“When bright-haired Morning brought the third day round, I took my spear and my good sword, and left The ship, and climbed a height, in hope to spy Some trace of human toil, or hear some voice. On a steep precipice I stood, and saw From the broad earth below a rising smoke, Where midst the thickets and the forest-ground Stood Circè’s palace. Seeing that dark smoke, The thought arose within my mind that there I should inquire. I pondered till at last This seemed the wisest—to return at once To my good ship upon the ocean-side, And give my crew their meal, and send them forth To view the region. Coming to the spot Where lay my well-oared barque, some pitying god Beneath whose eye I wandered forth alone Sent a huge stag into my very path, High-horned, which from his pasture in the wood Descended to the riverside to drink, For grievously he felt the hot sun’s power. Him as he ran I smote; the weapon pierced, Just at the spine, the middle of his back. The brazen blade passed through, and with a moon He fell amid the dust, and yielded up His life. I went to him, and set my foot Against him, and plucked forth the brazen spear, And left it leaning there. And then I broke Lithe osiers from the shrubs, and twined of these A rope, which, doubled, was an ell in length. With that I tied the enormous creature’s feet, And slung him on my neck, and brought him thus To my black ship. I used the spear to prop My steps, since he no longer could be borne Upon the shoulder, aided by the hand, Such was the animal’s bulk. I flung him down Before the ship, encouraging my men With cheerful words, and thus I said to each:—
“ ‘My friends, we will not, wretched as we are, Go down to Pluto’s realm before our time. While food and wine are yet within the hold Of our good galley, let us not forget Our daily meals, and famine-stricken pine.’
“I spake; they all obeyed, and at my word Came forth, and standing by the barren deep Admired the stag, for he was huge of bulk; And when