Telemachus has just promised to carry out this suggestion, when the suitors' bard12 begins the recital13 of the woes14 which have befallen the various Greek chiefs on their return from Troy. These sad strains attract Penelope, who passionately16 beseeches17 the bard not to enhance her sorrows by his songs!
Assuming a tone of authority for the first time, Telemachus bids his mother retire and pray, then, addressing the suitors, vows18 that unless they depart he will call down upon them the vengeance19 of the gods. These words are resented by these men, who continue their revelry until the night, when Telemachus retires, to dream of his projected journey.
Book II. With dawn, Telemachus rises and betakes himself to the market-place, where in public council he complains of the suitors' depredations20, and announces he is about to depart in quest of his sire. In reply to his denunciations the suitors accuse Penelope of deluding22 them, instancing how she promised to choose a husband as soon as she had finished weaving a winding23 sheet for her father-in-law Laertes. But, instead of completing this task as soon as possible, she ravelled by night the work done during the day, until the suitors discovered the trick.
"The work she plied24; but, studious of delay,
By night reversed the labors25 of the day.
While thrice the sun his annual journey made,
The conscious lamp the midnight fraud survey'd;
Unheard, unseen, three years her arts prevail:
The fourth, her maid unfolds the amazing tale.
We saw as unperceived we took our stand,
The backward labors of her faithless hand"[3]
They now suggest that Telemachus send Penelope back to her father, but the youth indignantly refuses, and the council closes while he prays for vengeance. That he has not been unheard is proved by the appearance of two eagles, which peck out the eyes of some of the spectators. This is interpreted by an old man as an omen27 of Ulysses' speedy return, and he admonishes28 all present to prove faithful, lest they incur29 a master's wrath30.
The assembly having dispersed31, Telemachus hastens down to the shore, where Minerva visits him in the guise32 of his tutor Mentor33, and instructs him to arrange for secret departure. Telemachus, therefore, returns to the palace, where the suitors are preparing a new feast. Refusing to join their revels34, he seeks his old nurse Eurycleia, to whom he entrusts35 the provisioning of his vessel36, bidding her if possible conceal37 his departure from Penelope for twelve days. Meantime, in the guise of Telemachus, Minerva scours38 the town to secure skilful39 oarsmen, and at sunset has a vessel ready to sail. Then, returning to the palace, she enchains the senses of the suitors in such deep slumber41 that Telemachus effects his, departure unseen, and embarking42 with Mentor sets sail, his vessel speeding smoothly43 over the waves all night.
Book III. At sunrise Telemachus reaches Pylos and finds Nestor and his friends offering a sacrifice on the shore. Joining the feasters,—who gather by fifties around tables groaning44 beneath the weight of nine oxen apiece,—Telemachus makes known his name and errand. In return, Nestor mentions the deaths of Patroclus and Achilles, the taking of Troy, and the Greeks' departure from its shores. He adds that, the gods having decreed they should not reach home without sore trials, half the army lingered behind with Agamemnon to offer propitiatory47 sacrifices, while the rest sailed on. Among these were Nestor and Ulysses, but, while the former pressed on and reached home, the latter, turning back to pacify48 the gods, was seen no more! Since his return, Nestor has been saddened by the death of Agamemnon, slain49 on his arrival at Mycenae by his faithless wife Clytemnestra and her lover Aegistheus. His brother, Menelaus, more fortunate, has recently reached home, having been long delayed in Egypt by contrary winds.
While Nestor recounts these tales, day declines, so he invites Telemachus to his palace for the night, promising50 to send him on the morrow to Sparta, where he can question Menelaus himself. Although Mentor urges Telemachus to accept this invitation, he declares he must return to the ship, and vanishes in the shape of a bird, thus revealing to all present his divine origin. A sumptuous51 meal in the palace ensues, and the guest, after a good night, participates at break of day in a solemn sacrifice.
Book IV. Riding in a chariot skilfully52 guided by one of Nestor's sons, Telemachus next speeds on to Sparta, where he finds Menelaus celebrating the marriages of a daughter and son. On learning that strangers have arrived, Menelaus orders every attention shown them, and only after they have been refreshed by food and drink, inquires their errand. He states that he himself reached home only after wandering seven years, and adds that he often yearns53 to know what has become of Ulysses. At this name Telemachus' tears flow, and Helen, who has just appeared, is struck by his resemblance to his father. When Telemachus admits his identity, Menelaus and Helen mingle54 their tears with his, for the memory of the past overwhelms them with sorrow. Then to restore a more cheerful atmosphere, Helen casts "nepenthe" into the wine, thanks to which beneficent drug all soon forget their woes. She next relates how Ulysses once entered Troy in the guise of a beggar, and how she alone recognized him in spite of his disguise. This reminds Menelaus of the time when Ulysses restrained him and the other Greeks in the wooden horse, and when Helen marched around it mimicking55 the voices of their wives!
Soothed56 by "nepenthe," all retire to rest, and when morning dawns Telemachus inquires whether Menelaus knows aught of his father. All the information Menelaus vouchsafes57 is that when he surprised Proteus, counting sea-calves on the island of Pharos, he was told he would reach home only after making due sacrifices in Egypt to appease58 the gods, that his brother had been murdered on arriving at Mycenae, and that Ulysses—sole survivor of his crew—was detained by Calypso in an island, whence he had no means of escape. The sea-god had further promised that Menelaus should never die, stating that, as husband of Helen and son-in-law of Jupiter, he would enjoy everlasting59 bliss60 in the Elysian Fields. Then, after describing the sacrifices which insured his return to Sparta, Menelaus invites Telemachus to tarry with him, although the youth insists he must return home.
Meantime the suitors in Ulysses' palace entertain themselves with games, in the midst of which they learn that Telemachus has gone. Realizing that if he were dead Penelope's fortunate suitor would become possessor of all Ulysses' wealth, they decide to man a vessel to guard the port and slay61 Telemachus on his return. This plot is overheard by a servant, who hastens to report it to Penelope. On learning her son has ventured out to sea, she wrings62 her hands, and reviles63 the nurse who abetted65 his departure until this wise woman advises her rather to pray for her son's safe return! While Penelope is offering propitiatory sacrifices, the suitors despatch66 a vessel in Antinous' charge to lie in wait for the youth. But, during the sleep which overcomes Penelope after her prayers, she is favored by a vision, in which her sister assures her Telemachus will soon be restored to her arms, although she refuses to give her any information in regard to Ulysses.
Book V. Aurora67 has barely announced the return of day to gods and men, when Jupiter assembles his council on Mount Olympus. There Minerva rehearses Ulysses' grievances68, demanding that he be at last allowed to return home and his son saved from the suitors' ambush69. In reply Jupiter sends Mercury to bid Calypso provide her unwilling70 guest with the means to leave her shores. Donning his golden sandals, the messenger-god flits to the Island of Ogygia, enters Calypso's wonderful cave, and delivers his message. Although reluctant to let Ulysses depart, Calypso—not daring oppose the will of Jupiter—goes in quest of her guest. Finding him gazing tearfully in the direction of home, she promises to supply him with the means to build a raft which, thanks to the gods, will enable him to reach Ithaca.
