The Odyssey of Homer: [pt.1]

THE FIRST BOOK OF THE ODYSSEY.

The ARGUMENT.

Minerva's Descent to Ithaca.

The Poem opens within forty eight days of the arrival of Ulys|ses in his dominions. He had now remain'd seven years in the island of Calypso, when the Gods assembled in council propo|sed the method of his departure from thence, and his return to his native country. For this purpose it is concluded to send Mercury to Calypso, and Pallas immediately descends to Ithaca. She holds a conference with Telemachus, in the shape of Men|tes King of the Taphians; in which she advises him to take a journey in quest of his Father Ulysses, to Pylos and Sparta, where Nestor and Menelaus yet reign'd: then after having vi|sibly display'd her divinity, disappears. The suitors of Penelope make great entertainments, and riot in her palace till night. Phemius sings to them the return of the Grecians, till Penelope puts a stop to the song. Some words arise between the suitors and Telemachus, who summons the council to meet the day following.

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W.K.•••• P.F.sc.

THE FIRST BOOK OF THE ODYSSEY.

_THE Man, for Wisdom's various arts renown'd, Long exercis'd in woes, oh Muse! resound. Who, when his arms had wrought the destin'd fall Of sacred Troy, and raz'd her heav'n-built wall, Wand'ring from clime to clime, observant stray'd,Line 5 Their Manners noted, and their States survey'd.

On stormy seas unnumber'd toils he bore, Safe with his friends to gain his natal shore: Vain toils! their impious folly dar'd to prey On Herds devoted to the God of Day;Line 10 The God vindictive doom'd them never more (Ah men unbless'd!) to touch that natal shore. Oh snatch some portion of these acts from fate, Celestial Muse! and to our world relate.

Now at their native realms the Greeks arriv'd;Line 15 All who the Wars of ten long years surviv'd, And 'scap'd the perils of the gulfy Main. Ulysses, sole of all the victor train, An exile from his dear paternal coast, Deplor'd his absent Queen, and Empire lost.Line 20 Calypso in her caves constrain'd his stay, With sweet, reluctant, amorous delay: In vain—for now the circling years disclose The day predestin'd to reward his woes. Line 25

At length his Ithaca is giv'n by Fate,Line 25 Where yet new labours his arrival wait; At length their rage the hostile Pow'rs restrain, All but the ruthless Monarch of the Main. But now the God, remote, a heav'nly guest In Aethiopia grac'd the genial feast,Line 30 (A race divided, whom with sloping rays The rising and descending Sun surveys) There on the world's extreamest verge rever'd, With Hecatombs and pray'r in pomp prefer'd, Distant he lay: while in the bright abodesLine 35 Of high Olympus, Jove conven'd the Gods: Th'assembly thus the Sire supreme addrest; Aegysthus' fate revolving in his breast, Whom young Orestes to the dreary coast Of Pluto sent, a blood-polluted Ghost.Line 40

Perverse Mankind! whose Wills, created free, Charge all their woes on absolute Decree; All to the dooming Gods their guilt translate, And Follies are miscall'd the crimes of Fate. Line 45

When to his lust Aegysthus gave the rein,Line 45 Did Fate, or we, th'adult'rous act constrain? Did Fate, or we, when great Atrides dy'd, Urge the bold traitor to the Regicide? Hermes I sent, while yet his soul remain'd Sincere from royal blood, and faith profan'd;Line 50 To warn the wretch, that young Orestes grown To manly years shou'd re-assert the throne. Yet impotent of mind, and uncontrol'd, He plung'd into the gulf which Heav'n foretold.

Here paus'd the God, and pensive thus repliesLine 55 Minerva graceful with her azure eyes. O thou! from whom the whole creation springs, The source of pow'r on earth deriv'd to Kings! His death was equal to the direful deed; So may the Man of blood be doom'd to bleed!Line 60 But grief and rage alternate wound my breast For brave Ulysses, still by fate opprest. Amid'st an Isle, around whose rocky shore The forests murmur, and the surges roar, Line 65

The blameless heroe from his wish'd-for homeLine 65 A Goddess guards in her enchanted dome. (Atlas her sire, to whose far-piercing eye The wonders of the Deep expanded lye; Th'eternal columns which on earth he rears End in the starry vault, and prop the sphears.)Line 70 By his fair daughter is the chief confin'd, Who sooths to dear delight his anxious mind: Successless all her soft caresses prove, To banish from his breast his Country's love; To see the smoke from his lov'd palace rise,Line 75 While the dear isle in distant prospect lyes,Line 75 With what contentment could he close his eyes?Line 75 And will Omnipotence neglect to save The suffering virtue of the wise and brave? Must he, whose altars on the Phrygian shoreLine 80 With frequent rites, and pure, avow'd thy pow'r, Be doom'd the worst of human ills to prove, Unbless'd, abandon'd to the wrath of Jove?

Daughter! what words have pass'd thy lips un|weigh'd? (Reply'd the Thund'rer to the Martial Maid)Line 85

Deem not unjustly by my doom opprest Of humane race the wisest, and the best. Neptune, by pray'r repentant rarely won, Afflicts the chief, t'avenge his Giant son Whose visual orb Ulysses robb'd of light;Line 90 Great Polypheme, of more than mortal might! Him young Thoôsa bore, (the bright increase Of Phorcys, dreaded in the founds and seas:) Whom Neptune ey'd with bloom of beauty blest, And in his cave the yielding nymph comprest.Line 95 For this, the god constrains the Greek to roam, A hopeless exile from his native home, From death alone exempt—but cease to mourn; Let all combine t'atchieve his wish'd return: Neptune aton'd, his wrath shall now refrain,Line 100 Or thwart the synod of the gods in vain.

Father and King ador'd! Minerva cry'd, Since all who in th' Olympian bow'r reside Now make the wand'ring Greek their public care, Let Hermes to th' Atlantic isle repair;* 1.1Line 105

Bid him, arriv'd in bright Calypso's court, The Sanction of th' assembled pow'rs report: That wise Ulysses to his native land Must speed, obedient to their high command. Mean time Telemachus, the blooming heirLine 110 Of sea-girt Ithaca, demands my care: 'Tis mine, to form his green, unpractis'd years, In sage debates, surrounded with his Peers, To save the state; and timely to restrain The bold intrusion of the Suitor-train;Line 115 Who crowd his palace, and with lawless pow'r His herds and flocks in feastful rites devour. To distant Sparta and the spacious waste Of sandy Pyle, the royal Youth shall haste. There, warm with filial love, the cause enquireLine 120 That from his realm retards his god-like Sire: Deliv'ring early to the voice of Fame The promise of a great, immortal name.

She said: the sandals of caelestial mold Fledg'd with Ambrosial plumes, and rich with gold,Line 125

Surround her feet; with these sublime she sails Th' aerial space, and mounts the winged gales: O'er earth and ocean wide prepar'd to soar, Her dreaded arm a beamy jav'lin bore, Pond'rous and vast; which when her fury burnsLine 130 Proud Tyrants humbles, and whole hosts o'erturns. From high Olympus prone her flight she bends, And in the realm of Ithaca descends. Her lineaments divine the grave disguise Of Mentes' form conceal'd from human eyes:Line 135 (Mentes, the Monarch of the Taphian land) A glitt'ring spear wav'd awful in her hand. There in the portal plac'd, the heav'n-born maid Enormous riot and mis-rule survey'd. On hides of Beeves, before the palace gate,Line 140 (Sad spoils of luxury) the Suitors sate. With rival art, and ardor in their mien, At Chess they vie, to captivate the Queen, Divining of their loves. Attending nigh, A menial train the flowing bowl supply:Line 145

Others apart, the spacious hall prepare, And form the costly feast with busy care. There young Telemachus, his bloomy face Glowing caelestial-sweet with godlike grace, Amid the Circle shines: but hope and fearLine 150 (Painful vicissitude!) his bosom tear. Now, imag'd in his mind, he sees restor'd In peace and joy, the people's rightful Lord; The proud Oppressors fly the vengeful sword. While his fond soul these fancied triumphs swell'd,Line 155 The stranger Guest the royal Youth beheld. Griev'd that a Visitant so long shou'd wait Unmark'd, unhonour'd, at a Monarch's gate; Instant he flew with hospitable haste, And the new friend with courteous air embrac'd.Line 160 Stranger! whoe'er thou art, securely rest Affianc'd in my faith, a friendly guest: Approach the dome, the social banquet share, And then the purpose of thy soul declare.

Thus affable and mild, the Prince precedes,Line 165 And to the dome th' unknown Caelestial leads.

The spear receiving from her hand, he plac'd Against a column, fair with sculpture grac'd; Where seemly rang'd in peaceful order stood Ulysses' Arms, now long disus'd to blood.Line 170 He led the Goddess to the sovereign seat, Her feet supported with a stool of state; (A purple carpet spread the pavement wide) Then drew his seat, familiar, to her side: Far from the Suitor-train, a brutal crowd,Line 175 With insolence, and wine, elate and loud; Where the free guest, unnoted, might relate If haply conscious, of his Father's fate. The golden ew'r a maid obsequious brings, Replenish'd from the cool, translucent springs;Line 180 With copious water the bright vase supplies A silver Laver, of capacious size: They wash. The tables in fair order spread, They heap the glitt'ring Canisters with bread: Viands of various kinds allure the taste,Line 185 Of choicest sort and savour, rich repast!

