relief print
undaunted
Book 5: Lines 402-405, 410-412
As long as the timbers cling and joints stand fast,
I'll hold out aboard her and take a whipping--
once the breakers smash my craft to pieces,
then I'll swim--no better plan for now."
But just as great Odysseus thrashed things out,scattering flying husks--so the long planks of his boat
Poseidon god of the earthquake launched a colossal wave,
terrible, murderous, arching over him, pounding down on him,
hard as a windstorm blasting piles of dry parched chaff,
were scattered far and wide. But Odysseus leapt aboard
one timber and riding it like a plunging racehorse
stripped away his clothes, divine Calypso's gifts,
and quickly tying the scarf around his waistBut again the mighty god of earthquakes spied him,
he dove headfirst in the sea,
stretched his arms and stroked for life itself.
shook his head and grumbled deep in his spirit, "Go, go,
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