After a copious72 repast and a night's rest, Ulysses fells twenty trees and constructs a raft, in which, after it has been provisioned by Calypso, he sets sail. For seventeen days the stars serve as his guides, and he is nearing the island of Phaeacia, when Neptune73 becomes aware that his hated foe74 is about to escape. One stroke of the sea-god's mighty75 trident then stirs up a tempest which dashes the raft to pieces, and Ulysses is in imminent76 danger of perishing, when the sea-nymph Leucothea gives him her life-preserving scarf, bidding him cast it back into the waves when it has borne him safely to land! Buoyed77 up by this scarf, Ulysses finally reaches the shore, where, after obeying the nymph's injunctions, he buries himself in dead leaves and sinks into an exhausted78 sleep.
Close to the cliff with both his hands he clung,
And stuck adherent79, and suspended hung;
Till the huge surge roll'd off; then backward sweep
The refluent tides, and plunge80 him in the deep.
And when the polypus, from forth81 his cave
Torn with full force, reluctant beats the wave,
His ragged82 claws are stuck with stones and sands;
So the rough rock had shagg'd Ulysses' hands.
And now had perish'd, whelm'd beneath the main,
The unhappy man; e'en fate had been in vain;
But all-subduing Pallas lent her power,
And prudence83 saved him in the needful hour.
Book VI. While Ulysses is thus sleeping, Minerva, in a dream admonishes Nausicaa, daughter of the Phaeacian king, to wash her garments in readiness for her wedding. On awakening85, the princess, after bespeaking86 a chariot with mules87 to draw the clothes to the washing place, departs with her maids for the shore.
The clothes washed and hung out to dry, the princess and her attendants play ball, until their loud shrieks88 awaken84 Ulysses. Veiling his nakedness behind leafy branches, he timidly approaches the maidens89, and addresses them from afar. Convinced he is, as he represents, a shipwrecked man in need of aid, the princess provides him with garments, and directs him to follow her chariot to the confines of the city. There he is to wait until she has reached home before presenting himself before her parents, as she does not wish his presence with her to cause gossip in town.
Book VII. Having left Ulysses behind her, Nausicaa returns home, where her chariot is unloaded; but shortly after she has retired91, Ulysses, guided by Minerva in disguise, enters the town and palace unseen. It is only when, obeying Nausicaa's instructions, he seeks her mother's presence and beseeches her aid, that he becomes visible to all. King and queen gladly promise their protection to the suppliant92, who, while partaking of food, describes himself as a shipwrecked mariner93 and asks to be sent home. After he has refreshed himself, the queen, who has recognized the clothes he wears, learning how he obtained them, delights in her daughter's charity and prudence. Then she and her husband promise the wanderer their protection before retiring to rest.
Book VIII. At daybreak the king conducts his guest to the public square, where Minerva has summoned all the inhabitants. To this assembly Alcinous makes known that a nameless stranger bespeaks94 their aid, and proposes that after a banquet, where blind Demodocus will entertain them with his songs, they load the suppliant with gifts and send him home.
The projected festive95 meal is well under way when the bard begins singing of a quarrel between Ulysses and Achilles, strains which so vividly96 recall happier days that Ulysses, drawing his cloak over his head, gives way to tears. Noting this emotion, Alcinous checks the bard and proposes games. After displaying their skill in racing97, wrestling, discus-throwing, etc., the contestants98 mockingly challenge Ulysses to give an exhibition of his proficiency99 in games of strength and skill. Stung by their covert100 taunts102, the stranger casts the discus far beyond their best mark, and avers103 that although out of practice he is not afraid to match them in feats104 of strength, admitting, however, that he cannot compete with them in fleetness of foot or in the dance. His prowess in one line and frank confession106 of inferiority in another disarm107 further criticism, and the young men dance until the bard begins singing of Vulcan's stratagem108 to punish a faithless spouse109.[4]
All the Phaeacians now present gifts to the stranger, who finds himself rich indeed, but who assures Nausicaa he will never forget she was the first to lend him aid. Toward the close of the festivities the blind bard sings of the wooden horse devised by Ulysses and abandoned on the shore by the retreating Greeks. Then he describes its triumphant110 entry into Troy, where for the first time in ten years all sleep soundly without dread111 of a surprise. But, while the too confident Trojans are thus resting peacefully upon their laurels112, the Greeks, emerging from this wooden horse, open the gates to their comrades, and the sack of Troy begins! Because the stranger guest again shows great emotion, Alcinous begs him to relate his adventures and asks whether he has lost some relative in the war of Troy?
Touch'd at the song, Ulysses straight resign'd
To soft affliction all his manly113 mind:
Before his eyes the purple vest he drew,
Industrious114 to conceal the falling dew:
But when the music paused, he ceased to shed
The flowing tear, and raised his drooping115 head:
And, lifting to the gods a goblet116 crown'd,
He pour'd a pure libation to the ground.
Book IX. Thus invited to speak, Ulysses, after introducing himself and describing his island home, relates how, the ruin of Troy completed, he and his men left the Trojan shores. Driven by winds to Ismarus, they sacked the town, but, instead of sailing off immediately with their booty as Ulysses urged, tarried there until surprised by their foes117, from whom they were glad to escape with their lives! Tossed by a tempest for many days, the Greek ships next neared the land of the Lotus-Eaters, people who feasted upon the buds and blossoms of a narcotic118 lotus. Sending three men ashore119 to reconnoitre, Ulysses vainly awaited their return; finally, mistrusting what had happened, he went in quest of them himself, only to find that having partaken of the lotus they were dead to the calls of home and ambition. Seizing these men, Ulysses conveyed them bound to his ship, and, without allowing the rest to land, sailed hastily away from those pernicious shores.
Before long he came to the land of the Cyclops, and disembarked on a small neighboring island to renew his stock of food and water. Then, unwilling to depart without having at least visited the Cyclops, he took twelve of his bravest men, a skin-bottle full of delicious wine, and set out to find Polyphemus, chief of the Cyclops. On entering the huge cave where this giant pursued his avocation120 of dairyman, Ulysses and his companions built a fire, around which they sat awaiting their host's return. Before long a huge one-eyed monster drove in his flocks, and, after closing the opening of his cave with a rock which no one else could move, proceeded to milk his ewes and make cheese.
It was only while at supper that he noticed Ulysses and his men, who humbly121 approached him as suppliants122. After shrewdly questioning them to ascertain123 whether they were alone, believing Ulysses' tale that they were shipwrecked men, he seized and devoured124 two of them before he lay down to rest. Although sorely tempted125 to slay him while he was thus at their mercy, Ulysses refrained, knowing he and his companions would never be able to move the rock.
At dawn the giant again milked his flock, and devoured—as a relish126 for his breakfast—two more Greeks. Then he easily rolled aside the rock, which he replaced when he and his flock had gone out for the day, thus imprisoning127 Ulysses and his eight surviving men. During that long day Ulysses sharpened to a point a young pine, and, after hardening this weapon in the fire, secured by lot the helpers he needed to execute his plan. That evening Polyphemus, having finished his chores and cannibal repast, graciously accepted the wine which Ulysses offered him. Pleased with its taste, he even promised the giver a reward if he would only state his name. The wily Ulysses declaring he was called Noman, the giant facetiously128 promised to eat him last, before he fell into a drunken sleep. Then Ulysses and his four men, heating the pointed129 pine, bored out the eye of Polyphemus, who howled with pain:
"Sudden I stir the embers, and inspire
With animating130 breath the seeds of fire;
Each drooping spirit with bold words repair,
And urge my train the dreadful deed to dare.
The stake now glow'd beneath the burning bed
(Green as it was) and sparkled fiery131 red.
Then forth the vengeful instrument I bring;
With beating hearts my fellows form a ring.
