Part 3
He expects to be _ready_, whatever comes. You don’t catch him napping. Besides, who wants a speck of rust on a hanger like that? The war’s an old story now; and this salt air’s the devil’s own invention to make a blade stick to the scabbard.
XENIAS
’Twas a pity he couldn’t draw it on that Cyclops hog. But if we’d let the blood out of him it wouldn’t have let us out of his pesky cave with a giant’s tomb-stone clapped up to the door!—[_Whistling low as he looks up. XENIAS sits facing the Right._] Whew!—What’s in the wind now?
[_All turn quickly toward the point indicated by the speaker, not excepting ULYSSES, whose attention has been attracted by the whistle. At the Right from above EURYLOCHUS enters slowly and hesitatingly, looking pale and haggard, his clothing torn and disordered by the brambles. Observing that all eyes are directed upon him he stops as if afraid to approach the company. Most of the men rise to their feet and move toward him._]
SEVERAL VOICES
Hi! hi!—what’s the good word?—News, news? Where’s Glauc? [_EURYLOCHUS responds only with deprecatory gestures._]
ULYSSES
What? ho, Eurylochus! Hast tidings? Why alone?
What ails thee, mate? Speak out; tell us thy story!
[_With gestures of dismay EURYLOCHUS moves nearer to ULYSSES, but does not speak. ULYSSES regards him with an expression of deep concern. The other men gather more closely round the pair._]
XENIAS
Wake up, man! What’s in your eye? We’re here to help; cheer up!
PHILEMON
[_Patting EURYLOCHUS on the shoulder_] Out with it; out with it!—Go ahead; palaver!
XENIAS
Open up, old fellow. _You’re_ not dead, anyway. We’re used to funerals by this time. [_EURYLOCHUS remains in his despairing attitude and is still unable to speak._]
ULYSSES
[_Severely; taking a step nearer to EURYLOCHUS, while the men fall back slightly._]
Eurylochus, I enjoin you and command To conquer this o’er-mastering mute despair. Deliver straightway the account we crave Of your commission and make known why thus Alone and fraught with visible woe thou comest.— Where are they? Speak!—
EURYLOCHUS
[_With effort; after further hesitation._]
Noble Ulysses, we did most duly follow Thy charge and indication. And when with sharp Stretches of toilsome clambering we drew nigh This shaggy island’s summit, where the ground Sloped smoother, as these rude prickly folds gave way To a tall grove of sombre trees which thrust Their welcome shadows against the mounting sun,— There ’twixt the spectral boles our upward glance Fell on a portly mansion’s shimmering sides. But first, as we clomb higher, a court-yard wall Barr’d, though with open portals, our approach. For at its mouth a glowering throng, Ulysses, Of pards and grisly wolves sat by; not wild, But of a tameness stranger and more awful Than fierce beasts’ native temper—’twas sure sign, And not the last, of foul enchantment. These Strove not to tear and rend us, but were fain Like petted dogs to fawn, wagging long tails And monstrous paws on lap or shoulders throwing; While in their eyes sad looks, half human, seem’d To deprecate and warn. But we press’d on, Heeding thy charge, Ulysses, to mark well The human dwellers’ aspect and of them Inquire, proved they not unbenign or harsh. Dwellers indeed we saw not; but the whole pile, As near its door we stood, did reek and rumble With devilish witchery. Scaly serpents writhed At every coigne; faces with fiery eyeballs Peer’d out amid the foliage; and o’er all Weird flashes leapt of lurid sulphurous flame. Yet that which most profoundly stirr’d my doubts And dark suspicions, was the unearthly _song_, With languorous music mixt, that issued forth To charm and tempt us with seductive spell. Myself shrank back when on my ear that strain Of woman’s guile or witch’s magic struck. Not so the rest, Ulysses,—our lost comrades; But the song bound and pull’d them; nor could I Stem their mad folly. One spoke forth and call’d; And as the doors swang wider all were swept Under the hellish gap; which, closing, swallow’d Like an engulfing whirlpool the doom’d crew. For though, as the song ceased, I watch’d and waited Long time for tidings or some sign, none came: Naught but a dismal silence and increase Of snaky menace and blue infernal gleams!
[_Immediately upon the conclusion of EURYLOCHUS’ narrative ULYSSES, who has listened intently, reaches for his sword near by; takes a quick look at the blade as he draws it partly out and then pushes it back into the scabbard; slings the weapon over his shoulder, puts on his helmet, and then turns to EURYLOCHUS again. The latter exhibits fresh dismay at seeing ULYSSES thus arm himself. The other men also are visibly affected by their commander’s movements._]
ULYSSES
So then thou knowest the way, Eurylochus: Lead on forthwith by the same path; show me The spot where thou didst leave them.
