And Odysseus of many counsels answered him saying: ‘King Alcinous, most notable of all the people, verily it is a good thing to list to a minstrel such as this one, like to the gods in voice. Nay2, as for me, I say that there is no more gracious or perfect delight than when a whole people makes merry, and the men sit orderly at feast in the halls and listen to the singer, and the tables by them are laden3 with bread and flesh, and a wine-bearer drawing the wine serves it round and pours it into the cups. This seems to me well-nigh the fairest thing in the world. But now thy heart was inclined to ask of my grievous troubles, that I may mourn for more exceeding sorrow. What then shall I tell of first, what last, for the gods of heaven have given me woes5 in plenty? Now, first, will I tell my name, that ye too may know it, and that I, when I have escaped the pitiless day, may yet be your host, though my home is in a far country. I am ODYSSEUS, SON OF LAERTES, who am in men’s minds for all manner of wiles6, and my fame reaches unto heaven. And I dwell in clear-seen Ithaca, wherein is a mountain Neriton, with trembling forest leaves, standing7 manifest to view, and many islands lie around, very near one to the other, Dulichium and Same, and wooded Zacynthus. Now Ithaca lies low, furthest up the sea-line toward the darkness, but those others face the dawning and the sun: a rugged8 isle9, but a good nurse of noble youths; and for myself I can see nought10 beside sweeter than a man’s own country. Verily Calypso, the fair goddess, would fain have kept me with her in her hollow caves, longing11 to have me for her lord; and likewise too, guileful13 Circe of Aia, would have stayed me in her halls, longing to have me for her lord. But never did they prevail upon my heart within my breast. So surely is there nought sweeter than a man’s own country and his parents, even though he dwell far off in a rich home, in a strange land, away from them that begat him. But come, let me tell thee too of the troubles of my journeying, which Zeus laid on me as I came from Troy.
‘The wind that bare me from Ilios brought me nigh to the Cicones, even to Ismarus, whereupon I sacked their city and slew14 the people. And from out the city we took their wives and much substance, and divided them amongst us, that none through me might go lacking his proper share. Howbeit, thereafter I commanded that we should flee with a swift foot, but my men in their great folly15 hearkened not. There was much wine still a drinking, and still they slew many flocks of sheep by the seashore and kine with trailing feet and shambling gait. Meanwhile the Cicones went and raised a cry to other Cicones their neighbours, dwelling17 inland, who were more in number than they and braver withal: skilled they were to fight with men from chariots, and when need was on foot. So they gathered in the early morning as thick as leaves and flowers that spring in their season — yea and in that hour an evil doom18 of Zeus stood by us, ill-fated men, that so we might be sore afflicted19. They set their battle in array by the swift ships, and the hosts cast at one another with their bronze-shod spears. So long as it was morn and the sacred day waxed stronger, so long we abode21 their assault and beat them off, albeit22 they outnumbered us. But when the sun was wending to the time of the loosing of cattle, then at last the Cicones drave in the Achaeans and overcame them, and six of my goodly-greaved company perished from each ship: but the remnant of us escaped death and destiny.
‘Thence we sailed onward24 stricken at heart, yet glad as men saved from death, albeit we had lost our dear companions. Nor did my curved ships move onward ere we had called thrice on each of those our hapless fellows, who died at the hands of the Cicones on the plain. Now Zeus, gatherer of the clouds, aroused the North Wind against our ships with a terrible tempest, and covered land and sea alike with clouds, and down sped night from heaven. Thus the ships were driven headlong, and their sails were torn to shreds25 by the might of the wind. So we lowered the sails into the hold, in fear of death, but rowed the ships landward apace. There for two nights and two days we lay continually, consuming our hearts with weariness and sorrow. But when the fair-tressed Dawn had at last brought the full light of the third day, we set up the masts and hoisted26 the white sails and sat us down, while the wind and the helmsman guided the ships. And now I should have come to mine own country all unhurt, but the wave and the stream of the sea and the North Wind swept me from my course as I was doubling Malea, and drave me wandering past Cythera.
‘Thence for nine whole days was I borne by ruinous winds over the teeming27 deep; but on the tenth day we set foot on the land of the lotus-eaters, who eat a flowery food. So we stepped ashore16 and drew water, and straightway my company took their midday meal by the swift ships. Now when we had tasted meat and drink I sent forth28 certain of my company to go and make search what manner of men they were who here live upon the earth by bread, and I chose out two of my fellows, and sent a third with them as herald29. Then straightway they went and mixed with the men of the lotus-eaters, and so it was that the lotus-eaters devised not death for our fellows, but gave them of the lotus to taste. Now whosoever of them did eat the honey-sweet fruit of the lotus, had no more wish to bring tidings nor to come back, but there he chose to abide30 with the lotus-eating men, ever feeding on the lotus, and forgetful of his homeward way. Therefore I led them back to the ships weeping, and sore against their will, and dragged them beneath the benches, and bound them in the hollow barques. But I commanded the rest of my well-loved company to make speed and go on board the swift ships, lest haply any should eat of the lotus and be forgetful of returning. Right soon they embarked31, and sat upon the benches, and sitting orderly they smote32 the grey sea water with their oars33.
