Calypso's
Island
Calypso, a sea-nymph, received Ulysses hospitably,
entertained him magnificently, became enamored of
him, and wished to retain him forever, offering
him immortality. He remained with her seven long
years. But he persisted in his resolution to
return to his country and his wife and son.
(Odyssey, 1, 10.) Calypso at last received the
command of Jove to dismiss him. Mercury brought
the message to her and found her in her grotto.
A garden vine, luxuriant on all sides,
Mantled the spacious cavern, cluster-hung
Profuse; four fountains of serenest lymph,
Their sinuous course pursuing side by side,
Strayed all around, and everywhere appeared
Meadows of softest verdure, purpled o'er
With violets; it was a scene to fill
A god from heaven with wonder and delight.
(Odyssey, 5, 64 (Cowper's translation.)
Calypso, with much reluctance, proceeded to
obey the commands of Jupiter. She supplied Ulysses
with the means of constructing a raft, provisioned
it well for him, and gave him a favoring gale. He
sped on his course prosperously for many days,
till at last, when in sight of land, a storm arose
that broke his mast and threatened to rend the
raft asunder. In this crisis he was seen by a
compassionate sea-nymph, Leucothea, who, in the
form of a cormorant, alighted on the raft and
presented him with a girdle, directing him to bind
it beneath his breast, that, if he should be
compelled to trust himself to the waves, it might
buoy him up and enable him to reach the land.
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