Homer's Odysses. Translated according to ye Greeke by. Geo: Chapman

THE FIRST BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . THe Gods in counsaile sit , to call Vlysses 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 Hea●'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' Vlyssean 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 , The information or fashion of an absolute man , and necessarie ( or fatal ) passage through many afflictions ( according with the most sacred Le●ter ) to his naturall hauen and countrey ; i● the whole argument ; and scope of the 〈…〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 giuen him in the first verse : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ Homo ●●ius ingenium velut per mult●s , & vari●● 〈…〉 . 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 . 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 C●lypso did detaine Him in her Ca●●es : 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' Aethiops , Neptunes progresse to the Aethiops . 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 , These ●●tes following , I am inforced to insert , ( since the words they containe , differ from all other translations ) lest I be thought 〈◊〉 erre out of that ignorance , that may perhaps possesse my 〈◊〉 . 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 a a 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 translated in this place , inculpabilis ; 〈◊〉 made the epithete of Aegist●●●● ; is from the true 〈◊〉 of the word , as it is here to be vnderstood : which is quite contrary . As 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is to be expounded in some place Diuinus , or Deo 〈◊〉 ; but in another ( soone after ) contrarius Deo . The person to whom the ●●pithete is giuen , giuing reason to distinguish it And so 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 an Epithete giuen to Atlas , instantly following , in one place s●gnifies Mente pern●cio●us : in the next , qui vn● uer●a ●●ente gerit● Faultfull Aegisthus , 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 Aegisthus , 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 Aegisthus powres ; good counsell he despisde , And to that Good , his ill is sacrifisde . Pall●s ( whose eyes did sparkle like the skies ) Answerd : Pallas to Iupiter . O Sire ! supreame of Deities ; Aegisthus 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 Is 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 syluane I le , 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 b b In this place is Atlas giuen the Epithete . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which signifies qui vniuersa mente agitat , here giuen him , for the power the starres h●ue in all things . Yet this receiues other interpretation in other places , as aboue said . 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 ●rop earth and heauen . His daughter t is , who holds this c c 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is here turned by others , infelix : in the generall collection : when it hath here a particular exp●sition , applied to expresse Vlysses desert errors , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , vt sit , qui vix locum inuenire potest vbi consistat . homelesse-driuen , Still mourning with her . Euermore profuse Of soft and winning speeches ; that abuse And make so d d 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 ha●en i● heauen and the next life , to which , this life is but a sea , in continuall ●●sture and vexation . The words occasioning all this , are 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifying , qui languide , & animo remisso rem aliquam gerit : which being the effect of Calypsos sweete words in Vlysses , is where applied passiuely to his owne sufferance of their operation . 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 Oly 〈◊〉 : ) did not euer he , In ample Troy , thy altars gratifie ? And Grecians Fleete make in thy offerings swim ? O 〈◊〉 , why still then burnes thy wrath to him ? The Cloud-assembler answerd : 〈◊〉 to P●ll●● What words flie ( Bold daughter ) from thy Pale of e e 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 vallum 〈◊〉 cl●●strum denti●● : which , for the better sound in our language , is here turned , Pale of Iv●rie . The teeth being that ra●pier or pale , giuen vs by nature in that part , for res●raint and compression of our speech , till the imagination , appetite and soule ( that ought to rule in their ex●mination , before their deliuerie ) haue giue● worthy passe to them . The most graue and di●ine Poet , 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 , le●t we vtter them rashly . 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 Polyphe●e His onely eye ; a Cyclop , that excell'd All other Cyclops : with whose burthen swell'd The Nymph Th●osa ; 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 Nept●ne 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 Tres●e In th' ile Ogygia , Calypso . that t is 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 ; The preparatiou of Pallas for Ithaca . 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 ; Pallas , like Mentas . 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 stare , 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 . 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 went , 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 . 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 S●wre , Prowr'd water from a great and golden Ewre , That from their hands , t' a siluer 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 . Telemachus , Telemachus to Pallas . 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 , Pallas to 〈◊〉 . the grey-eyd Maide did passe This kind reply ; I le 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 Her●e , 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 ) I le tell thee , out of a prophetique powre , ( Not as profest a Prophet , nor 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 I le , 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 f f 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Tantus filius . Pallas thus enforcing her question ▪ to stirre vp the son the more to the fathers worthinesse . 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 Telemachus to Pallas . 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 : The Gods sure did not make the future straine Both of thy race and dayes , Pallas to Telemachus . 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 . Againe Telemachus : My guest much lou'd , Since you demand and sift these sights so farre ; I grant t were 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 enemies ; 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 . 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 Il●s , sonne to Centa●re Mer●●rus ; 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 Io●e 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 Aegisthus , 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 I le 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 your stay 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 . 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 Tr●y : 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 wi●e Penelope ( Icari●● seed , Who from an vpper roome had giu'n it heed ) Downe she descended by a winding staire ; Not solel● ; 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 〈◊〉 , Her honor'd women . When , ( to 〈◊〉 mo●'d ) thus She chid the sacred Singer : 〈◊〉 , You know a number more of these gre●● deeds , Of Gods and men ( that are the sacred 〈◊〉 And proper subiects of a Poets song , And those due pleasures that to men belong ) Besides these facts that furnish Tr●is retreate , Sing one of those to these , that round your ●eate They may with silence sit , and taste their wine : But cea●●e 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 g g 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Cantor , cu●us tam a●ta est societas hominibus . societies With so much harmonie , to let him please His owne mind , in his will to honor these ▪ For these h h 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is an Epithet● 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 information immediatly from Ioue ; ( as Plato in 〈◊〉 witnesseth ) The word deduced from 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , which is taken for 〈◊〉 , qui prim●● 〈…〉 in re : And will 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 then be sufficiently expr●st with ingen●●●●● then 〈…〉 exposition goes further . ingenuous , and first sort of men , That do immediatly from Io●e 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 . 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 : Telemachus in new termes with the wooers . 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 : t is 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 i i 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , prima lu●e . first light , I le 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 mo●e 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 〈◊〉 ( Eupytheus sonne ) cried out : Te●●●achus ! The Gods , I thinke , haue rapt thee to this height Of elocution ; and this great conceit Of selfe-abilitie . We all may pray , That I●●e inuest not in this kingdomes sway , Thy forward forces ; which I see put forth A hote ambition in thee , for thy birth . Be not offended , Vpon this answer of Telemach●s ; because it hath so sodain a change ; and is so farre let down , from his late height of heate ; altering & tempe●ing so commandingly ▪ his affecti●ns ; I thought not am●sse to insert here Sponda●us further A●notation , which is this : Prudenter Telemachus ioco , furorem Antino● ac alpe rit●●ē emolli● Nam ita dictum illius interpretatur vt existimetu● censere iocose illa euam ab Anti●oo aduersum se pronunciata . Et pri mum ●ronice se Regem esse exopta● propter commoda quae Reges solent com●tari . Ne tamen inuidiam in se ambitionis concitet , testatur ●e regnum Ithacae non ambire , mortuo Vlysse , cum idalij possidere queant se longe praestantiores ac 〈…〉 ait ▪ se moliri , vt propriarum aedium & bonorum solus sit dominus , ij● exclusis ac eiectis , qui vi illa occup●●● 〈◊〉 d●●perdere co●●●tur . ( he replide ) if I Shall say , I would assume this emperie , If Ioue gaue leaue . You are not he that sings , The rule of kingd●●es is the worst of things . Nor is it ill , at all , to sway a throne : A man may quic●●y 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 I le , 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 Polyb●● , To this , made this reply : Tele●achus ! 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 Prince ) 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 . He answerd : Thereturne 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 . 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 , Euryclaea ( 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 Telemach●s 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 cu●led wooll , Wouen in silke quilts : all night emploid his minde About the taske that Pallas had design'd . Finis libri primi H●m . Odyss.

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 Euryclaea could prouide For sea-rites , till he found his Sire ; He hoists saile , when heauen stoopes his fire . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The old Maids store The 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 mo●e ; 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 ; The Greekes called to councell by Telemach●● . 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 fai●e 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 Aegyptian 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 Antip●us . And this old man , This crooked growne ; this wise Aegyptian , Had three sonnes more ; of which , one riotous , A wooer was , and calld 〈◊〉 ; 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 , Ithacensia●s , 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 a●ow ? 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 young actions ) no longer ●at ; 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 , Telemachus proposeth his estate to the Greekes . 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 Aegyptian 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 ma●e 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 , rela●● ▪ 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 t is 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 . 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 ●are . Antinous onely , in this sort replied : High-spoken , Antinous to Telemachus . 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 loo●e She with a web charg'd , hard to ouercome ; And thus bespake vs : The wile of Penelope to her wooers . 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 , Lae●tes 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 ; Telam Penelopes retexere , Prouerbium . 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 ●lie 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 . The wise yong Prince replide : Antinous ! Telemachus to 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 t will 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 ●ate ; And either other mutually intreate , At either of your houses , with your feast . But if ye still esteeme more sweete and best , Anothers spoile ; The word is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifying , insatiabili quadam edacitate vo●o . so you still wreaklesse liue : Gnaw ( vermine-like ) things ●acred : 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 , Augurium . 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 fore●ell , The Councell into admiration fell . The old Her●e , Halitherses Halitherses an Augur . 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 , Fa●e and Death . And many more , this mischiefe menaceth Of vs inhabiting this famous I le . 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 Ili●n 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 . Eurymachus , the sonne of Polybus , Opposde this mans presage , and answerd thus : Hence , Eurymachus excepts against the prophecie . 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 . He answerd him : Eurymach●s ! and all Ye generous wooers , Telemachus to the w●oers . 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 count●ie ) 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 , Mentor for Telemachus . 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-bea●ing 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 . Euenors sonne ( Liocritus ) replide ; Li●critus to Mentor . 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 wants him : for , where she , aliue Would hers enioy ; there Death should claime his rights : He must be conquerd , that with many fights . Tho● 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 . Telemachus , apart from all the prease , Prepar'd to shore ; and ( in the aged seas , His faire hands washt ) did thus to Pallas pray : Telemachus prayes to Pallas . 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 : Those wooers well might know ; Minerua in the person of Mentor ▪ exh●rts to the voyage . 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 so●le ; 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 woo●rs 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 ) ●now Sea-circl'd Ithaca containes , both new And old built ; all which , I le exactly view , And chuse what one soeuer most doth please ; Which riggd , wee 'l strait lanch , and assay the seas . This spake I●●es 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 . Mo●gst whom , Antinous Carelesse , ( discouering in Telemachus His grudge to see them ) laught ; met ; tooke his hand , And said ; Antinous to Telemachus . 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 : Telemachus answers . Men whom Pride doth so inspire , Are no fit consorts for an humble guest ; Nor are constraind men , merrie at their fea●t . 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 ●tere 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 ; ●ome with iests , And some with railings , dignifying the●● feasts . To whom , a iest-proud youth , the wit began : Telemachus will kill vs euery man . From Sparta , or the very Pyltan sand , He will raise aides to his impetuous hand . The wi● of the wooers vpon the purpose of Telemachus to seeke his Father . 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 〈◊〉 . 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 〈…〉 ; and there Stood Tuns of sweete old wines , along the wall ; Neate and diuine drinke , kept ●o 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●ace ●ace , Sonne to Pise●●r , and in passing grace With gray Miner●● : ) Telemachus to Euryciea . 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 . No● to any one But thou thy selfe , let this desig●e 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 ●●eepe prepare . Sparta and Pylos , I must see , in care To find my Father . Out Euryclea cried , And askt with teares : Eurycleas answer . 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 go●e ) The wooers will with some deceit assay To your destruction ; making then their prey Of all your goods . Where , in your owne y'●re strong , Make sure abode . It fits 〈◊〉 you so yong , To suffer so much by the aged feas , And erre in such a waylesse wildernesse . Be chear'd ( lou'd nurse , Telemachus comforts Euryclea . said he ) for not witho●t 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'ele●enth 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 ●e wore . 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 . Then grey-eyd Pallas , The care of Minerua for Telemachus . 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 . 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 . Arriu'd at sea , and ship ; they found ashore The souldiers , that their fashiond long haire wore ; To whom , Telemachus to his souldiers . 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 ●ad See all their Armes fit ; which they heard ; and had . A beechen Mast then , Nauigatur . in the hollow base They put , and hoisted ; fixt it in his place With cables ; and with well-wreath'd halsers 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 Ho● . Odyss.

THE THIRD BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . TElemachus , and heau'ns * * Pallas . 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 * * Vid. Minerua , Nestor , & Telemachus . 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 Ortilochides . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Vlysses sonne With 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 ●ockes doth weare ; Be●ues 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 . By this time Pallas , with the sparkling eies , And he she led , within the ha●en bore : Strooke saile , Minerua to Tele●●ac●us . cast anchor , and trod both the shore . She fi●st ; he after . Then said Pallas : Now No more befits thee the least bashfull brow ; Tembolde● 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 Nest●r ; 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 . He answerd : Telemachus to Minerua . Me●t●r ! 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 . 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 . This said , she swiftly went before , and he Her steps made guides , and followd instantly . When soone they reacht the Pyli●● 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 Pylia●s saw These strangers come : in thrust did all men draw About their entrie . They are rec●iued as guests . 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 Si●e , and brother Thrasi●●d , 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 ; The 〈◊〉 of Pis●strat●● to strangers . of whose sacred feast , Your trauell hither , makes ye partners now : When ( sacrificing , ●s becomes ) bestow This boule of sweete wine on your friend , that he May likewise vse these rites of pietie : For I 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 Minerua● grace . To vs that aske it , in performing this : To Nestor first , and these faire sonnes of his , Vo●chsafe all honor : and next them , bestow On all these Pylia●s , that haue offer'd 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 Nestor to the strangers . 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 ? 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 . O Nestor ! Telemachus answers . still in whom 〈◊〉 liues ! And all the glorie of the Greeks ●uruiues ; You aske , from whence we are ; and I relate : From Ithaca ( whose seate is sit●ate Where Neius the renowmed Mountaine reares His haughtie forehead ; and the honor beares To be our Sea-marke ) wea●●aid the waues ; The businesse I must tell ; our owne good 〈◊〉 , 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 〈…〉 The name ( being ioynd in fight with you alone ) To euen with earth the height of 〈◊〉 ▪ Of all men else , that any name did ●eare , 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 t is , 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 desi●es disclose . O my much lou'd , Nestor to Telemachus . ( said he ) since you renew Remembrance of the miseries that grew Vpon our still-in-strength-opposing Gr●ece , Amongst Troys people ; I must touch a p●●ce Of all our woes there ; either in the m●n Achilles brought by sea , and led to gaine About the Country ; or in vs that fought About the Citie , where to death were b●ought All our chiefe men , as many as were th●●e . There Mars-like Aiax lies ; Achilles there ; There the-in-counsell-like-the Gods ; his * * Patroclus . ●riend ; There my deare sonne Antilochus 〈…〉 ; 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 : De Graecorum dissidio . 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 Agam●mnon 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 . Mone came , we lancht ; and in our ships did stow Our goods , Discors nauigatio Graecorum . and faire-girt women . Halfe our men The peoples guide ( Atrides ) did containe ; And halfe ( being now aboord ) put forth to ●ea . 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 I●ue ( Inexorable still ) bore yet no ●oue 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 Chi●s ( left on our left hand ) To th' Ile of Psiria ; or that rugged land Saile vnder ; and for windie 〈◊〉 stere . We askt of God , that some oftent might cleare Our cloudie businesse : who gaue vs ●igne , And charge , that all should ( in a middle line ) The sea cut , for Eub●ea ; 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 Ger●●stus 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 Tyd●●● sonne did greete The hauen of Arg●s , with his complete Fleete . But I , for Pyl●s 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 Pyols , vninformd by fame ; Nor know one sau'd by Fate , or ouercome . Whom I haue heard of since ( set here 〈◊〉 home ) As fits , thou shalt be taught , nought left vnshowne . The expert speare-men ; euery My●midon , ( Led by the braue heire of the mightie sould Vnpeerd Achilles ) safe of home got hold . Safe Philoctetes , Paeans famous seed : And safe Idomen●eus ; 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 Aegisthus , 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 : Telemachus Nestori . O thou greate●t grace of Greece ; Orestes made that wreake , his master peece ; And him the Greeks will giue , a master praise ; Ve●se 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 vtt●rance are . But heauens great Powres , haue grac'● my destinie With no such honor . Both my Sire and I , Are borne to suffer euerlastingly . Because you name those wooers ( Friend , said he ) Nestor Telemacho . 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 Troi●ns , 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 t●im ) If so , I say , she would be pleasd to loue , And that her minds care , thou so much couldst mo●e , As did thy Father ; euery man of these , Would lose in death their seeking mariages . O Father , Telemachus . ( answerd he ) you make amaze Seise me throughout . Beyond the height of phrase You raise expression ; but t will neuer be ▪ That I shall moue , in any Deitie , So blest an honour . Not by any meanes , If Hope should prompt me , o● blind Confidence , ( The God of Fooles ) , or euery Deitie Should will it ; for , t is past my destinie . The burning-eyd Dame answerd : Minerua . 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 : Volente Deo , nihil est difficile 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 Aegisthus , and his falser wife . For Death to come at length , t is 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 . Mentor ! Telemachus . ( 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 . I le 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 Aegisthus , 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 ? I le tell thee truth in all ( faire sonne ) said he : Right well was this euent conceiu'd by thee . If Menelaus in his brothers house , Nestor Telemacho de Aegi●thi adult●rio . 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 * * Aegisth●● . 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 I le , 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 cuius facies vin●i representa● wind-hewd seas , to reach Some shore for fit perform●●ce ; he did fetch The steepe Mount of the Mali●●s ; and there With open voice , offended I●piter , 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 Cr●●te Casting the Nauie ; where the ●ea-wa●●es meete Rough I●rdanus ; and where the Cyd●●s liue . There is a Rocke , on which the Sea doth driue ; Bare , and all broken ; on the confines set Of ●ortys ; that the darke seas likewise fret ; And hither sent the South , a horrid drift Of wanes against the top , that was the left Of that torne cliffe ; as farre as Phast●● Sttand . A litle stone , the great ●eas rage did stand . The men here driuen , scapt hard the ships so●e shocks ; The ships themselues being wrackt against the rocks ; Saue onely fiue , that blue fore-castles bo●e , Which wind and water cast on Aegyp●s shore . When he ( there victling well , and store of gold Aboord his ships brought ) his wilde way did ●old , And t'other languag'd men , was forc't to rome . Meane space Aegisthus made sad worke at home ; And slue his brother ; forcing to his sway , Atrides subiects ; Ag●mem●onis inte●tus . and did seuen yeares lay His yoke vpon the rich Myce●●●● State . But in the eight , ( to his affrighting fat● ) Diuine Orest●s home from Athe●s came ; Orestes patrem v●ci●citur . And what his royall Father felt , the same He made the false Aegisthus 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 de●est . 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 ▪ Ambe● 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 ; Pallas Nestori . 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 ou● 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 . 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 swe●●e . 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'o●hers are Youths , that attend in free and friendly care , Great-sould Telem●chus ; 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 Cauco●s ; 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 ho●se Ablest in strength , and of the speediest course . This said ; Disparet Minerua . away she flew ; formd like the fowle Men call the Os●ifrage ; when euery soule Amaze inuaded : Nestor Telemacho . 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 heap●s 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 . 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 〈◊〉 , Ec●ephron , Stratius ; the sixt and last Pisistratus ; and by him ( halfe emb●ac't Still as they came ) diuine Telemachus ; To these spake Nestor , old Gerenius : Haste ( loued sonnes ) and do me a desire , Nestoris filij patris iussu Mineruae sacrum apparant . 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 ●eates 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 forme of the Sacrifice . 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 stood by ▪ and held . Perseus the ves●ell 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 Thr●simed 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 . Ou●●●●iekt 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 Pisi●tr●tus , the throte Dissolu'd and set , the sable blood afflo●e ; 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 ; Telemachus profici●citur ad Menclaum . 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' Ortiloc●us , 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 .

