I stay reluctant seven continued years,
And water her ambrosial couch with tears.
The eighth, she voluntary moves to part,
Or urged by Jove, or her own changeful heart.
A raft was form'd to cross the surging sea;
Herself supplied the stores and rich array;
And gave me gales to waft me on the way.
In seventeen days appear'd your pleasing coast,
And woody mountains half in vapours lost.
Joy touch'd my soul: my soul was joy'd in vain,
For angry Neptune roused the raging main;
The wild winds whistle, and the hillows roar;
The splitting raft the furious tempest tore;
And storms vindictive intercept the shore.
Soon as their rage subsides, the seas I brave
With naked force, and shoot along the wave,
To reach this isle: but there my hopes were lost,
The surge impell'd me on a craggy coast.
I chose the safer sea, and chanced to find
A river's mouth, impervious to the wind,
And clear of rocks. I fainted by the flood;
Then took the shelter of the neighbouring wood,
'Twas night; and cover'd in the foliage deep,
Jove plunged my senses in the death of sleep.
All night I slept, oblivious of my pain:

Aurora dawn'd, and Phoebus shined in vain,
Nor till oblique he sloped his evening ray,
Had Somnus dried the balmy dews away.
Then female voices from the shore I heard:
A maid amidst them, goddesslike, appear'd:
To her I sued, she pitied my distress;
Like thee in beauty, nor in virtue less.

Who from such youth could hope considerate care?
In youth and beauty wisdom is but rare!

She gave me life, relieved with just supplies
My wants, and lent these robes that strike your

eyes.

This is the truth: and oh, ye powers on high! Forbid that want should sink me to a lie.'

To this the king— Our daughter but express'd Her cares imperfect to our godlike guest. Suppliant to her, since first he chose to pray, Why not herself did she conduct the way, And with her handmaids to our court convey?' Hero and king! (Ulysses thus replied) Nor blame her, faultless, nor suspect of pride: She bade me follow in the' attendant train; But fear and reverence did my steps detain, Lest rash suspicion might alarm thy mind: Man's of a jealous and mistaking kind.'

Far from my soul (he cried) the gods efface All wrath ill grounded, and suspicion base! Whate'er is honest, stranger, 1 approve; I And would to Phœbus, Pallas, and to Jove, Such as thou art, thy thought and mine were one, Nor thou unwilling to be call'd my son: In such alliance couldst thou wish to join, A palace stored with treasures should be thine. But if reluctant, who shall force thy stay? Jove bids to set the stranger on his way, And ships shall wait thee with the morning ray. Till then, let slumber close thy careful eyes; The wakeful mariners shall watch the skies, And seize the moment when the breezes rise: Then gently waft thee to the pleasing shore, Where thy soul rests, and labour is no more. Far as Euboea though thy country lay,

Our ships with ease transport thee in a day.

Thither of old, earth's giant son to view,
On wings of winds with Rhadamanth they flew:
This land, from whence their morning course be-
Saw them returning with the setting sun. [gun,
Your eyes shall witness and confirm my tale,
Our youth how dexterous, and how fleet our sail,
When justly timed with equal sweep they row,
And ocean whitens in long tracks below.'

Thus he. No word the'experienced man replies, But thus to Heaven (and heavenward lifts his eyes)

'O Jove! O father! what the king accords
Do thou make perfect! sacred be his words!
Wide o'er the world Alcinoüs glory shine;
Let fame be his, and ah! my country mine!'
Meantime Arete, for the hour of rest,
Ordains the fleecy couch, and covering vest:
Bids her fair train the purple quilts prepare,
And the thick carpets spread with busy care.
With torches blazing in their hands they pass'd,
And finish'd all the queen's command with haste :
Then gave the signal to the willing guest:
He rose with pleasure, and retired to rest.
There, soft extended, to the murmuring sound
Of the high porch, Ulysses sleeps profound!
Within, released from cares Alcinous lies;
And fast beside were closed Arete's eyes,

BOOK VIII.

The Argument.

Alcinous calls a council, in which it is resolved to transport Ulysses into his country. After which splendid entertainments are made, where the celebrated musician and poet Demodocus plays and sings to the guests. They next proceed to the games, the race, the wrestling, discus, &c. where Ulysses casts a prodigious length, to the admiration of all the spectators. They return again to the banquet, and Demodocus sings the love of Mars and Venus. Ulysses, after a compliment to the poet, desires him to sing the introduction of the wooden horse into Troy; which subject provoking his tears, Alcinous inquires of his guest his name, parentage, and fortunes.

Now fair Aurora lifts her golden ray,
And all the ruddy orient flames with day:
Alcinoüs, and the chief, with dawning light,
Rose instant from the slumbers of the night;
Then to the council seat they bend their way,
And fill the shining thrones along the bay.

Meanwhile Minerva, in her guardian care,
Shoots from the starry vault through fields of air;
In form a herald of the king, she flies
From peer to peer, and thus incessant cries-
'Nobles and chiefs who rule Phæacia's states,
The king in council your attendance waits:
A prince of grace divine your aid implores,
O'er unknown seas, arrived from unknown shores.'
She spoke, and sudden with tumultuous sounds
Of thronging multitudes the shore rebounds:

At once the seats they fill: and every eye
Gazed, as before some brother of the sky.
Pallas with grace divine his form improves,
More high he treads, and more enlarged he moves:
She sheds celestial bloom, regard to draw;
And gives a dignity of mien, to awe;

With strength, the future prize of fame to play,
And gather all the honours of the day.

Then from his glittering throne Alcinous rose: 'Attend (he cried) while we our will disclose. Your present aid this godlike stranger craves, Toss'd by rude tempests through a war of waves; Perhaps from realms that view the rising day, Or nations subject to the western ray.

Then grant, what here all sons of woe obtain
(For here affliction never pleads in vain):
Be chosen youths prepared, expert to try
The vast profound, and bid the vessel fly:
Launch the tall bark, and order every oar;
Then in our court indulge the genial hour.
Instant, you sailors, to this task attend;
Swift to the palace, all ye peers, ascend;
Let none to strangers honours due disclaim:
Be there Demodocus, the bard of fame,

Taught by the gods to please, when high he sings
The vocal lay, responsive to the strings.' [obey;

Thus spoke the prince: the' attending peers In state they move; Alcinoüs leads the way: Swift to Demodocus the herald flies,

At once the sailors to their charge arise;
They launch the vessel, and unfurl the sails,
And stretch the swelling canvass to the gales;
Then to the palace move: a gathering throng,
Youth, and white age, tumultuous pour along: