offerings, to be vow'd,
Eurylochus, and Persimedes bore.
When I, my sword drew, and earths wombe did gore
Till I, a pit digg'd of a cubite round;
Which with the liquid sacrifice, we crown'd
First, honey mixt with wine; then, sweete wine neate;
Then water powr'd in; last the flowre of wheate.
Much I importun'd then, the weake-neckt dead,
And vowd, when I the barren soile should tread
Of cliffe Ithaca; amidst my hall
To kill a Heifer, my cleare best of all,
And giue in offering: on a Pile composd
Of all the choise goods, my whole house enclosd.
And to Tiresias, himselfe, alone
A sheepe cole-blacke, and the selectest one
Of all my flockes. When to the powres beneath,
The sacred nation, that suruiue with Death,
My prayrs, and vowes, had done deuotions fit;
I tooke the offrings, and vpon the pit
Bereft their liues. Out gusht the sable blood;
And round about me, fled out of the flood,
The Soules of the deceast. There cluster'd then,
Youths, and their wiues, much suffering aged men,
Soft tender virgins, that but new came there,
By timelesse death, and greene their sorrowes were.
There, men at Armes, with armors all embrew'd,
Wounded with lances, and with faulchions hew'd:
In numbers, vp and downe the ditch, did stalke;
And threw vnmeasur'd cries, about their walke;
So horrid that a bloodlesse feare surprisde,
My daunted spirits. Straight then, I aduisde
My friends to flay the slaughter'd sacrifice;
Put them in fire, and to the Deities;
Sterne Pluto, and Persephone, apply
Excitefull prayrs. Then drew I from my Thy,
My well-edg'd sword; stept in, and firmely stood
Betwixt the prease of shadowes, and the blood;
And would not suffer any one to dip
Within our offring, his vnsolide lip;
Before Tiresias, that did all controule.
The first that preast in, was Elpenors soule;
His body, in the broad-waid earth, as yet
Vnmournd vnburied by vs; since we swet
With other vrgent labours. Yet his smart,
I wept to see; and ru'd it from my heart;
Enquiring how, he could before me be,
That came by ship? He mourning, answerd me:
In Circes house; the spite some Spirit did beare;
And the vnspeakable good licour there
Hath bene my bane. For being to descend
A ladder much in height; I did not tend
My way well downe; but forwards made a proofe
To tread the rounds; and from the very roofe
Fell on my necke, and brake it. And this made
My soule thus visite this infernall shade.
And here, by them that next thy selfe are deare,
Thy Wife, and Father, that a little one
Gaue food to thee; and by thy onely Sonne
At home behind thee left, (Telemachus)
Do not depart by stealth, and leaue me thus,
Vnmourn'd, vnburied: lest neglected I
Bring on thy selfe, th' incensed Deitie.
I know, that saild from hence, thy ship must touch
On th' Ile Ææa; where vouchsafe thus much
(Good king) that, landed, thou wilt instantly,
Bestow on me, thy royall memory;
To this grace; that my body, armes and all,
May rest consum'd in fitie funerall.
And on the fomie shore, a Sepulchre
Erect to me; that after times may heare
Of one so haplesse. Let me these implore;
And fixe vpon my Sepulcher, the Ore
With which aliue, I shooke the aged seas;
And had, of friends, the deare societies.
Our Mast vp, put forth saile; and in did get
Our late-got Cattell. Vp our sailes, we went;
My wayward fellowes mourning now th' euent.
A good companion yet, a foreright wind;
Circe, (the excellent vtterer of her mind)
Supplied our murmuring consorts with, that was
Both speed, and guide to our aduenturous passe.
All day our sailes stood to the winds; and made
Our voiage prosprous. Sunne then set, and shade
All wayes obscuring: on the bounds we fell
Of deepe Oceanus; where people dwell
Whom a perpetuall cloud obscures outright:
To whom the cheerfull Sunne lends neuer light;
Nor when he mounts the star-sustaining heauen;
Nor when he stoopes earth, and sets vp the Euen:
But Night holds fixt wings, fetherd all with Banes,
Aboue those most vnblest Cimmerianes.
Here drew we vp our ship: our sheepe with-drew;
And walkt the shore till we attaind the view
Of that sad region Circe had foreshow'd;
And then the sacred offerings, to be vow'd,
Eurylochus, and Persimedes bore.
When I, my sword drew, and earths wombe did gore
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Which with the liquid sacrifice, we crown'd
First, honey mixt with wine; then, sweete wine neate;
Then water powr'd in; last the flowre of wheate.
Much I importun'd then, the weake-neckt dead,
And vowd, when I the barren soile should tread
Of cliffe Ithaca; amidst my hall
To kill a Heifer, my cleare best of all,
And giue in offering: on a Pile composd
Of all the choise goods, my whole house enclosd.
And to Tiresias, himselfe, alone
A sheepe cole-blacke, and the selectest one
Of all my flockes. When to the powres beneath,
The sacred nation, that suruiue with Death,
My prayrs, and vowes, had done deuotions fit;
I tooke the offrings, and vpon the pit
Bereft their liues. Out gusht the sable blood;
And round about me, fled out of the flood,
The Soules of the deceast. There cluster'd then,
Youths, and their wiues, much suffering aged men,
Soft tender virgins, that but new came there,
By timelesse death, and greene their sorrowes were.
There, men at Armes, with armors all embrew'd,
Wounded with lances, and with faulchions hew'd:
In numbers, vp and downe the ditch, did stalke;
And threw vnmeasur'd cries, about their walke;
So horrid that a bloodlesse feare surprisde,
My daunted spirits. Straight then, I aduisde
My friends to flay the slaughter'd sacrifice;
Put them in fire, and to the Deities;
Sterne Pluto, and Persephone, apply
Excitefull prayrs. Then drew I from my Thy,
My well-edg'd sword; stept in, and firmely stood
Betwixt the prease of shadowes, and the blood;
And would not suffer any one to dip
Within our offring, his vnsolide lip;
Before Tiresias, that did all controule.
The first that preast in, was Elpenors soule;
His body, in the broad-waid earth, as yet
Vnmournd vnburied by vs; since we swet
With other vrgent labours. Yet his smart,
I wept to see; and ru'd it from my heart;
Enquiring how, he could before me be,
That came by ship? He mourning, answerd me:
In Circes house; the spite some Spirit did beare;
And the vnspeakable good licour there
Hath bene my bane. For being to descend
A ladder much in height; I did not tend
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To tread the rounds; and from the very roofe
Fell on my necke, and brake it. And this made
My soule thus visite this infernall shade.
And here, by them that next thy selfe are deare,
Thy Wife, and Father, that a little one
Gaue food to thee; and by thy onely Sonne
At home behind thee left, (Telemachus)
Do not depart by stealth, and leaue me thus,
Vnmourn'd, vnburied: lest neglected I
Bring on thy selfe, th' incensed Deitie.
I know, that saild from hence, thy ship must touch
On th' Ile Ææa; where vouchsafe thus much
(Good king) that, landed, thou wilt instantly,
Bestow on me, thy royall memory;
To this grace; that my body, armes and all,
May rest consum'd in fitie funerall.
And on the fomie shore, a Sepulchre
Erect to me; that after times may heare
Of one so haplesse. Let me these implore;
And fixe vpon my Sepulcher, the Ore
With which aliue, I shooke the aged seas;
And had, of friends, the deare societies.
I told the wretched Soule, I would fulfill
And execute to th' vtmost point, his will;
And, all the time, we sadly talkt; I still
My sword aboue the blood held; when aside
The Idoll of my friend, still amplified
His plaint, as vp and downe, the shades he err'd.
Then, my deceased mothers Soule appeard;
Faire daughter of Antolicus, the Great;
Graue Anticlæa, Whom, when forth I set
For sacred Ilion, I had left aliue.
Her sight, much mou'd me; and to teares did driue
My note of her deceasse: and yet, not she
(Though in my ruth, she held the highest degree)
Would I admit to touch the sacred blood;
Till from Tiresias, I had vnderstood
What Circes told me. At the length did land,
Theban Tiresias soule; and in his hand
Sustaind a golden Scepter, knew me well;
And said; O man vnhappy, why to hell
Admitst thou darke arriuall; and the light
The Sunne giues, leau'st; to haue the horrid sight
Of this blacke region, and the shadowes here?
Now sheath thy sharpe sword; and the pit forbeare.
That I the blood may taste; and then relate
The truth of those acts, that affect thy Fate.
And execute to th' vtmost point, his will;
And, all the time, we sadly talkt; I still
My sword aboue the blood held; when aside
The Idoll of my friend, still amplified
His plaint, as vp and downe, the shades he err'd.
Then, my deceased mothers Soule appeard;
Faire daughter of Antolicus, the Great;
Graue Anticlæa, Whom, when forth I set
For sacred Ilion, I had left aliue.
Her sight, much mou'd me; and to teares did driue
My note of her deceasse: and yet, not she
(Though in my ruth, she held the highest degree)
Would I admit to touch the sacred blood;
Till from Tiresias, I had vnderstood
What Circes told me. At the length did land,
Theban Tiresias soule; and in his hand
Sustaind a golden Scepter, knew me well;
And said; O man vnhappy, why to hell
Admitst thou darke arriuall; and the light
The Sunne giues, leau'st; to haue the horrid sight
Of this blacke region, and the shadowes here?
Now sheath thy sharpe sword; and the pit forbeare.
That I the blood may taste; and then relate
The truth of those acts, that affect thy Fate.
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I sheath'd my sword; and left the pit, till he
The blacke blood tasting, thus instructed me;
Renoum'd Vlysses! all vnaskt, I know
That all the cause of thy arriuall now,
Is to enquire thy wisht retreate, for home:
Which hardly God will let thee ouercome;
Since Neptune still will his opposure trie,
With all his laid vp anger, for the eye
His lou'd Sonne lost to thee. And yet through all
Thy suffring course, (which must be capitall)
If both thine owne affections, and thy friends
Thou wilt containe; when thy accesse ascends
The three-forckt Iland, hauing scap't the seas;
(Where ye shall find fed, on the flowrie leas,
Fat flocks, and Oxen; which the Sunne doth owne;
To whom are all things, as well heard as showne:
And neuer dare, one head of those to slay;
But hold, vnharmefull on, your wished way)
Though through enough affliction; yet secure
Your Fates shall land ye. But Presage saies sure,
If once ye spoile them; spoile to all thy friends;
Spoile to thy Fleete; and if the iustice ends
Short of thy selfe; it shall be long before,
And that length, forc't out, with inflictions store:
When, losing all thy fellowes, in a saile
Of forreigne built (when most thy Fates preuaile
In thy deliuerance) thus th' euent shall sort;
Thou shalt find shipwracke, raging in thy Port:
Proud men, thy goods consuming; and thy Wife
Vrging with gifts; giue charge vpon thy life.
But all these wrongs, Reuenge shall end to thee;
And force, or cunning, set with slaughter, free
Thy house of all thy spoilers. Yet againe,
Thou shalt a voyage make; and come to men
That know no Sea; nor ships, nor oares, that are
Wings to a ship; not mixe with any fare,
Salts sauorie vapor. Where thou first shalt land,
This cleare-giuen signe, shall let thee vnderstand,
That there those men remaine: assume ashore,
Vp to thy roiall shoulder, a ship oare;
With which, when thou shalt meete one on the way,
That will, in Countey admiration, say
What dost thou with that wanne, vpon thy necke?
There, fixe (that wanne) thy oare; and that shore decke
With sacred Rites to Neptune: slaughter there
A Ram, a Bull, and, (who for strength doth beare
The name of husband to a herd) a Bore.
And, coming home, vpon thy naturall shore,
Giue pious Hecatombs, to all the Gods
(Degrees obseru'd). And then the Periods
Of all thy labors, in the peace shall end
Of easie death; which shall the lesse extend
His passion to thee; that thy foe, the Sea
Shall not enforce it, but Deaths victory,
Shall chance in onely-earnest-pray-vow'd age:
Obtaind at home, quite emptied of his rage;
Thy subiects round about thee, rich and blest:
And here hath Truth summ'd vp, thy vitall rest.
The blacke blood tasting, thus instructed me;
Renoum'd Vlysses! all vnaskt, I know
That all the cause of thy arriuall now,
Is to enquire thy wisht retreate, for home:
Which hardly God will let thee ouercome;
Since Neptune still will his opposure trie,
With all his laid vp anger, for the eye
His lou'd Sonne lost to thee. And yet through all
Thy suffring course, (which must be capitall)
If both thine owne affections, and thy friends
Thou wilt containe; when thy accesse ascends
The three-forckt Iland, hauing scap't the seas;
(Where ye shall find fed, on the flowrie leas,
Fat flocks, and Oxen; which the Sunne doth owne;
To whom are all things, as well heard as showne:
And neuer dare, one head of those to slay;
But hold, vnharmefull on, your wished way)
Though through enough affliction; yet secure
Your Fates shall land ye. But Presage saies sure,
If once ye spoile them; spoile to all thy friends;
Spoile to thy Fleete; and if the iustice ends
Short of thy selfe; it shall be long before,
And that length, forc't out, with inflictions store:
When, losing all thy fellowes, in a saile
Of forreigne built (when most thy Fates preuaile
In thy deliuerance) thus th' euent shall sort;
Thou shalt find shipwracke, raging in thy Port:
Proud men, thy goods consuming; and thy Wife
Vrging with gifts; giue charge vpon thy life.
But all these wrongs, Reuenge shall end to thee;
And force, or cunning, set with slaughter, free
Thy house of all thy spoilers. Yet againe,
Thou shalt a voyage make; and come to men
That know no Sea; nor ships, nor oares, that are
Wings to a ship; not mixe with any fare,
Salts sauorie vapor. Where thou first shalt land,
This cleare-giuen signe, shall let thee vnderstand,
That there those men remaine: assume ashore,
Vp to thy roiall shoulder, a ship oare;
With which, when thou shalt meete one on the way,
That will, in Countey admiration, say
What dost thou with that wanne, vpon thy necke?
There, fixe (that wanne) thy oare; and that shore decke
With sacred Rites to Neptune: slaughter there
A Ram, a Bull, and, (who for strength doth beare
The name of husband to a herd) a Bore.
And, coming home, vpon thy naturall shore,
164
(Degrees obseru'd). And then the Periods
Of all thy labors, in the peace shall end
Of easie death; which shall the lesse extend
His passion to thee; that thy foe, the Sea
Shall not enforce it, but Deaths victory,
Shall chance in onely-earnest-pray-vow'd age:
Obtaind at home, quite emptied of his rage;
Thy subiects round about thee, rich and blest:
And here hath Truth summ'd vp, thy vitall rest.
I answerd him; We will suppose all these
Decreed in Deity; let it likewise please
Tiresias to resolue me, why so neare
The blood and me, my mothers Soule doth beare;
And yet, nor word, nor looke, vouchsafe her Sonne?
Doth she not know me? No (said he) nor none
Of all these spirits, but my selfe alone;
Knowes any thing, till he shall taste the blood;
But whomsoeuer, you shall do that good,
He will the truth, of all you wish, vnfold;
Who, you enuy it to, will all withhold.
Decreed in Deity; let it likewise please
Tiresias to resolue me, why so neare
The blood and me, my mothers Soule doth beare;
And yet, nor word, nor looke, vouchsafe her Sonne?
Doth she not know me? No (said he) nor none
Of all these spirits, but my selfe alone;
Knowes any thing, till he shall taste the blood;
But whomsoeuer, you shall do that good,
He will the truth, of all you wish, vnfold;
Who, you enuy it to, will all withhold.
Thus said the kingly soule, and made retreate,
Amidst the inner parts of Plutos Seate,
When he had spoke thus, by diuine instinct:
Still I stood firme, till to the bloods precinct
My mother came, and drunke; and then she knew,
I was her Sonne; had passion to renew
Her naturall plaints; which thus she did pursew:
How is it, (O my Sonne) that you aliue,
This deadly-darksome region vnderdiue?
Twixt which, and earth, so many mighty seas,
And horrid currents, interpose their prease?
Oceanus, in chiefe; which none (vnlesse
More helpt then you) on foote now can transgresse.
A well built ship he needs, that ventures there:
Com'st thou from Troy but now? enforc't to erre
All this time with thy souldiers? Nor hast seene,
Ere this long day, thy Countrey, and thy Queene?
Amidst the inner parts of Plutos Seate,
When he had spoke thus, by diuine instinct:
Still I stood firme, till to the bloods precinct
My mother came, and drunke; and then she knew,
I was her Sonne; had passion to renew
Her naturall plaints; which thus she did pursew:
How is it, (O my Sonne) that you aliue,
This deadly-darksome region vnderdiue?
Twixt which, and earth, so many mighty seas,
And horrid currents, interpose their prease?
Oceanus, in chiefe; which none (vnlesse
More helpt then you) on foote now can transgresse.
A well built ship he needs, that ventures there:
Com'st thou from Troy but now? enforc't to erre
All this time with thy souldiers? Nor hast seene,
Ere this long day, thy Countrey, and thy Queene?
I answerd; That a necessary end
To this infernall state, made me contend;
That from the wise Tiresias Theban Soule,
I might, an Oracle, inuolu'd, vnrowle:
For I came nothing neare Achaia yet;
Nor on our lou'd earth, happy foote had set;
But (mishaps suffering) err'd from Coast to Coast;
Euer since first, the mighty Græcian hoast
Diuine Atrides, led to Ilion;
And I, his follower, to set warre vpon
The rapefull Troyans: and so praid she would
The Fate of that vngentle death vnfould,
That forc't her thither: if some long disease;
Or that the Splene, of her that arrowes please,
(Diana, enuious of most eminent Dames)
Had made her th' obiect of her deadly aimes?
My Fathers state, and sonnes, I sought; if they
Kept still my goods? or they became the prey
Of any other, holding me no more
In powre of safe returne, or if my store
My wife had kept together, with her Sonne?
If she, her first mind held; or had bene wonne
By some chiefe Greciæn, from my loue, and bed?
To this infernall state, made me contend;
That from the wise Tiresias Theban Soule,
I might, an Oracle, inuolu'd, vnrowle:
For I came nothing neare Achaia yet;
Nor on our lou'd earth, happy foote had set;
But (mishaps suffering) err'd from Coast to Coast;
Euer since first, the mighty Græcian hoast
Diuine Atrides, led to Ilion;
And I, his follower, to set warre vpon
165
The Fate of that vngentle death vnfould,
That forc't her thither: if some long disease;
Or that the Splene, of her that arrowes please,
(Diana, enuious of most eminent Dames)
Had made her th' obiect of her deadly aimes?
My Fathers state, and sonnes, I sought; if they
Kept still my goods? or they became the prey
Of any other, holding me no more
In powre of safe returne, or if my store
My wife had kept together, with her Sonne?
If she, her first mind held; or had bene wonne
By some chiefe Greciæn, from my loue, and bed?
All this she answerd; that Affliction fed
On her blood still at home; and that to griefe,
She all the dayes, and darknesse, of her life,
In teares, had consecrate. That none possest
My famous kingdomes Throne; but th' interest
My sonne had in it; still he held in peace.
A Court kept, like a Prince; and his increase
Spent in his subiects good; administring lawes
With iustice, and the generall applause
A king should merit; and all calld him king.
My Father, kept the vpland, labouring;
And shun'd the Citie: vsde no sumptuous beds;
Wonderd at furnitures; nor wealthy weeds;
But, in the Winter, strew'd about the fire
Lay with his slaues in ashes; his attire
Like to a beggers. When the Sommer came;
And Autumne all fruits ripend with his flame;
Where Grape-charg'd vines, made shadows most abound,
His couch with falne leaues, made vpon the ground:
And here lay he; his Sorrowes fruitfull state,
Increasing, as he faded, for my Fate.
And now, the part of age, that irksome is
Lay sadly on him. And that life of his,
She led, and perisht in; not slaughterd by
The Dame, that darts lou'd, and her archerie;
Nor, by disease inuaded, vast, and foule
That wasts the body, and sends out the soule
With shame and horror: onely in her mone,
For me, and my life; she consum'd her owne.
On her blood still at home; and that to griefe,
She all the dayes, and darknesse, of her life,
In teares, had consecrate. That none possest
My famous kingdomes Throne; but th' interest
My sonne had in it; still he held in peace.
A Court kept, like a Prince; and his increase
Spent in his subiects good; administring lawes
With iustice, and the generall applause
A king should merit; and all calld him king.
My Father, kept the vpland, labouring;
And shun'd the Citie: vsde no sumptuous beds;
Wonderd at furnitures; nor wealthy weeds;
But, in the Winter, strew'd about the fire
Lay with his slaues in ashes; his attire
Like to a beggers. When the Sommer came;
And Autumne all fruits ripend with his flame;
Where Grape-charg'd vines, made shadows most abound,
His couch with falne leaues, made vpon the ground:
And here lay he; his Sorrowes fruitfull state,
Increasing, as he faded, for my Fate.
And now, the part of age, that irksome is
Lay sadly on him. And that life of his,
She led, and perisht in; not slaughterd by
The Dame, that darts lou'd, and her archerie;
Nor, by disease inuaded, vast, and foule
That wasts the body, and sends out the soule
With shame and horror: onely in her mone,
For me, and my life; she consum'd her owne.
She thus; when I, had great desire to proue
My armes, the circle, where her soule did moue;
Thrice prou'd I, thrice she vanisht, like a sleepe;
Or fleeting shadow, which strooke much more deepe
The wounds, my woes made; and made, aske her why
She would my Loue to her embraces flie;
And not vouchsafe, that euen in hell we might,
Pay pious Nature, her vnalterd right,
And giue Vexation here, her cruell fill?
Should not the Queene here, to augment the ill
Of euery sufferance (which her office is)
Enforce thy idoll, to affoord me this?
My armes, the circle, where her soule did moue;
Thrice prou'd I, thrice she vanisht, like a sleepe;
Or fleeting shadow, which strooke much more deepe
The wounds, my woes made; and made, aske her why
She would my Loue to her embraces flie;
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Pay pious Nature, her vnalterd right,
And giue Vexation here, her cruell fill?
Should not the Queene here, to augment the ill
Of euery sufferance (which her office is)
Enforce thy idoll, to affoord me this?
O Sonne (she answerd) of the race of men
The most vnhappy; our most equall Queene,
Will mocke no solide armes, with empty shade;
Nor suffer empty shades, againe t'inuade
Flesh, bones, and nerues: nor will defraud the fire
Of his last dues; that, soone as spirits expire,
And leaue the white bone, are his natiue right;
When, like a dreame, the soule assumes her flight.
The light then, of the liuing, with most haste
(O Sonne) contend to: this thy little taste
Of this state is enough; and all this life,
Will make a tale, fit, to be told thy wife.
The most vnhappy; our most equall Queene,
Will mocke no solide armes, with empty shade;
Nor suffer empty shades, againe t'inuade
Flesh, bones, and nerues: nor will defraud the fire
Of his last dues; that, soone as spirits expire,
And leaue the white bone, are his natiue right;
When, like a dreame, the soule assumes her flight.
The light then, of the liuing, with most haste
(O Sonne) contend to: this thy little taste
Of this state is enough; and all this life,
Will make a tale, fit, to be told thy wife.
This speech we had; when now repair'd to me
More female spirits; by Persephone,
Driuen on before her. All t'heroes wiues
And daughters, that, led there their second liues,
About the blacke blood throngd. Of whom, yet more
My mind impell'd me to enquire, before
I let them altogether taste the gore;
For then would all haue bene disperst, and gone,
Thicke as they came. I therefore, one by one
Let taste the pit: my sword drawne from my Thy
And stand betwixt them made; when, seuerally
All told their stockes. The first that quencht her fire,
Was Tyro, issu'd of a noble Sire.
She said she sprong from pure, Salmoneus bed;
And Cretheus, Sonne of Æolus did wed.
Yet the diuine flood Enipeus, lou'd,
Who much the most faire streame, of all floods mou'd.
Neare whose streames, Tyro walking: Neptune came,
Like Enipeus, and enioyd the Dame:
Like to a hill; the blew, and Snakie flood
Aboue th' immortall, and the mortall stood;
And hid them both; as both together lay,
Iust where his current, falles into the Sea.
Her virgine wast, dissolu'd, she slumberd then;
But when the God had done the worke of men,
Her faire hand gently wringing; thus he said;
Woman! Reioyce in our combined bed;
For when the yeare hath runne his circle, round
(Because the Gods loues, must in fruite abound)
My loue shall make (to cheere thy teeming mones)
Thy one deare burthen, beare two famous Sonnes;
Loue well, and bring them vp: go home, and see
That, though of more ioy yet, I shall be free;
Thou dost not tell, to glorifie thy birth:
Thy Loue is Neptune shaker of the earth.
This said; he plung'd into the sea, and she
(Begot with child by him) the light let see
Great Pelias, and Neleus; that became
In Ioues great ministrie, of mighty fame.
Pelias, in broad Iolcus held his Throne,
Wealthy in cattell; th' other roiall Sonne
Rul'd sandy Pylos. To these, issue more
This Queene of women to her husband bore:
Aeson and Pheres, and Amythaon,
That for his fight on horsebacke, stoopt to none.
More female spirits; by Persephone,
Driuen on before her. All t'heroes wiues
And daughters, that, led there their second liues,
About the blacke blood throngd. Of whom, yet more
My mind impell'd me to enquire, before
I let them altogether taste the gore;
For then would all haue bene disperst, and gone,
Thicke as they came. I therefore, one by one
Let taste the pit: my sword drawne from my Thy
And stand betwixt them made; when, seuerally
All told their stockes. The first that quencht her fire,
Was Tyro, issu'd of a noble Sire.
She said she sprong from pure, Salmoneus bed;
And Cretheus, Sonne of Æolus did wed.
Yet the diuine flood Enipeus, lou'd,
Who much the most faire streame, of all floods mou'd.
Neare whose streames, Tyro walking: Neptune came,
Like Enipeus, and enioyd the Dame:
Like to a hill; the blew, and Snakie flood
Aboue th' immortall, and the mortall stood;
And hid them both; as both together lay,
Iust where his current, falles into the Sea.
Her virgine wast, dissolu'd, she slumberd then;
But when the God had done the worke of men,
Her faire hand gently wringing; thus he said;
Woman! Reioyce in our combined bed;
For when the yeare hath runne his circle, round
(Because the Gods loues, must in fruite abound)
My loue shall make (to cheere thy teeming mones)
167
Loue well, and bring them vp: go home, and see
That, though of more ioy yet, I shall be free;
Thou dost not tell, to glorifie thy birth:
Thy Loue is Neptune shaker of the earth.
This said; he plung'd into the sea, and she
(Begot with child by him) the light let see
Great Pelias, and Neleus; that became
In Ioues great ministrie, of mighty fame.
Pelias, in broad Iolcus held his Throne,
Wealthy in cattell; th' other roiall Sonne
Rul'd sandy Pylos. To these, issue more
This Queene of women to her husband bore:
Aeson and Pheres, and Amythaon,
That for his fight on horsebacke, stoopt to none.
Next her, I saw admir'd Antiope
Asopus daughter; who (as much as she
Boasted attraction, of great Neptunes loue)
Boasted to slumber in the armes of Ioue:
And two Sonnes likewise, at one burthen bore,
To that, her all-controlling Paramore:
Amphion, and faire Zethus; that first laid
Great Thebes foundations; and strong wals conuaid
About her turrets, that seuen Ports enclosde.
For though the Thebans, much in strength reposde,
Yet had not they, the strength to hold their owne,
Without the added aides, of wood, and stone.
Asopus daughter; who (as much as she
Boasted attraction, of great Neptunes loue)
Boasted to slumber in the armes of Ioue:
And two Sonnes likewise, at one burthen bore,
To that, her all-controlling Paramore:
Amphion, and faire Zethus; that first laid
Great Thebes foundations; and strong wals conuaid
About her turrets, that seuen Ports enclosde.
For though the Thebans, much in strength reposde,
Yet had not they, the strength to hold their owne,
Without the added aides, of wood, and stone.
Alcmena, next I saw; that famous wife
Was to Amphytrio; and honor'd life
Gaue to the Lyon-hearted Hercules,
That was, of Ioues embrace, the great increase.
Was to Amphytrio; and honor'd life
Gaue to the Lyon-hearted Hercules,
That was, of Ioues embrace, the great increase.
I saw besides, proud Cræons daughter there,
Bright Megara; that nuptiall yoke did weare
With Ioues great Sonne; who neuer field did try,
But bore to him, the flowre of victory.
Bright Megara; that nuptiall yoke did weare
With Ioues great Sonne; who neuer field did try,
But bore to him, the flowre of victory.
The mother then, of Oedipus, I saw,
Faire Epicasta; that beyond all law,
Her owne Sonne maried, ignorant of kind;
And, he (as darkly taken, in his mind)
His mother wedded, and his father slew;
Whose blind act, heauen exposde at length to view:
And he, in all-lou'd Thebes, the supreame state
With much mone manag'd; for the heauy Fate
The Gods laid on him. She made violent flight
To Plutos darke house, from the lothed light;
Beneath a steepe beame, strangl'd with a cord;
And left her Sonne, in life, paines as abhord,
As all the furies powr'd on her in hell.
Then saw I Chloris, that did so excell
In answering beauties, that each part had all;
Great Neleus married her, when gifts not small,
Had wonne her fauour; term'd by name of dowre.
She was of all Amphions seed, the flowre;
(Amphion, calld Iasides, that then
Ruld strongly, Myniæan Orchomen)
And now his daughter rul'd the Pylean Throne;
Because her beauties Empire ouershone.
She brought her wise-awd husband, Neleus,
Nestor, much honord; Peryclimenus,
And Chromius; Sonnes, with soueraigne vertues grac't;
But after, brought a daughter that surpast;
Rare-beautied Pero, so for forme exact;
That Nature, to a miracle, was rackt,
In her perfections, blaz'd with th' eyes of men.
That made of all the Countries hearts, a chaine,
And drew them suiters to her. Which her Sire
Tooke vantage of; and (since he did aspire
To nothing more, then to the broad-browd herd
Of Oxen, which the common fame so rer'd,
Own'd by Iphiclus) not a man should be
His Peros husband, that from Phylace,
Those neuer-yet-driuen Oxen, could not driue:
Yet these; a strong hope held him to atchieue;
Because a Prophet that had neuer err'd,
Had said, that onely he should be prefer'd
To their possession. But the equall Fate
Of God, withstood his stealth: inextricate
Imprisoning Bands; and sturdy churlish Swaines
That were the Heardsmen; who withheld with chaines
The stealth attempter: which was onely he
That durst abet the Act with Prophecie;
None else would vndertake it; and he must:
The king would needs, a Prophet should be iust;
But when some daies and moneths, expired were,
And all the Houres had brought about the yeare;
The Prophet, did so satisfie the king
(Iphiclus; all his cunning questioning)
That he enfranchisde him; and (all worst done)
Ioues counsaile made, th' all-safe conclusion.
Faire Epicasta; that beyond all law,
Her owne Sonne maried, ignorant of kind;
And, he (as darkly taken, in his mind)
His mother wedded, and his father slew;
Whose blind act, heauen exposde at length to view:
And he, in all-lou'd Thebes, the supreame state
With much mone manag'd; for the heauy Fate
The Gods laid on him. She made violent flight
To Plutos darke house, from the lothed light;
Beneath a steepe beame, strangl'd with a cord;
And left her Sonne, in life, paines as abhord,
As all the furies powr'd on her in hell.
168
In answering beauties, that each part had all;
Great Neleus married her, when gifts not small,
Had wonne her fauour; term'd by name of dowre.
She was of all Amphions seed, the flowre;
(Amphion, calld Iasides, that then
Ruld strongly, Myniæan Orchomen)
And now his daughter rul'd the Pylean Throne;
Because her beauties Empire ouershone.
She brought her wise-awd husband, Neleus,
Nestor, much honord; Peryclimenus,
And Chromius; Sonnes, with soueraigne vertues grac't;
But after, brought a daughter that surpast;
Rare-beautied Pero, so for forme exact;
That Nature, to a miracle, was rackt,
In her perfections, blaz'd with th' eyes of men.
That made of all the Countries hearts, a chaine,
And drew them suiters to her. Which her Sire
Tooke vantage of; and (since he did aspire
To nothing more, then to the broad-browd herd
Of Oxen, which the common fame so rer'd,
Own'd by Iphiclus) not a man should be
His Peros husband, that from Phylace,
Those neuer-yet-driuen Oxen, could not driue:
Yet these; a strong hope held him to atchieue;
Because a Prophet that had neuer err'd,
Had said, that onely he should be prefer'd
To their possession. But the equall Fate
Of God, withstood his stealth: inextricate
Imprisoning Bands; and sturdy churlish Swaines
That were the Heardsmen; who withheld with chaines
The stealth attempter: which was onely he
That durst abet the Act with Prophecie;
None else would vndertake it; and he must:
The king would needs, a Prophet should be iust;
But when some daies and moneths, expired were,
And all the Houres had brought about the yeare;
The Prophet, did so satisfie the king
(Iphiclus; all his cunning questioning)
That he enfranchisde him; and (all worst done)
Ioues counsaile made, th' all-safe conclusion.
Then saw I Læda (linkt in nuptiall chaine
With Tyndarus) to whom, she did sustaine
Sonnes much renowm'd for wisedome; Castor one,
That past, for vse of horse, comparison;
And Pollux, that exceld, in whirlbat fight;
Both these, the fruitfull Earth bore; while the light
Of life inspir'd them; After which, they found
Such grace with Ioue, that both liu'd vnder ground,
By change of daies: life still did one sustaine,
While th' other died; the dead then, liu'd againe,
The liuing dying; both, of one selfe date,
Their liues and deaths made, by the Gods and Fate.
With Tyndarus) to whom, she did sustaine
Sonnes much renowm'd for wisedome; Castor one,
That past, for vse of horse, comparison;
And Pollux, that exceld, in whirlbat fight;
Both these, the fruitfull Earth bore; while the light
Of life inspir'd them; After which, they found
169
By change of daies: life still did one sustaine,
While th' other died; the dead then, liu'd againe,
The liuing dying; both, of one selfe date,
Their liues and deaths made, by the Gods and Fate.
Iphemedia, after Læda came,
That did deriue from Neptune too, the name
Of Father to two admirable Sonnes:
Life yet made short their admirations;
Who God-opposed Otus had to name,
And Ephialtes, farre in sound of Fame.
The prodigall Earth so fed them, that they grew
To most huge stature; and had fairest hew
Of all men, but Orion, vnder heauen;
At nine yeares old, nine cubits they were driuen
Abroad in breadth, and sprung nine fathomes hie.
They threatn'd to giue battell to the skie,
And all th' Immortals. They were setting on
Ossa vpon Olympus; and vpon
Steepe Ossa, leauie Pelius, that euen
They might a high-way make, with loftie heauen.
And had perhaps perform'd it, had they liu'd
Till they were Striplings. But Ioues Sonne depriu'd
Their lims of life; before th' age that begins
The flowre of youth; and should adorne their chins.
That did deriue from Neptune too, the name
Of Father to two admirable Sonnes:
Life yet made short their admirations;
Who God-opposed Otus had to name,
And Ephialtes, farre in sound of Fame.
The prodigall Earth so fed them, that they grew
To most huge stature; and had fairest hew
Of all men, but Orion, vnder heauen;
At nine yeares old, nine cubits they were driuen
Abroad in breadth, and sprung nine fathomes hie.
They threatn'd to giue battell to the skie,
And all th' Immortals. They were setting on
Ossa vpon Olympus; and vpon
Steepe Ossa, leauie Pelius, that euen
They might a high-way make, with loftie heauen.
And had perhaps perform'd it, had they liu'd
Till they were Striplings. But Ioues Sonne depriu'd
Their lims of life; before th' age that begins
The flowre of youth; and should adorne their chins.
Phædra and Procris, with wise Minos flame,
(Bright Ariadne) to the offring came.
Whom whilom Theseus made his prise from Crete;
That Athens sacred soile, might kisse her feete.
But neuer could obtaine her virgin Flowre;
Till, in the Sea-girt Dia, Dians powre
Detain'd his homeward haste; where (in her Phane,
By Bacchus witnest) was the fatall wane
Of her prime Glorie. Mara, Clymene,
I witnest there; and loth'd Eryphile;
That honour'd gold more, then she lou'd her Spouse.
(Bright Ariadne) to the offring came.
Whom whilom Theseus made his prise from Crete;
That Athens sacred soile, might kisse her feete.
But neuer could obtaine her virgin Flowre;
Till, in the Sea-girt Dia, Dians powre
Detain'd his homeward haste; where (in her Phane,
By Bacchus witnest) was the fatall wane
Of her prime Glorie. Mara, Clymene,
I witnest there; and loth'd Eryphile;
That honour'd gold more, then she lou'd her Spouse.
But all th' Heroesses in Plutos house,
That then encounterd me, exceeds my might
To name or number; and Ambrosian Night
Would quite be spent; when now the formall houres,
Present to Sleepe, our all-disposed powres.
If at my ship, or here, my home-made vow,
I leaue for fit grace, to the Gods and you.
That then encounterd me, exceeds my might
To name or number; and Ambrosian Night
Would quite be spent; when now the formall houres,
Present to Sleepe, our all-disposed powres.
If at my ship, or here, my home-made vow,
I leaue for fit grace, to the Gods and you.
This said; the silence his discourse had made,
With pleasure held still, through the houses shade.
When, white-arm'd Arete this speech began:
Phæacians! how appeares to you this man?
So goodly person'd, and so matcht with mind?
My guest he is; but all you stand combin'd,
In the renowne he doth vs. Do not then
With carelesse haste dismisse him: nor the maine
Of his dispatch, to one so needie, maime;
The Gods free bountie, giues vs all iust claime
To goods enow. This speech, the oldest man
Of any other Phæacensian,
The graue Heroe, Echineus gaue
All approbation; saying: Friends! ye haue
The motion of the wise Queene; in such words,
As haue not mist the marke; with which, accords
My cleare opinion. But Alcinous,
In word and worke, must be our rule. He thus;
And then Alcinous said: This then must stand,
If while I liue, I rule in the command
Of this well-skild-in-Nauigation State.
Endure then (Guest) though most importunate
Be your affects for home. A litle stay
If your expectance beare; perhaps it may
Our gifts make more complete. The cares of all,
Your due deduction asks; but Principall
I am therein, the ruler. He replied:
Alcinous! the most duly glorified,
With rule of all; of all men; if you lay
Commandment on me, of a whole yeares stay;
So all the while, your preparations rise,
As well in gifts, as time: ye can deuise
No better wish for me; for I shall come
Much fuller handed, and more honourd home;
And dearer to my people: in whose loues,
The richer euermore the better proues.
With pleasure held still, through the houses shade.
When, white-arm'd Arete this speech began:
Phæacians! how appeares to you this man?
So goodly person'd, and so matcht with mind?
170
In the renowne he doth vs. Do not then
With carelesse haste dismisse him: nor the maine
Of his dispatch, to one so needie, maime;
The Gods free bountie, giues vs all iust claime
To goods enow. This speech, the oldest man
Of any other Phæacensian,
The graue Heroe, Echineus gaue
All approbation; saying: Friends! ye haue
The motion of the wise Queene; in such words,
As haue not mist the marke; with which, accords
My cleare opinion. But Alcinous,
In word and worke, must be our rule. He thus;
And then Alcinous said: This then must stand,
If while I liue, I rule in the command
Of this well-skild-in-Nauigation State.
Endure then (Guest) though most importunate
Be your affects for home. A litle stay
If your expectance beare; perhaps it may
Our gifts make more complete. The cares of all,
Your due deduction asks; but Principall
I am therein, the ruler. He replied:
Alcinous! the most duly glorified,
With rule of all; of all men; if you lay
Commandment on me, of a whole yeares stay;
So all the while, your preparations rise,
As well in gifts, as time: ye can deuise
No better wish for me; for I shall come
Much fuller handed, and more honourd home;
And dearer to my people: in whose loues,
The richer euermore the better proues.
He answerd: There is argude in your sight,
A worth that works not men for benefit,
Like Prollers or Impostors; of which crew,
The gentle blacke Earth feeds not vp a few;
Here and there wanderers, blanching tales and lies,
Of neither praise, nor vse: you moue our eies
With forme; our minds with matter, and our eares
With elegant oration; such as beares,
A musicke in the orderd historie
It layes before vs. Not Demodocus,
With sweeter straines hath vsde to sing to vs,
All the Greeke sorrowes, wept out in your owne.
But say; of all your worthy friends, were none
Obiected to your eyes; that Consorts were
To Ilion with you? and seru'd destinie there?
This Night is passing long, vnmeasur'd: none
Of all my houshold would to bed yet: On,
Relate these wondrous things. Were I with you;
If you would tell me but your woes, as now,
Till the diuine Aurora shewd her head,
I should in no night relish thought of bed.
A worth that works not men for benefit,
Like Prollers or Impostors; of which crew,
The gentle blacke Earth feeds not vp a few;
Here and there wanderers, blanching tales and lies,
Of neither praise, nor vse: you moue our eies
With forme; our minds with matter, and our eares
With elegant oration; such as beares,
A musicke in the orderd historie
It layes before vs. Not Demodocus,
With sweeter straines hath vsde to sing to vs,
All the Greeke sorrowes, wept out in your owne.
But say; of all your worthy friends, were none
Obiected to your eyes; that Consorts were
To Ilion with you? and seru'd destinie there?
This Night is passing long, vnmeasur'd: none
Of all my houshold would to bed yet: On,
171
If you would tell me but your woes, as now,
Till the diuine Aurora shewd her head,
I should in no night relish thought of bed.
Most eminent King, (said he) Times, all must keepe;
There's time to speake much, time as much to sleepe.
But would you heare still, I will tell you still,
And vtter more, more miserable ill,
Of Friends then yet, that scap't the dismall warres,
And perisht homewards, and in houshold iarres.
Wag'd by a wicked woman. The chaste Queene,
No sooner made these Ladie-ghosts vnseene,
(Here and there flitting) but mine eie-sight wonne
The Soule of Agamemnon, (Atreus sonne)
Sad; and about him, all his traine of friends,
That in Ægysthus house, endur'd their ends,
With his sterne Fortune. Hauing drunke the blood,
He knew me instantly; and forth a flood
Of springing teares gusht. Out he thrust his hands,
With will t'embrace me; but their old commands,
Flowd not about him; nor their weakest part.
I wept to see; and mon'd him from my heart.
And askt: O Agamemnon! King of men!
What sort of cruell death, hath renderd slaine
Thy royall person? Neptune, in thy Fleete?
Heauen, and his hellish billowes making meete,
Rowsing the winds? Or haue thy men by land
Done thee this ill; for vsing thy command,
Past their consents, in diminution
Of those full shares, their worths by lot had wonne,
Of sheepe or oxen? or of any towne?
In couetous strife, to make their rights, thine owne,
In men or women prisoners? He replied:
By none of these, in any right, I died;
But by Ægysthus, and my murtherous wife,
(Bid to a banquet at his house) my life
Hath thus bene reft me: to my slaughter led,
Like to an Oxe, pretended to be fed.
So miserably fell I; and with me,
My friends lay massacred: As when you see
At any rich mans nuptials, shot, or feast,
About his kitchin, white-tooth'd swine lie drest.
The slaughters of a world of men, thine eies,
Both priuate, and in prease of enemies,
Haue personally witnest; but this one,
Would all thy parts haue broken into mone:
To see how strewd about our Cups and Cates,
As Tables set with Feast, so we with Fates,
All gasht and slaine, lay; all the floore embrude
With blood and braine. But that which most I ru'd,
Flew from the heauie voice, that Priams seed,
Cassandra breath'd; whom, she that wit doth feed
With banefull crafts, false Clytemnestra slew,
Close sitting by me; vp my hands I threw
From earth to heauen; and tumbling on my sword,
Gaue wretched life vp. When the most abhord,
By all her sexes shame, forsooke the roome;
Nor daind (though then so neare this heauie home)
To shut my lips, or close my broken eies.
Nothing so heapt is with impieties,
As such a woman, that would kill her Spouse,
That maried her a maid. When to my house
I brought her, hoping of her loue in heart,
To children, maids, and slaues. But she (in th' Art
Of onely mischiefe heartie) not alone
Cast on her selfe, this foule aspersion;
But louing Dames, hereafter, to their Lords
Will beare, for good deeds, her bad thoughts and words.
There's time to speake much, time as much to sleepe.
But would you heare still, I will tell you still,
And vtter more, more miserable ill,
Of Friends then yet, that scap't the dismall warres,
And perisht homewards, and in houshold iarres.
Wag'd by a wicked woman. The chaste Queene,
No sooner made these Ladie-ghosts vnseene,
(Here and there flitting) but mine eie-sight wonne
The Soule of Agamemnon, (Atreus sonne)
Sad; and about him, all his traine of friends,
That in Ægysthus house, endur'd their ends,
With his sterne Fortune. Hauing drunke the blood,
He knew me instantly; and forth a flood
Of springing teares gusht. Out he thrust his hands,
With will t'embrace me; but their old commands,
Flowd not about him; nor their weakest part.
I wept to see; and mon'd him from my heart.
And askt: O Agamemnon! King of men!
What sort of cruell death, hath renderd slaine
Thy royall person? Neptune, in thy Fleete?
Heauen, and his hellish billowes making meete,
Rowsing the winds? Or haue thy men by land
Done thee this ill; for vsing thy command,
Past their consents, in diminution
Of those full shares, their worths by lot had wonne,
Of sheepe or oxen? or of any towne?
In couetous strife, to make their rights, thine owne,
In men or women prisoners? He replied:
By none of these, in any right, I died;
But by Ægysthus, and my murtherous wife,
(Bid to a banquet at his house) my life
Hath thus bene reft me: to my slaughter led,
Like to an Oxe, pretended to be fed.
So miserably fell I; and with me,
My friends lay massacred: As when you see
At any rich mans nuptials, shot, or feast,
About his kitchin, white-tooth'd swine lie drest.
The slaughters of a world of men, thine eies,
Both priuate, and in prease of enemies,
Haue personally witnest; but this one,
Would all thy parts haue broken into mone:
To see how strewd about our Cups and Cates,
As Tables set with Feast, so we with Fates,
172
With blood and braine. But that which most I ru'd,
Flew from the heauie voice, that Priams seed,
Cassandra breath'd; whom, she that wit doth feed
With banefull crafts, false Clytemnestra slew,
Close sitting by me; vp my hands I threw
From earth to heauen; and tumbling on my sword,
Gaue wretched life vp. When the most abhord,
By all her sexes shame, forsooke the roome;
Nor daind (though then so neare this heauie home)
To shut my lips, or close my broken eies.
Nothing so heapt is with impieties,
As such a woman, that would kill her Spouse,
That maried her a maid. When to my house
I brought her, hoping of her loue in heart,
To children, maids, and slaues. But she (in th' Art
Of onely mischiefe heartie) not alone
Cast on her selfe, this foule aspersion;
But louing Dames, hereafter, to their Lords
Will beare, for good deeds, her bad thoughts and words.
Alas (said I) that Ioue should hate the liues
Of Atreus seed, so highly for their wiues.
For Menelaus wife, a number fell;
For dangerous absence, thine sent thee to hell.
Of Atreus seed, so highly for their wiues.
For Menelaus wife, a number fell;
For dangerous absence, thine sent thee to hell.
For this, (he answerd) Be not thou more kind
Then wise to thy wife; neuer, all thy mind
Let words expresse to her. Of all she knowes,
Curbs for the worst still, in thy selfe repose.
But thou by thy wifes wiles, shalt lose no blood;
Exceeding wise she is, and wise in good.
Icarius daughter, chaste Penelope,
We left a yong Bride; when for battell, we
Forsooke the Nuptiall peace; and at her brest,
Her first child sucking. Who, by this houre, blest,
Sits in the number of suruiuing men.
And his blisse, she hath, that she can containe;
And her blisse, thou hast, that she is so wise;
For, by her wisedome, thy returned eies
Shall see thy sonne; and he shall greete his Sire,
With fitting welcomes. When in my retire,
My wife denies mine eyes, my sonnes deare sight;
And, as from me, will take from him the light;
Before she addes one iust delight to life;
Or her false wit, one truth that sits a wife.
For her sake therefore, let my harmes aduise;
That though thy wife be ne're so chaste and wise,
Yet come not home to her in open view,
With any ship, or any personall shew.
But take close shore disguisde: nor let her know;
For tis no world, to trust a woman now.
But what sayes Fame? Doth my Sonne yet suruiue,
In Orchomen, or Pylos? or doth liue
In Sparta, with his Vnkle? yet I see
Diuine Orestes is not here with me.
Then wise to thy wife; neuer, all thy mind
Let words expresse to her. Of all she knowes,
Curbs for the worst still, in thy selfe repose.
But thou by thy wifes wiles, shalt lose no blood;
Exceeding wise she is, and wise in good.
Icarius daughter, chaste Penelope,
We left a yong Bride; when for battell, we
Forsooke the Nuptiall peace; and at her brest,
Her first child sucking. Who, by this houre, blest,
Sits in the number of suruiuing men.
And his blisse, she hath, that she can containe;
And her blisse, thou hast, that she is so wise;
For, by her wisedome, thy returned eies
Shall see thy sonne; and he shall greete his Sire,
With fitting welcomes. When in my retire,
My wife denies mine eyes, my sonnes deare sight;
And, as from me, will take from him the light;
Before she addes one iust delight to life;
Or her false wit, one truth that sits a wife.
For her sake therefore, let my harmes aduise;
That though thy wife be ne're so chaste and wise,
Yet come not home to her in open view,
With any ship, or any personall shew.
173
For tis no world, to trust a woman now.
But what sayes Fame? Doth my Sonne yet suruiue,
In Orchomen, or Pylos? or doth liue
In Sparta, with his Vnkle? yet I see
Diuine Orestes is not here with me.
I answerd, asking: Why doth Atreus sonne:
Enquire of me? who yet arriu'd where none
Could giue to these newes any certaine wings?
And tis absurd, to tell vncertaine things.
Enquire of me? who yet arriu'd where none
Could giue to these newes any certaine wings?
And tis absurd, to tell vncertaine things.
Such sad speech past vs; and as thus we stood,
With kind teares rendring vnkind fortunes good;
Achilles and Patroclus Soule appear'd;
And his Soule, of whom neuer ill was heard,
The good Antilochus: and the Soule of him,
That all the Greeks past, both for force and lim,
Excepting the vnmatcht Æacides,
Illustrous Aiax. But the first of these,
That saw, acknowledg'd, and saluted me,
Was Thetis conquering Sonne, who (heauily
His state here taking) said: Vnworthy breath!
What act, yet mightier, imagineth
Thy ventrous spirit? How doest thou descend
These vnder regions: where the dead mans end,
Is to be lookt on? and his foolish shade?
With kind teares rendring vnkind fortunes good;
Achilles and Patroclus Soule appear'd;
And his Soule, of whom neuer ill was heard,
The good Antilochus: and the Soule of him,
That all the Greeks past, both for force and lim,
Excepting the vnmatcht Æacides,
Illustrous Aiax. But the first of these,
That saw, acknowledg'd, and saluted me,
Was Thetis conquering Sonne, who (heauily
His state here taking) said: Vnworthy breath!
What act, yet mightier, imagineth
Thy ventrous spirit? How doest thou descend
These vnder regions: where the dead mans end,
Is to be lookt on? and his foolish shade?
I answerd him: I was induc'd t'inuade
These vnder parts, (most excellent of Greece)
To visite wise Tiresias, for aduice
Of vertue to direct my voyage home
To rugged Ithaca; since I could come
To note in no place, where Achaia stood;
And so liu'd euer, tortur'd with the blood
In mans vaine veines. Thou therefore (Thetis sonne)
Hast equald all, that euer yet haue wonne
The blisse the earth yeelds; or hereafter shall.
In life, thy eminence was ador'd of all,
Euen with the Gods. And now, euen dead, I see
Thy vertues propagate thy Emperie,
To a renewd life of command beneath;
So great Achilles triumphs ouer death.
This comfort of him, this encounter found;
Vrge not my death to me, nor rub that wound;
I rather wish, to liue in earth a Swaine,
Or serue a Swaine for hire, that scarce can gaine
Bread to sustaine him; then (that life once gone)
Of all the dead, sway the Imperiall thone.
But say; and of my Sonne, some comfort yeeld;
If he goes on, in first fights of the field;
Or lurks for safetie in the obscure Rere?
Or of my Father, if thy royall eare
Hath bene aduertisde, that the Phthian Throne,
He still commands, as greatest Myrmidon?
Or that the Phthian and Thessalian rage,
(Now feete and hands are in the hold of Age)
Despise his Empire? Vnder those bright rayes,
In which, heauens feruour hurles about the dayes;
Must I no more shine his reuenger now;
Such as of old, the Ilion ouerthrow
Witnest my anger: th' vniuersall hoast,
Sending before me, to this shadie Coast,
In fight for Grecia. Could I now resort,
(But for some small time) to my Fathers Court;
In spirit and powre, as then: those men should find
My hands inaccessible; and of fire, my mind,
That durst, with all the numbers they are strong,
Vnseate his honour, and suborne his wrong.
These vnder parts, (most excellent of Greece)
To visite wise Tiresias, for aduice
Of vertue to direct my voyage home
To rugged Ithaca; since I could come
To note in no place, where Achaia stood;
And so liu'd euer, tortur'd with the blood
In mans vaine veines. Thou therefore (Thetis sonne)
Hast equald all, that euer yet haue wonne
The blisse the earth yeelds; or hereafter shall.
In life, thy eminence was ador'd of all,
Euen with the Gods. And now, euen dead, I see
Thy vertues propagate thy Emperie,
To a renewd life of command beneath;
So great Achilles triumphs ouer death.
This comfort of him, this encounter found;
Vrge not my death to me, nor rub that wound;
I rather wish, to liue in earth a Swaine,
Or serue a Swaine for hire, that scarce can gaine
Bread to sustaine him; then (that life once gone)
Of all the dead, sway the Imperiall thone.
But say; and of my Sonne, some comfort yeeld;
If he goes on, in first fights of the field;
174
Or of my Father, if thy royall eare
Hath bene aduertisde, that the Phthian Throne,
He still commands, as greatest Myrmidon?
Or that the Phthian and Thessalian rage,
(Now feete and hands are in the hold of Age)
Despise his Empire? Vnder those bright rayes,
In which, heauens feruour hurles about the dayes;
Must I no more shine his reuenger now;
Such as of old, the Ilion ouerthrow
Witnest my anger: th' vniuersall hoast,
Sending before me, to this shadie Coast,
In fight for Grecia. Could I now resort,
(But for some small time) to my Fathers Court;
In spirit and powre, as then: those men should find
My hands inaccessible; and of fire, my mind,
That durst, with all the numbers they are strong,
Vnseate his honour, and suborne his wrong.
This pitch still flew his spirit, though so low;
And this, I answerd thus: I do not know,
Of blamelesse Peleus, any least report;
But of your sonne, in all the vtmost sort,
I can informe your care with truth; and thus:
And this, I answerd thus: I do not know,
Of blamelesse Peleus, any least report;
But of your sonne, in all the vtmost sort,
I can informe your care with truth; and thus:
From Scyros, princely Neoptolemus,
By Fleete, I conuaid to the Greeks; where he
Was Chiefe, at both parts: when our grauitie
Retir'd to councell; and our youth to fight.
In councell still (so firie was Conceit,
In his quicke apprehension of a cause)
That first he euer spake; nor past the lawes
Of any graue stay, in his greatest hast.
None would contend with him, that counseld last;
Vnlesse illustrous Nestor, he and I
Would sometimes put a friendly contrary,
On his opinion. In our fights, the prease
Of great or common, he would neuer sease;
But farre before fight euer. No man there,
For force, he forced. He was slaughterer
Of many a braue man, in most dreadfull fight.
But one and other, whom he reft of light,
(In Grecian succour) I can neither name,
Nor giue in number. The particular fame,
Of one mans slaughter yet, I must not passe;
Eurypilus Telephides he was,
That fell beneath him; and with him, the falls
Of such huge men went, that they shewd like whales,
Rampir'd about him. Neoptolemus
Set him so sharply, for the sumptuous
Fauours of Mistresses, he saw him weare;
For past all doubt, his beauties had no peere,
Of all that mine eies noted; next to one,
And that was Memnon, Tithons Sun-like sonne.
Thus farre, for fight in publicke, may a tast
Giue of his eminence. How farre surpast
His spirit in priuate; where he was not seene;
Nor glorie could be said, to praise his spleene;
This close note, I excerpted. When we sate
Hid in Epæus horse; no Optimate
Of all the Greeks there, had the charge to ope
And shut the Stratageme, but I. My scope
To note then, each mans spirit, in a streight
Of so much danger; much the better might
Be hit by me, then others: as, prouokt,
I shifted place still; when, in some I smokt
Both priuie tremblings, and close vent of teares.
In him yet, not a soft conceit of theirs,
Could all my search see, either his wet eies
Plied still with wiping; or the goodly guise,
His person all waies put forth; in least part,
By any tremblings, shewd his toucht-at heart.
But euer he was vrging me to make
Way to their sally; by his signe to shake
His sword hid in his scabberd; or his Lance
Loded with iron, at me. No good chance,
His thoughts to Troy intended. In th' euent,
(High Troy depopulate) he made ascent
To his faire ship, with prise and treasure store:
Safe, and no touch, away with him he bore,
Of farre-off hurl'd Lance, or of close-fought sword,
Whose wounds, for fauours, Warre doth oft affoord;
Which he (though sought) mist, in warres closest wage;
In close fights, Mars doth neuer fight, but rage.
By Fleete, I conuaid to the Greeks; where he
Was Chiefe, at both parts: when our grauitie
Retir'd to councell; and our youth to fight.
In councell still (so firie was Conceit,
In his quicke apprehension of a cause)
That first he euer spake; nor past the lawes
Of any graue stay, in his greatest hast.
None would contend with him, that counseld last;
Vnlesse illustrous Nestor, he and I
Would sometimes put a friendly contrary,
On his opinion. In our fights, the prease
Of great or common, he would neuer sease;
But farre before fight euer. No man there,
For force, he forced. He was slaughterer
Of many a braue man, in most dreadfull fight.
But one and other, whom he reft of light,
(In Grecian succour) I can neither name,
Nor giue in number. The particular fame,
Of one mans slaughter yet, I must not passe;
Eurypilus Telephides he was,
That fell beneath him; and with him, the falls
Of such huge men went, that they shewd like whales,
Rampir'd about him. Neoptolemus
Set him so sharply, for the sumptuous
175
For past all doubt, his beauties had no peere,
Of all that mine eies noted; next to one,
And that was Memnon, Tithons Sun-like sonne.
Thus farre, for fight in publicke, may a tast
Giue of his eminence. How farre surpast
His spirit in priuate; where he was not seene;
Nor glorie could be said, to praise his spleene;
This close note, I excerpted. When we sate
Hid in Epæus horse; no Optimate
Of all the Greeks there, had the charge to ope
And shut the Stratageme, but I. My scope
To note then, each mans spirit, in a streight
Of so much danger; much the better might
Be hit by me, then others: as, prouokt,
I shifted place still; when, in some I smokt
Both priuie tremblings, and close vent of teares.
In him yet, not a soft conceit of theirs,
Could all my search see, either his wet eies
Plied still with wiping; or the goodly guise,
His person all waies put forth; in least part,
By any tremblings, shewd his toucht-at heart.
But euer he was vrging me to make
Way to their sally; by his signe to shake
His sword hid in his scabberd; or his Lance
Loded with iron, at me. No good chance,
His thoughts to Troy intended. In th' euent,
(High Troy depopulate) he made ascent
To his faire ship, with prise and treasure store:
Safe, and no touch, away with him he bore,
Of farre-off hurl'd Lance, or of close-fought sword,
Whose wounds, for fauours, Warre doth oft affoord;
Which he (though sought) mist, in warres closest wage;
In close fights, Mars doth neuer fight, but rage.
This made the soule of swift Achilles tred
A March of glorie, through the herbie meade;
For ioy to heare me so renowme his Sonne;
And vanisht stalking. But with passion
Stood th' other Soules strooke: and each told his bane.
Onely the spirit Telamonian
Kept farre off; angrie for the victorie
I wonne from him at Fleete; though Arbitrie
Of all a Court of warre, pronounc't it mine,
And Pallas selfe. Our prise were th' armes diuine,
Of great Æacides; proposde t'our fames
By his bright Mother, at his funerall Games.
I wish to heauen, I ought not to haue wonne;
Since for those Armes, so high a head, so soone
The base earth couerd. Aiax, that of all
The hoast of Greece, had person capitall,
And acts as eminent; excepting his,
Whose armes those were; in whom was nought amisse.
I tride the great Soule with soft words, and said:
Aiax! great sonne of Telamon; arraid
In all our glories! what? not dead resigne
Thy wrath for those curst Armes? The Powres diuine,
In them forg'd all our banes; in thine owne One;
In thy graue fall, our Towre was ouerthrowne.
We mourne (for euer maimd) for thee as much,
As for Achilles: nor thy wrong doth touch,
In sentence, any, but Saturnius doome;
In whose hate, was the hoast of Greece become
A very horror. Who exprest it well,
In signing thy Fate, with this timelesse Hell.
Approch then (King of all the Grecian merit)
Represse thy great mind, and thy flamie spirit;
And giue the words I giue thee, worthy eare.
A March of glorie, through the herbie meade;
For ioy to heare me so renowme his Sonne;
And vanisht stalking. But with passion
Stood th' other Soules strooke: and each told his bane.
Onely the spirit Telamonian
Kept farre off; angrie for the victorie
I wonne from him at Fleete; though Arbitrie
Of all a Court of warre, pronounc't it mine,
And Pallas selfe. Our prise were th' armes diuine,
Of great Æacides; proposde t'our fames
By his bright Mother, at his funerall Games.
I wish to heauen, I ought not to haue wonne;
Since for those Armes, so high a head, so soone
178
The hoast of Greece, had person capitall,
And acts as eminent; excepting his,
Whose armes those were; in whom was nought amisse.
I tride the great Soule with soft words, and said:
Aiax! great sonne of Telamon; arraid
In all our glories! what? not dead resigne
Thy wrath for those curst Armes? The Powres diuine,
In them forg'd all our banes; in thine owne One;
In thy graue fall, our Towre was ouerthrowne.
We mourne (for euer maimd) for thee as much,
As for Achilles: nor thy wrong doth touch,
In sentence, any, but Saturnius doome;
In whose hate, was the hoast of Greece become
A very horror. Who exprest it well,
In signing thy Fate, with this timelesse Hell.
Approch then (King of all the Grecian merit)
Represse thy great mind, and thy flamie spirit;
And giue the words I giue thee, worthy eare.
All this, no word drew from him; but lesse neare
The sterne Soule kept. To other Soules he fled;
And glid along the Riuer of the dead.
Though Anger mou'd him; yet he might haue spoke;
Since I to him. But my desires were strooke
With sight of other Soules. And then I saw
Minos, that ministred to Death a law;
And Ioues bright sonne was. He was set, and swaid
A golden Scepter; and to him did pleade
A sort of others, set about his Throne,
In Plutos wide-door'd house; when strait came on,
Mightie Orion, who was hunting there,
The heards of those beasts he had slaughterd here,
In desart hils on earth. A Club he bore,
Entirely steele, whose vertues neuer wore.
The sterne Soule kept. To other Soules he fled;
And glid along the Riuer of the dead.
Though Anger mou'd him; yet he might haue spoke;
Since I to him. But my desires were strooke
With sight of other Soules. And then I saw
Minos, that ministred to Death a law;
And Ioues bright sonne was. He was set, and swaid
A golden Scepter; and to him did pleade
A sort of others, set about his Throne,
In Plutos wide-door'd house; when strait came on,
Mightie Orion, who was hunting there,
The heards of those beasts he had slaughterd here,
In desart hils on earth. A Club he bore,
Entirely steele, whose vertues neuer wore.
Tityus I saw: to whom the glorious Earth
Opened her wombe, and gaue vnhappie birth;
Vpwards, and flat vpon the Pauement lay
His ample lims; that spred in their display,
Nine Acres compasse. On his bosome sat
Two Vultures, digging through his caule of fat,
Into his Liuer, with their crooked Beakes;
And each by turnes, the concrete entraile breakes,
(As Smiths their steele beate) set on either side.
Nor doth he euer labour to diuide
His Liuer and their Beakes; nor with his hand,
Offer them off: but suffers by command,
Of th' angrie Thunderer; offring to enforce,
His loue Latona in the close recourse,
She vsde to Pytho, through the dancing land,
Smooth Panopæus. I saw likewise stand,
Vp to the chin, amidst a liquid lake,
Tormented Tantalus; yet could not slake
His burning thirst. Oft as his scornfull cup,
Th' old man would taste; so oft twas swallowd vp;
And all the blacke earth to his feete descried;
Diuine powre (plaguing him) the lake still dried.
About his head, on high trees, clustering, hung
Peares, Apples, Granets, Oliues, euer yong;
Delicious Figs, and many fruite trees more,
Of other burthen, whose alluring store,
When th' old Soule striu'd to pluck, the winds from sight,
In gloomie vapours, made them vanish quite.
Opened her wombe, and gaue vnhappie birth;
Vpwards, and flat vpon the Pauement lay
His ample lims; that spred in their display,
Nine Acres compasse. On his bosome sat
Two Vultures, digging through his caule of fat,
Into his Liuer, with their crooked Beakes;
And each by turnes, the concrete entraile breakes,
(As Smiths their steele beate) set on either side.
Nor doth he euer labour to diuide
His Liuer and their Beakes; nor with his hand,
Offer them off: but suffers by command,
Of th' angrie Thunderer; offring to enforce,
His loue Latona in the close recourse,
177
Smooth Panopæus. I saw likewise stand,
Vp to the chin, amidst a liquid lake,
Tormented Tantalus; yet could not slake
His burning thirst. Oft as his scornfull cup,
Th' old man would taste; so oft twas swallowd vp;
And all the blacke earth to his feete descried;
Diuine powre (plaguing him) the lake still dried.
About his head, on high trees, clustering, hung
Peares, Apples, Granets, Oliues, euer yong;
Delicious Figs, and many fruite trees more,
Of other burthen, whose alluring store,
When th' old Soule striu'd to pluck, the winds from sight,
In gloomie vapours, made them vanish quite.
There saw I Sisyphus, in infinite mone,
With both hands heauing vp a massie stone;
And on his tip-toes, racking all his height,
To wrest vp to a mountaine top, his freight;
When prest to rest it there (his nerues quite spent)
Downe rusht the deadly Quarrie: the euent
Of all his torture, new to raise againe;
To which, strait set his neuer-rested paine.
The sweate came gushing out from euery Pore;
And on his head a standing mist he wore;
Reeking from thence, as if a cloud of dust
Were raisd about it. Downe with these was thrust,
The Idoll of the force of Hercules.
But his firme selfe, did no such Fate oppresse;
He feasting liues amongst th' immortall States;
White-ankled Hebe, and himselfe, made mates,
In heauenly Nuptials. Hebe, Ioues deare race,
And Iunos; whom the golden Sandals grace.
About him flew the clamors of the dead,
Like Fowles; and still stoopt cuffing at his head.
He, with his Bow, like Night, stalkt vp and downe;
His shaft still nockt; and hurling round his frowne,
At those vext houerers, aiming at them still;
And still, as shooting out, desire to still.
A horrid Bawdricke, wore he thwart his brest;
The Thong all gold, in which were formes imprest,
Where Art and Miracle, drew equall breaths,
In Beares, Bores, Lions, Battels, Combats, Deaths.
Who wrought that worke, did neuer such before;
Nor so diuinely will do euer more.
Soone as he saw, he knew me; and gaue speech:
Sonne of Laertes; high in wisedomes reach;
And yet vnhappie wretch; for in this heart,
Of all exploits atchieu'd by thy desert,
Thy worth but works out some sinister Fate.
As I in earth did. I was generate
By Ioue himselfe; and yet past meane, opprest
By one my farre inferiour; whose proud hest,
Imposde abhorred labours, on my hand.
Of all which, one was, to descend this Strand,
And hale the dog from thence. He could not thinke
An act that Danger could make deeper sinke;
And yet this depth I drew; and fetcht as hie,
As this was low, the dog. The Deitie,
Of sleight and wisedome, as of downe-right powre,
Both stoopt, and raisd, and made me Conquerour.
With both hands heauing vp a massie stone;
And on his tip-toes, racking all his height,
To wrest vp to a mountaine top, his freight;
When prest to rest it there (his nerues quite spent)
Downe rusht the deadly Quarrie: the euent
Of all his torture, new to raise againe;
To which, strait set his neuer-rested paine.
The sweate came gushing out from euery Pore;
And on his head a standing mist he wore;
Reeking from thence, as if a cloud of dust
Were raisd about it. Downe with these was thrust,
The Idoll of the force of Hercules.
But his firme selfe, did no such Fate oppresse;
He feasting liues amongst th' immortall States;
White-ankled Hebe, and himselfe, made mates,
In heauenly Nuptials. Hebe, Ioues deare race,
And Iunos; whom the golden Sandals grace.
About him flew the clamors of the dead,
Like Fowles; and still stoopt cuffing at his head.
He, with his Bow, like Night, stalkt vp and downe;
His shaft still nockt; and hurling round his frowne,
At those vext houerers, aiming at them still;
And still, as shooting out, desire to still.
A horrid Bawdricke, wore he thwart his brest;
The Thong all gold, in which were formes imprest,
Where Art and Miracle, drew equall breaths,
In Beares, Bores, Lions, Battels, Combats, Deaths.
Who wrought that worke, did neuer such before;
Nor so diuinely will do euer more.
Soone as he saw, he knew me; and gaue speech:
Sonne of Laertes; high in wisedomes reach;
And yet vnhappie wretch; for in this heart,
Of all exploits atchieu'd by thy desert,
178
As I in earth did. I was generate
By Ioue himselfe; and yet past meane, opprest
By one my farre inferiour; whose proud hest,
Imposde abhorred labours, on my hand.
Of all which, one was, to descend this Strand,
And hale the dog from thence. He could not thinke
An act that Danger could make deeper sinke;
And yet this depth I drew; and fetcht as hie,
As this was low, the dog. The Deitie,
Of sleight and wisedome, as of downe-right powre,
Both stoopt, and raisd, and made me Conquerour.
This said; he made descent againe as low
As Plutos Court; when I stood firme; for show
Of more Heroes, of the times before;
And might perhaps haue seene my wish of more;
(As Theseus and Pirithous, deriu'd
From rootes of Deitie) but before th' atchieu'd
Rare sight of these; the rank-soul'd multitude
In infinite flocks rose; venting sounds so rude,
That pale Feare tooke me, lest the Gorgons head
Rusht in amongst them; thrust vp, in my dread,
By grim Persephone. I therefore sent
My men before to ship; and after went.
Where, boorded, set, and lancht; th' Ocean waue,
Our Ores and forewinds, speedie passage gaue.
As Plutos Court; when I stood firme; for show
Of more Heroes, of the times before;
And might perhaps haue seene my wish of more;
(As Theseus and Pirithous, deriu'd
From rootes of Deitie) but before th' atchieu'd
Rare sight of these; the rank-soul'd multitude
In infinite flocks rose; venting sounds so rude,
That pale Feare tooke me, lest the Gorgons head
Rusht in amongst them; thrust vp, in my dread,
By grim Persephone. I therefore sent
My men before to ship; and after went.
Where, boorded, set, and lancht; th' Ocean waue,
Our Ores and forewinds, speedie passage gaue.
Finis libri vndecimi Hom. Odyss.
179
THE XII. BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
He shewes from Hell his safe retreate,To th' Ile Ææa, Circes seate.
And how he scapt the Sirens calls.
With th' erring Rockes, and waters falls,
That Scylla and Charybdis breake.
The Sunnes stolne Herds; and his sad wreake,
Both of Vlysses ship and men,
His owne head scaping scarce the paine.
Another.
The Rockes that errd;The Sirens call;
The Sunnes stolne Herd;
The souldiers fall.
Ovr Ship now past the streights of th' Ocean flood;
She plowd the broad seas billowes; and made good,
The Ile Ææa, where the Pallace stands
Of th' early Riser, with the rosie hands,
Actiue Aurora; where she loues to dance;
And where the Sunne doth his prime beames aduance.
When here arriu'd; we drew her vp to land,
And trod our selues the resaluted sand:
Found on the shore, fit resting for the Night;
Slept, and expected the celestiall light.
She plowd the broad seas billowes; and made good,
The Ile Ææa, where the Pallace stands
Of th' early Riser, with the rosie hands,
Actiue Aurora; where she loues to dance;
And where the Sunne doth his prime beames aduance.
When here arriu'd; we drew her vp to land,
And trod our selues the resaluted sand:
Found on the shore, fit resting for the Night;
Slept, and expected the celestiall light.
Soone as the white-and-red-mixt-fingerd Dame,
Had guilt the mountaines with her Saffron flame;
I sent my men to Circes house before,
To fetch deceast Elpenor to the shore.
Had guilt the mountaines with her Saffron flame;
I sent my men to Circes house before,
To fetch deceast Elpenor to the shore.
Strait swelld the high banks with feld heapes of trees;
And (full of teares) we did due Exequies
To our dead friend. (Whose Corse consum'd with fire,
And honourd Armes: whose Sepulcher entire;
And ouer that, a Columne raisd) his Ore,
Curiously caru'd (to his desire before)
Vpon the top of all his Tombe, we fixt.
Of all Rites fit, his Funerall Pile was mixt.
And (full of teares) we did due Exequies
To our dead friend. (Whose Corse consum'd with fire,
And honourd Armes: whose Sepulcher entire;
And ouer that, a Columne raisd) his Ore,
Curiously caru'd (to his desire before)
Vpon the top of all his Tombe, we fixt.
Of all Rites fit, his Funerall Pile was mixt.
Nor was our safe ascent from hell, conceald
From Circes knowledge; nor so soone reueald,
But she was with vs, with her bread and food,
And ruddie wine, brought by her sacred brood
Of woods and Fountaines. In the midst she stood,
And thus saluted vs: Vnhappie men,
That haue (inform'd with all your sences) bene
In Plutos dismall mansion. You shall die
Twice now; where others that Mortalitie,
In her faire armes, holds; shall but once decease.
But eate and drinke out all conceit of these;
And this day dedicate to food and wine;
The following Night to Sleepe. When next shall shine
The chearfull Morning; you shall proue the seas.
Your way, and euery act ye must addresse,
My knowledge of their order shall designe:
Lest with your owne bad counsels, ye encline
Euents as bad against ye; and sustaine
By sea and shore, the wofull ends that raigne
In wilfull actions. Thus did she aduise;
And, for the time, our Fortunes were so wise,
To follow wise directions. All that day
We sate and feasted. When his lower way,
The Sunne had enterd; and the Euen, the hie:
My friends slept on their Gables; she and I,
(Led by her faire hand, to a place apart,
By her well sorted) did to sleepe conuert
Our timed powres. When, all things Fate let fall
In our affaire, she askt; I told her all.
To which she answerd: These things thus tooke end:
And now to those that I informe, attend:
Which (you remembring) God himselfe shall be,
The blessed author of your memorie.
From Circes knowledge; nor so soone reueald,
But she was with vs, with her bread and food,
And ruddie wine, brought by her sacred brood
180
And thus saluted vs: Vnhappie men,
That haue (inform'd with all your sences) bene
In Plutos dismall mansion. You shall die
Twice now; where others that Mortalitie,
In her faire armes, holds; shall but once decease.
But eate and drinke out all conceit of these;
And this day dedicate to food and wine;
The following Night to Sleepe. When next shall shine
The chearfull Morning; you shall proue the seas.
Your way, and euery act ye must addresse,
My knowledge of their order shall designe:
Lest with your owne bad counsels, ye encline
Euents as bad against ye; and sustaine
By sea and shore, the wofull ends that raigne
In wilfull actions. Thus did she aduise;
And, for the time, our Fortunes were so wise,
To follow wise directions. All that day
We sate and feasted. When his lower way,
The Sunne had enterd; and the Euen, the hie:
My friends slept on their Gables; she and I,
(Led by her faire hand, to a place apart,
By her well sorted) did to sleepe conuert
Our timed powres. When, all things Fate let fall
In our affaire, she askt; I told her all.
To which she answerd: These things thus tooke end:
And now to those that I informe, attend:
Which (you remembring) God himselfe shall be,
The blessed author of your memorie.
First, to the Sirens ye shall come, that taint
The minds of all men, whom they can acquaint
With their attractions. Whosoeuer shall
(For want of knowledge mou'd) but heare the call
Of any Siren: he will so despise
Both wife and children, for their sorceries,
That neuer home turnes his affections streame;
Nor they take ioy in him, nor he in them.
The Sirens will so soften with their song,
(Shrill, and in sensuall appetite so strong)
His loose affections, that he giues them head.
And then obserue: They sit amidst a meade;
And round about it runnes a hedge or wall
Of dead mens bones: their witherd skins and all,
Hung all along vpon it; and these men
Were such as they had fawnd into their Fen,
And then their skins hung on their hedge of bones.
Saile by them therefore; thy companions
Before hand causing to stop euery eare
With sweete soft waxe so close; that none may heare
A note of all their charmings. Yet may you
(If you affect it) open eare allow
To trie their motion: but presume not so
To trust your iudgement; when your senses go
So loose about you; but giue straight command
To all your men, to bind you foote and hand,
Sure to the Mast; that you may safe approue
How strong in instigation to their loue
Their rapting tunes are. If so much they moue,
That, spite of all your reason, your will stands
To be enfranchisde, both of feete and hands;
Charge all your men before, to sleight your charge,
And rest so farre, from fearing to enlarge,
That much more sure they bind you. When your friends
Haue outsaild these: the danger that transcends
Rests not in any counsaile to preuent;
Vnlesse your owne mind, finds the tract and bent
Of that way, that auoids it. I can say
That in your course, there lies a twofold way;
The right of which, your owne, taught, present wit
And grace diuine, must prompt. In generall yet
Let this informe you: Neare these Sirens shore
Moue two steepe Rocks; at whose feete, lie and rore
The blacke seas cruell billowes: the blest Gods
Call them the Rouers. Their abhord abods
No bird can passe: no not the Doues
, whose feare
Sire Ioue so loues, that they are said to beare
Ambrosia to him; can their rauine scape;
But one of them, falles euer to the rape
Of those slie rocks. Yet Ioue, another still
Adds to the rest; that so may euer fill
The sacred number. Neuer ship could shunne
The nimble perill wing'd there; but did runne
With all her bulke, and bodies of her men
To vtter ruine. For the seas retaine
Not onely their outragious æsture there;
But fierce assistents, of particular feare,
And supernaturall mischiefe, they expire;
And those are whirlewinds of deuouring fire
Whisking about still. Th' Argiue ship, alone
(Which bore the
care of all men) got her gone,
Come from Areta. Yet perhaps euen she
Had wrackt at those Rocks; if the Deitie
That lies by Ioues side, had not lent her hand
To their transmission; since the man that mann'd
In chiefe that voyage, she, in chiefe did loue.
Of these two spitefull Rocks, the one doth shoue
Against the height of heauen, her pointed brow.
A blacke cloud binds it round, and neuer show
Lends to the sharp point: not the cleare blew skie
Lets euer view it. Not the Sommers eye;
Not feruent Autumnes. None, that Death could end
Could euer skale it; or if vp, descend.
Though twenty hands and feete he had for hold:
A polisht ice-like glibnesse doth enfold
The rocke so round, whose midst, a gloomie cell
Shrowds, so farre Westward, that it sees to hell.
From this, keepe you as farre, as from his bow
An able yong man can his shaft bestow.
For here, the
whuling Scylla, shrowds her face:
That breaths a voice, at all parts, no more base
Then are a newly-kitn'd kitlings cries;
Her selfe a monster yet, of boundlesse sise;
Whose sight would nothing please a mortals eies;
No nor the eyes of any God, if he
(Whom nought should fright) fell foule on her; and she
Her full shape shew'd. Twelue foule feete beare about
Her ougly bulke. Sixe huge long necks lookt out
Of her ranke shoulders: euery necke, doth let
A ghastly head out: euery head; three set
Thicke thrust together, of abhorred teeth;
And euery tooth stucke with a sable death.
The minds of all men, whom they can acquaint
With their attractions. Whosoeuer shall
(For want of knowledge mou'd) but heare the call
Of any Siren: he will so despise
Both wife and children, for their sorceries,
That neuer home turnes his affections streame;
Nor they take ioy in him, nor he in them.
The Sirens will so soften with their song,
(Shrill, and in sensuall appetite so strong)
His loose affections, that he giues them head.
And then obserue: They sit amidst a meade;
And round about it runnes a hedge or wall
Of dead mens bones: their witherd skins and all,
Hung all along vpon it; and these men
Were such as they had fawnd into their Fen,
And then their skins hung on their hedge of bones.
Saile by them therefore; thy companions
Before hand causing to stop euery eare
181
A note of all their charmings. Yet may you
(If you affect it) open eare allow
To trie their motion: but presume not so
To trust your iudgement; when your senses go
So loose about you; but giue straight command
To all your men, to bind you foote and hand,
Sure to the Mast; that you may safe approue
How strong in instigation to their loue
Their rapting tunes are. If so much they moue,
That, spite of all your reason, your will stands
To be enfranchisde, both of feete and hands;
Charge all your men before, to sleight your charge,
And rest so farre, from fearing to enlarge,
That much more sure they bind you. When your friends
Haue outsaild these: the danger that transcends
Rests not in any counsaile to preuent;
Vnlesse your owne mind, finds the tract and bent
Of that way, that auoids it. I can say
That in your course, there lies a twofold way;
The right of which, your owne, taught, present wit
And grace diuine, must prompt. In generall yet
Let this informe you: Neare these Sirens shore
Moue two steepe Rocks; at whose feete, lie and rore
The blacke seas cruell billowes: the blest Gods
Call them the Rouers. Their abhord abods
No bird can passe: no not the Doues
πελειας τρηρωνες Columbæ timidæ. What these Doues were, and the whole minde of this place: the Great Macedon asking Chiron Amphipolites, he answered, They were the Pleiades or seuen Stares. One of which (besides his proper imperfection, of being αμυδρος in adeo exilis, vel subobscurus, vt vix appareat) is vtterly obscured or let by these Rocks. Why then, or how, Ioue still supplied the lost one, that the number might be full: Athænaus falles to it, and helps the other out: Interpreting it to be affirmed of their perpetuall septenary number, though there appeared but sixe. But how lame and loathsome these Prozers shew in their affected expositions of the Poeticall Minde, this and an hundred others, spent in meere presumptuous guesse at this inaccessible Poet; I hope will make plaine enough to the most enuious of any thing done, besides their owne set censures, and most arrogant ouer weenings. In the 23. of the Iliads, (being Ψ) at the Games celebrated at Patroclus funerals, they tied to the top of a Mast, πελειαν τρηρωνα timidam Columbam, to shoote at for a game: so that (by these great mens aboue said expositions,) they shot at the Pleiades.
Sire Ioue so loues, that they are said to beare
Ambrosia to him; can their rauine scape;
But one of them, falles euer to the rape
Of those slie rocks. Yet Ioue, another still
Adds to the rest; that so may euer fill
The sacred number. Neuer ship could shunne
The nimble perill wing'd there; but did runne
With all her bulke, and bodies of her men
To vtter ruine. For the seas retaine
Not onely their outragious æsture there;
But fierce assistents, of particular feare,
And supernaturall mischiefe, they expire;
And those are whirlewinds of deuouring fire
Whisking about still. Th' Argiue ship, alone
182
ναυς πασιμελουσα &c. Nauis omnibus Curæ: the ship that hold the care of all men, or of all things: which our Critickes will needs restraine, omnib' heroib' Poetis omnibus, vel Historicis, when the care of all mens preseruatiō is affirmed to be the freight of it: as if Poets and Historians comprehended all things, when I scarce know any that makes them any part of their care. But this likewise is garbige good enough for the monster. Nor wil I tempt our spic't consciences with expressing the diuine mind it includes. Being afraid to affirme any good of poore Poesie, since no man gets any goods by it. And notwithstanding many of our bird-eyd starters at prophanation are for nothing so afraid of it; as that lest their galled consciences (scarce beleeuing the most reall truth, in approbation of their liues) should be rubbed with the confirmation of it, euen in these contemned vanities (as their impieties please to call them,) which by much more learned and pious then themselues, haue euer bene called the raptures of diuine inspiration. By which, Homo supra humanam naturam erigitur; & in Deum transit. Plat.
Come from Areta. Yet perhaps euen she
Had wrackt at those Rocks; if the Deitie
That lies by Ioues side, had not lent her hand
To their transmission; since the man that mann'd
In chiefe that voyage, she, in chiefe did loue.
Of these two spitefull Rocks, the one doth shoue
Against the height of heauen, her pointed brow.
A blacke cloud binds it round, and neuer show
Lends to the sharp point: not the cleare blew skie
Lets euer view it. Not the Sommers eye;
Not feruent Autumnes. None, that Death could end
Could euer skale it; or if vp, descend.
Though twenty hands and feete he had for hold:
A polisht ice-like glibnesse doth enfold
The rocke so round, whose midst, a gloomie cell
Shrowds, so farre Westward, that it sees to hell.
From this, keepe you as farre, as from his bow
An able yong man can his shaft bestow.
For here, the
δεινον λελακϝια &c. Grauiter vocifer ans: as all, most vntruly translate it. As they do in the next verse, these words σκυλλακος νεογελης Catuli Leonis. No Lion being here dreamed of, nor any vociferation. δεινον λελακϝια signifying indignam, dissimilem, or horribilem vocem edens: But in what kind horribilem? Not for the grauitie or greatnesse of her voice, but for the vnworthy or disproportionable small whuling of it: she being in the vast frame of her body, as the very words πελωρ κακος signifie, monstrum ingens: whose disproportion and deformitie, is too Poetically (and therein elegantly) ordered, for fat and flat Prozers to comprehend. Nor could they make the Poets words serue their comprehension; and therefore they adde of their owne, ληχεο from whence λελακϝια is deriued, signifying crepo, or stridulé clamo. And σκυλλακος νεογελης, is to be expounded, caruli nuper or recens nati, not Leonis. But thus they botch and abuse the incomparable expressor: Because they knew not how otherwise to be monstrous enough themselues, to helpe out the Monster. Imagining so huge a great body, must needs haue a voice as huge; and then would not our Homer haue likened it to a Lions whelps voyce, but to the Lions owne: and all had bene much too little, to make a voyce answerable to her hugenesse. And therefore found our inimitable master, a new way to expresse her monstrous disproportion: performing it so, as there can be nihil supra. And I would faine learne of my learned Detractor, that will needs haue me onely translate out of the Latine, what Latine translation telles me this? or what Grecian hath euer found this and a hundred other such? Which may be some poore instance, or proofe of my Grecian faculty, as far as old Homer goes in his two simple Poems, but not a sillable further will my sillie spirit presume.
That breaths a voice, at all parts, no more base
Then are a newly-kitn'd kitlings cries;
Her selfe a monster yet, of boundlesse sise;
Whose sight would nothing please a mortals eies;
No nor the eyes of any God, if he
(Whom nought should fright) fell foule on her; and she
Her full shape shew'd. Twelue foule feete beare about
Her ougly bulke. Sixe huge long necks lookt out
Of her ranke shoulders: euery necke, doth let
A ghastly head out: euery head; three set
Thicke thrust together, of abhorred teeth;
And euery tooth stucke with a sable death.
She lurkes in midst of all her denne; and streakes
From out a ghastly whirle-poole, all her necks;
Where, (gloting round her rocke) to fish she falles;
And vp rush Dolphins, Dogfish; somewhiles, Whales,
If got within her, when her rapine feeds;
For euer-groning Amphitrite breeds
About her whirlepoole, an vnmeasur'd store;
No Sea-man euer boasted touch of shore
That there toucht with his ship; but still she fed
Of him, and his. A man for euery head
Spoiling his ship of. You shall then descrie
The other humbler Rocke, that moues so nie,
Your dart may mete the distance. It receaues
A huge wilde Fig-tree, curl'd with ample leaues;
Beneath whose shades, diuine Charybdis sits
Supping the blacke deepes. Thrice a day her pits
She drinking all dry; and thrice a day againe,
All, vp she belches; banefull to sustaine.
When she is drinking, dare not neare her draught,
For not the force of Neptune, (if once caught)
Can force your freedome. Therefore in your strife
To scape Charybdis, labour all, for life
To row neare Scylla; for she will but haue
For her sixe heads, sixe men; and better saue
The rest, then all, make offerings to the waue.
From out a ghastly whirle-poole, all her necks;
Where, (gloting round her rocke) to fish she falles;
183
If got within her, when her rapine feeds;
For euer-groning Amphitrite breeds
About her whirlepoole, an vnmeasur'd store;
No Sea-man euer boasted touch of shore
That there toucht with his ship; but still she fed
Of him, and his. A man for euery head
Spoiling his ship of. You shall then descrie
The other humbler Rocke, that moues so nie,
Your dart may mete the distance. It receaues
A huge wilde Fig-tree, curl'd with ample leaues;
Beneath whose shades, diuine Charybdis sits
Supping the blacke deepes. Thrice a day her pits
She drinking all dry; and thrice a day againe,
All, vp she belches; banefull to sustaine.
When she is drinking, dare not neare her draught,
For not the force of Neptune, (if once caught)
Can force your freedome. Therefore in your strife
To scape Charybdis, labour all, for life
To row neare Scylla; for she will but haue
For her sixe heads, sixe men; and better saue
The rest, then all, make offerings to the waue.
This Neede she told me of my losse, when I
Desir'd to know, if that Necessitie
(When I had scap't Charybdis outrages)
My powres might not reuenge; though not redresse?
She answerd: O vnhappy! art thou yet
Enflam'd with warre? and thirst to drinke thy swet?
Not to the Gods giue vp, both Armes, and will?
She, deathlesse is, and that immortall ill
Graue, harsh, outragious, not to be subdu'd,
That men must suffer till they be renew'd.
Nor liues there any virtue that can flie
The vicious outrage of their crueltie.
Shouldst thou put Armes on, and approch the Rocke;
I feare, sixe more must expiate the shocke.
Sixe heads, sixe men aske still. Hoise saile, and flie;
And in thy flight, aloud, on Cratis crie
(Great Scyllas Mother, who, exposde to light
That bane of men;) and she will do such right
To thy obseruance, that she, downe will tread
Her daughters rage; nor let her shew a head.
Desir'd to know, if that Necessitie
(When I had scap't Charybdis outrages)
My powres might not reuenge; though not redresse?
She answerd: O vnhappy! art thou yet
Enflam'd with warre? and thirst to drinke thy swet?
Not to the Gods giue vp, both Armes, and will?
She, deathlesse is, and that immortall ill
Graue, harsh, outragious, not to be subdu'd,
That men must suffer till they be renew'd.
Nor liues there any virtue that can flie
The vicious outrage of their crueltie.
Shouldst thou put Armes on, and approch the Rocke;
I feare, sixe more must expiate the shocke.
Sixe heads, sixe men aske still. Hoise saile, and flie;
And in thy flight, aloud, on Cratis crie
(Great Scyllas Mother, who, exposde to light
That bane of men;) and she will do such right
To thy obseruance, that she, downe will tread
Her daughters rage; nor let her shew a head.
From thenceforth then, for euer past her care;
Thou shalt ascend, the Ile Triangulare;
Where many Oxen of the Sunne are fed;
And fatted flocks. Of Oxen, fifty head
In euery herd feed; and their herds are seuen;
And of his fat flocks is their number, Euen.
Increase they yeeld not, for they neuer die;
There euery shepherdesse, a Deitie.
Faire Phaethusa, and Lempetie,
The louely Nymphs are, that their Guardians be.
Who, to the daylights lofty-going flame
Had gracious birthright, from the heauenly Dame
Still yong Neara; who (brought forth and bred)
Farre off dismist them; to see duly fed
Their Fathers herds and flocks in Sicilie.
These herds, and flocks, if to the Deitie
Ye leaue, as sacred things, vntoucht; and on
Goe with all fit care of your home, alone,
(Though through some sufferance) you yet safe shall land
In wished Ithaca. But if impious hand
You lay on those herds to their hurts: I then
Presage sure ruine, to thy ship and men.
If thou escap'st thy selfe, extending home
Thy long'd for landing; thou shalt loded come
With store of losses, most exceeding late,
And not consorted with a saued mate.
Thou shalt ascend, the Ile Triangulare;
Where many Oxen of the Sunne are fed;
And fatted flocks. Of Oxen, fifty head
In euery herd feed; and their herds are seuen;
And of his fat flocks is their number, Euen.
184
There euery shepherdesse, a Deitie.
Faire Phaethusa, and Lempetie,
The louely Nymphs are, that their Guardians be.
Who, to the daylights lofty-going flame
Had gracious birthright, from the heauenly Dame
Still yong Neara; who (brought forth and bred)
Farre off dismist them; to see duly fed
Their Fathers herds and flocks in Sicilie.
These herds, and flocks, if to the Deitie
Ye leaue, as sacred things, vntoucht; and on
Goe with all fit care of your home, alone,
(Though through some sufferance) you yet safe shall land
In wished Ithaca. But if impious hand
You lay on those herds to their hurts: I then
Presage sure ruine, to thy ship and men.
If thou escap'st thy selfe, extending home
Thy long'd for landing; thou shalt loded come
With store of losses, most exceeding late,
And not consorted with a saued mate.
This said; the golden-thron'd Aurora rose;
She, her way went, and I did mine dispose
Vp to my ship; weigh'd Anchor, and away.
When reuerend Circe; helpt vs to conuaie
Our vessell safe, by making well inclind
A Sea mans true companion, a forewind;
With which she filld our sailes, when, fitting all
Our Armes close by vs; I did sadly fall
To graue relation, what concernd in Fate
My friends to know, and told them that the state
Of our affaires successe, which Circe had
Presag'd to me alone, must yet be made
To one, nor onely two knowne; but to all:
That since their liues and deaths were left to fall
In their elections; they might life elect,
And giue what would preserue it, fit effect.
She, her way went, and I did mine dispose
Vp to my ship; weigh'd Anchor, and away.
When reuerend Circe; helpt vs to conuaie
Our vessell safe, by making well inclind
A Sea mans true companion, a forewind;
With which she filld our sailes, when, fitting all
Our Armes close by vs; I did sadly fall
To graue relation, what concernd in Fate
My friends to know, and told them that the state
Of our affaires successe, which Circe had
Presag'd to me alone, must yet be made
To one, nor onely two knowne; but to all:
That since their liues and deaths were left to fall
In their elections; they might life elect,
And giue what would preserue it, fit effect.
I first inform'd them, that we were to flie
The heauenly-singing Sirens harmony,
And flowre-adorned Medow. And that I
Had charge to heare their song; but fetterd fast
In bands, vnfauor'd, to th' erected Mast;
From whence, if I should pray; or vse command
To be enlarg'd; they should with much more band
Containe my struglings. This I simply told
To each particular; nor would withold
What most enioyn'd mine owne affections stay,
That theirs the rather might be taught t'obay.
The heauenly-singing Sirens harmony,
And flowre-adorned Medow. And that I
Had charge to heare their song; but fetterd fast
In bands, vnfauor'd, to th' erected Mast;
From whence, if I should pray; or vse command
To be enlarg'd; they should with much more band
Containe my struglings. This I simply told
To each particular; nor would withold
What most enioyn'd mine owne affections stay,
That theirs the rather might be taught t'obay.
In meane time, flew our ships; and straight we fetcht
The Sirens Ile; a spleenelesse wind, so stretcht
Her wings to waft vs, and so vrg'd our keele.
But hauing reacht this Ile, we could not feele
The least gaspe of it: it was striken dead,
And all the Sea, in prostrate slumber spread:
The Sirens diuell charm'd all. Vp then flew
My friends to worke; strooke saile, together drew,
And vnder hatches stowd them: sat, and plied
Their polisht oares; and did in curls diuide
The white-head waters. My part then came on;
A mighty waxen Cake, I set vpon;
Chopt it in fragments, with my sword; and wrought
With strong hand, euery peece, till all were soft.
The great powre of the Sunne, in such a beame
As then flew burning from his Diademe,
To liquefaction helpt vs. Orderlie,
I stopt their eares; and they, as faire did ply
My feete, and hands with cords; and to the Mast
With other halsers, made me soundly fast.
185
Her wings to waft vs, and so vrg'd our keele.
But hauing reacht this Ile, we could not feele
The least gaspe of it: it was striken dead,
And all the Sea, in prostrate slumber spread:
The Sirens diuell charm'd all. Vp then flew
My friends to worke; strooke saile, together drew,
And vnder hatches stowd them: sat, and plied
Their polisht oares; and did in curls diuide
The white-head waters. My part then came on;
A mighty waxen Cake, I set vpon;
Chopt it in fragments, with my sword; and wrought
With strong hand, euery peece, till all were soft.
The great powre of the Sunne, in such a beame
As then flew burning from his Diademe,
To liquefaction helpt vs. Orderlie,
I stopt their eares; and they, as faire did ply
My feete, and hands with cords; and to the Mast
With other halsers, made me soundly fast.
Then tooke they seate; and forth our passage strooke;
The fomie Sea, beneath their labour shooke.
The fomie Sea, beneath their labour shooke.
Rowd on, in reach of an erected voice;
The Sirens soone tooke note, without our noice;
Tun'd those sweete accents, that made charmes so strong;
And these learn'd numbers, made the Sirens song:
The Sirens soone tooke note, without our noice;
Tun'd those sweete accents, that made charmes so strong;
And these learn'd numbers, made the Sirens song:
Come here, thou, worthy of a world of praise;
That dost so high, the Grecian glory raise;
Vlysses! stay thy ship; and that song heare
That none past euer, but it bent his eare:
But left him rauish, and instructed more
By vs, then any, euer heard before.
For we know all things whatsoeuer were
In wide Troy labour'd; whatsoeuer there
The Grecians and the Troians both sustain'd;
By those high issues that the Gods ordain'd.
And whatsoeuer, all the earth can show
T'informe a knowledge of desert, we know.
That dost so high, the Grecian glory raise;
Vlysses! stay thy ship; and that song heare
That none past euer, but it bent his eare:
But left him rauish, and instructed more
By vs, then any, euer heard before.
For we know all things whatsoeuer were
In wide Troy labour'd; whatsoeuer there
The Grecians and the Troians both sustain'd;
By those high issues that the Gods ordain'd.
And whatsoeuer, all the earth can show
T'informe a knowledge of desert, we know.
This they gaue accent in the sweetest straine
That euer open'd an enamour'd vaine.
When, my constrain'd heart, needs would haue mine eare
Yet more delighted; force way forth, and heare.
To which end I commanded, with all signe
Sterne lookes could make (for not a ioynt of mine
Had powre to stirre) my friends to rise, and giue
My limbs free way. They freely striu'd to driue
Their ship still on. When (farre from will to lose)
Eurylochus, and Perimedes rose
To wrap me surer; and opprest me more
With many a halser, then had vse before.
When, rowing on, without the reach of sound;
My friends vnstopt their eares; and me, vnbound;
And, that Ile quite we quitted. But againe
Fresh feares emploid vs. I beheld a maine
Of mighty billows, and a smoke ascend:
A horrid murmure hearing. Euery friend
Astonisht sat: from euery hand, his oare
Fell quite forsaken: with the dismall Rore
Where all things there made Echoes, stone still stood
Our ship it selfe: because the ghastly flood
Tooke all mens motions from her, in their owne:
I, through the ship went, labouring vp and downe
My friends recouerd spirits. One by one
I gaue good words, and said: That well were knowne
These ills to them before: I told them all;
And that these could not proue, more capitall
Then those the Cyclop blockt vs vp in; yet
My vertue, wit, and heauen-helpt Counsailes, set
Their freedomes open. I could not beleeue
But they rememberd it, and wisht them giue
My equall care, and meanes, now equall trust:
The strength they had, for stirring vp, they must
Rouze, and extend, to trie if Ioue had laid
His powres in theirs vp, and would adde his aid
To scape euen that death. In particular then
I told our Pylot, that past other men
He, most must beare firme spirits; since he swaid
The Continent, that all our spirits conuaid
In his whole guide of her. He saw there boile
The fierie whirlpooles; that to all our spoile
Inclosde a Rocke: without which, he must stere,
Or all our ruines stood concluded there.
That euer open'd an enamour'd vaine.
When, my constrain'd heart, needs would haue mine eare
Yet more delighted; force way forth, and heare.