Delicious wines th' attending herald brought; The gold gave lustre to the purple draught. Lur'd with the vapour of the fragrant feast, In rush'd the Suitors with voracious haste:Line 190 Marshal'd in order due, to each a Sew'r Presents, to bathe his hands, a radiant ew'r. Luxurious then they feast. Observant round Gay, stripling youths the brimming goblets crown'd. The rage of hunger quell'd, they all advance,Line 195 And form to measur'd airs the mazy dance: To Phemius was consign'd the chorded Lyre, Whose hand reluctant touch'd the warbling wire: Phemius, whose voice divine cou'd sweetest sing High strains, responsive to the vocal string.Line 200

Mean while, in whispers to his heav'nly guest His indignation thus the Prince exprest.

Indulge my rising grief, whilst these (my friend) With song and dance the pompous revel end. Light is the dance, and doubly sweet the lays,Line 205 When, for the dear delight, another pays.

His treasur'd stores these Cormorants consume, Whose bones, defrauded of a regal tomb And common turf, lie naked on the plain, Or doom'd to welter in the whelming main.Line 210 Shou'd he return, that troop so blithe and bold, With purple robes inwrought, and stiff with gold, Precipitant in fear, wou'd wing their flight, And curse their cumbrous pride's unwieldy weight. But ah I dream!—th' appointed hour is fled,Line 215 And Hope, too long with vain delusion fed, Deaf to the rumour of fallacious fame, Gives to the roll of death his glorious name! With venial freedom let me now demand Thy name, thy lineage, and paternal land:Line 220 Sincere, from whence began thy course, recite, And to what ship I owe the friendly freight? Now first to me this visit dost thou daign, Or number'd in my Father's social train? All who deserv'd his choice, he made his own,Line 225 And curious much to know, he far was known.

My birth I boast (the blue-ey'd Virgin cries) From great Anchialus, renown'd and wise: Mentes my name; I rule the Taphian race, Whose bounds the deep circumfluent waves embrace.Line 230 A duteous people, and industrious Isle, To naval arts inur'd, and stormy toil. Freighted with Iron from my native land, I steer my voyage to the Brutian strand; To gain by commerce, for the labour'd mass,Line 235 A just proportion of refulgent Brass. Far from your Capital my ship resides At Reithrus, and secure at anchor rides; Where waving groves on airy Neion grow, Supremely tall, and shade the deeps below.Line 240 Thence to re-visit your imperial dome, An old hereditary Guest I come: Your Father's friend. Laertes can relate Our faith unspotted, and its early date; Who prest with heart-corroding grief and years,Line 245 To the gay Court a rural shed prefers,

Where sole of all his train, a Matron sage Supports with homely food his drooping age, With feeble steps from marshalling his Vines Returning sad, when toilsome day declines.Line 250

With friendly speed, induc'd by erring fame, To hail Ulysses' safe return I came: But still the frown of some caelestial pow'r With envious joy retards the blissful hour. Let not your soul be sunk in sad despair;Line 255 He lives, he breathes this heav'nly vital air, Among a savage race, whose shelfy bounds With ceaseless roar the foaming deep surrounds. The thoughts which rowl within my ravish'd breast, To me, no Seer, th' inspiring Gods suggest;Line 260 Nor skill'd, nor studious, with prophetic eye To judge the winged Omens of the sky. Yet hear this certain speech, nor deem it vain; Though Adamantine bonds the chief restrain, The dire restraint his wisdom will defeat,Line 265 And soon restore him to his regal seat.

But, gen'rous youth! sincere and free declare, Are you, of manly growth, his royal heir? For sure Ulysses in your look appears, The same his features, if the same his years.Line 270 Such was that face, on which I dwelt with joy Ere Greece assembled stem'd the tydes to Troy; But parting then for that detested shore, Our eyes, unhappy! never greeted more.

To prove a genuine birth (the Prince replies)Line 275 On Female truth assenting faith relies; Thus manifest of right, I build my claim Sure-founded on a fair Maternal fame, Ulysses' Son: but happier he, whom fate Hath plac'd beneath the storms which toss the great!Line 280 Happier the son, whose hoary sire is blest With humble affluence, and domestic rest! Happier than I, to future empire born, But doom'd a Father's wretched fate to mourn!

To whom, with aspect mild, the Guest divine.Line 285 Oh true descendent of a scepter'd line!

The Gods, a glorious fate from anguish free To chaste Penelope's increase decree. But say, yon' jovial Troop so gaily drest, Is this a bridal, or a friendly feast?Line 290 Or from their deed I rightlier may divine, Unseemly flown with insolence and wine? Unwelcome revellers, whose lawless joy Pains the sage ear, and hurts the sober eye.

Magnificence of old, (the Prince reply'd,)Line 295 Beneath our roof with Virtue cou'd reside; Unblam'd abundance crown'd the royal board, What time this dome rever'd her prudent Lord; Who now (so heav'n decrees) is doom'd to mourn, Bitter constraint! erroneous and forlorn.Line 300 Better the Chief, on Ilion's hostile plain Had fall'n surrounded with his warlike train; Or safe return'd, the race of glory past, New to his friends embrace, had breath'd his last! Then grateful Greece with streaming eyes wou'd raiseLine 305 Historic Marbles, to record his praise;

His praise, eternal on the faithful stone, Had with transmissive honour grac'd his Son. Now snatch'd by Harpies to the dreary coast, Sunk is the Hero, and his glory lost!Line 310 Vanish'd at once! unheard of, and unknown! And I, his Heir in misery alone. Nor for a dear, lost Father only flow The filial tears, but woe succeeds to woe: To tempt the spouseless Queen with am'rous wiles,Line 315 Resort the Nobles from the neighb'ring Isles; From Samos, circled with th' Iönian main, Dulichium, and Zacynthus' sylvan reign: Ev'n with presumptuous hope her bed t'ascend, The Lords of Ithaca their right pretend.Line 320 She seems attentive to their pleaded vows, Her heart detesting what her ear allows. They, vain expectants of the bridal hour, My stores in riotous expence devour, In feast and dance the mirthful months employ,Line 325 And meditate my doom, to crown their joy.

With tender pity touch'd, the Goddess cry'd: Soon may kind heav'n a sure relief provide, Soon may your Sire discharge the vengeance due, And all your wrongs the proud oppressors rue!Line 330 Oh! in that portal shou'd the Chief appear, Each hand tremendous with a brazen spear, In radiant Panoply his limbs incas'd; (For so of old my father's court he grac'd, When social mirth unbent his serious soul,Line 335 O'er the full banquet, and the sprightly bowl) He then from Ephyré, the fair domain Of Ilus sprung from Jason's royal strain, Measur'd a length of seas, a toilsome length, in vain. For voyaging to learn the direful artLine 340 To taint with deadly drugs the barbed dart; Observant of the Gods, and sternly just, Ilus refus'd t'impart the baneful trust: With friendlier zeal my father's soul was fir'd, The drugs he knew, and gave the boon desir'd.Line 345

Appear'd he now with such heroic port, As then conspicuous at the Taphian court; Soon shou'd yon' boasters cease their haughty strife, Or each atone his guilty love with life. But of his wish'd return the care resign;Line 350 Be future vengeance to the pow'rs divine. My sentence hear: With stern distaste avow'd, To their own districts drive the Suitor-crowd: When next the morning warms the purple east, Convoke the Peerage, and the Gods attest;Line 355 The sorrows of your inmost soul relate; And form sure plans to save the sinking state. Shou'd second love a pleasing flame inspire, And the chaste Queen connubial rites require; Dismiss'd with honour let her hence repairLine 360 To great Icarius, whose paternal care Will guide her passion, and reward the choice With wealthy dow'r, and bridal gifts of price. Then let this dictate of my love prevail: Instant, to foreign realms prepare to sail,Line 365

To learn your Father's fortunes: Fame may prove Or omen'd Voice (the messenger of Jove) Propitious to the search. Direct your toil Thro' the wide Ocean first to sandy Pyle, Of Nestor, hoary Sage, his doom demand;Line 370 Thence speed your voyage to the Spartan strand, For young Atrides to th' Achaian coast Arriv'd the last of all the victor host. If yet Ulysses views the light, forbear, 'Till the fleet hours restore the circling year.Line 375 But if his soul hath wing'd the destin'd flight, Inhabitant of deep disastrous Night, Homeward with pious speed repass the main, To the pale Shade funereal rites ordain, Plant the fair Column o'er the vacant grave,Line 380 A Hero's honours let the Hero have. With decent grief the royal dead deplor'd, For the chaste Queen select an equal Lord. Then let revenge your daring mind employ, By fraud or force the Suitor-train destroy,Line 385 And starting into manhood, scorn the boy.

