Hermes and the Moly

30“I spoke, and from the ship and shore went up
Into the isle; and when I found myself
Within that awful valley, and not far
From the great palace in which Circe dwelt,
The sorceress, there met me on my way
A youth; he seemed in manhood’s early prime,
When youth has most of grace. He took my hand
And held it, and, accosting me, began: —

31“ ‘Rash mortal! whither are you wandering thus
Alone among the hills, where every place
Is strange to you? Your comrades are shut up
In Circe’s palace in close cells like swine.
Come you to set them free? Nay, you like them
Will rather find yourself constrained to stay.
Let me bestow the means to make you safe
Against that mischief. Take this potent herb,
And bear it with you to the palace-halls
Of Circe, and it shall avert from you
The threatened evil. I will now reveal
The treacherous arts of Circe. She will bring
A mingled draught to you, and drug the bowl,
But will not harm you thus; the virtuous plant
I gave you will prevent it. Hear yet more:
When she shall smite you with her wand, draw forth
Your good sword from your thigh and rush at her
As if to take her life, and she will crouch
In fear, and will solicit your embrace.
Refuse her not, that so she may release
Your comrades, and may send you also back
To your own land; but first exact of her
The solemn oath which binds the blessed gods,
That she will meditate no other harm
To you, nor strip you of your manly strength.’

32“The Argus-queller spoke, and plucked from earth
The potent plant and handed it to me,
And taught me all its powers. The root is black,
The blossom white as milk. Among the gods
Its name is Moly; hard it is for men
To dig it up; the gods find nothing hard.