‘Thence we sailed onward stricken at heart. And we came to the land of the Cyclopes, a froward and a lawless folk, who trusting to the deathless gods plant not aught with their hands, neither plough: but, behold34, all these things spring for them in plenty, unsown and untilled, wheat, and barley35, and vines, which bear great clusters of the juice of the grape, and the rain of Zeus gives them increase. These have neither gatherings37 for council nor oracles38 of law, but they dwell in hollow caves on the crests39 of the high hills, and each one utters the law to his children and his wives, and they reck not one of another.
‘Now there is a waste isle stretching without the harbour of the land of the Cyclopes, neither nigh at hand nor yet afar off, a woodland isle, wherein are wild goats unnumbered, for no path of men scares them, nor do hunters resort thither40 who suffer hardships in the wood, as they range the mountain crests. Moreover it is possessed41 neither by flocks nor by ploughed lands, but the soil lies unsown evermore and untilled, desolate42 of men, and feeds the bleating43 goats. For the Cyclopes have by them no ships with vermilion cheek, not yet are there shipwrights44 in the island, who might fashion decked barques, which should accomplish all their desire, voyaging to the towns of men (as ofttimes men cross the sea to one another in ships), who might likewise have made of their isle a goodly settlement. Yea, it is in no wise a sorry land, but would bear all things in their season; for therein are soft water meadows by the shores of the grey salt sea, and there the vines know no decay, and the land is level to plough; thence might they reap a crop exceeding deep in due season, for verily there is fatness beneath the soil. Also there is a fair haven45, where is no need of moorings, either to cast anchor or to fasten hawsers46, but men may run the ship on the beach, and tarry until such time as the sailors are minded to be gone, and favourable47 breezes blow. Now at the head of the harbour is a well of bright water issuing from a cave, and round it are poplars growing. Thither we sailed, and some god guided us through the night, for it was dark and there was no light to see, a mist lying deep about the ships, nor did the moon show her light from heaven, but was shut in with clouds. No man then beheld48 that island, neither saw we the long waves rolling to the beach, till we had run our decked ships ashore. And when our ships were beached, we took down all their sails, and ourselves too stept forth upon the strand49 of the sea, and there we fell into sound sleep and waited for the bright Dawn.
‘So soon as early Dawn shone forth, the rosy-fingered, in wonder at the island we roamed over the length thereof: and the Nymphs, the daughters of Zeus, lord of the aegis50, started the wild goats of the hills, that my company might have wherewith to sup. Anon we took to us our curved bows from out the ships and long spears, and arrayed in three bands we began shooting at the goats; and the god soon gave us game in plenty. Now twelve ships bare me company, and to each ship fell nine goats for a portion, but for me alone they set ten apart.
‘Thus we sat there the livelong day until the going down of the sun, feasting on abundant flesh and on sweet wine. For the red wine was not yet spent from out the ships, but somewhat was yet therein, for we had each one drawn51 off large store thereof in jars, when we took the sacred citadel52 of the Cicones. And we looked across to the land of the Cyclopes, who dwell nigh, and to the smoke, and to the voice of the men, and of the sheep and of the goats. And when the sun had sunk and darkness had come on, then we laid us to rest upon the sea-beach. So soon as early Dawn shone forth, the rosy-fingered, then I called a gathering36 of my men, and spake among them all:
‘“Abide here all the rest of you, my dear companions; but I will go with mine own ship and my ship’s company, and make proof of these men, what manner of folk they are, whether froward, and wild, and unjust, or hospitable53 and of god-fearing mind.”
‘So I spake, and I climbed the ship’s side, and bade my company themselves to mount, and to loose the hawsers. So they soon embarked and sat upon the benches, and sitting orderly smote the grey sea water with their oars. Now when we had come to the land that lies hard by, we saw a cave on the border near to the sea, lofty and roofed over with laurels54, and there many flocks of sheep and goats were used to rest. And about it a high outer court was built with stones, deep bedded, and with tall pines and oaks with their high crown of leaves. And a man was wont55 to sleep therein, of monstrous56 size, who shepherded his flocks alone and afar, and was not conversant57 with others, but dwelt apart in lawlessness of mind. Yea, for he was a monstrous thing and fashioned marvellously, nor was he like to any man that lives by bread, but like a wooded peak of the towering hills, which stands out apart and alone from others.
‘Then I commanded the rest of my well-loved company to tarry there by the ship, and to guard the ship, but I chose out twelve men, the best of my company, and sallied forth. Now I had with me a goat-skin of the dark wine and sweet which Maron, son of Euanthes, had given me, the priest of Apollo, the god that watched over Ismarus. And he gave it, for that we had protected him with his wife and child reverently58; for he dwelt in a thick grove59 of Phoebus Apollo. And he made me splendid gifts; he gave me seven talents of gold well wrought60, and he gave me a mixing bowl of pure silver, and furthermore wine which he drew off in twelve jars in all, sweet wine unmingled, a draught61 divine; nor did any of his servants or of his handmaids in the house know thereof, but himself and his dear wife and one housedame only. And as often as they drank that red wine honey sweet, he would fill one cup and pour it into twenty measures of water, and a marvellous sweet smell went up from the mixing bowl: then truly it was no pleasure to refrain.
