“She spake, and I replied: ‘How canst thou ask, O Circè, that I gently deal with thee, Since thou, in thine own palace, hast transformed My friends to swine, and plottest even now To keep me with thee, luring me to pass Into thy chamber and to share thy couch, That thou mayst strip me of my manly strength I come not to thy couch till thou engage, O goddess, by a solemn oath, that thou Wilt never seek to do me further harm.’
“I spake; she straightway took the oath required, And, after it was uttered and confirmed, Up to her sumptuous couch I went. Meanwhile Four diligent maidens ministered within The palace—servants of the household they, Who had their birth from fountains and from groves, And sacred rivers flowing to the sea. One spread the thrones with gorgeous coverings; Above was purple arras, and beneath Were linen webs; another, setting forth The silver tables just before the thrones, Placed on them canisters of gold; a third Mingled the rich wines in a silver bowl, And placed the golden cups; and, last, the fourth Brought water from the fountain,