Hast thou not heard how young Orestes fir'd With great revenge, immortal praise acquir'd? His virgin sword Aegysthus' veins imbru'd; The murd'rer fell, and blood aton'd for blood.Line 390 O greatly bless'd with ev'ry blooming grace! With equal steps the paths of glory trace; Join to that royal youth's, your rival name, And shine eternal in the sphere of fame— But my Associates now my stay deplore,Line 395 Impatient on the hoarse-resounding shore. Thou, heedful of advice, secure proceed; My praise the precept is, be thine the deed.

The counsel of my friend (the Youth rejoin'd) Imprints conviction on my grateful mind.Line 400 So Fathers speak (persuasive speech and mild!) Their sage experience to the fav'rite child. But since to part, for sweet refection due The genial viands let my train renew; And the rich pledge of plighted faith receive,Line 405 Worthy the heir of Ithaca to give.

Defer the promis'd boon, (the Goddess cries, Celestial azure brightning in her eyes) And let me now regain the Reithrian port: From Temesé return'd, your royal courtLine 410 I shall revisit; and that pledge receive, And gifts, memorial of our friendship, leave.

Abrupt, with eagle-speed she cut the sky; Instant invisible to mortal eye. Then first he recognis'd th' Aetherial guest;Line 415 Wonder and joy alternate fire his breast: Heroic thoughts infus'd his heart dilate, Revolving much his father's doubtful fate: At length compos'd, he join'd the suitor-throng, Hush'd in attention to the warbled song.Line 420 His tender theme the charming Lyrist chose Minerva's anger, and the direful woes Which voyaging from Troy the Victors bore, While storms vindictive intercept the shore. The shrilling airs the vaulted roof rebounds,Line 425 Reflecting to the Queen the silver sounds.

With grief renew'd the weeping fair descends; Their sovereign's step a virgin train attends: A veil of richest texture wrought, she wears, And silent, to the joyous hall repairs.Line 430 There from the portal, with her mild command Thus gently checks the minstrel's tuneful hand.

Phemius! let acts of Gods, and Heroes old, What ancient bards in hall and bow'r have told, Attemper'd to the Lyre, your voice employ;Line 435 Such the pleas'd ear will drink with silent joy. But oh! forbear that dear, disastrous name, To sorrow sacred, and secure of fame: My bleeding bosom sickens at the sound, And ev'ry piercing note inflicts a wound.Line 440

Why, dearest object of my duteous love, (Reply'd the Prince) will you the Bard reprove? Oft, Jove's aetherial rays (resistless fire) The chanter's soul and raptur'd song inspire; Instinct divine! nor blame severe his choice,Line 445 Warbling the Grecian woes with harp and voice:

For novel lays attract our ravish'd ears; But old, the mind with inattention hears. Patient permit the sadly-pleasing strain; Familiar now with grief, your tears refrain,Line 450 And in the publick woe forget your own; You weep not for a perish'd Lord, alone. What Greeks, now wand'ring in the Stygian gloom, With your Ulysses shar'd an equal doom! Your widow'd hours, apart, with female toilLine 455 And various labours of the loom, beguile; There rule, from palace-cares remote and free, That care to man belongs, and most to me.

Mature beyond his years the Queen admires His sage reply, and with her train retires.Line 460 Then swelling sorrows burst their former bounds, With echoing grief afresh the dome resounds; 'Till Pallas, piteous of her plaintive cries, In slumber clos'd her silver-streaming eyes.

Mean-time rekindl'd at the royal charms,Line 465 Tumultuous love each beating bosom warms;

Intemp'rate rage a wordy war began; But bold Telemachus assum'd the man. Instant (he cry'd) your female discord end, Ye deedless boasters! and the song attend:Line 470 Obey that sweet compulsion, nor profane With dissonance, the smooth melodious strain. Pacific now prolong the jovial feast; But when the dawn reveals the rosy East, I, to the Peers assembled, shall proposeLine 475 The firm resolve I here in few disclose. No longer live the cankers of my court; All to your several states with speed resort; Waste in wild riot what your land allows, There ply the early feast, and late carouse.Line 480 But if, to honour lost, 'tis still decreed For you my bowl shall flow, my flocks shall bleed, Judge and revenge my right, impartial Jove! By him, and all th' immortal thrones above, (A sacred oath) each proud oppressor slainLine 485 Shall with inglorious gore this marble stain.

Aw'd by the Prince, thus haughty, bold, and young, Rage gnaw'd the lip, and wonder chain'd the tongue. Silence at length the gay Antinous broke, Constrain'd a smile, and thus ambiguous spoke.Line 490

What God to your untutor'd youth affords This headlong torrent of amazing words? May Jove delay thy reign, and cumber late So bright a genius with the toils of state!

Those toils (Telemachus serene replies)Line 495 Have charms, with all their weight, t'allure the wife. Fast by the Throne obsequious Fame resides, And Wealth incessant rolls her golden tides. Nor let Antinous rage, if strong desire Of wealth and fame a youthful bosom fire:Line 500 Elect by Jove his Delegate of sway, With joyous pride the summons I'd obey. Whene'er Ulysses roams the realm of Night, Shou'd factious pow'r dispute my lineal right, Some other Greeks a fairer claim may plead;Line 505 To your pretence their title wou'd precede.

At least, the sceptre lost, I still shou'd reign Sole o'er my vassals, and domestic train.

To this Eurymachus. To heav'n alone Refer the choice to fill the vacant Throne.Line 510 Your patrimonial stores in peace possess; Undoubted all your filial claim confess: Your private right shou'd impious pow'r invade, The peers of Ithaca wou'd arm in aid. But say, that Stranger-guest who late withdrew,Line 515 What, and from whence? his name and lineage shew. His grave demeanour, and majestic grace Speak him descended of no vulgar race: Did he some loan of antient right require, Or came fore-runner of your scepter'd Sire?Line 520

Oh son of Polybus! the Prince replies, No more my Sire will glad these longing eyes: The Queen's fond hope inventive rumour cheers, Or vain diviners' dreams divert her fears. That stranger-guest the Taphian realm obeys,Line 525 A realm defended with incircling seas:

Mentes, an ever-honour'd name, of old High in Ulysses' social list inroll'd.

Thus he, tho' conscious of th' aetherial Guest, Answer'd evasive of the fly request.Line 530 Mean time the Lyre rejoins the sprightly lay; Love-dittied airs, and dance, conclude the day. But when the Star of Eve, with golden light Adorn'd the matron-brow of fable Night; The mirthful train dispersing quit the court,Line 535 And to their several domes to Rest resort. A tow'ring structure to the palace join'd; To this his steps the thoughtful Prince inclin'd; In his pavilion there to sleep repairs; The lighted torch the sage Euryclea bears.Line 540 (Daughter of Ops, the just Pisenor's son, For twenty beeves by great Laertes won; In rosy prime with charms attractive grac'd, Honour'd by him, a gentle Lord and chaste, With deer esteem: too wise, with jealous strifeLine 545 To taint the joys of sweet, connubial life.

Sole with Telemachus her service ends, A child she nurs'd him, and a man attends) Whilst to his couch himself the Prince addrest, The duteous dame receiv'd the purple vest:Line 550 The purple vest with decent care dispos'd, The silver ring she pull'd, the door re-clos'd; The bolt, obedient to the silken cord, To the strong staple's inmost depth restor'd, Secur'd the valves. There, wrap'd in silent shade,Line 555 Pensive, the rules the Goddess gave, he weigh'd; Stretch'd on the downy fleece, no rest he knows, And in his raptur'd soul the Vision glows.

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OBSERVATIONS ON THE FIRST BOOK.

OBSERVATIONS ON THE FIRST BOOK.

_WE shall proceed in the same method thro' the course of these Annotations upon the O|dyssey, as in those upon the Iliad; considering Homer chiefly as a Poet, endeavouring to make his beauties understood, and not to praise without a reason given. It is equally an extreme, on the one hand to think Ho|mer has no human defects; and on the other to dwell so much upon those defects, as to depreciate his beauties. The greater part of Criticks form a general character, from the observation of particular errors, taken in their own oblique or im|perfect views; which is as unjust, as to make a judgment of the beauty of a man's body from the shadow it happens to cast, in such or such a position. To convince the Reader of this intend|ed impartiality, we readily allow the Odyssey to be inferior to the Iliad in many respects. It has not that sublimity of spirit, or that enthusiasm of poetry; but then it must be allow'd, if it be less noble, it is more instructive: The other abounds with more Heroism, this with more Morality. The Iliad gives us a draught of Gods and Heroes, of discord, of contentions, and

scenes of slaughter; the Odyssey sets before us a scene more amia|ble, the landschapes of nature, the pleasures of private life, the du|ties of every station, the hospitality of ancient times; a less busy, but more agreeable portrait. The Iliad concludes with the ruin, the Odyssey with the happiness of a nation. Horace was of the same opinion, as is evident from the epistle to Lollius.

Seditione, dolis, scelere, libidine, & ira, Iliacos intra muros peccatur & extra. Rursus, quid virtus & quid sapientia possit, Utile proposuit nobis exemplar Ulyssem.

I.

VERSE 1. The Man, for Wisdom, &c.]