‘With this wine I filled a great skin, and bare it with me, and corn too I put in a wallet, for my lordly spirit straightway had a boding62 that a man would come to me, a strange man, clothed in mighty63 strength, one that knew not judgment64 and justice. 15
15 Literally65, knowing neither dooms66, nor ordinances67 of law.}
‘Soon we came to the cave, but we found him not within; he was shepherding his fat flocks in the pastures. So we went into the cave, and gazed on all that was therein. The baskets were well laden with cheeses, and the folds were thronged68 with lambs and kids; each kind was penned by itself, the firstlings apart, and the summer lambs apart, apart too the younglings of the flock. Now all the vessels70 swam with whey, the milk-pails and the bowls, the well-wrought vessels whereinto he milked. My company then spake and besought71 me first of all to take of the cheeses and to return, and afterwards to make haste and drive off the kids and lambs to the swift ships from out the pens, and to sail over the salt sea water. Howbeit I hearkened not (and far better would it have been), but waited to see the giant himself, and whether he would give me gifts as a stranger’s due. Yet was not his coming to be with joy to my company.
‘Then we kindled72 a fire, and made burnt-offering, and ourselves likewise took of the cheeses, and did eat, and sat waiting for him within till he came back, shepherding his flocks. And he bore a grievous weight of dry wood, against supper time. This log he cast down with a din4 inside the cave, and in fear we fled to the secret place of the rock. As for him, he drave his fat flocks into the wide cavern73, even all that he was wont to milk; but the males both of the sheep and of the goats he left without in the deep yard. Thereafter he lifted a huge doorstone and weighty, and set it in the mouth of the cave, such an one as two and twenty good four-wheeled wains could not raise from the ground, so mighty a sheer rock did he set against the doorway74. Then he sat down and milked the ewes and bleating goats, all orderly, and beneath each ewe he placed her young. And anon he curdled75 one half of the white milk, and massed it together, and stored it in wicker-baskets, and the other half he let stand in pails, that he might have it to take and drink against supper time. Now when he had done all his work busily, then he kindled the fire anew, and espied76 us, and made question:
‘“Strangers, who are ye? Whence sail ye over the wet ways? On some trading enterprise or at adventure do ye rove, even as sea-robbers over the brine, for at hazard of their own lives they wander, bringing bale to alien men.”
‘So spake he, but as for us our heart within us was broken for terror of the deep voice and his own monstrous shape; yet despite all I answered and spake unto him, saying:
‘“Lo, we are Achaeans, driven wandering from Troy, by all manner of winds over the great gulf77 of the sea; seeking our homes we fare, but another path have we come, by other ways: even such, methinks, was the will and the counsel of Zeus. And we avow78 us to be the men of Agamemnon, son of Atreus, whose fame is even now the mightiest79 under heaven, so great a city did he sack, and destroyed many people; but as for us we have lighted here, and come to these thy knees, if perchance thou wilt80 give us a stranger’s gift, or make any present, as is the due of strangers. Nay, lord, have regard to the gods, for we are thy suppliants81; and Zeus is the avenger82 of suppliants and sojourners, Zeus, the god of the stranger, who fareth in the company of reverend strangers.”
‘So I spake, and anon he answered out of his pitiless heart: “Thou art witless, my stranger, or thou hast come from afar, who biddest me either to fear or shun84 the gods. For the Cyclopes pay no heed85 to Zeus, lord of the aegis, nor to the blessed gods, for verily we are better men than they. Nor would I, to shun the enmity of Zeus, spare either thee or thy company, unless my spirit bade me. But tell me where thou didst stay thy well-wrought ship on thy coming? Was it perchance at the far end of the island, or hard by, that I may know?”
‘So he spake tempting86 me, but he cheated me not, who knew full much, and I answered him again with words of guile12:
‘“As for my ship, Poseidon, the shaker of the earth, brake it to pieces, for he cast it upon the rocks at the border of your country, and brought it nigh the headland, and a wind bare it thither from the sea. But I with these my men escaped from utter doom.”
‘So I spake, and out of his pitiless heart he answered me not a word, but sprang up, and laid his hands upon my fellows, and clutching two together dashed them, as they had been whelps, to the earth, and the brain flowed forth upon the ground, and the earth was wet. Then cut he them up piecemeal87, and made ready his supper. So he ate even as a mountain-bred lion, and ceased not, devouring88 entrails and flesh and bones with their marrow89. And we wept and raised our hands to Zeus, beholding90 the cruel deeds; and we were at our wits’ end. And after the Cyclops had filled his huge maw with human flesh and the milk he drank thereafter, he lay within the cave, stretched out among his sheep.
‘So I took counsel in my great heart, whether I should draw near, and pluck my sharp sword from my thigh91, and stab him in the breast, where the midriff holds the liver, feeling for the place with my hand. But my second thought withheld92 me, for so should we too have perished even there with utter doom. For we should not have prevailed to roll away with our hands from the lofty door the heavy stone which he set there. So for that time we made moan, awaiting the bright Dawn.
