Euripides, Cyclops, ed. Gilbert Murray, 519

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Ὀδυσσεύς

Κύκλωψ, ἄκουσον· ὡς ἐγὼ τοῦ Βακχίου

τούτου τρίβων εἴμ’, ὃν πιεῖν ἔδωκά σοι.
520

Κύκλωψ

ὁ Βάκχιος δὲ τίς θεὸς νομίζεται;

Ὀδυσσεύς

μέγιστος ἀνθρώποισιν ἐς τέρψιν βίου.

Κύκλωψ

ἐρυγγάνω γοῦν αὐτὸν ἡδέως ἐγώ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

τοιόσδ’ ὁ δαίμων· οὐδένα βλάπτει βροτῶν.

Κύκλωψ

θεὸς δ’ ἐν ἀσκῷ πῶς γέγηθ’ οἴκους ἔχων;
525

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅπου τιθῇ τις, ἐνθάδ’ ἐστὶν εὐπετής.

Κύκλωψ

οὐ τοὺς θεοὺς χρὴ σῶμ’ ἔχειν ἐν δέρμασιν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

τί δ’, εἴ σε τέρπει γ’; ἢ τὸ δέρμα σοι πικρόν;

Κύκλωψ

μισῶ τὸν ἀσκόν· τὸ δὲ ποτὸν φιλῶ τόδε.

Ὀδυσσεύς

μένων νυν αὐτοῦ πῖνε κεὐθύμει, Κύκλωψ.
530

Κύκλωψ

οὐ χρή μ’ ἀδελφοῖς τοῦδε προσδοῦναι ποτοῦ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἔχων γὰρ αὐτὸς τιμιώτερος φανῇ.

Κύκλωψ

διδοὺς δὲ τοῖς φίλοισι χρησιμώτερος.

Ὀδυσσεύς

πυγμὰς ὁ κῶμος λοίδορόν τ’ ἔριν φιλεῖ.

Κύκλωψ

μεθύω μέν, ἔμπας δ’ οὔτις ἂν ψαύσειέ μου.
535

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὦ τᾶν, πεπωκότ’ ἐν δόμοισι χρὴ μένειν.

Κύκλωψ

ἠλίθιος ὅστις μὴ πιὼν κῶμον φιλεῖ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὃς δ’ ἂν μεθυσθείς γ’ ἐν δόμοις μείνῃ, σοφός.

Κύκλωψ

τί δρῶμεν, ὦ Σιληνέ; σοὶ μένειν δοκεῖ;

Σιληνός

δοκεῖ. τί γὰρ δεῖ συμποτῶν ἄλλων, Κύκλωψ;
540

Κύκλωψ

καὶ μὴν λαχνῶδές τ’ οὖδας ἀνθηρᾶς χλόης . . . .

Σιληνός

καὶ πρός γε θάλπος ἡλίου πίνειν καλόν.

κλίθητί νύν μοι πλευρὰ θεὶς ἐπὶ χθονός.

Κύκλωψ

ἰδού.

τί δῆτα τὸν κρατῆρ’ ὄπισθέ μου τίθης;
545

Σιληνός

ὡς μὴ παριών τις καταβάλῃ.

Κύκλωψ

πίνειν μὲν οὖν

κλέπτων σὺ βούλῃ· κάτθες αὐτὸν ἐς μέσον.

σὺ δ’, ὦ ξέν’, εἰπὲ τοὔνομ’ ὅ τι σε χρὴ καλεῖν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

Οὖτιν· χάριν δὲ τίνα λαβών σ’ ἐπαινέσω;

Κύκλωψ

πάντων σ’ ἑταίρων ὕστερον θοινάσομαι.
550

Σιληνός

καλόν γε τὸ γέρας τῷ ξένῳ δίδως, Κύκλωψ.

Κύκλωψ

οὗτος, τί δρᾷς; τὸν οἶνον ἐκπίνεις λάθρᾳ;

Σιληνός

οὔκ, ἀλλ’ ἔμ’ οὗτος ἔκυσεν, ὅτι καλὸν βλέπω.

Κύκλωψ

κλαύσῃ, φιλῶν τὸν οἶνον οὐ φιλοῦντά σε.

Σιληνός

ναὶ μὰ Δί’, ἐπεί μού φησ’ ἐρᾶν ὄντος καλοῦ.
555

Κύκλωψ

ἔγχει, πλέων δὲ τὸν σκύφον. δίδου μόνον.

Σιληνός

πῶς οὖν κέκραται; φέρε διασκεψώμεθα.

Κύκλωψ

ἀπολεῖς· δὸς οὕτως.

