Note 8 — PART XI. (continued 2)
Reading edition
Looking into Homer's Iliad here for a passage to correspond with the account given by the naval man, one is somewhat at a loss; but at the end of the second book of the Odyssey there occur lines which might not improbably have been those recited. They are such as might well, in the original, excite longings after sea-life, and revive feelings of the kind most natural to the seafaring character, apparently known to Captain Collins only as "Jones." Will the readers of Maga accept, illustratively, of a rough translation?—
Then to Telemachus glided on board divinest Athenè, Where on the poop she sat, and near her Telemachus rested. Then were the moorings loosed by the mariners coming aboard her, Joyous coming on board, and seated apart on the benches. A fair westerly breeze by the blue-eyed goddess was wafted, Cheerfully rippling along, and over the deep-coloured ocean. Now to his shipmates shouted Telemachus, while to the oar-blades Leapt the impatient surge, till each at his order obeying, Stepped they the pine-mast then in the mast-hole ready amidships, Firmly staying it both ways down; and next by the well-twisted hide-thongs, Snowily spreading abroad, the sails drew fluttering downward. And in the sail-breast blew the bellying wind with a murmur, The purple wave hissed from the prow of the bark in its motion; Into the riotous wave she plunged, pursuing her voyage. But when their oars they drew back to the galley securely,— The swift, dark-sided bark, as she full on her journey exulted— Then to her foaming beak they brought the o'er-bubbling goblet Of red-hued wine, and poured out on her head a libation To the immortal gods, that dwell in the sky and in ocean, But to the blue-eyed daughter of Jupiter mostly, Athené. All night then they sailed, till the morning rose on their voyage.