‘Now when early Dawn shone forth, the rosy-fingered, again he kindled the fire and milked his goodly flocks all orderly, and beneath each ewe set her lamb. Anon when he had done all his work busily, again he seized yet other two men and made ready his mid-day meal. And after the meal, lightly he moved away the great door-stone, and drave his fat flocks forth from the cave, and afterwards he set it in his place again, as one might set the lid on a quiver. Then with a loud whoop93, the Cyclops turned his fat flocks towards the hills; but I was left devising evil in the deep of my heart, if in any wise I might avenge83 me, and Athene grant me renown94.
‘And this was the counsel that showed best in my sight. There lay by a sheep-fold a great club of the Cyclops, a club of olive wood, yet green, which he had cut to carry with him when it should be seasoned. Now when we saw it we likened it in size to the mast of a black ship of twenty oars, a wide merchant vessel69 that traverses the great sea gulf, so huge it was to view in bulk and length. I stood thereby95 and cut off from it a portion as it were a fathom’s length, and set it by my fellows, and bade them fine it down, and they made it even, while I stood by and sharpened it to a point, and straightway I took it and hardened it in the bright fire. Then I laid it well away, and hid it beneath the dung, which was scattered96 in great heaps in the depths of the cave. And I bade my company cast lots among them, which of them should risk the adventure with me, and lift the bar and turn it about in his eye, when sweet sleep came upon him. And the lot fell upon those four whom I myself would have been fain to choose, and I appointed myself to be the fifth among them. In the evening he came shepherding his flocks of goodly fleece, and presently he drave his fat flocks into the cave each and all, nor left he any without in the deep court-yard, whether through some foreboding, or perchance that the god so bade him do. Thereafter he lifted the huge door-stone and set it in the mouth of the cave, and sitting down he milked the ewes and bleating goats, all orderly, and beneath each ewe he placed her young. Now when he had done all his work busily, again he seized yet other two and made ready his supper. Then I stood by the Cyclops and spake to him, holding in my hands an ivy97 bowl of the dark wine:
‘“Cyclops, take and drink wine after thy feast of man’s meat, that thou mayest know what manner of drink this was that our ship held. And lo, I was bringing it thee as a drink offering, if haply thou mayest take pity and send me on my way home, but thy mad rage is past all sufferance. O hard of heart, how may another of the many men there be come ever to thee again, seeing that thy deeds have been lawless?”
‘So I spake, and he took the cup and drank it off, and found great delight in drinking the sweet draught, and asked me for it yet a second time:
‘“Give it me again of thy grace, and tell me thy name straightway, that I may give thee a stranger’s gift, wherein thou mayest be glad. Yea for the earth, the grain-giver, bears for the Cyclopes the mighty clusters of the juice of the grape, and the rain of Zeus gives them increase, but this is a rill of very nectar and ambrosia98.”
‘So he spake, and again I handed him the dark wine. Thrice I bare and gave it him, and thrice in his folly he drank it to the lees. Now when the wine had got about the wits of the Cyclops, then did I speak to him with soft words:
‘“Cyclops, thou askest me my renowned99 name, and I will declare it unto thee, and do thou grant me a stranger’s gift, as thou didst promise. Noman is my name, and Noman they call me, my father and my mother and all my fellows.”
‘So I spake, and straightway he answered me out of his pitiless heart:
‘“Noman will I eat last in the number of his fellows, and the others before him: that shall be thy gift.”
‘Therewith he sank backwards100 and fell with face upturned, and there he lay with his great neck bent101 round, and sleep, that conquers all men, overcame him. And the wine and the fragments of men’s flesh issued forth from his mouth, and he vomited102, being heavy with wine. Then I thrust in that stake under the deep ashes, until it should grow hot, and I spake to my companions comfortable words, lest any should hang back from me in fear. But when that bar of olive wood was just about to catch fire in the flame, green though it was, and began to glow terribly, even then I came nigh, and drew it from the coals, and my fellows gathered about me, and some god breathed great courage into us. For their part they seized the bar of olive wood, that was sharpened at the point, and thrust it into his eye, while I from my place aloft turned it about, as when a man bores a ship’s beam with a drill while his fellows below spin it with a strap103, which they hold at either end, and the auger104 runs round continually. Even so did we seize the fiery-pointed brand and whirled it round in his eye, and the blood flowed about the heated bar. And the breath of the flame singed105 his eyelids106 and brows all about, as the ball of the eye burnt away, and the roots thereof crackled in the flame. And as when a smith dips an axe20 or adze in chill water with a great hissing108, when he would temper it — for hereby anon comes the strength of iron — even so did his eye hiss107 round the stake of olive. And he raised a great and terrible cry, that the rock rang around, and we fled away in fear, while he plucked forth from his eye the brand bedabbled in much blood. Then maddened with pain he cast it from him with his hands, and called with a loud voice on the Cyclopes, who dwelt about him in the caves along the windy heights. And they heard the cry and flocked together from every side, and gathering round the cave asked him what ailed23 him:
‘“What hath so distressed109 thee, Polyphemus, that thou criest thus aloud through the immortal110 night, and makest us sleepless111? Surely no mortal driveth off thy flocks against thy will: surely none slayeth thyself by force or craft?”