Homer opens his Poem with the utmost simplicity and modesty; he continually grows upon the reader,

Non fumum ex fulgore, sed ex fumo dare lucem Cogitat, ut speciosa dehinc miracula promat.

Cicero lays this down as a rule for the Orator, principia vere|cunda, non elatis intensa verbis; and Horace for the Poet, Nec sic incipies, &c. He proposes the beginning of the Odyssey as a pattern for all future poems, and has translated them in his Art of poetry.

Dic mihi, Musa, virum, captae post tempora Trojae, Qui mores hominum multorum vidit, & urbes.

May I be forgiven the arrogance, if I should offer a criticism upon this translation? The sufferings of Ulysses are the subject of the whole Odyssey, and yet Horace has omitted the mention of those sufferings: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. There is another word also which seems essential, that is, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, this is likewise omitted. For the sufferings of Ulysses, and the wisdom by which he extricated himself from them, enter into the very

design of the Poem. But indeed in another place he has plainly had regard to all these circumstances,

Qui domitor Trojae, multorum providus urbes Et mores hominum inspexit, latumque per aequor Dum sibi, dum sociis, reditum parat, aspera multa Pertulit—Epist. ad Loll.

I must also refute a criticism of Rapin, who will have it that the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 includes a character of craft and low cun|ning, unworthy of a brave spirit: But Eustathius admirably vin|dicates the Poet in this respect, he shews us that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 no where in Homer signifies (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) or Morals; and that it implies a man who could accommodate himself to every condition of life; one who in the worst estate had still a reserve to free him|self from it; it therefore, says he, signifies a man that thro' expe|rience has learn'd wisdom. I have likewise the authority of Ho|race for this sense, in the above-cited passage,

Qui domitor Trojae multorum providus urbes.

I take providus in this place to signify not only a man who noted the manners of various nations with care, but also one who in calamity could foresee methods to extricate himself from it. And surely nothing can be more unjust than what Rapin objects against Ulysses, in employing his wisdom only in his own preser|vation, while all his companions were lost: Homer himself suffi|ciently refutes this objection, and directly tells us, that he em|ployed his wisdom in the care of their safety, but that they thro' their folly defeated his wisdom. The words of Homer, says Eu|stathius, shew that a wise man neglects not his friends in adversi|ty. But, says Rapin, what could oblige Homer to begin with so dishonourable an action, and place the greatest weakness of his Heroe in the very frontispiece of his Poem? and invoke his Muse to sing the man who with difficulty saved himself, and suffer'd his companions to be destroy'd? There had been some weight in this

objection, if Ulysses had saved his own, with the loss of their lives; but I cannot see any dishonour, in his preserving himself by wis|dom, when they destroy'd themselves by folly: It was chiefly by storms that they perish'd; it can be no imputation to his character, not to be able to restrain the effects of a tempest: he did all that a wise man cou'd do, he gave them such admoniti|ons upon every emergency, that if they had pursued them, they had been preserved as well as Ulysses.

II.

VERSE I. For Wisdom's various arts renown'd.]

Bossu's obser|vation in relation to this Epithet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, given to Ulysses, is worth transcribing. The Fable of the Odyssey (says he) is whol|ly for the conduct and policy of a State: Therefore the quality it requires is Wisdom, but this virtue is of too large an extent for the simplicity which a just and precise character requires; it is therefore requisite it should be limited. The great art of Kings is the mystery of Dissimulation. 'Tis well known, that Lewis the eleventh, for the instruction of his Son, reduc'd all the Latin lan|guage to these words only, viz. Qui nescit dissimulare nescit reg|nare. 'Twas likewise by this practice that Saul began his reign, when he was first elected and as yet full of the spirit of God. The first thing we read of him in holy Writ is, * 1.2 that he made as if he did not hear the words which seditious people spoke against him.

This then is the character which the Greek Poet gives his Ulysses in the Proposition of his Poem, he calls him 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; to denote this prudent dissimulation, which disguised him so many ways, and put him upon taking so many shapes.

Without mentioning any thing of Circe, who detain'd him with her a whole year, and who was famous for the transforma|tions she made of all sorts of persons; the reader finds him at first with Calypso the daughter of wise Atlas, who bore up the vast pillars that reach'd from Earth to Heaven, and whose know|ledge penetrated into the depths of the unfathomable Ocean: that

is to say, who was ignorant of nothing in Heaven, Earth, or Sea. And as the first product and principal part of so high, so solid, and so profound a knowledge was to know how to conceal ones self; this wise man call'd his daughter by a name that signified a * 1.3secret. The Poet makes his Heroe, whom he designed for a Politician, to stay seven whole years with this Nymph. She taught him so well, that afterwards he lost no op|portunity of putting her lessons in practice: for he does nothing without a disguise. At his parting from Ogygia he is cast upon the Isle of Phaeaca: as kind as his reception was, yet he stays 'till the night before he went off ere he wou'd discover himself. From thence he goes to Ithaca: the first adventure that happen'd to him there was with Minerva, the most prudent among the Dei|ties, as Ulysses was the most prudent among men. She says so expressly in that very passage. Nor did they fail to disguise them|selves. Minerva takes upon her the shape of a shepherd, and U|lysses tells her he was oblig'd to fly from Crete, because he had murder'd the son of King Idomeneus. The Goddess discovers her self first, and commends him particularly, because these artifices were so easie and natural to him, that they seem'd to be born with him. Afterwards the Heroe under the form of a beggar de|ceives first of all Eumeus, then his son, and last of all his wife, and every body else, till he found an opportunity of punishing his Enemies, to whom he discover'd not himself 'till he kill'd them, namely on the last night. After his discovering himself in the Palace, he goes the next day to deceive his father, appearing at first under a borrow'd name; before he wou'd give him joy of his return. Thus he takes upon him all manner of shapes, and dissembles to the very last. But the Poet joins to this character a valour and a constancy which render him invincible in the most daring and desperate adventures

III.

VERSE 3. Who when his arms had wrought the destin'd fallOf sacred Troy—

Whence is it that Ulysses is said to have overthrown Troy? and not Achilles, who was of more remarkable courage than Ulysses? Eustathius tells us, that the destruction of Troy ought to be ascri|bed chiefly to Ulysses, as he not only took away the Palladium, but was the inventor of the stratagem of the wooden horse, by which that city was conquer'd. Virgil in his second book of the Aeneis gives a noble description of its destruction, by which we find that Ulysses was not only the contriver of its ruin, but bore a great share in the actions of the night in which that City was overturn'd.

IV.

VERSE 9. Vain toils! their impious folly, &c.]

By this single trait, Homer marks an essential difference between the Iliad and the Odyssey: namely, that in the former Poem the people perish'd by the folly of their Kings:

Quicquid delirunt reges, plectuntur Achivi.

In this, the people perish by their own folly, while their Prince omits nothing to procure their felicity. A plain reason why the Odyssey is more calculated for the People, than the Iliad. Dacier.

V.

VERSE 13. Oh snatch some portion of these acts from fate.]

It may be ask'd why the Poet invokes the Muse to recount only Part of the sufferings of Ulysses? and why those words, To Us also, are inserted? To the first it may be answer'd, that an heroic Po|em dwells chiefly upon incidents of importance, and passes over every thing that does not contribute to raise our idea of the He|roe, or to the main design of the Poem: To the other Eustathi|us answers several ways; either, says he, the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is to be taken as an expletive, as it is in a thousand places in Homer; or it means that this is a subject so considerable, that it will be a theme to many

Poets; or that being a true History it had spread over many nations of the world, and that Homer himself received the story of the Poem from Aegypt; and then the meaning will be,

"Sing, oh Muse, to the Greeks as well as to other nations, the sufferings of Ulysses."

I should prefer the first as being the most natural: the rest seem forced, and consequently improper for the opening of a Poem, where the utmost plainness is neces|sary; especially, if we consider that Ulysses was a Grecian, and it is not probable that the Grecians should be the least acquainted with the story, or the latest to celebrate the actions, of a Grecian.

VI.

VERSE 15. Now at their native realms the Greeks arriv'd.]

It is necessary for the better understanding of the Poem, to fix the period of Time from which it takes its beginning: Homer, as Eustathius observes, does not begin with the wandrings of U|lysses, he steps at once into the latter end of his actions, and leaves the preceding story to be told by way of narration. Thus in his Iliad, he dates his Poem from the anger of Achilles, which happen'd almost at the conclusion of the Trojan war. From hence Horace drew his observation in his Arte Poet.

Semper ad eventum festinat; & in medias res, Non secus ac notas, auditorem rapit.

There are but forty eight days from the departure of Ulysses from Calypso, to his discovery in Ithaca; he had been one year with Circe, and seven with Calypso, when the Gods dispatched Mer|cury to that Goddess; from which point of Time we are to date the Odyssey.

This observation gives a reason why the Poet invokes the Muse to recount the wandrings of this Heroe in part only; for Ulysses, as appears from the beginning of the ninth book, after he left the shores of Troy, was driven to Ismarus of the Ciconians.