EURYLOCHUS
[_Falling at the feet of ULYSSES and clasping his knees_]
Not thither, great Ulysses! Take me not thither! Thyself will ne’er return, I know right well. It is the road to death or to some state Of hideous, vile bewitchment worse than death. Thou canst not rescue them! What power hath man To battle with foul uncanny spirits?—Nay, This isle is haunted. Let us fly; we are Thus many left alive. To ship and fly!
ULYSSES
[_Scornfully_] Eurylochus, ’tis thy privilege; thou art free To nurse thy safety, tarrying by the ship. On _me_ a duty rests; my course lies clear: My comrades’ fate I go to prove.
[_EURYLOCHUS retreats and cowers while ULYSSES speaks, at the same time gradually rising to a standing posture with his face toward the speaker. He does not join the group of the other men. These have their eyes fixed on the commander, some of them moving anxiously toward him. With his last words ULYSSES starts to go out at the Right. EURYLOCHUS turns away and sits upon a stone near the ship and the water at the Left, covering his face._]
PHILEMON
May we not, sir, accompany you as guard Or help at hazard?
ULYSSES
Nay, good men; remain And guard the vessel. My errand’s of espial And wary circumspection: meet for one; For more, unsuited. I shall not slip. Farewell!
SEVERAL VOICES
Farewell! farewell, sir!
[_The curtain falls as ULYSSES disappears, while the men stand following his footsteps with their eyes._]
VI
The same as Scene II. CIRCE’S banquet-hall.—As the curtain rises the party who entered the palace at the close of Scene IV are shown seated at the table on the Left, while THERMIA and other nymphs serve them with food and wine. The cups are filled by pouring from tall slender pitchers of silver, and these in turn by dipping the wine with ladles from the punch-bowl on the sideboard. The Enchantress and her companions are in their usual places. MYRTO turns her wheel slowly and intermittently without noticeable sound. CIRCE, seated as before at the head of the table on the Right, wears the same dress as in Scene II, but her black robe is not thrown off. The wand lies upon the table near her right hand, neither carelessly nor conspicuously placed. The throne at her left hand, behind which PHILINNA stands, is occupied by _Mikkos_, who wears a brightly polished collar.
The guests are all at the table farthest from CIRCE. The throne at its head, opposite her throne, is occupied by ELPENOR. At his left, near the corner of the table, sits PHORBAS, partaking freely of the banquet, but glancing nervously, now toward _Mikkos_ and now toward the door behind the dais where they had entered. At the left of PHORBAS sit some feasters with their backs to the audience. On the other side of the table, facing the audience, are THERON the cook (at ELPENOR’S right) wearing his cap; GLAUCUS (the farthest in the direction toward _Mikkos_); and other men between THERON and GLAUCUS.
It is near the close of the entertainment. Appearances indicate that the banqueters have begun to feel the effects of the wine that is still poured freely. They are also partly dazed and partly exhilarated by the presence of the Enchantress and her elegant nymphs. The symptoms of intoxication and bewilderment on the part of the men become by degrees more manifest as the conversation proceeds. GLAUCUS preserves his dignity rather better than his companions; but he seems fascinated by CIRCE, to whom he is the nearest in his position at table; and he does not refrain from drinking copiously, nor show due caution or a disposition to remember the details of the mission with which EURYLOCHUS had been entrusted.
CIRCE
[_After a pause_] Ye do full justice, strangers and kind guests, To this our welcome and the cheer we spread. ’Tis right. Go on; and so with act sincere, Not by the hollow word, those virtues prove Which to my bounty I would fain impute. And truly, until a guest hath quell’d the pangs Of sharp importunate hunger, it were ungracious To crave of him accounts or ply his ear With curious question.—I am well pleased to wait Upon your silence keeping even pace With appetite.—Ye have not sat of late, I judge, at flowing boards.
ELPENOR
[_Loudly_] We had roast _deer_ yesterday.
THERON
[_Flourishing his fork_] Done to a turn!
CIRCE
Ah!—did ye then venture To hunt and slay the creatures that frequent My island park? It were no jest to play The involuntary cannibal!
[_Some of the men are seen to be startled by this remark._]
Follow’d perchance Unusual visions in the wake of the feast?
PHORBAS
Yes, yes! my sleep ran ghostly; but I thought ’Twas a mere nightmare.
