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wer again to the stream of the ocean, unwe came to the place which Circe mentioned. There Perimedes and Eurylochus made sacred offerings; but I, Gawing my sharp sword from my thigh,, dug a trench, the width of a cubit each way; and around it we poured libations to all the dead, first with mixed honey, then with sweet wine, again a third time with water; and I sprinkled white meal over it. And I much besought the unsubstantial heads of the dead, promising that, when I came to Ithaca, would offer up in my palace a barren Leifer, whichever is the best, and would fill a pyre with excellent things; and that I would sacrifice separately to Tiresias alone a sheep all black, which excels amongst our sheep.

But when I had besought them, the nations of the dead, with vows and payers, then taking the sheep, I cut off their heads into the trench, and the black blood flowed: and the souls of the perished dead were assembled forth from Erebus, betrothed girls and youths, and much-enduring old men, and tender virgins, having a newly-grieved mind, and many Mars-renowned men wounded with brass-tipped spears, possessing goresmeared arms, who, in great numbers, were wandering about the trench on different sides with a divine clamour: and pale fear seized upon me. Then at length exhorting my companions, I commanded them, having skinned the sheep which lay there, slain with the cruel brass, to burn them, and to invoke the gods, both Pluto and dread Proserpine. But I, having drawn my sharp sword from my thigh, sat down, nor did I suffer the powerless heads of the dead to draw nigh the blood, before I inquired of Tiresias. And first the soul of my companion Elpenor came; for he was not yet buried beneath the wide-wayed earth; for we left his body in the palace of Circe unwept for and unburied, since another toil then urged us. Beholding him, I wept, and pitied him in my mind, and addressing him, spoke winged words: "O Elpenor, how didst thou come under the dark west? Thou hast come sooner, being on foot, than I with a black ship."

Thus I spoke; but he, groaning, an

swered me in discourse, "O Jove-born son of Laertes, much-contriving Ulysses, the evil destiny of the deity and the abundant wine hurt me. Lying down in the palace of Circe, I did not think to go down backwards, having come to the long ladder, but I fell downwards from the roof; and my neck was broken from the vertebræ, and my soul descended to Hades. Now, I entreat thee by those who are left behind, and not present, by thy wife and father, who nurtured thee when little, and Telemachus, whom thou didst leave alone in thy palace; for I know that, going hence from the house of Pluto, thou wilt moor thy wellwrought ship at the island of Ea: there then, O king, I exhort thee to be mindful of me, nor, when thou departest, leave me behind, unwept for, unburied, going at a distance, lest I should become some cause to thee of the wrath of the gods: but burn me with whatever arms are mine, and build on the shore of the hoary sea a monument for me, a wretched man, to be heard of even by posterity; perform these things for me, and fix upon the tomb the oar with which I rowed whilst alive, being with my companions."

Thus he spoke; but I, answering, addressed him: "O wretched one, I will perform and do these things for thee.'

Thus we sat answering one another with bitter words; I indeed holding my sword off over the blood, but the image of my companion on the other side spoke many things. And afterwards there came on the soul of my deceased mother, Anticlea, daughter of magnanimous Autolycus, whom I left alive, on going to sacred Ilium. I indeed wept beholding her, and pitied her in my mind; but not even thus, although grieving very much, did I suffer her to go forward near to the blood, before I inquired of Tiresias. But at length the soul of Theban Tiresias came on, holding a golden sceptre, but me he knew and addressed: "O Jove-born son of Laertes, why, O wretched one, leaving the light of the sun, hast thou come, that thou mayest see the dead and this joyless region? but go back from the

trench, and hold off thy sharp sword, that I may drink the blood and tell thee what is unerring."

the mate of swine, return he
offer up sacred hecatombs tc
mortal gods, who possess t
heaven, to all in order: but dea.
come upon thee away from the
gentle, very much such a one, as
kill thee, taken with gentle old age
and the people around thee will be happy
these things I tell thee true."

Thus I spoke; but he, immediatel answering, addressed me: "I will t thee an easy word, and will place it thy mind; whomever of the deceas dead thou sufferest to come near t blood, he will tell thee the truth; b whomsoever thou grudgest it, he will g back again."

