"A large stag ran down into my path, on his way to a river to drink, and I thrust my spear through him and flung him across my neck and took him to the ship. I threw him at the feet of my men, who were astonished at his size. They prepared a banquet at once, and we feasted upon the meat.
"That night we slept on the shore again, and in the morning I told them that I had seen a palace standing in a thick wood, and that I wanted to send several men there to try to get food. When my companions thought of all their comrades who had been slain they wept aloud. But their tears were useless. I divided them into two equal bands, and we cast lots to see which party should make the adventure.
"The lot fell to Eurylochos and his band of men. They started forth, and soon came to a beautiful valley, in which was the splendid house of Circè, which was built of well-hewn stone. There were beasts of prey, lions and wolves, around it. The animals were tame; they wagged their tails and fawned like dogs, but the men were afraid of them. Circè was weaving in the palace and singing a beautiful song. She had bright, sunny hair and a sweet voice. The men heard her as she went back and forth weaving, and they called aloud. She came to the door and threw it wide open and bade them enter.
"Eurylochos alone did not go in, for he feared that some evil would come of it. The others followed her, and Circè seated them on thrones and gave them food and wine, but in the wine she had secretly infused a magic juice which made them forget home and friends and all desire to see their native land.
"When they had eaten and drunk to their hearts' content, she waved her wand over them, and at once the poor wretches were changed into grunting pigs, which she shut up in pigsties and threw acorns and other food fit for swine before them. Although thus transformed and covered with bristles, they still retained the human mind.
"Eurylochos stayed a long time outside awaiting the return of his companions. But as they tarried so long, he hastened back to the ship to tell the news. Thereupon I quickly hung my sword over my shoulder and, taking my bow and arrows, hurried off alone, and soon found myself not far from Circè's palace."