From these accounts some have been led to think, that the priests in these temples really fed upon the flesh of the persons sacrificed: and that these stories at bottom allude to a shocking depravity; such, as one would hope, that human nature could not be brought to. Nothing can be more horrid, than the cruel process of the Cyclops, as it is represented by Homer. And though it be veiled under the shades of poetry, we may still learn the detestation, in which these places were held.
[[638]]Συν δε δυω μαρψας ὡστε σκυλακας ποτι γαιῃ
Κοπτ', εκ δ' εγκεφαλος χαμαδις ῥεε, δευε δε γαιαν.
Τους τε διαμελεϊστι ταμων ὡπλισσατο δορπον·
Ησθιε δ' ωστε λεων ορεσιτροφος, ουδ' απελειπεν
Εγκατα τε, σαρκας τε, και οστεα μυελοεντα.
Ἡμεις δε κλαιοντες ανεσχεθομεν Διι χειρας,
Σκετλια εργ' ὁροωντες, αμηχανιη δ' εχε θυμον.
[[639]]He answered with his deed: his bloody hand
Snatch'd two unhappy of my martial band,