An Historian must have begun from the fall of Troy, and related his wandrings with truth and order; for History is chiefly for instruction: But a Poet takes another method, and disposes every circumstance arbitrarily; he chuses or rejects, as suits best with his principal design, and in such a manner as to give at once de|light and instruction.

VII.

VERSE 21. Calypso in her Cave constrain'd his stay.]

To the Remark before cited of Bossu, upon the abode of Ulysses with Calypso, may be added this of the Abbè Fraguier: that his resi|ding seven years in the caves of Calypso, (the Goddess of Secrecy) may only be meant that he remain'd so long hid from the know|ledge and enquiry of all men; or that whatever befel him in all that time was lost to History, or made no part in the Poem.

VIII.

VERSE 28. All but the ruthless Monarch of the Main.]

It may be ask'd why Neptune is thus enraged against Ulysses? Homer himself tells us, it was because that Heroe had put out the eye of his son Cyclops. But if we take Neptune by way of Allegory for the Ocean, the passage implies, that the sufferings of Ulysses were chiefly by sea; and therefore Poetry, which adds a grandeur to the meanest circumstance, introduces the God of it as his greatest ene|my. Eustathius.

IX.

VERSE 30. In Aethiopia, &c.]

Strabo in his first book de|livers his opinion, that

"the ancient Grecians included all those people who lived upon the southern Ocean, from east to west, in the general name of Aethiopians, and that it was not confi|ned to those only who lay south of Aegypt."

Ptolomy says,

that

"under the Zodiac, from east to west, inhabit the Aethio|pians, black of colour."

And elsewhere the same Geographer divides Aethiopia into the eastern and the western. These eastern and western Aethiopians were separated by the Arabian or Aegyp|tian Gulf; which tho' never mention'd by Homer, as Aristarchus remark'd, yet it is not probable (says Strabo) that he should be ignorant of it, it being but a thousand stadia distant from the Mediterranean, when he knew the Aegyptian Thebes, which was four times as far off. Strab. Plin. Spondan.

I will not repeat what was observ'd upon the Gods being gone to the Aethiopians, in the first book of the Iliad; 'tis sufficient in general to observe, that the Aethiopians were a people very religi|ous towards the Gods, and that they held a pompous feast twelve days annually to their honour; and in particular, that the Poet very judiciously makes use of this solemnity to remove Neptune out of the way, who was the enemy of Ulysses, that he may with the greater security bring off his Heroe from Calypso's Island. Eustathius.

X.

VERSE 45. Aegysthus.]

It is difficult to find a reason why, in the original, Jupiter shou'd give such an honourable appellation to Ae|gysthus, as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, unblameable, who had dishonoured the bed of Agamemnon, and taken his life away; especially in that very instant when he condemns the fact with so great solemnity: Eustathius says, that Homer, an enemy to censure and invective, introduces that God as having respect only to his good qualities, and com|mending him for his general character; and adds that it had been an indecency in the Poet to have given countenance to that base custom by the authority of Jupiter. Dacier is not satisfy'd with this reason, and tells us, that Homer gives Aegysthus this title, to vindicate Jupiter from the imputation of his crimes: He gives us to understand that Heaven is not the cause of man's failings; that he is by Creation able to act virtuously, and that it is thro' his own misconduct that he deviates into evil; and therefore the

meaning is this;

"Jupiter calling to mind Aegysthus, that Aegysthus whom he had created wise and virtuous, and made capable to su|stain that character."

And this agrees admirably with the begin|ning of the speech of Jupiter, who there vindicates his own Divinity.

But if this shou'd seem too refin'd, it may be sufficient to take the word in that good sense which Aegysthus might have deserved for many good qualities: Thus Achilles is call'd the swift of foot, even while he stands, or sleeps; the first being his general character. It may be further confirm'd by a passage something resembling it in the holy Scriptures: The Aegyptian Midwives were guilty of a lye to Pharaoh, and yet God pardons it, and blesses them: He blesses them not because they lyed, but because they preserv'd the children of the Israelites.

XI.

VERSE 41. Jupiter's speech.]

The solemnity and senten|tiousness of this speech is taken notice of by Eustathius; and sure|ly Poetry must be highly valuable, when it delivers such excellent instructions. It contain'd the whole of religion amongst the an|tients; and made Philosophy more agreeable. This passage is an instance of it, a passage worthy of a Christian; it shews us that the Supreme Being is sovereignly good; that he rewards the just, and punishes the unjust; and that the folly of man, and not the decree of Heaven, is the cause of human calamity.

XII.

VERSE 49. Hermes I sent, &c.]

It would be endless to ob|serve every moral passage in the Odyssey, the whole of it being but one lesson of Morality. But surely it must be a pleasure to the Reader to learn what notions the antients had of a Deity, from the oldest book extant, except the book of Moses.

Jupiter here declares that he never fails to warn mankind from evil, and that he had sent by Mercury for this purpose to Aegy|sthus. It may be ask'd what is this Mercury whom Jupiter sends? It is the light of Nature, which Heaven implants in the breast of every man: and which, as Cicero says, is not only more ancient than the world, but co-eval with the Master of the world himself. He writes to this effect. There was from the beginning such a thing as Reason, a direct emanation from Nature it self, which prompted to good, and averted from evil. A Reason which did not then become a law, when it was first reduced to writing, but was so even from the moment it existed, and it existed from ever, of an equal date with the divine Intelligence: It is the true and primordial Law, proper to com|mand and to forbid, it is the Reason of the great Jupiter.

That Reason of the supreme Being, is here call'd Mercury; that Reason flowing from God, which is constantly dictating to the most corrupted hearts, this is good, or, this is evil. Hence arose an ancient Proverb, recorded by Simplicius, Reason is a Mercury to all men. Epictetus [lib. 3. Arrian.] says, Apollo knew that Laius would not obey his Oracle. Apollo nevertheless did not ne|glect to prophecy to Laius those evils that threaten'd him. The good|ness of the Divinity never fails to advertise mankind; that source of truth is ever open and free: but men are ever incredulous, disobedi|ent and rebellious. Dacier.

XIII.

VERSE 57. Minerva's Speech.]

It may be ask'd what re|lation Ulysses has to Aegysthus, that the mention of the one should immediately give occasion for the remembrance of the other? and it may appear unnatural in the Poet to give rise to his Poem by so unexpected a transition from Aegysthus to Ulysses. Eusta|thius vindicates Homer, by shewing that it is not only beautiful but na|tural, to take rise from what offers it self to our immediate observation. What can be more natural, when Jupiter is relating how he punish|es the wicked, than for Wisdom or Minerva to suggest, that the good ought to be rewarded? There is no forced introduction;

no artful preparation, but the whole arises from the occasion, which is a great beauty. Eustathius.

XIV.

VERSE 63. Amidst an Isle, &c.]

There was, according to true History, such an Island of Calypso, of which Strabo writes; that Solon gives an account of the Island Atlantis bordering upon Aegypt, and that he went thither to make enquiry, and learn'd that an Island was once there, but by time was vanished. Eustathius.

XV.

VERSE 67. Atlas her Sire, to whose far-piercing eye The wonders of the Deep expanded lie: Th' eternal Columns which on earth he rears End in the starry vault, and prop the Spheres.]

Atlas is here said to understand all the depths of the Sea: but the Epithet 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 apply'd to him, has two different signi|fications. It implies either, one whose thoughts are full of terrible and dismal things, or, one who has infinite knowledge and unbounded views, and 'tis doubtful which of them Homer means. To re|concile both, may we not think our Author had heard something of the ancient tradition which makes Atlas the same person with Enoch, and represents him as a great Astronomer, who prophe|cy'd of the universal deluge, and exhorted mankind to repentance? Therefore he nam'd his son Methuselah, to show that after his death the waters shou'd overspread the face of the earth. His continual lamentations on this occasion caus'd him to be call'd the Weeper, for the world is always an enemy to melancholy pre|dictions. Thus Homer upon the credit of this Tradition might ve|ry well call Atlas, one whose thoughts ran upon dismal things, or one whose views and cares were vastly extended.

I insist no otherwise upon this but as a conjecture, yet it is fur|ther strengthen'd by what follows in the next lines: That Atlas

sustains those Columns which being fixed upon the earth support the Heavens. This is generally interpreted of his great skill in A|stronomy and Geography. But may not the reason be more par|ticular? Since Atlas or Enoch had prophecy'd of the Deluge, and since that prediction was looked upon as the effect of his skill in Astronomy; might it not be said he knew the abysses of the Sea, and sustain'd the pillars of Heaven, to express that he knew how the fountains of the deep and the waters above the Heavens shou'd unite to drown the earth?

As to the image of the pillars of Heaven, it is frequent in the sacred books, and used to express the height of vast mountains. (Pindar calls Aetna the 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉:) and there might proba|bly be something more particular that furnished Homer with this idea; I mean the pillars of Hercules, well-known in his time, and neighbouring to the mountain he describes. Dacier.

See the description of this mountain in the 4th book of Virgil, where the same image is preserv'd without any hint of allegory: As indeed it is no more than a poetical manner of expressing the great height and extensive prospect of the mountain.

XVI.

