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of Ithaca, which he is slow to recognise until his divine guide points out to him the different localities within sight:—
"This is the port of sea-king Phorcys old,
And this the olive at the haven's brow.
Yonder the deep dark lovely cave behold,
Shrine of the Naïad-nyniphs! These shades enfold
The stone-roofed bower, wherein thou oft hast stood,
While to the Nymphs thy frequent vows uprolled,
Steam of choice hecatombs and offerings good.
Neritus hill stands there, high-crowned with waving wood."[1]
And this the olive at the haven's brow.
Yonder the deep dark lovely cave behold,
Shrine of the Naïad-nyniphs! These shades enfold
The stone-roofed bower, wherein thou oft hast stood,
While to the Nymphs thy frequent vows uprolled,
Steam of choice hecatombs and offerings good.
Neritus hill stands there, high-crowned with waving wood."[1]
As conjecture only all such theories must remain; but it may at least be safely believed that the author had himself visited some of the strange lands which he describes, with whatever amount of fabulous ornament he may have enriched his tale, and it has a certain interest for the reader to entertain the possibility of a personal narrative thus underlying the romance.
- ↑ B. xiii. 345 (st. 45, Worsley).
