I think you all have drunk of Circe’s cup.”
The second, in 1 Henry VI. (act v. sc. 3, l. 30, vol. v. p. 86). On fighting hand to hand with the Maid of Orleans, and taking her prisoner, the Duke of York, almost like a dastard, reproaches and exults over her noble nature,—
“Damsel of France I think, I have you fast:
Unchain your spirits now with spelling charms
And try if they can gain you liberty.
A goodly prize, fit for the devil’s grace!
See, how the ugly witch doth bend her brows,
As if, with Circe, she would change my shape!”
So closely connected with Circe are the Sirens of fable that it is almost impossible to treat of them separately. As usual, Alciat’s is the Emblem-book (edition 1551) from which we obtain the illustrative print and the Latin stanzas.