Page:Masterpieces of Greek Literature (1902).djvu/71

41 ODYSSEUS IN THE CAVE OF POLYPHEMUS 41

Pavement and wall, appeasing the fell pain Which from this Noman - traitor nothing - worth I drain ! " 540

Thus spake he, and the great ram from his doors Dismissed. A little outward from the cave Borne with the flock we passed, and left his floors Blood-stained behind, escaping a dire grave. First mine own bands I loosened, and then gave m5 My friends their freedom : but the slow fat sheep, Lengthily winding, to the ships we drave. Joy stirred within our comrades strong and deep. Glad of our help from doom, though forced the slain to weep.

Natheless their lamentations I made cease, 550

And with bent brows gave signal not to wail ; But with all haste the flock so fine of fleece Bade them on shipboard set, and forward sail. So they the canvas open to the gale And with timed oarage smite the foamy mere. 555 Soon from such distance as the voice might hail A landsman, and by shouting make him hear, I to the Cyclops shrilled with scorn and cutting jeer :

" Cyclops, you thought to eat a poor man's friends Here in your cavern by sheer brutal might. 560

Go to : rough vengeance on thy crime attends ; Since, in thy soul not reverencing the right, Thy guests thou hast devoured in foul despite. Even on thine own hearth. Therefore Zeus at last And all the gods thine evil deeds requite." ses

So did I blow wind on his anger's blast. He a hill-peak tore off, and the huge fragment cast