VERSE 75. To see the smoke from his lov'd Palace rise.]

There is an agreeable tenderness in this Image, and nothing can better paint the ardent desire a man naturally has to review his native country after a long absence. This is still stronger than that which Cicero extols in several places of his works, that Ulysses preferr'd the sight of Ithaca to the Immortality proffer'd him by Calypso. He here desires to purchase, at the price of his life, the pleasure, not of returning to his country, but even of seeing at a distance the very smoke of it. Dacier.

There are some things dispers'd in this speech of Pallas, which I shall lay together; as that Minerva makes it an aggravation to the calamity of Ulysses, to be detain'd by a Goddess that loves him; that he is enclosed in an Island; and she adds, round which the Seas flow; as if that was not common to all Islands; but these

expressions are used to shew the impossibility of the escape of Ulysses, without the interposition of Jupiter.

In the conclusion she observes, that Ulysses never neglected to sacrifice before Troy: this is said to shew the great piety of Ulysses, who not only paid his sacrifices in Ithaca, where he abounded in riches, but amongst strangers in an enemy's country, where there might be a scarcity of offerings. Eustathius.

XVII.

VERSE 84. Daughter, what words, &c.]

This verse is frequently repeated both in the Iliad and the Odyssey; it has here a particu|lar energy. Jupiter reproves Minerva for supposing he could ever be unmindful of an Heroe so pious as Ulysses. It is spoken with vehemence; an instance, says Eustathius, that it is not only equita|ble, but an attribute of Divinity, for rulers to remember those who serve them faithfully.

XVIII.

VERSE 89. T'avenge his Giant-son.]

It is artful in the Poet to tell the Reader the occasion of the sufferings of Ulysses in the opening of the Poem; 'tis a justice due to his character, to shew that his misfortunes are not the consequence of his crimes, but the effect of Neptune's anger.

It is observable, that Homer does not stop to explain how U|lysses put out the eye of the Cyclops; he hastens forward into the middle of his Poem, and leaves that for the future narration of Ulysses.

XIX.

VERSE 110. Mean time Telemachus—demands my care, &c.]

Rapin has rais'd several objections against this piece of conduct in Homer: He tells us that the action of the Odyssey is imperfect, that it begins with the voyages of Telemachus, and ends with those

of Ulysses: That the four first books are all concerning Tele|machus: That his voyage bears no proportion to that of Ulysses, that it contributes nothing to his return, which is brought about by Jupiter, and the assistance of the Phaeacians; that this gave occasion to Beni in his academical discourses to assert, that the Fable of the Odyssey is double, that the four first books of it are neither Episode, nor part of an action, nor have any connexion with the rest of the work.

I am of opinion, that these objections are made with too great severity; The destruction of the Suitors is the chief hinge upon which the Poem turns, as it contributes chiefly to the re-establishment of Ulysses in his country and regality; and whatever contributes to this end, contributes to the principal action, and is of a piece with the rest of the Poem; and that this voyage does so is evident, in that it gives a defeat to the Suitors, and controuls their insolence; it preserves Ulysses's throne and bed invi|olate, in that it gives Telemachus courage to resist their attempts: It sets his character in a fair point of light, who is the second personage of the Poem, and is to have a great share in the future actions of it.

Eustathius judiciously observes, that Homer here prepares the way for the defeat of the Suitors, the chief design of his Poem; and lays the ground-work of probability on which he intends to build his Poem, and reconcile it to the rules of credibility.

If it be ask'd for what end this voyage of Telemachus is made; the answer is, to enquire after Ulysses: So that whatever Episodes are interwoven, Ulysses is still in view; and whatever Telemachus acts, is undertaken solely upon his account; and consequently, whatever is acted, contributes to the principal design, the resto|ration of Ulysses. So that the Fable is entire, and the Action not double.

'Tis to be remember'd also, that the sufferings of Ulysses are the subject of the Poem; his personal calamities are not only in|tended, but his domestic misfortunes; and by this conduct Ho|mer shews us the extent of his misfortunes: His Queen is at|tempted, his Throne threaten'd, and his Wealth consumed in riot;

Ulysses suffers in Telemachus, and in every circumstance of life is unhappy.

XX.

VERSE 118. To distant Sparta, and the spacious waste Of sandy Pyle.]

Rapin is very severe upon this conduct. When Telemachus, says he, is to search for his father in the Courts of Greece, he cannot make the least progress without Minerva; 'tis she who in|spires his thoughts, and assists in the execution. Could not ho|nour, duty, or nature, have moved his heart toward an absent fa|ther? The Machine, adds he, has not the least appearance of probability, inasmuch as the Goddess conducts him to every place, except only where Ulysses resides; of which she ought by no means to be ignorant, upon the account of her Divinity.

But surely nothing can be be more natural, than for a son, in order to gain intelligence of an absent father, to enquire in those places, and of those persons, where and from whom he is most likely to have information. Such is the conduct of Telemachus: And Poetry, which delights in the Wonderful, because this conduct agrees with wisdom, ascribes it to Minerva the Goddess of it. No doubt but Minerva knew where Ulysses resided: but men must act as men: such an immediate interposition as Rapin re|quires, had stopp'd at once the fountain of the Poet's invention. If what a Poet invents be natural, it is justifiable; and he may give the rein to his imagination, if he restrain it from running into extravagance and wildness.

XXI.

VERSE 112. 'Tis mine, to form his green, unpractis'd years, &c.]

In this the Poet draws the out-lines of what he is to fill up in the four subsequent books: and nothing can give us a greater idea of his unbounded invention, than his building upon so plain a foundation such a noble superstructure: He entertains us with variety of Episodes, historical relations, and manners of those

ancient times. It must be confess'd, that the Characters in the Odyssey, and the number of the chief Actors, are but few; and yet the Poet never tires, he varies and diversifies the story so happily, that he is continually opening new scenes to engage our attention. He resembles his own Proteus, he is capable of all shapes, yet in all shapes the same Deity.

XXII.

VERSE 136. Mentes, the Monarch of the Taphian land.]

We are told by tradition, that Homer was so sensible of friendship, that to do honour to his particular friends, he immortalized their names in his Poems. In the Iliad he has shewn his gratitude to Tychius; and in the Odyssey, to Mentes, Phemius, and Mentor. This Mentes was a famous Merchant of the isle of Leucade, who re|ceived Homer at Smyrna, and made him his companion in all his voyages. It is to this Mentes we owe the two Poems of Homer, for the Poet in all probability had never wrote them without those lights and informations he receiv'd, and the discoveries he was enabled to make, by those travels. Homer is not contented to give his name to the King of the Taphians, but feigns also that the Goddess of Wisdom chose to appear in his shape, preferably to that of all the Kings who were nearer neighbours to Ithaca. Eustathius thinks there might have been a real King of Taphos of this name, who was a friend to Ulysses. This may possibly be; but I would chuse to adhere rather to the old tradition, as it does honour to friendship. Dacier.

XXIII.

VERSE 139. Enormous riot and mis-rule.]

This is the first appearance of the Suitors; and the Poet has drawn their pictures in such colours, as are agreeable to their characters thro' the whole Poem. They are, as Horace expresses it,

—Fruges consumere nati, Sponsi Penelopes, Nebulones—

The Poet gives a fine contrast between them and Telemachus; he entertains himself with his own thoughts, weighs the sum of things, and beholds with a virtuous sorrow the disorders of the Suitors: He appears, (like Ulysses among his transform'd compani|ons in the tenth book,) a wife man, among brutes.

XXIV.

VERSE 143. At Chess they vie, to captivate the Queen, Divining of their loves—

There are great disputes what this Game was, at which the Sui|tors play'd? Athenaeus relates it from Apian the Grammarian, who had it from Cteson a native of Ithaca, that the sport was in this manner. The number of the Suitors being 108, they equally divided their men, or balls; that is to say, 54 on each side; these were placed on the board opposite to each other. Between the two sides was a vacant space, in the midst of which was the main mark, or Queen, the point which all were to aim at. They took their turns by lot; he who took or displac'd that mark, got his own in its place; and if by a second man, he again took it, without touching any of the others, he won the game; and it pass'd as an omen of obtaining his mistress. This principal mark, or Queen, was called by whatever name the Gamesters pleas'd; and the Suitors gave it the name of Penelope.

'Tis said, this Game was invented by Palamedes during the siege of Troy. [Sophocles in Palam.] Eustath. Spondan. Dacier.

XXV.

VERSE 157. Griev'd that a Visitant so long should wait.]

The Reader will lose much of the pleasure of this Poem, if he reads it without the reflection, that he peruses one of the most

ancient books in the world; it sets before him persons, places, and actions that existed three thousand years ago: Here we have an instance of the humanity of those early ages: Telemachus pays a reverence to this stranger, only because he is a stranger: He attends him in person, and welcomes him with all the openness of ancient hospitality.

XXVI.

VERSE 185. &c. The Feast describ'd.]

There is nothing that has drawn more ridicule upon Homer, than the frequent descripti|ons of his entertainments: It has been judged, that he was more than ordinarily delighted with them, since he omits no opportu|nity to describe them; nay, his temperance has not been unsus|pected, according to that verse of Horace,

Laudibus arguitur vini vinosus Homerus.

