Eksodos
Silenus
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.
Silenus
I am undone, my children; outrageous treatment waits me.
Chorus
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.
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
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.
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
