Classic and Contemporary Poetry
THE ODYSSEY: BOOK 10. PHAECIAN NIGHTS: 1. OF THE LAESTRYGONES, by HOMER Poet's Biography First Line: Thither when we came Last Line: Those other ships were lost there in a pack. Subject(s): Mythology - Classical | ||||||||
Thither when we came To the fair haven, where about there runs On either side unbroken a high scarp, And at its mouth facing each other stretch Two jutting cliffs and make the entrance strait -- Then all the others steered their curved ships in, And they were moored inside the hollow haven Close-packed, for in it never swelled a wave, Little or big, but bright calm lay on all. But I alone moored my black ship outside At the land's end, and roped her to a rock; And climbed and stood upon a craggy hill, A look-out place; and there appeared no sign Of men's or cattle's labour; only smoke We saw up-curling from the land. So then Some of my crew I sent to go and learn What kind of men were these who lived by bread On earth. Two men I picked and with them sent A third as herald. And being gone ashore They followed a smooth road, whereby the carts Were wont to bring down fire-wood to the city From the high hills. Outside the town they met A damsel drawing water, the tall daughter Of Laestrygonian Antiphates. To the fair-flowing spring, Artacia, Whence people carried water to the city, She had come down. So up to her they went, And spoke and asked her who was king of the land And over whom he ruled: and she at once Showed them the high-roofed dwelling of her father. Now then they stepped within the noble house, Therein they found his wife, as huge of bulk As a hill-top, and were appalled at her: And she forthwith called from the meeting-place Renowned Antiphates, her mate, who planned A ghastly death for them. Straightway he seized One of my men, and made his breakfast ready. The other two sprang up and fled to the ships; Thereon he raised the war-cry through the city, And at the sound from this side and from that The mighty Laestrygonians came thronging Past number, not like men but like the Giants. With boulders heavy as a man could carry They stoned us from the cliffs, and through the fleet Arose a dismal din of dying men And shattered ships as well; and spearing them Like fishes, they bore off their loathsome feast. Now while they went on killing those within The harbour gulf, my keen sword from my side I pulled, and with it cut the ropes that moored My blue-prowed ship, and called on my men quick To dig their oars in, that we might escape Our evil case. They all tore up the brine In fear of death; and from the beetling rocks My ship shot gladly out to sea; but all Those other ships were lost there in a pack. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...THE BOOK OF THE DEAD MAN (#11): 1. ABOUT THE DEAD MAN AND MEDUSA by MARVIN BELL THE BOOK OF THE DEAD MAN (#11): 2. MORE ABOUT THE DEAD MAN AND MEDUSA by MARVIN BELL THE BIRTH OF VENUS by HAYDEN CARRUTH LEDA 2: A NOTE ON VISITATIONS by LUCILLE CLIFTON LEDA 3: A PERSONAL NOTE (RE: VISITATIONS) by LUCILLE CLIFTON UNEXPECTED HOLIDAY by STEPHEN DOBYNS THE ILIAD: ACHILLES OVER THE TRENCH by HOMER |
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