Urged by some present god, they swift let fall
The pointed torment132 on his visual ball.
Myself above them from a rising ground
Guide the sharp stake, and twirl it round and round.
As when a shipwright133 stands his workmen o'er,
Who ply21 the wimble, some huge beam to bore;
Urged on all hands it nimbly spins about,
The grain deep-piercing till it scoops134 it out;
In his broad eye so whirls the fiery wood;
From the pierced pupil spouts135 the boiling blood;
Singed136 are his brows; the scorching137 lids grow black;
The jelly bubbles, and the fibres crack."
His fellow-Cyclops, awakened138 by his cries, gathered without his cave, asking what was the matter. But, hearing him vehemently139 howl that Noman was hurting him, they all declared he was evidently being punished by the gods and left him to his plight140!
When morning came, the groaning Cyclops rolled aside the rock, standing141 beside it with arms outstretched to catch his prisoners should they attempt to escape. Seeing this, Ulysses tied his men under the sheep, and, clinging to the fleece of the biggest ram142, had himself dragged out of the cave. Passing his hand over the backs of the sheep to make sure the strangers were not riding on them, Polyphemus recognized by touch his favorite ram, and feelingly ascribed its slow pace to sympathy with his woes.
The master ram at last approach'd the gate,
Charged with his wool and with Ulysses' fate.
Him, while he pass'd, the monster blind bespoke143:
"What makes my ram the lag of all the flock?
First thou wert wont144 to crop the flowery mead145,
First to the field and river's bank to lead,
And first with stately step at evening hour
Thy fleecy fellows usher146 to their bower147.
Now far the last, with pensive148 pace and slow
Thou movest, as conscious of thy master's woe15!
Seest thou these lids that now unfold in vain,
(The deed of Noman and his wicked train?)
Oh! didst thou feel for thy afflicted149 lord,
And would but fate the power of speech afford;
Soon might'st thou tell me where in secret here
The dastard150 lurks151, all trembling with his fear:
Swung round and round and dash'd from rock to rock,
His batter'd brains should on the pavement smoke.
No ease, no pleasure my sad heart receives,
While such a monster as vile64 Noman lives."
Once out of the cave, Ulysses cut the bonds of his men, with whose aid he drove part of Polyphemus' flock on board of his ship, which he had hidden in a cove2. He and his companions were scudding152 safely past the headland where blind Polyphemus idly sat, when Ulysses tauntingly153 raised his voice to make known his escape and real name. With a cry of rage, the giant flung huge masses of rock in the direction of his voice, hotly vowing154 his father Neptune would yet avenge155 his wrongs!
Book X. After leaving the island of the Cyclops, Ulysses visited Aeolus, king of the winds, and was hospitably entertained in his cave. In token of friendship and to enable Ulysses to reach home quickly, Aeolus bottled up all the contrary winds, letting loose only those which would speed him on his way. On leaving Aeolus, Ulysses so carefully guarded the skin bottle containing the adverse156 gales157 that his men fancied it must contain jewels of great price. For nine days and nights Ulysses guided the rudder, and only when the shores of Ithaca came in sight closed his eyes in sleep. This moment was seized by his crew to open the bottle, whence the captive winds escaped with a roar, stirring up a hurricane which finally drove them back to Aeolus' isle158.
"They said: and (oh cursed fate!) the thongs159 unbound!
The gushing160 tempest sweeps the ocean round;
Snatch'd in the whirl, the hurried navy flew,
The ocean widen'd and the shores withdrew.
Roused from my fatal sleep, I long debate
If still to live, or desperate plunge to fate;
Thus doubting, prostrate161 on the deck I lay,
Till all the coward thoughts of death gave way."
On seeing them return with tattered162 sails, Aeolus averred163 they had incurred164 the wrath of some god and therefore drove them away from his realm. Toiling165 at the oar40, they reached, after seven days, the harbor of the Laestrigonians, cannibal giants, from whose clutches only a few ships escaped. Sorrowing for their lost friends, the Greeks next landed in the island of Circe, where Ulysses remained with half his men by the ships, while the rest set out to renew their supplies. This party soon discovered the abode166 of the enchantress Circe, who, aware of their approach, had prepared a banquet and a magic drug. Enticed167 by her sweet voice, all the men save one sat down to her banquet, and ate so greedily that the enchantress, contemptuously waving her wand over them, bade them assume the forms of the animals they most resembled! A moment later a herd168 of grunting169 pigs surrounded her, pigs which, however, retained a distressing170 consciousness of their former human estate.
Milk newly press'd, the sacred flour of wheat,
And honey fresh, and Pramnian wines the treat:
But venom'd was the bread, and mix'd the bowl,
With drugs of force to darken all the soul:
Soon in the luscious171 feast themselves they lost,
And drank oblivion of their native coast.
Instant her circling wand the goddess waves,
To hogs172 transforms them, and the sty receives.
No more was seen the human form divine;
Head, face, and members, bristle173 into swine:
Still cursed with sense, their minds remain alone,
And their own voice affrights them when they groan45.
This dire71 transformation174 was viewed with horror by the man lurking175 outside, who fled back to the ships, imploring176 Ulysses to depart. Unwilling to desert his men, Ulysses on the contrary set out for Circe's dwelling177, meeting on the way thither178 Mercury in disguise, who gave him an herb to annul179 the effect of Circe's drugs and directed him how to free his companions.
Following these instructions, Ulysses entered Circe's abode, partook of the refreshments180 offered him, and, when she waved her wand over him, threatened to kill her unless she restored his men to their wonted forms! The terrified Circe not only complied, but detained Ulysses and his companions with her a full year. As at the end of that time the men pleaded to return home, Ulysses told his hostess he must leave. Then she informed him he must first visit the Cimmerian shore and consult the shade of the blind seer Tiresias. The prospect181 of such a journey greatly alarmed Ulysses, but when Circe had told him just how to proceed, he bravely set out.
Wafted182 by favorable winds, Ulysses' ship soon reached the country of eternal night. On landing there he dug a trench183, and slew184 the black victims Circe had given him, and with drawn185 sword awaited the approach of a host of shades, among whom he recognized a man killed by accident on Circe's island, who begged for proper funeral rites186. By Circe's order, Ulysses, after allowing the ghost of Tiresias to partake of the victim's blood, learned from him that, although pursued by Neptune's vengeance, he and his men would reach home safely, provided they respected the cattle of the Sun on the island of Trinacria. The seer added that all who attacked them would perish, and that, even if he should escape death and return home, he would have to slay his wife's insolent187 suitors before he could rest in peace.
After this had been accomplished188, Ulysses was to resume his wanderings until he came to a land where the oar he carried would be mistaken for a winnowing189 fan. There he was to offer a propitiatory sacrifice to Neptune, after which he would live to serene190 old age and die peacefully among his own people. His conversation with Tiresias finished, Ulysses interviewed his mother—of whose demise191 he had not been aware—and conversed192 with the shades of sundry194 women noted195 for having borne sons to gods or to famous heroes.
Book XI. This account had been heard with breathless interest by the Phaeacians, whose king now implored196 Ulysses to go on. The hero then described his interview with the ghost of Agamemnon,—slain by his wife and her paramour on his return from Troy,—who predicted his safe return home, and begged for tidings of his son Orestes, of whom Ulysses knew nought197. Ulysses next beheld198 Achilles, who, although ruler of the dead, bitterly declared he would rather be the meanest laborer199 on earth than monarch200 among shades!
