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though they wept bitterly I forced them back to the ships and made
them fast under the benches。 Then I told the rest to go on board at
once； lest any of them should taste of the lotus and leave off wanting
to get home； so they took their places and smote the grey sea with
their oars。
〃We sailed hence； always in much distress； till we came to the
land of the lawless and inhuman Cyclopes。 Now the Cyclopes neither
plant nor plough； but trust in providence； and live on such wheat；
barley； and grapes as grow wild without any kind of tillage； and their
wild grapes yield them wine as the sun and the rain may grow them。
They have no laws nor assemblies of the people； but live in caves on
the tops of high mountains； each is lord and master in his family； and
they take no account of their neighbours。
〃Now off their harbour there lies a wooded and fertile island not
quite close to the land of the Cyclopes； but still not far。 It is
overrun with wild goats； that breed there in great numbers and are
never disturbed by foot of man； for sportsmen… who as a rule will
suffer so much hardship in forest or among mountain precipices… do not
go there； nor yet again is it ever ploughed or fed down； but it lies a
wilderness untilled and unsown from year to year； and has no living
thing upon it but only goats。 For the Cyclopes have no ships； nor
yet shipwrights who could make ships for them； they cannot therefore
go from city to city； or sail over the sea to one another's country as
people who have ships can do； if they had had these they would have
colonized the island； for it is a very good one； and would yield
everything in due season。 There are meadows that in some places come
right down to the sea shore； well watered and full of luscious
grass； grapes would do there excellently； there is level land for
ploughing； and it would always yield heavily at harvest time； for
the soil is deep。 There is a good harbour where no cables are
wanted； nor yet anchors； nor need a ship be moored； but all one has to
do is to beach one's vessel and stay there till the wind becomes
fair for putting out to sea again。 At the head of the harbour there is
a spring of clear water coming out of a cave； and there are poplars
growing all round it。
〃Here we entered； but so dark was the night that some god must
have brought us in； for there was nothing whatever to be seen。 A thick
mist hung all round our ships； the moon was hidden behind a mass of
clouds so that no one could have seen the island if he had looked
for it； nor were there any breakers to tell us we were close in
shore before we found ourselves upon the land itself； when； however；
we had beached the ships； we took down the sails； went ashore and
camped upon the beach till daybreak。
〃When the child of morning； rosy…fingered Dawn； appeared； we admired
the island and wandered all over it； while the nymphs Jove's daughters
roused the wild goats that we might get some meat for our dinner。 On
this we fetched our spears and bows and arrows from the ships； and
dividing ourselves into three bands began to shoot the goats。 Heaven
sent us excellent sport； I had twelve ships with me； and each ship got
nine goats； while my own ship had ten； thus through the livelong day
to the going down of the sun we ate and drank our fill；… and we had
plenty of wine left； for each one of us had taken many jars full
when we sacked the city of the Cicons； and this had not yet run out。
While we were feasting we kept turning our eyes towards the land of
the Cyclopes； which was hard by； and saw the smoke of their stubble
fires。 We could almost fancy we heard their voices and the bleating of
their sheep and goats； but when the sun went down and it came on dark；
we camped down upon the beach； and next morning I called a council。
〃'Stay here； my brave fellows；' said I； 'all the rest of you；
while I go with my ship and exploit these people myself： I want to see
if they are uncivilized savages； or a hospitable and humane race。'
〃I went on board； bidding my men to do so also and loose the
hawsers； so they took their places and smote the grey sea with their
oars。 When we got to the land； which was not far； there； on the face
of a cliff near the sea； we saw a great cave overhung with laurels。 It
was a station for a great many sheep and goats； and outside there
was a large yard； with a high wall round it made of stones built
into the ground and of trees both pine and oak。 This was the abode
of a huge monster who was then away from home shepherding his
flocks。 He would have nothing to do with other people； but led the
life of an outlaw。 He was a horrid creature； not like a human being at
all； but resembling rather some crag that stands out boldly against
the sky on the top of a high mountain。
〃I told my men to draw the ship ashore； and stay where they were；
all but the twelve best among them； who were to go along with
myself。 I also took a goatskin of sweet black wine which had been
given me by Maron； Apollo son of Euanthes； who was priest of Apollo
the patron god of Ismarus； and lived within the wooded precincts of
the temple。 When we were sacking the city we respected him； and spared
his life； as also his wife and child； so he made me some presents of
great value… seven talents of fine gold； and a bowl of silver； with
twelve jars of sweet wine； unblended； and of the most exquisite
flavour。 Not a man nor maid in the house knew about it； but only
himself； his wife； and one housekeeper： when he drank it he mixed
twenty parts of water to one of wine； and yet the fragrance from the
mixing…bowl was so exquisite that it was impossible to refrain from
drinking。 I filled a large skin with this wine； and took a wallet full
of provisions with me； for my mind misgave me that I might have to
deal with some savage who would be of great strength； and would
respect neither right nor law。
〃We soon reached his cave； but he was out shepherding； so we went
inside and took stock of all that we could see。 His cheese…racks
were loaded with cheeses； and he had more lambs and kids than his pens
could hold。 They were kept in separate flocks； first there were the
hoggets； then the oldest of the younger lambs and lastly the very
young ones all kept apart from one another； as for his dairy； all
the vessels； bowls； and milk pails into which he milked； were swimming
with whey。 When they saw all this； my men begged me to let them
first steal some cheeses； and make off with them to the ship； they
would then return； drive down the lambs and kids； put them on board
and sail away with them。 It would have been indeed better if we had
done so but I would not listen to them； for I wanted to see the
owner himself； in the hope that he might give me a present。 When；
however； we saw him my poor men found him ill to deal with。
〃We lit a fire； offered some of the cheeses in sacrifice； ate others
of them； and then sat waiting till the Cyclops should come in with his
sheep。 When he came； he brought in with him a huge load of dry
firewood to light the fire for his supper； and this he flung with such
a noise on to the floor of his cave that we hid ourselves for fear
at the far end o