Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/158

122 to the innermost part of the cave. But he drove all the fatted flocks, whatever he milked, into the wide cave, but the males he left at the door, both rams and goats, outside the deep hall. But then lifting up a large barrier on high, he fixed it, of great weight: two and twenty good wains, with four wheels, would not have moved it from the threshold, such a lofty rock did he place at the door. And sitting down he milked the sheep and bleating goats all rightly, and he set its young one under each. But immediately, having thickened half of the white milk, collecting it into woven sieves he laid it aside; and then he put half in vessels, that it might be for him to drink when he wished, and might be useful at supper. But after he had hastened in performing his employments, then he lighted a fire, and saw and inquired of us:

O strangers, who are ye? from whence do ye sail over the moist ways? Whether on account of some business, or do ye wander in vain? as robbers over the sea, who wander, exposing their lives, bringing evil to foreigners.'

"Thus he spoke; but our dear heart was broken down, fearing his heavy voice, and him a monster. But even so, answering him with words, I addressed him: 'We Grecians, wandering from Troy with all kinds of winds over the mighty ridge of the sea, on returning home, have come another journey, by other ways; so perhaps Jove wished to contrive. But we profess ourselves to be the people of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, whose renown, now at least, is the greatest under heaven: for he has sacked so mighty a city, and destroyed [so] many people; but we coming to thy knees supplicate thee, if thou wouldst afford us hospitable entertainment, or otherwise wouldst give us a present, which is the right of strangers. But revere the gods, O best one; for we are thy suppliants. And hospitable Jove, who attends upon strangers to be pitied, is the avenger of suppliants and strangers.'

"Thus I spoke; but he answered me again with a cruel mind: 'Ye are foolish, O stranger, or have come from a distance, who command me either to fear or avoid the gods; for the Cyclops care not for Ægis-bearing Jove, nor the blessed gods; since we are much superior to them. Nor would I, avoiding the hatred of Jove, spare either thee or thy com-