Book X

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Odysseus, his entertainment by Aeolus, of whom he received

a fair wind for the present, and all the rest of the winds

tied up in a bag; which his men untying, flew out, and

carried him back to Aeolus, who refused to receive him. His

adventure at Laestrygonia with Antiphates, where of twelve

ships he lost eleven, men and all. How he went thence to

the Isle of Aea, where half of his men were turned by Circe

into swine, and how he went himself, and by the help of

Hermes recovered them and stayed with Circe a year.

'Then we came to the isle Aeolian, where dwelt Aeolus, son

of Hippotas, dear too the deathless gods, in a floating

island, and all about it is a wall of bronze unbroken, and

the cliff runs up sheer from the sea. His twelve children

to abide there in his halls, six daughters and six lusty

sons; and, behold, he gave his daughters to his sons to

wife. And they feast evermore by their dear father and

their kind mother, and dainties innumerable lie ready to

their hands. And the house is full of the savour of

feasting, and the noise thereof rings round, yea in the

courtyard, by day, and in the night they sleep each one by

his chaste wife in coverlets and on jointed bedsteads. So

then we came to their city and their goodly dwelling, and

the king entreated me kindly for a whole month, and sought

out each thing, Ilios and the ships of the Argives, and the

return of the Achaeans. So I told him all the tale in order

duly. But when I in turn took the word and asked of my

journey, and bade him send me on my way, he too denied me

not, but furnished an escort. He gave me a wallet, made of

the hide of an ox of nine seasons old, which he let flay,

and therein he bound the ways of all the noisy winds; for

him the son of Cronos made keeper of the winds, either to

lull or to rouse what blasts he will. And he made it fast

in the hold of the ship with a shining silver thong, that

not the faintest breath might escape. Then he sent forth

the blast of the West Wind to blow for me, to bear our

ships and ourselves upon our way; but this he was never to

bring to pass, for we were undone through our own

heedlessness.

'For nine whole days we sailed by night and day

continually, and now on the tenth day my native land came

in sight, and already we were so near that we beheld the

folk tending the beacon fires. Then over me there came

sweet slumber in my weariness, for all the time I was

holding the sheet, nor gave it to any of my company, that

so we might come quicker to our own country. Meanwhile my

company held converse together, and said that I was

bringing home for myself gold and silver, gifts from Aeolus

the high-hearted son of Hippotas. And thus would they speak

looking each man to his neighbour:

'"Lo now, how beloved he is and highly esteemed among all

men, to the city and land of whomsoever he may come. Many

are the goodly treasures he taketh with him out of the

spoil from Troy, while we who have fulfilled like

journeying with him return homeward bringing with us but

empty hands. And now Aeolus hath given unto him these

things freely in his love. Nay come, let us quickly see

what they are, even what wealth of gold and silver is in

the wallet."

'So they spake, and the evil counsel of my company

prevailed. They loosed the wallet, and all the winds brake

forth. And the violent blast seized my men, and bare them

towards the high seas weeping, away from their own country;

but as for me, I awoke and communed with my great heart,

whether I should cast myself from the ship and perish in

the deep, or endure in silence and abide yet among the

living. Howbeit I hardened my heart to endure, and muffling

my head I lay still in the ship. But the vessels were

driven by the evil storm-wind back to the isle Aeolian, and

my company made moan.

'There we stepped ashore and drew water, and my company

presently took their midday meal by the swift ships. Now

when we had tasted bread and wine, I took with me a herald

and one of my company, and went to the famous dwelling of

Aeolus: and I found him feasting with his wife and

children. So we went in and sat by the pillars of the door

on the threshold, and they all marvelled and asked us:

'"How hast thou come hither, Odysseus? What evil god

assailed thee? Surely we sent thee on thy way with all

diligence, that thou mightest get thee to thine own country

and thy home, and whithersoever thou wouldest."

