Even so I spoke, and at once they hearkened to my words, and throwing off their cloaks upon the shore of the ever-restless sea they looked joyfully upon the stag, for he was a noble beast. Then, when they had cheered 5 their eyes with the sight, they washed their hands and prepared the splendid feast.

All the rest of that day we sat and feasted. And when the sun went down and darkness settled over the earth, we lay down to sleep upon the beach. But when the 10 early rosy-fingered dawn appeared, I called my men together and said to them:

where is the place of darkness or of dawning, nor where the light-giving sun goes under the earth, nor where he 15 rises. So let us take counsel right speedily whether any way is still open to us. For my part, I fear there is none, for I went to the top of a rocky hill where there is a wide outlook, and I saw that this is an island, encircled like a crown by the endless sea. It lies low in 20 the waves, and in the midst of it I saw smoke rising through an oak thicket and a wood."

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Thus I spoke, and their very souls were crushed within them. They cried aloud, but no good came to them from their complaining.

Then I counted out my well-armed company into two bands, and set a leader over each. One band I led myself; the other I put in charge of Eurylochus, a man godlike

in strength. Then we shook the lots in a bronze-bound helmet, and out sprang the lot of bold Eurylochus, first. So he set forth, and with him two and twenty of my companions. The rest of us were left behind.

Among the glens of the forest my comrades found the 5 house of Circe, built of polished stone, upon a height of land. Around it roamed mountain wolves and lions, which Circe had bound with hateful charms. The beasts did not attack my men, but stood upon their hind legs, wagging their long tails. As dogs fawn upon their master when 10 he comes from a meal, because he brings them dainty bits to please them, so these strong-clawed wolves and lions fawned upon my men. But the men were filled with fear. And standing upon the porch of the fair-haired goddess, they heard Circe, within, singing sweetly as she 15 passed to and fro before the great imperishable web which she was weaving-a lovely, delicate, shining web, such as goddesses are wont to weave.

Polites, always foremost of men, and the dearest and truest of all my companions, was the first to speak.

"Friends," said he, "some one within is walking to and fro before a great loom and singing sweetly. All the house echoes with the music. A goddess she must be or a woman. Let us, then, quickly call to her."

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He spoke, and they shouted aloud and called to her. 25 And straightway she opened the shining doors and came out and bade them enter; and they went in with her,

suspecting nothing. But Eurylochus tarried without, for he guessed that there was some snare.

So she led them in and seated them on couches and on chairs and mixed a drink for them of Pramnian wine, 5 with yellow honey and barley meal and cheese. And into this drink she put a hateful charm, to make my comrades quite forget their native land.

Now when she had given them the cup and they had drunk it off, she smote them with a wand, and straight10 way they became swine, with chunky heads, squeaking voices, fat sides, bristles-everything was changed except their reason. That remained as before. Circe then shut them up in a sty, and as the tears rolled out of their pig-eyes she flung them acorns and chestnuts and cornel 15 berries, such things as wallowing swine are wont to eat.

Meanwhile Eurylochus returned to the swift black ship to bring me tidings of his fellows and of their sorry fate. Not a word could he speak, at first, so smitten to the heart was he with grief. But when, greatly surprised 20 at his appearance, we questioned him, he told us all.

When he had finished I slung over my shoulder my silver-studded sword- large it was, and made of bronze, and with it I took my bow and bade him lead me back the way he came. he came. But he knelt and clasped my knees 25 with both hands and begged me not to go to the house of Circe, but rather to embark in the swift ship with what remained of our comrades and speed away.

BECAME SWINE"

"Eurylochus," said I, "stay here yourself, if

you will, by the black hollow ship. I shall go on, for I must."

With this, I went up from the ship. And lo, as I walked through the solemn glades of the wood and 5 approached the great hall of the goddess Circe, Hermes, he of the golden wand, met me, and he was in the likeness of a youth with the down upon his lip, the time of life when a young man is most winning. He took my hand and said:

९९

10 Poor man, where are you going, alone, among these hills, knowing not your way? Your comrades yonder in the halls of Circe are penned in like swine. Do you hope to free them? Take then this powerful herb and go to Circe's house, for this shall save you in the evil 15 day. I will tell you all the magic arts of Circe. She

will mix a drink for you and put a charm into it, but even so she cannot work her spell; this herb will save you.

"And I will tell you more. When Circe smites you with her long wand, then draw the sharp sword from 20 your thigh and spring upon her as if you would slay her. And she will shrink back. Then bid her promise by the blessed gods that she will plot no more against you."

With that, Hermes gave me the herb that he had plucked from the ground and he showed me its nature. 25 It was black at the root, but its flower was white as milk; and the gods call it moly. It is hard for mortal men to find, but the gods can find all things.