SOURCE: “Toward a Singapore Classic: Edwin Thumboo's ‘Ulysses by the Merlion’,” in The Literary Criterion, Vol. XV, No. 2, 1980, pp. 74-87.

In the following essay, Singh asserts that Thumboo's “‘Ulysses by the Merlion’ while not itself being a classic, paves the way for a Singapore classic.”

I have sailed many waters, Skirted islands of fire, emerged From bouts with Circe Who loved the squeal of pigs; Passed Scylla and Charybdis, Moved seven years with Calypso, Heaved in battle against the gods. Beneath it all I kept faith with Ithaca, travelled, Travelled and travelled, Suffering much, enjoying a little; Met strange people singing New myths; made myths myself. 

But this lion of the sea Salt-maned, scaly, wondrous of tail, Touched with power, insistent On this brief promontory, 

                              Puzzles. 

Nothing, nothing in my days Foreshadowed this Half-beast, half-fish, This powerful creature of land and sea. 

Peoples settled here, Brought to this...