. Circe and her Swine 
 
 
Briton Rivire, Artist             F. Staceboole, Engraver 
 
 
 
 
  r7"HEY found the fair abode where Circe dwelt, 
  ,       A4 palace of hewn stone within the vale, 
          Yet nobly seated. There were mountain wolves 
And lions round it, which herself had tamed 
With powerful drugs; yet these assaulted not 
The visitors, but wagging their long tails, 
Stood on their hinder feet and fawned on them, 
Like mastiffs on their master when he comes 
From banqueting, and brings them food. So fawned 
The strong-clawed wolves and lions on my men. 
With fear my men beheld those beasts of prey, 
Yet went, and standing in the portico 
Of the bright-haired divinity, they heard 
Her sweet voice singing, as within she threw 
7he shuttle through the wide, immortal web 
Such as is wove by the goddesses. 
 
Aloud they called, and forth she came 
And threw at once the shining doors apart 
And bade my comrades enter. 
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 styes, transformed to swine in head and voice, 
Bristles and shape, though still the human mind 
Remained in them. " 
           Homer's "Odvwsey " (Bryant's Translation).