KING HELENUS--THE CYCLOPS.
Then they set sail, and, the south wind blowing, passed by Zacynthus
and Dulichium, and also Ithaca, which they cursed as they passed,
because it was the land of the hateful Ulysses, and so came to Actium,
where they landed. There also they did sacrifice to the Gods, and had
games of wrestling and others, rejoicing that they had passed safely
through so many cities of their enemies. And there they wintered, and
Æneas fixed on the doors of the temple of Apollo a shield of bronze
which he had won in battle from the valiant Abas, writing thereon
these words, "ÆNEAS DEDICATES THESE ARMS WON FROM THE VICTORIOUS
GREEKS."
But when the spring was come they set sail, and, leaving behind them
the land of Phæacia, came to Buthrotum that is in Epirus. There indeed
they heard a marvellous thing, even that Helenus, the son of Priam,
was king in these parts, in the room of Pyrrhus, the son of Achilles,
having also to wife Andromaché, who was the widow of Hector. And when
Æneas, wishing to know whether these things were so, journeyed towards
the city, lo! in a grove hard by, by a river which also was called
Simoïs, there stood this same Andromaché, and made offerings to the
spirit of Hector not without many tears. And at the first when she saw
Æneas, and that he wore such arms as the men of Troy were used to
wear, she swooned with fear, but after a while spake thus: "Is this
indeed a real thing that I see? Art thou alive? or, if thou art dead,
tell me, where is my Hector?" So she cried and wept aloud. And Æneas
answered her: "Yes, lady, this is flesh and blood, and not a spirit,
that thou seest. But as for thee, what fortune has befallen thee? Art
thou still wedded to Pyrrhus?"
And she, casting down her eyes, made answer, "O daughter of Priam,
happy beyond thy sisters in that thou wast slain at the tomb of
Achilles, nor wast taken to be a prey of the conqueror! But as for me
I was borne across the sea, to be slave of the haughty son of
Achilles. And when he took to wife Hermione, who was the daughter of
Helen, he gave me to Helenus, as a slave is given to a slave. But
Pyrrhus, after awhile, Orestes slew, taking him unawares, even by the
altar of his father. And when he was dead, part of his kingdom came to
Helenus, who hath called the land Chaonia, after Chaon of Troy; and
hath also builded a citadel, a new Pergama, upon the hills. But tell
me, was it some storm that drave thee hither, or chance, or, lastly,
some sending of the Gods? And is Ascanius yet alive--the boy whom I
remember? Does he yet think of his mother that is dead? And is he
stout and of a good courage, as befits the son of Æneas and sister's
son to Hector?"
And while she spake there came Helenus from the city with a great
company, and bade welcome to his friends with much joy. And Æneas saw
how that all things were ordered and named even as they had been at
Troy, only the things at Troy had been great, and these were very
small. And afterwards King Helenus made a feast to them in his house,
and they drank together and were merry.
But after certain days were passed, Æneas, seeing that the wind
favoured them, spake to Helenus, knowing him also to be a prophet of
the Gods: "Tell me now, seeing that thou art wise in all manner of
divination and prophecy, how it will fare with us. For indeed all
things have seemed to favour us, and we go not on this journey against
the will of the Gods, yet did the Harpy Celæno prophesy evil things,
that we should endure great extremity of hunger. Say, then, of what
things I should most beware, and how I shall best prosper."
Then Helenus, after due sacrifice, led Æneas to the temple of Phœbus.
