Euripides, Cyclops
David Kovacs, Ed.

But when, sated with the meal he had made of my companions, [410] he fell on his back and belched a foul stench from his maw, I was struck with a heaven-sent thought. I filled a cup with this wine of Maron and offered it to him to drink with these words: ‘O Cyclops, son of the sea-god, come see what kind of divine drink this is that Greece [415] provides from its vines, the gleaming cup of Dionysus.’ And he, his belly full to bursting with that execrable meal, took it and downed it in one long draught, then raising his hand in admiration he said, ‘Dearest friend, you give me fine drink on top of a fine meal.’ [420] Seeing it had given him pleasure, I gave him another cup, knowing that wine would be his undoing and he would soon pay the penalty. In due course he proceeded to sing, and I plied him with one cup after another and heated his heart with drink. [425] Now hard by my weeping crew he sings his tuneless songs while the cavern echoes with it. I have crept out with the intention of saving you and me, if you agree. So tell me whether or not you want to be quit of this savage and [430] live in the halls of Dionysus together with the Naiads. Your father assented to this in the cave, but since he is weak and has been enjoying the wine too much, he sticks fast to the cup like a bird caught in bird-lime, flapping his wings in vain. But since you are young, [435] escape with me and get back your old friend Dionysus, quite a different sort from the Cyclops.

Chorus-Leader
Dearest of friends, if only we might see that day and escape from the impious Cyclops. For a long time now my poor siphon [440] here has been widowed, with no place to lay its head.¹