As the generation of leaves, so is that of humanity. The wind scatters the leaves on the ground, but the live timber burgeons with leaves again in the season of spring returning. So one generation of men will grow while another dies.
Iliad, Lattimore (6:146-150), p. 157 – Glaukos speaking to Diomedes
– Glaukos speaking to Diomedes
This is the story of a man [Odysseus], one who was never at a loss. He had traveled far in the world, after the sack of Troy, the virgin fortress; he saw many cities of men, and learnt their mind; he endured many troubles and hardships in the struggle to save his own life and to bring back his men safe to their homes.
Odyssey, Rouse (1), p. 11
Then resourceful Odysseus spoke in turn and answered her:
‘Goddess and queen, do not be angry with me. I myself know
that all you say is true and the circumspect Penelope
can never match the impression you make for beauty and stature.
She is mortal after all, and you are immortal and ageless.
But even so what I want and all my days I pine for
is to go back to my house and see my day of homecoming.
And if some god batters me far out on the wine-blue water,
I will endure it, keeping a stubborn spirit inside me,
for already I have suffered much and done much hard work
on the waves and in the fighting. So let this adventure follow.’
Odyssey, Lattimore (5:200-224) – Odysseus, a Greek model, prefers the real world to immortality in a Greek “Garden of Eden”
– Odysseus, a Greek model, prefers the real world to immortality in a Greek “Garden of Eden”
And may the good gods give you all your heart desires; husband, and house, and lasting harmony too. No finer, greater gift in the world than that … when man and woman possess their home, two minds, two hearts that work as one. Despair to their enemies, joy to all their friends. Their own best claim to glory.
Odyssey (6:198-203), Fagles, Odysseus speaking to Nausikaa