And far from ken of any other coast,

When all was wild expanse of sea and air,

Then doom’d high Jove due vengeance to prepare.

He hung a night of horrors o’er their head

(The shaded ocean blacken’d as it spread):

He launch’d the fiery bolt: from pole to pole

Broad burst the lightnings, deep the thunders roll;

In giddy rounds the whirling ship is toss’d,

And all in clouds of smothering sulphur lost.

As from a hanging rock’s tremendous height,

The sable crows with intercepted flight

Drop endlong; scarr’d, and black with sulphurous hue,

So from the deck are hurl’d the ghastly crew.

Such end the wicked found! but Jove’s intent

Was yet to save the oppress’d and innocent.

Placed on the mast (the last resource of life)

With winds and waves I held unequal strife:

For nine long days the billows tilting o’er,

The tenth soft wafts me to Thesprotia’s shore.

The monarch’s son a shipwreck’d wretch relieved,

The sire with hospitable rites received,

And in his palace like a brother placed,

With gifts of price and gorgeous garments graced

While here I sojourn’d, oft I heard the fame

How late Ulysses to the country came.

How loved, how honour’d in this court he stay’d,

And here his whole collected treasure laid;

I saw myself the vast unnumber’d store

Of steel elaborate, and refulgent ore,

And brass high heap’d amidst the regal dome;

Immense supplies for ages yet to come!

Meantime he voyaged to explore the will

Of Jove, on high Dodona’s holy hill,

What means might best his safe return avail,

To come in pomp, or bear a secret sail?

Full oft has Phidon, whilst he pour’d the wine,

Attesting solemn all the powers divine,

That soon Ulysses would return, declared

The sailors waiting, and the ships prepared.

But first the king dismiss’d me from his shores,

For fair Dulichium crown’d with fruitful stores;

To good Acastus’ friendly care consign’d:

But other counsels pleased the sailors’ mind: