He gave the magic goblet a toss , and sent it clashing over the marble floor to the farthest end of the saloon . Then , drawing his sword , he seized the enchantress by her beautiful ringlets , and made a gesture as if he meant to strike off her head at one blow . `` Wicked Circe , '' cried he , in a terrible voice , `` this sword shall put an end to thy enchant meets . Thou shalt die , vile wretch , and do no more mischief in the world , by tempting human beings into the vices which make beasts of them . '' The tone and countenance of Ulysses were so awful , and his sword gleamed so brightly , and seemed to have so intolerably keen an edge , that Circe was almost killed by the mere fright , without waiting for a blow . The chief butler scrambled out of the saloon , picking up the golden goblet as he went ; and the enchantress and the four maidens fell on their knees , wringing their hands , and screaming for mercy . `` Spare me ! '' cried Circe . `` Spare me , royal and wise Ulysses . For now I know that thou art he of whom Quicksilver forewarned me , the most prudent of mortals , against whom no enchantments can prevail . Thou only couldst have conquered Circe . Spare me , wisest of men . I will show thee true hospitality , and even give myself to be thy slave , and this magnificent palace to be henceforth thy home . '' The four nymphs , meanwhile , were making a most piteous ado ; and especially the ocean nymph , with the sea-green hair , wept a great deal of salt water , and the fountain nymph , besides scattering dewdrops from her fingers ' ends , nearly melted away into tears . But Ulysses would not be pacified until Circe had taken a solemn oath to change back his companions , and as many others as he should direct , from their present forms of beast or bird into their former shapes of men . `` On these conditions , '' said he , `` I consent to spare your life . Otherwise you must die upon the spot . '' With a drawn sword hanging over her , the enchantress would readily have consented to do as much good as she had hitherto done mischief , however little she might like such employment . She therefore led Ulysses out of the back entrance of the palace , and showed him the swine in their sty . There were about fifty of these unclean beasts in the whole herd ; and though the greater part were hogs by birth and education , there was wonderfully little difference to be seen betwixt them and their new brethren , who had so recently worn the human shape .
To speak critically , indeed , the latter rather carried the thing XXXXX excess , and seemed to make it a point to wallow in the miriest part of the sty , and otherwise to outdo the original swine in their own natural vocation .
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