ELPENOR
I thought I saw a _horse_!
CIRCE
Of our four-footed denizens we note Two sorts: one of original beastly shape; Another, to which the brutal guise hath fallen As fit encasement of their human habits. And these two kinds, one from the other with sure Discrimination to distinguish, proves Sometimes not easy. Thus our good _Mikkos_ here
[_Patting the ape lightly_]
Was once a philosopher of the ancient sect Call’d pre-Ionic—in his day the most Redoubtable of doubters.
GLAUCUS
[_Gravely; nodding his head unsteadily_] Madam, we doubt it not.
CIRCE
Fate ordain’d That to this island he should drift and taste Our cordials. Whereon he was profoundly struck With my maid Myrto.
[_Here MYRTO without looking up sets her wheel a-spinning loudly for a brief moment, causing the banqueters to turn their eyes in her direction._]
From that hour a change Came o’er him.
MYRTO
It was a harmless fancy; And he is harmless now.
[_Upon hearing MYRTO’S voice_ Mikkos _without turning toward her begins to raise himself by his hands upon the arms of the chair, but at a sign from CIRCE lowers himself to sitting posture._]
THERON
[_To CIRCE; pointing with his fork to PHILINNA_]
But why, madam?—why did he not choose That young miss there behind him?
CIRCE
He was a philosopher, I said.
THERON
He was a _pig_!—
CIRCE
Ah, by the by, Thermia, didst thou tell Graea To renovate those sties?
THERMIA
I did, my lady. More swine, she says, have bolted And to the woods run wild. One sty stands empty.
CIRCE
It shall be fill’d erelong.
PHORBAS
[_Looking anxiously at a platter before him_]
Might there be a possible doubt about these spareribs?
CIRCE
Not the least; I have a discriminating cook.
THERON
[_Helping himself to more meat_] You can wager _She_ knows pork when she sees it!
ELPENOR
My father feeds hogs too.
CIRCE
Thy father, gentle youth, will be to-morrow One pig the poorer.—But where dwells he pray?
ELPENOR
He dwells at home; I left him there.
THERON
Lady, the lad forgets; I do much doubt If his own name he can remember right now.
CIRCE
It is an infirmity that ofttimes with wassail Waxes apace. But haply you, good sir, Can tell me whence ye came?
THERON
O sure, ma’am! we came lately from a cove Call’d Æolus.
CIRCE
Ah, what!—from my great kinsman, The steward of the winds?
THERON
A windy stew He brew’d for _us_!—Great Juno! _was_ it breezy, Glauc?
GLAUCUS
Madam, I am a sailor; but I never Saw such incessant, damnable contrary winds In all my voyaging!
PHORBAS
[_Rousing himself excitedly_]
Yes, yes; but who? Who let ’em out? Who let ’em out?
[_GLAUCUS looks fiercely at the speaker and THERON extends his fist threateningly toward him. PHORBAS shrinks away._]
CIRCE
But, gentlemen, pray inform me; whither now Would ye be wafted? From which quarter should Those breezes blow enabling you to reach The desired haven?
THERON
We don’t know that, because We don’t know where we are.
ELPENOR
We’re _here_ now.
GLAUCUS
We’re downright weary o’ pulling Across head winds!
CIRCE
But which of you is leader? Which one doth stand for steering and shrewd guidance?
ELPENOR
He stopp’d outside.
PHORBAS
We thought he enter’d with us; but once inside, We miss’d him.
CIRCE
What _he_ hath miss’d he knows not. I shall send Mikkos to fetch him.
GLAUCUS
Our leader, lady, Is a good careful man, yet over wary Of women or witchcraft. So soon he caught the strain Of the song you sang it paralyzed him.
CIRCE
Ah!
GLAUCUS
Were he here now, he could not look you Square in the face, as I do.
[_GLAUCUS is gazing at CIRCE admiringly._]
ELPENOR
He might see That brass snake on her arm.
GLAUCUS
He would abhor The arm worse than the serpent.
CIRCE
Is then my arm So frightful?
THERON
The arm’s all right, ma’am; but there’s something wrong About Eurylochus.
CIRCE
So; Eurylochus is your leader?
GLAUCUS
Only a bit Backward about leading, when he scents A woman in the wind.
CIRCE
And he would fear Us hospitable maidens?—and, we trust, Of aspect not forbidding.
THERON
O, it’s all one About the aspect. You could tree him, ma’am, As quick as the giant’s daughter.
CIRCE
The giant’s daughter?