Thus he spoke; but I, retiring back, fixed my silver-hilted sword in the sheath; but when he had drunk the black blood, then at length the blameless prophet addressed me with words: 'Thou seekest a pleasant return, O dlustrious Ulysses; but the deity will Thus he spoke but I, answering render it difficult for thee; for I do not addressed him: "O Tiresias, the go think that thou wilt escape the notice of themselves have surely decreed thes Neptune, who has set wrath in his mind things. But come, tell me this, an against thee, enraged because thou hast relate it truly. I behold this the s blinded his dear son. But still, even of my deceased mother; she sits n. so, although suffering ills, thou mayest the blood in silence, nor does she dai come, if thou art willing to restrain thy to look openly at her son, nor to spea longing, and that of thy companions, to him. Tell me, O king, how she ca when thou shalt first drive thy well-know me, being such a one.' wrought ship to the Trinacrian island, escaping from the azure main, and find the beeves pasturing, and the fat cattle of the sun, who beholds all things, and hears all things; if indeed thou shalt leave those unharmed, and art careful of thy return, even then thou mayest come to Ithaca, although suffering ills: but if thou harmest them, then I foretell to thee destruction for thy ship and thy companions; but even if thou shouldst thyself escape, thou wilt return late, in calamity, having lost all thy companions, in a foreign ship; and thou wilt find troubles in thine house, overbearing men, who consume thy livelihood, wooing thy goddess-like wife, and offering thyself for her dowry gifts. But certainly when thou comest thou wilt revenge their violence; but when thou slayest the suitors in thy palace, either by deceit, or openly with sharp brass, then go, taking a well-fitted oar, until thou comest to those men, who are not acquainted with the sea, nor eat food mixed with salt, nor indeed are acquainted with crimson-cheeked ships, nor well-fitted oars, which also are wings to ships. But I will tell thee a very manifest sign, nor will it escape thee when another traveller, now meeting thee, shall say that thou hast a winnowing-fan on thine illustrious shoulder, then at length having fixed thy well-fitted oar in the earth, and having offered beautiful sacrifices to King Neptune, a ram, and bull, and boar,

Thus having spoke, the soul of Kir Tiresias went within the house of Plutc when he had spoken the oracles: but remained there firmly, until my mothe came and drank of the blood; but st immediately knew me, and, lamenting addressed to me winged words: "M" son, how didst thou come under th shadowy darkness, being alive? but i is difficult for the living to behold thes things; for in the midst there ar mighty rivers and terrible streams, firs indeed the ocean, which it is not pos sible to pass, being on foot, except an one having a well-built ship. Dost tho now come here wandering from Troy with thy ship and companions, after long time? nor hast thou yet reache Ithaca? nor hast thou seen thy wife i thy palace?"

Thus she spoke; but I, answering addressed her "O my mother, neces sity led me to Hades, to consult the soul of Theban Tiresias. For I hav not yet come near Achaia, nor have ever stept upon my own land, but I sti wander about, having grief, since first followed divine Agamemnon to stee excelling Ilium, that I might fight wi

ent

ans.

But come, tell me this, from my hands, like unto a shadow, or te it truly, what fate of long-even to a dream: but sharp grief arose g death subdued thee? Whether in my heart still more; and addressing ng disease? or did shaft-rejoicing her, I spoke winged words: "Mother ina, coming upon thee with her mild mine, why dost thou not remain for me, apons, slay thee? And tell me of desirous to take hold of thee, that even my father and my son, whom I left, in Hades, throwing around our deat whether my property is still with them, hands, we may both be satiated with or does some other of men now possess sad grief? Has illustrious Proserpine t, and do they think that I shall not sent forth this an image for me, that I iny more return? And tell me the may lament still more, mourning?" Counsel and mind of my wooed,wife, whether does she remair. with her son, d guard all things safe? or now has ne of the Grecians, whoever is the best, wedded her?"

Thus I spoke; but my venerable nother immediately answered me She by all means remains with an nduring mind in thy palace: and her iserable nights and days are cor.tinuily spent in tears. But no one as yet possesses thy noble property: but Te.emachus manages thy estates in quiet, and feasts upon equal feasts, which it is fit for a man who is a prince to prepare; for all invite him: but thy father remains here in the country, nor does he come to the city; nor has he beds, and couches, and clothes, and variegated rugs. But he sleeps indeed, during the winter, where the servants sleep, in the house, in the dust, near the fire, and he puts sad garments about his body: but when summer arrives, and flourishing autumn, his bed is strewn on the ground, of the leaves that fall on every side of his wine-producing vineyard. Here he lies sorrowing, and he cherishes great grief in his mind, lamenting thy fate; and severe old age comes upon him: for so I also perished and drew on my fate. Nor did the well-aiming, shaft-delighting goddess, coming upon me with her mild weapons, slay me in the palace. Nor did any disease come upon me, which especially takes away the mind from the limbs with hateful consumption.