'Even so they said, but I spake among them heavy at heart:

"My evil company hath been my bane, and sleep thereto

remorseless. Come, my friends, do ye heal the harm, for

yours is the power."

'So I spake, beseeching them in soft words, but they held

their peace. And the father answered, saying: "Get thee

forth from the island straightway, thou that art the most

reprobate of living men. Far be it from me to help or to

further that man whom the blessed gods abhor! Get thee

forth, for lo, thy coming marks thee hated by the deathless

gods."

'Therewith he sent me forth from the house making heavy

moan. Thence we sailed onwards stricken at heart. And the

spirit of the men was spent beneath the grievous rowing by

reason of our vain endeavour, for there was no more any

sign of a wafting wind. So for the space of six days we

sailed by night and day continually, and on the seventh we

came to the steep stronghold of Lamos, Telepylos of the

Laestrygons, where herdsman hails herdsman as he drives in

his flock, and the other who drives forth answers the call.

There might a sleepless man have earned a double wage, the

one as neat-herd, the other shepherding white flocks: so

near are the outgoings of the night and of the day.

Thither when he had come to the fair haven, whereabout on

both sides goes one steep cliff unbroken and jutting

headlands over against each other stretch forth at the

mouth of the harbour, and strait is the entrance; thereinto

all the others steered their curved ships. Now the vessels

were bound within the hollow harbour each hard by other,

for no wave ever swelled within it, great or small, but

there was a bright calm all around. But I alone moored my

dark ship without the harbour, at the uttermost point

thereof, and made fast the hawser to a rock. And I went up

a craggy hill, a place of out-look, and stood thereon:

thence there was no sign of the labour of men or oxen, only

we saw the smoke curling upward from the land. Then I sent

forth certain of my company to go and search out what

manner of men they were who here live upon the earth by

bread, choosing out two of my company and sending a third

with them as herald. Now when they had gone ashore, they

went along a level road whereby wains were wont to draw

down wood from the high hills to the town. And without the

town they fell in with a damsel drawing water, the noble

daughter of Laestrygonian Antiphates. She had come down to

the clear-flowing spring Artacia, for thence it was custom

to draw water to the town. So they stood by her and spake

unto her, and asked who was king of that land, and who they

were he ruled over. Then at once she showed them the

high-roofed hall of her father. Now when they had entered

the renowned house, they found his wife therein: she was

huge of bulk as a mountain peak and was loathly in their

sight. Straightway she called the renowned Antiphates, her

lord, from the assembly-place, and he contrived a pitiful

destruction for my men. Forthwith he clutched up one of my

company and made ready his midday meal, but the other twain

sprang up and came in flight to the ships. Then he raised

the war cry through the town, and the valiant Laestrygons

at the sound thereof, flocked together from every side, a

host past number, not like men but like the Giants. They

cast at us from the cliffs with great rocks, each of them a

man's burden, and anon there arose from the fleet an evil

din of men dying and ships shattered withal. And like folk

spearing fishes they bare home their hideous meal. While as

yet they were slaying my friends within the deep harbour, I

drew my sharp sword from my thigh, and with it cut the

hawsers of my dark-prowed ship. Quickly then I called to my

company, and bade them dash in with the oars, that we might

clean escape this evil plight. And all with one accord they

tossed the sea water with the oar-blade, in dread of death,

and to my delight my barque flew forth to the high seas

away from the beetling rocks, but those other ships were

lost there, one and all.

'Thence we sailed onward stricken at heart, yet glad as men

saved from death, albeit we had lost our dear companions.

