Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/107

178—216. swear to me a great oath, that thou wilt not plan any other evil calamity against me."

Thus he spoke; but Calypso, the divine one of goddesses, smiled, and laid hold of him by the hand and spoke and said: "Thou art mistaken, and yet art thou acquainted with cunning things! what a word is this thou hast thought to speak! Now let earth and wide heaven above know this, and the water which is poured from Styx, (which is the greatest and most terrible oath to the immortal gods,) that I will not devise any other evil calamity against thee. But I devise and consider the things, which for myself I should take care of, should such a necessity come upon me. For my intention is proper, nor is my mind in my breast of steel, but of pity."

Thus having spoken, the divine one of goddesses quickly led the way; and he went immediately after the footsteps of the goddess, and the goddess and the man came to the hollow cave; and he sat there on the throne from whence Mercury rose: and the Nymph set near him all kinds of food, to eat and drink, such as mortal men eat: and she herself sat opposite divine Ulysses, and near her the handmaids placed ambrosia and nectar, and they stretched forth their hands to the food lying ready before them. But when they were satiated with eating and drinking, Calypso, divine one of goddesses, began speaking to them:

"O noble son of Laertes, crafty Ulysses, so now dost thou wish to go immediately to thy dear paternal land? but however be happy. If indeed thou knewest in thy mind, how many cares it is fated for thee to fill up, before thou comest to thy paternal land, certainly thou wouldst remain here and guard my house, and thou wouldst be immortal; although thou art anxious to see thy wife, of whom thou art ever desirous all thy days. I do not indeed consider myself to be inferior to her, either in person or nature, since it is by no means fit that mortal women should contend with immortals in person and form."

But her the crafty Ulysses in answer addressed: "O sacred goddess, do not be angry with me on this account; for I myself know very well, that the prudent Penelope is inferior