To which end I commanded, with all signe
Sterne lookes could make (for not a ioynt of mine
Had powre to stirre) my friends to rise, and giue
My limbs free way. They freely striu'd to driue
Their ship still on. When (farre from will to lose)
Eurylochus, and Perimedes rose
To wrap me surer; and opprest me more
186
When, rowing on, without the reach of sound;
My friends vnstopt their eares; and me, vnbound;
And, that Ile quite we quitted. But againe
Fresh feares emploid vs. I beheld a maine
Of mighty billows, and a smoke ascend:
A horrid murmure hearing. Euery friend
Astonisht sat: from euery hand, his oare
Fell quite forsaken: with the dismall Rore
Where all things there made Echoes, stone still stood
Our ship it selfe: because the ghastly flood
Tooke all mens motions from her, in their owne:
I, through the ship went, labouring vp and downe
My friends recouerd spirits. One by one
I gaue good words, and said: That well were knowne
These ills to them before: I told them all;
And that these could not proue, more capitall
Then those the Cyclop blockt vs vp in; yet
My vertue, wit, and heauen-helpt Counsailes, set
Their freedomes open. I could not beleeue
But they rememberd it, and wisht them giue
My equall care, and meanes, now equall trust:
The strength they had, for stirring vp, they must
Rouze, and extend, to trie if Ioue had laid
His powres in theirs vp, and would adde his aid
To scape euen that death. In particular then
I told our Pylot, that past other men
He, most must beare firme spirits; since he swaid
The Continent, that all our spirits conuaid
In his whole guide of her. He saw there boile
The fierie whirlpooles; that to all our spoile
Inclosde a Rocke: without which, he must stere,
Or all our ruines stood concluded there.
All heard me, and obaid; and little knew
That, shunning that Rocke, sixe of them should rue
The wracke, another hid. For I conceal'd
The heauy wounds that neuer would be heal'd,
To be by Scylla opened; for their feare
Would then haue robd all, of all care to stere;
Or stirre an oare, and made them hide beneath:
When they, and all, had died an idle death.
But then, euen I forgot to shunne the harme
Circe forewarnd: who willd I should not arme,
Nor shew my selfe to Scylla, lest in vaine
I ventur'd life. Yet could not I containe
But arm'd at all parts; and two lances tooke:
Vp to the foredecke went, and thence did looke
That Rockie Scylla would haue first appear'd,
And taken my life, with the friends I feard.
That, shunning that Rocke, sixe of them should rue
The wracke, another hid. For I conceal'd
The heauy wounds that neuer would be heal'd,
To be by Scylla opened; for their feare
Would then haue robd all, of all care to stere;
Or stirre an oare, and made them hide beneath:
When they, and all, had died an idle death.
But then, euen I forgot to shunne the harme
Circe forewarnd: who willd I should not arme,
Nor shew my selfe to Scylla, lest in vaine
I ventur'd life. Yet could not I containe
But arm'd at all parts; and two lances tooke:
Vp to the foredecke went, and thence did looke
That Rockie Scylla would haue first appear'd,
187
From thence yet, no place could afford her sight;
Though through the darke rocke, mine eye threw her light,
And ransackt all waies. I then tooke a streight
That gaue my selfe, and some few more receipt
Twixt Scylla, and Charybdis; whence we saw
How horridly Charybdis throat: did draw
The brackish sea vp, which, when all abroad
She spit againe out: neuer Caldron sod
With so much feruor, fed with all the store
That could enrage it. All the Rocke did rore
With troubl'd waters: round about the tops
Of all the steepe crags, flew the fomy drops.
But, when her draught, the sea and earth dissunderd,
The troubl'd bottoms turnd vp, and she thunderd;
Farre vnder shore, the swart sands naked lay.
Whose whole sterne sight, the startl'd blood did fray
From all our faces. And while we on her
Our eyes bestowd thus, to our ruines feare;
Sixe friends had Scylla snatcht out of our keele,
In whom, most losse, did force and virtue feele.
When looking to my ship, and lending eye
To see my friends estates, their heeles turnd hie,
And hands cast vp, I might discerne; and heare
Their calles to me for helpe, when now they were
To try me in their last extremities.
And as an Angler, medcine for surprise
Of little fish, sits powring from the rocks,
From out the crookt horne, of a fold-bred Oxe;
And then with his long Angle, hoists them hie
Vp to the Aire; then sleightly hurles them by,
When, helplesse sprauling on the land they lie:
So easely Scylla to her Rocke had rapt
My wofull friends; and so vnhelpt, entrapt
Strugling they lay beneath her violent rape;
Who in their tortures, desperate of escape;
Shriekt as she tore; and vp, their hands to me
Still threw for sweete life. I did neuer see
In all my sufferance ransacking the seas,
A spectacle so full of miseries.
Though through the darke rocke, mine eye threw her light,
And ransackt all waies. I then tooke a streight
That gaue my selfe, and some few more receipt
Twixt Scylla, and Charybdis; whence we saw
How horridly Charybdis throat: did draw
The brackish sea vp, which, when all abroad
She spit againe out: neuer Caldron sod
With so much feruor, fed with all the store
That could enrage it. All the Rocke did rore
With troubl'd waters: round about the tops
Of all the steepe crags, flew the fomy drops.
But, when her draught, the sea and earth dissunderd,
The troubl'd bottoms turnd vp, and she thunderd;
Farre vnder shore, the swart sands naked lay.
Whose whole sterne sight, the startl'd blood did fray
From all our faces. And while we on her
Our eyes bestowd thus, to our ruines feare;
Sixe friends had Scylla snatcht out of our keele,
In whom, most losse, did force and virtue feele.
When looking to my ship, and lending eye
To see my friends estates, their heeles turnd hie,
And hands cast vp, I might discerne; and heare
Their calles to me for helpe, when now they were
To try me in their last extremities.
And as an Angler, medcine for surprise
Of little fish, sits powring from the rocks,
From out the crookt horne, of a fold-bred Oxe;
And then with his long Angle, hoists them hie
Vp to the Aire; then sleightly hurles them by,
When, helplesse sprauling on the land they lie:
So easely Scylla to her Rocke had rapt
My wofull friends; and so vnhelpt, entrapt
Strugling they lay beneath her violent rape;
Who in their tortures, desperate of escape;
Shriekt as she tore; and vp, their hands to me
Still threw for sweete life. I did neuer see
In all my sufferance ransacking the seas,
A spectacle so full of miseries.
Thus hauing fled these rocks (these cruell dames
Scylla, Charybdis.) where the king of flames
Hath offerings burnd to him; our ship put in
The Iland, that from all the earth doth winne
The Epithete, Faultlesse: where the broad of head
And famous Oxen, for the Sunne are fed,
With many fat flocks of that high-gone God.
Set in my ship, mine eare reacht, where we rod
The bellowing of Oxen, and the bleate
Of fleecie sheepe; that in my memories seate
Put vp the formes, that late had bene imprest
By dread Ææan Circe; and the best
Of Soules, and Prophets, the blind Theban Seer;
The wise Tiresias, who was graue decreer
Of my returnes whole meanes. Of which, this one
In chiefe he vrg'd; that I should alwaies shunne
The Iland of the Man-delighting Sunne.
When, (sad at heart for our late losse) I praid
My friends to heare fit counsaile, (though dismaid
With all ill fortunes) which was giuen to me
By Circes, and Tiresias Prophecie;
That I should flie the Ile, where was ador'd
The Comfort of the world: for ills, abhorr'd
Were ambusht for vs there; and therefore, willd
They should put off, and leaue the Ile. This kill'd
Their tender spirits; when Eurylochus
A speech that vext me vtter'd; answering thus:
Scylla, Charybdis.) where the king of flames
Hath offerings burnd to him; our ship put in
The Iland, that from all the earth doth winne
The Epithete, Faultlesse: where the broad of head
And famous Oxen, for the Sunne are fed,
With many fat flocks of that high-gone God.
Set in my ship, mine eare reacht, where we rod
188
Of fleecie sheepe; that in my memories seate
Put vp the formes, that late had bene imprest
By dread Ææan Circe; and the best
Of Soules, and Prophets, the blind Theban Seer;
The wise Tiresias, who was graue decreer
Of my returnes whole meanes. Of which, this one
In chiefe he vrg'd; that I should alwaies shunne
The Iland of the Man-delighting Sunne.
When, (sad at heart for our late losse) I praid
My friends to heare fit counsaile, (though dismaid
With all ill fortunes) which was giuen to me
By Circes, and Tiresias Prophecie;
That I should flie the Ile, where was ador'd
The Comfort of the world: for ills, abhorr'd
Were ambusht for vs there; and therefore, willd
They should put off, and leaue the Ile. This kill'd
Their tender spirits; when Eurylochus
A speech that vext me vtter'd; answering thus:
Cruell Vlysses! Since thy nerues abound
In strength, the more spent; and no toyles confound
Thy able lims, as all beate out of steele;
Thou ablest vs to, as vnapt to feele
The teeth of Labor, and the spoile of Sleepe,
And therefore still, wet wast vs in the deepe;
Nor let vs land to eate; but madly, now;
In Night, put forth, and leaue firme land to strow
The Sea with errors. All the rabide flight
Of winds that ruine ships, are bred in Night.
Who is it, that can keepe off cruell Death,
If suddainly should rush out th' angry breath
Of Notus, or the eager-spirited West?
That cuffe ships, dead; and do the Gods their best!
Serue black Night still, with shore, meate, sleepe, and ease;
And offer to the Morning for the seas.
In strength, the more spent; and no toyles confound
Thy able lims, as all beate out of steele;
Thou ablest vs to, as vnapt to feele
The teeth of Labor, and the spoile of Sleepe,
And therefore still, wet wast vs in the deepe;
Nor let vs land to eate; but madly, now;
In Night, put forth, and leaue firme land to strow
The Sea with errors. All the rabide flight
Of winds that ruine ships, are bred in Night.
Who is it, that can keepe off cruell Death,
If suddainly should rush out th' angry breath
Of Notus, or the eager-spirited West?
That cuffe ships, dead; and do the Gods their best!
Serue black Night still, with shore, meate, sleepe, and ease;
And offer to the Morning for the seas.
This all the rest approu'd; and then knew I
That past all doubt, the diuell did apply
His slaughterous works. Nor would they be withheld;
I was but one; nor yeelded, but compell'd.
But all that might containe them, I assaid:
A sacred oath, on all their powres I laid;
That if with herds, or any richest flocks
We chanc't t'encounter; neither sheepe, nor Oxe
We once should touch; nor (for that constant ill
That followes folly) scorne aduice, and kill:
But quiet sit vs downe, and take such food
As the immortall Circe had bestowd.
That past all doubt, the diuell did apply
His slaughterous works. Nor would they be withheld;
I was but one; nor yeelded, but compell'd.
But all that might containe them, I assaid:
A sacred oath, on all their powres I laid;
That if with herds, or any richest flocks
We chanc't t'encounter; neither sheepe, nor Oxe
We once should touch; nor (for that constant ill
That followes folly) scorne aduice, and kill:
But quiet sit vs downe, and take such food
As the immortall Circe had bestowd.
They swore all this, in all seuerst sort;
And then we ancord, in the winding Port;
Neare a fresh Riuer, where the longd-for shore
They all flew out to; tooke in victles store;
And, being full, thought of their friends, and wept
Their losse by Scylla; weeping till they slept.
189
Neare a fresh Riuer, where the longd-for shore
They all flew out to; tooke in victles store;
And, being full, thought of their friends, and wept
Their losse by Scylla; weeping till they slept.
In Nights third part; when stars began to stoope;
The Cloud-assembler, put a Tempst vp.
A boistrous spirit he gaue it; draue out all
His flocks of clouds; and let such darknesse fall,
That Earth, and Seas for feare, to hide were driuen;
For, with his clouds, he thrust our Night from heauen.
The Cloud-assembler, put a Tempst vp.
A boistrous spirit he gaue it; draue out all
His flocks of clouds; and let such darknesse fall,
That Earth, and Seas for feare, to hide were driuen;
For, with his clouds, he thrust our Night from heauen.
At Morne, we drew our ships into a caue;
In which the Nymphs, that Phœbus cattaile draue;
Faire dancing Roomes had, and their seates of State.
I vrg'd my friends then, that to shunne their Fate,
They would obserue their oath; and take the food
Our ship afforded; nor attempt the blood
Of those faire Herds and Flocks; because they were,
That dreadfull Gods, that all could see, and heare.
In which the Nymphs, that Phœbus cattaile draue;
Faire dancing Roomes had, and their seates of State.
I vrg'd my friends then, that to shunne their Fate,
They would obserue their oath; and take the food
Our ship afforded; nor attempt the blood
Of those faire Herds and Flocks; because they were,
That dreadfull Gods, that all could see, and heare.
They stood obseruant, and in that good mind
Had we bene gone: but so aduerse the wind
Stood to our passage, that we could not go.
For one whole moneth, perpetually did blow
Impetuous Notus; not a breaths repaire
But his, and Eurus, rul'd in all the Aire.
As long yet, as their ruddy wine, and bread
Stood out amongst them; so long, not a head
Of all those Oxen, fell in any strife
Amongst those students for the gut, and life.
But when their victles faild, they fell to prey:
Necessitie compell'd them then, to stray
In rape of fish, and fowle: what euer came.
In reach of hand or hooke; the bellies flame
Afflicted to it. I then, fell to praire;
And (making to a close Retreate, repaire
Free from, both friends, and winds) I washt my hands,
And all the Gods besought, that held commands
In liberall heauen; to yeeld some meane to stay
Their desperate hunger; and set vp the way
Of our returne restraind. The Gods, in steed
Of giuing what I prayd for, powre of deed;
A deedlesse sleepe, did on my lids distill,
For meane to worke vpon, my friends their fill.
For, whiles I slept, there wak't no meane to curb
Their headstrong wants; which he that did disturb
My rule, in chiefe, at all times; and was chiefe
To all the rest in counsaile to their griefe;
Knew well, and of, my present absence tooke
His fit aduantage; and their iron strooke
At highest heate. For (feeling their desire
In his owne Entrailes, to allay the fire
That Famine blew in them) he thus gaue way
To that affection: Heare what I shall say,
(Though words will stanch no hunger) euery death
To vs poore wretches, that draw temporall breath,
You know, is hatefull; but all know, to die
The Death of Famine, is a miserie
Past all Death loathsome. Let vs therefore take
The chiefe of this faire herd; and offerings make
To all the Deathlesse that in broad heauen liue;
And, in particular, vow, if we arriue
In naturall Ithaca, to strait erect
A Temple to the haughtie in aspect;
Rich, and magnificent, and all within
Decke it with Relicks many, and diuine.
If yet, he stands incenst, since we haue slaine
His high-browd herd; and therefore will sustaine
Desire to wracke our ship: he is but one;
And all the other Gods, that we attone
With our diuine Rites, will their suffrage giue
To our design'd returne, and let vs liue.
If not; and all take part, I rather craue
To serue with one sole Death, the yawning waue;
Then, in a desert Iland, lie and sterue;
And, with one pin'd life, many deaths obserue.
Had we bene gone: but so aduerse the wind
Stood to our passage, that we could not go.
For one whole moneth, perpetually did blow
Impetuous Notus; not a breaths repaire
But his, and Eurus, rul'd in all the Aire.
As long yet, as their ruddy wine, and bread
Stood out amongst them; so long, not a head
Of all those Oxen, fell in any strife
Amongst those students for the gut, and life.
But when their victles faild, they fell to prey:
Necessitie compell'd them then, to stray
In rape of fish, and fowle: what euer came.
In reach of hand or hooke; the bellies flame
Afflicted to it. I then, fell to praire;
And (making to a close Retreate, repaire
Free from, both friends, and winds) I washt my hands,
And all the Gods besought, that held commands
In liberall heauen; to yeeld some meane to stay
Their desperate hunger; and set vp the way
Of our returne restraind. The Gods, in steed
Of giuing what I prayd for, powre of deed;
A deedlesse sleepe, did on my lids distill,
For meane to worke vpon, my friends their fill.
For, whiles I slept, there wak't no meane to curb
Their headstrong wants; which he that did disturb
My rule, in chiefe, at all times; and was chiefe
To all the rest in counsaile to their griefe;
Knew well, and of, my present absence tooke
190
At highest heate. For (feeling their desire
In his owne Entrailes, to allay the fire
That Famine blew in them) he thus gaue way
To that affection: Heare what I shall say,
(Though words will stanch no hunger) euery death
To vs poore wretches, that draw temporall breath,
You know, is hatefull; but all know, to die
The Death of Famine, is a miserie
Past all Death loathsome. Let vs therefore take
The chiefe of this faire herd; and offerings make
To all the Deathlesse that in broad heauen liue;
And, in particular, vow, if we arriue
In naturall Ithaca, to strait erect
A Temple to the haughtie in aspect;
Rich, and magnificent, and all within
Decke it with Relicks many, and diuine.
If yet, he stands incenst, since we haue slaine
His high-browd herd; and therefore will sustaine
Desire to wracke our ship: he is but one;
And all the other Gods, that we attone
With our diuine Rites, will their suffrage giue
To our design'd returne, and let vs liue.
If not; and all take part, I rather craue
To serue with one sole Death, the yawning waue;
Then, in a desert Iland, lie and sterue;
And, with one pin'd life, many deaths obserue.
All cried, He counsailes nobly; and all speed
Made to their resolute driuing. For the feed
Of those coleblacke, faire, broad-browd, Sun-lou'd Beeues:
Had place, close by our ships. They tooke the liues
Of sence, most eminent. About their fall
Stood round, and to the States celestiall
Made solemne vowes: But, other Rites, their ship
Could not afford them; they did therefore strip
The curld-head Oke, of fresh yong leaues, to make
Supply of seruice for their Barly cake.
And, on the sacredly enflam'd, for wine
Powrd purest water; all the parts diuine
Spitting, and rosting: all the Rites beside
Orderly vsing. Then did light diuide
My low, and vpper lids; when, my repaire
Made neare my ship; I met the delicate ayre
Their rost exhal'd. Out instantly I cried;
And said, O Ioue, and all ye Deified,
Ye haue opprest me with a cruell sleepe;
While ye conferd on me, a losse as deepe
As Death descends to. To themselues, alone
My rude men, left vngouernd; they haue done
A deed so impious, (I stand well assur'd)
That you will not forgiue, though ye procur'd.
Made to their resolute driuing. For the feed
Of those coleblacke, faire, broad-browd, Sun-lou'd Beeues:
Had place, close by our ships. They tooke the liues
Of sence, most eminent. About their fall
Stood round, and to the States celestiall
Made solemne vowes: But, other Rites, their ship
Could not afford them; they did therefore strip
The curld-head Oke, of fresh yong leaues, to make
Supply of seruice for their Barly cake.
And, on the sacredly enflam'd, for wine
Powrd purest water; all the parts diuine
Spitting, and rosting: all the Rites beside
Orderly vsing. Then did light diuide
My low, and vpper lids; when, my repaire
Made neare my ship; I met the delicate ayre
Their rost exhal'd. Out instantly I cried;
And said, O Ioue, and all ye Deified,
Ye haue opprest me with a cruell sleepe;
While ye conferd on me, a losse as deepe
As Death descends to. To themselues, alone
191
A deed so impious, (I stand well assur'd)
That you will not forgiue, though ye procur'd.
Then flew Lempetie, with the ample Robe,
Vp to her Father, with the golden Globe;
Ambassadresse, t'informe him, that my men
Had slaine his Oxen. Heart-incensed then;
He cried; Reuenge me (Father, and the rest
Both euer liuing, and for euer blest.)
Vlysses impious men, haue drawne the blood
Of those my Oxen, that it did me good
To looke on, walking, all my starrie round;
And when I trod earth, all with medowes crown'd
Without your full amends, Ile leaue heauen quite;
Dis, and the Dead, adorning with my light.
Vp to her Father, with the golden Globe;
Ambassadresse, t'informe him, that my men
Had slaine his Oxen. Heart-incensed then;
He cried; Reuenge me (Father, and the rest
Both euer liuing, and for euer blest.)
Vlysses impious men, haue drawne the blood
Of those my Oxen, that it did me good
To looke on, walking, all my starrie round;
And when I trod earth, all with medowes crown'd
Without your full amends, Ile leaue heauen quite;
Dis, and the Dead, adorning with my light.
The Cloud-herd answerd; Son! thou shalt be ours,
And light those mortals, in that Mine of flowres;
My red hote flash, shall grase but on their ship,
And eate it, burning, in the boyling deepe.
And light those mortals, in that Mine of flowres;
My red hote flash, shall grase but on their ship,
And eate it, burning, in the boyling deepe.
This by Calypso, I was told, and she
Inform'd it, from the verger Mercurie.
Inform'd it, from the verger Mercurie.
Come to our ship; I chid, and told by name
Each man, how impiously he was to blame.
But chiding got no peace; the Beeues were slaine:
When straight the Gods, fore-went their following paine
With dire Ostents. The hides, the flesh had lost,
Crept, all before them. As the flesh did rost
It bellowd like the Oxe it selfe, aliue.
And yet my souldiers, did their dead Beeues driue
Through all these Prodigies, in daily feasts.
Sixe daies they banqueted, and slue fresh beasts,
And when the seuenth day, Ioue reduc't the wind
That all the moneth rag'd; and so in did bind
Our ship, and vs; was turnd, and calm'd; and we
Lancht, put vp Masts; Sailes hoised, and to Sea.
Each man, how impiously he was to blame.
But chiding got no peace; the Beeues were slaine:
When straight the Gods, fore-went their following paine
With dire Ostents. The hides, the flesh had lost,
Crept, all before them. As the flesh did rost
It bellowd like the Oxe it selfe, aliue.
And yet my souldiers, did their dead Beeues driue
Through all these Prodigies, in daily feasts.
Sixe daies they banqueted, and slue fresh beasts,
And when the seuenth day, Ioue reduc't the wind
That all the moneth rag'd; and so in did bind
Our ship, and vs; was turnd, and calm'd; and we
Lancht, put vp Masts; Sailes hoised, and to Sea.
The Iland left so farre; that land no where;
But onely sea, and skie, had powre t'appeare;
Ioue fixt a cloud aboue our ship; so blacke
That all the sea it darkned. Yet from wracke
She ranne a good free time: till from the West
Came Zephyre ruffling forth; and put his breast
Out, in a singing tempest; so most vast,
It burst the Gables, that made sure our Mast;
Our Masts came tumbling downe: our cattell downe,
Rusht to the Pump: and by our Pylots crowne
The maine Mast, past his fall; pasht all his Skull,
And all this wracke, but one flaw, made at full.
Off from the Sterne, the Sternesman, diuing fell,
And from his sinews, flew his Soule to hell.
Together, all this time, Ioues Thunder chid;
And through, and through the ship, his lightning glid:
Till it embrac't her round: her bulke was filld
With nasty sulphur; and her men were killd:
Tumbl'd to Sea, like Sea-mews swumme about,
And there the date of their returne was out.
But onely sea, and skie, had powre t'appeare;
Ioue fixt a cloud aboue our ship; so blacke
That all the sea it darkned. Yet from wracke
She ranne a good free time: till from the West
Came Zephyre ruffling forth; and put his breast
Out, in a singing tempest; so most vast,
It burst the Gables, that made sure our Mast;
Our Masts came tumbling downe: our cattell downe,
Rusht to the Pump: and by our Pylots crowne
The maine Mast, past his fall; pasht all his Skull,
And all this wracke, but one flaw, made at full.
Off from the Sterne, the Sternesman, diuing fell,
192
Together, all this time, Ioues Thunder chid;
And through, and through the ship, his lightning glid:
Till it embrac't her round: her bulke was filld
With nasty sulphur; and her men were killd:
Tumbl'd to Sea, like Sea-mews swumme about,
And there the date of their returne was out.
I tost from side to side still, till all broke
Her Ribs were with the storme: and she did choke
With let-in Surges; for, the Mast torne downe;
Tore her vp pecemeale; and for me to drowne
Left little vndissolu'd. But to the Mast
There was a lether Thong left; which I cast
About it, and the keele; and so sat tost
With banefull weather, till the West had lost
His stormy tyranny. And then arose
The South, that bred me more abhorred woes;
For backe againe his blasts expelld me, quite
On rauenous Charybdis. All that Night
I totter'd vp and downe, till Light, and I
At Scyllas Rocke encounterd; and the nie
Dreadfull Charybdis. As I draue on these,
I saw Charybdis, supping vp the seas;
And had gone vp together, if the tree
That bore the wilde figs, had not rescu'd me;
To which I leapt, and left my keele; and hie
Chambring vpon it, did as close imply
My brest about it, as a Reremouse could:
Yet, might my feete, on no stub fasten hold
To ease my hands: the roots were crept so low
Beneath the earth; and so aloft did grow
The far-spred armes, that (though good height I gat)
I could not reach them. To the maine Bole, flat
I therefore still must cling; till vp againe
She belcht my Mast, and after that, amaine
My keele came tumbling: so at length it chanc't,
To me, as to a Iudge; that long aduanc't
To iudge a sort of hote yong fellowes iarres,
At length time frees him from their ciuill warres;
When, glad, he riseth, and to dinner goes;
So time, at length, releast with ioyes my woes,
And from Charybdis mouth, appear'd my keele.
To which (my hand, now loosd; and now, my heele)
I altogether, with a huge noise, dropt;
Iust in her midst fell, where the Mast was propt;
And there rowd off, with owers of my hands.
God, and Mans Father, would not, from her sands
Let Scylla see me; for I then had died
That bitter death, that my poore friends supplied.
Her Ribs were with the storme: and she did choke
With let-in Surges; for, the Mast torne downe;
Tore her vp pecemeale; and for me to drowne
Left little vndissolu'd. But to the Mast
There was a lether Thong left; which I cast
About it, and the keele; and so sat tost
With banefull weather, till the West had lost
His stormy tyranny. And then arose
The South, that bred me more abhorred woes;
For backe againe his blasts expelld me, quite
On rauenous Charybdis. All that Night
I totter'd vp and downe, till Light, and I
At Scyllas Rocke encounterd; and the nie
Dreadfull Charybdis. As I draue on these,
I saw Charybdis, supping vp the seas;
And had gone vp together, if the tree
That bore the wilde figs, had not rescu'd me;
To which I leapt, and left my keele; and hie
Chambring vpon it, did as close imply
My brest about it, as a Reremouse could:
Yet, might my feete, on no stub fasten hold
To ease my hands: the roots were crept so low
Beneath the earth; and so aloft did grow
The far-spred armes, that (though good height I gat)
I could not reach them. To the maine Bole, flat
I therefore still must cling; till vp againe
She belcht my Mast, and after that, amaine
My keele came tumbling: so at length it chanc't,
To me, as to a Iudge; that long aduanc't
To iudge a sort of hote yong fellowes iarres,
At length time frees him from their ciuill warres;
When, glad, he riseth, and to dinner goes;
So time, at length, releast with ioyes my woes,
And from Charybdis mouth, appear'd my keele.
To which (my hand, now loosd; and now, my heele)
I altogether, with a huge noise, dropt;
Iust in her midst fell, where the Mast was propt;
And there rowd off, with owers of my hands.
God, and Mans Father, would not, from her sands
Let Scylla see me; for I then had died
193
Nine Daies at Sea, I houer'd: the tenth Night
In th' Ile Ogygia, where about the bright
And right renoum'd Calypso, I was cast
By powre of Deitie; Where I liu'd embrac't
With Loue, and feasts. But why should I relate
Those kind occurrents? I should iterate
What I in part, to your chaste Queene and you
So late imparted. And for me to grow
A talker ouer of my tale againe,
Were past my free contentment to sustaine.
In th' Ile Ogygia, where about the bright
And right renoum'd Calypso, I was cast
By powre of Deitie; Where I liu'd embrac't
With Loue, and feasts. But why should I relate
Those kind occurrents? I should iterate
What I in part, to your chaste Queene and you
So late imparted. And for me to grow
A talker ouer of my tale againe,
Were past my free contentment to sustaine.
Finis duodecimi libri Hom. Odyss.
Opus nouem dierum.
Συν θεω.
195
THE THIRTEENTH BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Vlysses (shipt but in the Euen,
With all the Presents he was giuen;
And sleeping then) is set, next Morne
In full scope of his wisht returne
And treads unknown his Country shore
Whose search, so many winters wore.
The Ship (returning, and arriv'd
Against the City) is depriv'd
Of Forme; And all her motion gone,
Transform'd by Neptune to a stone.
With all the Presents he was giuen;
And sleeping then) is set, next Morne
In full scope of his wisht returne
And treads unknown his Country shore
Whose search, so many winters wore.
The Ship (returning, and arriv'd
Against the City) is depriv'd
Of Forme; And all her motion gone,
Transform'd by Neptune to a stone.
Vlysses (let to know the Strand
Where the Phaecions made him Land)
Consults with Pallas, for his life
Of euery Woer of his Wife.
His Gifts, she hides within a Cave;
And him, into a man more Grave:
All hid in wrinkles, cracked, gray
Transform'd; who so, goes on his way.
Where the Phaecions made him Land)
Consults with Pallas, for his life
Of euery Woer of his Wife.
His Gifts, she hides within a Cave;
And him, into a man more Grave:
All hid in wrinkles, cracked, gray
Transform'd; who so, goes on his way.
Another
PhaeciaUlysses leaves:
Whom Ithaca
Unawares, receaves.
He said; And silence all their Tongues contain'd
(In admiration) when with pleasure claim'd
Their eares had long bene to him. At last brake
Alcinous silence; and in this sort spake
To th' Ithacensian, Laertes Sonne:
O Ithacus! (How ever over-runne
With former sufferings in your way for home)
Since 'twas, at last, your happy Fate to come
To my high-rooft, and Brasse-foundation'd house:
I hope, such speede, and passe auspicious
Our Loues shall yeeld you, that shall no more
VVander, nor suffer, homewards, as before.
(In admiration) when with pleasure claim'd
Their eares had long bene to him. At last brake
Alcinous silence; and in this sort spake
To th' Ithacensian, Laertes Sonne:
O Ithacus! (How ever over-runne
With former sufferings in your way for home)
Since 'twas, at last, your happy Fate to come
To my high-rooft, and Brasse-foundation'd house:
I hope, such speede, and passe auspicious
Our Loues shall yeeld you, that shall no more
VVander, nor suffer, homewards, as before.
You then, whoeuer, that are ever grac'st
VVith all choise of authoriz'd power, to tast
Such wine with me, as warmes the sacred Rage;
And is an Honorarie giuen to Age.
With which, ye likewise, heare Diuinely sing
(In Honors praise) the Poet of the King:
I moue, by way of my command, to this;
That where, in an elaborate Chist there lies
A Present for our Guest: Attires of price;
And Gold, engrauen with infinite deuice:
I wish that each of vs should adde beside
A Tripod, and a Caldron amplified
With size, and Mettall of most rate, and great.
For we (in counsaile of taxation, met)
Will from our Subiects, gaine their worth againe;
Since 'tis vnequall one man should sustaine
A charge so waighty, being the grace of all;
VVhich, borne by many, is a waight but small.
VVith all choise of authoriz'd power, to tast
196
And is an Honorarie giuen to Age.
With which, ye likewise, heare Diuinely sing
(In Honors praise) the Poet of the King:
I moue, by way of my command, to this;
That where, in an elaborate Chist there lies
A Present for our Guest: Attires of price;
And Gold, engrauen with infinite deuice:
I wish that each of vs should adde beside
A Tripod, and a Caldron amplified
With size, and Mettall of most rate, and great.
For we (in counsaile of taxation, met)
Will from our Subiects, gaine their worth againe;
Since 'tis vnequall one man should sustaine
A charge so waighty, being the grace of all;
VVhich, borne by many, is a waight but small.
Thus spake Alcinous, and pleas'd the rest;
VVhen each man clos'd, with home, & sleep, his feast
But when the colour-giuing light arose;
All, to the Ship, did all their speeds dispose;
And wealth (yt honest men makes) broght with them.
All which; euen he, that wore the Diadem
Stow'd in the Ship himselfe, beneath the seats
The Rowers sate in; stooping, lest their lets
In any of their labors, he might proue
Then home he turn'd: and after him, did moue
The whole assembly to expected feast.
Amongst whom, he a sacrifice addrest,
And slue an Oxe, to weather-wielding Ioue;
Beneath whose Empire, all things are, and moue.
VVhen each man clos'd, with home, & sleep, his feast
But when the colour-giuing light arose;
All, to the Ship, did all their speeds dispose;
And wealth (yt honest men makes) broght with them.
All which; euen he, that wore the Diadem
Stow'd in the Ship himselfe, beneath the seats
The Rowers sate in; stooping, lest their lets
In any of their labors, he might proue
Then home he turn'd: and after him, did moue
The whole assembly to expected feast.
Amongst whom, he a sacrifice addrest,
And slue an Oxe, to weather-wielding Ioue;
Beneath whose Empire, all things are, and moue.
The thighs then rosting, they made glorious chere,
Delighted highly; and amongst them there,
The honor'd of the people vs'd his voice,
Diuine Demodocus. Yet through this choice
Of Cheere, and Musicke, had Vlysses still
An Eye directed to the Easterne hill,
To see Him rising, that illustrates all.
For now into his minde, a fire did fall
Of thirst for home: And as in hungry vow
To needfull food, a man at fixed Plow;
(To whom, the black Oxe all day long hath turn'd
The stubborne fallows up; his stomacke burn'd
VVith empty heate, and appetite to food;
His knees afflicted with his spirit-spent blood)
At length the long-expected Sun-set sees;
That he may sit to foode, and rest his knees:
So, to Vlysses, set the friendly light
The Sun affoorded, with as wish't a sight
VVho, straight bespake, that Ore-affecting State:
But did in chiefe, his speech appropriate
To him by Name, that with their Rule was crown'd.
Delighted highly; and amongst them there,
The honor'd of the people vs'd his voice,
Diuine Demodocus. Yet through this choice
Of Cheere, and Musicke, had Vlysses still
An Eye directed to the Easterne hill,
To see Him rising, that illustrates all.
For now into his minde, a fire did fall
Of thirst for home: And as in hungry vow
To needfull food, a man at fixed Plow;
(To whom, the black Oxe all day long hath turn'd
The stubborne fallows up; his stomacke burn'd
VVith empty heate, and appetite to food;
His knees afflicted with his spirit-spent blood)
At length the long-expected Sun-set sees;
That he may sit to foode, and rest his knees:
So, to Vlysses, set the friendly light
The Sun affoorded, with as wish't a sight
197
But did in chiefe, his speech appropriate
To him by Name, that with their Rule was crown'd.
Alcinous? Of all men, most renown'd,
Dismisse me, with as safe passe, as you vow;
(Your offering past) and may the Gods to you
In all contentment, vse as full a hand:
For now, my landing heere, and stay shall stand
In all perfection with my hearts desire;
Both my so safe deduction to aspire,
And louing gifts; which, may the Gods to me,
As blest in vse make, as your acts are free:
Euen to the finding firme, in loue, and life,
VVith all desir'd euent, my friends, and wife.
VVhen, as my selfe shall liue delighted there;
May you, with your wiues, rest as happy here:
Your Sonnes and Daughters (in particular State)
With euery vertue rendred consummate:
And, in your generall Empire, may ill neuer
Approch your Land; but good your good quit euer.
Dismisse me, with as safe passe, as you vow;
(Your offering past) and may the Gods to you
In all contentment, vse as full a hand:
For now, my landing heere, and stay shall stand
In all perfection with my hearts desire;
Both my so safe deduction to aspire,
And louing gifts; which, may the Gods to me,
As blest in vse make, as your acts are free:
Euen to the finding firme, in loue, and life,
VVith all desir'd euent, my friends, and wife.
VVhen, as my selfe shall liue delighted there;
May you, with your wiues, rest as happy here:
Your Sonnes and Daughters (in particular State)
With euery vertue rendred consummate:
And, in your generall Empire, may ill neuer
Approch your Land; but good your good quit euer.
This, all applauded, and all ioyntly cried;
Dismisse the Stranger: he hath dignified
With fit speech, his dismission. Then the King
Thus charg'd the Herrald: Fill for offering
A bowl of wine: which through the whol large house
Dispose to all men; that propitious,
Our Father Ioue made, with our prayers; we may
Giue home our Guest, in full and wished way.
Dismisse the Stranger: he hath dignified
With fit speech, his dismission. Then the King
Thus charg'd the Herrald: Fill for offering
A bowl of wine: which through the whol large house
Dispose to all men; that propitious,
Our Father Ioue made, with our prayers; we may
Giue home our Guest, in full and wished way.
This said; Pontonous commixt a Bowle
Of such sweete wine, as did delight the soule:
VVhich making sacred to the blessed Gods,
That hold in broad heauen their supreame abodes;
God-like Vlysses, from his chaire arose,
And in the hands of th' Empresse, did impose
The all-round Cup: To whom (faire spoke) he saide;
Of such sweete wine, as did delight the soule:
VVhich making sacred to the blessed Gods,
That hold in broad heauen their supreame abodes;
God-like Vlysses, from his chaire arose,
And in the hands of th' Empresse, did impose
The all-round Cup: To whom (faire spoke) he saide;
Reioyce, O Queene, and be your ioyes repaide
By heauen, for me, till age and death succeede;
Both which, inflict their most vnwelcome neede,
On Men and Dames, alike. And, first (for me)
I must from hence, to both: Liue you heere free;
And euer may, all liuing blessings spring;
Your ioy in Children, Subiects, and your King.
By heauen, for me, till age and death succeede;
Both which, inflict their most vnwelcome neede,
On Men and Dames, alike. And, first (for me)
I must from hence, to both: Liue you heere free;
And euer may, all liuing blessings spring;
Your ioy in Children, Subiects, and your King.
This saide, diuine Vlysses tooke his way:
Before whom, the vnalterable sway
Of King Alcinous virtue, did command
A Heralds fit attendance to the Strand
And Ship appointed. VVith him, likewise went
Handmaids, by Aretes iniunction sent.
One bore an Out and In-weede, faire and sweete;
The other an embroider'd Cabinet:
The third, had Bread to beare, and ruddy wine;
All which, (at Sea, and Ship arriu'd) resigne,
Their Freight confer'd. VVith faire attendants then,
The sheets and bedding of the Man of men,
VVithin a Cabin of the hollow Keele,
Spred, and made soft; that sleepe might sweetly seele
His restfull eyes; He enter'd, and his Bed,
In silence, tooke. The Rowers ordered
Themselues in seuerall seates: and then set gone
The Ship; the Gable from the hollow stone
Dissolu'd, and weigh'd vp: Altogether, close
Then beate the Sea. His lids, in sweete repose
Sleepe bound so fast, it scarse gaue way to breath;
Inexcitable, most deare, next of all to death.
And as amids a faire field, foure braue horse
Before a Chariot, stung into their course
With feruent lashes of the smarting Scourge;
That all their fire blowes high; and makes them vrge
To vtmost speede, the measure of their ground:
So bore the Ship aloft, her fiery Bound;
About whom rusht the billowes, blacke, and vast;
In which the Sea-roares burst. As firme as fast
She ply'd her Course yet: Nor her winged speede,
The Faulcou gentle, could for pace, exceede.
So cut she through the waues, and bore a Man,
Euen with the Gods, in counsailes; that began
And spent his former life, in all misease:
Battailes of men, and rude waues of the Seas;
Yet now, securely slept, forgetting all.
And when heauens brightest star, that first doth call
The early morning out, aduanc't her head;
Then, neere to Ithaca, the Billow-bred
Phæacian Ship approch't. There is a Port,
That th' aged Sea-God Phorcys makes his Fort:
Whose earth, the Ithacensian people owne.
In which, two Rockes inaccessible, are growne
Farre forth into the Sea; vvhose each strength binds
The boistrous waues in, from the high-flowne winds
On both the out-parts so, that all within
The well-built Ships, that once their harbour win
In his calme bosome; without Anchor, rest
Safe, and vnstir'd. From forth the hauens high crest,
Branch the well-brawn'd armes of an Oliue tree.
Beneath which, runs a Caue, from all Sun free;
Coole, and delightsome: Sacred to th' accesse
Of Nymphs, whose sur-names are the Naiades:
In which, flew humming Bees; in which lay throwne
Stone cups, Stone vessels, Shittles, all of stone;
With which, the Nymphs their purple Mantles woue:
In whose contexture, Art and wonder stroue.
In which, pure Springs perpetually ran;
To which, two entries were: the one for man,
(On which the North breath'd:) th' other, for the gods
(On which, the South:) and that, bore no abodes
For earthy men: But onely deathlesse feete
Had there free way. This Port, these men thoght meet
To Land Vlysses; being the first, they knew.
Drew then, their Ship in: but no further drew
Then halfe her bulke reach't: by such cunning hand
Her course was manag'd. Then her men tooke land;
And first, brought forth Vlysses: Bed, and all
That richly furnisht it; he still in thrall
Of all-subduing sleepe. Vpon the sand
They set him softly downe; and then, the Strand
They strew'd with all the goods he had, bestow'd
By the renown'd Phæacians; since he show'd
So much Minerua. At the Oliue roote
They drew them then in heape, most far from foote
Of any Trauailer: least, ere his eyes
Resum'd their charge, they might be others prize.
Before whom, the vnalterable sway
Of King Alcinous virtue, did command
A Heralds fit attendance to the Strand
And Ship appointed. VVith him, likewise went
Handmaids, by Aretes iniunction sent.
198
The other an embroider'd Cabinet:
The third, had Bread to beare, and ruddy wine;
All which, (at Sea, and Ship arriu'd) resigne,
Their Freight confer'd. VVith faire attendants then,
The sheets and bedding of the Man of men,
VVithin a Cabin of the hollow Keele,
Spred, and made soft; that sleepe might sweetly seele
His restfull eyes; He enter'd, and his Bed,
In silence, tooke. The Rowers ordered
Themselues in seuerall seates: and then set gone
The Ship; the Gable from the hollow stone
Dissolu'd, and weigh'd vp: Altogether, close
Then beate the Sea. His lids, in sweete repose
Sleepe bound so fast, it scarse gaue way to breath;
Inexcitable, most deare, next of all to death.
And as amids a faire field, foure braue horse
Before a Chariot, stung into their course
With feruent lashes of the smarting Scourge;
That all their fire blowes high; and makes them vrge
To vtmost speede, the measure of their ground:
So bore the Ship aloft, her fiery Bound;
About whom rusht the billowes, blacke, and vast;
In which the Sea-roares burst. As firme as fast
She ply'd her Course yet: Nor her winged speede,
The Faulcou gentle, could for pace, exceede.
So cut she through the waues, and bore a Man,
Euen with the Gods, in counsailes; that began
And spent his former life, in all misease:
Battailes of men, and rude waues of the Seas;
Yet now, securely slept, forgetting all.
And when heauens brightest star, that first doth call
The early morning out, aduanc't her head;
Then, neere to Ithaca, the Billow-bred
Phæacian Ship approch't. There is a Port,
That th' aged Sea-God Phorcys makes his Fort:
Whose earth, the Ithacensian people owne.
In which, two Rockes inaccessible, are growne
Farre forth into the Sea; vvhose each strength binds
The boistrous waues in, from the high-flowne winds
On both the out-parts so, that all within
The well-built Ships, that once their harbour win
In his calme bosome; without Anchor, rest
Safe, and vnstir'd. From forth the hauens high crest,
Branch the well-brawn'd armes of an Oliue tree.
Beneath which, runs a Caue, from all Sun free;
Coole, and delightsome: Sacred to th' accesse
Of Nymphs, whose sur-names are the Naiades:
199
Stone cups, Stone vessels, Shittles, all of stone;
With which, the Nymphs their purple Mantles woue:
In whose contexture, Art and wonder stroue.
In which, pure Springs perpetually ran;
To which, two entries were: the one for man,
(On which the North breath'd:) th' other, for the gods
(On which, the South:) and that, bore no abodes
For earthy men: But onely deathlesse feete
Had there free way. This Port, these men thoght meet
To Land Vlysses; being the first, they knew.
Drew then, their Ship in: but no further drew
Then halfe her bulke reach't: by such cunning hand
Her course was manag'd. Then her men tooke land;
And first, brought forth Vlysses: Bed, and all
That richly furnisht it; he still in thrall
Of all-subduing sleepe. Vpon the sand
They set him softly downe; and then, the Strand
They strew'd with all the goods he had, bestow'd
By the renown'd Phæacians; since he show'd
So much Minerua. At the Oliue roote
They drew them then in heape, most far from foote
Of any Trauailer: least, ere his eyes
Resum'd their charge, they might be others prize.
These, then turn'd home: nor was the seas supreme
Forgetful of his threats, for Polypheme
Bent at diuine Vlysses: yet would proue
(Ere their performance) the decree of Ioue.
Forgetful of his threats, for Polypheme
Bent at diuine Vlysses: yet would proue
(Ere their performance) the decree of Ioue.
Father! No more the Gods shall honor me,
Since men despise me; and those men that see
The Light, in Linage of mine owne lou'd race.
I vow'd Vlysses, should before the grace
Of his returne, encounter woes enow
To make that purchase deare: yet, did not vow
Simply against it, since thy Brow had bent
To his reduction; in the fore-consent
Thou hadst vouchsaf't it: yet before, my minde
Hath full powre on him; the Phæacians finde
Their owne minds satisfaction, vvith his Passe:
So farre from suffering, what my pleasure was;
That ease, and softnesse, now is habited
In his secure brest: and his carelesse head,
Return'd in peace of sleepe to Ithaca.
The Brasse and Gold of rich Phæacia
Rocking his Temples. Garments richly wouen;
And worlds of Prize more, then was euer strouen
From all the conflicts he sustain'd at Troy,
If safe, he should his full share there, inioy.
Since men despise me; and those men that see
The Light, in Linage of mine owne lou'd race.
I vow'd Vlysses, should before the grace
Of his returne, encounter woes enow
To make that purchase deare: yet, did not vow
Simply against it, since thy Brow had bent
To his reduction; in the fore-consent
Thou hadst vouchsaf't it: yet before, my minde
Hath full powre on him; the Phæacians finde
Their owne minds satisfaction, vvith his Passe:
So farre from suffering, what my pleasure was;
That ease, and softnesse, now is habited
In his secure brest: and his carelesse head,
Return'd in peace of sleepe to Ithaca.
The Brasse and Gold of rich Phæacia
Rocking his Temples. Garments richly wouen;
And worlds of Prize more, then was euer strouen
From all the conflicts he sustain'd at Troy,
If safe, he should his full share there, inioy.
200
The Showre-dissoluer answerd: VVhat a speech
Hath past thy Pallate, O thou great in Reach
Of wrackfull Empire? Farre the Gods remaine
From scorne of thee: For, 'twere a worke of paine
To prosecute, with ignonimies, One
That swaies our ablest, and most ancient Throne.
For men; If any so beneath in power,
Neglect thy high will: now, or any houre
That moues heereafter; take reuenge to thee;
Soothe all thy will, and be thy pleasure free.
Hath past thy Pallate, O thou great in Reach
Of wrackfull Empire? Farre the Gods remaine
From scorne of thee: For, 'twere a worke of paine
To prosecute, with ignonimies, One
That swaies our ablest, and most ancient Throne.
For men; If any so beneath in power,
Neglect thy high will: now, or any houre
That moues heereafter; take reuenge to thee;
Soothe all thy will, and be thy pleasure free.
VVhy then (said he) thou blacker of the fumes
That dimme the Sun; my licenst power resumes
Act from thy speech: but I obserue so much,
And feare thy pleasure, that I dare not touch
At any inclination of mine owne,
Till thy consenting influence be knowne.
But now; this curious-built Phæacian Ship,
Returning from her Conuoy, I will strip
Of all her fleeting matter; and to stone
Transforme and fixe it (iust when she hath gone
Her full time home; and iets before their prease
In all her trim) amids the Sable Seas.
That they may cease to conuoy strangers still,
VVhen they shall see, so like a mighty Hill
Their glory sticke before their Cities grace,
And my hands cast a maske before her face.
That dimme the Sun; my licenst power resumes
Act from thy speech: but I obserue so much,
And feare thy pleasure, that I dare not touch
At any inclination of mine owne,
Till thy consenting influence be knowne.
But now; this curious-built Phæacian Ship,
Returning from her Conuoy, I will strip
Of all her fleeting matter; and to stone
Transforme and fixe it (iust when she hath gone
Her full time home; and iets before their prease
In all her trim) amids the Sable Seas.
That they may cease to conuoy strangers still,
VVhen they shall see, so like a mighty Hill
Their glory sticke before their Cities grace,
And my hands cast a maske before her face.
O friend, (said Ioue) it shewes to me the best
Of al earths obiects; that their whole prease, drest
In all their wonder; neere their Towne shall stand
And stare vpon a Stone, so neere the Land,
So like a Ship, and dam vp all their lights,
As if a Mountaine interposde their sights.
Of al earths obiects; that their whole prease, drest
In all their wonder; neere their Towne shall stand
And stare vpon a Stone, so neere the Land,
So like a Ship, and dam vp all their lights,
As if a Mountaine interposde their sights.
VVhen Neptune heard this, he for Scheria went,
VVhence the Phæacians tooke their first descent.
VVhich when he reacht, and in her swiftest pride,
The water-treader, by the Cities side
Came cutting close; close he came swiftly on;
Tooke her in violent hand, and to a Stone
Turnd all her syluane substance. All below,
Firmd her with Rootes, & left her. This strange show
VVhen the Phæacians saw, they stupid stood,
And askt each other, who amids the flood
Could fixe their Ship so, in her full speed home?
And quite transparant, make her bulke become?
VVhence the Phæacians tooke their first descent.
VVhich when he reacht, and in her swiftest pride,
The water-treader, by the Cities side
Came cutting close; close he came swiftly on;
Tooke her in violent hand, and to a Stone
Turnd all her syluane substance. All below,
Firmd her with Rootes, & left her. This strange show
VVhen the Phæacians saw, they stupid stood,
And askt each other, who amids the flood
Could fixe their Ship so, in her full speed home?
And quite transparant, make her bulke become?
Thus talkt they; but were farre from knowing how
These things had issue. VVhich their King did show,
And saide; O friends, the ancient Prophesies
My Father told to me, to all our eyes
Are now in proofe: he saide, the time would come,
VVhen Neptune, for our safe conducting home
All sorts of Strangers (out of enuy fir'd)
Would meete our fairest Ship as she retir'd;
And all the goodly Shape, and speed we bost,
Should like a Mountaine stand before vs lost,
Amids the mouing waters; which we see
Perform'd in full end to our prophesie.
Heare then my counsaile, and obey me then:
Renounce henceforth our conuoy home of men;
Who euer shall heereafter greete our Towne.
And to th' offended Deities Renowne;
Twelue chosen Oxen let vs sacred make,
That he may pitty vs: and from vs take
This shady Mountaine. They, in feare, obaide;
Slew all the Beeues, and to the Godhead praide:
The Dukes and Princes, all ensphearing round
The sacred Altar. While whose Tops were croun'd,
Diuine Vlysses (on his Countries brest
Laid bound in sleepe) now rose out of his rest:
Nor (being so long remou'd) the Region knew.
(Besides which absence yet) Minerua threw
A cloud about him; to make strange the more
His safe arriuall: lest, vpon his Shore
He should make knowne his face, and vtter all
That might preuent, th' euent that was to fall.
VVhich she prepar'd so well, that not his wife
(Presented to him) should perceiue his life:
No Citizen, no Friend; till righteous Fate
Vpon the vvooers wrongs, were consummate.
Through which cloud, all things show'd now to the King
Of forreign fashion. The enflowred Spring,
Amongst the Trees there. The perpetuall waues;
The Rockes, that did more high their foreheads raise
To his Rapt eye, then naturally they did:
And all the Hauen, in which a man seem'd hid
From winde, & weather, when storms loudest chid.
These things had issue. VVhich their King did show,
And saide; O friends, the ancient Prophesies
My Father told to me, to all our eyes
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VVhen Neptune, for our safe conducting home
All sorts of Strangers (out of enuy fir'd)
Would meete our fairest Ship as she retir'd;
And all the goodly Shape, and speed we bost,
Should like a Mountaine stand before vs lost,
Amids the mouing waters; which we see
Perform'd in full end to our prophesie.
Heare then my counsaile, and obey me then:
Renounce henceforth our conuoy home of men;
Who euer shall heereafter greete our Towne.
And to th' offended Deities Renowne;
Twelue chosen Oxen let vs sacred make,
That he may pitty vs: and from vs take
This shady Mountaine. They, in feare, obaide;
Slew all the Beeues, and to the Godhead praide:
The Dukes and Princes, all ensphearing round
The sacred Altar. While whose Tops were croun'd,
Diuine Vlysses (on his Countries brest
Laid bound in sleepe) now rose out of his rest:
Nor (being so long remou'd) the Region knew.
(Besides which absence yet) Minerua threw
A cloud about him; to make strange the more
His safe arriuall: lest, vpon his Shore
He should make knowne his face, and vtter all
That might preuent, th' euent that was to fall.
VVhich she prepar'd so well, that not his wife
(Presented to him) should perceiue his life:
No Citizen, no Friend; till righteous Fate
Vpon the vvooers wrongs, were consummate.
Through which cloud, all things show'd now to the King
Of forreign fashion. The enflowred Spring,
Amongst the Trees there. The perpetuall waues;
The Rockes, that did more high their foreheads raise
To his Rapt eye, then naturally they did:
And all the Hauen, in which a man seem'd hid
From winde, & weather, when storms loudest chid.
He therefore, being risen, stood and viewd
His countrey earth: which (not perceiu'd) he rew'd:
And, striking with his hurld-downe hands his Thyes,
He mourn'd, and saide: O me! Againe where lyes
My desart way? To wrongfull men, and rude?
And with no Lawes of humane right indu'de?
Or are they humane, and of holy minds?
What fits my deede with these so many kinds
Of goods late giuen? VVhat, with my selfe, wil floods
And Errors do? I would to God; these Goods
Had rested with their Owners: and that I
Had falne on Kings of more Regality,
To grace out my returne; that lou'd indeed,
And would haue giuen me Consorts of fit speed
To my distresses ending! But, as now
All knowledge flyes me, where I may bestow
My labour'd purchase. Heere they shall not stay,
Lest what I car'd for, others make their prey.
O Gods! I see, the great Phæacians then
VVere not all iust, and vnderstanding men;
That land me elsewhere then their vants pretended:
Assuring me, my countrey should see ended
My miseries told them: yet now, eate their vants.
O Ioue! great Guardian of poore Suppliants,
That others sees, and notes too; shutting in
All in thy plagues, that most presume on Sin,
Reuenge me on them. Let me number now
The goods they gaue, to giue my minde to know
If they haue stolne none, in their close retreat.
His countrey earth: which (not perceiu'd) he rew'd:
And, striking with his hurld-downe hands his Thyes,
He mourn'd, and saide: O me! Againe where lyes
My desart way? To wrongfull men, and rude?
And with no Lawes of humane right indu'de?
Or are they humane, and of holy minds?
What fits my deede with these so many kinds
Of goods late giuen? VVhat, with my selfe, wil floods
And Errors do? I would to God; these Goods
Had rested with their Owners: and that I
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To grace out my returne; that lou'd indeed,
And would haue giuen me Consorts of fit speed
To my distresses ending! But, as now
All knowledge flyes me, where I may bestow
My labour'd purchase. Heere they shall not stay,
Lest what I car'd for, others make their prey.
O Gods! I see, the great Phæacians then
VVere not all iust, and vnderstanding men;
That land me elsewhere then their vants pretended:
Assuring me, my countrey should see ended
My miseries told them: yet now, eate their vants.
O Ioue! great Guardian of poore Suppliants,
That others sees, and notes too; shutting in
All in thy plagues, that most presume on Sin,
Reuenge me on them. Let me number now
The goods they gaue, to giue my minde to know
If they haue stolne none, in their close retreat.
The goodly Caldrons then, and Tripods (set
In seuerall rankes from out the heape) he told.
His rich wrought garments too, and all his Gold:
And nothing lack't; and yet this Man did mourne,
The but supposd misse of his home returne.
And, creeping to the shore, with much complaint;
Minerua, (like a Shepheard, yong, and quaint,
As King sonnes are: a double Mantle cast
A'thwart his Shoulders, his faire goers grac'st
With fitted shooes; and in his hand, a Dart)
Appear'd to him, whose sight reioyc't his hart.
To whom he came, and saide: O Friend? Since first
I meete your fight heere: Be all good, the worst
That can ioyne our encounter: Fare you Faire;
Nor with aduerse minde, welcome my repaire:
But guard these goods of mine, and succour me.
As to a God, I offer prayers to thee,
And low accesse make, to thy loued knee.
Say truth, that I may know, what countrey then?
What commune people liue heere? And what men?
Some famous Isle is this? Or giues it vent
(Being neere the Sea) to some rich Continent?
In seuerall rankes from out the heape) he told.
His rich wrought garments too, and all his Gold:
And nothing lack't; and yet this Man did mourne,
The but supposd misse of his home returne.
And, creeping to the shore, with much complaint;
Minerua, (like a Shepheard, yong, and quaint,
As King sonnes are: a double Mantle cast
A'thwart his Shoulders, his faire goers grac'st
With fitted shooes; and in his hand, a Dart)
Appear'd to him, whose sight reioyc't his hart.
To whom he came, and saide: O Friend? Since first
I meete your fight heere: Be all good, the worst
That can ioyne our encounter: Fare you Faire;
Nor with aduerse minde, welcome my repaire:
But guard these goods of mine, and succour me.
As to a God, I offer prayers to thee,
And low accesse make, to thy loued knee.
Say truth, that I may know, what countrey then?
What commune people liue heere? And what men?
Some famous Isle is this? Or giues it vent
(Being neere the Sea) to some rich Continent?
She answer'd; Stranger, what so ere you are;
Y'are either foolish, or come passing farre,
That know not this Isle, and make that doubt, troble;
For 'tis not so exceedingly ignoble,
But passing many know it: and so many,
That, of all Nations, there abides not any,
From where the Morning rises, and the Sun;
To where the Euen, and Night their courses run,
But know this countrey. Rocky 'tis, and rough;
And so, for vse of horse vnapt enough:
Yet, with sad Barrennesse not much infested,
Since clowds are heere in frequent raines digested,
And flowry dewes. The compasse is not great;
The little yet, well fild with wine, and wheat.
It feeds a Goat, and Oxe well; being still
Water'd with floods, that euer ouer-fill
VVith heauens continual showers: and woodded so,
It makes a Spring of all the kindes that grow.
And therefore, Stranger, the extended name
Of this Dominion, makes accesse by Fame,
From this extreame part of Achaia,
As farre as Ilion; and 'tis Ithaca.
Y'are either foolish, or come passing farre,
That know not this Isle, and make that doubt, troble;
For 'tis not so exceedingly ignoble,
But passing many know it: and so many,
That, of all Nations, there abides not any,
From where the Morning rises, and the Sun;
To where the Euen, and Night their courses run,
203
And so, for vse of horse vnapt enough:
Yet, with sad Barrennesse not much infested,
Since clowds are heere in frequent raines digested,
And flowry dewes. The compasse is not great;
The little yet, well fild with wine, and wheat.
It feeds a Goat, and Oxe well; being still
Water'd with floods, that euer ouer-fill
VVith heauens continual showers: and woodded so,
It makes a Spring of all the kindes that grow.
And therefore, Stranger, the extended name
Of this Dominion, makes accesse by Fame,
From this extreame part of Achaia,
As farre as Ilion; and 'tis Ithaca.
This ioy'd him much, that so vnknowne a Land,
Turn'd to his countrey. Yet so wise a hand
He carried, euen of this ioy, flowne so hye,
That other end he put to his reply,
Then straight to shew that ioy, and lay abrode
His life to Strangers. Therefore, he bestowd
A veile on Truth: For euermore did winde
About his bosome, a most crafty minde,
VVhich thus his words shew'd. I haue farre at Sea,
In spacious Crete, heard speake of Ithaca;
Of which, my selfe (it seemes) now reach the shore,
VVith these my Fortunes; whose whole value more
I left in Crete amongst my children there;
From whence I flye, for being the slaughterer
Of royall Idomeus most loued Son;
Swift-foote Orsilochus, that could out-run
Profest men for the race. Yet him I slue,
Because he would depriue me of my due
In Troian prize: for which, I suffer'd so
(The rude waues piercing) the redoubled wo
Of minde and body, in the warres of men:
Nor did I gratifie his Father then
VVith any seruice; But, as well as he,
Sway'd in command of other Souldiery.
So, with a friend withdrawne, we way-laide him,
VVhen gloomy Night, the cope of heauen did dim,
And no man knew. But we (lodg'd close) he came,
And I put out, to him, his vitall flame.
VVhose slaughter, hauing author'd with my sword,
I instant flight made; and straight fell aboord
A Ship of the renown'd Phœnician State;
VVhen prayer, and pay, at a sufficient rate
Obtain'd my Passe, of men in her command:
VVhom I inioyn'd to set me on the land
Of Pylos, or of Elis, the diuine,
VVhere the Epeyans in great Empire shine.
But force of weather check't that course to them,
Though (loath to faile me) to their most extreme
They spent their willing pow'rs. But, forc't frō thence,
VVe err'd, and put in heere, with much expence
Of Care and Labour: and in dead of Night,
VVhen no man there, seru'd any appetite,
So much as with the Memory of food,
Though our estates exceeding Needy stood.
But, going ashore, we lay; when gentle sleepe
My weary pow'rs inuaded: and from Ship,
They fetching these my Riches, with iust hand
About me laide them: while vpon the sand
Sleepe bound my senses; and for Sydon, they
(Put off from hence) made saile: while heere I lay,
Left sad alone. The Goddesse laught, and tooke
His hand in hers; and with another looke,
(Assuming then the likenesse of a Dame,
Louely and goodly, expert in the frame
Of vertuous Huswiferies) she answerd thus.
Turn'd to his countrey. Yet so wise a hand
He carried, euen of this ioy, flowne so hye,
That other end he put to his reply,
Then straight to shew that ioy, and lay abrode
His life to Strangers. Therefore, he bestowd
A veile on Truth: For euermore did winde
About his bosome, a most crafty minde,
VVhich thus his words shew'd. I haue farre at Sea,
In spacious Crete, heard speake of Ithaca;
Of which, my selfe (it seemes) now reach the shore,
VVith these my Fortunes; whose whole value more
I left in Crete amongst my children there;
From whence I flye, for being the slaughterer
Of royall Idomeus most loued Son;
Swift-foote Orsilochus, that could out-run
Profest men for the race. Yet him I slue,
Because he would depriue me of my due
In Troian prize: for which, I suffer'd so
(The rude waues piercing) the redoubled wo
Of minde and body, in the warres of men:
Nor did I gratifie his Father then
VVith any seruice; But, as well as he,
Sway'd in command of other Souldiery.
So, with a friend withdrawne, we way-laide him,
VVhen gloomy Night, the cope of heauen did dim,
And no man knew. But we (lodg'd close) he came,
And I put out, to him, his vitall flame.
VVhose slaughter, hauing author'd with my sword,
I instant flight made; and straight fell aboord
A Ship of the renown'd Phœnician State;
VVhen prayer, and pay, at a sufficient rate
Obtain'd my Passe, of men in her command:
VVhom I inioyn'd to set me on the land
204
VVhere the Epeyans in great Empire shine.
But force of weather check't that course to them,
Though (loath to faile me) to their most extreme
They spent their willing pow'rs. But, forc't frō thence,
VVe err'd, and put in heere, with much expence
Of Care and Labour: and in dead of Night,
VVhen no man there, seru'd any appetite,
So much as with the Memory of food,
Though our estates exceeding Needy stood.
But, going ashore, we lay; when gentle sleepe
My weary pow'rs inuaded: and from Ship,
They fetching these my Riches, with iust hand
About me laide them: while vpon the sand
Sleepe bound my senses; and for Sydon, they
(Put off from hence) made saile: while heere I lay,
Left sad alone. The Goddesse laught, and tooke
His hand in hers; and with another looke,
(Assuming then the likenesse of a Dame,
Louely and goodly, expert in the frame
Of vertuous Huswiferies) she answerd thus.
He should be passing slie, and couetous
Of stealth, in mens deceits, that coted thee,
In any craft; though any God should be
Ambitious to exceede in subtilty.
Thou still-wit-varying wretch! Insatiate
In ouer-reaches: Not secure thy state
Without these wiles? Though on thy Natiue shore
Thou setst safe footing? But vpon thy store
Of false words, still spend? That euen from thy byrth
Haue bene thy best friends? Come: our either worth
Is knowne to either: Thou, of Men, art far
(For words and counsailes) the most singular;
But I, aboue the Gods, in both, may bost
My still-tried Faculties. Yet thou hast lost
The knowledge euen of me: the seede of Ioue,
Pallas Athenia; that haue still out-stroue
In all thy Labors, their extremes; and stood
Thy sure guard euer: making all thy good,
Knowne to the good Phæacians, and receiu'd.
And now againe, I greete thee, to see weau'd
Fresh Counsailes for thee: and will take on me
The close reseruing of these goods for thee,
VVhich the renown'd Phæacian States bestow'd
At thy deduction homewards; Onely mou'd
VVith my, both spirit and counsell. All which grace
I now will amplifie, and tell what case
Thy houshold stands in; vttering all those paines,
That, of meere need, yet still must racke thy vaines;
Do thou then freely beare; Nor one word giue
To Man nor Dame, to shew thou yet dost liue:
But silent, suffer ouer all againe
Thy sorrowes past; and beare the wrongs of Men.
Of stealth, in mens deceits, that coted thee,
In any craft; though any God should be
Ambitious to exceede in subtilty.
Thou still-wit-varying wretch! Insatiate
In ouer-reaches: Not secure thy state
Without these wiles? Though on thy Natiue shore
Thou setst safe footing? But vpon thy store
Of false words, still spend? That euen from thy byrth
Haue bene thy best friends? Come: our either worth
Is knowne to either: Thou, of Men, art far
(For words and counsailes) the most singular;
But I, aboue the Gods, in both, may bost
My still-tried Faculties. Yet thou hast lost
The knowledge euen of me: the seede of Ioue,
Pallas Athenia; that haue still out-stroue
In all thy Labors, their extremes; and stood
Thy sure guard euer: making all thy good,
Knowne to the good Phæacians, and receiu'd.
And now againe, I greete thee, to see weau'd
Fresh Counsailes for thee: and will take on me
The close reseruing of these goods for thee,
VVhich the renown'd Phæacian States bestow'd
At thy deduction homewards; Onely mou'd
VVith my, both spirit and counsell. All which grace
I now will amplifie, and tell what case
Thy houshold stands in; vttering all those paines,
205
Do thou then freely beare; Nor one word giue
To Man nor Dame, to shew thou yet dost liue:
But silent, suffer ouer all againe
Thy sorrowes past; and beare the wrongs of Men.
Goddesse (said he) vniust men, and vnwise,
That author iniuries, and vanities;
By vanities and wrongs, should rather be
Bound to this ill-abearing destiny,
Then iust, and wise men. VVhat delight hath heauen,
That liues vnhurt it selfe, to suffer giuen
Vp to all domage, those poore few that striue
To imitate it? and like the Deities liue?
But where you wonder, that I know you not
Through all your changes; that skill is not got
By sleight or Art: since thy most hard-hit face,
Is still distinguisht by thy free-giuen grace.
And therefore truly to acknowledge thee
In thy encounters, is a maistery
In men most knowing. For to all men, thou
Tak'st seuerall likenesse. All men thinke they know
Thee in their wits. But, since thy seeming view
Appeares to all; and yet thy truth, to few:
Through all thy changes, to discern thee right,
Askes chiefe Loue to thee; and inspired light.
But this, I surely know; that some yeares past,
I haue beene often with thy presence grac'st,
All time the sonnes of Greece wag'd warre at Troy:
But when Fates full houre, let our swords enioy
Our vowes, in sacke of Priams lofty Towne:
Our Ships all boorded; and when God had blowne
Our Fleete in sunder, I could neuer see
The seede of Ioue; Nor once distinguish thee
Boording my Ship, to take one woe from me.
But onely in my proper spirit inuolu'd,
Err'd, here and there quite slaine; til heauen dissolu'd
Me, and my ill: which chanc't not, till thy grace
By open speech confirm'd me; in a place
Fruitfull of people: where, in person, thou
Didst giue me guide, and all their City show;
And that was the renown'd, Phæacian earth.
Now then; euerr by the author of thy Birth,
Vouchsafe my doubt the Truth (for farre it flies
My thoughts; that thus should fall into thine eies
Conspicuous Ithaca: but feare I touch
At some farre Shore; and that thy wit is such,
Thou dost delude me) Is it sure the same,
Most honor'd earth, that beares my countries name?
That author iniuries, and vanities;
By vanities and wrongs, should rather be
Bound to this ill-abearing destiny,
Then iust, and wise men. VVhat delight hath heauen,
That liues vnhurt it selfe, to suffer giuen
Vp to all domage, those poore few that striue
To imitate it? and like the Deities liue?
But where you wonder, that I know you not
Through all your changes; that skill is not got
By sleight or Art: since thy most hard-hit face,
Is still distinguisht by thy free-giuen grace.
And therefore truly to acknowledge thee
In thy encounters, is a maistery
In men most knowing. For to all men, thou
Tak'st seuerall likenesse. All men thinke they know
Thee in their wits. But, since thy seeming view
Appeares to all; and yet thy truth, to few:
Through all thy changes, to discern thee right,
Askes chiefe Loue to thee; and inspired light.
But this, I surely know; that some yeares past,
I haue beene often with thy presence grac'st,
All time the sonnes of Greece wag'd warre at Troy:
But when Fates full houre, let our swords enioy
Our vowes, in sacke of Priams lofty Towne:
Our Ships all boorded; and when God had blowne
Our Fleete in sunder, I could neuer see
The seede of Ioue; Nor once distinguish thee
Boording my Ship, to take one woe from me.
But onely in my proper spirit inuolu'd,
Err'd, here and there quite slaine; til heauen dissolu'd
Me, and my ill: which chanc't not, till thy grace
By open speech confirm'd me; in a place
Fruitfull of people: where, in person, thou
Didst giue me guide, and all their City show;
And that was the renown'd, Phæacian earth.
Now then; euerr by the author of thy Birth,
Vouchsafe my doubt the Truth (for farre it flies
My thoughts; that thus should fall into thine eies
Conspicuous Ithaca: but feare I touch
At some farre Shore; and that thy wit is such,
Thou dost delude me) Is it sure the same,
Most honor'd earth, that beares my countries name?
206
I see (sayd she) thou wilt be euer thus,
In euery worldly good, incredulous.
And therefore, haue no more the power, to see
Fraile life more plagu'd with infelicity;
In one so eloquent, ingenious wise.
Another man, that so long miseries
Had kept from his lou'd home; and thus return'd
To see his house, wife, children, would haue burn'd
In headlong lust to visit. Yet t'enquire,
VVhat states they hold, affects not thy desire,
Till thou hast tried: If in thy wife, there be
A Sorrow, wasting dayes, and nights for thee,
In Louing teares: That then the fight may proue
A full reward, for eithers mutuall Loue.
But I would neuer, credit in you both
Least cause of sorrow; but well knew, the troth
Of this thine owne returne: though all thy Friends,
I knew, as well, should make returnlesse ends.
Yet would not crosse mine Vnkle Neptune so
To stand their safegard; since so high did go
His wrath, for thy extinction of the eye
Of his lou'd sonne. Come then, Ile show thee why
I call this Isle, thy Ithaca; To ground
Thy credit on my words: This haven is own'd
By th' aged Sea god Phorcys: in whose Brow,
This is the Oliue with the ample bow;
And heere close by, the pleasant-shaded Caue,
That to the Fount-Nymphs, th'Ithacensians gave
As Sacred to their pleasures heere doth run
The large, and couer'd den, where thou hast done
Hundreds of Offerings to the Naiades.
Here, Mount Nerytus shakes his curled Tresse
Of shady woods. This sayd, she cleer'd the clowd
That first deceyu'd his tyes; and all things show'd
His countrey to him. Glad he stood with fight
Of his lou'd Soile; and kist it, with delight.
And instantly, to all the Nymphs hee paide
(With hands held vp to heauen) these vowes, & said.
In euery worldly good, incredulous.
And therefore, haue no more the power, to see
Fraile life more plagu'd with infelicity;
In one so eloquent, ingenious wise.
Another man, that so long miseries
Had kept from his lou'd home; and thus return'd
To see his house, wife, children, would haue burn'd
In headlong lust to visit. Yet t'enquire,
VVhat states they hold, affects not thy desire,
Till thou hast tried: If in thy wife, there be
A Sorrow, wasting dayes, and nights for thee,
In Louing teares: That then the fight may proue
A full reward, for eithers mutuall Loue.
But I would neuer, credit in you both
Least cause of sorrow; but well knew, the troth
Of this thine owne returne: though all thy Friends,
I knew, as well, should make returnlesse ends.
Yet would not crosse mine Vnkle Neptune so
To stand their safegard; since so high did go
His wrath, for thy extinction of the eye
Of his lou'd sonne. Come then, Ile show thee why
I call this Isle, thy Ithaca; To ground
Thy credit on my words: This haven is own'd
By th' aged Sea god Phorcys: in whose Brow,
This is the Oliue with the ample bow;
And heere close by, the pleasant-shaded Caue,
That to the Fount-Nymphs, th'Ithacensians gave
As Sacred to their pleasures heere doth run
The large, and couer'd den, where thou hast done
Hundreds of Offerings to the Naiades.
Here, Mount Nerytus shakes his curled Tresse
Of shady woods. This sayd, she cleer'd the clowd
That first deceyu'd his tyes; and all things show'd
His countrey to him. Glad he stood with fight
Of his lou'd Soile; and kist it, with delight.
And instantly, to all the Nymphs hee paide
(With hands held vp to heauen) these vowes, & said.
Ye Nymphs the Naiades, great seed of Ioue:
I had conceite, that neuer more should moue
Your sight, in these spheres of my erring eyes;
And therefore, in the fuller Sacrifice
Of my hearts gratitude; Reioyce till more
I pay your Names, in Offerings, as before.
VVhich heere I vow; If Ioues benigne descent
(The mighty Pillager) with life convent
My person home; and to my sau'd decease,
Of my lou'd sonnes sight; adde the sweet increase.
Be confident (saide Pallas) nor oppresse
Thy spirits with care of these performances;
But these thy fortunes, let vs straight repose
In this diuine Caues bosome, that may close
Reserue their value; and we then may see
How best to order other acts to thee.
I had conceite, that neuer more should moue
Your sight, in these spheres of my erring eyes;
And therefore, in the fuller Sacrifice
Of my hearts gratitude; Reioyce till more
I pay your Names, in Offerings, as before.
VVhich heere I vow; If Ioues benigne descent
(The mighty Pillager) with life convent
My person home; and to my sau'd decease,
Of my lou'd sonnes sight; adde the sweet increase.
207
Thy spirits with care of these performances;
But these thy fortunes, let vs straight repose
In this diuine Caues bosome, that may close
Reserue their value; and we then may see
How best to order other acts to thee.
Thus entred she the light-excluding Caue;
And through it, sought some inmost nooke to saue
The Gold, the great Brasse, & robes richly wrought,
Giuen to Vlysses. All which, in he brought;
Laid downe in heape; and she impos'd a stone
Close to the cauernes mouth. Then sat they on
The sacred Oliues roote, consulting how
To act th' insulting wooers ouerthrow.
VVhen Pallas saide; Examine how the means
That best may lay hand on the impudence
Of those proud wooers: that haue now three yeares
Thy Roofes rule swai'd; and bene bold Offerers
Of suite, and gifts, to thy renowned wife;
VVho for thy absence, all her desolate life,
Dissolues in teares till thy desir'd returne.
Yet all her wooers, while shee thus doth mourne
She holds in hope; and euery one affords
(In fore-sent message) promise. But her words
Beare other vtterance then her heart approves.
And through it, sought some inmost nooke to saue
The Gold, the great Brasse, & robes richly wrought,
Giuen to Vlysses. All which, in he brought;
Laid downe in heape; and she impos'd a stone
Close to the cauernes mouth. Then sat they on
The sacred Oliues roote, consulting how
To act th' insulting wooers ouerthrow.
VVhen Pallas saide; Examine how the means
That best may lay hand on the impudence
Of those proud wooers: that haue now three yeares
Thy Roofes rule swai'd; and bene bold Offerers
Of suite, and gifts, to thy renowned wife;
VVho for thy absence, all her desolate life,
Dissolues in teares till thy desir'd returne.
Yet all her wooers, while shee thus doth mourne
She holds in hope; and euery one affords
(In fore-sent message) promise. But her words
Beare other vtterance then her heart approves.
O Gods (said Ithacus) it now behoves
My Fate to end me, in the ill deceasse
That Agamemnon vnderwent, vnlesse
You tell me, and in time, their close intents.
Aduise then meanes, to the reueng'd euents
VVe both resolue on. Be thy selfe so kinde
To stand close to me; and but such a minde
Breath in my bosome, as when th'Ilion Fowres
VVe tore in Cinders. O if equall powres
Thou wouldst enflame, amids my Nerues as then,
I could encounter with three hundred men:
Thy onely selfe (great Goddesse) had to friend,
In those braue ardors thou wer't wont t'extend.
My Fate to end me, in the ill deceasse
That Agamemnon vnderwent, vnlesse
You tell me, and in time, their close intents.
Aduise then meanes, to the reueng'd euents
VVe both resolue on. Be thy selfe so kinde
To stand close to me; and but such a minde
Breath in my bosome, as when th'Ilion Fowres
VVe tore in Cinders. O if equall powres
Thou wouldst enflame, amids my Nerues as then,
I could encounter with three hundred men:
Thy onely selfe (great Goddesse) had to friend,
In those braue ardors thou wer't wont t'extend.
I will be strongly with thee, (answer'd she)
Nor must thou faile, but do thy part with me.
VVhen both whose pow'rs cōbine, I hope the bloods
And braines of some of these that waste thy goods
Shall strew thy goodly Pauements. Ioyne we then:
I first will render thee vnknowne to men.
And on thy solid Lineaments, make dry
Thy now smooth skin. Thy bright-brown curles imply
In hoary mattings: thy broad shoulders cloath
In such a cloake, as euery eye shall loath.
Thy bright eyes, bleare and wrinkle; and so change
Thy forme at all parts, that thou shalt be strange
To all the VVooers; thy yong sonne, and wife.
But, to thy Herdsman first present thy life;
That guards thy Swine, and wisheth well to thee;
That loues thy sonne, and wife Penelope.
Thy search shall finde him, set aside his Heard,
That are with tast-delighting Acornes rear'd:
And drinke the darke-deepe water of the Spring
Bright Arethusa; the most nourishing
Raiser of Heards. There stay, and (taking feate
Aside thy Heardsman) of the whole State, treate
Of home occurrents; while I make accesse
To faire-dame breeding Sparta: for regresse
Of lou'd Telemachus: who went in quest
Of thy lou'd fame; and liu'd the welcome Guest
Of Menelaus. The much-knower saide:
Nor must thou faile, but do thy part with me.
VVhen both whose pow'rs cōbine, I hope the bloods
And braines of some of these that waste thy goods
Shall strew thy goodly Pauements. Ioyne we then:
I first will render thee vnknowne to men.
And on thy solid Lineaments, make dry
Thy now smooth skin. Thy bright-brown curles imply
In hoary mattings: thy broad shoulders cloath
208
Thy bright eyes, bleare and wrinkle; and so change
Thy forme at all parts, that thou shalt be strange
To all the VVooers; thy yong sonne, and wife.
But, to thy Herdsman first present thy life;
That guards thy Swine, and wisheth well to thee;
That loues thy sonne, and wife Penelope.
Thy search shall finde him, set aside his Heard,
That are with tast-delighting Acornes rear'd:
And drinke the darke-deepe water of the Spring
Bright Arethusa; the most nourishing
Raiser of Heards. There stay, and (taking feate
Aside thy Heardsman) of the whole State, treate
Of home occurrents; while I make accesse
To faire-dame breeding Sparta: for regresse
Of lou'd Telemachus: who went in quest
Of thy lou'd fame; and liu'd the welcome Guest
Of Menelaus. The much-knower saide:
Why wouldst not thou (in whose grave brest is bred
The Art to order all acts) tell in this
His error to him? Let those yeares of his
Amids the rude seas wander, and sustaine
The woes there raging? while vnworthy men
Deuoure his fortunes? Let not care extend.
Thy heart for him (saide she) my selfe did send
His person in thy search, to set his worth
(By good fame blowne) to such a distance forth.
Nor suffers he, in any least degree
The griefe you feare: but all variety
That Plenty can yeeld, in her quietst fare.
In Menelaus Court, doth sit and share.
In whose returne from home, the Wooers yet
Lay bloudy ambush; and a Ship haue set
To Sea, to intercept his life before
He touch againe his births attempted shore.
All which, my thoughts lay, they shall neuer do,
But rather, that the earth shall ouergo
Some one at least, of these Loue-making men;
By which thy goods, so much empaire sustain.
Thus vsing certaine secret words to him,
She toucht him with her rod; and euery lim
VVas hid all ouer with a wither'd skin:
His bright eies, blear'd; his brow curles, white & thin;
And all things did an aged man present.
Then (for his owne weeds) Shirt and coat, all rent;
Tann'd, and all sootied, with noisome smoke,
She put him on; and ouer all, a cloke
Made of a Stags huge hide: of which was worne
The haire quite off. A Scrip all patcht and torne,
Hung by a cord, oft broke, and knit againe,
And with a staffe did his old limbs sustaine.
Thus hauing both consulted of th' euent,
They parted both: and forth to Sparta went
The gray-ey'd Goddesse, to see all things done
That appertain'd to wise Vlysses sonne.
The Art to order all acts) tell in this
His error to him? Let those yeares of his
Amids the rude seas wander, and sustaine
The woes there raging? while vnworthy men
Deuoure his fortunes? Let not care extend.
Thy heart for him (saide she) my selfe did send
His person in thy search, to set his worth
(By good fame blowne) to such a distance forth.
Nor suffers he, in any least degree
The griefe you feare: but all variety
That Plenty can yeeld, in her quietst fare.
In Menelaus Court, doth sit and share.
In whose returne from home, the Wooers yet
Lay bloudy ambush; and a Ship haue set
To Sea, to intercept his life before
He touch againe his births attempted shore.
All which, my thoughts lay, they shall neuer do,
But rather, that the earth shall ouergo
Some one at least, of these Loue-making men;
By which thy goods, so much empaire sustain.
Thus vsing certaine secret words to him,
She toucht him with her rod; and euery lim
VVas hid all ouer with a wither'd skin:
His bright eies, blear'd; his brow curles, white & thin;
And all things did an aged man present.
Then (for his owne weeds) Shirt and coat, all rent;
Tann'd, and all sootied, with noisome smoke,
She put him on; and ouer all, a cloke
209
The haire quite off. A Scrip all patcht and torne,
Hung by a cord, oft broke, and knit againe,
And with a staffe did his old limbs sustaine.
Thus hauing both consulted of th' euent,
They parted both: and forth to Sparta went
The gray-ey'd Goddesse, to see all things done
That appertain'd to wise Vlysses sonne.
The End of the Thirteenth Booke of Homers Odysses.
210
THE FOVRTEENTH BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Vlysses meets amids the FieldHis Swaine Eumæus; who doth yeild
Kinde Guest rites to him; and relate
Occurrents of his wrong'd estate.
Another.
Vlysses faines,for his true Good:
His pious Swaines
faith vnderstood.
Bvt he, the rough way tooke from forth the Port,
Through woods, and hill tops, seeking the resort
Where Pallas said, diuine Eumæus liu'd:
Who, of the fortunes that were first atchieu'd
By God-like Ithacus, in household rights,
Had more true care then all his Prosylites.
He found him sitting in his Cottage dore;
VVhere he had rais'd to euery ayry Blore,
A Front of great height; and in such a place,
That round ye might behold: of circular grace
A walke so wound about it: which the Swain
(In absence of his farre-gone Soueraine)
Had built himselfe, without his Queenes supply,
Or old Laertes; to see safely lye
His housed herd. The inner part, he wrought
Of stones, that thither his owne labors brought;
Which with an hedge of Thorn he fenc't about,
And compast all the hedge, with pales cleft out
Of sable Oake; that here and there he fixt
Frequent and thicke. VVithin his yard, he mixt
Twelue Sties to lodge his Heard; and euery Sty
Had roome and vse, for fifty Swine to lye.
But those were females all. The male Swine slept
VVithout doores euer. Nor was their Herd kept
Faire like the Females, since they suffer'd still
Great diminution: he being forc't to kill
And send the fattest to the dainty Feasts,
Affected by th' vngodly wooing guests.
Their number therefore, but three hundred were,
And sixty: By them, Mastiues as austere
As sauage beasts, lay euer. Their fierce straine
Bred by the Herdsman; a meere Prince of Men:
Their number, foure. Himselfe was then appli'de
In cutting forth a faire-hew'd Oxes hide,
To fit his feete with shooes. His seruants held
Guard of his Swine. Three, here and there, at field;
The fourth, he sent to City with a Sow,
VVhich must of force be offer'd to the Vow,
The VVoowers made to all society:
To serue which, still they did those Offrings ply.
The Fate-borne-Dogs-to-Barke, tooke sodaine view
Of Odyssaus; and vpon him flew
VVith open mouth. He (cunning, to appall
A fierce Dogs fury) from his hand let fall
His staffe to earth; and sat him carelesse downe.
And yet to him had one foule wrong bene showne
VVhere most his Right lay; had not instantly
The Herdsman let his hide fall; and his cry
(VVith frequent stones, flung at the dogges) repeld
This way, and that, their eager course they held:
VVhen through the entry past, he thus did mourne.
Through woods, and hill tops, seeking the resort
Where Pallas said, diuine Eumæus liu'd:
Who, of the fortunes that were first atchieu'd
By God-like Ithacus, in household rights,
Had more true care then all his Prosylites.
He found him sitting in his Cottage dore;
VVhere he had rais'd to euery ayry Blore,
A Front of great height; and in such a place,
That round ye might behold: of circular grace
A walke so wound about it: which the Swain
(In absence of his farre-gone Soueraine)
Had built himselfe, without his Queenes supply,
Or old Laertes; to see safely lye
His housed herd. The inner part, he wrought
Of stones, that thither his owne labors brought;
Which with an hedge of Thorn he fenc't about,
And compast all the hedge, with pales cleft out
Of sable Oake; that here and there he fixt
Frequent and thicke. VVithin his yard, he mixt
Twelue Sties to lodge his Heard; and euery Sty
Had roome and vse, for fifty Swine to lye.
But those were females all. The male Swine slept
VVithout doores euer. Nor was their Herd kept
211
Great diminution: he being forc't to kill
And send the fattest to the dainty Feasts,
Affected by th' vngodly wooing guests.
Their number therefore, but three hundred were,
And sixty: By them, Mastiues as austere
As sauage beasts, lay euer. Their fierce straine
Bred by the Herdsman; a meere Prince of Men:
Their number, foure. Himselfe was then appli'de
In cutting forth a faire-hew'd Oxes hide,
To fit his feete with shooes. His seruants held
Guard of his Swine. Three, here and there, at field;
The fourth, he sent to City with a Sow,
VVhich must of force be offer'd to the Vow,
The VVoowers made to all society:
To serue which, still they did those Offrings ply.
The Fate-borne-Dogs-to-Barke, tooke sodaine view
Of Odyssaus; and vpon him flew
VVith open mouth. He (cunning, to appall
A fierce Dogs fury) from his hand let fall
His staffe to earth; and sat him carelesse downe.
And yet to him had one foule wrong bene showne
VVhere most his Right lay; had not instantly
The Herdsman let his hide fall; and his cry
(VVith frequent stones, flung at the dogges) repeld
This way, and that, their eager course they held:
VVhen through the entry past, he thus did mourne.
O Father! How soone, had you neere bene torne
By these rude Dogges? whose hurt had branded me
VVith much neglect of you? But Deity
Hath giuen so many other sighes, and cares
To my attendant state: that well vnwares
You might be hurt for me: for heere I lie
Grieuing and mourning for the Maiestie
That God-like wonted to be ruling heere;
Since now, I fat his Swine, for others cheere:
VVhere he, perhaps, err's hungry vp and downe,
In Countries, Nations, Cities, all vnknowne.
If any where he liues yet; and doth see
The Sunnes sweet beames. But (Father) follow mee,
That (cheer'd with wine and foode) you may disclose
From whence you truly are; and all the woes
Your age is subiect to. This said, he led
Into his Cottage; and of Osiers, spred
A thickned hurdle; on whose top, he strow'd
A wilde Goats shaggy skin; and then bestow'd
His owne Couch on it, that was soft and great.
By these rude Dogges? whose hurt had branded me
VVith much neglect of you? But Deity
Hath giuen so many other sighes, and cares
To my attendant state: that well vnwares
You might be hurt for me: for heere I lie
Grieuing and mourning for the Maiestie
That God-like wonted to be ruling heere;
Since now, I fat his Swine, for others cheere:
VVhere he, perhaps, err's hungry vp and downe,
In Countries, Nations, Cities, all vnknowne.
If any where he liues yet; and doth see
The Sunnes sweet beames. But (Father) follow mee,
That (cheer'd with wine and foode) you may disclose
From whence you truly are; and all the woes
Your age is subiect to. This said, he led
Into his Cottage; and of Osiers, spred
A thickned hurdle; on whose top, he strow'd
A wilde Goats shaggy skin; and then bestow'd
His owne Couch on it, that was soft and great.
Vlysses ioy'd, to see him so entreat
His vncouth Presence; saying, Ioue requite,
And all th' immortall Gods, with that delight
Thou most defir'st, thy kinde receite of me;
O Friend, to humane Hospitality.
212
And all th' immortall Gods, with that delight
Thou most defir'st, thy kinde receite of me;
O Friend, to humane Hospitality.
Eumæus answer'd: Guest? If one much worse
Arriu'd here then thy selfe; it were a curse
To my poore meanes, to let a Stranger tast
Contempt, for fit food. Poore men, and vnplac'st
In free seats of their owne; are all from Ioue
Commended to our entertaining Loue.
But poore is th' entertainment I can giue;
Yet free, and louing. Of such men as liue
The liues of seruants, and are still in feare
Where yong Lords gouerne; this is all the cheare
They can affoord a Stranger. There was One
That vsde to manage, this now desart Throne:
To whom the Gods deny returne; that show'd
His curious fauour to me, and bestow'd
Possessions on me: A most wished wife,
A house, and portion; and a Seruants life,
Fit for the gift a gracious King should giue:
VVho still tooke pains himselfe; & God made thriue
His personall endeuour: and to me,
His worke the more increast; in which you see
I now am conuersant. And therefore much
His hand had help't me, had heauens wil beene such,
He might haue heere growne old. But he is gone,
And would to God the whole succession
Of Hellen might go with him; since for her
So many men di'de: whose Fate did confer
My Liege to Troy, in Agamemnons grace;
To spoile her People, and her Turrets race.
Arriu'd here then thy selfe; it were a curse
To my poore meanes, to let a Stranger tast
Contempt, for fit food. Poore men, and vnplac'st
In free seats of their owne; are all from Ioue
Commended to our entertaining Loue.
But poore is th' entertainment I can giue;
Yet free, and louing. Of such men as liue
The liues of seruants, and are still in feare
Where yong Lords gouerne; this is all the cheare
They can affoord a Stranger. There was One
That vsde to manage, this now desart Throne:
To whom the Gods deny returne; that show'd
His curious fauour to me, and bestow'd
Possessions on me: A most wished wife,
A house, and portion; and a Seruants life,
Fit for the gift a gracious King should giue:
VVho still tooke pains himselfe; & God made thriue
His personall endeuour: and to me,
His worke the more increast; in which you see
I now am conuersant. And therefore much
His hand had help't me, had heauens wil beene such,
He might haue heere growne old. But he is gone,
And would to God the whole succession
Of Hellen might go with him; since for her
So many men di'de: whose Fate did confer
My Liege to Troy, in Agamemnons grace;
To spoile her People, and her Turrets race.
This said, his coate to him, he streight did gird;
And to his Sties went, that contain'd his Herd.
From whence, he tooke out two, slew both, and out
Both fairely vp. A fire enflam'd, and put
To spit the ioynts; which roasted well, he set
VVith spit and all to him, that he might eat
From thence his food, in all the sindging heat.
Yet dreg'd it first with Flowre: Then fil'd his Cup
VVith good sweet wine; Sate then, & cheard him vp.
Eate now (my guest) such leane Swine, as are meate
For vs poore Swaines: The fat, the wooers eate.
In whose minds, no shame, no remorse doth moue:
Though well they know, the blest Gods doe not loue
Vngodly actions; but respect the right,
And in the workes of pious men, delight.
But these are worse then impious; for those
That vow t'iniustice, and professe them foes
To other Nations, enter on their Land;
And Iupiter (to shew his punishing hand
Vpon th' inuaded, for their pennance then)
Giues fauour to their foes (though wicked men)
To make their prey on them; who, hauing freight
Their ships with spoile enough, weigh ancor streight;
And each man to his house; (and yet euen these,
Doth powrefull feare, of Gods iust vengeance seize
Euen for that prize, in which they so reioyce)
But these men, knowing (hauing heard the voyce
Of God, by some meanes) that sad Death hath rest
The Ruler heere; will neuer suffer left
Their vniust wooing of his wife, nor take
Her often answere: and their owne Roofes make
Their fir retreats: But (since vncheck't, they may)
They therefore wil, make still his goods their pray,
Without all spare, or end. There is no day,
Nor night sent out from God, that euer they
Prophane with one beasts blood, or onely two,
But more make spoile of: and the wrongs they do
In meates excesse; to Wine as well extend;
VVhich as excessiuely, their ryots spend:
Yet still leaue store. For sure his meanes were great;
And no Heroe, that hath choisest seate
Vpon the fruitfull neighbour Continent;
Or in this Isle it selfe, so opulent
Was, as Vlysses: No, nor twenty such
Put altogether, did possesse so much.
And to his Sties went, that contain'd his Herd.
From whence, he tooke out two, slew both, and out
Both fairely vp. A fire enflam'd, and put
To spit the ioynts; which roasted well, he set
VVith spit and all to him, that he might eat
From thence his food, in all the sindging heat.
Yet dreg'd it first with Flowre: Then fil'd his Cup
VVith good sweet wine; Sate then, & cheard him vp.
Eate now (my guest) such leane Swine, as are meate
For vs poore Swaines: The fat, the wooers eate.
In whose minds, no shame, no remorse doth moue:
Though well they know, the blest Gods doe not loue
Vngodly actions; but respect the right,
And in the workes of pious men, delight.
But these are worse then impious; for those
213
To other Nations, enter on their Land;
And Iupiter (to shew his punishing hand
Vpon th' inuaded, for their pennance then)
Giues fauour to their foes (though wicked men)
To make their prey on them; who, hauing freight
Their ships with spoile enough, weigh ancor streight;
And each man to his house; (and yet euen these,
Doth powrefull feare, of Gods iust vengeance seize
Euen for that prize, in which they so reioyce)
But these men, knowing (hauing heard the voyce
Of God, by some meanes) that sad Death hath rest
The Ruler heere; will neuer suffer left
Their vniust wooing of his wife, nor take
Her often answere: and their owne Roofes make
Their fir retreats: But (since vncheck't, they may)
They therefore wil, make still his goods their pray,
Without all spare, or end. There is no day,
Nor night sent out from God, that euer they
Prophane with one beasts blood, or onely two,
But more make spoile of: and the wrongs they do
In meates excesse; to Wine as well extend;
VVhich as excessiuely, their ryots spend:
Yet still leaue store. For sure his meanes were great;
And no Heroe, that hath choisest seate
Vpon the fruitfull neighbour Continent;
Or in this Isle it selfe, so opulent
Was, as Vlysses: No, nor twenty such
Put altogether, did possesse so much.
VVhose Herds and Flockes Ile tell to euery Head:
Vpon the Continent, he daily fed
Twelue Herds of Oxen; No lesse, Flockes of Sheepe;
As many Herds of Swine. Stals, large and steepe,
And equall sort of Goats: which Tenants there,
And his owne Sheepherds kept. Then fed he here,
Eleuen faire stalles of Goats; whose food hath yeilde
In the extreame part of a neighbor Field.
Each Stall, his Herdsman hath: An honest Swaine,
Yet euery one, must euery day sustaine
The load of one Beast, (the most fat, and best
Of all the Stall-fed) to the VVoers Feast.
And I (for my part) of the Swine I keepe
(VVith foure more Herdsmen) euery day, help steep
The VVooers appetites, in blood of one,
The most select, our choise can fall vpon.
Vpon the Continent, he daily fed
Twelue Herds of Oxen; No lesse, Flockes of Sheepe;
As many Herds of Swine. Stals, large and steepe,
And equall sort of Goats: which Tenants there,
And his owne Sheepherds kept. Then fed he here,
Eleuen faire stalles of Goats; whose food hath yeilde
In the extreame part of a neighbor Field.
Each Stall, his Herdsman hath: An honest Swaine,
Yet euery one, must euery day sustaine
The load of one Beast, (the most fat, and best
Of all the Stall-fed) to the VVoers Feast.
And I (for my part) of the Swine I keepe
(VVith foure more Herdsmen) euery day, help steep
The VVooers appetites, in blood of one,
The most select, our choise can fall vpon.
To this; Vlysses gaue good eare, and fed;
And drunke his wine; and vext; and rauished
His food for meere vexation. Seeds of ill
His Stomacke sow'd, to heare his goods go still
Yo glut of wooers. But his dinner done,
And Stomacke fed to satisfaction:
He drunke a full Bowle, all of onely wine,
And gaue it to the Guardian of his Swine:
Who tooke it, and reioyc't. To whom he said;
And drunke his wine; and vext; and rauished
His food for meere vexation. Seeds of ill
214
Yo glut of wooers. But his dinner done,
And Stomacke fed to satisfaction:
He drunke a full Bowle, all of onely wine,
And gaue it to the Guardian of his Swine:
Who tooke it, and reioyc't. To whom he said;
O Friend, who is it that (so rich) hath paid
Price for thy seruice? Whose commended pow'r,
Thou sayst (to grace the Græcian Conquerour)
At Ilion perisht? Tell me; it may fall
I knew some such. The great God knowes, and all
The other deathlesse Godheads: if I can
(Farre hauing trauail'd) tell of such a man.
Price for thy seruice? Whose commended pow'r,
Thou sayst (to grace the Græcian Conquerour)
At Ilion perisht? Tell me; it may fall
I knew some such. The great God knowes, and all
The other deathlesse Godheads: if I can
(Farre hauing trauail'd) tell of such a man.
Eumæus answer'd: Father, neuer one
Of all the Strangers that haue touch't vpon
This Coast with his lifes Newes, could euer yet
Of Queene, or lou'd sonne, any credit get.
These Trauailers for cloathes, or for a meale;
At all aduentures, any lye will tell.
Nor do they trade for truth: not any man
That saw the people Ithacensian,
Of all their sort; and had the Queenes supplies,
Did euer tell her any newes, but lies.
She graciously receiues them yet; enquires
Of all she can: and all, in teares expires.
It is th' accustom'd Law, that women keepe.
Their husbands, elsewhere dead, at home to weepe.
But do thou, quickly Father, forge a Tale;
Some Coat, or cloake, to keepe thee warme withall,
Perhaps some one may yeeld thee: But for him,
Vultures and Dogges, haue torne from euery lim
His porous skin; and forth his soule is fled:
His coarse at Sea, to Fishes forfeited:
Or on the Shore, lies hid in heapes of sand;
And there hath he his ebbe: his Natiue Strand
With friends teares flowing. But to me, past all
VVere teares created: For I neuer shall
Finde so humane a royall Mayster more;
VVhat euer Sea, I seeke; what euer Shore.
Nay, to my Father, or my Mothers loue
Should I returne; by whom, I breath and moue,
Could I so much ioy offer; nor these eyes
(Though my desires sustaine extremities
For their sad absence) would so faine be blest
VVith sight of their liues, in my natiue Nest,
As with Vlysses dead: in whose last rest,
(O friend) my soule shall loue him. Hee's not here,
Nor do I name him like a Flatterer.
But as one thankfull for his Loue and care
To me a poore man; in the rich so rare.
And be he past all shores, where Sun can shine,
I will inuoke him as a soule diuine.
Of all the Strangers that haue touch't vpon
This Coast with his lifes Newes, could euer yet
Of Queene, or lou'd sonne, any credit get.
These Trauailers for cloathes, or for a meale;
At all aduentures, any lye will tell.
