In this invocation from The Odyssey, the poet (Homer) asks a goddess for inspiration. He describes Odysseus’ character and gives a brief summary of his wanderings. Paraphrase the text by “translating” each line into modern-day English. The first two lines are done for you. Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story
Use me, Muse, to tell the story
of that man skilled in all ways of contending,
Of the skilled fighter
the wanderer, harried for years on end,
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after he plundered the stronghold on the proud height of Troy.
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He saw the townlands
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and learned the minds of many distant men,
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and weathered many bitter nights and days
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in his deep heart at sea, while he fought only
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to save his life, to bring his shipmates home.
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But not by will nor valor could he save them,
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for their own recklessness destroyed them all—
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children and fools, they killed and feasted on
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the cattle of Lord Helios, the Sun,
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and he who moves all day through heaven
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took from their eyes the dawn of their return.
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Of these adventures, Muse, daughter of Zeus,
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tell us in our time, lift the great song again. . . .
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