Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/106

70 equipped with oars, and companions, who may conduct him over the wide back of the sea. But I will prudently suggest it to him, nor will I conceal it, that he may by all means reach his paternal land unharmed."

And her the messenger Mercury addressed in turn: "So now send him away, and look to the wrath of Jupiter, lest perhaps hereafter angry he should be harsh to thee."

Thus having spoken, the stout slayer of Argus departed. But the venerable Nymph went to strong-hearted Ulysses, when she had heard the messages of Jupiter. But she found him sitting on the shore; nor were his eyes ever dried from tears, but his pleasant life was wasted away, as he bewailed his return, since it did not please the Nymph. But during the nights indeed he slept even by necessity in the hollow caves, against his will, near her who was willing; but during the day sitting on the rocks and shores, [wasting his mind with tears, and mournings, and griefs,] he looked over the barren sea, pouring forth tears; but the divine one of goddesses standing near addressed him:

"Ill-fated one, do not lament here any longer, nor let thy life waste away; for now I will readily send thee away. But come, having cut long planks, join together a wide raft with brass, but fix ribs upon it on high, that it may carry thee over the shadowy sea. But I will put in it bread and water, and red wine giving strength, which may ward off hunger from thee. And I will put garments about thee; and I will send a prosperous gale from behind, that thou mayest come unscathed to thy paternal land, if at least the gods who possess the wide heaven are willing, who are better than me, both to plan and to determine."

Thus she spoke; but then much-enduring divine Ulysses shuddered, and addressing her spoke winged words: "Thou, indeed, O goddess, art planning something else, nor by any means my voyage, thou who biddest me pass over the great gulf of the sea, terrible and difficult, on a raft; but not even swift equal ships can pass over this, rejoicing in the prosperous gale of Jove. Nor would I embark on a raft against thy will, unless thou, who art a goddess, wouldst endure to