"‘“... Nay, but put up Thy sword into its sheath, and then let us Go up unto my bed, that met together In love we may put trust in one another.” ‘So said she, but I answered her and said: “How canst thou, Circe, bid me use thee gently, Thou, who hast turned my fellows into swine Within thy halls, and now dost hold me here With crafty mind, and bid me to thy room, Ay, to thy bed, that when thou hast me stripped, Thou mayest make me weakling and unmanned? No, no, not I! I have no mind to share Thy bed, O goddess, till thou first consent To swear a mighty oath that thou wilt not Devise new mischief for me to my hurt.” ‘So said I, and she swore as I required Forthwith, to hurt me not: and when she had sworn And made an end of swearing, then at last I went up into Circe’s gracious bed."
In Greek mythology, Circe is a witch, sometimes considered a goddess or a nymph. In most accounts, Circe is described as the daughter of the sun god Helios and the Oceanid Perse. Circe was renowned for her vast knowledge of potions and herbs. Through the use of these and a magic wand or staff, she would transform her enemies, or those who offended her, into animals.
"And Circe the daughter of Helius, Hyperions son, loved steadfast Odysseus and bare Agrius and Latinus who was faultless and strong: also she brought forth Telegonus by the will of golden Aphrodite. And they ruled over the famous Tyrsenians, very far off in a recess of the holy islands."
Circe"... Then we reached the isle Ææan, where the fair-haired Circe dwelt, An awful goddess, using human speech, Own sister to Æetes, that dark mind; And Helios who gives light to mortal men Begat them both, and Perse was their mother, Daughter of Ocean."
Circe"And Perseïs, the daughter of Ocean, bare to unwearying Helios Circe and Aeëtes the king."
Circe"And quickly from there they passed through the sea, beholding the Tyrrhenian shores of Ausonia; and they came to the famous harbour of Aeaea, and from the ship they cast hawsers to the shore near at hand. And here they found Circe bathing her head in the salt sea-spray, for sorely had she been seared by visions of the night. With blood her chambers and all the walls of her palace seemed to be running, and flame was devouring all the magic herbs with which she used to bewitch strangers whoever came; and she herself with murderous blood quenched the glowing flame, drawing it up in her hands; and she ceased from deadly fear. Wherefore when morning came she rose, and with sea-spray was bathing her hair and her garments. And beasts, not resembling the beasts of the wild, nor yet like men in body, but with a medley of limbs, went in a throng, as sheep from the fold in multitudes follow the shepherd. Such creatures, compacted of various limbs, did earth herself produce from the primeval slime when she had not yet grown solid beneath a rainless sky nor yet had received a drop of moisture from the rays of the scorching sun; but time combined these forms and marshalled them in their ranks; in such wise these monsters shapeless of form followed her."
Circe"And in the fair-haired goddess’ gate they stood, And heard the winning voice of Circe, singing Inside, as to and fro she went in front Of her great deathless web, a work like that Of goddesses, so fine, so fair and bright."
Circe"... Now in the forest glades they found The house of Circe built of polished stone, With a wide outlook; and all round about Were mountain wolves and lions, which she herself Had charmed with the bad drugs she gave them: yet They sprang not at my men, but pranced about And fawned, their long tails wagging. As when dogs Fawn on their master coming from a feast, Because he always brings them bits of food To soothe their temper, so around them fawned The strong-clawed wolves and lions."
Circe