The Cyclops (629-674)

Silent we stand with ’bated breath.

In then, and mind your fingers grip the brand, for it is splendidly red-hot.

Thyself ordain who first must seize the blazing bar and burn the Cyclops’ eye out, that we may share alike whate’er betides.

Standing where I am before the door, I am too far off to thrust the fire into his eye.

I have just gone lame.

Why, then, thou art in the same plight as I; for somehow or other I sprained my ankle, standing still.

Sprained thy ankle, standing still?

Yes, and my eyes are full of dust or ashes from somewhere or other.

These are sorry fellows, worthless as allies.

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.

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.

That will I do; the Carian[*] shall run the risk for us;

and as far as encouragement goes, let the Cyclops smoulder.

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.

(Bellowing in the cave.) Oh! oh! my once bright eye is burnt to cinders now.

Sweet indeed the triumph-song; pray sing it to us, 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.

Why dost thou cry out, Cyclops?

I am undone.

Thou art indeed a sorry sight.

Aye, and a sad one, too.

Didst fall among the coals in a drunken fit?

Noman has undone me.

Then there is no one hurting thee after all.

Noman is blinding me.

Then art thou not blind.

As blind as thou, forsooth.[*]