"Yes," answered Quicksilver. "He was once
a king, named Picus, and a pretty good sort of a
king too, only rather too proud of his purp.e
robe, and his crown, and the golden chain about
his neck; so he was forced to take the shape of
a gaudy-feathered bird. The lions, and wolves,
and tigers, who will come running to meet you,
in front of the palace, were formerly fierce and
cruel men, resembling in their dispositions the
wild beasts whose forms they now rightfully
wear."

"And my poor companions," said Ulysses.
"Have they undergone a similar change, through
the arts of this wicked Circe?"

"You well know what gormandizers they
were," replied Quicksilver; and rogue that he
was, he could not help laughing at the joke.
"So you will not be surprised to hear that they
have all taken the shapes of swine! If Circe
had never done any thing worse, I really should
not think her so very much to blame."

"But can I do nothing to help them? J in-
quired Ulysses.

"It will require all your wisdom," said Quick-
silver, "and a little of my own into the bargain,

[[198]]

p197 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p198w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p199

v?