But we must not condemn, without stronger evidence: a man may commend a sumptuous entertainment, or good wines, with|out being either a drunkard or a glutton. But since there are so many entertainments describ'd in the Poem, it may not be im|proper to give this some explanation.

They wash before the feast; perhaps, says Eustathius, because they always at the feast made libations to the Gods. The Ewer was of gold, the vessel from whence the water was pour'd of sil|ver, and the cups out of which they drank were of gold.

A damsel attends Mentes, but heralds wait upon the Suitors: Eustathius observes a decency in this conduct; the Suitors were lewd debauchees, and consequently a woman of modesty would have been an improper attendant upon such a company. Beauti|ful Youths attended the company in quality of cup-bearers.

A Matron who has charge of the houshold (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) brings in the bread and the cold meats, for so Eustathius interprets 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; an Officer, whose employ it was to portion out the victuals, brings in the meats that furnish'd out the rest of the entertain|ment;

and after the feast, a Bard diverts them with vocal and instrumental music.

Dacier is in great pain about the cold victuals; she is afraid lest the Reader should think them the leavings of a former day: and tells us they might possibly be in the nature of our cold Tongues, Jambons, &c. But I think such fears to be groundless: We must have reference to the customs of those early ages; and if it was customary for cold meats to be serv'd up, (neither is it ne|cessary to suppose them the leavings of the former entertainment) it can be no disgrace to the hospitality of Telemachus.

XXVII.

VERSE 197. To Phemius was consign'd the chorded Lyre.]

In ancient times, Princes entertain'd in their families certain learn|ed and wise men, who were both Poets and Philosophers, and not only made it their business to amuse and delight, but to pro|mote wisdom and morality. Ulysses, at his departure for Troy, left one of these with Penelope: and it was usual to consign, in this manner, the care of their wives and families to the Poets of those days, as appears from a signal passage in the third book, verse (of the original) 267, &c. To this man Homer gives the name of Phemius; to celebrate one of his friends, who was so call'd, and who had been his Praeceptor (says Eustathius). I must add one remark, that tho' he places his Master here in no very good company, yet he guards his character from any imputation, by telling us, that he attended the Suitors by compulsion. This is not only a great instance of his gratitude, but also of his ten|derness and delicacy.

XXVIII.

VERSE 225. All who deserv'd his choice—]

'Tis evident, from this and many places in the Iliad, that Hospitality was here|ditary; an happiness and honour peculiar to these heroic ages. And surely nothing can set the character of Ulysses in a more

agreeable point of light, than what Telemachus here delivers of it;

"He was the friend of all mankind."

Eustathius observes, that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 has a middle signification; that it implies that Ulysses behav'd benevolently to all men; or that all men behaved benevolently to Ulysses; either sense makes Ulysses a very ami|able person: He must be a friend to all men, to whom all men are friends.

XXIX.

VERSE 234. I steer my voyage to the Brutian strand.]

In the country of the Brutians, in the lower part of Italy, was a town call'd Temese. That Homer here meant this city, and not one of the same name in Cyprus, appears not only because this was famous for works of brass, but because (as Strabo observes) Ithaca lay in the direct way from Taphos to this city of the Bru|tii; whereas it was considerably out of the way to pass by Ithaca to that of Cyprus. The same Author says, that the rooms for preparing of brass were remaining in his time; tho' then out of use. Ovid. Met. 15.

Hippotadaeque domos regis, Temesesque metalla.

And Statius, Sylv.

—se totis Temese dedit hausta metallis.

Bochart is of opinion, that the name of Temese was given to this town by the Phenicians, from the brass it produced, Temes in their language signifying Fusion of Metals: an Art to which the Phenicians much apply'd themselves. Eustat. Dacier.

XXX.

VERSE 245. Laertes's Retirement.]

This most beautiful pas|sage of Laertes has not escap'd the censure of the Critics; they say

acts an unmanly part, he forgets that he is a King, and reduces himself unworthily into the condition of a servant. Eustathius gives two reasons for his retirement, which answer those objections; the first is, that he could not endure to see the outrage and inso|lence of the Suitors; the second, that his Grief for Ulysses makes him abandon society, and prefer his vineyard to his Court. This is undoubtedly the picture of human nature under affliction; for sorrow loves solitude. Thus it is, as Dacier well observes, that Menedemus in Terence laments his lost Son: Menedemus is the Picture of Laertes. Nor does it make any difference, that the one is a King, the other a person of private station: Kings are but enobled humanity, and are liable, as other men, to as great, if not greater, sensibility.

The word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (creeping about his vineyard) has also given offence, as it carries an idea of meanness with it; but Eustathius observes, that it excellently expresses the melancholy of Laertes, and denotes no meanness of spirit: The same word is apply'd to the great Achilles in the Iliad, when he laments at the Obsequies of Patroclus; and Horace no doubt had it in his view,

—Tacitum sylvas inter-reptare salubreis.

XXXI.

VERSE 257. Among a savage race, &c.]

It is the obser|vation of Eustathius, that what Minerva here delivers bears re|semblance to the Oracles, in which part is false, part true: That Ulysses is detain'd in an Island, is a truth; that he is detain'd by Barbarians, a falshood: This is done by the Goddess, that she may be thought to be really a man, as she appears to be; she speaks with the dubiousness of a man, not the certainty of a Goddess; she raises his expectation, by shewing she has an insight into fu|turity; and to engage his belief, she discovers in part the truth to Telemachus. Neither was it necessary or convenient for Telemachus to know the whole truth: for if he had known that Ulysses in|habited a desart, detain'd by a Goddess, he must of consequence

have known of his return, (for he that could certify the one, could certify the other,) and so had never gone in search of him; and it would hence have happen'd, that Homer had been depriv'd of giving us those graces of Poetry which arise from the voyage of Telemachus. Eustathius.

XXXII.

VERSE 275. To prove a genuine birth, &c.]

There is an ap|pearance of something very shocking in this speech of Telemachus. It literally runs thus: My mother assures me that I am the son of Ulysses, but I know it not. It seems to reflect upon his mother's chastity, as if he had a doubt of his own legitimacy. This seeming simplicity in Telemachus, says Eustathius, is the effect of a troubled spirit; it is grief that makes him doubt if he can be the son of the great, the generous Ulysses; it is no reflection upon Penelope, and consequently no fault in Telemachus: It is an undoubted truth that the mother only knows the legitimacy of the child: Thus Euripides,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

that is, The mother knows the child, the father only believes it,

Thus also Menander,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

that is, No man knows assuredly who begot him, we only guess it, and believe it.

Aristotle in his Rhetoric is also of this opinion;

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

What I have here said, is translated literally from Eustathius, and if it edifies the Reader I am content. But the meaning of the

passage is this, Mentes asks Telemachus if he be the son of Ulysses; he replies,

"So my mother assures me; but nothing sure so wretched as I am could proceed from that great man."

But however this may be reconciled to truth, I believe few Ladies would take it as a compliment, if their sons shou'd tell them there was some room to doubt of their legitimacy: there may be abundance of truth in it, and yet very little decency.

XXXIII.

VERSE 309. Now snatch'd by Harpies, &c.]

The meaning of this expression is, that Ulysses has not had the rites of sepulture. This among the Ancients was esteem'd the greatest of calamities, as it hinder'd the Shades of the deceased from entering into the state of the happy.

XXXIV.

VERSE 315. To tempt the spouseless Queen—resort the Nobles.]

It is necessary to reconcile the conduct of the Suitors to proba|bility, since it has so great a share in the process of the Odyssey. It may seem incredible that Penelope, who is a Queen, in whom the supreme power is lodg'd, should not dismiss such unwelcome intruders, especially since many of them were her own subjects: Besides, it seems an extraordinary way of courtship in them, to ruin the person to whom they make their addresses.

To solve this objection we must consider the nature of the Grecian governments: The chief men of the land had great autho|rity; Tho' the government was monarchical, it was not de|spotic; Laertes was retir'd, and disabled with age; Telemachus was yet in his minority; and the fear of any violence either against her own person, or against her son, might deter Penelope from using any endeavours to remove men of such insolence, and such power. Dacier.

XXXV.

VERSE 341. To taint with deadly drugs the barbed dart.]

It is necessary to explain this passage. It seems at first view, as if Ulysses had requested what a good man could not grant. Ilus, says Mentes, deny'd the Poison, because he fear'd the anger of the Gods; and the poison it self is call'd by Homer 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, as if it were design'd against mankind. Eustathius defends Ulysses va|riously: He intended, says he, to employ it against beasts only, that infested his country, or in hunting. He assigns another reason, and says that the Poet is preparing the way to give an air of probability to the destruction of the Suitors. He poisons his arrows, that every wound may be mortal; on this account the poison may be call'd 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; for it is certain in the wars of Troy, poison'd arrows were not in use, for many persons who were wounded recover'd; so that of necessity they must be re|serv'd for domestic occasions. From what has been said we may collect the reason why Anchialus granted the poison to Ulysses, and Ilus deny'd it; Anchialus was the friend of Ulysses, and knew that he would not employ it to any ill purpose; but Ilus, who was a stranger to him, was afraid lest he should abuse it. Eustathius.

