"So they called to her, and she came out and beckoned to them that
they should follow. So they went, in their folly, all except
Eurylochus. And she bade them sit, and mixed for them red wine and
barley-meal and cheese and honey, and mighty drugs, of which, if a
man drank, he forgot all that he loved. And when they had drunk,
she smote them with her wand. And lo! they had of a sudden the
heads and the voices and the bristles of swine, but the heart of a
man was in them still. And Circe shut them in sties, and gave them
acorns to eat.

"But Eurylochus fled back to the ship, bringing tidings of what
had befallen his comrades. For a time he could not speak a word,
so full was his heart of grief, and his eyes of tears. But, at
last, when we had asked him many questions, he told us his tale.

"Thereupon I cast about my shoulder my silver-studded sword, and
took my bow also, and bade him lead me by the way by which he had
gone. But he caught me by both my hands, and besought me, saying:
'Take me not thither against my will; for I am persuaded that thou
thyself wilt not return again, nor bring any of thy comrades. Let
us that remain flee, and escape death.' Then I said, 'Stay here by
the ship, eating and drinking, if it be thy will, but I must go.'

"And when I had come to the house, there met me Hermes of the
golden wand, the messenger of the gods, in the shape of a fair
youth, who said to me:--

"'Art thou come to rescue thy comrades that are now swine in
Circe's house? Nay, but thou shalt never go back thyself. Yet