’"We went, as thou didst command, through the coppice, noble Odysseus:  we found within the forest glades the fair halls, builded of polished stone, in a place with wide prospect.  And there was one that fared before a mighty web and sang a clear song, a goddess she was or a woman, and they cried aloud and called to her.  And straightway she came forth, and opened the shining doors and bade them in, and they all went with her in their heedlessness.  But I tarried behind, for I guessed that there was some treason.  Then they vanished away one and all, nor did any of them appear again, though I sat long time watching.”

’So spake he, whereon I cast about my shoulder my silver-studded sword, a great blade of bronze, and slung my bow about me and bade him lead me again by the way that he came.  But he caught me with both hands, and by my knees he besought me, and bewailing him spake to me winged words: 

’"Lead me not thither against my will, oh fosterling of Zeus, but leave me here!  For well I know thou shalt thyself return no more, nor bring any one of all thy fellowship; nay, let us flee the swifter with those that be here, for even yet may we escape the evil day.”

’On this wise he spake, but I answered him, saying:  “Eurylochus, abide for thy part here in this place, eating and drinking by the black hollow ship:  but I will go forth, for a strong constraint is laid on me.”

’With that I went up from the ship and the sea-shore.  But lo, when in my faring through the sacred glades I was now drawing near to the great hall of the enchantress Circe, then did Hermes, of the golden wand, meet me as I approached the house, in the likeness of a young man with the first down on his lip, the time when youth is most gracious.  So he clasped my hand and spake and hailed me: 

’"Ah, hapless man, whither away again, all alone through the wolds, thou that knowest not this country?  And thy company yonder in the hall of Circe are penned in the guise of swine, in their deep lairs abiding.  Is it in hope to free them that thou art come hither?  Nay, methinks, thou thyself shalt never return but remain there with the others.  Come then, I will redeem thee from thy distress, and bring deliverance.  Lo, take this herb of virtue, and go to the dwelling of Circe, that it may keep from thy head the evil day.  And I will tell thee all the magic sleight of Circe.  She will mix thee a potion and cast drugs into the mess; but not even so shall she be able to enchant thee; so helpful is this charmed herb that I shall give thee, and I will tell thee all.  When it shall be that Circe smites thee with her long wand, even then draw thou thy sharp sword from thy thigh, and spring on her, as one eager to slay her.  And she will shrink away and be instant with thee to lie with her.  Thenceforth disdain not thou the bed of the goddess, that she may deliver thy company and kindly entertain thee.  But command her to swear a mighty oath by the blessed gods, that she will plan nought else of mischief to thine own hurt, lest she make thee a dastard and unmanned, when she hath thee naked.”