Σιληνός

ναὶ μὰ Δί’ οὐ πρὶν ἄν γέ σε

στέφανον ἴδω λαβόντα γεύσωμαί τ’ ἔτι . . .

Κύκλωψ

ὦ οἰνοχόος ἄδικος.
560

Σιληνός

οὐ μὰ Δί’, ἀλλ’ ὦ οἶνος γλυκύς.

ἀπομυκτέον δέ σοί ἐστιν ὡς λήψῃ πιεῖν.

Κύκλωψ

ἰδού, καθαρὸν τὸ χεῖλος αἱ τρίχες τέ μου.

Σιληνός

θές νυν τὸν ἀγκῶν’ εὐρύθμως, κᾆτ’ ἔκπιε,

ὥσπερ μ’ ὁρᾷς πίνοντα—χὥσπερ οὐκ ἐμέ.

Κύκλωψ

ἆ ἆ, τί δράσεις;
565

Σιληνός

ἡδέως ἠμύστισα.

Cyclops. Euripides. ed. Gilbert Murray. Oxford. 1902.

Funding provided by Tufts University.

Current edition Perseus

Κύκλωψ (Greek) (Euripides. Euripidis Fabulae, Vol. I. Murray, Gilbert, editor. Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1902.)

Translations (2)

The Cyclops Perseus (Euripides. The Plays of Euripides, Vol. II. Coleridge, Edward P., translator. London: George Bell and Sons, 1891.) — 519 focus

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

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?
525

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.
530

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.
535

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?
540

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.

Cyclops

¹

Silenus

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

Silenus

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.

Odysseus

Noman. What boon shall I receive of thee to earn my thanks?

Cyclops

I will feast on thee last, after all thy comrades.
550

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.
555

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.
560

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?
565

Silenus

I drank it off at a draught with much pleasure.

German (J. J. C. Donner, 1845; OCR review) (OCR draft) Experimental (Euripides. Deutsch in den Versmaßen der Urschrift. Volume 2, Heidelberg: C. F. Winter, 1845. Harvard OCR compared with an independent BSB copy. Native Donner verse citations, Murray reference cards, explicitly located notes and page facsimiles. Unresolved OCR, verse divisions, unlocated notes and printed errata are documented in the source review.) — 519 focus

Kyklop, vernimm nun; denn genau bin ich bekannt

Mit diesem Bacchos, den ich dir zu trinken gab.

Der Kyklop.

Der Bacchios - fur welche Gottheit hålt man ihn?

Odysseus.

Der Freuden größte spendet er den Sterblichen.

Der Kyklop.

Ach ja! So lieblich kommt er mir den Schlund herauf.¹
520

Odysseus.

Ein solcher Gott ist's; keinem Menschen thut er weh.

Der Kyklop.

Wie mag der Gott denn gern' in einem Schlauche sein?

Odysseus.

Du magst ihn hinthun, wo du willst, da wohnt er gern.

Der Kyklop.

Dem Gotte ziemt nicht, daß er wohn' in einem Fell.

Odysseus.

Wie? Wenn's Genuß bringt, ist das Fell dir unbequem?
525

Der Kyklop.

Die Schlauche hass ich; doch den Trank da lieb' ich wohl.

Odysseus.

So bleibe hier, und trinke wohlgemuth, Kyklop.

Der Kyklop.

Und meinen Brüdern spend' ich nicht von diesem Trank?

Odysseus.

Mehr Ehre hast du, wenn du ihn für dich behåltst.

Der Kyklop.

und mehr Gemeinsinn, theil' ich ihn den Freunden mit.
530

Odysseus.

Schmachworte, Schläge, Zankerein gebiert der Schmaus.

Der Kyklop.

Ich zeche, dennoch legt an mich kein Mensch die Hand.

Odysseus.

Wer wohl gezecht hat, muß im Hause bleiben, Freund.

Der Kyklop.

Ein blinder Thor ist, wer bezecht nicht lustig wird.

Odysseus.

Und weise, wer im Rausche fein zu Hause bleibt.
535

Der Kyklop.

Was thun, Seilenos? Råthst du mir zu bleiben, Freund?²

Seilenos.

Gewiß; wozu bedarf es andrer Gåste noch?

Der Kyklop.

Wohl bluht, von jungem Rasen rings umgrünt, die Flur.

Seilenos.

Und bei der Sonnenwärme trinkt es sich so schon:

Drum auf den Boden strecke dich und ruhe mir.
540

Gut!

Der Kyklop.

Was stellst du doch den Becher hinter mich, o Freund?

Seilenos.

