Page:The Odyssey of Homer, with the Hymns, Epigrams, and Battle of the Frogs and Mice (Buckley 1853).djvu/207

292—334. get ready supper, remaining near the swift ship; and, embarking in the morning, let us enter on the wide sea.'

"Thus spoke Eurylochus; and my other companions approved: and then I knew that the deity meditated evils: and addressing him I spoke winged words:

O Eurylochus, surely now ye compel me much, being alone; but come, all of you, now swear a strong oath to me, if we find any herd of oxen, or great flock of sheep, no one will kill either ox, or even sheep, through his infatuation: but quiet do ye eat the food which immortal Circe gave us.'

"Thus I spoke; and they immediately swore as I commanded: but when they had sworn and finished the oath, we stationed the well-made ship in the hollow port, near the sweet water: and my companions went out of the ship, and then skilfully prepared supper. But when they had taken away the desire of drinking and eating, then calling to mind their dear companions whom Scylla eat, having taken them out from the black ship, they wept; and sweet sleep came upon them weeping. But when it was the third part of the night, and the stars went down, cloud-collecting Jove raised against us a strong wind, with a mighty whirlwind, and covered earth and heaven at the same time with clouds; and night arose from heaven. But when the mother of dawn, rosy-fingered morning, appeared, we moored our ship, drawing it into a hollow cave; there were the beautiful dancing-places and the seats of Nymphs; and then I, having formed an assembly, spoke unto them all:

O my friends, there is food and drink in the swift ship; but let us abstain from the oxen, lest we suffer any thing. For these are the oxen and fat sheep of a dread god, the Sun, who overlooks all things, and hears all things.'

"Thus I spoke; and their noble mind was persuaded. But the South wind blew without ceasing for a whole month, nor was there any other wind afterwards except the East and South. But they, whilst they had food and red wine, so long abstained from the oxen, being desirous of life: but when all the provisions were now consumed out of the ship, then wandering of necessity they followed after booty, fish and birds, acceptable, whatever came to their hands, with crooked hooks: but hunger wore down their belly. Then I went away through the island, that I might pray to the gods, if any one