Odysseus Silence, ye cattle! I adjure you; close your lips; make not a sound! I’ll not let a man of you so much as breathe or wink or clear his throat, that yon pest awake not, until the sight in the Cyclops’ eye has passed through the fiery ordeal.
Chorus Silent we stand with ’bated breath.
Odysseus In then, and mind your fingers grip the brand, for it is splendidly red-hot.
Chorus Thyself ordain who first must seize the blazing bar and burn the Cyclops’ eye out, that we may share alike whate’er betides.
First Half-Chorus Standing where I am before the door, I am too far off to thrust the fire into his eye.
Second Half-Chorus I have just gone lame.
First Half-Chorus Why, then, thou art in the same plight as I; for somehow or other I sprained my ankle, standing still.
Odysseus Sprained thy ankle, standing still?
Second Half-Chorus Yes, and my eyes are full of dust or ashes from somewhere or other.
Odysseus These are sorry fellows, worthless as allies.
Chorus Because I feel for my back and spine, and express no wish to have my teeth knocked out, I am a coward, am I? Well, but I know a spell of Orpheus, a most excellent one, to make the brand enter his skull of its own accord, and set alight the one-eyed son of Earth.
Odysseus Long since I knew thou wert by nature such an one, and now I know it better; I must employ my own friends; but, though thou bring no active aid, cheer us on at any rate, that I may find my friends emboldened by thy encouragement.
Chorus That will I do; the Carian shall run the risk for us; and as far as encouragement goes, let the Cyclops smoulder.
Chorus
What ho! my gallants, thrust away, make haste and burn his eye-brow off, the monster’s guest-devouring. Oh! singe and scorch the shepherd of Aetna; twirl the brand and drag it round and be careful lest in his agony he treat thee to some wantonness.
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