when they come to the dung-heap, after they have been satisfied with pasture; nor did the stalls any longer contain them, but continually lowing, they run about their mothers; so they, when they beheld me with their eyes, weeping were poured around me: and their mind seemed to be in the same state as though they had come to their country and their city of rough Ithaca, where they were nurtured and were born. And lamenting, they addressed to me winged words: 'We so rejoice at thy return, O noble one, as if we had come to our paternal land, Ithaca: but come, relate the death of our other companions."
"Thus they spoke; but I addressed them with words: 'First of all let us draw the ship to the shore, and let us lay up our possessions and all our arms in the caves: and do ye all together hasten to follow me, that ye may see your companions, drinking and eating in the sacred house of Circe: for they have abundance.'
"Thus I spoke; but they quickly obeyed my words: but Eurylochus alone detained all my companions, [and addressing them, spoke winged words]:
"'Ah wretched ones, where shall we go? why do ye long for these evils, to go down to the palace of Circe? who will make us all either swine, or wolves, or lions; who must guard her great house, even by necessity. So also the Cyclops did, when our companions came to his abode, and bold Ulysses followed with them: for they also perished through his infatuation.'
"Thus he spoke; but I meditated in my mind, drawing my long sword from my stout thigh, having cut off his head, to throw it to the ground, although he was very near to me in kindred;[1] but my companions one with another restrained me with gentle words: 'O noble one, let us leave him, if thou desirest it, to remain here near the ship and to guard the ship. But do thou lead us to the sacred dwelling of Circe.'
"Thus having spoken, they went up from the ship and the sea. Nor was Eurylochus left at the hollow ship, but he followed; for he feared my terrible threat. But in the mean time Circe had carefully washed and anointed with rich oil my other companions in her house; and she threw woollen
- ↑ Eurylochus had married Ktimene, sister of Ulysses.
