The Charm Fails

33“Back through the woody island Hermes went
Toward high Olympus, while I took my way
To Circe’s halls, yet with a beating heart.
There, as I stood beneath the portico
Of that bright-haired divinity, I called
Aloud; the goddess heard my voice and came,
And threw at once the shining doors apart,
And prayed me to come in. I followed her,
Yet grieving still. She led me in and gave
A seat upon a silver-studded throne,
Beautiful, nobly wrought, and placed beneath
A footstool, and prepared a mingled draught
Within a golden chalice, and infused
A drug with mischievous intent. She gave
The cup; I drank it off; the charm wrought not,
And then she smote me with her wand and said: —
‘Go to the sty, and with your fellows sprawl.’

34“She spoke; but drawing forth the trusty sword
Upon my thigh, I rushed at her as if
To take her life. She shrieked and, stooping low,
Ran underneath my arm and clasped my knees,
And uttered piteously these winged words: —
“ ‘Who are you? of what race and of what land,
And who your parents? I am wonder-struck
To see that you could drink that magic juice
And yield not to its power. No living man,
Whoever he might be, that tasted once
Those drugs, or passed them over his lips, has yet
Withstood them. In your breast a spirit dwells
Not to be thus subdued. Are you not then
Odysseus, master of wise stratagems,
Whose coming hither, on his way from Troy,
In his black galley, oft has been foretold
By Hermes of the golden wand? But sheathe
Your sword and share my couch, that, joined in love,
Each may hereafter trust the other’s faith.’