%
% Odysseus's Order
%
% Reuben Thomas   22/11/03; revised 4th June 2012
%
% Typeset 30/11/03; used \obeypoemlines 23/3/17; reverted to using \\ for web 16/5/17
%


\documentclass[english]{article}
\usepackage[utf8x]{inputenc}
\usepackage{a4,babel,palatino}
\usepackage[nonotes]{poem}

\pagestyle{empty}


\begin{document}
\begin{poem}%
  \title{Odysseus’s Order}%

\stanza*
  Too long have I a ruler been\\
% originally “drove” 4/6/12
  The whip that drives men from despair\\
  Stifling myself to give them air\\

\stanza*
  Their captain, king, what does that mean?\\
  I'm but the caulk that plugs the hull\\
  A makeshift lodestone, stray star-beam\\

\stanza*
  Then bind me to the heedless mast\\
  While honeyed death the sirens sing\\
  As from my mind all will they wring\\
  At last I shall be free, at last!\\
\author{Reuben Thomas}%
\poemdate{22nd November 2003}%
\end{poem}
\begin{notes}
  The first two lines were written in May 2001 or earlier, I think.
\end{notes}
\end{document}