THERON
Yes, ma’am; we landed lately on a lot Of bloody cannibals—this big gal first; And Eurylochus took to a tree.
ELPENOR
[_Pointing to PHORBAS_] He climb’d up too.
CIRCE
What! does your friend fear women also?
THERON
O no, ma’am. Phorb’s a trifle timid like, Whether it’s a he or she. You see, it’s this way: Phorb was a-fear’d, because she was so large; And Eurylochus, because she was a lady.
CIRCE
She _was_ a lady then?
PHORBAS
She laid out Theron When he made up to her.
THERON
I had half a mind To make pork chop o’ the bloomin’ hussy!—Ye gods! This meat-knife here does hang plumb heavy For an after-dinner appendage.
[_He detaches the cleaver from his belt and lays it on the table, at the same time loosening the belt._]
I don’t want The dang’d thing dangling at my haunches when The dancing begins.
ELPENOR
When does it begin, Theron?
THERON
Split me if I know! There’s a raft more drinks On the tapis yet.
CIRCE
My friends, I shall soon show you A new dance call’d the four-step.
SEVERAL VOICES
Hi, hi! Hip, hip! [_They pound on the table with their cups._]
THERON
Ha, ha! The four-step; two-and-two two-step: That means partners!
[_He leers again at PHILINNA, drains his cup and waves it toward her.—Other men seem to pay increased attention to the nymphs serving them._]
GLAUCUS
[_Admiringly, but unsteadily_] Do you dance it, madam, yourself?
CIRCE
O no; but Mikkos knows it.
[_Here the ape slowly raises himself by the hands until all four extremities rest upon the arms of the chair, remaining a moment or two in this position before lowering himself._]
THERON
Would you mind, ma’am, Letting that there young miss step over here to take The place of this one?
[_He points to PHILINNA and indicates THERMIA behind him with his left thumb over the shoulder._]
ELPENOR
[_Parenthetically_] Don’t take _her_ away!
CIRCE
A moment, sir; I have some present need of her. One choicest cordial I have not yet brought To your attention. In my island only The vintage can be stored.—A jar, Philinna; Here on my table.
PHILINNA
Do you mean, my lady, The wine which for ourselves alone we press?
CIRCE
Yes, child; these are no every-day arrivals; go!
[_PHILINNA goes out at Right 2. The other nymphs present, except MYRTO and THERMIA, leave the room quietly and unobservedly, closing the Left central door. THERON’S song begins as PHILINNA disappears. The refrain and chorus are joined in by all the men except ELPENOR and PHORBAS, who look at each other and laugh._]
THERON
[_Sings; still looking toward the door where PHILINNA went out._]
It was a stout sailor who cook’d for the crew;
ALL
Sing yo, heave yo!
THERON
A-shedding salt tears while he season’d the stew.
ALL
A-shedding salt tears while he season’d the stew. Sing yo, heave yo, on the briny!
THERON
Salt tears for the sweetheart that jilted him last;
ALL
Sing yo, heave yo!
THERON
And the onions he peel’d made ’em fall thick and fast.
ALL
And the onions he peel’d made ’em fall thick and fast. Sing yo, heave yo, on the briny!
CIRCE
[_To GLAUCUS_] Would _that_ song paralyze your leader, sir?
GLAUCUS
The allusion would prick him, madam; depend upon it.—
[_Turning to THERON_] One more, Thee,—till she’s back with the bitters.
THERON
[_Sings_] One fine morning the pudding-bag busted a flap;
ALL
Sing yo, heave yo!
THERON
So he boil’d the noon mess in his greasy cook’s cap.
[_Here THERON takes his cap from his head and lays it over a plate._]
ALL
So he boil’d the noon mess in his greasy cook’s cap. Sing yo, heave yo, on the briny!
THERON
“For God’s sake,” cried the captain, “what’s struck the plum-duff?”
ALL
Sing yo, heave yo!
THERON
“We don’t need hogs’ bristles to flavor the stuff!”
ALL
“We don’t need hogs’ bristles to flavor the stuff!” Sing yo, heave yo, on the briny!
[_With the last chorus PHILINNA re-enters bearing a punch-bowl of elegant pattern, smaller than the one on the sideboard at the opposite end of the room. She places the bowl upon the table before CIRCE, while the men become silent as they look on._]
MYRTO
My lady, may Mikkos have a drop?
[_At these words the ape begins to draw himself up by the hands again. CIRCE nods assent to MYRTO._]
CIRCE
Philinna!
