His weighty falchion o'er his shoulder tied :
His shaggy cloak a mountain goat supplied :
With his broad spear, the dread of dogs and men,
He seeks his lodging in the rocky den.

There to the tusky herd he bends his way,

Where, screen'd from Boreas, high o'er-arch'd they lay.

VOL. II.

THE

FIFTEENTH BOOK

OF THE

ODYSSEY.

THE ARGUMENT.

THE RETURN OF TELEMACHUS.

THE goddess Minerva commands Telemachus in a vision to return to Ithaca. Pisistratus and he take leave of Menelaus, and arrive at Pylos: where they part; and Telemachus sets sail, after having received on board Theoclymenus the soothsayer. The scene then changes to the cottage of Eumæus, who entertains Ulysses with a recital of his adventures. In the meantime Telemachus arrives on the coast; and, sending the vessel to the town, proceeds by himself to the lodge of Eumæus.

THE

ODYSSEY.

BOOK XV.

Now had Minerva reach'd those ample plains,
Fam'd for the dance, where Menelaus reigns.
Anxious she flies to great Ulysses' heir,
His instant voyage challeng'd all her care.
Beneath the royal portico display'd,
With Nestor's son, Telemachus was laid :
In sleep profound the son of Nestor lies;
Not thine, Ulysses! care unseal'd his eyes:
Restless he griev'd, with various fears oppress'd,
And all thy fortunes roll'd within his breast.
When, O Telemachus! (the goddess said)
Too long in vain, too widely hast thou stray'd:
Thus leaving careless thy paternal right
The robbers' prize, the prey to lawless might.
On fond pursuits neglectful while you roam,
E'en now the hand of rapine sacks the dome.
Hence to Atrides; and his leave implore
To launch thy vessel for thy natal shore :
Fly, whilst thy mother virtuous yet withstands
Her kindred's wishes, and her sire's commands.
Through both, Eurymachus pursues the dame;
And with the noblest gifts asserts his claim.