Silent we stand with ’bated breath.OdysseusIn then, and mind your fingers grip the brand, for it is splendidly red-hot.ChorusThyself ordain who first must seize the blazing bar and burn the Cyclops’ eye out, that we may share alike whate’er betides.First Half-ChorusStanding where I am before the door, I am too far off to thrust the fire into his eye.Second Half-ChorusI have just gone lame.First Half-ChorusWhy, then, thou art in the same plight as I; for somehow or other I sprained my ankle, standing still.OdysseusSprained thy ankle, standing still?Second Half-ChorusYes, and my eyes are full of dust or ashes from somewhere or other.OdysseusThese are sorry fellows, worthless as allies.ChorusBecause 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.OdysseusLong 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. ChorusThat will I do; the Carianἐν τῷ Καρὶ κινδυνεύειν to run a risk in the person of the Carian. Latin experimentum facere in corpore vili, i.e. to let some one, whose life is less valuable, run the risk instead of doing so oneself. The Carians, being the earliest mercenaries, were commonly selected for any very dangerous enterprise and so this proverb arose. shall run the risk for us; and as far as encouragement goes, let the Cyclops smoulder.

ChorusWhat 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.Cyclops(Bellowing in the cave.) Oh! oh! my once bright eye is burnt to cinders now.ChorusSweet 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. ChorusWhy dost thou cry out, Cyclops?CyclopsI am undone.ChorusThou art indeed a sorry sight.CyclopsAye, and a sad one, too.ChorusDidst fall among the coals in a drunken fit?CyclopsNoman has undone me.ChorusThen there is no one hurting thee after all.CyclopsNoman is blinding me.ChorusThen art thou not blind.CyclopsAs blind as thou, forsooth.i.e., as blind as you must be if you cannot see it; but Paley interprets as you say but not as is really the case.