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Odysseus
(Returning with the wineskin.) Hearken, Cyclops; for I am well versed in the ways of Bacchus,
whom I have given thee to drink.
520
(Returning with the wineskin.) Hearken, Cyclops; for I am well versed in the ways of Bacchus,
whom I have given thee to drink.
520
Cyclops
And who is Bacchus? some reputed god?
And who is Bacchus? some reputed god?
Odysseus
The greatest god men know to cheer their life.
The greatest god men know to cheer their life.
Cyclops
I like his after-taste at any rate.
I like his after-taste at any rate.
Odysseus
This is the kind of god he is; he harmeth no man.
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?
525
But how does a god like being housed in a wine-skin?
525
Odysseus
Put him where one may, he is content there.
Put him where one may, he is content there.
Cyclops
It is not right that gods should be clad in leather.
It is not right that gods should be clad in leather.
Odysseus
What of that, provided he please thee? does the leather hurt thee?
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.
I hate the wine-skin, but the liquor we have here I love.
Odysseus
Stay, then, Cyclops; drink and be merry.
530
Stay, then, Cyclops; drink and be merry.
530
Cyclops
Must I not give my brethren a share in this liquor?
Must I not give my brethren a share in this liquor?
Odysseus
No, keep it thyself and thou wilt appear of more honour.
No, keep it thyself and thou wilt appear of more honour.
Cyclops
Give it my friends and I shall appear of more use.
Give it my friends and I shall appear of more use.
Odysseus
Revelling is apt to end in blows, abuse, and strife.
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.
535
I may be drunk, but no man will lay hands on me for all that.
535
Odysseus
Better stay at home, my friend, after a carouse.
Better stay at home, my friend, after a carouse.
Cyclops
Who loves not revelling then is but a simpleton.
Who loves not revelling then is but a simpleton.
Odysseus
But whoso stays at home, when drunk, is wise.
But whoso stays at home, when drunk, is wise.
Cyclops
What shall we do, Silenus? art minded to stay?
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?
540
That I am; for what need have we of others to share our drink, Cyclops?
540
Cyclops
Well, truly the turf is soft as down with its fresh flowering plants.
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.
(seating himself.) Aye, and ’tis pleasant drinking in the warm sunshine.
Cyclops
Silenus
Come, let me see thee stretch thy carcase on the ground.
Come, let me see thee stretch thy carcase on the ground.
Cyclops
(sitting dawn.)
There then!
Why art thou putting the mixing-bowl behind me?
545
(sitting dawn.)
There then!
Why art thou putting the mixing-bowl behind me?
545
Silenus
That no one passing by may come upon it.
2
That no one passing by may come upon it.
2
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.
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.
Odysseus
Noman. What boon shall I receive of thee to earn my thanks?
Noman. What boon shall I receive of thee to earn my thanks?
Cyclops
I will feast on thee last, after all thy comrades.
550
I will feast on thee last, after all thy comrades.
550
Odysseus
Fair indeed the honour thou bestowest on thy guest, sir Cyclops!
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?
(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.
No, but it kissed me for my good looks.
Cyclops
Thou shalt smart, if thou kiss the wine when it kisses not thee.
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.
555
Oh! but it did, for it says it is in love with my handsome face.
555
Cyclops
(holding out his cup.) Pour in; only give me my cup full.
(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.)
H’m! how is it mixed? just let me make sure.
(Takes another pull.)
Cyclops
Perdition! give it me at once.
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.
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.
560
My cup-bearer is a cheat.
560
Silenus
No really, but the wine is so luscious. Thou must wipe thy lips, though, to get a draught.
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.
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.)
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?
565
Aha! what next?
565
Silenus
I drank it off at a draught with much pleasure.
566
I drank it off at a draught with much pleasure.
Cyclops
Stranger, take the skin thyself and be my cup-bearer.
Stranger, take the skin thyself and be my cup-bearer.
Odysseus
Well, at any rate the grape is no stranger to my hand.
