But impossible is it for me to call + 

Any Blest One man-eater⁠—with loathing and scorn + 

I recoil! O, the profit is passing small + 

That the dealer in slander hath ofttimes found. + 

But if ever a man on the earth was born + 

Whom the Watchers from Heaven with honour crowned, + 

That man was Tantalus: yet of their favour + 

No profit he had, nor of that high bliss. + 

But the man’s proud stomach was drunk with its savour + 

And gorged with pride; and by reason of this + 

He drew on him ruin utter-crushing; + 

For Zeus hung o’er him a huge black scaur, + 

And he cowers from it aye on his head down-rushing + 

From happiness exiled far. + 