Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/57

27 ODYSSEUS IN THE CAVE OF POLYPHEMUS 27

Thence we sailed onward overwhelmed in heart, And to the land of the Cyclopes came, An undiscerning- people, void of art In life, and tramplers on the sacred claim lao

Of laws which men for civil uses frame. Scorners of common weal no bounds they keep, Nor learn with labors the rude earth to tame ; Who neither plant nor plough nor sow nor reap ; Still in the gods they trust, still careless wake and sleep. 135

There all good fruits on the spontaneous soil Fed by the rain of Zeus for ever grow ; Unsown, untended, corn and wine and oil Spring to their hand ; but they no councils know Nor justice, but for ever lawless go. uo

Housed in the hills they neither buy nor sell. No kindly offices demand or show ; Each in the hollow cave where he doth dwell Gives law to wife and children, as he thinketh well.

Skirting their harbor, neither near nor far, 145

A little island lies, with forest crowned, Wherein wild goats in countless numbers are ; Since there no track of mortal men is found Who hunt in hardship over mountain ground. And never plough hath pierced the woodland glen. Unvisited it lies the whole year round, 151

None their tame flocks amid those pastures pen. Feeding wild goats, and widowed of the race of men.

Not to Cyclopian brood doth appertain Skill in the seas, or vermeil-painted fleet 155

Of barks, which, sailing o'er the azure main, Pass and repass wherever seemeth meet.