Verse
Odyssey
Book 11, Line 362 by Samuel Butler (English)
"Odysseus," replied Alkinoos, "not one of us who sees you has any idea that you are a charlatan or a swindler. I know there are many people going about who tell such plausible stories that it is very hard to see through them, but there is a style about your language which assures me of your good disposition. Moreover you have told the story of your own misfortunes, and those of the Argives, as though you were a practiced bard; but tell me, and tell me true, whether you saw any of the mighty heroes who went to Troy at the same time with yourself, and perished there. The evenings are still at their longest, and it is not yet bed time [ hôra ] - go on, therefore, with your divine story, for I could stay here listening till tomorrow morning, so long as you will continue to tell us of your adventures."
OdysseyBook 11, Line 362Samuel ButlerEnglishVerse permalinkRead in Book 11
HomerProseID odyssey-odyssey-butler-en-prose-11-362