112
Translations, &c.
Cropt in their spring, who, wand'ring pensive, wail'd
The shortness of their date: trembling, and hoar
With age, some slowly pace; others, more fierce,
Array'd in arms, ensanguin'd o'er with wounds 45
Receiv'd in battle, clamorous approach
To drink the reeking gore. Shudd'ring and pale
I stood astounded, but with quick dispatch
Bade burn the sacrifice, a grateful steam
To Proserpine, who there with Dis divides 50
The regency of night: sudden I wav'd
My glitt'ring falchion, from the sanguine pool
Driving th' unbody'd host that round me swarm'd,
Nor deign'd to let them sip, before I saw
Th' oraculous seer. Foremost of all the crowd 55
Elpenor came, whose unregarded corse
We left behind in Circe's sumptuous dome,
Unwept, unbury'd, eager to pursue
Our voyage. Strait to tender pity mov'd,
With words dissolv'd in tears, I cry'd, “Relate, 60
"Elpenor, how these rueful shades you reach'd
"Sooner than I full-sail'd." He thus reply'd,
In accents of much dolour; "Me, O King!
"The minister of adverse Fate malign'd,
"Unweeting of mishap, and wrought me doom, 65
"Drench'd with excess of wine: prone from the top
"Of Circe's tower I fell, and the neck-bones
"Disjointing dy'd. But to your pious care
"Suppliant, I beg by those endearing names
Of parent, wife, and son, (tho' distant, dear 70
The shortness of their date: trembling, and hoar
With age, some slowly pace; others, more fierce,
Array'd in arms, ensanguin'd o'er with wounds 45
Receiv'd in battle, clamorous approach
To drink the reeking gore. Shudd'ring and pale
I stood astounded, but with quick dispatch
Bade burn the sacrifice, a grateful steam
To Proserpine, who there with Dis divides 50
The regency of night: sudden I wav'd
My glitt'ring falchion, from the sanguine pool
Driving th' unbody'd host that round me swarm'd,
Nor deign'd to let them sip, before I saw
Th' oraculous seer. Foremost of all the crowd 55
Elpenor came, whose unregarded corse
We left behind in Circe's sumptuous dome,
Unwept, unbury'd, eager to pursue
Our voyage. Strait to tender pity mov'd,
With words dissolv'd in tears, I cry'd, “Relate, 60
"Elpenor, how these rueful shades you reach'd
"Sooner than I full-sail'd." He thus reply'd,
In accents of much dolour; "Me, O King!
"The minister of adverse Fate malign'd,
"Unweeting of mishap, and wrought me doom, 65
"Drench'd with excess of wine: prone from the top
"Of Circe's tower I fell, and the neck-bones
"Disjointing dy'd. But to your pious care
"Suppliant, I beg by those endearing names
Of parent, wife, and son, (tho' distant, dear 70
