avoid the eastern
coast of Italy opposite these shores. Wicked Greek tribes have their
dwelling there, and it is safer to pass at once to the western coast.
On your left, you will hear in the Strait the thundering roar of
Charybdis, and on the right grim Scylla sits scowling in her cave
ready to spring on the unwary traveler. Better take a long circuit
round Sicily than come even within sight and sound of Scylla. As soon
as you touch the western shores of Italy, go to the city of Cumae and
the Sibyl's cavern. Try to win her favor, and she will tell you of the
nations of Italy and the wars yet to come, and how you may avoid each
peril and accomplish every labor. One warning would I give you and
enjoin it with all my power. If you desire to reach your journey's end
in safety, forget not to do homage to Juno. Offer up prayers to her
divinity, load her altars with gifts. Then, and then only, may you
hope for a happy issue from all your troubles!"

So once more the Trojans set sail, and obedient to the warnings of
Helenus they avoided the eastern coast of Italy, and struck southward
towards Sicily. Far up the channel they heard the roar of Charybdis
and hastened their speed in fear. Soon the snowy cone of Etna came
into view with its column of smoke rising heavenward. As they lay at
anchor hard by, a ragged, half-starved wretch ran out of the woods
calling loudly on AEneas for succor. This was one of the comrades of
Ulysses, who had been left behind by mistake, and lived in perpetual
dread of the savage Cyclopes. AEneas was moved to pity, and though the
man was a Greek and an enemy, he took him on board and gave him
food and succor. Before they left this place they had a glimpse of
Polyphemus himself. The blind giant came down the cliff with his
flock, feeling his way with a huge staff of pine-trunk. He even
stepped into the sea, and walked far out without wetting his thighs.
The Trojans hastily slipped their cables, and made away. Polyphemus
heard the sound of their oars, and called his brother Cyclopes to
come and seize the strangers, but they were too late to overtake the
fugitives.

After this they continued their southward course, passing the island
where Syracuse now stands, and rounding the southern coast of Sicily.
Then they sailed past the tall rock of Acragas and palm-loving
Selinus, and so came to the western corner, where the harbor of
Drepanun gave them shelter. Here a sorrow overtook AEneas, that neither
th