“He spake, but moved not my courageous heart; And then I spake again, and angrily:—
“ ‘Cyclops, if any man of mortal birth Note thine unseemly blindness, and inquire The occasion, tell him that Laertes’ son, Ulysses, the destroyer of walled towns, Whose home is Ithaca, put out thine eye.’
“I spake; he answered with a wailing voice:— > ‘Now, woe is me! the ancient oracles Concerning me have come to pass. Here dwelt A seer named Telemus Eurymides, Great, good, and eminent in prophecy, And prophesying he grew old among The Cyclops. He foretold my coming fate— That I should lose my sight, and by the hand And cunning of Ulysses. Yet I looked For one of noble presence, mighty strength, And giant stature landing on our coast. Now a mere weakling, insignificant And small of stature, has put out my eye, First stupefying me with wine. Yet come Hither, I pray, Ulysses, and receive The hospitable gifts which are thy due; And I will pray to Neptune, and entreat The mighty god to guide thee