He will not see his lady nor his children / in joy, crowding about him, home from sea;/ the Sirens will sing his mind away / on their sweet meadow lolling.
The quoted lines are from the Greek epic poem, "The Odyssey" by Homer. In this particular passage, the speaker is referring to the dangers faced by sailors who are lured by the irresistible and enchanting voices of the Sirens. The Sirens, in Greek mythology, were creatures who used their captivating singing to lure sailors towards them, causing them to lose their minds and ultimately meet their demise.
To understand the meaning of these lines, it is important to recognize the context. The protagonist of the poem, Odysseus, is a heroic figure who is on a long journey back home after the Trojan War. His ultimate destination is Ithaca, where his wife (his lady) and children await him.
The lines indicate that if a sailor falls victim to the allure of the Sirens' song, he will be unable to return home to his loved ones. The "joy" of reuniting with his family after being away at sea will be denied to him. Instead, his mind will be consumed by the enchanting melodies of the Sirens, causing him to remain fixated on their alluring song and forgetting his purpose of returning home.
In order to analyze and understand this passage, it is important to be familiar with the storyline and characters of "The Odyssey" by Homer. Reading the entire epic or consulting a summary of its plot will provide a deeper understanding of the context and significance of this particular quote.