Daß Keiner ihn wegnehme.

Der Kyklop.

Nein, du selber willst

Ihn heimlich trinken; sez' ihn nur in die Mitte da.

Du, Fremder, sage, wie man dich bei Namen nennt.

Odysseus.

„Niemand." Doch spåter
545

welche Gunst erzeigst du mir?

Der Kyklop.

Von deinen Freunden allen schmaus ich dich zulezt.

Odysseus.

Du bietest mir ein schönes Gastgeschenk, Kyklop.

(zu Seilenos.)

Der Kyklop

Du, was beginnst du? Heimlich trinkst du den Wein mir

Seilenos.

aus.

Nein; weil ich freundlich blickte, hat er mich geküßt.

Der Kyklop.

Daß dich -! Den Wein wohl kußtest du, nicht dieser dich.
550

Seilenos.

Bei Zeus, er sagt, er liebe mich, ich sei so schon.

Der Kyklop.

Schenk' ein; und gib den Becher mir nur tüchtig voll.

Seilenos.

Wie soll ich ihn denn mischen? Ueberlegen wir's!

Der Kyklop.

Du Schwazer! Gib so!³

Seilenos.

Nein, fürwahr, nicht eher, als

Du dir das Haupt bekränztest und ich kostete.
555

Der Kyklop.

Verwunschter Mundschenk!

Seilenos.

Wahrlich, süß ist dieser Wein!

Nur erst den Mund gesäubert, eh du den Becher nimmst!

Der Kyklop.

Sieh! Sauber sind die Lippen, auch mein Bart ist rein.

Seilenos.

Nun lege zierlich deinen Arm, und trinke dann,

Sowie du mich siehst trinken und
560

(Er deutet auf einen Satyr, der auch heimlich von dem Wein kostet) nicht mich.

Der Kyklop.

Aha!

Was machst du?

Seilenos.

Weidlich trank ich aus, es schmeckte mir.

Der Kyklop.

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Search the Perseus Catalog for:

Ὀδυσσεύς Κύκλωψ, ἄκουσον· ὡς ἐγὼ τοῦ Βακχίου τούτου τρίβων εἴμ’, ὃν πιεῖν ἔδωκά σοι. 520

Κύκλωψ ὁ Βάκχιος δὲ τίς θεὸς νομίζεται;

Ὀδυσσεύς μέγιστος ἀνθρώποισιν ἐς τέρψιν βίου.

Κύκλωψ ἐρυγγάνω γοῦν αὐτὸν ἡδέως ἐγώ.

Ὀδυσσεύς τοιόσδ’ ὁ δαίμων· οὐδένα βλάπτει βροτῶν.

Κύκλωψ θεὸς δ’ ἐν ἀσκῷ πῶς γέγηθ’ οἴκους ἔχων; 525

Ὀδυσσεύς ὅπου τιθῇ τις, ἐνθάδ’ ἐστὶν εὐπετής.

Κύκλωψ οὐ τοὺς θεοὺς χρὴ σῶμ’ ἔχειν ἐν δέρμασιν.

Ὀδυσσεύς τί δ’, εἴ σε τέρπει γ’; ἢ τὸ δέρμα σοι πικρόν;

Κύκλωψ μισῶ τὸν ἀσκόν· τὸ δὲ ποτὸν φιλῶ τόδε.

Ὀδυσσεύς μένων νυν αὐτοῦ πῖνε κεὐθύμει, Κύκλωψ. 530

Κύκλωψ οὐ χρή μ’ ἀδελφοῖς τοῦδε προσδοῦναι ποτοῦ;

Ὀδυσσεύς ἔχων γὰρ αὐτὸς τιμιώτερος φανῇ.

Κύκλωψ διδοὺς δὲ τοῖς φίλοισι χρησιμώτερος.

Ὀδυσσεύς πυγμὰς ὁ κῶμος λοίδορόν τ’ ἔριν φιλεῖ.

Κύκλωψ μεθύω μέν, ἔμπας δ’ οὔτις ἂν ψαύσειέ μου. 535

Ὀδυσσεύς ὦ τᾶν, πεπωκότ’ ἐν δόμοισι χρὴ μένειν.

Κύκλωψ ἠλίθιος ὅστις μὴ πιὼν κῶμον φιλεῖ.

Ὀδυσσεύς ὃς δ’ ἂν μεθυσθείς γ’ ἐν δόμοις μείνῃ, σοφός.

