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. [Re-enters the cave.

First Half-ChorusCome, 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 Half-ChorusHush! 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 Half-ChorusHappy 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?

CyclopsHa! ha! full of wine and merry with the feast’s good cheerHerwerden’s ἥδει seems preferable to ἥβῃ which is probably corrupt. 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-ChorusForth from the house its fair lord comes, casting his fair glance round him. We have some one to befriend us.Hermann supplies the lacuna before φιλεῖ with φίλος ὣν, but there is so much corruption in this and the following few lines that little reliance can be placed on any emendation, nor is the sense very clear. 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 wineskin.) Hearken, Cyclops; for I am well versed in the ways of Bacchus, whom I have given thee to drink.CyclopsAnd who is Bacchus? some reputed god?OdysseusThe greatest god men know to cheer their life.CyclopsI like his after-taste at any rate.OdysseusThis is the kind of god he is; he harmeth no man.CyclopsBut how does a god like being housed in a wine-skin?OdysseusPut him where one may, he is content there.CyclopsIt is not right that gods should be clad in leather.OdysseusWhat of that, provided he please thee? does the leather hurt thee?CyclopsI hate the wine-skin, but the liquor we have here I love.OdysseusStay, then, Cyclops; drink and be merry.CyclopsMust I not give my brethren a share in this liquor?OdysseusNo, keep it thyself and thou wilt appear of more honour.CyclopsGive it my friends and I shall appear of more use.OdysseusRevelling is apt to end in blows, abuse, and strife.CyclopsI may be drunk, but no man will lay hands on me for all that.OdysseusBetter stay at home, my friend, after a carouse.