The Ciconians, Lotus-Eaters, and Cyclops
The adventures of Ulysses after the fall of Troy related by him at the request of Alcinoüs—His attack on the Ciconians and the destruction of their city—Rally and reinforcement of the Ciconians, who slaughter many of the companions of Ulysses—The lotus-eaters, who subsist on flowers—Arrival of Ulysses at the land of the cyclops—Polyphemus and his barbarities—Revenge of Ulysses, who puts out the single eye of Polyphemus and escapes.
Ulysses, the sagacious, answered thus:— “O King Alcinoüs, most renowned of men! A pleasant thing it is to hear a bard Like this, endowed with such a voice, so like The voices of the gods. Nor can I deem Aught more delightful than the general joy Of a whole people when the assembled guests Seated in order in the royal halls Are listening to the minstrel, while the board Is spread with bread and meats, and from the jars The cupbearer draws wine and fills the cups. To me there is no more delightful sight.
“But now thy mind is moved to ask of me The story of the sufferings I have borne, And that will wake my grief anew. What first, What next, shall I relate? what last of all? For manifold are the misfortunes cast Upon me by the immortals. Let me first Declare my name, that ye may know, and I Perchance, before my day of death shall come, May be your host, though dwelling far away. I am Ulysses, and my father’s name Laertes; widely am I known to men As quick in shrewd devices, and my fame Hath reached to heaven. In sunny Ithaca I dwell, where high Neritus, seen afar, Rustles with woods. Around are many isles, Well peopled, near each other. Samos there Lies, with Dulichium, and