≡ The Sailor's Lament ≡
Four — Decomposed
The blossoms were so delicious, all thoughts of loyalty and homeland passed away, and they failed to return and inform me of what had happened. After a considerable time had elapsed, I followed their path across the dunes, and found them among the Lotophagi, eating lotus flowers with all the rest. I tried to force them back to the ships, but the Lotophagi would have none of it. They bound me hand and foot, and tried to feed me lotus, but I gritted my teeth against them. My crew, in fright because of the three men and captain who had not returned, sailed off in fear of this accursed island, leaving me behind with the Lotophagi and my lotus-eating men.
