Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/132

96 when Jupiter, having struck my swift ship with white thunder, cleft it in the middle of the dark sea. There all the others my excellent companions perished; but I, laying hold of the keel of the ship rowed on both sides, with my arms, was borne along for nine days; but in the tenth black night the gods made me approach the island Ogygia, where Calypso, the fair-haired crafty goddess, dwells. She taking me loved me earnestly, and nurtured me, and said that she would render me immortal, and free from old age all my days; but she did not at all persuade the mind in my breast. There I remained continually for seven years, and ever bedewed with tears the garments which, not mortal-like, Calypso gave to me; but when at length the eighth revolving year came, then indeed she commanded me, inciting me to return, through a message from Jove, or else her own mind was turned; and she sent me on a raft bound with many chains; and she gave me many things, bread and sweet wine, and put immortal garments on me: and she sent forth a harmless and gentle wind. For seventeen days indeed I sailed, passing over the sea, but on the eighteenth the shady mountains of thy land appeared; and the dear heart of me, ill-fated one, rejoiced; for still was I about to be conversant with much calamity, which earth-shaking Neptune raised up against me; who, having aroused the winds against me, hampered my journey, and troubled the immense sea: nor did the wave at all permit me mourning ceaselessly to be borne on the raft: this then indeed the storm scattered; but I cut through this gulf swimming; until the wind and the water carrying me, made me approach thy land. There, as I was going out, a billow forced me upon the shore, dashing me against mighty rocks and an unpleasant place; but retiring back I swam again, until I came to the river, where there appeared to me [to be] the best place, smooth from rocks; and there was also a shelter from the wind. And I came out, collecting my senses: and ambrosial night came on; but I, going out at a distance away from the Jove-replenished river, slept among the thickets; and drew leaves about me; and a deity poured abundant sleep upon me. Here indeed amongst the leaves I slept all night, sorrowing in my heart, even until morn, and mid-day, and the