know no decay, and the land is level to plough; thence might they reap a crop exceeding deep in due season, for verily there is fatness beneath the soil.  Also there is a fair haven, where is no need of moorings, either to cast anchor or to fasten hawsers, but men may run the ship on the beach, and tarry until such time as the sailors are minded to be gone, and favourable breezes blow.  Now at the head of the harbour is a well of bright water issuing from a cave, and round it are poplars growing.  Thither we sailed, and some god guided us through the night, for it was dark and there was no light to see, a mist lying deep about the ships, nor did the moon show her light from heaven, but was shut in with clouds.  No man then beheld that island, neither saw we the long waves rolling to the beach, till we had run our decked ships ashore.  And when our ships were beached, we took down all their sails, and ourselves too stept forth upon the strand of the sea, and there we fell into sound sleep and waited for the bright Dawn.

’So soon as early Dawn shone forth, the rosy-fingered, in wonder at the island we roamed over the length thereof:  and the Nymphs, the daughters of Zeus, lord of the aegis, started the wild goats of the hills, that my company might have wherewith to sup.  Anon we took to us our curved bows from out the ships and long spears, and arrayed in three bands we began shooting at the goats; and the god soon gave us game in plenty.  Now twelve ships bare me company, and to each ship fell nine goats for a portion, but for me alone they set ten apart.

’Thus we sat there the livelong day until the going down of the sun, feasting on abundant flesh and on sweet wine.  For the red wine was not yet spent from out the ships, but somewhat was yet therein, for we had each one drawn off large store thereof in jars, when we took the sacred citadel of the Cicones.  And we looked across to the land of the Cyclopes, who dwell nigh, and to the smoke, and to the voice of the men, and of the sheep and of the goats.  And when the sun had sunk and darkness had come on, then we laid us to rest upon the sea-beach.  So soon as early Dawn shone forth, the rosy-fingered, then I called a gathering of my men, and spake among them all: 

’"Abide here all the rest of you, my dear companions; but I will go with mine own ship and my ship’s company, and make proof of these men, what manner of folk they are, whether froward, and wild, and unjust, or hospitable and of god-fearing mind.”

’So I spake, and I climbed the ship’s side, and bade my company themselves to mount, and to loose the hawsers.  So they soon embarked and sat upon the benches, and sitting orderly smote the grey sea water with their oars.  Now when we had come to the land that lies hard by, we saw a cave on the border near to the sea, lofty and roofed over with laurels, and there many flocks of sheep and goats were used to rest.  And about it a high outer court was built with stones, deep bedded, and with tall