‘And the strong Polyphemus spake to them again from out the cave: “My friends, Noman is slaying112 me by guile, nor at all by force.”
‘And they answered and spake winged words: “If then no man is violently handling thee in thy solitude113, it can in no wise be that thou shouldest escape the sickness sent by mighty Zeus. Nay, pray thou to thy father, the lord Poseidon.”
‘On this wise they spake and departed; and my heart within me laughed to see how my name and cunning counsel had beguiled114 them. But the Cyclops, groaning115 and travailing in pain, groped with his hands, and lifted away the stone from the door of the cave, and himself sat in the entry, with arms outstretched to catch, if he might, any one that was going forth with his sheep, so witless, methinks, did he hope to find me. But I advised me how all might be for the very best, if perchance I might find a way of escape from death for my companions and myself, and I wove all manner of craft and counsel, as a man will for his life, seeing that great mischief116 was nigh. And this was the counsel that showed best in my sight. The rams118 of the flock were well nurtured119 and thick of fleece, great and goodly, with wool dark as the violet. Quietly I lashed120 them together with twisted withies, whereon the Cyclops slept, that lawless monster. Three together I took: now the middle one of the three would bear each a man, but the other twain went on either side, saving my fellows. Thus every three sheep bare their man. But as for me I laid hold of the back of a young ram117 who was far the best and the goodliest of all the flock, and curled beneath his shaggy belly121 there I lay, and so clung face upward, grasping the wondrous122 fleece with a steadfast123 heart. So for that time making moan we awaited the bright Dawn.
‘So soon as early Dawn shone forth, the rosy-fingered, then did the rams of the flock hasten forth to pasture, but the ewes bleated124 unmilked about the pens, for their udders were swollen125 to bursting. Then their lord, sore stricken with pain, felt along the backs of all the sheep as they stood up before him, and guessed not in his folly how that my men were bound beneath the breasts of his thick-fleeced flocks. Last of all the sheep came forth the ram, cumbered with his wool, and the weight of me and my cunning. And the strong Polyphemus laid his hands on him and spake to him saying:
‘“Dear ram, wherefore, I pray thee, art thou the last of all the flocks to go forth from the cave, who of old wast not wont to lag behind the sheep, but wert ever the foremost to pluck the tender blossom of the pasture, faring with long strides, and wert still the first to come to the streams of the rivers, and first did long to return to the homestead in the evening? But now art thou the very last. Surely thou art sorrowing for the eye of thy lord, which an evil man blinded, with his accursed fellows, when he had subdued126 my wits with wine, even Noman, whom I say hath not yet escaped destruction. Ah, if thou couldst feel as I, and be endued127 with speech, to tell me where he shifts about to shun my wrath128; then should he be smitten129, and his brains be dashed against the floor here and there about the cave, and my heart be lightened of the sorrows which Noman, nothing worth, hath brought me!”
‘Therewith he sent the ram forth from him, and when we had gone but a little way from the cave and from the yard, first I loosed myself from under the ram and then I set my fellows free. And swiftly we drave on those stiff-shanked sheep, so rich in fat, and often turned to look about, till we came to the ship. And a glad sight to our fellows were we that had fled from death, but the others they would have bemoaned130 with tears; howbeit I suffered it not, but with frowning brows forbade each man to weep. Rather I bade them to cast on board the many sheep with goodly fleece, and to sail over the salt sea water. So they embarked forthwith, and sate131 upon the benches, and sitting orderly smote the grey sea water with their oars. But when I had not gone so far, but that a man’s shout might be heard, then I spoke132 unto the Cyclops taunting133 him:
‘“Cyclops, so thou wert not to eat the company of a weakling by main might in thy hollow cave! Thine evil deeds were very sure to find thee out, thou cruel man, who hadst no shame to eat thy guests within thy gates, wherefore Zeus hath requited134 thee, and the other gods.”
‘So I spake, and he was mightily135 angered at heart, and he brake off the peak of a great hill and threw it at us, and it fell in front of the dark-prowed ship. 16 And the sea heaved beneath the fall of the rock, and the backward flow of the wave bare the ship quickly to the dry land, with the wash from the deep sea, and drave it to the shore. Then I caught up a long pole in my hands, and thrust the ship from off the land, and roused my company, and with a motion of the head bade them dash in with their oars, that so we might escape our evil plight136. So they bent to their oars and rowed on. But when we had now made twice the distance over the brine, I would fain have spoken to the Cyclops, but my company stayed me on every side with soft words, saying:
16 We have omitted line 483, as required by the sense. It is introduced here from line 540.}
‘“Foolhardy that thou art, why wouldst thou rouse a wild man to wrath, who even now hath cast so mighty a throw towards the deep and brought our ship back to land, yea and we thought that we had perished 17 even there? If he had heard any of us utter sound or speech he would have crushed our heads and our ship timbers with a cast of a rugged stone, so mightily he hurls137.”
