Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/162

126 burning; and the roots crackled with the fire. And as when a brazier dips a large hatchet or axe in cold water, sounding greatly, tempering it (for this is the strength of steel); so his eye hissed around the bar of olive-wood. And he howled very horribly; and the rock resounded about: and we fearing hastened away; but he drew from his eye the bar polluted with much blood; then raving he threw it from his hands. But he called loudly to the Cyclops, who dwelt round about him in caves throughout the windy promontories. And they, having heard his voice, came from different places; and standing around the cave, inquired what afflicted him.

How, Polyphemus, hast thou so much hurt thus cried out through the ambrosial night, and made us sleepless? Is any one of mortals driving away thy sheep against thy will? or is some one killing thyself by deceit or by force?' But them strong Polyphemus addressed in turn from the cave: 'O my friends, No-man kills me by deceit, and not by force.' And they answering addressed to him winged words:

If indeed no man treats thee, who art such a one, with violence, it is by no means possible to avoid a disease from great Jove; yet do thou at least pray to thy father, king Neptune.'

"Thus they spoke departing; but my dear heart laughed, because my name and blameless counsel had deceived him. But the Cyclops groaning, and travailing, on account of his pain, groping with his hands, took away the stone from the door; but he sat within the gate, stretching out his hands, if by chance he could lay hold of any one going out of the door with the sheep; for he expected that I was thus foolish in my mind. But I consulted how it would be the best, if I could discover any escape from death for my companions and for myself; and I wove all kinds of deceit and craft, as concerning life, for a great evil was near at hand; and this counsel seemed to me in my mind to be the best.

"The male sheep were well-nurtured, thick-fleeced, beautiful, and large, having wool of a dark-violet colour: these I silently bound together with well-twisted osiers, (on which the Cyclops slept, vast, knowing in lawless things,) taking three