GLADLY they saw me sleeping on the shore, Worn with long hours at sea; in a deep cave They left me and went off, and by my side Set some few rags fit for a luckless man And scanty food-scraps. May they have the like! Think of the manner of my waking then When I woke up from sleep and found them gone, What tears were mine, what injuries to weep. I saw the ships which had been mine at sea All gone, no living being in the place, None to give help, none to relieve my pains In sickness. Though I looked on every side I could find nothing but calamity, But that in great abundance, O my son. Time followed in the footsteps of time past, And in this narrow dwelling I must sate My wants. My belly's need this bow would find, Shooting the doves that darted on the wing, And everything my bow-sped arrow shot Myself would in great anguish creep to it, Dragging my miserable foot to it. At times there would be need of drink, at times In winter when the frost was spread abroad Wood must be broken. I would creep in pain And manage it. Then there would be no fire, But rubbing with great labour stone on stone I struck a phantom flame. This saves my life. This roof which gives me shelter and my fire Give all I need, save freedom from disease. |