was surely the most magnificent seat that ever a
king or an emperor reposed himself upon, all made
of chased gold, studded with precious stones,
with a cushion that looked like a soft heap of
living roses, and overhung by a canopy of sun-
light which Circe knew how to weave into
drapery. The enchantress took Ulysses by the
hand, and made him sit down upon this daz-
zling throne. Then, clapping her hands, she
summoned the chief butler.

"Bring hither," said she, "the goblet that is
set apart for kings to drink out of. And fill it
with the same delicious wine which my royal
brother, King Aeetes praised so highly, when he
last visited me with my fair daughter Medea
That good and amiable child! Were she now
here, it would delight her to see me offering this
wine to my honored guest."

But Ulysses, while the butler was gone for the
wine, held the snow-white flower to his nose.

"Is it a wholesome wine?" he asked.

At this the four maidens tittered; whereupon
the enchantress looked round at them, with an
aspect of severity.

"It is the wholesomest juice that ever waa

[[204]]

p203 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p204w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p205

v?