let me behold With mine own eyes my dear companions free.’
“I spake; and Circè took her wand and went Forth from her halls, and, opening the gate That closed the sty, drove forth what seemed a herd Of swine in their ninth year. They ranged themselves Before her, and she went from each to each And shed on them another drug. Forthwith Fell from their limbs the bristles which had grown All over them, when mighty Circè gave At first the baleful potion. Now again My friends were men, and younger than before, And of a nobler mien and statelier growth. They knew me all; and each one pressed my hand In his, and there were tears and sobs of joy That sounded through the palace. Circè too Was moved, the mighty goddess; she drew near And stood by me, and spake these winged words:—
“ ‘Son of Laertes, nobly born and wise, Ulysses! go to thy good ship beside The sea and draw it up the beach, and hide The goods and weapons in the caverns there, And come thou back and bring with thee thy friends.’