Cyclops
Ha! ha! full of wine and merry with the feast’s good cheer am I, my hold freighted like a merchant-ship up to my belly’s very top. This turf graciously invites me to seek my brother Cyclopes for a revel in the spring-tide. Come, stranger, bring the wine-skin hither and hand it over to me.
Second Half-Chorus
Forth from the house its fair lord comes, casting his fair glance round him. We have some one to befriend us. A hostile brand is awaiting thee, no tender bride in dewy grot. No single colour will those garlands have, that soon shall cling so close about thy brow.
Odysseus Hearken, Cyclops; for I am well versed in the ways of Bacchus, whom I have given thee to drink.
Cyclops And who is Bacchus? some reputed god?
Odysseus The greatest god men know to cheer their life.
Cyclops I like his after-taste at any rate.
Odysseus This is the kind of god he is; he harmeth no man.
Cyclops But how does a god like being housed in a wine-skin?
Odysseus Put him where one may, he is content there.
Cyclops It is not right that gods should be clad in leather.
Odysseus What of that, provided he please thee? does the leather hurt thee?
Cyclops I hate the wine-skin, but the liquor we have here I love.
Odysseus Stay, then, Cyclops; drink and be merry.
Cyclops Must I not give my brethren a share in this liquor?
Odysseus No, keep it thyself and thou wilt appear of more honour.
Cyclops Give it my friends and I shall appear of more use.
Odysseus Revelling is apt to end in blows, abuse, and strife.
Cyclops I may be drunk, but no man will lay hands on me for all that.
Odysseus Better stay at home, my friend, after a carouse.
Cyclops Who loves not revelling then is but a simpleton.
Odysseus But whoso stays at home, when drunk, is wise.
Cyclops What shall we do, Silenus? art minded to stay?
Silenus That I am; for what need have we of others to share our drink, Cyclops?
Cyclops Well, truly the turf is soft as down with its fresh flowering plants.
Silenus Aye, and ’tis pleasant drinking in the warm sunshine.
Cyclops […]
Silenus Come, let me see thee stretch thy carcase on the ground.
Cyclops Why art thou putting the mixing-bowl behind me?
Silenus That no one passing by may come upon it.
Cyclops Nay, but thy purpose is to drink upon the sly; set it between us. Now tell me, stranger, by what name to call thee.
Odysseus Noman. What boon shall I receive of thee to earn my thanks?
Cyclops I will feast on thee last, after all thy comrades.
Odysseus Fair indeed the honour thou bestowest on thy guest, sir Cyclops!
Cyclops Ho, sirrah! what art thou about? taking a stealthy pull at the wine?
Silenus No, but it kissed me for my good looks.
Cyclops Thou shalt smart, if thou kiss the wine when it kisses not thee.
Silenus Oh! but it did, for it says it is in love with my handsome face.
Cyclops Pour in; only give me my cup full.
Silenus H’m! how is it mixed? just let me make sure.
Cyclops Perdition! give it me at once.
Silenus Oh, no! I really cannot, till I see thee with a crown on, and have another taste myself.
Cyclops My cup-bearer is a cheat.
Silenus No really, but the wine is so luscious. Thou must wipe thy lips, though, to get a draught.
Cyclops There! my lips and beard are clean now.
Silenus Bend thine elbow gracefully, and then quaff thy cup, as thou seest me do, and as now thou seest me not.
Cyclops Aha! what next?
Silenus I drank it off at a draught with much pleasure.
Cyclops Stranger, take the skin thyself and be my cup-bearer.
Odysseus Well, at any rate the grape is no stranger to my hand.
Cyclops Come, pour it in.
Odysseus In it goes! keep silence, that is all.
Cyclops A difficult task when a man is deep in his cups.
Odysseus Here, take and drink it off; leave none.
Cyclops […]
Odysseus Thou must be silent and only give in when the liquor does.
Cyclops God wot! it is a clever stock that bears the grape.
Odysseus Aye, and if thou but swallow plenty of it after a plentiful meal, moistening thy belly till its thirst is gone, it will throw thee into slumber; but if thou leave aught behind, the Bacchic god will parch thee for it.
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