That day complete, till set of sun, we spent 225
Feasting deliciously without restraint,
And quaffing generous wine; but when the sun
Went down, and darkness overshadow'd all,
Extended, then, on Ocean's bank we lay;
And when Aurora, daughter of the dawn, 230
Look'd rosy forth, convening all my crew
To council, I arose, and thus began.
My fellow-voyagers, however worn
With num'rous hardships, hear! for neither West
Know ye, nor East, where rises, or where sets 235
The all-enlight'ning sun. But let us think,
If thought perchance may profit us, of which
Small hope I see; for when I lately climb'd
Yon craggy rock, plainly I could discern
The land encompass'd by the boundless Deep. 240
The isle is flat, and in the midst I saw
Dun smoke ascending from an oaken bow'r.
So I, whom hearing, they all courage lost,
And at remembrance of Antiphatas
The Læstrygonian, and the Cyclops' deeds, 245
Ferocious feeder on the flesh of man,
Mourn'd loud and wept, but tears could nought avail.
Then, numb'ring man by man, I parted them
In equal portions, and assign'd a Chief
To either band, myself to these, to those 250
Godlike Eurylochus. This done, we cast
The lots into the helmet, and at once
Forth
