ld that thou hadst a
voice, to tell me where he is skulking from my fury! Then would I pour
forth his brains like water on the ground, and lighten my heart of the
woe which hath been brought upon me by the hands of this nithering[1]
Noman."

[Footnote 1: See Scott, "Ivanhoe."]

So saying he let the ram go, and as soon as he was clear of the
courtyard Odysseus dropped to the ground, and ran to loose his
comrades. With all speed they made their way down to the ship, driving
the rams before them, with many a fearful backward glance. Right glad
were their friends to see them again, though their faces fell when
they saw their numbers reduced by half. But there was no time for
regrets, for Polyphemus was already close upon them, groping his way
painfully from rock to rock. So they flung the sheep on board, shoved
off the vessel, and took to their oars. While they were still within
earshot Odysseus bade his men cease rowing, and standing up in the
stern called aloud to the Cyclops in mocking tones: "How likest thou
my gift for thy hospitality, my gentle host? Methinks thou art paid in
full, and canst not complain that I have not given thee good measure."

When he heard that, Polyphemus bellowed with rage, and tearing up a
great boulder from the side of the cliff he flung it with mighty force
in the direction of the voice. It fell into the sea right in front of
the ship, and raised a billow which washed her back to the shore.
Odysseus pushed her off with a long pole, and signalled to his men to
give way. They rowed for dear life, and had attained twice the former
distance from the shore when Odysseus stopped them again, though they
besought him earnestly to forego his rash purpose, and to refrain from
provoking Polyphemus more. But he, being exceeding wroth for the
murder of his men, would not be persuaded; and lifting up his voice he
spake again: "Cyclops, if anyone ask thee to whom thou owest the loss
of thine eye, say that it was Odysseus, the son of Laertes, who reft
thee of sight, and his home is in rocky Ithaca."

[Illustration: Odysseus and Polyphemus]

Now it happened that many a year back Polyphemus had heard a prophecy,
foretelling that he should one day be blinded by a certain Odysseus.
So when he heard that name he was stricken to the very heart, and
cried aloud: "This, then, is the fulfilment of the oracle! Verily I
thought that some tall and proper man would come hither to assail me,
but now I have been outw