“ ‘Nay, foster-child of Jove! if thou consent, This man shall stay behind and with the ship, And he shall guard the ship, but lead us thou To where the sacred halls of Circè stand.’
“They spake, and from the ship and shore went up Into the land, nor was Eurylochus Left with the ship; he followed, for he feared My terrible threat. Meantime had Circè bathed My comrades at the palace, and with oil Anointed them, and robed them in fair cloaks And tunics. There we found them banqueting. When they and those who came with me beheld Each other, and the memory of the past Came back to them, they wept abundantly, And all the palace echoed with their sobs. And then the mighty goddess came and said:—
“ ‘Son of Laertes, nobly born and wise, Prolong thou not these sorrows. Well I know What ye have suffered on the fishy deep, And all the evil that malignant men Have done to you on land. Now take the food Before you, drink the wine, till ye receive Into your hearts the courage that was yours When long ago ye left your fatherland, The rugged Ithaca. Ye are unnerved And spiritless with thinking constantly On your long wanderings, and your minds allow No space for mirth, for ye have suffered much.’
“She spake; her words persuaded easily Our generous minds, and there from day to day We lingered a full year, and banqueted Nobly on plenteous meats and delicate wines. But when the year was ended, and the hours Renewed their circle, my beloved friends From Circè’s palace called me forth and said:—
“ ‘Good chief, do not forget thy native land, If fate indeed permit that ever thou Return in safety to that lofty pile Thy palace in the country of thy birth.’