sleeping, lay him on the shore with all his treasures. On their return, Neptune

changes their ship into a rock. In the meantime Ulysses, awaking, knows not his

native Ithaca, by reason of a mist which Pallas had cast around him. He breaks

into loud lamentations; till the goddess appearing to him in the form of a

shepherd, discovers the country to him, and points out the particular places.

He then tells a feigned story of his adventures, upon which she manifests

herself, and they consult together of the measures to be taken to destroy the

suitors. To conceal his return, and disguise his person the more effectually,

she changes him into the figure of an old beggar.


He ceased; but left so pleasing on their ear

His voice, that listening still they seem’d to hear.

A pause of silence hush’d the shady rooms:

The grateful conference then the king resumes:


“Whatever toils the great Ulysses pass’d,

Beneath this happy roof they end at last;

No longer now from shore to shore to roam,

Smooth seas and gentle winds invite him home.

But hear me, princes! whom these walls inclose,

For whom my chanter sings: and goblet flows

With wine unmix’d (an honour due to age,

To cheer the grave, and warm the poet’s rage);

Though labour’d gold and many a dazzling vest

Lie heap’d already for our godlike guest;

Without new treasures let him not remove,

Large, and expressive of the public love:

Each peer a tripod, each a vase bestow,

A general tribute, which the state shall owe.”


This sentence pleased: then all their steps address’d

To separate mansions, and retired to rest.


Now did the rosy-finger’d morn arise,

And shed her sacred light along the skies.

Down to the haven and the ships in haste

They bore the treasures, and in safety placed.

The king himself the vases ranged with care;

Then bade his followers to the feast prepare.

A victim ox beneath the sacred hand

Of great Alcinous falls, and stains the sand.