Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/233

Book X. Bright luminary of the world, begat On Perse, daughter of Oceanus. Our vessel there, noiseless, we push'd to land Within a spacious haven, thither led By some celestial Pow'r. We disembark'd, And on the coast two days and nights entire Extended lay, worn with long toil, and each The victim of his heart-devouring woes. Then, with my spear and with my faulchion arm'd, I left the ship to climb with hasty steps An airy height, thence, hoping to espie Some works of man, or hear, perchance, a voice. Exalted on a rough rock's craggy point I stood, and on the distant plain, beheld Smoke which from Circe's palace through the gloom Of trees and thickets rose. That smoke discern'd, I ponder'd next if thither I should haste, Seeking intelligence. Long time I mused, But chose at last, as my discreter course, To seek the sea-beach and my bark again, And, when my crew had eaten, to dispatch Before me, others, who should first enquire. But, ere I yet had reach'd my gallant bark, Some God with pity viewing me alone In that untrodden solitude, sent forth An antler'd stag, full-sized, into my path. His woodland pastures left, he sought the stream, For he was thirsty, and already parch'd