Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/221

Book IX. But distant now such length as a loud voice May reach, I hail'd with taunts the Cyclops' ear. Cyclops! when thou devouredst in thy cave With brutal force my followers, thou devour'dst The followers of no timid Chief, or base, Vengeance was sure to recompense that deed Atrocious. Monster! who wast not afraid To eat the guest shelter'd beneath thy roof! Therefore the Gods have well requited thee. I ended; he, exasp'rate, raged the more, And rending from its hold a mountain-top, Hurl'd it toward us; at our vessel's stern Down came the mass, nigh sweeping in its fall The rudder's head. The ocean at the plunge Of that huge rock, high on its refluent flood Heav'd, irresistible, the ship to land. I seizing, quick, our longest pole on board, Back thrust her from the coast and by a nod In silence given, bade my companions ply Strenuous their oars, that so we might escape. Procumbent, each obey'd, and when, the flood Cleaving, we twice that distance had obtain'd, Again I hail'd the Cyclops; but my friends Earnest dissuaded me on ev'ry side.