Still cursed with sense, their minds remain alone,
And their own voice affrights them when they groan.

This dire transformation was viewed with horror by the man lurking
outside, who fled back to the ships, imploring Ulysses to depart.
Unwilling to desert his men, Ulysses on the contrary set out for
Circe's dwelling, meeting on the way thither Mercury in disguise, who
gave him an herb to annul the effect of Circe's drugs and directed him
how to free his companions.

Following these instructions, Ulysses entered Circe's abode, partook
of the refreshments offered him, and, when she waved her wand over
him, threatened to kill her unless she restored his men to their
wonted forms! The terrified Circe not only complied, but detained
Ulysses and his companions with her a full year. As at the end of that
time the men pleaded to return home, Ulysses told his hostess he must
leave. Then she informed him he must first visit the Cimmerian shore
and consult the shade of the blind seer Tiresias. The prospect of such
a journey greatly alarmed Ulysses, but when Circe had told him just
how to proceed, he bravely set out.

Wafted by favorable winds, Ulysses' ship soon reached the country of
eternal night. On landing there he dug a trench, and slew the black
victims Circe had given him, and with drawn sword awaited the approach
of a host of shades, among whom he recognized a man killed by accident
on Circe's island, who begged for proper funeral rites. By Circe's
order, Ulysses, after allowing the ghost of Tiresias to partake of the
victim's blood, learned from him that, although pursued by Neptune's
vengeance, he and his men would reach home safely, provided they
respected the cattle of the Sun on the island of Trinacria. The seer