Stasimon 3
[Episode]
That will I do; the Carianἐν τῷ Καρὶ κινδυνεύειν to run a risk in the person of the Carian. Latin experimentum facere in corpore vili, i.e. to let some one, whose life is less valuable, run the risk instead of doing so oneself. The Carians, being the earliest mercenaries, were commonly selected for any very dangerous enterprise and so this proverb arose. shall run the risk for us;
Chorus
and as far as encouragement goes, let the Cyclops smoulder.
655
What ho! my gallants, thrust away, make haste and burn his eye-brow off, the monster’s guest-devouring. Oh! singe and scorch
the shepherd of Aetna; twirl the brand and drag it round and be careful lest in his agony he treat thee to some wantonness.
660
Cyclops
(Bellowing in the cave.) Oh! oh! my once bright eye is burnt to cinders now.
Chorus
Sweet indeed the triumph-song; pray sing it to us, Cyclops.
Cyclops
(from within.) Oh! oh! once more; what outrage on me and what ruin! But never shall ye escape this rocky cave unpunished, ye worthless creatures; for I will stand in the entrance of the cleft and fit my hands into it thus. [Staggering to the entrance.
665
Chorus
Why dost thou cry out, Cyclops?
Chorus
Thou art indeed a sorry sight.
670
Cyclops
Aye, and a sad one, too.
670
Chorus
Didst fall among the coals in a drunken fit?
Cyclops
Noman has undone me.
Chorus
Then there is no one hurting thee after all.
Cyclops
Noman is blinding me.
Chorus
Then art thou not blind.
Cyclops
As blind as thou, forsooth.i.e., as blind as you must be if you cannot see it; but Paley interprets as you say but not as is really the case.
Chorus
How, pray, could no man have made thee blind?
Cyclops
Thou mockest me; but where is this Noman.
675
Chorus
Nowhere, Cyclops.
675