Nor do they trade for truth: not any man
That saw the people Ithacensian,
Of all their sort; and had the Queenes supplies,
Did euer tell her any newes, but lies.
She graciously receiues them yet; enquires
Of all she can: and all, in teares expires.
It is th' accustom'd Law, that women keepe.
Their husbands, elsewhere dead, at home to weepe.
But do thou, quickly Father, forge a Tale;
Some Coat, or cloake, to keepe thee warme withall,
Perhaps some one may yeeld thee: But for him,
Vultures and Dogges, haue torne from euery lim
His porous skin; and forth his soule is fled:
His coarse at Sea, to Fishes forfeited:
Or on the Shore, lies hid in heapes of sand;
And there hath he his ebbe: his Natiue Strand
With friends teares flowing. But to me, past all
VVere teares created: For I neuer shall
Finde so humane a royall Mayster more;
VVhat euer Sea, I seeke; what euer Shore.
Nay, to my Father, or my Mothers loue
Should I returne; by whom, I breath and moue,
Could I so much ioy offer; nor these eyes
(Though my desires sustaine extremities
For their sad absence) would so faine be blest
VVith sight of their liues, in my natiue Nest,
As with Vlysses dead: in whose last rest,
(O friend) my soule shall loue him. Hee's not here,
Nor do I name him like a Flatterer.
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To me a poore man; in the rich so rare.
And be he past all shores, where Sun can shine,
I will inuoke him as a soule diuine.
O Friend (sayd he) to say, and to beleeue
He cannot liue, doth too much license giue
To incredulity. For (not to speake
At needy randon; but my breath to breake
In sacred Oath) Vlysses shall returne.
And when his sight recomforts those that mourne,
In his owne roofes; then giue me cloake, and cote,
And garments worthy of a man of note.
Before which, though neede vrg'd me neuer so,
Ile not receiue a thred, but naked go.
No lesse I hate him then the gates of hell,
That poorenesse can force, an vntruth to tell.
Let Ioue then (heauens chiefe God) iust witnes beare,
And this thy hospitable Table heere;
Together with vnblam'd Vlysses house,
In which I finde receipt so gracious;
VVhat I affirm'd of him shall all be true.
This instant yeare, thine eyes euen heere shall view
Thy Lord Vlysses. Nay, ere this moneths end
(Return'd full home) he shall reuenge extend
To euery one, whose euer deed hath done
VVrong to his wife, and his illustrous Sonne.
He cannot liue, doth too much license giue
To incredulity. For (not to speake
At needy randon; but my breath to breake
In sacred Oath) Vlysses shall returne.
And when his sight recomforts those that mourne,
In his owne roofes; then giue me cloake, and cote,
And garments worthy of a man of note.
Before which, though neede vrg'd me neuer so,
Ile not receiue a thred, but naked go.
No lesse I hate him then the gates of hell,
That poorenesse can force, an vntruth to tell.
Let Ioue then (heauens chiefe God) iust witnes beare,
And this thy hospitable Table heere;
Together with vnblam'd Vlysses house,
In which I finde receipt so gracious;
VVhat I affirm'd of him shall all be true.
This instant yeare, thine eyes euen heere shall view
Thy Lord Vlysses. Nay, ere this moneths end
(Return'd full home) he shall reuenge extend
To euery one, whose euer deed hath done
VVrong to his wife, and his illustrous Sonne.
O Father (he replied) ile neither giue
Thy newes reward; nor doth Vlysses liue.
But come; enough of this; let's drinke and eate,
And neuer more his memory repeate.
It greeues my heart to be remembred thus
By any one, of one so glorious.
But stand your oath, in your assertion strong,
And let Vlysses come, for whom I long:
For whom his wife; for whom his aged Sire;
For whom his Son, consumes his God-like fire;
VVhose chance I now must mourne, and euer shall.
VVhom when the Gods had brought to be as tall
As any vpright plant: and I had saide,
He would amongst a Court of men haue swaide
In counsailes; and for forme, haue bene admir'd
Euen with his Father: some God misinspir'd,
Or man tooke from him, his owne equall minde;
And past him for the Pylian Shore, to finde
His long-lost Father. In returne from whence,
The Wooers pride, way-layes his innocence;
That, of diuine Arcesius, all the race
May fade to Ithaca, and not the grace
Of any Name, left to it. But leave we
His state, howeuer: if surpriz'd he be
Or if he scape. And may Saturnius hand
Protect him safely to his natiue Land.
Do you then (Father) shew your griefes, and cause
Of your arriuall heere; nor breake the hawes
That Truth prescribes you: but relate your name,
And of what race you are: your Fathers fame,
And natiue Cities: Ship and men vnfold,
That to this Isle convaid you: since I hold
Your heere arriuall, was not all by shore;
Nor that your feete, your aged person bore.
Thy newes reward; nor doth Vlysses liue.
But come; enough of this; let's drinke and eate,
And neuer more his memory repeate.
It greeues my heart to be remembred thus
By any one, of one so glorious.
But stand your oath, in your assertion strong,
And let Vlysses come, for whom I long:
For whom his wife; for whom his aged Sire;
For whom his Son, consumes his God-like fire;
VVhose chance I now must mourne, and euer shall.
VVhom when the Gods had brought to be as tall
As any vpright plant: and I had saide,
He would amongst a Court of men haue swaide
In counsailes; and for forme, haue bene admir'd
Euen with his Father: some God misinspir'd,
Or man tooke from him, his owne equall minde;
And past him for the Pylian Shore, to finde
His long-lost Father. In returne from whence,
The Wooers pride, way-layes his innocence;
That, of diuine Arcesius, all the race
May fade to Ithaca, and not the grace
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His state, howeuer: if surpriz'd he be
Or if he scape. And may Saturnius hand
Protect him safely to his natiue Land.
Do you then (Father) shew your griefes, and cause
Of your arriuall heere; nor breake the hawes
That Truth prescribes you: but relate your name,
And of what race you are: your Fathers fame,
And natiue Cities: Ship and men vnfold,
That to this Isle convaid you: since I hold
Your heere arriuall, was not all by shore;
Nor that your feete, your aged person bore.
He answer'd him; Ile tell all strictly true,
If time, and foode, and wine enough acrue
Within your roofe to vs: that freely we
May sit and banquet: Let your businesse be
Discharg'd by others. For, when all is done,
I can not easly, while the yeare doth runne
His circle round, run ouer all the woes,
Beneath which (by the course the Gods dispose)
My sad age labours. First, Ile tell you then;
From ample Crete I fetch my native strain;
My Father wealthy; whose house, many a life
Brought forth and bred besides, by his true wife.
But me; a Bond-maid bore; his Concubine?
Yet tender'd was I, as his lawfull line
By him; of whose race, I my life profes
Castor, his name; surnam'd Hylacides
A man, in fore-times, by the Cretan State,
For goods, good children, and his fortunate
Successe in all acts; of no meane esteem.
But death-conferring Fates, haue banisht him
To Pluto's kingdome. After whom, his sons
By Lots diuided his possessions;
And gaue me passing little; yet bestow'd
A house on me: to which; my vertues woo'd
A wife from rich mens roofes; nor was borne low,
Nor last in fight, though all Nerues faile me now.
But I suppose, that you by thus much seene,
Know by the stubble, what the Corne hath bene.
For, past all doubt; affliction past all meane
Hath brought my age on: but, in seasons past;
Both Mars and Pallas, haue with boldnesse grac'st;
And Fortitude my fortunes; when I chus'd
Choise men for ambush, prest to haue produc'd
Ill to mine enemies; my too ventrous spirit,
Set neuer death before mine eyes, for merit.
But (farre the first aduanc't still) still I strooke
Dead with my Lance, whoeuer ouertooke
My speed of foot. Such was I then for warre.
But rusticke actions, euer fled me farre,
And houshold thrift, which breeds a famous race.
In Ore-driuen Ships, did I my pleasures place:
In Battailes, light Darts, Arrowes. Sad things all,
And into others thoughts, with horror fall.
If time, and foode, and wine enough acrue
Within your roofe to vs: that freely we
May sit and banquet: Let your businesse be
Discharg'd by others. For, when all is done,
I can not easly, while the yeare doth runne
His circle round, run ouer all the woes,
Beneath which (by the course the Gods dispose)
My sad age labours. First, Ile tell you then;
From ample Crete I fetch my native strain;
My Father wealthy; whose house, many a life
Brought forth and bred besides, by his true wife.
But me; a Bond-maid bore; his Concubine?
Yet tender'd was I, as his lawfull line
By him; of whose race, I my life profes
Castor, his name; surnam'd Hylacides
A man, in fore-times, by the Cretan State,
For goods, good children, and his fortunate
Successe in all acts; of no meane esteem.
But death-conferring Fates, haue banisht him
To Pluto's kingdome. After whom, his sons
By Lots diuided his possessions;
And gaue me passing little; yet bestow'd
A house on me: to which; my vertues woo'd
A wife from rich mens roofes; nor was borne low,
Nor last in fight, though all Nerues faile me now.
But I suppose, that you by thus much seene,
Know by the stubble, what the Corne hath bene.
For, past all doubt; affliction past all meane
Hath brought my age on: but, in seasons past;
Both Mars and Pallas, haue with boldnesse grac'st;
And Fortitude my fortunes; when I chus'd
Choise men for ambush, prest to haue produc'd
Ill to mine enemies; my too ventrous spirit,
Set neuer death before mine eyes, for merit.
But (farre the first aduanc't still) still I strooke
217
My speed of foot. Such was I then for warre.
But rusticke actions, euer fled me farre,
And houshold thrift, which breeds a famous race.
In Ore-driuen Ships, did I my pleasures place:
In Battailes, light Darts, Arrowes. Sad things all,
And into others thoughts, with horror fall.
But what God put into my minde: to me
I still esteem'd as my felicity.
As men, of seuerall Mettals are addrest;
So, seuerall formes are in their soules imprest.
I still esteem'd as my felicity.
As men, of seuerall Mettals are addrest;
So, seuerall formes are in their soules imprest.
Before the sonnes of Greece, set foot in Troy,
Nine times, in Chiefe, I did Command enioy
Of Men and Ships, against our forreigne foe;
And all I fitly wish't, succeeded so.
Yet, after this, I much exploit atchieu'd;
VVhen straight, my house in all possessions thriu'd.
Yet after that, I great, and Reuerend grew
Amongst the Cretans: till the Thunderer drew
Our Forces out, in his foe Troy decrees.
A hatefull seruice, that dissolu'd the knees
Of many a Soldier. And to this was I
And famous Idomene, enioyn'd t'apply
Our ships and pow'rs. Nor was there to be heard
One reason for deniall; so prefer'd
Was the vnreasonable peoples rumour.
Nine yeares we therefore fed the martiall humor;
And in the tenth (de-peopling Priams Towne)
We sail'd for home. But God had quickly blowne
Our Fleete in peeces; and to wretched mee,
The Counsailor Ioue, did much mishap decree.
For, onely one month, I had leave t'enioy
My wife, and children; and my goods t'employ.
But, after this, my minde for Egypt stoode;
When nine faire ships, I rig'd forth for the flood:
Mann'd them with noble soldiers: all things fit
For such a voyage, soone were won to it.
Yet sixe dayes after, staid my friends in feast;
VVhile I, in banquets to the Gods, addrest
Much sacred matter for their sacrifice.
The seauenth, we boorded; and the Northerne skies
Lent vs a franke, and passing prosperous gale,
Fore which, we bore as free and easie saile,
As we had back't a full and frolicke tide;
Nor felt one Ship misfortune for her pride;
But safe we sat, our Sailors and the winde
Consenting in our conuoy? When heaven shin'de
In sacred radiance of the fift faire day:
To sweetly-water'd Egypt reach't our way,
And there we anchor'd: where I charg'd my men
To stay aboord, and watch. Dismissing then
Some scouts, to get the hill-tops, and discouer,
They (to their owne intemperance giuen ouer)
Straight fell to forrage the rich fields; and thence
Enforce both wiues and infants, with th' expence
Of both their bloods. When straight the rumor flew
Vp to the City: (which heard) vp they drew
By daies first breake; and all the field was fild
VVith foot & horse; whose Armes did all things gild.
And then the Lightning-louing Deity, cast
A foule flight on my soldiers: nor stood fast
One man of all. About whom Mischiefe stood,
And with his stern steele, drew in streames the blood,
The greater part fed in their dissolute vaines:
The rest were sau'd, and made enthralled Swaines,
To all the basest vsages there bred.
And then, euen Ioue himselfe supplyed my head
VVith sauing counsaile; (though I wisht to dye,
And there in Egypt, with their slaughters lye,
So much griefe seiz'd me) but Ioue made me yield;
Dishelme my head, take from my necke, my shield:
Hurle from my hand my Lance, and to the troop
Of horse, the King led, instantly made vp;
Embrace, and kisse his knees; whom pitty won,
To giue me safety, and (to make me shun
The peoples outrage, that made in amaine,
All ioyntly fir'd, with thirst to see me slaine)
He tooke me to his Chariot, weeping home;
Himselfe with feare of Ioues wrath ouercome,
VVho yeelding soules receiues; and takes most ill
All such as well may saue, yet loue to kill.
Seuen yeares I soiourn'd heere, and measure gat,
In good abundance of th' Egyptian state:
For all would giue. But when th' eight yeare began:
A knowing Fellow (that would gnaw a man
Like to a Vermine, with his hellish braine,
And many an honest soule, euen quicke had slaine;
VVhose name was Phœnix) close accosted me:
And with insinuations, such as he
Practis'd on others, my consent he gain'd
To go into Phœnicia; where remain'd
His house, and liuing. And with him I liu'd
A compleat yeare. But, when were all arriu'd
The months and daies: and that the yeare againe
VVas turning round; and euery seasons raigne
Renew'd vpon vs; we for Lybia went:
VVhen (still inuenting crafts to circumuent)
He made pretext, that I should onely go
And helpe conuey his freight; but thought not so:
For his intent was, to haue sold me there,
And made good gaine, for finding me a yeare.
Yet him I follow'd, though suspecting this:
For, being aboord his Ship, I must be his
Of strong Necessity. She ran the flood
(Driuen with a Northerne gale, right free, and good)
Amids the full streame, full on Crete. But then,
Ioue plotted death to him, and all his men.
For (put off quite from Crete, and so farre gone
That Shore was lost; and we set eye on none:
But all shew'd heauen and sea) aboue our Keele
Ioue pointed right, a cloud as blacke as hell:
Beneath which, all the sea hid; and from whence
Ioue thunder'd, as his hand would neuer thence.
And thicke into our Ship, he threw his flash:
That 'gainst a Rocke, or Flat, her Keele did dash
VVith headlong Rapture. Of the sulphure all
Her bulke did sauour; and her men let fall
Amids the Surges: on which, all lay tost
Like Sea-guls, round about her sides, and lost.
And so, God tooke, all home-returne from them.
But Ioue himselfe (though plung'd in that extream)
Recouer'd me, by thrusting on my hand
The Ships long Mast. And (that my life might stand
A little more vp) I embrac't it round;
And on the rude windes, thae did ruines sound,
Nine dayes we houer'd. In the tenth blacke night
A huge Sea cast me on Thesprotia's height:
VVhere the Heroe Phidon, that was chiefe
Of all the Thesprotes; gaue my wracke reliefe,
VVithout the price of that redemption
That Phœnix fish't for. VVhere the Kings lou'd son
Came to me; tooke me by the hand, & led
Into his Court; my poore life surffetted
VVith cold and labour: and because my wrack
Chanc't on his Fathers Shore: he let not lack
My plight; or coate, or cloake, or any thing
Might cherish heate in me. And heere the King,
Said, he receiu'd Vlysses as his Guest;
Obseru'd him Friend-like; and his course addrest
Home to his country: shewing there to me
Vlysses goods. A very Treasure
Of Brasse, & Gold, & Steele of curious frame.
And to the tenth succession of his name
He laid vp wealth enough, to serue beside
In that Kings house; so hugely amplified
His treasure was. But from his Court, the King
Affirm'd him ship't, for the Dodonean Spring:
To heare, from out the high-hair'd Oake of Ioue,
Counsaile from him: for meanes to his remoue
To his lou'd country, whence so many a yeare
He had bene absent; If he should appeare
Disguisd, or manifest: and further swore
In his mid Court, at Sacrifice, before
These very eyes; that he had ready there
Both Ship and Souldiers, to attend and beare
Him to his country. But before; it chanc't
That a Thesprotean Ship, was to be lanch't
For the much-come-renown'd Dulichian Land:
In which, the King gaue to his men command
To take, and bring me vnder tender hand
To King Acastus. But, in ill designe
Of my poore life, did their desires combine;
So farre forth, as might euer keepe me vnder
In fortunes hands, and teare my state in sunder.
And when the water-treader, farre away
Had lost the Land: then plotted they the day
Of my long seruitude; and tooke from me
Both coate and cloake, and all things that might be
Grace in my habit; and in place, put on
These tatter'd rags, which now you see vpon
My wretched bosom. When heauens light took sea,
They fetcht the Field-workes of faire Ithaca;
And in the arm'd Ship, with a wel-wreath'd cord
They streightly bound me, and did all disbord
To shore to supper, in contentious rout.
Yet straight, the Gods themselues, tooke from about
My pressed limbes the bands, with equall ease;
And I (my head in rags wrapt) tooke the Seas,
Descending by the smooth sterne; vsing then
My hands for Oares; and made from these bad men
Long way, in little time. At last, I fetcht
A goodly Groue of Okes; whose Shore I recht,
And cast me prostrate on it. When they knew
My thus-made-scape, about the Shores they flew:
But (soone not finding) held it not their best
To seeke me further; but return'd to rest
Aboord their Vessell. Me, the Gods lodg'd close,
Conducting me into the safe repose
A good mans stable yeelded. And thus, Fate
This poore houre added, to my liuing date.
Nine times, in Chiefe, I did Command enioy
Of Men and Ships, against our forreigne foe;
And all I fitly wish't, succeeded so.
Yet, after this, I much exploit atchieu'd;
VVhen straight, my house in all possessions thriu'd.
Yet after that, I great, and Reuerend grew
Amongst the Cretans: till the Thunderer drew
Our Forces out, in his foe Troy decrees.
A hatefull seruice, that dissolu'd the knees
Of many a Soldier. And to this was I
And famous Idomene, enioyn'd t'apply
Our ships and pow'rs. Nor was there to be heard
One reason for deniall; so prefer'd
Was the vnreasonable peoples rumour.
Nine yeares we therefore fed the martiall humor;
And in the tenth (de-peopling Priams Towne)
We sail'd for home. But God had quickly blowne
Our Fleete in peeces; and to wretched mee,
The Counsailor Ioue, did much mishap decree.
For, onely one month, I had leave t'enioy
My wife, and children; and my goods t'employ.
But, after this, my minde for Egypt stoode;
When nine faire ships, I rig'd forth for the flood:
Mann'd them with noble soldiers: all things fit
For such a voyage, soone were won to it.
Yet sixe dayes after, staid my friends in feast;
VVhile I, in banquets to the Gods, addrest
Much sacred matter for their sacrifice.
The seauenth, we boorded; and the Northerne skies
Lent vs a franke, and passing prosperous gale,
Fore which, we bore as free and easie saile,
As we had back't a full and frolicke tide;
Nor felt one Ship misfortune for her pride;
But safe we sat, our Sailors and the winde
Consenting in our conuoy? When heaven shin'de
In sacred radiance of the fift faire day:
218
And there we anchor'd: where I charg'd my men
To stay aboord, and watch. Dismissing then
Some scouts, to get the hill-tops, and discouer,
They (to their owne intemperance giuen ouer)
Straight fell to forrage the rich fields; and thence
Enforce both wiues and infants, with th' expence
Of both their bloods. When straight the rumor flew
Vp to the City: (which heard) vp they drew
By daies first breake; and all the field was fild
VVith foot & horse; whose Armes did all things gild.
And then the Lightning-louing Deity, cast
A foule flight on my soldiers: nor stood fast
One man of all. About whom Mischiefe stood,
And with his stern steele, drew in streames the blood,
The greater part fed in their dissolute vaines:
The rest were sau'd, and made enthralled Swaines,
To all the basest vsages there bred.
And then, euen Ioue himselfe supplyed my head
VVith sauing counsaile; (though I wisht to dye,
And there in Egypt, with their slaughters lye,
So much griefe seiz'd me) but Ioue made me yield;
Dishelme my head, take from my necke, my shield:
Hurle from my hand my Lance, and to the troop
Of horse, the King led, instantly made vp;
Embrace, and kisse his knees; whom pitty won,
To giue me safety, and (to make me shun
The peoples outrage, that made in amaine,
All ioyntly fir'd, with thirst to see me slaine)
He tooke me to his Chariot, weeping home;
Himselfe with feare of Ioues wrath ouercome,
VVho yeelding soules receiues; and takes most ill
All such as well may saue, yet loue to kill.
Seuen yeares I soiourn'd heere, and measure gat,
In good abundance of th' Egyptian state:
For all would giue. But when th' eight yeare began:
A knowing Fellow (that would gnaw a man
Like to a Vermine, with his hellish braine,
And many an honest soule, euen quicke had slaine;
VVhose name was Phœnix) close accosted me:
And with insinuations, such as he
Practis'd on others, my consent he gain'd
To go into Phœnicia; where remain'd
His house, and liuing. And with him I liu'd
A compleat yeare. But, when were all arriu'd
The months and daies: and that the yeare againe
VVas turning round; and euery seasons raigne
Renew'd vpon vs; we for Lybia went:
219
He made pretext, that I should onely go
And helpe conuey his freight; but thought not so:
For his intent was, to haue sold me there,
And made good gaine, for finding me a yeare.
Yet him I follow'd, though suspecting this:
For, being aboord his Ship, I must be his
Of strong Necessity. She ran the flood
(Driuen with a Northerne gale, right free, and good)
Amids the full streame, full on Crete. But then,
Ioue plotted death to him, and all his men.
For (put off quite from Crete, and so farre gone
That Shore was lost; and we set eye on none:
But all shew'd heauen and sea) aboue our Keele
Ioue pointed right, a cloud as blacke as hell:
Beneath which, all the sea hid; and from whence
Ioue thunder'd, as his hand would neuer thence.
And thicke into our Ship, he threw his flash:
That 'gainst a Rocke, or Flat, her Keele did dash
VVith headlong Rapture. Of the sulphure all
Her bulke did sauour; and her men let fall
Amids the Surges: on which, all lay tost
Like Sea-guls, round about her sides, and lost.
And so, God tooke, all home-returne from them.
But Ioue himselfe (though plung'd in that extream)
Recouer'd me, by thrusting on my hand
The Ships long Mast. And (that my life might stand
A little more vp) I embrac't it round;
And on the rude windes, thae did ruines sound,
Nine dayes we houer'd. In the tenth blacke night
A huge Sea cast me on Thesprotia's height:
VVhere the Heroe Phidon, that was chiefe
Of all the Thesprotes; gaue my wracke reliefe,
VVithout the price of that redemption
That Phœnix fish't for. VVhere the Kings lou'd son
Came to me; tooke me by the hand, & led
Into his Court; my poore life surffetted
VVith cold and labour: and because my wrack
Chanc't on his Fathers Shore: he let not lack
My plight; or coate, or cloake, or any thing
Might cherish heate in me. And heere the King,
Said, he receiu'd Vlysses as his Guest;
Obseru'd him Friend-like; and his course addrest
Home to his country: shewing there to me
Vlysses goods. A very Treasure
Of Brasse, & Gold, & Steele of curious frame.
And to the tenth succession of his name
He laid vp wealth enough, to serue beside
220
His treasure was. But from his Court, the King
Affirm'd him ship't, for the Dodonean Spring:
To heare, from out the high-hair'd Oake of Ioue,
Counsaile from him: for meanes to his remoue
To his lou'd country, whence so many a yeare
He had bene absent; If he should appeare
Disguisd, or manifest: and further swore
In his mid Court, at Sacrifice, before
These very eyes; that he had ready there
Both Ship and Souldiers, to attend and beare
Him to his country. But before; it chanc't
That a Thesprotean Ship, was to be lanch't
For the much-come-renown'd Dulichian Land:
In which, the King gaue to his men command
To take, and bring me vnder tender hand
To King Acastus. But, in ill designe
Of my poore life, did their desires combine;
So farre forth, as might euer keepe me vnder
In fortunes hands, and teare my state in sunder.
And when the water-treader, farre away
Had lost the Land: then plotted they the day
Of my long seruitude; and tooke from me
Both coate and cloake, and all things that might be
Grace in my habit; and in place, put on
These tatter'd rags, which now you see vpon
My wretched bosom. When heauens light took sea,
They fetcht the Field-workes of faire Ithaca;
And in the arm'd Ship, with a wel-wreath'd cord
They streightly bound me, and did all disbord
To shore to supper, in contentious rout.
Yet straight, the Gods themselues, tooke from about
My pressed limbes the bands, with equall ease;
And I (my head in rags wrapt) tooke the Seas,
Descending by the smooth sterne; vsing then
My hands for Oares; and made from these bad men
Long way, in little time. At last, I fetcht
A goodly Groue of Okes; whose Shore I recht,
And cast me prostrate on it. When they knew
My thus-made-scape, about the Shores they flew:
But (soone not finding) held it not their best
To seeke me further; but return'd to rest
Aboord their Vessell. Me, the Gods lodg'd close,
Conducting me into the safe repose
A good mans stable yeelded. And thus, Fate
This poore houre added, to my liuing date.
O wretch of Guests (said he) thy Tale hath stirr'd
My minde to much ruth: both how thou hast err'd
And suffer'd hearing, in such good parts showne:
But what thy chang'd relation would make knowne
About Vlysses; I hold neither true,
Nor will beleeue: and what need'st thou pursue
A Lye so rashly? Since he sure is so
As I conceiue; for which, my skill shall go.
The safe returne my King lackes, cannot be;
He is so enuied of each Deity,
So cleere, so cruelly. For not in Troy
They gaue him end; nor let his Corpse enioy
The hands of Friends (which well they might haue done,
He manag'd armes to such perfection;
And should haue had his Sepulcher, and all;
And all the Greekes to grace his Funerall:
And this had giuen a glory to his Son
Through all times future.) But his head is run
Vnseene, vnhonor'd, into Harpies mawes.
For my part, Ile not meddle with the cause:
I liue a separate life, amongst my Swine;
Come at no Towne for any need of mine;
Vnlesse the circularly witted Queene
(When any farre-come guest, is to be seene
That brings her newes) commands me bring a Brawn;
About which (all things being in question drawne,
That touch the King) they sit; and some are sad
For his long absence. Some againe, are glad
To waste his goods vnwreak't; all talking still.
But, as for me, I nourish't little will
T'enquire or question of him: since the man
That faign'd himselfe, the fled Etolian,
For slaughtering one, (through many Regions straid)
In my Stall (as his diuersory) staide.
VVhere well entreating him; he told me then,
Amongst the Cretans, with King Idomen,
He saw Vlysses; at his Ships repaire,
That had bene brush't with the enraged aire:
And that, in Summer, or in Autumne, sure
VVith all his braue friends, and rich furniture,
He would be heere: and nothing so, nor so.
But thou, an old man, taught with so much wo
As thou hast suffer'd, to be season'd true,
And brought by his fate; do not heere pursue
His gratulations, with thy cunning Lies.
Thou canst not soake so through my Faculties.
For I did neuer, either honor thee
Or giue thee loue, to bring these tales to me.
But in my feare of Hospitable Ioue
Thou didst to this passe, my affections moue.
You stand exceeding much incredulous,
(Reply'd Vlysses) to haue witnest thus
My word, and Oath; yet yeeld no trust at all.
But make we now a couenant here, and call
The dreadfull Gods to witnesse, that take seat
In large Olympus: if your Kings retreat
Proue made, euen hither; you shall furnish me
With cloake, and coate, and make my passage free
For lou'd Dulichius. If (as fits my vow)
Your King returne not; let your seruants throw
My old limbes headlong, from some rock most hye,
That other poore men may take feare to lye.
My minde to much ruth: both how thou hast err'd
221
But what thy chang'd relation would make knowne
About Vlysses; I hold neither true,
Nor will beleeue: and what need'st thou pursue
A Lye so rashly? Since he sure is so
As I conceiue; for which, my skill shall go.
The safe returne my King lackes, cannot be;
He is so enuied of each Deity,
So cleere, so cruelly. For not in Troy
They gaue him end; nor let his Corpse enioy
The hands of Friends (which well they might haue done,
He manag'd armes to such perfection;
And should haue had his Sepulcher, and all;
And all the Greekes to grace his Funerall:
And this had giuen a glory to his Son
Through all times future.) But his head is run
Vnseene, vnhonor'd, into Harpies mawes.
For my part, Ile not meddle with the cause:
I liue a separate life, amongst my Swine;
Come at no Towne for any need of mine;
Vnlesse the circularly witted Queene
(When any farre-come guest, is to be seene
That brings her newes) commands me bring a Brawn;
About which (all things being in question drawne,
That touch the King) they sit; and some are sad
For his long absence. Some againe, are glad
To waste his goods vnwreak't; all talking still.
But, as for me, I nourish't little will
T'enquire or question of him: since the man
That faign'd himselfe, the fled Etolian,
For slaughtering one, (through many Regions straid)
In my Stall (as his diuersory) staide.
VVhere well entreating him; he told me then,
Amongst the Cretans, with King Idomen,
He saw Vlysses; at his Ships repaire,
That had bene brush't with the enraged aire:
And that, in Summer, or in Autumne, sure
VVith all his braue friends, and rich furniture,
He would be heere: and nothing so, nor so.
But thou, an old man, taught with so much wo
As thou hast suffer'd, to be season'd true,
And brought by his fate; do not heere pursue
His gratulations, with thy cunning Lies.
Thou canst not soake so through my Faculties.
For I did neuer, either honor thee
Or giue thee loue, to bring these tales to me.
But in my feare of Hospitable Ioue
Thou didst to this passe, my affections moue.
222
(Reply'd Vlysses) to haue witnest thus
My word, and Oath; yet yeeld no trust at all.
But make we now a couenant here, and call
The dreadfull Gods to witnesse, that take seat
In large Olympus: if your Kings retreat
Proue made, euen hither; you shall furnish me
With cloake, and coate, and make my passage free
For lou'd Dulichius. If (as fits my vow)
Your King returne not; let your seruants throw
My old limbes headlong, from some rock most hye,
That other poore men may take feare to lye.
The Herdsman, that had gifts in him diuine,
Replied; O Guest, how shal this Fame of mine
And honest vertue, amongst men, remaine
Now, and heereafter, without worthy staine;
If I, that led thee to my Houell heere,
And made thee fitting hospitable cheere,
Should after kill thee; and thy loued minde
Force from thy bones? Or how should stand enclin'd
With any Faith, my will t'importune Ioue
In any prayer heereafter, for his loue?
Replied; O Guest, how shal this Fame of mine
And honest vertue, amongst men, remaine
Now, and heereafter, without worthy staine;
If I, that led thee to my Houell heere,
And made thee fitting hospitable cheere,
Should after kill thee; and thy loued minde
Force from thy bones? Or how should stand enclin'd
With any Faith, my will t'importune Ioue
In any prayer heereafter, for his loue?
Come, now 'tis supper's houre; and instant hast
My men wil make home: when our sweet repast
Wee'le taste together. This discourse they held
In mutual kinde; when from a neighbor field,
His Swine and Swine-herds came; who in their coats
Inclosd their Herds for sleepe: which, mighty throats
Laid out entring. Then, the God-like Swaine
His men enioyn'd thus: Bring me to be slaine
A chiefe Swine female, for my stranger Guest:
VVhen, altogether we wil take our Feast,
Refreshing now our spirits, that all day take
Paines in our Swines good: who may therfore make
For our paines with them all, amends with one;
Since others eate our Labors, and take none?
This said; his sharpe steele hew'd down wood, & they
A passing fat Swine hal'd out of the Sty,
Of fiue yeares old, which to the fire they put.
VVhen first Eumæus from the Front did out
The sacred haire, and cast it in the fire;
Then, pray'd to heauen: for stil, before desire
VVas seru'd with food, in their so rude abode,
Not the poore Swine-herd would forget the Gods.
Good soules they bore, how bad soeuer were
The habits, that their bodies parts did beare.
VVhen all, the deathlesse Deities besought,
That wise Vlysses might be safely brought
Home, to his house; then with a logge of Oke
Left lying by (high lifting it) a stroke
He gaue so deadly, it made life expire.
Then cut the rest, her throat; and all in fire
They hid and sindg'd her: cut her vp, and then,
The Maister tooke the office from the men,
VVho on the Altar did the parts impose
That seru'd for sacrifice: beginning close
About the belly; thorough which he went,
And (all the chiefe fat gathering) gaue it vent
(Part dreg'd with Flowre) into the sacred flame;
Then cut they vp the ioynts, and roasted them:
Drew all from spit, and seru'd in dishes all.
Then rose Eumæus, (who was General
In skill to guide each act, his fit euent)
And (all, in seuen parts cut) the first part went
To seruice of the Nymphs, and Mercury;
To whose names, he did Rites of piety
In vowes particular; and all the rest
He shar'd to euery one: but his lou'd Guest
He grac't with all the Chine; and of that King
To haue his heart chear'd, set vp euery string.
VVhich he obseruing saide; I would to Ioue
(Eumæus) thou liu'dst in his worthy loue
As great as mine; that giu'st to such a guest
As my poore selfe, of all thy goods the best.
My men wil make home: when our sweet repast
Wee'le taste together. This discourse they held
In mutual kinde; when from a neighbor field,
His Swine and Swine-herds came; who in their coats
Inclosd their Herds for sleepe: which, mighty throats
Laid out entring. Then, the God-like Swaine
His men enioyn'd thus: Bring me to be slaine
A chiefe Swine female, for my stranger Guest:
VVhen, altogether we wil take our Feast,
Refreshing now our spirits, that all day take
Paines in our Swines good: who may therfore make
For our paines with them all, amends with one;
Since others eate our Labors, and take none?
This said; his sharpe steele hew'd down wood, & they
A passing fat Swine hal'd out of the Sty,
Of fiue yeares old, which to the fire they put.
VVhen first Eumæus from the Front did out
The sacred haire, and cast it in the fire;
Then, pray'd to heauen: for stil, before desire
VVas seru'd with food, in their so rude abode,
Not the poore Swine-herd would forget the Gods.
Good soules they bore, how bad soeuer were
The habits, that their bodies parts did beare.
VVhen all, the deathlesse Deities besought,
That wise Vlysses might be safely brought
223
Left lying by (high lifting it) a stroke
He gaue so deadly, it made life expire.
Then cut the rest, her throat; and all in fire
They hid and sindg'd her: cut her vp, and then,
The Maister tooke the office from the men,
VVho on the Altar did the parts impose
That seru'd for sacrifice: beginning close
About the belly; thorough which he went,
And (all the chiefe fat gathering) gaue it vent
(Part dreg'd with Flowre) into the sacred flame;
Then cut they vp the ioynts, and roasted them:
Drew all from spit, and seru'd in dishes all.
Then rose Eumæus, (who was General
In skill to guide each act, his fit euent)
And (all, in seuen parts cut) the first part went
To seruice of the Nymphs, and Mercury;
To whose names, he did Rites of piety
In vowes particular; and all the rest
He shar'd to euery one: but his lou'd Guest
He grac't with all the Chine; and of that King
To haue his heart chear'd, set vp euery string.
VVhich he obseruing saide; I would to Ioue
(Eumæus) thou liu'dst in his worthy loue
As great as mine; that giu'st to such a guest
As my poore selfe, of all thy goods the best.
Eumæus answer'd; Eate, vnhappy wretch,
And to what heere is, at thy pleasure reach.
This I haue; this thou want'st: thus God will giue,
Thus take away; in vs, and all that liue.
To his wil's equall center, all things fall;
His minde he must haue, for he can do all.
And to what heere is, at thy pleasure reach.
This I haue; this thou want'st: thus God will giue,
Thus take away; in vs, and all that liue.
To his wil's equall center, all things fall;
His minde he must haue, for he can do all.
Thus hauing eate, and to his wine descended;
Before he seru'd his owne thirst, he commended
The first vse of it, in fit sacrifice
(As of his meate) to all the Deities.
And to the City-racers hand, applide
The second cup; whose place was next his side:
Mesaulius did distribute the meate,
(To which charge, was Eumæus solely set
In absence of Vlysses; by the Queene
And old Laertes) and this man had beene
Bought by Eumæus, with his faculties,
Employ'd then in the Taphian Merchandise.
Before he seru'd his owne thirst, he commended
The first vse of it, in fit sacrifice
(As of his meate) to all the Deities.
And to the City-racers hand, applide
The second cup; whose place was next his side:
Mesaulius did distribute the meate,
(To which charge, was Eumæus solely set
In absence of Vlysses; by the Queene
And old Laertes) and this man had beene
Bought by Eumæus, with his faculties,
Employ'd then in the Taphian Merchandise.
But now; to food apposde, and order'd thus,
All fell. Desire suffic'd, Mesaulius
Did take away. For bed then next they were,
All throughly satisfied with compleat cheare.
The night then came; ill, and no Taper shind:
Ioue rain'd her whole date. Th' euer watry wind
Zephyre blew lowd; and Laertiades
(Approuing kinde Eumæus carefulnes
For his whole good) made farre about assay,
To get some cast-off Cassocke (least he lay
That rough night cold) of him, or any one
Of those his seruants: when he thus begun.
All fell. Desire suffic'd, Mesaulius
Did take away. For bed then next they were,
All throughly satisfied with compleat cheare.
224
Ioue rain'd her whole date. Th' euer watry wind
Zephyre blew lowd; and Laertiades
(Approuing kinde Eumæus carefulnes
For his whole good) made farre about assay,
To get some cast-off Cassocke (least he lay
That rough night cold) of him, or any one
Of those his seruants: when he thus begun.
Heare me Eumæus, and my other friends;
Ile vse a speech that to my glory tends:
Since I haue drunke wine past my vsuall guise;
Strong Wine commands the Foole, and mones the wise;
Moues and impels him too, to sing and dance,
And breake in pleasant laughters; and (perchance)
Preferre a speech too, that were better in.
But when my spirits, once to speake begin,
I shall not then dissemble. Would to heauen,
I were as yong, and had my forces driuen
As close together, as when once our powres
VVe led to ambush, vnder th' Ilion Towres:
VVhere Ithacus, and Menelaus were
The two Commanders; when it pleas'd them there
To take my selfe for third; when to the Towne
And lofty wals we led, we couch't close downe
All arm'd, amids the Osiers, and the Reeds,
Which oftentimes th' ore-flowing Riuer feeds.
The cold night came; and th' Icy Northerne gale
Blew bleake vpon vs: after which, did fall
A snow so cold, it cut, as in it beate
A frozen water; which was all concrete
About our Shields like Cristall. All made faine
(Aboue our armes) to cloathe, and cloathe againe.
And so we made good shift (our shields beside
Clapt close vpon our cloathes) to rest and hide
From all discouery. But I (poore foole)
Left my weeds with my men, because so coole
I thought it could not proue: which thoght, my pride
A little strengthen'd; being loth to hide
A goodly glittering garment I had on.
And so I follow'd with my shield alone,
And that braue weed. But when the night nere ended
Her course on earth, and that the starres descended,
I iog'd Vlysses (who lay passing neare)
And spake to him, that had a nimble eare;
Assuring him, that long I could not lye
Amongst the liuing; for the feruencie
Of that sharpe night would kill me; since as then,
My euill Angell, made me with my men
Leaue all weeds, but a fine one. But I know
'Tis vaine to talke; here wants all remedy now.
Ile vse a speech that to my glory tends:
Since I haue drunke wine past my vsuall guise;
Strong Wine commands the Foole, and mones the wise;
Moues and impels him too, to sing and dance,
And breake in pleasant laughters; and (perchance)
Preferre a speech too, that were better in.
But when my spirits, once to speake begin,
I shall not then dissemble. Would to heauen,
I were as yong, and had my forces driuen
As close together, as when once our powres
VVe led to ambush, vnder th' Ilion Towres:
VVhere Ithacus, and Menelaus were
The two Commanders; when it pleas'd them there
To take my selfe for third; when to the Towne
And lofty wals we led, we couch't close downe
All arm'd, amids the Osiers, and the Reeds,
Which oftentimes th' ore-flowing Riuer feeds.
The cold night came; and th' Icy Northerne gale
Blew bleake vpon vs: after which, did fall
A snow so cold, it cut, as in it beate
A frozen water; which was all concrete
About our Shields like Cristall. All made faine
(Aboue our armes) to cloathe, and cloathe againe.
And so we made good shift (our shields beside
Clapt close vpon our cloathes) to rest and hide
From all discouery. But I (poore foole)
Left my weeds with my men, because so coole
I thought it could not proue: which thoght, my pride
A little strengthen'd; being loth to hide
A goodly glittering garment I had on.
And so I follow'd with my shield alone,
And that braue weed. But when the night nere ended
Her course on earth, and that the starres descended,
I iog'd Vlysses (who lay passing neare)
And spake to him, that had a nimble eare;
Assuring him, that long I could not lye
Amongst the liuing; for the feruencie
Of that sharpe night would kill me; since as then,
My euill Angell, made me with my men
225
'Tis vaine to talke; here wants all remedy now.
This said; he bore that vnderstanding part
In his prompt spirit, that still show'd his Art
In Fight and counsell; saying (in a word,
And that low whisper'd) Peace, least you afford
Some Greeke, note of your softnes. No word more;
But made as if his sterne austerity, bore
My plight no pitty. Yet (as still he lay
His head reposing on his hand) gaue way
To this inuention; Heare me friends, a Dreame
(That was of some celestiall light a beame)
Stood in my sleepe before me: prompting me
VVith this fit notice: we are farre (saide he)
From out our Fleet. Let one go then, and try
If Agamemnon wil affoord supply
To what we now are strong. This stirr'd a speed
In Thoæs to th' affaire. Whose purple weede
He left for hast. Which then I tooke, and lay
In quiet after, til the dawne of day.
In his prompt spirit, that still show'd his Art
In Fight and counsell; saying (in a word,
And that low whisper'd) Peace, least you afford
Some Greeke, note of your softnes. No word more;
But made as if his sterne austerity, bore
My plight no pitty. Yet (as still he lay
His head reposing on his hand) gaue way
To this inuention; Heare me friends, a Dreame
(That was of some celestiall light a beame)
Stood in my sleepe before me: prompting me
VVith this fit notice: we are farre (saide he)
From out our Fleet. Let one go then, and try
If Agamemnon wil affoord supply
To what we now are strong. This stirr'd a speed
In Thoæs to th' affaire. Whose purple weede
He left for hast. Which then I tooke, and lay
In quiet after, til the dawne of day.
This shift Vlysses made for one in neede;
And would to heauen, that youth such spirit did feed
Now in my Nerues; and that my ioynts were knit,
VVith such a strength, as made me then held fit
To leade men with Vlysses. I should then
Seeme worth a weed, that fit's a herdsmans men:
For two respects, to gaine a thankfull frend;
And to a good mans neede, a good extend.
And would to heauen, that youth such spirit did feed
Now in my Nerues; and that my ioynts were knit,
VVith such a strength, as made me then held fit
To leade men with Vlysses. I should then
Seeme worth a weed, that fit's a herdsmans men:
For two respects, to gaine a thankfull frend;
And to a good mans neede, a good extend.
O Father (said Eumæus) thou hast showne
Good cause for vs, to giue thee good renowne:
Not vsing any word, that was not freed
From all least ill. Thou therefore, shalt not need
Or coate, or other thing, that aptly may
Beseeme a wretched suppliant, for defray
Of this nights neede. But when her golden throne
The Morne ascends, you must resume your owne:
For, heere you must not dreame of many weeds,
Or any change at all. VVe serue our needs,
As you do yours: One backe, one coate. But when
Vlysses loued sonne returnes, he then
Shal giue you coat and cassocke; and bestow
Your person where, your heart and soule is now.
Good cause for vs, to giue thee good renowne:
Not vsing any word, that was not freed
From all least ill. Thou therefore, shalt not need
Or coate, or other thing, that aptly may
Beseeme a wretched suppliant, for defray
Of this nights neede. But when her golden throne
The Morne ascends, you must resume your owne:
For, heere you must not dreame of many weeds,
Or any change at all. VVe serue our needs,
As you do yours: One backe, one coate. But when
Vlysses loued sonne returnes, he then
Shal giue you coat and cassocke; and bestow
Your person where, your heart and soule is now.
This said, he rose, made neere the fire his bed,
VVhich all with Goats and Sheep-skins, he bespred.
All which, Vlysses with himselfe did line.
VVith whom, besides, he chang'd a gabberdine,
Thicke lin'd, and soft; which stil he made his shift,
VVhen he would dresse him gainst the horrid drift
Of Tempest; when deepe winters season blowes.
Nor pleasde it him to lye there with his Sowes,
But while Vlysses slept there: and close by
The other yonkers, he abroad would ly,
And therefore arm'd him. VVhich set cheerefull fare
Before Vlysses heart; to see such care
Of his goods taken; how farre off so euer
His fate, his person, and his wealth should seuer.
First then; a sharpe edg'd sword, he girt about
His well-spred shoulders; and (to shelter out
The sharpe VVest wind that blew) he put him on
A thick-lin'd Iacket; and yet cast vpon
All that, the large hide of a Goat, well fed.
A Lance then tooke he, with a keene steele head,
To be his keepe-off, both 'gainst Men and Dogges:
And thus went he to rest, with his male Hogges,
That still abroad lay, vnderneath a Rocke:
Shield to the North-winds euer eager shocke.
VVhich all with Goats and Sheep-skins, he bespred.
All which, Vlysses with himselfe did line.
VVith whom, besides, he chang'd a gabberdine,
Thicke lin'd, and soft; which stil he made his shift,
VVhen he would dresse him gainst the horrid drift
226
Nor pleasde it him to lye there with his Sowes,
But while Vlysses slept there: and close by
The other yonkers, he abroad would ly,
And therefore arm'd him. VVhich set cheerefull fare
Before Vlysses heart; to see such care
Of his goods taken; how farre off so euer
His fate, his person, and his wealth should seuer.
First then; a sharpe edg'd sword, he girt about
His well-spred shoulders; and (to shelter out
The sharpe VVest wind that blew) he put him on
A thick-lin'd Iacket; and yet cast vpon
All that, the large hide of a Goat, well fed.
A Lance then tooke he, with a keene steele head,
To be his keepe-off, both 'gainst Men and Dogges:
And thus went he to rest, with his male Hogges,
That still abroad lay, vnderneath a Rocke:
Shield to the North-winds euer eager shocke.
The End of the Fourteenth Booke of Homers Odysses.
227
THE FIFTEENTH BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Minerua, to his Natiue seate
Exhorts Vlysses sonnes retreate,
In Bed, and waking. He receiues
Gifts of Atrides; and so leaues
The Spartan Court. And, going aboord
Doth fauourable way affoord
To Theoclymenus; that was
The Argiue Augure, and sought passe;
Fled for a slaughter he had done.
Exhorts Vlysses sonnes retreate,
In Bed, and waking. He receiues
Gifts of Atrides; and so leaues
The Spartan Court. And, going aboord
Doth fauourable way affoord
To Theoclymenus; that was
The Argiue Augure, and sought passe;
Fled for a slaughter he had done.
Eumæus tels Laertes son,
How he became his Fathers Man;
Being sold by the Phœnician
For some agreed on Faculties;
From forth the Syrian Isle, made prise.
How he became his Fathers Man;
Being sold by the Phœnician
For some agreed on Faculties;
From forth the Syrian Isle, made prise.
Telemachus arriu'd at home,
Doth to Eumæus Cottage come.
Doth to Eumæus Cottage come.
Another.
From Sparta's strandmakes safe accesse
To his owne Land
Ulyssides
In
Lacedæmon large, and apt for dances;
Athenian Pallas, her accesse aduances
Vp to the great in soule, Vlysses seed,
Suggesting his returne, now fit for deed.
She found both him, and Nestors noble son
In bed; in front of that faire Mansion:
Nestorides surpriz'd with pleasing sleepe.
But, on the watch Vlysses sonne did keepe,
Sleepe could not enter; cares did so excite
His soule, through all the solitary night,
For his lou'd Father. To him (neere) she said:
Athenian Pallas, her accesse aduances
Vp to the great in soule, Vlysses seed,
Suggesting his returne, now fit for deed.
She found both him, and Nestors noble son
In bed; in front of that faire Mansion:
Nestorides surpriz'd with pleasing sleepe.
But, on the watch Vlysses sonne did keepe,
Sleepe could not enter; cares did so excite
His soule, through all the solitary night,
For his lou'd Father. To him (neere) she said:
Telemachus! Tis time that now were staid
Thy forreigne trauailes; since thy goods are free
For those proud men, that all will eate from thee:
Diuide thy whole possessions, and leaue
Thy too-late presence nothing to receiue.
Incite the shrill-voic't Menelaus then,
To send thee to thy Natiue seat agen;
VVhile thou mayst yet finde in her honor strong
Thy blamelesse Mother, 'gainst thy Father's wrong.
For both the Father, and the Brothers to
Of thy lou'd Mother, will not suffer so
Extended any more, her widdowes bed;
But make her now, her richest wooer wed,
Eurymachus: who chiefly may augment
Her gifts, and make her ioynture eminent.
And therefore hast thee; least in thy despight,
Thy house stand empty of thy Natiue right.
For well thou know'st what mind a woman beares,
The house of him, who euer she endeares
Her selfe in Nuptials to: she sees encreast,
The yssue of her first lou'd Lord deceast,
Forgotten quite, and neuer thought on more.
In thy returne then, the re-counted store
Thou find'st reseru'd; to thy most trusted Maid
Commit in guard, till heauens pow'rs haue puruaid
A wife in vertue, and in beauties grace
Of fit sort for thee, to supply her place.
And this note more Ile giue thee; which repose
In sure remembrance: The best sort of those,
That woo thy Mother, watchfull scouts addresse,
Both in the streights of th' Ithacensian Seas,
And dusty Samos; with intent t'inuade
And take thy life, ere thy returne be made.
VVhich yet, I thinke will faile: and some of them
That waste thy fortunes, taste of that extream
They plot for thee. But keepe off farre from shore,
And day and night saile: for, a fore-right blore
VVho euer of th' Immortals, that vow guard
And scape to thy returne, will see prepar'd.
As soone as thou arriu'st, dismisse to Towne
Thy Ship and Men: and first of all, make downe
To him that keepes thy Swine, and doth conceiue
A tender care to see thee well suruiue.
There sleepe; and send him to the Towne, to tell
The chast Penelope, that safe and well
Thou liu'st in his charge; and that Pylos sands
The place contain'd, from whence thy person Lands.
Thy forreigne trauailes; since thy goods are free
For those proud men, that all will eate from thee:
Diuide thy whole possessions, and leaue
Thy too-late presence nothing to receiue.
228
To send thee to thy Natiue seat agen;
VVhile thou mayst yet finde in her honor strong
Thy blamelesse Mother, 'gainst thy Father's wrong.
For both the Father, and the Brothers to
Of thy lou'd Mother, will not suffer so
Extended any more, her widdowes bed;
But make her now, her richest wooer wed,
Eurymachus: who chiefly may augment
Her gifts, and make her ioynture eminent.
And therefore hast thee; least in thy despight,
Thy house stand empty of thy Natiue right.
For well thou know'st what mind a woman beares,
The house of him, who euer she endeares
Her selfe in Nuptials to: she sees encreast,
The yssue of her first lou'd Lord deceast,
Forgotten quite, and neuer thought on more.
In thy returne then, the re-counted store
Thou find'st reseru'd; to thy most trusted Maid
Commit in guard, till heauens pow'rs haue puruaid
A wife in vertue, and in beauties grace
Of fit sort for thee, to supply her place.
And this note more Ile giue thee; which repose
In sure remembrance: The best sort of those,
That woo thy Mother, watchfull scouts addresse,
Both in the streights of th' Ithacensian Seas,
And dusty Samos; with intent t'inuade
And take thy life, ere thy returne be made.
VVhich yet, I thinke will faile: and some of them
That waste thy fortunes, taste of that extream
They plot for thee. But keepe off farre from shore,
And day and night saile: for, a fore-right blore
VVho euer of th' Immortals, that vow guard
And scape to thy returne, will see prepar'd.
As soone as thou arriu'st, dismisse to Towne
Thy Ship and Men: and first of all, make downe
To him that keepes thy Swine, and doth conceiue
A tender care to see thee well suruiue.
There sleepe; and send him to the Towne, to tell
The chast Penelope, that safe and well
Thou liu'st in his charge; and that Pylos sands
The place contain'd, from whence thy person Lands.
Thus she, to large Olympus, made ascent.
VVhen, with his heele, a little touch he lent
To Nestors son; whose sleepes sweet chain's he losde;
Bad rise, and see in Chariot inclosde
Their one-hoou'd horse; yt they might strait bee gone.
VVhen, with his heele, a little touch he lent
To Nestors son; whose sleepes sweet chain's he losde;
Bad rise, and see in Chariot inclosde
Their one-hoou'd horse; yt they might strait bee gone.
No such haste (he replied) night holds her throne,
And dims all way, to course of Chariot.
The Morne will soone get vp. Nor see forgot
The gifts with hast, that will, I know, be rich;
And put into our Coach with gracious speech,
By Lance-fam'd Menelaus. Not a Guest
Shall touch at his house, but shall store his brest
With fit mind of an hospitable man,
To last as long as any daylight can
His eyes re-comfort; in such gifts as he
Will proofes make of his hearty royalty.
229
The Morne will soone get vp. Nor see forgot
The gifts with hast, that will, I know, be rich;
And put into our Coach with gracious speech,
By Lance-fam'd Menelaus. Not a Guest
Shall touch at his house, but shall store his brest
With fit mind of an hospitable man,
To last as long as any daylight can
His eyes re-comfort; in such gifts as he
Will proofes make of his hearty royalty.
He had no sooner said; but vp arose
Aurora, that the Golden hils repose.
And Menelaus (good at martiall cries)
From Hellens bed raisde, to his Guest applies
His first apparance. VVhose repaire made knowne
T'Vlysses lou'd sonne: On, his robe was throwne
About his gracious body: his cloake cast
Athwart his ample shoulders; and in hast
Abroad he went; and did the King accost.
Aurora, that the Golden hils repose.
And Menelaus (good at martiall cries)
From Hellens bed raisde, to his Guest applies
His first apparance. VVhose repaire made knowne
T'Vlysses lou'd sonne: On, his robe was throwne
About his gracious body: his cloake cast
Athwart his ample shoulders; and in hast
Abroad he went; and did the King accost.
Atrides, guarded with heauens deified hoste;
Grant now remission to my Natiue right:
Grant now remission to my Natiue right:
My minde now vrging mine owne houses sight.
Nor will I stay (saide he) thy person long,
Since thy desires to go, are growne so strong.
I should my selfe be angry to sustein
The like detention, vrg'd by other men.
Who loues a guest past Meane, past Meane will hate;
The Meane is in all acts, beares the best estate.
A like ill 'tis, to thrust out such a guest,
As would not go; as to detaine the rest.
VVe should a guest loue, while he loue's to stay,
And when he like's not, giue him louing way.
Yet suffer so, that we may gifts impose
In Coach to thee. Which ere our hands enclose,
Thine eies shall see; lest else, our loues may glose.
Besides, Ile cause our women to prepare
VVhat our house yeelds; and meerely so much fare
As may suffise for health. Both, well will do;
Both for our honor, and our profit to.
And seruing strength with food, you after may
As much earth measure, as wil match the day.
If you will turne your course from sea, and go
Through Greece and Argos: (that my selfe may so
Keepe kinde way with thee) Ile ioyne horse, & guide
T'our humane Cities. Nor vngratifide
VVill any one remit vs: some one thing
VVill each present vs, that along may bring
Our passe with loue; and proue our vertues blaz'd:
A Caldron or a Tripod, richly braz'd.
Two Mules; a bowle of Gold, that hath his price
Heightn'd with Emblemes of some rare deuice.
Nor will I stay (saide he) thy person long,
Since thy desires to go, are growne so strong.
I should my selfe be angry to sustein
The like detention, vrg'd by other men.
Who loues a guest past Meane, past Meane will hate;
The Meane is in all acts, beares the best estate.
A like ill 'tis, to thrust out such a guest,
As would not go; as to detaine the rest.
VVe should a guest loue, while he loue's to stay,
And when he like's not, giue him louing way.
Yet suffer so, that we may gifts impose
In Coach to thee. Which ere our hands enclose,
Thine eies shall see; lest else, our loues may glose.
Besides, Ile cause our women to prepare
VVhat our house yeelds; and meerely so much fare
As may suffise for health. Both, well will do;
Both for our honor, and our profit to.
And seruing strength with food, you after may
As much earth measure, as wil match the day.
If you will turne your course from sea, and go
Through Greece and Argos: (that my selfe may so
Keepe kinde way with thee) Ile ioyne horse, & guide
T'our humane Cities. Nor vngratifide
VVill any one remit vs: some one thing
VVill each present vs, that along may bring
Our passe with loue; and proue our vertues blaz'd:
230
Two Mules; a bowle of Gold, that hath his price
Heightn'd with Emblemes of some rare deuice.
The wise Prince answer'd: I would gladly go
Home, to mine owne; and see that gouern'd so
That I may keepe, what I for certaine hold.
Not hazard that, for onely hop't for Gold:
I left behind me, none, so all wayes fit
To giue it guard; as mine owne trust with it.
Besides, in this broad course which you propose;
My Father seeking; I my selfe may lose.
Home, to mine owne; and see that gouern'd so
That I may keepe, what I for certaine hold.
Not hazard that, for onely hop't for Gold:
I left behind me, none, so all wayes fit
To giue it guard; as mine owne trust with it.
Besides, in this broad course which you propose;
My Father seeking; I my selfe may lose.
VVhen this, the shrill-voic't Menelaus heard;
He charg'd his Queene and Maids, to see prepar'd
Breakfast, of what the whole house held for best.
To him, rose Eteoneus from his rest;
VVhose dwelling was not farre off from the Court;
And his attendance, his command did sort,
VVith kindling fires, and furth'ring all the rost,
In act of whose charge heard, no time he lost.
He charg'd his Queene and Maids, to see prepar'd
Breakfast, of what the whole house held for best.
To him, rose Eteoneus from his rest;
VVhose dwelling was not farre off from the Court;
And his attendance, his command did sort,
VVith kindling fires, and furth'ring all the rost,
In act of whose charge heard, no time he lost.
Himselfe then, to an odorous roome descended,
VVhom Megapenthe, and his Queene attended.
Come to his treasury; a two-ear'd cup
He chusde of all, and made his Sonne beare vp
A Siluer bowle. The Queene then taking stand
Aside her Chist; where (by her owne faire hand
Lay Vests, of all hues wrought) She tooke out one
Most large, most Artfull: chiefly faire; and shone
Like to a Star; and lay of al, the last.
VVhom Megapenthe, and his Queene attended.
Come to his treasury; a two-ear'd cup
He chusde of all, and made his Sonne beare vp
A Siluer bowle. The Queene then taking stand
Aside her Chist; where (by her owne faire hand
Lay Vests, of all hues wrought) She tooke out one
Most large, most Artfull: chiefly faire; and shone
Like to a Star; and lay of al, the last.
Then through the house, with eithers gift they past;
VVhen to Vlysses sonne, Atrides said:
VVhen to Vlysses sonne, Atrides said:
Telemachus: since so entirely swaid
Thy thoghts are, with thy vow'd return, now tender'd;
May Iuno's thundring husband, see it render'd
Perfect at all parts; action answering thought.
Of all the rich gifts, in my treasure, sought
I giue thee heere, the most in grace, and best.
A Bowle, but Siluer; yet the brims comprest
With Gold; whose fabricke his desert doth bring
From Vulcans hand. Presented by the King
And great Heroe of Sydonia's State;
VVhen at our parting he did consummate
His whole house keeping. This do thou command.
Thy thoghts are, with thy vow'd return, now tender'd;
May Iuno's thundring husband, see it render'd
Perfect at all parts; action answering thought.
Of all the rich gifts, in my treasure, sought
I giue thee heere, the most in grace, and best.
A Bowle, but Siluer; yet the brims comprest
With Gold; whose fabricke his desert doth bring
From Vulcans hand. Presented by the King
And great Heroe of Sydonia's State;
VVhen at our parting he did consummate
His whole house keeping. This do thou command.
This said; he put the round Bowle in his hand;
And then, his strong son Megapenthe plac't
The Siluer cup before him; amply grac't
VVith worke, and luster. Hellen (standing by;
And in her hand, the Robe, her huswifery)
His name remembring, said: And I present
(Lou'd sonne) this gift to thee; the Monument
Of the so-many-loued Hellens hands:
VVhich, at the knitting of thy Nuptiall bands
Present thy wife. In meane space, may it ly
By thy lou'd Mother; but to me apply
Thy pleasure in it. And thus, take thy way
To thy faire house, and Countries wished stay.
Thus gaue she to his hands, the veile; and he,
The acceptation author'd ioyfully.
Which in the Chariots Chist, Pisistratus
Plac't with the rest, and held miraculous.
And then, his strong son Megapenthe plac't
The Siluer cup before him; amply grac't
VVith worke, and luster. Hellen (standing by;
And in her hand, the Robe, her huswifery)
His name remembring, said: And I present
231
Of the so-many-loued Hellens hands:
VVhich, at the knitting of thy Nuptiall bands
Present thy wife. In meane space, may it ly
By thy lou'd Mother; but to me apply
Thy pleasure in it. And thus, take thy way
To thy faire house, and Countries wished stay.
Thus gaue she to his hands, the veile; and he,
The acceptation author'd ioyfully.
Which in the Chariots Chist, Pisistratus
Plac't with the rest, and held miraculous.
The yellow-headed King then, led them all,
To seates and Thrones plac't, in his spacious Hall.
The Hand-maid, water brought, and gaue it stream
From out a faire and golden Ewre to them.
From whose hands, to a siluer Caldron, fled
The troubl'd waue. A bright boord then she spred:
On which, another reuerend Dame set bread:
To which, more seruants, store of victuals seru'd.
Eteonæus was the man that keru'd;
And Megapenthe fil'd them all their wine.
All fed, and dranke; till all felt care decline
For those refreshings. Both the Guests did go
To horse, and coach; and forth the Portico
A little issu'd: When the yellow King
Brought wine himselfe: that, with an Offering
To all the Gods, they might their iourney take.
He stood before the Gods; and thus be spake.
To seates and Thrones plac't, in his spacious Hall.
The Hand-maid, water brought, and gaue it stream
From out a faire and golden Ewre to them.
From whose hands, to a siluer Caldron, fled
The troubl'd waue. A bright boord then she spred:
On which, another reuerend Dame set bread:
To which, more seruants, store of victuals seru'd.
Eteonæus was the man that keru'd;
And Megapenthe fil'd them all their wine.
All fed, and dranke; till all felt care decline
For those refreshings. Both the Guests did go
To horse, and coach; and forth the Portico
A little issu'd: When the yellow King
Brought wine himselfe: that, with an Offering
To all the Gods, they might their iourney take.
He stood before the Gods; and thus be spake.
Farewell yong Princes: to graue Nestors eare
This salutation from my gratitude beare:
That I professe in all our Ilion warres
He stood, a carefull Father to my cares.
This salutation from my gratitude beare:
That I professe in all our Ilion warres
He stood, a carefull Father to my cares.
To him the wise Vlyssides replied:
VVith all our vtmost shall be signified
(Ioue-kept Atrides) your right royall will:
And would to God, I could as wel fulfill
Mine owne mindes gratitude, for your free grace;
In telling to Vlysses, in the place
Of my returne; in what accomplish't kind
I haue obtain'd the office of a friend
At your deseruings: whose faire end you crowne
With gifts so many; and of such renowne.
VVith all our vtmost shall be signified
(Ioue-kept Atrides) your right royall will:
And would to God, I could as wel fulfill
Mine owne mindes gratitude, for your free grace;
In telling to Vlysses, in the place
Of my returne; in what accomplish't kind
I haue obtain'd the office of a friend
At your deseruings: whose faire end you crowne
With gifts so many; and of such renowne.
His wish, that he might finde in his retreat
His Father safe return'd (to so repeat
The Kings loue to him) was saluted thus;
An Eagle rose; and in her Seres did trusse
A Goose, all white, & huge: A houshold one,
VVhich, men and women (crying out vpon)
Pursu'd: but she (being neere the guests) her flight
Made on their right hand; and kept still fore-right
Before their horses: which obseru'd by them,
The spirits in all their minds tooke ioyes extream;
VVhich Nestors son thus question'd: Ioue-kept King,
Yeild your graue thoughts, if this ostentfull thing
(This Eagle, and this Goose) touch vs, or you?
His Father safe return'd (to so repeat
The Kings loue to him) was saluted thus;
An Eagle rose; and in her Seres did trusse
A Goose, all white, & huge: A houshold one,
VVhich, men and women (crying out vpon)
232
Made on their right hand; and kept still fore-right
Before their horses: which obseru'd by them,
The spirits in all their minds tooke ioyes extream;
VVhich Nestors son thus question'd: Ioue-kept King,
Yeild your graue thoughts, if this ostentfull thing
(This Eagle, and this Goose) touch vs, or you?
He put to study, and not knowing how
To giue fit answer; Hellen tooke on her
Th' ostents solution, and did this prefer.
To giue fit answer; Hellen tooke on her
Th' ostents solution, and did this prefer.
Heare me, and I will play the Prophets part,
As the immortals cast it in my heart;
And (as I thinke) will make the true sense knowne:
As this Ioues Bird, from out the Mountaines flowne
(Where was her Arie; and whence rose her race)
Trust vp this Goose, that from the house did grase;
So shall Vlysses (coming from the wilde
Of Seas and sufferings) reach, vnreconcil'd
His Natiue home: where euen this houre he is:
And on those house-fed woo'rs, those wrongs of his,
VVill shortly wreake, with all their miseries.
As the immortals cast it in my heart;
And (as I thinke) will make the true sense knowne:
As this Ioues Bird, from out the Mountaines flowne
(Where was her Arie; and whence rose her race)
Trust vp this Goose, that from the house did grase;
So shall Vlysses (coming from the wilde
Of Seas and sufferings) reach, vnreconcil'd
His Natiue home: where euen this houre he is:
And on those house-fed woo'rs, those wrongs of his,
VVill shortly wreake, with all their miseries.
O (said Telemachus) if Saturnian Ioue,
To my desires, thy deare presage approue;
VVhen I arriue, I will performe to thee
My daily vowes, as to a Deity.
To my desires, thy deare presage approue;
VVhen I arriue, I will performe to thee
My daily vowes, as to a Deity.
This said; he vsde his scourge vppon the horse,
That through the City freely made their course
To Field; and all day, made that first speed, good.
But when the Sun-set, and Obscurenes stood
In each mans way; they ended their accesse
At Pheras, in the house of Diocles,
Sonne to Orsilochus, Alpheus seede;
VVho gaue them guest-rites: and sleeps naturall need
They that night seru'd there. VVhen Aurora rose,
They ioyn'd their horse: tooke coach, and did dispose
Their course for Pylos; whose high City soon
They reach't. Nor would Telemachus be woon
To Nestors house: and therefore order'd thus
His speech to Nestors son, Pisistratus;
That through the City freely made their course
To Field; and all day, made that first speed, good.
But when the Sun-set, and Obscurenes stood
In each mans way; they ended their accesse
At Pheras, in the house of Diocles,
Sonne to Orsilochus, Alpheus seede;
VVho gaue them guest-rites: and sleeps naturall need
They that night seru'd there. VVhen Aurora rose,
They ioyn'd their horse: tooke coach, and did dispose
Their course for Pylos; whose high City soon
They reach't. Nor would Telemachus be woon
To Nestors house: and therefore order'd thus
His speech to Nestors son, Pisistratus;
How shall I win thy promise to a grace
That I must aske of thee? we both imbrace
The names of Bed-fellowes; and in that name
VVill glory as an Adiunct of our fame:
Our Fathers friendship: our owne equall age;
And our ioynt trauaile, may the more engage
Our mutuall concord. Do not then assay
(My God-lou'd friend) to leade me from my way,
To my neere Ship; but take a course direct
And leaue me there; least thy old Sires respect
In his desire to loue me) hinder so
My way for home, that haue such need to go.
That I must aske of thee? we both imbrace
The names of Bed-fellowes; and in that name
VVill glory as an Adiunct of our fame:
Our Fathers friendship: our owne equall age;
And our ioynt trauaile, may the more engage
Our mutuall concord. Do not then assay
(My God-lou'd friend) to leade me from my way,
To my neere Ship; but take a course direct
233
In his desire to loue me) hinder so
My way for home, that haue such need to go.
This said; Nestorides held all discourse
In his kinde soule, how best he might enforce
Both promise and performance; which, at last
He vow'd to venture; and directly cast
His horse about, to fetch the Ship and Shore.
Where, come: His frends most louely gifts, he bore
Aboord the Ship; and in her hin-deck plac't
The vaile that Hellens curious hand had grac't;
And Menelaus Gold: and said, Away;
Nor let thy men, in any least date, stay:
But quite put off, ere I get home, and tell
The old Duke, you are past: for passing well
I know his minde, to so exceed all force
Of any pray'r; That he will stay your course:
Himselfe make hither, All your course call backe;
And when he hath you, haue no thought to racke
Him from his bounty; and to let you part
VVithout a Present: but be vext at heart
With both our pleadings; if we once but moue
The least repression of his fiery loue.
In his kinde soule, how best he might enforce
Both promise and performance; which, at last
He vow'd to venture; and directly cast
His horse about, to fetch the Ship and Shore.
Where, come: His frends most louely gifts, he bore
Aboord the Ship; and in her hin-deck plac't
The vaile that Hellens curious hand had grac't;
And Menelaus Gold: and said, Away;
Nor let thy men, in any least date, stay:
But quite put off, ere I get home, and tell
The old Duke, you are past: for passing well
I know his minde, to so exceed all force
Of any pray'r; That he will stay your course:
Himselfe make hither, All your course call backe;
And when he hath you, haue no thought to racke
Him from his bounty; and to let you part
VVithout a Present: but be vext at heart
With both our pleadings; if we once but moue
The least repression of his fiery loue.
Thus took he coach: his faire-man'd steeds scourg'd on
Along the Pylian City: and anon
His Fathers Court reacht. VVhile Vlysses Sonne
Bad boord, and arme; which with a thought was done.
Along the Pylian City: and anon
His Fathers Court reacht. VVhile Vlysses Sonne
Bad boord, and arme; which with a thought was done.
His Rowers set, and he rich Odors firing
In his hin-decke; for his secure retiring
To great Athenia: To his Ship came flying
A Stranger, and a Prophet; as relying
On wished passage: hauing newly slaine
A man at Argos: yet his Races vaine
Flow'd from Melampus; who in former date
In Pylos liu'd, and had a huge estate.
But fled his countrey; and the punishing hand
Of great-soul'd Neleus, in a forreigne Land
From that most famous Mortall; hauing held
A world of riches: nor could be compeld
To render restitution in a yeare.
In meane space, liuing as close prisoner
In Court of Phylacus: and for the sake
Of Neleus daughter, mighty cares did take;
Together with a greeuous Languor sent
From graue Erynnis, that did much torment
His vexed conscience; yet his lifes expence
He scapt, and draue the loud-voic't Oxen thence,
To breed-sheepe Pylos; bringing vengeance thus
Her foule demerit, to great Neleus;
And to his Brothers house reduc't his wife:
Who yet from Pylos, did remoue his life
For feed-horse Argos; where his Fate set downe
A dwelling for him: and in much renowne
Made gouerne many Argiues: where, a Spouse
He tooke to him, and built a famous house.
There had he borne to him Antiphates,
And forcefull Mantius. To the first of these
VVas great Oiclæus borne: Oiclæus gate
Amphiaraus, that the popular State
Had all their health in: whom, euen from his heart
Ioue lou'd; and Phœbus in the whole desert
Of friendship hel'd him. Yet not blest so much
That Ages threshold, he did euer touch:
But lost his life, by Female bribery.
Yet two sonnes author'd his posterity;
Alcinaon, and renown'd Amphilochus.
Mantius had yssue; Polyphidius,
And Clytus: But Aurora rauish't him,
For excellence of his admired lim;
And interested him amongst the Gods.
His Brother knew, mens good and bad abods
The best of all men; after the decease
Of him that perish't in vnnaturall peace
At spacious Thebes. Apollo did inspire
His knowing soule with a Propheticke fire.
VVho (angry with his Father) tooke his way
To Hyperesia; where (making stay)
He prophesied to all men; and had there
A Sonne call'd Theoclymenus; who here
Came to Telemachus; and found abord
Himselfe at Sacrifice; whom in a word
He thus saluted: O Friend, since I finde
Euen heere at Ship, a sacrificing minde
Informe your actions: By your sacrifice;
And by that worthy choise of Deities,
To whom you offer: by your selfe, and all,
These men that serue your course maritimall;
Tell one that askes, the truth: Nor giue it glose,
Both who, and whence you are? From what seed rose
Your royall person? And what Cities Tow'rs
Hold habitation, to your parents pow'rs?
In his hin-decke; for his secure retiring
To great Athenia: To his Ship came flying
A Stranger, and a Prophet; as relying
On wished passage: hauing newly slaine
A man at Argos: yet his Races vaine
Flow'd from Melampus; who in former date
In Pylos liu'd, and had a huge estate.
But fled his countrey; and the punishing hand
Of great-soul'd Neleus, in a forreigne Land
From that most famous Mortall; hauing held
A world of riches: nor could be compeld
To render restitution in a yeare.
In meane space, liuing as close prisoner
In Court of Phylacus: and for the sake
Of Neleus daughter, mighty cares did take;
Together with a greeuous Languor sent
From graue Erynnis, that did much torment
His vexed conscience; yet his lifes expence
He scapt, and draue the loud-voic't Oxen thence,
To breed-sheepe Pylos; bringing vengeance thus
234
And to his Brothers house reduc't his wife:
Who yet from Pylos, did remoue his life
For feed-horse Argos; where his Fate set downe
A dwelling for him: and in much renowne
Made gouerne many Argiues: where, a Spouse
He tooke to him, and built a famous house.
There had he borne to him Antiphates,
And forcefull Mantius. To the first of these
VVas great Oiclæus borne: Oiclæus gate
Amphiaraus, that the popular State
Had all their health in: whom, euen from his heart
Ioue lou'd; and Phœbus in the whole desert
Of friendship hel'd him. Yet not blest so much
That Ages threshold, he did euer touch:
But lost his life, by Female bribery.
Yet two sonnes author'd his posterity;
Alcinaon, and renown'd Amphilochus.
Mantius had yssue; Polyphidius,
And Clytus: But Aurora rauish't him,
For excellence of his admired lim;
And interested him amongst the Gods.
His Brother knew, mens good and bad abods
The best of all men; after the decease
Of him that perish't in vnnaturall peace
At spacious Thebes. Apollo did inspire
His knowing soule with a Propheticke fire.
VVho (angry with his Father) tooke his way
To Hyperesia; where (making stay)
He prophesied to all men; and had there
A Sonne call'd Theoclymenus; who here
Came to Telemachus; and found abord
Himselfe at Sacrifice; whom in a word
He thus saluted: O Friend, since I finde
Euen heere at Ship, a sacrificing minde
Informe your actions: By your sacrifice;
And by that worthy choise of Deities,
To whom you offer: by your selfe, and all,
These men that serue your course maritimall;
Tell one that askes, the truth: Nor giue it glose,
Both who, and whence you are? From what seed rose
Your royall person? And what Cities Tow'rs
Hold habitation, to your parents pow'rs?
He answer'd: Stranger! The sure truth is this;
I am of Ithaca; my Father is
(Or was) Vlysses: but austere death, now
Takes his state from him; whose euent to know,
(Himselfe being long away) I set forth thus
With ship and souldiers: Theoclymenus,
As freely said; And I to thee am fled
From forth my country; for a man strooke dead
By my vnhappy hand: who was with me
Of one selfe-Tribe; and of his pedigree
Are many Friends and Brothers: and the sway
Of Achiue Kindred, reacheth farre away.
From whom (because I feare their spleenes suborne
Blood, and blacke fate against me (being borne
To be a wandrer among forreigne men)
Make thy faire ship, my rescue; and sustein
My life from slaughter. Thy deseruings may
Performe that mercy: and to them I pray.
I am of Ithaca; my Father is
(Or was) Vlysses: but austere death, now
Takes his state from him; whose euent to know,
(Himselfe being long away) I set forth thus
235
As freely said; And I to thee am fled
From forth my country; for a man strooke dead
By my vnhappy hand: who was with me
Of one selfe-Tribe; and of his pedigree
Are many Friends and Brothers: and the sway
Of Achiue Kindred, reacheth farre away.
From whom (because I feare their spleenes suborne
Blood, and blacke fate against me (being borne
To be a wandrer among forreigne men)
Make thy faire ship, my rescue; and sustein
My life from slaughter. Thy deseruings may
Performe that mercy: and to them I pray.
Nor will I barre (said he) thy will to make
My meanes and equall ship, thy ayde: but take
(With what wee haue heere, in all friendly vse)
Thy life from any violence that pursues.
My meanes and equall ship, thy ayde: but take
(With what wee haue heere, in all friendly vse)
Thy life from any violence that pursues.
Thus tooke he in, his Lance; and it extended
Aloft the hatches; which himselfe ascended.
The Prince tooke seate at Sterne: on his right hand,
Set Theoclymenus; and gaue command
To all his men, to arme; and fee made fast
Amidst the hollow Keele, the Beechen Mast
VVith able halsers; hoise saile, lanch: which soone
He saw obay'd. And then his Ship did runne
A merry course: Blew-ey'd Minerua sent
A fore-right gale; tumultuous, vehement,
Along the aire; that her waies vtmost yeeld
The ship might make, and plough the brackish field.
Aloft the hatches; which himselfe ascended.
The Prince tooke seate at Sterne: on his right hand,
Set Theoclymenus; and gaue command
To all his men, to arme; and fee made fast
Amidst the hollow Keele, the Beechen Mast
VVith able halsers; hoise saile, lanch: which soone
He saw obay'd. And then his Ship did runne
A merry course: Blew-ey'd Minerua sent
A fore-right gale; tumultuous, vehement,
Along the aire; that her waies vtmost yeeld
The ship might make, and plough the brackish field.
Then set the Sun, and Night black't all the waies.
The ship (with Ioues wind wing'd) wher th' Epian swaies
Fetcht Pheras first: then Elis, the diuine;
And then for those Isles made, that Sea-ward shine,
For forme and sharpnesse, like a Lances head.
About which, lay the wooers ambushed.
On which he rush't, to try if he could scape
His plotted death; or serue Her treacherous Rape.
The ship (with Ioues wind wing'd) wher th' Epian swaies
Fetcht Pheras first: then Elis, the diuine;
And then for those Isles made, that Sea-ward shine,
For forme and sharpnesse, like a Lances head.
About which, lay the wooers ambushed.
On which he rush't, to try if he could scape
His plotted death; or serue Her treacherous Rape.
And now returne we to Eumæus Shed;
VVhere (at their foode with others marshalled)
Vlysses, and his noble Herdsman sate;
To try if whose loues curious estate
Stood firme to his abode, or felt it fade;
And so would take each best cause to perswade
His Guest to Towne; Vlysses thus contends:
VVhere (at their foode with others marshalled)
Vlysses, and his noble Herdsman sate;
To try if whose loues curious estate
Stood firme to his abode, or felt it fade;
And so would take each best cause to perswade
His Guest to Towne; Vlysses thus contends:
Heare me, Eumæus, and ye other Friends.
Next Morne, to Towne I couet to be gone,
To beg some others almes; not still charge one.
Aduise me well then; and as well prouide
I may be fitted with an honest guide.
For through the streets (since Need will haue it so)
Ile tread, to try if any will bestow
A dish of drinke on me, or bit of bread,
Till to Vlysses house I may be led.
And there Ile tell all-wise Penelope, newes:
Mix with the wooers pride; and (since they vse
To fare aboue the full) their hands excite
To some small Feast, from out their infinite:
For which, Ile waite, and play the Seruingman,
Fairely enough; command the most they can.
For I will tell thee; note me well, and heare,
That if the will be of heauens Messenger,
(VVho to the workes of men, of any sort
Can grace infuse, and glory) nothing short
Am I of him, that doth to most aspire
In any seruice: as to builde a Fire,
To cleaue sere wood: to roast, or boile their meat;
To waite at boord, mixe wine, or know the Neate;
Or any worke, in which the poore-cal'd worst,
To serue the rich-cal'd best, in Fate are forc't.
Next Morne, to Towne I couet to be gone,
To beg some others almes; not still charge one.
Aduise me well then; and as well prouide
236
For through the streets (since Need will haue it so)
Ile tread, to try if any will bestow
A dish of drinke on me, or bit of bread,
Till to Vlysses house I may be led.
And there Ile tell all-wise Penelope, newes:
Mix with the wooers pride; and (since they vse
To fare aboue the full) their hands excite
To some small Feast, from out their infinite:
For which, Ile waite, and play the Seruingman,
Fairely enough; command the most they can.
For I will tell thee; note me well, and heare,
That if the will be of heauens Messenger,
(VVho to the workes of men, of any sort
Can grace infuse, and glory) nothing short
Am I of him, that doth to most aspire
In any seruice: as to builde a Fire,
To cleaue sere wood: to roast, or boile their meat;
To waite at boord, mixe wine, or know the Neate;
Or any worke, in which the poore-cal'd worst,
To serue the rich-cal'd best, in Fate are forc't.
He, angry with him, said; Alas poore Guest,
VVhy did this counsaile euer touch thy brest?
Thou seek'st thy vtter spoyle beyond all doubt,
If thou giu'st venture on the Wooers rout:
VVhose wrong and force, affects the Iron heauen.
Their light delights, are farre from being giuen
To such graue Seruitors. Youths richly trick't
In coats or Cassocks; Lockes diuinely slickt,
And lookes most rapting; euer haue the gift
To taste their crown'd cups, land full Trenchers shift.
Their Tables euer like their Glasses shine;
Loaded with bread, with varied flesh, and wine.
And thou? go thither? Stay: for heere do none
Grudge at thy presence: nor my selfe, nor one
Of all I feed. But when Vlysses sonne
Againe shall greet vs, he shall put thee on
Both coat and cassocke; and thy quicke retreat
Set, where thy heart and soule desire thy seat.
VVhy did this counsaile euer touch thy brest?
Thou seek'st thy vtter spoyle beyond all doubt,
If thou giu'st venture on the Wooers rout:
VVhose wrong and force, affects the Iron heauen.
Their light delights, are farre from being giuen
To such graue Seruitors. Youths richly trick't
In coats or Cassocks; Lockes diuinely slickt,
And lookes most rapting; euer haue the gift
To taste their crown'd cups, land full Trenchers shift.
Their Tables euer like their Glasses shine;
Loaded with bread, with varied flesh, and wine.
And thou? go thither? Stay: for heere do none
Grudge at thy presence: nor my selfe, nor one
Of all I feed. But when Vlysses sonne
Againe shall greet vs, he shall put thee on
Both coat and cassocke; and thy quicke retreat
Set, where thy heart and soule desire thy seat.
Industrious Vlysses, gaue reply:
I still much wish, that heauens chiefe Deity
Lou'd thee, as I do; that hast easde my minde
Of woes and wandrings, neuer yet confin'de.
Nought is more wretched in a humane Race,
Then Countries want, and shift from place to place.
But for the banefull belly, men take care
Beyond good counsaile: whosoeuer are
In compasse of the wants it vndergoes,
By wandrings losses, or dependant woes.
Excuse me therefore, if I err'd at home:
VVhich since thou wilt make heere (as ouercome
VVith thy command for stay) Ile take on me
Cares appertaining to this place, like thee.
Does then Vlysses Sire, and Mother breath?
Both whom he left, in th' age next doore to death?
Or are they breathlesse, and descended where
The darke house is, that neuer day doth cleere?
I still much wish, that heauens chiefe Deity
Lou'd thee, as I do; that hast easde my minde
Of woes and wandrings, neuer yet confin'de.
Nought is more wretched in a humane Race,
Then Countries want, and shift from place to place.
But for the banefull belly, men take care
Beyond good counsaile: whosoeuer are
In compasse of the wants it vndergoes,
237
Excuse me therefore, if I err'd at home:
VVhich since thou wilt make heere (as ouercome
VVith thy command for stay) Ile take on me
Cares appertaining to this place, like thee.
Does then Vlysses Sire, and Mother breath?
Both whom he left, in th' age next doore to death?
Or are they breathlesse, and descended where
The darke house is, that neuer day doth cleere?
Laertes liues (saide he) but euery howre
Beseecheth Ioue to take from him the powre
That ioynes his life and limbes: for with a mone
That breeds a meruaile, he laments his sonne
Depriu'd by death. And addes to that, another
Of no lesse depth; for that dead sonnes dead Mother:
VVhom he a Virgin wedded: which the more
Makes him lament her losse; and doth deplore
Yet more her misse, because her wombe the truer
Was to his braue sonne; and his slaughter slue her.
VVhich last loue to her, doth his life engage,
And makes him liue an vndigested age.
O! such a death she died, as neuer may
Seize any one, that heere beholds the day;
That either is to any man, a friend,
Or can a woman kill in such a kind.
As long as she had Being, I would be
A still Inquirer (since t'was deere to me,
Though death to her, to heare his name) when she
Heard of Vlysses: for I might be bold;
She brought me vp, and in her loue did hold
My life, compar'd with long-vail'd Ctimie,
Her yongest yssue (in some small degree
Her daughter yet prefer'd) a braue yong Dame.
But when of youth the dearely loued Flame
VVas lighted in vs; marriage did prefer
The maide to Samos; whence was sent for her
Infinite riches: when, the Queene bestow'd
A faire new suite, new shooes, and all; and vow'd
Me to the field. But passing loth to part,
As louing me, more then she lou'd her hart.
And these I want now; but their businesse growes
Vpon me daily. Which the Gods impose,
To whom I hold all; giue account to them,
For I see none, left to the Diadem,
That may dispose all better. So, I drinke
And eate of what is heere; and whom I think
VVorthy or reuerend, I haue giuen to still
These kinds of Guest-rites: for the houshold ill
(VVhich where the Queene is, ryots) takes her stil
From thought of these things. Nor is it delight
To heare from her plight; of or worke, or word;
The woo'rs spoyle all. But yet my men, will bord
Her sorrowes often, with discourse of all:
Eating and drinking of the Festiuall
That there is kept; and after bring to field
Such things as seruants make their pleasures yield.
Beseecheth Ioue to take from him the powre
That ioynes his life and limbes: for with a mone
That breeds a meruaile, he laments his sonne
Depriu'd by death. And addes to that, another
Of no lesse depth; for that dead sonnes dead Mother:
VVhom he a Virgin wedded: which the more
Makes him lament her losse; and doth deplore
Yet more her misse, because her wombe the truer
Was to his braue sonne; and his slaughter slue her.
VVhich last loue to her, doth his life engage,
And makes him liue an vndigested age.
O! such a death she died, as neuer may
Seize any one, that heere beholds the day;
That either is to any man, a friend,
Or can a woman kill in such a kind.
As long as she had Being, I would be
A still Inquirer (since t'was deere to me,
Though death to her, to heare his name) when she
Heard of Vlysses: for I might be bold;
She brought me vp, and in her loue did hold
My life, compar'd with long-vail'd Ctimie,
Her yongest yssue (in some small degree
Her daughter yet prefer'd) a braue yong Dame.
But when of youth the dearely loued Flame
VVas lighted in vs; marriage did prefer
The maide to Samos; whence was sent for her
Infinite riches: when, the Queene bestow'd
A faire new suite, new shooes, and all; and vow'd
Me to the field. But passing loth to part,
As louing me, more then she lou'd her hart.
And these I want now; but their businesse growes
Vpon me daily. Which the Gods impose,
To whom I hold all; giue account to them,
For I see none, left to the Diadem,
That may dispose all better. So, I drinke
And eate of what is heere; and whom I think
VVorthy or reuerend, I haue giuen to still
These kinds of Guest-rites: for the houshold ill
238
From thought of these things. Nor is it delight
To heare from her plight; of or worke, or word;
The woo'rs spoyle all. But yet my men, will bord
Her sorrowes often, with discourse of all:
Eating and drinking of the Festiuall
That there is kept; and after bring to field
Such things as seruants make their pleasures yield.
O me (Eumæus) saide Laertes sonne,
Hast thou then err'd so, of a little one?
(Like me?) From friends, and country? pray thee say,
(And say a Truth) doth vast Destruction lay
Her hand vpon the wide-way'd Seat of men?
VVhere dwelt thy Sire, and reuerend Mother then?
That thou art spar'd there? Or else, set alone
In guard of Beeues, or Sheepe: Set th' enemy on;
Surprisde, and Shipt? transfer'd, and sold thee heere?
He that bought thee, paid well; yet bought not deere.
Hast thou then err'd so, of a little one?
(Like me?) From friends, and country? pray thee say,
(And say a Truth) doth vast Destruction lay
Her hand vpon the wide-way'd Seat of men?
VVhere dwelt thy Sire, and reuerend Mother then?
That thou art spar'd there? Or else, set alone
In guard of Beeues, or Sheepe: Set th' enemy on;
Surprisde, and Shipt? transfer'd, and sold thee heere?
He that bought thee, paid well; yet bought not deere.
Since thou enquir'st of that, my guest (said he)
Heare and be silent: and meane space, sit free
In vse of these cups, to thy most delights;
Heare and be silent: and meane space, sit free
In vse of these cups, to thy most delights;
Vspeakable, in length now, are the Nights.
Those that affect sleepe yet; to sleepe haue leaue;
Those that affect to heare, their hearers giue.
But sleep not ere your houre; Much sleep doth grieue.
VVho euer lists to sleepe; Away to bed:
Together with the morning raise his head:
Together with his fellowes, breake his fast;
And then, his Lords Herd, driue to their repast.
VVe two, still in our Tabernacle heere,
Drinking & eating; will our bosomes cheere
VVith memories, and tales of our annoyes.
Betwixt his sorrowes, euery Humane ioyes.
He most, who most hath felt, and furthest err'd:
And now thy wil; to act, shall be preferr'd.
Those that affect sleepe yet; to sleepe haue leaue;
Those that affect to heare, their hearers giue.
But sleep not ere your houre; Much sleep doth grieue.
VVho euer lists to sleepe; Away to bed:
Together with the morning raise his head:
Together with his fellowes, breake his fast;
And then, his Lords Herd, driue to their repast.
VVe two, still in our Tabernacle heere,
Drinking & eating; will our bosomes cheere
VVith memories, and tales of our annoyes.
Betwixt his sorrowes, euery Humane ioyes.
He most, who most hath felt, and furthest err'd:
And now thy wil; to act, shall be preferr'd.
There is an Isle aboue Ortygia
(If thou hast heard) they call it Syria;
VVhere, once a day, the Sun moues backwards still.
Tis not so great as good; for it doth fill
The fields with Oxen; fils them still with Sheepe;
Fils roofes with wine, & makes al Come there cheap:
No Dearth comes euer there; nor no Disease,
That doth, with hate, vs wretched mortals sease.
But when mens varied Nations, dwelling there
In any City, enter th' aged yeare:
The Siluer-bow-bearer (the Sun) and she,
That beares as much renowne for Archery;
Stoop with their painles shafts, & strike them dead,
As one would sleepe, and neuer keepe the bed.
In this Isle stand two Cities: betwixt whome
All things, that of the soiles fertility come,
In two parts are diuided. And both these,
My Father ruld; (Ctesius Ormenides)
A man, like the immortals. With these States,
The crosse-biting Phænissians, traffick't rates
Of infinit Merchandize, in ships brought there;
In which, they then, were held exempt from pere.
(If thou hast heard) they call it Syria;
VVhere, once a day, the Sun moues backwards still.
Tis not so great as good; for it doth fill
The fields with Oxen; fils them still with Sheepe;
Fils roofes with wine, & makes al Come there cheap:
No Dearth comes euer there; nor no Disease,
That doth, with hate, vs wretched mortals sease.
But when mens varied Nations, dwelling there
In any City, enter th' aged yeare:
The Siluer-bow-bearer (the Sun) and she,
That beares as much renowne for Archery;
Stoop with their painles shafts, & strike them dead,
239
In this Isle stand two Cities: betwixt whome
All things, that of the soiles fertility come,
In two parts are diuided. And both these,
My Father ruld; (Ctesius Ormenides)
A man, like the immortals. With these States,
The crosse-biting Phænissians, traffick't rates
Of infinit Merchandize, in ships brought there;
In which, they then, were held exempt from pere.
There dwelt within my Fathers house, a Dame
Borne a Phænissian; skilfull in the frame
Of Noble Huswiferies; right tall, and faire.
Her, the Phænissian great-wench-net-lai're,
With sweet words circumuented, as she was
VVashing her Linnen. To his amorous passe
He brought her first, shor'd from his Ship to her;
To whom he did his whole life's loue prefer;
Which, of these brest-exposing Dames, the harts
Deceiues; though fashion'd of right honest parts.
He askt her after, VVhat she was? and whence?
She passing presently, the excellence
Told of her Fathers Turrets; and that she
Might boast her selfe, sprung from the Progeny
Of the rich Sydons: and the daughter was
Of the much-yeare-reuennew'd Arybas.
But, that the Taphian Pirats, made her prize,
As she return'd from her field-huswiferies:
Transfer'd her hither; and at that mans house
VVhere now she liu'd; for value precious
Sold her to th' Owner. He that stole her loue,
Bad her againe, to her births seate remoue,
To see the faire roofes of her friends againe;
Who still held state, and did the port maintaine,
Her selfe reported. She said, Be it so;
So you, and al that in your ship shall roe,
Sweare to returne me, in all safety hence.
Borne a Phænissian; skilfull in the frame
Of Noble Huswiferies; right tall, and faire.
Her, the Phænissian great-wench-net-lai're,
With sweet words circumuented, as she was
VVashing her Linnen. To his amorous passe
He brought her first, shor'd from his Ship to her;
To whom he did his whole life's loue prefer;
Which, of these brest-exposing Dames, the harts
Deceiues; though fashion'd of right honest parts.
He askt her after, VVhat she was? and whence?
She passing presently, the excellence
Told of her Fathers Turrets; and that she
Might boast her selfe, sprung from the Progeny
Of the rich Sydons: and the daughter was
Of the much-yeare-reuennew'd Arybas.
But, that the Taphian Pirats, made her prize,
As she return'd from her field-huswiferies:
Transfer'd her hither; and at that mans house
VVhere now she liu'd; for value precious
Sold her to th' Owner. He that stole her loue,
Bad her againe, to her births seate remoue,
To see the faire roofes of her friends againe;
Who still held state, and did the port maintaine,
Her selfe reported. She said, Be it so;
So you, and al that in your ship shall roe,
Sweare to returne me, in all safety hence.
All swore; th' Oath past, with euery consequence:
She bad, Be silent now; and not a word
Do you, or any of your friends afford,
Meeting me afterward in any way;
Or at the washing Fount; lest some display
Be made, and told the old man: and he then
Keepe me streight bound: To you, and to your men
The vtter ruine, plotting of your liues.
Keepe in firme thought then, euery word that striues
For dangerous vtterance: Haste your ships ful freight
Of what you Trafficke for; and let me streight
Know by some sent friend: She hath all in hold,
And (with my selfe) Ile bring thence all the gold
I can by all meanes finger: and beside,
Ile do my best, to see your freight supplide
VVith some wel-weighing burthen of mine owne.
For I bring vp, in house, a great mans sonne,
As crafty as my selfe; who will with me
Run euery way along; and I will be
His Leader, till your Ship hath made him sure.
He will an infinite great price procure
Transfer him to what languag'd men ye may.
She bad, Be silent now; and not a word
Do you, or any of your friends afford,
Meeting me afterward in any way;
Or at the washing Fount; lest some display
Be made, and told the old man: and he then
Keepe me streight bound: To you, and to your men
The vtter ruine, plotting of your liues.
Keepe in firme thought then, euery word that striues
For dangerous vtterance: Haste your ships ful freight
Of what you Trafficke for; and let me streight
Know by some sent friend: She hath all in hold,
240
I can by all meanes finger: and beside,
Ile do my best, to see your freight supplide
VVith some wel-weighing burthen of mine owne.
For I bring vp, in house, a great mans sonne,
As crafty as my selfe; who will with me
Run euery way along; and I will be
His Leader, till your Ship hath made him sure.
He will an infinite great price procure
Transfer him to what languag'd men ye may.
This said; She gat her home, and there made stay
A whole yeare with vs; Goods of great auaile
Their Ship enriching. VVhich now, fit for saile:
They sent a Messenger t'informe the Dame.
And, to my fathers house a fellow came,
Full of Phænissian craft: that, to be sold
A Tablet bought; the body all of Gold,
The Verge, all Amber. This had ocular view,
Both by my honor'd Mother, and the crew
Of her house-handmaids, handl'd; and the price
Beat; askt, and promist. And while this deuice
Lay thus vpon the Forge: this Ieweller
Made priuy signes (by winkes and wiles) to her
That was his obiect; which she tooke, and he
(His signe seeing noted) hied to Ship. VVhen she
(My hand still taking, as she vsde to do
To walke abroad with her) conuai'd me so
Abroad with her; and in the Portico
Found cups, with tasted Viands; which the guests
That vsde to flocke about my Fathers feasts
Had left. They gone (some to the Counsaile Court;
Some to heare newes amongst the talking sort)
Her Theft, three bowles into her lap conuaid;
And forth she went. Nor was my wit so staid
To stay her, or my selfe. The Sun went downe,
And shadowes round about the world were flowne,
VVhen we came to the hauen; in which did ride
The swift Phænissian Ship; whose faire broad fide
They boorded straight: Tooke vs vp; And all went
Along the moyst waues. VVinde, Saturnius sent.
Six dayes, we day and night sayl'd: But vvhen Ioue
Put vp the seuenth day; She, that shafts doth loue,
Shot dead the woman; who into the pumpe
Like to a Dop-chicke, diu'd; and gaue a thumpe
In her sad setling. Forth they cast her then
To serue the Fish, and Sea-calues: no more Men.
But I was left there, with a heauy hart.
When, winde and water draue them quite apart
Their owne course, and on Ithaca they fell;
And there, poore me, did to Laertes sell:
And thus these eyes, the sight of this Isle prou'd.
A whole yeare with vs; Goods of great auaile
Their Ship enriching. VVhich now, fit for saile:
They sent a Messenger t'informe the Dame.
And, to my fathers house a fellow came,
Full of Phænissian craft: that, to be sold
A Tablet bought; the body all of Gold,
The Verge, all Amber. This had ocular view,
Both by my honor'd Mother, and the crew
Of her house-handmaids, handl'd; and the price
Beat; askt, and promist. And while this deuice
Lay thus vpon the Forge: this Ieweller
Made priuy signes (by winkes and wiles) to her
That was his obiect; which she tooke, and he
(His signe seeing noted) hied to Ship. VVhen she
(My hand still taking, as she vsde to do
To walke abroad with her) conuai'd me so
Abroad with her; and in the Portico
Found cups, with tasted Viands; which the guests
That vsde to flocke about my Fathers feasts
Had left. They gone (some to the Counsaile Court;
Some to heare newes amongst the talking sort)
Her Theft, three bowles into her lap conuaid;
And forth she went. Nor was my wit so staid
To stay her, or my selfe. The Sun went downe,
And shadowes round about the world were flowne,
VVhen we came to the hauen; in which did ride
The swift Phænissian Ship; whose faire broad fide
They boorded straight: Tooke vs vp; And all went
Along the moyst waues. VVinde, Saturnius sent.
Six dayes, we day and night sayl'd: But vvhen Ioue
Put vp the seuenth day; She, that shafts doth loue,
Shot dead the woman; who into the pumpe
Like to a Dop-chicke, diu'd; and gaue a thumpe
In her sad setling. Forth they cast her then
To serue the Fish, and Sea-calues: no more Men.
But I was left there, with a heauy hart.
When, winde and water draue them quite apart
241
And there, poore me, did to Laertes sell:
And thus these eyes, the sight of this Isle prou'd.
Eumæus (he replyed) Thou much hast mou'd
The minde in me, with all things thou hast said,
And all the sufferance on thy bosome laid:
Bur (truly) to thy ill, hath Ioue ioyn'd good,
That one whose veines are seru'd with humane blood
Hath bought thy seruice; that giues competence
Of food, wine; cloth to thee. And sure th' expence
Of thy lifes date heere, is of good desart.
