Chapter IV

The same as Scene I. The front of CIRCE’S palace. No music or other sound is heard when the curtain rises. The fountain plays as before.—Enter at the Right by the main gateway EURYLOCHUS and his party, the men grouped similarly as at the close of the last scene, but in the reverse order. In advance are PHORBAS and the other timid ones; they enter hurriedly, casting glances of alarm behind them. The rest of the party immediately follow; EURYLOCHUS, GLAUCUS, and THERON last. ELPENOR is in front of THERON, who pushes him forward. The whole company quickly come to a standstill in a single close group with considerable space between them and the steps of the porch. They scan the building and its environs with looks of wonder, especially fascinated by the fountain with its changing hues.—EURYLOCHUS stands apart from the rest, his demeanor indicating hesitation and perplexity. While the others are talking he walks slowly to and fro, occasionally pausing and scanning suspiciously the various features of the scene.

THERON

It’s a rum go so far! eh, Glaucus?

GLAUCUS

[_Shrugging his shoulders_] Rum’s the word! An outpost of tame
tigers! It beats anything we’ve walked into yet. Cyclops’ cave
wasn’t a circumstance.

THERON

I had a notion to crack the skull of that overgrown wolf-cub
when he landed his dirty paws on my shoulders. But he looked
sort o’ gentle like, and besides I thought the old chap who
owns the menagerie might take a miff—whoever _he_ is.

GLAUCUS

It’s some retired show-man or prize-fighter, I reckon.

THERON

He’s got a blue devil penned up in his fountain, sure! Just
look at that, old man; hock first, and blue vitriol at the tail
end of it! There’s bitters for you with a vengeance!—Blast
me, but I’m thirsty as an oyster, whacking a way up through
that pesky brush-wood! If there’s a chance to wet our whistles
inside the house it’ll be worth the dog-show twice over.

PHORBAS

I tell you it’ll pay to be cautious about the inside. Ugh! it
did make my flesh creep, crossing that cordon of wild-cats!
There’s no knowing what we’ll put our foot on if we go farther.

ELPENOR

I put my foot on a snake.

GLAUCUS

They put an architect to work here that _saw_ snakes, anyhow.
Take a look at those water-spouts, boys! [_Pointing to the
gargoyles_]

EURYLOCHUS

[_Approaching the group_] Well, men; what’s the next step? The
commander said go ahead if the people weren’t unfriendly. The
wild beasts out there were friendly enough, you might say; but
there’s an uncanny look to it all.

THERON

I vote to go ahead and knock up the owner. If he’s no worse
than his own whelps we can stand it;—especially if he stands
for the drinks.

GLAUCUS

There’s no two-legged craft within hail outside—nothing but
four-footed gentry out here.

EURYLOCHUS

We might mount the stairs, then, cautiously, and see how
things look under the doorway yonder. [_Shaking his head_] But
I fear enchantment.

[_As they approach the steps the hum of the spinning-wheel begins to be heard. The men pause again, and look at each other a moment in silence. EURYLOCHUS starts at the sound of the wheel, his features betraying heightened anxiety._]

THERON

[_Slapping GLAUCUS on the shoulder_] God-a-mercy, it’s
womankind after all, Glauc! Come on! Ha, ha!

ELPENOR

Maybe it’s a mountain.

[_They all move toward the steps again. THERON, with ELPENOR holding to his belt, and GLAUCUS are now in advance; EURYLOCHUS is at one side; PHORBAS and others are behind. As the first man sets foot on the steps the wheel stops humming and faint music strikes up as prelude to CIRCE’S song. Immediately a clear soprano voice is heard behind the scenes singing the air, the chorus of the song being performed by a quartette of women’s voices. The hearers are sensibly affected, showing their feelings by appropriate pantomime as they alternately pause and mount slowly higher and higher upon the stairs. EURYLOCHUS alone exhibits symptoms of horror and repulsion; the others seem to be charmed and lured on by the song. All of them except the leader are gathered together upon the porch close to the doorway when the last stanza is sung._]

THE SONG OF CIRCE

Ah, who!—ah, who!
Who would dwell longer there _bis_
In a rude world of care,
Of toil and care!
They only live, who hear
My song and taste my cheer—
Who my life share. _bis_
Ah, who!—ah, who
Would toil and tarry there!

(_Chorus_)

They only live, who hear
Our song and taste our cheer—
Who our life share. _bis_
Ah, who!—ah, who
Would toil and tarry there!

II

I know—I know
Where bubbling waters flow;
Where shadowy willows sway
And wood nymphs hide and play
In my round isle.
I know which clustering vine
Spirts out the sweetest wine.
Who would not while
Swift hours away!
Ah, who!—ah, who!
In my round bowery isle!

(_Chorus_)

We know—we know which vine
Spirts out the sweetest wine.
Who would not while
Swift hours away!
Ah, who!—ah, who!
In our round bowery isle!