Propemptikon:
Night Letter to a Traveller Bound for Greece
(for M.C.B)
Traveller in your lot
include this friendly prayer
which may Zeus hear and heed and not
disperse in air
Travel the ocean sea
untrammeled by desire
Ulysses' passion ever be
a joyous fire
Travel the middle sea
without Poseidon's curse
your joyous guide Apollo be
Athene nurse
Traveller dear to me
westward at last turning
Joy in your farthest travels be
Joy in returning
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