Well, can I too lay hold of the blinding brand, as though the god's libation had been poured? for I would fain have a share in this offering of blood.
ODYSSEUS
Indeed thou must, for the brand is large, and thou must help hold it.
LEADER
How lightly would I lift the load of e'en a hundred wains, if that will help us to grub out the eye of the doomed Cyclops, like a wasp's nest.
ODYSSEUS
Hush! for now thou knowest my plot in full, and when I bid you, obey the author of it; for I am not the man to desert my friends inside the cave and save myself alone. And yet I might escape; I am clear of the cavern's depths already; but no! to desert the friends with whom I journeyed hither and only save myself is not a righteous course.
(He re-enters the cave.)
FIRST SEMI-CHORUS (singing)
Come, who will be the first and who the next to him upon the list to grip the handle of the brand, and, thrusting it into the Cyclops' eye, gouge out the light thereof?
SECOND SEMI-CHORUS (singing)
Hush! hush! Behold the drunkard leaves his rocky home, trolling loud some hideous lay, a clumsy tuneless clown, whom tears await.
Come, let us give this boor a lesson in revelry. Ere long will he be blind at any rate.
FIRST SEMI-CHORUS (singing)
Happy he who plays the Bacchanal amid the precious streams distilled from grapes, stretched at full length for a revel, his arm around the friend he loves, and some fair dainty damsel on his couch, his hair perfumed with nard and glossy, the while he calls, "Oh! who will ope the door for me?"(The CYCLOPS enters. He is obviously drunk.)CYCLOPS (singing)
Ha! ha! full of wine and merry with a 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 revel in the spring-tide. Come, stranger, bring the wine-skin hither and hand it over to me.
SECOND SEMI-CHORUS (singing)
Forth from the house its fair lord comes, casting his fair glance round him. We have someone 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
(returning with the wine-skin. He is followed by SILENUS, who is also drunk.)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 (seating himself)
Aye, and 'tis pleasant drinking in the warm sunshine. Come, let me see thee stretch thy carcase on the ground.
CYCLOPS (sitting down)
There then Why art thou putting the mixing-bowl behind me?
SILENUS
That no one passing by may upset it.
CYCLOPS
Nay, but thy purpose is to drink upon the sly; set it between us. (To ODYSSEUS) Now tell me, stranger, by what name to call thee.
(SILENUS is drinking steadily and stealthily.)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 (turning suddenly to SILENUS)
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 (holding out his cup)
Pour in; only give me my cup full.
SILENUS
H'm! how is it mixed? just let me make sure.
(Takes another pull.)
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. (Burying his face in his cup)CYCLOPS
Aha! what next?
SILENUS
I drunk 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. 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.
CYCLOPS