Well, at any rate the grape is no stranger to my hand.
Cyclops
Come, pour it in.
Come, pour it in.
Odysseus
In it goes! keep silence, that is all.
In it goes! keep silence, that is all.
Cyclops
A difficult task when a man is deep in his cups.
A difficult task when a man is deep in his cups.
Odysseus
Here, take and drink it off; leave none.
570
Here, take and drink it off; leave none.
570
Cyclops
Odysseus
Thou must be silent
4
and only give in when the liquor does.
Thou must be silent
4
and only give in when the liquor does.
Cyclops
God wot! it is a clever stock that bears the grape.
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.
575
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.
575
Cyclops
Ha! ha! what a trouble it was getting out! This is pleasure unalloyed; earth and sky seem whirling round together; I see the throne of Zeus
and all the godhead’s majesty. Kiss
thee! no! There are the Graces trying to tempt me. I shall rest well enough with my Ganymede here; yea, by the Graces, right fairly.
580
Ha! ha! what a trouble it was getting out! This is pleasure unalloyed; earth and sky seem whirling round together; I see the throne of Zeus
and all the godhead’s majesty. Kiss
thee! no! There are the Graces trying to tempt me. I shall rest well enough with my Ganymede here; yea, by the Graces, right fairly.
580
Silenus
What! Cyclops, am I Ganymede, Zeus’s minion?
585
What! Cyclops, am I Ganymede, Zeus’s minion?
585
Cyclops
(attempting to carry him into the cave.) To be sure, Ganymede whom I am carrying off from the halls of Dardanus.
(attempting to carry him into the cave.) To be sure, Ganymede whom I am carrying off from the halls of Dardanus.
Silenus
I am undone, my children; outrageous treatment waits me.
I am undone, my children; outrageous treatment waits me.
Chorus
Dost find fault with thy lover? dost scorn him in his cups?
Dost find fault with thy lover? dost scorn him in his cups?
Silenus
Woe is me! most bitter shall I find the wine ere long.
[Exit Silenus, dragged away by Cyclops.
Woe is me! most bitter shall I find the wine ere long.
[Exit Silenus, dragged away by Cyclops.
Odysseus
Up now, children of Dionysus, sons of a noble sire, soon will yon creature in the cave, relaxed in slumber as ye see him, spew from his shameless maw the meat. Already the brand inside his lair is vomiting a cloud of smoke; and the only reason we prepared it was to burn
590
the Cyclops’ eye; so mind thou quit thee like a man.
595
Up now, children of Dionysus, sons of a noble sire, soon will yon creature in the cave, relaxed in slumber as ye see him, spew from his shameless maw the meat. Already the brand inside his lair is vomiting a cloud of smoke; and the only reason we prepared it was to burn
590
the Cyclops’ eye; so mind thou quit thee like a man.
595
Chorus
I will have a spirit as of rock or adamant; but go inside, before my father suffers any shameful treatment; for here thou hast things ready.
I will have a spirit as of rock or adamant; but go inside, before my father suffers any shameful treatment; for here thou hast things ready.
Odysseus
O Hephaestus, lord of Aetna, rid thyself for once and all of a troublesome neighbour
by burning his bright eye out. Come, Sleep, as well, offspring of sable Night, come with all thy power on the monster god-detested; and never after Troy’s most glorious toils destroy Odysseus and his crew
600
by the hands of one who recketh naught of God or man; else must we reckon Chance a goddess, and Heaven’s wall inferior to hers.
[Odysseus re-enters the cave.
605
608
O Hephaestus, lord of Aetna, rid thyself for once and all of a troublesome neighbour
by burning his bright eye out. Come, Sleep, as well, offspring of sable Night, come with all thy power on the monster god-detested; and never after Troy’s most glorious toils destroy Odysseus and his crew
600
by the hands of one who recketh naught of God or man; else must we reckon Chance a goddess, and Heaven’s wall inferior to hers.
[Odysseus re-enters the cave.