And we came to the isle Aeaean, where dwelt Circe of the

braided tresses, an awful goddess of mortal speech, own

sister to the wizard Aeetes. Both were begotten of Helios,

who gives light to all men, and their mother was Perse,

daughter of Oceanus. There on the shore we put in with our

ship into the sheltering haven silently, and some god was

our guide. Then we stept ashore, and for two days and two

nights lay there, consuming our own hearts for weariness

and pain. But when now the fair-tressed Dawn had brought

the full light of the third day, then did I seize my spear

and my sharp sword, and quickly departing from the ship I

went up unto a place of wide prospect, if haply I might see

any sign of the labour of men and hear the sound of their

speech. So I went up a craggy hill, a place of out-look,

and I saw the smoke rising from the broad-wayed earth in

the halls of Circe, through the thick coppice and the

woodland. Then I mused in my mind and heart whether I

should go and make discovery, for that I had seen the smoke

and flame. And as I thought thereon this seemed to me the

better counsel, to go first to the swift ship and to the

sea-banks, and give my company their midday meal, and then

send them to make search. But as I came and drew nigh to

the curved ship, some god even then took pity on me in my

loneliness, and sent a tall antlered stag across my very

path. He was coming down from his pasture in the woodland

to the river to drink, for verily the might of the sun was

sore upon him. And as he came up from out of the stream, I

smote him on the spine in the middle of the back, and the

brazen shaft went clean through him, and with a moan he

fell in the dust, and his life passed from him. Then I set

my foot on him and drew forth the brazen shaft from the

wound, and laid it hard by upon the ground and let it lie.

Next I broke withies and willow twigs, and wove me a rope a

fathom in length, well twisted from end to end, and bound

together the feet of the huge beast, and went to the black

ship bearing him across my neck, and leaning on a spear,

for it was in no wise possible to carry him on my shoulder

with the one hand, for he was a mighty quarry. And I threw

him down before the ship and roused my company with soft

words, standing by each man in turn:

'"Friends, for all our sorrows we shall not yet a while go

down to the house of Hades, ere the coming of the day of

destiny; go to then, while as yet there is meat and drink

in the swift ship, let us take thought thereof, that we be

not famished for hunger."

'Even so I spake, and they speedily hearkened to my words.

They unmuffled their heads, and there on the shore of the

unharvested sea gazed at the stag, for he was a mighty

quarry. But after they had delighted their eyes with the

sight of him, they washed their hands and got ready the

glorious feast. So for that time we sat the livelong day

till the going down of the sun, feasting on abundant flesh

and sweet wine. But when the sun sank and darkness had come

on, then we laid us to rest upon the sea beach. So soon as

early Dawn shone forth, the rosy-fingered, I called a

gathering of my men and spake in the ears of them all:

'"Hear my works, my fellows, despite your evil case. My

friends, lo, now we know not where is the place of darkness

or of dawning, nor where the Sun, that gives light to men,

goes beneath the earth, nor where he rises; therefore let

us advise us speedily if any counsel yet may be: as for me,

I deem there is none. For I went up a craggy hill, a place

of out-look, and saw the island crowned about with the

circle of the endless sea, the isle itself lying low; and

in the midst thereof mine eyes beheld the smoke through the

thick coppice and the woodland."

'Even so I spake, but their spirit within them was broken,

as they remembered the deeds of Antiphates the

Laestrygonian, and all the evil violence of the haughty

Cyclops, the man-eater. So they wept aloud shedding big

tears. Howbeit no avail came of their weeping.

'Then I numbered my goodly-greaved company in two bands,

and appointed a leader for each, and I myself took the

command of the one part, and godlike Eurylochus of the

other. And anon we shook the lots in a brazen-fitted

helmet, and out leapt the lot of proud Eurylochus. So he

went on his way, and with him two and twenty of my

fellowship all weeping; and we were left behind making

lament. In the forest glades they found the halls of Circe

builded, of polished stone, in a place with wide prospect.

