Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/155

117—158. of the land of the Cyclops, not very near, nor far off, woody: and in it wild goats are produced in boundless number; for the step of men does not interfere with them: nor do hunters, who undergo toils in the wood, searching the tops of mountains, go over it. It is neither kept by flocks, nor by ploughings, but itself, for all days unsown and untilled, is bereft of men, and feeds bleating goats. For the Cyclops have not vermillion-prowed ships, nor are there men amongst them builders of ships, who can make well-benched ships, which would perform every thing, going to the cities of men: as frequently men, who have prepared for themselves a well-inhabited island, pass in ships over the sea, one to another: for it is not at all bad, but would produce every thing in season. For there are in it watery, soft meadows, near the banks of the hoary sea; and the vines would be very imperishable. And in it the tillage is light; and they would always reap a deep harvest in season, since the soil is very rich below. And there is a haven with a good station, where there is no need of cable, nor to cast anchors, nor to bind the halsers, but driving in to remain so long, until the mind of the sailors should excite them, and the winds should blow. But at the head of the haven flows clear water, a fountain from under a cave; and around poplars spring up. There we sailed, and some deity conducted us through the dark night; nor did it appear so as to be seen. For there was a dense mist about the ships, nor did the moon shine from heaven, for it was covered with clouds; from thence no one beheld the island with his eyes; nor did we perceive the long waves rolling to the beach, before the well-benched ships struck against it. But when the ships struck, we took down all the sails, and we ourselves disembarked upon the shore of the sea; there having fallen asleep, we awaited divine morning. But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, appeared, admiring the island we went round about it. And the nymphs, the daughters of Ægis-bearing Jove, roused the mountain-dwelling goats, that my companions might take their meal. Immediately we took our bent bows and long-pointed javelins from the ships; and arrayed in three bands, we struck them; and the deity straightway gave us a strength-recruiting prey. Twelve