Like you, i accepted the copernican position several years ago. . i have written up many of my reasons and refutations on the subject, but i have not dared until now to bring them into the open, being warned by the fortunes of copernicus himself, our master, who procured immortal fame . . , only to be derided and dishonored. i would dare publish my thoughts if there were many like you; but, since there are not, i shall forebear. why is galileo reluctant to share his discoveries? he thinks his discoveries have come too late. he has been told by copernicus to keep his ideas secret. he does not want to be mistreated like copernicus was. he thinks enough other people share his beliefs.

But this, but you – small, pitiful and twiggy – you put me down with wine, you blinded me. come back, odysseus, and i'll treat you well, praying the god of earthquake to befriend you – his son i am, for he by his avowal fathered me, and, if he will, he may heal me of this black wound – he and no other of all the happy gods or mortal men.' few words i shouted in reply to him: 'if i could take your life i would and take your time away, and hurl you down to hell! the god of earthquake could not heal you there! ' at this he stretched his hands out in his darkness toward the sky of stars, and prayed poseidon: 'o hear me, lord, blue girdler of the islands, if i am thine indeed, and thou art father: grant that odysseus, raider of cities, never see his home -the odyssey, homer what motivates cyclops to ask poseidon to interfere with odysseus's journey home?