And all around the palace mountain-bred wolves and lions

were roaming, whom she herself had bewitched with evil

drugs that she gave them. Yet the beasts did not set on my

men, but lo, they ramped about them and fawned on them,

wagging their long tails. And as when dogs fawn about their

lord when he comes from the feast, for he always brings

them the fragments that soothe their mood, even so the

strong-clawed wolves and the lions fawned around them; but

they were affrighted when they saw the strange and terrible

creatures. So they stood at the outer gate of the

fair-tressed goddess, and within they heard Circe singing

in a sweet voice, as she fared to and fro before the great

web imperishable, such as is the handiwork of goddesses,

fine of woof and full of grace and splendour. Then Polites,

a leader of men, the dearest to me and the trustiest of all

my company, first spake to them:

'"Friends, forasmuch as there is one within that fares to

and fro before a mighty web singing a sweet song, so that

all the floor of the hall makes echo, a goddess she is or a

woman; come quickly and cry aloud to her."

'He spake the word and they cried aloud and called to her.

And straightway she came forth and opened the shining doors

and bade them in, and all went with her in their

heedlessness. But Eurylochus tarried behind, for he guessed

that there was some treason. So she led them in and set

them upon chairs and high seats, and made them a mess of

cheese and barley-meal and yellow honey with Pramnian wine,

and mixed harmful drugs with the food to make them utterly

forget their own country. Now when she had given them the

cup and they had drunk it off, presently she smote them

with a wand, and in the styes of the swine she penned them.

So they had the head and voice, the bristles and the shape

of swine, but their mind abode even as of old. Thus were

they penned there weeping, and Circe flung them acorns and

mast and fruit of the cornel tree to eat, whereon wallowing

swine do always batten.

'Now Eurylochus came back to the swift black ship to bring

tidings of his fellows, and of their unseemly doom. Not a

word could he utter, for all his desire, so deeply smitten

was he to the heart with grief, and his eyes were filled

with tears and his soul was fain of lamentation. But when

we all had pressed him with our questions in amazement,

even then he told the fate of the remnant of our company.

'"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."

'Therewith the slayer of Argos gave me the plant that he

had plucked from the ground, and he showed me the growth

thereof. It was black at the root, but the flower was like

to milk. Moly the gods call it, but it is hard for mortal

men to dig; howbeit with the gods all things are possible.

'Then Hermes departed toward high Olympus, up through the

woodland isle, but as for me I held on my way to the house

of Circe, and my heart was darkly troubled as I went. So I

halted in the portals of the fair-tressed goddess; there I

stood and called aloud and the goddess heard my voice, who

presently came forth and opened the shining doors and bade

me in, and I went with her heavy at heart. So she led me in

and set me on a chair with studs of silver, a goodly carven

chair, and beneath was a footstool for the feet. And she

made me a potion in a golden cup, that I might drink, and

she also put a charm therein, in the evil counsel of her

heart.

'Now when she had given it and I had drunk it off and was

not bewitched, she smote me with her wand and spake and

hailed me:

'"Go thy way now to the stye, couch thee there with the

rest of thy company."

'So spake she, but I drew my sharp sword from my thigh and

sprang upon Circe, as one eager to slay her. But with a

great cry she slipped under, and clasped my knees, and

bewailing herself spake to me winged words:

'"Who art thou of the sons of men, and whence? Where is thy

city? Where are they that begat thee? I marvel to see how

thou hast drunk of this charm, and wast nowise subdued.

Nay, for there lives no man else that is proof against this

charm, whoso hath drunk thereof, and once it hath passed

his lips. But thou hast, methinks, a mind within thee that

may not be enchanted. Verily thou art Odysseus, ready at

need, whom he of the golden wand, the slayer of Argos, full

often told me was to come hither, on his way from Troy with

his swift black ship. Nay come, put thy sword into the

sheath, and thereafter let us go up into my bed, that

meeting in love and sleep we may trust each the other."

'So spake she, but I answered her, saying: "Nay, Circe, how

canst thou bid me be gentle to thee, who hast turned my

company into swine within thy halls, and holding me here

with a guileful heart requirest me to pass within thy

chamber and go up into thy bed, that so thou mayest make me

a dastard and unmanned when thou hast me naked? Nay, never

will I consent to go up into thy bed, except thou wilt

deign, goddess, to swear a mighty oath, that thou wilt plan

nought else of mischief to mine own hurt."

