others entered the haven. Then I sent two men, and a herald with
them, and these came upon a smooth road by which wagons brought
down wood from the mountain to the city. Here they met a maiden,
the daughter of the king of the land, and asked of her who was
lord of that country. Thereupon she showed them her father's lofty
palace. And they, entering this, saw the maiden's mother, big as a
mountain, and horrible to behold, who straightway called to her
husband. Then the messengers fled to the ships; but he made a
great shout, and the giant Laestrygons came flocking about him.
And these broke off great stones from the cliffs, each stone as
much as a man could carry, and cast them at the ships, so that
they were broken. And the men they speared, as if they were
fishes, and devoured them. So it happened to all the ships in the
haven. I only escaped, for I cut the hawser with my sword, and
bade my men ply their oars, which indeed they did right willingly.

"After a while we came to the island where Circe dwelt, who is the
daughter of the Sun. Two days and nights we lay upon the shore in
great trouble and sorrow. On the third I took my spear and sword
and climbed a hill, for I wished to see to what manner of land we
had come. And having climbed it, I saw the smoke rising from the
palace of Circe, where it stood in the midst of a wood. Then I
thought awhile: should I go straightway to the palace that I saw,
or first return to my comrades on the shore. And it seemed the
better plan to go to the ship and bid my comrades make their
midday meal, and afterwards send them to search out the place. But
as I went, some god took pity on me, and sent a great stag, with
mighty antlers, across my path. The stag was going down to the
river to drink, for the sun was now hot; and casting my spear at
it I pierced it through. Then I fastened together the feet with