 
The company sat in silent expectation, gazing intently at the stranger, who began as follows: “The land of the PhÆacians is indeed a delightful land, and I know no greater pleasure than to sit in the banquet hall, while heralds move from table to table filling the cups, and the minstrel sings splendid songs of the heroic deeds of brave men. For harp and voice are the ornaments of the feast. But ye ask me for my unhappy history. Where shall I begin the tale, for the immortal gods have heaped much misery upon me? Let my name come first, that ye may know me and keep me in remembrance. I am Ulysses, son of Laertes, well known to men through many exploits.” The PhÆacians were transfixed with astonishment, and the old minstrel bemoaned the loss of his eyesight that he was unable to see the man whose heroic deeds he had so often sung. He, the most famous among all the Trojan warriors, had eaten and drunk with them, and was now going to tell them of all the wonderful deeds which he had done and the hardships he had suffered. “Yes, I am Ulysses,” continued the hero. “The sunny isle of Ithaca is my home. I will not speak of the unhappy war. When it was ended I turned with my comrades to Ismarus, the city of the Ciconians, destroyed it, slew the fleeing men, while we divided the women and other booty amongst us. I now counselled that we should hasten from the place, but my foolish comrades did not obey me. As long as they had enough plunder, wine, sheep, and goats, they caroused upon the shore and thus brought the first misfortune upon us. “The conquered Ciconians summoned their allies in the interior, who responded in great numbers, fell upon us, and horribly revenged themselves. The fierce battle at the ships began early in the morning. At first we defied the overwhelming numbers of the enemy, but as the sun set we were obliged to give way. Each of my ships lost six men, and it was only with difficulty that I escaped in swift boats with the others. Happy in our escape we sailed toward the west, keeping near to the coast of Greece. Then a terrible storm arose, breaking the masts and tearing the sails. With difficulty we put to shore to mend them, and on the third morning when we set out with renewed hope, a fresh storm descended upon us from the heights of Malea and drove us far out into the open sea. “For nine days we drifted before the awful north wind, and on the tenth day were driven on the coast of the lotus-eaters. They are an amiable people and most fortunate, for they possess a fruit called the lotus, which is their daily food and is sweeter than honey. Whoever eats of it forgets his home and desires to remain there forever. We landed to take on fresh water and the lotus did not fail in its effects. I had to drive my companions back to the ships, bind them with ropes, and throw them under the rowers’ benches, and if I had not put off again quickly, not a single man would have followed me. “We now rowed out again over the boundless sea and landed on a wooded island near the coast of Sicily, which was uninhabited except by countless herds of goats roaming the lowlands. They were without fear, so that we had easy hunting, and provided ourselves plentifully with game. When we had refreshed ourselves with food and sleep I was anxious to row across to the next island, which seemed to be very large and fruitful. We could hear voices there and see cattle climbing about the hills. It is the home of the giant race of Cyclops, a savage people who know nothing of agriculture, have no laws, nor fear gods nor men. I said to my companions: ‘Remain here with your ships. I will row across in mine with twelve picked companions and examine the land.’ I embarked, taking with me a large skin of excellent wine, for I divined that I might fall in with savage people who could not be won by reason or fair words, and therefore I furnished myself with this sweet, beguiling drink. “On our arrival I carefully concealed my vessel in a hidden cave and landed with my people and my wine skin. Not far away I saw a tremendous cave in the rock surrounded by a wall of great stones and shaded by a row of gigantic firs and oaks. It was the dwelling of the most terrible of the giants, where he spent the night with his goats and sheep; for the care of his flocks was his sole occupation. He was the son of Poseidon and his name was Polyphemus. Like all the Cyclops, he had a single but horrible eye in the middle of his forehead. His arms were powerful enough to move rocks, and he could sling granite blocks through the air like pebbles. He wandered about alone among the mountains, none of the other Cyclops holding intercourse with him. He was savage and delighted only in mischief and destructiveness. “I, unhappy man, not knowing this, went with my companions straight to the open cave and entered it. We did not find him there, as the sun had not yet gone down and he was still grazing his herds on distant hills. The stalls were full of lambs and young kids. There were baskets and tubs of cheese and milk; also curds in great vessels and milking pails. My companions wanted very much to fill a few baskets with cheese, drive away a number of lambs and kids, and quickly make away with them in the ships before the dread king of the cave should return. But I forbade this, for I was too curious to see the man and hoped, besides, to receive a gift from him, as is the custom among hospitable people. But how mistaken I was! “We seated ourselves in the cave, lighted a fire for an offering, and passed the time eating cheese until the Cyclops should come home. Toward evening he appeared with his whole herd before the mouth of the cave. We drew back in affright, and he did not see us at first. He bore on his shoulders a tremendous load of wood, which he dropped upon the ground with a clatter which made the rocks tremble and caused us to flee into the innermost recesses of the cave. He then drove the goats and sheep inside, and barred the entrance with a piece of rock that two and twenty wagons could not have moved from the spot. We were prisoners in the power of the monster. “We were able to watch him unobserved for a while as he seated himself comfortably on the ground to milk the animals, then poured the milk into tubs, and last stirred the fire. The flames leapt up and he discovered us huddled together in a corner. For a moment he stared, then thundered at us in a fearful voice: ‘Ho, strangers! Whence come ye? Are ye traders or robbers who roam the seas, not sparing human life?’ “Our knees trembled at the sound of the monster’s voice. However, I quickly recovered myself and answered boldly: ‘We are Greeks returning from Troy, cast upon this coast by storms. As we have been overtaken by misfortune we beseech thee to shelter us and to please the gods by sending us on our way with gifts. Honor the gods, excellent sir, for Jupiter is the avenger of all wrongs committed against the traveller.’ “‘Oho! Thou foolish stranger,’ roared the Cyclops. ‘Thou seemest to know the Cyclops ill. Nobody here honors the gods, and we know naught of thy Jupiter, for we ourselves are much greater. But tell me, where didst thou land with thy vessel?’ “I perceived his cunning and determined that he should not outwit me. ‘My ship,’ said I aloud. ‘Ah, had we it still we should not be here. The waves destroyed it, and had we not been able to swim, we should all have perished.’ “Instead of answering, the cruel Cyclops stretched out both his arms, seized two of my companions, and dashed them upon the ground so that blood and brains spattered in all directions. He tore them apart and ate them. We shrieked aloud when we saw this horrid deed and prayed to Jupiter. But our lamentations did not affect the Cyclops. He drank a tub of milk and stretched himself out to sleep. “‘What shall I do?’ I said to myself when the monster began to snore. ‘Shall I plunge my sword into his heart before he awakens. But no! if I kill him, who shall open the door for us?’ No one but the giant himself would be able to move away the mighty stone. We should only be preparing for ourselves a miserable death by slow starvation. We needed to invent some better plan, and so we awaited the break of day in fear and uncertainty. “With the dawn the Cyclops awoke and went about his usual business. He put fresh wood on the fire, milked his herd, and put the nurslings to suck. Then he again seized two of my dear companions and killed and ate them as he had done the others. Next, he pushed back the stone, drove out the flocks, and deftly rolled the great rock back in its place. “Thus we were again imprisoned for the whole day. I now conceived a plan to avenge our lost comrades and to free ourselves—I would put out his great eye with a red-hot stake! I found just the piece for the purpose. It was the giant’s own club of green olivewood, as long and as thick as a mast. I hewed off a piece from the end, my companions helped to smooth it, and I sharpened the point and hardened it in the glowing coals. When my weapon was ready I carefully concealed it under the pile of straw on the ground. Hereupon we drew lots to find out which of my companions should help me thrust the stake into the eye of the sleeping giant, and we fearfully awaited his return. At last he came, driving in his flocks, and this time he left none of the animals outside, either because he was suspicious of us or because a god had so decreed. He set up the great stone, milked his sheep and goats, ate two more of my poor companions, and put fresh wood on the fire. I now brought out the wine skin and went boldly up to him. “‘See, Cyclops,’ said I, filling a jug; ‘here is something to drink; try it. Wine tastes good after human flesh. Take it that thou mayest see what good drink we had upon our lost vessel.’ He took the jug and drank. How delighted he was! He emptied the vessel and said, smiling: ‘Fill again from thy wine skin and tell me thy name, that I may make thee a gift. What a delicious draught! We have wine here, but compared with thine it is but water. Do but give me more.’ “I filled his jug three times and he gulped it down eagerly. I soon saw with delight that his senses were becoming clouded. Then an excellent idea occurred to me. ‘Thou wouldst know my name,’ said I. ‘My name is Nobody. My father and mother call me Nobody and so do all people.’ “‘Good,’ said he. ‘Then Nobody shall be the last one I shall devour. Take that as thy guest gift from me.’ “With these words he fell upon his back overpowered by sleep. He tossed about until deep snores showed that he had at last lost consciousness. Our time had come! I quickly drew forth the stake, plunged the end into the fire, turned it about until it was glowing, and then called upon my companions to assist me. A god put courage into our hearts. We all took hold and in an instant had plunged the fiery pole into the sleeper’s great eye. As when a smith dips glowing iron into cold water, thus hissed the Cyclops’ eye as the torch penetrated it. But we pushed it in the deeper and turned it round and round until the blood gushed out and flowed over forehead and cheeks. With a horrible roar the giant jumped up and we all fled into the corners of the cave. Bewildered by the pain, he pulled the glowing brand from his eye and threw it against the rocky wall, raving like a crazy man. The other Cyclops were aroused by his desperate cries and gathered about the cave. “‘What has happened to thee, Polyphemus,’ they cried, ‘to make thee roar thus? Has someone stolen thy cattle or a murderer attacked thee?’ “‘Woe is me!’ roared the Cyclops. ‘Nobody has craftily throttled me. Nobody has attacked me.’ “‘Well, if nobody is attacking thee we are of no use. We can do naught against inward pains; for those thou must call on thy father Poseidon.’ Speaking thus they went away. “How my heart laughed for joy that my false name had fooled them. But the greatest danger lay still before us. We might escape the fingers of the blind giant in the recesses of the cave, but he now seated himself before the entrance, rolled back the stone halfway, and stretched out his hands to catch us should we try to steal out among the sheep and goats. “However, I conceived a plan to outwit him in this also. Among the goats were powerful animals, with very thick wool. I put three of them side by side and bound them together with withes. The middle one carried one of my companions under his body bound securely, while the other two protected him on either side. A great woolly one, king of all, I kept back for myself. Thus prepared, we awaited the morning. THE BLINDING OF POLYPHEMUS “At last the flock set out and crowded past their waiting master, who carefully felt of each woolly back to see if one of us should not be riding on it. It never occurred to him that we might be hanging underneath. At length the first three came up, carrying their man successfully past, then the second, and so on. I was last. I crawled underneath, nestling into the thick wool as deeply as I could with hands and feet. Then the animal struggled forward as fast as he was able with his unaccustomed burden, while I held on desperately by his curly wool. The Cyclops recognized his favorite at once in caressing him, and spoke sadly to him. ‘Dear little one, art thou the last to-day to leave the cave? Thou, who art always the first to trot so gayly at the head of all the others. Art perchance sad also, and dost feel sorry for thy master’s eye, which the villain Nobody has put out? But only wait, he shall not escape his deserts. If thou couldst but speak, my little one, thou wouldst tell me at once where the wretch is hiding. Then shouldst thou see how his blood and marrow would splash about the cave. That would be revenge sweet to my heart.’ “Thus spake the Cyclops and released the goat. I let him carry me but a short distance, then let go, jumped up, and released my companions, of whom, alas! but six alone were left. Our rescuers we quietly drove before us, taking them as a thank offering. The Cyclops carefully closed his door again and whistled for his flock. We laughed in our hearts, and slunk quickly away with the stolen animals to our ship and put off. We rowed as fast as we could, and when the boat was as far from land as a man’s voice will carry, it occurred to me to shout a mocking farewell to the monster. “‘Ho, Cyclops! Take notice that thou hast entertained no ordinary mortal. In truth thou hast not eaten my friends for nothing. Thou art repaid at last for thine inhuman crimes.’ “How enraged he was. He tore off a piece of rock and cast it in the direction from which the voice had come. He aimed well, for it fell into the water close beside our vessel, so that we rocked in the trough of the sea. The waves nearly beat us back to shore again, but I urged on my men and they regained the high seas. “I could still see the giant feeling of his bloody forehead, and could not resist calling again, although my men begged me to desist. ‘Listen once more, Cyclops. If thou art asked who hath so shamefully blinded thee, know that it was Ulysses, son of Laertes!’ “‘Cursed guest!’ sputtered the furious Cyclops. ‘Thus hath the prophecy been fulfilled! I have heard thy name and have always feared a great giant of superhuman powers. And now that it should be such a midget—such a tiny weakling who has outwitted me! Woe is me! But listen, Ulysses,’ he called directly afterward; ‘come back and let us make peace. I will entertain thee royally and pray Poseidon, my father, that he grant thee safe conduct. He will certainly restore my eye; then all shall be forgiven thee.’ “‘Ha!’ I shouted back. ‘Would that I could but send thee so certainly to Hades that neither Poseidon nor any god could replace thine eye!’ And now I heard him praying loudly to his father to send misfortunes on my head. Alas, the god heard him only too well. “In the meanwhile we kept on rowing, but were still in danger, for suddenly another rock came flying and splashed like the first one into the sea close to our boat. At last after hard rowing we reached our little island and divided our booty with our companions. Our friends had given us up for lost and had been sitting on the shore day and night, mourning for us. They gave me the big goat, which had carried me out of the cave, for my share. I immediately sacrificed him to Jupiter, and we ate and drank joyfully together. When the sun sank into the sea we laid down on the beach to sleep. “When we had recovered from our fright and had refreshed ourselves with food and drink, we launched our boats and put out to sea. We travelled until we reached an island of peculiar formation. It floated about on the water and was surrounded by a wall of brass. It was the famous isle where lives Æolus, the king of the winds. The gods have given him charge over all the winds, that he may cause them to blow or to cease at his will. “I was hospitably received and delightfully entertained there for a whole month. In the palace lived the king’s six sons with their beautiful wives. I had to tell them all about Troy and all that had happened to me in my unfortunate journey. And when I begged for safe conduct, Æolus gave me a present which would have made me supremely happy had it not been for the foolishness of my companions. He confined all the winds in a leather bag, binding it securely with a silver rope. Thus I was fitted out so that I might make use of the winds should the vengeful Poseidon again lead me from my course. I laid the bag in the bottom of the ship without saying anything to my companions of its contents, and we sailed away with a gentle wind from Æolus’ isle and crossed almost the whole Mediterranean without accident, sailing nine days and nights, when suddenly on the tenth evening the shores of my native island loomed out of the darkness. Yes, it was really old Ithaca! I saw the watch-fires, the end of my wanderings had come. And now, weary as I was, sweet sleep overcame me, for I had labored at the mast day and night in order to reach home safely and quickly. “While I slept my companions began to talk of our return, to recall all that they had undergone, and to complain that they were returning poor, in spite of it all. They looked at me enviously, at my rich booty from Troy, and the number of my guest gifts. ‘Everywhere that he goes,’ they said, ‘he is honored and receives gifts, but we get nothing. What can he have hidden in that bag? Æolus has certainly given him a costly present of gold or silver.’ “Curiosity incited them to examine the bag, which the king had bound up so tightly for good reasons. They had scarcely loosened the cord when a furious east wind broke loose, which drove us backward in the direction we had just come. We wretched ones, who had hoped to land on Ithaca in a few hours, found ourselves once more on Æolus’ isle. We were exhausted on landing, and after taking the food and drink I set out, with one of my men and the herald, for Æolus’ palace. There I found the family assembled at table, and all were astonished at my reappearance. I told them my story and begged for help once more. But the king cried in a terrible voice: ‘Unhappy one, fly from my house. Far be it from me to shelter a man who is thus pursued by the anger of the gods.’ “Sorrowfully I rejoined my companions and with heavy hearts we put out on the treacherous sea. We rowed continuously for six days, and at last on the seventh we saw the coast of the LÆstrygones. We found a sheltered harbor where we made fast our ships. Then I mounted a hill to see if I could discover traces of people. In the distance I saw smoke rising and sent two of my men with a herald to explore the country. They entered a wood where they found wagon tracks that led to a town, and there they met a maiden, the buxom daughter of the king, Antiphates, just going to the well to draw water. She answered their inquiries by pointing out her father’s lofty dwelling. But when they entered the great palace they were terrified to behold the queen, a giantess, tall as a tree, who at once called her husband, an uncouth barbarian of gigantic stature. Without a word, like the Cyclops he seized one of them for his evening meal. The other two fled in horror to the ships. We saw them running, and soon a crowd of giants, summoned by the king’s roars, started in pursuit. While we were trying to loose the ships tremendous stones began to hurtle through the air upon us, dashing men and ships in pieces. I had tied my ship behind a cliff where it was safe from the stones. I quickly cut the ropes, called to my remaining companions, and we rowed away as fast as we could. With horror we saw the LÆstrygones spearing our poor comrades to carry them home to their cruel meal. “The current now carried us to the island of ÆÆa. We stole into a sheltering bay and rested for two days and nights, weak from hunger and overwork. But on the third day when rosy-fingered Eos began to paint the sky, I seized lance and sword and climbed to the top of the rock. The gods took pity on me and sent a great stag with branching antlers across my path. Like lightning I planted my spear in its side, and the animal sank in the dust with a cry. Bracing my foot against its side I drew out my spear, bound its feet together, threw the animal over my shoulder and, staggering under the unwonted burden, returned with it to the ship. “‘Come friends,’ I cried, ‘we shall not descend to the kingdom of Hades until our day of doom dawns. As long as there is food and drink let us be merry and refresh our weary bodies.’ “The sight of the stately animal put new life into my fainting comrades. They sprang up, washed their hands, and began to prepare the meat. We sat down to an excellent evening repast and our courage returned. A sweet sleep refreshed us, and at daybreak we determined to set out and see whom we could find on the island. But my companions grew panic-stricken when they thought of the Cyclops and the cannibal LÆstrygones. ‘Very well,’ I said, ‘divide yourselves into two parties. I will lead one and the hero Eurylochus shall lead the other.’ We then drew lots from a brass helmet to see who should explore and who should remain to guard the ship. The lot fell to the brave Eurylochus and he hastened to set out with twenty-two men. “In a distant valley they found the stately palace of Circe, the Sun-god’s daughter, a sorceress skilled in all the arts. Her dwelling was surrounded by lions and wolves, which were men transformed into animals by her magic. They were unfortunates who had been cast upon her coast by storms. Their human reason had not been taken from them, so that they did not attack the approaching men, but came up to them like friendly dogs. Inside the palace sat the beautiful Circe at her loom, singing. ‘Listen,’ said one of the men, ‘what lovely singing. Let us go in.’ The goddess who had overheard the words, left her work and opened the door. ‘Come in, strangers,’ she said sweetly, ‘that I may entertain ye.’ The friends obeyed and went inside. Only the cautious Eurylochus remained without and hid himself from the sorceress as though he divined mischief. “The strangers were invited to sit on soft cushioned chairs and Circe passed food and mixed sweet wine for them, but in the wine she secretly put evil herbs, and when the poor fellows had drunk of the mixture Circe touched them all with her magic wand and in an instant they were changed into grunting swine. She then drove them out and put them into pens and laughingly shut them in. Eurylochus, horrified, saw all this from his hiding place, then hastened away to bring me the news. In broken words he related the horrible fate of our friends. “I immediately sprang up. ‘Guide me thither,’ I cried, impatiently. ‘I will avenge the unfortunates if I cannot save them.’ But he fell at my feet and begged me with tears not to sacrifice myself. ‘Let us flee from the cursed island,’ he cried, ‘that we, at least, may escape the same awful fate.’ “‘Stay thou,’ I answered scornfully, ‘and eat and drink thy fill here by the shore, but I must needs go.’ With these words I hurried along the beach until I saw the dwelling of Circe in the distance. All at once a shining youth came toward me. I recognized Hermes by his staff and his glorious appearance. “‘Friend,’ said he, taking me by the hand, why art thou wandering alone among these wild hills? Dost thou know what awaits thee? Thy friends are shut up in Circe’s pens transformed into swine. Dost intend to release them? Poor man, thou wilt scarcely succeed. I fear she will but pen thee up with the rest.’ I did not know what to answer, and could only gaze perplexed at the youthful god. “‘Listen,’ he said. ‘I wish thee well and I can help thee. Therefore let me warn thee to beware of Circe’s tricks. On thy arrival she will mix for thee a sweet wine with a certain poison which puts all who partake of it in her power. But here is the antidote. Pour it secretly into the wine before thou drinkest, and her herbs cannot harm thee. When thou hast partaken of the mixture she will touch thee with her magic wand in the vain endeavor to transform thee. Take advantage of this moment to overcome her. Fall upon her with drawn sword as though thou wouldst pierce her, and thou shalt see her supplicating for mercy at thy feet. Grant what she asks, but let her swear a solemn oath that she will not further harm thee. Then she shall be appeased, and by degrees, in confidential talk, thou shalt persuade her to release thy friends also.’ “The god gave me the wholesome herb, then hastened back to high Olympus. I gazed gratefully after him, carefully stowed away his gift, and committed his advice to memory. Deep in thought I suddenly found myself at Circe’s dwelling and heard the heavenly singing. I called, and the goddess immediately appeared. She led me to the silver-mounted seat and went to prepare the wine in which she mixed her magic herbs. As soon as she handed me the cup, I quickly poured Hermes’ antidote into it, and drank off the potion without fear. “At once she pointed the magic wand at my head saying: ‘Now, my little beast, follow thy friends into the pig-pen.’ I pushed back my chair, sprang from behind the table, and fell upon the false one with drawn sword. She shrieked and threw herself upon the ground to clasp my knees. ‘Who art thou and whence comest thou who art the first to withstand my magic? Never has a mortal resisted its power. Art thou perhaps the crafty Ulysses who, Hermes once told me, should visit me on his long wanderings and set at naught my sorcery? But look not so fiercely upon me. Put up thy sword. Sit down peaceably beside me that we may hold friendly converse.’ “‘O goddess,’ I answered, ‘how can I trust one who has robbed me of my friends? I know not what schemes thou entertainest against me. If I am to trust thee, swear to me the great oath of the gods that thou wilt not practise thine arts against me, sleeping nor waking.’ “She at once complied and I was reassured. And now she drew me down upon her couch and fondled me, while her maidens, beautiful daughters of the river and forest gods, prepared a delicious repast for me and one of them heated water for the bath. When it was ready she washed my head and shoulders herself and clothed me in rich garments. Then she led me to a table covered with delicacies. I did not partake, but leant my head upon my hand and sank into sorrowful musings. Circe urged me in vain to eat. ‘O goddess,’ I sighed, ‘how can I enjoy a feast in the house where my unhappy companions are prisoners? Until I see them freed from the terrible enchantment, thou wilt exert thyself in vain to cheer me with thy embraces and thine entertainment.’ “The goddess was touched. She went out into the pens, freed the swine, and anointed each one with a healing salve. And, oh joy! the animals stood up, the bristly hide and the long snouts disappeared, and my companions stood before me, younger and handsomer than before. They shouted for joy and fell at our feet. Then their beautiful liberator led them into the banquet hall. “‘Listen, Ulysses,’ said Circe to me, ‘remain with me for a while and rest after all the hardships thou hast undergone. Go and beach thy ship upon the sands. Hide thy weapons and goods in the thicket, and then bring all thy worthy comrades here that I may entertain them.’ “Confiding in the sacred oath of the goddess I set out at once to fetch my companions. They rejoiced to see me returning in safety, and came running to meet me like young foals to their mother. I related my adventure, and commanded them to draw the ship on the beach and to bury the tools and follow me to the palace where they might rest and feast to their heart’s content. “Then arose the prudent Eurylochus, still half-paralyzed with fear, and said to them: ‘Poor fellows, where are we going? The crafty sorceress will soon have transformed us all into swine, wolves, or lions. Did not Ulysses lead us into the Cyclops’ cave. Let us stay here, and let him go where he will.’ I grew crimson with anger on hearing him speak thus. I had already drawn my sword to cut off his head when my companions prevented me. ‘Let him go,’ said they; ‘we will all follow thee.’ “I then guided them to Circe’s palace, and even Eurylochus followed us at a distance. How happy they all were to find their companions, in fine garments, sitting at the festive board. They fell upon one another’s necks, and even Circe was touched at the sight. She said to us: ‘Dear comrades, stay with me until ye shall have forgotten all your troubles and regained your old-time courage.’ “Thankfully we accepted her invitation, and day by day we feasted and drank. But at length, when a year had gone by, the longing for home awakened in our breasts, and my companions urged me to think of our native land. All day I mused upon their demand, and as darkness fell I clasped the knees of the goddess and besought her to send us back to our homes. She answered graciously that she did not wish to detain me against my will, but that I must first accomplish a mission for her before I could take the direct path homewards. I gave my promise and heard with horror the following commission: ‘I wish to send thee to the underworld to inquire of the spirit of old Tiresias, who conferred upon Persephone, Queen of Hades, alone of all the shades, power to wander there a living person, while the other souls are only floating shadows.’ “I wrung my hands and groaned. Weeping I sat beside the goddess and cried: ‘Who shall show me the way thither? Never did a living man descend into Hades, and nevermore shall a living man return from thence into the light.’ “‘Fear not for thy life, nor for a guide,’ she continued. ‘Spread thy sail and let the north wind guide thee.’ She then gave me full directions as to all that I should see and do upon this visit to the lower regions. “As she ended dawn was gilding the morning sky. Sorrowfully I arose and went to arouse my companions and advise them of our speedy departure. We went down to the ship with heavy hearts. There we found the sacrificial sheep, which I was to carry with me, bound and ready; a black male sheep and a female. Circe had also provided flour, wine, and honey. We launched the ship, raised the mast, and reluctantly embarked. A favorable wind bore us straight toward the ends of the earth. “We reached the shores of the Cimmerians, where the sun no longer sheds its light. There we beached our ship, took the sacrificial gifts, and descended to the place which Circe had shown me. We found all as she had foretold. I now began to dig a pit with my sword, an ell square, and into it I poured an offering for the dead as I had been instructed; first of honey and milk, then of sweet wine, and at last of water, strewing white flour over all. Then the two sheep were handed me, and I cut their throats with my sword so that the dark blood ran into the pit. Immediately the departed souls floated up in crowds from the lower world and pressed upon me. But I held them back with my sword, and commanded my companions to burn the sheep which had been skinned meanwhile. While the offering was being consumed we prayed to all the gods of the lower world, and I did not forget to make promises to them and to Tiresias, provided that I should reach Ithaca in safety. “I gazed upon the approaching shades with silent awe. I saw armed men with deep wounds, old dames and blooming maidens, careworn old men and vigorous youths. They crowded about the pit on all sides with horrible cries, and I had hard work to keep them from the blood with my sword. INVOCATION OF THE SHADES IN HADES “The spirits seemed speechless except Tiresias. He bade me turn away the sharp sword, that he might drink of the blood and prophesy of my fate. When he had drunk he leaned upon his golden staff and began: ‘Noble Ulysses, thou art anxious to return to thy home, but one of the gods will put difficulties in thy way. Dost thou not know how deeply thou didst offend Poseidon in blinding the eye of his son? Still all may be well with thee if only thou layest not thine hands upon the steers of Helios upon the island of Thrinakia. If thou shouldst kill one of them thou mayest scarcely expect to be saved, and if thou shouldst ever see thy native land again, it would only be after many years of hardship and without any of thy companions. Others shall feast upon thy substance, woo thy spouse, and seek to lay deadly traps for thy son. But at last a divinity shall take pity on thee that thou mayest slay the presumptuous guests in thy palace. The deed will compel thee to leave thine ancestral home and to settle far inland. Then let it be a token for thee that, when on thy pilgrimage with thine oar upon thy shoulder, thou shalt meet a man who shall call the oar a shovel, that it is the place which the gods have set apart for the haven of thine old age. Far from the sea, death shall come gently upon thee.’ “‘So that is to be my fate, O Tiresias,’ I said. ‘But tell me, do I not see my old mother amongst the spirits? She deigns not to speak to her son, nor looks into my face. What shall I do to make her know me?’ “‘If thou wouldst question any of these spirits, let them drink of the blood,’ answered Tiresias; ‘then mind and speech shall return to them.’ “I waited until my mother should approach, and as soon as she had drunk she recognized me with joy and astonishment. I recounted to her all my sufferings and questioned her in what manner she had died and how my father, wife, and dear son at home were faring. She told me that all were alive and longed for me every day, that my father, grown weak with age, lived in the palace no longer, but cultivated his vineyards in the country. “She departed and in her place came other women, wives of famous heroes I had known. They, too, drank of the blood and told me of their fate. My heart swelled as I beheld the spirits of dear friends floating near who had once been my companions before Troy—Agamemnon, Achilles, Patroclus, and the excellent Ajax, all of whom death had overtaken before they saw their native land again. I was most astonished to see Agamemnon here. I questioned him and, lamenting, he told me his sad fate. He inquired about his living son, Orestes, but alas, I could tell him nothing of the Greeks. But I was able to tell Achilles of many glorious deeds done by his son Neoptolemus, of whose bravery in war I had often been witness after his father’s death. Even in the pale world of shades Achilles rejoiced in his son’s valor, and floated proudly down to the fields of asphodel where dwell the spirits of brave heroes. “I saw also the heroes of ancient times. Minos, the wise ruler and lawgiver of Crete, was even now holding judgment over the souls of the dead in Hades; and Orion, the great hunter, with his mighty bow drove innumerable game before him. Tityus, that gigantic son of earth, who had once dared to dishonor the divine Leto, mother of Apollo and Artemis, lay fast bound upon the ground in punishment, two vultures on either side tearing at his entrails which ever grew again and were anew destroyed. Not less terrible was the penalty of Sisyphus, a king who had practised many cruelties during his lifetime. He was obliged to push a heavy block of marble up a steep hill, and as often as he had nearly reached the top it would glide from his hands and roll thundering down to the bottom of the valley. Then, bathed in cold perspiration and in a cloud of dust, he would begin the difficult task over again. “I saw Tantalus also, that celebrated king whom Jupiter allowed to sit at his own table and feast with the gods. His vain heart was unworthy of the honor. He misused their confidence and betrayed their secrets; and for this he was undergoing a terrible martyrdom in Hades. A burning thirst consumes him continually, and though he stands up to his throat in water, and delicious pear, fig, and apple trees hang their sweet fruits above his head, he can never satisfy his vehement desires; for as often as he bends down to the water the pool suddenly dries up, and as often as he raises his hand to pluck of the juicy fruit, a furious wind quickly tosses the branches toward the clouds. I saw also the shade of Hercules. He lives in Olympus with the gods and is married to Hebe, enjoying the pleasures of the gods in return for all his labor on earth. Only his shade is in Hades. Theseus and Pirithous also glided by at a distance. “I did not venture to remain much longer in this dread place, but full of what I had seen and heard, hastened back to the ship with my companions. We all went aboard and Oceanus bore us back the way we had come. Circe had scarcely heard of our arrival when she visited us and sent us plenty of bread, meat, and wine. When it began to grow dark she seated herself by my side, apart from the others, and gave me much wise advice for my coming voyage. She warned me against the Sirens who entice travellers with sweet songs, only to devour them like beasts of prey. ‘As it is impossible to resist their entrancing singing,’ she said, ‘take this piece of wax and knead it into a paste with which to stop the ears of thy companions; but cause thyself to be bound to the mast, and when, carried away by the magic singing, thou wouldst set thyself free, let them bind thee the faster. “‘Another and greater danger awaits thee in the fearful abyss where dwell Scylla and Charybdis. There the sea is forced between two high rocks scarcely an arrow’s flight apart. Deep at the foot of one lurks Charybdis, the monster, gulping down endless streams of water with all ships and men who approach too near, and long afterwards spitting them out again dashed to pieces in the turmoil. Beware of that side and keep closer to the right, where the other monster, Scylla, dwells. When thou passest by thou wilt be obliged to pay her a terrible toll, for with each of her six jaws she will snatch one of thy men from the rower’s bench. But it is better to lose six men than to see thy whole ship go down in Charybdis’ whirlpool. Finally I warn thee of the sacred oxen of Helios on the island Thrinakia. Shouldst thou harm one of them, I prophesy destruction for thee and thy ship and thy friends; and even if thou shouldst thyself escape, thou shalt return home only after many years, unhappy and without any companions.’ “Thus spake the glorious goddess, and as rosy Eos appeared we hastened to our ships to take advantage of a favorable wind. As soon as I thought we were nearing the Sirens I kneaded the wax and stopped the ears of my friends; but me they bound fast to the mast. Thus we rowed on. The Sirens heard us coming and began their enchanting song. As I listened I was seized with an overmastering desire to hear more and struggled to loosen my bonds. I begged my friends with signs and gestures to aid me, but they only tied me faster, until the magical sounds grew fainter and fainter and the danger was left far behind. “We next saw mist and rolling surf and heard hollow reverberations in the distance. The arms of the rowers became paralyzed and the ship stood still. I hastened among them and admonished them to row as fast as possible, but commanded the steersman to keep as far to the right as possible, that we might not be engulfed by Charybdis. I wisely kept silent about the fearful Scylla, or not a man would have rowed another stroke. As I stood on the high deck, armed with two spears and looking down into the foaming gulf, I heard a cry of pain on my right, and behold, the fearful monster had seized with her six jaws the bravest and strongest of my companions. They called loudly for help, but I could do naught for them. At last we had passed through the awful gulf and feasted our eyes on the green hills of Thrinakia. We could hear the lowing of the splendid oxen of Helios and the cheerful sound of bleating herds of sheep. Helios, the Sun-god, had placed these herds in the care of two nymphs, and delighted in watching them as often as he guided his golden chariot over Thrinakia’s hills. They never increased or diminished, neither did they grow old. “‘Friends,’ said I, ‘this is the fatal island, and I already see the pleasant flocks of Helios, to touch which means death. Let us heed the warning of Tiresias and the divine Circe and avoid the island, for they have told us that the most terrible fate awaits us there.’ “My companions were displeased with my speech and began to murmur. Eurylochus was their spokesman. ‘Cruel, but too courageous Ulysses,’ said he, ‘thou art never weary, but we are worn out with our labors and thou begrudgest us rest. Thou wouldst have us row blindly out into the night. Let us land, take food, and rest beside the ship. Early in the morning we can set out again.’ “All applauded Eurylochus’ speech, and I perceived that the god was bent on my destruction. I said to them: ‘Ye can easily force me, a single man among many, to obedience. Only swear that ye will not touch one of those animals, but will be satisfied with the food which the immortal Circe has given us.’ They promised hastily and the steersman put to land. “We disembarked and ate our supper. Then we bewailed the terrible death of our companions, and it was late before sweet slumber came to dry our tears. But alas, what an awakening we were to have. During the night a frightful storm arose and thick black clouds veiled land and sea. When morning dawned we drew our ship into a rocky cove and sheltered ourselves as best we could. “‘Friends,’ I said, ‘we shall not get away from this island to-day, but we have a store of food and drink. Swear to me once more that none of you will touch the sacred cattle.’ “They all promised, but for four long weeks the south wind and the rough east wind alternated with each other and our departure was delayed. When all the store of food had been eaten my companions scoured the beach to find shellfish or would shoot a bird for food. But all these were not enough to appease their gnawing hunger. I, too, wandered about the island far from the ship, washed my hands in the sacred sea, and prayed to the gods that one of them might show me the way to return. When I had prayed thus a deep sleep overcame me, and I sank down upon the shore. “When my companions found themselves alone they determined to break their oath. ‘If Jupiter has destined us to death, let us be suddenly dashed to pieces in the ship rather than die miserably of hunger here,’ said Eurylochus. ‘Come let us take some of the oxen and sacrifice them, and vow a temple in Ithaca to the offended Sun-god as soon as we are safe at home.’ “Just as the fat shanks were steaming on the hastily prepared altar I awoke and came hastening to the scene. Ye gods! what were my feelings when I smelled the unexpected odors from afar. It was vain to blame myself or my companions. The nymphs had carried the news to Helios, and the god threatened that unless he should receive sufficient reparation he would no longer light the world for gods and men. Upon this, Jupiter promised him to destroy my ship as soon as I should put to sea again. Alas, what woes were still in store for me! “For six days my comrades feasted, but on the seventh, when the fury of the storm had spent itself, we hastily embarked and sailed rapidly toward our native coast. We had not gone far when a terrific west wind arose, piling up black thunder clouds. Our little vessel was tossed hither and thither until, with a loud crash, the mainmast broke off, carrying the steersman with it into the sea. Then came a frightful bolt of lightning which split the ship in two and all the rowers were precipitated into the water, where they tossed about and then sank. I had clung tightly to the keel, and when the broken mast with its sail ropes floated near enough, I bound it fast to the keel. I tried to keep myself afloat on this miserable raft, but despaired of ever reaching land, especially as a south wind suddenly arose, which carried me straight toward the straits of Scylla. The current bore me toward the whirlpool of Charybdis, so that only a miracle could save me. On a cliff directly overhanging the gulf I saw a fig tree, and just as the whirlpool was about to suck me down I seized hold of its slender stem, clinging to it like a bat, for I found no place for my feet. My raft had been swallowed up, but I knew that the monster would soon cast it out again, and sure enough, presently my faithful raft came floating safely along. I essayed a sudden leap, grasped the raft desperately, and was carried out again by the current into the open sea. The storm had subsided and I paddled about for nine days with my hands, almost perishing with hunger. On the tenth day I was fortunate enough to reach land. It was Ogygia, Calypso’s island, where I was held in captivity for nine years, as I have told you.” |
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