Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/203

127—167. And thou wilt come to the island Trinacria; where are fed many oxen and fat sheep of the Sun, seven herds of oxen, and as many beautiful flocks of sheep, and fifty in each; but there is no increase of them, nor do they ever perish; but goddesses are their shepherdesses, the fair-haired nymphs, Phæthusa, and Lampetie, whom divine Neæra bore to the sun who journeys above. Whom having nourished and brought them forth, their venerable mother sent them away to the Trinacrian island, to dwell afar off, to guard their father's sheep and crumpled-horned oxen. If thou leavest these unharmed, and carest for thy return, thou mayest yet come to Ithaca, although suffering evils; but if thou harmest them, then I foretell to thee destruction to thy ship and thy companions; and although thou shouldst thyself escape, thou wilt return late, in misfortune, having lost all thy companions.'

"Thus she spoke; but golden-throned morning immediately came. The divine one of goddesses then went away through the island; but I, going to my ship, excited my companions to embark themselves, and to loose the halsers. But they immediately went on board, and sat down on the benches, and sitting in order they smote the hoary sea with their oars. Then the fair-haired Circe, an awful goddess, possessing human speech, sent a prosperous gale behind our dark-prowed ship, that filled the sails, an excellent companion. Immediately having got ready all our tackle in the ship, we sat down; and the wind and the helmsman directed it. Then sorrowing in my heart, I addressed my companions:

O my friends, it is not fit that one or two only should know the oracles, which Circe, divine one of goddesses, has spoken unto me; but I will tell you, that being aware we may either die, or avoiding it may escape death and Fate. First she commands us to shun the voice of the divine Sirens, and their flowery mead; she ordered me alone to hear their voice; but do ye bind me in a difficult bond, that I may remain there firmly, upright in the mast-hole: and let cables be fastened from it. But if I entreat you, and command you to loose me, do ye then press me with still more bonds.'

"I indeed telling every thing, related it to my companions: but in the mean time the well-made ship came quickly to the island of the Sirens; for a harmless prosperous gale urged it