"Talk not of ruling in this dolorous201 gloom,
Nor think vain words (he cried) can ease my doom202.
Rather I'd choose laboriously203 to bear
A weight of woes and breathe the vital air,
A slave to some poor hind46 that toils204 for bread,
Than reign205 the sceptered monarch of the dead."
To comfort him, Ulysses described how bravely his son had fought at the taking of Troy, where he had been one of the men in the wooden horse. The only shade which refused to approach Ulysses was that of Ajax, who still resented his having won the armor of Achilles. Besides these shades, Ulysses beheld the judges of Hades and the famous culprits of Tartarus. But, terrified by the "innumerable nation of the dead" crowding around him, he finally fled in haste to his vessel, and was soon wafted back to Circe's shore.
Book XII. There Ulysses buried his dead companion and, after describing his visit to Hades, begged his hostess' permission to depart. Circe consented, warning him to beware of the Sirens, of the threatening rocks, of the monster Scylla and the whirlpool Charybdis on either side of the Messenian Strait, and of the cattle of Trinacria, giving him minute directions how to escape unharmed from all these perils206.
Morning having come, Ulysses took leave of Circe, and, on nearing the reef of the Sirens, directed his men to bind207 him fast to the mast, paying no heed208 to his gestures, after he had stopped their ears with soft wax. In this way he heard, without perishing, the Sirens' wonderful song, and it was only when it had died away in the distance and the spell ceased that his men unbound him from the mast.
"Thus the sweet charmers warbled o'er the main;
My soul takes wing to meet the heavenly strain;
I give the sign, and struggle to be free:
Swift row my mates, and shoot along the sea;
New chains they add, and rapid urge the way,
Till, dying off, the distant sounds decay:
Then scudding swiftly from the dangerous ground,
The deafen'd ears unlock'd, the chains unbound."
Not daring describe to his companions the threatened horrors of Charybdis and Scylla, Ulysses bade his steersman avoid the whirlpool, and, fully9 armed, prepared to brave the monster Scylla. But, notwithstanding his preparations, she snatched from his galley209 six men who were seen no more! Although reluctant to land on Trinacria for fear his sailors would steal the cattle of the Sun, Ulysses was constrained210 to do so to allow them to rest. While they were there, unfavorable winds began to blow, and continued so long that the Greeks consumed all their provisions, and, in spite of their efforts to supply their larder211 by hunting and fishing, began to suffer from hunger. During one of Ulysses' brief absences the men, breaking their promises, slew some of the beeves of the Sun, which although slain moved and lowed as if still alive! Undeterred by such miracles, the men feasted, but, on embarking six days later, they were overtaken by a tempest in which all perished save Ulysses. Clinging to the mast of his wrecked90 ship, he drifted between Charybdis and Scylla, escaping from the whirlpool only by clinging to the branches at an overhanging fig-tree. Then, tossed by the waves for nine days longer, Ulysses was finally cast on the isle of Ogygia, whence he had come directly to Phaeacia as already described.
Book XIII. Having finished this account of his ten years' wanderings, Ulysses, after banqueting with Alcinous, was conveyed with his gifts to the ship which was to take him home. Then, while he slept in the prow105, the skilful Phaeacian rowers entered a sheltered Ithacan bay, where they set sleeper212 and gifts ashore and departed without awaiting thanks. They were about to re-enter their own port when Neptune, discovering they had taken his enemy home, struck their vessel with his trident, thus transforming it into the galley-shaped rock still seen there to-day.
Meantime Ulysses, awakening, hid his treasures away in a cave. Then, accosted213 by Minerva in disguise, he gave a fantastic account of himself, to which she lent an amused ear, before assuring him of her identity and of his wife's fidelity214. She then reported the insolence215 of the suitors lying in wait to murder Telemachus at his return, and suggested that Ulysses, in the guise of an aged216 beggar, should visit his faithful swineherd until time to make his presence known.
Book XIV. Transformed by Minerva into a sordid217 mendicant218, Ulysses next visits the swineherd, who sets before him the best he has, complaining that the greedy suitors deplete219 his herds220. This old servant is comforted when the beggar assures him his master will soon return and reports having seen him lately. Ulysses' fictitious221 account of himself serves as entertainment until the hour for rest, when the charitable swineherd covers his guest with his best cloak.
Book XV. Meantime Minerva, hastening to Sparta, awakens222 in the heart of the sleeping Telemachus a keen desire to return home, warns him of the suitors' ambush, instructs him how to avoid it, and cautions him on his return to trust none save the women on whose fidelity he can depend. At dawn, therefore, Telemachus, after offering a sacrifice and receiving Menelaus' and Helen's parting gifts, sets out, cheered by favorable omens223. Without pausing to visit Nestor,—whose son is to convey his thanks,—Telemachus embarks224, and, following Minerva's instructions, lands near the swineherd's hut.
Book XVI. The swineherd is preparing breakfast, when Ulysses warns him a friend is coming, for his dogs fawn225 upon the stranger and do not bark. A moment later Telemachus enters the hut, and is warmly welcomed by his servant, who wishes him to occupy the place of honor at his table. But Telemachus modestly declines it in favor of the aged stranger, to whom he promises clothes and protection as soon as he is master in his own house. Then he bids the swineherd notify his mother of his safe arrival, directing her to send word to Laertes of his return. This man has no sooner gone than Minerva restores Ulysses to more than his wonted vigor226 and good looks, bidding him make himself known to his son and concert with him how to dispose of the suitors. Amazed to see the beggar transformed into an imposing227 warrior228, Telemachus is overjoyed to learn who he really is. The first transports of joy over, Ulysses advises his son to return home, lull229 the suitors' suspicions by specious230 words, and, after removing all weapons from the banquet hall, await the arrival of his father who will appear in mendicant's guise.
While father and son are thus laying their plans, Telemachus' vessel reaches port, where the suitors mourn the escape of their victim. They dare not, however, attack Telemachus openly, for fear of forfeiting231 Penelope's regard, and assure her they intend to befriend him. Meantime, having delivered his message to his mistress, the swineherd returns to his hut, where he spends the evening with Telemachus and the beggar, little suspecting the latter is his master.
Book XVII. At daybreak Telemachus hastens back to the palace, whither the swineherd is to guide the stranger later in the day, and is rapturously embraced by his mother. After a brief interview, Telemachus sends her back to her apartment to efface232 the trace of her tears, adding that he is on his way to the market-place to meet a travelling companion whom he wishes to entertain. After welcoming this man with due hospitality, Telemachus gives his mother an account of his trip. While he is thus occupied, Ulysses is wending his way to the palace, where he arrives just as the suitors' wonted revels reach their height. But as he enters the court-yard, his favorite hunting dog expires for joy on recognizing him.
He knew his lord;—he knew, and strove to meet;
In vain he strove to crawl and kiss his feet;
Yet (all he could) his tail, his ears, his eyes,
Salute233 his master and confess his joys.
Soft pity touch'd the mighty master's soul:
Adown his cheek a tear unbidden stole;
Stole unperceived: he turn'd his head, and dried
The drop humane234.
Humbly making the rounds of the tables like the beggar he seems, Ulysses is treated kindly235 by Telemachus, but grossly insulted by the suitors, one of whom, Antinous, actually flings a stool at him. Such a violation236 of the rights of hospitality causes some commotion237 in the palace, and so rouses the indignation of Penelope that she expresses a wish to converse193 with the beggar, who may have heard of her absent spouse.
