THE CYCLOPS
with snow from Thrace, I wrap myself in furs 330
and light up the fire. Then let it snow
for all I care! Whether it wants or not,
the earth must grow the grass that feeds my flocks.
And as for sacrifices, I make mine,
not to the gods, but the greatest god of all, 335
this belly of mine! To eat, to drink
from day to day, to have no worries—
that's the real Zeus for your clever man!
As for those who embroider human life
with their little laws—damn the lot of them! 340
I shall go right on indulging myself—
by eating you. But, to be in the clear,
111 be hospitable and give you fire
and my father's water—plus a cauldron.
Once it starts to boil, it will render down
your flesh very nicely. So, inside with you, 345
and gather round the altar to the god
of the cave, and wish him hearty eating.
(Cyclops enters the cave, driving Odysseus' crew
before him.)
Odysseus
Gods! Have I escaped our hardships at Troy
and on the seas only to be cast up
and wrecked on the reef of this savage heart?
0 Pallas, lady, daughter of Zeus, now 350
if ever, help me! Worse than war at Troy,
1 have come to my danger's deepest place.
O Zeus, god of strangers, look down on me
from where you sit, throned among the bright stars!
If you do not look down upon me now,
you are no Zeus, but a nothing at all! 355
(He disappears into the cave; Silenus follows him.)
Chorus
Open the vast O of your jaws, Cyclops!
269