17 Neither in this passage nor in B ii.171 nor in B xx.121 do we think that the aorist infinitive138 after a verb of saying can bear a future sense. The aorist infinitive after [Greek] (ii.280, vii.76) is hardly an argument in its favour; the infinitive there is in fact a noun in the genitive case.}
‘So spake they, but they prevailed not on my lordly spirit, and I answered him again from out an angry heart:
‘“Cyclops, if any one of mortal men shall ask thee of the unsightly blinding of thine eye, say that it was Odysseus that blinded it, the waster of cities, son of Laertes, whose dwelling is in Ithaca.”
‘So I spake, and with a moan he answered me, saying:
‘“Lo now, in very truth the ancient oracles have come upon me. There lived here a soothsayer, a noble man and a mighty, Telemus, son of Eurymus, who surpassed all men in soothsaying, and waxed old as a seer among the Cyclopes. He told me that all these things should come to pass in the aftertime, even that I should lose my eyesight at the hand of Odysseus. But I ever looked for some tall and goodly man to come hither, clad in great might, but behold now one that is a dwarf139, a man of no worth and a weakling, hath blinded me of my eye after subduing140 me with wine. Nay come hither, Odysseus, that I may set by thee a stranger’s cheer, and speed thy parting hence, that so the Earth-shaker may vouchsafe141 it thee, for his son am I, and he avows142 him for my father. And he himself will heal me, if it be his will; and none other of the blessed gods or of mortal men.”
‘Even so he spake, but I answered him, and said: “Would god that I were as sure to rob thee of soul and life, and send thee within the house of Hades, as I am that not even the Earth-shaker will heal thine eye!”
‘So I spake, and then he prayed to the lord Poseidon stretching forth his hands to the starry143 heaven: “Hear me, Poseidon, girdler of the earth, god of the dark hair, if indeed I be thine, and thou avowest thee my sire — grant that he may never come to his home, even Odysseus, waster of cities, the son of Laertes, whose dwelling is in Ithaca; yet if he is ordained144 to see his friends and come unto his well-builded house, and his own country, late may he come in evil case, with the loss of all his company, in the ship of strangers, and find sorrows in his house.”
‘So he spake in prayer, and the god of the dark locks heard him. And once again he lifted a stone, far greater than the first, and with one swing he hurled145 it, and he put forth a measureless strength, and cast it but a little space behind the dark-prowed ship, and all but struck the end of the rudder. And the sea heaved beneath the fall of the rock, but the wave bare on the ship and drave it to the further shore.
‘But when he had now reached that island, where all our other decked ships abode together, and our company were gathered sorrowing, expecting us evermore, on our coming thither we ran our ship ashore upon the sand, and ourselves too stept forth upon the sea beach. Next we took forth the sheep of the Cyclops from out the hollow ship, and divided them, that none through me might go lacking his proper share. But the ram for me alone my goodly-greaved company chose out, in the dividing of the sheep, and on the shore I offered him up to Zeus, even to the son of Cronos, who dwells in the dark clouds, and is lord of all, and I burnt the slices of the thighs146. But he heeded147 not the sacrifice, but was devising how my decked ships and my dear company might perish utterly148. Thus for that time we sat the livelong day, until the going down of the sun, feasting on abundant flesh and sweet wine. And when the sun had sunk and darkness had come on, then we laid us to rest upon the sea beach. So soon as early Dawn shone forth, the rosy-fingered, I called to my company, and commanded them that they should themselves climb the ship and loose the hawsers. So they soon embarked and sat upon the benches, and sitting orderly smote the grey sea water with their oars.
‘Thence we sailed onward stricken at heart, yet glad as men saved from death, albeit we had lost our dear companions.