And when they were come thither, and the god had breathed into the
seer, even into Helenus, the spirit of prophecy, he spake, saying,
"Son of Venus, that thou takest thy journey across the sea with favour
of the Gods, is manifest. Hearken, therefore, and I will inform thee
of certain things, though indeed they be few out of many, by which
thou mayest more safely cross unknown seas and get thee to thy haven
in Italy. Much indeed the Fates suffer me not to know, and much Juno
forbids me to speak. Know then, first of all, that Italy, which thou
ignorantly thinkest to be close at hand, is yet far away across many
seas. And let this be a sign to thee that thou art indeed come to the
place where thou wouldst be. When thou shalt see a white sow and
thirty pigs at her teats, then hast thou found the place of thy city
that shall be. And as to the devouring of thy tables for famine, heed
it not: Apollo will help thee at need. But seek not to find a
dwelling-place on this shore of Italy which is near at hand, seeing
that it is inhabited by the accursed sons of Greece. And when thou
hast passed it by, and art come to the land of Sicily, and shalt see
the strait of Pelorus open before thee, do thou keep to thy left hand
and avoid the way that is on thy right. For here in days past was the
land rent asunder, so that the waters of the sea flow between cities
and fields that of old time were joined together. And on the right
hand is Scylla, and on the left Charybdis the whirlpool. But Scylla
dwelleth in her cave, a monster dreadful to behold; for to the middle
she is a fair woman, but a beast of the sea below, even the belly of a
dolphin, with heads as of a wolf. Wherefore it will be better for
thee to fetch a compass round the whole land of Sicily than to come
nigh these things, or to see them with thine eyes. Do thou also
remember this, at all places and times, before all other Gods to
worship Juno, that thou mayest persuade her, and so make thy way
safely to Italy. And when thou art come thither, seek the Sibyl that
dwelleth at Cumæ, the mad prophetess that writeth the sayings of Fate
upon the leaves of a tree. For these indeed at the first abide in
their places, but, the gate being opened, the wind blows them hither
and thither. And when they are scattered she careth not to join them
again, so that they who would inquire of her depart without an answer.
Refuse not to tarry awhile, that thou mayest take counsel of her,
though all things seem to prosper thy journey and thy comrades chide
thy delay. For she shall tell thee all that shall befall thee in
Italy--what wars thou shalt wage, and what perils thou must endure,
and what avoid. So much, and no more, is it lawful for me to utter. Do
thou depart, and magnify our country of Troy even to the heaven."
And when the seer had ended these sayings he commanded his people
that they should carry to the ships gifts: gold, and carvings of
ivory, and much silver, and caldrons that had been wrought at Dodona;
also a coat of chain mail, and a helmet with a fair plume, which
Pyrrhus had worn. Also he gave gifts to the old man Anchises. Horses,
too, he gave, and guides for the journey, and tackling for the ships,
and arms for the whole company. Then did he bid farewell to the old
Anchises. Andromaché also came, bringing broidered robes, and for
Ascanius a Phrygian cloak, and many like things, which she gave him,
saying, "Take these works of my hands, that they may witness to thee
of the abiding love of her that was once Hector's wife. For indeed
thou art the very image of my Astyanax; so like are thy eyes and face
and hands. And indeed he would now be of an age with thee." Then Æneas
also said farewell, weeping the while. "Be ye happy, whose wanderings
are over and rest already won; ye have no seas to cross, nor fields of
Italy, still flying as we advance, to seek. Rather ye have the
likeness of Troy before your eyes. And be sure that if ever I come to
this land of Italy which I seek, there shall be friendship between you
and me, and between your children and my children, for ever."
Then they set sail, and at eventide drew their ships to the land and
slept on the beach. But at midnight Palinurus, the pilot, rising from
his bed, took note of the winds and of the stars, even of Arcturus,
and the Greater Bear and the Less, and Orion with his belt of gold.
Seeing therefore that all things boded fair weather to come, he blew
loud the signal that they should depart; which they did forthwith. And
when the morning was now growing red in the east, behold a land with
hills dimly seen and shores lying low in the sea. And, first of all,
the old man Anchises cried, "Lo! there is Italy," and after him all
the company. Then took Anchises a mighty cup, and filled it with wine,
and, standing on the stern, said, "Gods of sea and land, and ye that
have power of the air, give us an easy journey, and send such winds as
may favour us." And even as he spake the wind blew more strongly
behind. Also the harbour mouth grew wider to behold, and on the hills
was seen a temple of Minerva. And lo! upon the shore four horses white
as snow, which the old man seeing, said, "Thou speakest of war, land
of the stranger; for the horse signifieth war, yet doth he also use
himself to run in the chariot, and to bear the bit in company;
therefore also will we hope for peace." Then did they sacrifice to
Minerva, and to Juno also, which rites the seer Helenus had chiefly
commanded. And this being done they trimmed their sails and departed
from the shore, fearing lest some enemy, the Greeks being in that
place, should set upon them. So did they pass by Tarentum, which
Hercules builded, also the hills of Caulon, and Scylacium, where many
ships are broken. And from Scylacium they beheld Ætna, and heard a
great roaring of the sea, and saw also the waves rising up to heaven.
