Let fame be his, and ah! my country mine!”


Meantime Arete, for the hour of rest,

Ordains the fleecy couch, and covering vest;

Bids her fair train the purple quilts prepare,

And the thick carpets spread with busy care.

With torches blazing in their hands they pass’d,

And finish’d all their queen’s command with haste:

Then gave the signal to the willing guest:

He rose with pleasure, and retired to rest.

There, soft extended, to the murmuring sound

Of the high porch, Ulysses sleeps profound!

Within, released from cares, Alcinous lies;

And fast beside were closed Arete’s eyes.


BOOK VIII.


Alcinous calls a council, in which it is resolved to transport Ulysses into his

country. After which splendid entertainments are made, where the celebrated

musician and poet, Demodocus, plays and sings to the guests. They next proceed

to the games, the race, the wrestling, discus, &c., where Ulysses casts a

prodigious length, to the admiration of all the spectators. They return again

to the banquet and Demodocus sings the loves of Mars and Venus. Ulysses, after

a compliment to the poet, desires him to sing the introduction of the wooden

horse into Troy, which subject provoking his tears, Alcinous inquires of his

guest his name, parentage, and fortunes.


Now fair Aurora lifts her golden ray,

And all the ruddy orient flames with day:

Alcinous, and the chief, with dawning light,

Rose instant from the slumbers of the night;

Then to the council-seat they bend their way,

And fill the shining thrones along the bay.


Meanwhile Minerva, in her guardian care,

Shoots from the starry vault through fields of air;

In form, a herald of the king, she flies

From peer to peer, and thus incessant cries;


“Nobles and chiefs who rule Phæacia’s states,

The king in council your attendance waits;

A prince of grace divine your aid implores,

O’er unknown seas arrived from unknown shores.”


She spoke, and sudden with tumultuous sounds