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1
secondly
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| adv.第二，其次 | |
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2
nay
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| adv.不；n.反对票，投反对票者 | |
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laden
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| adj.装满了的；充满了的；负了重担的；苦恼的 | |
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din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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woes
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| 困境( woe的名词复数 )； 悲伤； 我好苦哇； 某人就要倒霉 | |
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6
wiles
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| n.（旨在欺骗或吸引人的）诡计，花招；欺骗，欺诈( wile的名词复数 ) | |
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7
standing
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| n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的 | |
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rugged
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| adj.高低不平的，粗糙的，粗壮的，强健的 | |
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9
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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10
nought
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| n.／adj.无，零 | |
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longing
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| n.（for）渴望 | |
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guile
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| n.诈术 | |
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guileful
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| adj.狡诈的，诡计多端的 | |
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14
slew
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| v.（使）旋转；n.大量，许多 | |
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15
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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16
ashore
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| adv.在(向)岸上，上岸 | |
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dwelling
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| n.住宅，住所，寓所 | |
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18
doom
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| n.厄运，劫数；v.注定，命定 | |
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19
afflicted
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| 使受痛苦，折磨( afflict的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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20
axe
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| n.斧子；v.用斧头砍，削减 | |
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21
abode
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| n.住处，住所 | |
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albeit
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| conj.即使；纵使；虽然 | |
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23
ailed
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| v.生病( ail的过去式和过去分词 )；感到不舒服；处境困难；境况不佳 | |
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24
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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25
shreds
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| v.撕碎，切碎( shred的第三人称单数 )；用撕毁机撕毁（文件） | |
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26
hoisted
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| 把…吊起，升起( hoist的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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27
teeming
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| adj.丰富的v.充满( teem的现在分词 )；到处都是；（指水、雨等）暴降；倾注 | |
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28
forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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29
herald
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| vt.预示...的来临，预告，宣布，欢迎 | |
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30
abide
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| vi.遵守；坚持；vt.忍受 | |
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31
embarked
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| 乘船( embark的过去式和过去分词 )； 装载； 从事 | |
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32
smote
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| v.猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去式 ) | |
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33
oars
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| n.桨，橹( oar的名词复数 )；划手v.划（行）( oar的第三人称单数 ) | |
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34
behold
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| v.看，注视，看到 | |
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35
barley
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| n.大麦，大麦粒 | |
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36
gathering
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| n.集会，聚会，聚集 | |
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gatherings
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| 聚集( gathering的名词复数 )； 收集； 采集； 搜集 | |
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38
oracles
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| 神示所( oracle的名词复数 )； 神谕； 圣贤； 哲人 | |
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39
crests
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| v.到达山顶（或浪峰）( crest的第三人称单数 )；到达洪峰，达到顶点 | |
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40
thither
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| adv.向那里；adj.在那边的，对岸的 | |
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41
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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42
desolate
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| adj.荒凉的，荒芜的；孤独的，凄凉的；v.使荒芜，使孤寂 | |
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43
bleating
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的现在分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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44
shipwrights
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| n.造船者，修船者( shipwright的名词复数 ) | |
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45
haven
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| n.安全的地方，避难所，庇护所 | |
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46
hawsers
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| n.（供系船或下锚用的）缆索，锚链( hawser的名词复数 ) | |
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47
favourable
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| adj.赞成的，称赞的，有利的，良好的，顺利的 | |
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48
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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49
strand
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| vt.使（船）搁浅，使（某人）困于（某地） | |
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50
aegis
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| n.盾；保护，庇护 | |
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51
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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52
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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53
hospitable
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| adj.好客的；宽容的；有利的，适宜的 | |
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54
laurels
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| n.桂冠，荣誉 | |
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55
wont
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| adj.习惯于；v.习惯；n.习惯 | |
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56
monstrous
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| adj.巨大的；恐怖的；可耻的，丢脸的 | |
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57
conversant
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| adj.亲近的，有交情的，熟悉的 | |
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58
reverently
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| adv.虔诚地 | |
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59
grove
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| n.林子，小树林，园林 | |
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60
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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61
draught
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| n.拉，牵引，拖；一网（饮，吸，阵)；顿服药量，通风；v.起草，设计 | |
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62
boding
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| adj.凶兆的，先兆的n.凶兆，前兆，预感v.预示，预告，预言( bode的现在分词 )；等待，停留( bide的过去分词 )；居住；（过去式用bided）等待 | |
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63
mighty
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| adj.强有力的；巨大的 | |
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64
judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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65
literally
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| adv.照字面意义，逐字地；确实 | |
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66
dooms
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| v.注定( doom的第三人称单数 )；判定；使…的失败（或灭亡、毁灭、坏结局）成为必然；宣判 | |
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67
ordinances
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| n.条例，法令( ordinance的名词复数 ) | |
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68
thronged
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| v.成群，挤满( throng的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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69
vessel
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| n.船舶；容器，器皿；管，导管，血管 | |
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70
vessels
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| n.血管( vessel的名词复数 )；船；容器；（具有特殊品质或接受特殊品质的）人 | |
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71
besought
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| v.恳求，乞求（某事物）( beseech的过去式和过去分词 )；(beseech的过去式与过去分词) | |
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72
kindled
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| （使某物）燃烧，着火( kindle的过去式和过去分词 )； 激起（感情等）； 发亮，放光 | |
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73
cavern
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| n.洞穴，大山洞 | |
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74
doorway
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| n.门口，(喻)入门；门路，途径 | |
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75
curdled
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| v.（使）凝结( curdle的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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76