VVhose labours, not to thee alone, impart
Sufficient food and housing; but to me.
VVhere I, through many a heap't humanity
Haue hither err'd; where, though (like thee) not sold,
Not staid, like thee yet; nor nought needfull hold.
The minde in me, with all things thou hast said,
And all the sufferance on thy bosome laid:
Bur (truly) to thy ill, hath Ioue ioyn'd good,
That one whose veines are seru'd with humane blood
Hath bought thy seruice; that giues competence
Of food, wine; cloth to thee. And sure th' expence
Of thy lifes date heere, is of good desart.
VVhose labours, not to thee alone, impart
Sufficient food and housing; but to me.
VVhere I, through many a heap't humanity
Haue hither err'd; where, though (like thee) not sold,
Not staid, like thee yet; nor nought needfull hold.
This mutuall speech they vsd; nor had they slept
Much time before; the much-nere-morning lept
To her faire throne. And now strooke saile, the men
That seru'd Telemachus; arriu'd iust then
Nere his lou'd shore: wher now they stoopt the Mast,
Made to the Port with Oares, and Anchor cast;
Made fast the Ship, and then ashore they went:
Drest supper, fil'd wine; when (their appetites spent)
Telemachus commanded, they should yield
The Ship to th' owner; while himselfe, at field
VVould see his shepherds: when light drew to end
He would his gifts see, and to Towne descend.
And in the morning, at a Feast bestow
Rewards for all their paines. And whither, now
(Said Theoclymenus) my loued Son
Shall I addresse my selfe? whose mansion,
Of all men, in this rough-hewne Isle, shall I
Direct my way to? Or go readily
To thy house, and thy Mother? He replied;
Another time, Ile see you satisfied
VVith my house entertainment: but as now,
You should encounter none that could bestow
Your fit entreaty; and (which lesse graue were)
You could not see my Mother, I not there.
For shee's no frequent obiect; but apart
Keepes from her wooers, woo'd with her desart,
Vp, in her chamber, at her Huswifery.
But Ile name one, to whom you shall apply
Direct repaire; and thats Eurymachus,
Renown'd descent, to wise Polybius:
A man whom th' Ithacensians looke on now,
As on a God: since he, of all that wow
Is farre superior man; and likest far
To wed my mother: and as circular
Be in that honor, as Vlysses was.
But heauen-housd Ioue knowes, the yet hidden passe
Of her disposure; and on them he may
A blacker sight bring, then her Nuptiall day.
Much time before; the much-nere-morning lept
To her faire throne. And now strooke saile, the men
That seru'd Telemachus; arriu'd iust then
Nere his lou'd shore: wher now they stoopt the Mast,
Made to the Port with Oares, and Anchor cast;
Made fast the Ship, and then ashore they went:
Drest supper, fil'd wine; when (their appetites spent)
Telemachus commanded, they should yield
The Ship to th' owner; while himselfe, at field
VVould see his shepherds: when light drew to end
He would his gifts see, and to Towne descend.
And in the morning, at a Feast bestow
Rewards for all their paines. And whither, now
(Said Theoclymenus) my loued Son
Shall I addresse my selfe? whose mansion,
Of all men, in this rough-hewne Isle, shall I
Direct my way to? Or go readily
To thy house, and thy Mother? He replied;
Another time, Ile see you satisfied
VVith my house entertainment: but as now,
You should encounter none that could bestow
Your fit entreaty; and (which lesse graue were)
You could not see my Mother, I not there.
For shee's no frequent obiect; but apart
Keepes from her wooers, woo'd with her desart,
Vp, in her chamber, at her Huswifery.
But Ile name one, to whom you shall apply
Direct repaire; and thats Eurymachus,
Renown'd descent, to wise Polybius:
A man whom th' Ithacensians looke on now,
As on a God: since he, of all that wow
242
To wed my mother: and as circular
Be in that honor, as Vlysses was.
But heauen-housd Ioue knowes, the yet hidden passe
Of her disposure; and on them he may
A blacker sight bring, then her Nuptiall day.
As this he vtter'd; on his right hand flew
A Saker; sacred to the God of view:
That, in his Tallons trust, and plum'd a Doue;
The Feathers round about the Ship did roue,
And on Telemachus fell; whom th' Augure then
Tooke fast by th' hand; withdrew him from his men,
And said; Telemachus; This Hawke is sent
From God; I knew it for a sure Ostent
VVhen first I saw it. Be you well assur'd,
There will no wooer be by heauen indur'd
To rule in Ithaca, aboue your Race:
But your pow'rs euer fill the Regall place.
A Saker; sacred to the God of view:
That, in his Tallons trust, and plum'd a Doue;
The Feathers round about the Ship did roue,
And on Telemachus fell; whom th' Augure then
Tooke fast by th' hand; withdrew him from his men,
And said; Telemachus; This Hawke is sent
From God; I knew it for a sure Ostent
VVhen first I saw it. Be you well assur'd,
There will no wooer be by heauen indur'd
To rule in Ithaca, aboue your Race:
But your pow'rs euer fill the Regall place.
I wish to heauen (said he) thy word might stand;
Thou then shouldst soon acknowledge from my hand
Such gifts & friendship, as would make thee (Guest)
Met, and saluted, as no lesse then blest.
Thou then shouldst soon acknowledge from my hand
Such gifts & friendship, as would make thee (Guest)
Met, and saluted, as no lesse then blest.
This said; he call'd Pyræus (Clytus sonne)
His true associate; saying, Thou hast done
(Of all my Followers, to the Pylian shore)
My will, in chiefe, in other things; Once more,
Be chiefly good to me: take to thy house
This loued stranger; & be studious
T'embrace and greete him, with thy greatest fare,
Till I my selfe come, and take off thy care.
His true associate; saying, Thou hast done
(Of all my Followers, to the Pylian shore)
My will, in chiefe, in other things; Once more,
Be chiefly good to me: take to thy house
This loued stranger; & be studious
T'embrace and greete him, with thy greatest fare,
Till I my selfe come, and take off thy care.
The famous for his Lance saide; if your stay,
Take time for life heere; this mans care, Ile lay
On my performance; nor what fits a Guest,
Shall any penury with-hold his Feast.
Take time for life heere; this mans care, Ile lay
On my performance; nor what fits a Guest,
Shall any penury with-hold his Feast.
Thus tooke he ship; bad them boord, and away.
They boorded; sate: but did their labour stay
Till he had deckt his feete, and reacht his Lance.
They to the City: he did straight aduance
Vp to his Sties; where Swine lay for him, store;
By whose sides did his honest Swine-herd snore:
Till his short eares, his longest Nights had ended:
And nothing worse, to both his Lords intended.
They boorded; sate: but did their labour stay
Till he had deckt his feete, and reacht his Lance.
They to the City: he did straight aduance
Vp to his Sties; where Swine lay for him, store;
By whose sides did his honest Swine-herd snore:
Till his short eares, his longest Nights had ended:
And nothing worse, to both his Lords intended.
The End of the Fifteenth Booke of Homers Odysses.
243
THE SIXTEENTH BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
The Prince at Field; he sends to TowneEumæus, to make truly knowne
His safe returne. By Pallas will,
Telemachus is giuen the skill
To know his Father. Those that lay
In Ambush, to prevent the way
Of yong Vlyssides, for home;
Retire, with anger ouercome.
Another.
To his most deere,Vlysses showes;
The wise Sun heere
his Father knowes.
Vlysses
, and diuine Eumæus rose
Soone as the morning could her eyes vnclose:
Made fire; brake fast; And to their Pasture send
The gather'd Herds: on whom, their Swaines attend.
The selfe-tyre barking Dogs, all sawn'd vpon;
Nor bark't, at first sight of Vlysses son.
The whinings of their fawnings yet did greet
Vlysses eares; and sounds of certaine feet;
Who thus bespake Eumæus: Sure some friend,
Or one well knowne comes, that the Mastiues spend
Their mouths no lowder. Onely some one neare
They whine, and leape about; whose feete I heare.
Soone as the morning could her eyes vnclose:
Made fire; brake fast; And to their Pasture send
The gather'd Herds: on whom, their Swaines attend.
The selfe-tyre barking Dogs, all sawn'd vpon;
Nor bark't, at first sight of Vlysses son.
The whinings of their fawnings yet did greet
Vlysses eares; and sounds of certaine feet;
Who thus bespake Eumæus: Sure some friend,
Or one well knowne comes, that the Mastiues spend
Their mouths no lowder. Onely some one neare
They whine, and leape about; whose feete I heare.
Each word of this speech was not spent, before
His Son stood in the entry of the dore.
Out-rusht amaz'd Eumæus: and let go
The cup to earth, that he had labor'd so,
Cleans'd for the neate wine: Did the Prince surprise,
Kist his faire forehead: Both his louely eyes,
Both his white hands; And tender teares distil'd.
There breath'd no kind soul'd Father, that was fild
Lesse with his sonnes embraces, that had liu'd
Ten yeares in farre-off earth; now new retriu'd,
His onely childe too, gotten in his age:
And for whose absence he had felt the rage
Of griefes vpon him; then for this diuin'd
So much for forme, was this diuine for mind:
VVho kist him through: who grew about him kissing,
As fresh from death scapt. Whō (so long time missing)
He wept for ioy, and said; Thou yet art come,
(Sweet light, sweet Sun-rise) to thy cloudy home.
O (neuer I look't) when once shipt away
For Pylos shores, to see thy turning day.
Come; enter lou'd Son; Let me feast my hart
VVith thy sweete sight; new come, so farre apart.
Nor when you liu'd at home, would you walk downe
Often enough heere, but staide still at Towne:
It pleas'd you then, to cast such forehand view
About your house, on that most damned crew.
His Son stood in the entry of the dore.
Out-rusht amaz'd Eumæus: and let go
The cup to earth, that he had labor'd so,
Cleans'd for the neate wine: Did the Prince surprise,
Kist his faire forehead: Both his louely eyes,
Both his white hands; And tender teares distil'd.
There breath'd no kind soul'd Father, that was fild
Lesse with his sonnes embraces, that had liu'd
Ten yeares in farre-off earth; now new retriu'd,
His onely childe too, gotten in his age:
And for whose absence he had felt the rage
244
So much for forme, was this diuine for mind:
VVho kist him through: who grew about him kissing,
As fresh from death scapt. Whō (so long time missing)
He wept for ioy, and said; Thou yet art come,
(Sweet light, sweet Sun-rise) to thy cloudy home.
O (neuer I look't) when once shipt away
For Pylos shores, to see thy turning day.
Come; enter lou'd Son; Let me feast my hart
VVith thy sweete sight; new come, so farre apart.
Nor when you liu'd at home, would you walk downe
Often enough heere, but staide still at Towne:
It pleas'd you then, to cast such forehand view
About your house, on that most damned crew.
It shall be so then, Friend (saide he) but now
I come to glad mine eyes with thee, and know
If still my Mother, in her house remaine:
Or if some wooer hath aspir'd to gaine
Of her in Nuptials: for Vlysses bed,
By this, lies all with Spiders cobwebs spred,
In penury of him that should supply it.
I come to glad mine eyes with thee, and know
If still my Mother, in her house remaine:
Or if some wooer hath aspir'd to gaine
Of her in Nuptials: for Vlysses bed,
By this, lies all with Spiders cobwebs spred,
In penury of him that should supply it.
She still (said he) holds her most constant quiet,
Aloft thine owne house, for the beds respect:
But for her Lords sad losse; sad nights and daies
Obscure her beauties, and corrupt their raies.
Aloft thine owne house, for the beds respect:
But for her Lords sad losse; sad nights and daies
Obscure her beauties, and corrupt their raies.
This said; Eumæus, tooke his brazen Speare;
And in he went: when, being enter'd neare
VVithin the stony threshold; From his seat,
His Father rose to him: who would not let
Th' old man remoue; but drew him backe and prest
VVith earnest termes his sitting; Saying, Guest;
Take heere your feate againe; we soone shall get
Within our owne house heere, some other seat:
Heere's one will fetch it. This said; downe againe
His Father sate: and to his sonne, his Swaine
Strew'd faire greene Osiers; and impos'd thereon
A good soft Sheepeskin, which made him a Throne.
And in he went: when, being enter'd neare
VVithin the stony threshold; From his seat,
His Father rose to him: who would not let
Th' old man remoue; but drew him backe and prest
VVith earnest termes his sitting; Saying, Guest;
Take heere your feate againe; we soone shall get
Within our owne house heere, some other seat:
Heere's one will fetch it. This said; downe againe
His Father sate: and to his sonne, his Swaine
Strew'd faire greene Osiers; and impos'd thereon
A good soft Sheepeskin, which made him a Throne.
Then he appos'd to them, his last-left Roste;
And in a wicker basket, bread engroste:
Fil'd luscious wine; and then tooke opposite seate
To the diuine Vlysses. VVhen the meate
Set there before them; all fell to, and eate.
And in a wicker basket, bread engroste:
Fil'd luscious wine; and then tooke opposite seate
To the diuine Vlysses. VVhen the meate
Set there before them; all fell to, and eate.
VVhen they had fed; the Prince said, pray thee say,
Whence coms this guest? what seaman gaue him way
To this our Isle? I hope these feete of his
Could walke no water; who boasts he, he is?
Whence coms this guest? what seaman gaue him way
To this our Isle? I hope these feete of his
Could walke no water; who boasts he, he is?
Ile tell all truly Son: From ample Crete
He bosts himselfe; and sayes, his erring feete
Haue many Cities trod: And God was he
VVhose finger wrought in his infirmity.
But, to my Cottage, the last scape of his,
VVas from a Thesprots Ship. VVhat ere he is,
Ile giue him you: do what you please; His vant
Is, that he is (at most) a suppliant.
He bosts himselfe; and sayes, his erring feete
245
VVhose finger wrought in his infirmity.
But, to my Cottage, the last scape of his,
VVas from a Thesprots Ship. VVhat ere he is,
Ile giue him you: do what you please; His vant
Is, that he is (at most) a suppliant.
Eumæus, (said the Prince) To tell me this,
You haue afflicted my weake Faculties:
For how shall I receiue him to my house
VVith any safety; that suspitious
Of my yong forces (should I be assaide
With any sodaine violence) may want aide
To shield my selfe? Besides, if I go home,
My mother is with two doubts ouercome:
If she shall stay with me, and take fit care
For all such guests, as there seeke guestiue fare;
Her husbands bed respecting, and her fame
Amongst the people: Or her blood may frame
A liking to some wooer, such as best
May bed her in his house; not giuing lest.
And thus am I vnsure, of all meanes free
To vse a Guest there, fit for his degree.
But, being thy Guest; Ile be his supply,
For all weeds, such as mere necessity
Shall more then furnish: Fit him with a sword,
And set him where his heart would haue bene shor'd.
Or (if so pleasd) receiue him in thy Shed:
Ile send thee clothes, I vow; and all the bread
His wish would eate: that to thy men and thee
He be no burthen. But that I should be
His meane to my house; where a company
Of wrong-professing wooers, wildly liue;
I will in no sort author; lest they giue
Foule vse to him; and me, as grauely grieue.
For what great act can any one atchieue
Against a multitude? Although his minde
Retaine a courage of the greatest kinde?
For all minds haue not force in one degree.
You haue afflicted my weake Faculties:
For how shall I receiue him to my house
VVith any safety; that suspitious
Of my yong forces (should I be assaide
With any sodaine violence) may want aide
To shield my selfe? Besides, if I go home,
My mother is with two doubts ouercome:
If she shall stay with me, and take fit care
For all such guests, as there seeke guestiue fare;
Her husbands bed respecting, and her fame
Amongst the people: Or her blood may frame
A liking to some wooer, such as best
May bed her in his house; not giuing lest.
And thus am I vnsure, of all meanes free
To vse a Guest there, fit for his degree.
But, being thy Guest; Ile be his supply,
For all weeds, such as mere necessity
Shall more then furnish: Fit him with a sword,
And set him where his heart would haue bene shor'd.
Or (if so pleasd) receiue him in thy Shed:
Ile send thee clothes, I vow; and all the bread
His wish would eate: that to thy men and thee
He be no burthen. But that I should be
His meane to my house; where a company
Of wrong-professing wooers, wildly liue;
I will in no sort author; lest they giue
Foule vse to him; and me, as grauely grieue.
For what great act can any one atchieue
Against a multitude? Although his minde
Retaine a courage of the greatest kinde?
For all minds haue not force in one degree.
Vlysses answer'd; O Friend, since 'tis free
For any man, to change fit words with thee;
Ile freely speake. Me thinkes, a woluish powre
My heart puts on, to teare and to deuoure;
To heare your affirmation; that (in spite
Of what may fall on you, made opposite;
Being one of your proportion, birth, and age,
These wooers should in such iniustice rage.
VVhat should the cause be? Do you wilfully
Indure their spoile? Or hath your Empery
Bene such amongst your people; that, all gather
In troope, and one voice; (which euen God doth father)
And vow your hate so, that they suffer them?
Or blame your Kinsfolks faiths, before th' extream
Of your first stroke hath tried them? whom a man
When strifes, to blowes rise, trusts: though battel ran
In huge and high waues? would to heauen my spirit
Such youth breath'd, as the man that must inherit,
Yet neuer toucht Vlysses: or that he
(But wandring this way) would but come, and see
What my age could atchieue (and there is Fate
For Hope yet left; that he may recreate
His eyes with such an obiect.) This my head
Should any stranger strike off, if starke dead
I strooke not all: the house in open force
Entring with challenge. If their great concourse
Did ouer-lay me, being a man alone;
(VVhich you vrge for your selfe) be you that one.
I rather in mine owne house wish to dye
One death for all; then so indecently
See euermore, deeds worse then death applied;
Guests, wrōg'd with vile words, & blow-giuing pride:
The women-seruants dragg'd in filthy kind
About the faire house; and in corners blind
Made serue the rapes of Ruffins: Food deuour'd
Idely and rudely; wine exhaust, and pour'd
Through throats prophane; and all about a deed,
That's euer wooing, and will neuer speed.
For any man, to change fit words with thee;
Ile freely speake. Me thinkes, a woluish powre
My heart puts on, to teare and to deuoure;
To heare your affirmation; that (in spite
Of what may fall on you, made opposite;
Being one of your proportion, birth, and age,
These wooers should in such iniustice rage.
VVhat should the cause be? Do you wilfully
Indure their spoile? Or hath your Empery
246
In troope, and one voice; (which euen God doth father)
And vow your hate so, that they suffer them?
Or blame your Kinsfolks faiths, before th' extream
Of your first stroke hath tried them? whom a man
When strifes, to blowes rise, trusts: though battel ran
In huge and high waues? would to heauen my spirit
Such youth breath'd, as the man that must inherit,
Yet neuer toucht Vlysses: or that he
(But wandring this way) would but come, and see
What my age could atchieue (and there is Fate
For Hope yet left; that he may recreate
His eyes with such an obiect.) This my head
Should any stranger strike off, if starke dead
I strooke not all: the house in open force
Entring with challenge. If their great concourse
Did ouer-lay me, being a man alone;
(VVhich you vrge for your selfe) be you that one.
I rather in mine owne house wish to dye
One death for all; then so indecently
See euermore, deeds worse then death applied;
Guests, wrōg'd with vile words, & blow-giuing pride:
The women-seruants dragg'd in filthy kind
About the faire house; and in corners blind
Made serue the rapes of Ruffins: Food deuour'd
Idely and rudely; wine exhaust, and pour'd
Through throats prophane; and all about a deed,
That's euer wooing, and will neuer speed.
Ile tell you (Guest) most truly, saide his Son;
I do not thinke, that all my people ron
One hatefull course against me; Nor accuse
Kinsfolkes that I in strifes of weight, might vse:
But Ioue will haue it so: our Race alone,
(As if made singular) to one, and one
His hand confining. Onely to the King
(Ioue-bred Arcesius) did Laertes spring;
Onely to old Laertes did descend
Vlysses; onely to Vlysses end
Am I the Adiunct; whom he left so yong,
That from me, to him, neuer comfort sprong.
And to all these now (for their race) arise
Vp in their house, a brood of enemies.
As many as in these Isles bow mens knees;
Samos, Dulychius, and the rich in Trees
Zacynthus: Or in this rought Isles command,
So many suiters for the Nuptials stand,
That aske my Mother; and meane space, prefer
Their lusts to all spoile, that dishonor her.
Nor doth she (though she loaths) deny their suites;
Nor they denials take, though taste their fruites.
But all this time, the state of all things there
Their throats deuoure; and I must shortly beare
A part in all; and yet the periods
Of these designes, lye in the knees of Gods.
Of all Loues then, Eumæus; make quicke way
To wise Penelope; and to her, say
My safe returne from Pylos; and alone
Returne thou hither, hauing made it knowne.
Nor let (besides my Mother) any care
Partake thy Message; since a number beare
My safe returne displeasure. He replied;
I do not thinke, that all my people ron
One hatefull course against me; Nor accuse
Kinsfolkes that I in strifes of weight, might vse:
But Ioue will haue it so: our Race alone,
(As if made singular) to one, and one
His hand confining. Onely to the King
(Ioue-bred Arcesius) did Laertes spring;
Onely to old Laertes did descend
Vlysses; onely to Vlysses end
Am I the Adiunct; whom he left so yong,
That from me, to him, neuer comfort sprong.
And to all these now (for their race) arise
Vp in their house, a brood of enemies.
As many as in these Isles bow mens knees;
Samos, Dulychius, and the rich in Trees
Zacynthus: Or in this rought Isles command,
So many suiters for the Nuptials stand,
That aske my Mother; and meane space, prefer
Their lusts to all spoile, that dishonor her.
247
Nor they denials take, though taste their fruites.
But all this time, the state of all things there
Their throats deuoure; and I must shortly beare
A part in all; and yet the periods
Of these designes, lye in the knees of Gods.
Of all Loues then, Eumæus; make quicke way
To wise Penelope; and to her, say
My safe returne from Pylos; and alone
Returne thou hither, hauing made it knowne.
Nor let (besides my Mother) any care
Partake thy Message; since a number beare
My safe returne displeasure. He replied;
I know, and comprehend you; you diuide,
Your minde with one that vnderstands you well.
But, all in one yet; may I not reueale
To th' old hard-fated Arcesiades
Your safe returne? who through his whole distres
Felt for Vlysses, did not yet so grieue,
But with his houshold, he had will to liue;
And seru'd his appetite, with wine, and food;
Surueigh'd his husbandry, and did his blood
Some comforts fitting life: But since you tooke
Your ship for Pylos, he would neuer brooke,
Or wine, or food, they say; nor cast an eye
On any labour: but sits weeping by;
And sighing out his sorrowes, ceasselesse mones
Wasting his body, turn'd all skin and bones.
Your minde with one that vnderstands you well.
But, all in one yet; may I not reueale
To th' old hard-fated Arcesiades
Your safe returne? who through his whole distres
Felt for Vlysses, did not yet so grieue,
But with his houshold, he had will to liue;
And seru'd his appetite, with wine, and food;
Surueigh'd his husbandry, and did his blood
Some comforts fitting life: But since you tooke
Your ship for Pylos, he would neuer brooke,
Or wine, or food, they say; nor cast an eye
On any labour: but sits weeping by;
And sighing out his sorrowes, ceasselesse mones
Wasting his body, turn'd all skin and bones.
More sad newes still (said he) yet; mourne he still?
For if the rule of all mens workes be will,
And his will, his way goes: mine stands inclin'd
T'attend the home-turne of my neerer kind.
Do then, what I inioyne; which, giuen effect;
Erre not to field to him, but turne direct.
Entreating first my Mother, with most speed;
And all the secrecy that now serues Neede,
To send this way their store-house Guardian,
And she shall tell all to the aged Man.
For if the rule of all mens workes be will,
And his will, his way goes: mine stands inclin'd
T'attend the home-turne of my neerer kind.
Do then, what I inioyne; which, giuen effect;
Erre not to field to him, but turne direct.
Entreating first my Mother, with most speed;
And all the secrecy that now serues Neede,
To send this way their store-house Guardian,
And she shall tell all to the aged Man.
He tooke his shooes vp; put them on, and went.
Nor was his absence, hid from Ioues descent,
Diuine Minerua: who tooke straight, to view,
A goodly womans shape, that all workes knew:
And, standing in the entry, did prefer
Her sight t'Vlysses. But (though meeting her)
His sonne Telemachus, nor saw, nor knew:
The Gods cleere presences, are knowne to few.
Yet (with Vlysses) euen the Dogs did see,
And would not barke; but, whining louingly,
Fled to the Stals farre side. VVhere She, her eine
Moou'd to Vlysses. He knew her designe,
And left the house, past the great Sheep-cotes wall,
And stood before her. She bad, Vtter all
Now to his sonne; nor keepe the least vnlosde:
That all the wooers deaths being now disposde,
They might approach the Towne; Affirming, she
Not long would faile, t'assist to victory.
Nor was his absence, hid from Ioues descent,
Diuine Minerua: who tooke straight, to view,
A goodly womans shape, that all workes knew:
And, standing in the entry, did prefer
Her sight t'Vlysses. But (though meeting her)
His sonne Telemachus, nor saw, nor knew:
The Gods cleere presences, are knowne to few.
Yet (with Vlysses) euen the Dogs did see,
And would not barke; but, whining louingly,
248
Moou'd to Vlysses. He knew her designe,
And left the house, past the great Sheep-cotes wall,
And stood before her. She bad, Vtter all
Now to his sonne; nor keepe the least vnlosde:
That all the wooers deaths being now disposde,
They might approach the Towne; Affirming, she
Not long would faile, t'assist to victory.
This said; She laide her golden Rod on him;
And with his late-worne weeds grac't euery lim.
His body straitn'd, and his youth instill'd;
His fresh blood call'd vp: euery wrinkle fill'd
About his broken eyes; and on his chin
The browne haire spred. When his whole trim wrought in;
She yssu'd; and he enter'd to his sonne:
VVho stood amaz'd; & thought some God had done
His house that honor: turn'd away his eyes,
And sayd; Now Guest, you grace another guise
Then suites your late shew; Other weeds you weare,
And other person. Of the starry spheare
You certainly present some deathlesse God.
Be pleasd, that to your here vouchsaf't abod
VVe may giue sacred rites, and offer Gold
To do vs fauour. He replied: I hold
No deified state. VVhy put you thus on me
A Gods resemblance? I am onely he
That beares thy Fathers name: for whose lou'd sake,
Thy youth so grieues: whose absence makes thee take,
Such wrongs of men. Thus kist he him; nor could
Forbeare those teares, that in such mighty hold
He held before: still held, still yssuing euer.
And now (the shores once broke) the springtide neuer
Forbore earth from the cheekes he kist. His sonne,
(By all these violent arguments; not wonne
To credit him his Father) did deny
His kinde assumpt: and said, Some Deity
Fain'd that ioyes cause, to make him grieue the more:
Affirming, that no man, whoeuer wore
The garment of mortality, could take
(By any vtmost power, his soule could make)
Such change into it: since at so much will,
Not Ioue himselfe, could both remoue, and fill
Old age, with youth; and youth, with age so spoile
In such an instant. You wore all the soile
Of age but now, and were old: And but now
You beare that yong grace that the Gods indow
Their heauen-borne formes withall. His father saide:
Telemachus? Admire, nor stand dismaide:
But know thy solid Father; since within,
He answeres all parts, that adorne his skin.
There shall no more Vlyssesses come heere.
I am the man, that now this twentith yeare
(Stil vnder sufferance of a world of ill)
My countrey earth, recouer: 'Tis the will
The Prey-professor Pallas puts in act;
VVho put me thus together; thus distract,
In aged pieces, as euen now you saw,
This youth now rendring. 'Tis within the law
Of her free pow'r. Sometimes to shew me pore;
Sometimes againe, thus amply to restore
My youth, and Ornaments; She still would please.
The Gods can raise, and throw men downe, with ease.
And with his late-worne weeds grac't euery lim.
His body straitn'd, and his youth instill'd;
His fresh blood call'd vp: euery wrinkle fill'd
About his broken eyes; and on his chin
The browne haire spred. When his whole trim wrought in;
She yssu'd; and he enter'd to his sonne:
VVho stood amaz'd; & thought some God had done
His house that honor: turn'd away his eyes,
And sayd; Now Guest, you grace another guise
Then suites your late shew; Other weeds you weare,
And other person. Of the starry spheare
You certainly present some deathlesse God.
Be pleasd, that to your here vouchsaf't abod
VVe may giue sacred rites, and offer Gold
To do vs fauour. He replied: I hold
No deified state. VVhy put you thus on me
A Gods resemblance? I am onely he
That beares thy Fathers name: for whose lou'd sake,
Thy youth so grieues: whose absence makes thee take,
Such wrongs of men. Thus kist he him; nor could
Forbeare those teares, that in such mighty hold
He held before: still held, still yssuing euer.
And now (the shores once broke) the springtide neuer
Forbore earth from the cheekes he kist. His sonne,
(By all these violent arguments; not wonne
To credit him his Father) did deny
His kinde assumpt: and said, Some Deity
Fain'd that ioyes cause, to make him grieue the more:
Affirming, that no man, whoeuer wore
The garment of mortality, could take
(By any vtmost power, his soule could make)
Such change into it: since at so much will,
Not Ioue himselfe, could both remoue, and fill
Old age, with youth; and youth, with age so spoile
In such an instant. You wore all the soile
Of age but now, and were old: And but now
You beare that yong grace that the Gods indow
Their heauen-borne formes withall. His father saide:
Telemachus? Admire, nor stand dismaide:
249
He answeres all parts, that adorne his skin.
There shall no more Vlyssesses come heere.
I am the man, that now this twentith yeare
(Stil vnder sufferance of a world of ill)
My countrey earth, recouer: 'Tis the will
The Prey-professor Pallas puts in act;
VVho put me thus together; thus distract,
In aged pieces, as euen now you saw,
This youth now rendring. 'Tis within the law
Of her free pow'r. Sometimes to shew me pore;
Sometimes againe, thus amply to restore
My youth, and Ornaments; She still would please.
The Gods can raise, and throw men downe, with ease.
This said; he sat: when his Telemachus pour'd
Himselfe about him: Teares on teares, he shour'd:
And to desire of mone, increast the cloud:
Both wept & howl'd, & laide out shrieks more loud;
Then or the Bird-bone-breaking Eagle reres;
Or Brood-kind Vulture with the crooked Seres,
VVhen rusticke hands, their tender Aries draw,
Before they giue their wings their full-plum'd Law.
But miserably pour'd they from beneath
Their lids, their teares: while both their breasts did breath
As frequent cries: & to their feruent mone,
The light had left the skies; if first the sonne
Their dumbe mones had not vented, with demand
VVhat Ship it was, that gaue the naturall land
To his blest feet? He then, did likewise lay
Hand on his passion; and gaue these words way.
Himselfe about him: Teares on teares, he shour'd:
And to desire of mone, increast the cloud:
Both wept & howl'd, & laide out shrieks more loud;
Then or the Bird-bone-breaking Eagle reres;
Or Brood-kind Vulture with the crooked Seres,
VVhen rusticke hands, their tender Aries draw,
Before they giue their wings their full-plum'd Law.
But miserably pour'd they from beneath
Their lids, their teares: while both their breasts did breath
As frequent cries: & to their feruent mone,
The light had left the skies; if first the sonne
Their dumbe mones had not vented, with demand
VVhat Ship it was, that gaue the naturall land
To his blest feet? He then, did likewise lay
Hand on his passion; and gaue these words way.
Ile tell thee truth, my sonne; The men that beare
Much fame for shipping, my Reducers were
To long-wisht Ithaca; who each man els,
That greets their shore, giue passe to where he dwels.
The Phæacensian Peeres, in one nights date,
(VVhile I fast slept) fetcht th' Ithacensian state:
Grac't me with wealthy gifts: Brasse, store of Gold,
And Robes faire wrought: All which haue secret hold
In Caues, that by the Gods aduice, I chusde.
And now, Minerua's admonitions vsde
For this retreat; that we might heere dispose
In close Discourse, the slaughters of our foes.
Recount the number of the wooers then;
And let me know what name they hold with men:
That my minde, may cast ouer their estates
A curious measure; & conferre the rates
Of our two pow'rs, and theirs: to try; if we
Alone, may propagate to victory
Our bold encounters of them all, or proue
The kind assistance of some others loue.
Much fame for shipping, my Reducers were
To long-wisht Ithaca; who each man els,
That greets their shore, giue passe to where he dwels.
The Phæacensian Peeres, in one nights date,
(VVhile I fast slept) fetcht th' Ithacensian state:
Grac't me with wealthy gifts: Brasse, store of Gold,
And Robes faire wrought: All which haue secret hold
In Caues, that by the Gods aduice, I chusde.
And now, Minerua's admonitions vsde
For this retreat; that we might heere dispose
In close Discourse, the slaughters of our foes.
Recount the number of the wooers then;
And let me know what name they hold with men:
That my minde, may cast ouer their estates
A curious measure; & conferre the rates
Of our two pow'rs, and theirs: to try; if we
Alone, may propagate to victory
250
The kind assistance of some others loue.
O Father (he replied) I oft haue heard
Your counsailes, and your force of hand prefer'd
To mighty glory: But your speeches now,
Your ventrous minde, exceeding mighty show.
Euen to amaze they moue me: for in right
Of no fitte counsaile, should be brought to fight,
Two men, 'gainst th' able faction of a throng.
No one two, no one ten; No twice ten strong
These wooers are: but more by much. For know,
That from Dulychius there are fifty two;
All choise yong men: and euery one of these
Six men attend. From Samos crost the Seas
Twice twelue young Gallants. From Zacynthus came
Twice ten. Of Ithaca, the best of name,
Twice six. Of all which, all the State they take,
A sacred Poet, and a Herald make.
Their delicacies, two (of speciall sort
In skill of banquets) serue. And all this port
If we shall dare t'encounter; all thrust vp
In one strong roofe: haue great care lest the cup
Your great mind thirsts, exceeding bitter taste;
And your retreat, commend not to your haste
Your great attempt; but make you say, you buy
Their prides reuenges, at a price too hy.
And therefore (if you could) t'were, well you thought
Of some assistent. Be your spirit wrought
In such a mans election, as may lend
His succours freely, and expresse a Friend.
Your counsailes, and your force of hand prefer'd
To mighty glory: But your speeches now,
Your ventrous minde, exceeding mighty show.
Euen to amaze they moue me: for in right
Of no fitte counsaile, should be brought to fight,
Two men, 'gainst th' able faction of a throng.
No one two, no one ten; No twice ten strong
These wooers are: but more by much. For know,
That from Dulychius there are fifty two;
All choise yong men: and euery one of these
Six men attend. From Samos crost the Seas
Twice twelue young Gallants. From Zacynthus came
Twice ten. Of Ithaca, the best of name,
Twice six. Of all which, all the State they take,
A sacred Poet, and a Herald make.
Their delicacies, two (of speciall sort
In skill of banquets) serue. And all this port
If we shall dare t'encounter; all thrust vp
In one strong roofe: haue great care lest the cup
Your great mind thirsts, exceeding bitter taste;
And your retreat, commend not to your haste
Your great attempt; but make you say, you buy
Their prides reuenges, at a price too hy.
And therefore (if you could) t'were, well you thought
Of some assistent. Be your spirit wrought
In such a mans election, as may lend
His succours freely, and expresse a Friend.
His Father answer'd: Let me aske of thee;
Heare me, consider; and then answer me.
Think'st thou if Pallas, and the King of skies
We had to Friend; would their sufficiencies
Make strong our part? Or that some other yet
My thoughts must worke for? These (saide he) are set
Aloft the clouds; and are sound aydes indeed:
As pow'rs not onely, that these men exceed;
But beare of all men else the high command;
And hold, of Gods, an ouer-ruling hand.
Heare me, consider; and then answer me.
Think'st thou if Pallas, and the King of skies
We had to Friend; would their sufficiencies
Make strong our part? Or that some other yet
My thoughts must worke for? These (saide he) are set
Aloft the clouds; and are sound aydes indeed:
As pow'rs not onely, that these men exceed;
But beare of all men else the high command;
And hold, of Gods, an ouer-ruling hand.
VVell then (said he) nor these shall seuer long
Their force and ours, in fights assur'd, and strong.
And then, twixt vs, and them, shall Mars prefer
His strength; to stand our great distinguisher;
When, in mine owne Roofes, I am forc't to blowes.
But when the day, shall first her fires disclose;
Go thou for home, and troope vp with the woo'rs;
Thy wil with theirs ioind; pow'r with their rude powrs
And after, shall the Herdsman guide to Towne
My steps; my person wholly ouer-growne
With all apparance of a poore old Swaine,
Heauy, and wretched. If their high disdaine
Of my vile presence; make them, my desert
Affect with contumelies; let thy loued heart
Beate in fixt confines of thy bosome still,
And see me suffer, patient of their ill.
I, though they drag me by the heeles, about
Mine owne free earth, and after hurle me out;
Do thou still suffer. Nay, though with their Darts
They beate, and bruise me; beare. But these foul parts
Perswade them to forbeare; and by their names
Cal all with kinde words: bidding, for their shames
Their pleasures cease. If yet they yeeld not way;
There breakes the first light of their fatall day.
In meane space, marke this: VVhen the chiefly wise
Minerua prompts me; Ile informe thine eies
VVith some giuen signe; & then, all th' armes that are
Aloft thy Roofe, in some neere roome prepare
For speediest vse. If those braue men enquire
Thy end in all; still rake vp all thy fire
In faire coole words: and say; I bring them downe
To scoure the smoke off; being so ouer-growne
That one would thinke, all fumes that euer were.
Breath'd since Vlysses losse, reflected here.
These are not like the armes, he left behinde
In way for Troy. Besides, Ioue prompts my minde
In their remoue apart thus, with this thought:
That, if in heighth of wine, there should bee wrought
Some harsh contention twixt you; this apt meane
To mutual bloodshed, may be taken cleane
From out your reach; and all the spoile preuented
Of present Feast: perhaps, euen then presented
My Mothers Nuptials, to your long kinde vowes.
Steele it selfe, ready; drawes a man to blowes.
Thus make their thoughts secure; to vs alone
Two Swords, two Darts; two shields left; wc see done
VVithin our readiest reach; that at our will
VVe may resume, and charge; And all their skil,
Pallas and Ioue, that all iust counsailes breath;
May darken, with securenesse, to their death.
And let me charge thee now, as thou art mine;
And as thy veines mine owne true blood combine:
Let (after this) none know Vlysses nere.
Not any one of all the houshold there;
Not here, the Herdsman: Not Laertes be
Made priuy: nor her selfe, Penelope.
But onely let thy selfe, and me worke out
The womens thoughts, of all things borne about
The wooers hearts: and then thy men approue,
To know who honors, who with reuerence loue
Our well-weigh'd Memories; and who is won
To faile thy fit right, though my onely Son.
Their force and ours, in fights assur'd, and strong.
And then, twixt vs, and them, shall Mars prefer
His strength; to stand our great distinguisher;
When, in mine owne Roofes, I am forc't to blowes.
But when the day, shall first her fires disclose;
Go thou for home, and troope vp with the woo'rs;
Thy wil with theirs ioind; pow'r with their rude powrs
251
My steps; my person wholly ouer-growne
With all apparance of a poore old Swaine,
Heauy, and wretched. If their high disdaine
Of my vile presence; make them, my desert
Affect with contumelies; let thy loued heart
Beate in fixt confines of thy bosome still,
And see me suffer, patient of their ill.
I, though they drag me by the heeles, about
Mine owne free earth, and after hurle me out;
Do thou still suffer. Nay, though with their Darts
They beate, and bruise me; beare. But these foul parts
Perswade them to forbeare; and by their names
Cal all with kinde words: bidding, for their shames
Their pleasures cease. If yet they yeeld not way;
There breakes the first light of their fatall day.
In meane space, marke this: VVhen the chiefly wise
Minerua prompts me; Ile informe thine eies
VVith some giuen signe; & then, all th' armes that are
Aloft thy Roofe, in some neere roome prepare
For speediest vse. If those braue men enquire
Thy end in all; still rake vp all thy fire
In faire coole words: and say; I bring them downe
To scoure the smoke off; being so ouer-growne
That one would thinke, all fumes that euer were.
Breath'd since Vlysses losse, reflected here.
These are not like the armes, he left behinde
In way for Troy. Besides, Ioue prompts my minde
In their remoue apart thus, with this thought:
That, if in heighth of wine, there should bee wrought
Some harsh contention twixt you; this apt meane
To mutual bloodshed, may be taken cleane
From out your reach; and all the spoile preuented
Of present Feast: perhaps, euen then presented
My Mothers Nuptials, to your long kinde vowes.
Steele it selfe, ready; drawes a man to blowes.
Thus make their thoughts secure; to vs alone
Two Swords, two Darts; two shields left; wc see done
VVithin our readiest reach; that at our will
VVe may resume, and charge; And all their skil,
Pallas and Ioue, that all iust counsailes breath;
May darken, with securenesse, to their death.
And let me charge thee now, as thou art mine;
And as thy veines mine owne true blood combine:
Let (after this) none know Vlysses nere.
Not any one of all the houshold there;
Not here, the Herdsman: Not Laertes be
Made priuy: nor her selfe, Penelope.
252
The womens thoughts, of all things borne about
The wooers hearts: and then thy men approue,
To know who honors, who with reuerence loue
Our well-weigh'd Memories; and who is won
To faile thy fit right, though my onely Son.
You teach (saide he) so punctually now,
As I knew nothing; nor were sprung from you.
I hope, heereafter, you shall better know
VVhat soule I beare; and that it doth not let
The least loose motion, passe his naturall seat.
But this course you propose, will proue, I feare,
Small profit to vs; and could wish your care
VVould weigh it better, as too farre about.
For Time will aske much, to the sifting out
Of each mans disposition, by his deeds.
And, in the meane time, euery wooer feeds
Beyond saciety; nor knowes how to spare.
The women yet, since they more easie are
For our enquiry; I would wish you try
VVho right your state, who do it iniury.
The men I would omit: and these things make
Your labour, after. But to vndertake
The wooers warre; I wish your vtmost speede,
Especially, if you could cheere the deed,
VVith some Oftent from Ioue. Thus (as the Sire
Consented to the Son) did heere expire
Their mutuall speech. And now the Ship was come
That brought the yong Prince, & his soldiers home.
The deepe Hauen (reacht) they drew the Ship ashore;
Tooke all their Armes out, and the rich Gifts bore
To Clitius house. But to Vlysses Court
They sent a Herald first, to make report
To wise Penelope, that safe at field
Her Son was left: yet since the Ship would yield
Most hast to her; he sent that first; and them
To comfort with his vtmost, the extream
He knew she suffer'd. At the Court, now met
The Herald, and the Herdsman; to repeat
One message to the Queene. Both whom (arriu'd
VVithin the gates:) Both to be formost striu'd
In that good Newes. The Herald, he for hast
Amongst the Maids bestow'd it; thinking plac'st
The Queene amongst them. Now (said he) O Queen,
Your lou'd Son is arriu'd. And then was seene
The Queene her selfe: To whom the herdsman tould
All that Telemachus inioyn'd he should.
All which discharg'd; his steps, he backe bestowes,
And left, both Court and City, for his Sowes.
The wooers then grew sad; soule-vext, and all
Made forth the Court. When, by the mighty wall,
They tooke their seuerall seate, before the gates;
To whom Eurymachus, initiates
Their vtter'd greeuance. O (sayd he) my Friends;
A worke right great begun, as proudly ends.
VVe said, Telemachus should neuer make
His voyage good; nor this shore euer take
For his returnes receipt: and yet we faile,
And he performes it. Come, let's man a Saile
The best in our election; and bestow
Such souldiers in her, as can swiftest row:
To tell our friends, that way-lay his retreat
'Tis safe perform'd: and make them quickly get
Their ship for Ithaca. This was not said,
Before Amphinomus in Port displaid
The ship arriu'd: her sailes then vnder stroke;
And Oares resum'd. VVhen laughing, thus he spoke:
As I knew nothing; nor were sprung from you.
I hope, heereafter, you shall better know
VVhat soule I beare; and that it doth not let
The least loose motion, passe his naturall seat.
But this course you propose, will proue, I feare,
Small profit to vs; and could wish your care
VVould weigh it better, as too farre about.
For Time will aske much, to the sifting out
Of each mans disposition, by his deeds.
And, in the meane time, euery wooer feeds
Beyond saciety; nor knowes how to spare.
The women yet, since they more easie are
For our enquiry; I would wish you try
VVho right your state, who do it iniury.
The men I would omit: and these things make
Your labour, after. But to vndertake
The wooers warre; I wish your vtmost speede,
Especially, if you could cheere the deed,
VVith some Oftent from Ioue. Thus (as the Sire
Consented to the Son) did heere expire
Their mutuall speech. And now the Ship was come
That brought the yong Prince, & his soldiers home.
The deepe Hauen (reacht) they drew the Ship ashore;
Tooke all their Armes out, and the rich Gifts bore
To Clitius house. But to Vlysses Court
They sent a Herald first, to make report
To wise Penelope, that safe at field
Her Son was left: yet since the Ship would yield
Most hast to her; he sent that first; and them
To comfort with his vtmost, the extream
He knew she suffer'd. At the Court, now met
The Herald, and the Herdsman; to repeat
One message to the Queene. Both whom (arriu'd
VVithin the gates:) Both to be formost striu'd
In that good Newes. The Herald, he for hast
Amongst the Maids bestow'd it; thinking plac'st
The Queene amongst them. Now (said he) O Queen,
Your lou'd Son is arriu'd. And then was seene
The Queene her selfe: To whom the herdsman tould
All that Telemachus inioyn'd he should.
All which discharg'd; his steps, he backe bestowes,
253
The wooers then grew sad; soule-vext, and all
Made forth the Court. When, by the mighty wall,
They tooke their seuerall seate, before the gates;
To whom Eurymachus, initiates
Their vtter'd greeuance. O (sayd he) my Friends;
A worke right great begun, as proudly ends.
VVe said, Telemachus should neuer make
His voyage good; nor this shore euer take
For his returnes receipt: and yet we faile,
And he performes it. Come, let's man a Saile
The best in our election; and bestow
Such souldiers in her, as can swiftest row:
To tell our friends, that way-lay his retreat
'Tis safe perform'd: and make them quickly get
Their ship for Ithaca. This was not said,
Before Amphinomus in Port displaid
The ship arriu'd: her sailes then vnder stroke;
And Oares resum'd. VVhen laughing, thus he spoke:
Moue for no messenger: these men are come;
Some God hath either told his turning home,
Or they themselues haue seene his ship gone by:
Had her in chase, and lost her. Instantly
They rose, and went to Port: found drawne to Land
The Ship; the souldiers taking Armes in hand.
The woo'rs themselues, to counsaile went, in throng:
And not a man besides, or old, or yong,
Let sit amongst them. Then Eupitheus Sonne
(Antinous) said: See what the Gods haue done:
They onely, haue deliuered from our ill
The men we way-laid; euery windy hill
Hath bin their watch-tow'n where by turns they stood
Continuall Sentinell. And we made good
Our worke as well: For (Sun, once set) we neuer
Slept winke ashore, all night; But made saile euer
This way, and that; euen till the morning kept
Her sacred Station; so to intercept
And take his life, for whom our ambush lay;
And yet hath God, to his returne giuen way.
But let vs prosecute with counsailes, here
His necessary death: nor any where
Let rest his safety; for if he suruiue,
Our sailes will neuer, in wisht Hauens arriue.
Since he is wise, hath soule, and counsaile to
To worke the people, who will neuer do
Our faction fauour. What we then intend
Against his person, giue we present end
Before he call a counsaile; which, beleeue
His spirit will hast, & point where it doth greeue:
Stand vp amongst them all, and vrge his death
Decreed amongst vs. Which complaint, will breath
A fire about their spleenes; and blow no praise
On our ill labours. Lest they therefore raise
Pow'r to exile vs from our Natiue earth,
And force our liues societies to the birth
Of forreigne countries: let our speeds preuent
His comming home, to this austere complaint;
(At field and farre from Towne, or in some way
Of narrow passage:) with his latest day
Shewne to his forward youth: his goods and lands,
Left to the free diuision of our hands:
The Moouables made al, his Mothers dowre,
And his who-euer, Fate affoords; the powre
To celebrate with her, sweet Hymeus rites.
Or if this please not; but your appetites
Stand to his safety, and to giue him seate
In his whole birth-right; let vs looke to eate
At his cost neuer more: but euery man
Haste to his home: and wed with whom he can
At home; and there, lay first about for dowre,
And then the woman giue his second powre
Of Nuptiall liking: And, for last, apply
His purpose, with most gifts, and destiny.
Some God hath either told his turning home,
Or they themselues haue seene his ship gone by:
Had her in chase, and lost her. Instantly
They rose, and went to Port: found drawne to Land
The Ship; the souldiers taking Armes in hand.
The woo'rs themselues, to counsaile went, in throng:
And not a man besides, or old, or yong,
Let sit amongst them. Then Eupitheus Sonne
(Antinous) said: See what the Gods haue done:
They onely, haue deliuered from our ill
The men we way-laid; euery windy hill
Hath bin their watch-tow'n where by turns they stood
Continuall Sentinell. And we made good
Our worke as well: For (Sun, once set) we neuer
Slept winke ashore, all night; But made saile euer
This way, and that; euen till the morning kept
Her sacred Station; so to intercept
And take his life, for whom our ambush lay;
And yet hath God, to his returne giuen way.
But let vs prosecute with counsailes, here
His necessary death: nor any where
Let rest his safety; for if he suruiue,
Our sailes will neuer, in wisht Hauens arriue.
Since he is wise, hath soule, and counsaile to
To worke the people, who will neuer do
Our faction fauour. What we then intend
Against his person, giue we present end
Before he call a counsaile; which, beleeue
254
Stand vp amongst them all, and vrge his death
Decreed amongst vs. Which complaint, will breath
A fire about their spleenes; and blow no praise
On our ill labours. Lest they therefore raise
Pow'r to exile vs from our Natiue earth,
And force our liues societies to the birth
Of forreigne countries: let our speeds preuent
His comming home, to this austere complaint;
(At field and farre from Towne, or in some way
Of narrow passage:) with his latest day
Shewne to his forward youth: his goods and lands,
Left to the free diuision of our hands:
The Moouables made al, his Mothers dowre,
And his who-euer, Fate affoords; the powre
To celebrate with her, sweet Hymeus rites.
Or if this please not; but your appetites
Stand to his safety, and to giue him seate
In his whole birth-right; let vs looke to eate
At his cost neuer more: but euery man
Haste to his home: and wed with whom he can
At home; and there, lay first about for dowre,
And then the woman giue his second powre
Of Nuptiall liking: And, for last, apply
His purpose, with most gifts, and destiny.
This, silence caus'd; whose breach, at last, begon
Amphinomus, the much renowned Son
Of Nisus, surnam'd Aretiades;
VVho from Dulychius (full of flowry Leas)
Led all the wooers; and in chiefe did please
The Queene with his discourse; because it grew
From rootes of those good mindes that did indue
His goodly person: who (exceeding wise)
Vs'd this speech: Friends, I neuer will aduise
The Princes death: for 'tis a damned thing
To put to death the yssue of a King.
First therefore, let's examine, what applause
The Gods will giue it. If the equall Lawes
Of Ioue approoue it, I my selfe will be
The man shall kill him; and this companie
Exhort to that minde: If the Gods remaine
Aduerse, and hate it; I aduise, refraine.
Amphinomus, the much renowned Son
Of Nisus, surnam'd Aretiades;
VVho from Dulychius (full of flowry Leas)
Led all the wooers; and in chiefe did please
The Queene with his discourse; because it grew
From rootes of those good mindes that did indue
His goodly person: who (exceeding wise)
Vs'd this speech: Friends, I neuer will aduise
The Princes death: for 'tis a damned thing
To put to death the yssue of a King.
First therefore, let's examine, what applause
The Gods will giue it. If the equall Lawes
Of Ioue approoue it, I my selfe will be
The man shall kill him; and this companie
Exhort to that minde: If the Gods remaine
Aduerse, and hate it; I aduise, refraine.
This said Amphinomus, and pleas'd them all:
VVhen all arose, and in Vlysses Hall
Tooke seate againe. Then, to the Queene was come
The wooers plot, to kill her sonne at home:
Since their abroad designe had mist successe.
The Herald Medon (who the whole addresse)
Knew of their counsailes) making the report.
The Goddesse of her sex, with her faire sort
Of louely women; at the large Hals dore
(Her bright cheekes clouded, with a veile shee wore)
Stood, and directed to Antinous
Her sharpe reproofe; which she digested thus:
VVhen all arose, and in Vlysses Hall
Tooke seate againe. Then, to the Queene was come
The wooers plot, to kill her sonne at home:
Since their abroad designe had mist successe.
The Herald Medon (who the whole addresse)
255
The Goddesse of her sex, with her faire sort
Of louely women; at the large Hals dore
(Her bright cheekes clouded, with a veile shee wore)
Stood, and directed to Antinous
Her sharpe reproofe; which she digested thus:
Antinous? composde of iniury,
Plotter of mischiefe? Though reports that flye
Amongst our Ithacensian people, say
That thou, of all that glory in their sway,
Art best in words and counsailes; Th' art not so.
Fond, busie fellow, why plott'st thou the wo
And slaughter of my Son? and dost not feare
The Presidents of suppliants? when the eare
Of Ioue stoopes to them? 'Tis vniust to do
Slaughter for slaughter; or pay woe, for wo:
Mischiefe for kindnesse; Death for life sought then,
Is an iniustice to be loath'd of men.
Serues not thy knowledge, to remember when
Thy Father fled to vs; who (mou'd to wrath
Against the Taphian the eues) pursu'd with scath
The guiltlesse Thesprots; in whose peoples feare,
Pursuing him for wreake, he landed here.
They after him, professing both their prize
Of all his chiefly valew'd Faculties,
And more priz'd life. Of all whose bloodiest ends
Vlysses curb'd them, though they were his frends.
Yet thou, like one that no Law will allow
The least true honor, eat'st his house vp now
That fed thy Father: woo'st for loue, his wife,
VVhom thus thou grieu'st; & seek'st her sole sons life.
Ceasse, I command thee; and command the rest,
To see all thought of these foule fashions ceast.
Plotter of mischiefe? Though reports that flye
Amongst our Ithacensian people, say
That thou, of all that glory in their sway,
Art best in words and counsailes; Th' art not so.
Fond, busie fellow, why plott'st thou the wo
And slaughter of my Son? and dost not feare
The Presidents of suppliants? when the eare
Of Ioue stoopes to them? 'Tis vniust to do
Slaughter for slaughter; or pay woe, for wo:
Mischiefe for kindnesse; Death for life sought then,
Is an iniustice to be loath'd of men.
Serues not thy knowledge, to remember when
Thy Father fled to vs; who (mou'd to wrath
Against the Taphian the eues) pursu'd with scath
The guiltlesse Thesprots; in whose peoples feare,
Pursuing him for wreake, he landed here.
They after him, professing both their prize
Of all his chiefly valew'd Faculties,
And more priz'd life. Of all whose bloodiest ends
Vlysses curb'd them, though they were his frends.
Yet thou, like one that no Law will allow
The least true honor, eat'st his house vp now
That fed thy Father: woo'st for loue, his wife,
VVhom thus thou grieu'st; & seek'st her sole sons life.
Ceasse, I command thee; and command the rest,
To see all thought of these foule fashions ceast.
Eurymachus replyed; Be confident,
Thou all of wit made; the most fam'd descent
Of King Icarius: Free thy spirits of feare:
There liues not any one; nor shall liue here
Now, nor hereafter; while my life giues heat
And light to me on earth? that dares entreat
VVith any ill touch, thy well-loued Sonne;
But heere I vow, and heere will see it done,
His life shall staine my Lance. If on his knees
The City-racer, Laertiades,
Hath made me sit; put in my hand his foode,
And held his red wine to me: shall the bloode
Of his Telemachus, on my hand lay
The least pollution, that my life can stay?
No: I haue euer charg'd him not to feare
Deaths threat from any; And for that most deare
Loue of his Father, he shall euer be
Much the most lou'd, of all that liue to me.
Who kils a guiltlesse man, from Man may flye;
From God his searches, all escapes deny.
Thou all of wit made; the most fam'd descent
Of King Icarius: Free thy spirits of feare:
There liues not any one; nor shall liue here
Now, nor hereafter; while my life giues heat
And light to me on earth? that dares entreat
VVith any ill touch, thy well-loued Sonne;
But heere I vow, and heere will see it done,
His life shall staine my Lance. If on his knees
The City-racer, Laertiades,
Hath made me sit; put in my hand his foode,
And held his red wine to me: shall the bloode
Of his Telemachus, on my hand lay
The least pollution, that my life can stay?
No: I haue euer charg'd him not to feare
256
Loue of his Father, he shall euer be
Much the most lou'd, of all that liue to me.
Who kils a guiltlesse man, from Man may flye;
From God his searches, all escapes deny.
Thus cheer'd his words; but his affections still
Fear'd not to cherish soule intent to kill,
Euen him, whose life to all liues he prefer'd.
Fear'd not to cherish soule intent to kill,
Euen him, whose life to all liues he prefer'd.
The Queene went vp; and to her loue appear'd
Her Lord so freshly; that she wept, till sleepe
(By Pallas forc't on her) her eyes did sleepe
In his sweet humor. When the Euen was come,
The God-like Herdsman reacht the whole way home.
Vlysses and his Son, for supper drest
A yeare-old Swine; and ere their Host and Guest
Had got their presence; Pallas had put by
With her faire rod, Vlysses royalty;
And render'd him, an aged man againe,
VVith all his vile Integuments; lest his Swaine
Should know him in his trim, & tell his Queene,
In these deepe secrets, being not deeply seene.
Her Lord so freshly; that she wept, till sleepe
(By Pallas forc't on her) her eyes did sleepe
In his sweet humor. When the Euen was come,
The God-like Herdsman reacht the whole way home.
Vlysses and his Son, for supper drest
A yeare-old Swine; and ere their Host and Guest
Had got their presence; Pallas had put by
With her faire rod, Vlysses royalty;
And render'd him, an aged man againe,
VVith all his vile Integuments; lest his Swaine
Should know him in his trim, & tell his Queene,
In these deepe secrets, being not deeply seene.
He seene; to him, the Prince these words did vse:
VVelcome diuine Eumaus; Now what newes
Imployes the City? Are the wooers come
Backe from their Scout dismaid? Or heere at home
VVill they againe attempt me? He replied,
These touch not my care; I was satisfied
To do, with most speed, what I went to do;
My message done, returne. And yet, not so
Came my newes first; a Herald (met with there)
Fore-stal'd my Tale, and told how safe you were.
Besides which meerely necessary thing;
What in my way chanc't, I may ouer bring,
Being what I know, and witnest with mine eyes.
VVelcome diuine Eumaus; Now what newes
Imployes the City? Are the wooers come
Backe from their Scout dismaid? Or heere at home
VVill they againe attempt me? He replied,
These touch not my care; I was satisfied
To do, with most speed, what I went to do;
My message done, returne. And yet, not so
Came my newes first; a Herald (met with there)
Fore-stal'd my Tale, and told how safe you were.
Besides which meerely necessary thing;
What in my way chanc't, I may ouer bring,
Being what I know, and witnest with mine eyes.
Where the Hermæan Sepulcher doth rise
Aboue the City: I beheld take Port
A Ship; and in her, many a man of sort:
Her freight was shields and Lances; and, me thought
They were the wooers: but of knowledge, nought
Can therein tell you. The Prince smil'd, and knew
They were the wooers; casting secret view
Vpon his Father. But what they intended
Fled far the Herdsman: whose Swaines labors ended,
They drest the Supper; which, past want, was eat.
VVhen all desire suffic'd, of wine, and meat;
Of other humane wants, they tooke supplies
At Sleepes soft hand; who sweetly clos'd their eies.
Aboue the City: I beheld take Port
A Ship; and in her, many a man of sort:
Her freight was shields and Lances; and, me thought
They were the wooers: but of knowledge, nought
Can therein tell you. The Prince smil'd, and knew
They were the wooers; casting secret view
Vpon his Father. But what they intended
Fled far the Herdsman: whose Swaines labors ended,
They drest the Supper; which, past want, was eat.
VVhen all desire suffic'd, of wine, and meat;
Of other humane wants, they tooke supplies
At Sleepes soft hand; who sweetly clos'd their eies.
The End of the xvi. Booke.
257
THE SEVENTEENTH BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Telemachus return'd to Towne,Makes to his curious mother knowne
In part, his Trauailes. After whome
Vlysses to the Court doth come,
In good Eumæus guide; and preast
To witnesse of the Wooers Feast.
Whom (though twice ten yeares did bestow
In farre off parts) his Dog doth know.
Another.
Vlysses showesthrough all disguise:
Whom his dog knowes;
who knowing dies.
Bvt when aires rosie birth (the Morne) arose,
Telemachus did for the Towne dispose
His early steps; and tooke to his command
His faire long Lance, well sorting with his hand.
Thus, parting with Eumaus: Now my friend,
I must to Towne; lest too farre I extend
My Mothers mone for me: who till her eyes
Mine owne eyes witnesse; varies teares and cries
Through all extreames. Do then this charge of mine,
And guide to Towne this haplesse guest of thine;
To beg else-where his further Festiuall:
Giue, they that please, I cannot giue to all:
Mine owne wants take vp for my selfe my paine.
If it incense him, he the worst shall gaine;
The louely truth I loue, and must be plaine.
Telemachus did for the Towne dispose
His early steps; and tooke to his command
His faire long Lance, well sorting with his hand.
Thus, parting with Eumaus: Now my friend,
I must to Towne; lest too farre I extend
My Mothers mone for me: who till her eyes
Mine owne eyes witnesse; varies teares and cries
Through all extreames. Do then this charge of mine,
And guide to Towne this haplesse guest of thine;
To beg else-where his further Festiuall:
Giue, they that please, I cannot giue to all:
Mine owne wants take vp for my selfe my paine.
If it incense him, he the worst shall gaine;
The louely truth I loue, and must be plaine.
Alas Friend (saide his Father) nor do I
Desire at all your further charity.
'Tis better beg in Cities, then in Fields,
And take the worst a beggers fortune yields.
Nor am I apt to stay in Swine-sties more
How euer: euer the great Chiefe before
The poore Rankes must, to euery step obay.
But goe; your man, in my command shall sway:
Anon yet to, by fauor; when your fires
Haue comforted the colde heat, age expires;
And when the Suns flame, hath besides corrected
The early aire abroad; not being protected
By these my bare weeds, from the mornings frost;
Which (since so much ground is to be engrost
By my poore feete as you report) may giue
Too violent charge, to th' heat by which I liue.
Desire at all your further charity.
'Tis better beg in Cities, then in Fields,
And take the worst a beggers fortune yields.
Nor am I apt to stay in Swine-sties more
How euer: euer the great Chiefe before
The poore Rankes must, to euery step obay.
258
Anon yet to, by fauor; when your fires
Haue comforted the colde heat, age expires;
And when the Suns flame, hath besides corrected
The early aire abroad; not being protected
By these my bare weeds, from the mornings frost;
Which (since so much ground is to be engrost
By my poore feete as you report) may giue
Too violent charge, to th' heat by which I liue.
This saide; his Sonne went on, with spritely pace,
And to the wooers, studied little grace.
Arriu'd at home; he gaue his Iaueline stay
Against a lofty Pillar; and bold way
Made further in. When, hauing so farre gone
That he transcended, the fayre Porch of Stone;
The first by farre, that gaue his entry, eye
VVas Nurse Euryclea; who th' embrodery
Of Stooles there set; was giuing Cushions faire:
VVho ranne vpon him, and her rapt repaire
Shed teares for ioy. About him gather'd round
The other Maides; his head, and shoulders, croun'd
VVith kisses and embraces. From aboue
The Queene her selfe came, like the Queene of Loue;
Or bright Diana: Cast about her Sonne
Her kinde embraces: with effusion
Of louing teares; kist both his louely eyes,
His cheekes, and forehead; and gaue all supplies
With this entreaty: Welcome sweetest light;
I neuer had conceite, to set quicke sight
On thee thus soone; when thy lou'd fathers fame
As farre as Pylos, did thy spirit enflame:
In that search ventur'd all vnknowne to me.
O say, By what power cam'st thou now to be
Mine eyes deare obiect? He return'd reply,
Moue me not now: when you my scape descry
From iminent death; to thinke me fresh entrapt;
The fear'd wound rubbing, felt before I scap't.
Double not needlesse passion, on a heart
VVhose ioy so greene is, and so apt t'inuert:
But pure weeds putting on, ascend and take
Your women with you: that yee all may make
Vowes of full Hecatombs, in sacred fire
To all the God-heads; If their onely Sire
Vouchsafe reuenge of guest-rites wrong'd, which hee
Is to protect, as being their Deity.
My way shall be directed to the hall
Of common Concourse, that I thence may call
A stranger; who from off the Pylian shore
Came friendly with me; whom I sent before
VVith all my souldiers; but in chiefe did charge
Pyræus with him, wishing him t'enlarge
His loue to him, at home, in best affaire,
And vtmost honors, till mine owne repaire.
And to the wooers, studied little grace.
Arriu'd at home; he gaue his Iaueline stay
Against a lofty Pillar; and bold way
Made further in. When, hauing so farre gone
That he transcended, the fayre Porch of Stone;
The first by farre, that gaue his entry, eye
VVas Nurse Euryclea; who th' embrodery
Of Stooles there set; was giuing Cushions faire:
VVho ranne vpon him, and her rapt repaire
Shed teares for ioy. About him gather'd round
The other Maides; his head, and shoulders, croun'd
VVith kisses and embraces. From aboue
The Queene her selfe came, like the Queene of Loue;
Or bright Diana: Cast about her Sonne
Her kinde embraces: with effusion
Of louing teares; kist both his louely eyes,
His cheekes, and forehead; and gaue all supplies
With this entreaty: Welcome sweetest light;
I neuer had conceite, to set quicke sight
On thee thus soone; when thy lou'd fathers fame
As farre as Pylos, did thy spirit enflame:
In that search ventur'd all vnknowne to me.
O say, By what power cam'st thou now to be
Mine eyes deare obiect? He return'd reply,
Moue me not now: when you my scape descry
From iminent death; to thinke me fresh entrapt;
The fear'd wound rubbing, felt before I scap't.
Double not needlesse passion, on a heart
VVhose ioy so greene is, and so apt t'inuert:
But pure weeds putting on, ascend and take
Your women with you: that yee all may make
Vowes of full Hecatombs, in sacred fire
To all the God-heads; If their onely Sire
Vouchsafe reuenge of guest-rites wrong'd, which hee
Is to protect, as being their Deity.
My way shall be directed to the hall
Of common Concourse, that I thence may call
A stranger; who from off the Pylian shore
259
VVith all my souldiers; but in chiefe did charge
Pyræus with him, wishing him t'enlarge
His loue to him, at home, in best affaire,
And vtmost honors, till mine owne repaire.
Her Son, thus spoken; his words could not beare
The wings too easely through her either eare:
But putting pure weeds on; made vowes entire
Of perfect Hecatombes, in sacred fire
To all the Deities; if their onely Sire
Vouchsaft reuenge of guest-rites, wrong'd; which he
VVas to protect, as being their Deity.
The wings too easely through her either eare:
But putting pure weeds on; made vowes entire
Of perfect Hecatombes, in sacred fire
To all the Deities; if their onely Sire
Vouchsaft reuenge of guest-rites, wrong'd; which he
VVas to protect, as being their Deity.
Her Son left house: In his faire hand, his Lance;
His dogs attending, and on euery glance
His lookes cast from them; Pallas put a grace
That made him seeme of the celestiall race.
Whom (come to concourse) euery man admir'd:
About him throng'd the wooers, and desir'd
All good to him in tongues; but in their hearts
Most deepe ils threatn'd, to his most deserts.
Of whose huge rout, once free; he cast glad eie
On some, that long before his infancie,
VVere with his Father, great, and gracious:
Graue Halytherses, Mentor, Antiphus;
To whom he went: tooke seate by them: And they
Enquir'd of all things, since his parting day.
To them Pyræus came, and brought his Guest
Along the City thither; whom nor lest,
The Prince respected; nor was long before
He rose and met him: The first word yet; bore
Pyræus from them both: whose haste, besought
The Prince to send his women, to see brought
The Gifts from his house, that Atrides gaue,
VVhich, his own roofes, he thought, wold better saue.
His dogs attending, and on euery glance
His lookes cast from them; Pallas put a grace
That made him seeme of the celestiall race.
Whom (come to concourse) euery man admir'd:
About him throng'd the wooers, and desir'd
All good to him in tongues; but in their hearts
Most deepe ils threatn'd, to his most deserts.
Of whose huge rout, once free; he cast glad eie
On some, that long before his infancie,
VVere with his Father, great, and gracious:
Graue Halytherses, Mentor, Antiphus;
To whom he went: tooke seate by them: And they
Enquir'd of all things, since his parting day.
To them Pyræus came, and brought his Guest
Along the City thither; whom nor lest,
The Prince respected; nor was long before
He rose and met him: The first word yet; bore
Pyræus from them both: whose haste, besought
The Prince to send his women, to see brought
The Gifts from his house, that Atrides gaue,
VVhich, his own roofes, he thought, wold better saue.
The wise Prince answer'd, I can scarse conceiue
The way to these workes. If the wooers reaue
By priuy Stratagem, my life at home:
I rather wish, Pyræus may become
The Maister of them, then the best of these.
But, if I sowe in their fields of excesse,
Slaughter, and ruine; then thy trust imploy,
And to me ioying, bring thou those with ioy.
The way to these workes. If the wooers reaue
By priuy Stratagem, my life at home:
I rather wish, Pyræus may become
The Maister of them, then the best of these.
But, if I sowe in their fields of excesse,
Slaughter, and ruine; then thy trust imploy,
And to me ioying, bring thou those with ioy.
This said; he brought home his grief-practisd Guest;
VVhere both put off, both oyl'd, and did inuest
Themselues in rich Robes; washt, and fate, and eate.
His Mother, in a faire chaire, taking seate
Directly opposite: her Loome applied;
VVho (when her Son and Guest, had satisfied
Their appetites with feast) said; O my Sonne,
You know, that euer since your Sire was wonne
To go in Agamemnons guide to Troy;
Attempting sleepe, I neuer did inioy
One nights good rest; but made my quiet bed
A Sea blowne vp with sighes; with teares still shed
Embrew'd and troubl'd: yet, though all your misse
In your late voyage, hath bene made for this,
That you might know th' abode your Father made.
You shun to tell me what successe you had.
Now then, before the insolent accesse
The wooers straight will force on vs; expresse
What you haue heard. I will (saide he) and true.
VVe came to Pylos, where the studious due
That any Father could affoord his Son;
(But new arriu'd from some course he had ron
To an extreame length, in some voyage vow'd)
Nestor, the Pastor of the people, show'd
To me arriu'd, in turrets thrust vp hye;
VVhere not his braue Sons, were more lou'd then I.
Yet of th' vnconquer'd-euer-Sufferer
Vlysses; neuer he could set his eare
Aliue, or dead, from any earthy man.
But to the great Lacedemonian
(Atrides, famous for his Lance) he sent
VVith horse and Chariots; Me, to learne th' euent
From his Relation; where I had the view
Of Argiue Hellen, whose strong beauties drew
(By wils of Gods) so many Grecian States,
And Troians, vnder such laborious Fates.
Where Menelaus ask't me, what affaire
To Lacedemon, render'd my repaire.
I told him all the truth: who made reply;
O deed of most abhor'd indecency!
A sort of Impotents attempt his bed.
VVhose strength of minde, hath Cities leuelled?
As to a Lyons den, when any Hinde
Hath brought her yong Calues, to their rest inclinde;
When he is ranging hils, and hearby dales,
To make, of Feeders there, his Festiuals:
But turning to his luster; Calues, and Dam,
He shewes abhorr'd death, in his angers flame:
So (should Vlysses finde this rabble, housd
In his free Turrets, courting his espousd)
Foule death would fall them. O, I would to Ioue,
Phœbus, and Pallas, that (when he shall proue
The broad report of his exhausted store,
True with his eyes) his Nerues and Sinewes wore
That vigor then, that in the Lesbian Tow'rs
(Prouok't to wrastle with the iron powrs
Philomelides vanted) he approu'd;
VVhen, downe he hurl'd his Challenger, and mou'd
Huge shouts from all the Achiues then in view.
If, once come home, he all those forces drew
About him there to worke: they all were dead,
And should finde bitter his attempted bed.
But, what you aske and sue for, I (as far,
As I haue heard, the true-spoke Marinar)
VVill tell directly; nor delude your eare.
He told me, that an Island did enspheare
(In much discomfort) great Laertes sonne;
And that the Nymph Calypso (ouer-ronne
VVith his affection) kept him in her Caues,
Where men, nor Ship, of pow'r to brook the waues,
VVere neere his conuoy to his countries Shore;
And where her selfe, importun'd euermore
His quiet stay; which not obtain'd, by force,
She kept his person from all else recourse.
VVhere both put off, both oyl'd, and did inuest
Themselues in rich Robes; washt, and fate, and eate.
His Mother, in a faire chaire, taking seate
Directly opposite: her Loome applied;
VVho (when her Son and Guest, had satisfied
260
You know, that euer since your Sire was wonne
To go in Agamemnons guide to Troy;
Attempting sleepe, I neuer did inioy
One nights good rest; but made my quiet bed
A Sea blowne vp with sighes; with teares still shed
Embrew'd and troubl'd: yet, though all your misse
In your late voyage, hath bene made for this,
That you might know th' abode your Father made.
You shun to tell me what successe you had.
Now then, before the insolent accesse
The wooers straight will force on vs; expresse
What you haue heard. I will (saide he) and true.
VVe came to Pylos, where the studious due
That any Father could affoord his Son;
(But new arriu'd from some course he had ron
To an extreame length, in some voyage vow'd)
Nestor, the Pastor of the people, show'd
To me arriu'd, in turrets thrust vp hye;
VVhere not his braue Sons, were more lou'd then I.
Yet of th' vnconquer'd-euer-Sufferer
Vlysses; neuer he could set his eare
Aliue, or dead, from any earthy man.
But to the great Lacedemonian
(Atrides, famous for his Lance) he sent
VVith horse and Chariots; Me, to learne th' euent
From his Relation; where I had the view
Of Argiue Hellen, whose strong beauties drew
(By wils of Gods) so many Grecian States,
And Troians, vnder such laborious Fates.
Where Menelaus ask't me, what affaire
To Lacedemon, render'd my repaire.
I told him all the truth: who made reply;
O deed of most abhor'd indecency!
A sort of Impotents attempt his bed.
VVhose strength of minde, hath Cities leuelled?
As to a Lyons den, when any Hinde
Hath brought her yong Calues, to their rest inclinde;
When he is ranging hils, and hearby dales,
To make, of Feeders there, his Festiuals:
But turning to his luster; Calues, and Dam,
He shewes abhorr'd death, in his angers flame:
So (should Vlysses finde this rabble, housd
In his free Turrets, courting his espousd)
Foule death would fall them. O, I would to Ioue,
Phœbus, and Pallas, that (when he shall proue
The broad report of his exhausted store,
True with his eyes) his Nerues and Sinewes wore
261
(Prouok't to wrastle with the iron powrs
Philomelides vanted) he approu'd;
VVhen, downe he hurl'd his Challenger, and mou'd
Huge shouts from all the Achiues then in view.
If, once come home, he all those forces drew
About him there to worke: they all were dead,
And should finde bitter his attempted bed.
But, what you aske and sue for, I (as far,
As I haue heard, the true-spoke Marinar)
VVill tell directly; nor delude your eare.
He told me, that an Island did enspheare
(In much discomfort) great Laertes sonne;
And that the Nymph Calypso (ouer-ronne
VVith his affection) kept him in her Caues,
Where men, nor Ship, of pow'r to brook the waues,
VVere neere his conuoy to his countries Shore;
And where her selfe, importun'd euermore
His quiet stay; which not obtain'd, by force,
She kept his person from all else recourse.
This told Atrides; which was all he knew;
Nor staid I more: but from the Gods there blew
A prosperous winde, that set me quickly heere.
Nor staid I more: but from the Gods there blew
A prosperous winde, that set me quickly heere.
This put his Mother, quite from all her cheere:
VVhen Theoclymenus the Augure, said:
VVhen Theoclymenus the Augure, said:
O woman, honour'd with Vlysses bed:
Your Son, no doubt, knowes cleerely nothing more:
Heare me yet speake, that can the truth vncore;
Nor will be curious. Ioue then, witnesse beare,
And this thy Hospitable Table heere,
VVith this whole houshold of your blamelesse Lord;
That, at this houre, his royall feete are shor'd
On his lou'd countrey earth; and that euen heere
Comming, or creeping, he will see the cheere
These wooers make; and in his soules field, sow
Seeds, that shall thriue to all their ouerthrow.
This, set a ship-boord, I knew sorted thus,
And cried it out, to your Telemachus.
Your Son, no doubt, knowes cleerely nothing more:
Heare me yet speake, that can the truth vncore;
Nor will be curious. Ioue then, witnesse beare,
And this thy Hospitable Table heere,
VVith this whole houshold of your blamelesse Lord;
That, at this houre, his royall feete are shor'd
On his lou'd countrey earth; and that euen heere
Comming, or creeping, he will see the cheere
These wooers make; and in his soules field, sow
Seeds, that shall thriue to all their ouerthrow.
This, set a ship-boord, I knew sorted thus,
And cried it out, to your Telemachus.
Penelope replied; VVould this would proue;
You well should witnesse a most friendly loue,
And gifts such of me, as encountring Fame
Should greete you with, a blessed Mortals name.
This mutuall speech, past: all the wooers wore
Hurling the stone, and tossing of the Speare
Before the Pallace, in the paued Court:
VVhere other-whiles, their perulant resort
Sate plotting iniuries. But when the hower
Of Supper enter'd; and the feeding power
Brought sheepe from field, that fil'd vp euery way
VVith those that vsde to furnish that puruay;
Medon, the Herald (who of all the rest
Pleasd most the wooers, and at euery Feast
VVas euer neere) said; You whose kind consort
Make the faire branches of the Tree, our Court;
Grace it within now, and your Suppers take.
You that for health, and faire contentions sake
Wil please your minds; know, bodies must haue meat;
Play's worse them idlenesse, in times to eate.
You well should witnesse a most friendly loue,
And gifts such of me, as encountring Fame
Should greete you with, a blessed Mortals name.
This mutuall speech, past: all the wooers wore
Hurling the stone, and tossing of the Speare
Before the Pallace, in the paued Court:
VVhere other-whiles, their perulant resort
Sate plotting iniuries. But when the hower
Of Supper enter'd; and the feeding power
262
VVith those that vsde to furnish that puruay;
Medon, the Herald (who of all the rest
Pleasd most the wooers, and at euery Feast
VVas euer neere) said; You whose kind consort
Make the faire branches of the Tree, our Court;
Grace it within now, and your Suppers take.
You that for health, and faire contentions sake
Wil please your minds; know, bodies must haue meat;
Play's worse them idlenesse, in times to eate.
This said; all left; came in; cast by, on Thrones
And Chaires, their garments. Their prouisions
VVere Sheepe, Swine, Goats; the chiefly great & fat.
Besides an Oxe, that from the Herd they gat.
And now, the King and Herdsman, from the field,
In good way were to Towne: Twixt whom was held
Some walking conference; which thus begun
The good Eumaus: Guest, your will was wun,
(Because the Prince commanded) to make way
Vp to the City; though I wisht your stay,
And to haue made you Guardian of my stall:
But I, in care and feare, of what might fall,
In after anger of the Prince; forbore.
The checkes of Princes, touch their subiects sore.
But make we hast, the day is neerely ended;
And cold ayres still, are in the Euen extended.
And Chaires, their garments. Their prouisions
VVere Sheepe, Swine, Goats; the chiefly great & fat.
Besides an Oxe, that from the Herd they gat.
And now, the King and Herdsman, from the field,
In good way were to Towne: Twixt whom was held
Some walking conference; which thus begun
The good Eumaus: Guest, your will was wun,
(Because the Prince commanded) to make way
Vp to the City; though I wisht your stay,
And to haue made you Guardian of my stall:
But I, in care and feare, of what might fall,
In after anger of the Prince; forbore.
The checkes of Princes, touch their subiects sore.
But make we hast, the day is neerely ended;
And cold ayres still, are in the Euen extended.
I know't (said he) consider all; your charge
Is giuen to one that vnderstands at large.
Haste then: heereafter, you shall leade the way;
Affoord your Staffe to, if it fit your stay,
That I may vse it; since you say, our passe
Is lesse friend to a weake foot, then it was.
Is giuen to one that vnderstands at large.
Haste then: heereafter, you shall leade the way;
Affoord your Staffe to, if it fit your stay,
That I may vse it; since you say, our passe
Is lesse friend to a weake foot, then it was.
Thus cast he on his necke, his nasty Scrip,
All patcht and torne: A cord that would not slip
For knots, and bracks, about the mouth of it,
Made serue the turne: and then his Swaine did fit
His forc't state with a staffe. Then plied they hard
Their way to towne: Their Cottage left in guard
To Swaines and Dogs. And now, Eumaus led
The King along: his garments to a thred
All bare, and burn'd; and he himselfe hard bore
Vpon his staffe, at all parts like a pore
And sad old begger. But when now they got
The rough high-way; their voyage wanted not
Much, of the City: where a Fount they reacht,
From whence the Towne their choisest water fetcht,
That euer ouer-flow'd; and curious Art
VVas shewne about it: In which, three had part;
VVhose names, Neritus and Polyctor were,
And famous Ithacus. It had a Sphere
Of poplar, that ranne round about the wall;
And into it, a lofty Rocke let fall,
Continuall supply of coole cleare streame:
On whose top, to the Nymphs that were supreme
In those parts loues; a stately Altar rose;
VVhere euery Trauailer, did still impose
Deuoted sacrifice. At this fount, found
These silly Trauailers, a man renown'd
For guard of Goats, which now he had in guide;
VVhose huge-stor'd Herd, two herdsmen kept beside:
For all Herds it exceld; and bred a seed
For wooers onely. He was Delina seede,
And call'd Melanthius. VVho casting eye
One these two there, he chid them terribly:
And so past meane, that euen the wrethed fate,
Now on Vlysses, he did irritate.
His fume, to this effect, he did pursue:
VVhy so; tis now at all parts passing true,
That ill leades ill: good euer more doth traine
VVith like, his like: VVhy thou unenuied Swaine,
VVhither dost thou leade this same victlesse Leager?
This bane of banquets; this most nasty begger?
VVhose sight doth make one sad, in so abhorres;
VVho with his standing in so many doores,
Hath broke his backe; and all his beggery tends
To beg base crusts, but to no manly ends;
As asking swords, or with actiuity
To get a Caldron. VVouldst thou giue him me,
To farme my Stable, or to sweepe my yarde,
And bring brouse to my kids; and that prefer'd,
He should be at my keeping for his paines,
To drinke as much whey as his thirsty veynos
VVould still be swilling (whey made all his fees)
His monstrous belly, would oppresse his knees.
But he hath learn'd to leade base life about;
And will not worke, but crouch among the rout;
For broken meate, to cram his bursten gut.
Yet this Ile say; and he will finde it put
In sure effect; that if he enters where
Vlysses roofes cast shade; the stooles will there
About his eares flye; all the hous wil throw;
And rub his ragged sides, with cuffes enow.
All patcht and torne: A cord that would not slip
For knots, and bracks, about the mouth of it,
Made serue the turne: and then his Swaine did fit
His forc't state with a staffe. Then plied they hard
Their way to towne: Their Cottage left in guard
To Swaines and Dogs. And now, Eumaus led
The King along: his garments to a thred
All bare, and burn'd; and he himselfe hard bore
Vpon his staffe, at all parts like a pore
And sad old begger. But when now they got
The rough high-way; their voyage wanted not
Much, of the City: where a Fount they reacht,
From whence the Towne their choisest water fetcht,
That euer ouer-flow'd; and curious Art
VVas shewne about it: In which, three had part;
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And famous Ithacus. It had a Sphere
Of poplar, that ranne round about the wall;
And into it, a lofty Rocke let fall,
Continuall supply of coole cleare streame:
On whose top, to the Nymphs that were supreme
In those parts loues; a stately Altar rose;
VVhere euery Trauailer, did still impose
Deuoted sacrifice. At this fount, found
These silly Trauailers, a man renown'd
For guard of Goats, which now he had in guide;
VVhose huge-stor'd Herd, two herdsmen kept beside:
For all Herds it exceld; and bred a seed
For wooers onely. He was Delina seede,
And call'd Melanthius. VVho casting eye
One these two there, he chid them terribly:
And so past meane, that euen the wrethed fate,
Now on Vlysses, he did irritate.
His fume, to this effect, he did pursue:
VVhy so; tis now at all parts passing true,
That ill leades ill: good euer more doth traine
VVith like, his like: VVhy thou unenuied Swaine,
VVhither dost thou leade this same victlesse Leager?
This bane of banquets; this most nasty begger?
VVhose sight doth make one sad, in so abhorres;
VVho with his standing in so many doores,
Hath broke his backe; and all his beggery tends
To beg base crusts, but to no manly ends;
As asking swords, or with actiuity
To get a Caldron. VVouldst thou giue him me,
To farme my Stable, or to sweepe my yarde,
And bring brouse to my kids; and that prefer'd,
He should be at my keeping for his paines,
To drinke as much whey as his thirsty veynos
VVould still be swilling (whey made all his fees)
His monstrous belly, would oppresse his knees.
But he hath learn'd to leade base life about;
And will not worke, but crouch among the rout;
For broken meate, to cram his bursten gut.
Yet this Ile say; and he will finde it put
In sure effect; that if he enters where
Vlysses roofes cast shade; the stooles will there
About his eares flye; all the hous wil throw;
And rub his ragged sides, with cuffes enow.
Past these reuiles; his manlesse rudenesse spurn'd
Diuine Vlysses; who, at no part turn'd
His face from him, but had his spirit fed
VVith these two thoghts; If he should strike him dead
VVith his bestowed staffe: or at his feete
Make his direct head, and the pauement meete.
But he bore all, and entertain'd a brest,
That in the strife of all extremes did rest.
Diuine Vlysses; who, at no part turn'd
His face from him, but had his spirit fed
VVith these two thoghts; If he should strike him dead
264
Make his direct head, and the pauement meete.
But he bore all, and entertain'd a brest,
That in the strife of all extremes did rest.
Eumæus, frowning on him; chid him yet:
And lifting vp his hands to heauen, he set
This bitter curse at him: O you that beare
Faire name to be the race of Iupiter,
Nymphes of these Fountaines! If Vlysses euer
Burn'd thighes to you; that hid in fat, did neuer
Faile your acceptance, of or Lambe, or Kid;
Grant this grace to me; let the man thus hid
Shine through his dark fate: make som God his guide;
That, to thee (Goat-herd) this same Pallats pride,
Thou driu'st afore thee; he may come and make
The scatterings of the earth; and ouer-take
Thy wrongs, with forcing thee to euer erre
About the City, hunted by his feare.
And in the meane space, may some slothfull Swaines,
Let lowsie sicknesse gnaw thy Cattels Vaines.
And lifting vp his hands to heauen, he set
This bitter curse at him: O you that beare
Faire name to be the race of Iupiter,
Nymphes of these Fountaines! If Vlysses euer
Burn'd thighes to you; that hid in fat, did neuer
Faile your acceptance, of or Lambe, or Kid;
Grant this grace to me; let the man thus hid
Shine through his dark fate: make som God his guide;
That, to thee (Goat-herd) this same Pallats pride,
Thou driu'st afore thee; he may come and make
The scatterings of the earth; and ouer-take
Thy wrongs, with forcing thee to euer erre
About the City, hunted by his feare.
And in the meane space, may some slothfull Swaines,
Let lowsie sicknesse gnaw thy Cattels Vaines.
O Gods! (replyed Melanthius) what a curse
Hath this dog barkt out; and can yet, do wurse?
This man, shall I haue giuen into my hands,
VVhen, in a well-built Ship, to farre-off Lands
I shall transport him: That (should I want here)
My sale of him, may finde me victels there.
And (for Vlysses) would to heauen, his ioy
The Siluer-bearing-bow-God, would destroy,
This day, within his house; as sure as he
The day of his returne shall neuer see?
Hath this dog barkt out; and can yet, do wurse?
This man, shall I haue giuen into my hands,
VVhen, in a well-built Ship, to farre-off Lands
I shall transport him: That (should I want here)
My sale of him, may finde me victels there.
And (for Vlysses) would to heauen, his ioy
The Siluer-bearing-bow-God, would destroy,
This day, within his house; as sure as he
The day of his returne shall neuer see?
This said, he left them, going silent on;
But he out-went them, and tooke straight vpon
The Pallace royall, which he enter'd straight;
Sat with the wooers, and his Trenchers fraight
The Keruers gaue him, of the flesh there vented:
But bread, the reuerend Buttleresse presented.
He tooke, against Eurymachus, his place;
VVho most of all the wooers, gaue him grace.
And now, Vlysses and his Swaine got nere:
VVhen, round about them, visited their eare
The hollow Harpes delicious-stricken string;
To which, did Phæmius (neere the wooers) sing.
But he out-went them, and tooke straight vpon
The Pallace royall, which he enter'd straight;
Sat with the wooers, and his Trenchers fraight
The Keruers gaue him, of the flesh there vented:
But bread, the reuerend Buttleresse presented.
He tooke, against Eurymachus, his place;
VVho most of all the wooers, gaue him grace.
And now, Vlysses and his Swaine got nere:
VVhen, round about them, visited their eare
The hollow Harpes delicious-stricken string;
To which, did Phæmius (neere the wooers) sing.
Then, by the hand, Vlysses tooke his Swaine,
And saide, Eumaus? One may heere see plaine
(In many a grace) that Laertiades
Built heere these Turrets; and (mongst others these)
His whole Court arm'd, with such a goodly wall:
The Cornish, and the Cope, Maiesticall:
His double gates, and Turrets, built too strong
For force, or vertue, euer to expugne.
I know, the Feasters in it, now abound,
Their Cates cast such a sauour; and the sound
The Harpe giues, argues, an accomplisht Feast;
The Gods made Musicke, Banquets deerest Guest.
And saide, Eumaus? One may heere see plaine
(In many a grace) that Laertiades
Built heere these Turrets; and (mongst others these)
His whole Court arm'd, with such a goodly wall:
The Cornish, and the Cope, Maiesticall:
265
For force, or vertue, euer to expugne.
I know, the Feasters in it, now abound,
Their Cates cast such a sauour; and the sound
The Harpe giues, argues, an accomplisht Feast;
The Gods made Musicke, Banquets deerest Guest.
These things (said he) your skill may tell with ease,
Since you are grac't with greater knowledges.
But now, consult we, how these workes shall sort,
If you will first approch this praised Court,
And see these wooers (I remaining here)
Or I shall enter, and your selfe forbeare.
But be not you, too tedious in your stay
Lest thrust ye be, and buffeted away.
Braine hath no fence for blowes; looke too't I pray.
Since you are grac't with greater knowledges.
But now, consult we, how these workes shall sort,
If you will first approch this praised Court,
And see these wooers (I remaining here)
Or I shall enter, and your selfe forbeare.
But be not you, too tedious in your stay
Lest thrust ye be, and buffeted away.
Braine hath no fence for blowes; looke too't I pray.
You speake to one that comprehends (said he)
Go you before; and heere, aduenture me.
I haue of old, bene vsde to cuffes and blowes;
My minde is hardn'd; hauing borne the throwes
Of many a soure euent, in waues, and wars;
Where knockes and buffets are no Forreinars.
And this same harmefull belly, by no meane,
The greatest Abstinent, can euer weane.
Men suffer much Bane, by the Bellies rage;
For whose sake, Ships in all their equipage
Are arm'd, and set out to th' vntamed Seas;
Their bulkes full fraught with ils to enemies.
Such speech they chang'd: when in the yeard there lay
A dogge, call'd Argus; which, before his way
Assum'd for Ilion; Vlysses bred;
Yet stood his pleasure then, in little sted;
(As being too yong) but growing to his grace,
Yong men made choise of him for euery Chace;
Or of their wilde Goats, of their Hares, or Harts.
But, his King gone; and he, now past his parts;
Lay all abiectly on the Stables store,
Before the Oxe-stall, and Mules stable dore,
To keepe the clothes, cast from the Pessants hands,
While they laide compasse on Vlysses Lands:
The Dog, with Tickes (vnlook't to) ouer-growne.
But, by this Dog, no sooner seene, but knowne
VVas wise Vlysses, who (new enter'd there)
Vp went his Dogs laide eares; and (comming nere)
Vp, he himselfe rose, fawn'd, and wag'd his Sterne;
Coucht close his eares, and lay so: Nor descerne
Could euermore his deere-lou'd Lord againe.
Vlysses saw it; nor had powre t'abstaine
From shedding tears: which (far-off seeing his Swain)
He dried from his sight cleane; to whom, he thus
His griefe dissembled: 'Tis miraculous,
That such a Dog as this, should haue his laire
On such a dunghill; for his forme is faire.
And yet, I know not, if there were in him
Good pace, or parts, for all his goodly lim.
Or he liu'd empty of those inward things,
As are those trencher-Beagles, tending Kings;
VVhom for their pleasures, or their glories sake,
Or fashion; they into their fauours take.
Go you before; and heere, aduenture me.
I haue of old, bene vsde to cuffes and blowes;
My minde is hardn'd; hauing borne the throwes
Of many a soure euent, in waues, and wars;
Where knockes and buffets are no Forreinars.
And this same harmefull belly, by no meane,
The greatest Abstinent, can euer weane.
Men suffer much Bane, by the Bellies rage;
For whose sake, Ships in all their equipage
Are arm'd, and set out to th' vntamed Seas;
Their bulkes full fraught with ils to enemies.
Such speech they chang'd: when in the yeard there lay
A dogge, call'd Argus; which, before his way
Assum'd for Ilion; Vlysses bred;
Yet stood his pleasure then, in little sted;
(As being too yong) but growing to his grace,
Yong men made choise of him for euery Chace;
Or of their wilde Goats, of their Hares, or Harts.
But, his King gone; and he, now past his parts;
Lay all abiectly on the Stables store,
Before the Oxe-stall, and Mules stable dore,
To keepe the clothes, cast from the Pessants hands,
While they laide compasse on Vlysses Lands:
The Dog, with Tickes (vnlook't to) ouer-growne.
But, by this Dog, no sooner seene, but knowne
VVas wise Vlysses, who (new enter'd there)
Vp went his Dogs laide eares; and (comming nere)
Vp, he himselfe rose, fawn'd, and wag'd his Sterne;
Coucht close his eares, and lay so: Nor descerne
Could euermore his deere-lou'd Lord againe.
Vlysses saw it; nor had powre t'abstaine
From shedding tears: which (far-off seeing his Swain)
266
His griefe dissembled: 'Tis miraculous,
That such a Dog as this, should haue his laire
On such a dunghill; for his forme is faire.
And yet, I know not, if there were in him
Good pace, or parts, for all his goodly lim.
Or he liu'd empty of those inward things,
As are those trencher-Beagles, tending Kings;
VVhom for their pleasures, or their glories sake,
Or fashion; they into their fauours take.
This Dog (said he) was seruant to one dead
A huge time since. But if he bore his head
(For forme and quality) of such a hight,
As when Vlysses (bound for th' Ilion fight,
Or quickly after) left him: your rapt eyes
VVould then admire, to see him vse his Thyes,
In strength, and swiftnes. He would nothing flye,
Nor any thing let scape. If once his eye
Seiz'd any wilde beast, he knew straight his scent:
Go where he would, away with him he went.
Nor was there euer any Sauage stood
Amongst the thickets of the deepest wood
Long time before him, but he pull'd him downe;
As well by that true hunting to be showne
In such vaste couerts; as for speed of pace
In any open Lawne; For in deepe chace,
He was a passing wise, and well-nos'd Hound.
And yet is all this good in him vncroun'd
With any grace heere now. Nor he more fed
Then any errant Curre. His King is dead,
Farre from his country; and his seruants are
So negligent, they lend his Hound, no care.
Where Maysters rule not, but let Men alone;
You neuer there, see honest seruice done.
That Man's halfe vertue, Ioue takes quite away,
That once is Sun-burn'd with the seruile day.
A huge time since. But if he bore his head
(For forme and quality) of such a hight,
As when Vlysses (bound for th' Ilion fight,
Or quickly after) left him: your rapt eyes
VVould then admire, to see him vse his Thyes,
In strength, and swiftnes. He would nothing flye,
Nor any thing let scape. If once his eye
Seiz'd any wilde beast, he knew straight his scent:
Go where he would, away with him he went.
Nor was there euer any Sauage stood
Amongst the thickets of the deepest wood
Long time before him, but he pull'd him downe;
As well by that true hunting to be showne
In such vaste couerts; as for speed of pace
In any open Lawne; For in deepe chace,
He was a passing wise, and well-nos'd Hound.
And yet is all this good in him vncroun'd
With any grace heere now. Nor he more fed
Then any errant Curre. His King is dead,
Farre from his country; and his seruants are
So negligent, they lend his Hound, no care.
Where Maysters rule not, but let Men alone;
You neuer there, see honest seruice done.
That Man's halfe vertue, Ioue takes quite away,
That once is Sun-burn'd with the seruile day.
This said; he enter'd the well-builded Towers,
Vp bearing right vpon the glorious wooers;
And left poore Argus dead. His Lords first sight,
Since that time twenty yeares, bereft his light.
Vp bearing right vpon the glorious wooers;
And left poore Argus dead. His Lords first sight,
Since that time twenty yeares, bereft his light.
Telemachus, did farre the first behould
Eumæus enter; and made signes he should
Come vp to him. He (noting) came, and tooke
On earth, his seate. And then, the Maister Cooke
Seru'd in more banquet: Of which; part he set
Before the wooers; part the Prince did get:
VVho sate alone; his Table plac't aside;
To which, the Herald did the bread diuide.
Eumæus enter; and made signes he should
Come vp to him. He (noting) came, and tooke
On earth, his seate. And then, the Maister Cooke
Seru'd in more banquet: Of which; part he set
Before the wooers; part the Prince did get:
VVho sate alone; his Table plac't aside;
To which, the Herald did the bread diuide.
267
After Eumæus, enter'd straight the King,
Like to a poore, and heauy aged thing:
Bore hard vpon his staffe; and was so clad,
As would haue made his meere beholder sad.
Vpon the Ashen floore, his limbes he spred;
And gainst a Cypresse threshold staid his head;
The tree wrought smooth, and in a line direct,
Tried by the Plumbe, and by the Architect.
The Prince then bad the Herdsman giue him bread,
The finest there: and see, that prostrated
At-all-parts-plight of his, giuen all the cheare
His hands could turne to: Take (saide he) and beare
These cates to him; and bid him beg of all
These wooers heere; and to their feastiuall
Beare vp with all the impudence he can;
Bashfull behauiour, fits no needy Man,
Like to a poore, and heauy aged thing:
Bore hard vpon his staffe; and was so clad,
As would haue made his meere beholder sad.
Vpon the Ashen floore, his limbes he spred;
And gainst a Cypresse threshold staid his head;
The tree wrought smooth, and in a line direct,
Tried by the Plumbe, and by the Architect.
The Prince then bad the Herdsman giue him bread,
The finest there: and see, that prostrated
At-all-parts-plight of his, giuen all the cheare
His hands could turne to: Take (saide he) and beare
These cates to him; and bid him beg of all
These wooers heere; and to their feastiuall
Beare vp with all the impudence he can;
Bashfull behauiour, fits no needy Man,
He heard, and did his will: Hold Guest (saide he)
Telemachus commends these cates to thee;
Bids thee beare vp, and all these woo'rs implore;
Wit must make Impudent, whom Fate makes pore.
Telemachus commends these cates to thee;
Bids thee beare vp, and all these woo'rs implore;
Wit must make Impudent, whom Fate makes pore.
O Ioue (said he) do my poore pray'rs the grace,
To make him blessed'st of the mortall race:
And euery thought now, in his generous heart,
To deeds that further my desires conuert.
To make him blessed'st of the mortall race:
And euery thought now, in his generous heart,
To deeds that further my desires conuert.
Thus tooke he in, with hoth his hands, his store;
And in the vncouth Scrip that lay before
His ill-shod feete, repos'd it: whence he fed
All time the Musicke to the Feasters plaid.