'So I spake, and she straightway swore the oath not to harm

me, as I bade her. But when she had sworn and had done that

oath, then at last I went up into the beautiful bed of

Circe.

'Now all this while her handmaids busied them in the halls,

four maidens that are her serving women in the house. They

are born of the wells and of the woods and of the holy

rivers, that flow forward into the salt sea. Of these one

cast upon the chairs goodly coverlets of purple above, and

spread a linen cloth thereunder. And lo, another drew up

silver tables to the chairs, and thereon set for them

golden baskets. And a third mixed sweet honey-hearted wine

in a silver bowl, and set out cups of gold. And a fourth

bare water, and kindled a great fire beneath the mighty

cauldron. So the water waxed warm; but when it boiled in

the bright brazen vessel, she set me in a bath and bathed

me with water from out a great cauldron, pouring it over

head and shoulders, when she had mixed it to a pleasant

warmth, till from my limbs she took away the consuming

weariness. Now after she had bathed me and anointed me well

with olive oil, and cast about me a fair mantle and a

doublet, she led me into the halls and set me on a chair

with studs of silver, a goodly carven chair, and beneath

was a footstool for the feet. And a handmaid bare water for

the hands in a goodly golden ewer, and poured it forth over

a silver basin to wash withal; and to my side she drew a

polished table, and a grave dame bare wheaten bread and set

it by me, and laid on the board many dainties, giving

freely of such things as she had by her. And she bade me

eat, but my soul found no pleasure therein. I sat with

other thoughts, and my heart had a boding of ill.

'Now when Circe saw that I sat thus, and that I put not

forth my hands to the meat, and that I was mightily

afflicted, she drew near to me and spake to me winged

words:

'"Wherefore thus, Odysseus, dost thou sit there like a

speechless man, consuming thine own soul, and dost not

touch meat nor drink? Dost thou indeed deem there is some

further guile? Nay, thou hast no cause to fear, for already

I have sworn thee a strong oath not to harm thee."

'So spake she, but I answered her, saying: "Oh, Circe, what

righteous man would have the heart to taste meat and drink

ere he had redeemed his company, and beheld them face to

face? But if in good faith thou biddest me eat and drink,

then let them go free, that mine eyes may behold my dear

companions."

'So I spake, and Circe passed out through the hall with the

wand in her hand, and opened the doors of the stye, and

drave them forth in the shape of swine of nine seasons old.

There they stood before her, and she went through their

midst, and anointed each one of them with another charm.

And lo, from their limbs the bristles dropped away,

wherewith the venom had erewhile clothed them, that lady

Circe gave them. And they became men again, younger than

before they were, and goodlier far, and taller to behold.

And they all knew me again and each one took my hands, and

wistful was the lament that sank into their souls, and the

roof around rang wondrously. And even the goddess herself

was moved with compassion.

'Then standing nigh me the fair goddess spake unto me: "Son

of Laertes, of the seed of Zeus, Odysseus of many devices,

depart now to thy swift ship and the sea-banks. And first

of all, draw ye up the ship ashore, and bestow the goods in

the caves and all the gear. And thyself return again, and

bring with thee thy dear companions."

'So spake she, and my lordly spirit consented thereto. So I

went on my way to the swift ship and the sea-banks, and

there I found my dear company on the swift ship lamenting

piteously, shedding big tears. And as when calves of the

homestead gather round the droves of kine that have

returned to the yard, when they have had their fill of

pasture, and all with one accord frisk before them, and the

folds may no more contain them, but with a ceaseless lowing

they skip about their dams, so flocked they all about me

weeping, when their eyes beheld me. Yea, and to their

spirit it was as though they had got to their dear country,

and the very city of rugged Ithaca, where they were born

and reared.

'Then making lament they spake to me winged words: "O

fosterling of Zeus, we were none otherwise glad at thy

returning, than if we had come to Ithaca, our own country.

