Chapter VII

The same as Scenes III and V. The Seashore. EURYLOCHUS is still seated on the stone by the ship, gloomy and dejected. The other men stand in a group not far from him, apparently discussing some serious proposal.

FIRST SAILOR

Anyway he ordered us to stay here and guard the ship.

PHILEMON

Just so; I believe in obeying orders myself; but, lads, this is
an extraordinary case.

SECOND SAILOR

A case it is! But the commander’s equal to it I reckon.

XENIAS

The commander’s equal to anything on a square deal. But it’s
odds here against one man; he’ll need help if the land lies the
way the mate makes it out.

EURYLOCHUS

[_Turning and facing the others without rising_]

Are ye all mad, and will not lay to heart
The sights and sounds of foul bedevilment
Haunting this cursed island? Will ye follow
Into the pit the steps of that rash man,
Foolhardy Ulysses?—the same who prick’d us on
To explore the ogre’s cavern, where six brave men
Were sever’d limbmeal and devour’d!

SEVERAL VOICES

Out! out!

XENIAS

Bother the ogre! The commander’s started now to pull half
the ship’s company out of a hole and if a human subject
could compass the business he’s it. But if there’s a dash of
witchcraft here, we ought to be with him and shoulder our share.

FIRST SAILOR

Ay, ay! that’s the talk!

EURYLOCHUS

What signifies mere number, when mortal wills
Clash with uncanny spirits? It is all over
With him and them!—We are enough to row
Our galley launch’d and from these shores deliver’d.

SEVERAL VOICES

Ho, shame! shame!

PHILEMON

Mark my words, lads; if the other fellows have got to trot
round in wolf and tiger skins we’re bound to go on all
fours along with ’em and not leave ’em in the lurch. If the
commander’s beating his way back we shall meet him on the trip;
if he isn’t, he’ll need help for certain. We’ll walk into that
domicile, witch or no witch!

SECOND SAILOR

Take her by storm!

SEVERAL VOICES

Right, right! Come on! come on!

XENIAS

Eurylochus here’ll stand shipguard. He won’t shove her off all
alone I reckon.

PHILEMON

Take up your traps now! Lively!

[_The men stir about, making ready for their departure._]

Here we go!

[_They march away briskly, going out as the other party and ULYSSES had gone. PHILEMON leads; XENIAS brings up the rear, watchfully._]

XENIAS

[_Turning back, at the last moment_]

Don’t let her fly away, old man;
If you hear hell howling, it’s _us_!

[_As the party disappears EURYLOCHUS with a gesture of despair flings himself down by the keel of the vessel._]