Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE ODYSSEY: BOOK 13. HOME-COMING, by HOMER



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE ODYSSEY: BOOK 13. HOME-COMING, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Now at the hour when brightest shone on high
Last Line: Still wrapped, as fast in slumber deep he lay.
Subject(s): Homecoming; Mythology - Classical


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.





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