But regret for thee, and cares for thee, O illustrious Ulysses, and kindness for thee, deprived me of my sweet life." Thus she spoke; but I, meditating m my mind, wished to lay hold of the soul of my departea mother. Thrice indeed I essayed it. and my mind urged me to lay hold of it, but thrice it flew

Thus I spoke; my venerable mother immediately answered me: "Alas! my son, unhappy above all mortals, Proserpine, the daughter of Jove, by no means deceives thee, but this is the condition of mortals, when they are dead. For their nerves no longer have flesh and bones, but the strong force of burning fire subdues them, when first the mind leaves the white bones, but the soul, like as a dream, flittering, flies away. But hasten as quick as possible to the light; and know all these things, that even hereafter thou mayest tell them to thy wife."

Thus we twain answered each other with words; but the women came,for illustrious Proserpine excited them, - as many as were the wives and daughters of chiefs. Aud they were assembled together around the black blood. And I took counsel how I might inquire of each; and this plan in my mind appeared to me to be the best: having drawn my long sword from my stout thigh, I did not suffer them all to drink the black blood at the same time. But they came one after another, and each related her race; but I inquired of all. There then I saw Tyro first, born of a noble father, who said that she was the offspring of blameless Salmoneus. And she said that she was the wife of Cretheus, son of Æolus. She loved the divine river Enipeus, which flows far the fairest of rivers upon the earth; and she was constantly walking near the beautiful streams of the Enipeus. Earthshaking Neptune, therefore, likened unto him, lay with her at the mouth of the eddying river: and the purple wave surrounded them, like unto a mountain, arched, and concealed the god, and the mortal woman; and he loosed her virgin zone, and shed sleep over her.

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But when the god had accomplished the deeds of love, he laid hold of her hand, and spoke and addressed her: 'Rejoice, O woman, on account of our love; for when a year has rolled round, thou shalt bring forth illustrious children; since the beds of the immortals are not in vain; but do thou take care of them, and bring them up, but now go to thine house, and restrain thyself, nor mention it; but I am Earth-shaking Neptune.'

Thus having spoke, he dived beneath the billowy sea; but she, having conceived, brought forth Pelias and Neleus, who both became noble servants of Jove. Pelias, indeed, abounding in cattle, dwelt in spacious Iolcus; but the other in sandy Pylos. And the queen of women brought forth the others to Cretheus, Æson, and Pheres, and steed-rejoicing Amithaon.

After her I beheld Antiope, the daughter of Asopus, who also boasted to have slept in the arms of Jove; and she brought forth two sons, Amphion and Zethus, who first laid the foundations of seven-gated Thebes, and surrounded it with turrets; since they were not able, although they were strong, to dwell in spacious Thebes without turrets. After her I beheld Alcmene, the wife of Amphitryon, who, mingled in the arms of great Jove, brought forth bold, lion-hearted Hercules. And Megara, daughter of high-minde Creon, whom the son of Amphitryon, ever unwasted in strength, wedded.

And I beheld the mother of Edipus, beautiful Epicaste, who committed a dreadful deed in the ignorance of her mind, having married her own son; and he, having slain his father, married her: but the gods immediately made it public amongst men. Then he, suffering grief in delightful Thebes, ruled over the Cadmeians, through the pernicious counsels of the gods; but she went to the dwellings of strong-gated Hades, suspendirg the cord on high from the lofty house, held fast by her own sorrow; but she left behind for him very many griefs, as many as the Furies of a mother accomplish.

And I saw the very beautiful Chloris, whom Neleus once married on account of her beauty, when he had given her

countless dowries, the youngest daughter of Amphion, son of Iasus: who once ruled strongly in Minyean Orchomenus; and he reigned over Pylos; and she bore to him noble children, Nestor and Chromius, and proud Periclymenus; and be sides these she brought forth strong Pero, a marvel to mortals, whom all the neigh bouring inhabitants wooed; nor did Neleus at all offer her to any one, who could not drive away from Phylace the crumple-horned oxen of mighty Iphicles, with wide foreheads, and troublesome; a blameless seer alone promised that he would drive these away; but the severe Fate of the gods hindered him, and difficult fetters, and rustic herdsmen. But when the months and days were now com. pleted, a year having again gone round, and the hours came on, then at length the mighty Iphicles loosed him, having told all the oracles; and the counsel of Jove was fulfilled.

