After ten years of war and pain, Ulysses' comrades tempt the main; Long tost about by every wind, At length an island shore they find, Where Circe, great Apollo's child, Held sway, and on the strangers smiled. She gave them cups of drink delicious, With poison sweet, with drugs pernicious. Their reason first gave way; and then They lost the forms and souls of men, Ranging about in shapes of beast, Some like the largest, some the least:-- The lion, elephant, and bear, The wolf, and e'en the mole, were there. Ulysses, he alone escaped, Refusing Circe's cups to drain; And, as his form was finely shaped, And god-like wisdom graced his mind, The goddess sought his soul to gain, By poisoned draughts of varied kind: In fact, like any turtle-dove, The goddess cooed, and told her love. Ulysses was too circumspect, Such coign of vantage to neglect, And begged that all his comrades should Resume their manhood's natural mould. "Yes," said the nymph, "it shall be so, If they desire. You ask them, go." Ulysses ran, and, calling round His former comrades, said, "I've found A method sure, by which again You may resume the forms of men; And, as a token that 'tis true, This instant speech returns to you." Then roared the Lion, "I'm no fool, Your offer really is too cool. What! throw away my claws and teeth, With which I tear my foes to death? No! Now I'm King.--In Grecian land I should a private soldier stand. You're very kind, but let me rest; I choose to be a regal beast." Much with this rough-roared speech distressed, Ulysses next the Bear addressed, And said, "My brother, what a sight Are you, who once were trim and slight!" The Bear replied, in accents gruff, "I'm like a bear--that's quite enough; Who shall decide, I'd like to know, sir, That one form's fine, another grosser? Who made of man the judge of bears? With fair dames now I've love affairs. You do not like my shape? 'Tis well; [Illustration: THE COMPANIONS OF ULYSSES.]