THE FOVRTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . REceiu'd now , in the Spart●● Court Telemachus , preferres report To Menelaus , Menelaus . of the throng Of wo●ers with 〈◊〉 , and their wrong . Atrides tels the Greekes retre●te , And doth a Prophecie repeate , That Protens●ade ●ade ; by which he knew His brothers death ; and then d●th shew How wish Calypso li●'d the fire Of his yong guest . The woo'rs c●●spire Their Princes death : wh●se trechery knowne , Penelope in teares doth dr●wne . Whom Pallas by a 〈…〉 , And in 〈◊〉 appeare Of faire Iphthima , 〈◊〉 to be The sister of Penelope . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Here , of the Sire The 〈◊〉 d●th heare : The woo'rs conspire ; The mothers feare . IN Laced●●● now , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 which is expounded Spar tam amplam , or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 magnam : where 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . signifies properly plurima cete nutrientem . the nurse of Whales , 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 〈◊〉 ; who his life begunne By Menelaus bo●dmaid ; whom he knew In yeares . When Hellen could no more renew In issue like diuine 〈◊〉 ; 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 Tr●y . And thus the Gods To constant loues , giue nuptiall periods . Whose state here past , the Myrmid●ns 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 Of friends and neighbours , ioying with the King . 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Cantum auspicantes : of which place , the Critiks affirme , that saltatores morn suo indicant cantori , quo genere cantus ●altaturi forent . The rapture of Eteoneus at sight of Telemachus and Pisistratus . 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 ; Menelaus rebukes his 〈◊〉 for his doubt to entertaine gnests worthy . 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 , t was 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 , Telemachus to Pisistratus , in obseruation of the house , not so much that he hartily admired it , as to please Menelaus , who he knew heard , though he seemd desirous he shold not heare . 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 . Our 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 Ioue , Menelaus relates his trauels to his guests . 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 , Phoenicia , and Syd●nia ; And fetcht the farre off Aethiopia : 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 precio●s 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 * * Intending Vlysses . La●rtes 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 〈◊〉 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 * * Diana . Hellens reparance and ornament . 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' Aegyptian 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 Phyl● 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-stoo●●s stay Had for her feete : and of her husband , thus Askt to know all things : Is it knowne to vs , ( King Menelaus ) Hellen to Menelaus concerning the guests . 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 str●ke 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 t is his Fathers grace ; whom more and more His grace resembles ; that makes meretaine 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 continuall 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 ; Pisistrat●● tels who they are . 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 height●●d so , as with your sight . In hope that therewith words and actions might Informe his comforts from you ; since he is Extrernely grieu'd and iniu●'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 . Menelaus ioy for Telemachus , and mone for Vlysses absence . 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 ben● 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 * * Menelaus . 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 * * Pisistratus weeps with remembrance of his brother Antilochus . Vid. Memnon . 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 . T is 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 . 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 . 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 , Hellens potion against Cares . 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 , Polydamma gaue The wife of Thoon ; an Aegyptian 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 Paeons race . When Hellen Hellen of Vlysses and the sacke of Troy . then her medicine had infusde , 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 Shrickt 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 Hermio●e , 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 : Menelaus to Hellen and his guests . 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 Deipho●us ( The god-like ) followd . Thrice ye cir●'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 ; Hellen counterfetted the wiues voices of those Kings of Greece , that were in the woodden horse , and calls their husband . 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 : Telemachus to Menelaus . 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 . Then Argiue Hellen made he handmaid go , And put faire bedding in the Portico ; Lay purple blankets on , Itur ad lecturn . Rugs warme and soft ; And cast and 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 . Telemachus accosts him ; who begun Speech of his iourneys proposition . And what ( my yong Vlyssean Heroe ) Prouokt thee on the broad backe of the sea , Menelaus enquires the cause of his ●oyage . To visit Lacedaemon 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 . 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 〈…〉 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 ; I le 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 〈◊〉 , Disclosde to me ; to thee I le all impart , Nor hide one word from thy sollicitous heart . I was in Aegypt ; Menelai nauigatio . 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 . There is ( besides ) a certaine Iland , calld Ph●ros , that with the high-wau'd sea is walld ; Iust against Aegypt ; and so much remote , As in a whole day , with a fore-gale 〈◊〉 , A hollow ship can saile . And this I le 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 t was 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 I le 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 : Who euer thouart 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 ? Stranger ( said she ) I le tell thee true : there liues An old Sea-farer in these seas , Idothea to Menelaus . that giues A true solution of all secrets here . Who , deathlesse Proteus is , th' Aegyptian Peere : Who can the deepes of all the seas exquire ; Who Neptunes Priest is ; and ( they say ) the Sire That did beger 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 Godpreseru'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 ●ixt place of his vsde abode ; T is hard for man to countermine with God . She strait replide : I le vtter truth in all ; When heauens supremest height , Idotheas couns●●● to take her father Proteus . 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 , I le 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 . But now I le shew thee all the old Gods sleights ; The sleights of Proteus . 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 . Meane time Ed●thea , 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 ? Ironicè . 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 sat 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 , Proteus taken by Men●la●● . 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 I le , bene held for winde A wondrous time ; and ca● 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 Aegyptian flood , Whose waters fell from I●●e : and there hast gi●en 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 b●●ke my heart , In such a long and hard course to diuert My hope for home ; and charge my backe retreat , As farre as Aegypt . I made answer yet : Father , thy charge I le perfect ; but before , Resolue me truly , if their naturall ●hore , 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 t will not long be ( as my thoughts abode ) Before thou buy this curious skill with tea●es . 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 surui●e , 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 : The wracke of Aiax Oileus . to the Gyr●an I le , A mightie Rocke ●emo●ing 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 , Cassandra . ( when he raui●hed 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 b●aues , When Neptune heard ; in his strong hand he tooke His massie Trident ; and so soundly strooke The rocke Gyraean , 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 va●t mo●e ; 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 Thiestes dwelt : but then his sonne Aegisthus 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 Aegisthus , 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 Aeg●sthus . 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'inui●e 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 . Agamemnons slaughter by Aegisthu● trechery . No one left of Atrides traine ; nor one Sau'd to Aegisthus ; 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 : 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 ; Orw 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 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 : 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 : Elisium described . 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 d●epsome watrie heapes ; Proteus leaueth M●nelau● . 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 . Againe then we , the Ioue-falne flood did fetch , As farre as Aegypt : 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 . Here stay then , till th' eleuenth or twelfth daies light ; And I le 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 . He answe●d : Telemach●st● Menela●s . 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 beare Sweet Cypers grasse ; where men-fed Lote doth flow ; Where wheate-like Spelt ; and wheate it selfe doth grow ; Where Barley , Ithaca described by Telemachus . 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 ●o 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 t was 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 . Thus , in this house , did these their Feast apply : And in Vlysses house , The wooers conspiracie against Telemachus . 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 〈◊〉 wo●e . Antinous did still their strifes decide ; And he that was in person dei●ide Eury●ach●● ; both ring leaders of all ; For in their vertues they were principall . These , by Noem●n ( sonne to 〈◊〉 ) 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 fa●e 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 Pyles , euer thought to see ; But was at field about his flocks suruay : Or thought , his heardsmen ●eld him so away . Enpitheus sonne , Antino●s , then replied : When went he ? or with what Traine dignified Of his selected Ithacensi●● 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 t was 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 . Enpitheus 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 , Antinous anger for the scape of Telemachus . 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 , Penelope to Medon . 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 ? T is 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 our of date . Medon , the learn'd in wisedome , answerd her : M●don to Penelo●e relates ●he voyage of 〈◊〉 . 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 loue will faile them in . 〈◊〉 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 ●ylian 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 won●ed 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 tunne , 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 . This said ; he tooke him to Vlysse● house After the wooers ; the Vlyssean Spouse ( Runne through with woes ) let Tort●●e 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 , Penelope re●uk●th ●er Ladies for not telling her of Telemachus . 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 . His Nurse then , Euryclaea made reply : Deare Soueraigne , E●ryel●as pio●● comfort of Pe●elope . let me with your owne hands die ; Or cast me off here ; I le 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 ●oyall 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 ; Laertes sonne to Arcesius the son of Iupiter . 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 ●ies , 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 : Penelope to Pall●s . Great Virgin of the Goat-preserued God ; If euer the inhabited abode Of wise Vlysses , held the ●atted Thi●s Of sheepe and Oxen , made thy sacrifice By his deuotion ; heare me ; nor 〈◊〉 His pious seruices ; but ●a●e ●ee ●e● His deare sonne , on these shores ; and 〈…〉 These wooers , past all meane in insolence . This said , she shriekt ; and 〈…〉 her 〈◊〉 . The wooers broke with tumult all 〈…〉 About the shadie house ; and one of them , Whose pride , his youth had made the more 〈◊〉 , Said ; Now the many-wooer - 〈◊〉 Queene , Will surely fatiate her 〈◊〉〈…〉 And one of vs , in instant 〈◊〉 . 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 , Antinous to the rest . in a 〈◊〉 so vaine , Antinous chid ; and said ; For shame 〈◊〉 These brauing speeches ; who 〈…〉 Are we not now in reach of 〈◊〉 If our intentions please vs , let vs call Our spirits vp to them , and let 〈…〉 . By watchfull Danger , men must 〈…〉 : 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 ●asted ; reacht the ship , lanchit , raisd the ma●t ; Put sailes in ; and with leather loopes made ●a●t 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 dri●en , They supt ; expecting the approching E●en . 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 then ●●roopes combine To hunt , and close him in a craftie 〈◊〉 ; Much varied thought conceiues ; and feare doth sting For vrgent danger : So far'd she 〈◊〉 sleepe , All iuncture of her ioynts , and nerues did s●eepe In his dissoluing humor . When ( at rest ) Pallas her fauours varied ; and addrest An Idoll , that Iphthima did present In * * 〈◊〉 membrorum struct●●● . structure of her euery lineament ; Great-sould Icarius daughter : whom , for Spouse Eum●lus 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , affectus curculionis significat quod Iongior & gracilior cualerit . 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 , Minerua sub Iphthimae persona , solatur Penelopen in somnis . 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 . Penelope to the Dreame . 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 ; Mineru● pities thy delights defeate : Whose Grace hath sent me to foretell thee theese . If thou ( said she ) be of the Goddesses , Penelope to the Idoll . 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 . T is 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 s●eepe : When now so cleare , in that first watch of night , She saw the seene dreame vanish from her sight . 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 . Finis libri quarti Hom. Odyss .

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 Vlysles 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 Phaeacias shore , He should not part with it ; but then Returne it to the sea agein , And ca●t it from him . He performes ; Yet after this , bides bitter stormes ; And in the rockes , sees Death engrau'd ; But on Phaeacias shore is sau'd . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Vlysses builds A 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 . 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 . O Father , Pallas to the Gods . ( 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 : Ioue to Pallas . 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 : Ioue to Mercury Thou hast made good our Ambassie To th' other Statists ; To the Nymph then now , On whose faire head a t●ft 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . in rate multis vinculis ligatus . patcht-vp skiffe , ( built as he can , And suffering woes enow ) the twentith day At fruitfull Scheria , let him breathe his way , With the Phaeacians , 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 ) t was 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 . Thus charg'd he ; nor Argicides denied ; But to his feete , Mercurij descriptio . 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 I le , 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 ; Descriptio sp●t cus Calypsus . The matter precious , and diuine the frame ; Of Cedar cleft , and Incense was the Pile , That breath'd an odour round about the I le . 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 ; not 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 t was 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 , Calypso to Mer●curie . 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 : Mercurie to Calypso . 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 , Calypsos displeased reply to Mercurie . 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 . 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 . Thus tooke the Argus-killing God , Mercurie leaues Calypso . 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 : Vnhappie man ; Calypso to Vlysses 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 . I le furnish thee with fresh waue ; bread and wine , Ruddie and sweet , that will the * * Hunger . 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 , Vlysses to Calypso 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 . The Goddesse smilde ; held hard his hand , and said : O y' are a shrewdw one ; 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 ; Calypsos oath . 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 : 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 Fates impose , Ere to thy country earth thy hopes attaine ; Vndoubtedly thy choice would here remaine ; Keepe house with me , Calypsos promise of immortalitie to Vlysses . 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 ; I le 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 le ts 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 . 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 our-weed . She , her selfe inchaces Amidst a white robe , full of all the Graces ; Ample , and plea●ed , 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 I le confine . The Fi●●e 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 , This foure dayes worke ( you will say ) is too much for one man : and Plinie affirmes , that Hiero ( a king of Sicilie ) in fiue and forty dayes built two hundred and twentie ships , r●gged them , and p●t to sea with them . 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 beh●ld the Ple●ades ; The Beare , surnam'd the Waine , that round doth moue About Orion ; and keepes still aboue The billowie Oc●an . The slow-setting starre , Bootes calld , by some , the Waggonar . 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 Phaeacian 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' Aethiopian 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 Aethiops saw : and here confines To this Vlysses fate , his misery . The great marke , on which all his hopes rely , Lies in Phaeacia . But I hope he shall Feele woe at height , ere that dead calme befall . This said ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Mendicando colligo . 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 Southwinds 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 Aeacides 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●●o 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 Vlyss●s 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 : Leucothea to Vlysses . 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 t is 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 Phaeacia ; 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 . Patient Vlysses sighd at this ; and stucke In the conceit of such faire-spoken Lucke : And said ; Vlysses stil suspicious of faire fortunes . Alas , I must suspect euen this ; Lest any other of the Deities Adde sleight to Neptunes force ; to counsell me To l●aue 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 , I le 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 , Neptuni 〈◊〉 Vlystem inclementia . 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 : 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 . This said ; his rich-man'd horse he mou'd ; and reacht His house at Aegas . 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 ; an bind themselues in sleepe . But Boreas still flew high , to breake the seas , Till Ioue-bred Ithacus , the more with ease , The nauigation-skild Phaeacian 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 , Simile . 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 fome ; 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 , t is 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 * * Palla● . 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 scap'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 er●e ) A deale of grauill , and sharpe little stones , Needfully gathers in her hollow bones : So he forc't hither , Per asperiora vitare laeuia . ( 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-eye 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 . 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 . 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' a labouring * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 : á partu doleo . 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 vnlose , 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 . 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 Phoebus 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 * * A met aphoricall Hyperbole , expressing the Winters extremitie of sharpnesse . 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 ; Simile . 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 .