Book XVIII. Meantime Ulysses has also come into conflict with the town-beggar (Irus), a lusty youth, who challenges him to fight. To his dismay, Ulysses displays such a set of muscles on laying aside his robe that the insolent challenger wishes to withdraw. He is, however, compelled by the suitors to fight, and is thoroughly238 beaten by Ulysses, whose strength arouses the suitors' admiration239. Then, in reply to their questions, Ulysses favors them with another of those tales which do far more honor to his imagination than to his veracity240.
Meantime Penelope indulges in a nap, during which Minerva restores all her youthful charms. Then she descends241 into the hall, to chide242 Telemachus for allowing a stranger to be insulted beneath his father's roof. She next remarks that she foresees she will soon have to choose a husband among the suitors present, as it is only too evident Ulysses is dead, and, under pretext243 of testing their generosity244, induces them all to bestow245 upon her gifts, which she thriftily246 adds to her stores. Beside themselves with joy at the prospect that their long wooing will soon be over, the suitors sing and dance, until Telemachus advises them to return home.
Book XIX. The suitors having gone, Ulysses helps Telemachus remove all the weapons, while the faithful nurse mounts guard over the palace women. Secretly helped by Minerva, father and son accomplish their task, and are sitting before the fire when Penelope comes to ask the beggar to relate when and how he met Ulysses. This time the stranger gives so accurate a description of Ulysses, that Penelope, wishing to show him some kindness, summons the old nurse to bathe his feet. Because she herself dozes247 while this homely248 task is being performed, she is not aware that the old nurse recognizes her master by a scar on his leg, and is cautioned by him not to make his presence known.
Deep o'er his knee inseam'd, remain'd the scar:
Which noted token of the woodland war
When Euryclea found, the ablution ceased;
Down dropp'd the leg, from her slack hand released:
The mingled249 fluids from the base redound250;
The vase reclining floats the floor around!
Smiles dew'd with tears the pleasing strife251 express'd
Of grief, and joy, alternate in her breast.
Her fluttering words in melting murmurs252 died;
At length abrupt—"My son!—my king!" she cried.
Her nap ended, Penelope resumes her conversation with the beggar, telling him she has been favored by a dream portending253 the death of the suitors. Still, she realizes there are two kinds of dreams,—those that come true issuing from Somnus' palace by the gate of horn, while deceptive254 dreams pass through an ivory gate. After providing for the beggar's comfort, Penelope retires, and as usual spends most of the night mourning for her absent partner.
Book XX. Sleeping beneath the portico255 on the skins of the animals slain to feast the horde256 of suitors, Ulysses sees the maids slip out of the palace to join the suitors, who have wooed them surreptitiously. Then he falls asleep and is visited by Minerva, who infuses new strength and courage in his veins257. At dawn Ulysses is awakened by Telemachus, and soon after the house is once more invaded by the suitors, who with their own hands slay the animals provided for their food. Once more they display their malevolence258 by ill treating the beggar, and taunt101 Telemachus, who apparently259 pays no heed to their words.
Book XXI. Meantime Minerva has prompted Penelope to propose to the suitors to string Ulysses' bow and shoot an arrow through twelve rings. Armed with this weapon, and followed by handmaids bearing bow, string, and arrows, Penelope appears in the banquet-hall, where the suitors eagerly accept her challenge. But, after Antinous has vainly striven to bend the bow, the others warily260 try sundry devices to ensure its pliancy261.
Meantime, noticing that the swineherd and one of his companions—upon whose fidelity he counts—have left the hall, Ulysses follows them, makes himself known by means of his scar, and directs them what to do. Then, returning into the hall, he silently watches the suitors' efforts to bend the bow, and, when the last has tried and failed, volunteers to make the attempt, thereby262 rousing general ridicule263. All gibes264 are silenced, however, when the beggar not only spans the bow, but sends his first arrow through the twelve rings. At the same time the faithful servants secure the doors of the apartment, and Telemachus, darting265 to his father's side, announces he is ready to take part in the fray266.
Book XXII.
Then fierce the hero o'er the threshold strode;
Stript of his rags, he blazed out like a god.
Full in their face the lifted bow he bore,
And quiver'd deaths, a formidable store;
Before his feet the rattling267 shower he threw,
And thus, terrific, to the suitor-crew:
"One venturous game this hand hath won to-day;
Another, princes! yet remains268 to play:
Another mark our arrow must attain269.
Phoebus, assist! nor be the labor26 vain."
Swift as the word the parting arrow sings;
And bears thy fate, Antinous, on its wings.
Wretch270 that he was, of unprophetic soul!
High in his hands he rear'd the golden bowl:
E'en then to drain it lengthen'd out his breath;
Changed to the deep, the bitter draught271 of death!
For fate who fear'd amidst a feastful band?
And fate to numbers, by a single hand?
Full through his throat Ulysses' weapon pass'd,
And pierced his neck. He falls, and breathes his last.
Grimly announcing his second arrow will reach a different goal by Apollo's aid, Ulysses shoots the insolent Antinous through the heart and then begins to taunt and threaten the other suitors. Gazing wildly around them for weapons or means of escape, these men discover how cleverly they have been trapped. One after another now falls beneath the arrows of Ulysses, who bids his son hasten to the storeroom and procure272 arms for them both as there are not arrows enough to dispose of his foes. Through Telemachus' heedlessness in leaving the doors open, the suitors contrive273 to secure weapons too, and the fight in the hall rages until they all have been slain. Then the doors are thrown open, and the faithless maids are compelled to remove the corpses274 and purify the room, before they are hanged!
Book XXIII. The old nurse has meantime had the privilege of announcing Ulysses' safe return to his faithful retainers, and last of all to the sleeping Penelope. Unable to credit such tidings,—although the nurse assures her she has seen his scar,—Penelope imagines the suitors must have been slain by some god who has come to her rescue. She decides, therefore, to go down and congratulate her son upon being rid of those who preyed275 upon his wealth. Seeing she does not immediately fall upon his father's neck, Telemachus hotly reproaches her, but she rejoins she must have some proof of the stranger's identity and is evidently repelled276 by his unprepossessing appearance. Hearing this, Ulysses suggests that all present purify themselves, don fresh garments, and partake of a feast, enlivened by the songs of their bard. While he is attended by the old nurse, Minerva sheds upon him such grace that, when he reappears, looking like a god, he dares reproach Penelope for not recognizing him. Then, hearing her order that his bed be removed to the portico, he hotly demands who cut down the tree which formed one of its posts? Because this fact is known only to Penelope and to the builder of the bed, she now falls upon Ulysses' neck, begging his pardon. Their joy at being united is marred277 only by Ulysses' determination soon to resume his travels, and pursue them until Tiresias' prediction has been fulfilled. That night is spent in mutual278 confidences in regard to all that has occurred during their twenty years' separation, and when morning dawns Ulysses and his son go to visit Laertes.
Book XXIV. Mindful of his office as conductor of souls to Hades, Mercury has meanwhile entered the palace of Ulysses, and, waving his wand, has summoned the spirits of the suitors, who, uttering plaintive279 cries, follow him down to the infernal regions.
Cyllenius now to Pluto's dreary280 reign
Conveys the dead, a lamentable281 train!
The golden wand, that causes sleep to fly,
Or in soft slumber seals the wakeful eye,
That drives the ghosts to realms of night or day,
Points out the long uncomfortable way.
Trembling the spectres glide282, and plaintive vent3
Thin hollow screams, along the deep descent.
