THE LOTUS-EATERS AND THE CYCLOPS
"We sailed onward in a westerly direction, heading for the Grecian
shore, and thought our trials would soon be at an end. But in this
we were disappointed, for when we were about to round the cape at
the southern point of Greece, we met an evil wind which always blows
there, and it drove us far to the east, beyond the island of Cythera.
"Nine days and nine nights we were driven about on the sea by the
violent storm, and on the tenth we reached the land of the Lotus-eaters.
These men eat flowers that look like water-lilies, and they have no
other food. We landed on the shore of the mainland, and my comrades
took their evening meal close to the boats.
"When our hunger was satisfied, I sent out two of the best men to
explore the country about and find out what sort of people the
Lotus-eaters were. I sent a herald with them, whom they might send
back with the news.
"They soon found themselves among the Lotus-eaters, who were gentle
and friendly, and gave them the lotus plant to eat. This food is
pleasant to the taste, but dangerous; for anyone who eats of it loses
all desire to return to his own home. He forgets his cares and troubles,
but also his friends.
"As soon as my comrades had eaten of the lotus, they became attached
to the Lotus-eaters, and desired to remain with them. They wept
bitterly when I commanded them to return to the ships, and I was
obliged to force them to go.
"I bound them down to the benches in the ships, and the whole company
went on board in haste lest they should never think of their homes
again. Each man bent to his oars, and the waves were soon white with
the beating of the ships against them as we sailed with all haste
in the direction of our own land.
"We sailed about on unknown seas and with sorrowing hearts until we
came to the land of the Cyclops. They are a wild people who have no
laws. They never plough the fields nor plant them, for everything
grows of its own accord--wheat, and barley, and the vine. The grapes
yield good wine. The Cyclops do not come together in a friendly way,
but live in caves near the mountain tops, each one in his own den.
They do not care much for one another, and each rules his wife and
children as he likes.
"There is a little woody island lying at the entrance to the land
of the Cyclops, on which swarm numberless wild goats, never disturbed
by human beings, for the Cyclops have no ships to take them over.
This island is very fertile, but there are no sheep to eat the grass
and no people to plough the fields. The goats are the only inhabitants.
The island has a harbor which is safe, and the ships that enter it
have no need of anchors or fastenings.
"In the midst of the harbor there is a cliff, from which bubbles forth
a spring of excellent water, and poplar-trees grow all around it.
The soil is so rich it might bear all kinds of fruit, if there were
anyone to plant them. There are beautiful meadows all along the coast,
which are gay with yellow fruit and pink blossoms.
"We were shaping our course toward this island, and a good breeze
brought us there on a dark night. The moon did not shine and none
of the crew saw the land until we were upon the shore. We lowered
our sails and rested there until morning. When daylight appeared we
beheld with wonder the island where the wild goats abounded. My
comrades walked around, admiring the beauty of the place, while the
nymphs, daughters of Zeus, roused the goats that they might give us
milk. We took our bows and arrows from the ships immediately and,
forming three hunting-parties, killed a great number of the nimble
creatures. Each of my twelve ships received nine goats as its share,
but mine received ten. The remainder of the day we passed in eating
and drinking."