The Odyssey, A Modern Sequel - Nikos Kazantzakis

The Odyssey, A Modern Sequel extract 1

Then flesh dissolved, glances congealed, the heart's pulse stopped,

and the great mind leapt to the peak of its holy freedom,

fluttered with empty wings, then upright through the air

soared high and freed itself from its last cage, its freedom.

All things like frail mist scattered till but one brave cry

for a brief moment hung in the calm benighted waters:

''Forward, my lads, sail on, for Death's breeze blows in a fair wind!"

***

The Odyssey, A Modern sequel extract 2

"You fool, how in your greatest need can you abandon most glorious man who lives and fights to give you shape?

You fill our hearts with cries and vehement desires, then sink your ears in silence and refuse to listen;

but man's soul will fight on, you coward, without your help!"

His heart leapt high, spurned Death, and in the black air cut a thousand roads to fly through on a thousand wings,

then, screeching like a hawk, strove to unwind what fate had woven.

Nikos Kazantzakis