handmade paper
outwitting the one-eyed giant
Book 9: Lines 477-487
My wits kept weaving, weaving cunning schemes--
life at stake, monstrous death staring us in the face--
till this plan struck my mind as best. That flock,
those well-fed rams with their splendid thick fleece,
sturdy, handsome beasts sporting their dark weight of wool:
I lashed them abreast, quietly, twisting the willow-twigsAs soon
the Cyclops slept on--giant, lawless brute--I took them
three by three; each ram in the middle bore a man
while the two rams either side would shield him well.
So three beasts to bear each man, but as for myself?
There was one bellwether ram, the prize of all the flock,
and clutching him by his back, tucked up under
his shaggy belly, there I hung, face upward,
both hands locked into his marvelous deep fleece,
clinging for dear life, my spirit steeled, enduring...
So we held on, desperate, waiting Dawn's first light.
as young Dawn with her rose-red fingers shone once more
the rams went rumbling out of the cave toward pasture,
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