Had gracious birthright from the heav’nly Dame, Still young Neæra; who (brought forth and bred) Far off dismiss’d them, to see duly fed Their father’s herds and flocks in Sicily. These herds and flocks if to the Deity Ye leave, as sacred things, untouch’d, and on Go with all fit care of your home, alone, (Though through some suff’rance) you yet safe shall land In wishéd Ithaca. But if impious hand You lay on those herds to their hurts, I then Presage sure ruin to thy ship and men. If thou escap’st thyself, extending home Thy long’d-for landing, thou shalt loaded come With store of losses, most exceeding late, And not consorted with a savéd mate.’ This said, the golden-thron’d Aurora rose, She her way went, and I did mine dispose Up to my ship, weigh’d anchor, and away. When rev’rend Circe help’d us to convey Our vessel safe, by making well inclin’d A seaman’s true companion, a forewind, With which she fill’d our sails; when, fitting all Our arms close by us, I did sadly fall To grave relation what concern’d in fate My friends to know, and told them that the state Of our affairs’ success, which Circe had Presag’d to me alone, must yet be made To one nor only two known, but to all; That, since their lives and deaths were left to fall In their elections, they might life elect, And give what would preserve it fit effect. I first inform’d them, that we were to fly The heav’nly-singing Sirens’ harmony, And flow’r-adorned meadow; and that I Had charge to hear their song, but fetter’d fast In bands, unfavour’d, to th’ erected mast, From whence, if I should pray, or use command, To be enlarg’d, they should with much more band Contain my strugglings. This I simply told To each particular, nor would withhold What most enjoin’d mine own affection’s stay, That theirs the rather might be taught t’ obey. In mean time flew our ships, and straight we fetch’d The Siren’s isle; a spleenless wind so stretch’d Her wings to waft us, and so urg’d our keel. But having reach’d this isle, we could not feel The least gasp of it, it was stricken dead, And all the sea in prostrate slumber spread, The Sirens’ devil charm’d all. Up then flew My friends to work, struck sail, together drew, And under hatches stow’d them, sat, and plied The polish’d oars, and did in curls divide The white-head waters. My part then came on: A mighty waxen cake I set upon, Chopp’d it in fragments with my sword, and wrought With strong hand ev’ry piece, till all were soft. The great pow’r of the sun, in such a beam As then flew burning from his diadem, To liquefaction help’d us. Orderly I stopp’d their ears; and they as fair did ply My feet and hands with cords, and to the mast With other halsers made me soundly fast. Then took they seat, and forth our passage strook, The foamy sea beneath their labour shook. Row’d on, in reach of an erected voice, The Sirens soon took note, without our noise, Tun’d those sweet accents that made charms so strong, And these learn’d numbers made the Sirens’ song: