Or thieves insidious thy fair flock surprise?'

Thus they; the Cyclop from his den replies:

'Friends, Noman kills me; Noman in the hour

Of sleep, oppresses me with fraudful power.'

If no man hurt thee, but the hand divine

Inflict disease, it fits thee to resign:

To Jove or to thy father Neptune pray.'

The brethren cried, and instant strode away.

Joy touch'd my secret soul and conscious heart,

Pleased with the effect of conduct and of art.

Meantime the Cyclop, raging with his wound,

Spreads his wide arms, and searches round and round:

At last, the stone removing from the gate,

With hands extended in the midst he sate;

And search'd each passing sheep, and fell it o'er,

Secure to seize us ere we reach'd the door

(

Such as his shallow wit he deem'd was mine);

But secret I revolved the deep design:

Twas for our lives my labouring bosom wrought;

Each scheme I turn'd, and sharpen'd every thought;

This way and that I cast to save my friends,

Till one resolve my varying counsel ends.

Strong were the rams, with native purple fair,

Well fed, and largest of the fleecy care,

The Odyssey of Homer