ine in the sty; if a
lion, a wolf, a tiger, go howl with the wild beasts on the lawn; if a fox,
go exercise your craft in stealing poultry. Thou hast quaffed off my wine,
and canst be man no longer."

But, such was the virtue of the snow-white flower, instead of wallowing
down from his throne in swinish shape or taking any other brutal form,
Ulysses looked even more manly and kinglike than before. He gave the magic
goblet a toss, and sent it clashing over the marble floor, to the farthest
end of the saloon. Then, drawing his sword, he seized the enchantress by
her beautiful ringlets, and made a gesture as if he meant to strike off
her head at one blow.

"Wicked Circe," cried he, in a terrible voice, "this sword shall put an
end to thy enchantments. Thou shalt die, vile wretch, and do no more
mischief in the world, by tempting human beings into the vices which make
beasts of them."

The tone and countenance of Ulysses were so awful, and his sword gleamed
so brightly and seemed to have so intolerably keen an edge, that Circe was
almost killed by the mere fright, without waiting for a blow. The chief
butler scrambled out of the saloon, picking up the golden goblet as he
went; and the enchantress and the four maidens fell on their knees,
wringing their hands and screaming for mercy.

"Spare me!" cried Circe,--"spare me, royal and wise Ulysses. For now I
know that thou art he of whom Quicksilver forewarned me, the most prudent
of mortals, against whom no enchantments can prevail. Thou only couldst
have conquered Circe. Spare me, wisest of men. I will show thee true
hospitality, and even give myself to be thy slave, and this magnificent
palace to be henceforth thy home."

The four nymphs, meanwhile, were making a most piteous ado; and especially
the ocean nymph, with the sea-green hair, wept a great deal of salt water,
and the fountain nymph, besides scattering dewdrops from her fingers'
ends, nearly melted away into tears. But Ulysses would not be pacified
until Circe had taken a solemn oath to change back his companions, and as
many others as he should direct, from their present forms of beast or bird
into their former shapes of men.

"On these conditions," said he, "I consent to spare your life. Otherwise
you must die upon the spot."

With a drawn sword hanging over her, the enchantress would readily have
consented to do as much good as she had hitherto done mischief, however
little she might like such employment.