Polyphemus interrogates

13“ ‘Who are you, strangers? Tell me whence you came
Across the ocean. Are you men of trade,
Or wanderers at will, like those who roam
The sea for plunder, and, with their own lives
In peril, carry death to distant shores?’

14“He spoke, and we who heard with sinking hearts
Trembled at that deep voice and frightful form,
And thus I answered: ‘We are Greeks who come
From Ilium, driven across the mighty deep
By changing winds, and while we sought our home
Have made a different voyage, and been forced
Upon another course; such was the will
Of Zeus. We boast ourselves to be
Soldiers of Agamemnon, Atreus’ son,
Whose fame is now the greatest under heaven,
So mighty was the city which he sacked,
So many were the warriors whom he slew;
And now we come as suppliants to your knees,
And ask you to receive us as your guests,
Or else bestow the gifts which custom makes
The stranger’s due. Great as you are, revere
The gods; for suitors to your grace are we,
And hospitable Zeus, whose presence goes
With every worthy stranger, will avenge
Suppliants and strangers when they suffer wrong.’

15“I spoke, and savagely he answered me: —
‘You are a fool, O stranger, or are come
From some far country —you who bid me
Fear or regard the gods. We little care —
We Cyclops —for the Aegis-bearer, Zeus,
Or any other of the blessed gods;
We are their betters. Think not I would spare
You or your comrades to avoid the wrath
Of Zeus, unless it were my choice;
But say —for I would know —where have you left
Your gallant barque in landing? was it near,
Or in some distant corner of the isle?’