Nay come, of our other companions tell us the tale of their

ruin."

'So spake they, but I answered them with soft words:

"Behold, let us first of all draw up the ship ashore, and

bestow our goods in the caves and all our gear. And do ye

bestir you, one and all, to go with me, that ye may see

your fellows in the sacred dwelling of Circe, eating and

drinking, for they have continual store."

'So spake I, and at once they hearkened to my words, but

Eurylochus alone would have holden all my companions, and

uttering his voice he spake to them winged words:

'"Wretched men that we are! whither are we going? Why are

your hearts so set on sorrow that ye should go down to the

hall of Circe, who will surely change us all to swine, or

wolves, or lions, to guard her great house perforce,

according to the deeds that the Cyclops wrought, when

certain of our company went to his inmost fold, and with

them went Odysseus, ever hardy, for through the blindness

of his heart did they too perish?"

'So spake he, but I mused in my heart whether to draw my

long hanger from my stout thigh, and therewith smite off

his head and bring it to the dust, albeit he was very near

of kin to me; but the men of my company stayed me on every

side with soothing words:

'"Prince of the seed of Zeus, as for this man, we will

suffer him, if thou wilt have it so, to abide here by the

ship and guard the ship; but as for us, be our guide to the

sacred house of Circe."

'So they spake and went up from the ship and the sea. Nay,

nor yet was Eurylochus left by the hollow ship, but he went

with us, for he feared my terrible rebuke.

'Meanwhile Circe bathed the rest of my company in her halls

with all care, and anointed them well with olive oil; and

cast thick mantles and doublets about them. And we found

them all feasting nobly in the halls. And when they saw and

knew each other face to face, they wept and mourned, and

the house rang around. Then she stood near me, that fair

goddess, and spake saying:

'"Son of Laertes, of the seed of Zeus, Odysseus of many

devices, no more now wake this plenteous weeping: myself I

know of all the pains ye endured upon the teeming deep, and

the great despite done you by unkindly men upon the land.

Nay come, eat ye meat and drink wine, till your spirit

shall return to you again, as it was when first ye left

your own country of rugged Ithaca; but now are ye wasted

and wanting heart, mindful evermore of your sore wandering,

nor has your heart ever been merry, for very grievous hath

been your trial."

'So spake she, and our lordly spirit consented thereto. So

there we sat day by day for the full circle of a year,

feasting on abundant flesh and sweet wine. But when now a

year had gone, and the seasons returned as the months

waned, and the long days came in their course, then did my

dear company call me forth, and say:

'"Good sir, now is it high time to mind thee of thy native

land, if it is ordained that thou shalt be saved, and come

to thy lofty house and thine own country."

'So spake they and my lordly spirit consented thereto. So

for that time we sat the livelong day till the going down

of the sun, feasting on abundant flesh and sweet wine. But

when the sun sank and darkness came on, they laid them to

rest throughout the shadowy halls.

'But when I had gone up into the fair bed of Circe, I

besought her by her knees, and the goddess heard my speech,

and uttering my voice I spake to her winged words: "Circe,

fulfil for me the promise which thou madest me to send me

on my homeward way. Now is my spirit eager to be gone, and

the spirit of my company, that wear away my heart as they

mourn around me, when haply thou art gone from us."

'So spake I, and the fair goddess answered me anon: "Son of

Laertes, of the seed of Zeus, Odysseus of many devices,

tarry ye now no longer in my house against your will; but

first must ye perform another journey, and reach the

dwelling of Hades and of dread Persephone to seek to the

spirit of Theban Teiresias, the blind soothsayer, whose

wits abide steadfast. To him Persephone hath given

judgment, even in death, that he alone should have

understanding; but the other souls sweep shadow-like

around."

'Thus spake she, but as for me, my heart was broken, and I

wept as I sat upon the bed, and my soul had no more care to

live and to see the sunlight. But when I had my fill of

weeping and grovelling, then at the last I answered and

spake unto her saying: "And who, Circe, will guide us on

this way? for no man ever yet sailed to hell in a black

ship."

