Poetry  |  William Cowper  |  The Odyssey of Homer  |  Book 24

The Odyssey of Homer — Book 24 (Part 7 of 7)

she, and fear at once paled ev’ry cheek.
All trembled at the voice divine; their arms
Escaping from the grasp fell to the earth,
And, covetous of longer life, each fled
Back to the city. Then Ulysses sent
His voice abroad, and with an eagle’s force
Sprang on the people; but Saturnian Jove,
Cast down, incontinent, his smouldring bolt
At Pallas’ feet, and thus the Goddess spake.
   Laertes’ noble son, for wiles renown’d!
Forbear; abstain from slaughter; lest thyself
Incur the anger of high thund’ring Jove.
   So Pallas, whom Ulysses, glad, obey’d.
Then faithful covenants of peace between
Both sides ensued, ratified in the sight
Of Pallas progeny of Jove, who seem’d,
In voice and form, the Mentor known to all.

End of the Odyssey