As in the cavern283 of some rifty den8,
Where flock nocturnal bats and birds obscene,
Cluster'd they hang, till at some sudden shock,
They move, and murmurs run through all the rock:
So cowering284 fled the sable285 heaps of ghosts;
And such a scream fill'd all the dismal286 coasts.
There they overhear Ajax giving Achilles a minute account of his funeral,—the grandest ever seen,—and when questioned describe Penelope's stratagem in regard to the Web and to Ulysses' bow.
Meanwhile Ulysses has arrived at his father's farm, where the old man is busy among his trees. To prepare Laertes for his return, Ulysses relates one of his fairy tales ere he makes himself known. Like Penelope, Laertes proves incredulous, until Ulysses points out the trees given him when a child and exhibits his scar.
Smit with the signs which all his doubts explain,
His heart within him melts; his knees sustain
Their feeble weight no more; his arms alone
Support him, round the loved Ulysses thrown:
He faints, he sinks, with mighty joys oppress'd:
Ulysses clasps him to his eager breast.
To celebrate their reunion, a banquet is held, which permits the Ithacans to show their joy at their master's return. Meanwhile the friends of the suitors, having heard of the massacre287, determine to avenge them by slaying288 father and son. But, aided by Minerva and Jupiter, these two heroes present so formidable an appearance, that the attacking party concludes a treaty, which restores peace to Ithaca and ends the Odyssey289.
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1
epic
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| n.史诗，叙事诗；adj.史诗般的，壮丽的 | |
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cove
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| n.小海湾，小峡谷 | |
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vent
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| n.通风口，排放口；开衩；vt.表达，发泄 | |
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4
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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survivor
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| n.生存者，残存者，幸存者 | |
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besieging
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| 包围，围困，围攻( besiege的现在分词 ) | |
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7
obedience
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| n.服从，顺从 | |
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den
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| n.兽穴；秘密地方；安静的小房间，私室 | |
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fully
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| adv.完全地，全部地，彻底地；充分地 | |
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10
squandering
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| v.（指钱，财产等）浪费，乱花( squander的现在分词 ) | |
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hospitably
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| 亲切地，招待周到地，善于款待地 | |
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bard
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| n.吟游诗人 | |
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recital
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| n.朗诵，独奏会，独唱会 | |
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14
woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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15
woe
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| n.悲哀，苦痛，不幸，困难；int.用来表达悲伤或惊慌 | |
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16
passionately
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| ad.热烈地，激烈地 | |
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17
beseeches
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的第三人称单数 ) | |
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18
vows
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| 誓言( vow的名词复数 )； 郑重宣布，许愿 | |
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19
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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depredations
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| n.劫掠，毁坏( depredation的名词复数 ) | |
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21
ply
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| v.(搬运工等)等候顾客，弯曲 | |
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22
deluding
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| v.欺骗，哄骗( delude的现在分词 ) | |
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winding
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| n.绕，缠，绕组，线圈 | |
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24
plied
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| v.使用（工具）( ply的过去式和过去分词 )；经常供应（食物、饮料）；固定往来；经营生意 | |
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25
labors
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| v.努力争取(for)( labor的第三人称单数 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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labor
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| n.劳动，努力，工作，劳工；分娩；vi.劳动，努力，苦干；vt.详细分析；麻烦 | |
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27
omen
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| n.征兆，预兆；vt.预示 | |
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28
admonishes
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| n.劝告( admonish的名词复数 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责v.劝告( admonish的第三人称单数 )；训诫；（温和地）责备；轻责 | |
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29
incur
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| vt.招致，蒙受，遭遇 | |
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30
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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31
dispersed
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| adj. 被驱散的, 被分散的, 散布的 | |
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32
guise
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| n.外表，伪装的姿态 | |
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mentor
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| n.指导者，良师益友；v.指导 | |
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34
revels
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| n.作乐( revel的名词复数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉v.作乐( revel的第三人称单数 )；狂欢；着迷；陶醉 | |
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35
entrusts
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| v.委托，托付( entrust的第三人称单数 ) | |
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vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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conceal
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| v.隐藏，隐瞒，隐蔽 | |
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38
scours
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| 走遍（某地）搜寻（人或物）( scour的第三人称单数 )； （用力）刷； 擦净； 擦亮 | |
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39
skilful
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| (=skillful)adj.灵巧的，熟练的 | |
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40
oar
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| n.桨，橹，划手；v.划行 | |
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41
slumber
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| n.睡眠，沉睡状态 | |
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42
embarking
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| 乘船( embark的现在分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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43
smoothly
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| adv.平滑地，顺利地，流利地，流畅地 | |
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44
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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45
groan
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| vi./n.呻吟，抱怨；(发出)呻吟般的声音 | |
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46
hind
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| adj.后面的，后部的 | |
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propitiatory
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| adj.劝解的；抚慰的；谋求好感的；哄人息怒的 | |
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48
pacify
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| vt.使(某人)平静(或息怒)；抚慰 | |
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49
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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50
promising
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| adj.有希望的，有前途的 | |
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51
sumptuous
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| adj.豪华的，奢侈的，华丽的 | |
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52
skilfully
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| adv. (美skillfully)熟练地 | |
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53
yearns
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| 渴望，切盼，向往( yearn的第三人称单数 ) | |
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54
mingle
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| vt.使混合，使相混；vi.混合起来；相交往 | |
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55
mimicking
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| v.（尤指为了逗乐而）模仿( mimic的现在分词 )；酷似 | |
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soothed
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| v.安慰( soothe的过去式和过去分词 )；抚慰；使舒服；减轻痛苦 | |
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vouchsafes
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| v.给予，赐予( vouchsafe的第三人称单数 )；允诺 | |
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appease
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| v.安抚，缓和，平息，满足 | |
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everlasting
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| adj.永恒的，持久的，无止境的 | |
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bliss
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| n.狂喜，福佑，天赐的福 | |
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slay
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| v.杀死，宰杀，杀戮 | |
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wrings
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| 绞( wring的第三人称单数 )； 握紧（尤指别人的手）； 把（湿衣服）拧干； 绞掉（水） | |
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reviles
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| v.辱骂，痛斥( revile的第三人称单数 ) | |
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vile
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| adj.卑鄙的，可耻的，邪恶的；坏透的 | |
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abetted
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| v.教唆（犯罪）( abet的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；怂恿；支持 | |
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66
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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aurora
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| n.极光 | |
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68
grievances
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| n.委屈( grievance的名词复数 )；苦衷；不满；牢骚 | |
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ambush
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| n.埋伏(地点)；伏兵；v.埋伏；伏击 | |
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unwilling
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| adj.不情愿的 | |
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71
dire
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| adj.可怕的，悲惨的，阴惨的，极端的 | |
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copious
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| adj.丰富的，大量的 | |
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Neptune
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| n.海王星 | |
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foe
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| n.敌人，仇敌 | |
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mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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76
imminent
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| adj.即将发生的，临近的，逼近的 | |
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77
buoyed
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| v.使浮起( buoy的过去式和过去分词 )；支持；为…设浮标；振奋…的精神 | |
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78
exhausted
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| adj.极其疲惫的，精疲力尽的 | |
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79
adherent
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| n.信徒，追随者，拥护者 | |
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80
plunge
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| v.跳入，(使)投入，(使)陷入；猛冲 | |
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81
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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82
ragged
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| adj.衣衫褴褛的，粗糙的，刺耳的 | |
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83
prudence
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| n.谨慎，精明，节俭 | |
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84
awaken
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| vi.醒，觉醒；vt.唤醒，使觉醒，唤起，激起 | |
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85
awakening
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| n.觉醒，醒悟 adj.觉醒中的；唤醒的 | |
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86
bespeaking
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| v.预定( bespeak的现在分词 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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87
mules
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| 骡( mule的名词复数 )； 拖鞋； 顽固的人； 越境运毒者 | |
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88
shrieks
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| n.尖叫声( shriek的名词复数 )v.尖叫( shriek的第三人称单数 ) | |
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89
maidens
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| 处女( maiden的名词复数 )； 少女； 未婚女子； （板球运动）未得分的一轮投球 | |
