Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/159

279—317. panions, if my mind does not exhort me. But tell me, where, when thou camest, hast thou kept thy well-worked ship; whether some where on the extreme part of the island, or near, in order that I may know.'

"Thus he spoke, trying me; nor did he escape me who ken many things, but I addressed him in return with deceitful words: 'Earth-shaking Neptune has broken my ship, dashing it against rocks, at the limits of thy land, driving it against a headland: and a wind brought it from the sea; but I with these escaped from bitter destruction.'

"Thus I spoke; but he answered me not at all with his cruel mind; but he rushing, threw his hands on my companions, and snatching two together, like whelps, he dashed them against the earth, and the brains flowed out on the ground, and bedewed the earth. And cutting these up, limb by limb, he made ready supper: and he eat like a mountain-nurtured lion, nor did he leave entrails or flesh, or marrowy bones. But we weeping held up our hands to Jove, beholding the cruel deeds; and despair possessed our mind. But when the Cyclops had filled his enormous belly, eating men's flesh, and chinking pure milk after it, he lay within the cave, stretched out in the midst of the sheep. I indeed took counsel in my strong-hearted mind, going near, having drawn my sharp sword from my thigh, to wound him in the breast, where the vitals contain the liver, reaching him with my hand, but another consideration hindered me. For there we also should have perished in dreadful destruction; for we should not have been able to thrust with our hands the immense stone from the lofty gates, which he placed at them. Thus then mourning, we waited for divine morning. But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, appeared, then he lighted a fire, and milked all his fine cattle rightly, and set its young one under each. But after he had hastened in performing his employments, he again snatching two together, made ready his meal. And having banqueted he drove his rich cattle out from the cave, easily taking away the large gate; but afterwards he placed it back again, as if he were placing the cover on a quiver. And with much clamour the Cyclops turned his rich cattle towards the mountain; but I was left deeply planning evil things, if by any means I might be revenged on him, and Minerva would give me glory. But