Both ioyntly ending. Then began the woo'rs
To put in old act, their tumultuous pow'rs.
When Pallas standing close, did prompt her frend,
To proue how farre the bounties would extend
Of those proud wooers; so, to let him try,
Who most, who least, had learn'd humanity.
However, no thought toucht Mineruaes minde,
That any one should scape his wreake design'd.
He handsomly became all; crept about
To euery wooer; held a forc't hand out:
And all his worke, did in so like a way,
As he had practis'd begging many a day.
And though they knew, all beggers could do this,
Yet they admir'd it, as no deede of his;
Though farre from thought of other: vs'd expence
And pitty to him: who he was, and whence,
Enquiring mutually. Melanthius then:
Heare me, ye wooers of the farre-fam'd Queen,
About this begger: I haue seene before
This face of his; and know for certaine more:
That this Swaine brought him hither. What he is,
Or whence he came, flies me. Reply to this
Antinous made; and mockt Eumæus thus.
And in the vncouth Scrip that lay before
His ill-shod feete, repos'd it: whence he fed
All time the Musicke to the Feasters plaid.
Both ioyntly ending. Then began the woo'rs
To put in old act, their tumultuous pow'rs.
When Pallas standing close, did prompt her frend,
To proue how farre the bounties would extend
Of those proud wooers; so, to let him try,
Who most, who least, had learn'd humanity.
However, no thought toucht Mineruaes minde,
That any one should scape his wreake design'd.
He handsomly became all; crept about
To euery wooer; held a forc't hand out:
And all his worke, did in so like a way,
As he had practis'd begging many a day.
And though they knew, all beggers could do this,
Yet they admir'd it, as no deede of his;
Though farre from thought of other: vs'd expence
And pitty to him: who he was, and whence,
Enquiring mutually. Melanthius then:
Heare me, ye wooers of the farre-fam'd Queen,
About this begger: I haue seene before
This face of his; and know for certaine more:
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Or whence he came, flies me. Reply to this
Antinous made; and mockt Eumæus thus.
O thou renowned Herdsman, why to vs
Brought'st thou this begger? Serues it not our hands,
That other Land-leapers, and Cormorands
(Prophane poore knaues) lye on vs, vnconducted,
But you must bring them? So amisse instructed
Art thou in course of thrift, as not to know
Thy Lords goods wrackt, in this their ouer-flow?
VVhich, thinkst thou nothing, that thou calst in these?
Brought'st thou this begger? Serues it not our hands,
That other Land-leapers, and Cormorands
(Prophane poore knaues) lye on vs, vnconducted,
But you must bring them? So amisse instructed
Art thou in course of thrift, as not to know
Thy Lords goods wrackt, in this their ouer-flow?
VVhich, thinkst thou nothing, that thou calst in these?
Eumæus answer'd; Though you may be wise,
You speak not wisely: VVho cals in a Guest
That is a guest himselfe? None cal to Feast
Other then men that are of publique vse:
Prophets, or Poets, whom the Gods produce;
Physitians for mens ils; or Architects.
Such men, the boundlesse earth affoords respects
Bounded in honour; and may call them wel:
But poore men, who cals? Who doth so excell
In others good, to do himselfe an ill?
But all Vlysses seruants haue bene still
Eye-sores in your waie, more then all that woo;
And cheefly I. But what care I, for you?
As long as these roofes, hold as thrals to none,
The wise Penelope, and her God-like Sonne.
You speak not wisely: VVho cals in a Guest
That is a guest himselfe? None cal to Feast
Other then men that are of publique vse:
Prophets, or Poets, whom the Gods produce;
Physitians for mens ils; or Architects.
Such men, the boundlesse earth affoords respects
Bounded in honour; and may call them wel:
But poore men, who cals? Who doth so excell
In others good, to do himselfe an ill?
But all Vlysses seruants haue bene still
Eye-sores in your waie, more then all that woo;
And cheefly I. But what care I, for you?
As long as these roofes, hold as thrals to none,
The wise Penelope, and her God-like Sonne.
Forbeare (said he) and leaue this tongues bold ill;
Antinous vses to be crossing still,
And giue sharpe words: his blood that humor beares,
To set men stil together by the eares.
But (turning then t'Antinous) O (saide he)
You entertaine a Fathers care of me;
To turne these eating guests out: Tis aduise
Of needful vse for my poore faculties.
But God doth not allow this: There must be
Some care of poore men, in humanitie.
What you your selues take; giue; I not enuy,
But giue command that hospitality
Be giuen al strangers: Nor shal my pow'rs feare,
If this mood in me, reach my Mothers eare;
Much lesse the seruants, that are heere to see
Vlysses house kept, in his old degree.
But you beare no such mind; your wits more cast
To fill your selfe, then let another rast.
Antinous vses to be crossing still,
And giue sharpe words: his blood that humor beares,
To set men stil together by the eares.
But (turning then t'Antinous) O (saide he)
You entertaine a Fathers care of me;
To turne these eating guests out: Tis aduise
Of needful vse for my poore faculties.
But God doth not allow this: There must be
Some care of poore men, in humanitie.
What you your selues take; giue; I not enuy,
But giue command that hospitality
Be giuen al strangers: Nor shal my pow'rs feare,
If this mood in me, reach my Mothers eare;
Much lesse the seruants, that are heere to see
Vlysses house kept, in his old degree.
But you beare no such mind; your wits more cast
To fill your selfe, then let another rast.
Antinous answer'd him; Braue spoken man
VVhose minds free fire, see check't, no vertue can;
If all we wooers heere, would giue as much
As my minde serues; his Larges should be such
As would for three months serue his farre off way
From troubling your house, with more cause of stay.
VVhose minds free fire, see check't, no vertue can;
If all we wooers heere, would giue as much
As my minde serues; his Larges should be such
269
From troubling your house, with more cause of stay.
This said; he tooke a stoole vp, that did rest
Beneath the boord, his spangled feete at feast:
And offer'd at him: But the rest, gaue all,
And fil'd his fulsome Scrip with Festiuall.
And so Vlysses for the present, was,
And for the future surnisht; and his passe
Bent to the doore, to eate. Yet could not leaue
Antinous so: but said; Do you to giue
(Lou'd Lord) your presence, makes a shew to me;
As you not worst were of the company,
But best? and so much, that you seeme the King:
And therefore, you should giue some better thing,
Then bread, like others. I will spred your praise
Through all the wide world; that haue in my daies
Kept house my selfe; and trod the wealthy waies
Of other men, euen to the Title, Blest;
And often haue I giuen an erring Guest
(How meane so euer) to the vtmost gaine
Of what he wanted: kept whole troopes of men;
And had all other commings in; with which
Men liue so well, and gaine the fame of Rich.
Yet Ioue consum'd all: he would haue it so:
To which, his meane was this; he made me go
Farre off, for Egypt, in the rude consort
Of all-waies-wandring Pyrats; where, in Port
I bad my lou'd men, draw their Ships ashore,
And dwell amongst them: Sent out some t'explore
Vp to the Mountaines; who (intemperate,
And their inflam'd bloods, bent to satiate)
Forrag'd the rich fields; hal'd the women thence,
And vnwean'd children, with the foule expence
Both of their fames, and bloods. The cry then flew
Straight to the City; and the great fields grew
VVith horse, and foot; and flam'd with iron armes;
VVhen Ioue (that breaks the Thunder in Alarmes)
An ill flight cast amongst my men: Not one
Inspir'd with spirit, to stand, and turne vpon
The fierce pursuing foe: and therefore stood
Their ill fate thicke about them: some in blood,
And some in bondage: I oiles led by constraint
Fastning vpon them. Me, along they sent
To Cyprus, with a stranger Prince they met,
Dmetor Iasides; who th' Imperiall seat
Of that sweete Island, swaid in strong command;
And thus feele I heere, Needs contemned hand.
Beneath the boord, his spangled feete at feast:
And offer'd at him: But the rest, gaue all,
And fil'd his fulsome Scrip with Festiuall.
And so Vlysses for the present, was,
And for the future surnisht; and his passe
Bent to the doore, to eate. Yet could not leaue
Antinous so: but said; Do you to giue
(Lou'd Lord) your presence, makes a shew to me;
As you not worst were of the company,
But best? and so much, that you seeme the King:
And therefore, you should giue some better thing,
Then bread, like others. I will spred your praise
Through all the wide world; that haue in my daies
Kept house my selfe; and trod the wealthy waies
Of other men, euen to the Title, Blest;
And often haue I giuen an erring Guest
(How meane so euer) to the vtmost gaine
Of what he wanted: kept whole troopes of men;
And had all other commings in; with which
Men liue so well, and gaine the fame of Rich.
Yet Ioue consum'd all: he would haue it so:
To which, his meane was this; he made me go
Farre off, for Egypt, in the rude consort
Of all-waies-wandring Pyrats; where, in Port
I bad my lou'd men, draw their Ships ashore,
And dwell amongst them: Sent out some t'explore
Vp to the Mountaines; who (intemperate,
And their inflam'd bloods, bent to satiate)
Forrag'd the rich fields; hal'd the women thence,
And vnwean'd children, with the foule expence
Both of their fames, and bloods. The cry then flew
Straight to the City; and the great fields grew
VVith horse, and foot; and flam'd with iron armes;
VVhen Ioue (that breaks the Thunder in Alarmes)
An ill flight cast amongst my men: Not one
Inspir'd with spirit, to stand, and turne vpon
The fierce pursuing foe: and therefore stood
Their ill fate thicke about them: some in blood,
And some in bondage: I oiles led by constraint
Fastning vpon them. Me, along they sent
To Cyprus, with a stranger Prince they met,
Dmetor Iasides; who th' Imperiall seat
Of that sweete Island, swaid in strong command;
And thus feele I heere, Needs contemned hand.
And what God sent (saide he) this suffering bane
To vex our banquet? Stand off; nor prophane
My boord so boldly, lest I shew thee here,
Cyprus and Egypt, made more soure then there.
You are a sawcy set fac't Vagabond.
About with all you go; and they, beyond
Discretion giue thee, since they finde not heere
The least proportion set downe to their cheere.
But euery Fountaine hath his vnder floods;
It is no Bounty, to giue others goods.
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My boord so boldly, lest I shew thee here,
Cyprus and Egypt, made more soure then there.
You are a sawcy set fac't Vagabond.
About with all you go; and they, beyond
Discretion giue thee, since they finde not heere
The least proportion set downe to their cheere.
But euery Fountaine hath his vnder floods;
It is no Bounty, to giue others goods.
O Gods (replied Vlysses) I see now,
You beare no soule, in this your goodly show;
Beggers at your boord, I perceiue, should get
Scarse salt from your hands, if thēselues broght meat:
Since, sitting where anothers boord is spread,
That flowes with feast; not to the broken bread
VVill your allowance reach. Nay then (said he,
And look't austerely) It so saucy be
Your suffer'd language, I suppose, that cleere
You shall not scape without some broken cheere.
You beare no soule, in this your goodly show;
Beggers at your boord, I perceiue, should get
Scarse salt from your hands, if thēselues broght meat:
Since, sitting where anothers boord is spread,
That flowes with feast; not to the broken bread
VVill your allowance reach. Nay then (said he,
And look't austerely) It so saucy be
Your suffer'd language, I suppose, that cleere
You shall not scape without some broken cheere.
Thus rapt he vp a stoole, with which he smit
The Kings right shoulder, 'twixt his necke, and it.
He stood him like a rocke: Antinous dart
Not stirr'd Vlysses: who, in his great hart
Deepe ils proiected; which, for time yet, close
He bound in silence; shooke his head, and went
Out to the Entry, where he then gaue vent
To his full scrip; sate on the earth, and eate,
And talk't still to the wooers: heare me yet
Ye wooers of the Queene. It neuer greeues
A man to take blowes, where for Sheepe, or Beeues,
Or other maine possessions, a man fights:
But for his harmefull belly, this man smites,
VVhose loue to many a man, breeds many a wo.
And if the poore haue Gods, and Furies to;
Before Antinous weare his Nuptiall wreath,
He shall be worne vpon the dart of death.
The Kings right shoulder, 'twixt his necke, and it.
He stood him like a rocke: Antinous dart
Not stirr'd Vlysses: who, in his great hart
Deepe ils proiected; which, for time yet, close
He bound in silence; shooke his head, and went
Out to the Entry, where he then gaue vent
To his full scrip; sate on the earth, and eate,
And talk't still to the wooers: heare me yet
Ye wooers of the Queene. It neuer greeues
A man to take blowes, where for Sheepe, or Beeues,
Or other maine possessions, a man fights:
But for his harmefull belly, this man smites,
VVhose loue to many a man, breeds many a wo.
And if the poore haue Gods, and Furies to;
Before Antinous weare his Nuptiall wreath,
He shall be worne vpon the dart of death.
Harsh Guest (saide he) sit silent at your meate,
Or seeke your desperate plight some safer seate;
Lest by the hands, or heeles, youths drag your yeares,
And rend your rotten ragges about your eares.
Or seeke your desperate plight some safer seate;
Lest by the hands, or heeles, youths drag your yeares,
And rend your rotten ragges about your eares.
This made the rest, as highly hate his folly,
As he had violated something holy.
VVhen one (euen of the proudest) thus began:
Thou dost not nobly, thus to play the man
On such an errant wretch: O ill dispos'd!
Perhaps some sacred God-head goes enclos'd
Euen in his abiect outside: For the Gods
Haue often visited these rich abods
Like such poore stranger Pilgrims; since their pow'rs
(Being alwayes shapefull) glide through Townes and Tow'rs;
Obseruing as they passe stil, who they be
That piety loue, and who impiety.
As he had violated something holy.
VVhen one (euen of the proudest) thus began:
Thou dost not nobly, thus to play the man
On such an errant wretch: O ill dispos'd!
Perhaps some sacred God-head goes enclos'd
Euen in his abiect outside: For the Gods
Haue often visited these rich abods
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(Being alwayes shapefull) glide through Townes and Tow'rs;
Obseruing as they passe stil, who they be
That piety loue, and who impiety.
This, all men said; But he held sayings cheape:
And all this time Telemachus did heape
Sorrow on sorrow, on his beating hart
To see his Father stricken; yet let part
No teare to earth, but shooke his head, and thought
As deepe as those ils, that were after wrought.
And all this time Telemachus did heape
Sorrow on sorrow, on his beating hart
To see his Father stricken; yet let part
No teare to earth, but shooke his head, and thought
As deepe as those ils, that were after wrought.
The Queen now hearing of her poore guests stroke;
Said to her Maid, (as to her wooer she spoke)
I wish the famous for his Bow, the Sun
VVould strike thy heart so. Her wish (thus begun)
Her Lady, faire Eurynome pursude
Her execration; and did thus conclude:
So may our vowes call downe from heauen, his end;
And let no one life of the rest, extend
His life till morning. O Eurynome
(Replied the Queene) may all Gods speake in thee:
For all the wooers, we should rate as foes;
Since all their weales, they place in others woes.
But this Antinous, we past all, should hate,
As one resembling blacke and cruell Fate.
A poor strange wretch; beg'd here, compel'd by need:
Askt all, and euery one gaue in his deed;
Fill'd his sad Scrip, and cal'd his heauy wants:
Onely this man, bestow'd vnmanly tants;
And with a cruell blow (his force let flye)
'Twixt necke and shoulders; shew'd his charity.
These minds (aboue) she and her Maids did show;
VVhile, at his scrip, Vlysses sate below.
In which time, she Eumæus call'd, and said:
Go, good Eumæus, and see soone conuaid
The stranger to me: Bid him come and take
My salutations for his welcomes sake;
And my desire serue, if he hath not heard
Or seene distrest Vlysses? who hath err'd
Like such a man; and therefore chance may fall,
He hath, by him bene met, and spoke withall.
Said to her Maid, (as to her wooer she spoke)
I wish the famous for his Bow, the Sun
VVould strike thy heart so. Her wish (thus begun)
Her Lady, faire Eurynome pursude
Her execration; and did thus conclude:
So may our vowes call downe from heauen, his end;
And let no one life of the rest, extend
His life till morning. O Eurynome
(Replied the Queene) may all Gods speake in thee:
For all the wooers, we should rate as foes;
Since all their weales, they place in others woes.
But this Antinous, we past all, should hate,
As one resembling blacke and cruell Fate.
A poor strange wretch; beg'd here, compel'd by need:
Askt all, and euery one gaue in his deed;
Fill'd his sad Scrip, and cal'd his heauy wants:
Onely this man, bestow'd vnmanly tants;
And with a cruell blow (his force let flye)
'Twixt necke and shoulders; shew'd his charity.
These minds (aboue) she and her Maids did show;
VVhile, at his scrip, Vlysses sate below.
In which time, she Eumæus call'd, and said:
Go, good Eumæus, and see soone conuaid
The stranger to me: Bid him come and take
My salutations for his welcomes sake;
And my desire serue, if he hath not heard
Or seene distrest Vlysses? who hath err'd
Like such a man; and therefore chance may fall,
He hath, by him bene met, and spoke withall.
O Queene (saide he) I wish to heauen, your eare
Were quit of this vnreuerend noise you heare
From these rude wooers; when I bring the guest:
Such words, your care, would let into your brest
As would delight it, to your very heart.
Three nights and dayes, I did my Roofe impart
To his fruition; (for he came to me
The first of all men, since he fled the Sea)
And yet he had not giuen a perfect end
To his relation, of what woes did spend
The spight of Fate on him: But as you see
A Singer, breathing out of Deity
Loue kindling lines; when all men seated nere,
Are rapt with endlesse thirst, to euer heare:
So sweetn'd he, my bosome, at my meate;
Affirming that Vlysses was in Crete,
VVhere first the memories of Minos were,
A Guest to him, there dwelling, then as deare
As his true Father: and from thence, came he
Tir'd on with sorrowes; tost from sea to sea;
To cast himselfe in dust, and tumble heere
At wooers feete, for blowes, and broken cheere.
But, of Vlysses (where the Thesprots dwell,
A wealthy people) Fame, he sayes, did tell
The still suruiuall: who his Natiue light
VVas bound for now; with treasure infinite.
Were quit of this vnreuerend noise you heare
From these rude wooers; when I bring the guest:
Such words, your care, would let into your brest
As would delight it, to your very heart.
Three nights and dayes, I did my Roofe impart
To his fruition; (for he came to me
The first of all men, since he fled the Sea)
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To his relation, of what woes did spend
The spight of Fate on him: But as you see
A Singer, breathing out of Deity
Loue kindling lines; when all men seated nere,
Are rapt with endlesse thirst, to euer heare:
So sweetn'd he, my bosome, at my meate;
Affirming that Vlysses was in Crete,
VVhere first the memories of Minos were,
A Guest to him, there dwelling, then as deare
As his true Father: and from thence, came he
Tir'd on with sorrowes; tost from sea to sea;
To cast himselfe in dust, and tumble heere
At wooers feete, for blowes, and broken cheere.
But, of Vlysses (where the Thesprots dwell,
A wealthy people) Fame, he sayes, did tell
The still suruiuall: who his Natiue light
VVas bound for now; with treasure infinite.
Call him (sayd she) that he himselfe may say
This, ouer to me. We shall soone haue way
Giuen by the wooers: They, as well at Gate,
As set within doores, vse to recreate
Their high-fed spirits. As their humors leade,
They follow; and may well; for still they treade
Vncharg'd waies here; their own welth lying vnwasted
In poore-kept houses: onely something tasted
Their bread and wine is, by their houshold Swaines;
But they themselues, let loose continuall Reines
To our expences; making slaughter still
Of Sheepe, Goats, Oxen; feeding past their fill;
And vainly lauishing our richest wine.
All these extending past the sacred line.
For here liues no man, like Vlysses now
To curbe these ruines: But should he once show
His country light, his presence; He and his
VVould soone reuenge these wooers iniuries.
This, ouer to me. We shall soone haue way
Giuen by the wooers: They, as well at Gate,
As set within doores, vse to recreate
Their high-fed spirits. As their humors leade,
They follow; and may well; for still they treade
Vncharg'd waies here; their own welth lying vnwasted
In poore-kept houses: onely something tasted
Their bread and wine is, by their houshold Swaines;
But they themselues, let loose continuall Reines
To our expences; making slaughter still
Of Sheepe, Goats, Oxen; feeding past their fill;
And vainly lauishing our richest wine.
All these extending past the sacred line.
For here liues no man, like Vlysses now
To curbe these ruines: But should he once show
His country light, his presence; He and his
VVould soone reuenge these wooers iniuries.
This said; about the house, in ecchoes, round,
Her Sons strange Neesings made a horrid sound;
At which, the Queene yet laught, and said; Goe call
The stranger to me: Heardst thou not to all
My words last vtter'd, what a Neesing brake
From my Telemachus? From whence I make
This sure conclusion; That the death, and fate
Of euery wooer heere, is neere his date.
Call then the Guest; and if he tel as trew
VVhat I shal aske him; Cote, cloke all things new
These hands shal yeeld him. This said; down he went
And told Vlysses, that the Queene had sent
To call him to her; that she might enquire
About her husband, what her sad desire
Vrg'd her to aske: and if she found him true,
Both cote, and cassocke (which he needed) new
Her hands would put on him; And that the Bread
VVhich now he begg'd amongst the commune tread;
Should freely feed his hunger now from her;
VVho, all he wisht, would to his wants prefer.
Her Sons strange Neesings made a horrid sound;
At which, the Queene yet laught, and said; Goe call
The stranger to me: Heardst thou not to all
My words last vtter'd, what a Neesing brake
From my Telemachus? From whence I make
This sure conclusion; That the death, and fate
Of euery wooer heere, is neere his date.
Call then the Guest; and if he tel as trew
VVhat I shal aske him; Cote, cloke all things new
These hands shal yeeld him. This said; down he went
And told Vlysses, that the Queene had sent
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About her husband, what her sad desire
Vrg'd her to aske: and if she found him true,
Both cote, and cassocke (which he needed) new
Her hands would put on him; And that the Bread
VVhich now he begg'd amongst the commune tread;
Should freely feed his hunger now from her;
VVho, all he wisht, would to his wants prefer.
His answer was; I will with fit speed, tell
The whole truth to the Queene; For, passing well
I know her Lord; since he and I, haue shar'd
In equall sorrowes. But I much am scar'd
With this rude multitude of wooers here;
The rage of whose pride, smites heauens brazē sphere:
Of whose rout, when one strooke me for no fault;
Telemachus, nor none else, turn'd th' assault
From my poore shoulders. Therfore though she hast;
Beseech the Queene, her patience, will see past
The dayes broad light; and then, may she enquire.
'Tis but my closer preasing to the fire
In th' Euenings cold; because, my weeds, you know
Are passing thin: For I made bold to show
Their brackes to you, and pray'd your kinde supply.
The whole truth to the Queene; For, passing well
I know her Lord; since he and I, haue shar'd
In equall sorrowes. But I much am scar'd
With this rude multitude of wooers here;
The rage of whose pride, smites heauens brazē sphere:
Of whose rout, when one strooke me for no fault;
Telemachus, nor none else, turn'd th' assault
From my poore shoulders. Therfore though she hast;
Beseech the Queene, her patience, will see past
The dayes broad light; and then, may she enquire.
'Tis but my closer preasing to the fire
In th' Euenings cold; because, my weeds, you know
Are passing thin: For I made bold to show
Their brackes to you, and pray'd your kinde supply.
He heard, and hasted; and met instantly
The Queene vpon the pauement in his way
Who askt; what? bringst thou not? What cause of stay
Finde his austere supposes? Takes he feare
Of th' vniust wooers? Or thus hard doth beare
On any other doubt the house obiects?
He does me wrong; and giues too nice respects
To his fear'd safety. He does right (said he)
And what he feares, should moue the policie
Of any wise one; taking care to shun
The violent wooers; He bids bide, til Sun
Hath hid his broad light: and, beleeue it, Queene,
T'will make your best course: since you two, vnseene
May passe th' encounter: you to speake more free;
And he, your eare gaine, lesse distractedly.
The Queene vpon the pauement in his way
Who askt; what? bringst thou not? What cause of stay
Finde his austere supposes? Takes he feare
Of th' vniust wooers? Or thus hard doth beare
On any other doubt the house obiects?
He does me wrong; and giues too nice respects
To his fear'd safety. He does right (said he)
And what he feares, should moue the policie
Of any wise one; taking care to shun
The violent wooers; He bids bide, til Sun
Hath hid his broad light: and, beleeue it, Queene,
T'will make your best course: since you two, vnseene
May passe th' encounter: you to speake more free;
And he, your eare gaine, lesse distractedly.
The Guest is wise (said she) and well doth giue
The right thought vse. Of all the men that liue,
Life serues none such, as these proud wooers are,
To giue a good man, cause to vse his care.
The right thought vse. Of all the men that liue,
Life serues none such, as these proud wooers are,
To giue a good man, cause to vse his care.
Thus (all agreed) amongst the wooers goes
Eumæus to the Prince; and (whispering close)
Said; Now, my Loue, my charge shall take vp me,
(Your goods, and mine) VVhat here is, you must see
In fit protection. But, in chiefe, regard
Your owne deere safegard; whose state, study hard,
Lest sufferance seize you. Many a wicked thought
Conceale these wooers; whom iust Ioue see brought
To vtter ruine, ere it touch at vs.
Eumæus to the Prince; and (whispering close)
Said; Now, my Loue, my charge shall take vp me,
(Your goods, and mine) VVhat here is, you must see
In fit protection. But, in chiefe, regard
Your owne deere safegard; whose state, study hard,
274
Conceale these wooers; whom iust Ioue see brought
To vtter ruine, ere it touch at vs.
So chance it, Friend (replyed Telemachus)
Your Beuer taken, go: in first of day
Come, and bring sacrifice, the best you may.
To me, and to th' immortals, be the care
Of whatsoeuer heere, the safeties are.
Your Beuer taken, go: in first of day
Come, and bring sacrifice, the best you may.
To me, and to th' immortals, be the care
Of whatsoeuer heere, the safeties are.
This said; he sate in his elaborate Throne.
Eumæus (fed to satisfaction)
Went to his charge; left both the Court and wals,
Full of secure, and fatall Festiuals.
In which, the wooers pleasures still would sway:
And now begun, the Euens nere-ending day.
Eumæus (fed to satisfaction)
Went to his charge; left both the Court and wals,
Full of secure, and fatall Festiuals.
In which, the wooers pleasures still would sway:
And now begun, the Euens nere-ending day.
The End of the Seauententh Booke of Homers Odysses.
257
THE EIGHTEENTH BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Vlysses, and Rogue Irus fight.Penelope, vouchsafes her sight
To all her Wooers: who present
Gifts to her; rauisht with content.
A certaine Parle then we sing,
Betwixt a Wooer, and the King.
Another.
The Beggers glee,the Kings high fame,
Gifts giuen to see
a vertuous Dame.
There came a commune Begger to the Court;
Who, in the City, begg'd of all resort:
Excell'd in madnesse of the gut; drunke, eate
Past intermission: was most hugely great;
Yet had no fiuers in him, nor no force:
In sight, a Man; In mind, a liuing Corse.
His true name, was Arnæus: for his mother
Impos'd it from his birth. And yet another
The City youth would giue him (from the course
He after tooke; deriu'd out of the force
That Need held on him: which was vp, and downe
To run on all mens errands through the Towne)
VVhich sounded, Irus. VVhen whose gut was come,
He needs would barre Vlysses his owne home,
And fell to chiding him: Old man (saide he)
Your way out of the Entry, quickly see
Be with faire Language taken; lest your stay
But little longer, see you dragg'd away.
See Sir: Obserue you not, how all these make
Direct signes at me? Charging me to take
Your heeles, and drag you out? But I take shame.
Rise yet, y'are best; lest we two play a game
At cuffes together. He bent browes, and saide:
VVretch! I do thee no ill; nor once vpbraide
Thy presence with a word; not what mine eye
By all hands sees thee giuen, one thought enuy:
Nor shouldst thou enuy others. Thou mayst see
The place will hold vs both; and seem'st to me
A Begger like my self: which who can mend?
The Gods giue most, to whom they least are Friend:
The cheefe goods Gods giue, is in good to end.
But to the hands strife, of which y'are so free,
Prouoke me not, for feare you anger me;
And lest the old man, on whose scorne you stood,
Your lips and bosome, make shake hands in blood.
I loue my quiet well, and more will loue
To morrow then to day. But if you moue
My peace beyond my right; the warre you make,
Will neuer after giue you will to take
Vlysses house into your begging walke.
Who, in the City, begg'd of all resort:
Excell'd in madnesse of the gut; drunke, eate
Past intermission: was most hugely great;
Yet had no fiuers in him, nor no force:
In sight, a Man; In mind, a liuing Corse.
His true name, was Arnæus: for his mother
Impos'd it from his birth. And yet another
The City youth would giue him (from the course
He after tooke; deriu'd out of the force
That Need held on him: which was vp, and downe
To run on all mens errands through the Towne)
VVhich sounded, Irus. VVhen whose gut was come,
He needs would barre Vlysses his owne home,
And fell to chiding him: Old man (saide he)
Your way out of the Entry, quickly see
Be with faire Language taken; lest your stay
But little longer, see you dragg'd away.
See Sir: Obserue you not, how all these make
Direct signes at me? Charging me to take
Your heeles, and drag you out? But I take shame.
Rise yet, y'are best; lest we two play a game
At cuffes together. He bent browes, and saide:
VVretch! I do thee no ill; nor once vpbraide
258
By all hands sees thee giuen, one thought enuy:
Nor shouldst thou enuy others. Thou mayst see
The place will hold vs both; and seem'st to me
A Begger like my self: which who can mend?
The Gods giue most, to whom they least are Friend:
The cheefe goods Gods giue, is in good to end.
But to the hands strife, of which y'are so free,
Prouoke me not, for feare you anger me;
And lest the old man, on whose scorne you stood,
Your lips and bosome, make shake hands in blood.
I loue my quiet well, and more will loue
To morrow then to day. But if you moue
My peace beyond my right; the warre you make,
Will neuer after giue you will to take
Vlysses house into your begging walke.
O Gods (saide he) how volubly doth talke
This eating gulfe? And how his fume breakes out,
As from an old crackt Ouen? whom I will clout
So bitterly; and so with both hands mall
His chaps together; that his teeth shall fall,
As plaine seene on the earth, as any Sowes
That ruts the Corne-fields, or deuoures the Mowes.
Come; close we now, that all may see, what wrong
An old man tempts, that takes at cuffes, a yong.
This eating gulfe? And how his fume breakes out,
As from an old crackt Ouen? whom I will clout
So bitterly; and so with both hands mall
His chaps together; that his teeth shall fall,
As plaine seene on the earth, as any Sowes
That ruts the Corne-fields, or deuoures the Mowes.
Come; close we now, that all may see, what wrong
An old man tempts, that takes at cuffes, a yong.
Thus in the entry of those lofty Tow'rs,
These two, with al splene, spent their iarring pow'rs:
Antinous tooke it; laught, and saide; O Friends
We neuer had such sport: This Guest contends
VVith this vaste Begger, at the Buffets fight;
Come, ioyne we hands, and screw vp all their spight.
These two, with al splene, spent their iarring pow'rs:
Antinous tooke it; laught, and saide; O Friends
We neuer had such sport: This Guest contends
VVith this vaste Begger, at the Buffets fight;
Come, ioyne we hands, and screw vp all their spight.
All rose in Laughters; and about them, bore
All the ragg'd rout of beggers at the dore.
Then mou'd Antinous the victors hire
To all the woo'rs thus: There are now at fire
Two brests of Goat: both which, let Law set downe
Before the man, that wins the dayes renowne,
With all their fat and greauie: And of both
The glorious Victor, shal preferre his tooth,
To which he makes his choise of, from vs all;
And euer after, banquet in our Hall,
VVith what our boords yeeld: Not a Begger more
Allow'd to share; but all keepe out at dore.
This he proposd; and this they all approu'd;
To which Vlysses answer'd: O most lou'd,
By no meanes should an old man; and one old
In chiefe with sorrowes, be so ouer-bold
To combat with his yonger: But alas,
Mans-owne-ill-working belly, needs will passe
This worke vpon me; and enforce me too
To beate this fellow. But then, you must doo
My age no wrong, to take my yongers part,
And play me foule play; making your strokes smart
Helpe his to conquer: for you easly may
With your strengths crush me. Do then right, & lay
Your Honors on it, in your oaths, to yield
His part no aide; but equall leaue the field.
All the ragg'd rout of beggers at the dore.
Then mou'd Antinous the victors hire
To all the woo'rs thus: There are now at fire
Two brests of Goat: both which, let Law set downe
Before the man, that wins the dayes renowne,
With all their fat and greauie: And of both
The glorious Victor, shal preferre his tooth,
To which he makes his choise of, from vs all;
And euer after, banquet in our Hall,
VVith what our boords yeeld: Not a Begger more
Allow'd to share; but all keepe out at dore.
This he proposd; and this they all approu'd;
To which Vlysses answer'd: O most lou'd,
By no meanes should an old man; and one old
In chiefe with sorrowes, be so ouer-bold
To combat with his yonger: But alas,
257
This worke vpon me; and enforce me too
To beate this fellow. But then, you must doo
My age no wrong, to take my yongers part,
And play me foule play; making your strokes smart
Helpe his to conquer: for you easly may
With your strengths crush me. Do then right, & lay
Your Honors on it, in your oaths, to yield
His part no aide; but equall leaue the field.
All swore his will. But then Telemachus,
His Fathers scoffes, with comforts serious,
Could not but answer, and made this reply.
His Fathers scoffes, with comforts serious,
Could not but answer, and made this reply.
Guest! If thine owne powers cheere thy victory,
Feare no mans else, that will not passe it free:
He fights with many, that shall touch but thee.
Ile see thy guest-right paide: Thou heere art come
In my protection: and to this, the summe
Of all these wooers (which Antinous are
And King Eurymachus) conioyne their care.
Feare no mans else, that will not passe it free:
He fights with many, that shall touch but thee.
Ile see thy guest-right paide: Thou heere art come
In my protection: and to this, the summe
Of all these wooers (which Antinous are
And King Eurymachus) conioyne their care.
Both vow'd it. VVhen Vlysses, laying by
His vpper weed, his inner beggery
Nere shew'd his shame: which he, with rags preuēted
Pluckt from about his Thighes; and so presented
Their goodly sight, which were so white, and great,
And his large shoulders, were to view, so set
By his bare rags; his armes, his breast and all,
So broad, and brawny (their grace naturall
Being helpt by Pallas; euer standing nere)
That all the wooers, his admirers were
Beyond all measure: mutuall whispers, driuen
Through all their cluster, saying; Sure as heauen,
Poore Irus pull'd vpon him, bitter blowes.
Through his thin Garment, what a Thigh he showes?
His vpper weed, his inner beggery
Nere shew'd his shame: which he, with rags preuēted
Pluckt from about his Thighes; and so presented
Their goodly sight, which were so white, and great,
And his large shoulders, were to view, so set
By his bare rags; his armes, his breast and all,
So broad, and brawny (their grace naturall
Being helpt by Pallas; euer standing nere)
That all the wooers, his admirers were
Beyond all measure: mutuall whispers, driuen
Through all their cluster, saying; Sure as heauen,
Poore Irus pull'd vpon him, bitter blowes.
Through his thin Garment, what a Thigh he showes?
They said; But Irus felt. His Cow-herd minde
VVas mou'd at roote. But now, he needs must finde
Facts to his brags; and forth at all parts fit
The seruants brought him; all his attires smit
VVith feares, and tremblings. VVhich Antinous saw,
And saide; Nay, now too late comes feare; No Law,
Thou shouldst at first haue giuen thy braggart vaine,
Nor should it so haue swell'd, if terrors straine
Thy spirits to this passe; for a man so old,
And worne with penuries, that still lay hold
On his ragg'd person. Howsoever, take
This vow from me, for firme; That if he make
Thy forces stoope; and proue his owne supreame;
Ile put thee in a Ship, and downe the streame
Send thee ashore, where King Echetus raignes,
(The roughest tyrant, that the world containes)
And he will slit thy Nostrils, crop each heare;
Thy shame cut off, and giue it dogges to teare.
This shook his Nerues the more. But both were now
Brought to the Lists; and vp did either throw
His heauy fists. Vlysses, in suspence
To strike so home, that he should flight from thence
His Cow-herd soule (his trunke laide prostrate there:)
Or let him take more leisure to his feare,
And stoope him by degrees. The last, shew'd best,
To strike him slightly; out of feare the rest
Would else discouer him. But (peace now broke)
On his right shoulder, Irus laide his stroke.
Vlysses strooke him, iust beneath the eare,
His iaw-bone broke, and made the blood appeare.
VVhen straight, he strew'd the dust, and made his crie
Stand for himselfe; with whom, his teeth did lie,
Spit with his blood out: and against the ground
His heeles lay sprawling. Vp the hands went round
Of all the wooers; all at point to dye
VVith violent laughters. Then the King did ply
The Beggers feete, and dragg'd him forth the Hall
Along the Entry, to the gates, and wall:
Where leauing him, he put into his hand
A Staffe, and bad him there vse his command
On Swine, and Dogs; and not presume to be
Lord of the guests, or of the Beggery:
Since he, of all men, was the scum and curse:
And so, bad please with that, or fare yet wurse.
Then cast he on his scrip, all patcht, and rent,
Hung by a rotten cord; and backe he went:
To greete the Entries threshold with his seat.
VVas mou'd at roote. But now, he needs must finde
Facts to his brags; and forth at all parts fit
The seruants brought him; all his attires smit
VVith feares, and tremblings. VVhich Antinous saw,
And saide; Nay, now too late comes feare; No Law,
Thou shouldst at first haue giuen thy braggart vaine,
Nor should it so haue swell'd, if terrors straine
Thy spirits to this passe; for a man so old,
And worne with penuries, that still lay hold
On his ragg'd person. Howsoever, take
This vow from me, for firme; That if he make
Thy forces stoope; and proue his owne supreame;
Ile put thee in a Ship, and downe the streame
Send thee ashore, where King Echetus raignes,
278
And he will slit thy Nostrils, crop each heare;
Thy shame cut off, and giue it dogges to teare.
This shook his Nerues the more. But both were now
Brought to the Lists; and vp did either throw
His heauy fists. Vlysses, in suspence
To strike so home, that he should flight from thence
His Cow-herd soule (his trunke laide prostrate there:)
Or let him take more leisure to his feare,
And stoope him by degrees. The last, shew'd best,
To strike him slightly; out of feare the rest
Would else discouer him. But (peace now broke)
On his right shoulder, Irus laide his stroke.
Vlysses strooke him, iust beneath the eare,
His iaw-bone broke, and made the blood appeare.
VVhen straight, he strew'd the dust, and made his crie
Stand for himselfe; with whom, his teeth did lie,
Spit with his blood out: and against the ground
His heeles lay sprawling. Vp the hands went round
Of all the wooers; all at point to dye
VVith violent laughters. Then the King did ply
The Beggers feete, and dragg'd him forth the Hall
Along the Entry, to the gates, and wall:
Where leauing him, he put into his hand
A Staffe, and bad him there vse his command
On Swine, and Dogs; and not presume to be
Lord of the guests, or of the Beggery:
Since he, of all men, was the scum and curse:
And so, bad please with that, or fare yet wurse.
Then cast he on his scrip, all patcht, and rent,
Hung by a rotten cord; and backe he went:
To greete the Entries threshold with his seat.
The wooers throng'd to him, and did entreat
VVith gentle words his conquest; laughing still:
Pray'd Ioue, and all the Gods, to giue his will
VVhat most it wisht him; and would ioy him most,
Since he so happily had cleer'd their cost
Of that vnsauoury morsell; whom they vow'd
To see with all their vtmost haste bestow'd
Aboord a ship; and for Epirus sent
To King Echetus: on whose Throne was spent
The worst mans seat yt breath'd. And thus was grac't
Diuine Vlysses: who with ioy embrac't
Euen that poore conquest. Then was set to him
The goodly Goats breast promist (that did swim
In fat and greauy) by Antinous.
And from a Basket (by Amphinomus)
VVas two Breads giuen him; who (besides) renown'd
His banquet, with a golden Goblet cround,
And this high salutation: Frolicke, Guest;
And be those riches that you first possest
Restor'd againe, with full as many ioyes,
As in your poore state, I see now annoyes.
VVith gentle words his conquest; laughing still:
Pray'd Ioue, and all the Gods, to giue his will
VVhat most it wisht him; and would ioy him most,
Since he so happily had cleer'd their cost
Of that vnsauoury morsell; whom they vow'd
To see with all their vtmost haste bestow'd
Aboord a ship; and for Epirus sent
To King Echetus: on whose Throne was spent
The worst mans seat yt breath'd. And thus was grac't
Diuine Vlysses: who with ioy embrac't
Euen that poore conquest. Then was set to him
The goodly Goats breast promist (that did swim
In fat and greauy) by Antinous.
And from a Basket (by Amphinomus)
VVas two Breads giuen him; who (besides) renown'd
His banquet, with a golden Goblet cround,
279
And be those riches that you first possest
Restor'd againe, with full as many ioyes,
As in your poore state, I see now annoyes.
Amphinomus (saide he) you seeme to me
Exceeding wise, as being the progeny
Of such a Father, as autentique Fame
Hath told me was so: One of honour'd name,
And great reuennues in Dulychius;
His faire name, Nisus. He is blazon'd thus;
And you to be his Sonne; his wisedome heyring,
As well as wealth: his state, in nought empairing.
To proue which, all waies; let me tell you this
(As warning you to shun the miseries
That follow full states, if they be not held
With wisedome still at full; and so compeld
To courses, that abode not in their browes,
By too much swindge, their sodaine ouerthrowes)
Of all things breathing, or that creepe on earth;
Nought is more wretched then a humane Birth.
Bless'd men, thinke neuer, they can cursed be,
While any power lasts, to moue a knee.
But when the blest Gods, make them feele that smart,
That fled their Faith so; as they had no hart,
They beare their sufferings; and, what wel they might
Haue cleerly shun'd, they then meet in despight.
The Minde of Man flyes stil out of his way,
Vnlesse God guide, and prompt it, euery day.
I thought me once, a blessed man with men;
And fashion'd me, to all so counted then:
Did all iniustice like them; what for Lust,
Or any pleasure, neuer so vniust
I could by powre, or violence, obtaine;
And gaue them both in all their powres the raigne:
Bold of my Fathers, and my Brothers still;
VVhile which held good, my Arts seem'd neuer ill.
And thus is none, held simply good or bad;
But as his will is either mist, or had.
Al goods, Gods gifts man cals, how ere he gets them:
And so takes all, what price so ere, God sets them.
Saies nought, how ill they come; nor will controule
That Rauine in him, though it cost his soule.
And these parts here, I see these wooers play,
Take all that fals; and all dishonors lay
On that mans Queen, that (tell your frends) doth bear
No long times absence, but is passing neare.
Let God then, guide thee home; lest he may meete
In his returne, thy vndeparted feete.
For when he enters, and sees men so rude,
The quarrell cannot but in blood conclude.
Exceeding wise, as being the progeny
Of such a Father, as autentique Fame
Hath told me was so: One of honour'd name,
And great reuennues in Dulychius;
His faire name, Nisus. He is blazon'd thus;
And you to be his Sonne; his wisedome heyring,
As well as wealth: his state, in nought empairing.
To proue which, all waies; let me tell you this
(As warning you to shun the miseries
That follow full states, if they be not held
With wisedome still at full; and so compeld
To courses, that abode not in their browes,
By too much swindge, their sodaine ouerthrowes)
Of all things breathing, or that creepe on earth;
Nought is more wretched then a humane Birth.
Bless'd men, thinke neuer, they can cursed be,
While any power lasts, to moue a knee.
But when the blest Gods, make them feele that smart,
That fled their Faith so; as they had no hart,
They beare their sufferings; and, what wel they might
Haue cleerly shun'd, they then meet in despight.
The Minde of Man flyes stil out of his way,
Vnlesse God guide, and prompt it, euery day.
I thought me once, a blessed man with men;
And fashion'd me, to all so counted then:
Did all iniustice like them; what for Lust,
Or any pleasure, neuer so vniust
I could by powre, or violence, obtaine;
And gaue them both in all their powres the raigne:
Bold of my Fathers, and my Brothers still;
VVhile which held good, my Arts seem'd neuer ill.
And thus is none, held simply good or bad;
But as his will is either mist, or had.
Al goods, Gods gifts man cals, how ere he gets them:
And so takes all, what price so ere, God sets them.
Saies nought, how ill they come; nor will controule
That Rauine in him, though it cost his soule.
And these parts here, I see these wooers play,
Take all that fals; and all dishonors lay
On that mans Queen, that (tell your frends) doth bear
No long times absence, but is passing neare.
Let God then, guide thee home; lest he may meete
In his returne, thy vndeparted feete.
280
The quarrell cannot but in blood conclude.
This said; he sacrific'd; then drunke, & then
Referr'd the giuen Boule, to the guide of men;
VVho walk't away, afflicted at his heart;
Shook head, and fear'd, that these facts wold conuert
To ill in th' end. Yet had not grace to flie:
Minerua staid him, being ordain'd to die
Vpon the Lance of yong Vlyssides.
Referr'd the giuen Boule, to the guide of men;
VVho walk't away, afflicted at his heart;
Shook head, and fear'd, that these facts wold conuert
To ill in th' end. Yet had not grace to flie:
Minerua staid him, being ordain'd to die
Vpon the Lance of yong Vlyssides.
So, downe he sate; and then did Pallas please
T'incline the Queenes affections, to appeare
To all the wooers; to extend their cheare
To th' vtmost lightning, that still vshers death:
And made her put on all the painted sheath,
That might both set her wooers fancies hye;
And get her greater honor in the eye
Euen of her Son & Soueraigne, then before.
VVho laughing yet (to shew her humor bore
No serious appetite to that light show)
She told Eurynome, that not till now
She euer knew her entertaine desire
To please her wooers eyes; but oft on fire
She set their hate, in keeping from them still;
Yet now she pleas'd t'appeare: though from no will
To do them honor; vowing she would tell
Her son that of them, that should fit him well
To make vse of: which was, not to conuerse
Too freely with their pride; nor to disperse
His thoughts amongst them, since they vs'd to giue
Good words; but through them, ill intents did driue.
T'incline the Queenes affections, to appeare
To all the wooers; to extend their cheare
To th' vtmost lightning, that still vshers death:
And made her put on all the painted sheath,
That might both set her wooers fancies hye;
And get her greater honor in the eye
Euen of her Son & Soueraigne, then before.
VVho laughing yet (to shew her humor bore
No serious appetite to that light show)
She told Eurynome, that not till now
She euer knew her entertaine desire
To please her wooers eyes; but oft on fire
She set their hate, in keeping from them still;
Yet now she pleas'd t'appeare: though from no will
To do them honor; vowing she would tell
Her son that of them, that should fit him well
To make vse of: which was, not to conuerse
Too freely with their pride; nor to disperse
His thoughts amongst them, since they vs'd to giue
Good words; but through them, ill intents did driue.
Eurynome replied: With good aduise
You vow his counsaile, & your open guise.
Go then, aduise your Son; nor keepe more close
Your cheekes, stil drown'd in your eyes ouerflowes.
But bathe your body, & with Balmes make cleere
Your thickn'd count'nance; Vncomposed cheare,
And euer mourning, will the Marrow weare.
Nor haue you cause to mourn; your Son hath now
Put on that vertue, which (in chiefe) your vow
VVisht (as your blessing) at his birth, might decke
His blood & person. But forbeare to speake!
Of Baths, or Balmings, or of beauty, now
(The Queene replyed) lest (vrging comforts) you
Discomfort much: because the Gods haue wonne
The spoile of my lookes, since my Lord was gone.
But these must serue. Cal hither then, to me
Hippodamia, & Antonoe;
That those our traine additions may supply
Our owne deserts. And yet besides, Not I
(VVith all my age) haue learn'd the boldnesse yet
T'expose my selfe to men, vnlesse I get
Some other Gracers. This said; forth she went
To call the Ladies; and much spirit spent
To make their vtmost speed: for now, their Queene
VVould both her selfe shew, & make them be seene.
You vow his counsaile, & your open guise.
Go then, aduise your Son; nor keepe more close
Your cheekes, stil drown'd in your eyes ouerflowes.
But bathe your body, & with Balmes make cleere
Your thickn'd count'nance; Vncomposed cheare,
And euer mourning, will the Marrow weare.
Nor haue you cause to mourn; your Son hath now
Put on that vertue, which (in chiefe) your vow
VVisht (as your blessing) at his birth, might decke
His blood & person. But forbeare to speake!
Of Baths, or Balmings, or of beauty, now
(The Queene replyed) lest (vrging comforts) you
Discomfort much: because the Gods haue wonne
The spoile of my lookes, since my Lord was gone.
But these must serue. Cal hither then, to me
Hippodamia, & Antonoe;
That those our traine additions may supply
Our owne deserts. And yet besides, Not I
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T'expose my selfe to men, vnlesse I get
Some other Gracers. This said; forth she went
To call the Ladies; and much spirit spent
To make their vtmost speed: for now, their Queene
VVould both her selfe shew, & make them be seene.
But now Minerua other proiects laid;
And through Icarius daughters Veines conuaid
Sweet sleepes desire. In whose soft fumes, inuolu'd
She was as soone as laid; and quite dissolu'd
Were all her Lineaments. The Goddesse then
Bestow'd immortall gifts on her, that men
Might wonder at her beauties; and the beames
That glister in the deified supreames,
She cleer'd her mourning count'nance vp withall.
Euen such a radiance, as doth round empall
Crown'd Cytherea, when her order'd places,
Conduct the Beuy of the dancing Graces,
She added to her owne: more plumpe, more hie,
And fairer then the polisht Iuory,
Rendring her parts, and presence. This grace done,
Away the Deity flew; and vp did ronne
Her louely-wristed Ladies, with a noise
That blew the soft chaines from her sleeping ioyes.
When she, her faire eyes wip't; and (gasping) saide:
And through Icarius daughters Veines conuaid
Sweet sleepes desire. In whose soft fumes, inuolu'd
She was as soone as laid; and quite dissolu'd
Were all her Lineaments. The Goddesse then
Bestow'd immortall gifts on her, that men
Might wonder at her beauties; and the beames
That glister in the deified supreames,
She cleer'd her mourning count'nance vp withall.
Euen such a radiance, as doth round empall
Crown'd Cytherea, when her order'd places,
Conduct the Beuy of the dancing Graces,
She added to her owne: more plumpe, more hie,
And fairer then the polisht Iuory,
Rendring her parts, and presence. This grace done,
Away the Deity flew; and vp did ronne
Her louely-wristed Ladies, with a noise
That blew the soft chaines from her sleeping ioyes.
When she, her faire eyes wip't; and (gasping) saide:
O me vnblest! How deep a sweet sleepe spread
His shades about me? VVould Diana pleas'd
To shoot me with a death no more diseas'd,
As soone as might be: that no more my mone
Might waste my blood, in weepings neuer done;
For want of that accomplisht vertue spher'd
In my lou'd Lord, to all the Greekes prefer'd.
His shades about me? VVould Diana pleas'd
To shoot me with a death no more diseas'd,
As soone as might be: that no more my mone
Might waste my blood, in weepings neuer done;
For want of that accomplisht vertue spher'd
In my lou'd Lord, to all the Greekes prefer'd.
Then she descended with her Maids, and tooke
Place in the Portall; whence her beamy looke
Reacht eu'ry wooers heart. Yet cast she on
So thin a veyle, that through it quite there shone
A grace so stolne, it pleasd aboue the cleere,
And sunke the knees of euery wooer there.
Their minds so melted, in loues vehement fires,
That to her bed she heightn'd all desires.
Place in the Portall; whence her beamy looke
Reacht eu'ry wooers heart. Yet cast she on
So thin a veyle, that through it quite there shone
A grace so stolne, it pleasd aboue the cleere,
And sunke the knees of euery wooer there.
Their minds so melted, in loues vehement fires,
That to her bed she heightn'd all desires.
The Prince then coming neere, she said; O Son,
Thy thoughts & iudgements haue not yet put on
That constancy, in what becomes their good
VVhich all expect in thee: thy yonger blood
Did sparkle choicer spirits. But, arriu'd
At this ful growth, wherein their Forme hath thriu'd
Beyond the bounds of child-hood, (and when now)
Beholders should affirme, This man doth grow
Like the rare son of his matchles Sire,
(His goodlinesse, his beauty, and his fire
Of soule aspir'd to) thou mak'st nothing good
Thy Fate, nor fortune; nor thy height of blood,
In manage of thy actions. What a deed
Of foule desert, hath thy grosse sufferance freed
Beneath thine owne Roofe? A poore stranger here
Vs'd most vnmanly! How will this appeare
To all the world; when Fame shall trumpet out,
That thus, and thus, are our guests beate about
Our Court vnrighted? Tis a blaze will show
Extreamly shamefull, to your name, and you.
Thy thoughts & iudgements haue not yet put on
That constancy, in what becomes their good
VVhich all expect in thee: thy yonger blood
Did sparkle choicer spirits. But, arriu'd
At this ful growth, wherein their Forme hath thriu'd
Beyond the bounds of child-hood, (and when now)
Beholders should affirme, This man doth grow
Like the rare son of his matchles Sire,
282
Of soule aspir'd to) thou mak'st nothing good
Thy Fate, nor fortune; nor thy height of blood,
In manage of thy actions. What a deed
Of foule desert, hath thy grosse sufferance freed
Beneath thine owne Roofe? A poore stranger here
Vs'd most vnmanly! How will this appeare
To all the world; when Fame shall trumpet out,
That thus, and thus, are our guests beate about
Our Court vnrighted? Tis a blaze will show
Extreamly shamefull, to your name, and you.
I blame you not, O Mother (he replide),
That this cleere wrong sustain'd by me, you chide:
Yet know I, both the good and bad of all;
Being past the yeares, in which yong errors fall.
But (all this knowne) skill is not so exact
To giue (when once it knowes) things fit their fact.
I wel may doubt the prease of strangers here;
Who, bent to ill, and onely my Nerues nere,
May do it in despight. And yet the iarre
Betwixt our guest and Irus, was no warre
Wrought by the wooers; nor our guest sustain'd
VVrong in that action; but the conquest gain'd.
And would to Ioue, Minerua, and the Sun,
That all your woo'rs, might serue Contention
For such a purchase as the Begger made;
And wore such weak heads: Some should death inuade
Strew'd in the Entry; some imbrew the hall,
Till euery man had vengeance capitall;
Sattl'd like Irus at the Gates; his head
Euery way nodding; like one forfeited
To reeling Bacchus; Knees, nor feete, his owne,
To beare him where hee's better lou'd or knowne.
That this cleere wrong sustain'd by me, you chide:
Yet know I, both the good and bad of all;
Being past the yeares, in which yong errors fall.
But (all this knowne) skill is not so exact
To giue (when once it knowes) things fit their fact.
I wel may doubt the prease of strangers here;
Who, bent to ill, and onely my Nerues nere,
May do it in despight. And yet the iarre
Betwixt our guest and Irus, was no warre
Wrought by the wooers; nor our guest sustain'd
VVrong in that action; but the conquest gain'd.
And would to Ioue, Minerua, and the Sun,
That all your woo'rs, might serue Contention
For such a purchase as the Begger made;
And wore such weak heads: Some should death inuade
Strew'd in the Entry; some imbrew the hall,
Till euery man had vengeance capitall;
Sattl'd like Irus at the Gates; his head
Euery way nodding; like one forfeited
To reeling Bacchus; Knees, nor feete, his owne,
To beare him where hee's better lou'd or knowne.
Their speeches giuen this end, Eurymachus
Began his Court-ship, and exprest it thus.
Began his Court-ship, and exprest it thus.
Most wise Icarius daughter; If all those
That did for Colchos ventrous saile dispose,
For that rich purchase; had before but seene
Earths richer prize, in th' Ithacensian Queene,
They had not made that voyage; but to you,
Would all their vertues, and their Beings vow.
Should all the world know what a worth you store,
To morrow then to day; and next light, more
Your Court should banquet; since to all Dames, you
Are far preferr'd; both for the grace of show,
In Stature, Beauty; Forme in euery kinde
Of all parts outward; and for faultlesse minde.
That did for Colchos ventrous saile dispose,
For that rich purchase; had before but seene
Earths richer prize, in th' Ithacensian Queene,
They had not made that voyage; but to you,
Would all their vertues, and their Beings vow.
Should all the world know what a worth you store,
To morrow then to day; and next light, more
Your Court should banquet; since to all Dames, you
Are far preferr'd; both for the grace of show,
In Stature, Beauty; Forme in euery kinde
Of all parts outward; and for faultlesse minde.
Alas (said she) my Vertue, Body, Forme,
The Gods haue blasted, with that onely storme
That rauisht Greece to Ilion; since my Lord
(For that warre ship't) bore all my goods abord:
If he (return'd) should come, and gouerne here
My lifes whole state; the grace of all things there
His guide would heighten, as the spirit it bore:
VVhich dead in me, liues; giuen him long before.
A sad course I liue now; heauens sterne decree
VVith many an ill, hath numb'd and deaded me.
He tooke life with him, when he tooke my hand,
In parting from me to the Troian strand:
These words my witnesse; VVoman! I conceiue
That not all th' Achiues bound for Troy, shall leaue
Their Natiue earth, their safe returned bones;
Fame saying, that Troy traines vp approued sonnes
In deeds of Armes: Braue putters off of shafts:
For winging Lances, Maisters of their crafts;
Vnmatched Riders; swift of foot; and streight
Can arbitrate a warre of deadliest weight:
Hope then, can scarse fill all with lifes supply;
And of all, any failing; why not I?
Nor do I know, if God hath marshall'd me
Amongst the safe-return'd: Or his decree
Hath left me to the thraldome, order'd there.
Howeuer, all cares by thy burthens here:
My Sire and Mother, tend as much as now,
I, further off; more neere in cares be you.
Your Son, to mans state grown, wed whom you will:
And (you gone) his care, let his houshold fill.
Thus made my Lord his will; which heauen sees prou'd
Almost at all parts; for the Sun remou'd
Downe to his set; ere long, wil leade the night
Of those abhorred Nuptials, that should fright
Each worthy woman; which her second are
VVith any man that breaths; her first Lords care
Dead, because he to flesh and blood is dead;
VVhich, I feare, I shal yeeld to, and so wed
A second husband; and my reason is,
Since Ioue hath taken from me all his blisse.
Whom God giues ouer, they themselues forsake;
Their greefes, their ioyes; their God, their deuill make.
And 'tis a great griefe; nor was seene till now,
In any fashion of such men as woo
A good and wealthy woman; and contend
VVho shal obtaine her, that those men should spend
Her Beeues and best Sheepe, as their cheefest ends;
But rather, that her selfe, and all her friends
They should with Banquets, and rich gifts entreat;
Their life is death, that liue with others meat.
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That rauisht Greece to Ilion; since my Lord
(For that warre ship't) bore all my goods abord:
If he (return'd) should come, and gouerne here
My lifes whole state; the grace of all things there
His guide would heighten, as the spirit it bore:
VVhich dead in me, liues; giuen him long before.
A sad course I liue now; heauens sterne decree
VVith many an ill, hath numb'd and deaded me.
He tooke life with him, when he tooke my hand,
In parting from me to the Troian strand:
These words my witnesse; VVoman! I conceiue
That not all th' Achiues bound for Troy, shall leaue
Their Natiue earth, their safe returned bones;
Fame saying, that Troy traines vp approued sonnes
In deeds of Armes: Braue putters off of shafts:
For winging Lances, Maisters of their crafts;
Vnmatched Riders; swift of foot; and streight
Can arbitrate a warre of deadliest weight:
Hope then, can scarse fill all with lifes supply;
And of all, any failing; why not I?
Nor do I know, if God hath marshall'd me
Amongst the safe-return'd: Or his decree
Hath left me to the thraldome, order'd there.
Howeuer, all cares by thy burthens here:
My Sire and Mother, tend as much as now,
I, further off; more neere in cares be you.
Your Son, to mans state grown, wed whom you will:
And (you gone) his care, let his houshold fill.
Thus made my Lord his will; which heauen sees prou'd
Almost at all parts; for the Sun remou'd
Downe to his set; ere long, wil leade the night
Of those abhorred Nuptials, that should fright
Each worthy woman; which her second are
VVith any man that breaths; her first Lords care
Dead, because he to flesh and blood is dead;
VVhich, I feare, I shal yeeld to, and so wed
A second husband; and my reason is,
Since Ioue hath taken from me all his blisse.
Whom God giues ouer, they themselues forsake;
Their greefes, their ioyes; their God, their deuill make.
And 'tis a great griefe; nor was seene till now,
In any fashion of such men as woo
A good and wealthy woman; and contend
VVho shal obtaine her, that those men should spend
Her Beeues and best Sheepe, as their cheefest ends;
But rather, that her selfe, and all her friends
They should with Banquets, and rich gifts entreat;
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Diuine Vlysses, much reioyc't to heare
His Queene thus fish for gifts; and keepe in cheare
Their hearts with hope, that she would wed againe;
Her minde yet still, her first intent retaine.
His Queene thus fish for gifts; and keepe in cheare
Their hearts with hope, that she would wed againe;
Her minde yet still, her first intent retaine.
Antinous saw, the wooers won to giue;
And said; wise Queene, by all your meanes receiue
What euer bounty, any woo'r shall vse;
Gifts freely giuen, 'tis folly to refuse.
For know, that we resolue not to be gone
To keepe our owne roofes; till of all, some One
VVhom best you like, your long-woo'd loue shal win
And said; wise Queene, by all your meanes receiue
What euer bounty, any woo'r shall vse;
Gifts freely giuen, 'tis folly to refuse.
For know, that we resolue not to be gone
To keepe our owne roofes; till of all, some One
VVhom best you like, your long-woo'd loue shal win
This pleas'd the rest; and euery one sent in
His present by the Herald; First had place
Antinous gift: a robe of speciall grace,
Exceeding ful and faire; and twenty hewes
Chang'd luster to it. To which, choise of shewes:
Twelue massy plated Buttons, all of Gold,
Enricht the substance, made to fairly hold
The Robe together; all lac'd downe before,
Where Keepes and Catches, both sides of it wore.
His present by the Herald; First had place
Antinous gift: a robe of speciall grace,
Exceeding ful and faire; and twenty hewes
Chang'd luster to it. To which, choise of shewes:
Twelue massy plated Buttons, all of Gold,
Enricht the substance, made to fairly hold
The Robe together; all lac'd downe before,
Where Keepes and Catches, both sides of it wore.
Eurymachus, a golden Tablet gaue;
In which did Art, her choisest workes engraue;
And round about, an Amber verge did run,
That cast a radiance from it, like the Sun.
In which did Art, her choisest workes engraue;
And round about, an Amber verge did run,
That cast a radiance from it, like the Sun.
Eurydamas, two seruants had, that bore
Two goodly Earings; whose rich hollowes wore
Three Pearles in either, like so many eyes,
Reflecting glances, radiant as the skies.
Two goodly Earings; whose rich hollowes wore
Three Pearles in either, like so many eyes,
Reflecting glances, radiant as the skies.
The King Pysander, great Polyctors heire,
A Casket gaue, exceeding rich and faire.
A Casket gaue, exceeding rich and faire.
The other, other wealthy gifts commended
To her faire hand; which took, and straight ascended
This Goddesse of her sex, her vpper State.
Her Ladies, all her gifts elaborate,
Vp bearing after. All to dancing then
The wooers went, and songs delightfull straine;
In which they frolickt, till the Euening came:
And then rais'd sable Hesperus his flame.
VVhen, for their Lights within; they set vp there
3. Lampes, whose weekes were wood exceeding sere,
And passing porous; which they causd to burne,
Their matter euer minister'd by turne
Of seueral Hand-maids. VVhom Vlysses (seeing
Too conuersant with wooers; ill agreeing
VVith guise of maids) aduisd in this faire sort:
Maids of your long-lackt King; keepe you the port
Your Queenes chast presence beares? Go, vp to her,
Imploy your Loomes, or Rockes, and keepe ye there:
He serue to feed these lamps; shold these Lords dances
Last til Aurora cheer'd vs with her glances.
They cannot weary me, for I am one
Borne to endure, when all men else haue done.
To her faire hand; which took, and straight ascended
This Goddesse of her sex, her vpper State.
Her Ladies, all her gifts elaborate,
Vp bearing after. All to dancing then
The wooers went, and songs delightfull straine;
In which they frolickt, till the Euening came:
And then rais'd sable Hesperus his flame.
VVhen, for their Lights within; they set vp there
3. Lampes, whose weekes were wood exceeding sere,
And passing porous; which they causd to burne,
Their matter euer minister'd by turne
Of seueral Hand-maids. VVhom Vlysses (seeing
Too conuersant with wooers; ill agreeing
VVith guise of maids) aduisd in this faire sort:
Maids of your long-lackt King; keepe you the port
Your Queenes chast presence beares? Go, vp to her,
285
He serue to feed these lamps; shold these Lords dances
Last til Aurora cheer'd vs with her glances.
They cannot weary me, for I am one
Borne to endure, when all men else haue done.
They wantonly brake out in Laughters all;
Look't on each other: and to termes did fall
Cheek proud Melantho, who was Dolius seed,
Kept by the Queene, that gaue her dainty breed
Fit for her daughter: and yet won not so
Her heart to her, to share in any wo
She suffer'd for her Lord: But she was great
VVith great Eurymachus; and her loues heat
In his bed quenched. And this cholericke thing,
Bestow'd this railing Language on the King.
Base Stranger; you are taken in your braine,
You talke so wildely: Neuer you, againe
Can get where you were borne; and seeke your bed
In some Smithes Houill, or the Market sted;
But heere you must take confidence to prate
Before all these; for feare can get no state
In your wine-hardy stomacke. Or, 'tis like
To proue your natiue garbe: your tongue will strike
On this side of your mouth still, being at best.
Is the man idle-brain'd for want of rest?
Or proud, because he beate the roguish begger?
Take heed Sir, lest some better man beleager
Your eares with his fists; and set headlong hence
Your bold abode heere, with your bloods expence.
He looking sternly on her; answer'd her:
Dog! What broad Language giu'st thou? Ile prefer
Your vsage to the Prince; that he may fall
Foule on your faire limbes, til he tel them all.
This fray'd the wenches; and al straight got gone
In feare, about their businesse: Euery one
Confessing he saide well. But he stood now
Close by the Cressets; and did lookes bestow
On all men there: his Braine employd about
Some sharper businesse, then to dance it out;
VVhich had not long to go. Nor therefore would
Minerua let the wooers spleenes grow cold,
VVith too good vsage of him; that his hart
Might fret enough, and make his choller smart.
Eurymachus, prouok't him first, and made
His fellow laugh, with a conceit he had
Fetch farre; from what was spoken long before;
That his poore forme, perhaps some Deity bore.
It well may chance (said he) some God doth beare
This mans resemblance: For, thus standing nere
The glistering Torches; his slick't head doth throw
Beames round about it, as those Cressers do.
For not a haire he hath to giue it shade.
Say, wilthy heart serue t'vndertake a Trade
For fitting wages? Should I take thee hence
To walke my grounds, and looke to euery Fence:
Or plant high trees: thy hire should raise thy forces;
Food store, & cloaths. But these same ydle courses
Thou art so prompt in, that thou wilt not worke,
But forrage vp and downe, and beg, and lurke
In euery house, whose Roofes hold any will
To feed such fellowes. That thy gut may fil,
Giues end to all thy Beeing. He replyed;
Look't on each other: and to termes did fall
Cheek proud Melantho, who was Dolius seed,
Kept by the Queene, that gaue her dainty breed
Fit for her daughter: and yet won not so
Her heart to her, to share in any wo
She suffer'd for her Lord: But she was great
VVith great Eurymachus; and her loues heat
In his bed quenched. And this cholericke thing,
Bestow'd this railing Language on the King.
Base Stranger; you are taken in your braine,
You talke so wildely: Neuer you, againe
Can get where you were borne; and seeke your bed
In some Smithes Houill, or the Market sted;
But heere you must take confidence to prate
Before all these; for feare can get no state
In your wine-hardy stomacke. Or, 'tis like
To proue your natiue garbe: your tongue will strike
On this side of your mouth still, being at best.
Is the man idle-brain'd for want of rest?
Or proud, because he beate the roguish begger?
Take heed Sir, lest some better man beleager
Your eares with his fists; and set headlong hence
Your bold abode heere, with your bloods expence.
He looking sternly on her; answer'd her:
Dog! What broad Language giu'st thou? Ile prefer
Your vsage to the Prince; that he may fall
Foule on your faire limbes, til he tel them all.
This fray'd the wenches; and al straight got gone
In feare, about their businesse: Euery one
Confessing he saide well. But he stood now
Close by the Cressets; and did lookes bestow
On all men there: his Braine employd about
Some sharper businesse, then to dance it out;
VVhich had not long to go. Nor therefore would
Minerua let the wooers spleenes grow cold,
VVith too good vsage of him; that his hart
Might fret enough, and make his choller smart.
Eurymachus, prouok't him first, and made
His fellow laugh, with a conceit he had
Fetch farre; from what was spoken long before;
That his poore forme, perhaps some Deity bore.
It well may chance (said he) some God doth beare
289
The glistering Torches; his slick't head doth throw
Beames round about it, as those Cressers do.
For not a haire he hath to giue it shade.
Say, wilthy heart serue t'vndertake a Trade
For fitting wages? Should I take thee hence
To walke my grounds, and looke to euery Fence:
Or plant high trees: thy hire should raise thy forces;
Food store, & cloaths. But these same ydle courses
Thou art so prompt in, that thou wilt not worke,
But forrage vp and downe, and beg, and lurke
In euery house, whose Roofes hold any will
To feed such fellowes. That thy gut may fil,
Giues end to all thy Beeing. He replyed;
I wish, at any worke, we two were tryed;
In hight of Spring time, when heauens lights are long;
I, a good crook'd Sithe, that were sharpe, and strong:
You, such another, where the grasse grew deepe;
Vp by day breake, and both our labours keepe
Vp, til slow darknes eas'd the labouring light;
Fasting all day, and not a crum til night:
VVe then should proue our either workmanship.
Or if (againe) Beeues, that the goad, or whip
VVere apt t'obey, before a tearing Plow:
Big, lusty beasts: Alike in bulke and brow;
Alike in Labour, and alike in strength;
Our taske foure Acres, to be Till'd in length
Of one sole day: Againe then you should try
If the dul glebe, before the Plough should flye;
Or I, a long Stitch could beare cleane, and euen.
Or lastly; if the guide of earth & heauen
Should stir sterne war vp, either here or there;
And that, at this day, I had double Speare,
And Shield, and steele Caske , fitting for my browes;
At this work likewise, midst the foremost blowes
Your eyes should note me; and get little cause
To twit me with my bellies sole applause.
But you affect, t'affect with iniurie,
Your minde vngentle; seeme in valour hie,
Because 'gainst few; and those, not of the best
Your conuersation hath bene still profest.
But if Vlysses (landed on his earth,
And enter'd on the true right of his birth)
Should come & front ye; straight, his ample Gates
Your feete would hold, too narrow for your Fates.
In hight of Spring time, when heauens lights are long;
I, a good crook'd Sithe, that were sharpe, and strong:
You, such another, where the grasse grew deepe;
Vp by day breake, and both our labours keepe
Vp, til slow darknes eas'd the labouring light;
Fasting all day, and not a crum til night:
VVe then should proue our either workmanship.
Or if (againe) Beeues, that the goad, or whip
VVere apt t'obey, before a tearing Plow:
Big, lusty beasts: Alike in bulke and brow;
Alike in Labour, and alike in strength;
Our taske foure Acres, to be Till'd in length
Of one sole day: Againe then you should try
If the dul glebe, before the Plough should flye;
Or I, a long Stitch could beare cleane, and euen.
Or lastly; if the guide of earth & heauen
Should stir sterne war vp, either here or there;
And that, at this day, I had double Speare,
And Shield, and steele
Caske , fitting for my browes;
At this work likewise, midst the foremost blowes
Your eyes should note me; and get little cause
To twit me with my bellies sole applause.
But you affect, t'affect with iniurie,
Your minde vngentle; seeme in valour hie,
Because 'gainst few; and those, not of the best
Your conuersation hath bene still profest.
But if Vlysses (landed on his earth,
And enter'd on the true right of his birth)
Should come & front ye; straight, his ample Gates
Your feete would hold, too narrow for your Fates.
He frown'd, rag'd, call'd him wretch; and vow'd
To be his death, since he durst proue so proud
Amongst so many: to tell him so home
VVhat he affected. Askt, if ouercome
With wine he were; or (as his Minion said)
Talk't stil so idlely; and were palsied
In his minds instruments: or was proud, because
He gat from Irus off, with such applause?
With all which, snatching vp a stoole, he threwe:
VVhen old Vlysses, to the knees withdrew,
Of the Dulychian Lord Amphinomus,
As if he fear'd him. His dart missing thus
His aged obiect: and his Pages hand,
(A Boy, that waited on his cups command,
Now holding of an Ewre to him) he smit.
Downe fel the sounding Ewre; and after it,
The guiltlesse Page, lay sprawling in the dust,
And crying out. VVhen all the wooers thrust
A tumult vp amongst them; wishing all,
The rogue had perisht in some Hospitall,
Before his life there, stirr'd such vprores vp;
And with rude speeches, spice their pleasures cup.
And all this for a Begger, to fulfill
A filthy Prouerbe: Good still yeelds to ill.
To be his death, since he durst proue so proud
Amongst so many: to tell him so home
287
With wine he were; or (as his Minion said)
Talk't stil so idlely; and were palsied
In his minds instruments: or was proud, because
He gat from Irus off, with such applause?
With all which, snatching vp a stoole, he threwe:
VVhen old Vlysses, to the knees withdrew,
Of the Dulychian Lord Amphinomus,
As if he fear'd him. His dart missing thus
His aged obiect: and his Pages hand,
(A Boy, that waited on his cups command,
Now holding of an Ewre to him) he smit.
Downe fel the sounding Ewre; and after it,
The guiltlesse Page, lay sprawling in the dust,
And crying out. VVhen all the wooers thrust
A tumult vp amongst them; wishing all,
The rogue had perisht in some Hospitall,
Before his life there, stirr'd such vprores vp;
And with rude speeches, spice their pleasures cup.
And all this for a Begger, to fulfill
A filthy Prouerbe: Good still yeelds to ill.
The Prince cried out on them, to let the bad
Obscure the good so; Told them they were mad;
Abusd their banquet; and affirm'd some God
Tried maisteries with them: Bad them, take their load
Of food and wine: Sit vp, or fal to bed
At their free pleasures; and since he gaue head
To all their freedomes; why should they mistake
Their owne rich humors for a Beggers sake?
Obscure the good so; Told them they were mad;
Abusd their banquet; and affirm'd some God
Tried maisteries with them: Bad them, take their load
Of food and wine: Sit vp, or fal to bed
At their free pleasures; and since he gaue head
To all their freedomes; why should they mistake
Their owne rich humors for a Beggers sake?
All bit their lips to be so taken downe;
And taught the course that shold haue bin their own;
Admir'd the Prince; and saide, he brauely spoke.
But Nisus Son then, strooke the equall stroke,
And saide, O Friends, let no man here disdaine
To put vp equall speeches; nor maintaine
VVith serious words, an humor; Nor with stroke,
A Stranger in anothers house prouoke,
Nor touch the meanest seruant; but confine
All these dissentions in a bolle of wine:
VVhich fill vs Cup-bearer; that hauing done
Our nightly sacrifice, we may attone
Our powres with sleepe; resigning first the guest
Vp to the Prince, that holds all interest
In his disposure here: the House being his
In iust descent, & all the faculties.
And taught the course that shold haue bin their own;
Admir'd the Prince; and saide, he brauely spoke.
But Nisus Son then, strooke the equall stroke,
And saide, O Friends, let no man here disdaine
To put vp equall speeches; nor maintaine
VVith serious words, an humor; Nor with stroke,
A Stranger in anothers house prouoke,
Nor touch the meanest seruant; but confine
All these dissentions in a bolle of wine:
VVhich fill vs Cup-bearer; that hauing done
Our nightly sacrifice, we may attone
Our powres with sleepe; resigning first the guest
Vp to the Prince, that holds all interest
In his disposure here: the House being his
In iust descent, & all the faculties.
This all approu'd; when Noble Mulius
(Herald in chiefe, to Lord Amphinomus)
The VVine distributed with reuerend grace
To eu'ry wooer: when the Gods giuen place
VVith seruice fit, they seru'd themselues, and tooke
Their parting Cups: till (when they all had shooke
The angry humor off) they bent to rest;
And euery VVooer to seuerall Roofes addrest.
288
The VVine distributed with reuerend grace
To eu'ry wooer: when the Gods giuen place
VVith seruice fit, they seru'd themselues, and tooke
Their parting Cups: till (when they all had shooke
The angry humor off) they bent to rest;
And euery VVooer to seuerall Roofes addrest.
The End of the Eighteenth Booke of Homers Odysses.
289
THE NINETEENTH BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Vlysses and his Son, eschewOffending of the Wooers view
With any Armour. His Birth's seate,
Vlysses tels his Queene, is Crete.
Euryclea the truth yet found,
Discouer'd by a scar-heal'd wound,
Which in Parnassus topi, a Bore
(Strooke by him in his Chace) did gore.
Another.
The King still hidby what he said.
By what he did,
informes his maid.
Yet did Diuine Vlysses keepe his Roofe;
And with Minerua plotted still the proofe
Of al the wooers deaths. VVhen thus, his Son
He taught with these fore, counsailes: we must ron
A close course with these Armes, & lay them by.
And to the wooers make so faire a sky.
As it would neuer thunder. Let me then
(That you may wel retaine) repeate agen
VVhat in Eumæus Cottage, I aduis'd.
If when they see your leysure exercis'd
In fetching downe your Armes: & aske what vse
Your minde will giue them: Say, 'tis their abuse
VVith smoke & rust, that makes you take them down;
This not being like the Armory well knowne
To be the leauings of Laertes Son,
Consorting the designe for Ilion.
Your eyes may see how much they are infected,
As all fires vapors, euersince, reflected
On those sole Armes. Besides, a grauer thought,
Ioue graues within you, lest (their spirits wrought
Aboue their pitch with wine) they might contend
At some high banquet, & to wounds transcend;
Their Feast inuerting; which, perhaps may be
Their Nuptiall feast, with wise Penelope.
The ready weapon when the bloud is vp,
Doubles the vprore, heightned by the Cup.
Wrath's meanes for Act; curbe all the wayes ye can;
As Loadstones draw the steele, so steele draw's Man.
And with Minerua plotted still the proofe
Of al the wooers deaths. VVhen thus, his Son
He taught with these fore, counsailes: we must ron
A close course with these Armes, & lay them by.
And to the wooers make so faire a sky.
As it would neuer thunder. Let me then
(That you may wel retaine) repeate agen
VVhat in Eumæus Cottage, I aduis'd.
If when they see your leysure exercis'd
In fetching downe your Armes: & aske what vse
Your minde will giue them: Say, 'tis their abuse
VVith smoke & rust, that makes you take them down;
This not being like the Armory well knowne
To be the leauings of Laertes Son,
Consorting the designe for Ilion.
Your eyes may see how much they are infected,
As all fires vapors, euersince, reflected
On those sole Armes. Besides, a grauer thought,
Ioue graues within you, lest (their spirits wrought
Aboue their pitch with wine) they might contend
At some high banquet, & to wounds transcend;
290
Their Nuptiall feast, with wise Penelope.
The ready weapon when the bloud is vp,
Doubles the vprore, heightned by the Cup.
Wrath's meanes for Act; curbe all the wayes ye can;
As Loadstones draw the steele, so steele draw's Man.
Retaine these words; nor what is good, think thus
Receiu'd at second hand, superfluous.
The Sonne obeying; did Euryclea call,
And bad her shut (in the vtter Porches) all
The other women; till himselfe brought downe
His Fathers Armes, which all were ouer-growne
By his neglect, with rust: his Father gone,
And he too childish, to spend thoughts vpon
Those manly Implements; but he would now
Reforme those yong neglects; and th' armes bestow
Past reach of smoke. The louing Nurse replide;
Receiu'd at second hand, superfluous.
The Sonne obeying; did Euryclea call,
And bad her shut (in the vtter Porches) all
The other women; till himselfe brought downe
His Fathers Armes, which all were ouer-growne
By his neglect, with rust: his Father gone,
And he too childish, to spend thoughts vpon
Those manly Implements; but he would now
Reforme those yong neglects; and th' armes bestow
Past reach of smoke. The louing Nurse replide;
I wish (O Son) your powers would once prouide
For wisedomes habit; See your houshold were
In thrifty mannage, and tend all things there.
But if these armes must downe; and euery Maide
Be shut in vtter roomes; who else should aide
Your worke with light? He answer'd; This my guest:
There shal not one in my house, tast my Feast,
(Or ioyne in my
Naue) that shall ydlely liue,
How euer farre hence, he his home deriue.
For wisedomes habit; See your houshold were
In thrifty mannage, and tend all things there.
But if these armes must downe; and euery Maide
Be shut in vtter roomes; who else should aide
Your worke with light? He answer'd; This my guest:
There shal not one in my house, tast my Feast,
(Or ioyne in my
χοινικος απτηται, They will needs turne this; Quadram (for Modium) gustet. Though the words beare no such signification: But giue a Prouerb than to vse, Repetition: which was, Hee shall not ioyn or make a spoke in the Nave of my chariot, or Chariot wheele, χοινικον, or, χοινικις signifying Modiolus Rotæ, and απτω Necto.
How euer farre hence, he his home deriue.
He said, and his words stood; The doores she shut
Of that so wel-fill'd house; and th' other put
Their thoghts in act; Best Shields, Helmes, sharpned Lances
Brought downe; and Pallas before both, aduances
A golden Cresset, that did cast a Light,
As if the Day sate, in the Throne of Night.
Of that so wel-fill'd house; and th' other put
Their thoghts in act; Best Shields, Helmes, sharpned Lances
Brought downe; and Pallas before both, aduances
A golden Cresset, that did cast a Light,
As if the Day sate, in the Throne of Night.
VVhen (halfe amaz'd) the Prince said, O my Father,
Mine eyes, my soules pow'rs all in wonder gather:
For though the wals, and goodly wind-beames here,
All all these Pillars, that their heads, so rere,
And all of Firre; they seeme yet, all of fire.
Some God is surely with vs. His wise Sire,
Bad peace, and keepe the counsailes of the Gods;
Nor aske a word: These Pow'rs that vse abods
Aboue the starres, haue power from thence to shine
Through night, and all shades, to earths inmost Mine.
Go thou for sleepe; and leaue me here to wake
The women and the Queene; whose heart doth ake
To make enquiry for my selfe, of me.
Mine eyes, my soules pow'rs all in wonder gather:
For though the wals, and goodly wind-beames here,
All all these Pillars, that their heads, so rere,
And all of Firre; they seeme yet, all of fire.
Some God is surely with vs. His wise Sire,
Bad peace, and keepe the counsailes of the Gods;
Nor aske a word: These Pow'rs that vse abods
Aboue the starres, haue power from thence to shine
Through night, and all shades, to earths inmost Mine.
Go thou for sleepe; and leaue me here to wake
The women and the Queene; whose heart doth ake
To make enquiry for my selfe, of me.
He went to sleepe, where lights did endlesly
Burne in his Night-roomes: where he feasted Rest,
Til dayes faire weed, did all the world inuest.
Thus was diuine Vlysses left alone
VVith Pallas, plotting foule confusion
To all the wooers. Forth then came the Queene;
Phæbe, with golden Cytherea seene,
Her Port presented. Whom they set a Chaire
Aside the fire: The fashion circulate;
The substance Siluer, and rich Elephant;
VVhose Fabricke, did the cunning finger vant
Of great Icmalius: who besides, had done
A footstoole for her, that did sute her Throne:
On which, they cast an ample skin, to be
The Cushion, for her other Royalty.
And there she sate; about whom, came her Maids,
VVho brought vpon a Table store of Breads,
And Bolles, that with the wooers wine were cround.
The Embers then they cast vpon the ground
From out the Lampes, and other Fuell added;
That still, with cheereful flame, the sad house gladded.
Burne in his Night-roomes: where he feasted Rest,
Til dayes faire weed, did all the world inuest.
291
VVith Pallas, plotting foule confusion
To all the wooers. Forth then came the Queene;
Phæbe, with golden Cytherea seene,
Her Port presented. Whom they set a Chaire
Aside the fire: The fashion circulate;
The substance Siluer, and rich Elephant;
VVhose Fabricke, did the cunning finger vant
Of great Icmalius: who besides, had done
A footstoole for her, that did sute her Throne:
On which, they cast an ample skin, to be
The Cushion, for her other Royalty.
And there she sate; about whom, came her Maids,
VVho brought vpon a Table store of Breads,
And Bolles, that with the wooers wine were cround.
The Embers then they cast vpon the ground
From out the Lampes, and other Fuell added;
That still, with cheereful flame, the sad house gladded.
Melantho, seeing still Vlysses there;
Thus she held out her spleene: Still stranger, here?
Thus late in night? To see what Ladies do?
Auant you wretch: hence; Go, without doores, go:
And quickly too, lest ye be sindg'd away
VVith burning fire-brands. He (thus seeing their fray
Continu'd by her with such spleene) replide;
Thus she held out her spleene: Still stranger, here?
Thus late in night? To see what Ladies do?
Auant you wretch: hence; Go, without doores, go:
And quickly too, lest ye be sindg'd away
VVith burning fire-brands. He (thus seeing their fray
Continu'd by her with such spleene) replide;
Minion! What makes your angry blood thus chide
My presence still? Is it, because you see
I shine not in your wanton brauery?
But weare these rags? It fits the needy Fate
That makes me beg thus, of the commune state.
Such poore soules, and such beggers, yet are men;
And euen my meane meanes, means had to maintain
A wealthy house; and kept a manly prease;
VVas counted blessed; and the poore accesse
Of any Begger, did not scorne, but feede
VVith often hand: and any man of neede
Releeu'd as fitted: kept my seruants to,
Not few; but did with those additions go,
That call choise men, The Honest; who are stild
The rich, the great. But what such great ones build
Ioue oft puls downe, as thus he ruin'd me;
His will was such, which is his equity.
And therefore (woman) beare you fitting hand
On your behauiour, lest your spirit thus mann'd,
And cherisht with your beauties (when they wane)
Comes down: Your pride now, being then your bane.
And in the meane space, shun the present danger;
Lest your bold fashion, breed your Soueraigns anger.
Or lest Vlysses come: of whom, euen yet
Hope finds some life in fate. Or, be his seat
Amongst the meerly ruin'd; yet his Sonne
(Whose lifes heate, Phœbus saues) is such a one,
As can discouer, who doth well deserue
Of any woman heere; His yeares, now serue.
My presence still? Is it, because you see
I shine not in your wanton brauery?
But weare these rags? It fits the needy Fate
That makes me beg thus, of the commune state.
Such poore soules, and such beggers, yet are men;
And euen my meane meanes, means had to maintain
A wealthy house; and kept a manly prease;
VVas counted blessed; and the poore accesse
Of any Begger, did not scorne, but feede
VVith often hand: and any man of neede
Releeu'd as fitted: kept my seruants to,
Not few; but did with those additions go,
That call choise men, The Honest; who are stild
The rich, the great. But what such great ones build
Ioue oft puls downe, as thus he ruin'd me;
His will was such, which is his equity.
And therefore (woman) beare you fitting hand
On your behauiour, lest your spirit thus mann'd,
And cherisht with your beauties (when they wane)
Comes down: Your pride now, being then your bane.
And in the meane space, shun the present danger;
Lest your bold fashion, breed your Soueraigns anger.
292
Hope finds some life in fate. Or, be his seat
Amongst the meerly ruin'd; yet his Sonne
(Whose lifes heate, Phœbus saues) is such a one,
As can discouer, who doth well deserue
Of any woman heere; His yeares, now serue.
The Queen gaue eare, & thus supprest the flame:
Thou quite without a brow; past female shame;
I heare thy monstrous boldnesse, which thy head
Shall pay me paines for. Thou hast heard it said,
And from my selfe too; and at euery part
Thy knowledge serues thee; that (to ease my hart
So punisht in thy witnesse) my desire
Dwelt on this Stranger; that I might enquire
My lost friends Beeing. But 'tis euer tride,
Both Man and God, are still forgot with Pride.
Eurynome! Bring heere this Guest a seat,
And Cushion on it; that we two, may treat
Of the affaire in question. Set it neare,
That I may softly speake, yet he well heare.
Thou quite without a brow; past female shame;
I heare thy monstrous boldnesse, which thy head
Shall pay me paines for. Thou hast heard it said,
And from my selfe too; and at euery part
Thy knowledge serues thee; that (to ease my hart
So punisht in thy witnesse) my desire
Dwelt on this Stranger; that I might enquire
My lost friends Beeing. But 'tis euer tride,
Both Man and God, are still forgot with Pride.
Eurynome! Bring heere this Guest a seat,
And Cushion on it; that we two, may treat
Of the affaire in question. Set it neare,
That I may softly speake, yet he well heare.
She did this little freely; and he sat
Close by the Queen; who askt him, Whence, & what
He was himselfe? And what th' inhabited place?
VVhere liu'd his parents? whence he fetcht his race?
Close by the Queen; who askt him, Whence, & what
He was himselfe? And what th' inhabited place?
VVhere liu'd his parents? whence he fetcht his race?
O woman (he replyed) with whom, no man
That moues in earths vnbounded circle, can
Maintaine contention, for true honor geuen;
Whose fame, hath reacht the fairely flowing heauen.
VVho, like a neuer-ill-deseruing King,
That is well spoke of; First, for worshipping,
And striuing to resemble God, in Empire;
VVhose equall hand, impartially doth temper,
Greatnesse, and Goodnesse: To whom therefore, beares
The blacke earth, store of all graine; Trees conferres,
Cracking with burthen, Long-liu'd Herds creates;
All which, the Sea, with her sorts, emulates;
And all this feeds, beneath his powrefull hand,
Men, valiant, many, making strong his Land
With happy liues led; Nothing else, the cause
Of all these blessings, but well order'd Lawes;
Like such a King, are you; in Loue, in Fame,
And all the blisse that deifies a Dame.
And therefore, do not mixe this with a mone
So wretched, as is now in question.
Aske not my Race, nor Countrey; lest you fill
My heart yet fuller, with repeated ill:
For I must follow it, with many teares;
Though 'tis not seemly, to sit wounding eares
In publique Roofes, with our particular life;
Times worst expence, is still-repeated Griefe.
I should be irkesome to your Ladies here:
And you your selfe would say, you vrg'd your eare
To what offends it: My still-broken eine,
Supposing wounded with your too much wine.
That moues in earths vnbounded circle, can
Maintaine contention, for true honor geuen;
Whose fame, hath reacht the fairely flowing heauen.
VVho, like a neuer-ill-deseruing King,
That is well spoke of; First, for worshipping,
And striuing to resemble God, in Empire;
VVhose equall hand, impartially doth temper,
Greatnesse, and Goodnesse: To whom therefore, beares
The blacke earth, store of all graine; Trees conferres,
Cracking with burthen, Long-liu'd Herds creates;
All which, the Sea, with her sorts, emulates;
And all this feeds, beneath his powrefull hand,
Men, valiant, many, making strong his Land
With happy liues led; Nothing else, the cause
Of all these blessings, but well order'd Lawes;
Like such a King, are you; in Loue, in Fame,
And all the blisse that deifies a Dame.
And therefore, do not mixe this with a mone
So wretched, as is now in question.
Aske not my Race, nor Countrey; lest you fill
My heart yet fuller, with repeated ill:
For I must follow it, with many teares;
Though 'tis not seemly, to sit wounding eares
293
Times worst expence, is still-repeated Griefe.
I should be irkesome to your Ladies here:
And you your selfe would say, you vrg'd your eare
To what offends it: My still-broken eine,
Supposing wounded with your too much wine.
Stranger (said she) you feare your owne excesse,
With giuing me too great a noblenesse.
The Gods, my person, Beauty, Vertue to,
Long since subuerted; when the Ilion wo
The Greeke designe attempted. In which, went
My praise, and honor. In his gouernment
Had I deseru'd your vtmost grace; But now
Sinister Deity, makes dishonor woo
(In shew of grace) my ruine. All the Peres,
Syluane Zacynthus, and Dulychius Spheres,
Samos and Ithaca, strange strifes haue showne,
To win me; spending on me, all mine owne.
Will wed me, in my spite: And these are those;
That take from me, all vertue to dispose
Or Guest, or Suppliant: or take any course
Amongst my Heralds (that should all disburse)
To order any thing: Though I neede none
To giue me greefe at home; Abroad erres one
That my veins shrink for; whō, these (holding gone)
Their Nuptials hasten, and find me as slow.
Good spirits prompted me, to make a show
Of vndertaking a most curious taske,
That an vnmeasur'd space of time would aske;
VVhich, they enduring long, would often say,
VVhen ends thy worke? I soone had my delay;
And prai'd their stay: For though my Lord wer dead,
His Fathers life yet, matter ministred
That must imploy me: which, (to tell them true)
Was that great worke I nam'd. For now, nere drew
Laertes death; and on my hand did lye
His funerall Robe: whose end (being now so nye)
I must not leaue, and lose so much begun:
The rather, lest the Greeke Dames might be wun
To taxe mine honor; if a man so great
Should greet his graue, without his winding sheet.
Pride made them credulous; and I went on:
VVhen, whatsoeuer all the day had done,
I made the night helpe, to vndo againe;
Though oyle, and watch it cost, and equall paine.
Three yeares my wit secur'd me vndiscern'd:
Yet, when the fourth came, by my Maids discern'd
(False carelesse wenches) how they were deluded:
When (by my light descern'd) they all intruded;
Vs'd threatning words, and made me giue it end.
And then could I, to no more length extend
My linger'd Nuptials: Not a counsaile more
VVas to be stood vpon; my Parents bore
Continuall hand on me, to make me wed:
My Sonne grew angry, that so ruined
His goods were by them. He is now a man;
VVise in a great degree; and one that can
Himselfe, giue order to his houshold fare:
And Ioue, giue equal glory, to his care.
But thus you must not passe me: I must know,
(It may be, for more end) from whence doth grow
Your race, and you; For I suppose you, none
Sprung of old Oake, or iustl'd out of stone.
With giuing me too great a noblenesse.
The Gods, my person, Beauty, Vertue to,
Long since subuerted; when the Ilion wo
The Greeke designe attempted. In which, went
My praise, and honor. In his gouernment
Had I deseru'd your vtmost grace; But now
Sinister Deity, makes dishonor woo
(In shew of grace) my ruine. All the Peres,
Syluane Zacynthus, and Dulychius Spheres,
Samos and Ithaca, strange strifes haue showne,
To win me; spending on me, all mine owne.
Will wed me, in my spite: And these are those;
That take from me, all vertue to dispose
Or Guest, or Suppliant: or take any course
Amongst my Heralds (that should all disburse)
To order any thing: Though I neede none
To giue me greefe at home; Abroad erres one
That my veins shrink for; whō, these (holding gone)
Their Nuptials hasten, and find me as slow.
Good spirits prompted me, to make a show
Of vndertaking a most curious taske,
That an vnmeasur'd space of time would aske;
VVhich, they enduring long, would often say,
VVhen ends thy worke? I soone had my delay;
And prai'd their stay: For though my Lord wer dead,
His Fathers life yet, matter ministred
That must imploy me: which, (to tell them true)
Was that great worke I nam'd. For now, nere drew
Laertes death; and on my hand did lye
His funerall Robe: whose end (being now so nye)
I must not leaue, and lose so much begun:
The rather, lest the Greeke Dames might be wun
To taxe mine honor; if a man so great
Should greet his graue, without his winding sheet.
Pride made them credulous; and I went on:
VVhen, whatsoeuer all the day had done,
I made the night helpe, to vndo againe;
Though oyle, and watch it cost, and equall paine.
Three yeares my wit secur'd me vndiscern'd:
Yet, when the fourth came, by my Maids discern'd
(False carelesse wenches) how they were deluded:
294
Vs'd threatning words, and made me giue it end.
And then could I, to no more length extend
My linger'd Nuptials: Not a counsaile more
VVas to be stood vpon; my Parents bore
Continuall hand on me, to make me wed:
My Sonne grew angry, that so ruined
His goods were by them. He is now a man;
VVise in a great degree; and one that can
Himselfe, giue order to his houshold fare:
And Ioue, giue equal glory, to his care.
But thus you must not passe me: I must know,
(It may be, for more end) from whence doth grow
Your race, and you; For I suppose you, none
Sprung of old Oake, or iustl'd out of stone.
He answer'd; O Vlysses reuerend wife!
Yet hold you purpose to enquire my life?
Ile tell you, though it much afflict me more
Then all the sorrowes I haue felt before.
As worthily it may: since so long time,
As I haue wandred from my Natiue Clime,
Through humane Cities: and in sufferance stil:
To rip all wounds vp. (though, of all their ill
I touch but part) must actuate all their paine.
But, aske you still; Ile tell, though stil sustaine.
Yet hold you purpose to enquire my life?
Ile tell you, though it much afflict me more
Then all the sorrowes I haue felt before.
As worthily it may: since so long time,
As I haue wandred from my Natiue Clime,
Through humane Cities: and in sufferance stil:
To rip all wounds vp. (though, of all their ill
I touch but part) must actuate all their paine.
But, aske you still; Ile tell, though stil sustaine.
In middle of the sable Sea, there lies
An Isle, cal'd Crete; a rauisher of eyes:
Fruitfull, and mann'd with many an infinite store:
Where ninety Cities crowne the famous shore;
Mixt with all Languag'd men: There Greekes suruiue;
There the great-minded Eteocretans liue:
There the Dorensians, neuer out of war:
The Cydons there; and there the singular
Pelasgian people: There doth Gnossus stand,
That mighty City; where had most command
Great Ioues Disciple (Minos) who nine yeares
Conferr'd with Ioue: Both great familiares
In mutual counsailes. And this Minos Son,
(The mighty-minded King Deucalion):
VVas Sire to me, & royall Idomen,
VVho with Atrides, went to Ilion then,
My elder Brother, and the better man;
My name Aethon. At that time began
My knowledge of Vlysses; whom my home
Receiu'd with guest-rites. He was thither come
By force of weather, from the Malean coast
But new got off; where he the Nauy lost,
Then vnder saile for Troy; and wind-bound lay
Long in Amnisus; hardly got away
From horrid stormes, that made him anchor there,
In Hauens that sacred to Lucina were;
Dreadfull and dangerous. In whose bosome crept
Lucina's Cauerne. But in my roofe slept
Vlysses, shor'd in Crete: who first enquir'd
For royall Idomen; and much desir'd
To taste his guest-rites; since to him had bene
A welcome Guest my Brother Idomene.
The tenth, or, leuenth light, on Vlysses shin'de
In stay at Crete; attending then the winde
For threatn'd Ilion. All which time, my house
VVith loue and entertainments curious
Embrac't his person: though a number more
My hospitable roofes receiu'd before.
His men I likewise call'd; and from the store
Allow'd them meale, and heat-exciting wine;
And Oxen for their slaughter; to confine
In my free hand the vtmost of their need.
Twelue daies the Greeks staid, ere they got them freed;
A gale so bitter blew out of the North,
That none could stand on earth, being tumbled forth
By some sterne God. But on the thirteenth day
The tempest ceast, & then went Greekes their way.
An Isle, cal'd Crete; a rauisher of eyes:
Fruitfull, and mann'd with many an infinite store:
Where ninety Cities crowne the famous shore;
Mixt with all Languag'd men: There Greekes suruiue;
There the great-minded Eteocretans liue:
There the Dorensians, neuer out of war:
The Cydons there; and there the singular
Pelasgian people: There doth Gnossus stand,
That mighty City; where had most command
Great Ioues Disciple (Minos) who nine yeares
Conferr'd with Ioue: Both great familiares
In mutual counsailes. And this Minos Son,
(The mighty-minded King Deucalion):
VVas Sire to me, & royall Idomen,
VVho with Atrides, went to Ilion then,
My elder Brother, and the better man;
My name Aethon. At that time began
My knowledge of Vlysses; whom my home
Receiu'd with guest-rites. He was thither come
By force of weather, from the Malean coast
But new got off; where he the Nauy lost,
Then vnder saile for Troy; and wind-bound lay
295
From horrid stormes, that made him anchor there,
In Hauens that sacred to Lucina were;
Dreadfull and dangerous. In whose bosome crept
Lucina's Cauerne. But in my roofe slept
Vlysses, shor'd in Crete: who first enquir'd
For royall Idomen; and much desir'd
To taste his guest-rites; since to him had bene
A welcome Guest my Brother Idomene.
