The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-08-21


the island toward where he had seen
smoke arising. Eurylochus came upon a
great stone palace situated in a pleasant
valley. Roaming about the valley
where wolves and lions, which
wagged their tails and came fawning
upon the strangers like faithful dogs or
household cats-for they had been tanned
by Circe's magic art.
With wonder, not unmixed with fear,
the Ithacans passed safely across the vale
and stood upon the threshold of the great
palace. Within they heard clear, sweet
voice, the voice of a woman singing at
her loom. Then the great doors flew open
and, radiant and beautiful and young, the
goddess-queen rose from her work to well
come the wanderers to her court. She
bade them follow her to the banquet hall
and refesh themselves after their long
march. All followed her with delight ex-
cepting Eurylochus, who, suspecting
fraud, remained behind. Gree placed her
guests upon splendid thrones, over which
were thrown down coverings, and beauti-
full handmaidens served them with tempt
ing Wand. But the wine and the food
were drugged with magic compounds and
as soon as the weary men had eaten and
drank Gree waved her wand. In an in
slant the guests were changed into hogs
Worse than all, though their bodies were
those OF swine their minds and thoughts
were still human. Gree with mirth drove
them to a sty and fed them with her own
hands on mast and acorns.
Eurylochus, seeing what had happened
to his fellows. returned in grief to the
ship and informed Ulysses of the catas-
trophe. The king was for marching with
the remnant of his men at once to the
palace and Furnishing the wicked enchan-
tress. But his followers appearing loath
to try the adventure, Ulysses went alone
though they entreated him not to so
rashly venture. AS the king wended his
way toward the palace he met beautiful
youth, who seized him by the hand and
addressed him by name. 1t was the god
Hermes, In human guise, who came to
aid the king. The young god gave to
Ulysses certain herb, which he directed
him to place In the wine when Circe
should ask him to drink: and this herb,
he said. was a sure antidote for the magic
herbs of the goddess-queen. Ulysses pro-
ceeded to the palace. Gree received him
with great state and seated him upon
throne studded with golden stars. Then
she babe the banquet appear and pledged
him a bowl Of priceless wine. Ulysses
took the bowl and drank. Circe. spring
Inc od ND CHI
Go, be a beast!"
But the antidote given by Hermes was
potent, and Ulysses changed not; Gree
saw her spells of no avail. The king,
rising, drew his sword and by savage
threats compelled the enchantress to re-
store the enchanted men to their proper
forms. Then he made her swear by the
no treachery upon him and his while he
abode in her island. The result was such
as generally happens when beautiful but
wfllful ladies find their own magic over
come by stronger one and their wills
overruled by a stronger masculine one.
The rest of the ships company were sent
for, and for whole year Ulysses and his
ease in the stately halls Of Gree, the
leader bound by spell as potent as any
other which Circe had in all her magic
the lascivious love of beautiful woman
But when the seasons In their course
brought back the month. the day, the
hour. when first they had seen the dome
of Circe, the wanderers recalled the flight
Of time, and. starting az from lethargy.
thought once more of home and Ithaca.
Stung by their words, Ulysses babe fare
well to Circe and her luxurious bowers,
and spread his sails again and piled his
oars across the wrinkled surface of the
sea- But first Circe had shown him a
cavern which was the entrance to Aver
nus, and he had visited the shades below
and held converse with the mighty dead.
From them he learned that. during his
absence, his queen. Penelope. had been