'So spake I, and the fair goddess answered me anon: "Son of

Laertes, of the seed of Zeus, Odysseus of many devices,

nay, trouble not thyself for want of a guide, by thy ship

abiding, but set up the mast and spread abroad the white

sails and sit thee down; and the breeze of the North Wind

will bear thy vessel on her way. But when thou hast now

sailed in thy ship across the stream Oceanus, where is a

waste shore and the groves of Persephone, even tall poplar

trees and willows that shed their fruit before the season,

there beach thy ship by deep eddying Oceanus, but go

thyself to the dank house of Hades. Thereby into Acheron

flows Pyriphlegethon, and Cocytus, a branch of the water of

the Styx, and there is a rock, and the meeting of the two

roaring waters. So, hero, draw nigh thereto, as I command

thee, and dig a trench as it were a cubit in length and

breadth, and about it pour a drink-offering to all the

dead, first with mead and thereafter with sweet wine, and

for the third time with water, and sprinkle white meal

thereon; and entreat with many prayers the strengthless

heads of the dead, and promise that on thy return to Ithaca

thou wilt offer in thy halls a barren heifer, the best thou

hast, and will fill the pyre with treasure, and wilt

sacrifice apart, to Teiresias alone, a black ram without

spot, the fairest of your flock. But when thou hast with

prayers made supplication to the lordly races of the dead,

then offer up a ram and a black ewe, bending their heads

towards Erebus and thyself turn thy back, with thy face set

for the shore of the river. Then will many spirits come to

thee of the dead that be departed. Thereafter thou shalt

call to thy company and command them to flay the sheep

which even now lie slain by the pitiless sword, and to

consume them with fire, and to make prayer to the gods, to

mighty Hades and to dread Persephone. And thyself draw the

sharp sword from thy thigh and sit there, suffering not the

strengthless heads of the dead to draw nigh to the blood,

ere thou hast word of Teiresias. Then the seer will come to

thee quickly, leader of the people; he will surely declare

to thee the way and the measure of thy path, and as

touching thy returning, how thou mayst go over the teeming

deep."

'So spake she, and anon came the golden throned Dawn. Then

she put on me a mantle and a doublet for raiment, and the

nymph clad herself in a great shining robe, light of woof

and gracious, and about her waist she cast a fair golden

girdle, and put a veil upon her head. But I passed through

the halls and roused my men with smooth words, standing by

each one in turn:

'"Sleep ye now no more nor breathe sweet slumber; but let

us go on our way, for surely she hath shown me all, the

lady Circe."

'So spake I, and their lordly soul consented thereto. Yet

even thence I led not my company safe away. There was one,

Elpenor, the youngest of us all, not very valiant in war

neither steadfast in mind. He was lying apart from the rest

of my men on the housetop of Circe's sacred dwelling, very

fain of the cool air, as one heavy with wine. Now when he

heard the noise of the voices and of the feet of my fellows

as they moved to and fro, he leaped up of a sudden and

minded him not to descend again by the way of the tall

ladder, but fell right down from the roof, and his neck was

broken from the bones of the spine, and his spirit went

down to the house of Hades.

'Then I spake among my men as they went on their way,

saying: "Ye deem now, I see, that ye are going to your own

dear country; but Circe hath showed us another way, even to

the dwelling of Hades and of dread Persephone, to seek to

the spirit of Theban Teiresias."

'Even so I spake, but their heart within them was broken,

and they sat them down even where they were, and made

lament and tore their hair. Howbeit no help came of their

weeping.

'But as we were now wending sorrowful to the swift ship and

the sea-banks, shedding big tears, Circe meanwhile had gone

her ways and made fast a ram and a black ewe by the dark

ship, lightly passing us by: who may behold a god against

his will, whether going to or fro?'

Read next: Book XI

Read previous: Book IX

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