605
Chorus
Tightly the pincers shall grip the neck
of him who feasts upon his guest; for soon will he lose the light of his eye by fire; already the brand, a tree’s huge limb,
610
lurks amid the embers charred.
615
Oh! come ye then and work his doom, pluck out the maddened Cyclops’ eye, that he may rue his drinking.
And I too fain would leave the Cyclops’ lonely land and see king Bromius, ivy-crowned, the god I sorely miss. Ah! shall I ever come to that?
620
624
Tightly the pincers shall grip the neck
of him who feasts upon his guest; for soon will he lose the light of his eye by fire; already the brand, a tree’s huge limb,
610
lurks amid the embers charred.
615
Oh! come ye then and work his doom, pluck out the maddened Cyclops’ eye, that he may rue his drinking.
And I too fain would leave the Cyclops’ lonely land and see king Bromius, ivy-crowned, the god I sorely miss. Ah! shall I ever come to that?
620
Odysseus
(leaving the cave cautiously.) 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.
625
(leaving the cave cautiously.) 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.
625
Chorus
Silent we stand with ’bated breath.
Silent we stand with ’bated breath.
Odysseus
In then, and mind your fingers grip the brand, for it is splendidly red-hot.
630
In then, and mind your fingers grip the brand, for it is splendidly red-hot.
630
Chorus
Thyself ordain who first must seize the blazing bar and burn the Cyclops’ eye out, that we may share alike whate’er betides.
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.
635
Standing where I am before the door, I am too far off to thrust the fire into his eye.
635
Second Half-Chorus
I have just gone lame.
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.
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?
640
Sprained thy ankle, standing still?
640
Second Half-Chorus
Yes, and my eyes are full of dust or ashes from somewhere or other.
Yes, and my eyes are full of dust or ashes from somewhere or other.
Odysseus
These are sorry fellows, worthless as allies.
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.
645
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.
645
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.
[Exit Odysseus.
650
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.
[Exit Odysseus.
650
Chorus
That will I do; the Carian
5
shall run the risk for us;
and as far as encouragement goes, let the Cyclops smoulder.
655
That will I do; the Carian
5
shall run the risk for us;
and as far as encouragement goes, let the Cyclops smoulder.
655
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.
660
663
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.
660
Cyclops
(Bellowing in the cave.) Oh! oh! my once bright eye is burnt to cinders now.
(Bellowing in the cave.) Oh! oh! my once bright eye is burnt to cinders now.
Chorus
Sweet indeed the triumph-song; pray sing it to us, Cyclops.
Sweet indeed the triumph-song; pray sing it to us, Cyclops.
Cyclops
(from within.) Oh! oh! once more; what outrage on me and what ruin! But never shall ye escape this rocky cave unpunished, ye worthless creatures; for I will stand in the entrance of the cleft and fit my hands into it thus.
[Staggering to the entrance.
665
(from within.) Oh! oh! once more; what outrage on me and what ruin! But never shall ye escape this rocky cave unpunished, ye worthless creatures; for I will stand in the entrance of the cleft and fit my hands into it thus.
[Staggering to the entrance.
665
Chorus
Why dost thou cry out, Cyclops?
Why dost thou cry out, Cyclops?
Cyclops
I am undone.
I am undone.
Chorus
Thou art indeed a sorry sight.
670
Thou art indeed a sorry sight.
670
Cyclops
Aye, and a sad one, too.
Aye, and a sad one, too.
Chorus
Didst fall among the coals in a drunken fit?
Didst fall among the coals in a drunken fit?
Cyclops
Noman has undone me.
Noman has undone me.
Chorus
Then there is no one hurting thee after all.
Then there is no one hurting thee after all.
Cyclops
Noman is blinding me.
Noman is blinding me.
Chorus
Then art thou not blind.
Then art thou not blind.
Cyclops
As blind as thou, forsooth.
6
As blind as thou, forsooth.
6
Chorus
How, pray, could no man have made thee blind?
How, pray, could no man have made thee blind?
