_Scene_: Sicily, in front of cave of the Cyclops, Polyphemus.
_Prologue_ by Silenus, the rural demi-god, who recounts his faithful
service to Bacchus, and yet the ungrateful god has let himself and his
children fall into this slavery to the horrid Cyclops Polyphemus,
where, worst of their many woes, they are debarred from the wine they
worship.
_Parode_: The Chorus of Satyrs driving their goats and lamenting how
different this from the merry service of Bacchus.
_Episode I_. Silenus hurries back with the news that a ship is
approaching to water in the island: fresh victims for the monster.
_Enter Ulysses and crew_: mutual explanations, all couched in
'burlesque' tone. The mariners have had no food except flesh, and
gladly partake milk and fruits of the Satyrs, affording in return to
Silenus the long-lost luxury of wine: the scene then going on to paint
[with the utmost coarseness] the oncoming of drunkenness.
Suddenly _enter Polyphemus_: Ulysses and the crew hide. After some
rough bandying between the Monster and the Chorus, the strangers are
discovered: and Silenus, to save himself, turns traitor, and tells
Polyphemus how they have beaten him because he would not let them
steal, also what dire woes they were going to work upon Polyphemus. In
spite of their protests Silenus is believed: Ulysses promises, if set
free, to erect shrines in Greece for the Cyclops, besides dwelling upon
the impiety of attacking innocent strangers: Polyphemus replies that he
does not care for shrines, and as for impiety he is independent of
Zeus; which gives occasion for a glorification of the life of nature.
They are driven into the cave to be fed on at leisure.
_Choral Ode_: General disgust at the monster.
_Episode II_. Ulysses [_apparently standing at the mouth of the cave_]
describes Polyphemus gorging--then details his plan of deliverance by
aid of the wine.
_Choral Ode_: Lyric delight of Chorus at prospect of deliverance.
_Episode III_. The Cyclops appears sated with his banquet, and
settling down to this new treat of drinking--the effects of on-coming
intoxication are painted again in Polyphemus, with the usual
coarseness--a farcical climax being reached when the monster begins to
be affectionate to his cup-bearer, old Silenus, in memory of Zeus and
his famous cup-bearer, Ganymede.
_Choral Ode_: Anticipation of Revenge.
_Exodus_. The plan of Revenge, the boring out of the Cyclops's one eye
while overpowered with drink, is carried out--various farcical effects
by the way, e.g., the Chorus drawing back with excuses and leaving
Ulysses to do the deed at the critical moment. The Drama ends with the
Monster's rage and vain attempts to catch the culprit, Ulysses putting
him off with his feigned name 'No man': thus all are delivered.