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| Calypso and Ulysses |
In Greek mythology, Calypso was a sea nymph. She was variously said to be the daughter of Atlas, of Nereus, and of Oceanus. She dwelt alone on the wooded island Ogygia, remote from both gods and men. During his wanderings after the Trojan War, Ulysses reached this island. He was hospitably received by the nymph, who straightway fell in love with him and strove by every art she knew to keep him from leaving her. She promised him perpetual youth and immortality. For seven years she was successful in holding the recreant. Then Zeus interfered and commanded Calypso to send Ulysses on his way. Having fitted him out with a raft, provisions, and a breeze to waft him on, she sorrowfully bade him farewell. Later, when Telemachus, son of Ulysses, went in search of his father, he, too, stopped at'Calypso's isle. Again Calypso tried to hold her guest, but Minerva, who, disguised as Mentor, accompanied Telemachus, influenced him to withstand Calypso's allurements. The two escaped from the island by jumping from a cliff into the sea and swimming to a ship which lay becalmed at a little distance.
