Book II

He spake, and went before them. In his steps They followed. To the gallant barque they brought The stores, and, as the well-beloved son Of King Ulysses bade, they laid them down Within the hull. Telemachus went up The vessel’s side, but Pallas first embarked, And at the stern sat down, while next to her Telemachus was seated. Then the crew Cast loose the fastenings and went all on board, And took their places on the rowers’ seats, While blue-eyed Pallas sent a favoring breeze, A fresh wind from the west, that murmuring swept The dark-blue main. Telemachus gave forth The word to wield the tackle; they obeyed, And raised the fir-tree mast, and, fitting it Into its socket, bound it fast with cords, And drew and spread with firmly twisted ropes The shining sails on high. The steady wind Swelled out the canvas in the midst; the ship Moved on, the dark sea roaring round her keel, As swiftly through the waves she cleft her way. And when the rigging of that swift black ship Was firmly in its place, they filled their cups With wine, and to the ever-living gods Poured out libations, most of all to one, Jove’s blue-eyed daughter. Thus through all that night And all the ensuing morn they held their way.