By one Aetolian robb’d of all belief,

Whose hap it was to this our roof to roam,

For murder banish’d from his native home.

He swore, Ulysses on the coast of Crete

Stay’d but a season to refit his fleet;

A few revolving months should waft him o’er,

Fraught with bold warriors, and a boundless store

O thou! whom age has taught to understand,

And Heaven has guided with a favouring hand!

On god or mortal to obtrude a lie

Forbear, and dread to flatter as to die.

Nor for such ends my house and heart are free,

But dear respect to Jove, and charity.”


“And why, O swain of unbelieving mind!

(Thus quick replied the wisest of mankind)

Doubt you my oath? yet more my faith to try,

A solemn compact let us ratify,

And witness every power that rules the sky!

If here Ulysses from his labours rest,

Be then my prize a tunic and a vest;

And where my hopes invite me, straight transport

In safety to Dulichium’s friendly court.

But if he greets not thy desiring eye,

Hurl me from yon dread precipice on high:

The due reward of fraud and perjury.”


“Doubtless, O guest! great laud and praise were mine

(Replied the swain, for spotless faith divine),

If after social rites and gifts bestow’d,

I stain’d my hospitable hearth with blood.

How would the gods my righteous toils succeed,

And bless the hand that made a stranger bleed?

No more—the approaching hours of silent night

First claim refection, then to rest invite;

Beneath our humble cottage let us haste,

And here, unenvied, rural dainties taste.”


Thus communed these; while to their lowly dome

The full-fed swine return’d with evening home;

Compell’d, reluctant, to their several sties,

With din obstreperous, and ungrateful cries.

Then to the slaves: “Now from the herd the best

Select in honour of our foreign guest:

With him let us the genial banquet share,

For great and many are the griefs we bear;

While those who from our labours heap their board