Calypso allows Ulysses to go home—Poseidon sends a storm—Ulysses is
wrecked upon the Island of Scheria
Athene was busy preparing Ulysses’ return. Hermes, messenger of the
gods, bound on the golden sandals which enabled him to soar like a bird
through the air, took up his magic serpent staff with which he could
both kill and restore people to life, and flew swiftly away across the
sea. He soon stood upon Calypso’s distant island, enchanted with the
lovely dwelling so charmingly nestling among the trees. Singing birds
had made their nests in the dark recesses of the foliage, and the
entrance to the grotto was framed in vines from which hung bunches of
purple grapes. Round about stretched rich meadows intersected by
gleaming brooks, and many-colored flowers peeped out of the rich
verdure.
Hermes paused to admire the lovely spot, then entered the grotto to seek
Ulysses. The poor fellow who could find no peace of mind in this
beautiful isle, and who was vexed by the advances of the goddess, used
to go down every day and seat himself beside the surf to gaze out over
the dark waters in the direction in which his beloved fatherland lay.
The nymph, however, sat at her loom weaving herself a garment with a
golden shuttle and singing gayly at her work. She recognized Hermes at
once and was surprised to see him. He delivered to her the strict
command of Jupiter to release Ulysses, as the gods had determined upon
his return. This frightened the goddess, and she began to complain of
the jealousy and cruelty of the gods. She promised to obey, however,
through fear of the anger and vengeance of Jupiter.
In the meanwhile Hermes had been hospitably entertained, for even the
gods regale one another, though they do not eat mortal food. Their food
is called ambrosia and they drink a divine liquid which the poets call
nectar. After feasting, Hermes repeated the message and left the island.
When Calypso had spent her grief in a flood of tears she went out to
seek Ulysses. She found him sitting pensively on the shore. “My dear
friend,” she said, “thou must not pass thy life here in melancholy and
grieving. I will have compassion on thee and let thee go. But thou must
build a craft for thyself. Go to the forest, select trees, cut and trim
them with the axe which I shall give thee, and fashion for thyself a
strong raft. I can give thee no rowers, but I will plentifully provide
thee with food, drink, and clothes, and will give thee a gentle wind to
bear thee out into the sea. If the gods are willing thou shalt soon
reach thy dear native land in safety.”
Ulysses sprang up. Her words gave him a thrill of joyful surprise. He
could scarcely believe his good fortune. “Swear to me,” he cried
hastily, “that thou speakest the truth and art not contriving fresh
affliction for me!” The goddess smiled, and to please him swore the most
terrible oath of the gods, by the earth, the heavens, and the river
Styx, and now at last the hero believed her.
The following morning he hastened into the forest, and after four days
of incessant labor his raft was finished and furnished with mast,
rudder, and yard-arms. Calypso supplied the sail and filled the raft
with skins and baskets of sweet water, wine, and delicious food, and on
the fifth day she accompanied him to the beach and he joyfully embarked.
A gentle breeze filled his sail and he steered boldly across the
boundless waters, guided by the sun by day and the stars by night. He
journeyed swiftly for seventeen days, happy in the thought that he was
approaching nearer to his beloved wife and native land. But lo, on the
eighteenth day, when in sight of the island of Corfu, Poseidon caught
sight of the bold man and his anger blazed up anew. “Aha!” said he, “the
gods have doubtless taken him under their protection while I have been
away, but in spite of this he shall suffer disaster and sorrow enough
before he reach the land which is appointed for his refuge.”
The angry words had scarcely been spoken before dark clouds began to
gather at his bidding. He dipped his trident into the sea and it was
disturbed to its depths. Then he called upon the winds to come out of
their caves and strive together, and dark night descended upon the
waters. Ulysses trembled. He was alone upon the broad ocean. Land had
disappeared, and as far as the eye could see there were only the dark
waves which rose in their might, then dashed upon him, carrying him
first heavenwards, then down into the depths of an abyss. Clinging
desperately to his raft, he was tossed to and fro. A terrific blast
swept away mast and sail and then came a great wave, like a mountain,
which broke over the raft and submerged it. Ulysses lost his hold, but
when he arose he saw it floating near him and managed to climb upon it,
thus escaping certain death. But the storm still raged and there seemed
no hope of rescue.
However, he was destined to be saved. Leucothea, the sea goddess,
discovered him in the midst of the angry waves and took pity on him. She
swung herself up out of the sea on to the raft and seated herself. “Poor
man,” said she, “thou must surely have sorely offended Poseidon, but he
shall not destroy thee. Thou shalt be cast on the shores of Scheria.
Take this girdle and tie it about thee; then cast off thy heavy
garments, leave thy float, and save thyself by swimming. The girdle will
bear thee safely to the shore, but when thou art once there, do not fail
to throw it behind thee into the sea.”
With these words she disappeared in the waters. Ulysses was still in
doubt, for he feared the vision was a malicious deception of Poseidon’s.
He would not leave the raft so long as it held together, but he kept the
girdle to try its power in case of need.
He did not have long to wait, for a sudden shower of water dashed the
raft in pieces. The logs separated and the poor sailor fell between them
into the sea. It was now life or death. He swam toward the largest piece
of the raft, caught hold of it, and swung himself astride the log like a
horseman, holding fast by his knees. Riding thus, he drew off his heavy
tunic and threw it into the sea, tied on the girdle, and sprang
confidently into the water to try his luck. As he was struggling in the
water Poseidon saw him and said: “This time thou mayst escape death, but
I hope that thou wilt not soon forget the horrors of this day.”
Poseidon departed and by degrees the wild waves subsided. The terrible
storm had lasted two days and two nights, and in all this time poor
Ulysses had had nothing to eat or drink. He kept on swimming, sustained
by the divine girdle. He was again filled with hope and joy when he saw
the waves subsiding and the rocky coast of Scheria (or Corfu) close
before him. But he was not yet safe, for the surf kept dashing him back
from the steep walls of rock. This was worse than his battle with the
waves; and with torn hands he was obliged to swim nearly around the
island before he could find a landing place.
At length he came to a spot where a little island stream flowed into the
sea. The beach was low and it was protected from the winds. Ulysses took
courage, and praying to the divinity of the stream he said: “Hear me, oh
ruler, whoever thou art, and take pity on me! Thou seest I have escaped
Poseidon’s wrath, and now I put myself under thy protection.”
The river god heard him, and Ulysses soon sank upon his knees on the
green grass and kissed the blessed earth. But now his strength was spent
and he sank into a state of deep unconsciousness. Voice and breath left
him; he was utterly exhausted.
As soon as he recovered himself he gratefully remembered Leucothea and
her command. He arose, unbound the wet girdle, and with averted face
cast it into the sea. Then fearfully and timidly he began to explore the
island. Night was approaching and no one was to be seen. Naked as he
was, where should he find shelter? It was damp and cold on the beach,
and in the wood which he saw before him there might be savage animals.
Still he walked on toward it and discovered a few wild olive trees whose
thick boughs made a welcome shelter against sun, rain, and wind. On the
ground lay a great mass of dry leaves which he heaped together and then
crept under, his body hidden by the foliage. A deep sleep fell upon him
in his bed of leaves, and for a time his hardships were forgotten.