Κύκλωψ τί δρῶμεν, ὦ Σιληνέ; σοὶ μένειν δοκεῖ;

Σιληνός δοκεῖ. τί γὰρ δεῖ συμποτῶν ἄλλων, Κύκλωψ; 540

Κύκλωψ καὶ μὴν λαχνῶδές τ’ οὖδας ἀνθηρᾶς χλόης . . . .

Σιληνός καὶ πρός γε θάλπος ἡλίου πίνειν καλόν. κλίθητί νύν μοι πλευρὰ θεὶς ἐπὶ χθονός.

Κύκλωψ ἰδού. τί δῆτα τὸν κρατῆρ’ ὄπισθέ μου τίθης; 545

Σιληνός ὡς μὴ παριών τις καταβάλῃ.

Κύκλωψ πίνειν μὲν οὖν κλέπτων σὺ βούλῃ· κάτθες αὐτὸν ἐς μέσον. σὺ δ’, ὦ ξέν’, εἰπὲ τοὔνομ’ ὅ τι σε χρὴ καλεῖν.

Ὀδυσσεύς Οὖτιν· χάριν δὲ τίνα λαβών σ’ ἐπαινέσω;

Κύκλωψ πάντων σ’ ἑταίρων ὕστερον θοινάσομαι. 550

Σιληνός καλόν γε τὸ γέρας τῷ ξένῳ δίδως, Κύκλωψ.

Κύκλωψ οὗτος, τί δρᾷς; τὸν οἶνον ἐκπίνεις λάθρᾳ;

Σιληνός οὔκ, ἀλλ’ ἔμ’ οὗτος ἔκυσεν, ὅτι καλὸν βλέπω.

Κύκλωψ κλαύσῃ, φιλῶν τὸν οἶνον οὐ φιλοῦντά σε.

Σιληνός ναὶ μὰ Δί’, ἐπεί μού φησ’ ἐρᾶν ὄντος καλοῦ. 555

Κύκλωψ ἔγχει, πλέων δὲ τὸν σκύφον. δίδου μόνον.

Σιληνός πῶς οὖν κέκραται; φέρε διασκεψώμεθα.

Κύκλωψ ἀπολεῖς· δὸς οὕτως.

Σιληνός ναὶ μὰ Δί’ οὐ πρὶν ἄν γέ σε στέφανον ἴδω λαβόντα γεύσωμαί τ’ ἔτι . . .

Κύκλωψ ὦ οἰνοχόος ἄδικος. 560

Σιληνός οὐ μὰ Δί’, ἀλλ’ ὦ οἶνος γλυκύς. ἀπομυκτέον δέ σοί ἐστιν ὡς λήψῃ πιεῖν.

Κύκλωψ ἰδού, καθαρὸν τὸ χεῖλος αἱ τρίχες τέ μου.

Σιληνός θές νυν τὸν ἀγκῶν’ εὐρύθμως, κᾆτ’ ἔκπιε, ὥσπερ μ’ ὁρᾷς πίνοντα—χὥσπερ οὐκ ἐμέ.

Κύκλωψ ἆ ἆ, τί δράσεις; 565

Σιληνός ἡδέως ἠμύστισα.

Current edition Perseus

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

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? 525

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. 530

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. 535

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? 540

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.

Cyclops 1

Silenus 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

Silenus 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.

Odysseus Noman. What boon shall I receive of thee to earn my thanks?

Cyclops I will feast on thee last, after all thy comrades. 550

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.

Ὀδυσσεύς

Κύκλωψ, ἄκουσον· ὡς ἐγὼ τοῦ Βακχίου

τούτου τρίβων εἴμ’, ὃν πιεῖν ἔδωκά σοι.
520

Κύκλωψ

ὁ Βάκχιος δὲ τίς θεὸς νομίζεται;

Ὀδυσσεύς

μέγιστος ἀνθρώποισιν ἐς τέρψιν βίου.

Κύκλωψ

ἐρυγγάνω γοῦν αὐτὸν ἡδέως ἐγώ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

τοιόσδ’ ὁ δαίμων· οὐδένα βλάπτει βροτῶν.

Κύκλωψ

θεὸς δ’ ἐν ἀσκῷ πῶς γέγηθ’ οἴκους ἔχων;
525

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὅπου τιθῇ τις, ἐνθάδ’ ἐστὶν εὐπετής.

Κύκλωψ

οὐ τοὺς θεοὺς χρὴ σῶμ’ ἔχειν ἐν δέρμασιν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

τί δ’, εἴ σε τέρπει γ’; ἢ τὸ δέρμα σοι πικρόν;

Κύκλωψ

μισῶ τὸν ἀσκόν· τὸ δὲ ποτὸν φιλῶ τόδε.

