Table of Contents
Part-1
Lotus Eaters
Stanza 1
Ulysses said that he had courage, and he pointed towards an island. We will be there soon, and these waves will take us there. When they reached the island, it was afternoon time, and there it always seemed afternoon time. The air seems to be breathing slowly, as if you are seeing a very weary and tiresome dream. The moon was full in the afternoon and lingered above the valley. From the place where they were standing, they were looking at a waterfall, this waterfall looked like a downward smoke, the water falling pauses and starts again and again.
Stanza 2
It was the land of many streams; many streams are flowing. The waterfall is like a thin, veils lawn. Some are slower, and light is playing on the waters, others are falling very lazily, as if they are feeling sleepy. Then they saw a gleaming river. Far away, they saw three mountains, and it seemed as though the snow was there on them forever; the sunset flush on it, and showery dew drops were also there on it. Here below they can see woven cops, and above, at a high level there were pine trees and they were shadowy.
Stanza 3
Slowly, it is evening, and the whole western part has turned red. Far away, they can see a downy kind of place with grass and such things, it is bordered by palm trees, and they can see valleys with meadows and large areas covered with galingale. They have just gotten off the ship. The natives of that land came forward to meet them. Their faces were dark and they looked yellow against the light of the setting sun. they were not showing any kind of excitement, so they just came very mild and passive. They had something with them in their hands.
Stanza 4
They had branches of that plant, and these branches were laden with fruits and flowers. They gave it to everyone, but those who received it suddenly tasted it. Those who ate this fruit were unable to hear what their friends said, they seemed to be in deep sleep but they were awake. The only music that they can hear in their ears is that of the beating of their hearts.
Stanza 5
They sat there suddenly in the light of the sun and moon, and they remembered their fatherland, children, wives, and slaves. Then suddenly, they just felt that they did not want to go back to their fatherland because going back was a long journey and their homes were far away across the sea. Suddenly, one of them said, that lets just not go back, let’s just sit all here and not to go back and we will no longer roam.