The tenth, or, leuenth light, on Vlysses shin'de
In stay at Crete; attending then the winde
For threatn'd Ilion. All which time, my house
VVith loue and entertainments curious
Embrac't his person: though a number more
My hospitable roofes receiu'd before.
His men I likewise call'd; and from the store
Allow'd them meale, and heat-exciting wine;
And Oxen for their slaughter; to confine
In my free hand the vtmost of their need.
Twelue daies the Greeks staid, ere they got them freed;
A gale so bitter blew out of the North,
That none could stand on earth, being tumbled forth
By some sterne God. But on the thirteenth day
The tempest ceast, & then went Greekes their way.
Thus, many tales Vlysses told his wife,
At most, but painting; yet most like the life:
Of which, her heart, such sense took through hir eares,
It made her weepe, as she would turne to teares.
And as from off the Mountaines melts the snow,
Which Zephyres breath conceald; but was made flow
By hollow Eurus, which so fast poures downe,
That with their Torrent, flouds haue ouer-flowne:
So downe her faire cheekes, her kinde tears did glide;
Her mist Lord mourning, set so neere her side.
At most, but painting; yet most like the life:
Of which, her heart, such sense took through hir eares,
It made her weepe, as she would turne to teares.
And as from off the Mountaines melts the snow,
Which Zephyres breath conceald; but was made flow
By hollow Eurus, which so fast poures downe,
That with their Torrent, flouds haue ouer-flowne:
So downe her faire cheekes, her kinde tears did glide;
Her mist Lord mourning, set so neere her side.
Vlysses much was mou'd to see her mourne,
VVhose eies yet stood as dry, as Iron, or Horne,
In his vntroubl'd lids; which, in his craft
Of bridling passion, he from issue saf't.
VVhose eies yet stood as dry, as Iron, or Horne,
In his vntroubl'd lids; which, in his craft
Of bridling passion, he from issue saf't.
VVhen she had giuen her moane so many teares,
That now 'twas satiate: her yet louing feares
Askt thus much further: You haue thus farre tried
My loues credulity: But if gratified
VVith so long stay he was with you, you can
Describe what weede he wore; what kinde of man
Both he himselfe was, and what Followers
Obseru'd him there. Alas (sayd he) the yeares
Haue growne so many since (this making now
Their twentith reuolution) that my show
Of these slight notes, will set my memory sore;
But (to my now remembrance) this he wore:
A double purple Robe, drawne close before
With golden Buttons; pleated thicke, and bore
A facing, where a hundred colours shinde:
About the skirts, a Hound; A freckl'd Hinde
In full course hunted. On the fore-skirts yet,
He pincht, and pull'd her downe: when with hir feet,
And all her force, she struggl'd hard for flight.
VVhich had such life in Gold, that to the sight
It seem'd the Hinde it selfe for euery hiew;
The Hound and al, so answering the view,
That all admir'd all. I obseru'd beside
His inner weed, so rarely beautifide,
That dumbe amaze it bred; and was as thin,
As any dry and tender Onion skin:
As soft 'twas too, and glister'd like the Sun.
The women were to louing wonder wun
By him and by his weeds. But (by the way)
You must excuse me, that I cannot say
He brought this suite from home; or had it there
Sent for some Present; or perhaps elsewhere
Receiu'd it for his guest-gift: For your Lord
Had Friends not few: The Fleete did not afford
Many, that had not fewer. I bestow'd
A well-edg'd sword on him; a Robe that flow'd
In foulds, and fulnesse, and did reach his feete,
Of richest purple: Brought him to his Fleete,
VVith all my honor: And besides (to add
To all this sifted circumstance) he had
A Herald there; in height, a little more
Put from the earth: that thicker shoulders wore;
A swarth complexion, and a curled head;
His name Eurybates; and much in stead,
He stood your King, imploy'd in most command,
Since most of all, his minde could vnderstand.
That now 'twas satiate: her yet louing feares
Askt thus much further: You haue thus farre tried
My loues credulity: But if gratified
VVith so long stay he was with you, you can
Describe what weede he wore; what kinde of man
Both he himselfe was, and what Followers
Obseru'd him there. Alas (sayd he) the yeares
Haue growne so many since (this making now
Their twentith reuolution) that my show
296
But (to my now remembrance) this he wore:
A double purple Robe, drawne close before
With golden Buttons; pleated thicke, and bore
A facing, where a hundred colours shinde:
About the skirts, a Hound; A freckl'd Hinde
In full course hunted. On the fore-skirts yet,
He pincht, and pull'd her downe: when with hir feet,
And all her force, she struggl'd hard for flight.
VVhich had such life in Gold, that to the sight
It seem'd the Hinde it selfe for euery hiew;
The Hound and al, so answering the view,
That all admir'd all. I obseru'd beside
His inner weed, so rarely beautifide,
That dumbe amaze it bred; and was as thin,
As any dry and tender Onion skin:
As soft 'twas too, and glister'd like the Sun.
The women were to louing wonder wun
By him and by his weeds. But (by the way)
You must excuse me, that I cannot say
He brought this suite from home; or had it there
Sent for some Present; or perhaps elsewhere
Receiu'd it for his guest-gift: For your Lord
Had Friends not few: The Fleete did not afford
Many, that had not fewer. I bestow'd
A well-edg'd sword on him; a Robe that flow'd
In foulds, and fulnesse, and did reach his feete,
Of richest purple: Brought him to his Fleete,
VVith all my honor: And besides (to add
To all this sifted circumstance) he had
A Herald there; in height, a little more
Put from the earth: that thicker shoulders wore;
A swarth complexion, and a curled head;
His name Eurybates; and much in stead,
He stood your King, imploy'd in most command,
Since most of all, his minde could vnderstand.
VVhen all these signes she knew, for chiefly trew;
Desire of moane vpon her beauties grew:
And yet (euen that desire suffic'd) she said.
Desire of moane vpon her beauties grew:
And yet (euen that desire suffic'd) she said.
Till this (my Guest) a wretched state arraid
Your ill-vsd person: but from this houre forth,
You shalbe honor'd, and finde all the worth
That fits a friend. Those weeds these hands bestow'd
From out my wardrobe: those gold buttons sow'd
Before for closure, and for Ornament.
But neuer more, must his returne present
The person that gaue those adornments State.
And therefore, vnder an abhorred Fate
VVas he induc't to feed the commune fame,
To visit vile Troy; I, too vile to name.
Your ill-vsd person: but from this houre forth,
You shalbe honor'd, and finde all the worth
That fits a friend. Those weeds these hands bestow'd
From out my wardrobe: those gold buttons sow'd
Before for closure, and for Ornament.
But neuer more, must his returne present
The person that gaue those adornments State.
And therefore, vnder an abhorred Fate
297
To visit vile Troy; I, too vile to name.
No more yet mourne (said he) nor thus see pinde
Your louely person: Weeping, wast's the Minde.
And yet I blame you not; for any Dame
That weds one yong, and brings to him, his name;
(VVhat euer man he is) will mourne his losse:
Much more respectfull then, must shew your woes,
That weepe thus for Vlysses; who (Fame saies)
Was equal with the Gods, in all his waies.
But where no cause is, there must be no mone:
And therefore heare me; my Relation
Shal lay the cleere truth naked to your view;
I heard amongst the Thesprots, for most trew,
That Lord Vlysses liu'd, and stood iust now
On his returne for home: That wealth did flow
In his possession; which, he made not knowne,
But begg'd amongst the people; since alone
He quite was left: for all his men were lost
In getting off, from the Trinacrian Coast;
Ioue and the Sun, was wroth with them, for rape
Made of his Oxen; and no man let scape
The rugged deepes of Neptune: Onely he
The Ships Keele onely keeping, was by Sea
Cast on the faire Phæacian Continent;
VVhere men suruiue, that are the Gods descent;
And like a God receiu'd him; gaue him heapes
Of wealthy gifts, and would conduct his steps
Themselues safe home: which, he might long ago
His pleasure make: but profit would not so.
He gather'd going, and had mighty store
Of Gold in safegard: so beyond the Shore
That commune sailes kept, his high flood of wit
Bore glorious top; and all the world, for it
Hath farre exceeded. All this Phadon told,
That doth the Scepter of Thesprotia hold:
VVho swore to me, in houshold sacrifice,
The Ship was lancht, and men to man the prise;
That soone should set him on his countrey earth:
Shew'd me the goods, enow to serue the birth,
That in the tenth age of his seed, shold spring;
Yet in his Court contain'd. But then the King
(Your husband) for Dodona was in way;
That from th' oraculous Oake, he might display
Ioues will; what course for home would best preuaile:
To come in pompe; or beare a secret saile.
But me, the King dispatcht in course before;
A Ship then bound for the Dulychian shore.
So thus you see his safety, whom you mourne,
VVho now is passing neere; and his returne
No more will punish with delayes, but see
His friends, and country: All which truth to thee
Ile seale with sacred Oath. Be witnesse Ioue,
Thou first, and best, of all the Thron'd aboue;
And thou house of the great Laertes heire,
To whose high roofes, I tender my repaire;
That what I tell the Queene, euent shall crowne:
This yeare, Vlysses shall possesse his owne:
Nay, ere the next month ends, shall heere arriue;
Nay ere it enters, heere abide aliue.
Your louely person: Weeping, wast's the Minde.
And yet I blame you not; for any Dame
That weds one yong, and brings to him, his name;
(VVhat euer man he is) will mourne his losse:
Much more respectfull then, must shew your woes,
That weepe thus for Vlysses; who (Fame saies)
Was equal with the Gods, in all his waies.
But where no cause is, there must be no mone:
And therefore heare me; my Relation
Shal lay the cleere truth naked to your view;
I heard amongst the Thesprots, for most trew,
That Lord Vlysses liu'd, and stood iust now
On his returne for home: That wealth did flow
In his possession; which, he made not knowne,
But begg'd amongst the people; since alone
He quite was left: for all his men were lost
In getting off, from the Trinacrian Coast;
Ioue and the Sun, was wroth with them, for rape
Made of his Oxen; and no man let scape
The rugged deepes of Neptune: Onely he
The Ships Keele onely keeping, was by Sea
Cast on the faire Phæacian Continent;
VVhere men suruiue, that are the Gods descent;
And like a God receiu'd him; gaue him heapes
Of wealthy gifts, and would conduct his steps
Themselues safe home: which, he might long ago
His pleasure make: but profit would not so.
He gather'd going, and had mighty store
Of Gold in safegard: so beyond the Shore
That commune sailes kept, his high flood of wit
Bore glorious top; and all the world, for it
Hath farre exceeded. All this Phadon told,
That doth the Scepter of Thesprotia hold:
VVho swore to me, in houshold sacrifice,
The Ship was lancht, and men to man the prise;
That soone should set him on his countrey earth:
Shew'd me the goods, enow to serue the birth,
That in the tenth age of his seed, shold spring;
Yet in his Court contain'd. But then the King
(Your husband) for Dodona was in way;
That from th' oraculous Oake, he might display
Ioues will; what course for home would best preuaile:
To come in pompe; or beare a secret saile.
But me, the King dispatcht in course before;
A Ship then bound for the Dulychian shore.
298
VVho now is passing neere; and his returne
No more will punish with delayes, but see
His friends, and country: All which truth to thee
Ile seale with sacred Oath. Be witnesse Ioue,
Thou first, and best, of all the Thron'd aboue;
And thou house of the great Laertes heire,
To whose high roofes, I tender my repaire;
That what I tell the Queene, euent shall crowne:
This yeare, Vlysses shall possesse his owne:
Nay, ere the next month ends, shall heere arriue;
Nay ere it enters, heere abide aliue.
O may this proue (saide she;) gifts, friendship, then
Should make your name the most renown'd of men.
But 'tis of me receiu'd; and must so sort,
That nor my Lord shall euer see his Court,
Nor you gaine your deduction thence; for now
The alter'd house doth no such man allow
As was Vlysses (if he euer were)
To entertaine a reuerend Passenger,
And giue him faire dismission. But (Maids) see
Ye bathe his feete; and then with Tapistry,
Best sheets, and blanquets, make his bed, and lay
Soft wascotes by him; that (lodg'd warme) he may
Euen till the golden-seated mornings ray,
Enioy good est; and then, with her first light,
Bathe, and giue almes; that cherisht appetite
He may apply within our Hall, and sit
Safe by Telemachus. Or if th' vnfit
And harmfull minde of any be so base
To greeue his age againe; let none giue grace
Of doing any deed, he shall command
(How wroth so euer) to his barbarous hand.
For how shall you (guest) know me for a Dame
That passe so far, nay, turne and winde the Fame
Of other Dames for wisedome, and the frame
Of houshold vsage; if your poore thin weeds
I let draw on you, want, and worser deeds;
That may, perhaps, cause heere your latest day?
The life of Man is short, and flyes away.
And if the Rulers selfe of housholds, be
Vngentle, studying inhumanity,
The rest proue worse. But he beares all the blame:
All men will, liuing, vow against his name,
Mischiefes, and miseries; And (dead) supply
VVith bitter Epitaphes, his memory.
But if himselfe be noble, (noble things
Doing, and knowing) all his Vnderlings
VVill imitate his Noblesse; and all guests
Giue it, in many; many interests.
But (worthiest Queen, said he) where you command
Baths and rich beds for me, I scorne to stand
On such state now; nor euer thought it yet,
Since first I left the snowy hils of Crete.
VVhen once I fell a ship-boord, those thoughts fled;
I loue to take now (as long since) my bed:
Though I began the vse, with sleeplesse nights;
I, many a darknesse, with right homely rites
Haue spent ere this houre; & desir'd the Morne
Would come; and make sleepe to the world a scorne.
Nor run these dainty Bathes in my rude head;
Nor any handmaid (to your seruice bred)
Shal touch my ill-kept feete, vnlesse there liue
Some poore old drudge here, that hath learnd to giue
Old men good vsage; & no worke wil fly:
As hauing suffer'd ill, as much as I.
But if there liue, one such, in your command;
I wil not shame to giue my foot, her hand.
Should make your name the most renown'd of men.
But 'tis of me receiu'd; and must so sort,
That nor my Lord shall euer see his Court,
Nor you gaine your deduction thence; for now
The alter'd house doth no such man allow
As was Vlysses (if he euer were)
To entertaine a reuerend Passenger,
And giue him faire dismission. But (Maids) see
Ye bathe his feete; and then with Tapistry,
Best sheets, and blanquets, make his bed, and lay
Soft wascotes by him; that (lodg'd warme) he may
Euen till the golden-seated mornings ray,
Enioy good est; and then, with her first light,
Bathe, and giue almes; that cherisht appetite
He may apply within our Hall, and sit
Safe by Telemachus. Or if th' vnfit
And harmfull minde of any be so base
To greeue his age againe; let none giue grace
Of doing any deed, he shall command
(How wroth so euer) to his barbarous hand.
For how shall you (guest) know me for a Dame
That passe so far, nay, turne and winde the Fame
Of other Dames for wisedome, and the frame
Of houshold vsage; if your poore thin weeds
I let draw on you, want, and worser deeds;
That may, perhaps, cause heere your latest day?
The life of Man is short, and flyes away.
And if the Rulers selfe of housholds, be
Vngentle, studying inhumanity,
The rest proue worse. But he beares all the blame:
All men will, liuing, vow against his name,
Mischiefes, and miseries; And (dead) supply
VVith bitter Epitaphes, his memory.
But if himselfe be noble, (noble things
Doing, and knowing) all his Vnderlings
299
Giue it, in many; many interests.
But (worthiest Queen, said he) where you command
Baths and rich beds for me, I scorne to stand
On such state now; nor euer thought it yet,
Since first I left the snowy hils of Crete.
VVhen once I fell a ship-boord, those thoughts fled;
I loue to take now (as long since) my bed:
Though I began the vse, with sleeplesse nights;
I, many a darknesse, with right homely rites
Haue spent ere this houre; & desir'd the Morne
Would come; and make sleepe to the world a scorne.
Nor run these dainty Bathes in my rude head;
Nor any handmaid (to your seruice bred)
Shal touch my ill-kept feete, vnlesse there liue
Some poore old drudge here, that hath learnd to giue
Old men good vsage; & no worke wil fly:
As hauing suffer'd ill, as much as I.
But if there liue, one such, in your command;
I wil not shame to giue my foot, her hand.
She gaue this answere: O my loued Guest,
There neuer enter'd these kinde Roofes, for rest,
Stranger or Friend, that so much wisedome laide
In gage for Guest-rites, as your lippes haue paide.
There liues an old maide in my charge, that knowes
The good you speake of, by her many woes;
That nourisht and brought vp, with curious care,
Th' vnhappy man, your old familiar:
Euen since his Mother let him view the light,
And oft hath felt in her weake armes, his weight.
And she (though now much weaker) shal apply
Her Maiden seruice, to your modesty.
Euryclea, rise; and wash the feete of one,
That is of one age with your Soueraigne gone.
Such hands, such feet hath, though of alter'd grace:
Much griefe in men, wil bring on change apace.
There neuer enter'd these kinde Roofes, for rest,
Stranger or Friend, that so much wisedome laide
In gage for Guest-rites, as your lippes haue paide.
There liues an old maide in my charge, that knowes
The good you speake of, by her many woes;
That nourisht and brought vp, with curious care,
Th' vnhappy man, your old familiar:
Euen since his Mother let him view the light,
And oft hath felt in her weake armes, his weight.
And she (though now much weaker) shal apply
Her Maiden seruice, to your modesty.
Euryclea, rise; and wash the feete of one,
That is of one age with your Soueraigne gone.
Such hands, such feet hath, though of alter'd grace:
Much griefe in men, wil bring on change apace.
She (from her aged slumber wak't) did cleare
Her heauy eyes; and instantly (to heare
Her Soueraignes name) had worke enough to dry
Her cheekes from teares: and to his memory
These Mones did offer: O my Son (saide she)
I neuer can take greefe enough for thee;
VVhom Goodnes hurts; & whō, euen Ioues high spleen.
(Since thou art Ioue-like) hates the most of men.
For none hath offer'd him so many Thyes;
Nor such whole Hecatombes of sacrifice,
Fat, and selected, as thy zeale hath done;
For all, but praying that thy noble Sonne,
Thy happy age, might see at state of man.
And yet hath Ioue with Mists Cimmerean
Put out the light of his returning day.
And as your selfe (O Father) in your way
Tooke these faire roofes for hospitable rights,
Yet finde (for them) our dogged womens spights:
So he (in like course) being driuen to proofe
(Long time ere this) what such a royall Roofe
Would yeeld his miseries; found such vsage there.
And you (now flying the foule Language here,
And many a filthy fact of our faire Dames)
Fly me, like them; and put on causlesse shames
To let me clense your feet. For not the cause
The Queenes command yeelds, is the pow'r yt drawes
My will to wash your feete. But what I do,
Proceeds from her charge, and your reuerence to.
Since I, in soule, am stricken with a ruth
Of your distresses, and past show of truth.
Your strangenesse claiming little interest
In my affections: and yet many a Guest
Of poore condition, hath bene harbour'd here:
But neuer any, did so right appeare
Like King Vlysses, as your selfe; For state,
Both of your stature, voice, and very gate.
Her heauy eyes; and instantly (to heare
Her Soueraignes name) had worke enough to dry
Her cheekes from teares: and to his memory
These Mones did offer: O my Son (saide she)
I neuer can take greefe enough for thee;
VVhom Goodnes hurts; & whō, euen Ioues high spleen.
(Since thou art Ioue-like) hates the most of men.
For none hath offer'd him so many Thyes;
Nor such whole Hecatombes of sacrifice,
Fat, and selected, as thy zeale hath done;
For all, but praying that thy noble Sonne,
300
And yet hath Ioue with Mists Cimmerean
Put out the light of his returning day.
And as your selfe (O Father) in your way
Tooke these faire roofes for hospitable rights,
Yet finde (for them) our dogged womens spights:
So he (in like course) being driuen to proofe
(Long time ere this) what such a royall Roofe
Would yeeld his miseries; found such vsage there.
And you (now flying the foule Language here,
And many a filthy fact of our faire Dames)
Fly me, like them; and put on causlesse shames
To let me clense your feet. For not the cause
The Queenes command yeelds, is the pow'r yt drawes
My will to wash your feete. But what I do,
Proceeds from her charge, and your reuerence to.
Since I, in soule, am stricken with a ruth
Of your distresses, and past show of truth.
Your strangenesse claiming little interest
In my affections: and yet many a Guest
Of poore condition, hath bene harbour'd here:
But neuer any, did so right appeare
Like King Vlysses, as your selfe; For state,
Both of your stature, voice, and very gate.
So all haue said (said he) that euer yet
Had the proportions of our figures met,
In their obseruances; so right, your eye,
Proues in your soule, your iudging faculty.
Had the proportions of our figures met,
In their obseruances; so right, your eye,
Proues in your soule, your iudging faculty.
Thus tooke she vp a Caldron, brightly scour'd,
To clense his feete in: and into it, pour'd
Store of cold waue, which on the fire she set;
And therein bath'd (being temperatly heat)
Her Soueraigns feet. Who turnd him from the light;
Since sodainly, he doubted her conceit
(So rightly touching at his state before)
A scar now seeing on his foot, that bore
An old note to discerne him; might descry
The absolute truth; which (witnest by her eye)
VVas straite approu'd. He first receiu'd this sore,
As in Parnassus tops, a white tooth'd Bore
He stood in chace withall; who strooke him there,
At such time, as he liu'd a soiourner
VVith his grand Sire, Antolycus: who, th' Art
Of Theft and swearing (not out of the hart,
But by equiuocation) first adorn'd
Your witty man withall; and was suborn'd
By Ioues descent (ingenious Mereurie)
VVho did bestow it; since so many a Thie
Of Lambes, and Kids, he had on him bestow'd
In sacred flames; who therefore, when he vow'd
VVas euer with him. And this man impos'd
Vlysses name; the light being first disclos'd
To his first sight then; when his grand Sire came
To see the then preferrer of his fame,
His loued daughter. The first supper done,
Euryclea, put in his lap, her Sonne,
And pray'd him to bethinke, and giue his name;
Since that desire, did all desires inflame.
To clense his feete in: and into it, pour'd
Store of cold waue, which on the fire she set;
And therein bath'd (being temperatly heat)
Her Soueraigns feet. Who turnd him from the light;
Since sodainly, he doubted her conceit
(So rightly touching at his state before)
A scar now seeing on his foot, that bore
An old note to discerne him; might descry
The absolute truth; which (witnest by her eye)
VVas straite approu'd. He first receiu'd this sore,
As in Parnassus tops, a white tooth'd Bore
He stood in chace withall; who strooke him there,
At such time, as he liu'd a soiourner
VVith his grand Sire, Antolycus: who, th' Art
Of Theft and swearing (not out of the hart,
But by equiuocation) first adorn'd
Your witty man withall; and was suborn'd
By Ioues descent (ingenious Mereurie)
VVho did bestow it; since so many a Thie
301
In sacred flames; who therefore, when he vow'd
VVas euer with him. And this man impos'd
Vlysses name; the light being first disclos'd
To his first sight then; when his grand Sire came
To see the then preferrer of his fame,
His loued daughter. The first supper done,
Euryclea, put in his lap, her Sonne,
And pray'd him to bethinke, and giue his name;
Since that desire, did all desires inflame.
Daughter, and Son-in-Law (sayd he) let then
The name that I shall giue him, stand with men;
Since I arriu'd here, at the houre of paine,
In which, mine owne kinde entrailes did sustaine
Moane for my daughters, yet vnended throes:
And when so many mens and womens woes,
In ioynt compassion met, of humane birth,
Brought forth t'attend the many feeding earth;
Let Odysseus be his name, as one
Exposd to iust constraint of all mens mone.
VVhen heere at home, he is arriu'd at state
Of mans first youth; he shall initiate
His practisd feete, in trauaile made abrode;
And to Pernassus, where mine owne abode
And chiefe meanes lye; addresse his way, where I
VVill giue him from my opened treasury,
VVhat shall returne him well; and fit the Fame
Of one that had the honor of his name.
The name that I shall giue him, stand with men;
Since I arriu'd here, at the houre of paine,
In which, mine owne kinde entrailes did sustaine
Moane for my daughters, yet vnended throes:
And when so many mens and womens woes,
In ioynt compassion met, of humane birth,
Brought forth t'attend the many feeding earth;
Let Odysseus be his name, as one
Exposd to iust constraint of all mens mone.
VVhen heere at home, he is arriu'd at state
Of mans first youth; he shall initiate
His practisd feete, in trauaile made abrode;
And to Pernassus, where mine owne abode
And chiefe meanes lye; addresse his way, where I
VVill giue him from my opened treasury,
VVhat shall returne him well; and fit the Fame
Of one that had the honor of his name.
For these faire gifts he went, and found all grace
Of hands, and words, in him and all his race.
Amphithea (his Mothers mother) to
Applied her to his loue; withall, to do
In Grandames welcomes: both his faire eyes kist,
And browes; and then, commanded to assist
VVere all her sonnes, by their respected Sire,
In furnishing a Feast; whose eares did fire
Their minds with his command: who home straite led
A fiue-yeares-old-male Oxe; feld, slew, and flead:
Gather'd about him; cut him vp with Art;
Spitted, and roasted; and his euery part
Diuided orderly. So all the day
They spent in feast: No one man went his way
VVithout his fit fill. VVhen the Sun was set,
And darknesse rose, they slept; till dayes fire het
Th' enlightned earth: and then, on hunting went
Both Hounds, and all Autolycus descent.
In whose guide, did diuine Vlysses go;
Climb'd steepe Parnassus, on whose forehead grow
All syluan off springs round. And soone they rech't
The Concaues, whence ayrs sounding vapors fetcht
Their loud descent. As soone as any Sun
Had from the Ocean (where his waters run
In silent deepnesse) rais'd his golden head:
The early Huntsmen, all the hill had spread;
Their Hounds before them, on the searching Traile:
They neere, and euer eager to assaile.
Vlysses, brandishing a lengthfull Lance,
Of whose first flight, he long'd to proue the chance.
Of hands, and words, in him and all his race.
Amphithea (his Mothers mother) to
Applied her to his loue; withall, to do
In Grandames welcomes: both his faire eyes kist,
And browes; and then, commanded to assist
VVere all her sonnes, by their respected Sire,
In furnishing a Feast; whose eares did fire
Their minds with his command: who home straite led
A fiue-yeares-old-male Oxe; feld, slew, and flead:
Gather'd about him; cut him vp with Art;
Spitted, and roasted; and his euery part
Diuided orderly. So all the day
They spent in feast: No one man went his way
VVithout his fit fill. VVhen the Sun was set,
And darknesse rose, they slept; till dayes fire het
Th' enlightned earth: and then, on hunting went
Both Hounds, and all Autolycus descent.
In whose guide, did diuine Vlysses go;
Climb'd steepe Parnassus, on whose forehead grow
302
The Concaues, whence ayrs sounding vapors fetcht
Their loud descent. As soone as any Sun
Had from the Ocean (where his waters run
In silent deepnesse) rais'd his golden head:
The early Huntsmen, all the hill had spread;
Their Hounds before them, on the searching Traile:
They neere, and euer eager to assaile.
Vlysses, brandishing a lengthfull Lance,
Of whose first flight, he long'd to proue the chance.
Then found they lodg'd a Bore, of bulke extreame,
In such a Queach, as neuer any beame
The Sun shot, pierc'st: Nor any passe, let finde
The moist impressions of the fiercest winde:
Nor any storme the sternest winter driues;
Such proofe it was: yet all within, lay leaues
In mighty thicknesse; and through all this, flew
The hounds loud mouthes. The sounds, the tumult threw;
And all together rouz'd the Bore, that rusht
Amongst their thickest: All his brissels, pusht
From forth his rough necke; and with flaming eyes
Stood close, and dar'd all. On which horrid prise
Vlysses first charg'd; whom, aboue the knee
The sauage strooke, and rac't it crookedly
Along the skin, yet neuer reacht the bone.
Vlysses Lance yet, through him, quite was throwne;
At his right shoulder entring: at his left,
The bright head passage to his keennesse cleft,
And shew'd his point gilt, with the gushing gore.
Downe in the dust fell the extended Bore,
And forth his life flew. To Vlysses, round
His Vnckle drew; who (wofull for his wound)
With all Art bound it vp; and with a charme
Staid straight the blood: went home, & when the harm
Receiu'd full cure; with gifts, and all euent
Of ioy, and loue; to his lou'd home, they sent
Their honor'd Nephew: whose returne, his Sire,
And reuerend Mother, tooke with ioyes entire:
Enquir'd all passages; all which, he gaue
In good relation: Nor of all, would saue
His wound from vtterance: By whose scar he came
To be discouered by this aged Dame.
In such a Queach, as neuer any beame
The Sun shot, pierc'st: Nor any passe, let finde
The moist impressions of the fiercest winde:
Nor any storme the sternest winter driues;
Such proofe it was: yet all within, lay leaues
In mighty thicknesse; and through all this, flew
The hounds loud mouthes. The sounds, the tumult threw;
And all together rouz'd the Bore, that rusht
Amongst their thickest: All his brissels, pusht
From forth his rough necke; and with flaming eyes
Stood close, and dar'd all. On which horrid prise
Vlysses first charg'd; whom, aboue the knee
The sauage strooke, and rac't it crookedly
Along the skin, yet neuer reacht the bone.
Vlysses Lance yet, through him, quite was throwne;
At his right shoulder entring: at his left,
The bright head passage to his keennesse cleft,
And shew'd his point gilt, with the gushing gore.
Downe in the dust fell the extended Bore,
And forth his life flew. To Vlysses, round
His Vnckle drew; who (wofull for his wound)
With all Art bound it vp; and with a charme
Staid straight the blood: went home, & when the harm
Receiu'd full cure; with gifts, and all euent
Of ioy, and loue; to his lou'd home, they sent
Their honor'd Nephew: whose returne, his Sire,
And reuerend Mother, tooke with ioyes entire:
Enquir'd all passages; all which, he gaue
In good relation: Nor of all, would saue
His wound from vtterance: By whose scar he came
To be discouered by this aged Dame.
VVhich, when she clensing felt, and noted well:
Downe from her Lap, into the Caldron, fell
His weighty foot, that made the Brasse resound:
Turn'd all aside, and on th' embrewed ground
Spilt all the water. Ioy and griefe together
Her brest inuaded: and of weeping weather
Her eyes stood full: Her small voice, stucke within
Her part expressiue; till at length, his chin
She tooke, and spake to him: O Sonne (saide she)
Thou art Vlysses; nor canst other be:
Nor could I know thee yet, till all my King
I had gone ouer, with the warmed Spring.
Downe from her Lap, into the Caldron, fell
His weighty foot, that made the Brasse resound:
Turn'd all aside, and on th' embrewed ground
Spilt all the water. Ioy and griefe together
Her brest inuaded: and of weeping weather
303
Her part expressiue; till at length, his chin
She tooke, and spake to him: O Sonne (saide she)
Thou art Vlysses; nor canst other be:
Nor could I know thee yet, till all my King
I had gone ouer, with the warmed Spring.
Then look't she for the Queene, to tell her all;
And yet, knew nothing sure: thogh nought could fall
In compasse of all thoughts, to make her doubt.
Minerua, that distraction strooke throughout
Her minds rapt forces; that she might not tell.
Vlysses, noting yet her aptnesse well;
With one hand tooke her chin; and made all shew
Of fauour to her: with the other, drew
Her offer'd parting closer: Askt her why,
She, whose kinde breast had nurst so tenderly
His infant life; would now, his age destroy?
Though twenty yeares had held him from the ioy
Of his lou'd country. But, since onely she,
(God putting her in minde) now knew, 'twas he,
He charg'd her silence; and to let no eare
In all the Court more, know his being there:
Lest, if God gaue into his wreakfull hand
Th' insulting wooers liues: he did not stand
On any partiall respect with her,
Because his Nurse; and to the rest prefer
Her safety therefore; But when they should feele
His punishing finger, giue her equall steele.
And yet, knew nothing sure: thogh nought could fall
In compasse of all thoughts, to make her doubt.
Minerua, that distraction strooke throughout
Her minds rapt forces; that she might not tell.
Vlysses, noting yet her aptnesse well;
With one hand tooke her chin; and made all shew
Of fauour to her: with the other, drew
Her offer'd parting closer: Askt her why,
She, whose kinde breast had nurst so tenderly
His infant life; would now, his age destroy?
Though twenty yeares had held him from the ioy
Of his lou'd country. But, since onely she,
(God putting her in minde) now knew, 'twas he,
He charg'd her silence; and to let no eare
In all the Court more, know his being there:
Lest, if God gaue into his wreakfull hand
Th' insulting wooers liues: he did not stand
On any partiall respect with her,
Because his Nurse; and to the rest prefer
Her safety therefore; But when they should feele
His punishing finger, giue her equall steele.
What words (said she) flye your retentiue pow'rs?
You know, you locke your counsailes in your Tow'rs
In my firme bosome: and, that I am farre
From those loose frailties. Like an Iron barre
Or bolt of solidst stone, I will containe:
And tell you this besides; That if you gaine
By Gods good aide, the wooers liues in yours;
VVhat Dames are heere their shamelesse Paramours,
And haue done most dishonor to your worth,
My information, well shall paint you forth.
You know, you locke your counsailes in your Tow'rs
In my firme bosome: and, that I am farre
From those loose frailties. Like an Iron barre
Or bolt of solidst stone, I will containe:
And tell you this besides; That if you gaine
By Gods good aide, the wooers liues in yours;
VVhat Dames are heere their shamelesse Paramours,
And haue done most dishonor to your worth,
My information, well shall paint you forth.
It shal not neede (saide he) my selfe will soone
(VVhile thus I maske heere) set on euery one
My sure obseruance of the worst, and best:
Be thou then silent, and leaue God the rest.
(VVhile thus I maske heere) set on euery one
My sure obseruance of the worst, and best:
Be thou then silent, and leaue God the rest.
This said, the old Dame, for more water went;
The rest was all vpon the Pauement spent,
By knowne Vlysses foot. More brought (and he
Supplied besides with sweetest Oyntments) she
His seate drew neere the fire, to keepe him warme:
And, with his peec't rags, hiding close his harme:
The Queene came neere, and said: Yet (guest) afford
Your further patience; till, but in a word
Ile tell my woes to you: For well I know,
That Rests sweet Houre, her soft foote orders now:
When all poore men, how much soeuer grieu'd,
VVould gladly get their wo-watcht pow'rs relieu'd.
But God hath giuen my griefe a heart so great,
It will not downe with rest. And so I set
My iudgement vp, to make it my delight.
All day I mourne; yet nothing let the right
I owe my charge, both in my worke and Maids;
And when the night brings rest to others aides,
I tosse my bed; Distresse with twenty points,
Slaught'ring the pow'rs that to my turning ioynts
Conuey the vitall heate. And as all night,
Pandareus daughter (poore Edone) sings,
Clad in the verdure of the yearly Springs;
VVhen she for Itylus, her loued Sonne
(By Zetus issue; in his madnesse, done
To cruell death) poures out her hourely mone,
And drawes the eares to her of euery one;
So flowes my mone, that cuts in two my minde,
And here and there, giues my discourse the winde;
Vncertain whether I shal with my Son,
Abide still heere, the safe possession
And guard of all goods: Reuerence to the bed
Of my lou'd Lord; and to my far-off spred
Fame with the people; putting still in vse;
Or follow any best Greeke I can chuse
To his fit house, with treasure infinite
VVon to his Nuptials. VVhile the infant plight
And want of iudgement kept my Son in guide;
He was not willing with my being a Bride,
Nor with my parting from his Court: But now
(Arriu'd at mans state) he would haue me vow
My loue to some one of my wooers heere,
And leaue his Court; offended that their cheere
Should so consume his free possessions.
To settle then a choice in these my mones,
Heare and expound a dreame, that did engraue
My sleeping fancy. Twenty Geese, I haue;
All which, me thought, mine eye saw tasting wheate
In water steep't, and ioy'd to see them eate.
VVhen straight, a crooke-beak't Eagle, from a hill,
Stoop't, and trust all their neckes, and all did kill;
VVhen (all left scatter'd on the Pauement there)
She tooke her wing vp, to the Gods faire sphere:
I, euen amid my Dreame, did weepe and mourne,
To see the Eagle, with so shrew'd a turne,
Stoope my sad turrets; when, me thought there came
About my mournings, many a Grecian Dame
To cheere my sorrowes; in whose most extreame
The Hawke came back, and on the prominent beame
That crost my Chamber, fell; and vs'd to me
A humane voice, that sounded horribly;
And saide; Be confident, Icarius seed;
This is no dreame, but what shall chance indeed.
The Geese, the wooers are: the Eagle, I,
VVas heeretofore a Fowle: but now imply
Thy husbands Beeing; and am come to giue
The wooers death, that on my Treasure, liue.
With this, Sleepe left me; and my waking way
I tooke to try, if any violent prey
Were made of those my Fowles; which, well enough
I (as before) found feeding at their Trough,
Their yoted wheate. O woman (he replide)
Thy dreame can no interpretation bide,
But what the Eagle made, who was your Lord;
And saide, himselfe would sure effect afford
To what he told you; that confusion
To all the wooers should appeare; and none
Escape the Fate, and death, he had decreed.
The rest was all vpon the Pauement spent,
By knowne Vlysses foot. More brought (and he
Supplied besides with sweetest Oyntments) she
His seate drew neere the fire, to keepe him warme:
And, with his peec't rags, hiding close his harme:
304
Your further patience; till, but in a word
Ile tell my woes to you: For well I know,
That Rests sweet Houre, her soft foote orders now:
When all poore men, how much soeuer grieu'd,
VVould gladly get their wo-watcht pow'rs relieu'd.
But God hath giuen my griefe a heart so great,
It will not downe with rest. And so I set
My iudgement vp, to make it my delight.
All day I mourne; yet nothing let the right
I owe my charge, both in my worke and Maids;
And when the night brings rest to others aides,
I tosse my bed; Distresse with twenty points,
Slaught'ring the pow'rs that to my turning ioynts
Conuey the vitall heate. And as all night,
Pandareus daughter (poore Edone) sings,
Clad in the verdure of the yearly Springs;
VVhen she for Itylus, her loued Sonne
(By Zetus issue; in his madnesse, done
To cruell death) poures out her hourely mone,
And drawes the eares to her of euery one;
So flowes my mone, that cuts in two my minde,
And here and there, giues my discourse the winde;
Vncertain whether I shal with my Son,
Abide still heere, the safe possession
And guard of all goods: Reuerence to the bed
Of my lou'd Lord; and to my far-off spred
Fame with the people; putting still in vse;
Or follow any best Greeke I can chuse
To his fit house, with treasure infinite
VVon to his Nuptials. VVhile the infant plight
And want of iudgement kept my Son in guide;
He was not willing with my being a Bride,
Nor with my parting from his Court: But now
(Arriu'd at mans state) he would haue me vow
My loue to some one of my wooers heere,
And leaue his Court; offended that their cheere
Should so consume his free possessions.
To settle then a choice in these my mones,
Heare and expound a dreame, that did engraue
My sleeping fancy. Twenty Geese, I haue;
All which, me thought, mine eye saw tasting wheate
In water steep't, and ioy'd to see them eate.
VVhen straight, a crooke-beak't Eagle, from a hill,
Stoop't, and trust all their neckes, and all did kill;
VVhen (all left scatter'd on the Pauement there)
She tooke her wing vp, to the Gods faire sphere:
I, euen amid my Dreame, did weepe and mourne,
305
Stoope my sad turrets; when, me thought there came
About my mournings, many a Grecian Dame
To cheere my sorrowes; in whose most extreame
The Hawke came back, and on the prominent beame
That crost my Chamber, fell; and vs'd to me
A humane voice, that sounded horribly;
And saide; Be confident, Icarius seed;
This is no dreame, but what shall chance indeed.
The Geese, the wooers are: the Eagle, I,
VVas heeretofore a Fowle: but now imply
Thy husbands Beeing; and am come to giue
The wooers death, that on my Treasure, liue.
With this, Sleepe left me; and my waking way
I tooke to try, if any violent prey
Were made of those my Fowles; which, well enough
I (as before) found feeding at their Trough,
Their yoted wheate. O woman (he replide)
Thy dreame can no interpretation bide,
But what the Eagle made, who was your Lord;
And saide, himselfe would sure effect afford
To what he told you; that confusion
To all the wooers should appeare; and none
Escape the Fate, and death, he had decreed.
She answer'd him: O Guest, these dreames exceede
The Art of man t'interpret; and appere
Without all choise, or forme; nor euer were
Perform'd to all at all parts. But there are
To these light Dreames, that like thin vapors fare,
Two two-leau'd gates; the one of Iuory;
The other, Horne. Those dreames that Fantasie
Takes from the polisht Iuory Port, delude
The Dreamer euer, and no truth include:
Those that the glittering Horn-gate, lets abrode,
Do euermore, some certaine truth abode.
But this my dreame, I hold of no such sort
To flye from thence; yet, which soeuer Port
It had accesse from, it did highly please
My Son, and me. And this, my thoughts professe;
That Day that lights me from Vlysses Court,
Shall both my infamy, and curse consort.
I therefore purpose to propose them now
In strong Contention, Vlysses Bow;
Which he that easly drawes; and from his draft,
Shoots through twelue Axes (as he did his shaft,
All set vp in a rowe; And from them all,
His stand-farre-off kept firme) my fortunes shall
Dispose; and take me to his house from hence,
VVhere I was wed, a Maide; in confluence
Of feast and riches: such a Court heere then,
As I shall euer in my dreames reteine.
The Art of man t'interpret; and appere
Without all choise, or forme; nor euer were
Perform'd to all at all parts. But there are
To these light Dreames, that like thin vapors fare,
Two two-leau'd gates; the one of Iuory;
The other, Horne. Those dreames that Fantasie
Takes from the polisht Iuory Port, delude
The Dreamer euer, and no truth include:
Those that the glittering Horn-gate, lets abrode,
Do euermore, some certaine truth abode.
But this my dreame, I hold of no such sort
To flye from thence; yet, which soeuer Port
It had accesse from, it did highly please
My Son, and me. And this, my thoughts professe;
That Day that lights me from Vlysses Court,
Shall both my infamy, and curse consort.
I therefore purpose to propose them now
In strong Contention, Vlysses Bow;
Which he that easly drawes; and from his draft,
Shoots through twelue Axes (as he did his shaft,
All set vp in a rowe; And from them all,
His stand-farre-off kept firme) my fortunes shall
Dispose; and take me to his house from hence,
306
Of feast and riches: such a Court heere then,
As I shall euer in my dreames reteine.
Do not (said he) deferre the gamefull prise,
But set to taske their importunities
With something else, then Nuptials: For your Lord
VVill to his Court and Kingdome be restor'd,
Before they thred those steeles, or draw his Bow.
But set to taske their importunities
With something else, then Nuptials: For your Lord
VVill to his Court and Kingdome be restor'd,
Before they thred those steeles, or draw his Bow.
O Guest (repli'de Penelope) would you
Thus sit, and please me with your speech; mine eares
VVould neuer let mine eye-lids close their Spheares;
But none can liue without the death of sleepe;
Th' Immortals, in our mortall memories keepe
Our ends, and deaths by sleepe; diuiding so,
(As by the Fate and portion of our wo)
Our times spent heere; to let vs nightly try,
That while we liue; as much as liue, we dye.
In which vse, I will to my bed ascend,
VVhich I bedeaw with teares, and sigh past end,
Through all my houres spent; since I lost my ioy,
For vile, lew'd, neuer-to-be-named Troy.
Yet there, Ile proue for sleepe, which take you here;
Or on the earth, if that your custome were;
Or haue a bed, dispos'd for warmer rest.
Thus left she with her Ladies, her old Guest:
Ascended her faire chamber, and her bed:
VVhose sight did euer duly make her shed
Teares for her Lord; which still her eyes did sleepe,
Till Pallas shut them with delightsome sleepe.
Thus sit, and please me with your speech; mine eares
VVould neuer let mine eye-lids close their Spheares;
But none can liue without the death of sleepe;
Th' Immortals, in our mortall memories keepe
Our ends, and deaths by sleepe; diuiding so,
(As by the Fate and portion of our wo)
Our times spent heere; to let vs nightly try,
That while we liue; as much as liue, we dye.
In which vse, I will to my bed ascend,
VVhich I bedeaw with teares, and sigh past end,
Through all my houres spent; since I lost my ioy,
For vile, lew'd, neuer-to-be-named Troy.
Yet there, Ile proue for sleepe, which take you here;
Or on the earth, if that your custome were;
Or haue a bed, dispos'd for warmer rest.
Thus left she with her Ladies, her old Guest:
Ascended her faire chamber, and her bed:
VVhose sight did euer duly make her shed
Teares for her Lord; which still her eyes did sleepe,
Till Pallas shut them with delightsome sleepe.
The End of the Nineteenth Booke of Homers Odysses.
307
THE TWENTITH BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Vlysses, in the Wooers Beds,Resoluing first, to kill the Maids;
That sentence giuing off; His care
For other Obiects doth prepare.
Another.
Ioues thunder chides;but cheers the king;
The Wooers prides
discomfiting.
Vlysses
in the Entry, laide his head,
And vader him, an Oxe-hide newly flead;
Aboue him Sheep fels store; & ouer those
Eurynome cast Mantles. His repose
VVould bring to sleepe yet; studying the ill
He wisht the wooers; who came by him still
VVith all their wenches; laughing, wantoning
In mutuall lightnesse, which his heart did sting;
Contending two wayes; if (all patience fled)
He should rush vp, and strike those Strumpets dead;
Or let that night be last, and take th' extreme
Of those proud wooers, that were so supreme
In pleasure of their high fed fantasies.
His heart did barke within him, to surprize
Their sports with spoiles: No fell shee Mastiue can
Amongst her whelpes, flye eagrer on a man
She doth not know; yet sents him something neare,
And faine would come to please her tooth and teare;
Then his disdaine, to see his Roofe so fil'de
VVith those fowle fashions: Grew within him wilde
To be in blood of them. But finding best
In his free iudgement, to let passion rest;
He chid his angry spirit, and beare his brest:
And said; Forbeare (my minde) and thinke on this:
There hath bene time, when bitter agonies
Haue tried thy patience: Call to minde the day,
In which the Cyclop, which past manly sway
Of violent strength, deuour'd thy friends, thou then
Stoodst firmely bold, till from that hellish den
Thy wisedom broght thee off; whē nought but death
Thy thoughts resolu'd on. This discourse did breath
The fiery boundings of his heart, that still
Lay in that æsture; without end, his ill
Yet manly suffering. But from side to side
It made him tosse apace: you haue not tride
A fellow roasting of a Pig before
A hasty fire, (his belly yeelding store
Of fat, and blood) turne faster: labour more
To haue it roast, and would not haue it burne;
Then this, and that way, his vnrest made turne
His thoughts, and body; would not quench the fire,
And yet, not haue it heighten his desire
Past his discretion; and the fit enough
Of hast, and speed; that went to all the proofe
His well-laid plots, and his exploits requir'd;
Since he, but one, to all their deaths aspir'd.
And vader him, an Oxe-hide newly flead;
Aboue him Sheep fels store; & ouer those
Eurynome cast Mantles. His repose
VVould bring to sleepe yet; studying the ill
He wisht the wooers; who came by him still
VVith all their wenches; laughing, wantoning
In mutuall lightnesse, which his heart did sting;
Contending two wayes; if (all patience fled)
He should rush vp, and strike those Strumpets dead;
Or let that night be last, and take th' extreme
Of those proud wooers, that were so supreme
In pleasure of their high fed fantasies.
His heart did barke within him, to surprize
Their sports with spoiles: No fell shee Mastiue can
Amongst her whelpes, flye eagrer on a man
She doth not know; yet sents him something neare,
And faine would come to please her tooth and teare;
Then his disdaine, to see his Roofe so fil'de
VVith those fowle fashions: Grew within him wilde
To be in blood of them. But finding best
In his free iudgement, to let passion rest;
He chid his angry spirit, and beare his brest:
And said; Forbeare (my minde) and thinke on this:
308
Haue tried thy patience: Call to minde the day,
In which the Cyclop, which past manly sway
Of violent strength, deuour'd thy friends, thou then
Stoodst firmely bold, till from that hellish den
Thy wisedom broght thee off; whē nought but death
Thy thoughts resolu'd on. This discourse did breath
The fiery boundings of his heart, that still
Lay in that æsture; without end, his ill
Yet manly suffering. But from side to side
It made him tosse apace: you haue not tride
A fellow roasting of a Pig before
A hasty fire, (his belly yeelding store
Of fat, and blood) turne faster: labour more
To haue it roast, and would not haue it burne;
Then this, and that way, his vnrest made turne
His thoughts, and body; would not quench the fire,
And yet, not haue it heighten his desire
Past his discretion; and the fit enough
Of hast, and speed; that went to all the proofe
His well-laid plots, and his exploits requir'd;
Since he, but one, to all their deaths aspir'd.
In this contention, Pallas stoop't from heauen;
Stood ouer him, and had her presence giuen
A womans forme; who sternly thus began:
Why thou most sowre, and wretched-fated man
Of all that breath! yet liest thou thus awake?
The house, in which thy cares so tosse and take
Thy quiet vp, is thine: thy wife is there;
And such a Son, as if thy wishes were
To be suffic'd with one; they could not mend.
Stood ouer him, and had her presence giuen
A womans forme; who sternly thus began:
Why thou most sowre, and wretched-fated man
Of all that breath! yet liest thou thus awake?
The house, in which thy cares so tosse and take
Thy quiet vp, is thine: thy wife is there;
And such a Son, as if thy wishes were
To be suffic'd with one; they could not mend.
Goddesse (said he) tis true; But I contend
To right their wrongs: and (though I bee but one)
To lay vnhelpt, and wreakfull hand vpon
This whole resort of impudents, that here
Their rude assemblies neuer will forbeare.
And yet a greater doubt imployes my care;
That if their slaughters, in my reaches are,
And I performe them; (Ioue and you not pleas'd)
How shall I flye their friends? & would stand seas'd
Of counsaile, to resolue this care in me.
To right their wrongs: and (though I bee but one)
To lay vnhelpt, and wreakfull hand vpon
This whole resort of impudents, that here
Their rude assemblies neuer will forbeare.
And yet a greater doubt imployes my care;
That if their slaughters, in my reaches are,
And I performe them; (Ioue and you not pleas'd)
How shall I flye their friends? & would stand seas'd
Of counsaile, to resolue this care in me.
Wretch (she replied) a friend of worse degree,
Might win thy credence: that a mortall were,
And vs'd to second thee; though nothing nere
So powerfull in performance, nor in care:
Yet I, a Goddesse, that haue still had share
In thy atchieuements, and thy persons guard,
Must still be doubted by thy Braine, so hard
To credit any thing aboue thy powre,
And that must come from heauen; if euery houre
There be not personall apparance made,
And aide direct giuen, that may sense inuade.
Ile tell thee therefore cleerely: If there were
Of diuers languag'd men, an Army here
Of fifty Companies; all driuing hence
Thy Sheepe and Oxen, and with violence
Offer'd to charge vs, and besiedge vs round;
Thou shouldst their prey reprize, & them confound.
Let sleepe then seize thee: To keepe watch all Night,
Consumes the spirits, and makes dull the sight.
Thus pour'd the Goddesse sleepe into his eyes,
And re-ascended the Olympian skies.
Might win thy credence: that a mortall were,
And vs'd to second thee; though nothing nere
So powerfull in performance, nor in care:
Yet I, a Goddesse, that haue still had share
In thy atchieuements, and thy persons guard,
Must still be doubted by thy Braine, so hard
309
And that must come from heauen; if euery houre
There be not personall apparance made,
And aide direct giuen, that may sense inuade.
Ile tell thee therefore cleerely: If there were
Of diuers languag'd men, an Army here
Of fifty Companies; all driuing hence
Thy Sheepe and Oxen, and with violence
Offer'd to charge vs, and besiedge vs round;
Thou shouldst their prey reprize, & them confound.
Let sleepe then seize thee: To keepe watch all Night,
Consumes the spirits, and makes dull the sight.
Thus pour'd the Goddesse sleepe into his eyes,
And re-ascended the Olympian skies.
VVhen care-and-lineament-resoluing sleepe,
Had laide his temples in his golden steepe;
His, wise-in-chast-wit-worthy-wife, did rise:
(First sitting vp in her soft bed) her eyes
Opened with teares, in care of her estate,
VVhich now, her friends resolu'd to terminate
To more delaies, and make her marry one.
Her silent teares (then ceast) her Orizon
This Queene of women to Diana made.
Had laide his temples in his golden steepe;
His, wise-in-chast-wit-worthy-wife, did rise:
(First sitting vp in her soft bed) her eyes
Opened with teares, in care of her estate,
VVhich now, her friends resolu'd to terminate
To more delaies, and make her marry one.
Her silent teares (then ceast) her Orizon
This Queene of women to Diana made.
Reuerend Diana; let thy Darts inuade
My wofull bosome, and my life depriue,
Now at this instant; or soone after driue
My soule with Tempests forth, and giue it way
To those farre-off darke Vaults, where neuer day
Hath powre to shine; and let them cast it downe
Where refluent Oceanus doth crowne
His curled head; where Pluto's Orchard is,
And entrance to our after miseries.
As such sterne whirlewinds, rauisht to that streame,
Pandareus daughters, when the Gods to them
Had reft their parents; and them left alone
(Poore orphan children) in their Mansion.
VVhose desolate life, did loues sweet Queene incline
To nurse with pressed Milke, and sweetest wine;
VVhom Iuno deckt, beyond all other Dames
VVith wisedomes light, and beauties mouing flames:
VVhom Phæbe, goodlinesse of stature render'd,
And to whose faire hands, wise Minerua tender'd,
The Loome and Needle, in their vtmost skill.
And while Loues Empresse skal'd th' Olympian hill,
To beg of Lightning-louing Ioue (since hee
The meanes to all things knowes; and doth decree
Fortunes, infortunes, to the mortall Race)
For those poore virgins, the accomplisht grace
Of sweetest Nuptials: The fierce Harpyes prey'd
On euery good, & miserable Maid;
And to the hatefull Furies, gaue them all
In horrid seruice. Yet, may such Fate fall
From steepe Olympus, on my loathed head;
Or faire-chair'd Phœbe, strike me instant dead:
That I may vndergo the gloomy Shore,
To visit great Vlysses soule; before
I sooth my idle blood, and wed a wurse.
And yet, beneath how desperate a curse
Do I liue now? It is an ill, that may
Be well indur'd, to mourne the whole long day;
So nights sweete sleepes (that make a man forget
Both bad, and good) in some degree would let
My thoughts leaue greeuing. But, both day and night,
Some cruell God, giues my sad memory sight.
This night (me thought) Vlysses grac't my bed
In all the goodly state, with which he led
The Grecian Army: which gaue ioyes extreame
To my distresse, esteeming it no dreame,
But true indeed: and that conceite I had,
That when I saw it false, I might be mad.
Such cruell Fates, command in my lifes guide.
My wofull bosome, and my life depriue,
Now at this instant; or soone after driue
My soule with Tempests forth, and giue it way
To those farre-off darke Vaults, where neuer day
Hath powre to shine; and let them cast it downe
Where refluent Oceanus doth crowne
His curled head; where Pluto's Orchard is,
And entrance to our after miseries.
As such sterne whirlewinds, rauisht to that streame,
Pandareus daughters, when the Gods to them
Had reft their parents; and them left alone
(Poore orphan children) in their Mansion.
VVhose desolate life, did loues sweet Queene incline
To nurse with pressed Milke, and sweetest wine;
VVhom Iuno deckt, beyond all other Dames
VVith wisedomes light, and beauties mouing flames:
VVhom Phæbe, goodlinesse of stature render'd,
And to whose faire hands, wise Minerua tender'd,
The Loome and Needle, in their vtmost skill.
And while Loues Empresse skal'd th' Olympian hill,
To beg of Lightning-louing Ioue (since hee
The meanes to all things knowes; and doth decree
Fortunes, infortunes, to the mortall Race)
For those poore virgins, the accomplisht grace
310
On euery good, & miserable Maid;
And to the hatefull Furies, gaue them all
In horrid seruice. Yet, may such Fate fall
From steepe Olympus, on my loathed head;
Or faire-chair'd Phœbe, strike me instant dead:
That I may vndergo the gloomy Shore,
To visit great Vlysses soule; before
I sooth my idle blood, and wed a wurse.
And yet, beneath how desperate a curse
Do I liue now? It is an ill, that may
Be well indur'd, to mourne the whole long day;
So nights sweete sleepes (that make a man forget
Both bad, and good) in some degree would let
My thoughts leaue greeuing. But, both day and night,
Some cruell God, giues my sad memory sight.
This night (me thought) Vlysses grac't my bed
In all the goodly state, with which he led
The Grecian Army: which gaue ioyes extreame
To my distresse, esteeming it no dreame,
But true indeed: and that conceite I had,
That when I saw it false, I might be mad.
Such cruell Fates, command in my lifes guide.
By this, the mornings Orient, dewes had di'de
The earth in all her colours; when the King
In his sweet sleepe, suppos'd the sorrowing
That she vs'd waking in her plaintiffe bed
To be her mourning, standing by his head,
As hauing knowne him there. VVho straight arose,
And did againe within the Hall dispose
The Carpets and the Cushions, where before
They seru'd the seats. The Hide, without the dore
He carried backe; & then, with held vp hands,
He pray'd to him, that heauen & earth commands;
The earth in all her colours; when the King
In his sweet sleepe, suppos'd the sorrowing
That she vs'd waking in her plaintiffe bed
To be her mourning, standing by his head,
As hauing knowne him there. VVho straight arose,
And did againe within the Hall dispose
The Carpets and the Cushions, where before
They seru'd the seats. The Hide, without the dore
He carried backe; & then, with held vp hands,
He pray'd to him, that heauen & earth commands;
O Father Ioue; If through the moyst and dry
You (willing) brought me home; when misery
Had punisht me enough, by your free doomes;
Let some of these within those inner roomes,
(Startl'd with horror of some strange Ostent)
Come heere, & tell me, that great Ioue hath bent
Threatnings without, at some lewd men within.
You (willing) brought me home; when misery
Had punisht me enough, by your free doomes;
Let some of these within those inner roomes,
(Startl'd with horror of some strange Ostent)
Come heere, & tell me, that great Ioue hath bent
Threatnings without, at some lewd men within.
To this his pray'r, Ioue shooke his sable chin,
And thunder'd from those pure clouds that (aboue
The breathing aire) in bright Olympus moue.
Diuine Vlysses ioy'd, to heare it rore.
Report of which, a woman Miller bore
Straight to his eares; For neere to him, there ground
Milles for his Corne, that twice six women found
Continuall motion, grinding Barley meale,
And wheat (mans Marrow.) Sleepe the eies did seale
Of all the other women: hauing done
Their vsuall taske; which yet, this Dame alone
Had scarse giuen end to; being of al the rest,
Least fit for labour. But when these sounds, prest
Her eares, aboue the rumbling of her Mill:
She let that stand, look't out; and heauens steepe-hill
Saw cleere, and temperate; which made her vnware
Of giuing any comfort to his care,
In that strange signe he pray'd for) thus inuoke.
And thunder'd from those pure clouds that (aboue
The breathing aire) in bright Olympus moue.
Diuine Vlysses ioy'd, to heare it rore.
Report of which, a woman Miller bore
Straight to his eares; For neere to him, there ground
Milles for his Corne, that twice six women found
311
And wheat (mans Marrow.) Sleepe the eies did seale
Of all the other women: hauing done
Their vsuall taske; which yet, this Dame alone
Had scarse giuen end to; being of al the rest,
Least fit for labour. But when these sounds, prest
Her eares, aboue the rumbling of her Mill:
She let that stand, look't out; and heauens steepe-hill
Saw cleere, and temperate; which made her vnware
Of giuing any comfort to his care,
In that strange signe he pray'd for) thus inuoke.
O King of men, and Gods; a mighty stroke
Thy thundring hand laide, on the cope of starres;
No cloud in all the aire; and therefore warres
Thou bidst to some men, in thy sure Ostent:
Performe to me (poore wretch) the maine euent,
And make this day, the last, and most extream,
In which the wooers pride shall solace them
With whoorish Banquets in Vlysses Roofe:
That, with sad toyle, to grinde them meale enough,
Haue quite dissolu'd my knees: vouchsafe then, now
Thy thunders may their latest Feast foreshow.
Thy thundring hand laide, on the cope of starres;
No cloud in all the aire; and therefore warres
Thou bidst to some men, in thy sure Ostent:
Performe to me (poore wretch) the maine euent,
And make this day, the last, and most extream,
In which the wooers pride shall solace them
With whoorish Banquets in Vlysses Roofe:
That, with sad toyle, to grinde them meale enough,
Haue quite dissolu'd my knees: vouchsafe then, now
Thy thunders may their latest Feast foreshow.
This was the Boone, Vlysses begg'd of Ioue;
VVhich (with his Thunder) through his bosom droue
A ioy, that this vant breath'd: Why now these men
(Despite their pride) will Ioue make, pay me paine.
VVhich (with his Thunder) through his bosom droue
A ioy, that this vant breath'd: Why now these men
(Despite their pride) will Ioue make, pay me paine.
By this, had other Maids then those that lay,
Mixt with the wooers; made a fire like day,
Amidst the harth of the illustrious Hall:
And then the Prince, like a Celestiall
Rose from his bed; to his embalm'd feete, tied
Faire shooes: his sword about his breast applied;
Tooke to his hand his sharp-pil'd Lance, and met
Amidst the Entry, his old Nurse, that set
His hast, at sodaine stand; To whom he said:
Mixt with the wooers; made a fire like day,
Amidst the harth of the illustrious Hall:
And then the Prince, like a Celestiall
Rose from his bed; to his embalm'd feete, tied
Faire shooes: his sword about his breast applied;
Tooke to his hand his sharp-pil'd Lance, and met
Amidst the Entry, his old Nurse, that set
His hast, at sodaine stand; To whom he said:
O (my lou'd Nurse) with what grace haue you laid
And fed my guest heere? Could you so neglect
His age, to lodge him thus? Though all respect
I giue my Mothers wisedome, I must yet
Affirme, it fail'd in this: For she hath set
At much more price, a man of much lesse worth,
Without his persons note; and yet casts forth
With ignominious hands (for his Forme sake)
A man much better. Do not faulty make
(Good Son) the faultlesse. He was giuen his seat
Close to her side; and food, till he would eat.
VVine til his wish was seru'd: For she requir'd
His wants, and will'd him all things he desir'd.
Commanded her chiefe Maides to make his bed;
But he (as one whom sorrow onely fed
And all infortune) would not take his rest
In bed, and couerings, fit for any Guest;
But in the Entry, on an Oxes hide,
Neuer at Tanners; his old Limbes implide
In warme Sheep-fels; yet ouer all, we cast
A mantle, fitting, for a man more grac'st.
And fed my guest heere? Could you so neglect
His age, to lodge him thus? Though all respect
I giue my Mothers wisedome, I must yet
Affirme, it fail'd in this: For she hath set
At much more price, a man of much lesse worth,
Without his persons note; and yet casts forth
With ignominious hands (for his Forme sake)
A man much better. Do not faulty make
(Good Son) the faultlesse. He was giuen his seat
Close to her side; and food, till he would eat.
VVine til his wish was seru'd: For she requir'd
His wants, and will'd him all things he desir'd.
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But he (as one whom sorrow onely fed
And all infortune) would not take his rest
In bed, and couerings, fit for any Guest;
But in the Entry, on an Oxes hide,
Neuer at Tanners; his old Limbes implide
In warme Sheep-fels; yet ouer all, we cast
A mantle, fitting, for a man more grac'st.
He tooke her answere: Left the house, and went
(Attended with his dogges) to sift th' euent
Of priuate Plots, betwixt him and his Sire
In commune counsaile. Then the crue entire
Of al the houshold Maids, (Euryclea) bad
Bestir them through the house; and see it clad
In all best Forme: gaue all their parts; and one
She set to furnish euery seate and Throne
VVith Needle-workes, and purple clothes of State;
Another set to scoure and cleanse the Plate:
Another, all the Tables to make proud
VVith porous Sponges: Others, she bestow'd
In all speed to the Spring, to fetch from thence
Fit store of water; all, at all expence
Of paines, she will'd to be: For this, to all
Should be a day of commune Festiuall;
And not a wooer now should seeke his home,
Else where then there; But all were bid to come
Exceeding early; and be rais'd to heauen,
With all the entertainment could be geuen.
(Attended with his dogges) to sift th' euent
Of priuate Plots, betwixt him and his Sire
In commune counsaile. Then the crue entire
Of al the houshold Maids, (Euryclea) bad
Bestir them through the house; and see it clad
In all best Forme: gaue all their parts; and one
She set to furnish euery seate and Throne
VVith Needle-workes, and purple clothes of State;
Another set to scoure and cleanse the Plate:
Another, all the Tables to make proud
VVith porous Sponges: Others, she bestow'd
In all speed to the Spring, to fetch from thence
Fit store of water; all, at all expence
Of paines, she will'd to be: For this, to all
Should be a day of commune Festiuall;
And not a wooer now should seeke his home,
Else where then there; But all were bid to come
Exceeding early; and be rais'd to heauen,
With all the entertainment could be geuen.
They heard with greedy eares; and euery thing
Put straight in practise: Twenty to the Spring
Made speed for water; Many in the house
Tooke paines; and all, were both laborious
And skill'd in labour. Many fell to Fell
And cleaue their wood: & all did more then well.
Put straight in practise: Twenty to the Spring
Made speed for water; Many in the house
Tooke paines; and all, were both laborious
And skill'd in labour. Many fell to Fell
And cleaue their wood: & all did more then well.
Then troop't the lusty wooers in; and then
Came all from Spring. At their heeles, loaded men
VVith slaughter'd Brawnes: of all the Herd, the prize,
That had bene long fed vp in seuerall Sties.
Eumæus, and his men, conuei'd them there.
He (seeing now the King) began to chere,
And thus saluted him: How now, my Guest?
Haue yet your vertues found more interest
In these great wooers good respects? Or still
Pursue they you, with all their wonted ill?
Came all from Spring. At their heeles, loaded men
VVith slaughter'd Brawnes: of all the Herd, the prize,
That had bene long fed vp in seuerall Sties.
Eumæus, and his men, conuei'd them there.
He (seeing now the King) began to chere,
And thus saluted him: How now, my Guest?
Haue yet your vertues found more interest
In these great wooers good respects? Or still
Pursue they you, with all their wonted ill?
I would to heauen, Eumæus (he replide)
The Deities once would take in hand their pride;
That such vnseemly fashions put in frame
In others Roofes, as shew no sparke of shame.
The Deities once would take in hand their pride;
That such vnseemly fashions put in frame
In others Roofes, as shew no sparke of shame.
313
Thus these; and to these came Molanthius,
Great guardian of the most egregious
Rich wooers Herds, consisting all of Goats:
VVhich he, with two more draue, & made their coats
The sounding Forticos of that faire Court.
Melanthius (seeing the King) this former sort
Of vpland Language gaue: VVhat? still stay heere?
And dull these wooers with thy wretched cheere?
Not gone for euer, yet? why now I see
This strife of cuffes betwixt the beggery,
(That yesterday assaid, to get thee gone)
And thy more roguery, needs wil fall vpon
My hands to arbitrate. Thou wilt not hence
Till I set on thee: thy ragg'd impudence
Is so fast footed. Are there not beside
Other great Banquetants, but you must ride
At anchor stil with vs? He nothing said,
But thought of ill enough, and shooke his head.
Great guardian of the most egregious
Rich wooers Herds, consisting all of Goats:
VVhich he, with two more draue, & made their coats
The sounding Forticos of that faire Court.
Melanthius (seeing the King) this former sort
Of vpland Language gaue: VVhat? still stay heere?
And dull these wooers with thy wretched cheere?
Not gone for euer, yet? why now I see
This strife of cuffes betwixt the beggery,
(That yesterday assaid, to get thee gone)
And thy more roguery, needs wil fall vpon
My hands to arbitrate. Thou wilt not hence
Till I set on thee: thy ragg'd impudence
Is so fast footed. Are there not beside
Other great Banquetants, but you must ride
At anchor stil with vs? He nothing said,
But thought of ill enough, and shooke his head.
Then came Philætius (a chiefe of men)
That to the wooers all-deuouring den
A barren Stere draue, and fat Goats, for they
In custome were, with Traffiquers by sea,
That who they would sent; and had vtterance there.
And for these likewise, the faire Porches were
Hurdles, and Sheep-pens, as in any Faire.
Philætius tooke note in his repaire,
Of seene Vlysses; being a man as well
Giuen to his minds vse as to buy & sell;
Or do the drudgery that the blood desir'd;
And (standing neere Eumæus) this enquir'd.
VVhat Guest is this, that makes our house of late
His entertainer? whence claimes he the state
His birth in this life holds? what Nation?
VVhat race? what country stands his speech vpon?
Ore hardly portion'd, by the terrible Fates.
The structure of his Lineaments relates
A Kings resemblance in his pompe of reigne
Euen thus, in these rags. But poore erring men
That haue no firme homes; but range here and there
As Need compels, God keepes in this earths sphere,
As vnder water: and this tune he sings,
VVhen he is spinning euen the cares of Kings.
That to the wooers all-deuouring den
A barren Stere draue, and fat Goats, for they
In custome were, with Traffiquers by sea,
That who they would sent; and had vtterance there.
And for these likewise, the faire Porches were
Hurdles, and Sheep-pens, as in any Faire.
Philætius tooke note in his repaire,
Of seene Vlysses; being a man as well
Giuen to his minds vse as to buy & sell;
Or do the drudgery that the blood desir'd;
And (standing neere Eumæus) this enquir'd.
VVhat Guest is this, that makes our house of late
His entertainer? whence claimes he the state
His birth in this life holds? what Nation?
VVhat race? what country stands his speech vpon?
Ore hardly portion'd, by the terrible Fates.
The structure of his Lineaments relates
A Kings resemblance in his pompe of reigne
Euen thus, in these rags. But poore erring men
That haue no firme homes; but range here and there
As Need compels, God keepes in this earths sphere,
As vnder water: and this tune he sings,
VVhen he is spinning euen the cares of Kings.
Thus comming to him; with a kinde of feare
He tooke his hand; and touch't exceeding neare
VVith meere imagination of his worth)
This salutation he sent lowdly forth.
He tooke his hand; and touch't exceeding neare
VVith meere imagination of his worth)
This salutation he sent lowdly forth.
Health! Father stranger; in another world
Be rich and happy: though thou here art hurld
At feete of neuer such insulting Neede.
O Ioue, there liues no one God of thy seede
More ill to man, then thou. Thou tak'st no ruth
(VVhen thou thy selfe got him, in most truth:)
To wrap him in the straites of most distresse,
And in the curse of others wickednesse.
My browes haue swet to see it; and mine eyes
Broke all in teares; when this being still the guise
Of worthiest men, I haue but onely thought,
That downe to these ils, was Vlysses wrought;
And that (thus clad) euen he is error driuen,
If yet he liues, and sees the light of heauen.
But, if now dead, and in the house of hell,
O me! O good Vlysses! That my weale
Did euer wish: and when, but halfe a man
Amongst the people Cephalenian;
His bounty, to his Oxens charge preferr'd
One in that youth: which now, is growne a Herd
Vnspeakeable for number; and feede there
With their broad heads, as thicke, as of his eare
A Field of Corne is to a man: yet these,
Some men aduise me, that this noted prease
Of wooers may deuoure; and wish me driue
Vp to their Feasts with them; that neither giue
His Son respect, though in his owne free roofe;
Nor haue the wit to feare th' infallible proofe
Of heauenly vengeance: but make offer now
The long-lack't Kings possessions to bestow
In their selfe shares. Me thinkes, the minde in me
Doth turne as fast; as (in a stood, or Sea)
A raging whirlepit doth; to gather in
To fishy death, those swimmers in their sin.
Or feeds a motion as circulare
To driue my Herds away. But while the Son
Beares vp with life, t'were hainous wrong to ron
To other people with them; and to trust
Men of another earth: and yet more iust
It were to venture their Lawes; the maine right
Made stil their Maisters; then at home lose quite
Their right, and them; and sit and greeue to see
The wrong authoriz'd by their gluttonie.
And I had long since fled, and tried th' euent
VVith other proud Kings (since, more insolent
These are, then can be borne,) But that, euen stil
I had a hope, that this (though borne to ill)
VVould one day come from some coast, & their last
In his roofes strew, with ruines red, and vast.
Be rich and happy: though thou here art hurld
314
O Ioue, there liues no one God of thy seede
More ill to man, then thou. Thou tak'st no ruth
(VVhen thou thy selfe got him, in most truth:)
To wrap him in the straites of most distresse,
And in the curse of others wickednesse.
My browes haue swet to see it; and mine eyes
Broke all in teares; when this being still the guise
Of worthiest men, I haue but onely thought,
That downe to these ils, was Vlysses wrought;
And that (thus clad) euen he is error driuen,
If yet he liues, and sees the light of heauen.
But, if now dead, and in the house of hell,
O me! O good Vlysses! That my weale
Did euer wish: and when, but halfe a man
Amongst the people Cephalenian;
His bounty, to his Oxens charge preferr'd
One in that youth: which now, is growne a Herd
Vnspeakeable for number; and feede there
With their broad heads, as thicke, as of his eare
A Field of Corne is to a man: yet these,
Some men aduise me, that this noted prease
Of wooers may deuoure; and wish me driue
Vp to their Feasts with them; that neither giue
His Son respect, though in his owne free roofe;
Nor haue the wit to feare th' infallible proofe
Of heauenly vengeance: but make offer now
The long-lack't Kings possessions to bestow
In their selfe shares. Me thinkes, the minde in me
Doth turne as fast; as (in a stood, or Sea)
A raging whirlepit doth; to gather in
To fishy death, those swimmers in their sin.
Or feeds a motion as circulare
To driue my Herds away. But while the Son
Beares vp with life, t'were hainous wrong to ron
To other people with them; and to trust
Men of another earth: and yet more iust
It were to venture their Lawes; the maine right
Made stil their Maisters; then at home lose quite
Their right, and them; and sit and greeue to see
The wrong authoriz'd by their gluttonie.
And I had long since fled, and tried th' euent
VVith other proud Kings (since, more insolent
These are, then can be borne,) But that, euen stil
I had a hope, that this (though borne to ill)
VVould one day come from some coast, & their last
In his roofes strew, with ruines red, and vast.
Herdsman (said he) because thou art in show,
Nor lewd, nor indiscreete; and that I know
There rules in thee an vnderstanding soule,
Il'e take an oath, that in thee shall controule
All doubt of what I sweare: be witnesse, Ioue,
That swai'st the first Seate, of the thron'd aboue;
This hospitable Table; and this house;
That still holds title for the strenuous
Sonne of Laertes; that (if so you please)
Your eyes shall witnesse, Laertiades
Arriu'd at home; and all these men that raigne
In such excesses heere; shall heere lye slaine.
315
There rules in thee an vnderstanding soule,
Il'e take an oath, that in thee shall controule
All doubt of what I sweare: be witnesse, Ioue,
That swai'st the first Seate, of the thron'd aboue;
This hospitable Table; and this house;
That still holds title for the strenuous
Sonne of Laertes; that (if so you please)
Your eyes shall witnesse, Laertiades
Arriu'd at home; and all these men that raigne
In such excesses heere; shall heere lye slaine.
He answer'd: Stranger I would iust Ioue wold signe
What you haue sworne: in your eyes beams should shine
What powers I mannage; and how these my hands,
VVould rise and follow, where he first commands.
What you haue sworne: in your eyes beams should shine
What powers I mannage; and how these my hands,
VVould rise and follow, where he first commands.
So said Eumæus: praying all the Sky
That wise Vlysses might arriue and trie.
That wise Vlysses might arriue and trie.
Thus while they vow'd: the wooers sat as hard
On his Sons death: but had their counsels skar'd;
For on their left hand, did an Eaglefore;
And in her seres, a fearefull Pigeon bore;
VVhich seene; Amphinomus presa'gd: O friends,
Our Counsailes neuer will receiue their ends
In this mans slaughter: let vs therefore plie,
Our bloody feast, and make his Oxen die.
On his Sons death: but had their counsels skar'd;
For on their left hand, did an Eaglefore;
And in her seres, a fearefull Pigeon bore;
VVhich seene; Amphinomus presa'gd: O friends,
Our Counsailes neuer will receiue their ends
In this mans slaughter: let vs therefore plie,
Our bloody feast, and make his Oxen die.
Thus came they in; cast off on seates, their cloakes;
And fell to giuing sacrificing strokes
Of Sheepe and Goates; the cheefely fat, and great;
Slew fed vp Swine, and from the Heard, a Neate.
And fell to giuing sacrificing strokes
Of Sheepe and Goates; the cheefely fat, and great;
Slew fed vp Swine, and from the Heard, a Neate.
The inwards (roasted,) they disposd'e betwixt
Their then obseruers; wine in Flaggons mixt.
Their then obseruers; wine in Flaggons mixt.
The bolles Eumæus brought; Philætius, bread;
Melanthus fill'd the wine. Thus dranke and fed
The feastfull wooers. Then the Prince (in grace
Of his close proiect) did his Father place
Amids the paued Entrie; in a Seate
Seemelesse, and abiect: a small boord and meate
Of th' onely inwards. In a cup of gold
Yet sent him wine; and bad him now drinke bolde;
All his approches, he himselfe would free
Gainst all the wooers: Since he would not see
His Court made populare: but that his Sire
Built it to his vse. Therefore all the fire
Blowne in the wooers spleenes, he bad suppresse;
And that in hands, nor words they should digresse
From that set peace, his speech did then proclaime.
They bit their lips, and wondred at his aime
In that braue Language: when Antinous saide;
Though this speech (Grecians) be a meere vpbraide;
Yet this time giue it passe: The will of Ioue
Forbids the violence of our hands, to moue;
But of our tongues, we keepe the motion free:
And therefore, if his further iollity
Tempt our encounter with his Braues, let's checke
His growing insolence: though pride to speake,
Fly passing high with him. The wise Prince made
No more spring of his speech, but let it fade.
Melanthus fill'd the wine. Thus dranke and fed
The feastfull wooers. Then the Prince (in grace
Of his close proiect) did his Father place
Amids the paued Entrie; in a Seate
Seemelesse, and abiect: a small boord and meate
Of th' onely inwards. In a cup of gold
Yet sent him wine; and bad him now drinke bolde;
All his approches, he himselfe would free
Gainst all the wooers: Since he would not see
His Court made populare: but that his Sire
Built it to his vse. Therefore all the fire
Blowne in the wooers spleenes, he bad suppresse;
And that in hands, nor words they should digresse
From that set peace, his speech did then proclaime.
They bit their lips, and wondred at his aime
In that braue Language: when Antinous saide;
316
Yet this time giue it passe: The will of Ioue
Forbids the violence of our hands, to moue;
But of our tongues, we keepe the motion free:
And therefore, if his further iollity
Tempt our encounter with his Braues, let's checke
His growing insolence: though pride to speake,
Fly passing high with him. The wise Prince made
No more spring of his speech, but let it fade.
And now the Heralds bore about the Towne
The sacred Hecatombe: to whose renowne
The faire-haird Greekes assembl'd; and beneath
Apollo's shady wood; the holy death
They put to fire; which (made enough) they drew;
Diuided all, that did in th' end accrew
To glorious satisfaction. Those that were
Disposers of the Feast, did equall cheere
Bestow on wretched Laertiades,
With all the wooers soules: It so did please
Telemachus to charge them: And, for these
Minerua would not see the malices
The wooers bore; too much contain'd that so
Vlysses mou'd heart, yet might higher, flow
In wreakfull anguish. There was wooing there
(Amongst the rest) a Gallant, that did beare
The name of one well learn'd, in iests prophane;
His name Ctesippus, borne a Samiane:
Who proud, because his Father was so rich,
Had so much confidence, as did bewitch
His heart with hope, to wed Vlysses wife;
And this man said: Heare me, my Lords, in strife
For this great widdow: This her guest did share
Euen feast with vs, with very comely care
Of him that order'd it: For tis not good
Nor equall, to depriue Gustes of their food;
And specially, what euer guest makes way
To that house where Telemachus doth sway.
And therefore, I will adde to his receipt,
A gift of very hospitable weight,
VVhich he may giue againe, to any Maide
That bath's his graue feete; and her paines see paide;
Or any seruant else, that the diuine
Vlysses lofty Battlements confine.
The sacred Hecatombe: to whose renowne
The faire-haird Greekes assembl'd; and beneath
Apollo's shady wood; the holy death
They put to fire; which (made enough) they drew;
Diuided all, that did in th' end accrew
To glorious satisfaction. Those that were
Disposers of the Feast, did equall cheere
Bestow on wretched Laertiades,
With all the wooers soules: It so did please
Telemachus to charge them: And, for these
Minerua would not see the malices
The wooers bore; too much contain'd that so
Vlysses mou'd heart, yet might higher, flow
In wreakfull anguish. There was wooing there
(Amongst the rest) a Gallant, that did beare
The name of one well learn'd, in iests prophane;
His name Ctesippus, borne a Samiane:
Who proud, because his Father was so rich,
Had so much confidence, as did bewitch
His heart with hope, to wed Vlysses wife;
And this man said: Heare me, my Lords, in strife
For this great widdow: This her guest did share
Euen feast with vs, with very comely care
Of him that order'd it: For tis not good
Nor equall, to depriue Gustes of their food;
And specially, what euer guest makes way
To that house where Telemachus doth sway.
And therefore, I will adde to his receipt,
A gift of very hospitable weight,
VVhich he may giue againe, to any Maide
That bath's his graue feete; and her paines see paide;
Or any seruant else, that the diuine
Vlysses lofty Battlements confine.
Thus snatcht he with a valiant hand, from out
The poore folkes commune basket a Neat, foot.
And threw it at Vlysses: who, his head,
Shrunke quietly aside; and let it shed
His malice on the wall. The suffering man
A laughter raising, most Sardinian
VVith scorne, and wrath mixt, at the Samian.
VVhom thus the Prince reprou'd; Your valour wan
Much grace Ctesippus; and hath eas'd your minde
VVith mighty profit: yet you see it finde
No marke it aim'd at; the poore strangers part
Himselfe made good enough, to scape your Dart.
But should I serue thee worthily, my Lance
Should strike thy heart through, & (in place t'aduance
Thy selfe in Nuptials with his wealth) thy Sire
Should make thy toomb heere; that the foolish fire
Of all such valors, may not dare to show
These foule indecencies to me. I now
Haue yeares to vnderstand my strength, and know
The good and bad of things; and am no more
At your large sufferance, to behold my store
Consum'd with patience: See my Cattell slaine,
My wine exhausted; and my Bread, in vaine
Spent on your license: For, to one then yong,
So many enemies were match too strong.
But let me neuer more, be witnesse to
Your hostile minds; Nor those base deeds ye do:
For, should ye kill me, in my offred wreake,
I wish it rather; and my death would speake
Much more good of me, then to liue and see,
Indignity, vpon indignity:
My Guests prouok't with bitter words and blowes;
My women seruants, dragg'd about my house
To lust, and rapture. This made silence seize
The house throughout; till Damastorides
At length the calme brake: and said; Friend, forbeare
To giue a iust speech a disdainfull eare:
The Guest no more touch, nor no seruant here.
My selfe, will to the Prince and Queene commend
A motion gratefull, if they please to lend
Gratefull receite: as long as any hope
Left wise Vlysses any passage ope
To his returne in our conceits; so long
The Queenes delayes to our demands stood strong
In cause, and reason; and our quarrels thus
With guests; the Queene, or her Telemachus;
Set neuer foote amongst our liberall Feast;
For should the King returne, though thought deceast,
It had bene gaine to vs, in finding him,
To lose his wife: But now, since nothing dim
The daies breakes out, that shewes he neuer more
Shall reach the deere touch of his countrey shore,
Sit by your Mother, in perswasion,
That now it stands her honor much vpon
To choose the best of vs, and who giues most,
To go with him home. For so, all things lost
In sticking on our haunt so; you shall cleere
Recouer, in our no more concourse here:
Possesse your birth-right wholly; eate and drinke;
And neuer more on our disgraces thinke.
The poore folkes commune basket a Neat, foot.
And threw it at Vlysses: who, his head,
Shrunke quietly aside; and let it shed
His malice on the wall. The suffering man
317
VVith scorne, and wrath mixt, at the Samian.
VVhom thus the Prince reprou'd; Your valour wan
Much grace Ctesippus; and hath eas'd your minde
VVith mighty profit: yet you see it finde
No marke it aim'd at; the poore strangers part
Himselfe made good enough, to scape your Dart.
But should I serue thee worthily, my Lance
Should strike thy heart through, & (in place t'aduance
Thy selfe in Nuptials with his wealth) thy Sire
Should make thy toomb heere; that the foolish fire
Of all such valors, may not dare to show
These foule indecencies to me. I now
Haue yeares to vnderstand my strength, and know
The good and bad of things; and am no more
At your large sufferance, to behold my store
Consum'd with patience: See my Cattell slaine,
My wine exhausted; and my Bread, in vaine
Spent on your license: For, to one then yong,
So many enemies were match too strong.
But let me neuer more, be witnesse to
Your hostile minds; Nor those base deeds ye do:
For, should ye kill me, in my offred wreake,
I wish it rather; and my death would speake
Much more good of me, then to liue and see,
Indignity, vpon indignity:
My Guests prouok't with bitter words and blowes;
My women seruants, dragg'd about my house
To lust, and rapture. This made silence seize
The house throughout; till Damastorides
At length the calme brake: and said; Friend, forbeare
To giue a iust speech a disdainfull eare:
The Guest no more touch, nor no seruant here.
My selfe, will to the Prince and Queene commend
A motion gratefull, if they please to lend
Gratefull receite: as long as any hope
Left wise Vlysses any passage ope
To his returne in our conceits; so long
The Queenes delayes to our demands stood strong
In cause, and reason; and our quarrels thus
With guests; the Queene, or her Telemachus;
Set neuer foote amongst our liberall Feast;
For should the King returne, though thought deceast,
It had bene gaine to vs, in finding him,
To lose his wife: But now, since nothing dim
The daies breakes out, that shewes he neuer more
Shall reach the deere touch of his countrey shore,
Sit by your Mother, in perswasion,
318
To choose the best of vs, and who giues most,
To go with him home. For so, all things lost
In sticking on our haunt so; you shall cleere
Recouer, in our no more concourse here:
Possesse your birth-right wholly; eate and drinke;
And neuer more on our disgraces thinke.
By Ioue, no Agelaus: For I sweare
By all my Fathers sorrowes; who doth erre
Farre off from Ithaca; or rests in death:
I am so farre from spending but my breath,
To make my Mother any more defer
Her wished Nuptials; That Ile counsaile her
To make her free choise: And besides, will giue
Large gifts to moue her. But I feare to driue,
Or charge her hence: For God will not giue way
To any such course, if I should assay.
By all my Fathers sorrowes; who doth erre
Farre off from Ithaca; or rests in death:
I am so farre from spending but my breath,
To make my Mother any more defer
Her wished Nuptials; That Ile counsaile her
To make her free choise: And besides, will giue
Large gifts to moue her. But I feare to driue,
Or charge her hence: For God will not giue way
To any such course, if I should assay.
At this, Minerua made for foolish ioy
The wooers mad; and rouz'd their late annoy
To such a laughter, as would neuer downe.
They laught with others cheeks; eate meat oreflowne
VVith their owne bloods: their eies stood full of teares
For violent ioyes: Their soules yet thought of feares:
VVhich Theoclymenus exprest, and said:
The wooers mad; and rouz'd their late annoy
To such a laughter, as would neuer downe.
They laught with others cheeks; eate meat oreflowne
VVith their owne bloods: their eies stood full of teares
For violent ioyes: Their soules yet thought of feares:
VVhich Theoclymenus exprest, and said:
O wretches! Why? Sustaine ye (well apaid)
Your imminent ill? A night, with which Death sees;
Your heads, and faces, hides beneath your knees.
Shriekes burn about you: your eies, thrust out teares:
These fixed wals, and that maine Beame that beares
The whole house vp, in bloody torrents fall:
The Entry full of ghosts stands: Full the Hall
Of passengers to hel: And, vnder all
The dismall shades; The Sun sinkes from the Poles,
And troubl'd aire, poures bane about your soules.
Your imminent ill? A night, with which Death sees;
Your heads, and faces, hides beneath your knees.
Shriekes burn about you: your eies, thrust out teares:
These fixed wals, and that maine Beame that beares
The whole house vp, in bloody torrents fall:
The Entry full of ghosts stands: Full the Hall
Of passengers to hel: And, vnder all
The dismall shades; The Sun sinkes from the Poles,
And troubl'd aire, poures bane about your soules.
They sweetly laught at this: Eurymachus
To mocks dispos'd, and saide; This new-come-t'vs
Is surely mad, conduct him forth to light
In th' open Market place: he thinkes 'tis night
Within the house. Eurymachus (said he)
I will not aske for any guide of thee:
I both my feete enioy; haue eares, and eies,
And no mad soule within me: and with these
Will I go forth the doores: because I know,
That imminent mischiefe must abide with you;
VVhich, not a man of all the wooers here
Shall flye, or scape. Ye all too highly beare
Your vncurb'd heads: Impieties ye commit,
And euery man affect, with formes vnfit.
This said; he left the house, and tooke his way
Home to Pyram; who, as free as day,
Was of his welcome. When the wooers eyes
Chang'd lookes with one another, and (their guise
Of laughters, still held on) still eas'd their brests,
Of will to set the Prince against his guests:
Affirming, that of all the men aliue
He worst lucke had; and prou'd it worst to giue
Guests entertainment: For he had one there
A wandring Hunter out of prouendere,
An errant Begger euery way; yet thought
(He was so hungry) that he needed nought
But wine and Victuals: nor knew how to do,
Nor had a spirit to put a knowledge to;
But liu'd an idle burthen to the earth.
To mocks dispos'd, and saide; This new-come-t'vs
Is surely mad, conduct him forth to light
In th' open Market place: he thinkes 'tis night
Within the house. Eurymachus (said he)
I will not aske for any guide of thee:
I both my feete enioy; haue eares, and eies,
And no mad soule within me: and with these
Will I go forth the doores: because I know,
That imminent mischiefe must abide with you;
VVhich, not a man of all the wooers here
Shall flye, or scape. Ye all too highly beare
Your vncurb'd heads: Impieties ye commit,
And euery man affect, with formes vnfit.
319
Home to Pyram; who, as free as day,
Was of his welcome. When the wooers eyes
Chang'd lookes with one another, and (their guise
Of laughters, still held on) still eas'd their brests,
Of will to set the Prince against his guests:
Affirming, that of all the men aliue
He worst lucke had; and prou'd it worst to giue
Guests entertainment: For he had one there
A wandring Hunter out of prouendere,
An errant Begger euery way; yet thought
(He was so hungry) that he needed nought
But wine and Victuals: nor knew how to do,
Nor had a spirit to put a knowledge to;
But liu'd an idle burthen to the earth.
Another then stept vp; and would lay forth
His lips in phrophesie, thus: But (would he heare
His friends perswasions) he should finde it were
More profit for him, to put both abord
For the Sicilian people, that afford
These feete of men, good price: and this would bring
Good meanes for better guests. These words made wing
To his eares idlely: who had still his eye
Vpon his Father, looking feruently
When he would lay his long-withholding hand
On those proud wooers. And, within command!
Of all this speech that past, Icartus heire
(The wise Penelope) her royall chaire
Had plac't of purpose. Their high dinner then
With all pleas'd palates, these ridiculous men
Fell sweetly to: as ioying they had slaine
Such store of banquet. But there did not raigne
A bitterer banquet Planet in all heauen,
Then that which Pallas, had to that day driuen;
And, with her able friend now, meant t'appose;
Since they, till then, were in deserts so grose.
His lips in phrophesie, thus: But (would he heare
His friends perswasions) he should finde it were
More profit for him, to put both abord
For the Sicilian people, that afford
These feete of men, good price: and this would bring
Good meanes for better guests. These words made wing
To his eares idlely: who had still his eye
Vpon his Father, looking feruently
When he would lay his long-withholding hand
On those proud wooers. And, within command!
Of all this speech that past, Icartus heire
(The wise Penelope) her royall chaire
Had plac't of purpose. Their high dinner then
With all pleas'd palates, these ridiculous men
Fell sweetly to: as ioying they had slaine
Such store of banquet. But there did not raigne
A bitterer banquet Planet in all heauen,
Then that which Pallas, had to that day driuen;
And, with her able friend now, meant t'appose;
Since they, till then, were in deserts so grose.
The End of the Twentith Booke of Homers Odysses.
320
THE XXI. BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Penelope proposeth now,To him that drawes Vlysses Bow
Her instant Nuptials. Ithacus,
Eumæus, and Philætius,
Giues charge for guarding of the Gates;
And he, his shaft shoots through the plates.
Another.
The Nuptiall vow,and Game: reherst:
Drawne is the Bow,
the stooles are purst.
Pallas
(the Goddesse with the sparkling eyes)
Excites Penelope, t'obiect the prise
(The Bow & bright steeles) to the wooers strength;
And here began the strife and blood at length.
She first ascended by a lofty staire,
Her vtmost chamber; of whose doore, her faire
And halfe transparent hand, receiu'd the Key,
Bright, brazen; bitted passing curiousty,
And at it hung a knob of Iuory.
And this did leade her, where was strongly kept
The treasure Royall; in whose store lay he ap't,
Gold, Brasse, and Steele, engrauen with infinite Art;
The crooked Bowe, and Arrowy quiuer, part
Of that rich Magazin. In the Quiuer, were
Arrowes a number; sharpe, and sighing gere.
The Bow was giuen by kinde Eurythides
(Iphitus, fashion'd like the Deities)
To yong Vlysses; when within the Roofe
Of wise Ortilocus, their passe had proofe
Of mutuall meeting in Messena; where
Vlysses claim'd a debt: To whose pay, were
The whole Messenian people bound; since they
From Ithaca, had forc't a wealthy prey
Of Sheepe, and Sheepherds. In their ships they thrust
Three hundred Sheepe together: for whose iust
And instant rendry, old Laertes sent
Vlysses his Ambassador, that went
A long way in the Ambassie; yet then
Bore but the formost Prime, of yongest men.
His Father, sending first to that affaire
His grauest Counsailors, and then his heire.
Iphitus made his way there, hauing lost
Twelue female horse; and Mules, commended most
For vse of burthen; which were after, cause
Of death, and Fate to him. For (past all Lawes
Of hospitality) Ioues mighty Son
(Skill'd in great Acts) was his confusion
Close by his house; though at that time his guest:
Respecting neither the apposed Feast
And hospitable Table, that in loue
He set before him; nor the voyce of Ioue:
But, seizing first his Mares, he after slew
His host himselfe. From those Mares serch, now grew
Vlysses knowne t'Iphitus; who, that Bow
At their encounter, did in loue bestow,
Which great Eurytus hand, had borne before
(Iphitus Father) who (at deaths sad dore)
In his steepe Turrets, left it to his Son.
Vlysses gaue him a keene Faulchion,
And mighty Lance; and thus began they there
Their fatall Loues: For after, neuer were
Their mutuall Tables to each other knowne;
Because Ioues Son, th' vnworthy part had showne
Of slaughtering this God-like louing man,
Eurytus Son; who with that Bow began
And ended loue t'Vlysses: who, so deare
A gift esteem'd it, that he would not beare
In his black Fleete, that guest-rite to the war;
But, in fit memory of one so farre
In his affection; brought it home, and kept
His treasure with it; where till now it slept.
Excites Penelope, t'obiect the prise
(The Bow & bright steeles) to the wooers strength;
And here began the strife and blood at length.
She first ascended by a lofty staire,
Her vtmost chamber; of whose doore, her faire
And halfe transparent hand, receiu'd the Key,
Bright, brazen; bitted passing curiousty,
And at it hung a knob of Iuory.
And this did leade her, where was strongly kept
The treasure Royall; in whose store lay he ap't,
Gold, Brasse, and Steele, engrauen with infinite Art;
The crooked Bowe, and Arrowy quiuer, part
Of that rich Magazin. In the Quiuer, were
Arrowes a number; sharpe, and sighing gere.
The Bow was giuen by kinde Eurythides
(Iphitus, fashion'd like the Deities)
To yong Vlysses; when within the Roofe
Of wise Ortilocus, their passe had proofe
Of mutuall meeting in Messena; where
Vlysses claim'd a debt: To whose pay, were
The whole Messenian people bound; since they
From Ithaca, had forc't a wealthy prey
Of Sheepe, and Sheepherds. In their ships they thrust
Three hundred Sheepe together: for whose iust
321
Vlysses his Ambassador, that went
A long way in the Ambassie; yet then
Bore but the formost Prime, of yongest men.
His Father, sending first to that affaire
His grauest Counsailors, and then his heire.
Iphitus made his way there, hauing lost
Twelue female horse; and Mules, commended most
For vse of burthen; which were after, cause
Of death, and Fate to him. For (past all Lawes
Of hospitality) Ioues mighty Son
(Skill'd in great Acts) was his confusion
Close by his house; though at that time his guest:
Respecting neither the apposed Feast
And hospitable Table, that in loue
He set before him; nor the voyce of Ioue:
But, seizing first his Mares, he after slew
His host himselfe. From those Mares serch, now grew
Vlysses knowne t'Iphitus; who, that Bow
At their encounter, did in loue bestow,
Which great Eurytus hand, had borne before
(Iphitus Father) who (at deaths sad dore)
In his steepe Turrets, left it to his Son.
Vlysses gaue him a keene Faulchion,
And mighty Lance; and thus began they there
Their fatall Loues: For after, neuer were
Their mutuall Tables to each other knowne;
Because Ioues Son, th' vnworthy part had showne
Of slaughtering this God-like louing man,
Eurytus Son; who with that Bow began
And ended loue t'Vlysses: who, so deare
A gift esteem'd it, that he would not beare
In his black Fleete, that guest-rite to the war;
But, in fit memory of one so farre
In his affection; brought it home, and kept
His treasure with it; where till now it slept.
And now the Queene of women had intent
To giue it vse; and therefore made ascent
Vp all the staires height, to the chamber dore:
Whose shining leaues, two bright Pilasters bore
To such a Close, when both together went;
It would resist the Aire in their consent.
The Ring she tooke then, and did draw aside
A barre that ran within; and then implide
The Key into the Locke; which gaue a sound
(The Bolt then shooting) as in pasture ground
A Bull doth Low, and make the valleys ring:
So loud the Locke humm'd, when it loosd his Spring,
And ope the doores flew. In she went, along
The lofty chamber, that was boorded strong
With heart of Oake; which many yeares ago
The Architect did smooth and polish so,
That now as then, he made it freshly shine;
And tried the euennesse of it with a Line.
To giue it vse; and therefore made ascent
Vp all the staires height, to the chamber dore:
Whose shining leaues, two bright Pilasters bore
To such a Close, when both together went;
It would resist the Aire in their consent.
The Ring she tooke then, and did draw aside
A barre that ran within; and then implide
The Key into the Locke; which gaue a sound
(The Bolt then shooting) as in pasture ground
A Bull doth Low, and make the valleys ring:
So loud the Locke humm'd, when it loosd his Spring,
322
The lofty chamber, that was boorded strong
With heart of Oake; which many yeares ago
The Architect did smooth and polish so,
That now as then, he made it freshly shine;
And tried the euennesse of it with a Line.
There stood in this roome, Presses that enclos'd
Robes odorferous; by which repos'd
The Bow was vpon pins: Nor from it farre
Hung the round Quiuer, glittering like a Starre;
Both which, her white extended hand tooke downe:
Then sate she low, and made her lap a Crowne
Of both those Reliques; which she wept to see,
And cried quite out with louing memory
Of her deare Lord: To whose worth, paying then
Kinde debts enow: She left; and to the men
Vow'd to her wooing, brought the crooked Bow,
And shaft-receiuing Quiuer, that did slow
With arrowes, beating sighes vp where they fell.
Then, with another Chist, repleate as well
VVith Games won by the King, of Steele and Brasse,
Her Maids attended. Past whom, making passe
To where her wooers were; She made her stay
Amids the faire Hall doore, and kept the ray
Of her bright count'nance hid with veyles so thin,
That though they seem'd t'expose, they let loue in;
Her Maids on both sides stood; and thus she spake.
