If you can talk in human language , say what you would have me do . '' `` Peep ! '' answered the purple bird , very dolorously . `` Peep , peep , pe -- we -- e! '' Certainly there lay some heavy anguish at the little bird 's heart ; and it was a sorrowful predicament that he could not , at least , have the consolation of telling what it was . But Ulysses had no time to waste in trying to get at the mystery . He therefore quickened his pace , and had gone a good way along the pleasant wood path , when there met him a young man of very brisk and intelligent aspect , and clad in a rather singular garb . He wore a short cloak and a sort of cap that seemed to be furnished with a pair of wings ; and from the lightness of his step , you would have supposed that there might likewise be wings on his feet . To enable him to walk still better -LRB- for he was always on one journey or another -RRB- he carried a winged staff , around which two serpents were wriggling and twisting . 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 XXXXX the joke .
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