[_PHILINNA fills a cup from the bowl and hands it to the ape. She also sets a small cup of wine before CIRCE._ Mikkos _drains the beaker, holding it with both hands and throwing his head very far back; and while the eyes of all the men are directed toward him with amused attention CIRCE, opening a very small silver casket that hangs at her girdle, takes a fine powder therefrom and quickly throws it into the bowl. She draws the wand nearer to her hand._]
CIRCE
Thermia!
[_At the word, THERMIA passes up to CIRCE’S table and she and PHILINNA, filling pitchers from CIRCE’S bowl, proceed to refill the cups of the banqueters in regular order, THERMIA from left to right, PHILINNA from right to left. Then as they meet at the centre both the nymphs retire together to the extreme Right near CIRCE. Meanwhile the sombre figure of GRAEA the Swine-maiden is discovered lurking in the corridor behind the Right central doorway._]
CIRCE
[_Raising her cup_] To the health of your backward leader, my brave guests!
GLAUCUS
[_Half-rising; unsteadily_] Out, out! To hostess, hostess! Here’s to hostess!
[_All drink; and the effects of the drug straightway become apparent. An expression of stupefaction and horror passes over the faces of the men. They look at each other vacantly with forced smiles; their heads and arms sway and droop; they swing round in their seats and are evidently unconscious of their situation. At the first symptoms of this delirium the Enchantress rises deliberately from her throne, wand in hand; and gliding along the line toward the Left taps lightly and quickly each man with the wand without pausing in her course. Then she steps upon the dais._]
CIRCE
[_Sternly; with wand pointed upward and back toward the Right centre_]
Hence to the sty! your proper shapes assume!
[_Directly GRAEA, who during CIRCE’S movements has stridden noiselessly into the room and has passed along its edge behind THERMIA and PHILINNA and the Enchantress’ throne until in front of the other table near the point where PHORBAS sits, raises her long whip and cracks it fiercely with sharp detonation at the men’s feet. In a huddle they rush tumultuously away with drooping heads and arms to the open rear doorway and out through it, passing in front of MYRTO and her wheel and followed by GRAEA lashing furiously. Some of the fugitives, as they drop on all fours near the exit, are seen to have already developed curly pigs’ tails at their posteriors. As the victims rush forth_ Mikkos _springs upon the empty throne of CIRCE and balancing himself upon its arms gazes intently into the bowl on the table before him, while MYRTO sets her wheel revolving and humming loudly. The drop-curtain falls just as the door closes behind the herd and GRAEA disappearing over the corridor._]
The several positions at the fall of the curtain are as follows: CIRCE stands upon the dais with wand raised in the attitude described. MYRTO sits at her wheel, which turns more and more slowly as the curtain descends. PHILINNA and THERMIA stand near the boudoir, still holding their pitchers, the hand of one girl resting on the other’s shoulder. _Mikkos_, poised upon CIRCE’S chair, his head lower than his tail, pores intently over the punch-bowl. No person exhibits signs of amusement or excitement of any sort. Their faces are serene, their figures motionless. The wheel comes to a standstill just as the descending curtain hides it.
VII
The same as Scenes III and V. The Seashore. EURYLOCHUS is still seated on the stone by the ship, gloomy and dejected. The other men stand in a group not far from him, apparently discussing some serious proposal.
FIRST SAILOR
Anyway he ordered us to stay here and guard the ship.
PHILEMON
Just so; I believe in obeying orders myself; but, lads, this is an extraordinary case.
SECOND SAILOR
A case it is! But the commander’s equal to it I reckon.
XENIAS
The commander’s equal to anything on a square deal. But it’s odds here against one man; he’ll need help if the land lies the way the mate makes it out.
EURYLOCHUS
[_Turning and facing the others without rising_]
Are ye all mad, and will not lay to heart The sights and sounds of foul bedevilment Haunting this cursed island? Will ye follow Into the pit the steps of that rash man, Foolhardy Ulysses?—the same who prick’d us on To explore the ogre’s cavern, where six brave men Were sever’d limbmeal and devour’d!
SEVERAL VOICES
Out! out!
XENIAS
Bother the ogre! The commander’s started now to pull half the ship’s company out of a hole and if a human subject could compass the business he’s it. But if there’s a dash of witchcraft here, we ought to be with him and shoulder our share.
FIRST SAILOR
Ay, ay! that’s the talk!
EURYLOCHUS
What signifies mere number, when mortal wills Clash with uncanny spirits? It is all over With him and them!—We are enough to row Our galley launch’d and from these shores deliver’d.
SEVERAL VOICES
Ho, shame! shame!
PHILEMON