Robes odorferous; by which repos'd
The Bow was vpon pins: Nor from it farre
Hung the round Quiuer, glittering like a Starre;
Both which, her white extended hand tooke downe:
Then sate she low, and made her lap a Crowne
Of both those Reliques; which she wept to see,
And cried quite out with louing memory
Of her deare Lord: To whose worth, paying then
Kinde debts enow: She left; and to the men
Vow'd to her wooing, brought the crooked Bow,
And shaft-receiuing Quiuer, that did slow
With arrowes, beating sighes vp where they fell.
Then, with another Chist, repleate as well
VVith Games won by the King, of Steele and Brasse,
Her Maids attended. Past whom, making passe
To where her wooers were; She made her stay
Amids the faire Hall doore, and kept the ray
Of her bright count'nance hid with veyles so thin,
That though they seem'd t'expose, they let loue in;
Her Maids on both sides stood; and thus she spake.
Heare me, ye wooers, that a pleasure take
To do me sorrow, and my house inuade
To eate and drinke; as if 'twere onely made
To serue your Rapines: My Lord long away;
And you allow'd no colour for your stay
But his still absence; striuing who shall frame
Me for his wife; and (since 'tis made a game)
I heere propose diuine Vlysses Bow
For that great Maister-peece, to which ye vow.
He that can draw it, with least show to striue,
And through these twelue Ax-heads, an arrow driue;
Him will I follow, and this house forgo,
That nourisht me a Maid: now furnisht so
With all things fit; and which I so esteeme
That I shall still liue in it in my dream.
This said, she made Eumæus giue it them.
He tooke, and laide it by; and wept for wo,
And like him, wept Philætius; when the Bow
Of which his King was bearer, he beheld.
Their teares, Antinous manhood much reseld;
And said, Ye rustick fooles! that still each day
Your minds giue ouer to this vaine dismay,
VVhy weepe ye (wretches?) and the widdowes eyes
Tempt with renew'd thought; that would otherwise
Depose her sorrowes, since her Lord is dead,
And teares are idle? Sit, and eate your bread,
Nor whisper more a word; or get ye gone,
And weepe without doores: Let this Bow alone
To our out-matcht contention: For I feare,
The Bow will scarse yeeld draught to any heere.
Heere no such man liues, as Laertes Son
Amongst vs all: I knew him; Thought puts on
His lookes sight now, me thinkes thogh then a child.
To do me sorrow, and my house inuade
To eate and drinke; as if 'twere onely made
To serue your Rapines: My Lord long away;
And you allow'd no colour for your stay
But his still absence; striuing who shall frame
Me for his wife; and (since 'tis made a game)
I heere propose diuine Vlysses Bow
For that great Maister-peece, to which ye vow.
He that can draw it, with least show to striue,
And through these twelue Ax-heads, an arrow driue;
Him will I follow, and this house forgo,
That nourisht me a Maid: now furnisht so
With all things fit; and which I so esteeme
That I shall still liue in it in my dream.
This said, she made Eumæus giue it them.
He tooke, and laide it by; and wept for wo,
And like him, wept Philætius; when the Bow
Of which his King was bearer, he beheld.
Their teares, Antinous manhood much reseld;
And said, Ye rustick fooles! that still each day
323
VVhy weepe ye (wretches?) and the widdowes eyes
Tempt with renew'd thought; that would otherwise
Depose her sorrowes, since her Lord is dead,
And teares are idle? Sit, and eate your bread,
Nor whisper more a word; or get ye gone,
And weepe without doores: Let this Bow alone
To our out-matcht contention: For I feare,
The Bow will scarse yeeld draught to any heere.
Heere no such man liues, as Laertes Son
Amongst vs all: I knew him; Thought puts on
His lookes sight now, me thinkes thogh then a child.
Thus shew'd his words doubt, yet his hopes enstild
His strength, the stretcher of Vlysses string,
And his steeles piercer: But his shaft must sing
Through his piercst Pallat first; whom so he wrong'd
In his free roofe; and made the rest ill tongu'd
Against his vertues. Then the sacred heat
That spirited his Son, did further set
Their confidence on fire; and said: O Frends,
Ioue hath bereft my wits: The Queen intends
(Though I must grant her wise) ere long to leaue
Vlysses Court; and to her bed receaue,
Some other Lord: yet nowithstanding, I
Am forc't to laugh, and set my pleasures bye
Like one mad sicke. But wooers, since ye haue
An obiect for your trials now so braue,
As all the broad Achaian earth exceeds:
As sacred Pylos; as the Argiue breads,
As blacke Epyrus, as Mycena's birth;
And as the more-fam'd Ithacensian earth;
All which, your selues well know, and oft haue faide;
(For what neede hath my Mother of my aide
In her aduancement?) Tender no excuse,
For least delay; nor too much time profuse
In stay to draw this Bow; but draw it straight;
Shoot, and the steeles pierce: make all see how sleight
You make these poore barres, to so rich a prise.
No eagrer yet? Come on: My faculties
Shall try the Bowes strength, and the pierced steele:
I will not for my reuerend Mother feele
The sorrowes that I know will seize my heart,
To see her follow any, and depart
From her so long-held home: But first extend
The Bow and Arrow to their tender'd end.
For I am onely to succeede my Sire
In guard of his games; and let none aspire
To their besides possession. This said;
His purple Robe he cast off. By he laide
His well-edg'd sword; and first, a seuerall pit
He digg'd for euery Axe, and strengthen'd it
VVith earth, close ramm'd about it: On a rew
Set them of one height, by a Line he drew
Along the whole twelue; and so orderly
Did euery deed belonging (yet his eye
Neuer before beholding how 'twas done)
That in amaze rose all his lookers on.
Then stood he neere the doore, & prou'd to draw
The stubborne Bow: Thrice tried, & thrice gaue Law
To his vncrown'd attempts: the fourth assay
VVith all force offering, which a signe gaue stay
Giuen by his Father; though hee shew'd a minde
As if he stood right heartily inclinde
To perfect the exploite: when, all was done
In onely drift to set the wooers on.
His weaknesse yet confest; he said, O shame
I either shall be euer of no name,
But proue a wretch: Or else I am too yong,
And must not now presume on pow'rs so strong
As sinewes yet more growing, may ingraft,
To turne a man quite ouer with a shaft.
Besides, to men whose Nerues are best prepar'd;
All great Aduentures, at first proofe, are hard.
But come, you stronger men, attempt this Bow,
And let vs end our labour. Thus, below
A well-ioyn'd boord he laide it; and close by,
The brightly-headed shaft: then thron'd his Thie
Amidst his late-left seate. Antinous then
Bad all arise: but first, who did sustaine
The cups state euer; and did sacrifice
Before they eate still: and that man, bad rise,
Since on the others right hand he was plac't;
Because he held the right hands rising, grac't
VVith best successe still. This direction wun
Supreame applause; and first, rose Oenops Son
Liodes, that was Priest to all the rest,
Sate lowest with the Cup still, and their iest
Could neuer like; but euer was the man
That checkt their follies: and he now began
To taste the Bow: the sharpe shaft tooke, rug'd hard,
And held aloft: and till he quite had marr'd
His delicate tender fingers, could not stir
The churlish string: who therefore did refer
The game to others; saying, that same Bow
(In his presage) would proue the ouerthrow
Of many a chiefe man there: nor thought the Fate
VVas any whit austere; since Deaths short date
Were much the better taken; then long life
Without the ohiect of their amorous strife;
For whom they had burn'd out so many dayes
To finde still other, nothing but delayes
Obtaining in them: and affirm'd that now
Some hop't to haue her: but when that tough Bow
They all had tried, and seene the vtmost done,
They must rest pleasd to cease; and now some one
Of all their other faire veyl'd Grecian Dames
VVith gifts, and dow'r, and Hymeneal Flames;
Let her loue light to him, that most will giue,
And whom the Nuptiall destiny did driue.
His strength, the stretcher of Vlysses string,
And his steeles piercer: But his shaft must sing
Through his piercst Pallat first; whom so he wrong'd
In his free roofe; and made the rest ill tongu'd
Against his vertues. Then the sacred heat
That spirited his Son, did further set
Their confidence on fire; and said: O Frends,
Ioue hath bereft my wits: The Queen intends
(Though I must grant her wise) ere long to leaue
Vlysses Court; and to her bed receaue,
Some other Lord: yet nowithstanding, I
Am forc't to laugh, and set my pleasures bye
Like one mad sicke. But wooers, since ye haue
An obiect for your trials now so braue,
As all the broad Achaian earth exceeds:
As sacred Pylos; as the Argiue breads,
As blacke Epyrus, as Mycena's birth;
And as the more-fam'd Ithacensian earth;
All which, your selues well know, and oft haue faide;
(For what neede hath my Mother of my aide
In her aduancement?) Tender no excuse,
For least delay; nor too much time profuse
In stay to draw this Bow; but draw it straight;
Shoot, and the steeles pierce: make all see how sleight
You make these poore barres, to so rich a prise.
No eagrer yet? Come on: My faculties
Shall try the Bowes strength, and the pierced steele:
I will not for my reuerend Mother feele
The sorrowes that I know will seize my heart,
To see her follow any, and depart
From her so long-held home: But first extend
The Bow and Arrow to their tender'd end.
For I am onely to succeede my Sire
In guard of his games; and let none aspire
To their besides possession. This said;
324
His well-edg'd sword; and first, a seuerall pit
He digg'd for euery Axe, and strengthen'd it
VVith earth, close ramm'd about it: On a rew
Set them of one height, by a Line he drew
Along the whole twelue; and so orderly
Did euery deed belonging (yet his eye
Neuer before beholding how 'twas done)
That in amaze rose all his lookers on.
Then stood he neere the doore, & prou'd to draw
The stubborne Bow: Thrice tried, & thrice gaue Law
To his vncrown'd attempts: the fourth assay
VVith all force offering, which a signe gaue stay
Giuen by his Father; though hee shew'd a minde
As if he stood right heartily inclinde
To perfect the exploite: when, all was done
In onely drift to set the wooers on.
His weaknesse yet confest; he said, O shame
I either shall be euer of no name,
But proue a wretch: Or else I am too yong,
And must not now presume on pow'rs so strong
As sinewes yet more growing, may ingraft,
To turne a man quite ouer with a shaft.
Besides, to men whose Nerues are best prepar'd;
All great Aduentures, at first proofe, are hard.
But come, you stronger men, attempt this Bow,
And let vs end our labour. Thus, below
A well-ioyn'd boord he laide it; and close by,
The brightly-headed shaft: then thron'd his Thie
Amidst his late-left seate. Antinous then
Bad all arise: but first, who did sustaine
The cups state euer; and did sacrifice
Before they eate still: and that man, bad rise,
Since on the others right hand he was plac't;
Because he held the right hands rising, grac't
VVith best successe still. This direction wun
Supreame applause; and first, rose Oenops Son
Liodes, that was Priest to all the rest,
Sate lowest with the Cup still, and their iest
Could neuer like; but euer was the man
That checkt their follies: and he now began
To taste the Bow: the sharpe shaft tooke, rug'd hard,
And held aloft: and till he quite had marr'd
His delicate tender fingers, could not stir
The churlish string: who therefore did refer
The game to others; saying, that same Bow
(In his presage) would proue the ouerthrow
Of many a chiefe man there: nor thought the Fate
325
Were much the better taken; then long life
Without the ohiect of their amorous strife;
For whom they had burn'd out so many dayes
To finde still other, nothing but delayes
Obtaining in them: and affirm'd that now
Some hop't to haue her: but when that tough Bow
They all had tried, and seene the vtmost done,
They must rest pleasd to cease; and now some one
Of all their other faire veyl'd Grecian Dames
VVith gifts, and dow'r, and Hymeneal Flames;
Let her loue light to him, that most will giue,
And whom the Nuptiall destiny did driue.
Thus laid he on the well-ioyn'd polisht Bord
The Bow, and bright-pil't shaft; and then restor'd
His seate his right. To him, Antinous
Gaue bitter language, and reprou'd him thus.
The Bow, and bright-pil't shaft; and then restor'd
His seate his right. To him, Antinous
Gaue bitter language, and reprou'd him thus.
VVhat words (Liodes) passe thy speeches guard?
That 'tis a worke to beare? And set so hard,
They set vp my disdaine: This Bow must end
The best of vs? since thy armes cannot lend
The string least motion? Thy Mothers throwes
Brought neuer forth thy armes, to draught of Bowes,
Or knitting shafts off. Though thou canst not draw
The sturdy Plant, thou art to vs no law.
Melanthius? Light a fire, and set thereat
A chaire and cushions; & that masse of fat
That lyes within, bring out; that we may set
Our Pages to this Bow, to see it heat
And suppl'd with the suet; and then wee
May giue it draught, and pay this great decree
Vtmost performance. He a mighty fire
Gaue instant flame, put into act th' entire
Command layd on him: Chaire and cushions set;
Laid on the Bow, which straight the Pages het,
Chaft, suppl'd with the Suet to their most;
And still was all their Vnctuous labour lost:
All wooers strengths, too indigent and pore
To draw that Bow: Antinous armes, it tore;
And great Eurymachus (the both cleere best)
Yet both it tir'd, and made them glad to rest.
Forth then went both the Swaines; and after them
Diuine Vlysses, when being past th' extreme
Of all the Gates; with winning words he tride
Their loues, and this askt: Shall my counsailes hide
Their depths from you? My mind would gladly know
If sodainly Vlysses had his Vow
Made good for home; and had some God to guide
His steps and strokes to, to wreak these wooers pride;
Would your aids ioyne on his part, or with theirs?
How stand your hearts affected? They made prayr's,
That some God would please, to returne their Lord;
He then should see, how farre they would affoord
Their liues for his. (He seeing their truth) replied;
I am your Lord; through many a sufferance tried,
Arriu'd now heere; whom twenty yeares haue held
From foorth my Country: yet are not conceal'd
From my sure knowledge; your desires to see
My safe returne. Of all the company
Now seruing heere besides; not one but you
Mine eare hath witnest willing to bestow
Their wishes of my life, so long held dead.
I therefore vow, (which shall be perfected)
That if God please, beneath my hand to leaue
These wooers liuelesse; ye shall both receiue
Wiues from that hand, and meanes; and neere to me
Haue houses built to you: and both shall be
As friends, and brothers to my onely Sonne.
And that ye well may know me; and be wonne
To that assurance: the infallible Signe
The white-tooth'd Bore gaue, this markt knee of mine
When in Parnassus, he was held in chase
By me, and by my famous Grandsires race;
Il'e let you see. Thus seuer'd he his weede
From that his wound; and euery word had deed
In their sure knowledges; VVhich made them cast,
Their armes about him; his broade brest imbrac't,
His necke and shoulders kist. And him, as well
Did those true powers of humane loue compell
To kisse their heads and hands; and to their mone
Had sent the free light of the cheerefull Sunne,
Had not Vlysses broke the ruth, and saide;
That 'tis a worke to beare? And set so hard,
They set vp my disdaine: This Bow must end
The best of vs? since thy armes cannot lend
The string least motion? Thy Mothers throwes
Brought neuer forth thy armes, to draught of Bowes,
Or knitting shafts off. Though thou canst not draw
The sturdy Plant, thou art to vs no law.
Melanthius? Light a fire, and set thereat
A chaire and cushions; & that masse of fat
That lyes within, bring out; that we may set
Our Pages to this Bow, to see it heat
And suppl'd with the suet; and then wee
May giue it draught, and pay this great decree
Vtmost performance. He a mighty fire
Gaue instant flame, put into act th' entire
Command layd on him: Chaire and cushions set;
Laid on the Bow, which straight the Pages het,
Chaft, suppl'd with the Suet to their most;
And still was all their Vnctuous labour lost:
All wooers strengths, too indigent and pore
To draw that Bow: Antinous armes, it tore;
And great Eurymachus (the both cleere best)
Yet both it tir'd, and made them glad to rest.
Forth then went both the Swaines; and after them
Diuine Vlysses, when being past th' extreme
Of all the Gates; with winning words he tride
Their loues, and this askt: Shall my counsailes hide
Their depths from you? My mind would gladly know
If sodainly Vlysses had his Vow
Made good for home; and had some God to guide
326
Would your aids ioyne on his part, or with theirs?
How stand your hearts affected? They made prayr's,
That some God would please, to returne their Lord;
He then should see, how farre they would affoord
Their liues for his. (He seeing their truth) replied;
I am your Lord; through many a sufferance tried,
Arriu'd now heere; whom twenty yeares haue held
From foorth my Country: yet are not conceal'd
From my sure knowledge; your desires to see
My safe returne. Of all the company
Now seruing heere besides; not one but you
Mine eare hath witnest willing to bestow
Their wishes of my life, so long held dead.
I therefore vow, (which shall be perfected)
That if God please, beneath my hand to leaue
These wooers liuelesse; ye shall both receiue
Wiues from that hand, and meanes; and neere to me
Haue houses built to you: and both shall be
As friends, and brothers to my onely Sonne.
And that ye well may know me; and be wonne
To that assurance: the infallible Signe
The white-tooth'd Bore gaue, this markt knee of mine
When in Parnassus, he was held in chase
By me, and by my famous Grandsires race;
Il'e let you see. Thus seuer'd he his weede
From that his wound; and euery word had deed
In their sure knowledges; VVhich made them cast,
Their armes about him; his broade brest imbrac't,
His necke and shoulders kist. And him, as well
Did those true powers of humane loue compell
To kisse their heads and hands; and to their mone
Had sent the free light of the cheerefull Sunne,
Had not Vlysses broke the ruth, and saide;
Cease teares, and sorrowes, lest wee proue displaide,
By some that issue from the house; and they
Relate to those within. Take each his way,
Not altogether in; but one by one;
First I, then you; and then see this be done:
The enuious wooers will by no meanes giue
The offer of the Bow, and Arrow leaue
To come at me; spight then their pride, do thou
(My good Eumæus) bring both shaft and Bow,
To my hands proofe; and charge the maides before;
That instantly, they shut in euery doore;
That they themselues, (if any tumult rise
Beneath my Roofes; by any that enuies,
My will to vndertake the Game) may gaine
No passage forth, but close at worke containe
With all free quiet; or at least, constrain'd.
And therefore (my Philætius) see maintain'd
(VVhen close the gates are shut) their closure fast;
To which end, be it thy sole worke to cast
Their chaines before them. This said, in he led;
Tooke first his seate, and then they seconded
His entry with their owne. Then tooke in hand
Eurymachus the Bow, made close his stand
Aside the fire; at whose heate, here and there
He warm'd and suppl'd it, yet could not stere
To any draught, the string, with all his Art;
And therefore, sweld in him his glorious heart;
Affirming; that himselfe, and all his friends
Had cause to greeue: Not onely that their ends
They mist in marriage (since enow besides
Kinde Grecian Dames, there liu'd to be their Brides
In Ithaca, and other bordering Townes)
But that to all times future, their renownes
VVould stand disparag'd, if Vlysses Bow
They could not drawe, and yet his wife would woo.
By some that issue from the house; and they
Relate to those within. Take each his way,
Not altogether in; but one by one;
First I, then you; and then see this be done:
The enuious wooers will by no meanes giue
The offer of the Bow, and Arrow leaue
To come at me; spight then their pride, do thou
(My good Eumæus) bring both shaft and Bow,
To my hands proofe; and charge the maides before;
That instantly, they shut in euery doore;
That they themselues, (if any tumult rise
Beneath my Roofes; by any that enuies,
My will to vndertake the Game) may gaine
325
With all free quiet; or at least, constrain'd.
And therefore (my Philætius) see maintain'd
(VVhen close the gates are shut) their closure fast;
To which end, be it thy sole worke to cast
Their chaines before them. This said, in he led;
Tooke first his seate, and then they seconded
His entry with their owne. Then tooke in hand
Eurymachus the Bow, made close his stand
Aside the fire; at whose heate, here and there
He warm'd and suppl'd it, yet could not stere
To any draught, the string, with all his Art;
And therefore, sweld in him his glorious heart;
Affirming; that himselfe, and all his friends
Had cause to greeue: Not onely that their ends
They mist in marriage (since enow besides
Kinde Grecian Dames, there liu'd to be their Brides
In Ithaca, and other bordering Townes)
But that to all times future, their renownes
VVould stand disparag'd, if Vlysses Bow
They could not drawe, and yet his wife would woo.
Antinous answer'd; That there could ensue
No shame at all to them: For well he knew,
That this day was kept holy to the Sunne
By all the City: and there should be done
No such prophane act; therefore bad, lay by
The Bow for that day: but the maistery
Of Axes that were set vp, still might stand;
Since that no labour was, not any hand
VVould offer to inuade Vlysses house,
To take, or touch with surreptitious
Or violent hand, what there was left for use.
He therefore bad the Cup-bearer infuse
VVine to the Bolles; that so, with sacrifice
They might let rest the shooting exercise;
And in the morning make Melanthius
The cheefe Goats of his Herd, that so the King
Of Bowes and Archers, they might burne the Thyes
For good successe; and then, attempt the prize.
No shame at all to them: For well he knew,
That this day was kept holy to the Sunne
By all the City: and there should be done
No such prophane act; therefore bad, lay by
The Bow for that day: but the maistery
Of Axes that were set vp, still might stand;
Since that no labour was, not any hand
VVould offer to inuade Vlysses house,
To take, or touch with surreptitious
Or violent hand, what there was left for use.
He therefore bad the Cup-bearer infuse
VVine to the Bolles; that so, with sacrifice
They might let rest the shooting exercise;
And in the morning make Melanthius
The cheefe Goats of his Herd, that so the King
Of Bowes and Archers, they might burne the Thyes
For good successe; and then, attempt the prize.
The rest sate pleasd with this the Heralds straite
Pour'd water on their hands: each Page did waite
VVith his crown'd cup of wine: seru'd euery man
Till all were satisfied: and then began
Vlysses plot of his close purpose, thus:
Heare me, ye much renown'd Eurymachus,
And King Antinous, in cheefe; who well,
And with decorum sacred, doth compell
This dayes obseruance; and be let lay downe
The Bow, all this light; giuing Gods their owne.
The mornings labour, God the more wil blesse,
And strength bestow, where he himselfe shall please.
Against which time, let me presume to pray
Your fauours, with the rest; that this assay,
May my olde armes prooue; trying if there lye
In my poore powers the same actiuity
That long since crown'd them: Or if needy fare
And desolate wandring, haue the web worne bare
Of my lifes thred at all parts; that no more
Can furnish these affaires as heeretofore.
This heat their spleens past measure; blown with fear,
Lest his loth'd temples, would the garland weare
Of that Bowes draught: Antinous vsing speech
To this sowre purpose: Thou most arrant wretch
Of all guests breathing; in no least degree
Grac't with a humane soule: It serues not thee
To feast in peace with vs; take equall share
Of what we reach to; sit, and all things heare
That we speake freely (which no begging guest
Did euer yet) but thou must make request
To mixe with vs in merit of the Queene.
But wine enflames thee; that hath euer beene
The bane of men: whoeuer yet would take
Th' excesse it offers; and the meane for sake.
Wine spoilde the Centaure great Eurytian,
In guest-rites, with the mighty-minded Son
Of bolde Ixion; in his way to warre,
Against the Lapithes; who driuen as farre
As madnesse, with the bold effects of wine;
Did outrage to his kinde hoast; and decline
Other Heroes from him, feasted there;
With so much anger, that they left their cheere,
And dragg'd him forth the fore-court; slit his nose,
Cropt both his eares; and in the ill dispose
His minde then sufferd; drew the fatall day
On his head, with his hoast. For thence the fray
Betwixt the Centaures, and the Lapithes
Had mortall act: but he for his excesse
In spoile of wine, far'd worst himselfe; As thou
For thy large cups, if thy armes draw the Bow,
My minde foretels shalt feane: for not a man
Of all our Consort, that in wisedome can
Boast any fit share, will take prayers then;
But to Echetus, the most sterne of men
A blacke Saile freight with thee; whose worst of ill,
Be sure is past all ransome. Sit then still;
Drinke temperately; and neuer more contend
With men your yongers. This, the Queene did end
With her defence of him; and told his Foe
It was not faire, nor equall t'ouercrow
The poorest Guest her sonne pleas'd t'entertaine
In his free Turrets; with so proud a straine
Of threats, and brauings; asking if he thought
That if the stranger to his armes had brought
The stubborne Bow downe; he should marry her
And beare her home? And said, himselfe should erre
In no such hope; nor of them all the best
That greeu'd at any good, she did her guest,
Should banquet there; since it in no sort show'd
Noblesse in them, nor paid her, what she ow'd
Her owne free rule there. This Eurymachus
Confirm'd and saide; nor feeds it hope in vs
(Icarius daughter) to solemnize Rites
Of Nuptials with thee; Nor in noblest sights
It can shew comely; but to our respects
The rumor, both of sexes, and of Sects
Amongst the people, would breede shame, and feare,
Lest any worst Greeke said; See, men that were
Of meane deseruings, will presume t'aspire
To his wiues bed, whom all men did admire
For fame and merit; could not draw his Bow,
And yet his wife, had foolish pride to woo:
When straight an errant Begger comes and drawes
The Bow with ease, performing all the Lawes
The game beside contain'd; and this would thus,
Proue both indignity and shame to vs.
Pour'd water on their hands: each Page did waite
VVith his crown'd cup of wine: seru'd euery man
Till all were satisfied: and then began
Vlysses plot of his close purpose, thus:
Heare me, ye much renown'd Eurymachus,
And King Antinous, in cheefe; who well,
And with decorum sacred, doth compell
This dayes obseruance; and be let lay downe
328
The mornings labour, God the more wil blesse,
And strength bestow, where he himselfe shall please.
Against which time, let me presume to pray
Your fauours, with the rest; that this assay,
May my olde armes prooue; trying if there lye
In my poore powers the same actiuity
That long since crown'd them: Or if needy fare
And desolate wandring, haue the web worne bare
Of my lifes thred at all parts; that no more
Can furnish these affaires as heeretofore.
This heat their spleens past measure; blown with fear,
Lest his loth'd temples, would the garland weare
Of that Bowes draught: Antinous vsing speech
To this sowre purpose: Thou most arrant wretch
Of all guests breathing; in no least degree
Grac't with a humane soule: It serues not thee
To feast in peace with vs; take equall share
Of what we reach to; sit, and all things heare
That we speake freely (which no begging guest
Did euer yet) but thou must make request
To mixe with vs in merit of the Queene.
But wine enflames thee; that hath euer beene
The bane of men: whoeuer yet would take
Th' excesse it offers; and the meane for sake.
Wine spoilde the Centaure great Eurytian,
In guest-rites, with the mighty-minded Son
Of bolde Ixion; in his way to warre,
Against the Lapithes; who driuen as farre
As madnesse, with the bold effects of wine;
Did outrage to his kinde hoast; and decline
Other Heroes from him, feasted there;
With so much anger, that they left their cheere,
And dragg'd him forth the fore-court; slit his nose,
Cropt both his eares; and in the ill dispose
His minde then sufferd; drew the fatall day
On his head, with his hoast. For thence the fray
Betwixt the Centaures, and the Lapithes
Had mortall act: but he for his excesse
In spoile of wine, far'd worst himselfe; As thou
For thy large cups, if thy armes draw the Bow,
My minde foretels shalt feane: for not a man
Of all our Consort, that in wisedome can
Boast any fit share, will take prayers then;
But to Echetus, the most sterne of men
A blacke Saile freight with thee; whose worst of ill,
Be sure is past all ransome. Sit then still;
Drinke temperately; and neuer more contend
With men your yongers. This, the Queene did end
329
It was not faire, nor equall t'ouercrow
The poorest Guest her sonne pleas'd t'entertaine
In his free Turrets; with so proud a straine
Of threats, and brauings; asking if he thought
That if the stranger to his armes had brought
The stubborne Bow downe; he should marry her
And beare her home? And said, himselfe should erre
In no such hope; nor of them all the best
That greeu'd at any good, she did her guest,
Should banquet there; since it in no sort show'd
Noblesse in them, nor paid her, what she ow'd
Her owne free rule there. This Eurymachus
Confirm'd and saide; nor feeds it hope in vs
(Icarius daughter) to solemnize Rites
Of Nuptials with thee; Nor in noblest sights
It can shew comely; but to our respects
The rumor, both of sexes, and of Sects
Amongst the people, would breede shame, and feare,
Lest any worst Greeke said; See, men that were
Of meane deseruings, will presume t'aspire
To his wiues bed, whom all men did admire
For fame and merit; could not draw his Bow,
And yet his wife, had foolish pride to woo:
When straight an errant Begger comes and drawes
The Bow with ease, performing all the Lawes
The game beside contain'd; and this would thus,
Proue both indignity and shame to vs.
The Queene replied; The fame of men I see
Beares much price, in your great suppos'd degree;
Yet who can proue (amongst the people great)
That of one so esteem'd of them, the seat
Doth so defame and ruine? And beside,
With what right is this guest thus vilefied
In your high censures? when the man, in blood
Is well composd, and great; his parents good.
And therefore giue the Bow to him, to try
His Birth and breeding by his Cheualry.
If his armes draw it; and that Phœbus stands
So great a glory to his strength, my hands
Shall adde this guerdon: Euery sort of weed,
A two-edg'd Sword and Lance, to keepe him freed
From Dogs and Men hereafter; and disinis
His worth to what place tends that heart of his.
Beares much price, in your great suppos'd degree;
Yet who can proue (amongst the people great)
That of one so esteem'd of them, the seat
Doth so defame and ruine? And beside,
With what right is this guest thus vilefied
In your high censures? when the man, in blood
Is well composd, and great; his parents good.
And therefore giue the Bow to him, to try
His Birth and breeding by his Cheualry.
If his armes draw it; and that Phœbus stands
So great a glory to his strength, my hands
Shall adde this guerdon: Euery sort of weed,
A two-edg'd Sword and Lance, to keepe him freed
From Dogs and Men hereafter; and disinis
His worth to what place tends that heart of his.
Her sonne gaue answere; That it was a wrong
To his free sway, in all things that belong
To guard of that house, to demand the Bow
Of any wooer, and the vse bestow
Vpon the stranger: For the Bow was his,
To giue or to with-hold: No maisteries
Of her proposing, giuing any power
T'empaire his right in things, for any wower;
Or any that rough Ithaca affords;
Any that Elis; of which, no mans words
Nor pow'rs should curbe him (stood he so enclin'd)
To see the Bow in absolute gift resign'd
To that his guest, to beare and vse at will:
And therefore bad his Mother keepe her still
Amongst her women, at her Rocke and Loome;
Bowes were for men: and this Bow did become
Past al mens, his disposure; since his Sire
Left it to him, and all the house entire.
To his free sway, in all things that belong
To guard of that house, to demand the Bow
Of any wooer, and the vse bestow
330
To giue or to with-hold: No maisteries
Of her proposing, giuing any power
T'empaire his right in things, for any wower;
Or any that rough Ithaca affords;
Any that Elis; of which, no mans words
Nor pow'rs should curbe him (stood he so enclin'd)
To see the Bow in absolute gift resign'd
To that his guest, to beare and vse at will:
And therefore bad his Mother keepe her still
Amongst her women, at her Rocke and Loome;
Bowes were for men: and this Bow did become
Past al mens, his disposure; since his Sire
Left it to him, and all the house entire.
She stood dismaid at this; and in her minde
His wise words laide vp; standing so inclinde
As he had will'd; with all her women, going
Vp to her chamber: there, her teares bestowing
(As euery night she did) on her lou'd Lord,
Til sleepe and Pallas, her fit rest restor'd.
His wise words laide vp; standing so inclinde
As he had will'd; with all her women, going
Vp to her chamber: there, her teares bestowing
(As euery night she did) on her lou'd Lord,
Til sleepe and Pallas, her fit rest restor'd.
The Bow, Eumæus tooke, and bore away;
Which vp in tumult, and almost in fray
Put all the wooers: One enquiring thus.
Which vp in tumult, and almost in fray
Put all the wooers: One enquiring thus.
Whether Rogue? abiect? wilt thou beare from vs
That Bow proposd? Lay downe, or I protest
Thy dogs shal eate thee, that thou nourishest
To guard thy Swine: amongst whom (left of all)
Thy life shal leaue thee; if the Festiuall
VVe now obserue to Phœbus; may our zeales
Grace with his aide, and all the Deities else.
That Bow proposd? Lay downe, or I protest
Thy dogs shal eate thee, that thou nourishest
To guard thy Swine: amongst whom (left of all)
Thy life shal leaue thee; if the Festiuall
VVe now obserue to Phœbus; may our zeales
Grace with his aide, and all the Deities else.
This threat made good Eumæus yeelde the Bow
To his late place, not knowing what might grow
From such a multitude. And then fell on
Telemachus with threats; and saide, Set gon
That Bow yet further: tis no seruants part
To serue too many Maisters: raise your hart
And beare it off, lest (though your yonger) yet
VVith stones I pelt you to the field with it.
If you and I close, I shal prooue too strong:
I wish, as much too hard for all this throng
The Gods would make me; I should quickly send
Some after, with iust sorrow to their end:
They waste my victles so, and ply my cup,
And do me such shrewd turnes still. This put vp
The wooers all in Laughters; and put downe
Their angers to him; that so late were growne
So graue and bloody, which resolu'd that feare
Of good Eumæus; who did take and beare
The King the Bow; call'd Nurse, and bad her make
The doores all sure; that if mens tumults take
The eares of some within; they may not fly,
But keepe at worke still, close and silently.
To his late place, not knowing what might grow
From such a multitude. And then fell on
Telemachus with threats; and saide, Set gon
That Bow yet further: tis no seruants part
To serue too many Maisters: raise your hart
And beare it off, lest (though your yonger) yet
VVith stones I pelt you to the field with it.
If you and I close, I shal prooue too strong:
I wish, as much too hard for all this throng
The Gods would make me; I should quickly send
Some after, with iust sorrow to their end:
They waste my victles so, and ply my cup,
And do me such shrewd turnes still. This put vp
The wooers all in Laughters; and put downe
Their angers to him; that so late were growne
So graue and bloody, which resolu'd that feare
Of good Eumæus; who did take and beare
331
The doores all sure; that if mens tumults take
The eares of some within; they may not fly,
But keepe at worke still, close and silently.
These words put wings to her; and close she put
The chamber doore: The Court gates then were shut
By kind Philætius, who straight did go
From out the Hall; and in the Portico
Found laid, a Gable of a Ship, compos'd
Of spongy Bulrushes; with which hee clos'd
(In winding round about them) the Court gates:
Then tooke his place againe, to view the Fates
That quickly follow'd. When he came, he saw
Vlysses viewing, ere he tried to draw
The famous Bow; which euery way he mou'd;
Vp, and downe turning it: in which he prou'd
The plight it was in: fearing chiefly, lest
The hornes were eate with wormes, in so long rest.
But what his thoughts intended, turning so;
And keeping such a search about the Bow:
The wooers little knowing, fell to iest,
And said; Past doubt, he is a man profest
In Bowyers craft, and sees quite through the wood:
Or something (certaine) to be vnderstood
There is, in this his turning of it still:
A cunning Rogue he is, at any ill.
The chamber doore: The Court gates then were shut
By kind Philætius, who straight did go
From out the Hall; and in the Portico
Found laid, a Gable of a Ship, compos'd
Of spongy Bulrushes; with which hee clos'd
(In winding round about them) the Court gates:
Then tooke his place againe, to view the Fates
That quickly follow'd. When he came, he saw
Vlysses viewing, ere he tried to draw
The famous Bow; which euery way he mou'd;
Vp, and downe turning it: in which he prou'd
The plight it was in: fearing chiefly, lest
The hornes were eate with wormes, in so long rest.
But what his thoughts intended, turning so;
And keeping such a search about the Bow:
The wooers little knowing, fell to iest,
And said; Past doubt, he is a man profest
In Bowyers craft, and sees quite through the wood:
Or something (certaine) to be vnderstood
There is, in this his turning of it still:
A cunning Rogue he is, at any ill.
Then spake another proud one; Would to heauen
I might (at will) get Gold, till he hath geuen
That Bow his draught: with these sharp iests, did these
Delightsome woo'rs, their fatall humors please.
But when the wise Vlysses once had laide
His fingers on it; and to proofe suruaide
The stil sound plight it held: As one of skill
In song, and of the Harpe; doth at his will
In tuning of his Instrument; extend
A string out with his pin; touch all, and lend
To euery wel-wreath'd string, his perfect sound,
Strooke all togither: with such ease, drew round
The King, the Bow. Then twang'd he vp the string,
That, as a Swallow, in the aire doth sing
VVith no continu'd tune; but (pausing still)
Twinkes out her scatter'd voice in accents shrill;
So sharpe the string sung, when he gaue it touch,
Once hauing bent and drawne it. Which so much
Amaz'd the wooers, that their colours went
And came, most grieuously. And then, Ioue rent
The aire with thunder; which at heart did chere
The now-enough-sustaining Traueller.
That Ioue, againe, would his attempt enable.
Then tooke he into hand, from off the Table
The first drawne arrow; and a number more
Spent shortly on the wooers. But this One,
He measur'd by his arme (as if not knowne
The length were to him) nockt it then; and drew:
And through the Axes, at the first hole, flew
The steele-chardg'd arrow; which whē he had done,
He thus bespake the Prince: You haue not wonne
Disgrace yet by your Guest; for I haue strook
The marke I shot at; and no such toile tooke
In wearying the Bow, with fat and fire,
As did the wooers: yet reseru'd entire
(Thanke heauen) my strength is; & my selfe am tried,
No man to be so basely vilified
As these men pleas'd to thinke me. But, free way
Take that, and all their pleasures: and while Day
Holds her Torch to you; and the howre of feast
Hath now full date; giue banquet; and the rest
(Poeme and Harpe) that grace a wel-fill'd boorde.
I might (at will) get Gold, till he hath geuen
That Bow his draught: with these sharp iests, did these
Delightsome woo'rs, their fatall humors please.
But when the wise Vlysses once had laide
His fingers on it; and to proofe suruaide
The stil sound plight it held: As one of skill
In song, and of the Harpe; doth at his will
In tuning of his Instrument; extend
A string out with his pin; touch all, and lend
To euery wel-wreath'd string, his perfect sound,
Strooke all togither: with such ease, drew round
The King, the Bow. Then twang'd he vp the string,
That, as a Swallow, in the aire doth sing
VVith no continu'd tune; but (pausing still)
Twinkes out her scatter'd voice in accents shrill;
So sharpe the string sung, when he gaue it touch,
Once hauing bent and drawne it. Which so much
Amaz'd the wooers, that their colours went
And came, most grieuously. And then, Ioue rent
The aire with thunder; which at heart did chere
The now-enough-sustaining Traueller.
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Then tooke he into hand, from off the Table
The first drawne arrow; and a number more
Spent shortly on the wooers. But this One,
He measur'd by his arme (as if not knowne
The length were to him) nockt it then; and drew:
And through the Axes, at the first hole, flew
The steele-chardg'd arrow; which whē he had done,
He thus bespake the Prince: You haue not wonne
Disgrace yet by your Guest; for I haue strook
The marke I shot at; and no such toile tooke
In wearying the Bow, with fat and fire,
As did the wooers: yet reseru'd entire
(Thanke heauen) my strength is; & my selfe am tried,
No man to be so basely vilified
As these men pleas'd to thinke me. But, free way
Take that, and all their pleasures: and while Day
Holds her Torch to you; and the howre of feast
Hath now full date; giue banquet; and the rest
(Poeme and Harpe) that grace a wel-fill'd boorde.
This saide: he beckn'd to his Sonne; whose sword
He straight girt to him: tooke to hand his Lance,
And, compleate arm'd, did to his Sire aduance.
He straight girt to him: tooke to hand his Lance,
And, compleate arm'd, did to his Sire aduance.
The End of the XXI. Booke of Homers Odysses.
333
THE XXII. BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
The Wooers in Mineruaes sightSlaine by Vlysses; All the light
And lustfull Huswiues, by his Sonne
And seruants, are to slaughter done.
Another.
The end of Pride,& lawlesse Lust;
Is wretched tried,
with slaughters iust
The vpper rags, that wise Vlysses wore,
Cast off; he rusheth to the great Hall dore
With Bow and Quiuer full of shafts; wc downe
He pour'd before his feet; & thus made known
His true state to the wooers: This strife, thus
Hath harmlesse bene decided: Now for vs.
There rests another marke, more hard to hit,
And such as neuer man before hath smit;
VVhose full point likewise, my hands shall assay,
And try if Phœbus will giue me his day.
Cast off; he rusheth to the great Hall dore
With Bow and Quiuer full of shafts; wc downe
He pour'd before his feet; & thus made known
His true state to the wooers: This strife, thus
Hath harmlesse bene decided: Now for vs.
There rests another marke, more hard to hit,
And such as neuer man before hath smit;
VVhose full point likewise, my hands shall assay,
And try if Phœbus will giue me his day.
He said; and off his bitter Arrow thrust
Right, at Antinous; that strooke him iust
As he was lifting vp the Bolle; to show,
That 'twixt the cup, & lip, much ill may grow.
Death toucht not at his thoughts, at Feast: for who
VVould thinke, that he alone could perish so
Amongst so many? And he, best of all?
The Arrow in his throate tooke full his fall;
And thrust his head farre through the other side:
Downe fell his cup; downe he; downe all his pride.
Straight from his Nostrils gusht the humane gore:
And as he fell. his feete farre ouerbore
The feastfull Table; all the Rost, and Bread
About the house strew'd. VVhen his high-born head
The rest beheld so low, vp rusht they all,
And ransack't euery Corner of the Hall
For Shields and Darts: but all fled farre their reach;
Then fell they foule on him with terrible speach,
And told him, it should proue the deerest shaft
That euer past him; and that now was saf't
No shift for him, but sure and sodaine death:
For he had slaine a man, whose like did breath
In no part of the Kingdome: and that now
He should no more for Game, striue with his Bow,
But Vultures eate him there. These threats they spent;
Yet euery man beleeu'd, that sterne euent
Chanc't 'gainst the authors will: O Fooles, to thinke
That all their rest, had any cup to drinke,
But what their great Antinous began.
Right, at Antinous; that strooke him iust
As he was lifting vp the Bolle; to show,
That 'twixt the cup, & lip, much ill may grow.
Death toucht not at his thoughts, at Feast: for who
VVould thinke, that he alone could perish so
Amongst so many? And he, best of all?
The Arrow in his throate tooke full his fall;
And thrust his head farre through the other side:
Downe fell his cup; downe he; downe all his pride.
Straight from his Nostrils gusht the humane gore:
And as he fell. his feete farre ouerbore
The feastfull Table; all the Rost, and Bread
About the house strew'd. VVhen his high-born head
The rest beheld so low, vp rusht they all,
334
For Shields and Darts: but all fled farre their reach;
Then fell they foule on him with terrible speach,
And told him, it should proue the deerest shaft
That euer past him; and that now was saf't
No shift for him, but sure and sodaine death:
For he had slaine a man, whose like did breath
In no part of the Kingdome: and that now
He should no more for Game, striue with his Bow,
But Vultures eate him there. These threats they spent;
Yet euery man beleeu'd, that sterne euent
Chanc't 'gainst the authors will: O Fooles, to thinke
That all their rest, had any cup to drinke,
But what their great Antinous began.
He (frowning) saide; Dogs, see in me the man
Ye all held dead at Troy: My house it is
That thus ye spoile; that thus your Luxuries
File with my womens rapes: in which, ye woo
The wife of one that liues; and no thought show
Of mans fit feare, or Gods: your present Fame,
Or any faire sence of your future name.
And therefore, present and eternal death
Shall end your base life, This made fresh feares breath
Their former boldnesse: euery man had eye
On all the meanes, and studied wayes to flye
So deepe deaths imminent. But, seeing none,
Eurymachus began with suppliant mone
To mooue his pitty, saying; If you be
This Iles Vlysses, we must all agree
In grant of your reproofes integrity.
The Greekes haue done you many a wrong at home;
At field as many: But of all, the summe
Lies heere contract in death: For onely he
Imposd the whole ill Offices that we
Are now made guilty of: and not so much
Sought his endeuours; or in thought did touch
At any Nuptials; but a greater thing
Employ'd his forces: For, to be our King
VVas his cheefe obiect: his sole plot it was
To kil your Son: which Ioues hand would not passe,
But set it to his owne most merited end.
In which, end your iust anger; nor extend
Your sterne wreake further: Spend your royal pow'rs
In milde ruth of your people; we are yours.
And whatsoeuer waste of wine; or food,
Our Liberties haue made; wee'le make all good
In restitutions: call a Court, and passe
A fine of twenty Oxen, Gold, and Brasse,
On euery Head; and raise your most rates still,
Till you are pleasd with your confessed fill:
VVhich if we faile to tender: all your wrath,
It shalbe iustice in our bloods to bathe.
Ye all held dead at Troy: My house it is
That thus ye spoile; that thus your Luxuries
File with my womens rapes: in which, ye woo
The wife of one that liues; and no thought show
Of mans fit feare, or Gods: your present Fame,
Or any faire sence of your future name.
And therefore, present and eternal death
Shall end your base life, This made fresh feares breath
Their former boldnesse: euery man had eye
On all the meanes, and studied wayes to flye
So deepe deaths imminent. But, seeing none,
Eurymachus began with suppliant mone
To mooue his pitty, saying; If you be
This Iles Vlysses, we must all agree
In grant of your reproofes integrity.
The Greekes haue done you many a wrong at home;
At field as many: But of all, the summe
Lies heere contract in death: For onely he
Imposd the whole ill Offices that we
Are now made guilty of: and not so much
Sought his endeuours; or in thought did touch
At any Nuptials; but a greater thing
Employ'd his forces: For, to be our King
VVas his cheefe obiect: his sole plot it was
To kil your Son: which Ioues hand would not passe,
But set it to his owne most merited end.
In which, end your iust anger; nor extend
Your sterne wreake further: Spend your royal pow'rs
In milde ruth of your people; we are yours.
And whatsoeuer waste of wine; or food,
Our Liberties haue made; wee'le make all good
In restitutions: call a Court, and passe
A fine of twenty Oxen, Gold, and Brasse,
335
Till you are pleasd with your confessed fill:
VVhich if we faile to tender: all your wrath,
It shalbe iustice in our bloods to bathe.
Eurymachus (saide he) if you would giue
All that your Fathers hoord, to make ye liue;
And all that euer you your selues possesse,
Or shal by any industry increase:
I would not cease from slaughter, till your bloods
Had bought out your intemperance in my Goods.
It tests now for you, that you either fight
That will scape death, or make your way by flight:
In whose best choise, my thoughts conceiue, not one
Shall shun the death, your first hath vndergone.
All that your Fathers hoord, to make ye liue;
And all that euer you your selues possesse,
Or shal by any industry increase:
I would not cease from slaughter, till your bloods
Had bought out your intemperance in my Goods.
It tests now for you, that you either fight
That will scape death, or make your way by flight:
In whose best choise, my thoughts conceiue, not one
Shall shun the death, your first hath vndergone.
This quite dissolu'd their knees: Eurymachus
Enforcing all their feares, yet counsail'd thus:
Enforcing all their feares, yet counsail'd thus:
O Friends 'This man, now he hath got the Bow
And Quiuer by him, euer will bestow
His most inaccessible hands at vs
And neuer leaue, if we auoide him thus,
Til he hath strew'd the pauement with vs all:
And therefore, ioyne we swords, and on him fall
With Tables forc't vp; and borne in opposd
Against his sharpe shafts; when being round enclosd
By all our on-sets, we shall either take
His horrid person, or for safety make
His rage retire from out the Hall, and Gates:
And then, if he escape, wee'l make our states
Knowne to the City, by our generall cry:
And thus this man shal let his last shaft fly,
That euer his hand vanted. Thus he drew
His sharpe edg'd sword; and with a table, flew
In, on Vlysses with a terrible throte,
His fierce charge vrging. But Vlysses smote
The boord, and cleft it through, from end to end
Borne at his breast, and made his shaft extend
His sharp head to his Liuer: his broad breast
Pierc't at his Nipple: when, his hand releast
Forthwith his sword, that fel and kist the ground;
VVith cups and victles, lying scattered round
About the pauement: amongst which, his brow
Knockt the embrued earth; while in paines did flow
His vitall spirits, til his heeles shooke out
His feastful life; and hurl'd a Throne about,
That way-laide deaths convulsions in his feete;
When from his tender eyes, the light did fleet.
And Quiuer by him, euer will bestow
His most inaccessible hands at vs
And neuer leaue, if we auoide him thus,
Til he hath strew'd the pauement with vs all:
And therefore, ioyne we swords, and on him fall
With Tables forc't vp; and borne in opposd
Against his sharpe shafts; when being round enclosd
By all our on-sets, we shall either take
His horrid person, or for safety make
His rage retire from out the Hall, and Gates:
And then, if he escape, wee'l make our states
Knowne to the City, by our generall cry:
And thus this man shal let his last shaft fly,
That euer his hand vanted. Thus he drew
His sharpe edg'd sword; and with a table, flew
In, on Vlysses with a terrible throte,
His fierce charge vrging. But Vlysses smote
The boord, and cleft it through, from end to end
Borne at his breast, and made his shaft extend
His sharp head to his Liuer: his broad breast
Pierc't at his Nipple: when, his hand releast
Forthwith his sword, that fel and kist the ground;
VVith cups and victles, lying scattered round
About the pauement: amongst which, his brow
Knockt the embrued earth; while in paines did flow
His vitall spirits, til his heeles shooke out
His feastful life; and hurl'd a Throne about,
That way-laide deaths convulsions in his feete;
When from his tender eyes, the light did fleet.
Then charg'd Amphinomus with his drawne blade
The glorious King, in purpose to haue made
His feete forsake the house: But his assay
The Prince preuented; and his Lance gaue way
Quite through his shoulder, at his backe: his brest
The fierce pile letting forth. His ruine, prest
Grones from the pauement; which his forhead strook.
The glorious King, in purpose to haue made
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The Prince preuented; and his Lance gaue way
Quite through his shoulder, at his backe: his brest
The fierce pile letting forth. His ruine, prest
Grones from the pauement; which his forhead strook.
Telemachus his long Lance then forsooke
(Left in Amphinomus) and to his Sire
Made fiery passe; not staying to acquire
His Lance againe; in doubt that while he drew
The fixed pile, some other might renew
Fierce charge vpon him; and his vnarm'd head
Cleaue with his back-drawne sword: for which he fled
Close to his Father; bad him arme, and he
Would bring him Shield and Iauelins instantly;
His owne head arming; more armes laying by
To serue the Swine-herd, and the Oxen-herd.
Valour well arm'd, is euer most preferd.
(Left in Amphinomus) and to his Sire
Made fiery passe; not staying to acquire
His Lance againe; in doubt that while he drew
The fixed pile, some other might renew
Fierce charge vpon him; and his vnarm'd head
Cleaue with his back-drawne sword: for which he fled
Close to his Father; bad him arme, and he
Would bring him Shield and Iauelins instantly;
His owne head arming; more armes laying by
To serue the Swine-herd, and the Oxen-herd.
Valour well arm'd, is euer most preferd.
Run then (saide he) and come, before the last
Of these auxilliary shafts are past:
For feare, lest (left alone) they force my stand
From forth the Ports. He flew, and brought to hand
Eight Darts, foure Shields, 4. Helmes. His owne parts then
First put in armes, he furnisht both his men,
That to their King stood close. But he, as long
As he had shafts to friend, enough was strong
For all the wooers: and some one man still
He made make euen with earth. Till all, a hill
Had raisd in th' euen floor'd Hall. His last shaft spent,
He set his Bow against a beame, and went
To arme at all parts, while the other three
Kept off the wooers: who, vnarm'd, could be
No great assailants. In the well-built wall
A window was thrust out, at end of all
The houses Entry: on whose vtter side
There lay a way to Towne; and in it, wide
And two leau'd folds were forg'd, that gaue fit meane
For flyers out; and therefore, at it then
Vlysses plac't Eumæus in close guard:
One onely passe ope to it: which (prepar'd
In this sort by Vlysses, 'gainst all passe)
By Agelaus tardy memorie, was
In question call'd: who bad, some one ascend
At such a window; and bring straight to frend
The City with his clamor; that this man
Might quickly shoot his last. This, no one can
Make safe accesse to (saide Melanthius)
For 'tis too neere the Hals faire doores: whence thus
The man afflicts ye: For from thence, there lies
But one streight passage to it; that denies
Accesse to all; if any one man stand
(Being one of courage) and will countermand
Our offer to it. But I know a way
To bring you armes, from where the King doth lay
His whole munition: and, beleeue there is
No other place, to all the Armories
Both of himselfe and Sonne. This saide: a paire
Of lofty Staires he climb'd; and to th' affaire,
Twelue Shields, twelue Lances broght; as many casks,
VVith horse-haire Plumes; and set to bitter tasks
Both Son and Sire. Then shrunke Vlysses knees,
And his lou'd heart; when thus in armes he sees
So many wooers; and their shaken darts:
For then the worke shew'd, as it askt more parts
To safe performance: and he tolde his Sonne,
That or Melanthius, or his maides had done
A deed, that foule warre, to their hands conferd.
Of these auxilliary shafts are past:
For feare, lest (left alone) they force my stand
From forth the Ports. He flew, and brought to hand
Eight Darts, foure Shields, 4. Helmes. His owne parts then
First put in armes, he furnisht both his men,
That to their King stood close. But he, as long
As he had shafts to friend, enough was strong
For all the wooers: and some one man still
He made make euen with earth. Till all, a hill
Had raisd in th' euen floor'd Hall. His last shaft spent,
He set his Bow against a beame, and went
To arme at all parts, while the other three
Kept off the wooers: who, vnarm'd, could be
No great assailants. In the well-built wall
A window was thrust out, at end of all
The houses Entry: on whose vtter side
There lay a way to Towne; and in it, wide
And two leau'd folds were forg'd, that gaue fit meane
For flyers out; and therefore, at it then
Vlysses plac't Eumæus in close guard:
One onely passe ope to it: which (prepar'd
In this sort by Vlysses, 'gainst all passe)
By Agelaus tardy memorie, was
In question call'd: who bad, some one ascend
At such a window; and bring straight to frend
The City with his clamor; that this man
Might quickly shoot his last. This, no one can
Make safe accesse to (saide Melanthius)
For 'tis too neere the Hals faire doores: whence thus
The man afflicts ye: For from thence, there lies
337
Accesse to all; if any one man stand
(Being one of courage) and will countermand
Our offer to it. But I know a way
To bring you armes, from where the King doth lay
His whole munition: and, beleeue there is
No other place, to all the Armories
Both of himselfe and Sonne. This saide: a paire
Of lofty Staires he climb'd; and to th' affaire,
Twelue Shields, twelue Lances broght; as many casks,
VVith horse-haire Plumes; and set to bitter tasks
Both Son and Sire. Then shrunke Vlysses knees,
And his lou'd heart; when thus in armes he sees
So many wooers; and their shaken darts:
For then the worke shew'd, as it askt more parts
To safe performance: and he tolde his Sonne,
That or Melanthius, or his maides had done
A deed, that foule warre, to their hands conferd.
O Father (he replyed) tis I haue err'd
In this caus'd labour: I, and none, but I;
That left the doore ope, of your Armory.
But some (it seemes) hath set a sharper eye
On that important place: Eumæus! hast
And shut the doore; obseruing who hath past
To this false action: any maide; or One
That I suspect more; which is Dolius Sonne.
In this caus'd labour: I, and none, but I;
That left the doore ope, of your Armory.
But some (it seemes) hath set a sharper eye
On that important place: Eumæus! hast
And shut the doore; obseruing who hath past
To this false action: any maide; or One
That I suspect more; which is Dolius Sonne.
VVhile these spake thus; Melanthius went againe
For more faire armes; whom the renowned Swaine
Eumæus saw: and tolde Vlysses straight,
It was the hatefull man, that his conceite
Before suspected; who had done that ill:
And (being againe there) askt if he should kill
(If his power seru'd) or he should bring the Swaine
To him; t'inflict on him a seuerall paine
For euery forfeite, he had made his house.
For more faire armes; whom the renowned Swaine
Eumæus saw: and tolde Vlysses straight,
It was the hatefull man, that his conceite
Before suspected; who had done that ill:
And (being againe there) askt if he should kill
(If his power seru'd) or he should bring the Swaine
To him; t'inflict on him a seuerall paine
For euery forfeite, he had made his house.
He answer'd: I and my Telemachus
VVill heere containe these proud ones, in despite,
How much soeuer, these stolne armes excite
Their guilty courages; while you two take
Possession of the Chamber: the doores make
Sure at your backe: and then (surprising him)
His feete and hands binde; wrapping euery lim cast
In pliant chaines; and with a halter (cast
Aboue the winde-beame (at himselfe made fast)
Aloft the Column draw him: where aliue
He long may hang; and paines enow, depriue
His vexed life, before his death succeede.
This charge (soone heard) as soone they put to deed;
Stole on his stealth; and at the further end
Of all the chamber, saw him busily bend
His hands to more armes: when they (still at dore)
Watcht his returne. At last, he came, and bore
In one hand, a faire Helme: in th' other held
A broad, and ancient rusty-rested Shield,
That old Laertes in his youth had worne;
Of which, the cheeke-bands had with age bin torne.
They rusht vpon him, caught him by the haire,
And dragg'd him in againe: whom (crying out)
They cast vpon the pauement: wrapt about
With sure and pinching cords, both foote and hand;
And then (in full acte of their Kings command)
A pliant chaine bestow'd on him; and hal'd
His body vp the columne, till he scal'd
The highest wind-beame. Where, made firmly fast,
Eumæus on his iust infliction, past
This pleasurable cauill: Now you may,
All night keepe watch heere, and the earliest day
Discerne (being hung so high) to rouse from rest
Your dainty Cattle, to the wooers Feast.
There (as befits a man of meanes so faire)
Soft may you sleepe, nought vnder you but aire;
And so, long hang you. Thus they left him there,
Made fast the doore; and with Vlysses, were
All arm'd in th' instant. Then they all stood close;
Their minds fire breath'd in flames against their foes.
Foure in th' Entry fighting all alone;
VVhen from the Hall charg'd many a mighty one:
VVill heere containe these proud ones, in despite,
How much soeuer, these stolne armes excite
Their guilty courages; while you two take
Possession of the Chamber: the doores make
Sure at your backe: and then (surprising him)
His feete and hands binde; wrapping euery lim cast
In pliant chaines; and with a halter (cast
Aboue the winde-beame (at himselfe made fast)
Aloft the Column draw him: where aliue
He long may hang; and paines enow, depriue
His vexed life, before his death succeede.
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Stole on his stealth; and at the further end
Of all the chamber, saw him busily bend
His hands to more armes: when they (still at dore)
Watcht his returne. At last, he came, and bore
In one hand, a faire Helme: in th' other held
A broad, and ancient rusty-rested Shield,
That old Laertes in his youth had worne;
Of which, the cheeke-bands had with age bin torne.
They rusht vpon him, caught him by the haire,
And dragg'd him in againe: whom (crying out)
They cast vpon the pauement: wrapt about
With sure and pinching cords, both foote and hand;
And then (in full acte of their Kings command)
A pliant chaine bestow'd on him; and hal'd
His body vp the columne, till he scal'd
The highest wind-beame. Where, made firmly fast,
Eumæus on his iust infliction, past
This pleasurable cauill: Now you may,
All night keepe watch heere, and the earliest day
Discerne (being hung so high) to rouse from rest
Your dainty Cattle, to the wooers Feast.
There (as befits a man of meanes so faire)
Soft may you sleepe, nought vnder you but aire;
And so, long hang you. Thus they left him there,
Made fast the doore; and with Vlysses, were
All arm'd in th' instant. Then they all stood close;
Their minds fire breath'd in flames against their foes.
Foure in th' Entry fighting all alone;
VVhen from the Hall charg'd many a mighty one:
But to them then, Ioues seede (Minerua) came,
Resembling Mentor, both in voice and frame
Of manly person. Passing well apaide
Vlysses was; and saide, Now Mentor, aide
Gainst these odde mischiefes: call to memory now
My often good to thee; and that, we two
Of one yeares life are. Thus he said: but thought
It was Minerua, that had euer brought
To her side, safety. On the other part,
The wooers threatn'd: but the chiefe in heart
VVas Agelaus; who, to Mentor spake.
Resembling Mentor, both in voice and frame
Of manly person. Passing well apaide
Vlysses was; and saide, Now Mentor, aide
Gainst these odde mischiefes: call to memory now
My often good to thee; and that, we two
Of one yeares life are. Thus he said: but thought
It was Minerua, that had euer brought
To her side, safety. On the other part,
The wooers threatn'd: but the chiefe in heart
VVas Agelaus; who, to Mentor spake.
Mentor: Let no words of Vlysses make
Thy hand a fighter on his feeble side,
Gainst al vs wooers: for we firme abide
In this perswasion; That when Sire and Son
Our swords haue slaine, thy life is sure to ron
One fortune with them: what strange acts hast thou
Conceit to forme here: Thy head must bestow
The wreake of theirs, on vs: And when thy powrs
Are taken downe by these fierce steeles of ours;
All thy possessions, in doores, and without
Must raise on heape with his; and all thy rout
Of sons and daughters, in thy Turrets bleed
Wreake offerings to vs; and our Towne stand freed,
Of all charge with thy wife. Mineruaes heart
Was fir'd with these Braues: the approu'd desert
Of her Vlysses, chiding: saying, No more
Thy force nor fortitude, as heretofore
Will gaine thee glory. VVhen nine yeares at Troy,
VVhite-wristed Hellens rescue, did imploy
Thy armes and wisedome; still, and euer vsde
The bloods of thousands, through the field diffusde
By thy vaste valor; Priams broad-waide Towne
By thy graue parts, was sackt, and ouerthrowne:
And now, amongst thy people, and thy goods,
Against the wooers base and petulant bloods,
Stint'st thou thy valour? Rather mourning here,
Then manly fighting? Come Friend, Stand we nere,
And note my labour, that thou maist discerne
Amongst thy foes, how Mentors Nerues will erne
All thy old Bounties. This she spake, but staide
Her hand from giuing each-way-often-swaide
Vncertaine conquest, to his certaine vse;
But still would try, what selfe-pow'rs would produce
Both in the Father, and the glorious Son.
Thy hand a fighter on his feeble side,
Gainst al vs wooers: for we firme abide
In this perswasion; That when Sire and Son
Our swords haue slaine, thy life is sure to ron
One fortune with them: what strange acts hast thou
Conceit to forme here: Thy head must bestow
339
Are taken downe by these fierce steeles of ours;
All thy possessions, in doores, and without
Must raise on heape with his; and all thy rout
Of sons and daughters, in thy Turrets bleed
Wreake offerings to vs; and our Towne stand freed,
Of all charge with thy wife. Mineruaes heart
Was fir'd with these Braues: the approu'd desert
Of her Vlysses, chiding: saying, No more
Thy force nor fortitude, as heretofore
Will gaine thee glory. VVhen nine yeares at Troy,
VVhite-wristed Hellens rescue, did imploy
Thy armes and wisedome; still, and euer vsde
The bloods of thousands, through the field diffusde
By thy vaste valor; Priams broad-waide Towne
By thy graue parts, was sackt, and ouerthrowne:
And now, amongst thy people, and thy goods,
Against the wooers base and petulant bloods,
Stint'st thou thy valour? Rather mourning here,
Then manly fighting? Come Friend, Stand we nere,
And note my labour, that thou maist discerne
Amongst thy foes, how Mentors Nerues will erne
All thy old Bounties. This she spake, but staide
Her hand from giuing each-way-often-swaide
Vncertaine conquest, to his certaine vse;
But still would try, what selfe-pow'rs would produce
Both in the Father, and the glorious Son.
Then, on the wind-beame, that along did ron
The smoaky roofe; transform'd Minerua sat
Like to a Swallow; sometimes cuffing at
The swords and Lances, rushing from her seate;
And vp and downe the troubl'd house, did beate
Her wing at euery motion. And as she
Had rouz'd Vlysses; so, the enemy
Damastors sonne excited; Polybus,
Amphinomus, and Demoptolemus,
Eurynomus, and Polyctorides;
For these were men, that of the wooing prease
VVere most egregious, and the clearly best
In strength of hand, of all the desperate rest
That yet suruiu'd, and now fought for their soules;
VVhich straight, swift arrowes sent among the Fouls.
But first, Damastors sonne had more spare breath
To spend on their excitements, ere his death;
And saide, That now Vlysses would forbeare
His dismall hand, since Mentors spirit was there,
And blew vaine vants about Vlysses eares;
In whose trust, he would cease his Massacres,
Rest him, and put his friends huge boasts in proofe:
And so was he beneath the Entries roofe
Left with Telemachus, and th' other two:
At whom (saide he) discharge no Darts: but thro
All at Vlysses, rousing his faint rest;
Whom if we slaughter, by our interest
In Ioues assistance, all the rest may yield
Our pow'rs no care, when he strowes once the field.
The smoaky roofe; transform'd Minerua sat
Like to a Swallow; sometimes cuffing at
The swords and Lances, rushing from her seate;
And vp and downe the troubl'd house, did beate
Her wing at euery motion. And as she
Had rouz'd Vlysses; so, the enemy
Damastors sonne excited; Polybus,
Amphinomus, and Demoptolemus,
Eurynomus, and Polyctorides;
For these were men, that of the wooing prease
VVere most egregious, and the clearly best
In strength of hand, of all the desperate rest
That yet suruiu'd, and now fought for their soules;
VVhich straight, swift arrowes sent among the Fouls.
But first, Damastors sonne had more spare breath
To spend on their excitements, ere his death;
And saide, That now Vlysses would forbeare
His dismall hand, since Mentors spirit was there,
And blew vaine vants about Vlysses eares;
In whose trust, he would cease his Massacres,
Rest him, and put his friends huge boasts in proofe:
340
Left with Telemachus, and th' other two:
At whom (saide he) discharge no Darts: but thro
All at Vlysses, rousing his faint rest;
Whom if we slaughter, by our interest
In Ioues assistance, all the rest may yield
Our pow'rs no care, when he strowes once the field.
As he then will'd: they all at randon threw,
VVhere they supposd he rested; and then flew
Minerua after euery Dart, and made
Some strike the threshold; some the wals inuade:
Some beate the doores; and all acts rendred vaine
Their graue steele offer'd: which escap't, Againe
Came on Vlysses, saying; O that we,
The wooers troope, with our ioynt Archerie
Might so assaile; that where their spirits dream
On our deaths first, we first may slaughter them.
VVhere they supposd he rested; and then flew
Minerua after euery Dart, and made
Some strike the threshold; some the wals inuade:
Some beate the doores; and all acts rendred vaine
Their graue steele offer'd: which escap't, Againe
Came on Vlysses, saying; O that we,
The wooers troope, with our ioynt Archerie
Might so assaile; that where their spirits dream
On our deaths first, we first may slaughter them.
Thus the much sufferer said; and all let fly,
VVhen euerie man strooke dead his enemy:
Vlysses slaughtred Demoptolemus:
Euryades by yong Telemachus
His death encounter'd. Good Eumæus slew
Elatus; And Philætius ouerthrew
Pysander: all which, tore the paued floore
Vp with their teeth: The rest retir'd before
Their second charge, to inner roomes; and then
Vlysses follow'd: from the slaughter'd men
Their darts first drawing. While wc worke was done,
The wooers threw, with huge contention
To kill them all; when with her Swallow wing,
Minerua cufft; and made their Iauelins ring
Against the doores, and thresholds, as before:
Some yet did graze vpon their markes. One tore
The Princes wrist, which was Amphimedon;
Th' extreame part of the skin, but toucht vpon.
Ctesippus, ouer good Eumæus Shield
His shoulders top did taint; which yet did yield
The Lance free passe, and gaue his hurt the ground.
VVhen euerie man strooke dead his enemy:
Vlysses slaughtred Demoptolemus:
Euryades by yong Telemachus
His death encounter'd. Good Eumæus slew
Elatus; And Philætius ouerthrew
Pysander: all which, tore the paued floore
Vp with their teeth: The rest retir'd before
Their second charge, to inner roomes; and then
Vlysses follow'd: from the slaughter'd men
Their darts first drawing. While wc worke was done,
The wooers threw, with huge contention
To kill them all; when with her Swallow wing,
Minerua cufft; and made their Iauelins ring
Against the doores, and thresholds, as before:
Some yet did graze vpon their markes. One tore
The Princes wrist, which was Amphimedon;
Th' extreame part of the skin, but toucht vpon.
Ctesippus, ouer good Eumæus Shield
His shoulders top did taint; which yet did yield
The Lance free passe, and gaue his hurt the ground.
Againe then charg'd the wooers, and girt round
Vlysses with their Lances; who turn'd head,
And with his Iauelin strooke Eurydamas dead.
Telemachus, disliu'd Amphimedon;
Eumæus, Polybus; Philætius won
Ctesippus bosome with his dart, and said;
(In quittance of the Iesters part he plaid,
The Neats-foot hurling at Vlysses) Now
Great Sonne of Podytherses; you that vow
Your wit to bitter taunts; and loue to wound
The
heart of any with a iest; so crown'd
Your wit be with a laughter; neuer yeilding
To fooles in folly; but your glory building
On putting downe in fooling, spitting forth
Puft words at all sorts: Cease to scoffe at worth,
And leaue reuenge of vile words to the Gods,
Since their wits beare the sharper edge by ods:
And in the meane time, take the Dart I draue,
For that right hospitable foote you gaue
Diuine Vlysses, begging but his owne.
Vlysses with their Lances; who turn'd head,
And with his Iauelin strooke Eurydamas dead.
Telemachus, disliu'd Amphimedon;
Eumæus, Polybus; Philætius won
Ctesippus bosome with his dart, and said;
(In quittance of the Iesters part he plaid,
The Neats-foot hurling at Vlysses) Now
Great Sonne of Podytherses; you that vow
Your wit to bitter taunts; and loue to wound
341
Your wit be with a laughter; neuer yeilding
To fooles in folly; but your glory building
On putting downe in fooling, spitting forth
Puft words at all sorts: Cease to scoffe at worth,
And leaue reuenge of vile words to the Gods,
Since their wits beare the sharper edge by ods:
And in the meane time, take the Dart I draue,
For that right hospitable foote you gaue
Diuine Vlysses, begging but his owne.
Thus spake the black-Ox-herdsman; & straight down
Vlysses strooke another with his Dart,
(Damastors son.) Telemachus did part
Iust in the midst, the belly of the faire
Euenors sonne; his fierce Pile taking aire
Out at his backe. Flat fell he on his face;
His whole browes knocking, and did marke the place.
Vlysses strooke another with his Dart,
(Damastors son.) Telemachus did part
Iust in the midst, the belly of the faire
Euenors sonne; his fierce Pile taking aire
Out at his backe. Flat fell he on his face;
His whole browes knocking, and did marke the place.
And now, man-slaughtering Pallas tooke in hand
Her Snake-frindg'd shield, & on that beam took stand
In her true forme, where Swallow-like she sat.
And then, in this way of the house, and that:
The wooers (wounded at the heart with feare)
Fled the encounter: As in Pastures, where
Fat Herds of Oxen feede, about the field
(As if wilde madnesse their instincts impeld)
The high-fed Bullockes flye: whom in the Spring
(When dayes are long) Gadbees, or Breezes sting.
Her Snake-frindg'd shield, & on that beam took stand
In her true forme, where Swallow-like she sat.
And then, in this way of the house, and that:
The wooers (wounded at the heart with feare)
Fled the encounter: As in Pastures, where
Fat Herds of Oxen feede, about the field
(As if wilde madnesse their instincts impeld)
The high-fed Bullockes flye: whom in the Spring
(When dayes are long) Gadbees, or Breezes sting.
Vlysses and his sonne, the Flyers chac'st;
As when with crooked Beakes and Seres, a cast
Of hill-bred Eagles, cast off at some game,
That yet their strengths keepe; But (put vp) in flame
The Eagles stoopes; From which, along the field
The poore Foules make wing: this and that way yield
Their hard-flowne Pinions: Then, the clouds assay
For scape or shelter; their forlorne dismay
All spirit exhaling, all wings strength to carry
Their bodies forth; and (trust vp) to the Quarry
Their Faulconers ride in, and reioyce to see
Their Hawkes performe a flight so feruently;
So (in their flight) Vlysses with his Heire,
Did stoope and cuffe the wooers, that the aire
Broke in vaste sighes: whose heads, they shot & cleft;
The Pauement boyling with the soules they reft:
As when with crooked Beakes and Seres, a cast
Of hill-bred Eagles, cast off at some game,
That yet their strengths keepe; But (put vp) in flame
The Eagles stoopes; From which, along the field
The poore Foules make wing: this and that way yield
Their hard-flowne Pinions: Then, the clouds assay
For scape or shelter; their forlorne dismay
All spirit exhaling, all wings strength to carry
Their bodies forth; and (trust vp) to the Quarry
Their Faulconers ride in, and reioyce to see
Their Hawkes performe a flight so feruently;
So (in their flight) Vlysses with his Heire,
Did stoope and cuffe the wooers, that the aire
Broke in vaste sighes: whose heads, they shot & cleft;
The Pauement boyling with the soules they reft:
Liodes (running to Vlysses) toke
His knees; and thus did on his name inuoke:
Vlysses: Let me pray thee, to my place
Affoord the reuerence; and to me the grace:
That neuer did, or saide, to any Dame
Thy Court contain'd, or deede, or word to blame.
But others so affected, I haue made
Lay downe their insolence; and if the trade
They kept with wickednesse, haue made them still
Despise my speech, and vse their wonted ill;
They haue their penance by the stroke of death;
Which their desert, diuinely warranteth:
But I am Priest amongst them; and shall I,
That nought haue done worth death, amongst thē dy?
From thee, this Prouerbe then will men deriue;
Good turnes do neuer their meere deeds suruiue.
His knees; and thus did on his name inuoke:
Vlysses: Let me pray thee, to my place
Affoord the reuerence; and to me the grace:
That neuer did, or saide, to any Dame
342
But others so affected, I haue made
Lay downe their insolence; and if the trade
They kept with wickednesse, haue made them still
Despise my speech, and vse their wonted ill;
They haue their penance by the stroke of death;
Which their desert, diuinely warranteth:
But I am Priest amongst them; and shall I,
That nought haue done worth death, amongst thē dy?
From thee, this Prouerbe then will men deriue;
Good turnes do neuer their meere deeds suruiue.
He (bending his displeased forehead) saide;
If you be Priest amongst them, as you pleade,
Yet you would marry; and with my wife too;
And haue descent by her: For all that woo
Wish to obtaine, which they should neuer doo
Dames husbands liuing. You must therefore pray
Of force, and oft in Court heere; that the day
Of my returne for home might neuer shine;
The death to me wish't, therefore shall be thine.
If you be Priest amongst them, as you pleade,
Yet you would marry; and with my wife too;
And haue descent by her: For all that woo
Wish to obtaine, which they should neuer doo
Dames husbands liuing. You must therefore pray
Of force, and oft in Court heere; that the day
Of my returne for home might neuer shine;
The death to me wish't, therefore shall be thine.
This said; he tooke a sword vp that was cast
From Agelaus, hauing strooke his last;
And on the Priests mid necke, he laide a stroke
That strooke his head off; tumbling as he spoke.
From Agelaus, hauing strooke his last;
And on the Priests mid necke, he laide a stroke
That strooke his head off; tumbling as he spoke.
Then did the Poet Phœmius (whose sur-name
VVas call'd Terpiades; who thither came.
Forc't by the woo'rs) fly death; but being nere
The Courts great gate, he stood, and parted there
In two his counsailes; either to remoue
And take the Altar of Herceian Ioue;
(Made sacred to him; with a world of Art
Engrauen about it; where were wont t'impart
Laertes, and Vlysses, many a Thye
Of broad-brow'd Oxen to the Deity)
Or venture to Vlysses: claspe his knee,
And pray his ruth. The last was the decree
His choise resolu'd on. Twixt the royall Throne,
And that faire Table that the Bolle stood on
VVith which they sacrific'd; his Harpe he laide
Along the earth; the Kings knees hugg'd, and saide:
VVas call'd Terpiades; who thither came.
Forc't by the woo'rs) fly death; but being nere
The Courts great gate, he stood, and parted there
In two his counsailes; either to remoue
And take the Altar of Herceian Ioue;
(Made sacred to him; with a world of Art
Engrauen about it; where were wont t'impart
Laertes, and Vlysses, many a Thye
Of broad-brow'd Oxen to the Deity)
Or venture to Vlysses: claspe his knee,
And pray his ruth. The last was the decree
His choise resolu'd on. Twixt the royall Throne,
And that faire Table that the Bolle stood on
VVith which they sacrific'd; his Harpe he laide
Along the earth; the Kings knees hugg'd, and saide:
Vlysses! Let my prayers obtaine of thee
My sacred skils respect, and ruth to mee.
It will heereafter grieue thee to haue slaine
A Poet, that doth sing to Gods and men.
I, of my selfe am taught: for God alone,
All sorts of song hath in my bosome sowne:
And I, as to a God, will sing to thee;
Then do not thou deale like the Priest, with me.
Thine owne lou'd sonne Telemachus will say,
That not to beg heere; nor with willing way
Was my accesse to thy high Court addrest,
To giue the wooers my song after Feast;
But being many, and so much more strong;
They forc't me hither, and compell'd my Song.
My sacred skils respect, and ruth to mee.
It will heereafter grieue thee to haue slaine
A Poet, that doth sing to Gods and men.
I, of my selfe am taught: for God alone,
All sorts of song hath in my bosome sowne:
And I, as to a God, will sing to thee;
343
Thine owne lou'd sonne Telemachus will say,
That not to beg heere; nor with willing way
Was my accesse to thy high Court addrest,
To giue the wooers my song after Feast;
But being many, and so much more strong;
They forc't me hither, and compell'd my Song.
This did the Princes sacred vertue heare;
And to the King his Father, said: Forbeare
To mixe the guiltlesse, with the guilties blood.
And with him likewise, let our mercies saue
Medon the Herald; that did still behaue
Himselfe with care of my good, from a childe;
If by Eumæus yet he be not kild;
Or by Philætius; nor your fury met,
While all this blood about the house it swet.
And to the King his Father, said: Forbeare
To mixe the guiltlesse, with the guilties blood.
And with him likewise, let our mercies saue
Medon the Herald; that did still behaue
Himselfe with care of my good, from a childe;
If by Eumæus yet he be not kild;
Or by Philætius; nor your fury met,
While all this blood about the house it swet.
This Medon heard, as lying hid beneath
A Throne set neere; halfe dead with feare of death;
A new-flead Oxe-hide (as but there throwne by)
His serious shroud made he lying there, to fly.
But hearing this, he quickly left the Throne;
His Oxe-hide cast as quickly, and as soone
The Princes knees seiz'd: saying, O my loue,
I am not slaine; but heere aliue, and moue.
Abstaine your selfe; and do not see your Sire
Quench with my cold blood, the vnmeasur'd fire
That flames in his strength, making spoile of me,
His wraths right, for the wooers iniury.
A Throne set neere; halfe dead with feare of death;
A new-flead Oxe-hide (as but there throwne by)
His serious shroud made he lying there, to fly.
But hearing this, he quickly left the Throne;
His Oxe-hide cast as quickly, and as soone
The Princes knees seiz'd: saying, O my loue,
I am not slaine; but heere aliue, and moue.
Abstaine your selfe; and do not see your Sire
Quench with my cold blood, the vnmeasur'd fire
That flames in his strength, making spoile of me,
His wraths right, for the wooers iniury.
Vlysses smil'd, and said; Be confident
This man hath sau'd, and made thee different;
To let thee know, and say, and others see,
Good life, is much more safe then villany.
Go then, sit free without, from death within:
This much renowned Singer, from the sin
Of these men likewise quit. Both rest you there,
While I my house purge, as it fits me here.
This man hath sau'd, and made thee different;
To let thee know, and say, and others see,
Good life, is much more safe then villany.
Go then, sit free without, from death within:
This much renowned Singer, from the sin
Of these men likewise quit. Both rest you there,
While I my house purge, as it fits me here.
This saide, they went and tooke their seat without
At Ioues high Altar, looking round about,
Expecting still their slaughter: VVhen the King
Searcht round the Hall, to try lifes hidden wing
Made from more death. But all, laid prostrate there
In blood and gore he saw: whole sholes they were;
And lay as thicke, as in a hollow creake
VVithout the white Sea, when the Fishers breake
Their many-meshed Draught-net vp, there lye
Fish frisking on the Sands; and faine the dry
VVould for the wet change. But th' al-seeing beam
The Sun exhales, hath suckt their liues from them;
So, one by other, spraul'd the wooers there.
Vlysses, and his Son then, bid appeare
The Nurse Euryclea, to let her heare
His minde in something, fit for her affaire.
At Ioues high Altar, looking round about,
Expecting still their slaughter: VVhen the King
Searcht round the Hall, to try lifes hidden wing
Made from more death. But all, laid prostrate there
In blood and gore he saw: whole sholes they were;
And lay as thicke, as in a hollow creake
VVithout the white Sea, when the Fishers breake
Their many-meshed Draught-net vp, there lye
Fish frisking on the Sands; and faine the dry
VVould for the wet change. But th' al-seeing beam
The Sun exhales, hath suckt their liues from them;
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Vlysses, and his Son then, bid appeare
The Nurse Euryclea, to let her heare
His minde in something, fit for her affaire.
He op't the doore, and call'd; and said, Repaire
Graue Matron, long since borne; that art our Spy
To all this houses seruile huswifery:
My Father cals thee, to impart some thought
That askes thy action. His word, found in nought
Her slacke obseruance, who straight op't the dore
And enter'd to him; when himselfe before
Had left the Hall. But there, the King she view'd
Amongst the slaine, with blood and gore embrew'd:
And as a Lyon sculking all in Night,
Farre off in Pastures; and come home, all dight
In iawes and brest-lockes, with an Oxes blood,
New feasted on him, his lookes full of mood;
So look't Vlysses; all his hands and feete
Freckl'd with purple. When which sight did greete
The poore old woman (such workes being for eyes
Of no soft temper) out she brake in cries;
VVhose vent, though throughly opened; he yet closd,
Cal'd her more neere, and thus her plaints composd;
Forbeare; nor shrieke thus: But vent ioyes as loud;
It is no piety to bemone the proud:
Though ends befall them, mouing neere so much,
These are the portions of the Gods to such.
Mens owne impieties, in their instant act,
Sustaine their plagues; which are with stay but rackt.
But these men, Gods nor men had in esteeme:
Nor good, nor bad, had any sence in them.
Their liues directly ill, were therefore cause
That Death in these sterne formes, so deepely drawes.
Recount then to me, those licentious Dames,
That lost my honor, and their sexes shames.
Graue Matron, long since borne; that art our Spy
To all this houses seruile huswifery:
My Father cals thee, to impart some thought
That askes thy action. His word, found in nought
Her slacke obseruance, who straight op't the dore
And enter'd to him; when himselfe before
Had left the Hall. But there, the King she view'd
Amongst the slaine, with blood and gore embrew'd:
And as a Lyon sculking all in Night,
Farre off in Pastures; and come home, all dight
In iawes and brest-lockes, with an Oxes blood,
New feasted on him, his lookes full of mood;
So look't Vlysses; all his hands and feete
Freckl'd with purple. When which sight did greete
The poore old woman (such workes being for eyes
Of no soft temper) out she brake in cries;
VVhose vent, though throughly opened; he yet closd,
Cal'd her more neere, and thus her plaints composd;
Forbeare; nor shrieke thus: But vent ioyes as loud;
It is no piety to bemone the proud:
Though ends befall them, mouing neere so much,
These are the portions of the Gods to such.
Mens owne impieties, in their instant act,
Sustaine their plagues; which are with stay but rackt.
But these men, Gods nor men had in esteeme:
Nor good, nor bad, had any sence in them.
Their liues directly ill, were therefore cause
That Death in these sterne formes, so deepely drawes.
Recount then to me, those licentious Dames,
That lost my honor, and their sexes shames.
Ile tell you truly (she replied,) There are
Twice fiue and twenty women here, that share
All worke amongst them; whom I taught to Spin,
And beare the iust bands that they suffer'd in:
Of all which, onely there were twelue, that gaue
Themselues to impudence, and light behaue;
Nor me respecting, nor herselfe (the Queene.)
And for your Son, he hath but lately bene
Of yeares to rule: Nor would his Mother beare
His Empire, where her womens labors were.
But let me go, and giue her notice now
Of your arriuall. Sure some God doth show
His hand vpon her, in this rest she takes,
That all these vprores beares, and neuer wakes.
Nor wake her yet (said he) but cause to come
Those twelue light women, to this vtter roome.
Twice fiue and twenty women here, that share
All worke amongst them; whom I taught to Spin,
And beare the iust bands that they suffer'd in:
Of all which, onely there were twelue, that gaue
Themselues to impudence, and light behaue;
Nor me respecting, nor herselfe (the Queene.)
And for your Son, he hath but lately bene
Of yeares to rule: Nor would his Mother beare
His Empire, where her womens labors were.
But let me go, and giue her notice now
Of your arriuall. Sure some God doth show
His hand vpon her, in this rest she takes,
345
Nor wake her yet (said he) but cause to come
Those twelue light women, to this vtter roome.
She made all vtmost haste, to come and go,
And bring the women he had summon'd so.
And bring the women he had summon'd so.
Then, both his Swaines and Son, he bad, go call
The women to their aide, and cleere the Hall
Of those dead bodies: Clense each boord, & Throne
VVith werted Sponges: which, with fitnesse, done,
He bad take all the Strumpets, 'twixt the wall
Of his first Court; and that roome next the Hall;
In which, the vessell of the house were scour'd;
And in their bosomes sheath their euery sword,
Till all their soules were fled; and they had then,
Felt 'twas but paine to sport with lawlesse men.
The women to their aide, and cleere the Hall
Of those dead bodies: Clense each boord, & Throne
VVith werted Sponges: which, with fitnesse, done,
He bad take all the Strumpets, 'twixt the wall
Of his first Court; and that roome next the Hall;
In which, the vessell of the house were scour'd;
And in their bosomes sheath their euery sword,
Till all their soules were fled; and they had then,
Felt 'twas but paine to sport with lawlesse men.
This said; the women came, all drown'd in mone,
And weeping bitterly. But first, was done
The bearing thence the dead: all which, beneath
The Portico they stow'd, where death on death
They heap't together. Then tooke all, the paines
Vlysses will'd. His Sonne yet, and the Swaines
VVith paring-shouels wrought: The women bore
Their parings forth; and al the clotter'd gore.
The house then clensd, they brought the women out,
And put them in a roome, so wall'd about,
That no meanes seru'd their sad estates to flye.
Then saide Telemachus, These shall not dye
A death that lets out any wanton blood,
And vents the poison that gaue Lust her foode,
The body clensing; but a death that chokes
The breath, and all together, that prouokes
And seemes as Bellowes, to abhorred Lust;
That both on my head, pour'd depraues vniust,
And on my Mothers; scandaling the Court,
VVith men debaucht, in so abhorr'd a sort.
And weeping bitterly. But first, was done
The bearing thence the dead: all which, beneath
The Portico they stow'd, where death on death
They heap't together. Then tooke all, the paines
Vlysses will'd. His Sonne yet, and the Swaines
VVith paring-shouels wrought: The women bore
Their parings forth; and al the clotter'd gore.
The house then clensd, they brought the women out,
And put them in a roome, so wall'd about,
That no meanes seru'd their sad estates to flye.
Then saide Telemachus, These shall not dye
A death that lets out any wanton blood,
And vents the poison that gaue Lust her foode,
The body clensing; but a death that chokes
The breath, and all together, that prouokes
And seemes as Bellowes, to abhorred Lust;
That both on my head, pour'd depraues vniust,
And on my Mothers; scandaling the Court,
VVith men debaucht, in so abhorr'd a sort.
This said; a Halser of a ship they cast
About a crosse beame of the roofe; which fast
They made about their neckes, in twelue parts cut;
And hal'd them vp so high, they could not put
Their feete to any stay. As which was done
Looke how a Mauis, or a Pygeon
In any Groue, caught with a Sprindge, or Net;
VVith strugling Pinions 'gainst the ground doth beat
Her tender body; and that then-streight bed
Is sowre to that swindge, in which she was bred;
So striu'd these taken Birds, till euery one
Her pliant halter, had enforc't vpon
Her stubborne necke; and then aloft was haul'd
To wretched death. A little space they sprauld
Their feet fast mouing; but were quickly still.
About a crosse beame of the roofe; which fast
They made about their neckes, in twelue parts cut;
And hal'd them vp so high, they could not put
Their feete to any stay. As which was done
Looke how a Mauis, or a Pygeon
In any Groue, caught with a Sprindge, or Net;
VVith strugling Pinions 'gainst the ground doth beat
Her tender body; and that then-streight bed
Is sowre to that swindge, in which she was bred;
So striu'd these taken Birds, till euery one
Her pliant halter, had enforc't vpon
Her stubborne necke; and then aloft was haul'd
346
Their feet fast mouing; but were quickly still.
Then fetcht they downe Melanthius, to fulfill
The equall execution; which was done.
In Portall of the Hall; and thus begun:
They first slit both his Nosethrils, cropt each eare;
His Members tugg'd off, which the dogges did teare,
And chop vp bleeding sweet; and while red hot
The vice-abhorring blood was; off they smote
His hands and feet, and there that worke had end:
Then washt they hands & feet, that blood had steind;
And tooke the house againe. And then the King
(Euryclea calling) bad her quickly bring
All ill-expelling Brimstone, and some fire,
That with perfumes cast, he might make entire
The houses first integrity in all.
And then his timely will was, she should call
Her Queene and Ladies; still yet charging her,
That all the Handmaids she should first confer.
The equall execution; which was done.
In Portall of the Hall; and thus begun:
They first slit both his Nosethrils, cropt each eare;
His Members tugg'd off, which the dogges did teare,
And chop vp bleeding sweet; and while red hot
The vice-abhorring blood was; off they smote
His hands and feet, and there that worke had end:
Then washt they hands & feet, that blood had steind;
And tooke the house againe. And then the King
(Euryclea calling) bad her quickly bring
All ill-expelling Brimstone, and some fire,
That with perfumes cast, he might make entire
The houses first integrity in all.
And then his timely will was, she should call
Her Queene and Ladies; still yet charging her,
That all the Handmaids she should first confer.
She said, he spake as fitted; But before,
She held it fit to change the weeds he wore,
And she would others bring him: that not so
His faire broad shoulders might rest clad; and show
His person to his seruants, was too blame.
She held it fit to change the weeds he wore,
And she would others bring him: that not so
His faire broad shoulders might rest clad; and show
His person to his seruants, was too blame.
First bring me Fire, said he. She went, and came
VVith fire, & sulphure straight; with which the hall,
And of the huge house, all roomes capitall
He throughly sweetned. Then went Nurse to call
The Handmaid seruants downe; & vp she went
To tell the newes, and will'd them to present
Their seruice to their Soueraigne Downe they came,
Sustaining Torches all, and pour'd a flame
Of Loue, about their Lord: with welcomes home,
VVith huggings of his hands, with laborsome
Both heads and fore-heads, kisses, and embraces;
And plyed him so, with all their louing graces,
That teares and sighes, tooke vp his whole desire;
For now he knew their hearts to him entire.
VVith fire, & sulphure straight; with which the hall,
And of the huge house, all roomes capitall
He throughly sweetned. Then went Nurse to call
The Handmaid seruants downe; & vp she went
To tell the newes, and will'd them to present
Their seruice to their Soueraigne Downe they came,
Sustaining Torches all, and pour'd a flame
Of Loue, about their Lord: with welcomes home,
VVith huggings of his hands, with laborsome
Both heads and fore-heads, kisses, and embraces;
And plyed him so, with all their louing graces,
That teares and sighes, tooke vp his whole desire;
For now he knew their hearts to him entire.
The End of the XXII. Booke of Homers Odysses.
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THE XXIII. BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
Vlysses to his wife is knowne:A briefe sum of his Trauailes showne.
Himselfe, his Son, and Seruants go
T'approue the Wooers ouerthrow.
Another.
For all annoyessustain'd before;
The true wiues ioyes,
now made the more.
The seruants thus inform'd; the Matron goes
Vp, where the Queene was cast in such repose;
Affected with a feruent ioy to tell
VVhat all this time she did with paine conceale.
Her knees reuokt their first strength; and her feete
Were borne aboue the ground, with wings, to greete
The long-greeu'd Queene, with newes her King was come;
And (neere her) said: Wake, Leaue this withdrawne roome;
That now your eyes may see, at length, though late,
The man return'd, which all the heauy date
Your woes haue rackt out, you haue long'd to see:
Vlysses is come home, and hath set free
His Court of all your wooers; slaughtering all,
For wasting so his goods with Festiuall:
His house so vexing; and for violence done,
So all waies varied to his onely sonne.
She answer'd her; The Gods haue made thee mad;
Of whose pow'r now, thy pow'rs such proof haue had.
The Gods can blinde with follies, wisest eies,
And make men foolish, so to make them wise.
For they haue hurt euen thy graue braine, that bore
An vnderstanding spirit heretofore.
VVhy hast thou wak't me to more teares, when Mone
Hath turn'd my minde, with teares, into her owne?
Thy madnesse much more blamefull, that with lyes
Thy haste is loaden: and both robs mine eyes
Of most delightsome sleepe; and sleepe of them,
That now had bound me in his sweet extream,
T'embrace my lids, and close my vsuall Spheres.
I haue not slept so much this twenty yeares;
Since first my dearest sleeping-Mate was gone
For that too-ill-to-speake of, Ilion.
Hence, take your mad steps backe; if any Maid
Of all my traine besides, a part had plaid
So bold to wake, and tell mine eares such lies;
I had return'd her to her huswiferies
VVith good proofe of my wrath to such rude Dames;
But go your yeares haue sau'd their yonger blames.
Vp, where the Queene was cast in such repose;
Affected with a feruent ioy to tell
VVhat all this time she did with paine conceale.
Her knees reuokt their first strength; and her feete
Were borne aboue the ground, with wings, to greete
The long-greeu'd Queene, with newes her King was come;
And (neere her) said: Wake, Leaue this withdrawne roome;
That now your eyes may see, at length, though late,
The man return'd, which all the heauy date
Your woes haue rackt out, you haue long'd to see:
Vlysses is come home, and hath set free
His Court of all your wooers; slaughtering all,
For wasting so his goods with Festiuall:
His house so vexing; and for violence done,
So all waies varied to his onely sonne.
She answer'd her; The Gods haue made thee mad;
Of whose pow'r now, thy pow'rs such proof haue had.
The Gods can blinde with follies, wisest eies,
And make men foolish, so to make them wise.
For they haue hurt euen thy graue braine, that bore
An vnderstanding spirit heretofore.
VVhy hast thou wak't me to more teares, when Mone
Hath turn'd my minde, with teares, into her owne?
Thy madnesse much more blamefull, that with lyes
Thy haste is loaden: and both robs mine eyes
348
That now had bound me in his sweet extream,
T'embrace my lids, and close my vsuall Spheres.
I haue not slept so much this twenty yeares;
Since first my dearest sleeping-Mate was gone
For that too-ill-to-speake of, Ilion.
Hence, take your mad steps backe; if any Maid
Of all my traine besides, a part had plaid
So bold to wake, and tell mine eares such lies;
I had return'd her to her huswiferies
VVith good proofe of my wrath to such rude Dames;
But go your yeares haue sau'd their yonger blames.
She answer'd her: I nothing wrong your eare,
But tell the truth: your long-mist Lord is heere;
And, with the wooers slaughter, his owne hand
(In chiefe exploit) hath to his owne command
Reduc't his house; and that poore Guest was he,
That all those wooers, wrought such iniurie.
Telemachus had knowledge long ago
That 'twas his Father; but his wisedome so
Obseru'd his counsailes; to giue surer end
To that great worke, to which they did contend.
But tell the truth: your long-mist Lord is heere;
And, with the wooers slaughter, his owne hand
(In chiefe exploit) hath to his owne command
Reduc't his house; and that poore Guest was he,
That all those wooers, wrought such iniurie.
Telemachus had knowledge long ago
That 'twas his Father; but his wisedome so
Obseru'd his counsailes; to giue surer end
To that great worke, to which they did contend.
This call'd her spirits to their conceiuing places;
She sprung for ioy, from blames into embraces
Of her graue Nurse: wip't euery teare away
From her faire cheekes; and then began to say
What Nurse said, ouer thus; O Nurse, can this
Be true thou sayst? How could that hand of his
Alone, destroy so many? They would still
Troope all together. How could he then kill
Such numbers, so vnited? How? (said she)
I haue nor seene, nor heard; but certainly
The deed is done. VVe sate within, in feare;
The doores shut on vs: and from thence might heare
The sighes, and grones of euery man he slew;
But heard, nor saw more: till at length, there flew
Your sonnes voice to mine eare, that call'd to me,
And bad me then come foorth: and then I see
Vlysses standing in the midst of all
Your slaughtred wooers, heap't vp like a wall,
One on another, round about his side;
It would haue done you good to haue descride
Your conqu'ring lord; al smeard with blood & gore
So like a Lyon. Straight then, off they bore
The slaughtred carkasses; that now before
The fore-Court gates lye, one on other pilde.
And now your victor, all the Hall (defilde
VVith stinch of hot death) is perfuming round;
And with a mighty fire the harth hath crown'd.
She sprung for ioy, from blames into embraces
Of her graue Nurse: wip't euery teare away
From her faire cheekes; and then began to say
What Nurse said, ouer thus; O Nurse, can this
Be true thou sayst? How could that hand of his
Alone, destroy so many? They would still
Troope all together. How could he then kill
Such numbers, so vnited? How? (said she)
I haue nor seene, nor heard; but certainly
The deed is done. VVe sate within, in feare;
The doores shut on vs: and from thence might heare
The sighes, and grones of euery man he slew;
But heard, nor saw more: till at length, there flew
Your sonnes voice to mine eare, that call'd to me,
And bad me then come foorth: and then I see
Vlysses standing in the midst of all
Your slaughtred wooers, heap't vp like a wall,
One on another, round about his side;
It would haue done you good to haue descride
Your conqu'ring lord; al smeard with blood & gore
So like a Lyon. Straight then, off they bore
The slaughtred carkasses; that now before
The fore-Court gates lye, one on other pilde.
And now your victor, all the Hall (defilde
VVith stinch of hot death) is perfuming round;
349
Thus, all the death remou'd, and euery roome
Made sweet and sightly; that your selfe should come
His pleasure sent me. Come then, take you now
Your mutuall fils of comfort: Griefe, on you
Hath long, and many sufferings laid; which length,
VVhich many suffrings, nowe your vertuous strength
Of vncorrupted chastnesse, hath conferr'd
A happy end to. He that long hath err'd
Is safe arriu'd at home: his wife, his sonne
Found safe & good; all ill that hath bene done
On all the dooers heads (though long prolong'd)
His right hath wreak't, and in the place they wrong'd.
Made sweet and sightly; that your selfe should come
His pleasure sent me. Come then, take you now
Your mutuall fils of comfort: Griefe, on you
Hath long, and many sufferings laid; which length,
VVhich many suffrings, nowe your vertuous strength
Of vncorrupted chastnesse, hath conferr'd
A happy end to. He that long hath err'd
Is safe arriu'd at home: his wife, his sonne
Found safe & good; all ill that hath bene done
On all the dooers heads (though long prolong'd)
His right hath wreak't, and in the place they wrong'd.
She answer'd: Do not you now laugh, and bost
As you had done some great act; seeing most
Into his Being: For, you know, he won
(Euen through his poore, and vile condition)
A kind of prompted thought; that there was plac't
Some vertue in him, fit to be embrac't
By all the house; but, most of all, by me
And by my Son, that was the progenie
Of both our loues. And yet it is not he,
For all the likely proofes ye plead to me:
Some God hath slaine the wooers, in disdaine
Of the abhorred pride, he saw so raigne
In those base workes they did: No man aliue;
Or good, or bad, whoeuer did arriue
At their abodes once, euer could obtaine
Regard of them: and therefore their so vaine
And vile deserts, haue found as vile an end.
But (for Vlysses) neuer will extend
His wisht returne to Greece: Nor he yet liues.
