In short , I have said enough to make you guess that it was Quicksilver ; and Ulysses -LRB- who knew him of old , and had learned a great deal of his wisdom from him -RRB- recognized him in a moment . `` Whither are you going in such a hurry , wise Ulysses ? '' asked Quicksilver . `` Do you not know that this island is enchanted ? The wicked enchantress -LRB- whose name is Circe , the sister of King Aetes -RRB- dwells in the marble palace which you see yonder among the trees . By her magic arts she changes every human being into the brute , beast , or fowl whom he happens most to resemble . '' `` That little bird , which met me at the edge of the cliff , '' exclaimed Ulysses ; `` was he a human being once ? '' `` Yes , '' answered Quicksilver . `` He was once a king , named Picus , and a pretty good sort of a king , too , only rather too proud of his purple robe , and his crown , and the golden chain about his neck ; so he was forced to take the shape of a gaudy-feathered bird . The lions , and wolves , and tigers , who will come running to meet you , in front of the palace , were formerly fierce and cruel men , resembling in their disposition the wild beasts whose forms they now rightfully wear . '' `` And my poor companions , '' said Ulysses . `` Have they undergone a similar change , through the arts of this wicked Circe ? '' `` You well know what gormandizers they were , '' replied Quicksilver ; and rogue that he was , he could not help laughing at the joke . `` So you will not be surprised to hear that they have all taken the shapes of swine ! If Circe had never done anything worse , I really should not think her so very much to blame . '' `` But can I do nothing to help them ? '' inquired Ulysses . `` It will require all your wisdom , '' said Quicksilver , `` and a little of my own into the bargain , to keep your royal and sagacious self from being transformed into a fox . But do as I bid you ; and the matter may end better than it has begun . '' While he was speaking , Quicksilver seemed to be in search of something ; he went stooping along the ground , and soon laid his hand on a little plant with a snow-white flower , which he plucked and smelt of .
Ulysses had been looking XXXXX that very spot only just before ; and it appeared to him that the plant had burst into full flower the instant when Quicksilver touched it with his fingers .
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