THE SIXTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . MInerua in a vision stands Before Nausica● ; and commands She to the flood her weeds should beare , For now her Nuptiall day was neare . Nausicaa her charge ●b●yes ; And then with other virgins playes . Their sports make ●ak't Vlysses rise ; Walke to them , and beseech supplies Of food and clothes . His naked sight Puts th' other Maids , afraid to flight . Nausicaa onely boldly stayes , And gladly his desire obayes . He ( furnis● with her f●●ours showne ) Attends her , and the re●t , to Towne . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Here Oliue leaues T'hide shame , began . The Maide receiues The naked man . THe much-sustaining , patient , heauenly Man , Whom Toile and * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Somno & labore afflictus . Sleep ( 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ) for the want of sleepe . Sleepe had worne so weake and wan ; Thus wonne his rest . In meane space Pallas went To the Phaeacian 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 Miner●as 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 * * Nausicaa . 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 entire . 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 ; * * Intending Dymas daughter . whom one yeare did breed , With bright Nausicaa ; and who had gaind Grace in her loue ; yet on her thus complaind : Nausicaa ! why bred thy mother one So negligent , in rites so stood vpon By other virgins ? Thy faite 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 Phaeacia 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 , Olympus described . 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 . This familiar & neare wanton cariage of Nausicaa to her father , ioyned with that virgin modestie exprest in her after , is much prais●d by the grauest of Homers exposit●rs ; with her fathers louing allowance of it ; know●ng her shamefastnes and iudgement , would not let her exceed at any part . Which note ●here inserted , not as if this were more worthy the obseruation then other euery where strewd flowers of pr●cept ; but because this more generally pleasing su●●ect may p●rhaps finde more fitnesse for the stay of most Readers . 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 ? 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 . 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 T●'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 . 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 , Simile . 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 * * The pietie and wisedome of the Po●t was such , that ( agreeing with the sacred letter ) not the least of things he makes come to passe , sine Numinis prouidentia . As Spond well notes of him 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'd : 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 ? I le 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 ha●tie head out : Looke how from his den , A mountaine Lion lookes , Simile . 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 sight , About the prominent windings of the flood . All but Nausicaa fled ; but she fast stood : Pall●s 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 t●ie 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 . Let me beseech ( O Queene ) this truth of thee ; Are you of mortall , or the deified race ? Vlysses to Na●sicaa . 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 ble●t , 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 eies , 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 . She answerd : Nausica● to Vlysses . Stranger ! I discerne in thee , Nor Sloth , nor Folly raignes ; and yet I see , Th' art poore and wretched . In which I conclude , That Industry nor 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 Phaeacians 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 ? 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Cui vitalis vel sensualis humiditas inest . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ; vt dicatur quasi 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , quod nihil sit magis fluxum quam homo . 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . virili animo praeditus , fortis , magnanimus . Nor are those affirmed to be men ; qui seruile quidpiam & abiectum faciunt ; vel , ●acere ●ustinent : according to this of Herod●tus in Poly : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Many , mens formes sustaine , but few are men . 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 Phaeacians , 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 circulare 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 , According to an other translator : Ab loue nam supplex pauper , procedit & holpes : Res breuis , at chara est , Magni quoque mune●is i●star . Which I cite to shew his good when he keepes him to the Originall ; and neare in any degree expounds it . 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 . Diuine Vlysses would not vse their aid ; But thus bespake them : Vlysses modestie to the Virgins . 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 ●sed to that entertainment of men : notwithstanding the modestie of that age , could not be corrupted inwardly , for those outward kind obseruations of guests and strangers , and was therefore priuiledged . It is easie to a●oide 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 . I le 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 . 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 , Simile . 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 ; Nausicaas admiration of Vlysses . 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 Phaeacian 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 ; The Cities description so far forth as may in part , induce her promist reason , why she tooke no● Vlysses to coach with her . 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 Phaeacians 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 , be come 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 . 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 Ph●●cian 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 ●o 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 scene . 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 * * Not without some litle note of our omnisufficient Homers generall touch of the least fitnesse lying in his way , may this courtly discretion he describes in Nausicaa , be obs●rud , if you please . she temperd so ; and vsde her scourge With so much skill ; as not to ouer-v●ge 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 : Heare me , of Goate-kept Ioue , th' vnconquerd Maid ; Now throughly heare me ; More of our Poets curious and sweat pi●ti● . 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 Phaeacian State obtaine Pitie , and grace . Thus praid he ; and she heard : By no meanes yet ( exposde to sight ) appear'd , For feare t' offend her Vnkle ; the supreme Of all the * * Neptun● . Sea-Gods ; whose wrath still extreme Stood to Vlysses ; and would neuer cease , Till with his Country shore , he crownd his peace . Finis libri sexti Hom. Odyss .

THE 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 * * Haec fuit illi●● saeculi simplicita● : nam vel fratern●● quoque Amor , tantus fuit , vt libenter ●anc redeunti charissimae sorori , operam praestiter●nt . Spond . 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' Aper●●n borne ; And brought by sea , from Apera , t' adorne The Court of great Alcinous ; because He gaue to all , the blest Phaeacians 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 heate 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 Phaeacian might foule language passe , Iustle him vp , and aske him what he was . Entring the louely Towne yet : Vlys●es , à Minerua in aedes ●lcinoi perducitur , septus nebula . through the cloud Pallas appeard ; and like a yong wench showd Bea●●ng a pitcher ; Stood be●ore him so , As if obiected purposely to know What there he needed ; whom he questiond thus : Know you not ( daughter ) where Alcino●s , 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 wordreplied : 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●ath ●ath giuen them ships , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ naues veloces veluti penna , atque cogitatio . 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 . 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 . At last they reacht the Court ; and Pallas said : Now , honourd stranger ; I will see obaid Your will , to shew our Rulers house ; t is 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 , he euer saw before . You first shall find the Queene in Court , whose name Is Arete : Arete the wife of Alcinous . of parents borne , the same That was the King her Spouse : their Pedigree I can report : the great Earth-shaker , he Of Periboea , ( 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 , For the more perspicuitie of this pedigree , I haue here set down the Diagram , as Spon danus hath it . Neptune begat Nausithous of Periboea . By Nausithous , Rhexenor , Alcinous , were begot . By Rhexenor , Ar●te , the wife of her vnkle Alcinous . 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 Aicinous , now King : Rhexenor ( whose seed did no male fruite spring ; And whom the siluer-bow-glac't Phoebus 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 , The honor of Arete ( or vertue ) alleg . 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 th●● casts so * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , spissus : thicke a shade , Of Erectheus ; she ingression made . Vlysses , The Court of Alcinous . 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 ga●es of gold ; Whose Portall was of silue● ; 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 ( * * Vulcan . 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 Phaeacian 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 . As much as the Phaeacian 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 . 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 , Hortus Alcinoi memorabilis . 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 . 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 . 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 Phaeacia ; with Cups crownd , Offring to sharp-eyd * * Mercurie . 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 of spring , Areten , Vlysses supplex orat . 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 . 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 Echinaeus , th' old Heroe spake . A man that all Phaeacians past in yeares , And in perswasiue eloquence , all the Peeres ; Knew much , and vsde it well ; and thus spake he : Alcinous ! Echin●us to Alcinous . it shewes not decently ; Nor doth your honor , what you see , admit ; That this your guest , should thus abiectly sit : His chaire the earth ; the harth his cushion ; Ashes , as if apposde for food : a Throne Adornd with duerites , 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 wordadded 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 ; Ad●a●●'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 - * * The word that beares this long Epith●●● , is translated only dolce : which signifies more . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Vinum quod mellea dulce . dine , animum perfundit , & oblectat . 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 Phaeacians 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 a●cend ; And in the meane time , Ascent to his Countries shore . 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 . Eustathius will haue this comparison of the Phaeacians with the Giants and Cyclops , to proceede out of the inueterate virulency of Anti●ous 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 a●d 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 d●scended from them , durst yet denie them ; they might much more do them the honor of their open presence that adored them . 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 . Not 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 ●orc't , and will not last , Till what the mindlikes , 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 ●ee 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 . 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 , Arete to Vlysses . 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 , Vlysses to Arete . thus answerd : T is 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 I le , 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Vinum calefaciendi vim habens . 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 t is 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 . 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 . 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 Euboea be that sight . And this Euboea ( 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 Euboea ) 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 Phaecians , 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 : 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 . Finis libri septimi Hom. Odyss .

THE EIGHTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . THe Peeres of the Phaeacian State , A Councell call , to consolate Vlysses , with all meanes for Home . The Councell to a Banquet come . Innited 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' Epaean 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 ; Pallas like the Herald . and fild with the renowne Of that designe , the eares of euery man : Proclaiming thus ; Peers Phaeacensian ! 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 seats , 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 . All met ; and gatherd in attention close ; Alcinous thus bespake them : Alcinous exhorts the Phaeacians to the beliefe of Vlysses . 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 Phaeacensian , 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 ; Demodocus Poeta . 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 , The contention of Achilles and Vlysses . 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 Phoebus , 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 , Vlys●i mouetur fletus . 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 , The continued pie●ie of Vlysses through all places , times , and occasions . 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 , Since the Phaeacians were not only dwellers by sea , bu● studious also of sea qua●lities : their names se●me to vsurpe their faculties therein . and strong , rose to their trials loue . Vp rose Acroneus , and Ocyalus ; Elatreus , Prymneus , and Anchyalus ; Nauteus , Eretmeus , Thoo● , Proreus ; Pontaeus , and the strong Amphialus , Sonne to Tectonides , Polinius . Vp rose to these , All consisting of sea-faring signification , except Laodamas . the great Euryalus ; In action like the homicide of warre . Naubolides , that was for person farre Past all the rest : As Acroneus , summa seu extrema Nauis pars . Ocyalus velox in mari● Elatreus , or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Remex . &c. 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 Clytonaeus , like a God in grace . These first the foote-game tride ; and from the lists Took start together . Vp the dust , in mists They hurld about ; as in their speede , they flew ; But Clytonaeus , 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 ; Methinks , 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 Eu●yalus ) but proue his blood With ●hat 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 : Laodamas vrgeth Vlysses to their sports . If your show Be answerd with your worth , t is 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 : The word is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signif●ing : deductio : qua transue●endum curamus ●um q●i nobiscum aliquandiu est versatus . 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 , Euryalu● vpbraids Vlysses , 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 ; Vlysses angry . 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 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Damnorum magnorum auctor . 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 di●ine . 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 I le 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 Phaeacians , 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 Phaeacian 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 Phaeacian here , This bound , can either better or come nere . Vlysses ioyd , to heare that one man yet V●de 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 brother● either are or should be of one acceptation in all fit things . 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 ; 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 . ( 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 I le 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 Philocte●es 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 ; O●chalian , Euritus , Hercules ; Who with their bowes , durst with the Gods contend . And therefore caught Eurytus soone his end . Nor did at home , Apollo . 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 I le 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 , The ingen●ous and ro●all speech of Alcinous to Vlysses . 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 ; Buff●ts , nor wrestlings : but in speede of feete ; And all the Equipage that fits a fleete , We boast vs best . For table euer spred With neighbour feasts , for garments varied ; For Poesie , Musique , Dancing , Baths , and Beds . And now , Phaeacians , 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 . This said , the God-grac't king , and quicke resort 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 . Then with the rich harpe , came Pontonous ; And in the midst , tooke place Demodocus . About him then stood foorth , the choise yong men , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifies splendor vibran● ; a twinckd splendor : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Vibrare vel●ti radios solares . 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 , Ayre rar●fied turns first . 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 ●ares 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 ; The matter whereof none can see . and a circle stroue , Of his deuice , to wrap in all the roome . And t was as pure , as of a Spiders Ioome , The woofe before t is 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 w●nt To any Lemnos ; but the sure euent Left Phoebus 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 , Vulcans complaint . 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 Phoebus . 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 , * * Intending them sound of foote ; when they out-goe the soundest . restore . This speech amongst themselues they entertaind When Phoebus , 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 t were 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 . 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 ? Vulcan ( said he ) if Mars should flie , This is 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . &c. Parua mag●e dicere ▪ graue sentence out of lightest vapor . 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 . 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 : 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 aduanc'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 , Vlysses to Alcinous . 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 . This put he strait into his hand , and said : Frolick● , 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 f●iends , 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 ●ote 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 ; Nausicaa enflamed with Vlysses 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 I le acknowledge ●uery 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 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ Poetam cuius hominibus digna est societas . 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 . This , reacht the Herald to him ; who , the grace 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 ou● 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 ●are . 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 , A● 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 . 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 * * Vlysses . Laertiades ; But here he * * As by the diuine fury directly inspired so , for Vlysses glory . 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 * * In that the slaughters he made were exprest so liuely . 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 ●ie 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Metaph. signifying , consumo , tabes●o . teares , his feeling braine swet : for in things That moue past vtte●ance , 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 , Simile . 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 as●aile 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 d●d take Both note , and graue resp●ct of , and thus spake : Heare me , Phaeacian 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 ; t is 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 * * This 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 or affirmation of miracles , how impossible soeuer in these times assured , yet in those ages they were neither absurd nor strange . Those inanimate things hauing ( it seemd● certain 〈◊〉 , 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 D●don●an Oke , that was vocall , and co●l● speake . ships know th' expressed minds of men ; And will so most intentiuely retaine Their scopes appointed , that they neuer err● ; 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 * * Intending his father Nausithous . 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 D●itie . 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 wisedom● is , True wisedome fits true friends . that blood and birth transcends . Finis libri octaui Hom. Odyss .

THE NINTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE A●GVMENT . 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 fed Lotophagie . 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 ; He begins where Alcinous commanded Demo●ocus to end . and breathes them as he 〈◊〉 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 . 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 . 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . quatientem seu agitantem frondes . 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 - * * quaedam quibus corp●s ali●ur & vita sustentatur 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 appellantur . 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 . 〈◊〉 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 Aeaea 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 , Amor patriae . 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 Io●es 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 sp●ed 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 t was , as flowres and leaues Darke Spring discouers , when she * * After Night , in the first of the Morning . 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 Phoebus 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 , The ancient custome of calling ●ome the dead . 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 sails 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 fleet● , As farre forth as Cythaera . 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 Lotophagie . 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 , The idle Cyclops . 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 Ba●ley ; 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 I le , 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 ●ame , 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 ●oile is ▪ In it lies A harbor so opportune , that no ties , Halsers , or gables need ; nor anchors cast . Whom stormes * * The descriptions of all these countries , haue admirable alleg●ries , besides their artly and pleasing relation . 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 t was a night So gastly darke , all Port was past our sight , Clouds ●id our ships , and would not let the Moone Affoord a beame to vs ; the whole I le wonne , 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 I le 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 I le 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 Phoebus ; 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 Phoebus , 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 , ●is 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 t was 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 , Vi●um Maroneum memorabile . 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 . 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 a● 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 : t was 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 : 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 ? This vtt●rd he ; when Feare from our hearts tooke The very life ; to be so thunder-strooke With such a voice , and such a monster see . But thus I answerd : Er●ing Grecians we , From Troy were turning homewards ; 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 oth●rwise , the serious obseruation of the words ( though good & graue , if spoken to another ) want their intentional sharpnesse and life . 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 . 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 . 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 ; lept 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 Le ts 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 . T was 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 . 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 wo●ke , 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 , I le 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 ! I le 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 t was 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 : Simile . 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 , Simile . ( 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 , * * Neptune . 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 * * Wooll of a violet colour . 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 . 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 ! Vlysses insults ●uer the 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 guests , 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 Necessitie conquerd ) in my brest . Cyclop ! Vlysses continued insolence , no more to repeate what he said to the Cyclop , then to let his hearers know Epithetes , and estimation in the world . 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 . 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 t is 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●ame . Nor thinke my hurt offends me ; for my S●●e 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 Nept●ne then Could cure thy hurt , and giue th●e all again . Then flew fierce vowes to Nept●ne ; Polyphems imprecation against Vlysses . both his hands To starre-borne heauen cast : O tho● that all lands Girdst in thy ambient Cir●le ; 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 roo●es 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 * * No occasion let passe to Vlysses pietie , in our Poets singular wit and wisedom● . 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 . Finis libri noni Hom. Odyss .

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 Laestrigonians dwell . Where he eleuen ships lost ; and fell On the Aeaean 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 Ci●ces 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 Aeolus And Circe , friends , Finds Ithacus ; And Hell descends . TO the Aeolian Iland we attaind , That swumme about still on the sea ; where raign'd The God-lou'd Aeolus 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 . 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 . 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 ; I●piter . 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 ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 He calles the Sterne , the foote of the ship . 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 Aeolus . 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 , Aeolus was so liberall To make a Guest-gift to him . Let vs trie 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 Aeolia : 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 Aeolus ; 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 Laestrigonian State ) 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 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ &c. Prope enim noctis & diei ●unt viae ; ( or similiter which 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 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 bath his double hire , being as long about his charge as the ●●her : and the night being more dangerous , &c. And if the day were so long ▪ why should the nightsman , be preferred in wages ? Shepheard , Shepheard calls out ; he a 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 that s 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 * * For being cast on the staies , as ships are by weather . 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 Laestrigonian , 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 . Ant●ph●● 〈◊〉 king there . 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 , Then to the I le Aeae● we attaind ; Where faire-haird , dreadfull , eloquent Circe raignd ; Aeaetas 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 ship ; 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Curiose cogito . curious in my thought to trie Some fit enquirie ; * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifiyng rutilus : by reason of the fire mixt with it . Fumus qui fit dum aliquid accendi●ur . 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 ; le ts 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The whole end of this counsaile was to perswade his souldiers to explore those parts : which he kn●w 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 , 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 Laestrigonian 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 t was 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 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 , Simile . 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 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 C●ius animus curas prudentes versat . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 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 t is ; 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 ●oules 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 ; Seeing them , he thought of his fellowes . You willd ; 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 , Viysses mo●'d for his souldiers . Euryloch●● . 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 sel●e lose ; nor to that aboad Leade others rashly ; both th● 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 : Euryloch●s ! 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 D●me I saw the great house : where , encounterd me , The golden-rod-sustaining Merc●rie ; Vlysses encounters Mercurie . Euen entring Circes doores . He met me in A young 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 ; Thouno-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 I le guard ●hee 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 Shee le 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 : The herbe Moly which with Vlysses whole Narration , ha●h in chi●●e●an Allegoricall exposition . Notwithstanding I say ▪ with our Spondanus , Credo in hoc vasto mundi ambitu extare res innumerasmirandae facultatis ▪ adeo , vt ne quidem ista quae ad tran●formanda co●pora pe●tine● ▪ iure è mundo eximi possit , &c 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 . T is blacke , but beares a f●owre As white as milke . And thus flew Mercurie Vp to immense Olympus , gliding by The syl●an 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 T was , 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 〈◊〉 ; 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 : Ith●censi●● , 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 Tr●y . 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 . 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 , he●●t-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 : 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 need 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 . 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 youg 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 Itbaca ; 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 re●t 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 Euryl●chus ; 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 Cycl●p , when t' his caue , our friends This bold on , led one , 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 caro●sing round . When ( mutuall sight had , and all thought on ) then Feast was forgotten ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . and the mone againe About the house flew , Commemorabantque omnia . Intending all their miseries , escapes , and meetings . 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 quencht 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 . 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 wa●t 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 ; 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Which is expounded Inclyta examina mortuorum . But 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , is the Epithete of Pluto ; and by Analogie belongs to the dead , quod ad se omnes aduocet . 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 fa●e 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 . Finis decimi libri Hom. Odyss .

