Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/205

209—250. fortunes. This evil indeed does not come greater upon us than when the Cyclops shut us in his hollow cave by powerful force; but we escaped even from thence by my valour, and counsel and prudence; and I think that you will some time remember these things. But now come, let us all obey, as I direct; do ye smite the deep billow of the sea with your oars, sitting on the benches, if Jove will by chance grant us to escape from and avoid this death. But to thee I order thus, O helmsman, and lay it up in thy mind, since thou art managing the rudder of the hollow ship; keep the ship off from this smoke and wave; and do thou observe the rock, lest rushing out thence she escape thy notice, and thou cast us into evil.'

"Thus I spoke; and they quickly obeyed my words. But I did not speak of Scylla, an unavoidable evil, lest my companions, terrified, should cease from rowing, and huddle themselves within. And then I forgot the terrible command of Circe, for she ordered me not to arm myself; but I, having put on my noble arms, and taking two long spears in my hands, went to the deck of the ship's prow; for I expected that rocky Scylla, who brought harm to my companions, would appear from thence first. Nor could I perceive her any where; but my eyes toiled, looking every where to the dark rock. And we sailed through the strait, mourning, for on one side was Scylla, and on the other divine Charybdis terribly sucked in the briny water of the sea. When she vomited it out, it all murmured, bubbling up as a cauldron on a large fire, and the foam fell on high upon both the lofty rocks. But when she drank up the briny water of the sea, it all appeared bubbling up within; and thundered terribly about the rock, and the earth appeared below with azure sand; and pale fear seized them. We indeed looked to this, fearing destruction. And Scylla in the mean time took six of my companions from the hollow ship, who were best in their hands and their strength. And looking to the swift ship and to my companions at the same time, I now perceived the feet and hands above of them raised on high; and calling out, they addressed me by my name, there for the last time, sorrowing at heart.