XXXVI.

VERSE 360. Dismiss'd with honour let her hence repair.]

I will lay before the reader literally what Eustathius observes upon these words. There is a Soloecism, says he, in these verses or words, that cannot be reduc'd to the rules of construction. It should be 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, not 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. How then comes the accusative case to be used instead of the nominative? Mentes, adds he, may be suppos'd to have intended to have said 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (send thy Mo|ther away;) but considering, in the midst of the Sentence, that such advice was not suitable to be given to Telemachus, he checks himself, and suppresses 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; and no other word immedi|ately

occurring, that requir'd an accusative case, he falls into a Soloecism.

But perhaps this is more ingenious than true; tho' Mentes was in haste when he spoke it, Homer was not when he compos'd it. Might not an errour creep into the original by the negligence of a Transcriber, who might write 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 for 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉? This is the more probable, because the one stands in the Verse in every respect as well as the other.

What Eustathius adds is very absurd: he says that Telemachus must observe both the interpretations, either send thy Mother a|way, or let thy Mother retire. So that the advice was double, send thy Mother away if thou dost not love her; but if thou art unwilling to grieve her, let her recess be voluntary.

XXXVII.

VERSE 367. Omen'd Voice—of Jove.]

There is a difficulty in this Passage. In any case of enquiry, any Words that were heard by accident were call'd by the Latins, Omens; by Homer, the voice of Jupiter; and he stiles them so, because it is thro' his providence that those words come to our knowledge: 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 signifies fame or rumour; and the Ancients refer'd all voices or sounds to Jupiter; and still'd him 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉. So that the voice of Jove im|plies any words that we hear by chance, from whence we can draw any thing that gives light to our concerns or enquiries. Dacier. Eustathius.

XXXVIII.

VERSE. 387. Hast thou not heard, &c.]

It may seem that this example of Orestes does not come fully up to the purpose in|tended: There is a wide difference in the circumstances: Orestes slew an adulterer, and a single person, with an adulteress. The de|signs of Telemachus are not against one, but many enemies; neither are they adulterers, nor have they slain the father of Telemachus, as is

the case of Orestes: nor is Penelope an adulteress. The intent therefore of the Goddess is only to shew what a glorious act it is to defend our parents: Orestes, says Mentes, is every where celebrated for honouring his father, and thou shalt obtain equal honour by defending thy mother.

The sense that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 here bears is remarkable, it signi|fies not only a person who kills his own father, but who kills the father of any other person. Eustathius.

XXXIX.

VERSE 413.— With eagle-speed she cut the sky, Instant invisible—.]

I pass over the several interpretations that have been given to the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; some say it implies she flew up the chimney, &c. In reality it signifies a species of an eagle; but it may also signi|fie the same as 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 (invisible,) either of the latter senses are na|tural, or both together, like an eagle she disappear'd. Eustathius.

XL.

VERSE 420. Hush'd in attention to the warbled song.]

There may be two reasons why this is inserted; either the Suitors were pleas'd with the sweetness of the song, or the subject of it; they sate attentive to hear the death of Ulysses, in the process of his story. This gives us a reason why immediately Penelope descended to stop the song; she fear'd lest he might touch upon the story of Ulysses, and say that he dy'd in his return. This would have reduc'd her to the utmost necessity, and she could not have deferr'd to marry. Phemius would have certainly found credit, for Poets were believ'd to be inspir'd by the Gods; they were look'd upon as Prophets, and to have something of divinity in them, as appears from Demodocus in the 8th book of the Odyssey. Besides there was a further necessity to put a stop to the song. If Phemius had declar'd him to be dead, Penelope could not have avoided marriage; if alive, the Suitors might have desisted,

or arm'd themselves against Ulysses, and then their Deaths, one of the principal incidents of the Poem, could not have follow'd; neither could Telemachus have gone in search of his father, if he had foreknown his death, or sudden return. It is therefore art|ful in the Poet to cut the song short, he reserves the story of Ulysses for future narration, and brings all this about by a very probable method, by the interposition of Penelope, who requests that some other story may be chosen, a story that she can hear without sorrow.

It is very customary for women to be present at the entertain|ments of men; as appears from the conduct of Helen, Arete, Nausicaa, and Penelope in divers parts of the Odyssey: She is here introduced with the greatest decency; she enters not the room, but stands with tears at the threshold; and even at that distance appears with her face shaded by a veil. Eustathius.

XLI.

VERSE 443. Oft Jove's aetherial rays, &c.]

Telemachus here reproves his mother for commanding Phemius to desist, or not to make Ulysses the subject of his song: by saying, that it was not in the Poet's own power to chuse his subject, which was frequent|ly dictated and inspired by the Gods. This is a particular instance of the opinion the Ancients held as to the immediate inspiration of their Poets. The words in the original evidently bear this sense. If the subject displease you, 'tis not the Poet but Jupiter is to blame, who inspires men of invention, as he himself pleases. And Mad. Da|cier strangely mistakes this passage, in rendring it, 'tis not the Poet but Jupiter who is the cause of our misfortunes, for 'tis he who dis|penses to wretched mortals good or evil as he pleases. At the same time she acknowledges the word 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, which she here ren|ders laborious, or wretched, to signify persons of wit, in the begin|ning of lib. 4. and persons of skill and ability in their art, in lib. 11.

XLII.

VERSE 455. Your widow'd hours, apart, with female toil, &c.]

These verses are taken literally from the 6th book of the Iliad, except that 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉 is inserted instead of 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; Eustathius ex|plains the passage thus: Women are not forbid entirely to speak, for women are talking animals, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉, they have the faculty of talking, and indeed are rational creatures; but they must not give too much liberty to that unruly member, in the company of men. Sophocles advises well,

〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉

O woman, silence is the ornament of thy sex. Madam Dacier, tho' she plunders almost every thing, has spared this observation.

XLIII.

VERSE 491. The speech of Antinous.]

Antinous and Eury|machus are Ithacensians, and are call'd the chief of the Suitors. It is therefore necessary to distinguish their characters; Antinous is violent, and determin'd against Ulysses; Eurymachus more gentle and subtle: Antinous derides, Eurymachus flatters.

This speech of Antinous is a conceal'd raillery; he tells Tele|machus, that Jove inspires his soul with wisdom, but means that his education has been such, that he had learn'd nothing from man; he wishes (out of a seemingly kind concern for him) that he may never reign in Ithaca, because the weight of a crown is a burthen; and concludes with mentioning his heredi|tary title to it, to insinuate that is his by descent only, and not by merit.

Telemachus, in his answer, wisely dissembles the affront of Anti|nous, he takes it in the better sense, and seems to differ only in opinion about the Regality. Think you, says he, that to be a King is to be miserable? To be a King, in my judgment, is to

enjoy affluence and honour. He asserts his claim to the successi|on of his father, yet seems to decline it, to lay the suspicions of the Suitors asleep, that they may not prevent the measures he takes to obtain it. Eustathius.

The speech of Eurymachus confirms the former observation, that this Suitor is of a more soft and moderate behaviour than An|tinous: He cloaths ill designs with a seeming humanity, and ap|pears a friend, while he carries on the part of an enemy: Telemachus had said, that if it was the will of Jupiter, he would ascend the Throne of Ithaca: Eurymachus answers, that this was as the Gods shou'd determine; an insinuation that they regarded not his claim from his father. Telemachus said he would maintain himself in the possession of his present inheritance: Eurymachus wishes that no one may arrive to dispossess him; the latent mean|ing of which is,

"we of your own country are sufficient for that design."

If these observations of Eustathius be true, Euryma|chus was not a less enemy than Antinous, but a better dissembler.

XLIV.

VERSE 540. The sage Euryclea.]

Euryclea was a very aged person; she was bought by Laertes, to nurse Ulysses; and in her old age attends Telemachus: She cost Laertes twenty oxen; that is, a certain quantity of money (〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉) which would buy twenty oxen: or perhaps the form of an ox was stamp'd upon the metal, and from thence had its appellation.

The simplicity of these Heroic times is remarkable; an old woman is the only attendant upon the son of a King: She lights him to his apartment, takes care of his cloaths, and hangs them up at the side of his bed. Greatness then consisted not in shew, but in the mind: this conduct proceeded not from the meanness of poverty, but from the simplicity of manners. Eustathius.

Having now gone thro' the first book, I shall only observe to the Reader, that the whole of it does not take up the com|pass of an entire day: When Minerva appears to Telemachus the Suitors were preparing to sit down to the banquet at noon; and the

business of the first book concludes with the day. It is true, that the Gods hold a debate before the descent of Minerva, and some small time must be allow'd for that transaction. It is re|markable, that there is not one Simile in this book, except we allow those three words to be one, 〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉; The same observation is true of the first book of the Iliad. See the Notes on that place.

[figure]

Notes

• * 1.1

  Ogygia
• * 1.2

  Ille vero dissimulabat se audire. Reg. lib. 1.
• * 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