40 HOMER
Fairer, in length more large and strength of spine, 510 Under his belly in the woolly hide Clinging with both hands resolute recline ; And thus, groaning in soul, we wait the Dawn divine.
But with the rosy-fingered Morn troop thence The fat rams toward their pastures eagerly, 515
While bleat the unmilked ewes with udders tense, Distressful. So their lord, while each went by, Feeling their backs with many a bitter sigh. Dreamed not that we clung bound beneath the
breast. Last came the great ram, trailing heavily 52«
Me and his wool, with cumbrous weight oppressed. Him mighty Polyphemus handling thus addressed ;
" Ah ! mine own fondling, why dost linger now So late ? — far other wast thou known of old. With lordly steps the flowery pastures thou 525
First ever seekest, and the waters cold. First too at eve returnest to the fold. — Now last of all — dost thou thy master's eye Bewail, whose dear orb, when I sank controlled With wine, this Noman vile with infamy, 530
Backed by his rascal crew, hath darkened treacher- ously ?
" Whom let not vaunt himself escaped this debt,
Nor think me quenched and poor and powerless ;
Vengeance may chance to overtake him yet.
Ο hadst thou mind like mine, and couldst address 535
Thy master, and the secret lair confess
Wherein my wrath he shuns, then should his brain
Dashed on the earth with hideous stamp impress
