THE ODYSSEY (Completed)

BOOK 8

ARGUMENT.

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

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

Meanwhile Minerva, in her guardian care, Shoots from the starry vault through fields of air; In form, a herald of the king, she flies From peer to peer, and thus incessant cries;

"Nobles and chiefs who rule Phaeacia's states, The king in council your attendance waits; A prince of grace divine your aid implores, O'er unknown seas arrived from unknown shores."

She spoke, and sudden with tumultuous sounds Of thronging multitudes the shore rebounds: At once the seats they fill; and every eye Glazed, as before some brother of the sky. Pallas with grace divine his form improves, More high he treads, and more enlarged he moves: She sheds celestial bloom, regard to draw; And gives a dignity of mien, to awe; With strength, the future prize of fame to play, And gather all the honours of the day.

Then from his glittering throne Alcinous rose; "Attend (he cried) while we our will disclose. Your present aid this godlike stranger craves, Toss'd by rude tempest through a war of waves; Perhaps from realms that view the rising day, Or nations subject to the western ray. Then grant, what here all sons of wine obtain (For here affliction never pleads in vain); Be chosen youth prepared, expert to try The vast profound and hid the vessel fly; Launch the tall back, and order every oar; Then in our court indulge the genial hour. Instant, you sailors to this task attend; Swift to the palace, all ye peers ascend; Let none to strangers honours due disclaim: Be there Demodocus the bard of fame, Taught by the gods to please, when high he sings The vocal lay, responsive to the strings."

Thus spoke the prince; the attending peers obey; In state they move; Alcinous heads the way Swift to Demodocus the herald flies, At once the sailors to their charge arise; They launch the vessel, and unfurl the sails, And stretch the swelling canvas to the gales; Then to the palace move: a gathering throng, Youth, and white age, tumultuous pour along. Now all accesses to the dome are fill'd; Eight boars, the choicest of the herd, are kill'd; Two beeves, twelve fatlings, from the flock they bring To crown the feast; so wills the bounteous king, The herald now arrives, and guides along The sacred master of celestial song; Dear to the Muse! who gave his days to flow With mighty blessings, mix'd with mighty woe; With clouds of darkness quench'd his visual ray, But gave him skill to raise the lofty lay. High on a radiant throne sublime in state, Encircled by huge multitudes, he sate; With silver shone the throne; his lyre, well strung To rapturous sounds, at hand Poutonous hung. Before his seat a polish'd table shines, And a full goblet foams with generous wines; His food a herald bore; and now they fed; And now the rage of craving hunger fled.

Then, fired by all the Muse, aloud he sings The mighty deeds of demigods and kings; From that fierce wrath the noble song arose, That made Ulysses and Achilles foes; How o'er the feast they doom the fall of Troy; The stern debate Atrides hears with joy; For Heaven foretold the contest, when he trod The marble threshold of the Delphic god, Curious to learn the counsels of the sky, Ere yet he loosed the rage of war on Troy.