about the grotto alders grew, And poplars, and sweet-smelling cypresses. In a green forest, high among whose boughs Birds of broad wing, wood-owls, and falcons built Their nests, and crows, with voices sounding far, All haunting for their food the ocean-side. A vine, with downy leaves and clustering grapes, Crept over all the cavern rock. Four springs Poured forth their glittering waters in a row, And here and there went wandering side by side. Around were meadows of soft green, o’ergrown With violets and parsley. ’Twas a spot Where even an immortal might awhile Linger, and gaze with wonder and delight. The herald Argus-queller stood, and saw, And marvelled; but as soon as he had viewed The wonders of the place, he turned his steps, Entering the broad-roofed cave. Calypso there, The glorious goddess, saw him as he came, And knew him; for the ever-living gods Are to each other known, though one may dwell Far from the rest. Ulysses, large of heart, Was not within. Apart, upon the shore, He sat and sorrowed, where he oft in tears And sighs and vain repinings passed the hours, Gazing with wet eyes on the barren deep. Now, placing Hermes on a shining seat Of state, Calypso, glorious goddess, said:
“Thou of the golden wand, revered and loved, What, Hermes, brings thee hither? Passing few Have been thy visits. Make thy pleasure known. My heart enjoins me to obey, if aught That thou commandest be within my power; But first accept the offerings due a guest.”
The goddess, speaking thus, before him placed A table, where the heaped ambrosia lay, And mingled the red nectar. Ate and drank The herald Argus-queller, and, refreshed, Answered the nymph, and made his message known:—
“Art thou a goddess, and dost ask of me, A god, why came I hither? Yet, since thou Requirest, I will truly tell the cause. I came unwillingly, at Jove’s command; For who of choice would traverse the wide waste Of the salt ocean, with no city near Where men adore the gods with solemn