Ὀδυσσεύς

μένων νυν αὐτοῦ πῖνε κεὐθύμει, Κύκλωψ.
530

Κύκλωψ

οὐ χρή μ’ ἀδελφοῖς τοῦδε προσδοῦναι ποτοῦ;

Ὀδυσσεύς

ἔχων γὰρ αὐτὸς τιμιώτερος φανῇ.

Κύκλωψ

διδοὺς δὲ τοῖς φίλοισι χρησιμώτερος.

Ὀδυσσεύς

πυγμὰς ὁ κῶμος λοίδορόν τ’ ἔριν φιλεῖ.

Κύκλωψ

μεθύω μέν, ἔμπας δ’ οὔτις ἂν ψαύσειέ μου.
535

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὦ τᾶν, πεπωκότ’ ἐν δόμοισι χρὴ μένειν.

Κύκλωψ

ἠλίθιος ὅστις μὴ πιὼν κῶμον φιλεῖ.

Ὀδυσσεύς

ὃς δ’ ἂν μεθυσθείς γ’ ἐν δόμοις μείνῃ, σοφός.

Κύκλωψ

τί δρῶμεν, ὦ Σιληνέ; σοὶ μένειν δοκεῖ;

Σιληνός

δοκεῖ. τί γὰρ δεῖ συμποτῶν ἄλλων, Κύκλωψ;
540

Κύκλωψ

καὶ μὴν λαχνῶδές τ’ οὖδας ἀνθηρᾶς χλόης . . . .

Σιληνός

καὶ πρός γε θάλπος ἡλίου πίνειν καλόν.

κλίθητί νύν μοι πλευρὰ θεὶς ἐπὶ χθονός.

Κύκλωψ

ἰδού.

τί δῆτα τὸν κρατῆρ’ ὄπισθέ μου τίθης;
545

Σιληνός

ὡς μὴ παριών τις καταβάλῃ.

Κύκλωψ

πίνειν μὲν οὖν

κλέπτων σὺ βούλῃ· κάτθες αὐτὸν ἐς μέσον.

σὺ δ’, ὦ ξέν’, εἰπὲ τοὔνομ’ ὅ τι σε χρὴ καλεῖν.

Ὀδυσσεύς

Οὖτιν· χάριν δὲ τίνα λαβών σ’ ἐπαινέσω;

Κύκλωψ

πάντων σ’ ἑταίρων ὕστερον θοινάσομαι.
550

Σιληνός

καλόν γε τὸ γέρας τῷ ξένῳ δίδως, Κύκλωψ.

Κύκλωψ

οὗτος, τί δρᾷς; τὸν οἶνον ἐκπίνεις λάθρᾳ;

Σιληνός

οὔκ, ἀλλ’ ἔμ’ οὗτος ἔκυσεν, ὅτι καλὸν βλέπω.

Κύκλωψ

κλαύσῃ, φιλῶν τὸν οἶνον οὐ φιλοῦντά σε.

Σιληνός

ναὶ μὰ Δί’, ἐπεί μού φησ’ ἐρᾶν ὄντος καλοῦ.
555

Κύκλωψ

ἔγχει, πλέων δὲ τὸν σκύφον. δίδου μόνον.

Σιληνός

πῶς οὖν κέκραται; φέρε διασκεψώμεθα.

Κύκλωψ

ἀπολεῖς· δὸς οὕτως.

Σιληνός

ναὶ μὰ Δί’ οὐ πρὶν ἄν γέ σε

στέφανον ἴδω λαβόντα γεύσωμαί τ’ ἔτι . . .

Κύκλωψ

ὦ οἰνοχόος ἄδικος.
560

Σιληνός

οὐ μὰ Δί’, ἀλλ’ ὦ οἶνος γλυκύς.

ἀπομυκτέον δέ σοί ἐστιν ὡς λήψῃ πιεῖν.

Κύκλωψ

ἰδού, καθαρὸν τὸ χεῖλος αἱ τρίχες τέ μου.

Σιληνός

θές νυν τὸν ἀγκῶν’ εὐρύθμως, κᾆτ’ ἔκπιε,

ὥσπερ μ’ ὁρᾷς πίνοντα—χὥσπερ οὐκ ἐμέ.

Κύκλωψ

ἆ ἆ, τί δράσεις;
565

Σιληνός

ἡδέως ἠμύστισα.

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

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?
525

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.
530

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.
535

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?
540

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.

Cyclops

¹

Silenus

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

Silenus

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.

Odysseus

Noman. What boon shall I receive of thee to earn my thanks?

Cyclops

I will feast on thee last, after all thy comrades.
550

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.
555

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.)