Circe and the Cyclops: Beware of Circe the Nymph with the Lovely Braids! (Homer)

She opened her gleaming doors at once and stepped

forth,

inviting them all in, and in they went, all innocence.

Only Eurylochus stayed behind – he sensed a trap….

She ushered them in to sit on high backed chairs, then she mixed them a potion – cheese, barley

and pale honey mulled in Pramnian wine –

but into the brew she stirred her wicked drugs

to wipe their memories any thought of home.

Once they drained the bowls she filled, suddenly

she struck with her wand, drove them into her pigsties. All of them bristling into swine – with -grunts

snouts, even their bodies, yes and only

the men’s minds stayed steadfast as before.

So off they went to their pens, sobbing, squealing

As Circe flung them acorns, cornel nuts and mast,

common fodder for hogs that root and roll in mud.

Homer: “Circe and the Cyclops”