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90
wrecked
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| adj.失事的，遇难的 | |
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91
retired
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| adj.隐退的，退休的，退役的 | |
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92
suppliant
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| adj.哀恳的；n.恳求者，哀求者 | |
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93
mariner
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| n.水手号不载人航天探测器，海员，航海者 | |
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94
bespeaks
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| v.预定( bespeak的第三人称单数 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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95
festive
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| adj.欢宴的，节日的 | |
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96
vividly
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| adv.清楚地，鲜明地，生动地 | |
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97
racing
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| n.竞赛，赛马；adj.竞赛用的，赛马用的 | |
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98
contestants
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| n.竞争者，参赛者( contestant的名词复数 ) | |
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99
proficiency
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| n.精通，熟练，精练 | |
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100
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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101
taunt
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| n.辱骂，嘲弄；v.嘲弄 | |
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102
taunts
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| 嘲弄的言语，嘲笑，奚落( taunt的名词复数 ) | |
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103
avers
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| v.断言( aver的第三人称单数 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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104
feats
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| 功绩，伟业，技艺( feat的名词复数 ) | |
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105
prow
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| n.(飞机)机头，船头 | |
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106
confession
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| n.自白，供认，承认 | |
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107
disarm
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| v.解除武装，回复平常的编制，缓和 | |
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108
stratagem
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| n.诡计，计谋 | |
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109
spouse
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| n.配偶(指夫或妻) | |
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110
triumphant
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| adj.胜利的，成功的；狂欢的，喜悦的 | |
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111
dread
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| vt.担忧，忧虑；惧怕，不敢；n.担忧，畏惧 | |
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112
laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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113
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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114
industrious
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| adj.勤劳的，刻苦的，奋发的 | |
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115
drooping
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| adj. 下垂的，无力的 动词droop的现在分词 | |
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116
goblet
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| n.高脚酒杯 | |
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117
foes
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| 敌人，仇敌( foe的名词复数 ) | |
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118
narcotic
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| n.麻醉药，镇静剂；adj.麻醉的，催眠的 | |
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119
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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120
avocation
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| n.副业，业余爱好 | |
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121
humbly
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| adv. 恭顺地，谦卑地 | |
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122
suppliants
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| n.恳求者，哀求者( suppliant的名词复数 ) | |
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123
ascertain
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| vt.发现，确定，查明，弄清 | |
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124
devoured
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| 吞没( devour的过去式和过去分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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125
tempted
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| v.怂恿（某人）干不正当的事；冒…的险（tempt的过去分词） | |
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126
relish
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| n.滋味，享受，爱好，调味品；vt.加调味料，享受，品味；vi.有滋味 | |
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127
imprisoning
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| v.下狱，监禁( imprison的现在分词 ) | |
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128
facetiously
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| adv.爱开玩笑地；滑稽地，爱开玩笑地 | |
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129
pointed
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| adj.尖的，直截了当的 | |
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130
animating
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| v.使有生气( animate的现在分词 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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131
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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132
torment
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| n.折磨；令人痛苦的东西(人)；vt.折磨；纠缠 | |
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133
shipwright
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| n.造船工人 | |
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134
scoops
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| n.小铲( scoop的名词复数 )；小勺；一勺[铲]之量；（抢先刊载、播出的）独家新闻v.抢先报道( scoop的第三人称单数 )；（敏捷地）抱起；抢先获得；用铲[勺]等挖（洞等） | |
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135
spouts
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| n.管口( spout的名词复数 )；（喷出的）水柱；（容器的）嘴；在困难中v.（指液体）喷出( spout的第三人称单数 )；滔滔不绝地讲；喋喋不休地说；喷水 | |
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136
singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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137
scorching
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| adj. 灼热的 | |
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138
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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139
vehemently
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| adv. 热烈地 | |
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140
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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141
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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142
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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143
bespoke
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| adj.（产品）订做的；专做订货的v.预定( bespeak的过去式 )；订（货）；证明；预先请求 | |
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144
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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145
mead
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| n.蜂蜜酒 | |
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146
usher
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| n.带位员，招待员；vt.引导，护送；vi.做招待，担任引座员 | |
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147
bower
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| n.凉亭，树荫下凉快之处；闺房；v.荫蔽 | |
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148
pensive
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| a.沉思的,哀思的,忧沉的 | |
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149
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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150
dastard
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| n.卑怯之人，懦夫；adj.怯懦的，畏缩的 | |
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151
lurks
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| n.潜在，潜伏；（lurk的复数形式）vi.潜伏，埋伏（lurk的第三人称单数形式） | |
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152
scudding
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| n.刮面v.（尤指船、舰或云彩）笔直、高速而平稳地移动( scud的现在分词 ) | |
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153
tauntingly
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| 嘲笑地，辱骂地； 嘲骂地 | |
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154
vowing
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| 起誓，发誓（vow的现在分词形式） | |
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155
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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156
adverse
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| adj.不利的；有害的；敌对的，不友好的 | |
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157
gales
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| 龙猫 | |
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158
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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159
thongs
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| 的东西 | |
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160
gushing
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| adj.迸出的；涌出的；喷出的；过分热情的v.喷，涌( gush的现在分词 )；滔滔不绝地说话 | |
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161
prostrate
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| v.拜倒，平卧，衰竭；adj.拜倒的，平卧的，衰竭的 | |
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162
tattered
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| adj.破旧的，衣衫破的 | |
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163
averred
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| v.断言( aver的过去式和过去分词 )；证实；证明…属实；作为事实提出 | |
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164
incurred
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| [医]招致的，遭受的； incur的过去式 | |
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165
toiling
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| 长时间或辛苦地工作( toil的现在分词 )； 艰难缓慢地移动，跋涉 | |
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166
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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167
enticed
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| 诱惑，怂恿( entice的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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168
herd
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| n.兽群，牧群；vt.使集中，把…赶在一起 | |
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169
grunting
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| 咕哝的，呼噜的 | |
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170
distressing
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| a.使人痛苦的 | |
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171
luscious
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| adj.美味的；芬芳的；肉感的，引与性欲的 | |
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172
hogs
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| n.（尤指喂肥供食用的）猪( hog的名词复数 )；（供食用的）阉公猪；彻底地做某事；自私的或贪婪的人 | |
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173
bristle
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| v.（毛发）直立，气势汹汹，发怒；n.硬毛发 | |
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174
transformation
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| n.变化；改造；转变 | |
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175
lurking
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| 潜在 | |
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176
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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177
dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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178
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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179
annul
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| v.宣告…无效，取消，废止 | |
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180
refreshments
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| n.点心,便餐;(会议后的)简单茶点招 待 | |
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181
prospect
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| n.前景，前途；景色，视野 | |
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182
wafted
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| v.吹送，飘送，（使）浮动( waft的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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183
trench
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| n./v.(挖)沟，(挖)战壕 | |
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184
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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185
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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186
rites
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| 仪式，典礼( rite的名词复数 ) | |
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187
insolent
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| adj.傲慢的，无理的 | |
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188
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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189
winnowing
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| v.扬( winnow的现在分词 )；辨别；选择；除去 | |
