knowledge
of Odysseus and his affairs; for indeed he was no other than Hermes,
the messenger of the gods, sent down from heaven to aid Odysseus in
this strait. "Son of Laertes," he said, "why goest thou thus unwarily,
even as a silly bird into the net of the fowler? Pause awhile, or,
instead of setting free thy men, thou wilt become even as they are."
So saying he stooped down, and with careful hands tore up a little
plant which was growing at their feet; the flower of it was white as
milk, and the root was black. "Take this plant," he said, giving it to
Odysseus. "It is the magic herb, Moly, and no human hand may pluck it;
having this, thou mayest defy all the spells of Circe. And when thou
comest to the house of that fair witch, she will offer thee a potion,
mixed with baneful drugs: drink thou thereof, for it shall do thee no
harm. But when she smites thee with her wand draw thou thy sword and
make as though thou wouldst slay her; and she will be filled with
fear, for none ever resisted her power before. Then do thou compel her
to swear a great oath that she will devise no further ill against
thee." As the last words were uttered Hermes vanished, leaving
Odysseus standing with the plant in his hand.

[Illustration: Circe]

And as the god had spoken, even so it came to pass. Circe welcomed
Odysseus with the same treacherous smile, gave him to drink of the
same cup, and struck him with her wand in the same manner; but when
she saw him standing, unchanged and unmoved, threatening her with
drawn sword, she feared exceedingly, and falling at his feet spake
thus in pitiful tones: "Who art thou, that thou yieldest not to the
power of my drugs, which never mortal resisted before? Art thou that
Odysseus of whom Hermes spake, telling me that he should come hither
on his voyage from Troy? Put up thy sword, and thou shalt be my guest
to-night, and for many days to come."

"No guest will I be of thine," answered Odysseus sternly, "unless thou
wilt swear a great oath to do me no hurt. Before that I will not trust
thee, or receive aught at thy hands. Hast thou not turned my men into
swine, and didst thou not seek even now to put thy wicked spells upon
me?"

Then Circe took the oath that was required of her, and thus secured
Odysseus consented to remain. Forthwith his beautiful hostess summoned
her handmaids, sweet nymphs of rivers, and woods, and springs, and
bade them make all things ready to entertain the wanderer. With whit