oulder a mighty skin
of wine, sweet smelling and strong, with which he might win the heart
of some fierce savage, should he chance to meet with such, as indeed
his prudent heart forecasted that he might.

So they entered the cave and judged that it was the dwelling of some
rich and skilful shepherd. For within there were pens for the young of
the sheep and of the goats, divided all according to their age, and
there were baskets full of cheeses, and full milk pails ranged along
the wall. But the Cyclops himself was away in the pastures. Then the
companions of Ulysses besought him that he would depart, taking with
him, if he would, a store of cheeses and sundry of the lambs and of
the kids. But he would not, for he wished to see, after his wont, what
manner of host this strange shepherd might be. And truly he saw it to
his cost!

[Illustration: THE ONE-EYED POLYPHEMUS]

It was evening when the Cyclops came home, a mighty giant, twenty feet
in height or more. On his shoulder he bore a vast bundle of pine logs
for his fire, and threw them down outside the cave with a great
crash, and drove the flocks within, and closed the entrance with a
huge rock, which twenty wagons and more could not bear. Then he milked
the ewes and all the she-goats, and half of the milk he curdled for
cheese and half he set ready for himself when he should sup. Next he
kindled a fire with the pine logs, and the flame lighted up all the
cave, showing Ulysses and his comrades.

"Who are ye?" cried Polyphemus, for that was the giant's name. "Are ye
traders or, haply, pirates?"

For in those days it was not counted shame to be called a pirate.

Ulysses shuddered at the dreadful voice and shape, but bore him
bravely, and answered, "We are no pirates, mighty sir, but Greeks,
sailing back from Troy, and subjects of the great King Agamemnon,
whose fame is spread from one end of heaven to the other. And we are
come to beg hospitality of thee in the name of Zeus, who rewards or
punishes hosts and guests according as they be faithful the one to the
other, or no."

"Nay," said the giant, "it is but idle talk to tell me of Zeus and the
other gods. We Cyclopes take no account of gods, holding ourselves to
be much better and stronger than they. But come, tell me where have
you left your ship?"

But Ulysses saw his thought when he asked about the ship, how he was
minded to break it and take from them all hope of flight. Therefore he
answered him craftily: