Book IX: The Ciconians, Lotus-Eaters, and Cyclops

“He spake, and we who heard with sinking hearts Trembled at that deep voice and frightful form, And thus I answered: ‘We are Greeks who come From Ilium, driven across the mighty deep By changing winds, and while we sought our home Have made a different voyage, and been forced Upon another course; such was the will Of Jupiter. We boast ourselves to be Soldiers of Agamemnon, Atreus’ son, Whose fame is now the greatest under heaven, So mighty was the city which he sacked, So many were the warriors whom he slew; And now we come as suppliants to thy knees, And ask thee to receive us as thy guests, Or else bestow the gifts which custom makes The stranger’s due. Great as thou art, revere The gods; for suitors to thy grace are we, And hospitable Jove, whose presence goes With every worthy stranger, will avenge Suppliants and strangers