"Wicked Circe,' cried he, in a terrible voice,
"this sword shall put an end to thy enchant-
ments. Thou shalt die, vile witch, 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, with-
out waiting for a blow. The chief butler scram-
bled 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, royaJ
and wise Ulysses. For now I know that thou
art he of whom Quicksilver forewarned me, the
most prudent of mortals, against whom no en-
chantments can prevail. Thou only couldst
have conquered Circe. Spare me, wisest of
men. I will show thee true hospita'Jity, and
even give myself to be thy slave, and this mag-
nificent palace to be henceforth thy home."

The four nymphs, meanwhile, were making a

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p206 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p207w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p208

v?