Then said Anchises, "Lo! this is that Charybdis whereof the seer
Helenus spake to us. Ply your oars, my comrades, and let us fly
therefrom." So they strove amain in rowing, and Palinurus also steered
to the left, all the other ships following him. And many times the
waves lifted them to the heaven, and many times caused them to go
down to the deep. But at the last, at setting of the sun, they came to
the land of the Cyclops.
There, indeed, they lay in a harbour, well sheltered from all winds
that blow, but all the night Ætna thundered dreadfully, sending forth
a cloud with smoke of pitch, and ashes fiery hot, and also balls of
fire, and rocks withal that had been melted with heat. For indeed men
say that the giant Enceladus lieth under this mountain, being scorched
with the lightning of Jupiter, and that from him cometh forth this
flame; also that when, being weary, he turneth from one side to the
other, the whole land of the Three Capes is shaken. All that night
they lay in much fear, nor knew what the cause of this uproar might
be, for indeed the sky was cloudy, nor could the moon be seen.
And when it was morning, lo! there came forth from the woods a
stranger, very miserable to behold, in filthy garments fastened with
thorns, and with beard unshaven, who stretched out to them his hands
as one who prayed. And the men of Troy knew him to be a Greek. But he,
seeing them, and knowing of what country they were, stood awhile in
great fear, but afterwards ran very swiftly towards them, and used to
them many prayers, weeping also the while. "I pray you, men of Troy,
by the stars and by the Gods, and by this air which we breathe, to
take me away from this land, whithersoever ye will. And indeed I ask
not whither. That I am a Greek, I confess, and also that I bare arms
against Troy. Wherefore drown me, if ye will, in the sea. For gladly
will I die, if die I must, by the hands of men."
And he clung to their knees. Then Æneas bade him tell who he was, and
how he came to be in this plight. And the man made answer, "I am a man
of Ithaca, and a comrade of the unhappy Ulysses. My name is
Achæmenides, and my father was Adamastus. And when my comrades fled
from this accursed shore they left me in the Cyclops' cave. Hideous is
he to see, and savage, and of exceeding great stature, and he feeds on
the flesh of men. I myself saw with these eyes how he lay and caught
two of my companions and brake them on the stone; aye, and I saw their
limbs quiver between his teeth. Yet did he not do such things
unpunished, for Ulysses endured not to behold these deeds, and when
the giant lay asleep, being overcome with wine, we, after prayer made
to the Gods and lots cast what each should do, bored out his eye, for
one eye he had, huge as a round shield of Argos, or as the circle of
the sun, and so did we avenge our comrades' death. Do ye then fly with
all the speed ye may. For know that as this shepherd Polyphemus--a
shepherd he is by trade--so are a hundred other Cyclopés, huge and
savage as he, who dwell on these shores and wander over the hills. And
now for three months have I dwelt in these woods, eating berries and
cornels and herbs of the field. And when I saw your ships I hastened
to meet them. Do ye with me, therefore, as ye will, so that I flee
from this accursed race."
And even while he spake the men of Troy saw the shepherd Polyphemus
among his flocks, and that he made as if he would come to the shore.
Horrible to behold was he, huge and shapeless and blind. And when he
came to the sea he washed the blood from the wound, grinding his
teeth the while, and though he went far into the sea, yet did not the
waves touch his middle. And the men of Troy, having taken the
suppliant on board, fled with all their might; and he hearing their
rowing would have reached to them, but could not. Therefore did he
shout aloud, and the Cyclopés hearing him hasted to the shore. Then
did the men of Troy behold them, a horrid company, tall as a grove of
oaks or cypresses. Nor knew they in their fear what they should do,
seeing that on the one hand was the land of the Cyclopés, and on the
other Scylla and Charybdis, of which the seer Helenus had bidden them
beware. But while they doubted, there blew a north wind from Pelorus,
wherewith they sailed onwards, and Achæmenides with them. So they came
to Ortygia, whither, as men say, the river Alpheüs floweth under the
sea from the land of Pelops, and so mingleth with Arethusa; and
afterwards they passed the promontory of Pachynus, Camarina also, and
Gela, and other cities likewise, till they came to Lilybæum, and so at
last to Drepanum. There the old man Anchises died, and was buried.