And I beheid Leda, the wife of Tyn dareus, who brought forth two nobleminded sons from Tyndareus, steed-subduing Castor, and Pollux who excelled in pugilism; both of these the fruitful earth detains alive; who, even beneath the earth, having honour from Jove, sometimes live on alternate days, and sometimes again are dead, and they have obtained by lot honour equally with the gods.

After her I beheld Iphimedia, wife of Aloëus, who said that she had been united to Neptune: and bore two sons, but they were short-lived, god-like Otus, and far-famed Ephialtes; whom the fruitful earth nourished, the tallest, and far the most beautiful, at least after illustrious Orion. For at nine years old they were also nine cubits in width, but in height they were nine fathoms. Who even threatened the immortals that they would set up a strife of impetuous war in Olympus: they attempted to place Ossa upon Olympus, and upon Ossa leafy Pelion, that heaven might be accessible. And they would have accomplished it, if they had reached the mea sure of youth: but the son of Jove, whom fair-haired Latona bore, destroyed them both, before the down flowered under their temples, and thickened upon their cheek with a flowering beard.

And I beheld Phædra and Procris, and fair Ariadne, the daughter of wise Minos, whom Theseus once led from Crete to the soil of sacred Athens, but he did not enjoy her; for Diana first slew her in the island Dia, on account of the testimony of Bacchus.

And I beheld Mara and Clymene, and hateful Eriphyle, who received precious gold for her dear husband. But I cannot relate nor name all, how many wives and daughters of heroes I beheld: for even the immortal night would first waste away.

When chaste Prosperine had dispersed the souls of women in different places, the soul of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, came up, sorrowing: and the rest were assembled around him, as many as died, and drew on their fate in the house of Egisthus together with him; and he immediately knew me, when he had drunk the black blood; and he wept shrilly, shedding the warm tear, holding out his hands to me, desiring to lay hold of me. But he had no longer firm strength, nor power at all, such as was before in his bending limbs. I wept indeed, beholding him, and pitied him in my mind, and addressing him I spoke winged words: "O most glorious son of Atreus, Agamemnon, king of men, what fate of long-sleeping death subdued thee? Did Neptune subdue thee in thy ships, raising an immense blast of cruel winds? Or did unjust men injure thee on land, while thou wert cutting off their oxen, and beautiful flocks of sheep, or contending for a city, or for women?"

quet of a wealthy, very powerful man. Thou hast already been present at the slaughter of many men, slain separately, and in hard battle; but if thou hadst seen those things, thou wouldst have especially lamented in thy mind, how we lay in the palace about the cups and full tables; and the whole ground reeked with blood. And I heard the most piteous voice of the daughter of Priam, Cassandra, whom deceitful Clytemnestra slew near me; but I, raising my hands from the earth, dying, laid them on my sword; but she, impudent one, went away, nor did she endure to close my eyes with her hands, and shut my mouth, although I was going to Hades. So there is nothing else more terrible and impudent than a woman, who indeed casts about such deeds in her mind: what an unseemly deed has she indeed contrived, having prepared murder for her husband, whom she lawfully married! I thought indeed that I should return home welcome to my children and my servants; but she, above all acquainted with wicked things, has shed disgrace over herself, and female women about to be hereafter, even upon one who is a worker of good."

Thus he spoke; but I addressed him, answering: "O gods! of a truth widethundering Jove most terribly hates the race of Atreus, on account of women's plans, from the beginning: many of us indeed perished for the sake of Helen; and Clytemnestra has contrived a stratagem for thee when thou wast at a distance.

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Thus I spoke; but he immediately addressed me in answer: "Now therefore Thus I spoke; but he immediately do not thou ever be mild to thy wife, nor addressed me, answering: "O Jove-born inform her of everything with which son of Laertes, much-planning Ulysses, thou art well acquainted: but tell one either did Neptune subdue me in my thing, and let another be concealed. But Lips, raising an immense blast of cruel for thee indeed there will not be murder winds, nor did unjust men injure me on at the hands of thy wife, O Ulysses: ind; but Ægisthus, having contrived for prudent Penelope, the daughter of kath and Fate for me, slew me, con- Icarus, is very wise, and is well acpiring with my pernicious wife, having quainted with counsels in her mind. nvited me to his house, entertaining me We left indeed her, when we came to it a feast, as any one has slain an ox at the war, a young bride; and she had an he stall. Thus I died by a most piteous infant boy at her breast, who now proleath; and my other companions were bably sits amongst the number of men, ruelly slain around me, as swine with happy one; for his dear father will surely white tusks, which are slain either at the behold him, when returning, and he will arriage, or collation, or splend'd ban-embrace his sire as is right; but she my

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