Page:The Iliad and Odyssey of Homer (IA iliadodysseyofho02home).pdf/580

After me, enter at what chink I may, 70
But to return—your diet, parsley, kail,
Beet, radish, gourd, (for, as I understand,
Ye eat no other) are not to my taste.
Him then with smiles answer'd Physignathus.
Stranger! thou vauntest much thy dainty fare, 75
But, both on shore and in the lake, we boast
Our dainties also, and such fights as much
Would move thy wonder; for by gift from Jove
We leap as well as swim, can range the land
For food, or, diving, seek it in the Deep. 80
Would'st thou the proof? 'tis easy-mount my back
There cling as for thy life, and thou shalt share
With rapture the delights of my abode.
He said, and gave his back. Upsprang the mouse
Lightly, and with his arms enfolded fast 85
The Frog's soft neck. Pleas'd was he, at the first,
With view of many a creek and bay, nor less
With his smooth swimming on whose back he rode.
But when, at length, the clear wave dash'd his sides,
Then, fill'd with penitential sorrows vain 90
He wept, pluck'd off his hair, and gath'ring close
His hinder feet, survey'd with trembling heart
The novel sight, and wish'd for land again.
Groans follow'd next, extorted groans, through stress
Of shiv'ring fear, and, with extended tail 95
Drawn like a long oar after him, he pray'd
For land again; but, while he pray'd, again