Page 164 - the-odyssey

winds bore our fleet back to the Aeolian island.
‘When we reached it we went ashore to take in water, and
dined hard by the ships. Immediately after dinner I took a
herald and one of my men and went straight to the house of
Aeolus, where I found him feasting with his wife and fami-
ly; so we sat down as suppliants on the threshold. They were
astounded when they saw us and said, ‘Ulysses, what brings
you here? What god has been ill-treating you? We took great
pains to further you on your way home to Ithaca, or wher-
ever it was that you wanted to go to.’
‘Thus did they speak, but I answered sorrowfully, ‘My
men have undone me; they, and cruel sleep, have ruined me.
My friends, mend me this mischief, for you can if you will.’
‘I spoke as movingly as I could, but they said nothing,
till their father answered, ‘Vilest of mankind, get you gone
at once out of the island; him whom heaven hates will I in
no wise help. Be off, for you come here as one abhorred of
heaven.’ And with these words he sent me sorrowing from
his door.
‘Thence we sailed sadly on till the men were worn out
with long and fruitless rowing, for there was no longer
any wind to help them. Six days, night and day did we toil,
and on the seventh day we reached the rocky stronghold
of Lamus—Telepylus, the city of the Laestrygonians, where
the shepherd who is driving in his sheep and goats [to be
milked] salutes him who is driving out his flock [to feed]
and this last answers the salute. In that country a man who
could do without sleep might earn double wages, one as
a herdsman of cattle, and another as a shepherd, for they

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