THE XI . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses way to Hell appeares ; Where he , the gr●●e Tiresias●eares ●eares ; Enquires his owne , and others fates . His mother sees , and th' after flates ▪ In which , were held , by sad Decease Heroes , and Herocsses ; A number , ● that at Troy●ag'dwarre ●ag'dwarre ; As Aiax that was still as iarre With Ithacus , for th' armes he lost ; And with the great Achilles Ghost . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Vlysses here Inuokes 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 ▪ They mournd the ●●ent before they knew it . 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 Cimmeri●nes . Here drew we vp our ship : our sheepe wit-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 cliffie 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 : left neglected I ▪ Bring on thy selfe , th' incensed Deitie . I know , that saild from hence , thy ship must touch On th' Ile Ae●● ; 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 firie 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 , Misenus apud Virgilium , ingenti mole , &c . the Ore With which aliue , I shoooke 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 talk● ; 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 Anticlae● , 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 , Tiresi●● to Vlyss●● . 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 . 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 ou●rcome ; 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 ; nor mixe with any fare , Men that neuer eate salt with their foode . 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 : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Which all translate senectute sub molli . The Epeth●te 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , not of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , viz. pinguis ; or 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , pinguiter . But 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifying flagitanter orando . To which , pious age is euer altogether addicted . 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 , not 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 Sea●e , 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 prea●e ? 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 Theb●● Soule , I might , an Oracle , inuolu'd , vnrowle : For I came nothing neare Achaia y●t ; Nor on our lou'd earth , happy foote had set ; But ( mishaps suffering ) err'd from Coast to Coast ; Euer since first , the mighty Graecian 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 Grecian , 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 dartslou'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 , Proserpina or Persephon● . 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 . This speech we had ; The old Her●●sses appeare to Vlysses . when now repair'd to me More female spirits ; by Persep●●●● , 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 , Tyr● . issu'd of a noble Sire . She said she sprong from pure , 〈◊〉 bed ; And Crethe●s , Sonne of Ae●lus did wed . Yet the diuine flood E●ipeus , lou'd , Who much the most faire streame , of all floods mou'd . Neare whose streames , Tyr● 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 . Next her , I saw admir'd Antiope Asopus Antiope like Tyro . 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 Z●thus ; that first laid Great Thebes foundations ; and strong wals conuaid About her turrets , that seuen Ports enclosde . For though the Theb●ns , much in strength reposde , Yet had not they , the strength to hold their owne , Without the added aides , of wood , and stone . Alcmena , Al●m●na . next I saw ; that famous wife Was to Amphytri● ; and honor'd life Gaue to the Lyon-hearted Hercule● , That was , of Ioues embrace , the great increase . I saw besides , proud Craeons daughter there , Bright Megara ; 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 ; Epicasta the mother of Oedipu● . 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 , Chl●ris . 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 l●sides , that then Ruld strongly , Myni●an 〈◊〉 ) And now his daughter rul'd the Pylean Throne ; Because her beauties Empire ouershone . She brought her wise-awd husband , Neleus , Nest●r , much honord ; Peryclimenus , And Chromius ; Sonnes , with soueraigne vertues grac'● ; But after , brought a daughter that surpast ; Rare-beautied Per● , 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 ( 〈◊〉 worst done ) Ioues counsaile made , th' all-safe conclusion . The saw I Laeda ; Leada , ( linkt in nuptiall chaine With Tynd●rus ) to whom , she did sustaine Sonnes much renowm'd for wisedome ; C●st●● one , That past , for vse of horse , comparison ; And Poll●x , 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'●ther 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 , Iph●medi● . after Laeda came , That did de●iue 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 . Phaedra and Procris , Phaedra and Pr●cris . with wise Minos flam● , ( 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 . Maera , Clymene , Maera and Clymene . I witn●st there ; and loth'd Eryphile ; That honou●'d * * Amphiaraus was ●●r husband : whom she betrayd to his ruine at Thebes , for gold taken of Adrastus her brother . gold more , then she lou'd her Spouse . But all th' He●oesses 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 . This said ; the silence his discourse had made , With pleasure held still , through the houses shade . When , white-arm'd Arete this speech began : Phaeacians ! 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 dispa●ch , 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 Phaeacensian , 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 ma●ke ; 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 glorifi●d , 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 * * Venustè & sal●è dictum . 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 who●e loues , The richer euermore the better proues . He answerd : There is argude in your sight , A worth that works not men for benefit , Like P●ollers 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 ●ares With elegant oration ; such as beares , A musicke in the orderd historie It layes before vs . Not Demodocus , With swee●er 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 ●lion 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 . Most emin●nt 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 * * Here he begins his other relation . Proserpin● . 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 Aegysthus house , endur'd their ends , With his sterne Fortune . Hauing dr●nke 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 sha●es , 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 Aegysthus , 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 hand● 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 . 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 batte●l , 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 blifse , 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 welcom●s . 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'●e so chaste and wise , Yet come not home to her in * * This aduice ●e foll●●●d at his coming home . open view , With any ship , or any personall shew . But take close shore disguisde : nor let her know ; For t is no world , to trust a ●oman now . But what sayes Fame ? Doth my Sonne yet suruiue , In Orch●men , or Pylos ? or doth liue In Sparta , with his Vnkle ? yet I see D●uine Orestes is not here with me . I answerd , asking : Why doth A●reus sonne ▪ Enquire of me ? who yet arriu'd where none Could giue to these newes any cer●aine wings ? And t is 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 Aeacides , Illustrous Aiax . But the first of these , That saw , acknowledg'd , and saluted me , Was * * Achill●s . Thetis co●quering Sonne , who ( heauily His state here taking ) said : Vnworthy breat● ▪ 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 Tir●sias , for ad●●ce 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 Achilles of the next life . 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 th one . 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 . This pitch still flew his spirit , though so low ; And this , I answerd thus : I do not know , Of blamelesse Peleus , any ●●ast r●port ; But of your sonne , in all the vtmost sort , I can informe your care wi●h truth ; and thus : From Scyros , Vlysses report of Neoptolemus the son of ●e●●lles . princely Neoptol●●us , By Fleete , I conuaid to the Greeks ; where he Was Chiefe , at both parts : when our gr●uitie 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 * * This place ( and a number more ) is most miserably mistaken by all translators and commentors . whales ▪ Ra●pi●'d abou●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 i●●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 prais● his spleene ; This close note , I exce●pted . When we sate Hid in Epaeus horse ; no Optimate Of all the Greeks there , had the charge to ope And shut the * * Th● 〈…〉 said . 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 * * Ai●x the sonn● of Telamo● . Telamonian Kept farre off ; angrie for the victorie I wonne from him at Fleete ; though Arbit●ie Of all a Court of warre , pronounc't it mine , And Pallas selfe . Our prise were th' armes diuine , Of great * * Achill●s . Aeacides ; propo●de t' our fames By his bright * * The●is . Mother , at his funerall Games . I wish to heauen , I ought not to haue wonne ; Since for those Armes , so high a he●d , 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 a●● 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 , Iupiter . 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 , 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 , whos● vertues ne●er wore . ● Tityus 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 ; off●ing to en●orce , His loue Latona in the close recou●s● , She vsde to Pytho , through the dancing land , Smooth Panopaeus . 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 t was swallowd vp ; And all the blacke ea●th 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 ●igs , 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 , Sisyphu● . 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 i● . Downe with th●se was thrust , The Idoll of the force of Hercules . H●●c●les . 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 Fowle● ; 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 thos● v●xt 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 , Battles , Combats , Deaths . Who wrought that worke , did neuer such before ; Nor so diuinely will do euer more . Soone as he saw , he ●new 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 . This said ; he made descent againe as low As Plutos Court ; when I stood firme ; for show Of more Her●es , 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 passag● gaue . Finis libri vndecimi Hom. Odyss .

THE XII . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . HE shewes from Hell his safe retreate , To th' Ile A●●aea , Circes seate . And how he scapt the Sirens calls . With th' erring Rock●s , and waters falls , That Scylla and Chary●dis breake . The Sunnes st●lne Herds ; and his sad wreake ▪ Both of Vlysses ship and men , His owne head scaping sc●rce 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 Aeaea , 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 , Reditur ab inferis ad Circen . Had guilt the mountaines with her Saffron flame ; I sent my men to Circes house before , To fetch dece●st 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 . Elpenor tum●latur . ( Whose Corse consum'd with fire , And honourd Armes ▪ whose Sepulcher entire ; And ou●r that , a Columne raisd ) his Ore , Curi●usly car●'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 s●fe ascent from hell , conceald From Circes knowledge ; nor so soone reueald , But she was wi●h v● , 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 act●ons . Thus did she adui●e ; 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 hi● : 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 , Circe praesagit futura pet●cula . 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 ) Si●ena●um des●riptio . 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 sen●uall appetite so strong ) His loose affections , that he giues them head . And then obserue : They sit amidst a meade ; And round about it ●unnes a h●dge 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 ●are 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 tra●scends 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 * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Columbae t●midae . What these D●ues were , and the whole mind● of this place : th● Great Macedo●●sking Ch●ron Am●hip●lites , he ●nswered , They were the Pl●iad●s or seuen Stares . One of which ( besides his proper imperfection , of being 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . i. adeo exilis , vel subobscurus , ●t vi● appare●t ) is vtterly obscured or let b● thes● Rocks . Why then , or how , Ioue still supplied the lost one , that the ●u●ber might be full : Athen●●● falles to it , and helps the other out : Interpreting it to be affirmed of their perpetu●ll septenary nu●ber ▪ though there appeared but sixe . But how lame and loathsome these prozers shew in their affected expositions of the P●eticall Minde , this and an hundred others ▪ spent in meere p●esumptu●●s guesse at this inaccessible Po●t ; I hope will mak● plain● enough to the most enuious of any thing done , besides their ●wne set censur●s , and most arrogan● ouer weenings . In the 23. of the Iliads , ( being t ) at the Games celebrated ● at Patrocl●s fnerals , they tied t● the top of a Mast , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ●imidam Columbam , to sh●●●● at for a ga●● : so that ( by these great mens abouesaid expositions . ) they sh●● at the Plei●●es . 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 ●oue , 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 aesture 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Naui● omnibus Curae : the ship th●t ●●ld the c●re of all men , or of ●ll things : which our Critickes will needs restraine , omnibus heroibus Po●tisom●ibus , vel Historicis , when the care of all mens preser●ation is affirmed to be the freight of it : 〈◊〉 if Po●ts 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 ●ur spic't consciences with expressing the diuin● mind it i●cl●des . Being ●fra●d to affirme any good of poore Po●s●e , since n● man gets any goods by it ▪ And notwithstanding many of our bird-●●d starters 〈◊〉 prophanation are for nothing s● afraid of it ; as that lest their galled consciences ( scarce beleeuing the most reall truth , in approbation of their liues ) should be r●bbed with t●e confirmation of it , even in these contemned vaniti●s ( as their ●●pieties please to call them , ) which by much more lear●ed and pio●s the● th●●selues , haue euer bene called the raptures of di●ine inspiration By which ▪ Homo supra humanam n●turam erigitur , & in D●um transit ▪ Plat. care of all men ) got her gone , Come from Aret● . 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 Le ts euer view it . Not the Somners eye ; Not feruent Aut●mnes . 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , &c. Grauiter vociferans ; as all , most ●●truly tr●nslat● i● . As they 〈◊〉 in the next ve●se , these words 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Catuli Leonis . No Lion being here dreamed of , n●r any vocifcr●tio● ▪ 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ signifying indignam , dissim●lem , or horribilem vocem edens : But in what kind horribilem ? Not for the gra●itie or greatnesse of her voice , b●t for the rnworthy or disproportionable small ▪ wh●ling of it : she being in the vast fr●●e of her body , as the eery words 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifie , monst●um ingens : whose dispr●portion and defor●itie , is too Poeticaley ( and therei● 〈◊〉 ) ordered , f●r fat and fla● Prozers to compreh●nd . N●r could they make the P●ets w●rds s●rue their comprehension ; and therefore they adde of their owne , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 ▪ from whence 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 is deri●ed ▪ signifying crepo , or stridule clamo . And 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , is to be expoanded , c●tuli ●uper or recen●●●ti , not Leonis . But thus they botch and ab●se the incompar●ble expressor : Becaus● they knew ●ot how otherwise to be 〈◊〉 enough the●sel●es , to helpe out the Monster . Imagining so huge a great body ▪ must needs haue a voice as huge : and the● would n●t our Homer ha●e like●ed it t● a Lions whelps voyce , but to the Lions ●wne : and all had bene much too little , to make ● voyce answerable to h●r h●genesse . And therefore found our inimitable master , a ●ew way to expresse her monstrous disproportio● : performing it so , as there can be ●i●il supra . And I would faine lear●e of ●y learn●d De●r●ctor , that will needs haue m● o●ely tr●nslate out of the Lati●e , what Latine translation telles me this ? or what Grecia● hath euer found this and a hundred other s●ch ▪ Which may be some poore instance , or proofe of my Greci●n fac●lt● , as far as ●ld H●m●r goes in his two simple Poems , but not a sill●ble further will my silli● spirit presume . 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 . 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 , Whale● , 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 C●arybdis sits Supping the blacke deepes . Thrice a day her pi●s 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 , sixemen ; and better saue The rest , then all , make offerings to the waue . This Neede she told me of my loss● , when I Desir'd to know , if that Necessitie ( When I had scap't Ch●r●bdis outrages ) My powres might not reuenge ; though not redresse ? She answerd : O vnhappy ! a●t 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 ●he Rock● ▪ I feare , sixe more must expiate the shocke . Sixe heads , sixe men aske still . Hoise ●aile , 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 I●e Triangular● ; 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 Le●petie , The louely Ny●phs are , that their Guardians be . Who , to the daylights lofty-going flame Had gracious birthright , from the heauenly Dame Still yong Neaera ; 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 sase shall land In wished Ithac● . But if impious hand You lay on those herds to their hurts : I then Presage sure ruine , to thy ●hip 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 companio● , a forewind ; With which she filld our sailes , when , fitting all Our Armes close by vs ; I did sadly fall To graue relation , what conce●nd 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 ; the●●ight life elect , And giue what would preserue it , fit effect . I first inform'd them , that we were to flie The heauenly-singing Sire●s harmony , And flowre-adorned Medow ▪ And that I Had charge to heare their song ; but f●tte●d ●●st 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 ●and 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 ●eele 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 . 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 : 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 ●uer , but it bent his eare : But left him r●uish , 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 I le 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 those 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 S●ylla , 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 . 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 swee●e 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 , F●ultlesse : 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 Aeaean Circe ; and the best Of Soules , and Prophets , the blind Theb●● 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 I le , 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 I le . This kill'd Their tender spirits ; when Eurylochu● 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 out Night from heauen . At Morne , we drew our ships into a caue ; In which the Ny●phs , that Phoebus 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 o●e 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 〈◊〉 ▪ 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 ad●antage ; 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 b●eath , 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 suff●age 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 seed 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 . 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 , I le 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 . This by Calypso , I was told , and she 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 monethrag'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 : t●ll 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 . 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 hi● 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 . Nine Daies at Sea , I houer'd : the tenth Night In th' lle 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 . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 .

THE THIRTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . 〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉 Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉 HE said ; And silence all their Tongues contain'd ( In admiration ) 〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉〈…〉 To my high-rooft , and Brasse-foundation'd hou●● : I hope , such speede , and passe 〈◊〉 Our Loues shall yeeld you , that you shall no more Wander , nor suffer , homewards , as before . You then , whoeuer , that are euer grac'●t With all choise of authoriz'd power , to tast Such wine with me , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . quod pro Honorario senibus datur And because the worde so Englisht , 〈◊〉 no o ●her to exp●esse it , sounding wel , & helping our Language , it is her● 〈◊〉 . 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 in●inite 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 't is vnequall one man should sustaine A charge so waighty , being the grace of all ; Which , borne by many , is a waight but small . Thus spake Alcinous , and pleas'd the rest ; When each man clos'd , with home , & sleep , his feast . But when the colour-giuing light arose ; All , to the Ship , did * * Intending in chiefe the Senators , with euery m●ns addition of gift . all their speeds dispose ; And wealth ( that * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Bene-honestos-faciensaes . 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 , le●t their le●s In any of their labors , he might pro●e . Then home he turn'd : and after him , did moue The whole assembly to expected 〈◊〉 . Amongst whom , he a sacrifice 〈◊〉 . And slue an Oxe , to weather-wielding 〈◊〉 ; 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 v●ice , Diuine Demodocus . Yet through this choice Of Cheere , and Musicke , had Vl●sses still An Eye directed to the 〈◊〉 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 fallowes vp ; his stomacke burn'd With empty heate , and appetite to food ; His knees afflicted with his spirit-spent blood ) At length the long-expected Sun-set sees ; That the may sit to foode , and rest his knees : So , to Vlysses , set the friendly light The Sun affoorded , with as wish'●a ●ight . Who , straight bespake , that Ore-affecting State : 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 , Vlysses to Alcinous . 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 , With all desir'd euent , my friends , and wife . When , as my selfe shall liue delighted there ; May you , with yourwiues , 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 : Alcinous to 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 : Which 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 : Vlysses to Arete . 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 . 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 . With 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 . With faire attendants then , The sheets and bedding of the Man of men , Within 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 swee●e repose Sleepe bound so fast , it scarse gaue way to breath ; Inexcitable , The sound●st epc of V●ysses . Similitude . 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-b●ed Ph●●●cian Ship approch't . There is a Port , That th' aged Sea-God Ph●rcys makes his Fo●● : The description of Phor●ys Hauen . Whose earth , the Ithace●si●● people owne . In which , two Rockes inaccessible , are growne Farre forth into the Sea ; whose 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 〈◊〉 : 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 Phaeacians ; sinc● 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 ▪ Father ! Neptune to Iupiter . No more the Gods shall honor me , Since men despise me ; and those men that see The * * The Phaeacians were descended Originally from Neptune . 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 Phaeacians finde Their owne minds satisfaction , with 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 Phaeacia 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 . The Showre-dissoluer answerd : Iupiter to Neptun● . What a speech Hath past thy Pallate , O thou great in Reach Of wrackfull Empire ? Farre the Gods remaine From scorne of thee : For , 't were 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 the● ; Soothe all thy will , and be thy pleasure free . Why then ( said he ) thou blacker of the fumes That dimme the Sun ; Neptune to Iupiter . 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 kno●ne . But now ; this curious-built Ph●aci●● 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 〈◊〉 In all her trim ) amids the Sable Seas . That they may cease to conuoy strangers still , When they shall see , so like a mighty Hill Their glory sticke before their Cities grace , And my * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Superinijcio aliquid , tanquam tegmen seu operi●entum . 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 ne●re the Land , So like a Ship , and dam vp all their lights , As if a Mountaine interposde their sights . When Neptune heard this , he for Scheri● went , Whence the Phaeacians tooke their first descent . Which 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 When the Phaeacians 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 . Alcinous tels his people how the Ship became a Stone . Which 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 , When 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 gree●e 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 Mou●taine . 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 ye● ) 〈◊〉 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 . Which 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 wooers wrongs , 〈…〉 . Through which cloud , all things s●ow'd now to the King Of forreign fashion . The 〈◊〉 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 per●eiu'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 ? What , with my selfe , wil ●●oods 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 Phaeaci●●s then Were 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 Supplian●s , 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 , Minerua like a Shepheard ( such as Kings sonnes vsde at those times to be ) appear● to V●ysses . ( like a Shepheard , yong , and quaint , As King sonnes are : a double Mantle cast A' thwart his Shoulders , his faire goers g●ac'st With fitted shooes ; and in his hand , a Dart ) Appear'd to him , whose sight reioy●'● his hart . To whom he came , and saide : O Friend ? Since first I meete your sight 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 ; Pallas to Vlysses . 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 't is 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 't is , and rough ; And so , for vse of horse vnapt enough : Yet , with * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , 1. Velut tri●tis , Ie●una●j , natura . 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 With 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 't is 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 , Which thus his words shew'd . Vlysses to Pall●s . I haue farre at Sea , In spacious Crete , heard speake of Ithaca ; Of which , my selfe ( it seemes ) now reach the shore , With these my Fortunes ; whose whole value more I left in Crete amongst my children there ; From whence I flye , for being the slaughter●● Of royall Idomens 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 With any seruice ; But , as well as he , Sway'd in command of other Souldiery . So , with a friend withdrawne , we way-laide him , When 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 . Whose slaughter , hauing author'd with my sword , I instant flight made ; and straight fell aboord A Ship of the renown'd Phoenician State ; When prayer , and pay , at a sufficient rate Obtain'd my Passe , of men in her command : Whom I inioyn'd to set me on the land Of Pylos , or of Elis , the diuine , Where 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 from thence , We err'd , and put in heere , with much expence Of Care and Labour : and in dead of Night , When 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 〈◊〉 , Louely and goodly , expert in the frame Of vertuous Huswiferies ) she answered thus . He should be passing slie , Pallas to Vlysses . and couetous * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 furandi auid●s . Of stealth , in mens deceits , that coted thee , In any craft ; though any God should be Ambitious to exceede in subtilty . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . varia & multiplicia habens consilia . 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 Io●e , 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 phaeaci●●s , and receiu'd . And now againe , I gr●ete thee , to see weau'd Fresh Counsailes for thee : and will take on me The close reseruing of these goods for thee , Which the renown'd phaeacian States bestow'd At thy deduction homewards ; Onely mou'd With 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. 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 . What 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 sleigh● 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 Tr●y : But when Fates full houre , let our swords enioy Our vowes , in sacke of 〈◊〉 lo●ty Towne : Our Ships all boorded ; and when God had blowne Our Fleete in sunder , I could neuer see The seede of Io●e ; Nor once distinguish thee Boording my Ship , to take one woe from me . But onely in my proper spirit in●olu'd , Err'd , here and there quite slaine ; til heauen dissolu'd Me , and my ill : which chanc't not , ●ill 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 〈◊〉 earth . Now then ; euen by the author of thy Birth , Vouchsafe my doubt the Truth ( for farre it flies My thoughts ; that thus should fall into mine 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 ? 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 , What 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 sight 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 , I le shew thee why I call this Isle , thy Ithaca ; To ground Thy credit on my words : this hauen is own'd By th' aged Sea god phor●ys : 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' 〈◊〉 gaue As Sacred to their pleasures . Heere doth run The large , and couer'd den , where thou hast done Hundreds of Offerings to the 〈◊〉 . Here , Mount Nerytus shakes his cur●●d Tresse Of shady woods . This sayd , she cleer'd the clowd That first deceyu'd his eyes ; and all things show'd His countrey to him . Glad he stood with sight 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 . Which heere I vow ; if Io●es benigne descent ( The mighty Pillager ) with life conuent 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 besome , 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 . When Pallas saide ; Examine now 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 ; Who 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 approues . O Gods ( said Ithacus ) it now behoues 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 We 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' Ilio● Towres We 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 . When both whose pow'rs combine , 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 Wooers ; 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 〈◊〉 . Thy search shall finde him , set aside his Heard , That are with tast-delighting Aco●nes rear'd : And drinke the darke-deepe water of the Spring Bright Arethusa ; the most nourishing Raiser of Heards . There stay , and ( taking seate 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 l●u'd the welcome Guest Of Menelaus . The much-knower saide : Why wouldst not thou ( in whose graue 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 fo●th . Nor suffers he , in any least degree The griefe you feare : but all variety That Plenty can yeeld , in her quie●st fa●e , In Menelaus Court , doth sit and share . In whose returne from home , the Woo●rs 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 say , 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 Was 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 coa● , 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 limbes 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 .

THE FOVRTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses meets amids the Field His Swaine Eumaeus ; 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 Eumaeus liu'd : Who , of the fortunes that were first atchieu'd By God-like Ithac●● , in houshold rights , Had more true care , then all his * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , materiae adhaerens : Item , qui rebus Mundani● deditus est . Prosylites . He found him sitting in his Cottage dore ; Where 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 . Within 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 Without 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 , Which must of force be offer'd to the Vow , The Woowers made to all saciety : To serue which , still they did those Offrings ply . * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Ad latrandū fato quodam Na●us . The Fate-borne-Dogs-to-Barke , tooke sodaine view Of Odyss●eus ; and vpon him flew With 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 Where most his Right lay ; had not instantly The Herdsman let his hide fall ; and his cry ( With frequent stones , flung at the dogges ) repeld This way , and that , their eager course they held : When through the entry past , he thus did mourne . O Father ! Howsoone , Eumaeus to Vlysses . had you neere bene torne By these rude Dogges ? whose hurt had branded me With 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 : Where 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 , Io●e requite , And all th' immortall Gods , with that delight Thou most defir'st , thy kinde receite of me ; O Friend , to humane Hospitality . Eum●eus answer'd : Guest ? If one much wurse 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 , ●it for the gift a gracious King should giue : Who 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 Ag●mem●o●s 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 ●ut Both fairely vp . A fire enflam'd , and put To spit the ioynts ; which roasted well , he set With 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 With 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 ; fo● 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 reft The Ruler heere ; will neuer suffer left Their vniust wooing of his wife , not take Her often answere : and their owne Roofes make Their fit 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 ; Which 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 . Whose Herds and Flockes I le tell to euery Head : Vlysses Wealth . Vpon the Continent , he daily fed Twelue Herds of O●en ; 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 Woers Feast . And I ( for my part ) of the Swine I keepe ( With foure more Herdsmen ) euery day , help steep The Wooers appetites , in blood of one , The most select , our choise can fall vpon . To this ; Vlysses gaue good eare , Vlysses incen●t against the wooers , with newes of their spoyle . 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 To 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 Graecian 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 . Eumaeus 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 I●hacensian , 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 Were teares created : For I neuer shall Finde so humane a royall Mayster more ; What 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 With 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 . 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 , I le 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 ; What 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 Wrong to his wife , and his illustrous Sonne . O Father ( he replied ) i le 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 ; Whose chance I now must mourne , and euer shall . Whom 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 Pylia● 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 leaue 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 Lawes That Truth prescribes you : but relate your name , And of what race you are : your Fathers ●ame , And natiue Cities : Ship and men vnfold , That to this Isle conuaid you : since I hold Your heere arriuall , was not all by shore ; Nor that your feete , your aged person bore . He answer'd him ; I le tell all strictly true , I● 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 , I le tell you then ; From ample Crete I fetch my Natiue straine ; 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 Hyl●cides . A man , in fore-times , by the Cre●an 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 Ne●ues 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 stroo●● 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 . 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 . 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 ; When 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 - Tray 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 powrs . Nor was there to be heard One reason for deniall ; so prefer'd Was the vnreasonable peoples rumor . Nine yeares we therefore fed the martiall humor ; And in the tenth ( de-peopling 〈◊〉 Towne ) We sail'd for home . But God had quickly blowne Our Fleete in peeces ; and to w●●tched mee , The Counsailor Io●e , did much mishap decree . For , onely one month , I had leaue t' enioy My wife , and children ; and my goods t' employ . But , after this , my minde for 〈◊〉 stoode ; When nine faire ships , I rig'd forth for the flood : Mann'd them with noble ●ouldiers : all things fit For such a voyage , soone were won to it . Yet sixe dayes after , staid my friends in feast ; While 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 ●aile , 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 heauen 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 With 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 ●ed in their dissolute vaines : The rest were sau'd , and made enthralled Swaines , To all the basest vsages there bred . And then , euen Io●e himselfe supplyed my head ▪ With sauing counsaile ; ( though I wisht to dye , And there in Egypt , with their slaughters lye , So much griefe seiz'd me ) but I●●e made me yeild ; 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 ; Embrac● and kisse his knees ; whom pitty wun 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 Io●es wrath ouercome , Who yeelding soules receiues ; and takes most ill All such as well may saue , yet loue to kill . Seuen yeares I soiourn'd heere , and treasure 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 ; Whose name was Phoenix ) close accosted me : And with insinuations , such as he Practis'd on others , my consent he gain'd To go into Phoenicia ; 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 Was turning round ; and euery seasons raigne Renew'd vpon vs ; we for Lybia went : When ( 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 , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , qui terr●m rapido motu concu●it . or Flat , her Keele did dash With 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 , that did ruines sound , Nine dayes we houer'd . In the tenth blacke night A huge Sea cast me on Thesprotia's height : Where the Heroe Phidon , that was chiefe Of all the Thesprotes ; gaue my wracke reliefe , Without the price of that redemption That Phoenix fish't for . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , sine emption●●seu redemp●●onis precio Where the Kings lou'd son Came to me ; tooke me by the hand , & led Into his Court ; my poore life surffetted With 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 Treasurie 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-corne-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 left the Land : then plotted they the day Of my long ●eruitude ; 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 * * A● Sunneset . sea ▪ They fetcht the Field-workes of faire Ith●ca ; 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 ●out . 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 , I le 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 . Where 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 With 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 ●ate ; 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 D●lichius . 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 Houe● heere , And made thee fitting hospitable cheere , Should after kill thee ; and thy lo●ed minde Force from thy bones ? Or how should stand enclin'd With any Faith , my will t' importune 〈◊〉 In any prayer heereafter , for his loue ? Come , now 't is 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 in entring . Then , the God-like Swaine His men enioyn'd thus : Bring me to be slaine A chiefe Swine female , for my stranger Guest : When , altogether we wil take our Fe●●t , 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 . When first , E●m●eus from the Front did cut The sacred haire , and cast it in the fire ; Then , pray'd to heauen : for stil , before desire Was seru'd with food , in their so rude abods , Not the poore Swine-herd would forget the Gods . Good soules they bore , how bad soeuer were The habits , ●hat their bodies parts did beare . When 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 ( highlifting 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 , Who 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 E●maeus , ( 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 . Which he obseruing saide ; I would to Ioue ( Eumaeus ) 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 . Eumaeus 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 . 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 ; Vlysses . whose place was next his side : Mesaul●us did distribute the meate , ( To which charge , was Eumaeus solely set In absence of Vlysses ; by the Queene And old Laertes ) and this man had beene Bought by Eumaeus , 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 wa●ry wind Zephyre blew lowd ; and Laertiades ( Approuing kinde Eum●●us 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 E●m●us , and my other friends ; I le vse a speech that to my glory tends : Since I haue drunke wine past my vsuall guise ; Strong Wine commands the Foole , and mo●es 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 We led to ambush , vnder th' Ilio● Towres : Where Ithacus , and Me●el●●● 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' l●y Northerne gale Blew bleake vpon vs : after which , did fall A snow so cold , it cut , as in it bea●e A frozen water ; which was all concrete About our Shields like Cristall . All made ●aine ( 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 'T is 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 mor● , But made as if his sterne austerity , bore My plight no pitty . Yet ( as still he lay His head reposi●g 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 With 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 Thoas 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 , With 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 Eumaeus ) thou hast showne Good cause for vs , to giue thee good 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 Of this nights neede . But when her golden ●hrone The Morne ascends , you must resum● your 〈◊〉 For , heere you must not dreame of many 〈◊〉 , Or any change at all . We 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 , Which all with Goats and Sheep-skins , he bespred . All which , Vlysses with himselfe d●d line . With whom , besides , he chang'd a gabberdine ▪ Thicke lin'd , and soft ; which stil he made his shift , When 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 . Which set cheerefull fare Before Vlysses heart ; to see such care Of his goods taken ; how farre off soeuer 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 West 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 .

THE FIFTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . MInerua , to his Natiue seate Exhorts Vlysses sonnes retreate , In ●ed , and waking . He receiues Gifts of Atrides ; and so leaues The Spartan Court. And , going ab●ord Doth fauourable way affo●rd To Theoclymenus ; that was The Argiue A●gure , and sought passe ; Fled for a slaughter he had done . Eumaeus tels Laertes son , How he became his Fathers Man ; Being sold by the Phoenician For some agreed on Faculties ; From forth the Syrian Isle , made prise . Telemachus arriu'd at home , Doth to Eumaeus Cottage come . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 From Sparta's strand makes safe ac●esse To his own● Land Vlyssides . IN Laced●mon , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 In qua ampli vt pulchri chori duci possunt , vel ducuntur : which the vulgar translation turne therefore , latam , seu amplam . 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 Mans●on : 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 ! T is 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 Me●elaus then , To send thee to thy Natiue seat agen ; While 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 I le 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 . Which 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 Who 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 Pyl●s sands The place contain'd , from whence thy person Lands . Thus she , to large Olympus , made ascent . When , 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 ; that 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 . 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 . Whose 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 , Telemachus to M●nelaus . guarded with heauens deified hoste ; Grant now remission to my Natiue right : My minde now vrging mine owne houses sight . Menel . answere 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 in all acts , beares the best estate . A like ill 't is , to thrust out such a guest , As would not go ; as to detaine the rest . We 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 , I le cause our women to prepare What 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 ) I le ioyne horse , & guide T' our humane Cities . Nor vngratifide Will any one remit vs : some one thing Will 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 . The wise Prince answer'd : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , poculum emblematis , & caelaturis ornatum . 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 . When 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 Et●●●eus from his rest ; Whose dwelling was not farre off from the Court ; And his attendance , his command did sort , With 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 , Whom 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 ; When to Vlysses sonne , Atrides said : Telemachus : Menelaus to Tel●machus . 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 ; When 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 Meg●penthe plac't The Siluer cup before him ; amply grac't With 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 : Which , 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 , Pisi●ratus 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 ▪ Et●onaeus 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 he 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 . To him the wise Vlyssides , replied : With all our vtmost shall be signified ( Ioue-kept Atrides ) your right royall will : A●d 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 , Which , men and women ( crying out vpon ) Pursu'd : but she ( being neere the guests ) her flight Made on their righthand ; and kept still fore-right Before their horses : which obseru'd by them , The spirits in all their minds tooke ioyes extream ; Which Nestors son thus question'd : Nestors son●e to M●nelaus His Ironi●●ll question continuing stil● Homer● Ch●racter of M●n●laus . 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 . Heare me , Hellen dissol●es the O●●ent . 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 , Will shortly wreake , with all their miseries . O ( said Telemachus ) if Saturnian Ioue , Telem . to He●len To my desires , thy deare presage approue ; When 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 Obscur●●●● stood In each mans way ; they ended their accesse At Pheras , in the house of Diocles , Sonne to Orsilochus , Alpheus seede ; Who gaue them guest-rites : and sleeps naturall need They that night seru'd there . When 〈◊〉 rose , They ioyn'd their horse : tooke coach , and did dispose Their course for Py●os ; 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 ? Telem . to Pisist . we both imbrace The names of Bed-fellowes ; and in that name Will 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Cupiens diligere . 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 wil 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 Without 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 . While 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 * * Pallas . 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 ●ow'd from Melampus ; who in former date In ●ylos 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 * * One of the F●ries of ●ell . 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 Was great Oiclaeus borne : Oiclaeus gate Amph●araus , that the popular State Had all their health in : whom , euen from his heart Ioue lou'd ; and Phoebus 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 * * His wife betraid him for money . 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 . Who ( 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 ; Theoclymenus to Telemachus . 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 ; Telemachus to Theoclymenus . 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 : Th●oclymenus , 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 m●r●y : and to them I pray . Nor will I barre ( said he ) Telem . Reply . 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 . 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 see made fast Amidst the hollow Keele , the Beechen Mast With able hal●ers ; 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 ●heras 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 Eumaeus Shed ; Where ( at their foode with others marshalled ) The stories ● turn to 〈◊〉 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 , Eumaeus , 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 ) I le 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 I le 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 , I le 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 , ( Who 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 , Eum●●us to Vlysses . said ; Alas poore Guest , Why 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 : Whose wrong the 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 , ●and 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 , Vlysses answere to Eumaeus . 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 〈…〉 , 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 : Which since thou wilt make heere ( as ouercome With thy command for stay ) I le 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 : Eumaeus answer to Vlysses . 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 : Whom 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 . Which last loue to her , doth his li●e 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 〈◊〉 , Her yongest yssue ( in some small degree Her daughter yet prefer'd ) a braue yong Dame . But when of youth the dearely loued * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Peroptabilem pubem . Flame Was 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 Worthy or reuerend , I haue giuen to still These kinds of Guest-ri●es : for the houshold ill ( Which 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 . O me ( Eumaeus ) saide Laertes sonne , Hast thou then err'd so , of a little one ? Vlysses answere to Eumaeus . ( Like me ? ) From friends , and country ? pray thee say , ( And say a Truth ) doth vast Destruction lay Her hand vpon the wide-way'd * * Supposing him to dwel in a Citie . Seat of men ? Where 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 , Eumaeus relates his birth , &c. my guest ( said he ) Heare and be silent : and meane space , sit free In vse of these cups , to thy most delights ; * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Vnspeakable , 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 d●th grieue . Who 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 . We two , still in our Tabernacle heere , Drinking & eating ; will our bosomes cheere With 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 Ortygi● ( If thou hast heard ) Eumaeu● telles Vlysses how hee was bought and sold. they call it Syria ; Where , once a day , the Sun moues backwards still . T is 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 Phaenissians , 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 Phaenissian ; skilfull in the frame Of Noble Huswiferies ; right tall , and faire . Her , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 1. admodum vafer . Der. ex 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 1. pertraho in retia & 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . 1. puella . the Phaenissian great-wen●h-net-lai're , With sweet words circumuented , as she was Washing her Linnen . To his amorous passe He brought her first , shor'd from his Sh●p 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 , What 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 Where 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 : * * Intending the Ship . She hath all in hold , And ( with my selfe ) I le bring thence all the gold I can by all meanes finger : and beside , I le do my best , to see your freight supplide With 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 . Which now , fit for saile : They sent a Messenger t' informe the Dame . And , to my fathers house a fellow came , Full of Phaenissian 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 ●he 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 ) ●ied to Ship . When 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 Portic● 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 , When we came to the hauen ; in which did ride The swift Phaenissian Ship ; whose faire broad side They boorded straight : Tooke vs vp ; And all went Along the moyst waues . Winde , Saturnius sent . Six dayes , we day and night sayl●d : But when Ioue Put vp the seuenth day ; She , that shafts * * Diana . 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 . Eumaeus ( 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 . Whose labours , not to thee alone , impart Sufficient food and housing ; but to me . Where 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 Would 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 ? who●e 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 , I le see you satisfied With my house entertainment : but as now , You should encounter none that could bestow Your fit entreaty ; and ( which lesse grace 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 I le name one , to whom you shall apply Direct repaire ; and that s 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 . 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 ; Th●oclymenus to Telemachus . Telemachus ; This Hawke is sent From God ; I knew it for a sure Ostent When 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 ; Telemachus to Theo●●ymenus . Thou then shouldst soon acknowledge from my hand Such gifts & friendship , as would make thee ( Guest ) M●t , and saluted , as no lesse then ble●t . This said ; Tele . to Pyraeus he call'd Pyraeus ( 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 . The famous for his Lance saide ; Pyraeus reply . if your stay , Take time for life heere ; this mans care , I le 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 ●ares , his longest Nights had ended : And nothing worse , to both his Lords intended . The End of the Fifteenth Booke of Homers Odysses .

THE SIXTEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . THe Princ● at F●●ld ; ●e sends to Towne Eumaeus , 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 preuent the way Of yong Vlyssides , for home ; Retire , with anger ouercome . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 To his most deere , Vlysses●●owes ●●owes ; The wise Son heere his Father knowes . VLysses , and diuine Eumaeus 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 fawn'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 Eumaeus : 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 , Eumaeus amaze and kinde welcome of Telemachus . before His Son stood in the entry of the dore . Out-rusht amaz'd Eumaeus : 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 : Who kist him through : who grew about him kissing , As fresh from death scapt . Whom ( 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 With 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Orcus , & signi●ies pr●perly , tenebricosus , or infernalis ▪ so that , perni●iosus ( wh●ch is the Latine translation ) is not so ●itte as d●m●d for that crew of dissolute Wooers . The phrase being now vsde to all so licentious . 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 . 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 . This said ; Eumaeus , tooke his brazen Speare ; And in he went : when , being enter'd neare Within the stony threshold ; From his seat , His Father rose to him : who would not let Th' old man remoue ; but drew him backe and pre●t With earnest termes his sitting ; Saying , Guest ; Take heere your seate againe ; we soone shall get Within our owne house heere , some othe●●ea● : 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 engro●te : Fil'd luscious wine ; and then tooke opposite seate To the diuine Vlysses . When the meate Set there before them ; all fell to , and 〈◊〉 . When 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 ? I le tell all truly Son : From ample Crete He bosts himselfe ; and sayes , his erring feete Haue many Cities trod : And God was he Whose finger wrought in his infirmity . But , to my Cottage , the last scape of his , Was from a Thespro●s Ship . What ere he is , I le giue him you : do what you please ; His vant Is , that he is ( at most ) a suppliant . Eumaeus , ( said the Prince ) To tell me this , You haue afflicted my weake Faculties : For how shall I receiue him to my house With 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 ●wo 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 same 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 ; I le 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 : I le 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 't is free For any man , Vlysses to Tel● . to change fit words with thee ; I le 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 . What 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 ; ( Which 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 than death applied ; Guests , wrong'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 d●uour'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 . I le tell you ( Guest ) most truly , saide his Son ; I do not thinke , Telemachus 〈…〉 . 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 La●rtes spring ; Onely to old La●rtes 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 〈◊〉 ) arise Vp in their house , a brood of enemies . As many as in these Isles bow mens k●●●s ; Samos , Dulychius , and the rich in Tr●●s Zacynthus : Or in this rough 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 sta●e 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 , Eumaeus ; 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 eare 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 . E●m . to Telem . But , all in one yet ; may I not reueale To th' old hard-fated * * Laertes . 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 , Telem . to Eum. And his will , his way goes : mine stands inclin'd T' attend the home-turne of my * * Intending his Father : whose ret●●ne , though hee were far fr● knowing , or fully expecting : yet he desir'd to order all thing● as he were present . 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 * * Intending to La●rtes , all that Eumaeus would haue ●old . 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 . P●llas appeares to Vlysses . Where 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 . This said ; Pallas restores Vlysses youth for ●he ●ime . 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 : Who stood amaz'd ; & thought some God had done His house that honor : turn'd away his eyes , And sayd ; Tel●mac●us to his Fathe● . 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 We may giue sacred rites , and offer Gold To do vs fauour . Vlysses to Telem . He replied : I hold No deified state . Why 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 wrong● 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 , Tel. to Vlysses . 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 : Vlys. 〈◊〉 his sonne Telemachus ? Admire , nor stand dismaide : But know thy solid Father ; since within , He answeres all parts , that adorne his skin . There shall no more Vlyss●sses come heere . I am the man , that now this twentith yeare ( Stil vnder sufferance of a world of ill ) My count●ey earth , recouer : 'T is the will The Prey-professor Pallas puts in act ; Who put me thus together ; thus distract , In aged pieces , as euen now you saw , This youth now rendring . 'T is 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 God● 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 , When 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 What 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 . I le tell thee truth , my sonne ; The men that beare Much fame for shipping , Vlysses tels his sonne what ship ●e arri●'d in . my Reducers were To long-wisht Ithaca ; who each men els , That greets their shore , giue passe to where he dwels . The Phaeacensian Peeres , in one nights date , ( While 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 . O Father ( he replied ) I Telem . to Vlys. 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 , o 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 ; Vlys. to Telem . 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 ; Telema●hu . 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 . Well then ( said he ) not these shall seuer long Their force and ours , Vlysses . 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 : When the chiefly wise Minerua prompts me ; I le informe thine eies With 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 ; which see done Within our readiest reach ; that at our will We 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 . You teach ( saide he ) so punctually now , Tel●machus to his Father . As I knew nothing ; nor were sprung from you . I hope , heereafter , you shall better know What 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 Would 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 Who 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 , With 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 Within 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 ●ould 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 ▪ We 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 'T is 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 . When 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'r ; 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 Hyme●s rites . Or if this please not ; but your appetites Stand to his safety , and to giue him ●eate 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 ; Who 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 : 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Bonis mentibus the plurall number vsed euer by Homer . who ( exceeding wi●e ) Vs'd this speech : Friends , I neuer will adui●e The Princes death : for 't is 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 : When 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 : Antinous ? Penel : to Antin . 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 ? 'T is 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 theeues ) 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 , Whom 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 eeast . Eurymachus replyed ; Be confident , Eurym : to Pene● 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 With 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 , * * Vlysses . Laert●ades , 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 . Thus cheer'd his words ; but his affections still Fear'd not to cherish foule intent to kill , Euen him , whose life to all liues he prefer'd . ●he 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 steepe 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 , With 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 ; Telem . to Eum. to him , the Prince these words did vse : Welcome diuine Eumaeus ; Now what newes Imployes the City ? Are the wooers come Backe from their Scout dismaid ? Or heere at home Will they againe attempt me ? ●um to Telem . 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 Hermaean 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 . When 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 .

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 Eumaeus 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 showes through 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 Eumaeus : Now my friend , Telem . to Eum. 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 . 'T is better beg in Cities , Vlys ▪ to his Son . 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 . 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 Was Nurse Euryclea ; who th' embrodery Of Stooles there set ; was giuing Cushions faire : Who 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 With 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 , Penel. to Telem . 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 : Telem to his Mother . 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 Whose 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 With all my souldiers ; but in chiefe did charge Pyraeus 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 eas●ly 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 Was 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 tongue● ; 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 , Were 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 Pyraeus came , and brought his Guest Along the City thither ; whom not left The Prince respected ; nor was long before He rose and met him : The first word yet ; Pyrae . to Tel●m . bore Pyraeus from them both : whose haste , besought The Prince to send his women , to see brought The Gifts from his house , that Atrides gaue , Which , 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 , Pyraeus 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 ; Where both put off , both oyl'd , and did inuest Themselues in rich Robes ; washt , and sate , and eate . His Mother , in a faire chaire , taking seate Directly opposite : her Loome applied ; Who ( when her Son and Guest , had satisfied Their appetites with feast ) said ; 〈…〉 O my Sonne , You know , that eue● 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 . We came to Py●os , 〈…〉 . 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 ; Where 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 ( Atri●es , famous for his Lance ) he sent With horse and Chariots ; Me , to learne th' euent From his Relation ; where I had the view Of Argine Hel●en , whose strong beauties drew ( By wils of Gods ) so many Grecia● States ▪ And Troians , vnder such laborious fates . Where Menelaus ask't me , what affai●e To Lacedemon , render'd my repaire . I told him all the truth : 〈◊〉 . to Telem . who made reply ▪ O deed of most abhor'd indecency ! A sort of Impotents attempt his bed , Whose 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 dal●s , 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 ) F●ule death would fall them . O , I would to Ioue , Phoebus , 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 ; When , 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 ) Will 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 With his affection ) kept him in her Caues , Where men , nor Ship , of pow'r to brook the waues , Were 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 . This put his Mother , quite from all her cheere : Theoclymenus to Penelope . When Theoclymenus the Augu●e , 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 〈◊〉 , With this whole houshold of 〈…〉 That , at this houre , his royall 〈…〉 On his lou'd countrey earth ; 〈…〉 Comming , or creeping , 〈…〉 These wooers make ; and in his 〈…〉 Seeds , that shall thriue to 〈…〉 This , set a ship-boord , 〈…〉 And cried it out , to your 〈◊〉 Penelope replied ; Would 〈…〉 You well should witnesse a most 〈…〉 And gifts such of me , as 〈…〉 Should greete you with , a blessed 〈…〉 This mutuall speech , past : all the 〈…〉 Hurling the stone , and 〈…〉 Before the Pallace , in the 〈…〉 Where other-whil●● , their 〈…〉 Sate plotting iniuries . But when 〈…〉 Of Supper enter'd ; and the 〈…〉 Brought sheepe from field , that fil'd vp euery way With those that vsde to furnish that puruay ; Medon , 〈…〉 the Herald ( who of all the rest Pleasd most the wooers and at euery Feast Was 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 then idlenesse , in times to eate . This said ; all left ; came in ; cast by , on Thrones And Chaires , their garments . Their prouisions Were 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 Eumaeus : Eumae to Vlyss. 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 Gaurdian of my stall : But I , in care and feare , of what might fall , In after anger of the Prince ; forbore . The checkes 〈◊〉 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 ; Vlyss. to Eum● . 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 . Thus cast he on his ne●●e , his nasty 〈◊〉 , 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 〈◊〉 His forc't state with a staffe . Then 〈◊〉 they hard Their way to towne : Their Cottage 〈…〉 To Swaines and Dogs . And now , 〈…〉 The King along : his garments to a thred All bare , and burn'd ; and he 〈…〉 Vpon his staffe ▪ at all parts 〈…〉 And sad old begger . But when now they got The rough high-way ; their voyage 〈…〉 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 Was shewne about it : In which , 〈…〉 part ; Whose 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 ; Where 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 ; Whose huge● stor'd Herd , two herdsment kept beside : For all Herds it exceld ; and bred a seed For wooers onely . He was Dolius seede , And call'd Melanthius . Who 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 Melan●●ius to Eumaeu● and Vlysses . to this effect , he did pursue : Why so ; t is now at all parts passing true , That ill leades ill : good euermore doth traine With like , his like : Why thou vnenuied Swaine , Whither dost thou leade this same victles Leager ? This bane of banquets ; this most nasty begger ? Whose sight doth make one sad , it so abhorres ; Who 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 Wouldst 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 ●hey , as his thirsty veynes Would still be swilling ( whey made all his fees ) His monstrous belly , would oppresse his knees . But he hath learn'd to leade ba●e life about ; And will not worke , but crouch among the rout ; For broken meate , to cram his bursten gut . Yet this I le 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 house 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 With these two thoghts ; If he should strike him dead With 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 . Eumaeus , Eumoeuscu●seth Melm . for his rude vsage of Vlysses . 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 Intending his 〈◊〉 Herd , k●pt o●ely for the wooers dain●ie Pa●la●s . 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 ! Mel●m : answer to Eumaeus . ( replyed Melanthius ) what a curse Hath this dog barkt out ; and can yet , do wurse ? This man , shall I haue giuen into my hands , When , in a well-built Ship , to farre-off Lands I shall transport him : That ( should I want 〈◊〉 ) 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 tho wooers , and his Trenchers fraight The Keruers gaue him , of the flesh there v●nted : But bread , the reuerend Buttleresse presented . He tooke , against Eurymachus , his place ; Who most of all the wooers , gaue him grace . And now , Vlysses and his Swaine got nere : When , round about them , visited their eare The hollow Harpes delicious-stricken string ; To which , did Phaemius ( neere the wooers ) sing . Then , by the hand , Vlysses tooke his Swaine , And saide , Eumaeus ? 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 . 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 . 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 Forreinats . 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 dog , ●●●●led Argus . 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 Was wise Vlysses , who ( new enter'd there ) Vp went his Dogs laide eares ; and ( comming nere ) Vp , he himselfe rose , The Dog dye● as soone as hee had se●n Vlysses 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 : 'T is 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 ; Whom for their pleasures , or their glories ●ake , Or fashion ; they into their fauours take . This Dog ( said he ) Euma●us Des●riptions of Vlysses Dogge . 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 Would 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 〈◊〉 ; 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 , bere●t his light . Telemachus , did farre the first behould Eumaeus 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 : Who sate alone ; his Table plac't aside ; To which , the Herald did the bread diuide . After Eumaeus , Vlysses ruthfull fashion of 〈…〉 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 . 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 . 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 . Thus tooke he in , with both 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 . Howeuer , 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 Eumaeus 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 ? Which , thinkst thou nothing , that thou calst in these ? Eumaeus answer'd ; Though you may be wise , You speak not wisely : Who 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 wi●e 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 : T is 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 tast . Antinous answer'd him ; Braue spoken man ! Whose 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 . 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 furnisht ; and his passe Bent to the doore , to eate . Yet could not leaue Antinous so : Vlysses to A●tin . 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 soeuer ) 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 With horse , and foot ; and flam'd with iron armes ; When 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 : Toiles led by constraint Fasting 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 . 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 them selues broght meat : Since , sitting where anothers boord is spread , That flowes with feast ; not to the broken bread Will your allowance reach . Nay then ( said he , And look't austerely ) I● 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 ●ull 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 , Whose 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 . This made the rest , as highly hate his folly , As he had violated something holy . When 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 . 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 . 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 Would 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 eas'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 ; While , at his scrip , Vlysses sate below . In which time , she Eumaeus call'd , and said : Go , good Eumaeus , 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 eare , 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 : * * Simil : In which Vlysses is compared with a Po●t , for the swee●nesse of his speech . 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 swee●n'd he , my bosome , at my meate ; Affirming that Vlysses was in Crete , Where 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 Was 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 Would soone reuenge these wooers iniuries . This said ; about the house , in ecchoes , round , Her Sons strange Neesings made a horrid ●ound ; Neezing a good Omen . At which , the Queene yet laught , and said ; Go● 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 What 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 Which now he begg'd amongst the commune tread ; Should freely feed his hunger now from her ; Who , 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 h●auens brazen 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 ; Bese●ch the Queene , her patience , will see past The dayes broad light ; and then , may she enquire . 'T is 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 〈…〉 Finde his austere supposes ? Takes 〈…〉 Of th' vniust wooers ? Or thus hard 〈…〉 On any other doubt the house obiect● ? He does me wrong ; and giues 〈…〉 To his fear'd safety . He does right ( said 〈◊〉 ) 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 . Thus ( all agreed ) amongst the wooers goes Eumaeus to the Prince ; and ( whispering close ) Said ; Now , my Loue , my charge shall take vp me , ( Your goods , and mine ) What here is , you must see I● fit protection . But , in chiefe , regard Yo●r 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 . 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 . This said ; he sate in his elaborate Throne . Eumaeus ( 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-endin● day . The End of the Seauententh Booke of Homers Odysses .