espied
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| v.看到( espy的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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77
gulf
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| n.海湾；深渊，鸿沟；分歧，隔阂 | |
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78
avow
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| v.承认，公开宣称 | |
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79
mightiest
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| adj.趾高气扬( mighty的最高级 )；巨大的；强有力的；浩瀚的 | |
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80
wilt
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| v.(使)植物凋谢或枯萎；(指人)疲倦，衰弱 | |
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81
suppliants
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| n.恳求者，哀求者( suppliant的名词复数 ) | |
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82
avenger
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| n. 复仇者 | |
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83
avenge
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| v.为...复仇，为...报仇 | |
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84
shun
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| vt.避开，回避，避免 | |
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85
heed
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| v.注意，留意；n.注意，留心 | |
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86
tempting
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| a.诱人的, 吸引人的 | |
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87
piecemeal
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| adj.零碎的；n.片，块；adv.逐渐地；v.弄成碎块 | |
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88
devouring
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| 吞没( devour的现在分词 )； 耗尽； 津津有味地看； 狼吞虎咽地吃光 | |
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89
marrow
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| n.骨髓；精华；活力 | |
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90
beholding
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| v.看，注视( behold的现在分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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91
thigh
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| n.大腿；股骨 | |
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92
withheld
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| withhold过去式及过去分词 | |
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93
whoop
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| n.大叫，呐喊，喘息声；v.叫喊，喘息 | |
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94
renown
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| n.声誉，名望 | |
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95
thereby
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| adv.因此，从而 | |
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96
scattered
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| adj.分散的，稀疏的；散步的；疏疏落落的 | |
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97
ivy
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| n.常青藤，常春藤 | |
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98
ambrosia
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| n.神的食物；蜂食 | |
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99
renowned
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| adj.著名的，有名望的，声誉鹊起的 | |
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100
backwards
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| adv.往回地，向原处，倒，相反，前后倒置地 | |
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101
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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102
vomited
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103
strap
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| n.皮带，带子；v.用带扣住，束牢；用绷带包扎 | |
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104
auger
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| n.螺丝钻，钻孔机 | |
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105
singed
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| v.浅表烧焦( singe的过去式和过去分词 )；（毛发）燎，烧焦尖端[边儿] | |
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106
eyelids
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| n.眼睑( eyelid的名词复数 )；眼睛也不眨一下；不露声色；面不改色 | |
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107
hiss
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| v.发出嘶嘶声；发嘘声表示不满 | |
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108
hissing
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| n. 发嘶嘶声, 蔑视 动词hiss的现在分词形式 | |
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109
distressed
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| 痛苦的 | |
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110
immortal
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| adj.不朽的；永生的，不死的；神的 | |
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111
sleepless
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| adj.不睡眠的，睡不著的，不休息的 | |
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112
slaying
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| 杀戮。 | |
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113
solitude
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| n. 孤独; 独居,荒僻之地,幽静的地方 | |
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114
beguiled
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| v.欺骗( beguile的过去式和过去分词 )；使陶醉；使高兴；消磨（时间等） | |
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115
groaning
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| adj. 呜咽的, 呻吟的 动词groan的现在分词形式 | |
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116
mischief
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| n.损害，伤害，危害；恶作剧，捣蛋，胡闹 | |
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117
ram
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| (random access memory)随机存取存储器 | |
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118
rams
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| n.公羊( ram的名词复数 )；(R-)白羊（星）座；夯；攻城槌v.夯实（土等）( ram的第三人称单数 )；猛撞；猛压；反复灌输 | |
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119
nurtured
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| 养育( nurture的过去式和过去分词 )； 培育； 滋长； 助长 | |
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120
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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121
belly
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| n.肚子，腹部；(像肚子一样)鼓起的部分，膛 | |
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122
wondrous
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| adj.令人惊奇的，奇妙的；adv.惊人地；异乎寻常地；令人惊叹地 | |
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123
steadfast
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| adj.固定的，不变的，不动摇的；忠实的；坚贞不移的 | |
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124
bleated
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的过去式和过去分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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125
swollen
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| adj.肿大的，水涨的；v.使变大，肿胀 | |
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126
subdued
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| adj. 屈服的，柔和的，减弱的 动词subdue的过去式和过去分词 | |
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127
endued
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| v.授予，赋予（特性、才能等）( endue的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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128
wrath
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| n.愤怒，愤慨，暴怒 | |
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129
smitten
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| 猛打，重击，打击( smite的过去分词 ) | |
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130
bemoaned
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| v.为（某人或某事）抱怨( bemoan的过去式和过去分词 )；悲悼；为…恸哭；哀叹 | |
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131
sate
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| v.使充分满足 | |
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132
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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133
taunting
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| 嘲讽( taunt的现在分词 )； 嘲弄； 辱骂； 奚落 | |
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134
requited
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| v.报答( requite的过去式和过去分词 )；酬谢；回报；报复 | |
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135
mightily
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| ad.强烈地；非常地 | |
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136
plight
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| n.困境，境况，誓约，艰难；vt.宣誓，保证，约定 | |
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137
hurls
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的第三人称单数 )；大声叫骂 | |
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138
infinitive
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| n.不定词；adj.不定词的 | |
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139
dwarf
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| n.矮子，侏儒，矮小的动植物；vt.使…矮小 | |
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140
subduing
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| 征服( subdue的现在分词 )； 克制； 制服； 色变暗 | |
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141
vouchsafe
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| v.惠予，准许 | |
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142
avows
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| v.公开声明，承认( avow的第三人称单数 ) | |
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143
starry
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| adj.星光照耀的, 闪亮的 | |
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144
ordained
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| v.任命（某人）为牧师( ordain的过去式和过去分词 )；授予（某人）圣职；（上帝、法律等）命令；判定 | |
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145
hurled
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| v.猛投，用力掷( hurl的过去式和过去分词 )；大声叫骂 | |
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146
thighs
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| n.股，大腿( thigh的名词复数 )；食用的鸡（等的）腿 | |
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147
heeded
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| v.听某人的劝告，听从( heed的过去式和过去分词 )；变平，使（某物）变平( flatten的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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148
utterly
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| adv.完全地，绝对地 | |
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