The Odyssey Redux - Part Ii - From Aeolian Isle To Circe's Isle

The crew, thinking the Aeolian Gift was not Odysseus' alone but common property Stole the bag, with avariced mind, curious to find, broke the seals - the winds were free The winds in fury, unconfined, vent their wrath - the ship's were blown like chaff Till driven they wee to Laestrygone straits - the wild Winds had their last laugh. Great giants were the Laestrygones - they of Cyclop's ilk - perhaps ten cubits tall They threw great boulders of stone and sank the ships - elven of them all Like scattered beads were the corpses of men - the Laestrygones cannibal feast While busy they were in relishing the fare - Odysseus's ship quitely slipped from the East Odysseus and his battered crew did, doleful and weary, away from land, sail a while With blazing sun, parched throats and hungry maws - they sighted fair Circe's Isle! Now Circe was in beauty cast, fair in diaphanous drape, an enchantress to beware. With welcome arms, (and welcome bed), she charmed with kingly feast and handsome dress. But soon the welcome did turn around as the men did quaff the sweet mulled wine, For half the men, in spells entrapped, soon transmogrified into squealing swine! Great Zeus, from Olympian heights, sent Herme's to Circe to plead for their release Most reluctant was the maid, but abide she did, made men again, they once more set to sea. ------ To be continued ~11 Jun 2016~