A complete dictionary of the Greek and Roman antiquities explaining the obscure places in classic authors and ancient historians relating to the religion, mythology, history, geography and chronology of the ancient Greeks and Romans, their ... rites and customs, laws, polity, arts and engines of war : also an account of their navigations, arts and sciences and the inventors of them : with the lives and opinions of their philosophers / compiled originally in French ... by Monsieur Danet ; made English, with the addition of very useful mapps.

POLYPHEMUS;

one of the Cyclops, the Son of Neptune, and the Nymph Thoosa, accord∣ing to Homer. Lucian gives a Description of him in his Dialogues of Sea-Gods, where he in∣troduces Doris and Galatea speaking thus.

Doris.

They say, Galatea, that Polyphemus is in Love with you; you have a fine Lover of him.

Galatea.

Doris do not jear, as mean as you think him to be, he is Neptune's Son.

Dor.

What, tho' he were Jupiter's Son; he is as hairy as a Bear, and has but one Eye.

Galat.

Hair is a sign of Strength, and his Eye looks very graceful in the middle of his Fore∣head; so that he looks as well as if he had had two.

Dor.

It seems to me as if you were enamou∣red on him, and not he on you.

Galat.

Not in the least; but I cannot endure your, nor your Companions Jealousie; for while he was feeding his Flocks in the Shade upon Mount Aetna, as we were playing on the River side, he found me more beautiful than you, and that I suppose makes you ready to burst for Spight.

Dor.

You have Vanity enough to believe that any Body will be jealous of you; what is there in you worth taking notice of, but your clear Skin, from whence you have obtained the Name of Galatea: He took you to be handsome, be∣cause your Complexion is just like his Butter and Cheese.

Galat.

But for all that, I have got one of Nep∣tune's Sons to be my Lover: Besides, he is an excellent Musician.

Dor.

Galatea, pray never talk of his Musick, we heard him the other Day, when he drew near you to sing. Good God, a strange Musici∣an indeed! A pleasant Harp made of a Deer's Skull, whose Horns served for Pins to it! As great an Imitatrix as Eccho is, she was ashamed to answer him, for his Voice and Instrument never agreed; and this fine Spark to make him appear the better, carried in his Bosom, a little Bear like himself: I do not envy you upon the Account of this stinking one-eyed Cyclops, who devours his Guests.

As Polyphemus one Evening was gathering his Flock together, he found Ʋlysses and his Com∣panions in a Grott, and taking them to be Rob∣bers, he closed up the Mouth of it with a Rock; but then discerning some of them by the glim∣mering of the Fire, which they concealed, he de∣voured them; hereupon Ʋlysses to avoid the like Usage, gave him some Wine, which he had no sooner drank, but he thought the Cave turn'd upside down; and Ʋlysses taking Advantage over

this his Giddiness, put out his Eye with a Fire-brand, and saved himself under the Belly of a Beast, as he was driving them to Pasture.