THE

ODYSSEY

OF

HOMER.

TRANSLATED FROM THE GREEK

Br ALEXANDER POPE, Esq.

IN TWO VOLUMES.

VOL. I.

Berwick:

PRINTED BY H. RICHARDSON

THE

ODYSSEY.

BOOK I.

The Argument.

Minerva's descent to Ithaca.

THE poem opens within forty-eight days of the arrival of Ulysses in his dominions. He had now remained seven years in the island of Calypso, when the gods, assembled in council, proposed the method of his departure from thence, and his return to his native country. Fer this purpose it is concluded to send Mercury to CaIypso, and Pallas immediately descends to Ithaca. She holds a conference with Telemachus, in the shape of Mentes king of the Taphians; in which she advises him to take a journey in quest of his father Ulysses, to Pylos and Sparta, where Nestor and Menelaus yet reigned; then, after having visibly displayed her divinity, disappears. The suitors of Penelope make great entertainments, and riot in her palace till night. Phemius sings to them the return of the Grecians, till Penelope puts a stop to the song. Some words arise betwen the suitors and Telemachus, who summons the council to meet the day following.

'HE man, for wisdom's various arts renown'd,

THE

Long exercis'd in woes, oh Muse! resound. Who when his arms had wrought the destin'd fall Of sacred Troy, and raz'd her heav'n-built wall, Wand'ring from clime to clime, observant stray'd, Their manners noted, and their states survey'd. VOL. I.

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