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 gle● , 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 Arnaeus : 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 ) Which sounded , Irus . When 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 : Wretch ! I do thee no ill ; nor once vpbraide Thy presence with a word ; nor 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 sels : 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 . 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 With 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 , With 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 swore his will . But then Telemachus , 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 . I le 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 . When Vlysses , laying by His vpper weed , his inner beggery Nere shew'd his shame : which he , with rags preuented 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 Was mou'd at roote . But now , he needs must finde Facts to his brags ; and forth at all parts ●it The seruants brought him ; all his artires smit With feares , and tremblings . Which 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 . Howsoeuer , take This vow from me , for firme ; That if he make Thy forces stoope ; and proue his owne supreame ; I le 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 eare ; Thy shame cut off , and giue it dogges to teare . This shook his Nerues the more . The buffet ●ight betwixt Vlysses and Irus : 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 fright 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 . When 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 With 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 With gentle words his conquest ; laughing still : Pray'd Ioue , and all the Gods , to giue his will What 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 that 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 ) Was 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 . 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 ●eyring , 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 human● 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 ●art , 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 ●f 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 ; While 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 mee●● In his returne , thy vndeparted feete . For when he enters , and sees men so rude , 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 ; Who 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 Vlyssi●es . 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 . Who 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 Wisht ( 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 , & Antono● ; That those our traine additions may supply Our owne deserts . And yet besides , Not I ( With all my age ) haue learn'd the boldnesse yet T' expose my selfe to men , vnlesse I get Some other Gracers . Eurynome . This said ; forth she went To call the Ladies ; and much spirit spent To make their vtmost speed : for now , their Queene Would both her selfe shew , & make them be seene . But now Minerua other proiects laid ; And through Icarius * * Pen●l●p● . 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 * * Venus . Cytherea , when her order'd places , Conduct the Beuy of the dancing Graces , She added to her owne : more plumpe , more hie , And fairer than 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 ? Would 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 . The Prince then coming neere , she said ; O Son , Thy thoughts & iudgements haue not yet put on That constancy , in what becomes their good Which 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 ? T is 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 Wrong 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 , Eur●m . ●our●ship of the su●posed Widdow Qu Queene . 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 . Alas ( said she ) my Vertue , Penel answer . Body , Forme , The Gods haue blasted , with that onely storme That rauisht Greece to I●ion ; 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 : Which dead in me , liues ; giuen him long before . A sad course I liue now ; heauens sterne decree With 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 ; Vlysses words to his wife at parting . Woman ! 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 be 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 With any man that breaths ; her first Lords care Dead , because he to flesh and blood is dead ; Which , 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 't is a great griefe ; nor was seene till now , In any fashion of such men as woo A good and wealthy woman ; and contend Who shal obtaine her , that those men should spend Her Beeues and best Sheepe , as their cheefest ends ; But rather , that herselfe , and all her friends They should with Banquets , and rich gifts entreat ; Their life is death , that liue with others meat . 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 . 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 , 't is folly to refuse . For know , that we resolue not to be gone To keepe our owne roofes ; till of all , some One Whom best you like , your long-woo'd loue shal win This pleasd the rest ; and euery one sent in His present by the Herald ; First had place Antinous gift : The Wooers 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 . 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 . The King Pysander , great Polyctors heire , 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 . When , 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 . Whom Vlysses ( seeing Too conuersant with wooers ; ill agreeing With guise of maids ) aduised in this faire sort : Maids of your long-lackt King ; Vlysses ●o his Wiu●s women . keepe you the port Your Queenes chast presence beares ? Go , vp to her , Imploy your Loomes , or Rockes , and keepe ye there : I le 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 With 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 ; Me●antho to Vysses . 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 , 't is like To proue your natiue ga●be : 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 ? I le 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 ●eare , 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 ; Which had not long to go . Nor therefore would Minerua let the wooers spleenes grow cold , With 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 Cressets do . For not a haire he hath to giue it shade . Say , wil thy 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 a●t 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 : We then should proue our either workmanship . Or if ( againe ) Beeues , that the goad , or whip Were 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 What 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 threw : When 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 . When 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 vpro●● 〈◊〉 ▪ And with rude speeches , spice their pleasures cup. And all this for a Begger , to fulfill A filthy Prouerbe : Good still yeelds 〈◊〉 . The Prince cried out on them , to let ●he bad Obscure the good so ; Told them they were mad ; Abusd their banquet ; Telem mockes the wooers , yet wins their praise . and affirm'd some God . Tried maisteries with them : Bad them take their lo●d 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 With 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 : Which 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 . Th●s all approu'd ; when Noble Mulius ( Herald in chiefe , to Lord 〈◊〉 The Wine distributed with reuerend grace To eu'ry wooer : when the Gods giuen place With seruice fit , they seru'd themselues , and tooke Th●ir parting Cups : till ( when they all had shooke The angry humor off ) they bent to rest ; And euery Wooer to seuerall Roofes addrest . The End of the Eighteenth Booke of Homers Odysses .

THE NINETEENTH BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses and his Son , eschew Offending 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 tops , a Bore ( Strooke by him in his Chace ) did gore . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The King still hid by 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 . When 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 What in Eumaeus Cottage , Vlysse● former counsaile to his Son , fo● disposing ●he Armes repeated . 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 , 't is their abuse With 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 , euer since , 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 , height●ed by the Cup. Wrath's meanes for Act ; cur●e 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 ; 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , They wil needs turne this ; Quadram ( for Modium ) guste● . Though the words beare no such signification : But giue a Prouerb then in vse , Repetition : which was , Hee shall not ioyn or make a spoke in the Naue of my chariot , or Chariot wheele , 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 signifying Modiolus Rot● , and 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 Necto . Naue ) that shall ydlely liue , How euer farre hence , he his home deriue . He said , and his words stood ; The doores she shut Of that so wel-f●ll'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 . When ( 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 in most 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 With Pallas , plotting foule confusion To all the wooers . Forth then came the Queene ; Phoebe , with golden Cytherea seene , Her Port presented . Whom they set a Chaire Aside the fire : The fashion circulare ; The substance Siluer , and rich Elephant ; Whose 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 , Who 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 With 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 ; Was counted blessed ; and the poore accesse O● any Begger , did not scorne , but feede With 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 , Phoebus 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 't is 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 ? Where liu'd his parents ? whence he fetcht his race ? O woman ( he replyed ) with whom , Vlysses to his Queene . no man That moues in earths vnbounded circle , can Maintaine contention , for true honor geuen ; Whose fame , hath reacht the * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 fairely flowing heauen . Who , like a neuer-ill-deseruing King , That is well spoke of ; First , for worshipping , And striuing to resemble God , in Empire ; Whose 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 't is 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 . 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 ; whom , 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 ; Which , they enduring long , would often say , When 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 : When , 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 ) now they were deluded : When ( by my light descern'd ) they all intruded ; V●'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 Was 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 ▪ Wise 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 ? I le 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 ; I le tell , though stil sustaine . In middle of the sable Sea , Vlys : sain'd relation of himself to his wife . 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 G●ossus 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 Mi●os Son , ( The mighty-minded King Deucali●● ) Was Sire to me , & royall Idomen , Who 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 I●ion . All which time , my house With 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 . Vlysses much was mou'd to see her mourne , Whose 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 . When she had giuen her moane so many teares , That now 't was satiate : her yet louing feares Askt thus much further : You haue thus farre tried My loues credulity : But if gratified With 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 , Vlysses d●scription of his apparell going for Troy . 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 . Which 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 't was 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 , With 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 . When all these signes she knew , for chiefly trew ; 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 shal be 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 Was he induc't to feed the commune fame , 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 ; ( What 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 Phaeacian Continent ; Where 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 Phaedon told , That doth the Scepter of Thesprotia hold : Who 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 , Who now is passing neere ; and his returne No more will punish with delayes , but see His friends , and country : All which truth to thee I le 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 't is 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 greoue his age againe ; let none giue grac● 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 With bitter Epitaphes , his memory . But if himselfe be noble , ( noble things Doing , and knowing ) all his Vnderlings Will 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 . When 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 and 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 ; Whom Goodnes hurts ; & whom , 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 ; sound such vsage there . And you ( now flying the foule Language here , And many a filthy fact of our faire Dames ) ●ly 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 that 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 * * Intending with 〈◊〉 it self● : n●t his shew onely . 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 . 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 ) Was 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 With his grand Sire , Autolyc● : 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 Mer●urie ) Who 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 Was 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 . Autolycus giues his Grand child Vlysses his name : from whence the Odysses is deriud 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , deriu'd of 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , ex 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 factum : ( signifying dolorem proprie corporis ) nam ira ex dolore oritur . 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 . When 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 Will giue him from my opened treasury , What 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 Were 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 Without his fit fill . When 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 . 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 . Which , 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 . 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 sorces ; 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 , 't was 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 ; What 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 ( While 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 I le 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 , Would 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 ; When 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 Won to his Nuptials . While 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 . When straight , a crooke-beak't Eagle , from a hill , Stoop't , and trust all their neckes , and all did kill ; When ( 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 , Was 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 eno●●●● 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 ; The two parts of Dreames . 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 , le ts 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 , The pro●osition of Vlysses Bow to the Wooers , determined by Penelope . 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 , Where I was wed , a Maide ; in confluence Of feast and riches : such a Court he●re 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 Will 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 Would 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 , Which 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 , I le 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 : Whose sight did euer duly make her shed Teares for her Lord ; which still her eyes did steepe , Till Pallas shut them with delightsome sleepe . The End of the Nineteenth Booke of Homers Odysses .

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 dot● prepare . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . Ioues thunder chides ; but cheers the king ; The Wooers prides discōmfiting . VLysses in the Entry , la●de his head , And v●der him , an Oxe-hide newly flead ; Aboue him Sheep fels stor● ; & o●●r those Eurynome cast Mantles . His repose Would bring ●o sleepe yet ; studying the ill He wisht the wooers ; who came by him still With all their wenc●es ; 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 , ●hat were so supreme In pleasure of their high fed fantasies . His heart did barke within him , to surprize Their spo●ts 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 With 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 beate 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 ; when nought but death Thy thoughts resolu'd on . This discourse did breath The fiery boundings of his heart , that still Lay in that aesture ; 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 Pallas appeares to Vlysses . 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 . Goddesse ( said he ) t is 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 . 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 . I le 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 . When 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 , Which 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 . Whose desolate life , did loues sweet Queene incline To nurse with pressed Milke , and sweetest wine ; Whom Iuno deckt , beyond all other Dames With wisedomes light , and beauties mouing flames : Whom Phoebe , 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●●hair'd ●hoebe , 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 li●e 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 vi'd waking in her plaintiffe bed To be her mourning , standing by his head , As hauing knowne him there . Who 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 . 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 . O King of men , and Gods ; a mighty stroke The Mill●r-woman● prayer to Ioue , in satisfaction of Vlysses prayer . 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 ; Which ( 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 bre●st 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 . Wine 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 . 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 , ( Eury●lea ) 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 With Needle-workes , and purple clothes of State ; Another set to scoure and cleanse the Plate : Another , all the Tables to make proud With 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 . Then troop't the lusty wooers in ; and then Came all from Spring . At their heeles ; loaded men With slaughter'd Brawnes : of all the Herd , the prize , That had bene long fed vp in seuerall Sties . Eumaeus , 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 , Eumaeus ( 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 , Thus these ; and to these came Melanthius , Great guardian of the most egregious Rich wooers Herds , consisting all of Goats : Which 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 : What ? 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 Philaetius ( 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 . Philaetius 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 Eumaeus ) this enquir'd . What Guest is this , that makes our house of late His entertainer ? whence claimes he the state His birth in this life holds ? what Nation ? What 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 , When 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 With 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 ( When thou thy selfe hast 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 flood , 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 ; an 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 With 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 ) Would 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 , I l'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 ! would iust Ioue wold signe What you haue sworne : in your eyes beams should shine What powers I mannage ; and how these my hands , Would rise and follow , where he first commands . So said Eumaeus : praying all the Sky That wise Vlysses might arriue and trie . Thus while they vow'd : the wooers sat as hard On his Sons death : but had their co●nsels skar'd ; For on their left hand , did an Eagle ●ore ; And in her seres , a fearefull Pigeon bore ; Which 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 . The inwards ( roasted , ) they disposd'e betwixt Their then obseruers ; wine in Flaggons mixt . The bolles Eumaeus brought ; P●ilaetius , 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 ●hould digresse From that set peace , his speech did then proclaime . They bit their lips , and wondred at his aime I● that braue Language : when Antinons saide ; Though this speech ( Grecians ) be a meere vpbraide ; Yet this time giue it passe : The will of Io●e 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 , The Feast that Eur●● eas●oke o● before , ret●rn●d vnto 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 ●eare 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 't is not good Nor equall , to depriue Guests 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 , Which 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 o●● 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 With scorne , and wrath mixt , at the Samian . Whom thus the Prince reprou'd ; Your valour wan Much grace Ctesippus ; and hath eas'd your minde With 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 ●ee , 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 Shal 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 . 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 I le counsaile her To make her fre● 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 With their owne bloods : their eies stood full of teares For violent ioyes : Their soules yet thought of feares : Which 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 . They sweetly laught at this : E●rymachus 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 't is 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 ; Which , not a man of all the wooers here Shall flye , or scape . ●e 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 Pyraeus ; 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 : Fo● 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 ph●ophesie , thus : But ( would he heare His friends perswasions ) he should finde it were More profit for him , to put both abord For the Sici●ian 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 h●d 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 , Icarius 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 .

THE XXI . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . PEnelope proposeth now , To him that drawes Vlysses Bow Her instant Nuptials . Ithacus , Eumaeus , and Philaetius , Giues charge for guarding of the Gates ; And he , his s●aft shoots through the plates . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The Nuptiall vow , and Game reherst : Drawne is the Bow , the steeles are pierst . 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 aseended by a lofty staire , Her vtmost chamber ; of whose doore , her faire And halfe transparant hand receiu'd the Key ; Bright , brazen ; bitted passing curiously , And as it hung a knob of Iuory . And this did leade her , where was strongly kept The treasure Royall ; in whose store lay heap'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 ( ●phitus , fashion'd like the Deities ) To yong Vlysses ; when within the Roofe Of wise Ort●locus , their passe had proofe Of mutuall meeting in M●ssena ; where Vlysses claim'd a debt : To whose pay , were The whole Messen●an people bound ; since they From Ithaca , had forc't a wealthy prey Of Sheepe , and She●pherds . In their ships they thrust ●hree hundred Sheepe together : for whose iust And instat rendry ▪ old L●ertes sent Vlysses his Ambassador , that went A long way in the Ambassy ; yet then Bore but the formost prime of yongest men . His Father , sending first to that affaire His gra●est Councellors , 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 , in that loue He set before him ; nor the voice of Ioue : But ▪ seizing first his Mares , he after slew His host himselfe . From those Mares search now grew Vlysses knowne t'Iphitus ; who that Bow At their encounter , did in loue bestow , Which great Eurytus hand had bo●ne before ( Iphitus Father ) who ( at deaths sad dore ) In his steepe Turret● , 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 mut●all Tables to each other knowne ; Because Iou●s son th' vnworthy part had shown● O● 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 blacke fleete that guest-rite to the war ; But , in fit memorie of one so far In his aff●ction , 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 ● pasture ground A Bull doth Low , and make the valleyes 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 . 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 flow With arrowes , beating sighes vp where they fell . Then , with another Chist , repleate as well With 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 't were 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 't is 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 Eumaeus giue it them . He tooke , and laide it by ; and wept for wo , And like him , wept Philaetius ; when the Bow Of which his King was bearer , he beheld . Their teares , Antinous manhood much refeld ; And said , Ye rustick fooles ! that still each day Your minds giue ouer to this vaine dismay , Why 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 ou-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'● 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 Queene intends ( Though I must grant her wise ) ere long to leaue Vlysses Court ; and to her bed receaue Some other Lord : yet notwithstanding , I Am forc't to laugh , and set my pleasures hye 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 breeds ; As blacke Epyrus , as Mycena's birth ; And as the more-fam'd Ithacensian earth ; All which , your selues well know , and o●t haue saide ; ( 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 With 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 't was 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 With 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 prefume 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 With best successe still . This direction wun Supreame applause ; and first , rose Oe●ops 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 , tug'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 Was any whit austere ; since Death● short da●e 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 With 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 pol●sht 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 . What words ( Liodes ) passe thy speeches guard ? That 't is 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 sue● ; 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 sti●l was all their Vnctuous labour lost : All wooers strengths , too indigent and pore To draw that Bow : Antinous armes , it tore ; An● 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 th●ir 〈◊〉 ) replied ; I am your Lord ; through 〈◊〉 any a sufferance ●●ied , 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 ●e ●onne To that assurance : the infallible Signe The white-tooth'd Bore g●●e , this markt knee of mine When in Parnassus , he was held in chase By me , and by my famous Grand●ires race ; I l'e let you see . Thus seuer'd he his weede From that his wound ; and euery word had deed In their sure knowledges ; Which 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 ●uth , and saide ; Cease teares , and sorrowes , le●t 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 Eumaeus ) 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 Philaetius ) see maintain'd ( When close the gates are shut ) their closure fa●t ; To which end , be it thy sole worke to cast Their chaines before them . This said , in he led ; Tooke first his feate , 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 Would 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 S●nne 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 ●f Axes that were set vp , still might stand ; Since that no labour was , nor any hand Would offer to inuade Vlysses house , To take , or touch with surreptitious Or violent hand , what there was left for vse . He therefore bad the Cup - 〈◊〉 infuse Wine to the Bolles ; that so , with ●acrifice They might let rest the shooting exercise ; And in the morning make 〈◊〉 bring The cheefe Goats of his Herd , that to 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 With his crown'd cup of wine : seru●d 〈◊〉 man Till all were satisfied : and then began Vlyss●s plot of his close purpose ▪ 〈◊〉 : Heare me , ye much renown'd Eurymachus , And King Antinous , in cheefe ; who well , And with decorum sacred , doth compell This dayes obseruance ; and to 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 bar● 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 forsake . Wine spoilde the Centaure great E●ryti●● , 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 〈◊〉 Had mortall act : but he for his 〈◊〉 In spoile of wine , far'd worth himselfe ; As thou For thy large cups , if thy armes draw the Bow , My minde foretels shalt feare : 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 , m●n 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 * * 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 , Bene compactus & coag●entatis . 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 Phoebus 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 dismis 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 ●er 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 e●tire . 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 . The Bow , Eumaeus tooke , and bore away ; 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 We now obserue to Phoebus ; ●ay our zeales Grace with his aide , and all the Deities else . This threat made good 〈◊〉 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 : t is no seruants part To serue too many Maisters : raise your hart And beare it off , lest ( though your yonger ) yet With stones I pelt you to the field with it . If you and I close , I shal prooue to●●●rong : I wish , as much too hard for all this 〈◊〉 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 Laugh●●rs ; and put downe Their angers to him ; that so late were growne So graue and bloody , which resolu'd that feare Of good Eumaeus ; 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 . These words put wings to her ; and close she put The chamber doore : The Court gates then were shut By kind Philaetius ; 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 With 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 . Tha 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 leng●h were to him ) nockt it then ; and drew : And ●hrough the Axes , at the first hole , flew The steele-chardg'd arrow ; which when 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 think 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 . The End of the XXI . Booke of Homers Odysses .

THE XXII . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . THe Wooers in Mineruaes sight Slaine by Vlysses ; All the light And lustfull H●swiues , 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 ●usheth to the great Hall dore With Bow and Quiuer full of shafts ; which 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 ; Whose full point likewise , my hands shall assay , And try if Phoebus 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 Would thinke , that he alone could perish ●o 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 . When 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 ; ●et 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 ●●ow 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 , E●rymachus 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 Was 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 : Which if we faile to tender : all your wrath , It shal be 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 rests 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 : E●rymachus 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 ●ry : 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●mote ●mote 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 : With cups and victles , lying scattered round About the pauement : amongst which , his brow Knockt the embrued earth ; while in paines did slow 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 flee● . Then charg'd Amphi●omus 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 . 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 . 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 Eumaeus 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 Melanthi●s ) For 't is 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 O●r 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 , With 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 ) t is 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 : Eumaeus ! hast And shut the doore ; obseruing who hath pa●t To this false action : any maide ; or One That I suspect more ; which is Dolius Sonne . While these spake thus ; Melanthius went againe For more faire armes ; whom the renowned Swaine Eumaeus 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 Will 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 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 , Eumaeus 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 flaures against their foes . Foure in th' Entry fighting all alone ; When from the Hall charg'd many a mighty one : But to them then , Ioues seede ( Min●urua ) came , Resembling Mentor , both in voice and frame Of manly person . Passing well apaide Vlysses was ; and saide , Now Ment●r , aid● 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 Was 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 below 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 . When nine yeares at Troy , White-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 prea●e Were 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 ; Which 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 . As he then will'd : they all at randon threw , Where 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 , When euerie man strooke dead his enemy : Vlysses slaughtred Demoptolemus : Euryades by yong Telemachus His death encounter'd . Good E●maus slew Elatus ; And Philaetius 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 which 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 Amphimed●● ; Th' extreame part of the skin , but toucht vpon . Ctesippus , ouer good Eumaeus 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 Euryda●●s dead . Telemachus , disliu'd Amphimed●n ; Eumaeus , Polybu● ; Philaetius 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 Polytherses ; 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 . 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 . 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 . 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 : ●hen , 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 des●rt , diuinely warranteth : But I am Priest amongst them ; and shall I , That nought haue done worth death , amongst them 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 . 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 . Then did the Poet Phoemiu● ( whose sur-name Was 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 Here●ian 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 : cla●pe 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 With 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 . 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 Eumaeus yet he be not kild ; Or by Philaetius ; 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 . 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 saide , they went and tooke their seat without At Ioues high Altar , looking round about , Expecting still their slaughter : When 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 Withou● the white Sea , when the Fishers breake Their many-meshed Draught-net vp , there lye Fish frisking on the Sands ; and faine the dry Would 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 . 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 ; Whose 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 . I le 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 vpro●es beares , and neuer wakes . 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 . 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 With wetted 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 't was 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 With 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 , With 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 ; With 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 . 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 Nose thrils , cropt each eare ; His Members tugg'd off , which the dogges did teare , And chop vp bleeding sweet ; and while red hot T●e 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 . First bring me Fire , said he . She went , and came With fire , & sulphure straight ; with which the hall , And ●f 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 , With 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 .

THE XXIII . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . VLysses to his wife is knowne : A briefe sum of his Trauailes shown● . Himselfe , his Son , and Seruants go T' approue the Wooers ouer●hrow . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . For all annoyes ▪ sustain'd before ; The true wiu●s 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 What 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 Fes●iuall : 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 , Why hast thou wak't me to more teares , when Mon● 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 With 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 't was 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 h●r 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 . We 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 With stinch of hot death ) is perfuming round ; And with a mighty fire the harth hath crown'd . 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 , Which 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 progeni● 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 giue● 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 I le 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 T is hard for thee to see into ; But come , Le ts 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 . When 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 , When her incredulous , and curious will To shun ridiculous error , and the shame To kisse a Husband , that was not the same , Would 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 sta●pe 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 . Son ( she replied ) Amaze containes my minde , Nor can I speake , and vse the commune kind Of those enquiries ; nor sustaine to see With opposite lookes , his countena●ce . 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 With 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 . 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 Olympius 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 With songs , and faultlesse dances : all the Court Rung with the footings , that the numerous sport From iocund men drew , and faire-girdl'd Dames ; Which , ( heard abroad ) thus flew the commune fames : This s●re 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 . Thus some conceiu'd , but little 〈◊〉 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 〈◊〉 In all Arts Metalline ; as ha●ing 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 ●●ne ; And thereby to the Gold it selfe , is growne A greater glory , then if wrought alone ; Both being stuck off , by eithers 〈◊〉 ▪ So did Minerua , hers and his combine , He more in Her , She more in Him did shine . Like an Immortall from the Bath , 〈…〉 : And to his wife did all his grace dispose , Encountring this her strangenesse : Cruell Dame Of all that breathe ; the Gods , 〈…〉 and flame Haue made thee ruthlesse : Life retaines nor one Of all Dames else , that beares so ouer-growne A minde with abstinence ; as twenty 〈◊〉 To misse her husband , drown'd in wo●● , and teares ; And at his comming , keepe aloofe ; 〈…〉 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 ; 'T is not my fashion to be taken streight With brauest men : Nor poorest , vse to st●ight . 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 , Which 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 : Who 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 't was 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 Went ouer it , both with ●y 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 vnreinou'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 : 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 't is 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 Would 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 my selfe , 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 , Which 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 , With 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 , ente●mixt 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 With-held in long date ; nor would let the light Her wing-hoou'd horse ioyne ; ( Lampus , 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 't will fall to me ( I hope ) to heare it after ; tell me now : The greatest p●easure 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 , A● knew no Sea , nor euer salt did eat With any victles : who the purple beakes O● 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 vnfaili●g 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 ) With 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 . While 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 . Telemachus , and both his Herdsmen , then Dissolu'd the dances , both to Maids and men ; Who 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 What 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 ●un of wine their drinking deepe Had quite exhausted . Great V●ysses then , What euer slaughters he had made of men ; What euer sorrowes he himselfe sustain'd , Repeated amply ; and her eares remain'd With 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 Aeolus ; 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 Laestrigonian Port , Where 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 ; Where , all the slaughter'd Grecians he descern'd , And loued Mother . His astonisht eare With 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 S●cilian 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 for succours on th' Ogygian shore , Where Nimph Calypso , such affection bore To him in his arriuall : Tha● with feast She kept him in her Caues , and would haue blest His welcome life , with an immortall state ; Would he haue staid , and liu'd her Nuptiall mate : All which , she neuer could perswade him to . His passe to the Phaeacians , 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 , Garmen●s ; 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 With 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 administ●ed My house-possessions left . Those Sheepe that were Consum'd in surfets by your wooers heere ; I le 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 tepose , 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 . The End of the XXIII . Booke of Homers Odysses .

THE XXIIII . BOOKE OF HOMERS ODYSSES. THE ARGVMENT . BY Mercury the Wo●ers soules Are vsher'd to th'Infer●all Pooles . Vlysses , with Laertes●et ●et ; The people , are in vprore set Against them , for the wooers ends : Whom Pallas stayes , and renders Frends . Another . 〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉〈◊〉 . The vprores fire , the 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 Phoebus 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 strenuo●s Of all the Greeke hoast , next Plebeian : All which assembled about M●ias son . And to them ( after ) came the mournfull Ghost Of Agamemn●n ; with all those , he lost In false Aegysthus Court . A●hilles then Beholding there , that mighty King of men : Deplor'd his plight , ●nd 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 Were 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 With 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 dra●e 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 , With others of the watry progenie , To see and mourne for her deceased Son . Which staid the feares , that all to flight had won ; And round about thee stood th' old Sea-gods seedes , Wretchedly mourning : their immortall weeds Spreading vpon thee : all the sacred Nine Of deathlesse Muses , paid ●hee 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 every minde . Full seuenteene dayes and nights , our teares confin'd To celebration of thy mourned end ; Both men , and Gods , did in thy moane con●●nd . The eighteenth day , we spent about thy heape Of dying fire : Blacke Oxen , fattest Sheepe We slew , past number . Then the precious spoile ( Thy Corse ) wee tooke vp , which with stoods of oile And pleasant Hony we emblam'd ; and then Wrapt 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 ; We came in early Morne , and an entire Collection made , of euery Iuorie bone ; Which washt in wine , and 〈…〉 , A two-ear'd Bolle of Gold , 〈◊〉 Mother ga●e , 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 * * Patr●●lus 〈◊〉 , And braue Antilochus ; 〈◊〉 , in decease Of thy Patroclus , was thy fauours Deere . About thee then , a matchlesse Sepulch●re , The sacred hoast of the Achai●●● 〈◊〉 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 With 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 : While any one , shall lend the light an eye , Diuine Ae●cides shal neuer dye . But wherein can these comforts be conceiu'd As rights to me ? when hauing quite a●chieu'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 Wife , 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 . Whom now , amaze inuaded with the view , And made giue backe : yet 〈◊〉 knew Melanthius heyre , much-fam'd Amphimed●● , 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 ma●e 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 ; When I , and Menelaus had profest First armes for Ilion ; and were com● 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 instig●te In our arriuall , old Laertes Son ; Whom ( 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 . We woo'd the wife of that long absent King ; Who ( 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 weau● 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 With 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 : 'T is a weede Dispos'd , to wrap in , at his Funerall neede The old La●rtes : 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 . With 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 ; Where ( 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 With 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 ea●e ; Shot through the steeles , and then began to sease Our armelesse bosomes ; striking first , the brest Of King Antinous , and then the ●est 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 ▪ not 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 wise Penelope ? How well she laide Her husbands right 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 . 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 r●de vpland ▪ which , with toile He made a sweet and habitable soile : Where 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 ; st●dious 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 choo●e ; 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 , any where 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 , T●ll 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 . 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 dres●e 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 ●f 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 With 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 't is sweet , so vse it . But vtter truth , and tell ; what Lord is he , That rates your labour , and your liberty ? Whose 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 O● 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 proo●e 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 poffest , Vniust and insolent , as first addrest To your encounter ; but the gifts you gaue Were 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 ; dest●n'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 wi●e , 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 ? Where the anchoring place Your ship now rides at lies , that shor'd you here ? And where you 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 'T is 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 ; Which , 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 . With 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 : Which 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 staine All my wiues wooers ; so , reuenging no● 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 mo●e , 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 no● his staide faith , so free To trust his words ; who said , If you are he , Approue it by some signe . This 〈◊〉 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 A●tolycus fulfill The gifts he vow'd , at gining of my Name . I le 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 is Both of his knees and heart , with such impression Of sodaine comfort , that it g●ue possession Of all , to Trance : The signes were all so true , And did the loue , that ga●e them ; so renue . His cast his armes about his sonne , and sunke ; The circle , slipping to his feete . So shrunke Were 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 With 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 : Who 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 . 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 . 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 Sicilia● 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 . When ( thus set ) These men b●held 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 Would reach amongst vs . This brought fiercely on Old Dolius from his stand ; who ran vpon ( With 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 ) What need these troubles ( Father ) touch at thee ? Then came the Sonnes of D●lius ; and againe Went ouer with their Fathers entertaine ; Welcom'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 counsail● 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 . Whose Father ( weeping for him ) saide ; O Friends , This man hath author'd workes of dismall ends ; Long since , conueying in his g●ide 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 b●ed His hand hath slaughter'd . Go we then ( before His scape to Pylos , or the Elean Shore Where 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 With instant onset . Nor sho●ld 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 ( When sleep had left them , 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 ; Which 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 Without 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 continu●ll rout Their party putting , till in heapes they fell . This newes , new fears did through their spirits impel : When Halitherses ( honor'd Mastors sonne , Who 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 ; Who , not what I perswaded , gaue respects : Nor what the peoples Pastor ( 〈◊〉 ) saide ; That you should see your issues follies staid In those foule 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 : Which 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 designes dispose . Eupitheus was perswader of the course ; Which ( 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 Pall●● 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 vndiscour●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 r●●●wn'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 ; exp●gning 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 Po●ts , set wide , They sallied forth , Vl●sses being their guide . And to them ▪ in the instant , Pallas came , In forme and voice , like Mentor ; who , a flame Inspir'd of comfort in Vlysses hart With 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 nee●e ) Said , O my Friend ! Of all , supreamly deere Seed of Arcesius ; Pray to Ioue , and her That rules in Armes , ( his daughter ) and a da●● ( 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 . 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 rest Of all their weapons ; falling thence , to earth : And to the commune Mo●her of their Birth ( The City ) all fled , in 〈◊〉 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 th●● , out did call Thus to Vlysses : Borne of Ioue ! abstaine From further bloodshed ▪ 〈◊〉 hand in the slain● 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 fo●me , tooke choice Of Mentors likenesse ; both in Limb , and Voice . The End of the XXIIII . and last Booke of Homers Odysses .