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190
serene
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| adj. 安详的，宁静的，平静的 | |
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191
demise
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| n.死亡；v.让渡，遗赠，转让 | |
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192
conversed
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| v.交谈，谈话( converse的过去式 ) | |
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193
converse
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| vi.谈话，谈天，闲聊；adv.相反的，相反 | |
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194
sundry
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| adj.各式各样的，种种的 | |
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195
noted
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| adj.著名的，知名的 | |
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196
implored
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| 恳求或乞求（某人）( implore的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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197
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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198
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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199
laborer
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| n.劳动者，劳工 | |
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200
monarch
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| n.帝王，君主，最高统治者 | |
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201
dolorous
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| adj.悲伤的；忧愁的 | |
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202
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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203
laboriously
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| adv.艰苦地；费力地；辛勤地；（文体等）佶屈聱牙地 | |
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204
toils
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| 网 | |
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205
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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206
perils
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| 极大危险( peril的名词复数 )； 危险的事（或环境） | |
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207
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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208
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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209
galley
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| n.（飞机或船上的）厨房单层甲板大帆船；军舰舰长用的大划艇； | |
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210
constrained
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| adj.束缚的,节制的 | |
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211
larder
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| n.食物贮藏室，食品橱 | |
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212
sleeper
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| n.睡眠者，卧车，卧铺 | |
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213
accosted
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| v.走过去跟…讲话( accost的过去式和过去分词 )；跟…搭讪；（乞丐等）上前向…乞讨；（妓女等）勾搭 | |
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214
fidelity
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| n.忠诚，忠实；精确 | |
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215
insolence
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| n.傲慢；无礼；厚颜；傲慢的态度 | |
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216
aged
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| adj.年老的，陈年的 | |
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217
sordid
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| adj.肮脏的，不干净的，卑鄙的，暗淡的 | |
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218
mendicant
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| n.乞丐；adj.行乞的 | |
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219
deplete
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| v.弄空，排除，减轻，减少...体液，放去...的血 | |
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220
herds
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| 兽群( herd的名词复数 )； 牧群； 人群； 群众 | |
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221
fictitious
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| adj.虚构的，假设的；空头的 | |
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222
awakens
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的第三人称单数 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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223
omens
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| n.前兆，预兆( omen的名词复数 ) | |
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224
embarks
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| 乘船( embark的第三人称单数 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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225
fawn
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| n.未满周岁的小鹿；v.巴结，奉承 | |
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226
vigor
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| n.活力，精力，元气 | |
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227
imposing
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| adj.使人难忘的，壮丽的，堂皇的，雄伟的 | |
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228
warrior
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| n.勇士，武士，斗士 | |
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229
lull
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| v.使安静，使入睡，缓和，哄骗；n.暂停，间歇 | |
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230
specious
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| adj.似是而非的；adv.似是而非地 | |
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231
forfeiting
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| （因违反协议、犯规、受罚等）丧失，失去( forfeit的现在分词 ) | |
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232
efface
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| v.擦掉，抹去 | |
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233
salute
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| vi.行礼，致意，问候，放礼炮；vt.向…致意，迎接，赞扬；n.招呼，敬礼，礼炮 | |
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234
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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235
kindly
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| adj.和蔼的，温和的，爽快的；adv.温和地，亲切地 | |
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236
violation
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| n.违反(行为)，违背(行为)，侵犯 | |
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237
commotion
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| n.骚动，动乱 | |
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238
thoroughly
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| adv.完全地，彻底地，十足地 | |
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239
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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240
veracity
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| n.诚实 | |
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241
descends
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| v.下来( descend的第三人称单数 )；下去；下降；下斜 | |
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242
chide
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| v.叱责；谴责 | |
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243
pretext
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| n.借口，托词 | |
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244
generosity
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| n.大度，慷慨，慷慨的行为 | |
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245
bestow
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| v.把…赠与，把…授予；花费 | |
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246
thriftily
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| 节俭地； 繁茂地； 繁荣的 | |
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247
dozes
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| n.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的名词复数 )v.打盹儿，打瞌睡( doze的第三人称单数 ) | |
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248
homely
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| adj.家常的，简朴的；不漂亮的 | |
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249
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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250
redound
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| v.有助于；提；报应 | |
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251
strife
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| n.争吵，冲突，倾轧，竞争 | |
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252
murmurs
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| n.低沉、连续而不清的声音( murmur的名词复数 )；低语声；怨言；嘀咕 | |
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253
portending
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| v.预示( portend的现在分词 )；预兆；给…以警告；预告 | |
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254
deceptive
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| adj.骗人的，造成假象的，靠不住的 | |
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255
portico
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| n.柱廊，门廊 | |
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256
horde
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| n.群众，一大群 | |
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257
veins
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| n.纹理；矿脉( vein的名词复数 )；静脉；叶脉；纹理 | |
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258
malevolence
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| n.恶意，狠毒 | |
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259
apparently
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| adv.显然地；表面上，似乎 | |
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260
warily
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| adv.留心地 | |
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261
pliancy
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| n.柔软，柔顺 | |
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262
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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263
ridicule
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| v.讥讽，挖苦；n.嘲弄 | |
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264
gibes
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| vi.嘲笑，嘲弄（gibe的第三人称单数形式） | |
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265
darting
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的现在分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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266
fray
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| v.争吵；打斗；磨损，磨破；n.吵架；打斗 | |
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267
rattling
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| adj. 格格作响的, 活泼的, 很好的 adv. 极其, 很, 非常 动词rattle的现在分词 | |
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268
remains
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| n.剩余物，残留物；遗体，遗迹 | |
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269
attain
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| vt.达到，获得，完成 | |
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270
wretch
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| n.可怜的人，不幸的人；卑鄙的人 | |
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271
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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272
procure
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| vt.获得，取得，促成；vi.拉皮条 | |
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273
contrive
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| vt.谋划，策划；设法做到；设计，想出 | |
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274
corpses
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| n.死尸，尸体( corpse的名词复数 ) | |
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275
preyed
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| v.掠食( prey的过去式和过去分词 )；掠食；折磨；（人）靠欺诈为生 | |
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276
repelled
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| v.击退( repel的过去式和过去分词 )；使厌恶；排斥；推开 | |
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277
marred
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| adj. 被损毁, 污损的 | |
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278
mutual
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| adj.相互的，彼此的；共同的，共有的 | |
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279
plaintive
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| adj.可怜的，伤心的 | |
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280
dreary
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| adj.令人沮丧的，沉闷的，单调乏味的 | |
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281
lamentable
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| adj.令人惋惜的，悔恨的 | |
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282
glide
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| n./v.溜，滑行；(时间)消逝 | |
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283
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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284
cowering
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| v.畏缩，抖缩( cower的现在分词 ) | |
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285
sable
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| n.黑貂；adj.黑色的 | |
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286
dismal
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| adj.阴沉的，凄凉的，令人忧郁的，差劲的 | |
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287
massacre
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| n.残杀，大屠杀；v.残杀，集体屠杀 | |
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288
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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289
odyssey
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| n.长途冒险旅行；一连串的冒险 | |
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