[9] ’Ερίηρον ἀοιδὸν, Poetam cujus hominibus digna est societas.
[10] As by the divine fury directly inspired so, for Ulysses’ glory.
[11] In that the slaughters he made were expressed so lively.
[12] Τήκετο ᾽Οδυσσεύς. Τήκω, metaph. signifying consumo, tabesco.
[13] This τερατολογία or affirmation of miracles, how impossible soever in these times assured, yet in those ages they were neither absurd nor strange. Those inanimate things having (it seemed) certain Genii, in whose powers they supposed their ships’ faculties. As others have affirmed oaks to have sense of hearing; and so the ship of Argos was said to have a mast made of Dodonean oak, that was vocal, and could speak.
[14] Intending his father Nausithous.
THE NINTH BOOK OF HOMER’S ODYSSEYS
THE ARGUMENT
Ulysses here is first made known;
Who tells the stern contention
His pow’rs did ’gainst the Cicons try;
And thence to the Lotophagi
Extends his conquest; and from them
Assays the Cyclop Polypheme,
And, by the crafts his wits apply,
He puts him out his only eye.