Page:The complete poetical works of Percy Bysshe Shelley, including materials never before printed in any edition of the poems.djvu/736

706 A village upon Aetna not far off.

I understand, catching him when alone

You think by some measure to dispatch him,

Or thrust him from the precipice.

Oh no;

Nothing of that kind; my device is subtle.

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

I will dissuade him from this plan, by saying

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,

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

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.

Joy! I am mad with joy at your device.

And then with you, my friends, and the old man,

We'll load the hollow depth of our black ship,

And row with double strokes from this dread shore.

May I, as in libations to a God,

Share in the blinding him with the red brand?

I would have some communion in his death.

Doubtless: the brand is a great brand to hold.

Oh! I would lift an hundred waggon-loads,

If like a wasp's nest I could scoop the eye out

Of the detested Cyclops.

Silence now!

Ye know the close device—and when I call,

Look ye obey the masters of the craft.

I will not save myself and leave behind

My comrades in the cave: I might escape,

Having got clear from that obscure recess,

But 'twere unjust to leave in jeopardy

The dear companions who sailed here with me.

Come! who is first, that with his hand

Will urge down the burning brand

Through the lids, and quench and pierce

The Cyclops' eye so fiery fierce?

Listen! listen! he is coming,

A most hideous discord humming.

 446 by some measure 1824; with some measures B. 