S:

[1] We are told that Homer was under obligations to Mentes, who had
frequently given him a passage in his ship to different countries which
he wished to see, for which reason he has here immortalised him.

[2] Milton uses the word--Sewers and seneschals.

[3] +Eranos+, a convivial meeting, at which every man paid his
proportion, at least contributed something; but it seems to have been a
meeting at which strict sobriety was observed, else Pallas would not have
inferred from the noise and riot of this, that it was not such a one.

[4] +Ossa+--a word spoken, with respect to the speaker, casually; but
with reference to the inquirer supposed to be sent for his information by
the especial appointment and providential favour of the Gods.

[5] There is in the Original an evident stress laid on the word
+Nepoinoi+ which is used in both places. It was a sort of Lex Talionis
which Telemachus hoped might be put in force against them; and that Jove
would demand no satisfaction for the lives of those who made him none for
the waste of his property.

BOOK II

ARGUMENT

Telemachus having convened an assembly of the Greecians, publicly calls
on the Suitors to relinquish the house of Ulysses. During the continuance
of the Council he has much to suffer from the petulance of the Suitors,
from whom, having informed them of his design to undertake a voyage in
hope to obtain news of Ulysses, he asks a ship, with all things necessary
for the purpose. He is refused, but is afterwards furnished with what he
wants by Minerva, in the form of Mentor. He embarks in the evening
without the privity of his mother, and the Goddess sails with him.

Aurora, rosy daughter of the dawn,
Now ting'd the East, when habited again,
Uprose Ulysses' offspring from his bed.
Athwart his back his faulchion keen he flung,
His sandals bound to his unsullied feet,
And, godlike, issued from his chamber-door.
At once the clear-voic'd heralds he enjoin'd
To call the Greeks to council; they aloud
Gave forth the summons, and the throng began.
When all were gather'd, and the assembly full, 10
Himself, his hand arm'd with a brazen spear,
Went also; nor alone he went; his hounds
Fleet-footed follow'd him, a faithful pair.
O'er all his form Minerva largely shed
Majestic grace divine, and, as he went,
The whole admiring concourse gaz'd on him,
The seniors gave him pla