says the son of Laertes, but when he came to the point where he really needed their help they made every manner of excuse; some were suddenly seized with lameness; others had dust in their eyes. But he knew that it would turn out so, and he relies on his own companions,
... τοῖσι δ’ οἰκείοις φίλοις
χρῆσθαί μ’ ἀνάγκη. vs. 650 f.
This is well brought out, whether intentionally or not I do not say, for it is Greeks who are lifting the δαλός, and as for its size every one will agree that it is μέγας. The two satyrs, representing the chorus, dance around lustily the while, having smelt the contents of the wineskin (v. 153 f.). As soon as the plan has been decided upon, Polyphemos appears again, having already sated his appetite on two of the Greeks, and having had at least a taste of the wine. What could prepare one better for the appreciation of the figure on the vase than his own words?
παπαπαῖ, πλέως μὲν οἴνου,
γάνυμαι δὲ δαιτὸς ἥβῃ
σκάφος ὁλκὰς ὡς γεμισθεὶς
ποτὶ σέλμα γαστρὸς ἄκρας.
ὑπάγει μ’ ὁ χόρτος εὔφρων
ἐπὶ κῶμον ἦρος ὥραις,