The Odyssey

by Homer

Then let revenge your daring mind employ, 385 By fraud or force the suitor train destroy, And starting into manhood, scorn the boy.

Lenient of grief the pitying god began: ‘Forget the brother, and resume the man.

For now the soft enchantress pleased no more; For now, reluctant, and constrained by charms, Absent he lay in her desiring arms, In slumber wore the heavy night away, On rocks and shores consumed the tedious day; 200 There sat all desolate, and sighed alone, With echoing sorrows made the mountains groan. And roll’d his eyes o’er all the restless main, Till, dimmed with rising grief, they streamed again.

Bear, with a soul resign’d, the will of Jove; Who breathes, must mourn: thy woes are from above.

In youth and beauty wisdom is but rare!

“‘Warn’d by my ills beware, (the shade replies,) Nor trust the sex that is so rarely wise; When earnest to explore thy secret breast, Unfold some trifle, but conceal the rest.

To this Ulysses: “O celestial maid! Praised be thy counsel, and thy timely aid; Else had I seen my native walls in vain, 440 Like great Atrides, just restored and slain. Vouchsafe the means of vengeance to debate, And plan with all thy arts the scene of fate. Then, then be present, and my soul inspire, As when we wrapp’d Troy’s heaven-built walls in fire. 445 Though leagued against me hundred heroes stand. Hundreds shall fall, if Pallas aid my hand.”

Short was that doubt; to quell his rage inured, The hero stood self-conquer’d, and endured.

Jove fix’d it certain, that whatever day Makes man a slave, takes half his worth away.”

There was a day, when with the scornful great I swell’d in pomp and arrogance of state; Proud of the power that to high birth belongs; And used that power to justify my wrongs.

Yet, taught by time, my heart has learn’d to glow 270 For others’ good, and melt at others’ woe;

Fierce in the van: then wouldst thou, wouldst thou,—say,— Misname me glutton, in that glorious day? No, thy ill-judging thoughts the brave disgrace ’Tis thou injurious art, not I am base. Proud to seem brave among a coward train! 425 But now, thou art not valorous, but vain.

His ragged vest then drawn aside disclosed The sign conspicuous, and the scar exposed: Eager they view’d, with joy they stood amazed With tearful eyes o’er all their master gazed: Around his neck their longing arms they cast, 235 His head, his shoulders, and his knees embraced; Tears followed tears; no word was in their power; In solemn silence fell the kindly shower. The king too weeps, the king too grasps their hands; And moveless, as a marble fountain, stands.

“If fame engage your views, Forbear those acts which infamy pursues; Wrong and oppression no renown can raise; 360 Know, friend! that virtue is the path to praise.