Odysseus reveals his name

36“I spoke; the anger in his bosom raged
More fiercely. From a mountain peak he wrenched
Its summit, hurling it to fall beside
Our galley, where it almost touched the helm.
The rock dashed high the water where it fell,
And the returning billow swept us back
And toward the shore. I seized a long-stemmed pike
And pushed it from the shore, encouraging
The men to bend with vigor to their oars
And so escape. With nods I gave the sign.
Forward to vigorous strokes the oarsmen leaned
Till we were out at sea as far from land
As when I spoke before, and then again
I shouted to the Cyclops, though my crew
Strove to prevent it with beseeching words,
And one man first and then another said: —

37“ ‘O most unwise! why chafe that savage man
To fury —him who just has cast his bolt
Into the sea, and forced us toward the land
Where we had well-nigh perished? Should he hear
A cry from us, or even a word of speech,
Then would he fling a rock to crush our heads
And wreck our ship, so fatal is his cast.’

38“He spoke, but moved not my courageous heart;
And then I spoke again, and angrily: —
“ ‘Cyclops, if any man of mortal birth
Note your unseemly blindness, and inquire
The occasion, tell him that Laertes’ son,
Odysseus, the destroyer of walled towns,
Whose home is Ithaca, put out your eye.’

39“I spoke; he answered with a wailing voice: —
‘Now, woe is me! the ancient oracles
Concerning me have come to pass. Here dwelt
A seer named Telemus Eurymides,
Great, good, and eminent in prophecy,
And prophesying he grew old among
The Cyclops. He foretold my coming fate —
That I should lose my sight, and by the hand
And cunning of Odysseus. Yet I looked
For one of noble presence, mighty strength,
And giant stature landing on our coast.
Now a mere weakling, insignificant
And small of stature, has put out my eye,
First stupefying me with wine. Yet come
Hither, I pray, Odysseus, and receive
The hospitable gifts which are your due;
And I will pray to Poseidon, and entreat
The mighty god to guide you safely home.
His son am I, and he declares himself
My father. He can heal me if he will,
And no one else of all the immortal gods
Or mortal men can give me back my sight.’