“He spake; aloud they called, and forth she came And threw at once the shining doors apart, And bade my comrades enter. Without thought They followed her. Eurylochus alone Remained without, for he suspected guile. She led them in and seated them on thrones. Then mingling for them Pramnian wine with cheese, Meal, and fresh honey, and infusing drugs Into the mixture—drugs which made them lose The memory of their home—she handed them The beverage and they drank. Then instantly She touched them with a wand, and shut them up In sties, transformed to swine in head and voice, Bristles and shape, though still the human mind Remained to them. Thus sorrowing they were driven Into their cells, where Circè flung to them Acorns of oak and ilex, and the fruit Of cornel, such as nourish wallowing swine.
“Back came Eurylochus to our good ship With news of our poor comrades and their fate, He strove to speak, but could not; he was stunned By that calamity; his eyes were filled With tears, and his whole soul was given to grief. We marvelled greatly; long we questioned him, And thus he spake of our lost friends at last:—
“ ‘Through yonder thickets, as thou gav’st command, Illustrious chief! we went, until we reached A stately palace of hewn stones, within A vale, yet nobly seated. Someone there, Goddess or woman, weaving busily An ample web, sang sweetly as she wrought.
My comrades called aloud, and forth she came, And threw at once the shining doors apart, And bade us enter. Without thought the rest Followed, while I alone, suspecting guile, Remained without. My comrades, from that hour, Were seen no more; not one of them again Came forth, though long I sat and watched for them.’
“He spake; I slung my silver-studded sword Upon my shoulders—a huge blade of brass— And my bow with it, and commanded him To lead the way. He seized and clasped my knees With both his hands in attitude of prayer, And sorrowfully said these winged words:—