As you had done some great act; seeing most
Into his Being: For, you know, he won
(Euen through his poore, and vile condition)
A kind of prompted thought; that there was plac't
Some vertue in him, fit to be embrac't
By all the house; but, most of all, by me
And by my Son, that was the progenie
Of both our loues. And yet it is not he,
For all the likely proofes ye plead to me:
Some God hath slaine the wooers, in disdaine
Of the abhorred pride, he saw so raigne
In those base workes they did: No man aliue;
Or good, or bad, whoeuer did arriue
At their abodes once, euer could obtaine
Regard of them: and therefore their so vaine
And vile deserts, haue found as vile an end.
But (for Vlysses) neuer will extend
His wisht returne to Greece: Nor he yet liues.
How strange a Queen are you? (said she) that giues
No truth your credit? That your husband, set
Close in his house at fire, can purchase yet
No faith of you; But that he still is farre
From any home of his? your wit's at warre
With all credulity euer; and yet now
Ile name a signe, shall force beleefe from you:
I bath'd him lately; and beheld the scar
That still remaines a marke too ocular
To leaue your heart yet blinded; and I then
Had run and told you: but his hand was feine
To close my lips from th' acclamation
My heart was breathing: and his wisedome won
My still retention, till he gaue me leaue,
And charge to tell you this. Now then, receaue
My life for gage of his returne; which take
In any cruell fashion; if I make
All this not cleere to you. Lou'd Nurse (said she)
Though many things thou knowst, yet these things be
Veil'd in the counsailes th' vncreated Gods
Haue long time maskt in: whose darke periods
Tis hard for thee to see into; But come,
Lets see my son; the slaine; and he by whom
They had their slaughter. This said, down they went;
When on the Queens part, diuers thoghts wer spent;
If (all this giuen no faith) she still should stand
Aloofe, and question more: Or his hugg'd hand,
And loued head, she should at first assay
With free-giuen kisses. VVhen her doubtfull way
Had past the stony pauement, she tooke seate
Against her husband, in the opposite heate
The fire then cast-vpon the other wall:
Himselfe, set by the Columne of the Hall;
His lookes cast downwards, and expected still,
VVhen her incredulous, and curious will
To shun ridiculous error, and the shame
To kisse a Husband, that was not the same,
VVould downe, and win enough faith from his sight.
She silent sate, and her perplexed plight
Amaze encounter'd: Sometimes, she stood cleare
He was her Husband: sometimes, the ill weare
His person had put on, transform'd him so,
That yet his stampe would hardly currant go.
No truth your credit? That your husband, set
Close in his house at fire, can purchase yet
No faith of you; But that he still is farre
From any home of his? your wit's at warre
With all credulity euer; and yet now
Ile name a signe, shall force beleefe from you:
I bath'd him lately; and beheld the scar
That still remaines a marke too ocular
To leaue your heart yet blinded; and I then
Had run and told you: but his hand was feine
To close my lips from th' acclamation
My heart was breathing: and his wisedome won
My still retention, till he gaue me leaue,
And charge to tell you this. Now then, receaue
My life for gage of his returne; which take
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All this not cleere to you. Lou'd Nurse (said she)
Though many things thou knowst, yet these things be
Veil'd in the counsailes th' vncreated Gods
Haue long time maskt in: whose darke periods
Tis hard for thee to see into; But come,
Lets see my son; the slaine; and he by whom
They had their slaughter. This said, down they went;
When on the Queens part, diuers thoghts wer spent;
If (all this giuen no faith) she still should stand
Aloofe, and question more: Or his hugg'd hand,
And loued head, she should at first assay
With free-giuen kisses. VVhen her doubtfull way
Had past the stony pauement, she tooke seate
Against her husband, in the opposite heate
The fire then cast-vpon the other wall:
Himselfe, set by the Columne of the Hall;
His lookes cast downwards, and expected still,
VVhen her incredulous, and curious will
To shun ridiculous error, and the shame
To kisse a Husband, that was not the same,
VVould downe, and win enough faith from his sight.
She silent sate, and her perplexed plight
Amaze encounter'd: Sometimes, she stood cleare
He was her Husband: sometimes, the ill weare
His person had put on, transform'd him so,
That yet his stampe would hardly currant go.
Her son her strangenesse seeing blam'd her thus:
Mother, vngentle Mother! tyrannous!
In this too curious modesty you show;
Why sit you from my Father? Nor bestow
A word on me, t'enquire and cleere such doubt
As may perplexe you? Found man euer out
One other such a wife? That could forbeare
Her lou'd Lords welcome home, when twenty yeare
In infinite sufferance, he had spent apart:
No Flint so hard is, as a womans hart.
Mother, vngentle Mother! tyrannous!
In this too curious modesty you show;
Why sit you from my Father? Nor bestow
A word on me, t'enquire and cleere such doubt
As may perplexe you? Found man euer out
One other such a wife? That could forbeare
Her lou'd Lords welcome home, when twenty yeare
In infinite sufferance, he had spent apart:
No Flint so hard is, as a womans hart.
Son (she replied) Amaze containes my minde,
Nor can I speake, and vse the commune kind
Of those enquiries; nor sustaine to see
VVith opposite lookes, his countenance. If this be
My true Vlysses now return'd; there are
Tokens betwixt vs of more fitnesse farre
To giue me argument, he is my Lord;
And my assurance of him, may afford
My proofes of ioy for him, from all these eies
VVith more decorum; then obiect their guise
To publique notice. The much-Sufferer brake
In laughter out; and to his Son said; Take
Your Mother from the prease; that she may make
Her owne proofes of me, which perhaps may giue
More cause to the acknowledgements, that driue
Their shew thus off. But now, because I goe
So poorely clad, she takes disdaine to know
So loath'd a creature, for her loued Lord.
Let vs consult then, how we may accord
The Towne to our late action. Some one; slaine,
Hath made the all-left slaughterer of him, faine
To fly his friends and country. But our swords
Haue slaine a Cities most supportfull Lords;
The chiefe Peeres of the kingdome: therefore see
You vse wise meanes t'vphold your victorie.
Nor can I speake, and vse the commune kind
Of those enquiries; nor sustaine to see
VVith opposite lookes, his countenance. If this be
My true Vlysses now return'd; there are
Tokens betwixt vs of more fitnesse farre
To giue me argument, he is my Lord;
And my assurance of him, may afford
My proofes of ioy for him, from all these eies
VVith more decorum; then obiect their guise
To publique notice. The much-Sufferer brake
353
Your Mother from the prease; that she may make
Her owne proofes of me, which perhaps may giue
More cause to the acknowledgements, that driue
Their shew thus off. But now, because I goe
So poorely clad, she takes disdaine to know
So loath'd a creature, for her loued Lord.
Let vs consult then, how we may accord
The Towne to our late action. Some one; slaine,
Hath made the all-left slaughterer of him, faine
To fly his friends and country. But our swords
Haue slaine a Cities most supportfull Lords;
The chiefe Peeres of the kingdome: therefore see
You vse wise meanes t'vphold your victorie.
See you to that good Father (saide the Son)
Whose counsailes haue the soueraigne glory won
From all men liuing. None will striue with you;
But with vnquestion'd Girlands grace your brow:
To whom, our whol alacrities we vow
In free attendance. Nor shall our hands leaue
Your onsets needy of supplies, to giue
All the effects that in our pow'rs can fall.
Then this (said he) to me seemes capitall
Of all choise courses: Bathe we first, and then
Attire we freshly: all our Maides and men
Enioyning likewise, to their best attire.
The sacred Singer then, let touch his Lire;
And go before vs all in gracefull dance,
That all without, to whose eares shal aduance
Our cheerefull accents, (or of Trauailers by,
Or firme inhabitants) solemnity
Of frolicke Nuptials may imagine heere.
And this, performe we; lest the massakere
Of all our wooers be divulg'd about
The ample City, ere our selues get out,
And greet my Father, in his Groue of Trees;
Where, after, we will proue what policies
Olympus shall suggest, to ouercome
Our latest toiles, and crowne our welcome home.
Whose counsailes haue the soueraigne glory won
From all men liuing. None will striue with you;
But with vnquestion'd Girlands grace your brow:
To whom, our whol alacrities we vow
In free attendance. Nor shall our hands leaue
Your onsets needy of supplies, to giue
All the effects that in our pow'rs can fall.
Then this (said he) to me seemes capitall
Of all choise courses: Bathe we first, and then
Attire we freshly: all our Maides and men
Enioyning likewise, to their best attire.
The sacred Singer then, let touch his Lire;
And go before vs all in gracefull dance,
That all without, to whose eares shal aduance
Our cheerefull accents, (or of Trauailers by,
Or firme inhabitants) solemnity
Of frolicke Nuptials may imagine heere.
And this, performe we; lest the massakere
Of all our wooers be divulg'd about
The ample City, ere our selues get out,
And greet my Father, in his Groue of Trees;
Where, after, we will proue what policies
Olympus shall suggest, to ouercome
Our latest toiles, and crowne our welcome home.
This all obey'd: Bath'd, put on fresh attire,
Both men and women did; Then tooke his Lire
The holy singer, and set thirst on fire
VVith songs, and faultlesse dances: all the Court
Rung with the footings, that the numerous sport
From iocund men drew, and faire-girdl'd Dames;
VVhich, (heard abroad) thus flew the cōmune fames:
Both men and women did; Then tooke his Lire
The holy singer, and set thirst on fire
VVith songs, and faultlesse dances: all the Court
Rung with the footings, that the numerous sport
From iocund men drew, and faire-girdl'd Dames;
VVhich, (heard abroad) thus flew the cōmune fames:
This sure the day is, when the much woo'd Queen
Is richly wed; O wretch! That hath not beene
So constant, as to keepe her ample house
Til th' vtmost houre, had brought her formost spouse.
Is richly wed; O wretch! That hath not beene
354
Til th' vtmost houre, had brought her formost spouse.
Thus some conceiu'd, but little knew the thing.
And now, Eurynome had bath'd the King;
Smooth'd him with Oyles; and he, himselfe attir'd
In vestures royall. Her part then inspir'd
The Goddesse Pallas; deck't his head and face
With infinite beauties: gaue a goodly grace
Of stature to him: a much plumper plight
Through all his body breath'd; Curles soft, & bright
Adorn'd his head withall, and made it show,
As if the flowry Hyacinth did grow
In all his pride there: In the generall trim
Of euery locke, and euery curious lim.
Looke how a skilfull Artizan, well seene
In all Arts Metalline; as hauing beene
Taught by Minerua, and the God of fire,
Doth Gold, with Siluer mix so; that entire
They keepe their selfe distinction; and yet so,
That to the Siluer, from the Gold, doth flow
A much more artificiall luster then his owne;
And thereby to the Gold it selfe, is growne
A greater glory, then if wrought alone;
Both being stuck off, by eithers mixtion:
So did Minerua, hers and his combine;
He more in Her, She more in Him did shine.
Like an Immortall from the Bath, he rose:
And to his wife did all his grace dispose,
Encountring this her strangenesse: Cruell Dame
Of all that breathe; the Gods, past steele and flame
Haue made thee ruthlesse: Life retaines not one
Of all Dames else, that beares so ouer-growne
A minde with abstinence; as twenty yeares
To misse her husband, drown'd in woes, and teares;
And at his comming, keepe aloofe; and fare
As of his so long absence, and his care,
No sense had seisd her. Go Nurse, make a bed,
That I alone may sleepe; her heart is dead
To all reflection. To him, thus replied
The wise Penelope: Man, halfe deified;
'Tis not my fashion to be taken streight
With brauest men: Nor poorest, vse to sleight.
Your meane apparance made not me retire;
Nor this your rich shew, makes me now admire,
Nor moues at all: For what is all to me,
If not my husband? All his certainty
I knew at parting; but (so long apart)
The outward likenesse, holds no full desart
For me to trust to. Go Nurse, see addrest
A soft bed for him; and the single rest
Himselfe affects so. Let it be the bed,
That stands within our Bridal Chamber-sted,
VVhich he himself made: Bring it forth from thence,
And see it furnisht with magnificence.
And now, Eurynome had bath'd the King;
Smooth'd him with Oyles; and he, himselfe attir'd
In vestures royall. Her part then inspir'd
The Goddesse Pallas; deck't his head and face
With infinite beauties: gaue a goodly grace
Of stature to him: a much plumper plight
Through all his body breath'd; Curles soft, & bright
Adorn'd his head withall, and made it show,
As if the flowry Hyacinth did grow
In all his pride there: In the generall trim
Of euery locke, and euery curious lim.
Looke how a skilfull Artizan, well seene
In all Arts Metalline; as hauing beene
Taught by Minerua, and the God of fire,
Doth Gold, with Siluer mix so; that entire
They keepe their selfe distinction; and yet so,
That to the Siluer, from the Gold, doth flow
A much more artificiall luster then his owne;
And thereby to the Gold it selfe, is growne
A greater glory, then if wrought alone;
Both being stuck off, by eithers mixtion:
So did Minerua, hers and his combine;
He more in Her, She more in Him did shine.
Like an Immortall from the Bath, he rose:
And to his wife did all his grace dispose,
Encountring this her strangenesse: Cruell Dame
Of all that breathe; the Gods, past steele and flame
Haue made thee ruthlesse: Life retaines not one
Of all Dames else, that beares so ouer-growne
A minde with abstinence; as twenty yeares
To misse her husband, drown'd in woes, and teares;
And at his comming, keepe aloofe; and fare
As of his so long absence, and his care,
No sense had seisd her. Go Nurse, make a bed,
That I alone may sleepe; her heart is dead
To all reflection. To him, thus replied
The wise Penelope: Man, halfe deified;
'Tis not my fashion to be taken streight
With brauest men: Nor poorest, vse to sleight.
Your meane apparance made not me retire;
Nor this your rich shew, makes me now admire,
Nor moues at all: For what is all to me,
If not my husband? All his certainty
I knew at parting; but (so long apart)
The outward likenesse, holds no full desart
355
A soft bed for him; and the single rest
Himselfe affects so. Let it be the bed,
That stands within our Bridal Chamber-sted,
VVhich he himself made: Bring it forth from thence,
And see it furnisht with magnificence.
This said she, to assay him; and did stir
Euen his establisht patience; and to hir.
Whom thus he answerd: Woman! your words proue
My patience strangely: VVho is it can moue
My Bed out of his place? It shall oppresse
Earths greatest vnder-stander; and vnlesse,
Euen God himselfe come, that can easely grace
Men in their most skils, it shall hold his place.
For Man: he liues not, that (as not most skill'd,
So not most yong) shall easely make it yield.
If (building on the strength in which he flowes)
He addes both Leuers to, and Iron Crowes.
For, in the fixure of the Bed, is showne
A Maister-peece; a wonder: and 'twas done
By me, and none but me: and thus was wrought;
There was an Oliue tree, that had his grought
Amidst a hedge; and was of shadow, proud;
Fresh, and the prime age of his verdure show'd.
His leaues and armes so thicke, that to the eye
It shew'd a columne for solidity.
To this, had I a comprehension
To build my Bridall Bowre; which all of stone,
Thicke as the Tree of leaues, I raisde, and cast
A Roofe about it, nothing meanly grac'st;
Put glew'd doores to it, that op't Art enough.
Then, from the Oliue, euery broad-leau'd bough
I lopt away: then fell'd the Tree, and then
VVent ouer it, both with my Axe, and Plaine:
Both gouern'd by my Line. And then, I hew'd
My curious Bed-sted out; in which, I shew'd
Worke of no commune hand. All this, begon,
I could not leaue, till to perfection
My paines had brought it. Tooke my Wimble; bor'd
The holes, as fitted: and did last, afford
The varied Ornament; which shew'd no want
Of Siluer, Gold, and polisht Elephant.
An Oxe-hide Dide in purple, then I threw
Aboue the cords. And thus, to curious view
I hope I haue obiected honest signe,
To proue, I author nought that is not mine:
But, if my bed stand vnremou'd, or no,
O woman, passeth humane wit to know.
This sunk her knees & heart, to heare so true
The signes she vrg'd; and first, did teares ensue
Her rapt assurance: Then she ran, and spread
Her armes about his necke; kist oft his head;
And thus the curious stay she made, excusde:
Euen his establisht patience; and to hir.
Whom thus he answerd: Woman! your words proue
My patience strangely: VVho is it can moue
My Bed out of his place? It shall oppresse
Earths greatest vnder-stander; and vnlesse,
Euen God himselfe come, that can easely grace
Men in their most skils, it shall hold his place.
For Man: he liues not, that (as not most skill'd,
So not most yong) shall easely make it yield.
If (building on the strength in which he flowes)
He addes both Leuers to, and Iron Crowes.
For, in the fixure of the Bed, is showne
A Maister-peece; a wonder: and 'twas done
By me, and none but me: and thus was wrought;
There was an Oliue tree, that had his grought
Amidst a hedge; and was of shadow, proud;
Fresh, and the prime age of his verdure show'd.
His leaues and armes so thicke, that to the eye
It shew'd a columne for solidity.
To this, had I a comprehension
To build my Bridall Bowre; which all of stone,
Thicke as the Tree of leaues, I raisde, and cast
A Roofe about it, nothing meanly grac'st;
Put glew'd doores to it, that op't Art enough.
Then, from the Oliue, euery broad-leau'd bough
I lopt away: then fell'd the Tree, and then
VVent ouer it, both with my Axe, and Plaine:
Both gouern'd by my Line. And then, I hew'd
My curious Bed-sted out; in which, I shew'd
Worke of no commune hand. All this, begon,
I could not leaue, till to perfection
My paines had brought it. Tooke my Wimble; bor'd
The holes, as fitted: and did last, afford
The varied Ornament; which shew'd no want
Of Siluer, Gold, and polisht Elephant.
An Oxe-hide Dide in purple, then I threw
Aboue the cords. And thus, to curious view
I hope I haue obiected honest signe,
To proue, I author nought that is not mine:
But, if my bed stand vnremou'd, or no,
O woman, passeth humane wit to know.
This sunk her knees & heart, to heare so true
356
Her rapt assurance: Then she ran, and spread
Her armes about his necke; kist oft his head;
And thus the curious stay she made, excusde:
Vlysses! Be not angry, that I vsde
Such strange delayes to this; since heretofore
Your suffering wisedome, hath the Gyrland wore
From all that breath: and 'tis the Gods that thus
With mutuall misse, so long afflicting vs,
Haue causd my coynesse: To our youths, enuied
That wisht society, that should haue tied
Our youths and yeares together: and since now
Iudgement and Duty, should our age allow
As full ioyes therein, as in youth and blood:
See all yong anger, and reproofe withstood,
For not at first sight giuing vp my armes:
My heart still trembling, lest the false alarmes
That words oft strike vp, should ridiculize me.
Had Argiue Hellen knowne credulity
VVould bring such plagues with it; and her, againe
(As aucthresse of them all) with that foule staine
To her, and to her countrey; she had staid
Her loue and mixture from a strangers bed.
But God impell'd her to a shamelesse deede,
Because she had not in her selfe decreed
Before th' attempt; That, such acts still were shent,
As simply in themselues, as in th' euent.
By which, not onely she her selfe sustaines,
But we, for her fault, haue paid mutuall paines.
Yet now; since these signes of our certaine bed
You haue discouer'd, and distinguished
From all earths others: No one man but you,
Yet euer getting of it th' onely show;
Nor one, of all Dames, but myselfe, and she
My Father gaue; old Actors progenie:
(Who euer guarded to our selues, the dore
Of that thick-shaded chamber) I, no more
Will crosse your cleere perswasion: though, till now,
I stood too doubtfull, and austere to you.
Such strange delayes to this; since heretofore
Your suffering wisedome, hath the Gyrland wore
From all that breath: and 'tis the Gods that thus
With mutuall misse, so long afflicting vs,
Haue causd my coynesse: To our youths, enuied
That wisht society, that should haue tied
Our youths and yeares together: and since now
Iudgement and Duty, should our age allow
As full ioyes therein, as in youth and blood:
See all yong anger, and reproofe withstood,
For not at first sight giuing vp my armes:
My heart still trembling, lest the false alarmes
That words oft strike vp, should ridiculize me.
Had Argiue Hellen knowne credulity
VVould bring such plagues with it; and her, againe
(As aucthresse of them all) with that foule staine
To her, and to her countrey; she had staid
Her loue and mixture from a strangers bed.
But God impell'd her to a shamelesse deede,
Because she had not in her selfe decreed
Before th' attempt; That, such acts still were shent,
As simply in themselues, as in th' euent.
By which, not onely she her selfe sustaines,
But we, for her fault, haue paid mutuall paines.
Yet now; since these signes of our certaine bed
You haue discouer'd, and distinguished
From all earths others: No one man but you,
Yet euer getting of it th' onely show;
Nor one, of all Dames, but myselfe, and she
My Father gaue; old Actors progenie:
(Who euer guarded to our selues, the dore
Of that thick-shaded chamber) I, no more
Will crosse your cleere perswasion: though, till now,
I stood too doubtfull, and austere to you.
These words of hers, so iustifying her stay,
Did more desire of ioyfull mone conuay
To his glad minde; then if at instant sight,
She had allow'd him, all his wishes right.
He wept for ioy, t'enioy a wife so fit
For his graue minde, that knew his depth of wit;
And held chaste vertue at a price so high.
And as sad men at Sea, when shore is nigh,
VVhich long their hearts haue wisht (their ship quite lost
By Neptunes rigor; and they vext, and tost
Twixt winds & black waues, swimming for their liues;
A few escap't; and that few that suruiues
(All drencht in fome, and brine) craule vp to Land,
VVith ioy as much as they did worlds command;
So deare, to this wife, was her husbands sight;
Who still embrac't his necke; and had; (til light
Displaid her siluer Ensigne) if the Dame
That beares the blew sky, entermixt with flame
In her faire eyes, had not infixt her thought
On other ioyes, for loues so hardly brought
To long'd-for meeting: who th' extended night
VVith-held in long date; nor would let the light
Her wing-hoou'd horse ioyne; (Lempus, Phaeton)
Those euer Colts, that bring the morning on
To worldly men; But, in her golden chaire,
Downe to the Ocean, by her siluer haire
Bound her aspirings. Then Vlysses said;
O wife: Nor yet are my contentions staid;
A most vnmeasur'd labour, long and hard
Askes more performance; to it, being prepar'd
By graue Tiresias, when downe to hell
I made darke passage; that his skill might tell
My mens returne, and mine; But come, and now
Enioy the sweet rest that our Fates allow.
Did more desire of ioyfull mone conuay
To his glad minde; then if at instant sight,
She had allow'd him, all his wishes right.
He wept for ioy, t'enioy a wife so fit
For his graue minde, that knew his depth of wit;
And held chaste vertue at a price so high.
And as sad men at Sea, when shore is nigh,
VVhich long their hearts haue wisht (their ship quite lost
357
Twixt winds & black waues, swimming for their liues;
A few escap't; and that few that suruiues
(All drencht in fome, and brine) craule vp to Land,
VVith ioy as much as they did worlds command;
So deare, to this wife, was her husbands sight;
Who still embrac't his necke; and had; (til light
Displaid her siluer Ensigne) if the Dame
That beares the blew sky, entermixt with flame
In her faire eyes, had not infixt her thought
On other ioyes, for loues so hardly brought
To long'd-for meeting: who th' extended night
VVith-held in long date; nor would let the light
Her wing-hoou'd horse ioyne; (Lempus, Phaeton)
Those euer Colts, that bring the morning on
To worldly men; But, in her golden chaire,
Downe to the Ocean, by her siluer haire
Bound her aspirings. Then Vlysses said;
O wife: Nor yet are my contentions staid;
A most vnmeasur'd labour, long and hard
Askes more performance; to it, being prepar'd
By graue Tiresias, when downe to hell
I made darke passage; that his skill might tell
My mens returne, and mine; But come, and now
Enioy the sweet rest that our Fates allow.
The place of rest is ready, (she replyed)
Your will at full serue, since the deified
Haue brought you, where your right is to command.
But since you know (God making vnderstand
Your searching mind) informe me, what must be
Your last set labour; Since 'twill fall to me
(I hope) to heare it after; tell me now:
The greatest pleasure is before to know.
Vnhappy? (said Vlysses) To what end
Importune you this labour? It will lend
Nor you, nor me, delight; but you shall know,
I was commanded, yet more to bestow
My yeares in trauaile; many Cities more
By Sea to visit: and when first, for shore
I left my shipping, I was will'd to take
A nauall Oare in hand; and with it make
My passage forth, till such strange men I met,
As knew no Sea, nor euer salt did eat
VVith any victles: who the purple beakes
Of Ships did neuer see: nor that which breakes
The waues in curles, which is a Fan-like Oare,
And serues as wings, with which a ship doth soare.
To let me know then, when I was arriu'd
On that strange earth, where such a people liu'd.
He gaue me this for an vnfailing signe:
When any one, that tooke that Oare of mine
Borne on my shoulder, for a Corne-clense Fan,
I met ashore; and shew'd to be a man
Of that Lands labour: There had I command
To fixe mine Oare; and offer on that strand
T'imperiall Neptune (whom I must implore)
A Lambe, a Bull, and Sow-ascending Bore:
And then turne home; where all the other Gods
That in the broad heauen made secure abods,
I must solicite (all my curious heed
Giuen to the seuerall rites they haue decreed)
VVith holy Hecatombes: And then, at home
A gentle death should seize me, that would come
From out the Sea, and take me to his rest
In full ripe age; about me, liuing blest,
My louing people: To which (he presag'd)
The sequell of my fortunes were engag'd.
Your will at full serue, since the deified
Haue brought you, where your right is to command.
But since you know (God making vnderstand
Your searching mind) informe me, what must be
Your last set labour; Since 'twill fall to me
(I hope) to heare it after; tell me now:
The greatest pleasure is before to know.
Vnhappy? (said Vlysses) To what end
Importune you this labour? It will lend
Nor you, nor me, delight; but you shall know,
I was commanded, yet more to bestow
My yeares in trauaile; many Cities more
By Sea to visit: and when first, for shore
I left my shipping, I was will'd to take
A nauall Oare in hand; and with it make
My passage forth, till such strange men I met,
As knew no Sea, nor euer salt did eat
VVith any victles: who the purple beakes
Of Ships did neuer see: nor that which breakes
The waues in curles, which is a Fan-like Oare,
And serues as wings, with which a ship doth soare.
To let me know then, when I was arriu'd
358
He gaue me this for an vnfailing signe:
When any one, that tooke that Oare of mine
Borne on my shoulder, for a Corne-clense Fan,
I met ashore; and shew'd to be a man
Of that Lands labour: There had I command
To fixe mine Oare; and offer on that strand
T'imperiall Neptune (whom I must implore)
A Lambe, a Bull, and Sow-ascending Bore:
And then turne home; where all the other Gods
That in the broad heauen made secure abods,
I must solicite (all my curious heed
Giuen to the seuerall rites they haue decreed)
VVith holy Hecatombes: And then, at home
A gentle death should seize me, that would come
From out the Sea, and take me to his rest
In full ripe age; about me, liuing blest,
My louing people: To which (he presag'd)
The sequell of my fortunes were engag'd.
If then (saide she) the Gods will please t'impose
A happier Being to your fortunes close
Then went before; your hope giues comfort strength,
That life shall lend you better dayes at length.
A happier Being to your fortunes close
Then went before; your hope giues comfort strength,
That life shall lend you better dayes at length.
VVhile this discourse spent mutual speech, the bed
Eurynome and Nurse had made; and spred
With richest Furniture; while Torches spent
Their parcell gilt thereon. To bed then went
The aged Nurse; and where their Soueraignes were,
Eurynome (the Chamber-maid) did beare
A Torch, and went before them to their rest:
To which she left them; and for hers addrest.
The King and Queene then, now (as newly wed)
Resum'd the old Lawes of th' embracing bed.
Eurynome and Nurse had made; and spred
With richest Furniture; while Torches spent
Their parcell gilt thereon. To bed then went
The aged Nurse; and where their Soueraignes were,
Eurynome (the Chamber-maid) did beare
A Torch, and went before them to their rest:
To which she left them; and for hers addrest.
The King and Queene then, now (as newly wed)
Resum'd the old Lawes of th' embracing bed.
Telemachus, and both his Herdsmen, then
Dissolu'd the dances, both to Maids and men;
VVho in their shady roofes tooke timely sleepe.
The Bride, and Bridegroome, hauing ceast to keepe
Obserued Loue-ioyes; from their fit delight,
They turn'd to talke. The Queene then did recite
VVhat she had suffer'd by the hatefull rout
Of harmfull wooers, who had eate her out
So many Oxen, and so many Sheepe;
How many Tun of wine their drinking deepe
Had quite exhausted. Great Vlysses then,
VVhat euer slaughters he had made of men;
VVhat euer sorrowes he himselfe sustain'd,
Repeated amply; and her eares remain'd
VVith all delight, attentiue to their end.
Nor would one winke sleepe, till he told her all;
Beginning where he gaue the Cacons fall.
From thence, his passe to the Lotophagie;
The Cyclops acts; the putting out his eye,
And wreake of all the Souldiers he had eate,
No least ruth shewne, to all they could entreate.
His way to Æolus; his prompt receit,
And kinde dismission: his inforc't retreate
By sodaine Tempest, to the fishy maine;
And quite distraction from his course againe.
His landing at the Læstrigonian Port,
VVhere ships and men, in miserable sort,
Met all their spoiles; his ship, and he, alone
Got off from the abhorr'd confusion.
His passe to Circe; her deceits, and Arts:
His thence descension to th' infernall parts:
His lifes course of the Thebane Prophet learn'd;
VVhere, all the slaughter'd Grecians he descern'd,
And loued Mother. His astonisht eare
VVith what the Syrens voices made him heare.
His scape from th' erring Rockes, which Scylla was,
And rough Charybdis; with the dangerous passe
Of all that toucht there: His Sicilian
Offence giuen to the Sun: His euery man
Destroy'd by thunder, vollied out of heauen,
That split his Ship; his owne endeuours driuen
To shift sor succours on th' Ogygian shore,
VVhere Nimph Calypso, such affection bore
To him in his arriuall: That with feast
She kept him in her Caues, and would haue blest
His welcome life, with an immortall state;
VVould he haue staid, and liu'd her Nuptiall mate:
All which, she neuer could perswade him to.
His passe to the Phæacians, spent in wo:
Their hearty welcome of him, as he were,
A God descended from the starry Sphere:
Their kinde dismission of him home, with Gold,
Brasse, Garments; all things his occasions would.
Dissolu'd the dances, both to Maids and men;
VVho in their shady roofes tooke timely sleepe.
The Bride, and Bridegroome, hauing ceast to keepe
Obserued Loue-ioyes; from their fit delight,
They turn'd to talke. The Queene then did recite
VVhat she had suffer'd by the hatefull rout
Of harmfull wooers, who had eate her out
So many Oxen, and so many Sheepe;
How many Tun of wine their drinking deepe
Had quite exhausted. Great Vlysses then,
VVhat euer slaughters he had made of men;
VVhat euer sorrowes he himselfe sustain'd,
Repeated amply; and her eares remain'd
VVith all delight, attentiue to their end.
359
Beginning where he gaue the Cacons fall.
From thence, his passe to the Lotophagie;
The Cyclops acts; the putting out his eye,
And wreake of all the Souldiers he had eate,
No least ruth shewne, to all they could entreate.
His way to Æolus; his prompt receit,
And kinde dismission: his inforc't retreate
By sodaine Tempest, to the fishy maine;
And quite distraction from his course againe.
His landing at the Læstrigonian Port,
VVhere ships and men, in miserable sort,
Met all their spoiles; his ship, and he, alone
Got off from the abhorr'd confusion.
His passe to Circe; her deceits, and Arts:
His thence descension to th' infernall parts:
His lifes course of the Thebane Prophet learn'd;
VVhere, all the slaughter'd Grecians he descern'd,
And loued Mother. His astonisht eare
VVith what the Syrens voices made him heare.
His scape from th' erring Rockes, which Scylla was,
And rough Charybdis; with the dangerous passe
Of all that toucht there: His Sicilian
Offence giuen to the Sun: His euery man
Destroy'd by thunder, vollied out of heauen,
That split his Ship; his owne endeuours driuen
To shift sor succours on th' Ogygian shore,
VVhere Nimph Calypso, such affection bore
To him in his arriuall: That with feast
She kept him in her Caues, and would haue blest
His welcome life, with an immortall state;
VVould he haue staid, and liu'd her Nuptiall mate:
All which, she neuer could perswade him to.
His passe to the Phæacians, spent in wo:
Their hearty welcome of him, as he were,
A God descended from the starry Sphere:
Their kinde dismission of him home, with Gold,
Brasse, Garments; all things his occasions would.
This last word vsde; sleepe seiz'd his weary eye,
That salues all care, to all mortality.
In meane space, Pallas, entertain'd intent,
That when Vlysses, thought enough time spent
In loue-ioyes with his wife; to raise the Day,
And make his graue occasions, call, away.
The Morning rose, and he; when thus he saide;
O Queene: Now satiate with afflictions, laide
On both our bosomes; (you oppressed heere
VVith cares for my returne; I, euery where
By Ioue, and all the other Deities, tost
Euen till all hope of my returne was lost)
And both arriu'd at this sweet Hauen, our Bed;
Be your care vsde, to see administred
My house-possessions left. Those Sheepe that were
Consum'd in surfets by your wooers heere;
Ile forrage, to supply with some; and more,
The suffering Grecians shall be made restore,
Euen till our stalles receiue their wonted fill.
That salues all care, to all mortality.
In meane space, Pallas, entertain'd intent,
That when Vlysses, thought enough time spent
In loue-ioyes with his wife; to raise the Day,
And make his graue occasions, call, away.
The Morning rose, and he; when thus he saide;
O Queene: Now satiate with afflictions, laide
On both our bosomes; (you oppressed heere
VVith cares for my returne; I, euery where
360
Euen till all hope of my returne was lost)
And both arriu'd at this sweet Hauen, our Bed;
Be your care vsde, to see administred
My house-possessions left. Those Sheepe that were
Consum'd in surfets by your wooers heere;
Ile forrage, to supply with some; and more,
The suffering Grecians shall be made restore,
Euen till our stalles receiue their wonted fill.
And now, to comfort my good Fathers ill
Long suffer'd for me: To the many-tree'd
And ample Vineyard grounds, it is decreed
In my next care, that I must haste, and see
His long'd-for presence. In the meane time, be
Your wisedome vsde; that since (the Sun ascended)
The fame will soone be through the Town extended,
Of those I heere haue slaine; your selfe (got close
Vp to your chamber) see you there repose,
Cheer'd with your women; and, nor looke afford
Without your Court; nor anie man, a word.
Long suffer'd for me: To the many-tree'd
And ample Vineyard grounds, it is decreed
In my next care, that I must haste, and see
His long'd-for presence. In the meane time, be
Your wisedome vsde; that since (the Sun ascended)
The fame will soone be through the Town extended,
Of those I heere haue slaine; your selfe (got close
Vp to your chamber) see you there repose,
Cheer'd with your women; and, nor looke afford
Without your Court; nor anie man, a word.
This said, he arm'd: To arms, both Son and Swain
His powre commanding; who did entertaine
His charge with spirit: Op't the gates, and out;
He leading all. And now was hurl'd about
Auroraes ruddie fire: through all whose light
Minerua led them, through the Towne, from sight.
His powre commanding; who did entertaine
His charge with spirit: Op't the gates, and out;
He leading all. And now was hurl'd about
Auroraes ruddie fire: through all whose light
Minerua led them, through the Towne, from sight.
The End of the XXIII. Booke of Homers Odysses.
361
THE XXIIII. BOOKE OF Homers ODYSSES.
The Argvment.
By Mercury the Wooers soulesAre vsher'd to th' Infernall Pooles.
Vlysses, with Laertes met,
The people, are in uprore set
Against them, for the wooers ends:
Whom Pallas stayes, and renders Frends.
Another.
The vprores firethe Peoples fall;
The Grandfire, Sire,
and Son, to all.
Cyllenian
Hermes with his golden rod,
The wooers soules (that yet retain'd abod
Amids their bodies) call'd in dreadfull rout
Forth to th' Infernals; who came murmuring out.
And as amids the desolate retreate
Of some vaste Cauerne (made the sacred seate
Of austere spirits) Bats, with Brests, and wings
Claspe fast the wals; and each to other clings:
But, swept off from their couerts, vp they rise
And flye with murmures, in amazefull guise
About the cauerne: So these (grumbling) rose
And flockt together. Downe before them goes
None-hurting Mercury, to hels broad waies;
And straight to those streights, where the Ocean staies
His lofty current in calme deepes, they flew.
Then to the snowy rocke, they next withdrew;
And to the close of Phœbus orient gates:
The Nation then of Dreames; and then the states
Of those soules Idols, that the weary dead
Gaue vp in earth: which, in a flowry Mead
Had habitable situation.
And there they saw the soule of Thetis son;
Of good Patroclus; braue Antilochus,
And Aiax; the supremely strenuous
Of all the Greeke hoast, next Plebeian:
All which assembled about Maias son.
And to them (after) came the mournfull Ghost
Of Agamemnon; with all those, he lost
In false Ægysthus Court. Achilles then
Beholding there, that mighty King of men:
Deplor'd his plight, and said: O Atreus Son!
Of all Heroes; all Opinion
Gaue thee, for Ioues most lou'd; since most command
Of all the Greekes, he gaue thy eminent hand
At siedge of Ilion, where we suffer'd so:
And is the issue this? That first in wo,
Sterne Fate did therefore set thy sequell downe?
None borne past others Fates, can passe his owne.
I wish to heauen, that in the heighth of all
Our pompe at Ilion, Fate had sign'd thy fall;
That all the Greekes might haue aduanc't to thee,
A famous Sepulcher; and Fame might see
Thy Son giuen honor, in thy honour'd end;
But now, a wretched death did Fate extend
To thy confusion, and thy Issues shame.
The wooers soules (that yet retain'd abod
Amids their bodies) call'd in dreadfull rout
Forth to th' Infernals; who came murmuring out.
And as amids the desolate retreate
Of some vaste Cauerne (made the sacred seate
Of austere spirits) Bats, with Brests, and wings
Claspe fast the wals; and each to other clings:
But, swept off from their couerts, vp they rise
And flye with murmures, in amazefull guise
About the cauerne: So these (grumbling) rose
And flockt together. Downe before them goes
None-hurting Mercury, to hels broad waies;
And straight to those streights, where the Ocean staies
His lofty current in calme deepes, they flew.
Then to the snowy rocke, they next withdrew;
And to the close of Phœbus orient gates:
The Nation then of Dreames; and then the states
Of those soules Idols, that the weary dead
Gaue vp in earth: which, in a flowry Mead
Had habitable situation.
And there they saw the soule of Thetis son;
Of good Patroclus; braue Antilochus,
And Aiax; the supremely strenuous
Of all the Greeke hoast, next Plebeian:
All which assembled about Maias son.
362
Of Agamemnon; with all those, he lost
In false Ægysthus Court. Achilles then
Beholding there, that mighty King of men:
Deplor'd his plight, and said: O Atreus Son!
Of all Heroes; all Opinion
Gaue thee, for Ioues most lou'd; since most command
Of all the Greekes, he gaue thy eminent hand
At siedge of Ilion, where we suffer'd so:
And is the issue this? That first in wo,
Sterne Fate did therefore set thy sequell downe?
None borne past others Fates, can passe his owne.
I wish to heauen, that in the heighth of all
Our pompe at Ilion, Fate had sign'd thy fall;
That all the Greekes might haue aduanc't to thee,
A famous Sepulcher; and Fame might see
Thy Son giuen honor, in thy honour'd end;
But now, a wretched death did Fate extend
To thy confusion, and thy Issues shame.
O Thetis Son (said he) the vitall flame
Extinct at Ilion, far from th' Argiue fields;
The stile of blessed, to thy vertue yields.
About thy fall, the best of Greece and Troy
VVere sacrific'd to slaughter: Thy iust ioy
Conceiu'd in battell, with some worth forgot,
In such a death, as great Apollo shot
At thy encounters: Thy braue person lay
Hid in a dusty whirlewinde, that made way
VVith humane breaths; spent in thy ruines state;
Thou great, wert greatly valew'd, in thy Fate.
All day we fought about thee; nor at all
Had ceast our conflict, had not Ioue let fall
A storme, that forc't off our vnwilling feete.
But, hauing brought thee from the fight, to fleete
Thy glorious person (bath'd and balm'd) we laide
Aloft a bed; and round about thee, paide
The Greekes warme teares, to thy deplor'd decease;
Quite danted, cutting all their curles increase.
Thy death draue a diuine voice through the Seas,
That started vp thy Mother from the waues;
And all the Marine Godheads, left their caues,
Consorting to our fleet, her rapt repaire:
The Greekes stood frighted, to see Sea, and Aire,
And Earth, combine so, in thy losses sence;
Had taken ship, and fled for euer thence,
If old-much-knowing-Nestor had not staide
Their rushing off: His counsailes hauing swaide
In all times former, with such cause, their courses;
Who bad containe themselues, and trust their forces;
For all they saw, was Thetis come from Sea,
VVith others of the watry progenie,
To see and mourne for her deceased Son.
VVhich staid the feares, that all to flight had won;
And round about thee stood th' old Sea-gods seedes,
VVretchedly mourning: their immortall weeds
Spreading vpon thee: all the sacred Nine
Of deathlesse Muses, paid thee dues diuine;
By varied turnes their heauenly voyces venting;
All in deepe passion for thy death consenting.
And then, of all our Army, not an eye
You could haue seene, vndrown'd in misery;
The mouing Muse, so rul'd in euery minde.
Full seuenteene dayes and nights, our teares confin'd
To celebration of thy mourned end;
Both men, and Gods, did in thy moane contend.
The eighteenth day, we spent about thy heape
Of dying fire: Blacke Oxen, fattest Sheepe
VVe slew, past number. Then the precious spoile
(Thy Corse) wee tooke vp, which with floods of oile
And pleasant Hony we embalm'd; and then
VVrapt thee in those Robes, that the Gods did raine:
In which, we gaue thee to the hallowed flame;
To which, a number of heroicall name,
All arm'd, came rushing in, in desperate plight;
As prest to sacrifice their vitall right
To thy dead ruines, while so bright they burn'd:
Both foote & horse brake in; and fought, & mourn'd
In infinite tumult. But when all the night
The rich flame lasted; and that wasted quite
Thy body was with the enamor'd fire;
VVe came in early Morne, and an entire
Collection made, of euery Iuorie bone;
VVhich washt in wine, and giuen fit vnction,
A two-ear'd Bolle of Gold thy Mother gaue,
By Bacchus giuen her; and did forme receaue
From Vulcans famous hand; which (O renown'd
Great Thetis Son) with thy faire bones, we crown'd;
Mixt with the Bones of Mænetiades,
And braue Antilochus; who, in decease
Of thy Patroclus, was thy fauours Deere.
About thee then, a matchlesse Sepulchere,
The sacred hoast of the Achaians raisd
Vpon the Hellespont; where most it seisd
(For height, and conspicuity) the eies
Of liuing men, and their posterities.
Thy Mother then obtain'd the Gods consent
To institute an honor'd game, that spent
The best approuement of our Grecian Fames;
In whose praise, I must say, that many games
About Heroes Sepulchers, mine eyes
Haue seene perform'd: But these, bore off the prize
VVith myracles to me, from all before.
In which, thy Siluer-footed Mother, bore
The Institutions name; but thy desarts
(Being great with heauen) caus'd al the eminent parts.
And thus, through all the worst effects of Fate,
Achilles Fame, euen Death shall propagate:
VVhile any one, shall lend the light an eye,
Diuine Æacides shal neuer dye.
But wherein can these comforts be conceiu'd
As rights to me? when hauing quite atchieu'd
An end with safety, and with Conquest too
Of so vnmatcht a warre; what none could do
Of all our enemies there, at home, a Friend,
And VVife, haue giuen me inglorious end.
Extinct at Ilion, far from th' Argiue fields;
The stile of blessed, to thy vertue yields.
About thy fall, the best of Greece and Troy
VVere sacrific'd to slaughter: Thy iust ioy
Conceiu'd in battell, with some worth forgot,
In such a death, as great Apollo shot
At thy encounters: Thy braue person lay
Hid in a dusty whirlewinde, that made way
VVith humane breaths; spent in thy ruines state;
Thou great, wert greatly valew'd, in thy Fate.
All day we fought about thee; nor at all
Had ceast our conflict, had not Ioue let fall
A storme, that forc't off our vnwilling feete.
But, hauing brought thee from the fight, to fleete
Thy glorious person (bath'd and balm'd) we laide
Aloft a bed; and round about thee, paide
The Greekes warme teares, to thy deplor'd decease;
Quite danted, cutting all their curles increase.
Thy death draue a diuine voice through the Seas,
That started vp thy Mother from the waues;
And all the Marine Godheads, left their caues,
Consorting to our fleet, her rapt repaire:
The Greekes stood frighted, to see Sea, and Aire,
And Earth, combine so, in thy losses sence;
Had taken ship, and fled for euer thence,
If old-much-knowing-Nestor had not staide
Their rushing off: His counsailes hauing swaide
In all times former, with such cause, their courses;
363
For all they saw, was Thetis come from Sea,
VVith others of the watry progenie,
To see and mourne for her deceased Son.
VVhich staid the feares, that all to flight had won;
And round about thee stood th' old Sea-gods seedes,
VVretchedly mourning: their immortall weeds
Spreading vpon thee: all the sacred Nine
Of deathlesse Muses, paid thee dues diuine;
By varied turnes their heauenly voyces venting;
All in deepe passion for thy death consenting.
And then, of all our Army, not an eye
You could haue seene, vndrown'd in misery;
The mouing Muse, so rul'd in euery minde.
Full seuenteene dayes and nights, our teares confin'd
To celebration of thy mourned end;
Both men, and Gods, did in thy moane contend.
The eighteenth day, we spent about thy heape
Of dying fire: Blacke Oxen, fattest Sheepe
VVe slew, past number. Then the precious spoile
(Thy Corse) wee tooke vp, which with floods of oile
And pleasant Hony we embalm'd; and then
VVrapt thee in those Robes, that the Gods did raine:
In which, we gaue thee to the hallowed flame;
To which, a number of heroicall name,
All arm'd, came rushing in, in desperate plight;
As prest to sacrifice their vitall right
To thy dead ruines, while so bright they burn'd:
Both foote & horse brake in; and fought, & mourn'd
In infinite tumult. But when all the night
The rich flame lasted; and that wasted quite
Thy body was with the enamor'd fire;
VVe came in early Morne, and an entire
Collection made, of euery Iuorie bone;
VVhich washt in wine, and giuen fit vnction,
A two-ear'd Bolle of Gold thy Mother gaue,
By Bacchus giuen her; and did forme receaue
From Vulcans famous hand; which (O renown'd
Great Thetis Son) with thy faire bones, we crown'd;
Mixt with the Bones of Mænetiades,
And braue Antilochus; who, in decease
Of thy Patroclus, was thy fauours Deere.
About thee then, a matchlesse Sepulchere,
The sacred hoast of the Achaians raisd
Vpon the Hellespont; where most it seisd
(For height, and conspicuity) the eies
Of liuing men, and their posterities.
Thy Mother then obtain'd the Gods consent
364
The best approuement of our Grecian Fames;
In whose praise, I must say, that many games
About Heroes Sepulchers, mine eyes
Haue seene perform'd: But these, bore off the prize
VVith myracles to me, from all before.
In which, thy Siluer-footed Mother, bore
The Institutions name; but thy desarts
(Being great with heauen) caus'd al the eminent parts.
And thus, through all the worst effects of Fate,
Achilles Fame, euen Death shall propagate:
VVhile any one, shall lend the light an eye,
Diuine Æacides shal neuer dye.
But wherein can these comforts be conceiu'd
As rights to me? when hauing quite atchieu'd
An end with safety, and with Conquest too
Of so vnmatcht a warre; what none could do
Of all our enemies there, at home, a Friend,
And VVife, haue giuen me inglorious end.
While these thus spake, the Argus-killing spy
Brought neere, Vlysses noble victory
To their renew'd discourse; in all the ends
The wooers suffer'd, and shew'd those his Frends.
VVhom now, amaze inuaded with the view,
And made giue backe: yet Agamemnon knew
Melanthius heyre, much-fam'd Amphimedon,
Who had in Ithaca, Guest-fauours shown
To great Atrides; who first spake, and saide:
Brought neere, Vlysses noble victory
To their renew'd discourse; in all the ends
The wooers suffer'd, and shew'd those his Frends.
VVhom now, amaze inuaded with the view,
And made giue backe: yet Agamemnon knew
Melanthius heyre, much-fam'd Amphimedon,
Who had in Ithaca, Guest-fauours shown
To great Atrides; who first spake, and saide:
Amphimedon: what sufferance hath bene laide
On your aliue parts, that hath made you make
This land of darknesse, the retreat you take?
So all together? All being like in yeeres?
Nor would a man haue choosd, of all the Peeres
A City honors, men to make a part
More strong for any obiect? Hath your smart
Bene felt from Neptune, being at Sea? His wrath,
The winds, and waues, exciting to your scath?
Or haue offensiue men imposd this Fate?
Your Oxen driuing; or your flockes estate?
Or for your City fighting, and your wiues,
Haue deaths vntimely, seiz'd your best-tim'd liues?
Informe me truly: I was once your Guest;
VVhen I, and Menelaus had profest
First armes for Ilion; and were come ashore
On Ithaca, with purpose to implore
Vlysses aide; that City-racing man,
In wreake of the adulterous Phrygian.
Retaine not you the time? A whole months date
We spent at Sea, in hope to instigate
In our arriuall, old Laertes Son;
VVhom (hardly yet) to our designe we won.
On your aliue parts, that hath made you make
This land of darknesse, the retreat you take?
So all together? All being like in yeeres?
Nor would a man haue choosd, of all the Peeres
A City honors, men to make a part
More strong for any obiect? Hath your smart
Bene felt from Neptune, being at Sea? His wrath,
The winds, and waues, exciting to your scath?
Or haue offensiue men imposd this Fate?
Your Oxen driuing; or your flockes estate?
Or for your City fighting, and your wiues,
Haue deaths vntimely, seiz'd your best-tim'd liues?
Informe me truly: I was once your Guest;
VVhen I, and Menelaus had profest
First armes for Ilion; and were come ashore
On Ithaca, with purpose to implore
Vlysses aide; that City-racing man,
In wreake of the adulterous Phrygian.
Retaine not you the time? A whole months date
365
In our arriuall, old Laertes Son;
VVhom (hardly yet) to our designe we won.
The Soule made answer: Worthiest King of men,
I well remember euery passage then
You now reduce to thought; and will relate
The truth, in whole forme, of our timelesse Fate.
I well remember euery passage then
You now reduce to thought; and will relate
The truth, in whole forme, of our timelesse Fate.
VVe woo'd the wife of that long absent King;
VVho (though her second marriage, were a thing
Of most hate to her) she would yet deny
At no part our affections; nor comply
With any in performance: but decreed
In her delayes, the cruell Fates, we feed.
Her craft was this: She vndertooke to weaue
A Funerall garment, destin'd to receaue
The corse of old Laertes; being a taske
Of infinite labour, and which Time would aske.
In midst of whose attempt, she causd our stay
VVith this attraction: Youths! that come in way
Of honor'd Nuptials to me: Though my Lord
Abide amongst the dead; yet cease to bord
My choise for present Nuptials; and sustaine
(Lest what is past me, of this web, be vaine)
Till all receiue perfection: 'Tis a weede
Dispos'd, to wrap in, at his Funerall neede
The old Laertes: who (possessing much)
Would (in his want of rites as fitting) touch
My honor highly, with each vulgar Dame.
Thus spake she, and perswaded; and her Frame
All day she labour'd; her dayes worke not small;
But euery night time, she vnwrought it all.
Three yeares continuing this imperfect taske;
But when the fourth year came, her slights could mask
In no more couert; since her trusted Maid
Her whole deceite, to our true note betraid.
VVith which, surpriz'd, she could no more protract
Her workes perfection: but gaue end exact
To what remain'd: washt vp, and set thereon
A glosse so bright, that like the Sun and Moon
The whole worke shew'd together. And when now
Of meere necessity, her honour'd vow
She must make good to vs: ill fortune brought
Vlysses home; who yet, gaue none one thought
Of his arriuall; but far-off at field
Liu'd with his Herdsman: Nor his trust would yield
Note of his person; but liu'd there, as Guest;
Ragg'd as a begger, in that life profest.
At length, Telemachus left Pylos sank;
And with a Ship, fetcht soone his natiue Land.
When yet, not home he went: but laid his way
Vp to his Herdsman, where his Father lay;
And where, both laide our deaths. To town then bore
The Swine-herd, and his King; the Swaine before.
Telemachus, in other wayes, bestow'd
His course home first, t'associate vs that woo'd.
The Swaine, the King led after; who came on
Ragged and wretched, and still lean'd vpon
A borrow'd staffe. At length, he reacht his home;
VVhere (on the sodaine, and so wretched, come)
Nor we, nor much our elders, once did dreame
Of his returne there: but did wrongs extreame
Of words, and blowes to him: all which, he bore
VVith that old patience he had learn'd before.
But when the minde of Ioue had rais'd his owne;
His son and he, fetcht all their Armour downe;
Fast lockt the doores; and (to prepare their vse)
He will'd his wife (for first meane) to produce
His Bow to vs, to draw; of which, no one
Could stir the string: Himselfe yet, set vpon
The deadly strength it held; Drew all, with ease;
Shot through the steeles, and then began to sease
Our armelesse bosomes; striking first, the brest
Of King Antinous, and then the rest
In heapes turn'd ouer: hopefull of his end,
Because some God (he knew) stood firme his frend.
Nor prou'd it worse with him; but all in flood,
The Pauement straight, blusht with our vitall blood:
And thus our soules came heere; our bodies laid
Neglected in his roofes: no word conuaid
To any friend, to take vs home and giue
Our wounds fit balming; nor let such as liue
Entombe our deaths: and for our fortunes, shed
Those teares, and dead rites, that renowne the dead.
VVho (though her second marriage, were a thing
Of most hate to her) she would yet deny
At no part our affections; nor comply
With any in performance: but decreed
In her delayes, the cruell Fates, we feed.
Her craft was this: She vndertooke to weaue
A Funerall garment, destin'd to receaue
The corse of old Laertes; being a taske
Of infinite labour, and which Time would aske.
In midst of whose attempt, she causd our stay
VVith this attraction: Youths! that come in way
Of honor'd Nuptials to me: Though my Lord
Abide amongst the dead; yet cease to bord
My choise for present Nuptials; and sustaine
(Lest what is past me, of this web, be vaine)
Till all receiue perfection: 'Tis a weede
Dispos'd, to wrap in, at his Funerall neede
The old Laertes: who (possessing much)
Would (in his want of rites as fitting) touch
My honor highly, with each vulgar Dame.
Thus spake she, and perswaded; and her Frame
All day she labour'd; her dayes worke not small;
But euery night time, she vnwrought it all.
Three yeares continuing this imperfect taske;
But when the fourth year came, her slights could mask
In no more couert; since her trusted Maid
Her whole deceite, to our true note betraid.
VVith which, surpriz'd, she could no more protract
Her workes perfection: but gaue end exact
To what remain'd: washt vp, and set thereon
A glosse so bright, that like the Sun and Moon
The whole worke shew'd together. And when now
Of meere necessity, her honour'd vow
She must make good to vs: ill fortune brought
Vlysses home; who yet, gaue none one thought
Of his arriuall; but far-off at field
Liu'd with his Herdsman: Nor his trust would yield
Note of his person; but liu'd there, as Guest;
Ragg'd as a begger, in that life profest.
At length, Telemachus left Pylos sank;
366
When yet, not home he went: but laid his way
Vp to his Herdsman, where his Father lay;
And where, both laide our deaths. To town then bore
The Swine-herd, and his King; the Swaine before.
Telemachus, in other wayes, bestow'd
His course home first, t'associate vs that woo'd.
The Swaine, the King led after; who came on
Ragged and wretched, and still lean'd vpon
A borrow'd staffe. At length, he reacht his home;
VVhere (on the sodaine, and so wretched, come)
Nor we, nor much our elders, once did dreame
Of his returne there: but did wrongs extreame
Of words, and blowes to him: all which, he bore
VVith that old patience he had learn'd before.
But when the minde of Ioue had rais'd his owne;
His son and he, fetcht all their Armour downe;
Fast lockt the doores; and (to prepare their vse)
He will'd his wife (for first meane) to produce
His Bow to vs, to draw; of which, no one
Could stir the string: Himselfe yet, set vpon
The deadly strength it held; Drew all, with ease;
Shot through the steeles, and then began to sease
Our armelesse bosomes; striking first, the brest
Of King Antinous, and then the rest
In heapes turn'd ouer: hopefull of his end,
Because some God (he knew) stood firme his frend.
Nor prou'd it worse with him; but all in flood,
The Pauement straight, blusht with our vitall blood:
And thus our soules came heere; our bodies laid
Neglected in his roofes: no word conuaid
To any friend, to take vs home and giue
Our wounds fit balming; nor let such as liue
Entombe our deaths: and for our fortunes, shed
Those teares, and dead rites, that renowne the dead.
Atrides Ghost gaue answere; O blest Son
Of old Laertes, thou at length, hast won
With mighty vertue, thy vnmatched wife.
How good a knowledge: how vntoucht a life
Hath wife Penelope? How well she laide
Her husbands rights vp! whom she lou'd a Maid?
For which, her vertues shall extend applause
Beyond the circles fraile mortality drawes;
The deathlesse in this vale of death, comprising,
Her praise, in numbers, into infinites rising.
The daughter, Tyndarus begat, begot
No such chaste thoughts; but cut the virgin knot
That knit her spouse & her, with murtherous swords.
For which, posterities shall put hatefull words
To notes of her: that all her Sex defam'd,
And for her ill, shall euen the good be blam'd.
Of old Laertes, thou at length, hast won
With mighty vertue, thy vnmatched wife.
How good a knowledge: how vntoucht a life
Hath wife Penelope? How well she laide
Her husbands rights vp! whom she lou'd a Maid?
For which, her vertues shall extend applause
Beyond the circles fraile mortality drawes;
The deathlesse in this vale of death, comprising,
Her praise, in numbers, into infinites rising.
The daughter, Tyndarus begat, begot
No such chaste thoughts; but cut the virgin knot
That knit her spouse & her, with murtherous swords.
367
To notes of her: that all her Sex defam'd,
And for her ill, shall euen the good be blam'd.
To this effect, these, these digressions made
In hell; Earths darke, and euer-hiding shade.
Vlysses, and his Son (now past the Towne)
Soone reacht the field, elaborately growne
By old Laertes labour: when, with cares
For his lost Son, he left, all Court affaires;
And tooke to this rude vpland; which, with toile
He made a sweet and habitable soile:
VVhere stood a house to him; about which, ran
In turnings thicke, and Labyrinthian,
Poore Houels, where his necessary men
That did those workes (of pleasure to him then)
Might sit, and eate, and sleepe. In his owne house
An old Sicilian Dame liu'd; studious
To serue his sowre age with her cheerefull paines.
In hell; Earths darke, and euer-hiding shade.
Vlysses, and his Son (now past the Towne)
Soone reacht the field, elaborately growne
By old Laertes labour: when, with cares
For his lost Son, he left, all Court affaires;
And tooke to this rude vpland; which, with toile
He made a sweet and habitable soile:
VVhere stood a house to him; about which, ran
In turnings thicke, and Labyrinthian,
Poore Houels, where his necessary men
That did those workes (of pleasure to him then)
Might sit, and eate, and sleepe. In his owne house
An old Sicilian Dame liu'd; studious
To serue his sowre age with her cheerefull paines.
Then saide Vlysses to his Son, and Swaines;
Go you to Towne, and for your dinner kill
The best Swine ye can choose; my selfe will still
Stay with my father, and assay his eye,
If my acknowledg'd truth, it can descry;
Or that my long times trauaile, doth so change
My sight to him, that I appeare as strange.
Thus gaue he armes to them, and home he hied:
Vlysses to the fruitfull field, applied
His present place: nor found he Dolius there,
His sonnes, or any seruant, anywhere
In all that spacious ground; all gone from thence,
Were dragging bushes, to repaire a fence,
Old Dolius leading all. Vlysses found
His father farre aboue, in that faire ground,
Employd in proyning of a Plant: his weeds
All torne and tatter'd; fit for homely deeds,
But not for him. Vpon his legs he wore
Patcht boots, to guard him from the brambles gore:
His hands, had thorne-proofe hedging Mittens on,
His head a Goats-skin Caske : through all which shone
His heart giuen ouer, to abiectest mone.
Him, when Vlysses saw, consum'd with age,
And all the Ensignes on him, that the rage
Of griefe presented: he brake out in teares:
And (taking stand then, where a tree of Peares
Shot high his forehead ouer him) his minde
Had much contention. If to yeeld to kinde,
Make straight way to his father; kisse, embrace,
Tell his returne, and put on all the face
And fashion of his instant told returne,
Or stay th' impulsion; and the long day burne
Of his quite losse giuen, in his Fathers feare,
A little longer: trying first his cheare
With some free dalliance; th' earnest being so neare.
Go you to Towne, and for your dinner kill
The best Swine ye can choose; my selfe will still
Stay with my father, and assay his eye,
If my acknowledg'd truth, it can descry;
Or that my long times trauaile, doth so change
My sight to him, that I appeare as strange.
Thus gaue he armes to them, and home he hied:
Vlysses to the fruitfull field, applied
His present place: nor found he Dolius there,
His sonnes, or any seruant, anywhere
In all that spacious ground; all gone from thence,
Were dragging bushes, to repaire a fence,
Old Dolius leading all. Vlysses found
His father farre aboue, in that faire ground,
Employd in proyning of a Plant: his weeds
All torne and tatter'd; fit for homely deeds,
But not for him. Vpon his legs he wore
Patcht boots, to guard him from the brambles gore:
His hands, had thorne-proofe hedging Mittens on,
His head a Goats-skin
Caske : through all which shone
His heart giuen ouer, to abiectest mone.
Him, when Vlysses saw, consum'd with age,
And all the Ensignes on him, that the rage
Of griefe presented: he brake out in teares:
And (taking stand then, where a tree of Peares
Shot high his forehead ouer him) his minde
Had much contention. If to yeeld to kinde,
Make straight way to his father; kisse, embrace,
Tell his returne, and put on all the face
368
Or stay th' impulsion; and the long day burne
Of his quite losse giuen, in his Fathers feare,
A little longer: trying first his cheare
With some free dalliance; th' earnest being so neare.
This course his choise preferr'd, and forth he went:
His Father then, his aged shoulders bent
Beneath what yeares had stoop't; about a Tree
Busily digging: O, old man (said he)
You want no skill, to dresse and decke your ground,
For all your Plants doth order'd distance bound:
No Apple, Peare, or Oliue, Fig, or Vine;
Nor any plat, or quarter, you confine
To grasse, or flow'rs, stands empty of your care,
Which shewes exact in each peculiare:
And yet (which let not moue you) you bestow
No care vpon your selfe; though to this show
Of outward irksomnesse, to what you are,
You labour with an inward froward care,
Which is your age; that should weare all without
More neate, and cherishing. I make no doubt
That any sloth you vse, procures your Lord
To let an old man, go so much abhord
In all his weeds; nor shines there in your looke
A fashion, and a goodlinesse, so tooke
VVith abiect qualities, to merit this
Nasty entreaty: Your resemblance is
A very Kings, and shines through this retreate.
You looke like one, that hauing washt, and eate,
Should sleepe securely, lying sweet, and neate.
It is the ground of Age, when cares abuse it,
To know life's end; and as 'tis sweet, so vse it.
His Father then, his aged shoulders bent
Beneath what yeares had stoop't; about a Tree
Busily digging: O, old man (said he)
You want no skill, to dresse and decke your ground,
For all your Plants doth order'd distance bound:
No Apple, Peare, or Oliue, Fig, or Vine;
Nor any plat, or quarter, you confine
To grasse, or flow'rs, stands empty of your care,
Which shewes exact in each peculiare:
And yet (which let not moue you) you bestow
No care vpon your selfe; though to this show
Of outward irksomnesse, to what you are,
You labour with an inward froward care,
Which is your age; that should weare all without
More neate, and cherishing. I make no doubt
That any sloth you vse, procures your Lord
To let an old man, go so much abhord
In all his weeds; nor shines there in your looke
A fashion, and a goodlinesse, so tooke
VVith abiect qualities, to merit this
Nasty entreaty: Your resemblance is
A very Kings, and shines through this retreate.
You looke like one, that hauing washt, and eate,
Should sleepe securely, lying sweet, and neate.
It is the ground of Age, when cares abuse it,
To know life's end; and as 'tis sweet, so vse it.
But vtter truth, and tell; what Lord is he,
That rates your labour, and your liberty?
VVhose Orchard is it, that you husband thus?
Or quit me this doubt; For if Ithacus
This kingdome claimes for his: the man I found
At first arriuall heere, is hardly sound
Of braine, or ciuill; not induring stay,
To tell, nor heare me, my enquiry out
Of that my friend; if stil he bore about
His life and Being; or were diu'd to Death,
And in the house of him that harboureth
The soules of men. For once he liu'd my guest;
My Land and house retaining interest
In his abode there; where there soiourn'd none,
As guest, from any forreigne Region
Of more price with me. He deriu'd his race
From Ithaca; and said, his Father was
Laertes, surnam'd Arcesiades.
I had him home; and all the offices
Perform'd to him, that fitted any friend;
Whose proofe I did to wealthy gifts extend:
Seuen Talents, Gold; a Bolle all siluer, set
With pots of flowers: twelue robes, that had no pleat:
Twelue cloakes (or mantles) of delicious dye:
Twelue inner weeds: Twelue sutes of Tapistry
I gaue him likewise: women skill'd in vse
Of Loome, and Needle; freeing him to chuse
Foure the most faire. His Father (weeping) saide,
That rates your labour, and your liberty?
VVhose Orchard is it, that you husband thus?
Or quit me this doubt; For if Ithacus
This kingdome claimes for his: the man I found
At first arriuall heere, is hardly sound
Of braine, or ciuill; not induring stay,
To tell, nor heare me, my enquiry out
Of that my friend; if stil he bore about
His life and Being; or were diu'd to Death,
And in the house of him that harboureth
The soules of men. For once he liu'd my guest;
My Land and house retaining interest
In his abode there; where there soiourn'd none,
As guest, from any forreigne Region
Of more price with me. He deriu'd his race
369
Laertes, surnam'd Arcesiades.
I had him home; and all the offices
Perform'd to him, that fitted any friend;
Whose proofe I did to wealthy gifts extend:
Seuen Talents, Gold; a Bolle all siluer, set
With pots of flowers: twelue robes, that had no pleat:
Twelue cloakes (or mantles) of delicious dye:
Twelue inner weeds: Twelue sutes of Tapistry
I gaue him likewise: women skill'd in vse
Of Loome, and Needle; freeing him to chuse
Foure the most faire. His Father (weeping) saide,
Stranger! The earth to which you are conuaide,
Is Ithaca; by such rude men possest,
Vniust and insolent, as first addrest
To your encounter; but the gifts you gaue
VVere giuen (alas) to the vngratefull graue.
If with his people, where you now arriue,
Your Fate had bene to finde your friend aliue,
You shold haue found like Guest-rites from his hand;
Like gifts, and kinde passe to your wished land.
But how long since, receiu'd you as your guest
Your Friend, my Son? who was th' nhappiest
Of all men breathing, if he were at all?
O borne, when Fates, and ill Aspects let fall
A cruell influence for him; Farre away
From Friends and Countrey; destin'd to alay
The Sea-bred appetites; or (left ashore)
To be by Fowles, and vpland Monsters tore.
His lifes kinde authors; nor his wealthy wife,
Bemoning (as behoou'd) his parted life:
Nor closing (as in honours course it lyes
To all men dead) in bed, his dying eyes.
But giue me knowledge of your name, and race:
What City bred you? VVhere the anchoring place
Your ship now rides at lies, that shor'd you here?
And where your men? Or if a passenger
In others Keeles you came; who (giuing Land
To your aduentures heere, some other Strand
To fetch in further course) haue left to vs
Your welcome presence? His reply was thus:
Is Ithaca; by such rude men possest,
Vniust and insolent, as first addrest
To your encounter; but the gifts you gaue
VVere giuen (alas) to the vngratefull graue.
If with his people, where you now arriue,
Your Fate had bene to finde your friend aliue,
You shold haue found like Guest-rites from his hand;
Like gifts, and kinde passe to your wished land.
But how long since, receiu'd you as your guest
Your Friend, my Son? who was th' nhappiest
Of all men breathing, if he were at all?
O borne, when Fates, and ill Aspects let fall
A cruell influence for him; Farre away
From Friends and Countrey; destin'd to alay
The Sea-bred appetites; or (left ashore)
To be by Fowles, and vpland Monsters tore.
His lifes kinde authors; nor his wealthy wife,
Bemoning (as behoou'd) his parted life:
Nor closing (as in honours course it lyes
To all men dead) in bed, his dying eyes.
But giue me knowledge of your name, and race:
What City bred you? VVhere the anchoring place
Your ship now rides at lies, that shor'd you here?
And where your men? Or if a passenger
In others Keeles you came; who (giuing Land
To your aduentures heere, some other Strand
To fetch in further course) haue left to vs
Your welcome presence? His reply was thus:
I am of Alybande, where I hold
My names chiefe house, to much renowne extold.
My Father Aphidantes; fam'd to spring
From Polypemon; the Molossian King:
My name, Eperitus. My taking land
On this faire Isle, was rul'd by the command
Of God, or Fortune: quite against consent
Of my free purpose; that, in course was bent
For th' Isle Sicania. My Ship is held
Farre from the City, neere an ample field.
And for (Vlysses) since his passe from me
'Tis now fiue yeares. Vnblest by Destiny,
That all this time, hath had the Fate to erre:
Though, at his parting, good Birds did augure
His putting off, and on his right hand flew;
VVhich, to his passage, my affection drew:
His spirit ioyfull, and my hope was now
To guest with him, and see his hand bestow
Rights of our friendship. This, a cloud of griefe
Cast ouer all the forces of his life.
VVith both his hands, the burning dust he swept
Vp from the earth, which on his head he heapt,
And fetcht a sigh, as in it, life were broke:
VVhich greeu'd his Son, and gaue so smart a stroke
Vpon his nosethrils, with the inward stripe,
That vp the Veine rose there; and weeping ripe
He was, to see his Sire feele such woe
For his dissembl'd ioy; which now (let goe)
He sprung from earth, embrac't and kist his Sire:
And said; O Father: he, of whom y'enquire
Am I my selfe, that (from you, twenty yeares)
Is now return'd. But do not breake in teares;
For now, we must not formes of kinde maintaine,
But haste and guard the substance. I haue slaine
All my wiues wooers; so, reuenging now
Their wrong so long time suffer'd. Take not you
The comfort of my comming then, to heart
At this glad instant; but, in prou'd desert
Of your graue iudgement; giue mone, glad suspence,
And, on the sodaine, put this consequence
In act as absolute, as all time went
To ripening of your resolute assent.
My names chiefe house, to much renowne extold.
My Father Aphidantes; fam'd to spring
From Polypemon; the Molossian King:
My name, Eperitus. My taking land
On this faire Isle, was rul'd by the command
Of God, or Fortune: quite against consent
370
For th' Isle Sicania. My Ship is held
Farre from the City, neere an ample field.
And for (Vlysses) since his passe from me
'Tis now fiue yeares. Vnblest by Destiny,
That all this time, hath had the Fate to erre:
Though, at his parting, good Birds did augure
His putting off, and on his right hand flew;
VVhich, to his passage, my affection drew:
His spirit ioyfull, and my hope was now
To guest with him, and see his hand bestow
Rights of our friendship. This, a cloud of griefe
Cast ouer all the forces of his life.
VVith both his hands, the burning dust he swept
Vp from the earth, which on his head he heapt,
And fetcht a sigh, as in it, life were broke:
VVhich greeu'd his Son, and gaue so smart a stroke
Vpon his nosethrils, with the inward stripe,
That vp the Veine rose there; and weeping ripe
He was, to see his Sire feele such woe
For his dissembl'd ioy; which now (let goe)
He sprung from earth, embrac't and kist his Sire:
And said; O Father: he, of whom y'enquire
Am I my selfe, that (from you, twenty yeares)
Is now return'd. But do not breake in teares;
For now, we must not formes of kinde maintaine,
But haste and guard the substance. I haue slaine
All my wiues wooers; so, reuenging now
Their wrong so long time suffer'd. Take not you
The comfort of my comming then, to heart
At this glad instant; but, in prou'd desert
Of your graue iudgement; giue mone, glad suspence,
And, on the sodaine, put this consequence
In act as absolute, as all time went
To ripening of your resolute assent.
All this haste made not his staide faith, so free
To trust his words; who said, If you are he,
Approue it by some signe. This scar then see
(Replied Vlysses) giuen me by the Bore
Slaine in Parnassus; I being sent before
By yours, and by my honour'd Mothers will,
To see your Sire Autolycus fulfill
The gifts he vow'd, at giuing of my Name.
Ile tel you too, the Trees (in goodly frame
Of this faire Orchard) that I askt of you
Being yet a childe; and follow'd, for your show
And name of euery Tree. You gaue me then
Of Figge-trees, forty; Apple-bearers, ten;
Peare-trees, thirteene; and fifty rankes of Vine;
Each one of which, a season did confine
For his best eating. Not a Grape did grow,
That grew not there, and had his heauy brow
When Ioues faire daughters (the all-ripening how'rs)
Gaue timely date to it. This charg'd the pow'rs
Both of his knees and heart, with such impression
Of sodaine comfort, that it gaue possession
Of all, to Trance: The signes were all so true;
And did the loue, that gaue them, so renue.
His cast his armes about his sonne, and sunke;
The circle, slipping to his feete. So shrunke
VVere all his ages forces, with the fire
Of his yong loue rekindl'd. The old Sire,
The Son tooke vp, quite liuelesse: But his breath
Againe respiring; and his soule from death
His bodies pow'rs recouering: Out he cried,
And said; O Iupiter! I now haue tried,
That still there liue in heauen, remembring Gods,
Of men that serue them; though the periods
They set to their apparances, are long
In best mens sufferings; yet, as sure, as strong
They are in comforts: be their strange delayes
Extended neuer so, from dayes to dayes.
Yet see the short ioyes, or the soone-mixt feares
Of helpes with-held by them, so many yeares:
For, if the wooers now, haue paide the paine
Due to their impious pleasures; Now, againe
Extreame feare takes me, lest we straight shall see
Th' Ithacensians here, in mutinie;
Their Messengers dispatcht, to win to friend
The Cephalenian Cities. Do not spend
Your thoughts on these cares (saide his suffering son)
But be of comfort; and see that course ron
That best, may shun the worst: Our house is nere;
Telemachus, and both his Herdsmen, there
To dresse our supper with their vtmost hast;
And thither haste we. This saide; Forth they past;
Came home, and found Telemachus, at feast
With both his Swaines: while who had done, all drest
VVith Baths, and Balmes, and royally arraid
The old King was, by his Sicilian Maid.
By whose side, Pallas stood; his crookt-age streitning;
His flesh more plumping; and his looks enlightning:
VVho yssuing then to view, his son admir'd
The Gods Aspects, into his forme inspir'd:
And said; O Father: certainly some God
By your addression in this state, hath stood;
More great, more reuerend, rendring you by farre,
At all your parts, then of your selfe, you are.
To trust his words; who said, If you are he,
Approue it by some signe. This scar then see
(Replied Vlysses) giuen me by the Bore
Slaine in Parnassus; I being sent before
By yours, and by my honour'd Mothers will,
To see your Sire Autolycus fulfill
The gifts he vow'd, at giuing of my Name.
Ile tel you too, the Trees (in goodly frame
Of this faire Orchard) that I askt of you
Being yet a childe; and follow'd, for your show
And name of euery Tree. You gaue me then
Of Figge-trees, forty; Apple-bearers, ten;
Peare-trees, thirteene; and fifty rankes of Vine;
371
For his best eating. Not a Grape did grow,
That grew not there, and had his heauy brow
When Ioues faire daughters (the all-ripening how'rs)
Gaue timely date to it. This charg'd the pow'rs
Both of his knees and heart, with such impression
Of sodaine comfort, that it gaue possession
Of all, to Trance: The signes were all so true;
And did the loue, that gaue them, so renue.
His cast his armes about his sonne, and sunke;
The circle, slipping to his feete. So shrunke
VVere all his ages forces, with the fire
Of his yong loue rekindl'd. The old Sire,
The Son tooke vp, quite liuelesse: But his breath
Againe respiring; and his soule from death
His bodies pow'rs recouering: Out he cried,
And said; O Iupiter! I now haue tried,
That still there liue in heauen, remembring Gods,
Of men that serue them; though the periods
They set to their apparances, are long
In best mens sufferings; yet, as sure, as strong
They are in comforts: be their strange delayes
Extended neuer so, from dayes to dayes.
Yet see the short ioyes, or the soone-mixt feares
Of helpes with-held by them, so many yeares:
For, if the wooers now, haue paide the paine
Due to their impious pleasures; Now, againe
Extreame feare takes me, lest we straight shall see
Th' Ithacensians here, in mutinie;
Their Messengers dispatcht, to win to friend
The Cephalenian Cities. Do not spend
Your thoughts on these cares (saide his suffering son)
But be of comfort; and see that course ron
That best, may shun the worst: Our house is nere;
Telemachus, and both his Herdsmen, there
To dresse our supper with their vtmost hast;
And thither haste we. This saide; Forth they past;
Came home, and found Telemachus, at feast
With both his Swaines: while who had done, all drest
VVith Baths, and Balmes, and royally arraid
The old King was, by his Sicilian Maid.
By whose side, Pallas stood; his crookt-age streitning;
His flesh more plumping; and his looks enlightning:
VVho yssuing then to view, his son admir'd
The Gods Aspects, into his forme inspir'd:
And said; O Father: certainly some God
By your addression in this state, hath stood;
More great, more reuerend, rendring you by farre,
372
I would to Ioue (said he) the Sun, and She
That beares Ioues shield, the state had stood with me,
That helpt me take in the wel-builded Tow'rs
Of strong Nericus (the Cephalian pow'rs
To that faire City, leading) two dayes past,
While with the wooers, thy conflict did last;
And I had then bene in the wooers wreake;
I should haue helpt thee so, to render weake
Their stubborne knees, that in thy ioyes desert,
Thy breast had bene too little for thy heart.
That beares Ioues shield, the state had stood with me,
That helpt me take in the wel-builded Tow'rs
Of strong Nericus (the Cephalian pow'rs
To that faire City, leading) two dayes past,
While with the wooers, thy conflict did last;
And I had then bene in the wooers wreake;
I should haue helpt thee so, to render weake
Their stubborne knees, that in thy ioyes desert,
Thy breast had bene too little for thy heart.
This said; and supper order'd by their men,
They sate to it; old Dolius entring then;
And with him (tyr'd with labour) his sonnes came,
Call'd by their Mother, the Sicilian dame
That brought them vp, and drest their Fathers fare.
As whose age grew; with it, encreast her care
To see him seru'd as fitted. VVhen (thus set)
These men beheld Vlysses there, at meate;
They knew him; and astonisht in the place,
Stood at his presence: who, with words of grace
Call'd to olde Dolius, saying; Come, and eate,
And banish all astonishment: your meate
Hath long bene ready; and our selues made stay,
Expecting euer, when your wished way
VVould reach amongst vs. This brought fiercely on
Old Dolius from his stand; who ran vpon
(VVith both his armes abroad) the King, and kist
Of both his rapt vp hands, the either wrist;
Thus welcomming his presence: O my Loue,
Your presence heere (for which all wishes stroue)
No one expected. Euen the Gods haue gone
In guide before you, to your mansion:
Welcom, and all ioyes, to your heart, contend.
Knowes yet Penelope? Or shall we send
Some one to tell her this? She knowes (said he)
VVhat need these troubles (Father) touch at thee?
They sate to it; old Dolius entring then;
And with him (tyr'd with labour) his sonnes came,
Call'd by their Mother, the Sicilian dame
That brought them vp, and drest their Fathers fare.
As whose age grew; with it, encreast her care
To see him seru'd as fitted. VVhen (thus set)
These men beheld Vlysses there, at meate;
They knew him; and astonisht in the place,
Stood at his presence: who, with words of grace
Call'd to olde Dolius, saying; Come, and eate,
And banish all astonishment: your meate
Hath long bene ready; and our selues made stay,
Expecting euer, when your wished way
VVould reach amongst vs. This brought fiercely on
Old Dolius from his stand; who ran vpon
(VVith both his armes abroad) the King, and kist
Of both his rapt vp hands, the either wrist;
Thus welcomming his presence: O my Loue,
Your presence heere (for which all wishes stroue)
No one expected. Euen the Gods haue gone
In guide before you, to your mansion:
Welcom, and all ioyes, to your heart, contend.
Knowes yet Penelope? Or shall we send
Some one to tell her this? She knowes (said he)
VVhat need these troubles (Father) touch at thee?
Then came the Sonnes of Dolius; and againe
VVent ouer with their Fathers entertaine;
VVelcom'd, shooke hands; & then to feast sate down;
About which, while they sate; about the Towne
Fame flew, and shriek't about, the cruell death
And Fate, the wooers had sustain'd beneath
Vlysses roofes. All heard; together all,
From hence, and thence met, in Vlysses Hall,
Short-breath'd, and noisefull: Bore out all the dead
To instant buriall: while their deaths were spread
To other Neighbor-Cities, where they liu'd:
From whence, in swiftest Fisher-boats, arriu'd
Men to transfer them home. In meane space, here
The heauy Nobles, all in counsaile were;
Where (met in much heape) vp to all arose
Extremely-greeu'd Eupitheus; so to lose
His Son Antinous; who, first of all
By great Vlysses hand, had slaughtrous fall.
VVhose Father (weeping for him) saide; O Friends,
This man hath author'd workes of dismall ends;
Long since, conueying in his guide to Troy,
Good men, and many, that did ships employ:
All which are lost, and all their Souldiers dead;
And now, the best men Cephalenia bred
His hand hath slaughter'd. Go we then (before
His scape to Pylos, or the Elean Shore
VVhere rule the Epeans) 'gainst his horrid hand:
For we shall grieue, and infamy will brand
Our Fames for euer; if we see our Sons
And Brothers end in these confusions,
Reuenge left vninflicted. Nor will I
Enioy one dayes life more; But greeue, and die
VVith instant onset. Nor should you suruiue
To keepe a base, and beastly name aliue.
Haste then, let flight preuent vs. This with teares
His griefes aduisd, and made all sufferers
In his affliction. But by this, was come
Vp to the Counsaile, from Vlysses home
(VVhen sleep had left thē, which the slaughters there
And their selfe dangers, from their eyes, in feare
Had two nights intercepted) those two men,
That iust Vlysses sau'd out of the slaine;
VVhich Medon, and the sacred Singer were.
These stood amidst the Counsaile; and the feare
The slaughter had imprest, in eithers looke
Stucke stil so gastly; that amaze it strooke
Through euery there beholder: To whose eares
One thus enforc't, in his fright, cause of theirs:
VVent ouer with their Fathers entertaine;
VVelcom'd, shooke hands; & then to feast sate down;
About which, while they sate; about the Towne
Fame flew, and shriek't about, the cruell death
And Fate, the wooers had sustain'd beneath
Vlysses roofes. All heard; together all,
From hence, and thence met, in Vlysses Hall,
Short-breath'd, and noisefull: Bore out all the dead
To instant buriall: while their deaths were spread
To other Neighbor-Cities, where they liu'd:
373
Men to transfer them home. In meane space, here
The heauy Nobles, all in counsaile were;
Where (met in much heape) vp to all arose
Extremely-greeu'd Eupitheus; so to lose
His Son Antinous; who, first of all
By great Vlysses hand, had slaughtrous fall.
VVhose Father (weeping for him) saide; O Friends,
This man hath author'd workes of dismall ends;
Long since, conueying in his guide to Troy,
Good men, and many, that did ships employ:
All which are lost, and all their Souldiers dead;
And now, the best men Cephalenia bred
His hand hath slaughter'd. Go we then (before
His scape to Pylos, or the Elean Shore
VVhere rule the Epeans) 'gainst his horrid hand:
For we shall grieue, and infamy will brand
Our Fames for euer; if we see our Sons
And Brothers end in these confusions,
Reuenge left vninflicted. Nor will I
Enioy one dayes life more; But greeue, and die
VVith instant onset. Nor should you suruiue
To keepe a base, and beastly name aliue.
Haste then, let flight preuent vs. This with teares
His griefes aduisd, and made all sufferers
In his affliction. But by this, was come
Vp to the Counsaile, from Vlysses home
(VVhen sleep had left thē, which the slaughters there
And their selfe dangers, from their eyes, in feare
Had two nights intercepted) those two men,
That iust Vlysses sau'd out of the slaine;
VVhich Medon, and the sacred Singer were.
These stood amidst the Counsaile; and the feare
The slaughter had imprest, in eithers looke
Stucke stil so gastly; that amaze it strooke
Through euery there beholder: To whose eares
One thus enforc't, in his fright, cause of theirs:
Attend me Ithacensians; This sterne fact
Done by Vlysses, was not put in act
VVithout the Gods assistance; These selfe eies
Saw one of the immortall Deities
Close by Vlysses; Mentors forme put on
At euery part: and this sure Deity, shone
Now neere Vlysses, setting on his bold
And slaughterous spirit: Now, the points controll'd
Of all the wooers weapons; round about
The arm'd house whisking; in continuall rout
Their party putting, till in heapes they fell.
This newes, new fears did through their spirits impel:
When Halitherses (honor'd Mastors sonne,
VVho of them all, saw onely what was done
Present, and future) the much-knowing man
And aged Heroe, this plaine course ran
Amongst their counsailes: Giue me likewise eare;
And let me tell ye, Friends; that these ils beare
On your malignant spleenes, their sad effects;
VVho, not what I perswaded, gaue respects:
Nor what the peoples Pastor (Mentor) saide;
That you should see your issues follies staid
In those soule courses; by their petulant life
The goods deuouring, scandaling the wife
Of no meane person; who (they still would say)
Could neuer more see his returning day:
VVhich yet, appearing now: now giue it trust,
And yeeld to my free counsailes: Do not thrust
Your owne safe persons, on the acts, your Sons
So deerely bought, lest their confusions
On your lou'd heads, your like addictions draw.
Done by Vlysses, was not put in act
VVithout the Gods assistance; These selfe eies
Saw one of the immortall Deities
Close by Vlysses; Mentors forme put on
At euery part: and this sure Deity, shone
Now neere Vlysses, setting on his bold
And slaughterous spirit: Now, the points controll'd
Of all the wooers weapons; round about
The arm'd house whisking; in continuall rout
Their party putting, till in heapes they fell.
374
When Halitherses (honor'd Mastors sonne,
VVho of them all, saw onely what was done
Present, and future) the much-knowing man
And aged Heroe, this plaine course ran
Amongst their counsailes: Giue me likewise eare;
And let me tell ye, Friends; that these ils beare
On your malignant spleenes, their sad effects;
VVho, not what I perswaded, gaue respects:
Nor what the peoples Pastor (Mentor) saide;
That you should see your issues follies staid
In those soule courses; by their petulant life
The goods deuouring, scandaling the wife
Of no meane person; who (they still would say)
Could neuer more see his returning day:
VVhich yet, appearing now: now giue it trust,
And yeeld to my free counsailes: Do not thrust
Your owne safe persons, on the acts, your Sons
So deerely bought, lest their confusions
On your lou'd heads, your like addictions draw.
This stood so farre, from force of any Law
To curbe their loose attempts, that much the more
They rusht to wreake, and made rude tumult rore.
The greater part of all the Court arose:
Good counsaile could not ill defignes dispose.
Eupitheus was perswader of the course;
VVhich (compleate arm'd) they put in present force:
The rest, sate still in counsaile. These men met
Before the broad Towne, in a place they set
All girt in armes; Eupitheus choosing Chiefe
To all their follies, who put griefe to griefe;
And in his slaughter'd sons reuenge did burne.
But Fate gaue neuer feete to his returne;
Ordaining there his death. Then Pallas spake
To Ioue, her Father, with intent to make
His will, high Arbiter, of th' act design'd;
And askt of him, what his vnsearched mind
Held vndiscouer'd; If with Armes, and ill,
And graue encounter, he would first fulfill
His sacred purpose; or both parts combine
In peacefull friendship? He askt, why incline
These doubts, thy counsailes? Hast not thou decreed
That Ithacus should come, and giue his deed
The glory of reuenge, on these and theirs?
Performe thy will; the frame of these affaires
Haue this fit issue. When Vlysses hand
Hath reacht full wreake; his then renown'd command
Shall reigne for euer: Faithfull Truces strooke
'Twixt him, and all; For euery man shall brooke
His Sons and Brothers slaughters,;by our meane
To send Obliuion in; expugning cleane
The Character of enmity in all,
As in best Leagues before. Peace, Feastiuall,
“And Riches in abundance, be the state,
“That crownes the close of Wise Vlysses Fate.
This spurr'd the Free; who, from heauens Continent
To th' Ithacensian Isle, made straight descent.
Where (dinner past) Vlysses said; Some one
Looke out to see their neerenesse. Dolius sonne
Made present speed abroad, and saw them nie;
Ran backe, and told; Bad Arme; and instantlie
Were all in armes. Vlysses part, was foure;
And sixe more sons of Dolius: All his powre
Two onely more, which were his aged Sire,
And like-year'd Dolius, whose liues slaked fire;
All white had left their heads: yet, driuen by Neede,
Made Souldiers both, of necessary deede.
And now, all girt in armes; the Ports, set wide,
They sallied forth, Vlysses being their guide.
And to them, in the instant, Pallas came,
Informe and voice, like Mentor; who, a flame
Inspir'd of comfort in Vlysses hart
VVith her seene presence. To his Son, apart
He thus then spake; Now Son, your eyes shall see
(Expos'd in slaughterous fight) the enemy;
Against whom, who shall best serue, will be seene:
Disgrace not then your race, that yet hath beene
For force, and fortitude, the formost tried,
Of all earths off-springs. His true Son replied;
Your selfe shall see (lou'd Father) if you please,
That my deseruings shall in nought digresse
From best fame of our Races formost merit.
The old King sprung for ioy, to heare his spirit:
And said; O lou'd Immortals, what a day
Do your cleere bounties to my life display?
I ioy, past measure, to behold my Son
And Nephew, close in such contention
Of vertues martiall. Pallas (standing neere)
Said, O my Friend! Of all, supreamly deere
Seed of Arcesius; Pray to Ioue, and her
That rules in Armes, (his daughter) and a dart
(Spritefully brandisht) hurle at th' aduerse part.
To curbe their loose attempts, that much the more
They rusht to wreake, and made rude tumult rore.
The greater part of all the Court arose:
Good counsaile could not ill defignes dispose.
Eupitheus was perswader of the course;
VVhich (compleate arm'd) they put in present force:
The rest, sate still in counsaile. These men met
Before the broad Towne, in a place they set
All girt in armes; Eupitheus choosing Chiefe
To all their follies, who put griefe to griefe;
And in his slaughter'd sons reuenge did burne.
But Fate gaue neuer feete to his returne;
Ordaining there his death. Then Pallas spake
To Ioue, her Father, with intent to make
His will, high Arbiter, of th' act design'd;
And askt of him, what his vnsearched mind
Held vndiscouer'd; If with Armes, and ill,
And graue encounter, he would first fulfill
His sacred purpose; or both parts combine
In peacefull friendship? He askt, why incline
These doubts, thy counsailes? Hast not thou decreed
That Ithacus should come, and giue his deed
The glory of reuenge, on these and theirs?
Performe thy will; the frame of these affaires
Haue this fit issue. When Vlysses hand
Hath reacht full wreake; his then renown'd command
Shall reigne for euer: Faithfull Truces strooke
375
His Sons and Brothers slaughters,;by our meane
To send Obliuion in; expugning cleane
The Character of enmity in all,
As in best Leagues before. Peace, Feastiuall,
“And Riches in abundance, be the state,
“That crownes the close of Wise Vlysses Fate.
This spurr'd the Free; who, from heauens Continent
To th' Ithacensian Isle, made straight descent.
Where (dinner past) Vlysses said; Some one
Looke out to see their neerenesse. Dolius sonne
Made present speed abroad, and saw them nie;
Ran backe, and told; Bad Arme; and instantlie
Were all in armes. Vlysses part, was foure;
And sixe more sons of Dolius: All his powre
Two onely more, which were his aged Sire,
And like-year'd Dolius, whose liues slaked fire;
All white had left their heads: yet, driuen by Neede,
Made Souldiers both, of necessary deede.
And now, all girt in armes; the Ports, set wide,
They sallied forth, Vlysses being their guide.
And to them, in the instant, Pallas came,
Informe and voice, like Mentor; who, a flame
Inspir'd of comfort in Vlysses hart
VVith her seene presence. To his Son, apart
He thus then spake; Now Son, your eyes shall see
(Expos'd in slaughterous fight) the enemy;
Against whom, who shall best serue, will be seene:
Disgrace not then your race, that yet hath beene
For force, and fortitude, the formost tried,
Of all earths off-springs. His true Son replied;
Your selfe shall see (lou'd Father) if you please,
That my deseruings shall in nought digresse
From best fame of our Races formost merit.
The old King sprung for ioy, to heare his spirit:
And said; O lou'd Immortals, what a day
Do your cleere bounties to my life display?
I ioy, past measure, to behold my Son
And Nephew, close in such contention
Of vertues martiall. Pallas (standing neere)
Said, O my Friend! Of all, supreamly deere
Seed of Arcesius; Pray to Ioue, and her
That rules in Armes, (his daughter) and a dart
(Spritefully brandisht) hurle at th' aduerse part.
This said, He pray'd; and she, a mighty force
Inspir'd within him; who gaue instant course
To his braue-brandisht Lance, which strook the brasse
That cheek't Eupitheus Caske ; and thrust his passe
Quite through his head; who fell, & sounded falling;
His Armes, the sound againe, from earth recalling.
Inspir'd within him; who gaue instant course
To his braue-brandisht Lance, which strook the brasse
That cheek't Eupitheus
Caske ; and thrust his passe
376
His Armes, the sound againe, from earth recalling.
Vlysses, and his Son, rusht on before;
And with their both-way-headed Darts, did gore
Their enemies breasts so thicke, that all had gone
The way of slaughter, had not Pallas throwne
Her voice betwixt them, charging all to stay
And spare expence of blood. Her voice did fray
The blood so from their faces, that it left
A greenish palenesse. All their hands it reft
Of all their weapons; falling thence, to earth:
And to the commune Mother of their Birth
(The City) all fled, in desire, to saue
The liues yet left them. Then Vlysses gaue
A horrid shout; and like Ioues Eagle flew
In fiery pursuite, till Saturnius threw
His smoaking lightning twixt them; that had fall
Before Minerua: who then, out did call
Thus to Vlysses: Borne of Ioue! abstaine
From further bloodshed: Ioues hand in the slaine
Hath equall'd in their paines, their prides to thee;
Abstaine then, lest you moue the Deity.
And with their both-way-headed Darts, did gore
Their enemies breasts so thicke, that all had gone
The way of slaughter, had not Pallas throwne
Her voice betwixt them, charging all to stay
And spare expence of blood. Her voice did fray
The blood so from their faces, that it left
A greenish palenesse. All their hands it reft
Of all their weapons; falling thence, to earth:
And to the commune Mother of their Birth
(The City) all fled, in desire, to saue
The liues yet left them. Then Vlysses gaue
A horrid shout; and like Ioues Eagle flew
In fiery pursuite, till Saturnius threw
His smoaking lightning twixt them; that had fall
Before Minerua: who then, out did call
Thus to Vlysses: Borne of Ioue! abstaine
From further bloodshed: Ioues hand in the slaine
Hath equall'd in their paines, their prides to thee;
Abstaine then, lest you moue the Deity.
Againe then, twixt both parts, the seed of Ioue
(Athenian Pallas) of all future loue
A league compos'd; and for her forme, tooke choice
Of Mentors likenesse; both in Limb, and Voice.
(Athenian Pallas) of all future loue
A league compos'd; and for her forme, tooke choice
Of Mentors likenesse; both in Limb, and Voice.
The End of the XXIIII. and last Booke of Homers Odysses.
So wrought diuine Vlysses through his woes:
So, croun'd the Light with him; His Mothers Throes;
As through his great Renowner, I haue wrought;
And my safe saile, to sacred Anchor brought.
Nor did the Argiue ship, more burthen feele,
That bore the Care of all men, in her Keele;
Then my aduenturous Barke: The Colchean Fleece,
Not halfe so precious, as this soule of Greece.
In whose songs I haue made our shores reioyce,
And Greeke it selfe veile, to our English voyce.
Yet this inestimable Pearle, wil all
Our Dunghil Chanticheres, but obuious call;
Each Moderne scraper, this Gem scratching by;
His Oate preferring far. Let such, let ly:
So scorne the stars the clouds; as true-soul'd men
Despise Deceiuers. For, as Clouds would faine
Obscure the Stars yet (Regions left below
With all their enuies) bar them but of show;
For they shine euer, and wil shine, when they
Dissolue in sinckes, make Mire, and temper Clay:
So puft Impostors (our Muse-vapours) striue,
With their selfe-blowne additions, to depriue
Men solid, of their full; though infinite short
They come in their compare; and false report
Of leuelling, or touching, at their light,
That still retaine their radiance, and cleere right;
And shal shine euer When, alas, one blast
Of least disgrace, teares downe th' Impostors Mast;
His Tops, and Tacklings; His whole Freight, and He
Confiscate to the Fishy Monarchy;
His trash, by foolish Fame bought now, from hence,
Giuen to serue Mackarell forth, and Frankincence.
So, croun'd the Light with him; His Mothers Throes;
As through his great Renowner, I haue wrought;
And my safe saile, to sacred Anchor brought.
Nor did the Argiue ship, more burthen feele,
That bore the Care of all men, in her Keele;
Then my aduenturous Barke: The Colchean Fleece,
Not halfe so precious, as this soule of Greece.
In whose songs I haue made our shores reioyce,
And Greeke it selfe veile, to our English voyce.
Yet this inestimable Pearle, wil all
Our Dunghil Chanticheres, but obuious call;
Each Moderne scraper, this Gem scratching by;
377
So scorne the stars the clouds; as true-soul'd men
Despise Deceiuers. For, as Clouds would faine
Obscure the Stars yet (Regions left below
With all their enuies) bar them but of show;
For they shine euer, and wil shine, when they
Dissolue in sinckes, make Mire, and temper Clay:
So puft Impostors (our Muse-vapours) striue,
With their selfe-blowne additions, to depriue
Men solid, of their full; though infinite short
They come in their compare; and false report
Of leuelling, or touching, at their light,
That still retaine their radiance, and cleere right;
And shal shine euer When, alas, one blast
Of least disgrace, teares downe th' Impostors Mast;
His Tops, and Tacklings; His whole Freight, and He
Confiscate to the Fishy Monarchy;
His trash, by foolish Fame bought now, from hence,
Giuen to serue Mackarell forth, and Frankincence.
Such then, and any; too soft-ey'd to see
Through workes so solid, any worth, so free
Of all the learn'd professions, as is fit
To praise at such price; let him thinke his wit
Too weake to rate it; rather then oppose
With his poore pow'rs, Ages, and Hosts of Foes.
Through workes so solid, any worth, so free
Of all the learn'd professions, as is fit
To praise at such price; let him thinke his wit
Too weake to rate it; rather then oppose
With his poore pow'rs, Ages, and Hosts of Foes.
To the Ruines of Troy, and Greece.
Troy rac't; Greece wrackt: who mournes? Ye both may bost;Else th' Ilyads, and Odysses, had bene lost.
Ad Deum.
The onely true God, (betwixt whom and Me,I onely bound my comforts; and agree
With all my actions) onely truly knowes,
And can iudge truly me, with all that goes
To all my Faculties. In whose free grace
And inspiration, I onely place
All meanes to know (with my meanes; Study, praire,
In, & from his word taken) staire by staire,
In all continual contentation, rising
To knowledge of his Truth; and practising
378
Guide, and enlightning: Nothing done, nor saide,
Nor thought that good is; but acknowledg'd by
His inclination, skill, and faculty.
By which, to finde the way out to his loue
Past all the worlds; the sphere is, where doth moue
My studies, prai'rs, and pow'rs: No pleasure taken
But sign'd by his: for which, my blood forsaken,
My soule I cleaue to: and what (in his blood
That hath redeem'd, cleans'd, taught her) fits her good.
Deo opt. Max. gloria.
FINIS.
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