SILENUS. There are not.-These lone rocks are bare of men. ULYSSES. And who possess the land? the race of beasts? SILENUS. Cyclops, who live in caverns, not in houses. 111 ULYSSES. Obeying whom? Or is the state popular? SILENUS. Shepherds: no one obeys any in aught. ULYSSES. How live they? do they sow the corn of Ceres? SILENUS. On milk and cheese, and on the flesh of sheep. ULYSSES. Have they the Bromian drink from the vine's stream? SILENUS. Ah! no; they live in an ungracious land. ULYSSES. And are they just to strangers ?-hospitable ? SILENUS. They think the sweetest thing a stranger brings Is his own flesh. ULYSSES. What do they eat man's flesh? SILENUS. No one comes here who is not eaten up. 120 ULYSSES. The Cyclops now-where is he? Not at home? SILENUS. Absent on Ætna, hunting with his dogs. ULYSSES. Know'st thou what thou must do to aid us hence? SILENUS. I know not: we will help you all we can. ULYSSES. Provide us food, of which we are in want. SILENUS. Here is not anything, as I said, but meat. ULYSSES. But meat is a sweet remedy for hunger. SILENUS. Cow's milk there is, and store of curdled cheese. ULYSSES. Bring out :-I would see all before I bargain. 130 SILENUS. But how much gold will you engage to give? ULYSSES. I bring no gold, but Bacchic juice. SILENUS. O,-joy! 'Tis long since these dry lips were wet with ULYSSES. Maron, the son of the God, gave it me. SILENUS. Whom I have nursed a baby in my arms. ULYSSES. The son of Bacchus, for your clearer know ledge. SILENUS. Have you it now ?- -or is it in the ship? ULYSSES. Old man, this skin contains it, which you see. SILENUS. Why this would hardly be a mouthful for me. Nay, twice as thence ULYSSES. much as you can draw from SILENUS. You speak of a fair fountain, sweet to me. ULYSSES. 140 Would you first taste of the unmingled wine? SILENUS. 'Tis just-tasting invites the purchaser. ULYSSES. Here is the cup, together with the skin. SILENUS. Pour that the draught may fillip my remem : brance. Taste, that you may not praise it in words only. SILENUS. Babai! Great Bacchus calls me forth to dance! Bring out some cheeses now, or a young goat. SILENUS. That will I do, despising any master. Yes, let me drink one cup, and I will give The wanton wretch! she was bewitched to see 160 First leaving my reward, the Bacchic dew ULYSSES. Ah me! Alas! What shall we do? the Cyclops is at hand! SILENUS. 170 |