Cyclops
Thou mockest me; but where is this Noman.
675
Thou mockest me; but where is this Noman.
675
Chorus
Nowhere, Cyclops.
Nowhere, Cyclops.
Cyclops
It was the stranger, vile wretch! who proved my ruin, that thou mayst understand rightly, by swilling me with the liquor he gave me.
It was the stranger, vile wretch! who proved my ruin, that thou mayst understand rightly, by swilling me with the liquor he gave me.
Chorus
Ah! wine is a terrible foe, hard to wrestle with.
Ah! wine is a terrible foe, hard to wrestle with.
Cyclops
Tell me, I adjure thee, have they escaped or are they still within?
Tell me, I adjure thee, have they escaped or are they still within?
Chorus
Here they are ranged in silence, taking the rock to screen them.
680
Here they are ranged in silence, taking the rock to screen them.
680
Cyclops
On which side?
On which side?
Chorus
On thy right.
On thy right.
Cyclops
Where?
Where?
Chorus
Close against the rock. Hast caught them?
Close against the rock. Hast caught them?
Cyclops
Trouble on trouble! I have run my skull against the rock and cracked it.
Trouble on trouble! I have run my skull against the rock and cracked it.
Chorus
Aye, and they are escaping thee.
Aye, and they are escaping thee.
Cyclops
This way, was it not? ’Twas this way thou saidst.
685
This way, was it not? ’Twas this way thou saidst.
685
Chorus
No, not this way.
No, not this way.
Cyclops
Which then?
Which then?
Chorus
They are getting round thee on the left.
They are getting round thee on the left.
Cyclops
Alas! I am being mocked; ye jeer me in my evil plight.
Alas! I am being mocked; ye jeer me in my evil plight.
Chorus
They are no longer there; but facing thee that stranger stands.
They are no longer there; but facing thee that stranger stands.
Cyclops
Master of villainy, where, oh! where art thou?
Master of villainy, where, oh! where art thou?
Odysseus
Some way from thee
I am keeping careful guard over the person of Odysseus.
690
Some way from thee
I am keeping careful guard over the person of Odysseus.
690
Cyclops
What, a new name! hast changed thine?
What, a new name! hast changed thine?
Odysseus
Yes, Odysseus the name my father gave me. But thou wert doomed to pay for thy unholy feast; for I should have seen Troy burned to but sorry purpose,
unless I had avenged on thee the slaughter of my comrades.
695
Yes, Odysseus the name my father gave me. But thou wert doomed to pay for thy unholy feast; for I should have seen Troy burned to but sorry purpose,
unless I had avenged on thee the slaughter of my comrades.
695
Cyclops
Woe is me! ’tis an old oracle coming true; yes, it said I should have my eye put out by thee on thy way home from Troy; but it likewise foretold that thou wouldst surely pay for this,
tossing on the sea for many a day.
700
Woe is me! ’tis an old oracle coming true; yes, it said I should have my eye put out by thee on thy way home from Troy; but it likewise foretold that thou wouldst surely pay for this,
tossing on the sea for many a day.
700
Odysseus
Go hang! E’en as I say,
7
so have I done. And now will I get me to the beach and start my hollow ship across the sea of Sicily to the land of my fathers.
Go hang! E’en as I say,
7
so have I done. And now will I get me to the beach and start my hollow ship across the sea of Sicily to the land of my fathers.
Cyclops
Thou shalt not; I will break a boulder off this rock
and crush thee, crew and all, beneath my throw. Blind though I be, I will climb the hill, mounting through yonder tunnel.
705
Thou shalt not; I will break a boulder off this rock
and crush thee, crew and all, beneath my throw. Blind though I be, I will climb the hill, mounting through yonder tunnel.
705
Chorus
As for us, henceforth will we be the servants of Bacchus, sharing the voyage of this hero Odysseus.
As for us, henceforth will we be the servants of Bacchus, sharing the voyage of this hero Odysseus.
Cyclops. Euripides. London. 1891.
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Funding provided by Tufts University.