ETJRI P IDE S
Silenus
And quite right, master. A change in diet 250
is very pleasant. It's been a long time
since we've had visitors here at the cave.
Odysseus
Cyclops, let your visitors have their say.
We came here to your cave from our ship
because we needed food. This fellow here 255
sold us some lambs in exchange for wine—
all quite voluntary, no coercion.
There's not a healthy word in what he says;
the fact is he was caught peddling your goods. 260
Silenus
I? Why, damn your soul.
Odysseus
If I'm lying. . . .
Silenus
I swear, Cyclops, by your father Poseidon,
by Triton the great, I swear by Nereus,
by Calypso and by Nereus7 daughters,
by the holy waves and every species of fish, 265
I swear, dear master, sweet little Cyclops,
I did not sell your goods to the strangers!
If I did, then let my dear children die for it.
Coryphaeus
And the same to you. With these very eyes
I saw you selling goods to the strangers. 270
And if I'm lying, then let my father
die for it. But don't do wrong to strangers.
Cyclops
You're lying. I would rather believe him
(He indicates Silenus)
266