THE ADVENTURES OF ODYSSEUS ON THE ISLAND OF ÆOLUS
"We sailed about on unknown seas for many days, when we reached the
island where Æolus made his abode. This island was surrounded by
smooth rocks and guarded by a wall of shining brass.
"Æolus had twelve children, six sons and six daughters, and they
banqueted on an endless variety of meats from day to day all the year
round. Æolus was a kindly, genial god; he was master of the winds,
and one could hear the music of sweet pipes in his halls all day,
and the air was fresh and fragrant there.
"Æolus welcomed us hospitably and kept us with him a whole month.
He inquired of the fate of all our companions in the war with Troy,
and we stated what had happened to them. Then we prayed him to send
us home, and the god very kindly gave us a sack made of skin in which
he had tied up all the contrary winds, leaving only the west wind
free to carry us safely home.
"I took the great bag of winds and bound it fast to the main mast
of the ship with a silver chain, so that no rude wind could escape
and blow us out of our way. We sailed along nine days and nine nights,
blown by the friendly breeze from the west, and on the tenth we saw
in the distance the mountain tops of Ithaca and the fires along the
shore.
"And now I was overcome by a heavy sleep, for I had been guiding the
ship, not daring to trust it to the hand of any of the crew. While
I lay unconscious of what was going on, my companions talked among
themselves and said they believed that the bag which Æolus had given
me contained vast amounts of gold and silver. And they spoke with
great jealousy of the prizes which I had received wherever we had
landed, while they went empty-handed.
"The more they talked to one another the more jealous and angry they
grew. They untied the sack and the winds rushed out, much to their
astonishment, and seized the ship, driving it round and round in a
furious storm. I started out of my sleep suddenly and found the bag
open I had so carefully guarded and my companions weeping bitterly.
"For a moment I had a mind to throw myself into the sea and make an
end of my troubles forever. But the thought came to me that such an
action would not be noble, so I hid my head in my mantle and lay down
in the bottom of the ship while the violent winds and towering waves
drove us back to the island we had left. We landed there again, and,
having partaken of some food and wine, I sought the halls of Æolus.
"I found the king and his wife and children at table taking their
evening meal. When Æolus saw me he was amazed, and asked me what had
happened to me. I told him about the senseless action of my companions,
and begged him to assist me once more. But with a terrible voice he
replied: 'Begone as fast as thou canst out of my island. I will not
befriend a man who is hated of the gods.' In this unkind way he sent
me off, and we sadly entered our ships and made for the open sea,
trusting to the mercy of the winds."