410
Received it, and at one draught drank it off,
And taking my hand, praised me:—­’Thou hast given
A sweet draught after a sweet meal, dear guest.’ 
And I, perceiving that it pleased him, filled
Another cup, well knowing that the wine 415
Would wound him soon and take a sure revenge. 
And the charm fascinated him, and I
Plied him cup after cup, until the drink
Had warmed his entrails, and he sang aloud
In concert with my wailing fellow-seamen 420
A hideous discord—­and the cavern rung. 
I have stolen out, so that if you will
You may achieve my safety and your own. 
But say, do you desire, or not, to fly
This uncompanionable man, and dwell 425
As was your wont among the Grecian Nymphs
Within the fanes of your beloved God? 
Your father there within agrees to it,
But he is weak and overcome with wine,
And caught as if with bird-lime by the cup, 430
He claps his wings and crows in doting joy. 
You who are young escape with me, and find
Bacchus your ancient friend; unsuited he
To this rude Cyclops.

NOTES:  382 ten cj.  Swinburne; four 1824; four cancelled for ten (possibly) B. 387 I confess I do not understand this.—­[SHELLEY’S NOTE.] 416 take]grant (as alternative) B.

CHORUS: 
Oh my dearest friend,
That I could see that day, and leave for ever 435
The impious Cyclops.

...

ULYSSES: 
Listen then what a punishment I have
For this fell monster, how secure a flight
From your hard servitude.

CHORUS: 
O sweeter far
Than is the music of an Asian lyre 440
Would be the news of Polypheme destroyed.

ULYSSES: 
Delighted with the Bacchic drink he goes
To call his brother Cyclops—­who inhabit
A village upon Aetna not far off.

CHORUS: 
I understand, catching him when alone 445
You think by some measure to dispatch him,
Or thrust him from the precipice.

NOTE: 
446 by some measure 1824; with some measures B.

ULYSSES: 
Oh no;
Nothing of that kind; my device is subtle.

CHORUS: 
How then?  I heard of old that thou wert wise.

ULYSSES: 
I will dissuade him from this plan, by saying 450
It were unwise to give the Cyclopses
This precious drink, which if enjoyed alone
Would make life sweeter for a longer time. 
When, vanquished by the Bacchic power, he sleeps,
There is a trunk of olive wood within, 455
Whose point having made sharp with this good sword
I will conceal in fire, and when I see
It is alight, will fix it, burning yet,
Within the socket of the Cyclops’ eye
And melt it out with fire—­as when a man 460
Turns by its handle a great auger round,
Fitting the framework of a ship with beams,
So will I, in the Cyclops’ fiery eye
Turn round the brand and dry the pupil up.