NOW at the hour when brightest shone on high The star that comes to herald up the sky The Dawning of the Morning, even then The ship sea-travelling to the isle drew nigh. The fields of Ithaca a haven hold Called after Phorcys' name, the Sea-God old. Two jutting headlands breaking sheer in cliff Stretch seaward, and the harbour-mouth enfold. These from without keep back the surge and din Of the great wind-blown billows, and within May goodly-benched galleys all unmoored Ride, when the chosen anchorage they win. But at the haven head an olive tree's Wide-stretching boughs outspread, and nigh to these A cavern dim and lovely, to the nymphs Held hallowed that are called the Naiades. In it are mixing-bowls and jars of stone Where the bees build their combs, and high upgrown Stone looms, whereon the nymphs their marvellous Raiment of deep sea-purple weave alone. And in it waters failing not in drouth Well forth; and twofold is the cavern mouth: One toward the north accessible to men, And one diviner facing to the south: Nor do men enter through it, but that door Is for immortals. Thither they, of yore Knowing it well, rowed in the ship full speed To land, that half her keel's length lay ashore: So swift she sped beneath the oarsmen's hand; And from the benched ship upon dry land They leapt and from the ship's hold lifted out Odysseus first and laid him on the sand, In linen sheet and broidered blanket gay Still wrapped, as fast in slumber deep he lay. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...CHRISMUS IS A-COMIN' by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A CHRISTMAS FOLK-SONG by LIZETTE WOODWORTH REESE ON THE DEATH OF LITTLE MAHALA ASHCRAFT by JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY PERPLEXITY by LAWRENCE ALMA-TADEMA THESMOPHORIAZUSAE: EURIPIDES by ARISTOPHANES MAGUS MUIR by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN ABIDE WITH US by HORATIO (HORATIUS) BONAR SONNETS FOR NEW YORK CITY: 4. THE FOUNTAIN OF LIFE by ANNA HEMPSTEAD BRANCH |