words:— > ‘First draw our galley up the beach, and hide Our goods and all our weapons in the caves, And then let all make haste to follow me, And see our friends in Circè’s sacred halls, Eating and drinking at the plenteous
“I spake; and cheerfully my men obeyed, Save that Eurylochus alone essayed To hold them back, and spake these winged words:—
“ ‘Ah, whither are we going, wretched ones? Are ye so eager for an evil fate, That ye must go where Circè dwells, who waits To turn us into lions, swine, or wolves, Forced to remain and guard her spacious house? So was it with the Cyclops, when our friends Went with this daring chief to his abode, And perished there through his foolhardiness.’
“He spake; and then I thought to draw my sword From my stout thigh, and with the trenchant blade Strike off his head and let it fall to earth, Though he were my near kinsman; yet the rest Restrained me, each one speaking kindly words:—